MPSA has estimated the proposed 2009 annual school budget to be approximately an 8.71 percent increase over the projected prior period. The school board's public announcement of 4.71 percent is grossly misleading and lacks transparency.

The school board failed to mention that this year's budget increase of 4.71 percent is based on last year's budget, not last year's actual spending. It is common knowledge among the school board members and the administration that the budget, year after year, has about 4 percent fat, resulting in million dollar yearly surpluses. Last year's budget is expected to generate a surplus in the 4 percent range representing unspent tax dollars which should be returned to the taxpayer, but rather than return 100 percent of the unspent taxpayer dollars to the taxpayer, the school district has funded a series of multi-million dollar lawsuits.

So if last year's budget has about 4 percent more than what was actually spent, and this year's budget is 4.71 percent higher than what was spent last year, the real budget increase over last year's spending is in the 8.71 percent range. Most would agree, proposing an increase of approximately 8.71 percent, three times the inflation rate, is unacceptable. Most would agree that a real budget increase in the range of 8.71 percent; the superintendent's raise of 19 percent; a new union contract raise of 3.35 percent on top of annual automatic raises, represent a callous disregard for the taxpayer.

MPSA recommends that the 4 percent of unspent tax dollars from last year be returned to the taxpayer by removing it from this year's proposed budget, bringing this year's announced increase from 4.71 percent to .71 percent (less than 1 percent). Furthermore, the school district has surpluses from prior years that are allowed to reduce this year's taxes. As such, the .71 percent can be offset by prior surplus, resulting in a zero increase in the 2009 budget and much needed relief for the taxpayer. We believe at least one other school district is proposing a zero budget increase that follows our recommendation.

For those interested in learning more about the budget, feel free to attend MPSA's next meeting where former school board and finance committee members, who support MPSA's mission of academic excellence and reasonable taxes, are more than willing to explain the budget process. Otherwise check MPSA website at manhassetpsa.com for further information.

Laurann Pandelakis