The spectrum for the 2003-04 budget in the Sewanhaka Central High School District arrived in the mail the other day. At first glance, it looks good. The newsletter may lead taxpayers and parents to think that taxes are going up significantly but at least our children's educational programs are secure. This, however, is not the case. A recent policy change, voted on by the board of education in a private meeting, in violation of the Open Meeting Law, severely restricts access to out of district Board of Cooperative Educational programs (BOCES).

The motive for this policy change can be found a year ago, in the minutes of the meeting of May 7, 2002 when the superintendent indicated that, "These programs will have to be examined to determine the district's cost." The Spectrum states that they "cut every remnant of waste from our operations - from programs to paper clips." But programs that benefit our children are not waste to be cut, especially when taxes are being raised so considerably.

A factor contributing to the significant rise in our taxes is the liability insurance increase due to two recent fires and a ceiling collapse. It is an interesting juxtaposition that the new luxurious administration building is directly behind the building our students use where the ceiling collapsed.

At one recent meeting with parents in attendance it was mentioned that 20 palm pilots were purchased for administrators to ensure the safety of our children in the event of a disaster. I think our children's safety can be better assured by purchases that more directly benefit them.

There has also been a shift in costs imposed on parents in recent years by an ever-increasing number of "workbooks" and $100 calculators that used to be paid for out of school funds. Parents cannot even benefit from bulk purchase prices for these items.

Make no mistake about it. This budget raises our taxes significantly and is detrimental to our students. Our children's programs are a soft target when decisions that adversely affect them are made behind closed doors, in violation of the law.

It is vital that taxpayers and parents unite together to insist on being heard as equal partners in the decision-making process. Parents in our school district are forming a chapter of a national, community-based parent advocacy organization called Parents for Public Schools. Concerned citizens are invited to call 1-800-880-1222 to express their interest and leave their names and addresses in order to join us.

Margaret Murphy