Portuondo Voices Support for School Budget

The Board of School Estimate is expected to pass the proposed school budget Wednesday night which would increase taxes 5.6 percent.

Mayor Jordan Glatt, who is expected to have the deciding vote tomorrow, said he is still grappling with tomorrow's vote although he says he has not hid his support of the schools in the past.

"I wouldn't be right if I didn't have some concerns here," he said. "It's expensive. What I'm having a hard time getting across to people, and what I'm really scared about is next year. What would happen, if we gut this thing, next year?"

While Glatt is likely to support to the budget, Councilman Tom Getzendanner's feelings aren't certain at this time. He has previously suggested the Board of Education look at alternative revenue streams, such as charging parents for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten enrollment. It is uncertain if the likelihood he will run for re-election will effect his vote Wednesday.

Board of School Estimate member and Ward II Councilman Rich Madden has already come out publicly saying he would like to see an additional $350,000 in cuts to get the tax levy increase below 5 percent and cannot support the budget as is.

"In good faith, I cannot support a tax waiver close to 6% if all options have not been explored or implemented," he wrote in a statement. "Can we sit down to find another $350K that gets the tax increase under 5%? I think so."

Councilwoman Ellen Dickson was in attendance at Monday afternoon's budget presentation and while she does not get a vote on the Board of School Estimate, she said she will be voicing her opinion to her council colleagues that do. The city is committed to trying to keep their portion of the tax levy at a 2 percent increase and Dickson said that may come at the cost of unpaid furlough days for police officers and fire fighters.

"I'm afraid that if we keep treating teachers as this protected class our city hall employees fall further and further behind," she said. "I'm afraid the disconnect it's going to cause within the community.

Councilwoman Nuris Portuondo, while without a vote on this matter, said she is fully in support of the Board of Education Budget.

"These are extraordinary times.  Due to changes in State government, we are witnessing last minute budget changes, necessitating quick reaction from our Board of Education and our local officials," Portuondo said in a statement to Summit Patch. "I believe that our Board of Education has attempted to balance these developments and has presented a sound budget.  Our local officials have similarly attempted to balance the needs of the entire community in evaluating budgetary issues for the Board of Education.  I am fully supportive of our Board of Education as one of the backbones of our community and am confident that in these extraordinary times, the municipality and the Board of Education will work together to adopt a budget that serves our children."

The feelings of councilmembers Steve Murphy, Dave Bomgaars and Michael Vernotico are not known at this time.