Standing Room Only At Sachem Board Meeting

Last night it was a standing room only affair at the Samoset auditorium where the Sachem Board of Education meeting was relocated to discuss its upcoming budget decisions.

Not much was decided upon at the meeting, however Associate Superintendent Bruce Singer was asked, after putting together a budget outlook with an 8% tax increase, to go back and offer a gap scenario if the tax increase was 11% or thereabouts.

The Board confirmed that no decision has been made about closing two middle schools, despite rumors to the contrary, however the possibility of closing schools remains on the table, as does the possibility of cutting kindergarten, extracurricular sports and the music program.

After it was suggested two weeks ago during the public comments section of the board meeting, the lobby of Samoset was filled with live classical music courtesy of Sachem student musicians.

Doug Smith, a Sachem alum and current representative for Assemblyman Al Graf (R-Holbrook) offered public comment encouraging the community to continue its letter-writing campaign. He read a letter written by 15-year-old Kyle Kilkenny, who would later bring the house down with his own public comments.

Meanwhile Sachem PTA leader Dana Platin said Thursday's free bus trip to Albany is ready to roll out. The busload of activists are planning to bring thousands of letters from the community pleading with lawmakers to return state aid.

Platin also said a "We Are Sachem" rally is scheduled for March 9 at 11 a.m. at Sachem North High School.

Patch will have more individualized stories that emerged from the meeting later in the day.