To the Editor:
In response to the editorial published in last week’s edition of the Enterprise [“Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board is taking a ‘helluva gamble’,” June 6, 2024], I was in attendance at the May 29 board of education meeting and I assure the readers here that it was not a pep rally and to say so is a gross misrepresentation of what happened that evening.

Dr. [Timothy] Mundell, at the direction of the board, presented a revised budget that brought the total spending down to just under the 4.3-percent cap. That revised budget would have required a 50 percent + 1 vote to pass as opposed to the supermajority required for the original budget.

The elimination of the school resource officer, Bulldog Club, field trips, graduation at The Egg and some additional cuts were all options as part of the reduced budget. The presentation also included a picture of what a contingency budget would look like. A contingency budget included the items listed here as well as multiple additional cuts including, but not limited to, sports, clubs, events, faculty and staff.

Your editorial comment — “We thought it would be rather simple to answer voter concerns because [removing] one single expenditure, paying for a school resource officer, would have made a revised budget that would need just 50 percent of voters to pass” — while true was not palatable to either the board of education or the public in attendance.

Most of those in attendance were adamant that the SRO remain; when presented with alternatives the board and community also opposed them. The general consensus with both the board and the audience was that, no matter what was cut, someone loses.

To your question “…what about the people not in the room on May 29?” I would offer that everyone knew about the meeting and the option to attend in person or via live stream. I don’t know, you tell me what about the people not in the room?

Your comment, “The pep rally atmosphere on May 29, which didn’t allow for an understanding of those who had voted against the budget…” is untrue; every taxpayer had the same opportunity to attend, ask questions, voice their concerns/opinions and share their reasons for opposing the budget

That they chose not to do so is not a reflection of those present or of the decisions made by the board. The board came into the meeting undecided about how to move forward and listened to all of the options presented. They also listened to the input of the approximately 30 community members present at the meeting.

From 2017 to 2023, the total BKW tax levy has increased 0.6%; this clearly points to a board of education that has been fiscally responsible in its efforts to maintain and increase programming for our students while keeping taxpayer costs relatively flat.

The governor’s decision to “restore full Foundation Aid to schools” was made only after a strong lobbying effort from school administrators and pressure from legislators, not because she cares about small rural schools like BKW.

BKW and small schools like us face a very concerning future with the mandates being implemented by this administration, including the implementation of electric buses by 2027. Our current transportation reserve fund will cover the purchase of 1½ buses — where do you think the money for the rest of the fleet will come from?

This board of education was very deliberate in its thinking, questioning, and approach in trying to balance what is best for all stakeholders — our students and our taxpayers. The discussions included implications to next year’s budget and beyond including what could happen should aid be changed, removed, or altered in the future.

This budget does not include anything “new”; in fact, there were some items from last year’s budget that were removed/reduced, including two teachers who are retiring and not being replaced.

Having served on the BKW Board of Education for a total of eight years I know that the budget process is time-consuming, tedious, and at times contentious but it is also the most important role of the board.

There will always be supporters and detractors; it’s the nature of the business. I commend the board for their dedication to this process, for listening to the people in the room, not only on May 29 but also at last Monday’s budget hearing. Every taxpayer has a voice — use yours and vote on June 18.

Joan Adriance

Knox