To the Editor:

I have concerns about the future of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district.

I spent five years on the BKW School Board, and a number of years on the school budget review committee after the 2008 economic problems.

The governor has signaled that the coming New York State budget will reflect the deep loss of revenue that the state has and will have experienced by the time school reopens.

All schools will be asked to tighten their belts. Serious and painful cuts will need to be made.

It is easy to build and operate a school budget when enough money flows to make all dreams come true. Have a need? Fund it. Have a want? Fund it. Need to fund a dream, borrow whatever it takes. The old idea of maintaining the balance between needs and wants, can be set aside.  What could go wrong?

A review of school government.

The school board is a representative body. It is tasked with the responsibility of representing all the residents of the district. Old, young, students, parents with students or without. Every man, woman, and child.

The board is not expected to be a mutual admiration society.

Individual members must be independent enough to say no.

Above all, the board is not required to please the school superintendent.

The superintendent is hired by the board and works at its direction. A superintendent can claim any title — CEO, sixth board member, etc. (educational leader is a good one I think) — but the board remains the controlling body. Board members can hand off much of this authority to the superintendent, but a strong board will limit that type of action.

What is needed now is a school board that can accept the economic facts of the situation as it is, and what it will be. Board members need to put their own interests aside, and focus on representing the people of the district.

Stay out of executive sessions unless absolutely needed. Be transparent, take the heat that comes with being open. Do the right thing for the district.

Cut spending now. Form a budget review committee now, and put people on it that know about budgets and spending, and who are ready to have serious discussions. Listen to them. Budget cuts are painful.  Leadership is your job.

Above all, do not solve all your problems by increasing the local tax burden. Fifty percent of all district spending (including debt service, which BKW will have lots) will fall to residents of the district.

Do the right thing, and remember, “when in doubt, run and shout” is not a plan.

Your job is about to get much more complicated. Good luck.

P.S. Who am I to give you advice? I’m a resident of the district; we are supposed to give you advice.

Joe Golden

East Berne