Sachem Legislative Committee Minutes

March 16, 2006

Chairperson Sal Nicosia opened Meeting at 7:40 PM.

1.  Salute to the Flag and Moment of Silence

2.  Attendees   :  Sue Brandes   William (Mike) Feehan,  Michelle Gravino,

                           Kevin Hyms, PTA President Sachem H.S. North, Shawn Hyms,

                           Sandra Jones, Donna Laks, Linda Lunger, Secretary, Sal Nicosia

                           Nancy Roberts, PTA Council President, Barry Seidel (New Member)

                           Deborah Slinkosky, Sachem School Board Member, Mary Sullivan,

                          Ally Tooulias, Student Leadership Class, Sachem H.S. East

3.  Sal Nicosia asked each member in attendance to introduce themselves as to Family, Career, Community Activities.

4.  Sal Nicosia outlined the need to:

     a.  Get a high voter turnout.

     b.  Form a Coalition with neighboring School Districts.

     c.  Plan a trip to Albany and Lobby State Senators and Assembly persons. Invite all        neighboring Districts (Longwood, Patchogue Medford, Middle Country, Sayville, Smithtown, Connetquot). Tentative Date: First week in May.

    d.  Need to recognize that our Sachem community has to develop a long range plan to  effectively Lobby. persistently and consistently, the State Officials about current Property Taxes that have created a serious financial burden on the Community that needs immediate and continued funding from the State Budget and they also consider a different  tax plan to pay for  the  education of our children;  eg.,  Income

         Tax. We have been lacking a significant voter turnout during our Annual School   Votes which has been translated by State Government Representatives as a sign that voters in the local communities are not organized and not empowered to affect their chances for re-election, ergo: status quo. Local Elections with 10% turnouts are interpreted by the public office holders as non threatening to their political success. History conclusively shows that organized Lobbies consistently get what they seek!

     e.  We must impress our community that a non voting parent contributes to business as usual and a vote either way is a sign of empowerment of the community. It is INVOLVEMENT!

5.  Deborah Slinkosky pointed out:   

     a. School Board has been working on the 2006-07 School Budget and stated that they  have arrived at being able to offer the community a budget with a percentage increase slightly below what an  Austerity Budget percentage entails.

     b. Public must know that if a proposed budget goes down and an austerity budget is pursued next year, it means that no CAPITAL EXPENDITURES can be appropriated and thus necessary repairs to school buildings WILL NOT  be able to be funded.

     c. Mr. Suozzi and Mr. Spitzer, candidates for Governor have been invited to address our community on their particular agenda as to what they would do if they were elected. We will also invite the Republican candidate when we ascertain who the designee will be. Suozzi and Spitzer will be in a Primary Election in September. Stay tuned for further developments re this matter.

6.  Discussion on inviting State Legislators to our District and inviting other adjoining schools to attend.. A September date, third Thursday of that month, is suggested date.

7.  Discussion regarding how to get the vote out in May:

     a. Creating a non partisan signage that would urge public to vote without suggesting   how to vote but to Vote!

     b. Members were asked to think of a slogan that would catch public's attention and motivate them to go to the polls on Tuesday, May 18, 2006.

     c. At membership meeting of April 20, 2006, members in attendance will vote on appropriate slogan which will then be printed and distributed to those who want to post them on their lawns, appropriate community locations and their automobiles.

8.  Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.