2012 is an election year, but for now all of the focus seems to be off the national stage and onto the schools as Tuesdays budget vote approaches.

During this budget season, budget meetings could almost be equated to something along the lines of shock and awe: accusations flew, the public sparked both criticism and support at the same time, and questions of legality and ethics came into play during the PTA’s annual “Meet the Candidates” night.

There’s one incumbent, two from the same “party,” the father of a MHS teacher and a fifth, who—admittedly—has never been to a BOE meeting in his life all vying for two at-large seats.

Though the major question has never been asked or answered, and it’s ultimately a rhetorical question: what does the two-percent tax cap mean for Massapequa and what can we do to limit the effects of it?

The proposed budget is at the state tax limit of 2.22 percent, and many do not seem to understand the specifics of the two-percent tax cap. As Newsday has consistently stated  it isn’t really a two-percent cap; it’s a comprehensive eight-step formula.

However, at each budget discussion, numerous administrators, personnel, residents and Board of Education members tried to take a stab at what it means—though no one can be certain until we’ve actually lived through the cap. The one thing that is certain, is that it is progressive and will have a disastrous effect for the next five years.

It’s been called a dismantling of education on Long Island by Central Administration, a repeat of California’s “First-to-Worst” by MFT Union President, Tomia Smith, yet endorsed as a way to regulate the out of control tax system on Long Island by the Massapequa Committee for Education and Fiscal Responsibility (MCEFR) candidates, Joe Marsh and Diane Sheffield.

The one thing there hasn’t been a shortage of is politicizing. After covering these budget meetings for three years, this is the first time it has become apparent that there are essentially two political parties running for the board.

There’s clear opposition, and clear endorsements. Diane Sheffield and Joe Marsh unveiled they are running as a team, attempting to get onto the BOE with current MCEFR members, Tim Taylor and Gary Bennett.

All four have advocated for cutting taxes trying to solve the problems of a pre-recession austerity, thereby eliminating what makes Massapequa the community that it is. “The administration is not doing its job,” said Marsh.  “It’s incapable of meeting its runaway budget.”

Marsh offered what some have labeled “out of touch solutions” to problems that are out of the school district’s control.

However, incumbent, MaryAnn Fisher, and resident, Joe LaBella have been endorsed by the MFT at-large. At the May 1 BOE meeting, a question arose regarding the legality behind campaign posters being distributed in the teacher’s faculty room, and ultimately a lawyer was consulted mid meeting.

Despite this issue, campaign posters advocating all candidates have been dispersed throughout local neighborhoods as the budget vote draws closer.

Even though everything seems uncertain, one thing can be stated for sure: this budget season has been a goat rodeo and the effects of it will directly affect the students of the Massapequa school system.