PTA Members Fear Public Frustration May Sink Budget

A line-by-line breakdown of the Hauppauge school district’s 2011-2012 budget has been posted on the district’s website for more than a month, available to residents for careful scrutiny before the May 17 vote.

Yet members of Hauppauge’s Parent-Teacher Association fear parents may vote down the budget out of misdirected frustration, or worse, not cast a vote at all.

Kirsten Reisfeld, president of Hauppauge Middle School PTA, said that public unrest over New York state’s $1.4 million cut to Hauppauge’s educational funding could negatively influence the budget vote.

“People could potentially vote 'no' because they are trying to have their voices be heard,” said Kirsten Reisfeld, president of Hauppauge Middle School PTA. “It’s sad, because our kids will lose. The people who need to hear these voices are really in Albany.”

Stephanie Scaduto, vice president of Hauppauge’s PTA Council, said residents need to understand the district is facing a $4.6 million increase in contractual obligations and state mandates, that when coupled with declining state aid, forced board members to make difficult cuts to staff and programs.

“I think people still have the mentality they are voting on our teachers’ salaries,” Scaduato said.

Parents petitioned district officials to to save jobs at the April 12 board meeting. Reisfeld said district parents should contact their elected state officials to vent their frustrations.

Disenfranchised voters may have a large impact on Hauppauge school district’s budget vote if the turnout is low, Scaduto said. Hauppauge’s 2008-2009 proposed school budget initially failed by 6 votes, 951-956.

“People feel their vote doesn’t matter. They should be out there teaching their children how to vote,” the vice president said. “Vote how you want to vote, but be educated in how you vote.”

Each school’s individual PTA unit will vote on whether to support the 2011-2012 budget as an organization before May 17, although this does not dictate control over how each member may vote.

"The board put up a fiscally responsible budget. I personally will vote yes, because I have faith that the board members have asked every question necessary," Scaduto said.