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Post by justfacts on Sept 19, 2006 9:12:28 GMT -5
We have a new chance this year. With the two Board members we added this year and the absence of some Administration Rubber stamp members, we may have a chance for the BOE to set the standard for what the 2007/8 Budget will be - rather than deal with another round of the Administration's "Take it! - or we'll cut the Kids programs" approach to Budgeting.
So let's all give this thread a shot. Let's use it to tell the Board what we will be looking for in a budget this coming year. Ideas for them to follow, activities we'll support spending the we'll reject, etc.
Novel thought isn't it? The Community setting guidelines for how the District can spend our money.
But we will have to do a little homework and talk-together. To become sharp and practical in our suggestions, think them out a bit and know the "rules of the game" - in other words become "part time Board members" in our skills and suggestions. This thread can help us do that - if we all begin to use it.
One of the first things that helps us is to set a guideline or goal for each section of the Budget - The Administration Costs: (now $10.10 of every hundred dollars in the Budget); The Programs Costs ($70.20 per Hundred); and the Capital Costs ($19.80 per hundred)
I suggest we push for a goal of; $10 Administration, $15 for Capital and $75 Dollars for the children. What say the rest of you? Come on with your comments.
The increases in the Budget itself should only happen because of Cost of living increases and Contract commitments. We have heard that wage increases, the bulk (70% to 80%) have been set at a 4% increase. So the rest of the Budget (20% to 30%) should be the only part that would be affected by a high CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase.
A reasonable percent increase might be in the 8% category for the consumer cost items. Last year the CPI was just under 4% and "inflationary increases" have been said to be slowing down. Don't forget the Contingency Budget allows a 20% increase over the CPI - and we certainly can talk of an increase of 200% over the CPI (Twice the CPI) for a part of the total budget without being "out of line".
Using the 70% of budget as labor costs with their 4% increase, would give a new Budget increase for the 2007/8 as $3.361 Million. That's a total budget increase of 5.3%. This also comes to a total Budget dollar of $66,916,700 for next year.
For making it simple, we could suggest the BOE keeps the bottom line of the Budget for next year to $67 Million! What do others think of that? $68 Million? Why?
Incidentally, one last fact. Now matter how we vote: for or against, once or twice - there is one part of the budget that we can not vote down - or up! That part is cast in concrete and is unchangeable once the BOE approved it. That is the Capital part of the Budget!
Because it is excluded from the Contingency calculation for Budget request reductions - it never changes from what the Administration got the BOE to say YES to.
That why it is so importent that the BOE put all Capital projects on the back burner this year and turn their attention to programs for the children. We have to bring the BOE in line early toward the goal of "Take a nickle from the Bankers and Brokers and put it into Programs for the Children!"
If that's not done when the BOE approves the Budget we'll probably be stuck with: Administration $10; Capital $23.50; Programs $66.50 for this coming year - from a real viewpoint of what capital projects the Administration is focusing the Board's attention on so far this year. Let's change the BOE's focus now!
I'd like to see: Administration $10; Capital $15; Programs $75. Which would you choose?
Let's get on the BOE's case early and set the standards for them instead of having the Administration continue to direct them.
Ed.
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Post by patriot2415 on Sept 20, 2006 7:43:48 GMT -5
HI all,
Ed I agree with you. These are the exact conversation I am looking to have with the BOE members OUTSIDE of the regular board meetings with no administration. Just the community and those who we have voted in to represent us.
I put the idea on the table last Tuesday at the board meeting. I know Allen, Maryanne, and Frank we all for it when they were up for election. let's see if they keep their word.
This is an important issue and one that will go a long way in creating teamwork.
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Post by techie on Sept 20, 2006 8:14:02 GMT -5
PATRIOT,
Saw you at the last meeting and agree.
There should be additional meetings for the community and BOE without the Administration.
The BOE can have meetings at ANY TIME they want. The Administration IS NOT required to be there. The meetings are BOE meetings. NOT SUPERINTENDENT MEETINGS! The Administration is there to provide information WHEN ASKED FOR. NOT to run the meetings.
We have to get back to, or arrive at, what these meetings are for. These meetings ARE FOR the PUBLIC. These meetings are for the Community to know what is going on.
For the longest time the "Old" BOE has let the Superintendent run the BOE Meetings.
This BOE should take charge of their roles and RUN THE MEETINGS!!
This guy is leaving, and leaving us with a mess. We have to watch EVERYTHING that is being done VERY carefully, including a "consulting contract".(Put it out for Bid) Richman will leave us with more money to pay out and laugh all the way to his retirement.
