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Partly Cloudy BOE Candidates answers H-W’s Central Council questions
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As some homeowners apply for, and are granted, reductions in their value, the total assessed value goes down, and therefore the rates go up even more than the approved levies. Even though there is now a tax levy cap of approximately 2 percent, the tax rates in Nassau County (as reported by Newsday, May 2), increased 19 percent in the last two years. That is not something that the district has any control over, yet the politicians that should be solving the assessment problem continue to promote the certiorari process and point the finger at districts that are restricted by the levy cap.
As everyone knows, the states rollout of the Common Core has been a mess. We have had to work with administration to ensure that we are in compliance with state laws and regulations, while at the same time we have advocated against the barrage of standardized tests forced on our students. It is a delicate balance between doing what we want to do and what we have to do, and it takes a lot of focus to make sure that we find that balance and do what is best for our students while complying with the law.
What do you see as the greatest strength of Hewlett-Woodmere schools?
The greatest strength of the district is the caring and supportive community of parents, teachers, administrators, and residents who truly want what’s best for our children. We have had a total of five new trustees elected since Cheryl and I were first elected in 2011, and we are all dedicated to working hard on behalf of the community every day.
What do you see as the greatest weakness in our district and what would you do to change it?
The greatest weakness in our district is our extremely high tax rate. When our residents receive tax bills that are not in line with the tax levy percentages they voted on, they think that it is solely due to the district’s budget, and unfortunately, it’s not. As I explained earlier, the broken county assessment system and the fluctuating home values have caused major swings for some homeowners that are unrelated to the now limited growth of the total levy.
As everyone knows, the states rollout of the Common Core has been a mess. We have had to work with administration to ensure that we are in compliance with state laws and regulations, while at the same time we have advocated against the barrage of standardized tests forced on our students. It is a delicate balance between doing what we want to do and what we have to do, and it takes a lot of focus to make sure that we find that balance and do what is best for our students while complying with the law.
What do you see as the greatest strength of Hewlett-Woodmere schools?
The greatest strength of the district is the caring and supportive community of parents, teachers, administrators, and residents who truly want what’s best for our children. We have had a total of five new trustees elected since Cheryl and I were first elected in 2011, and we are all dedicated to working hard on behalf of the community every day.
What do you see as the greatest weakness in our district and what would you do to change it?
The greatest weakness in our district is our extremely high tax rate. When our residents receive tax bills that are not in line with the tax levy percentages they voted on, they think that it is solely due to the district’s budget, and unfortunately, it’s not. As I explained earlier, the broken county assessment system and the fluctuating home values have caused major swings for some homeowners that are unrelated to the now limited growth of the total levy.
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