Over the last several weeks, newspaper articles and "Letters to the Editor" have addressed the topic of upcoming school budgets and escalating property taxes. A Newsday article from March 2 highlighted the struggles of a senior couple in Port Washington who live on a fixed income and must handle an estimated $783 tax increase. I know of a 91-year-old Port Washington resident who must work a part-time job to meet living expenses. How many other local residents are in similar situations?

While the average national salary for teachers is $45,000 and the Long Island average salary is $70,000, Port Washington educators have an average salary of around $82,000. Historically, Port Washington has favorably supported and has adequately planned for building upkeep and expansion. The current economy won't support an expansive school budget. We need to look for productivity improvements, curtail costs and not automatically assume the taxpayer can continue to support 5-10-15 percent increases in school taxes.

School officials will talk of the budget containing many mandated services and that it will take years for us to recover from budget cuts and the reality of "austerity budgets." They will express the fear that an "austerity budget" will have a substantially negative affect on the children. As a long time educator, I know this is simply not true. On the occasion a budget is voted down, a second vote can be offered. Two defeats lead to an austerity budget that usually still hikes taxes and spending.

It is not surprising that State Senator Ken LaValle is proposing legislation mandating that superintendents come from the business world. I support Senator LaValle for this enlightening idea. If it is implemented, prudent spending, reduced costs and optimal educational standards would be of paramount concern. The Port Washington community would be served well by fiscal restraint.