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Post by plainedgeammo on Mar 14, 2007 10:48:28 GMT -5
Patriot, Don't apologize....You and your wife have put the time in and still do. We need everyone else to come on down. We need the VOCAL MAJORITY like last year to come on down... We need the leaders of every single group in our community to come on down.... Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA's, anybody and everybody with some kind of constituency in Plainedge to show up and Let them hear us. Where is EVERYBODY?TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS, WE NEED ATTENDANCE AT THIS NEXT MEETING.
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 14, 2007 11:55:39 GMT -5
Again, as in the past, the BOE is cowed into acting against the wishes of the electorate. Again, as in the past, the BOE is befuddled by a career bureaucrat who does not reside in the community and is (hopefully) leaving for good. I strongly urge the BOE to listen to the voice of the people and restore the programs that they are once again placing in danger. If the purported purpose of the BOE is the benefit of the children of Plainedge they will be hard pressed to explain the denial of these programs.
Secondly, it is imperative that the parents of those affected the most by this newest act carnage emerge and show themselves. I have no children in these programs; but I did and saw the results of hard working students and educators. Its not just the "sports"; its the entire package. If you have a child in the elementary schools or the middle school your actions or lack thereof will effect not just the next school year but will set the stage for, perhaps, the rest of their time in the district.
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". My apologies if the quote is not correct but you get the idea. Thursday night demands a prominent display of the people. We all lived through this once and I for one do not wish to repeat it. See you Thursday.
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 14, 2007 13:42:19 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I don't mean to continue in a negative vein but...
It was made clear by the vast majority of people who vote for/against the school budget that the overwhelming majority of people(and you can read that as parents/homeowners) believe in the futherance of the children of this district. The backsliding of the BOE who are being led astray by a group of career bureaucrats is disturbing. The passing of the budget last year gave a clear mandate to the BOE that people are willing to pay for value; not settle for the mediocre.
If you have a child in the elementary or middle schools yours should be the most strident voice demanding the return of all programs that were elimnated by austerity.
Please do not permit the current Supt. to leave a legacy of pain upon his retirement. He is betting against the future of the district and your children. He will not be here to listen to your complaints. He will not be here when your houses lose value. He will not be here when your children don't compete on the field, or in academic, contests. He will not be here. But WE will be.
Stand up, let your voice be heard, and urge the inclusion of all programs. Then have the courage of your convictions and vote YES
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Post by supportstudents on Mar 14, 2007 14:50:17 GMT -5
With all the stress, disbelief, anxiety, and anger from last night, I think it is time to play a little game.
Which budget would you support and vote for?
7.1% that adds no new programs for OUR CHILDREN, is still probably 2% higher than all of our neighboring districts, does not put us on par with the programs of our neighboring districts, does not show movement in the RIGHT DIRECTION of restoration and remains stagnant, and most important does not give the COMMUNITY what it really wants.
or
7.4% a small increase that restores programs for OUR CHILDREN, continues to put us in the RIGHT DIRECTION of bring our programs on par with our neighboring districts, shows faith in a community that did an overwhelming job of passing an over 10% budget increase last year, and most importantly gives the community what it wants restoration and continued movement in a positive not negative direction.
I know what my answer is along with the large majority of the community. Lets make it happen. Everyone come down to the meeting Thur. night and onward. Unfortunately there will be people that can not attend or will be late as Thur. night is the Hoops Club dinner for the HS JV and Varsity Basketball Teams.
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Post by pedgeneeds on Mar 14, 2007 16:49:19 GMT -5
Bring your children also!!!! make sure they behave and are respectful, but let the BOE and the administration see the faces of those children who they are not providing for.
As Patriot said, this community went to great lengths last year to come together, north,south,east,west, all for the children. There was hope of better communications, which hasn't happened. There was hope of a stronger BOE which at times has been seen.
The BOE members who are on board with the rest of the community, ( we know there are 4 of you) remember, we put you there to have our voice heard, we put you there to see that the needs of the children were met, we put you there because we TRUSTED you. Do not fail us, stay strong, listen to the community, to the taxpayers... we have given you the green light to add programs back, do what needs to be done to see that through!
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Post by pedgeneeds on Mar 15, 2007 10:55:19 GMT -5
Rumor has it there may be some resignations tonight on the BOE..
The community must show a UNITED FORCE!!!!!!
