Spend Wyandanch school funds carefully
Broken cabinets and missing drawers in a Wyandanch High School science room can be repaired or replaced with money from a tax increase approved by voters. (Jan. 10, 2012) Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
Now that Wyandanch residents have voted to tax themselves to let the school district spend $19.5 million to repair and upgrade its schools, the school board and administration have to make sure that every penny of that money is used wisely.
Two previous proposals, for $155 million and $24.5 million, failed to gain voter approval. This time, residents of the Wyandanch Union Free School District said yes, 166 to 116.
There's little doubt about the need, especially at Wyandanch High School, where representatives of the state Education Department have noted a variety of deficiencies. The Milton L. Olive Middle School and the Martin L. King Jr. Elementary School also need work.
Still, the run-up to the vote was contentious. The Wyandanch Citizens' Coalition, for example, expressed doubt that the school board is capable of spending the money prudently.
Gee, where would they get that idea?
It might have something to do with the board's seemingly endless factionalism and cronyism. Over the years, it has happened far too often that the outs become the ins, and the new ins help their friends and relatives to jobs in the district. In this poor community, with too few available good jobs, the school district is a desirable employer.
But the constant turnover -- including a change of board majority last year -- means permanent instability. The educational needs of the children seem to get lost in the political maneuvering.
At a cost of an extra $65 a year for the average household, district voters have given the board and administration a chance to fix at least the physical setting.
Now the district needs to prove its reliability, by making sure that the taxpayers' money buys high-quality work, on time, on budget, and free of nepotism.
The repairs and upgrades alone won't improve educational outcomes, but they're a start. As we've said, the Wyandanch community needs not only economic development, but a sharp improvement in its schools. Making them less shabby should be easier than making them more excellent. Why not do both?
