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Post by thewildrover on Feb 1, 2007 20:24:48 GMT -5
How in the all-mighty forsaken world due we here in Plainedge wind up on the short end of the stick again!!!!!! Out of the 50 something school districts in Nassau County, we here in P-Town are one of just 6 districts to receive LESS state aid this upcoming school year than last year. We are to receive 2.78% less this year than last year from Albany. (Today’s Newsday) An added insult is that Locust Valley, arguably the richest district in the county, is the only district topping us at receiving less!! ( They’re cut 3.83%) The % cut from the remaining 4 districts combined don't even add up to Plainedges cut of 2.78%. Is Albany punishing us for pressuring them last year for the PTRA’s phone calls and the emails? Are they just adjusting this years aid because they gave us more last year??? Whatever the answer is, the stark reality is,…. it just sucks!!! How does Roslyn receive a 9.61% increase ? Bethpage a 6.62% increase ? Island Trees a whopping 9.72% increase Plainview a 7.44 % ? And we get cut 2.78% ? They just keep making our fight harder. Sadly. I feel compelled to remind each and everyone one of us that want the very best for our kids, our school district and Plainedge as a whole, when aspiring towards an objective to get back to where we were 3 years ago before austerity and get all the programs that were funded before austerity back on the books, It DOES NOT MATTER what is included in the budget, IF THE BUDGET DOES NOT PASS!!!!Getting the BOE to include all those cut programs in the budget is just HALF OF THE BATTLE. The real fight would be to get that budget passed. WE all have to realize that. Hind sight being 20/20, we left a lot on the table last year. Do we still have the momentum to push thru another double-digit budget? ? Signing a petition, attending a meeting, pressuring the BOE, that’s the easy part. Getting the electorate to support and pass the budget will be, as always, the real task.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 1, 2007 21:10:52 GMT -5
In simple answer...I guess 2.8% needs to get cut from the operations portion of the budget...NOT the program side. I don't see any problem Many people campaigned to pass the budget last year based on the fact that we wanted to re-instate many programs that were lost. It was also mentioned that a budget increase like that would be a tough sell to the community in 2007. When raises and bonuses were given out (totaling more than $500,000) in 2006, that was a slap in the face to this community. Tighter reins are needed for 2007. There is no reason why a smaller increase can't be made (6%-7%). This can easily be done by maintaining costs on vendor contracts and reducing the number of raises and bonuses. I find it hard to believe that this district can not find a way to trim the fat (not pun intended ;D) with the operations portion of the budget.
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Post by plainedgeammo on Feb 2, 2007 11:33:03 GMT -5
Wild,
Where is Saladino Now? Wasn't he the person trumpetting that it was his doing that afforded us the increase in State Aid that we received last year. We can not let this discourage us. Although I am new to this message board, I am no stranger to the fight.
P-town citizens never settle.....That's what makes this town so great. Our mission has got to be to get back to ground zero.....Where this district was just three years ago before Austerity kicked in.
We must strive to get all the programs back in the budget for the kids of this community. We need all Academic and Athletic programs which were eliminated during Austerity placed back in the budget. We can not look to add any programs back in the budget at the expense of another program....We can not fall into the trap of Athletics vs Academics. Heck I want it all. The Best education which also includes the best Athletic program on the Island.
In addition, there should be absolutely no additions added to the budget which were not there before Austerity.....No new administrators....Absolutely nothing until all the programs that these children used to receive are finally restored....
Wild, count me in....I am back in the game.
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Post by rinx on Feb 3, 2007 16:01:57 GMT -5
Here's the breakdown for those that may have missed it.
