Post by Go Plainedge! on Jan 17, 2008 9:57:34 GMT -5
Don't know who read this but I fould this quite interesting as it was something that was discussed here several years ago....
Merger of Moriches school could lower taxes
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND | john.hildebrand@newsday.com
January 16, 2008
School consultants say local taxpayers could eventually save more than 25 percent on their tax bills through a merger of the Center Moriches and East Moriches school districts - the latest battlegrounds in Long Island's struggle to streamline its Balkanized and costly government services.
Even so, consultants recommended in a report released last night before about 250 residents from the two communities that they postpone merger votes until next fall, to give auditors a chance to recheck the finances of both districts. Extra scrutiny is particularly warranted in East Moriches, according to consultants who say the district has "routinely" overspent its budget in recent years and risks running in the red again this year.
The merger debate is especially heated in East Moriches, where many residents are reluctant to give up the option of sending teenage students to Westhampton Beach High School, which is generally recognized as high-performing. Under a merger, teens from the two combined districts would attend classes at an expanded Center Moriches High School.
Consultants conclude that consolidation could make economic sense, regardless of any controversy.
"There's certainly a significant tax benefit to be realized, in our judgment, from coming together," said Daniel Porter, a Syracuse-area consultant and former school superintendent. His report advises nonetheless that "it is wise to go slowly."
The 190-page report was co-authored by Porter and former superintendent Lee Peters. Their nine-month study was financed by a $50,000 state grant.
Consolidation of Long Island's 124 school districts, which account for more than 60 percent of the region's property taxes, has been a frequent subject of government reports and task-force recommendations. A 1996 list drawn up by the State Education Department named 49 of those districts as possible candidates for mergers. County executives in Suffolk and Nassau have met with school leaders in recent months to discuss possible streamlining of services.
Since 1996, only three local districts actually have merged, including tiny Laurel, which was absorbed by Mattituck-Cutchogue on the Island's North Fork. The other two, Eastport and South Manor, were the last to consolidate in 1998, in what is generally considered a financial and academic success.
Center Moriches and East Moriches are located next door, in southeastern Brookhaven. Consultants note that both districts have suffered financial setbacks in recent years, because they are relatively small and find it costly to provide a full array of student services.
Consultants say consolidation would mean big dollar savings in two areas - allowing Center Moriches to increase high-school class sizes modestly and achieve economies of scale, and allowing East Moriches to avoid paying $18,200 per student in tuition to Westhampton Beach.
Consultants say these savings, plus state incentive aid, would allow a merged district to charge a tax rate of $190.94 per $100 of assessed valuation by 2014. Without consolidation, consultants calculate that Center Moriches would have to charge $255.18 and East Moriches, $258.91.
Many East Moriches residents remain skeptical, nonetheless. "I do think it's a good idea to take a wait-and-see attitude," said Steve Horbatiuk, a father of two middle-school students who served on a merger study committee
Merger of Moriches school could lower taxes
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND | john.hildebrand@newsday.com
January 16, 2008
School consultants say local taxpayers could eventually save more than 25 percent on their tax bills through a merger of the Center Moriches and East Moriches school districts - the latest battlegrounds in Long Island's struggle to streamline its Balkanized and costly government services.
Even so, consultants recommended in a report released last night before about 250 residents from the two communities that they postpone merger votes until next fall, to give auditors a chance to recheck the finances of both districts. Extra scrutiny is particularly warranted in East Moriches, according to consultants who say the district has "routinely" overspent its budget in recent years and risks running in the red again this year.
The merger debate is especially heated in East Moriches, where many residents are reluctant to give up the option of sending teenage students to Westhampton Beach High School, which is generally recognized as high-performing. Under a merger, teens from the two combined districts would attend classes at an expanded Center Moriches High School.
Consultants conclude that consolidation could make economic sense, regardless of any controversy.
"There's certainly a significant tax benefit to be realized, in our judgment, from coming together," said Daniel Porter, a Syracuse-area consultant and former school superintendent. His report advises nonetheless that "it is wise to go slowly."
The 190-page report was co-authored by Porter and former superintendent Lee Peters. Their nine-month study was financed by a $50,000 state grant.
Consolidation of Long Island's 124 school districts, which account for more than 60 percent of the region's property taxes, has been a frequent subject of government reports and task-force recommendations. A 1996 list drawn up by the State Education Department named 49 of those districts as possible candidates for mergers. County executives in Suffolk and Nassau have met with school leaders in recent months to discuss possible streamlining of services.
Since 1996, only three local districts actually have merged, including tiny Laurel, which was absorbed by Mattituck-Cutchogue on the Island's North Fork. The other two, Eastport and South Manor, were the last to consolidate in 1998, in what is generally considered a financial and academic success.
Center Moriches and East Moriches are located next door, in southeastern Brookhaven. Consultants note that both districts have suffered financial setbacks in recent years, because they are relatively small and find it costly to provide a full array of student services.
Consultants say consolidation would mean big dollar savings in two areas - allowing Center Moriches to increase high-school class sizes modestly and achieve economies of scale, and allowing East Moriches to avoid paying $18,200 per student in tuition to Westhampton Beach.
Consultants say these savings, plus state incentive aid, would allow a merged district to charge a tax rate of $190.94 per $100 of assessed valuation by 2014. Without consolidation, consultants calculate that Center Moriches would have to charge $255.18 and East Moriches, $258.91.
Many East Moriches residents remain skeptical, nonetheless. "I do think it's a good idea to take a wait-and-see attitude," said Steve Horbatiuk, a father of two middle-school students who served on a merger study committee