LETTERS: Cuts to schools must be made, and more

Cuts to schools

must be made

The graph of school costs on Long Island compared with state education contributions tells a story of the past and likely gives a picture of the future . It shows clearly that the system is broken.

School costs on Long Island are increasing at an alarming rate per year. It is obvious that the present system, with each small community having its own education system and extravagant overhead is not only wasteful, it will ultimately result in an exodus of homeowners from Long Island.

Who has the courage to face the obvious and start to implement needed change? Collapse may come first.

Alvin Shames

Bellmore

The story about school programs being cut was presented as if the cuts Long Island schools are implementing are a catastrophic event.

The private sector has been going through these same cuts for the past three years and it's about time schools throughout the country look through their financials and figure out ways to cut unnecessary programs while maintaining good, core educational programs.

Do we really need arts and music classes? Do we really need after-school sporting events? Why should taxpayers foot the bill for these unnecessary programs?

I live in a cape house for which I will be paying close to $10,000 per year in property taxes in a few years. Ten years ago, $10,000 for property taxes for a cape house would have been unthinkable. It's sad, but only a recession will make school administrators look at their runaway budgets.

Syed Husain

Valley Stream

A day to remember those lost, fighting

After the events of nine years ago, you could not go down a street without seeing an American flag on nearly every home.

Nine years later, I ask: Where are the flags today? Packed away in garages? Tucked under the backseat of your car? Rolled up in a ball on your front porch? Have all of the instant patriots of back then forgotten?

Please fly your flag today and every day in remembrance of those lost, to show your support of those fighting overseas and because you are proud to live in America.

Ted Seiderer

Bayville

As we mark the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, it would also be a good day to remember the more than 4,400 members of our military killed in Iraq and the more than 1,200 service personnel killed in Afghanistan, along with 39,570 wounded.

My son, Rich, is a first lieutenant with the New York Army National Guard's 69th Infantry Regiment - the "Fighting 69th" - and also attends the New York City Police Academy. Three of his friends have been killed in action overseas in the past few days. It's important to remember 9/11, but it's just important to remember our troops who are putting their lives on the line for us.

Steve Reilly

Fort Salonga