Our Port Washington school district is getting one of its largest ever increases (up 13 percent) in state aid of over $1 million (third highest in Long Island), and our pension costs are $700,000 lower because of good stock market returns for New York pension funds.
In spite of these factors, for this year and the past four years, our tax levy increase has averaged 0.9 percent above the normal cap, primarily due to the exemption allowed for capital costs. But this is due to the $70 million bond our school board got passed in 2015 by setting a vote date in the winter rather than the normal May vote date. This deceptive action was called “blatantly disrespectful to taxpayers” by Newsday (1/11/15).
Going above the normal tax cap by 0.9 percent for 10 years cost the average Port homeowner about $5,000 more in taxes, and far more afterwards. Most Port residents used to get back about 30 percent of property taxes as a reduction in federal taxes — but no more. Consider voting “no” on our school budget increase of 3 percent and tax increase of 2.9 percent. At least one BOE candidate, Bob Young, is also opposing this excessive budget and tax increase. Thank you, Bob.
Frank J. Russo, Jr.
President
Port Wash. Educational Assembly
