The MPSA frequently calls on the school board to curb spending, and the MPSA and others complain because school spending increases on an annual basis can outpace inflation. These complaints and criticisms are misdirected. School spending increases are driven by many factors, most of which are not within the direct control of the board.

Some investigation will yield a treasure trove of answers and insight into pertinent issues at the root of spending increases. Most increases are the result of state or federal mandates handed to all school districts by either Albany or Washington and are largely not funded. Many state laws tie the hands of local Boards of Education too. These include, but are not limited to, testing mandates, federal IDEA and Child Find legislation, health care requirements, the Wicks Law, the Taylor Law, student transportation laws, and state requirements that districts offer their employees defined benefit plans. Local school boards are powerless in the face of these laws and have a duty and an obligation to comply.

Manhasset's School Board has made significant changes to rein in spending increases where they could, and they deserve to be complimented and supported, not vilified. They have limited administrative overhead, outsourced transportation and greatly curtailed overtime. More importantly, they too recognize the lack of power and autonomy they have in decision making. To that end, they established a citizens' committee to tackle the issues that handcuff their decision making: CACLA, short for Citizens' Committee for Legislative Affairs. All members of the community were welcome and encouraged to apply when the committee was formed last spring and over the summer through notices in the Manhasset Press.

I find it curious that no member of the MPSA applied to join the CACLA. The committee works constructively to identify and address many of the issues at the root of the increases that the MPSA continues to complain about. Enough of the MPSA complaining and laying blame on the shoulders of our board of education where it is easiest; rather it is time to get to work and find real solutions in Albany and beyond.

Regina Rule