Taxes were the main issue raised at the monthly meeting of the Syosset School Board held this week. Many Syosset residents addressed the board regarding the increase in taxes and the dissemination of information to the public.

Dr. Carole G. Hankin, Syosset superintendent of schools, answered tax questions trying to differentiate between the school tax and the recent Nassau County reassessment that raised tax rates even higher than expected.

"With regard to the county taxes, the board does not see any portion of the taxes coming from this recent tax reassessment," said Dr. Hankin. "Nassau County Department of Assessment has re-evaluated the class structure, which has caused the increase in residential property values and therefore raised taxes. It really has nothing to do with us."

Janet Cox, president of the Syosset School Board commented saying that, "the only amount of the tax we have control over is setting the tax levy."

Among the many issues, residents questioned whether the school board informed the public of such increases in taxes prior to the election last May.

"We clearly notified the public," Dr. Hankin stated. The school board posted a disclosure statement in the March Syosset on the Move newsletter outlining the variables which are factors in determining the tax rate.

Many residents continued to challenge the school board's answers.

"I contacted Judy Jacobs' office and got the run around," said Blaire Feldman of Syosset. "Basically, no one is taking accountability for the tax increase. It seems the underlying feeling is that it's a privilege to live in Syosset and you have to pay for it."

"Nassau County Assessor Harvey Levinson's office suggested that Dr. Hankin band together with other superintendents in Nassau County to help fight the taxes," said Feldman. Dr. Hankin agreed and said she would help support Syosset school district residents in any way she could to challenge these new taxes.

In other matters, the school board also enjoyed a presentation from South Woods and H. B. Thompson middle school. Eighth-grade students from both schools put together a renovation creation. They presented the "Extreme Makeover, Middle School Edition" - a home-renovations skit where two gentlemen gain the help of local businesses to renovate their dining room in time for Thanksgiving. This utilized art from the occupational education and fine arts classes showcasing elements of the middle school electives program. The middle school philosophy encourages students to explore their interests. The curriculum offers the following electives: fashion and design, foundations in art, Wall Street, engineering design and interior design.

More school board news included a celebration of American Education Week where parents of elementary students were welcomed to visit classrooms on Friday, Nov. 19. The next Syosset school board meeting is slated for 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, at South Woods Middle School.