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Post by 1plainedge on Jan 23, 2008 10:49:54 GMT -5
As seen in Newsday today, budget time is fast approaching. We all know the number moves, but it looks like a 7.46% increase in state aid vs 07/08.
I for one will never forget that one of our own had a hand in denying us the right to vote on the Picken Packard swap. That transaction was right from a business and budget standpoint FIRST and community park and fields SECOND.
In spite of this rogue Board member, most of our news has been very good. The new superintendent in a short period of time has really changed the tone in the community. Our kids are thriving in the classroom, the after school clubs are back in business. The middle school is bustling with athletic activity and six of our BOE members stood side by side with the community trying to do the right thing for all with the Town of Oyster Bay.
Stay involved and don't let the smartest person in Plainedge have a hand in derailing our communities achievements and momentum come budget time.
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Post by elphaba65 on Jan 26, 2008 13:04:41 GMT -5
1Plainedge,
As seen in Newsday today, budget time is fast approaching. We all know the number moves, but it looks like a 7.46% increase in state aid vs 07/08 which can only help.
Don't get your hopes up to high, this figure does not tell it all. The actual increase Plainedge will get depends on how the increase is allocated to the school districts. If the aid is unrestricted then yes we would see that increase. However, if the aid is targeted at certain codes and we do not use that, then Plainedge would not be entitled to that aid. As an example, if 5% of the increase is earmarked for universal pre-K and we do not have that program we would not be able to use that aid for something else.
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Post by Admin on Jan 26, 2008 17:53:40 GMT -5
As per WCBSTV.com....
School districts statewide will see an average increase of about 7.5 percent in state aid for daily operations and construction under the budget Spitzer will present on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Spitzer will propose that Long Island schools get 60 percent of the $100 million high-tax aid in the 2008-09 fiscal year beginning April 1.
The Democratic governor's plan appears to give Long Island about 8 percent of the state's increase in school aid, compared with the 12.9 percent of the increase in aid they typically have gotten. That would likely set off another battle between Spitzer and Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno, who are still trying to decide if they can work together and avoid the sort of conflict that has gridlocked much of Albany since June.
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Post by momma3 on Feb 29, 2008 10:57:22 GMT -5
There was earlier talk in the Picken Packard section of this forum that there would be a new administrative position added for grounds and maintenance of all of the buildings. I asked earlier who would pay for yet another top heavy position that we suddenly need. The answer was it would be come out of the money from the Pick/Pac deal. I questioned then how could we spend money we do not have. As I was not surprised no one responded. Anyway, I hear this position has been filled. I am not certain as to the exact title but it is beyond belief that with all the budget issues in this district we could create another administrative position. So, how much does he make, what does he do and why after all these years do we need him now? ?? Wasn't it argued already that the sports people maintain our fields when they shouldn't be anyway? I am sure there are some Board of Ed members reading this so please respond.
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Post by pedgegirl on Feb 29, 2008 12:05:04 GMT -5
Unfreakinbelievable! Please, if any of what I am about to say is incorrect, please enlighten me - I would LOVE to know. Smoke coming out of ears!
Momma3 is 100% correct? Why now? Do we NEED this? I am curious to know who it is, too.
Background.....A while back, I (and others) questioned the need for Joan Ripley's position as Asst to our then-Asst Supt. (for curriculum!) Ms. P'Simer. I was told that Joan was in charge of elementary and Chris was in charge of secondary. Fast forward to now. Chris is Supt, Joan is Asst. Supt for curriculum, and we DID NOT fill Joan's old position! Hence, it must not be needed!! All of a sudden, we don't need it! Yeah, right.
I don't know how many years ago, Tom Gibbons retired. They did not fill his position, saying we did not need it anymore. Now, this is the position momma 3 is talking about! WHY do we need it?
What about the kids, staff, programs??? We need mor administration like a hole in the head!!! For a district our size???This is going to be a tough enough budget season islandwide (especially with the lawyer scandal - funny how Newsday always uncovers "stuff" conveniently around this time). Not that we should not know about this stuff, but they just found out now? We absolutely should know and we need to know. The dollars wasted is just a sin. The entire thing is a travesty, unethical and insulting to taxpayers. People are angry. May's vote will not be easy, even if this were the absolute best and least expensive budget in years! And, we had to add another administrator? I just do not get it!!!
