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Post by plainedgeammo on Mar 19, 2007 13:20:33 GMT -5
Go,
Your absolutely correct.....I may not agree with someones opinion but will defend their right to express it.
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Post by mythreekids on Mar 20, 2007 22:48:22 GMT -5
Patriot says-
"My thought process is this.... with the $30 per household PER YEAR cost for bringing back SO MANY PROGRAMS for OUR kids, in my book it's a no brainier!!!".........
It is my understanding that the supposed "$30 per household" is "budget to budget"--- without the tax levy set by the state, you really can't say exactly what our tax increases would be. Then the community gets REALLY angry when they get their tax bill for a whopping $1000-$1500 increase!! WE all need to be careful with saying that $30. number! I would also double check that number - $30. per household per year??? ........or per month?? Just want clarification..
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Post by patriot2415 on Mar 21, 2007 5:21:19 GMT -5
m3k
You are correct.
At the last BOE meeting the question was asked to the Administration : How much additional per household would it be if we brought back all the programs we were seeking ( this included MS sports, gifted program, clubs for all levels). The answer was $30 per year.
Is that the tax levy? probably not. But lets say it's $34 per year. Less then $3 bucks a month. $34 per house hold, per year, going DIRECTLY to the children, providing them what districts around us provide their children.
Is it worth it?
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Post by plainedgeammo on Mar 21, 2007 6:54:04 GMT -5
M3K,
I was the person who asked the question at the meeting, so I will re-iterate exactly what I asked. I asked the Administration that thus far we have been able to determine that the lowest the budget will be increased was 7.1%, is that correct? Dr Richman answered yes. My next question was, if that is the lowest we are going....what is the incremental difference per househould per year between 7.1% which includes very little additional programs for the children and 7.43% which includes a huge amount of programs for the kids? Dr Richman with much hesitation stated $30 per year per house.
This was not our statement....This was Dr. Richman's. The impact per household then would be $2.50/month/house as a budget to budget increase....If the tax impact is $3.50 I still ask is it worth that money so we can have the following programs:
Enrichment programs with a Gifted Component Debate Club Ventures Magazine 7th Grade Baseball 8th Grade Baseball 7th & 8th Grade Football 7th Grade Softball 7th Grade Boys Soccer 7th Grade Girls Soccer 8th Grade Boys Soccer 8th Grade Girls Soccer 7th Grade Boys Lacrosse 7th Grade Girls Lacrosse
I am sure that I am missing a whole lot more programs which would be added for less than $3.00 per month. The difference is that this money will be spent directly on the children and not on administrators. This also will give the kids almost all the programs that they lost during Austerity. We need to make the kids whole again.....7.4 means more...More for the kids....More for the Community....Thanks Wild for starting that battle cry!
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 21, 2007 12:09:45 GMT -5
Hot off the presses folks....just posted on the school web-site 10 minutes ago: troutman.plainedgeschools.org/district/misc/BUDSPLIT.pdf ;D OUR PROGRAMS ARE INCLUDED!!!!! ;D On very first glance, the thing that struck me was that 71.91% of the total budget was on the PROGRAM side of the budget. I know that was a target that our fearless leader Justfacts always looked at as a goal. Lets see if they can sharpen their pencils some more, but it seems to me if they made this public, they are floating it to gauge public opinion.
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 21, 2007 12:31:59 GMT -5
I get the gist that this was posted to gauge the communities’ feelings with regards to the program inclusions.
Now is the time folks, now is the time to really show OUR support of the restoration of these programs that would make OUR students scholastic experience on par with the surrounding districts and back to where WE were prior to the austerity nightmare of 2005.
