Tony Walker to the WBOE
It is under great distress that I take pen to paper and write to you today. I am writing because of the recent budget discussions between the townspeople of Woodstock, the Woodstock Board of Education (BOE) and the Superintendent of the Woodstock Public Schools (WPS). In my opinion, the recent budget discussions have been horrendous. As we all know, these are nearly unprecedented times facing our town and our people and I thought now is the time to stand up and let my voice be heard.
First of all, let me start by saying I applaud any individual that is willing to make the personal sacrifices involved in serving on any volunteer board. That being said those that are volunteering for these boards should be acting with integrity and in the best interests of the town and its residents. Putting forth a budget that defies the request of the Board of Finance (BOF) to keep all town department budgets level funded (i.e. a 0% increase over the previous budget) seems to me to be in direct conflict with what is in the best interest of the town and its residents. I simply do not see the advantages, for the WPS or the town, in having one board openly defy the request of another.
Recently the Woodstock Board of Finance (BOF) requested that the 2009-2010 town department budgets be level funded. This means that if your department’s 2008-2009 budget was $10, then your department’s 2009-2010 budget should be $10. The BOE has put forth a budget, voted on at their March 19, 2009 meeting, with a proposed increase of 3.56% over last year’s budget. The BOE stated in a letter accompanying their budget submission, they were going to “strive to significantly decrease the 09/10 budget based on your request of December 17, 2008”. Nonetheless, the budget that stands today has an increase over last year of 3.56%, which does not meet the requirements of the BOF.
I have been involved in the budgeting process at both large and small enterprises throughout most of my career. The language and tactics being used by members of the BOE and the administration of the WPS are the same as those I see used in the budget negotiations at private enterprises. The major difference is that the WPS is not a private enterprise. It is a public enterprise; therefore, it should be completely transparent and it should have one goal in mind - providing the best education humanly possible to the children of Woodstock. There is no room in the public process for “game playing”.
As I said earlier, these are difficult and nearly unprecedented times we are facing as a town and as individuals. While some have said that the BOF has overstepped their bounds requesting 0% increase budgets, the bottom line is that we all have to tighten our belts. Almost every day we hear about entities reducing staff, benefits, and expenses. As unfortunate at this is the Town of Woodstock needs to do the same. It is fiscally responsible for the town to put forth a budget that is level funded for 2009-2010 when compared to the budget of 2008-2009. Understandably, a level funded budget will be difficult and unpopular decisions will have to be made. My fear is that without this type of budget put forth, the voters of Woodstock will defeat it. Instead of multiple referendums (like in the past), let’s get this done right the first time.
Due to contractual obligations, in order to maintain a level funded budget, the BOE will need to cut funding in other areas. I implore the BOE to cut line items in the budget that are furthest from the school’s purpose – the education of the next generation. I cannot offer specific items to cut, as I do not know what our total contractual obligations are. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been this type of discussion regarding the 2009-2010 budget held at a BOE meeting.
Let’s put forth a budget that has accountability, integrity, and transparency the voters of Woodstock can accept that focuses on our common goal – EDUCATING THE CHILDREN OF WOODSTOCK.
Respectfully,
Anthony Walker
Mr. Walker,
You rightly mention that the WBOE is not a private entity but rather a public entity. If this is so then the WBOE should not and are not the deciders of whether or not to cut the educational budget to zero % simply because someone believes that this is what "the town" wants. Who is "the town" and when did we decide that this is what "we" want?
The only role the BOE is responsible for is to develop and propose a budget that reflects the needs of the schools, as they see it, so that the taxpayers can then decide for themselves if it meets their fiscal abilities. This is what they are elected to do--in your words, "to provide the best education humanly possible to the children of Woodstock".
Yes the budget should be accountable and transparent, but does cutting the budget to zero % really gaurantee this? Does cutting the budget to zero % "provide the best education humanly possible to the children of Woosdtock." Maybe it does but I don't know because by your judgement I am not allowed to see what I might be missing.
Further, I will certainly vote no on any budget if it doesn't meet my fiscal abilities, but I will not vote NO simply because I think the budget is harmful to someone else. Call me selfish, but I pay my fair share of taxes and have as much right to vote for my best interests as the next guy...and certainly the next guy is doing just that.
Consider this: What about the fact that maybe I'm tired of paying my mortgage while others who over extended do not and I have to bail them out? What about the fact that my taxes dollars and my kid's future are being spent by this nutty liberal President faster than a crack addict drinking Red Bull? What about that my tax dollars fund social security, medicare, and all the other trillions of dollars of bailout money and entitlements that I may never get to enjoy? Is it OK that the Federal government forces me to pay these taxes while my local government tells me I have to sacrifice even more and that I can't vote for something that I may want? Is it OK for me to support everybody else with my taxes but when I want a little for my kid's education I am suddenly greedy and people like you insist on taking away my right to vote for something that might actually give me and my kid something back for a change??
Let me also say this-- if the budget fails and the majority want a zero % increase and further cuts to the school budget, you won't hear a peep from me. I fully respect that decision. Heck, maybe I'm even in that majority! I'm not suggesting that a zero % budget is right or wrong. I am only suggesting that the principles of this country are upheld. I choose to live in Woodstock and I would never argue the right of others to vote for their self-interests. That's what voting is all about and that is the deal with living in America. Its a beautiful thing. All I'm asking for is that the same right is given to me.
Mr. Walker,
Thank you for standing up and speaking out.
There are difficult choices to be made. It would be nice to see that 'business as usual' was finally put to bed but, this budget appears to be more of the same.
I hope that more citizens will join you in speaking out. It's time for change.
admin.
Can you post the BOF request for a zero % increase for all to see and read?
Bill -
If I may call you that, you are correct that the BOE should put forth what they think is best in terms of budgeting. We also have an idea of what the BOF is thinking in terms of a budget to present to the town. I just don't want to see the same thing happen this year as in the past where we have multiple boards fighting with each other, and multiple referendums.
On another note, I agree with your comments regarding the bailouts, etc. I don't like having to bail out someone who took out a mortgage they knew they could not afford. I don't like having almost $11Trillion in debt. I think that we are closer in opinions then we think.
I just want to cut through the back and forth with the BOF, BOS and the Town so that the BOE can focus on their mandate, providing the best education possible for the children of Woodstock.
Thanks,
Tony
Tony,
I agree with you. I think that the best possible way to avoid this "back and forth" is to let the BOE and the BOS develop prudent budgets that reflect the needs of the school and town. Then let the public vote on it. The results speak volumes and are inarguable. If at that time the budget needs to be cut down further so be it and the board memers can wash their hands of the dirty politics and responsibilities for such cuts.
I understand the practical nature and the good gesture of the BOF. I just think that they are speaking for some people and not all. I think they are stepping into the process where they should not be and I think they set the wrong precedent. This doesn't have to be that difficult. There are clear safety nets for the taxpayers already built in to the process (Prop 46).
While perhaps it would save a few steps and $ to just go right to the Prop 46 cap (which may or may not be a zero% increase) but I think that the whole town needs to be on board with that. I also think a discussion on where cuts should be made and how spending is appropriated between the town and education side needs to occur. This should happen after the budget is voted on and not before.
Just my opinion. Do you see my point or am I just needlessly spinning my wheels? I think the discussion and debate on this is worth having regardless of the probability. I think this is where blogs such as this can be very helpful. I only wish more people would engage.
Bill -
You're not spinning your wheels. I do see your point and also wish there were more people who engaged.
Tony