Nassau Baldwin 22,373,687 + 4.65% Bellmore 3,718,569 + 3.94 Bell-Merrick 16,204,951 + 1.08 Bethpage 502,435 +6.62 Carle Place 3,274,190 +5 E.Meadow 35,630,693 +4.48 Elmont 18,742,519 +8.54 Farmingdale 23,080,268 -0.69 Floral Park 3,826,408 +2.42 Franklin Sq. 6,435,957 + 1.19 Freeport 50,829,349 +6.92 Garden City 4,948,487 +3.07 Glen Cove 7,836,665 +6.15 Great Neck 7,836,665 + 6.15 Hempstead 75,556,066 +9.63 Herricks 5,100,699 +4.13 Hewlett 5,660,117 +1.09 Isl. Park 2,198,552 +8.15 Isl. Trees 12,930,588 +9.72 Jericho 225,095 +5.48 Lawrence 8,009,775 +3.18 Levittown 43,967,639 +4.99 Locust Valley 3,228,653 -3.83 Long Beach 18,896,874 +2.16 Malverne 7,591,058 +2.6 Manhasset 3,379,320 +6.6 Massapequa 21,489,088 +2.16 Merrick 5,558,171 +5.04 Mineola 4,756,725 -1.04 NHP 3,660,900 +4.9 N.Bellmore 10,265,984 +2.91 N. Merrick 5,446,071 +0.93 North Shore 3,999,624 +9.46 Oceanside 15,846,631 +3.35 Oyster Bay 2,245,592 -0.58 Plainedge 15,180,543 -2.78 Plainview 12,927,058 +7.44 Port Wash 6,985,162 +2.8 RVC 7,333,526 +6.69 Roosevelt 38,153,821 +6.05 Roslyn 4,115,821 +9.61 Uniondale 31,550,615 +15.61 VS 13 8,675,000 +3.14 VS 24 3,782,787 +4.87 VS Central 14,923,720 +8.68 VS UF 4,474,465 +4.79 Wantagh 12,725,088 +2.63 W.Hempstead 6,852,451 +5.66 Westbury 25,918,749 +11.86
Total Nassau - 740,081,468 +5.47
While Suffolk gets 1.55B +5.08
I'll do the suffolk breakdown when I get more time. But I will tell you now that there are a few schools in Suffolk getting over 100 million, one close to 200M.
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 3, 2007 18:38:34 GMT -5
did anyone esle get this? Dear Philip, I want to let you know about an important bill which recently passed the New York State Senate concerning property tax relief. The State Senate has passed a three part plan to significantly expand the property tax relief rebate program to provide $2.6 billion in property tax relief this year and $3.4 billion in 2008. Additionally, voters will have the ability to cap school district spending. The Senate's rebate-plus property tax relief bill would: -Triple the size of direct property tax rebate checks in the first year (and almost quadruple checks in the second year). In 2006, rebate checks averaged $175 for non-seniors and $300 for seniors. Under Rebate Plus, in Nassau County, Basic STAR homeowners in 2007 will receive an average of $725 and those with Enhanced STAR will receive $1,229. In 2008, that amount increases to an average of $966 for Basic STAR enrollees and $1,638 for Enhanced STAR homeowners; -Give voters greater input on local property tax rates by allowing them to collect signatures to limit the growth in the local school and municipal tax rates; and -Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission to make reforms to help reduce property taxes. By continuing our effort to return the State budget surplus we are putting even more money back where it rightfully belongs, into the pockets of the hardworking men and women of Long Island. The State Senate has also voted to provide the opportunity for voters to cap local school taxes. Finally, voters will be able to organize and force school districts to limit unnecessary spending. This bill would give voters a greater say in local tax rates by allowing them to collect signatures to limit the growth in the local school and municipal tax rates. If a sufficient number of signatures are collected, a proposition would be placed on the ballot at the next school budget vote. The petition would set the type of limits on the tax rate. If approved, the limits on increasing the tax rate would be in effect for one year. Long Islanders are unhappy about skyrocketing property taxes and this proposal would give voters the ability to take the issue into their own hands, limit growth in the tax rate and keep their property taxes down as much as possible. This bill would allow the taxpayer to settle on a tax rate and programming that local residents can afford, while maintaining a quality of education that is acceptable to the community. It is my sincere hope the State Assembly passes this legislation and that Governor Spitzer signs it into law. Sincerely, KEMP HANNON New York State Senator www.kemphannon.com some of it looks good, but it also looks like it pushed the problem down to the residents instead of the govt fixing the tax situition. ( oh sorry they did do that... for every other district!!!!! START CALLING !!!!)
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 4, 2007 7:55:45 GMT -5
I didn't receive that letter, however, in everything I'm reading about Spitzer's budget, it appears as though he allotted more school funds toward lower income communities.
The goal was to then have this property tax rebate off-set the increase that the other school districts would have to implement. However, it doesn't address the issue that the school district would have to increase the budget to begin with.
So, if we were slated, by P-Edge schools for a (hypothetical) 10% increase, does that mean we will be set up for a 12.8% increase?
The increases are out of control. Parents keep voting for the budget thinking it will benefit the kids. However, much of that money doesn't go to the kids. It goes to the operation of the district. The last I checked, the kids are the reason for the district, not the staff and administration. Then, if you vote down the budget, the kids get screwed...as we have experienced.
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Post by rinx on Feb 4, 2007 9:46:36 GMT -5
The increases are out of control. Parents keep voting for the budget thinking it will benefit the kids. However, much of that money doesn't go to the kids. It goes to the operation of the district. The last I checked, the kids are the reason for the district, not the staff and administration. Then, if you vote down the budget, the kids get screwed...as we have experienced.
