End division between parents and taxpayers

To the Editor:

Watching a recent Bedford Central School Board meeting on television, I was overcome with outrage at the hypocrisy and small- minded ness of a handful of community members who monopolized the public forum. What truly is the motivation behind their mean-spirited attacks on the school board, a group of dedicated volunteers who give huge amounts of time to protect the quality of education for all the children of Bedford Central?

The nay Sayers say, "Don't cut the programs for the children!" in the same breath in which they urge people to vote "no" to the budget. "The teachers make too much money!" they say, and cite Phil Christe's privately funded full-page ad displaying certain staff salaries for the
past three years. Mr. Christe's distasteful, if legal, ad was full of inaccuracies and misrepresentations. Even if you agree that the teachers are overpaid (and I think you should spend a few hours in the classroom before you decide), voting "no" to the budget will not reduce their
compensation, which is predetermined and subject to contractual negotiations.

The residents of Bedford Central have one more chance to approve the revised and reduced budget. If Proposition I fails, the district will be forced to implement a state-mandated contingency budget. Make no mistake, an era of austerity will ensue: programs will be cut, class sizes will increase, bus routes will be canceled, and our children's educational experiences will suffer.

Let's put an end to this artificial division between parents and taxpayers! I am a parent and I pay plenty of taxes. Sure, I would like to pay less, but not at the expense of my children and all of the children of this community. Do you really want to live in a town that takes out its frustrations on its youngest and most vulnerable members?

In this era of unprecedented prosperity, I urge the residents of this community to vote with their consciences and vote "yes" to Proposition I and Proposition 2 on Tuesday, June 20.

Heide Shilstone
Bedford Corners