My name is John Fontana and I was an anti-tax candidate running for the Island Trees School Board. I was amazed at how fast you become public enemy number one when you talk about reducing taxes.
The teachers union hates you; when you talk about concessions, the P.T.A. looks at you like you’re diseased. They form a quiet coalition, and then bombard you a week before the election.
They pull out all the tricks. They call every district resident using the call system, and ask you to vote for who they want in office. Hundreds of colorful professional signs appear everywhere throughout the district for their candidate. They hand out instructional ballot fliers on how to vote, checking the boxes of their candidates, and they gave out free pens. And on Election Day when you’re handing out your fliers in front of the school they call the police on you and try to have you removed. Fortunately I am a retired NYC Corrections Officer and they were unable to move me. It is impossible to compete financially against this machine.
I had an aggressive agenda on how to reduce the budget, without cutting programs from the children. Everything from shared services, expanding fundraising, to forcing concessions from the teachers’ union. So why wouldn’t you want to jump on my train?
On Election Day when the smoke cleared, all their candidates were in place and a New York City gym teacher is running the board. She is the voice of the taxpaying community. “A TEACHER.”
This district will never see their taxes reduced. The system needs to be drastically changed so it’s fair for all.
John Fontana
Island Trees School District resident
