Greenburgh tax payers just received a 2 percent County tax increase. How many individuals know that if their taxes go up significantly, it will increase the chances that they will have a difficult time selling their houses? Many decide whether they will heat their homes comfortably or eat. Another factor, many parents do not send their children to the district and pay tuition for a private school? It’s more than 23%.
It’s about more than just test scores. Which shouldn’t be the only way a child’s success in school is determined. How many people know for sure that $79 million is not an inflated number for the district to make the necessary repairs? If you’ve walked throughout RJ Bailey, the interior is in very good shape. Yes the magnificent auditorium needs chairs repaired and peeling paint repaired .On Saturday If you visited Highview you only saw the boiler room, yes it was absolutely astonishing that the furnace installed prior to 1955 is still there & works. Yes a leaky pipe should be repaired and asbestos should be contained or removed. I’ve been in Highview before and the interior is in good shape.
A new heating system for Woodlands high school is approximately $1 million. (Give or take $200,000)The only breakdown of expenses is the cost to each building. What would the taxpayers get for $79 million? Woodlands repairs comes in at close to 50 million. I’ve pleaded with the board and superintendent to post the breakdown of the repairs for each building not just a number for each building. It’s been 3 weeks & no info.
There is a strong undertow of civic association members who were astonished at information presented at the first meeting in Woodlands and are now posting and informing their neighbors each time they attend a meeting. This information Is based on information the board presented to the public. It is a fact the traffic congestion is a real issue.
Not everyone can afford the fancy coffee every day or to go out to dinner as stated in the Journal news a couple of months ago. Make no mistake the budget vote was pushed back to March 19 for many reasons, primarily suspected voter suppression. Many are scrambling to inform thousands of residents of this potentially life-changing bond. Yes, it could change the lives of the students who are already performing well & graduating on time and it could change the lives of the taxpayers who may have to up & leave. Information is spreading like wildfire .
Disseminating the information has become a challenge. There’s been flip-flopping with answers and expenditures. Yes the kids do deserve better. But what will it cost to average taxpayer? Why do kids in the high school have to wait until Highview and Bailey are sold for the necessary repairs at WHS to be complete? Will the district obtain 20 million for the sale of the buildings? Just like the “irreparable buildings", taxpayers are left in the dark wondering why nothing was repaired in over 11 years or asking is this really a good use of my hard earned money?
Does anyone question why each time they show up at the public school info meeting why the PowerPoint is completely different? Just Saturday individuals were asked to write questions on index cards. The cards were collected and the questions were not answered as promised. Another factor in this vote: civic associations and blogs will be a very strong undertow in this vote. I encourage all residents to find time to read blogs and civic association websites because their information is what is disseminated from meetings and is truly a strong voice that speaks for many. As for individuals who were told “change your settings to shut out people who post” “Fasten your seat belt it’s going to be a bumpy ride”
- Name withheld upon request.
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