A Vote Of Support

Residents across New York State will vote on school budgets and in school board elections over the next two weeks, with mail-in ballots due in district clerk offices by June 9.

While we have generally advocated for strong support of public education — which involves close scrutiny but, ultimately, support of school budgets — this year, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, it is critical that residents support their public school districts and their proposed spending plans for 2020-21.

The COVID-19 virus pandemic has impacted every facet of our lives, including education, with children and teens spending the last two months of their school year distance learning at home, with educators checking in remotely.

The reality is that the impact on public education hasn’t even begun to be truly felt. School boards rallied to adopt budgets to present to the public knowing that many taxpayers are facing financial hardship, and also understanding that it is very likely the state’s deficit will lead to significant cuts in state foundation aid midyear. Locally, most districts do not heavily rely on foundation aid, but especially for those already operating on thin margins, the reduction will be felt and could impact programming during an already stressful, unprecedented time for educators.

This uncertainty also comes as districts begin planning for an eventual reopening of physical space in a post-COVID-19 landscape. Without the benefit of a vaccine yet, social distancing measures will need to be put in place, raising questions about classroom size, transportation, classroom supplies, technology needs and extracurricular activities.

While this may be the first time districts have had to plan for a total reimagining of how we conduct public education (as we all eagerly await news of a vaccine and information about potential immunity for those who have tested positive for the antibodies), it is not the first time local districts have had to contend with what will likely be a economic recession. With the housing and stock market crash in 2008, many districts responded to cuts in aid with layoffs, increased class sizes and deep cuts in programming. Locally, the South Fork was largely buoyed by an economy that has shown an ability to bounce back.

While we can all remain hopeful that the same will be true at the end of this crisis, COVID-19 offers a vivid reminder that the future is unknown. For our public educators, we should at the very least ensure that the local taxpayer-funded portion of their budgets are safe for next year.

The toll this situation has taken on children’s emotional and mental health has been at the forefront, as it should be. It is incumbent on the taxpayer to offer the institutions that educate and support our children, through this process and beyond, all the support we can.

In this case, it is as easy as voting in favor of a school budget.