I write to extend thanks from the Carle Place School District for your approval of the 2006-2007 school budget. As you are aware, the budget process is fraught with challenges. Districts must plan to fund academic and co-curricular programs, as well as to provide adequate resources to properly maintain district facilities, all within a framework that the community judges to be fiscally responsible.

Our district educators, administrators and the board of education worked together to develop a spending plan that provided adequate resources to support our budget goals, but did so in a manner that kept our district tax levy one of the lowest in Nassau County.

We also attempted to provide a very transparent process for the community as we examined the budget in public meetings that stretched from January through May 2006.

To have earned your support is meaningful to the district. I pledge that we will endeavor to provide a vibrant, quality education to all of our students and that we will do so in a manner that values trust, honesty and integrity. Additionally, we will work diligently to properly maintain the existing facilities in a way that makes you proud to be a citizen of the school community that you have supported so faithfully through the years.

In expressing our gratitude for the community support of our budget, I also recognize that a number of residents felt that they could not support our budget. To those who chose this option, I pledge that our district will continue to seek opportunities to secure resources, grants and state aid that will meaningfully reduce the impact of local property taxes. We will also remain engaged with discussions with educational colleagues and state and local politicians to seek acceptable options to fund education in a manner that does not rely solely on the value of property.

The passage of our school budget is very much appreciated. Thank you for your support. I promise that we will continue to work diligently to build an appropriate foundation for students to experience success in the world beyond Carle Place.

W. Michael Mahoney
Superintendent, Carle Place Schools