Angel Cepeda
A Change for the Better
2007 Candidate for POB Board of Education
We can no longer afford “business as usual”.
We need new leadership. We need it now.
Vote for Change, Vote Angel Cepeda
Vote #6A
On Finances:
No idea has hurt children more than the false and misleading idea that the quality of education is determined by how much we spend. For three decades, our nation and local communities have debated and contentiously fought over the issue of money in education. But the facts are simple: What determines a child's future isn't how much is spent, but how wisely that money is spent. If there is no accountability, or schools use unproven fads for instruction, it doesn't matter how much money is thrown at a problem; it will be wasted.
This year the board adopted the third highest budget increase by percentage in Nassau County, $8.4 million, 7.54%. The average Nassau County budget increase this year was 5.5%. Over the past seven years the school board has increased our school budget $47.3 million, 65.72%. Citizens must ask what have we gotten for all this? Academically our district has scored at the 50th percentile among Nassau communities. This trend has been stagnant for seven years. No, the problem isn't -- and never has been -- money. I believe parents and taxpayers have done their part. As a recent Americans for Better Education survey shows, 66% of registered voters believe that high standards and accountability are more important to improving our schools than increased funding.
You don't need massive amounts of money to make certain that there is a strong curriculum. You need to think about what it is we're asking children to learn. Strong teaching practices are not something you send away for, that you buy. . . . We have to think our way out of these problems.
Charles J. Murphy is the Superintendent of Schools for the Sachem Central School District, the second largest suburban school district in New York State. Dr. Murphy has led the district for the past two years. Most notably during his short tenure, he has been able to create a balance between an outstanding educational program for the students and taxpayer sensitivity for the community. Sachem’s 2007 budget increase 2.7%, tax levy increase 0%. It is possible to have high-achievement in education with reasonable costs.