School district’s tax base may not tell the whole story
On Thursday, January 24th, the Observer Dispatch printed an article addressing the recent allocation of State Aid to local school districts.
In this recap of local increases in aid, Town of Webb, in Old Forge, was unfairly portrayed as a “rich” school, which justly had its aid reduced 16%.
As a senior at Town of Webb, I have become accustomed to the double takes I receive when I mention that my graduating class has 32 students. I will never become accustomed to the remarks that we have it easy because of our large tax base.
And the latter is true: we have a large tax base.
Unfortunately, that tax base is in the form of second homes around the beautiful Fulton Chain of Lakes.
These second home owners, having no vested interest in our school, understandably vote against almost anything that would indicate an increase in taxes for their property. We struggle to pass a budget each year, and reductions through our school have been inevitable.
Per pupil, Town of Webb is one of the most expensive schools in the state.
However, with only 32 students in the senior class, and classes numbering in the teens in the lower grades, a few variables have to be considered.
It costs just as much to heat our school as any other, regardless of how many students are in each classroom.
It actually costs more, probably, considering our temperatures are consistently ten degrees lower than those in the Mohawk Valley.
It costs the same amount for our transportation to and from school—although there are fewer buses, they are traveling great distances to get kids to school on time. This is a financial burden unrecognized by city districts.
We, as students, are not privileged. Although we certainly get more one-on-one time with each teacher, we have a limited luxury of choice when it comes to activities inside and outside the classroom.
We have no swimming pool, no football field, and no Senior Prom. Our school offers only three AP classes, and only two fall sports. A majority of my classmates participated in multiple sports, I will have participated in four this year. This is necessary to keep our teams afloat.
I am not suggesting we are roughing it—thanks to excellent management and teaching quality we have maintained one of the best schools in the state—but our district does not deserve a 16% decrease in State Aid.
In order to make ends meet, chances are good that a sport here and a club there will have to be cut. This will further limit the options that are already severely bottlenecked compared to a larger school.
Town of Webb UFSD is not a “rich” school. Grumblings have gone through our halls for years because of the lack of choice, but we make due with what we have.
Do not regard my school as one that is above the regular perils of a district in a tough economy. Behind the wealthy Adirondack façade, we have the same economic woes as everyone else.
—You can follow Colin Criss on Twitter @ADKCurrent–
