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Health & Fitness

Groundhog day......... let's do it again~

In this day and age of fiscal responsibility and corporate governance, I walk out of Miller Place BOE community meetings feeling as if I have left an episode of the “Twilight Zone.”

 After years of struggles to keep budget, and tax increases down, and preserve teachers’ positions and programs could we really be tabling discussions around huge solar panel projects for all school buildings, a new roof and an entrance foyer?

 I get the concept of a solar project paying for itself over time, but let's consider doing one building first, do a cost benefit analysis and project for the tax payers when the solar project will pay for itself, vs. full tilt into an all building project? My understanding is cast iron boilers are supposed to last the upwards of 100 years. A little chilly in the building? I’ll send my child with an extra sweater thanks.

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 And while talking about the “solar project” at the same time a new roof? To be obscured under the solar panels? I as a taxpayer would like to see a projection for roof repairs, vs. the millions we will spend on replacement. Window glazing as a means of security? Sadly, danger will make its way through windows glazed or not, if there is a mad person on the loose. While new foyers and grand entrances are an architects' vision and delight, I would also put that one in the non essential veto column.

 

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The appearance of quiet on the taxpayer front has led us back to big budget pet projects that this district has no capacity or budget for. Mike and Brian ran for their spots on BOE based on the platform of fiscal prudence and responsibility. Mike as a CPA and Brian as a financial planner clearly get dollar cost impacts and cost benefit analysis projections. Why are we not utilizing these methods before blindly opening our wallets? Because a partisan architect says we should? The time is now to say NO  to the ridiculousness of these expenditures and focus on academic achievement and getting the school ranking back where it belongs. Want to spend money? Spend it on student enrichment programs, with focuses in science and mathematics. 

 In our new High School foyer, I would like to see a banner that says “Miller Place – Best in Class”- or Intel or Westinghouse Award recipient.

 

 

 

 

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