Endorsements: DeVito, Gallichio, Janquart, Mazur for Big Hollow Dist. 38 school board

The financial picture in Big Hollow School District 38 is not good. Owed money from the state, the district has a budget shortfall of $1.3 million. The school board has pledged not to raise the tax rate, so that means cuts. All five candidates for the four open seats agree that every district expenditure will have to be scrutinized. But incumbent Heather Janquart also has examined the district’s impact fee agreements with developers and has discovered that not all of the fees have to be used on capital expenses. She suggests using that “untapped money” for operating expenses. It’s not going to solve every problem, of course, but that type of resourceful thinking is needed. We endorse Janquart for re-election, along with fellow incumbents James DeVito, Victoria Gallichio and Julia Mazur. Their experience will be vital in the difficult times ahead. Challenger Pauletta Moody, a political newcomer, is active with the parent-teacher organization, and we encourage her to continue to volunteer her time in the district.