During the Q&A period at the October board of education (BOE) meeting, a resident asked the board to do something with the ever increasing property taxes. The resident claimed her taxes have increased 400% since 1960s when she moved in. She said her house was already paid, but many of her neighbors, who were also retired, were hurting, as they still had mortgage to pay. She was evidently frustrated.

She was aware the Nassau county receiver of taxes recommends residents to approach their respective BOE members. She was also aware that the BOE would recommend her to bring the issue to her elected official. She was well aware of how the system works.

This fact of going from one entity to another is on my mind since the meeting. It creates an over reliance on “somebody else” to do something. Asking the BOE members to do “something” is very vague. Instead doing a homework is necessary. Selecting specific issues, reviewing and discussing them with neighbors is the most important part of the process. When a specific suggestion, supported by residents, is presented to the BOE, it’s hard for the BOE members not to work with residents. It’s their role.