Anyone catch this from the board minutes of 1/9?
Ms. P’Simer reviewed proposed recommendations for changes in administration and staff, resulting in a $30,000 net savings for the 07/08 school year. A brief discussion regarding the positive effect these changes will have on instruction ensued. The Board voted 5-0 to move ahead with the proposed recommendations.
So, with Richman leaving we'll only save 30 grand? Huh? How much is our new super going to be making? Anyone know? I find this hideous.
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Post by mother2 on Feb 4, 2007 10:05:58 GMT -5
There was also an position added in Nov 06 for a data analyst for $84,000 a year. Positon was approved to take burden off Joan Ripley and Ms P'Simier... ??.....I don't want to speak out of turn, but I would think that the analysis of NYS reports and results of NYS testing would fall into their job description ?
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grace
New Member
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Post by grace on Feb 4, 2007 11:31:17 GMT -5
Is it possible that we are getting less State Aid (-2.78%) because we are getting EXCEL AID for Eastplain's expansion? I do think the State looks at the "TOTAL AID" it gives to a district. As much as we would like to think its all seperate it does come down to a given Total. Just a thought
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 6, 2007 8:59:42 GMT -5
You may be right Grace. But if that is true the administration and BOE should have aware of that and communicated it to the residents.
And I am not saying we didn't need the expansion, I'm saying again we may not have been given the full picture!
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Post by rraymond on Feb 6, 2007 16:20:48 GMT -5
Hello all, The question is that, the 2.78% decrease is it based on last years one time one million dollar increase? In other word our decrease should not be based on last years increase and to get a true picture you should take that one million dollar one time increase out of the equation.
Re: Final Budget « Reply #3 on Apr 5, 2006, 7:09am » I just wanted to share with you some interesting items brought to light at last night's budget workshop.
1) The BOE is continuing to utilize $1,000,000 dollars of our Fund Balance from last year’s budget to offset the tax increases to our community.
2) We have received additional state aid from Albany amounting to $953,887
3) Each tax payer will be sent a $300 STAR tax relief check directly to there home
4) Several MS Sports are still part of the proposed budget.
5) Estimated Tax Impact to the Community per average household
Factors outside of Plainedge’s Control $536 / year
General Operating Costs $176 / Year
Restoration of Programs 05/06 Budget $167 / Year
Estimated Impact of Fund Balance Contribution ($139 / Year)
Estimated Impact of Additional State Aid ($119 / Year)
STAR Refund Check paid directly to taxpayer ($300 / Year)
Estimated Average Tax Increase per Household $322 / Year
The estimated Average Tax increase of $322 / year is the equivalent of
1) $26.79 / Month
2) $0.88 / Day
SENIOR CITIZENS WILL BE RECEIVING AN ADDITIONAL STAR REFUND CHECK FROM THE ENHANCED STAR PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $228/ YEAR. This means that the Senior Citizens will only have to pay $94.00 more per year to pass this budget.
Final Meeting Date
April 5th , 2006 7 pm Board Room Budget Meeting
There are still a couple of items which are open for discussion. 1) Varsity Track & Field, 2) All Clubs in the district.
If any of you have children that participate in these programs and do not want these programs cut….I would recommend that you come to tomorrow nights meeting.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks so much. I think we can all say that most of us can invest a $0.88 / day (Seniors = $0.62 / day) to ensure the Plainedge Community Thrives. I think our community is worth $0.88 / day to ensure that our school district and property values stay at the levels we are accustomed to. Let me know your thoughts.
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 6, 2007 17:01:34 GMT -5
Ralph, if that is what it is based on then if you take the 900k out and that equals the 2.78% reduction, then we are still receiving 0% increase while every other district are getting an increase!!!!!
I have emailed Senator Hanon for an explanation. Maybe everyone else should also!!!
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 6, 2007 21:18:56 GMT -5
I have no problem with $.88 per day IF $.66 of the amount went to the kids.
again: $500,000 + in bonuses and raises during a contingency budget. Oddly that was the same amount raise by washing cars.
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 7, 2007 8:21:37 GMT -5
You are correct Go, it is no big deal if that happens. However, as the Wild one said in the opening port...
"
That is the question those in govt who represent us NEED TO ANSWER !!!!
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Post by mythreekids on Feb 8, 2007 0:18:39 GMT -5
I, personally am e-mailing Mr. Hannon's office as we speak... We should all do the same!
let's bombard his office with e-mails so he knows we are watching!
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