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Post by bagelmaker on Feb 29, 2008 21:10:56 GMT -5
This is the game that is played in Central Office. They keep adding positions that they eliminated previously. They do it in a way that the community does not realize that it's being done. In 3 years, Mr. Diriso has moved up from a math teacher to Asst. Superintendent. Now they will replace his assistant principal job with another person. Does it seem strange that the current Super. is a former math teacher and so is Mr. Diriso? There is absolutely no reason for this position. This budget will be a disaster. Again, notice that this position was not originally in this year's budget. It was never voted on by us. It was decided in the midst of the schoolyear. How can bigger districts that ours do so well with less administrators? We have a principal, 2 assistants, 3 deans, department chairpeople - all for a enrollment of less than 1000. Don't get me started on the middle school.
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Post by momma3 on Mar 1, 2008 9:55:50 GMT -5
Thanks you to all that responded. Now will some one respond with my previous question, this persons title and salary?
I can not comprehend why this is allowed to go on. If this person has a signed contract there is nothing we can do but suck it up. That seems to be the way around here. The facts come out only when its too late for anything to change.
I can hear the echos at budget time now, don't hurt the kids, these people are hurting our kids and they don't give a dam!!! We have to pass the budget to pay ridiculous salaries for unnecessary jobs or our children lose there programs.
Your not voting on a budget, its an absolute crock of s***. Once these salaries and administrative costs are set there is nothing any of us can do about it whether the budget passes or not so what the heck are we voting on!!!!!. To cut our kids programs or keep them that is the bottom line.
Read other schools districts minutes on there BOE meetings and there programs. Its a shame what goes on here. I don't want to hear we have no tax base in Plainedge and all of the funding comes from us. Correct we are a small district and do not need all of these useless jobs at Plainedge. We live like we have caviar dreams but not when it comes to our programs for our children. They do not get half of what other local districts get. The whole thing is like one big sham and we are all little pawns be brain washed to believe this crap. If we properly spent our money our children would all win. Logically, we are so small and pay a ton of taxes whats the problem??? There shouldnt be one!! Isnt that the point!
So now tell me to move or something if I am not happy. Plainedge is a great place to live, the people are awesome and I do not want to move, I want what every parent here wants the best for our children and not to be lied to by people we should trust. Go head kill me now!
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Post by patriot2415 on Mar 1, 2008 11:53:30 GMT -5
Momma3, don't move... keep that opinion going and your voice heard.
Your frustration is felt by all.....
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 1, 2008 12:04:07 GMT -5
Momma3 I will be the first to say I support you and your opinions. If you look back at many of the early posts here, you will find that this has been talked about for years....especially from Ed Dowdel (Justfacts) I can understand people not wanting to hurt the children (I have kids in the system too). However, there comes a point in time, where we as a community must stand up for what we need and say enough is enough. I don't believe too many people are willing to to that when it comes to the budget. Unfortunately, when the budget gets voted down, it's the kids that take the brunt of it. Think about the Massapequa district (#23). They have a much higher enrollment with less administration. How can that be? I remember when I moved here and told a friend which district I was in. The response was..."oh, Plainedge....that's like the country club of school districts when it comes to administration". Voting YES for a bigger budget doesn't equal better students!
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Post by bagelmaker on Mar 1, 2008 15:22:57 GMT -5
We all agree- but it still continues to happen. All I want to know is how a budget is submitted with absolutely no mention of this new position last may. The budget passes and then out of nowhere, the money is spent on an administrator that was not originally budgeted. This is not the first time this has happened. If money becomes available, it should be used to help the kids, or used to lower the tax rate next year. Now they have to hire another assistant principal at high school. No matter who is the superintendent, it happens in this district. And I am also sick of it. Administration needs to be cut down. No need for 2 assistant principals at high school - not with 3 deans. What do the Aps do all day? We also should look into getting a part time AD - that is all Labelle does. Supporting the kids is important - but we all need to cut back.
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Post by momma3 on Mar 1, 2008 16:32:44 GMT -5
I am so glad I am not the only crazed one out there. Now, I do not want to be one of those people who complain and complain but don't change a thing. I know of numerous people who share my views but do not know where to begin to help. What is the answer??
It appears the whole administration needs to be looked at from every teacher on up. Who needs to this? We need to focus some attention on this asap. Something drastic needs to happen for this district to thrive and move ahead, we are spinning out of control when it comes to spending and again its not spent on our children.
