ANOTHER ALBANY CITY SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

ANOTHER ALBANY CITY SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

It is May once more, and with it comes yet another Albany City School property tax increase. When will it end?

More money does not translate into improved  school performance.

The Albany City schools are exhibit A for the maxim: MORE IS LESS. Annual per capital pupil costs are among the highest in the state, while academic performance ranks among the lowest. Albany High has a drop out rate in excess of 50 percent.

School property taxes account for about 60 percent of property tax bills for homeowners in the City of Albany. They pay the freight and get little or nothing in return. The majority of the city school student population comes from homes that pay little or no property taxes.

Sadly, far too many students do not want or try to learn in school. Their behavior, and lack of discipline, creates a environment that is detrimental to those students who want, and try, to learn.

Only about a third of the city's housing is owner occupied. The city homeowner population is a mix of the elderly, on fixed incomes; and a growing number of single professionals. Both groups have no children in the school system, but are forced to pay for it.

Homeowners ,with  children, send their children, to private or parochial schools, if they can afford to. More often, than not, families with young children, sell their homes and move out of the city, rather than face the prospect of sending their children to the Albany City schools.

The future of Albany depends on aggressively dealing with two interrelated conditions: (1) the growing crime and anti-social street behavior, and (2) the failure of the Albany City schools.

As for city schools-  costs can be reigned in and performance improved by:

1. Disbanding the city school district and school board; merging the city schools with city government. Create one, NOT TWO, property tax rolls. Make the Mayor and Common Council responsible and accountable for the administration, financing and performance of the city schools.

This will require a Home Rule Request to the state legislature and sponsorship of the necessary legislation by the Members of the State Senate and Assembly who represent the City of Albany.

The proposition should be placed on the November 2008 election ballot, when two school board seats are up for election in the City of Albany.

2. Return to a K-8 neighborhood school system in the City of Albany. Neighborhood schools are best for kids, parents and the revitilization of city neighborhoods. Student performance/behavior can be more easily monitored. Parents can more involved in the education of their children, when all attend the same school. Neighborhood schools are essential to maintaining the stability of and  revitalizing city neighborhoods .

Elimination of school bussing would conserve fuel, lower school budgets and result in healthier, less overweight children.

The above should also appear as a November 2008 ballot question in the City of Albany.  

3. Adopt and enforce a strict code of conduct and discipline for students in schools, and on city streets when traveling to and from schools. Replace gang colors/insignia with school uniforms. 

4. Trim top heavy school adminstrations. Make teachers responsible and accountable for city schools.

More can be done, but the above is a good start.

                                                           J P Sullivan