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Post by balanced on May 16, 2007 19:52:02 GMT -5
Thanks Patriot,
And my sincerest congatulations to Doug and Nancy in translating years of hard work and effort into the support they generated last night.
And most of all, thank you to the 1,915 people who checked off 1C last night.
-Dennis Gustafson
"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
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Post by formerworker on May 16, 2007 20:20:09 GMT -5
Patriot, You are not one of those in the group I intended to point out. In fact, I barely know you and probably could not pick you out of a picture. I believe you truly did the work for your kids and all the kids in the district! You know the people I speak of. Their egos became a problem. They started out with their intentions for the kids but soon their "self promotion" was soon the major emphasis. They could be seen at all sporting events, just waiting for others to "stroke those egos." I saw them around town and quite frankly, they were as bad as the little league coaches that forget why they are coaching. They relish their 15 minutes of fame. There were several of these that really enjoyed the limelight. You were not one of those. Many worked in the shadow and expected no public applause for their efforts. A small few did otherwise. You know who I am talking about. The big problem of course is that now the budget is passed, the tax collector will come knocking. The tax rate in Plainedge will always be one of the highest. If the board of education does not maintain a professional relationship with the administration and they allow overstaffing and high cost payoffs to them, then we are doubly penalized. The decision to not merge with a neighboring district is also costing major money. The thought that there could not be a merge and the two schools maintain their own individual identity is fantasy. Look at some of the larger schools in Suffolk. I believe Sachem - had no tax increase this year. Stay small and pay big. Of course Richman didn't want a merger because the first job that gets axed is one of the supers. The tax rate will never go down. The rest of nys likes what is going on and does not want change. NYC does not want change. I wish those with the big egos could now take the spotlight and tell me how I will pay these taxes. I did not include you in this patriot.
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Post by patriot2415 on May 16, 2007 20:54:45 GMT -5
Worker, I guess we will need to agree to disagree...
Some involved were asked by the group to be in the limelight, to get on TV, radio, to get quoted in the papers... We did have a plan, and that plan was to have Plainedge heard from.
We are ALL getting crushed by taxes, high oil prices, electric, food, etc....
We need to lobby Albany and make those that represent us understand that THEIR jobs are in jeopardy if things don't change, if we do not get out fair share of state aid. We need to make that VERY clear.
I hope you join us...
remember, there is always someone doing better then you, but there are more doing worse then you !!!!
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Post by honebee on May 17, 2007 7:12:03 GMT -5
Patriot,
Thank you for your post. You were always level-headed about this whole problem. I don't need comments about what I am not doing. I am not an outspoken person, but if there was petitions to be signed or letters to be written, that I can do. Too many people are interested in just getting the budget passed and that's the end until next year. My husband and I are on a fixed income that does not keep up with the inflation, let alone massive school budget taxes. So many have had to move out of this district because of that. So many have had to move out of state. I don't want to. I've lived here for over 30 years, raised my kids here and like it here, I just can't keep afloat with the school taxes which is the liion's share of my property tax bill. We do need alternative ways of paying these taxes. We need to change the system. Many years ago, California did it. Why can't we? Yes, other districts need to get on the wagon. You are a smart man and obviously know the how-tos to go about it. How about informing the community as to how to make the changes? How about people manning phones to call about what we can do, not just say"Yes" to the vote. I'm sure in the long run, many would help if it meant tax reform and some relief. We might not be overly verbal, but we can help in the little ways. Where do you guys meet to discuss tax reform? When do you meet? We also have someone on the Board now who I believe can help as well. We all need to make a big stink. As the whole saying goes, the squeakiest gear gets the most oil. Thanks for your input and determination to help ALL OF THE COMMUNITY.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 17, 2007 7:39:19 GMT -5
Ok...we are back from pre-contingency in a time frame that we were told could not be done. GREAT! I was all for that
Looking towards the future, I agree with Former and Honey in that the taxes are a real issue. The homeowners have taken the brunt of this restoration. Going forward, I can no longer agree to nor support 7%, 8%, 10% increases while many other districts (similar to ours) have raised theirs only 5% or 6% or even only a cost of living increase.
The time has come for the administration to look into ways of runnig a leaner and more cost effective office while not effecting the kids. It's time for them to step up and make some changes on their end.
