Why won’t school boards consider consolidation?

To the Editor:

Early this year, consolidation of various government was suggested by state representatives as a way to reduce or control various local taxes. This idea has gone nowhere and fell on deaf ears.

Kate Murray, Hempstead supervisor, wrote a letter to all town members, condemning the thought. A local state representative said anyone wanting consolidation was a disgruntled minority.

I though the idea is worth consideration. Valley Stream has four separate and independent school districts in this little village and they seem ripe candidates for consolidation.

Consolidation of the four was considered in 1996 but one district enjoyed the benefits (taxes) paid by Green Acres and did not wish to lose or share this significant bonanza. This position still exists. You wonder how the 13 states ever got together years ago.

Because of this, redundancy is rampant and expensive, i.e. four back offices, four attorneys, auditors, etc. Why not get together and have one back office, one attorney, one auditor? Why not outsource payroll, purchasing, etc.?

I visited the four school board meetings and made the suggestion. Three of the four didn’t agree that one back office would save money. Such outsourcing has been an industry practice four years. Why? India thrives on this practice. The fourth district let me give my pitch but made no comment whatsoever. It seems the four like everything as is. I cited what Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy had done with the police and saved $8 million. One member put him down and was not impressed. Another said if this were done in Valley Stream, it would be just like New York City. Wow.

I think the public deserves consideration of this subject. None is in the cards based on what I learned at the board meetings.

Richard Creeron

Valley Stream