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Post by mother2 on Dec 4, 2006 20:03:50 GMT -5
Has anyone heard about what appears to be a done deal for the Sports Programs at the MS and HS for 2007/08. Cross Country, Winter track, Boys Tennis and Volleyball, and Bowling all eliminated at the HS. Middle School is to begin developmental programs in Volleyball and Girl's tennis and return soccer and wrestling. This was discussed at BOE Tuesday and Thursday pm meetings and adopted in Novemeber Any thoughts?
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Post by thewildrover on Dec 4, 2006 22:30:55 GMT -5
Has anyone heard about what appears to be a done deal for the Sports Programs at the MS and HS for 2007/08. Cross Country, Winter track, Boys Tennis and Volleyball, and Bowling all eliminated at the HS. Middle School is to begin developmental programs in Volleyball and Girl's tennis and return soccer and wrestling. This was discussed at BOE Tuesday and Thursday pm meetings and adopted in Novemeber Any thoughts? Welcome M2, There were a decent amount of folk present at those BOE meetings. The topic was also reported on this board and a full reporting of the meeting, graciously posted by workingmom, can be found on page four at the bottom on the following thread: plainedgechat.proboards57.com/index.cgi?board=boed&action=display&thread=1138570992&page=4Based on the hand out given to the public at that open meeting, the following developmental programs will be put in place for our MS athletes: MS Basketball Boys (Changed to developmental) MS Baseball Boys (Restored to developmental) MS Basketball Girls (Changed to developmental) MS Softball Girls (Changed to developmental) MS Tennis (ADD a developmental team) They plan on restoring FULLY the following for the MS athletes: MS Football Boys MS Soccer Boys MS Wrestling Boys MS Soccer Girls Now, based on the 2005/2006 (last years) budget figures for the costs of those Varsity sports mentioned to be excised (costs BTW some of us are painfully too familiar with) For VARSITY alone, (I don’t have the JV figures broken down by sport, sorry): X-Country $9453 Golf $10,590 Bowling $18,709 Indoor track $16,464 Tennis $15,923 Volleyball $29,008 For a grand total of $100,392. I am making an educated guess that the restoration of the stated MS sports, developmental or fully, will result in more athletes playing their sport in Plainedge than there are athletes participating currently. In all probability, at a cost way less than the $100,392. (Remember those were 2005 #’s and don’t include JV) I will say it again, the welfare of the Plainedge sports program has been a concern to a great many of the residents, obviously. It appears like the there will be the same amount of actual teams, surely there will be more athletes playing on those MS teams, more valuable lessons being taught and learned on a court or field of play. When I look at this objectively, I’m figuring the restoration of Middle School athletics, either fully or developmentally, secures a successful future for the Districts athletic program as well as providing the benefit of more sports for more kids. And that can’t be a bad thing. The Wildrovers humble opinion of course.
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Post by mother2 on Dec 15, 2006 19:15:37 GMT -5
Interesting BOE meeting last pm Seems like the BOE made the decision to eliminate some of our sports programs WITHOUT all the facts! What a surprise! Cutting a track program that is inclusive to all students of all abilities in a district that prides its self on meeting the needs of all students and mainstreaming students seems short sided Adding more sports to the Middle School? Doesn't seem like the BOE was aware that the district ran a very successful intramural program at the MS in 2005 -06 ($80 a session) that had more kids out and participating and developing than a 12 to 18 player team ever could BOE should be looking how to trim some costs on the teams we have instead of slashing and burning the programs that exist
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Post by thewildrover on Dec 15, 2006 23:59:02 GMT -5
Interesting BOE meeting last pm Seems like the BOE made the decision to eliminate some of our sports programs WITHOUT all the facts! What a surprise! Cutting a track program that is inclusive to all students of all abilities in a district that prides its self on meeting the needs of all students and mainstreaming students seems short sided Adding more sports to the Middle School? Doesn't seem like the BOE was aware that the district ran a very successful intramural program at the MS in 2005 -06 ($80 a session) that had more kids out and participating and developing than a 12 to 18 player team ever could BOE should be looking how to trim some costs on the teams we have instead of slashing and burning the programs that exist M2 Could you share some more details regarding Thursdays meeting for those of us that could not attend for whatever valid reason? What “facts” were the Board missing? Is the entire track program now scrapped? Or, Is spring track (inclusive to all students of all abilities) still included? Did the BOE state that they did not know about the “intramural” program at the M.S. level or is that your opinion? If it is your opinion could you please expand on it so we can all gain from your experience at the meeting. Your answers to these questions can better assist me in further forming an objective opinion on the matter. The intramural program, in its entirety, could or could not have more participation than the additional re-instated M.S. sports. IMHO, there is no replacement for competitive head to head contests to best develop ones skills and prepare for the big stage of High School athletics. I will speak for the sport I know of best, football. A football player “developing” their skills in an intramural setting will absolutely fall behind the competition if not provided a high standard of opposition. The success that the PHS football team has experienced over the past few years provides an example of that. The Bobcat league has grown, and prospered and with their growth came better communication with the M.S. and High School coaching staffs. A result of that has been better coaching and better preparation for the players for when they enter M.S., play against neighboring schools and a stronger opponent. Oh yea, another result was a County Championship in 2005. Without M.S. Football, you can kiss that lofty goal good-bye. Our kids would never see Hofstra again because of the simple fact that they would be 2 years behind other schools who, while we were “developing”, were in fact facing tougher competition and preparing for High School level competition. I am sure that some one with insight in soccer, baseball or wrestling could offer similar points of view in this regard. Lastly, I agree that the BOE should look to “trim” costs. They should be looking to “trim” across the entire spectrum so they can present a fair and reasonable budget to the community in the upcoming months. Because the bottom line is, if they don’t, I fear this whole discussion is sadly, moot.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Dec 16, 2006 12:23:38 GMT -5
I too would like to learn a little more before formulating an opinion about this specific decision.
