A Budget Alternative for Briarcliff

Dear Briarcliff Manor School District Resident:

At the Candidates’ Debate, I was asked to spell out details of an alternative plan to achieve a tax levy cap compliant budget and restore teaching assistants to Todd School.

Here's an "outside the box" solution: Issue bonds to fund the field remediation project. This has the potential to free up more than $1,250,000 of reserve funds. Because voter approval for a bond issue would be required, additional time will be needed to accomplish the task. To span this gap, utilize some of the funding that has been set aside in the tax certiorari reserve that appears to be overfunded because the commercial real estate market has stabilized. The tax certiorari reserve can be released by the simple act of a Board Resolution at the next Board meeting.

As we've said, we offer you Another Choice and Another Voice. This is just an example of our philosophy of delivering a tax levy cap compliant budget and meeting educational needs is simply a matter of choice. We choose to allocate District resources in a manner that considers the needs of our taxpayers as well as our students.

When you vote for Paul Wassermen and Sonny Linder on May 21st, one or both of us will become a Trustee on May 22 - and you can be assured that you will have that voice.

Respectfully - Sonny Linder