Letter to the Editor

  The Owego-Apalachin School Budget will be put to a vote on Tuesday, June 3, from Noon to 9:00 pm at the Owego Elementary School and Apalachin Elementary School. The budget this year reflects many cuts that the school board and administration have made during the budget process. In spite of these cuts there is an increase in the costs of educating our children. Many of the increases are state mandated, i.e. retirement costs, special education, and automatic defibrillators without state funding. Other costs not under the school board's control are gas heating costs, health insurance, and BOCES. I think that the Owego School Board and Administration have done their best to pare down the budget as much as possible, while maintaining an overall commitment to educational excellence in our district. I am strongly supporting the school budget and hope that many of you will too.

 There are two public hearings scheduled, Monday May 5, 7:30 pm at the Apalachin Elementary School, and Wednesday, May 7, 7:30, Owego Elementary School. Voting will also be held at the two elementary schools this year. I hope that when the cuts and difficult choices already made in the school budget are considered, that district voters will vote "YES" to pass this budget.

 At this writing, the state budget is still being wrangled over and state aid to education may be increased. I hope that is the case and urge all district voters to find out at the public hearings and to vote in favor of the school budget.

Kevin Millar