What's the Port Byron school board thinking installing a resource officer at $59,000 a year while eliminating pre-first? Do we need a full-time police officer in school? Is crime that high to justify that waste in spending? Doesn't Port Byron have a couple of village police officers that could respond to a call to the school? If they are too busy why not just hire a security guard at $18,000 a year and they are already trained #- another cost savings.

I thought our kids' education is most important? What happens to the kids who need that extra help before going into first? Are they just going to be pushed on so they can just keep falling behind? Don't you think they should have every available opportunity to build a strong foundation that will carry them all through school? Has anyone looked into the possibility of grants to keep pre-first for these kids?

As to justifying redoing the parking lot at a time when every basic staple is sky rocketing out of control and some people are struggling just to make ends meet, a 4.5 percent tax increase seems financially irresponsible. Don't you think I for one will be voting no on this budget. I hope the people of Port Byron will join me and force the school board to rethink things. Education first, not needless spending. In case you haven't noticed we are in a recession.

Steve St. Martin

Port Byron