Wyandanch residents place blame for failed school budget on board members

It was standing room only at a Wyandanch school board meeting Wednesday with residents ready to point blame for the twice-defeated school budget.

Parents and teachers are bracing for cuts after voters defeated the budget again Tuesday night. Many residents who attended the meeting are putting the blame for the failed budget on school board members.

One resident even called for the ouster of school Superintendent Mary Jones.

"The reason being, one, her incompetence, two, mishandling of funds, three, misuse of school property," says Jarod Morris.

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As News 12 has reported, the proposed $73 million spending plan would have exceeded the state's 2% tax cap.

Wyandanch district officials warned last week that if the budget failed again, several things could be on the chopping block, including 30 teacher and staff jobs, and the elimination of pre-K and after-school programs. All sports and bus services would also be cut.

"Once the budget fails the second time, you've already bitten the apple twice," says Idowu Ogundipe, the Wyandanch school business official. "So the law says you have to go into contingency."

Residents who came to the meeting expected the board to announce exactly what would be cut. When the board said they wouldn't have specifics until July 1, residents were outraged.

Residents left without answers and teachers will have to wait until July to find out whether they will have a job.