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Resident urges clarity on tax rules, open enrollment and $10 million transfer
Summary
Justin Finchem read a prepared statement urging the board to explain how pending state legislation and district policies interact with local levies, questioned open-enrollment "destination district" language and asked for transparency about a $10 million transfer into account 070 after the bond passed.
Justin Finchem, a resident of 47441 Lane, presented public comment at the Brooklyn City Board of Education's Aug. 19 meeting and read a written statement he had previously emailed to board members.
Finchem told the board that House Bill 186 (which he said is expected to pass in October) could change how districts generate property-tax revenue, and he described the district's use of a 20-mill "floor" as a financial tool districts employ to preserve revenue after levy votes. "It's a financial tool districts use to maximize financial gain," he said.
He also criticized what he described as "destination district" language used in district communications and open-enrollment outreach, saying the phrasing suggests a long-term commitment to accepting transfer students rather than a year-by-year analysis. He said the district currently targets average class sizes of 24 students and urged the board to pursue smaller classes, saying, "24 is too much. 18 is large. I want smaller class size."
Finchem asked the board for clearer public information about district finances, citing a movement of $10,000,000 into "the 070 account" after the March 2024 $20 million bond vote. "I'm not saying you did any wrongdoing. I'm saying it was moved. $10,000,000 moved," he said, and requested an explanation in district communications rather than social-media highlights.
The superintendent responded in the meeting that his earlier public message calling Brooklyn a "destination district" was intended as praise for district programs, not as a policy announcement on enrollment rules, and he reiterated that all students enrolled are "Brooklyn hurricanes." The board did not take action on Finchem's requests during the meeting; the public-comment period closed after his remarks.
What to watch: Finchem asked for transparent accounting or public messaging about the $10 million transfer; the transcript records his request and the superintendent's clarification on messaging but does not include any formal follow-up assignment or additional financial detail beyond the comment.
