Letter to the Editor: Please Support School District 14 Budget

On Tuesday, May 15, voters of the Hewlett-Woodmere School District will be given the opportunity to vote on Proposition One for the proposed school budget with a tax cap levy of 1.91 percent and a budget increase of 2.47 percent. Hewlett-Woodmere Central Council PTA, which includes all five building units and SEPTA, approve of the proposed budget and urge everyone to VOTE YES. In addition, Proposition Two would create a repair reserve fund solely from surplus funds with NO TAX IMPACT and can help in keeping future budgets as low as possible.

As we are all very well aware we are all living in very trying economic times. We all question why our taxes are so high and why they need to increase every year. The budget presented for our approval represents an increase of 2.47 percent, which, once again, is one of the lowest increases in more than a decade. As well, our tax levy of 1.91 percent together with our budget increase falls within the average increase of many school districts across the county. This is a very low number given the fact that the vast majority of the total budget increase is based on numbers the district has no control over due to state and county costs that have been shifted onto the district together with additional unfunded mandates.

2.47 percent is a very small increase especially considering that this budget:

• Maintains programs and services most valued by community, parents and students
• Maintains elementary class size guidelines at current level
• Maintains art, music and athletic programs
• Eliminates two administrative positions

To sum up, the proposed budget maintains what has been valued most by our community with a minimal increase from budget to budget.

Please be sure to come out and VOTE YES. Not coming out to vote is equal to a “no” vote. Please come out to support our community on Tuesday, May 15, at the at One Johnson Place in Woodmere from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Please vote YES for all of our children and our community!

Thank you for your support,

Mitchell A. Greebel
Central Council Co-President Hewlett-Woodmere Schools