I am the father of three young children in the Eldred School District. To save our kids’ school, my family will vote “no” next Tuesday. We love our school and consider ourselves very fortunate to have such outstanding and caring teachers, support staff and administrators. Because we are a small community of hard-working families and fixed-income retirees, with low enrollment and a small tax base, we need to be especially responsible with our school funding decisions. Next Tuesday, district voters must decide whether to approve a $5.6 million bond to fund some important and worthy projects, but also some items that are not absolutely necessary. This bond will increase the district’s debt to over $14 million and increase all of our taxes for the next 16 years. Shortly after the bond referendum, in May 2015, we will vote on next year’s school budget, which is certain to include even more tax increases. Our school taxes have been kept artificially low over the past four years as the district used a reserve fund, allowing the board to spend $2.7 million more than it took in. With the reserve fund now depleted, the board will have to increase taxes or cut programs. With the additional debt and taxes created by the bond, I am afraid our community will reject further tax increases and vote against the next several school budgets. The board will be forced to cut our kids’ educational, athletic, and extracurricular programs. To preserve the long-term survival of our excellent schools and programs, please join me in voting “no” on the bond issue. Polls are open on Tuesday, December 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Eldred High School.

Brian Siegel

Barryville, NY