Please forward this email (Authored by a troika of outstanding women) to the BOE and let them know that WE support the inclusion of the programs in the posted budget:
Board of Education Members email addresses: Pat Zinke- PZinke@Plainedgeschools.org Frank Presuto- FPresuto@Plainedgeschools.org Doug Pascarella- DPascarella@Plainedgeschools.org Allan Fox- AFox@Plainedgeschools.org MaryAnn Capone- MCapone@Plainedgeschools.org Loretta Giardina- LGiardina@Plainedgeschools.org Cathy Flanagan- CFlanagan@Plainedgeschools.org
To the Members of the Plainedge Board of Education, I am a resident of the Plainedge school district. I am writing to thank you for your hard work during the current budget process. I understand that there are several academic; athletic and co-curricular programs that can potentially be restored given adequate support from the community. I am writing to tell you that I support the restoration of these programs within next year’s budget. I want the children of Plainedge to have the same opportunities as those in our surrounding districts. By voting to include items such as all Middle School sports; a Gifted and Talented program and other co-curricular clubs into next year’s budget you will be representing the wishes of this resident . You have my support to continue in this positive direction for the children of Plainedge. Thank you. Sincerely,
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 21, 2007 14:43:21 GMT -5
I'm trying to get a handle on this first draft. I have some questions re: budget that I figured I would ask the group first before questioning the BOE/Admin members. I just need to get some more information so that I can fully understand where the money is really being spent and what each catergory covers.
1. 1345 Purchasing = $75,000 - This seems like a conveniently even number. Does anyone know what it is for?
2. 5530 Garage Building = $45,000 - also a very even number. What does this pertain to?
3. 2020 Supervision - Regular School = $2,471,004.00. What is this for that warrants a $300,000+ increase.
4. 2110 Teaching - Regular School = $22,223,684.00. An increase of $1.7 million. What is this for? Why such an increase?
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 22, 2007 13:32:16 GMT -5
Go PTown, Seeing this is the first look any of us have gotten of a draft budget, only the BOE/Admin could answer your questions accurately.
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 22, 2007 19:09:44 GMT -5
Go Plainedge,interesting points all...the BOE will be asked to answer these and other valid questions. I'm sure with further perusal other questions will occur...there is enough time to present cogent queries to the BOE and expect a cohesive comprehensive response. Your not the only one with questions but in all fairness the BOE deserves time to defend their proposals...the next meeting might be lively
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Post by mythreekids on Mar 22, 2007 21:45:20 GMT -5
Thanks to Patriot and PAmmo for that clarification on the "$30 per year, per household" question. Yes- I understood that to be the difference between a weaker Plainedge with nothing and a full much stronger Plainedge with everything back for our KIDS!!! We just know how bad miscommunication, especially of numbers, can get us.
Hooray for the 7.43% !!!!
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Post by thewildrover on Mar 25, 2007 9:13:10 GMT -5
It seems as if the BOE is listening to US and has so far recognized that this community would rally behind a budget that includes the programs lost since austerity.
I say “so far” because the decision for those programs to be included in this year’s budget has not yet been absolutely confirmed.
This coming Tuesday and Wednesday budget meetings are as important as any of the others if not more so.
The budget will be ratified on Wednesday.
These meetings will provide the last opportunity for the community to speak with regards to its desire for these programs to be included in the budget.
It will also provide the last occasions for the BOE to see that this community will rally behind an inclusive budget.
It is absolutely no time to rest on OUR laurels.
Please reach out to your neighbors, friends, family, associations and connections and ask them to attend at least one, if not both meetings.
Their attendance will concrete the impression in the minds of the BOE that this is a united, committed and organized community in full support of this budget.
Everything we’ll accomplish for OUR students will be achieved through OUR hard work and perseverance.
Nothing will be achieved from OUR doing nothing.
These are OUR last two chances to achieve.
Lets do it.
Tuesday 7PM –PHS Boardroom Wednesday 7PM -PHS Boardroom
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Post by supportstudents on Mar 25, 2007 22:37:34 GMT -5
I agree. Power is in the masses. If you ever thought about coming down to a BOE meeting but didn't, this one on Tuesday is the one you want to be at. SHOW OUR COMMUNITY, SHOW OUR BOE, SHOW OUR ADMINISTRATION that you support adding programs for OUR CHILDREN and bring US back to the pre-austerity level of services for OUR STUDENTS. Whatever your background or politics are, we are united behind one cause, OUR CHILDREN. See you Tuesday.
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Post by patriot2415 on Mar 27, 2007 9:24:12 GMT -5
Good letter posted on the school website. These letters need to be MAILED to the names below, not emailed. Last year we were told that emails are not tracked and not looked at regularly .
Please send this and give it to your neighbors and friends.