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 15, 2007 11:00:59 GMT -5
I will direct this post to all the parents who are thinking the programs that the BOE are thinking of not re-instating “don’t affect my kid so it doesn’t impact me.” WRONG!!!! Just a couple of reasons why: Reason #1: If your student is younger, he/she will one day have the opportunity to take advantage of these programs. The Admin. Is looking to NEVER bring back these programs. Ms P’Simers comments relating to “once these sports are brought back we can never remove them again” illustrates that. Reason # 2: (This is the scary reason) If your student is older, and this Board decides not to present a budget THAT THIS COMMUNITY WILL RALLY BEHIND, then there is a good chance that the budget will fail…I cannot believe I am typing those words, but I feel it. If the Budget Fails on the first time out, then THE ALL, THE ENTIRE, THE COMPLETE AND THE WHOLE OF EVERY EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAM WILL BE SLASHED. That’s right, right back to no clubs, no teams, no nothing and a group of kids with nothing to do. I am not saying that the Gifted and Talented parents or the MS sport parents would actively lobby against the budget. I FEAR that they will not pick up a pair of pom-poms and RALLY behind this budget as they did last year. It is an unfortunate side of human nature. And there are 2000 people that will vote no regardless of what the budget % figure is…Hell, you could tell them there is no budget increase and they would still vote no. Why the BOE ever gives these people the consideration they do is beyond my comprehension. That being said; I do not have a child in the age group that would really benefit from any of the budget additions. I believe that these additions are positive, they are on the program side of the ledger, directly benefiting OUR kids. I believe with those additions, the community will RALLY behind the budget. I believe it matters. So should every parent that has a child in this district. EVERY STUDENT IN THE PLAINEDGE DISTRICT IS OUR KID.
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Post by getitpassed on Mar 15, 2007 11:41:09 GMT -5
Wild, That was the exact message we got last night at the John West PTA meeting. I hope it was relayed at all the meetings last night but at West the message came loud and clear that we need to stand up and show our support for putting in these new additions. Hopefully it didn't fall on deaf ears.
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Post by plainedgeammo on Mar 16, 2007 7:31:19 GMT -5
Wild, I am standing up in my living room clapping my hands loudly !!!! Last night we took one small step for Plainedge Kind....The community came out in force and showed the BOE that we will support additional programs for our children.... It was also identified that the incremental cost per household per year for those additional programs is $30 per year per house. Our BOE President does not think our community can support $30 per house per year for items that will DIRECTLY and IMMEDIATELY benefit the children. I hope we get our friends and neighbors to come out and let them know that we can afford $2.50 per MONTH.... Look at the programs that this will buy for our children: Middle School Football, Middle School Soccer, Middle School Baseball, Enrichment with a Gifted & Talented Program, Ventures, Debate Club, and those are the programs I could remember....I am sure there are more. All that can be ours for $2.50 per Month....Sounds Ridiculous...It is....Its ridiculous that we even need to justify whether this community earns enough money to spend $2.50 per month and it be spent on the children. Lets get down to the next Board Meetings to ENSURE these programs are added back to the Budget this year. ;D
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 16, 2007 8:16:10 GMT -5
I don't think people will have a problem with $2.50 per month when they know it goes to the KIDS.
They will have a problem with it when they see a significant increase in operations and administrative costs listed in the budget.
I still go back to the $500,000 in raises and bonuses that were granted to administration when we were on a contingency budget. That was a slap in the face the community ESPECIALLY those that spent so much time washing cars. Additionally, the administration holiday party... aledgedly paid for privately but I still have my doubts.
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 16, 2007 13:05:24 GMT -5
Sorry GP, no time for negative thoughts of the past today… Ammo is right…It was such a great step in the right direction…all those programs back for OUR children… for this upcoming year and for the years to come. WE took the slap in the face you refer to, fought back the best way WE knew how and over the course of the past almost 24 months; WE organized, brought many, many different components of this community together, and together WE have affected change here in Plainedge. Last nights meeting, which included a respectful exchange of ideas and a receptive atmosphere, I believe that the BOE saw the show of community support it was seeking and a truly believe they will make the right decision for OUR children and include all that WE asked. The kids are getting more for OUR buck…its there in black and white…step by step WE will get closer towards that 70 cents on the dollar Facts kept drilling into us. Last night was (I am truly hopeful) another giant step in that direction. GO, you know how I have a great sense of proprietorship over the feelings generated by the whole 2005 debacle, its causes and our fund raising efforts. At this point in time, with so much accomplished, and a optimistically bright, program filled, mostly back to where WE were prior to austerity future, …are you compelled to bring up a holiday party?? I have the confidence to say that when this program filled budget is ratified, that WE will truly be at the genesis of a new Plainedge. Which will be the same as the old program filled Plainedge. Except for this fact, That there is an active, organized, galvanized and driven community that reaches beyond all categorizations, with one common goal: The very best for OUR students… OUR children. Oh, I almost forgot……and no Smugboy either!
