I would like to see our local politicians begin to address the growing problem of runaway property taxes. This year our county taxes will increase significantly. I understand our school budget, which affects our taxes much more, is increasing by 7 percent, on top of huge increases in recent years. The school district tells us that most other Nassau districts had higher tax rates. But that is deceptive, because tax rates depend on the level of commercial and other property values. If we look at how much we are spending for each student, I believe we will see that we are one of the biggest spending school districts in the county, and that, as a result, our school taxes are higher than most other Nassau school districts. I also read that school board member and Finance Committee Chairman Robert Seiden said that "the discretionary dollars (less than 9 percent of the total budget) are the only ones the district has any control over." I believe Mr. Seiden is very mistaken, since most of what he called "non-discretionary dollars" represent salaries and benefits of school personnel, which means they are largely discretionary. Just as most of the business world is cutting costs by reducing the payroll, why can't the school district do the same? The school board has a great deal of discretion over how many custodians, clerks, secretaries, administrators and teachers to retain. The board really has direct control over most of the budget, not just that small 9 percent. Surely, Mr. Seiden, as finance chairman, knows this.

Ray Keenan