Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford today called upon New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to reconsider the school aid budget proposal that reduces aid to the Island Park School district by 7%. The dramatic cut in State aid to Island Park will result in an increase in school taxes, to a community that was devastated and after Hurricane Sandy, adding insult to injury.
Island Park Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rosemarie Bovino indicated that the State aid cuts will force the Island Park School Board to pierce the 2% tax cap.
“The Governor knows schools face unprecedented rising pension costs, health insurance and fuel increases,” said Dr. Bovino. “The Governor’s proposal is the finishing blow of a one-two punch to Island Park that began with Sandy. Unlike the natural disaster, this one is man-made – without conscience or compassion for the families and taxpayers in our district that is struggling to survive.”
Legislator Ford stated the she was “also alarmed by the school transportation costs paid that Island Park taxpayers.” Current State law requires Island Park School District to transport students from as far east as Seldon, and as far west as Brooklyn. This has cost the taxpayers an additional $40,000 per month since Sandy hit Island Park.
“I am calling on Governor Cuomo to immediately restore aid to Island Park schools, and develop a new calculation for transport aid that will compensate the district for the monies spent on students displaced by Sandy,” said Legislator Ford. “Along with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Superintendent Bovino, I pledge to see that Island Park is treated fairly and gets its share of state aid for its students.”
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