Cut-till-it-hurts school budgets go before voters

When voters head to the polls Tuesday for the annual balloting on school budgets and school board elections, they will consider spending plans with a rare twist: cuts.

The number of teachers and teacher's aides will be trimmed in places like Cheektowaga Central, and that could result in layoffs.

In some communities, including Gowanda and Sloan, sports will fall victim to reductions.

In many districts, such as Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda, the number of field trips will be reduced.

Money for new equipment, teacher conferences and alternative education placements will be harder to come by. There might be fewer electives offered in many high schools. Class sizes will grow in several schools.

But that doesn't mean more money in the pockets of taxpayers; even with the cuts, the proposed tax increases in local districts are, on average, about 50 percent higher than in recent years.

The fiscal fallout from Sept. 11, 2001, caught up to the state this year and filtered down to the schools. State aid, even with the State Legislature's help, decreased or remained flat. The ailing stock market forced schools to contribute more to employee retirement funds. Health insurance costs skyrocketed.

"I don't think any of us realized how heavily the stock market worked on the numbers," said Jack Mann, superintendent in North Collins.

Hardest hit have been poorer, more rural districts, which are generally more reliant on state aid.

Throughout New York State, schools faced a no-win situation: Cut programs to save money, or raise property taxes to cover the increased costs.

Realizing that if voters defeat the proposed budget, the district could end up resorting to a contingency budget - with spending limited to a 1.92 percent increase - most local school officials adopted a conservative strategy.

"We're giving as much back to the taxpayers as we can," said Holland interim Superintendent Bren T. Price, whose district is proposing a 5.9 percent tax rate increase. "We've got a very cost-effective budget. We've got no frills. This is pretty basic."

"We did considerable belt-tightening," said Thomas G. Coseo, superintendent of Clarence schools, where the School Board imposed a hiring freeze on non-instructional staff and cut back on transportation for out-of-town field trips.

In Erie County, the median tax rate increase proposed for 2003-04 is 3.8 percent. That ranges from a projected zero increase in North Collins to a 60 percent increase in Gowanda, where current officials blame the mismanagement of past administrators for their current fiscal crisis.

Two-thirds of the districts in Erie County are proposing tax increases that are higher than last year's. The average tax rate increase in Erie County is 6.4 percent this year - more than three times the rate of inflation - compared to 4.4 percent last year, and 4.6 percent in 2001.

While a few districts were originally looking at double-digit tax increases, they have lowered those proposed tax increases since the Legislature restored state aid. Now Gowanda is the only district in Erie County proposing a double-digit tax increase.

As unsavory as schools find program cuts, many districts opted to trim their budgets, rather than risk introducing a higher tax rate that might, in turn, increase the odds of voters' voting down the spending plan.

A contingency budget would mean a spending increase capped at less than 2 percent.

"For a district our size, the consequences of a "no' vote are incredibly dramatic," said Price, Holland's interim superintendent.

The district would lose about 10 percent of its teachers, he said, including a librarian, a guidance counselor, three secondary teachers and five elementary teachers. Holland also would lose its modified sports program and some varsity sports, along with the third- and fourth-grade swimming program.

In West Seneca, the School Board decided to limit its spending increase to just below 2 percent - the equivalent of a contingency budget. It works out to a tax increase of less than 4 percent - something the board thinks voters will accept.

"We're at a contingency budget. That's what our Board of Education committed to early on," said Superintendent James K. Brotz. "We built in a plan that no matter what the circumstances were, we would maintain that 3.95 percent increase."

About one-third of the districts in Erie County have adopted budgets that bring with them spending increases at or below what a contingency budget would bring. Three of them - Orchard Park, Maryvale and North Collins - went so far as to tailor budgets that include spending decreases.

The Orchard Park School Board, for instance, made unprecedented cuts to keep the tax increase at 3 percent. If voters approve the budget, next year will bring the elimination of eight teachers, 10 teacher's aides, summer school and field trips for secondary students, and the district's distance learning lab, among other things.

If voters reject the budget, and the district adopts a contingency budget, spending could actually be higher. Likewise, the tax rate increase that would accompany a contingency budget could be more than twice as high as what is currently proposed.

At the same time, a handful of districts, including Hamburg and Amherst, have kept their tax increases close to the rate of inflation, and at the same time have managed to avoid major program cuts.

"We didn't make too many cuts in programs, right from the start," said Peter Roswell, superintendent in Hamburg, where a 2.2 percent tax increase is projected. "We made some minor reductions in equipment and technology, and we reduced two positions through attrition - due to declining enrollment anyway."

Across Erie County, the level of anxiety over Tuesday's budget vote varies as much as the tax rate increases do, from one district to another.

As bad as this year has been, though, between program cuts and tax increases, one thing seems all too likely: Next year will be worse.

State officials have predicted that next year's deficit will be about four times greater than this year's. And with each passing year, more and more school districts are depleting their reserve funds, leaving them no financial cushion for hard times.

"Talk to me next year," said Mann, the superintendent in North Collins. "There's $8 billion in New York State that's not accounted for."

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $15.94 for 2003-2004, up 3 percent.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in Akron Central High School, 47 Bloomingdale Ave.

The district is considering laying off as many as five teachers in order to close a budget gap of nearly $700,000 for next year, according to Superintendent Ronald DeCarli.

DeCarli said that officials are waiting to see next year's enrollment figures before determining where jobs must be cut but that some job loss is inevitable.

"We're looking at where it will create the least hurt for students," DeCarli said.

The layoffs are part of a $23.1 million hold-the-line budget, with a 3 percent spending and tax increase that basically reflects higher contractual obligations and medical and retirement expenses, according to DeCarli.

The district's state retirement costs have jumped from an average increase of about 0.3 percent a year to as much as 11 percent in some cases because of a depressed stock market, he said.

Meanwhile, medical expenses continue to increase, rising by about 20 percent in the new budget. Salary increases for teachers and staff are expected to be about 3.2 percent, he said.

Like other districts, Akron would have lost nearly $1.2 million in state aid if Gov. George E. Pataki's budget was allowed to stand, DeCarli said. However, even though state aid has been restored to last year's levels, the district needs to pay for about $700,000 in new budget increases for next year.

It was the second year in a row that the district held the tax increase to within 3 percent. Last year, the spending plan called for a tax increase of 2.9 percent.

School Board candidates include incumbent board President Paul Barone, who seeks to retain his seat, along with newcomer Kevin Borchert, who is running for a seat being vacated by board member Margaret Lucas, who has decided to step down. Both Barone and Borchert are unopposed.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $30.63 for Alden, up 3.3 percent; $34.90 for Marilla, up 3.3 percent; $24.64 for Lancaster, up 3.3 percent.

• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,095 for Alden; $2,094 for Marilla; $2,094 for Lancaster.

After seeing three of their last four budgets defeated, Alden school officials are hoping a tactic from the past will help get this year's budget passed.

They are keeping the tax increase relatively low, at about 3 percent. The only budget to pass since 1999 carried a similar tax increase.

"It's a frugal budget," said Superintendent Donald Raw. "It really tries to balance the needs of the school and the taxpayers, which is never easy."

Also on the ballot are three candidates vying for the seat being vacated by board member Dennis O'Grady.

Alden, like other districts in New York this year, wrestled with large increases in big-ticket budget items. Health insurance, for instance, jumped almost 10 percent, to $1,644,105.

Employee pensions, meanwhile, jumped 73 percent, to $270,041 - the second year in a row of huge increases for the district.

But Alden caught a fiscal break recently when the State Legislature voted to override Gov. George E. Pataki's budget. Instead of a $400,000 loss in state aid, Raw said, it appears lawmakers in Albany gave Alden between $100,000 and $200,000 more than ever anticipated.

That, combined with a savings of $440,000 from retirements, prevented any cuts in programs or personnel, Raw said.

Running for the School Board are William Blair, a Marilla resident with two youngsters in Alden schools and supervisor of safety and facilities for Sierra Research; David Chauncey, 39, an Alden resident also with two children in Alden schools who served on the board from 1998 to 2002; and Jennifer Lynch, 36, an Alden resident with two youngsters in the district and bookkeeper and secretary to Alden Town Supervisor Richard Savage.

• Candidates: (Elect three) John E. Domres Sr., Eileen M. Reidy, Michele Scirto, David A. Stocking and William T. Blanford (i).

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: Will range from $22.50 to $22.50, up between 0.97 percent and 1.93 percent.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the south gym of Amherst Central High School, 4301 Main St., Snyder.

The budget would increase spending by $636,000, or 1.83 percent, which is due largely to higher state pension costs for the district.

Still, the budget does not require any cuts in educational programs. Depending on whether there is a significant change in Amherst assessment figures, the tax rate increase is projected to range between 0.97 percent and 1.93 percent. According to information posted on the school district's Web site, spending has increased an average 1.78 percent a year over the last six years, while the tax levy has risen an average 0.96 percent since the 1997-1998 school year. The tax rate has gone up an average 2.08 percent during the same period.

Meanwhile, five candidates will appear on the ballot for three open seats on the School Board.

Incumbent William T. Blanford, of Bentham Parkway, is seeking a second three-year term on the board. Blanford, 50, is an administrative vice president for M&T Bank. He has two son who attend Amherst High School and a son who attends the middle school.

John E. Domres Sr., of Canterbury Court, is a manager of corporate purchasing at Keller Technology Corp. in the Town of Tonawanda. Domres, 46, was an unsuccessful candidate in last year's School Board race. He has a daughter at Amherst Middle School and a son at the high school.

Michele E. Scirto, of Bentham Parkway East, a certified public accountant, is pursuing graduate studies in secondary education at Buffalo State College. Scirto, 44, has two children who attend Amherst Middle School.

Eileen M. Reidy, of Brantwood Road, formerly worked for an import/export company in New York City. Reidy, 47, has a son who attends Amherst High School and a daughter who is a senior at Buffalo Seminary.

David A. Stocking, of Lamarck Drive, previously served on the School Board between 1993 and 1999 before taking a job overseas. Stocking, 46, is operations manager for the Industrial Controls Division of Moog and has four children who attend Amherst Central schools.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Diane M. Panasiewicz (i), Brian J. Gould (i) and Leon Regent.

• Noteworthy: The top vote-getter will win a five-year term. The candidate coming in second will serve a two-year term.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in the band room of Cheektowaga Central High School, 3600 Union Road.

While Cheektowaga is expected to receive $430,000 more in state aid under the State Legislature's budget than what the governor had proposed, it's still $100,000 less than the district received for this year's budget.

The loss in aid and increases in mandated costs have driven the $27.94 million budget, and the School Board has made some major cuts to reduce expenditures.

The board abolished 10 teaching positions and one administrative job in the proposed 2003/04 budget. Money for equipment and supplies was cut, and transportation after school was reduced. Class size minimums for electives at the high school were raised, and the Continuing Education program was eliminated.

Still, spending is up $1.62 million over the current budget. Nearly 60 percent of that increase, $965,000, is due to the first payments on the capital project approved in 2001.

Voters also will elect two trustees from among three candidates, all of whom are veteran board members.

Incumbent Diane Panasiewicz, 55, has been an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years and is seeking her second term. Incumbent Brian G. Gould, 26, is a Cheektowaga police officer. He was appointed to the board last August. Leon Regent, 72, has served three terms on the board, although he is not currently on the board. He is a retired physicist who worked for Calspan, formerly Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, and for Falcon Research & Development Co. He was a faculty member at Erie Community College and served as an officer in the Marines.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $37.62 for Cheektowaga, up 8.3 percent; $41.81 for West Seneca, up 8.3 percent.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, 166 Halstead Ave.; Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, 2495 William St.; and Doyle Fire District No. 1. William and Alaska streets.

The increased aid from the State Legislature has allowed the School Board to reduce its projected tax increase from more than 17 percent to 8.3 percent.

"We've had so many redrafts," said Superintendent James P. Mazgajewski, adding the tax increase is "considerable, and we want to keep it as low as possible."

Six full-time teaching positions were eliminated, and the sports program was cut back in an effort to save money in the $21.12 million budget.

Incumbents Richard Piontek, 73, and Claire Ferrucci, 49, are unopposed for re-election.

• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,727•
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 60.8 percent.

• Proposition 2: $985,000 bond issue to fund the purchase of 14 new school buses.

While some districts have proposed cutting teaching positions to reduce spending, Clarence plans to add five more teachers because of a projected 2.5 percent growth in enrollment next year.

And while the Clarence School Board also sought to keep spending in check, a whopping 634 percent increase in the district's contribution to employee pension costs and a 25 percent increase in health insurance premiums made that a daunting task, according to school officials.

However, because of a change in how the state allocates building aid, the district will have room to lighten its debt load by refinancing its serial bonds. That alone will help save the district $90,000 in capital expenditure costs next year.

The School Board's proposed $50 million spending plan for the 2003-2004 school year will not require any cuts to core academic programs and allows the district to maintain current class sizes and staffing levels.

To control costs, school officials said the district will cut back on the use of supplies such as paper and reduce the number of staff development days it schedules next year.