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 16, 2007 19:55:19 GMT -5
Sorry Wild in this case I respectfully feel it's warranted to mention past negative incidents.
It's been talked about that there are 2000 NO voters that will vote NO, no matter what the budget is. That's because they hold a grudge for things that have happened in the past from previous/present BOE members and Dr. Spin. If you completely disregard what has happened in the past and don't address those grudges, you stand NO chance of converting any of the NO voters.
So, while it's great to maintain a positive outlook, it's important to look in the past to see how things can help us grow. Yes, I do mention a holiday party, because with the people I speak to, these are the little things they hold on to (as much as they are small and possibly insignificant to many). Each little incident, like this, builds up and creates more NO voters and animosity.
For you and your personality, you can get past it, and that's a great trait to have. But, for the 2000 NO voters, they can't and that makes a big difference in this journey to create a better life for the kids....whether you want to understand it or not. The NO voters don't view voting NO as short-changing the kids, they see it as a means of saying "F-U" to the BOE and Administration. Short-sighted on their part?...IMO, yes. Can I understand why they do it? Yes.
Until we can clean up the plethora of negative feelings that people have, it will be a yearly struggle. Yes, there will ALWAYS be the perpetual NO voters. But, if we can lower that number, it will make this process that much easier.
We need to work smarter, not harder to make this work. ;D
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 16, 2007 20:04:38 GMT -5
Very encouraging meeting...clearly a community committed to kids...as we approach the budget vote just a reminder of some of the achievements of committed educators and students... a intell competitor ranked at the national level, a wrestler ranked as all state, a band that kicks butt, great dramas and musicals, a baseball team ready to take over nassau county...all this for a couple of bucks a month....you can lease a honda for $6.50 a day; you can help build a person, a community and a country for a whole lot less...invest in your (our) children, invest in your (our)community, invest in the future...Lets get this done; restore the programs...restore the pride...Lets get the programs back!
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 16, 2007 20:39:38 GMT -5
Good evening "Go",
That Christmas party is as over as last years' snow. But your point is well taken...there are a number of people who will vote no.... hate to sound like a preacher but we're not trying to convert the unconvertable...we're trying to reach the reachable, not the unreachable....this entire process is about moving forward..about a new Plainedge... I know you are all about the kids and the Lord knows "Wild" can defend himself(and probably will)...but the past is the past...lets get it done this year...GET THE PROGRAMS BACK!...you are clearly a person with a finger on the pulse...keep the heart beatin'...vote yes!
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 16, 2007 20:43:07 GMT -5
Yes, I do mention a holiday party, because with the people I speak to, these are the little things they hold on to (as much as they are small and possibly insignificant to many). Each little incident, like this, builds up and creates more NO voters and animosity. The NO voters don't view voting NO as short-changing the kids, they see it as a means of saying "F-U" to the BOE and Administration. Short-sighted on their part?...IMO, yes. Can I understand why they do it? Yes. I for the life of me cannot "understand" why they feel by voting NO they are getting back at the admin.....not for the life of me.....and I would build myself into a breathless walking loudspeaker if given the oppotunity to confront such small minded folk. Little things bother little people..... We have to let go of that bullsh*t and move on to the better things that we have so far proven are ahead of us. To hell with those 2000. They are voting against my kid....VOTING AGAINST YOUR KID!!!!.NOT THE ADMINISTRATION!!!!!!I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEM!!!!!.I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THEM!!!!I say this with extreme respect Go....believe me, I sooo respect what you have said and done and what you have been through....But.....your off base and out of touch with whats going on here...... Quite honestly....it sounds like sour grapes.... Something from the likes of someone who fought for a long time to get what these parents have got in a 8th of the time....... Thats what it sounds like to me.......sorry.
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