Center Moriches Taxpayers Community Discussion Forum

Shoreham-Wading River school authorities propose to hike taxes nearly 27 percent next year - an increase that would rank among one of the highest in recent memory on Long Island.

School officials say they understand some residents will question the need for a tax spike in the midst of the economic recession. They add, however, that this is preferable to the alternative - continued borrowing against promised aid payments from Albany that, so far, have failed to materialize. The district still is dealing with financial problems stemming from the closure more than 20 years ago of a LILCO nuclear power plant.

The decision came at a lightly-attended meeting last week, where the school board voted 6-1 to propose a $56.1 million budget for the coming year. This will require a 26.8 percent increase in the tax levy.

"What can I tell you - we've been shortchanged by the state," said board president Michael Fucito, the only member to vote "no." He had favored phasing in higher taxes over three years, rather than one.

Fucito noted, though, that taxes will remain relatively low compared to most school rates in Brookhaven Town, because his district has frozen taxes over the past four years.

Tuesday, state authorities are scheduled to announce spending and tax plans for all districts statewide.

Some Shoreham-Wading River residents voiced outrage over the district's planned spike.

"In these particular times, this is unconscionable," said one local retiree, John Grady. He estimates the new tax rate will boost charges even on a modest home by about $760 next year. School officials declined to comment on the exact tax rate.

The Shoreham nuclear power plant, which provided about 80 percent of the district's tax revenue, was shut in 1988. Before that, local families had grown accustomed to liberal school spending that included violin lessons for kindergartners and trips to Madrid for students taking Spanish classes. With the plant closing, schools began cutting back.

In 2006, Shoreham-Wading River's luck appeared to change for the better. State officials announced the district was entitled to $35.8 million in back aid, because the shuttered plant had remained on assessment rolls, making the district appear wealthier than it actually was.

But before Shoreham-Wading River could collect, the district had to wait in line behind other state creditors. Meanwhile, the district began borrowing against its anticipated state aid payments. But in December, Albany cut back its statewide allotment for aid, leaving the district unsure of when, if ever, it would get all the money owed.

Said school superintendent Harriet Copel: "We could be in the same situation next year."

Shoreham-Wading River's decision to hike taxes has produced a rift with the area's longtime state senator, Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson).

School officials contend LaValle bears much of the responsibility for the upcoming tax spike, because he insisted the district freeze taxes in return for state permission to borrow against anticipated aid. Those officials add that they warned in advance of a spike, and that they would have preferred a series of gradual, smaller tax increases.

LaValle, in contrast, blames Shoreham-Wading River officials for creating the need for a spike by boosting spending too high. The district raised spending 5.3 percent in 2006-07, and 6.1 percent in each of the two following years. Next year's spending would increase 3.7 percent.

"They created a self-fulfilling prophecy," the senator said.