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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. -- The North Salem Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Send letters to northsalem@dailyvoice.com.
To the editor:
The North Salem School District spent on average $31,000 to educate one student last year.
North Salem is the fourth most expensive on the basis of cost per student of all school districts in Westchester and Putnam County as compiled by the independent study performed annually by BOCES. The only districts that were more expensive than North Salem were Pocantico Hills, Katonah-Lewsiboro and Greenburgh. Based on the expected expenditures for the current year North Salem moves into the third slot.
Why?
North Salem was the second most expensive in the category of instructional costs only being exceeded by Pocantico Hills. Yes, North Salem is more expensive than districts considered to provide an exceptional educational products such as Chappaqua, Scarsdale and Edgemont.
In the category of employee benefits, North Salem was second only to Katonah-Lewisboro.
In the category of costs relating to the Board of Education, superintendent’s office, finance and related staff North Salem was the fourth most expensive.
The student population in North Salem continues to decline and based upon a study performed independently for the board is expected to continue to decline significantly during the next decade.
Significant economies need to be planned by the board as it undertakes the budget for the ensuing year if North Salem wants to continue to be an independent district. In the long run I believe that economies will dictate that the district expand its boundaries and potentially enter into multiple mergers with other districts.
Bill Lang North Salem
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