Change procedures for voting on school budget

Grossly inflated school budgets have prevailed for decades, mostly to meet the requirements of liberal contracts negotiated between powerful and greedy public service employee unions (notice that I said unions) and state politicians. Any excuse to increase the size of local budgets routinely prevails with minimal, if any, benefit to the educational process. Unbridled power of these unions has resulted in the following:

1. Schools actively propagandizing how our poor children will suffer if any spending is denied.

2. Voting laws pertaining to all school matters in New York being governed under education laws, not voting laws (see NY Education Laws 2012-2035). These laws allow any resident to vote on school matters whether registered or not.

All voters must be registered. It shows responsibility and provides reasonable assurance of residency and citizenship. Under current law anyone who votes illegally on school matters can only be fined a maximum of $10.

How many people perjure themselves to please less-than-scrupulous acquaintances or to ensure what they consider best for the schools. I've wondered about the legality of more than one individual voting ahead of me. I have even overheard them asking their friend what to use as an address.

3. A totally flawed process. When the first budget vote fails to pass, we have an annual revote. I guess they figure we will eventually get it right. It's an ever-widening circle with the taxpayer and often the student the loser. There are taxpayers who can't even legally vote if they are property owners in a given school district but do not reside there.

Money and fancy buildings do not provide an education. It requires involved parents and dedicated teachers and students. In the St. Regis Falls district, $23,600 was spent per student last year in a K-12 school, double the national average and more than what most individuals are required to live on per year.

Even so, we're being warned of huge hikes in the upcoming budget. Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to be moving New York state's fiscal house in the right direction, and it's time our education system does the same.

James Nasman

St. Regis Falls