There are two candidates seeking election to the two open seats on the seven-member School Board, and both are incumbents.

Susan M. Duffy, of Shadyside Drive, is seeking her second term on the board. Duffy, 44, is a homemaker with one child remaining in Clarence schools. Two older children are graduates of the district.

Michael T. Huttner, of Tillman Road, is seeking his fourth three-year term on the board. Huttner, 43, is a teacher in the Starpoint Central School District. He has three daughters, two enrolled in Ledgeview Elementary School and one at Clarence Middle School.

• Percent of budget from state aid: 40 percent.
• Polls open: From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Cleveland Hill Main Street corridor, 105 Mapleview Road.

District officials used the additional aid from the State Legislature to restore three positions and the rest to lower taxes.

The budget increases the tax levy by 4.95 percent, while the tax rate is estimated to be $37.17 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, an increase of 5.7 percent. That's compared with an increase of 7.57 percent under the governor's proposed aid package.

Two incumbents will be running unopposed for re-election to the School Board. Thomas Kulaszewski, 49, a production analyst for Quebecor World Printing in Depew, is completing his second full term on the board. Vicki Eagan, 46, a pharmacy technician at Erie County Medical Center, was appointed in 2001 to fill a vacancy on the board. She was elected last year to fill the remaining year on the term and is running to fill a three-year term.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $34.62 for Cheektowaga, up 7.3 percent; $26.48 for Lancaster, up 7.4 percent.

• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,250 for Cheektowaga; $2,251 for Lancaster.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in Cayuga Heights Elementary School, 1780 Como Park Blvd.

Depew's 7.3 percent tax increase is one of its largest in years, driven by a loss in state aid, big increases in items like pension costs and a decision to avoid all program and extracurricular cuts.

The budget originally carried a tax increase of 8.8 percent. But the State Legislature's override of Gov. George E. Pataki's budget restored about $500,000 of the nearly $1 million Depew schools were about to lose in aid from Albany.

About half of the restored funds were used to keep the district's prekindergarten program operating, keep class sizes small at Cayuga Heights Elementary School and for minor maintenance.

Officials said they could have cut taxes even more but felt that would require cutting programs, either academic or extracurricular.

"I don't think anyone wanted a 7 percent tax increase, especially with taxes going up in the village and the county and whatnot," said board member Dan Beutler. "But it costs more to educate children now because of the standards."

Business Manager Theresa Rusin said the cut in revenue was a particular blow to Depew schools this year.

"We were really pretty much on track on our spending, other than the state aid loss," she said.

Still, Depew, like other schools in New York, saw some notable increases in costly items this year that compounded its state aid problems.

Two School Board races are also on the ballot, although neither seat is being contested. Running unopposed is Timothy P. Schunk, 42, a banking manager at First Niagara Bank with two youngsters in the district. He was first elected in 2001. Susan Wagner, 50, a registered nurse whose grown daughter is a Depew schools graduate, is also unopposed. Wagner first took office in 1998.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $32.00, up 5.9 percent (projected).

• Noteworthy: Largely a hold-the-line budget, with existing programs and staffing remaining intact.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in cafeteria of Main Street/Middle School, 430 Main St.

The district's spending plan maintains existing programs and instruction without staff cuts, though administrators have said it doesn't propel the district forward at as fast a pace as they would have liked for next year.

"I will not allow the district to move backward," Superintendent Howard Smith said during budget deliberations. "While we are in a maintenance mode this year, we will move forward slowly during fiscal constraints and then return to the pace we were moving at when the financial climate clears up."

Though the district is counting on receiving additional state aid, Smith said any restored state funding to the district would go toward lowering the tax rate increase, projected at 5.9 percent.

Given the nearly 2.9 percent spending increase, the budget maintains current instructional programs and provides for limited improvement in certain areas as the district continues to raise its academic standards and address increased graduation requirements, Smith said in his budget message.

The spending plan has had to factor in significant increases in employee medical insurance coverage costs and state-mandated district contributions to employees' and the teachers' retirement systems.

Board incumbent Mary Gallagher, who formerly worked for Fisher-Price, is seeking a third term. She was first elected in 1997. Newcomer S. Dennis Holbrook, an attorney, is running for the board seat vacated by board veteran Margaret Fletcher, who served 131/2 years through four elections and two appointments.

• Proposition 2: Authorizing $278,888 to purchase two 66-passenger and two 47-passenger buses.

• Polls open: From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the foyer of Eden Junior/Senior High School, 3150 Schoolview Road.

Faced with higher costs for health and retirement benefits for teachers and other inevitable increases in spending, Eden's spending plan has a 9.6 percent increase in the tax levy.

And as a result, there are a wide array of cuts that range from teaching positions to programs.

The list of cuts includes intramural sports, assemblies, one of two late buses to transport participants in after-school programs and activities, a 50 percent reduction in school supplies for district teachers and the Erie 1 BOCES instructional media program, which furnished the district films and other services. Of the four teachers retiring, only two positions will be filled. A high school technology teacher and a second-grade teaching position are among the cuts.

Voters also will elect two School Board members. Two incumbents are running unopposed. Tim Walker, 39, an attorney, and Thomas Pace, 40, an executive of an electric company, are both completing their first three-year term. Both men have two children in the district.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Joseph Marsillo, Daniel Swiatek (i) and Nancy Wood (i).

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $19.70 for Hamburg, up 3.9 percent; $17.80 for Eden, up 3.9 percent.

• Noteworthy: Frontier officials say they plan to use additional state funds to further reduce the tax rate increase, to 2.9 percent, once the tax rolls are finalized and the board sets a tax rate in August.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at: Blasdell Elementary School, 3780 South Park Ave., Blasdell; Cloverbank Elementary School, 2761 Cloverbank Road, Hamburg; Frontier Central High School, 4432 Bay View Road, Hamburg; Pinehurst Elementary School, 6050 Fairway Court, Lake View; Woodlawn Fire Hall, 3281 Lake Shore Road, Woodlawn.

Voters will consider a budget proposal that includes a 3 percent increase in spending.

Frontier officials originally calculated a 3.9 percent increase in the tax rate, based on state aid projections from the governor's office.

Now that the State Legislature has restored $1.5 million to the district, about one-third of that money will be used to lower the tax rate increase. Superintendent Gary R. Cooper said the School Board has pledged to announce in August, when districts set their tax rates, that the actual tax rate increase will be slightly less than 2.9 percent, as a result of the additional state aid.

The other $1 million has been used to restore cuts, including: $361,000 to restore instructional programs; $223,000 for computer hardware; $156,000 to buy two school buses; and $125,000 in additional textbook appropriations.

