FSD board trustee creates NYSSBA legislative agenda

Shown in the photo are Farmingdale School Board Trustee Tina Diamond with board members after learning the School Property Tax Relief resolution they formulated was adopted by the New York State School Board Association at its annual business meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City. From left to right, are B.Allan Mannella, Longwood School District; Brandon Coyne, Cornwall School District, Orange County; Tina Diamond, Farmingdale School District and Mike Loguercio, Longwood School District.

Farmingdale School Board Trustee Tina Diamond was one of seven school board members statewide instrumental in formulating and passing a New York State School Board (NYSSBA) legislative resolution entitled "School Property Tax Relief" during the organization's annual business meeting in October. The resolutions adopted by the school board delegation at the meeting become the position statements that form NYSSBA's legislation agenda.

In September, Diamond met with fellow appointees in Albany to propose "revenue neutral" solutions to decrease property taxes. Several property-tax experts presented the committee with material for their review during the two-day meeting. The committee then formulated recommendations that were presented at NYSSBA's meeting in the form of the resolution "School Property Tax Relief".

"Having a local school board member serve on the statewide committee affords Farmingdale the opportunity to voice our concerns to our legislators, who have the power to reform property tax law" said Diamond.

The resolution recognizes that many school districts have reached the tipping point, where the reliance on the real property tax is threatening their financial support. Rather than a specific proposal, this resolution presents a set of working principles to guide the debate over public education funding reform and to encourage decisions that decrease the reliance on the real property tax to fund public education. This resolution allows NYSSBA to remain relevant and influential in the debate on public education funding reform.

"Now that this resolution has been adopted - it will bring this issue onto the table for NYSSBA to discuss varied funding concepts openly with our legislators," said Diamond. "Restructuring the funding of public schools is necessary if we are to improve our standard of living and maintain our community as an affordable, vibrant place to live and raise our families."

As a Farmingdale School Board member, Diamond is no stranger to committees. She is an executive board member of the Nassau Suffolk School Board Association as well as an active member of the Farmingdale Lobby Committee. In these roles she has lobbied on behalf of public schools, their students and taxpayers to state and federal officials.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
May 16: 2008: Massapequa School Board upholds Bennett petitions after controversial hearing	2
New restaurants­- and fare- coming to MPK	1
News: March 25, 2008	1
PLEASE MEET: Candidates for Fire District Commissioners' seats in...	1