If there is an austerity budget, Likely the Buses would be the first to go.
The buses can’t go, since they’re mandated by State law.
no one can complain when busing is taken away if the increase is not passed.
Per New York State law, it is the Board of Ed that gets to choose what non-mandated services must go, not anyone else. So they might cut art or yoga before anything else.
Like Lakewood, if the options are stark, at least no one can complain when busing is taken away
In Lakewood it is the public school parents that will be in for the biggest shock come September. The elimination of non-mandatory busing for those within 2 miles of the school has effectively eliminated busing for 55% of public school students while only eliminating busing for 20% of yeshiva students (since yeshiva students are far more likely to live further away from their school, thus entitled to mandatory busing per State law.)
P.S. I read yesterday that over 8% of all Lakewood NJ properties are exempt from property tax, as compared to 1.5% in neighboring Toms River. Perhaps that is something that can be cracked down on in East Ramapo as well to raise revenue.
There isn’t anything to “crack down” on. Those are simple and legal tax exemptions for non-profits such as religious institutions. If the law is changed, it would affect non-profits statewide.