Voters also will elect two candidates to serve five-year terms on the School Board.

Joseph Marsillo, 54, is a data processing manager at Buffalo Pumps in North Tonawanda. He has been active for many years with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and with local youth athletics, including area Little League teams and the Hamburg Little Cagers Organization.

Daniel Swiatek, 67, a corrections counselor, is seeking his fourth term on the board. In addition to his work with the school district, Swiatek has been active with the Hamburg Youth Board and the American Legion.

Nancy Wood, 62, a Town of Hamburg court clerk, is seeking her fifth term on the board. She is an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, and she has been involved with the PTA. She is currently the board president.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $24.78 for Collins, up 60 percent; $23.42 for Persia, up 45 percent.

• Proposition 2: The district would modify its busing policy for students in grades 5-12, extending the pickup zone to one mile from the school. It had been 0. The measure is projected to save $125,000.

• Proposition 3: Authorizing $290,000 to be spent on restart a bus replacement schedule. No buses were replaced during the current school year.

• Proposition 4: Expending $150,000 to support the Universal PreKindergarten Program. The program is not included in the general budget.

• Proposition 5: Increasing contribution to the Gowanda Free Library from $10,000 to $30,000.

• Noteworthy: The district has not calculated increases in state aid as a result of the New York State Legislature's recent votes in its budget. Any increases in aid will be used to cut the tax levy increase, replenish the district's fund balances or both, district officials said.

• Polls open: From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gowanda High School gymnasium, 10674 Prospect St.

The budget includes $904,000 in cuts to the district's base budget, including all field trips, modified sorts, nonleague interscholastic sports, golf, boys varsity track, one-half high school science teaching position, one elementary teacher, kindergarten-eighth grade summer school, an audio-visual clerk position, computer technology position, administrative office position, BOCES Growing Healthy program, grant writer position and two main office receptionists.

If the budget is turned down, planned cuts would extend to the high school and middle school computer science program, one high school librarian, a half high school physical education position, one high school social studies teacher, a high school assistant principal and or the middle school dean of students, a half elementary librarian position, a half elementary art position, a half elementary music position, a half kindergarten aide position and a central store/printing nonteaching position.

Incumbent trustee Linda Wilson was the only candidate to file a petition to run for School Board.

• Candidates: (Elect three) Francis DelSignore (i); David C. Goris (i); Richard J. McCowan (i); Neil R. Seaman.

• Total budget: $36.77 million, up 4.86 percent.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $32.82 for 2003-2004, up 4.86 percent.

• Proposition 2: $425,452 to purchase three 20-passenger vans and four 66-passenger buses.

• Noteworthy: The state wants the district to return $530,702 in overpaid aid.

• Polls open: From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, 1100 Ransom Road.

Even though Grand Island schools will have $762,000 in restored and additional state funds to their proposed $36.77 million budget, the state wants the district to return $530,702 in overpaid aid from the 1999-2000 school year.

The district is getting the bill now because the state is behind in auditing, said school officials, who are exploring the possibility of repayment over three years.

"I have no additional information to share," said Superintendent Thomas Ramming. "We're still trying to make headway, but we don't have a firm response from the state one way or the other."

Lawrence Schaller, the assistant superintendent for business in the district, recently said a more likely maximum amount of restored aid would total $391,200 with the $530,702 still due back to the state.

The tax rate of $32.82 is up 4.86 percent from the current year. The budget itself is also up by 4.86 percent.

School Board candidates running for three open seats are: incumbent board Vice President David C. Goris, 48; incumbent Francis DelSignore, 63; incumbent Richard J. McCowan, 71; Neil R. Seaman, 47.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Andrew S. Loeb (i), Sandra L. Holden (i) and Bradley E. Hall.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $22.28 for Town of Hamburg, up 2.2 percent.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Hamburg High School, 4111 Legion Drive.

Hamburg was able to make it through the uncertain budget process without any cuts to its programs.

"It's a lean budget, but it maintains all of the programs, so we didn't have to worry about that," said Superintendent Peter Roswell.

With seven retirements this year, the district will hire only five new teachers. There was a $20,000 cut in the purchase of equipment, and the budget for capital projects was reduced by $20,000. The district also cut another $20,000 that would have been used to purchase computers.

Increasing security at schools with camera and other safety features, introduction of a class at Boston Valley for children with autism and an additional $2,500 for summer school for at-risk students are among the additions to the budget.

Incumbent Andrew S. Loeb, a lead customer service representative at the Internal Revenue Service and nine-year School Board member, is seeking his fourth term. Loeb has two children in the district.

School Board President Sandra L. Holden, a retired Eden Central School District teacher, is seeking her sixth term. Newcomer Bradley E. Hall, 36, director of administration of the Buffalo Heart Group, has two children in district schools.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $13.82, adjusted to 100 percent equalization, based on 2002-2003 assessment, up 5.9 percent.

Residents will vote on a $15.88 million budget and elect two members to the School Board. Also on the ballot are two propositions: a proposed property purchase of $5,000 and $134,000 for two school buses.

The two candidates, both incumbents, are unopposed for five-year terms on the school board. Neil Winch, of Strykersville, is a middle school science teacher at Pavilion Central School and has served on the board for the past year.

Joseph Kujda, also of Strykersville, has been a board member since 1994, including two years as board president. He is employed as a licensing manager with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Terrall J. Kunick (i), William Coles and David Lowery.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $230.21 for Elma, up 3 percent; $24.02 for Marilla, up 7.43 percent; $25.39 for Wales, up 8.23 percent; $25.60 for Aurora, up 7.34 percent; 16.49 for Lancaster, up 4.56 percent; and $25.24 for Bennington, up 8.05 percent.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Iroquois Intermediate School gymnasium, 2111 Girdle Road, Elma.

The $30.66 million spending plan is a "no-frills budget," said interim Superintendent James Knowles.

There was a 10 percent cut across the budget, Knowles said. The assistant principal at the high school and some of the vacant instructional positions due to retirement probably won't be filled, he said.

All travel and professional development conferences were also cut from the spending plan.

Incumbent Terrall J. Kunick, whose four children graduated from the district, is running unopposed for a third five-year term. Former School Board member David Lowrey, 43, a teacher in the Lockport School District, will challenge William Coles, 55, a teacher with 30 years' experience at the University at Buffalo. Coles has two children in the school district. He and Lowrey are seeking election to the seat that is presently held by board member Robert M. Kuebler. Kuebler is not seeking re-election.

• Candidates: (Elect one) Gary A. Annis, Donette C. Darrow (i) and Louis M. Reuter.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $31.73 for Town of Tonawanda, up 3.72 percent.

