Education
Local Teachers Associations and Our 2009-2010 School Budgets: The Silence is Deafening
By Ronald D. Stadelmaier
Jan 30, 2009, 10:00

Folks, by now you have read here on Speakupwny, or have seen and heard on TV, or have read in numerous published local newspaper articles the horrors our communities will face from the proposed multi-million dollar cuts in state aid to our area school districts.

Perhaps you've also heard or read about the inevitable need to raise our property tax rates by 8%, or 10%, or even more to compensate.

Yes, we've been officially advised that our bottomless property tax trough will be siphoned yet again despite "proactive" cost-cutting efforts by our school districts. These proposed cuts include reduction or elimination of numerous extra-curricular and after-school programs, field trips, transportation services, school supplies - even lowering the heat in school buildings. And yes - even the notion of a reduction in school personnel has been carefully whispered.

Perhaps you've also heard or read that district taxpayers will fair no better, and perhaps worse, if we vote to turn down proposed budgets this spring and end up with a "Contingent Budget."

What you haven't seen, heard, or read is any substantial reference to any public comment from representatives of any of our local teachers associations - specifically - the ones represented by perhaps the most powerful union in our Vampire State, the New York State United Teachers.

Not a word from them. Not even as much as a "softball" interview of a teachers association president by one of our fine local media.

I wonder why.

I also happen to wonder how many area residents and parents would be interested in learning how our local teachers associations will be assisting our Superintendents, our School Boards, our district taxpayers, and of course, "the children" cope with our massive budget shortfalls.

The silence of our local teachers associations speaks volumes - and it's deafening.

And unfortunate for us, fellow residents, parents and taxpayers - so does - and is - our silence

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