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dborg
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by dborg on May 17, 2007 8:31:17 GMT -5
Phil raises valid points and please remember that the Yes committee isn't FOR property tax increases but we are just trying to get the best for our children and keep our community on par with those of neighboring communities. If our schools lag behind...who will want to live here? who will buy our homes? Our property values will definitely suffer.
Some of you may know but Phil aka Patriot, is co chairman of our group and I agree and support him, as do many others. Our next plan is to bang on the doors of Albany, to work with our BOE and to get some tax relief. All of us our firmly committed to the cause and to our community but we can always use more help. We will definitely post here the information about when and where our next meeting will be, we will ask our BOE to post the information on the school website so those who want to get involved and help can. We've obviously proven that when we are united together we can make a difference but we have to act UNITED and speak in mass numbers. So I encourage you to get involved...attend BOE meetings...email your BOE members and get informed... Before we got involved the first proposed budget that the BOE proposed was an increase of 8.6% with no programs reinstated but we spoke up and they revised it to the current one which PASSED that was only 7.4 and reinstated ALL programs. The point i'm making is that if we speak loud enough our voice will be heard--what we don't need is others casting stones at those who are making tremendous efforts to get things changed.
And Go Plainedge, keep in mind that the past 2 years increases have been higher than our neighboring towns because the budget was voted down in 2005 and we had to reinstate all programs, that caused the number to be higher than normal. Next year our budget should be comparable to other school districts and not be one of the highest.
So again, I encourage everyone to step up and get involved and get informed and i will do my share in relaying to you when our next meeting and when the next BOE meeting is so we can all have a voice.
Donna Borgogelli
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 17, 2007 9:20:13 GMT -5
And Go Plainedge, keep in mind that the past 2 years increases have been higher than our neighboring towns because the budget was voted down in 2005 and we had to reinstate all programs, that caused the number to be higher than normal. Next year our budget should be comparable to other school districts and not be one of the highest. DBorg, I have no issue with the past two years. I understood the goal and cheered it on. I also have no issue, whatsoever, with people like Phil because without them and their efforts, we would be a different district right now. However, even prior to 2005 we experienced 9% and 10% increases. The past two years were special circumstances. Now, WE'RE BACK. Going forward, it's time for the Administration to start taking on some fiscal responsibility. The past two years they have not made a whole-hearted effort to help reduce their spending to lower the budget. We as a community cannot continue on this path or our home values will shrink because of the taxes being too high. I liken it to the Fed Reserve raising and lower the rates. This is done to help keep inflation in check (among other reasons too). The same needs to be considered here with the school budget and it's reflection on property taxes. Dennis, I offer you my congratulations. Though you did not win, you saw an opportunity to try and make a difference and went for it. Many would have been frightened by the mere thought of running for a position like that. Well done and I hope you stick around here.
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Post by honebee on May 17, 2007 9:20:21 GMT -5
Go Plainedge,
Good for you! You definitely are an asset! Thank you for stepping up to the plate.
Dborg,
Yes, let's get united about the tax problem. If we don't do something about it, it won't go away, just get worse. I just read an article in Newsday today how NY is the highest taxed State in the country (no surprise) and how L.I. is hit the hardest by the high property taxes. It said that unless there is a tax revolt, nothing will change. Yes, please keep us informed of the meeting for property tax relief and all of us need to keep our BOE accountable for spending. Also, Nassau and Suffolk counties really need to do something about all the money that goes into Administration. It's out of control. Figure out how much just goes to their salaries and perks. There are solutions if we can get everyone on the wagon (other districts as well). It's got to start somewhere. Why not with us? Dr. Spin is leaving, so anything is possible. Yea!
Do I see a dim light at the end of the tunnel? I hope so.
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Post by pedgegirl on May 17, 2007 10:44:25 GMT -5
Former - you say it so definitively "the decision to not merge is costing major money." On what do you base this? Do you have hard facts and figures, because I would like to see them.
Below, I copied a post I made a few weeks ago:
"as far as merging and actually becoming one district? It would take A LOT to convince me that it would save substantial costs. You still need staff to keep decent student/teacher ratios, you still need Principals, you still need buildings. Maybe you would have one Superintendent, but, most likely that person would have more Assistants. They talk about NYC being one district. Bull. They may have one chancellor, but there still have the same number of schools to run, kids to educate and essentially that same number administrators to pay. Even if you CAN cut a few admin people, it it really worth it? First of all, you cannot even think about comparing our results with those of NYC. You cannot even compare our results with Massapequa anymore. We have really improved incredibly.
