Take a lesson from the Williamsville School Board
Bee Editorial
There is a huge difference between the Williamsville Board of Education and the Amherst Town Board meetings.

It's like night and day - which is also how to describe the two groups relationship in the Amherst Utility Cooperative. A representative from the district said the co-op works because the town's main energy use is at night at the sewer treatment plant and street lights, and the school districts' is during the day.

A partnership since 1998, the AUC is in jeopardy of falling apart as Supervisor Satish Mohan has planned to go into the open market seeking better prices. The item was discussed at Monday's meeting, after press time for the The Amherst Bee's Nov. 21 edition.

But however that discussion unfolds, it's just one example of how two governing bodies can act completely differently.

The School Board received the first glance of the 2008-09 budget on Nov. 13. At that time the town had yet to release its 2008 budget to the public, which was voted on weeks before.

The district explains every detail of the budget, for months, holding forums and meetings that were convenient for residents. The town adopted its budget during a 3 p.m. meeting on a Monday.

The School Board members take turns speaking, and respect each other's different views. The Town Board members roll their eyes at each other, demanding the right to speak before someone else and pouting if they can't.

A clean, conscience budget presentation is presented by Superintendent Howard Smith on the finer details of the budget. We will admit that Supervisor Satish Mohan's presentation was an improvement this year, but it came much later than it should have.

With all things being considered, we wish that the residents were able to vote on the town budget, as is the case in the school. Maybe that way the town officials would get their acts together, knowing the residents make the decision. If the Town Board put as much effort into getting the information to the residents as the school did, the budget process wouldn't be so laughable and Erie County wouldn't be "screaming" at the town for final numbers to get the bills out, as described by the comptroller's office.

Both meetings are shown on TV. We suggest the Town Board "go back to school" and watch the School Board meetings. They could stand to learn a thing, or 22.

If the Williamsville School Board members can professionally handle a $145 million budget, and act properly doing it, the Town Board can do the same for a $115 million budget.