Classroom priorities and realities

It is almost daily now that school districts are warning staffers of impending budget cuts ["Warning on teachers," News, Feb. 13].

Not surprisingly these layoffs involve the teaching staff. As a recently retired teacher with 33 years of experience, I would advise any parents concerned with the education of their children to religiously attend board of education meetings and demand, not request, reductions in administrative personnel.

Do not sit back idly as the only people who have daily, meaningful contact with your children are shown the door!

Caren Brancati, Smithtown

The current tough economic times have brought out the best and worst in us. This holds true, especially in our public education system, specifically in regard to the teachers union.

Without concessions, economic conditions dictate that staff cuts be made. Disturbingly few districts have been able to obtain any concessions.

Rules of seniority outweigh performance. Positions that could be saved with relatively small sacrifice will be lost. Everyone loses except those having seniority. A union is an organization whose primary purpose is to represent the best interests of all its members

Paul H. Schmutz, Nesconset

Instead of school districts and other government entities asking communities what we can live without, why not ask us what we can live with? ["School budget battle: Parents given two options, both bad," News, Feb.21]

We can live with public sector employees having a salary and benefits package that mirrors the private sector. If the public sector employees don't like it, they should consider moving to Wisconsin.

Jerry Romano, Sea Cliff

In looking for ways to save our schools and residential property owners, there is a well-guarded secret you almost never read or hear about. It is to copy the way New York City pays for education and keeps residential property taxes at a level that allows ordinary taxpayers to live there, rather than driving them away.

It is long past the time for average Long Islanders to wise up and challenge the entrenched, self-serving powers who reject the idea of paying for the education of our students based on wealth and income rather than home values, which are often miscalculated. That is the means used to pay for the defense of our country. Who can claim the education of our children is less important?

Leo Montagna, Northport