And, one of the foremost issues in my mind, what amount of savings would make it worth it to you ( I don't mean you personally, GO, I mean "you" collectively - the community) to give up our sense of a smaller community? Our kids are not little fishies in a big pond. In an around 1100 student (approx) HS, they are big fish in a little pond. Do any get lost in the shuffle? Sure, they do, unfortunately. But, you can bet your last dollar that it happens far less often than in the larger high schools. To me, it is worth every last cent to preserve our smaller school district, (where everybody knows your name???) and it would take a LOT of convincing, along with PROOF of UNDENIABLE large savings, to sway me otherwise. I just do not believe it would save that much, and, unless it saved A LOT, THE COST/BENEFIT RATIO OR RISK/REWARD RATIO IS SIMPLY NOT WORTH IT.
Just my two cents. "
So where are we saving money? AND, is it really worth it? Like I said, if you have facts, I think we would all be extremely interested.
Also, does anyone remember the general gauge we were given about how a raise in the budget affects taxes? For example, "for every $100,000 in crease in the budget, your taxes go up $X." This was said at a Board meeting the year before last, and it put some info into concrete terms.
So, if merging were to save a few admin salaries, fine, but what actual effect does that have on our dollars paid out of pocket, and IS IT WORTH IT???
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Post by 1plainedge on May 17, 2007 14:13:48 GMT -5
the girl is right, the fixed portion is just that, FIXED! Savings would be minimal.
What should be looked at is more of a "co-op /cooperative". Where school districts align for purchasing and negotiating power by gaining scale and scope yet still run independent of each other in day to day operations.
We all bought the "school district" when we decided to move here. Consolidation will never happen, you will get the "we don't want them, and they don't want us" across the board. You think its hard work getting budgets through?.... try getting THAT through!
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Post by patriot2415 on May 17, 2007 14:30:41 GMT -5
1P, I totally agree.
The way to approach cost savings is to consolidate purchases into volume purchases, negotiate building maint contracts with surrounding districts, possibly consolidate some administration functions, and negotiate teachers contracts ( I know I'm getting beat up on this one !!!) with surrounding districts or possibly have a county teachers contract. Increased state aid AND this type of shift in doing business will help to bring down the tax levy.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 17, 2007 22:33:11 GMT -5
1P, I totally agree. The way to approach cost savings is to consolidate purchases into volume purchases, negotiate building maint contracts with surrounding districts, possibly consolidate some administration functions, and negotiate teachers contracts ( I know I'm getting beat up on this one !!!) with surrounding districts or possibly have a county teachers contract. Increased state aid AND this type of shift in doing business are will help in bring down the tax levy. ONLY if you have a district willing to participate. If they see that it may threaten the existence of a position (or two) forget about it. They would never be willing to operate that way. Once that position is lost through consolidation and stricken from the budget, they believe it will never return. I'm all for it!
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Post by patriot2415 on May 18, 2007 7:06:32 GMT -5
Go, first off...
Plainedge Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler - CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! what a title.. is that royalty?
I agree with you, the sharing of admin functions is a very HOT topic, but one that could be explored. the true savings are in the operational contracts the districts enter into. I have to believe there are huge savings that would be realized if districts truly got together. We need the BOE to head this.
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Post by 1plainedge on May 18, 2007 8:24:08 GMT -5
hopefully some of this is already done but I have never heard about it at the meetings. This WOULD NOT affect head count so you would think it would be embraced...
What costs less? PE needs 100 light bulbs or w/our partners we need 100,000 PE needs a 10,000 sq ft roof repair, or w/our partners it is a 1mm ft job. PE needs 1 tractor, or w/our partners we need 10 Benefits, Supplies, Pool Vehicles etc etc.
Major corporations and huge retailers like walmart and home depot squeeze supply partners EVERYDAY for price breaks.
The light bulb guy could care less if he loses the PE order but tell him he is losing the 100,000 case order and see how FLEXIBLE the price becomes.
These savings would be BABY STEPS but baby steps help maintain the YES'. Think of the UPROAR due to the mis quotes in the paper over the MS SPORTS this year which was an incremental spend of ONLY $150k ..... I'm sure we could save significantly more than that very quickly by consolidating purchases.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 20, 2007 8:57:21 GMT -5
Go, first off... Plainedge Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler - CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! what a title.. is that royalty? All it means is that I have too much time on my hands and spend too much of it here.... ;D
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