Letter to the Editor: Sayville School Budget Flyer is Misleading

By Lisa Fenech

Last week I was disturbed to receive an informational flyer from the Sayville School District on the upcoming budget that had some very misleading information.

The budget has an item for a turf field. Now most people, when they see the word “turf,” think grass. This is an artificial grass field (Astroturf) that the Board of Education wants to install at the jaw dropping price of 3.5 million dollars. Along with this, they want to construct grandstand seating, bathrooms, concession stands, etc.

Of course, there is no mention of the fact, and no plan in the budget, for the fact that this type of field needs special equipment and maintenance, and that the average life span of such a field is 8-10 years. At which time I assume they think the taxpayers will be happy to lay out another 4 million or so to replace it.

I fail to see how spending money on such a frivolous item will improve the education of Sayville’s children. Isn’t that what our tax money is supposed to be supporting? Last year Sayville’s Board of Education tried to override the budget cap, and were soundly defeated. They then came back with a more reasonable budget, which passed. They have a reasonable budget this year as well, but they are trying to get around the State Spending Cap by cramming a 19.2 million dollar bond issue down our throats. This is grossly unfair to local taxpayers who are barely hanging on to their homes due to outrageous property taxes.

There are new candidates running for the Board of Education this year, which I am happy to see, as year after year this Board has run for office unopposed. We need to shake things up and put people in office who understand fiscal responsibility.

I hope all Sayville residents keep this in mind when they go to the polls shortly.

Sincerely,

Lucy Fenech