Dear …………………………………….
We need your help. Our taxes are killing us. Look what has been written about the Plainedge Public Schools:
• NYSSBA Benchmarking identified us: o “highly effective” o “highly efficient” o “high” local tax effort o state funding adequacy “low”
• SCOPE statistical analysis labeled us: o Per pupil expenditures: “poor district” o General fund expenditures: “poor district” o Total state aid: % of change over 3 years = - 34.8% o Central administration expenditures: % of change over 3 years: = -6.4%
• Standard and Poor’s reported: o Per pupil instructional expenditure - $2,416 below Nassau County average; and, $868 below the NYS average o Per pupil operating expenditure - $3,481 below Nassau County average, and, $365 below the NYS average
• Per pupil spending among the LOWEST in Nassau County
• Residents pay $69.23 per $1,000 of income in taxes – the HIGHEST in Nassau County
• Homeowners shoulder 85% of the tax burden Plainedge has significantly raised academic performance and closed performance gaps.
But these accomplishments (in light of fiscal limitations) have not been recognized:
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE – 1999 ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE - 2004 4th Grade ELA 68% 4th Grade ELA 93% 8th Grade ELA 66% 8th Grade ELA 85% 4th Grade Math 90% 4th Grade Math 100% 8th Grade Math 52% 8th Grade Math 91% Regent’s Diplomas 47% Regent’s Diplomas 90% Regent’s English 86% Regent’s English 97% Regent’s Math 80% Regent’s Math 95% 4 Year Colleges 55% 4 Year Colleges 66%
Please do not base our aid on property values; almost 50% of our households earn under $80,000 per year. Yet, we make an extraordinary tax effort that results only in Save Harmless aid increases. PLEASE - help us; PLEASE - help our children. PLEASE – just give us our fair share.
Thank you for your consideration of this long standing injustice.
Sincerely,
Governor Eliot Spitzer The State Capitol Executive Chamber Albany, N.Y. 12224 (O) 518 474-8390 (Fax) 518 486-9749
Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson The State Capitol – Room 247 Albany, N.Y. 1224 (o) 518 474-4623 (fax) 518 486-4170
Senator Joseph L. Bruno Majority Leader Room 909 L.O.B. Albany, NY 12247 (o) 518 455-3191 bruno@senate.state.ny.us
Senator Dean G. Skelos Deputy Majority Leader 55 Front Street Rockville Centre, NY 11570 (o) 516 766-8383 (fax) 516 766-8011 skelos@senate.state.ny.us
Senator Stephen M. Saland Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Room 708 L.O.B. Albany, NY 12247 (o) 518 455-2411 (fax) 518 426-6920 saland@senate.state.ny.us
Senator Kemp Hannon District #6 224 Seventh Street, 2nd Floor Garden City, NY 11530 (o) 516 739-1700 hannon@senate.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Sheldon Silver Speaker of the Assembly Room 932 L.O.B. Albany, NY 12248 (o) 518 455-3791 speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan Chair, Assembly Education Committee Room 836 L.O.B. Albany, NY 12248 (o) 518 455-4851 nolanc@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino District #12 200 Boundary Avenue Massapequa, NY 11758 (o) 516 844-0635 (fax) 516 844-0364 saladij@assembly.state.ny.us
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Post by devilsrus on Mar 27, 2007 20:39:58 GMT -5
Kudos to a committed community! Bravo BOE! The return of the Republic! A long sought after and finally restored Plainedge! All programs restored..academic and athletic...A BOE looking to the future and committing to the present...Now its up to the residents of Plainedge...If your child is in Middle School its his/her turn...If your child is in elementary school its her/his turn...If your child is in high school its their time...Vote YES! For another Intel Winner...Vote YES For another Championship team... Vote YES! for the return of OUR school district and the future of America!...Would you ever bet against your child?...Vote YES!
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Post by pedgeneeds on Mar 28, 2007 9:37:41 GMT -5
Excellent meeting last night.. a WIN for everyone.
As Devil said, it's important now to rally the community to vote.
Also as important is the letter posted by Patriot. ( I copied it off the school website yesterday and have sent my copies already !!!), every voter should send this letter to all the names listed.
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