• Proposition 2: Authorizes up to $945,000 to buy 17 school buses. This would not affect taxes next year. The following year, taxes would increase by 1.4 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The next four years, increases would be: 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value; 12 cents; 9 cents; and 6 cents.

• Noteworthy: The district has cut several teaching positions, along with teacher's aides and clerical positions. Officials are hoping to accommodate those cuts entirely through attrition.

Other cuts have been made across the district, affecting several areas: conferences, athletics, supplies and field trips.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hoover Middle School, 249 Thorncliff Road; Kenmore East High School, Brighton and Fries roads; and the Sheridan Building, 3200 Elmwood Ave.

The best way to control spending in Ken-Ton was to take a broad-based approach, officials decided.

"What we did was spread the reductions out along a large area," said Superintendent Steven A. Achramovitch.

As many as 10 teaching positions will be eliminated next year throughout the district, but officials hope the cuts will not result in layoffs. The reductions should be offset by the retirements of about 50 teachers, they said.

The personnel department has not yet calculated how many teacher's aides will be cut, officials said. Some clerical positions in the central office left vacant through retirement might be replaced with part-time workers.

One administrator, a program supervisor at the elementary level, was eliminated.

About $65,000 will be cut from the athletic budget, likely through a combination of reductions in equipment and supplies.

The budget for conferences next year has been cut, and so has the amount allocated for supplies and equipment at each building.

The cuts were necessary to control taxes but not severe enough to be detrimental to the program, the superintendent said.

This will be the fourth bid for a board seat for Gary A. Annis, 41, an information analyst with M&T Bank. Annis has been a vocal critic of the board, most recently questioning its decision to offer teachers a $30,000 retirement incentive. He has been an advocate for parents of parochial school students in the district.

Donette C. Darrow, 50, a stay-at-home mother and active volunteer, has been on the board for three years and has been president for the past year. She was originally supported by the teachers union but has lost its backing during her tenure. She is now supported by the Kenmore-Tonawanda School Employees Association.

Louis M. Reuter, 68, taught high school social studies in the district and coached football, both for more than 30 years. He worked as a substitute teacher for more than two years after his retirement in 2000. Reuter has the support of the Kenmore Teachers Association.

• Candidates: (Elect four) Skay "Chuck" Abdallah (i), Robert Friend (i), Steve Hetey, Eric Hucksoll, Christopher Moore, Kenneth Motyka, Nancy Parker (i), Geraldine Pieczonka-Krol, Aubrey Walton.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: Homestead, $9.68, up less than 1 percent; nonhomestead, 26.97, up 4 percent.

• Proposition 2: Approve spending $64,300 to purchase furniture and equipment for the media room at the new Martin Road Elementary School.

• Proposition 3: Authorize the selling of Washington and Franklin school buildings.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. at Bocce Court, Bethlehem Park; Mabel Truitt Community Center, 40 Odell St.; Yemenite Hall, 109 Ridge Road; City Hall, 714 Ridge Road; Washington School, 30 Johnson St.; Ukrainian Church Hall, 1219 Abbott Road; McKinley School, 245 Southshore Blvd.; Senior Citizens Center, 230 Martin Road; Lackawanna Senior High, 500 Martin Road.

Increased state aid has helped Lackawanna keep taxes to a minimum for the 2003-04 budget, which totals 4.7 percent more than the current contingency budget. Taxes for homeowners would go up less than one-half of 1 percent under the proposed budget, while the homestead rate would go up about 4 percent. The board revised the first budget it adopted after increased aid became available. The $30.7 million budget would add a special-education teacher and a librarian for the new Martin Road Elementary School.

The district has eliminated 18 positions from last year to this year, Superintendent Paul G. Hashem has said.

Voters also will elect four new board members. Three incumbents are among the eight candidates running for re-election. The incumbents are board Vice President Skay "Chuck" Abdallah, 36, a utility worker for the Erie County Water Authority; Robert Friend, 48, a Lackawanna police detective; and Nancy Parker, 37, a medical receptionist.

Also running are retired Lackawanna physical education teacher Steve Hetey, 66, who served on the board from 1997 to 2000; Eric Hucksoll, 30, an Erie County Board of Elections supervisor; Christopher M. Moore, 29, a restaurant worker who is studying fire protection technology at Erie Community College; Kenneth Motyka, 48,

a civilian dispatcher for the Lackawanna Police Department who served on the board from 1995 to 2001; Geraldine Pieczonka-Krol, who plans to retire in June after 27 years as a district employee, currently as a secretary in the Maintenance Department; and Aubrey Walton.

• Candidates: (Elect one, five-year term) Charles Militello (i), Cynthia Latimore, Richard Vogan, Sharon Corsi.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $23.31 for Evans, up 1.8 percent.

• Proposition 2: $523,588 for the purchase of school buses (bond anticipation notes). Four 66-passenger buses, three 29-passenger mini-buses, one 24-passenger handicapped-accessible mini-bus.

• Noteworthy: This will be the first year in which voting will return to one location, the Middle School lobby. In 1998, the School Board had expanded voting from one to four sites in an effort to increase voter participation.

• Polls open: From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Middle School lobby, 8855 Erie Road, Angola.

Charles Militello, a trustee for more than two decades, faces three challengers for his School Board position: Richard Vogan, Sharon Corsi and Cynthia Latimore.

• Candidates: (Elect two) David R. Hanitz (i), Arlette M. Kokeny, Joseph J. Santoro and Debra Simme (i).

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $19.49 for Lancaster, up 3 percent; $25.49 for Cheektowaga, up 3 percent; and $283.95 for Elma, up 3 percent.

• Proposition 2: Transfer money from the reserve fund to purchase seven buses. This will have no tax impact, according to district officials.

• Proposition 3: Spend $14.8 million to build additions at William Street and Lancaster Middle schools and to renovate the middle school. The project would help alleviate overcrowding. It would cost homeowners 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value each year, for the next 20 years.

• Noteworthy: With two seats open on the School Board, this election could be decisive for a board that often splits, 4-3, on key issues. Currently, the majority generally tends to back administrative initiatives.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Java Gymnasium in Lancaster High School, 1 Forton Drive.

Officials have applied an extra $560,000 in additional state aid to lower the tax levy. Now, residents would see a 3 percent increase in their tax bills if the budget is approved - as opposed to the 4.9 percent tax rate increase that was proposed under the governor's school aid package.

Lancaster residents will also consider a $14.8 million bond proposal to build a 35,000-square-foot addition at William Street School and a 23,000-square-foot addition at Lancaster Middle School. The district has grown by 830 students in the last five years, and officials anticipate another 336 will enroll in the next five years. Currently, many classes hold 28 students.

