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Public commenters press West Islip board on UPK access and tax‑exempt property impacts
Summary
A retired pediatric nurse practitioner urged subsidies for families denied UPK seats, proposed a UPK center committee and estimated a $280,000 subsidy cost; another community member raised concern about revenue losses from tax‑exempt property acquisitions and urged the district to pursue advocacy with state officials.
During the public‑comment period, community members pressed the district on Universal Pre‑K access and the broader fiscal pressure of tax‑exempt properties.
Diane Tito, who said she is a retired pediatric nurse practitioner, asked the board to consider subsidizing private pre‑K placements at approximately $5,400 per child to reduce the immediate hardship for families who did not receive UPK seats. "If the district subsidized the families, they put their kids in private pre k, the same amount as it's costing the district to put them into this, South Shore Children's Center, the 5,400," she said, and later proposed forming a community committee to explore a dedicated UPK center (she suggested Westbrook as a possible site).
John Farrell, a parent and recent meeting attendee, raised a separate fiscal concern: he said ongoing acquisitions of property by tax‑exempt nonprofit and religious organizations reduce the local tax base and shift more of the funding burden onto homeowners. He said the district should pursue state‑level advocacy and suggested the board form a working group with PTA and community representatives to press legislators for relief.
Board and district officials responded that advocacy is underway and that administrators and trustees are open to further discussions. Dr. Rominelli urged partnership and said the district has been raising the issue with legislators and community stakeholders.
Why this matters: UPK access and the erosion of the taxable property base are both budget drivers that directly affect families and the district’s fiscal capacity. The board acknowledged both concerns and indicated it would continue advocacy and explore next steps with community partners.
The chair said the district is "moving towards not paying for any pre k in the future and just using the allotted grant," and noted the district's ongoing advocacy to increase state funding for pre‑K seats.
