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The HALT committee was established in spring 2005 to press for legislative reform and local resource development. The committee includes representatives of the school board, faculty, staff, and community members. HALT’s mission is to achieve a school tax system that supports student learning and is fair to every taxpayer.
HALT seeks to promote legislative school tax reform that keeps the rate of tax increases as low as possible while adequately supporting student achievement; and ensures that District residents will benefit from school spending efficiency.
Throughout 2005 and 2006, HALT held a series of educational forums in order to gain a fuller understanding of how school taxes are raised and how school aid is distributed. On October 18, 2006, HALT hosted a presentation entitled “Fixing School Taxes.” Ten Dutchess County school districts co-sponsored this event.
In December 2006, HALT sent 1200 signatures to our local state representatives. HALT committee members have met with state legislators to discuss the problems associated with how school aid is distributed and to express concern about increasing property taxes. HALT’s efforts, combined with organizations throughout New York State, helped lead to a significant increase in state educational aid for the 2007-2008 school year. The documents below provide a historical record of HALT activities throughout 2006.
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