The project also would add 10 general classrooms, a technology classroom and a gym to the middle school. Renovations at the building would convert nine classrooms on the third floor to five rooms that meet current state guidelines for space requirements.

If the project is approved by July 1, the district qualifies for an extra 10 percent state aid. In all, then, 71 percent of the project cost would be covered by the state, leaving local taxpayers to pay for $6.9 million of it. The state could end the 10 percent aid incentive after this year. That would mean local taxpayers would be left with an additional $2.3 million of the project cost if it's approved any time after the June 3 vote.

In the School Board race, four people are vying for two seats: David R. Hanitz, 43, a manufacturing consultant, who was appointed to the board in November; Arlette M. Kokeny, 42, a nurse paralegal, who served two years on the board before resigning in the fall; Joseph J. Santoro, 36, a marketing strategist, who has served on the district's Attendance Boundary Committee; and Debra Simme, 43, an accountant, who has been on the board since 1999.

• Candidates: (Elect one to five-year term) Paul J. Matuszewski (i) and Paul Dommer. (Elect one to one-year term) Richard T. Augustine, Anthony J. Cervi and Nicholas R. Giammarise.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $26.69 to $26.20, up zero to 2 percent.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in the Maryvale High School gymnasium, 1050 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga.

"The way you control the tax rate," explained Maryvale Superintendent Gary L. Brader, "is to control expenditures."

Brader is true to his word. Spending would go down by 1.9 percent to $28.92 million in the proposed 2003/04 budget.

Brader said it's possible there could be no tax increase or an increase of up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The board made various cuts in academic and facilities areas and eliminated three elementary teacher positions. Staff development was trimmed, and travel to conferences was reduced by one half.

Incumbent board member Paul J. Matuszewski, 50, a district manager for Seldrum, which supplies parts and toner for copy and fax machines, and Paul Dommer, 38, a 1983 graduate of the district who runs Dommer Construction in Lancaster, are running for a five-year term.

Three others are facing off to fill the year that is left on the term of Grace E. Bodkin, who resigned: Richard T. Augustine, Anthony J. Cervi and Nicholas R. Giammarise.

Giammarise, 48, a 1972 graduate of Maryvale, is a sales professional for a manufacturing firm.

Augustine, 63, who was a board member from 1986 to 1998, has been in higher education for 26 years as director of student records at Buffalo State College.

• Candidates: (Elect one, five years) William Schmitz (i), Lynda Francis, Michelle Cyrek.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $20.94 for towns of North Collins and Brant, no change from current year. • Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,094.

• Proposition 2: $122,000 to fund the purchase of one 65-passenger bus and one 15-passenger bus.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m. in Junior-Senior High School gymnasium, 2045 School St.

Incumbent Town Board member William Schmitz is facing challenges from Michelle Cyrek and Linda Francis, an unsuccessful candidate in 1999 and 2002.

• Candidates: (Elect three) Joseph F. Bieron (i), John R. Finster (i), Dennis P. O'Keefe, John C. Travers Jr., Carol Waddell-Sheets and Brian J. Wheeler.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $30.05 for Aurora, up 3 percent; $24.95 for Boston, up 3.1 percent; $281.76 for Elma, up 2.9 percent; $21.79 for Hamburg, up 3.1 percent; $23.69 for Orchard Park, up 3 percent; $28.90 for West Seneca, up 3 percent.

• Noteworthy: The budget reflects a nearly 1 percent decrease from the present contingency budget - one of the few local districts to propose a spending cut. The plan calls for eliminating several teachers and teacher's aides, along with reducing spending on field trips, summer school and supplies.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Orchard Park Middle School, 60 S. Lincoln Ave.

Voters will weigh in on one of the few school budgets in the area that calls for a spending decrease.

The proposed budget still includes a tax increase, which officials attribute to mandatory jumps in employee retirement contributions, health insurance and other items. The tax increase is well below half of what would accompany a contingency budget, however.

The School Board eliminated several positions, including eight teachers, 10 teacher's aides, four library or audiovisual aides and substitute teachers assigned to specific buildings.

The board also eliminated summer school and field trips for the secondary grades, as well as equipment and the distance learning lab for the entire district.

Three seats on the seven-member board are up. Two candidates will win three-year terms, and the person who comes in third will win a one-year term.

Joseph F. Bieron, 65, a Canisius College professor, has served on the board since his appointment last year. John R. Finster, 59, a public health engineer, has been the vice president of the board for the past year. Dennis P. O'Keefe, 62, a retired accountant, previously served two terms on the board.

John C. Travers Jr., 72, an insurance agent, has been active with the YMCA board of directors, Catholic Charities and CrimeStoppers. Carol Waddell-Sheets, 45, a geology professor at Buffalo State College, is active with the district's music program, and she volunteers at Penn Dixie quarry. Brian J. Wheeler, 39, a network engineering business manager, has coached house soccer and has served on the district's Technology Committee for five years.

• Candidates: (Elect four) Michael Conroy, Raymond Haberer (i), Heinke Lillenstein, Steven Markham, Julie Turk, Albert Tuttle, Tracy Vedder and Eric Webber.

• Noteworthy: The candidates with the two highest vote totals will fill two five-year seats. The candidate with the next-highest total will fill the three-year term, and the candidate with the fourth highest total will serve out the one-year term.

• Polls open: From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Pioneer High School, County Line Road, Yorkshire.

The additional aid included in the State Legislature's budget was good news for the district. The School Board restored modified sports, the district musical, marching band and aid to area public libraries with the extra funding.

There was still some money left over to reduce the estimated tax levy increase from 10.17 percent to 7.32 percent.

There are eight candidates for four seats on the School Board, including high school senior Eric Webber of Arcade. Webber, 18, is a volunteer with the Arcade Fire Department and member of the rescue squad.

Tracy Vedder, 36, of Yorkshire, has a vocational degree in business and baking and has lived in the district for 17 years.

Retired New York State Police Investigator Albert J. "Jack" Tuttle, 63, works part time for Wyoming County Bank.

Julie Turk, 38, of Arcade, is a 1983 graduate of Pioneer and an employee of Pioneer Credit Recovery.

Steven R. Markham, of Delevan, is a dairy farm manager and has his own small computer software business.

Raymond Haberer, 54, of Arcade, is seeking re-election. He is plant manager at Emkay Trading Co.

Michael Conroy, 43, of Arcade, is the general manager of Conroy Motor Corp. and an owner-broker for Pioneer Realty.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $13.36 for Amherst property owners based on a full value assessment, up 6.7 percent; $20.78 for Town of Tonawanda property owners based on an equalized assessment, up 6.6 percent.

• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,336 in Amherst; $1,455 in Town of Tonawanda.

• Proposition 2: Authorization to spend $325,511 to purchase six new school buses.

• Polls open: From noon to 9 p.m., Sweet Home Middle School, 4150 Maple Road, Amherst.

While spending in the proposed budget is up slightly from last year, the School Board still pursued nearly $900,000 in reductions and cuts, including seven teaching positions and one administrative position.

Even with partially restored aid, Sweet Home, like most other school districts in the county, must still grapple with an increase in overall expenses, most notably its contribution to the state teachers' pension fund and health insurance costs.

Thomas Miller, director of finance for the district, said most of the teaching positions cut do not include classroom teachers. The board also cut funding for equipment and supplies and the district's formerly tuition-free driver's education program. Students will now pay to take the course.

Miller said the board's goal in fashioning the budget was to maintain the district's current level of educational services without increasing taxes significantly.

There is only one open seat on the School Board, which currently is held by Heidi G. Dizer, of Creekside Drive, Town of Tonawanda, and she is the only candidate. Dizer, 48, is seeking a second five-year term on the board. She is an interior designer, and though she has never taught, Dizer does have a degree in elementary education.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $29.38 for Concord, up 9.6 percent.

• Polls open: From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Springville-Griffith Institute High School, 290 N. Buffalo St., Springville; Collins Center Fire Hall, Route, 39, Collins Center; Colden Elementary School, 8263 Boston-Colden Road, Colden.

The two School Board candidates are seeking to replace Deborah King, who opted not to seek re-election.

Hurley, a physician in private practice, is a 14-year resident of the district who will have two children in the Springville schools next fall.

Tobin is the owner of Dunn & Tobin Associates, an accounting business. A 10-year district resident, she has two children.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Daniel Calebrese (i), Richard Catlin (i) and Anna Jost.

• Proposition 2: Authorizing $170,000 mold abatement project, enabling district to get expense fully reimbursed by state.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mullen Elementary School, 130 Syracuse St., for Ward 1; Highland Elementary School, 105 Highland Ave., for Ward 2; Tonawanda City Hall, 200 Niagara St., for Ward 3; and Riverview Elementary School, 55 Taylor Drive, for Ward 4.

With state aid dropping and expenses up, the School Board wrestled with how to balance its educational program and property taxes for the upcoming school year.

The board's decision: to follow what turned out to be a successful formula last year, a budget increasing the property tax rate by just under 5 percent.

Doing that meant some cuts but nothing draconian. No layoffs are needed, but two or three teacher positions will be lost through attrition. Also, the budget reduces the amount of supplies and material being purchased, and eliminates a distance learning program that district officials says is underused.

All in all, School Superintendent George Batterson said the budget doesn't "impact kids too much."

In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to allow the district to borrow $170,000 for an emergency mold abatement project. The mold was discovered during the district's recent $26 million building renovation. The abatement work was done, but the state said it would reimburse the district if voters approve the expenditure as a capital project, Batterson said.

Voters will also be asked to select two members of the Board of Education. Board President Daniel Calebrese is seeking another three-year term, as is incumbent Richard Catlin. Also running is Anna Jost, an attorney.

• Candidates: (Elect two) Mary Busse (i), Deborah Hughson, Mark Lazzara and Dawn Tymorek.

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: $29.85 for West Seneca, $26.86 for Cheektowaga, $24.47 for Orchard Park and $22.59 for Hamburg, all up 3.95 percent, .

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in East Senior High School, 4760 Seneca St.

Voters will consider a budget that has been described by district officials as virtually a contingency budget and fill two seats on the School Board.

If approved, the budget will raise taxes by 3.95 percent, or $1.13 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Spending would increase by $1.51 million, or just under 2 percent, over last year.

Four candidates, including one incumbent, are seeking School Board seats. They are Mary Busse, Mark Lazzara, Dawn Tymorek and Deborah Hughson.

Busse, 46, the incumbent, is running for her third term on the School Board. She served on the board previously from 1990 to 1992. She worked as a developmental aide for West Seneca Developmental Center for 28 years.

Lazzara, 43, is the executive director of the West Seneca Youth Bureau and AmeriCorps.

Hughson,44, is co-president of the West Senior High School Parent-Teacher Group.

Tymorek, is president of the Winchester Elementary Parent-Teacher Association and formerly worked as a collections supervisor for an area law firm.

• Candidates: (Elect four) Camille L. Eichhorn, William N. Freeman (i), Diane Roesch, (i) Michael J. Littman, Stephen C. Munschauer and Linda K. Viksjo (i).

• Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed value: Will range from $19.50 to $19.88 for Amherst residents, up between 0.45 percent and 2.43 percent.

• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): Between $1,950.28 and $1,988.47 for Amherst residents.

• Proposition 2: Authorization to spend up to $2.5 million from the Transportation Department Capital Reserve Fund, approved by district voters in 2002, for the purchase of 31 new buses.

• Polls open: From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in gymnasium of Williamsville North High School, 1595 Maple Road, Amherst.

In April, the School Board approved nearly $3 million in cuts to its $121 million spending plan for the 2003-2004 school year. A month later, the board was able to put back $2.1 million in state aid that had been cut from Gov. George E. Pataki's budget and restored by the State Legislature.

The board used $1.2 million of the restored aid to reduce the tax levy and estimated tax rate increase. The remaining $910,428 was used to maintain class sizes, modified sports and restore part of the budget for supplies and equipment.

Meanwhile, six candidates will be vying for four open seats on the School Board. The top three vote-getters will be elected to three-year terms on the board. The candidate with the fourth highest number of votes will serve out the remaining two years of former board member Donald R. Henning's unexpired term. Henning resigned in November.

The six candidates include incumbents, Linda K. Viksjo and Donald N. Freeman, both of whom are seeking their second terms on the board.

Viksjo, 53, is an office manager for a certified public accounting firm and has three sons who are all graduates of Williamsville schools.

Freeman, 52, is a senior vice president with HSBC Bank and has a son and a daughter who attend Mill Middle School and another son at Maple West Elementary School.

Michael J. Littman, of Autumnview Road, Amherst, ran unsuccessfully for the board in 1997 and 1998. Littman, 49, has a daughter who attends Williamsville North High School and a son who attends Kadimah School, a private school. Littman is an associate professor of business at Buffalo State College.

Diane Roesch, of Patton Place, Amherst, and Stephen C. Munschauer of Dan-Troy Drive, Amherst, both ran unsucessfully for the board last year. Roesch, 42, who has a background in finance, two sons at Mill Middle School and a daughter at Maple West Elementary. Munschauer, 51, is an estimating manager at Watson Bowman Acme Corp. in Amherst. He has a son attending Mill Middle School and a son at Maple West Elementary.