However, the fact that school administrators received $500,000 in raises and bonuses last year (while on an austerity budget) is very sad and shows that their priorities were NOT the kids at a time when they needed it the most.
I can't wait to see how this upcoming budget will break down.
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Post by mother2 on Dec 16, 2006 13:55:20 GMT -5
Very good points. However, after a very aggressive BOE election season with campaign promises flying about putting kids first, it is surprising and disheartening that only a few months after the votes are counted, the BOE slashes programs in HS athletics that will hurt many students. Over 80 students are members of the Winter Track team! Was the BOE listening to the community...did they notice how hard people worked and what they gave up so kids could play sports in PHS? Did they notice the Sports Moms and Dads that came out in force to support the Budget of 2006 so HS students would not face the same loss of HS athletic programs again? IMHO, an attentive BOE would have looked to find ways to begin some developmental programs at the MS..not every developmental program needs to begin in 2007...while still maintaining a sports outlet IN EACH SEASON for those students that don't play football, basketball, or baseball. Rome wasn't built in a day. Start slowly with these new developmental programs, tests the waters, make adjustments and changes, SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS WISELY.... In the plan for 2007/08, a plan formulated by the AD, Cross Country and Winter track are slated to be eliminated. But for all those who were present at the Buget meetings in March 06, this same AD made a proposal to eliminate Spring Track while maintaining Cross Country and Winter Track....a decision it seemed to be based on the conditon of the HS track....so where is the linked proposal to repair and maintain the track? Or does it not matter to our community that these kids are running on a track that needs routine attention because these kids will "never see Hofstra?" Is the AD just throwing the HS track kids a bone for 2007/08 of a Spring Track season and then will propose in 2008/09 the elimination of the entire track program?
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Post by rinx on Dec 16, 2006 17:00:50 GMT -5
I see HS kids getting shafted so that kids that are still eligible to play ball for local travel teams get more playing time. Sorry, that's not right. I've been involved in all 3 major sports around here. The travel teams play at a slightly higher level of competition than the school sports for various reasons. First of which is the coaches know the kids alot better then 1 coach trying out 60 kids for a week. The travel coaches have been with the kids for many years. They know who all the talented kids are in their respective sports. MHO
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Post by rinx on Dec 29, 2006 18:06:28 GMT -5
We are most pleased to announce that ALL of our Fall teams have been named by the NYS Public School Athletic Association as NYS Scholar Athlete Teams. They are:
Women's Soccer – 94.324
Women's Tennis – 94.182
Women's Volleyball – 93.451
Men's Golf – 93.00
Co-Ed Cross Country – 91.174 Men's Soccer – 91.164
Men's Football – 90.404
Soooo proud that 2 of those teams are slated to no longer exist.
For the kids......REMEMBER!
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Jan 11, 2007 14:52:37 GMT -5
Does anyone know how they actually decide which teams should be eliminated? Is it a random pick from a hat or is there more to it?
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Post by patriot2415 on Jan 16, 2007 19:32:57 GMT -5
Hi all.
Anyone have an update from the last BOE meeting?
Work has been taking up a lot of time as with everyone. We need to start up soon and get organized. I would like to know if there are any residents out there other then the ones involved last year who are able to step up and help out? We should probably meet early to mid February. For those "OLD Timers" anyone have any gas left?
Please respond here or email me at Patriot2415@aol.com
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Jan 17, 2007 22:53:03 GMT -5
Unlike Mick Jagger, time is not on my side.
I'm hoping the minutes are posted soon.
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Post by plainedgeammo on Feb 1, 2007 17:15:08 GMT -5
Minutes are posted and I am not impressed with the fact that all Middle School Sports are being eliminated and replaced by an "Instructional / Developmental Program".
Here we go again, they head straight to the kids to cut programs.....
Our objective has got to be....Lets get back to where we were 3 years ago before Austerity....We have to get ALL programs that were funded before Austerity back on the Books.
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