Letter to the Editor

Unsung gem

By Michael A Connors, Vice President, Marlboro Central School District, Board of Education
Posted 9/16/21

I am writing as a concerned community member, taxpayer and parent in Orange and Ulster Counties.  With all the noise in the media these days it’s nice to know we have a gem right here in …

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Letter to the Editor

Unsung gem

Posted

I am writing as a concerned community member, taxpayer and parent in Orange and Ulster Counties.  With all the noise in the media these days it’s nice to know we have a gem right here in the Hudson Valley no one seems to have noticed.

While the Marlboro School District did not score as highly with rating services, it’s important to understand a major strike against the Marlboro program is the AP (advanced placement).  Marlboro instead gives actual college credit which serves two purposes, first many seniors have the opportunity to enter college as a sophomore and secondly, 3 versus 4 years of a college education saves the families a ton of money.  Advantage Marlboro.  

Let’s look further though... while known for it’s excellent sports programs, let’s look at educational opportunities.  Marlboro has recently appropriated funds to complete the much needed upgrades to it’s planetarium and observatory.  How many districts even have one?  It’s Vision 2020 capital project now provides students and staff with perhaps the safest environment in the region along with the addition of a state of the art music center and technology facilities.  Marlboro boasts an aquatic facility at the high school, new training facilities, a full time trainer and support staff.

Truly Marlboro is a public school that feels more like a well funded private school with tremendously dedicated teachers and hard working support staff.  And what about taxes?  As much as Marlboro has been attacked for high taxes due to the exit of some pretty hefty funding from local power plants, those taxpayers who shouldered the burden of a 34% tax increase are now seeing reductions. That’s right,

Superintendent Brooks and the Board of Education have not only stabilized the budget two years running but actually initiated a 3.03% reduction in the tax levy this year.  How about your district?

I could go into Covid safety, the outstanding work of our janitorial staff yielding the lowest infection rates in the region and several other areas but let’s face it, USA Today, US News and even Hudson Valley Magazine got it wrong.  Not one even responded to requests for contact. So how are these ratings arrived at without the real data?

I’m going to let you all in on a little secret if you don’t watch the Board meetings.  There is a proposal for another project that could very well be revenue neutral to the taxpayers, create a high level business curriculum for high schoolers and provide a new entertainment source for the community.  Stay tuned my friends, Marlboro is looking to be an exciting place to be!

Some great news... for a change!