Camille L. Eichhorn, of Kristen Meadow, Amherst, is a first-time School Board candidate. Eichhorn, 39, was formerly employed in human resources and sales. She is a homemaker and has a son and daughter who both attend Maple East Elementary School.

It is not any better here in Central New York. Have you seen the commercials on TV paid for by the teachers unions asking people to vote yes on school budget votes slated for June 3rd? Don't you like how they get the kids on claiming that "our classroom size will be bigger and they may have to cut programs." BOO HOO - I do not feel your pain! How about cutting some of those out of control benefits teachers and administrators get! I'm not bashing teachers here, but these school budgets are getting out of hand and I for one am not falling for their scare tactics anymore. When my income falls short I have to cut certains things out of my budget - why should they be any different.

You can ask me to shut up, but I won't.

Buffalo's 2 major employers are the government and bars.

Insulting people's college is such a wonderful thing to do. Did you go to UB? At least Buff State doesn't invite people like Bill Clinton (and people from his admin) to give speeches like UB does.

What's so wonderful about Buffalo? What makes living there so great? I'd love to see your list.

Well, if you take a burn to me insulting your alma mater, then surely you can understand why I take a burn to you insulting my hometown. Can we call a truce?

And no, I didn't go to UB. HillBilly Clinton is (are) the bain of my existence. And I agree that Buffalo, unfortunately, has an extremely large libby population. Too much governmental assistance for the lazy, too many hippies on Elmwood Ave.

But I take exception to you calling it a "stinking hellhole." I don't want to sit here and bore you with a list of attractions, but the job market sucks everywhere right now, there's nepotism in every city, and there's corruption in every city. On what basis do you judge Buffalo being so much worse than others?

My short list.

The city is dirty
vagrants abound
crime is high
taxes are very high
jobs are lacking
the city has a big drug problem
episodes of "COPS" are from Buffalo (not a good thing)
the weather sucks (though some like 7 months of winter)
many city leaders and community activists think the key to rebuilding Buffalo and its economy is a new bridge to Canada!
Others think the movie Bruce Almighty is going to help the city. How?
Virtually all attempts to bring in new business and industry are ridiculed and prevented. How's the Aud doing?
How about the fighting and bickering over maintaining delapedated grain elevators? People think those can be a tourist attraction to help the economy! What a joke!
Hows the water front doing?

Sure, Buffalo has some attractions. The Albright Knox, which is world class and top notch. Niagra Falls, which is not in Buffalo. Bison’s games are fun to attend. The Sabres used to be, but now they suck. Bill’s games are fun to go to even though they suck. But a minor league team and 2 mediocre professional teams do not a city make, and in net economic terms they are a drain on the city. The Buffalo Zoo? I guess that’s an attraction. As long as you don’t go on student discount day.

I am having a hard time coming up with anything else that would make someone or a family want to visit Buffalo, and much less move there.

There certainly are a lot of things I miss about Buffalo. I loved my 5 years there and I wouldn’t trade them for 5 years at any other college or town. But there was nothing there that was worth staying and starting a career and having a family in the future. I also met my wife in Buffalo and I will never forgive the city for that! LOL! Just kidding.

The people I know who went to college in Buffalo, both Buff State and UB who are still living there are filling 2 jobs. Bartender or teacher. That’s it. Seriously. And the bartenders are graduates of UB.

The town I grew up in, Endicott NY is even worse. That place truly is a stinking hell hole with little to no chance of ever improving. Buffalo at least has a shot of returning to its former glory. Endicott does not.

You need to stop reading the Buffalo News online. That rag is a steaming turd of a newspaper, blantantly biased to the left, with an editor-in-chief who has the IQ of a rat.

You cite many things that are true about Buffalo, but you have to get past what the so-called leaders have done, and see what this city once was, and what it can be in the future... as soon as they get the goombahs out of office (you forgot to mention that the Mafia controls this city, and Niagara Falls). Let's look on the bright side of things for a moment, shall we?

the winters are long, but can be beautiful. The summers are ideal. The architecture here is unmatched except perhaps by Chicago. There's an underground arts culture that is thriving, the food is great and the people are even better (so long as you don't stray to the East or West sides...). We have the Allentown Art Festival, Thursday in the Square, food festivals abound, Spot Coffee, The Towne's souvlaki, Delware Park (an Olmsted Park), Roswell Park Cancer Inst... I mean seriously, I went to Oberlin College, right outside of Cleveland. That city, as well as many others I have visited, has such a rude, arrogant population of people, it's sickening. And talk about vagrants! Have you ever visited Rochester?Sure, Buffalo has a definite white-trash contingent, but at least it's a city that always welcomes its visitors. Everything bad about this city has happened in the last 50 years. It will take 50 years to rebuild it.

And don't insult the grain elevators. I think there's something majestic about them. :)

My husband went to Notre Dame Law. All of the good law jobs are taken by UB grads. I think the UB & Buff State grads have taken all of the good jobs in this city! Had you stayed, you probably would've found something, too.

but you have to get past what the so-called leaders have done, and see what this city once was, and what it can be in the future..

What a city was in the past, and what it possibly, maybe, might be in the future is not a reason to move somewhere or stay somewhere.

And don't insult the grain elevators. I think there's something majestic about them. :)

Fine, but are they going to provide a tourist attraction and an economic boom like people say they will? NO!

The architecture here is unmatched except perhaps by Chicago.

Few to nobody takes a vacation to a city to look at its architecture and NO ONE moves to a city to look at its architecture.

I and many thousands of Buffalonians are very happy with our decision to get the hell out. We moved south where the winter is almost non-existent, taxes are far far lower, and job opportunities abound.

Before Buffalo can even begin to approach an economic rebound the extreme leftists and unions iron grip on the city must be broke. Until that happens Buffalo will continue its downward spiral. And it is a sad thing. Because you are right. The people of Buffalo are some of the nicest people in America and it could once again become a beautiful and wonderful place to live and work.

On average, each student is provided $10,000 for public school education.

1) If a teacher has 27 students, $270,000 is available to an individual teacher each year.

2) The teachers should have the authority to decide on how the $270,000 is best spent for the education the 27 students they are responsible for.

3) Janitors, Principles, Security, Cafeteria and all other staff salaries are paid from the pooled resources of the teachers. How much is allocated to this pooled resource, is up to the teachers at the school.

4) Failure of a teacher to achieve the education goals required for a student's grade level, will result in fines of $10,000 per student.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.