5.6.09 Letter To Superintendents

THOMAS R. SUOZZI COUNTY EXECUTIVE THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE BUILDING OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE 1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE MINEOLA, NY 11501

May 6, 2009 Dear Superintendent: School districts across New York State are increasingly working to hold the line on property tax increases. As Chairman of the State Commission on Property Tax Relief, I commend your collective efforts. This year, for example, less than 60 of the State’s nearly 700 school districts proposed increases above 4 percent. Since the 2004-2005 school year, there has been a downward trend in the average proposed school property tax increase from 8.73% that year to only 2.1% during this current year. Specifically, proposed increases for all years were as follows: • • • • • •

2004-2005: 8.73% 2005-2006: 7.48% 2006-2007: 6.06% 2007-2008: 4.26% 2008-2009: 3.68% 2009-2010: 2.10%

Despite these encouraging statistics, property taxpayers face an unsustainable burden. Our Commission has proposed many recommendations, but I am fully aware that school districts see relief from state laws and unfunded mandates as their number one priority. We fully understand that such relief would give you the flexibility to more effectively address your ever-growing expenses. The Commission on Property Tax Relief report identified several major drivers of expense growth for school districts. Among these are salaries, healthcare and pensions, debt service, mandates related to special education, and other operating expenses such as transportation and energy. We also examined the broader expense category of small school districts. To better understand your budgets and proposed property tax increases, I would appreciate your responding to the following brief questions. Please email your responses to [email protected]. 1. What were the most significant increases in expenses, by percentage and dollar amount, in your newly proposed budgets? 2. Were there any unique circumstances in your school district that contributed to your expense or the property tax growth? 3. What are three changes in state law that would have the most positive impacts on your budget? Thank you for taking the time to respond to these questions. I will continue to urge implementation of state law changes to give school districts flexibility over their spending. Sincerely,

Thomas R. Suozzi Nassau County Executive