I have mentioned this earlier and will say it again. When it comes to BOE issues and community issues the people in the elementary schools are not involved and are not educated as to what goes on here. The PTA makes those nice phone calls vote YES for the budget, vote YES for Pic/Pac but that is where it ends. BOE members need to connect the people who come to PTA meetings with issues that effect the entire community. You can not always see the big picture when your child is in the younger grades and you feel decisions being made now do not effect your children directly(sports and clubs)I would gladly start some sort of committee to connect community awareness at the lower levels. The answer is not everyone should attend BOE meetings. It is not gonna happen.
I have been hearing people want to make a point and they feel by voting the budget down they are saying enough is enough. These people need to be told voting down a budget helps no one. You do not save any money, administration still gets paid and the kids loose. We need to start educating people now, again BOE should be involved with this and come to PTA meetings. I can put money on it if they came to the elementary schools no one would even know who they are. Just some thoughts.
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mom23
New Member
Posts: 14
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Post by mom23 on Mar 1, 2008 16:56:17 GMT -5
March 6th, 7 p.m. there is a Budget Workshop at the High School March 11th, 8:15 p.m. there is a BoE meeting at the High School March 13th, 8:15 p.m. there is a BoE meeting at the High School March 27th, 7 p.m. there is a Budget Workshop at the High School April 3rd, 7 p.m. there is a Budget Hearing April 8th, 8 p.m. is the adoption of the Budget, 8:15 BoE meeting
Check your calendars or the district website.
The answer is show up at one or all of these meetings and voice your concerns. The answer is e-mail any member of the BoE or Administration with your questions.
I have attended the BoE meetings over the last several months. The BoE and Administration have been discussing the budget for several months, and the community members who attended these meetings were provided with preliminary and then initial drafts of the upcoming budget. It is all there for the taking, if you want it.
I am an elementary school parent and am very involved with what is going on in my community. I can also tell you that two members of the BoE spoke in the beginning of the year at our PTA meeting. To my knowledge the BoE had each of their members, two at a time, go to all PTA meetings, elementary, middle and high school, to give a brief talk. Perhaps you missed it.
Also, I have never received a phone call from PTA telling me to vote YES for anything. I have received phone calls reminding me about a meeting, or reminding me to exercise my right to vote, but never have I been told to vote YES by PTA.
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dborg
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by dborg on Mar 1, 2008 18:22:38 GMT -5
Mom23--you are so right!!
The only way to make a difference is to get involved during the budget process. People can come on here and bitch and complain but if you don't call/email the BOE members, attend the budget workshops or meetings nothing is going to change. Your input/opinion will not fall on the correct ears.
Momma3 you say you are willing to start a committee for community awareness then great but you will need to obtain the correct information from the BOE meetings to pass along to the community.
There are no easy solutions guys. You can't sit back and complain yet do nothing to try to change things. The community's voice needs to be heard and the only place that can happen is at BOE meetings...at the budget workshops.
A draft of the budget is already out there and whats important is that the BOE hear from us now...i've already questioned a few items, and we are all in our right to do so
Last year the community's input made a TREMENDOUS difference, the increase was lowered and programs got reinstated. To make things happen you need to act now...at the budget workshops...it makes a difference... do whatever you can but get to these meetings and speak up!!
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Post by momma3 on Mar 1, 2008 19:38:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the info reg the meetings. I have never heard a BOE member come speak at John H West. I did not miss it. I have children in all 3 schools. I apologize for the vote YES comment, I am mistaken it was not vote YES it was to vote. The phone calls for the Pic/Pac support were definately made as well. I am not saying every elementary school parent is uninvolved if I may have offended anyone, there are just many I speak to who do not have a clue as to budget issues because there children are so young.I will pass along all of the dates given. See ya there!
By the way, I thought this forum was to be used as a place to bitch!!!
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Post by pedgegirl on Mar 1, 2008 19:50:08 GMT -5
Mr. DeRiso is not AP at the HS anymore??? He is Asst. Superintendent OF WHAT? Does anyone know his title? We have a new AP at the HS? Usually , we get a letter sent home notifying us of a change like that. When did this happen? I just saw him at the HS on Thursday. Eyes rolling, head spinning. 3 deans? I have been there for 5 years - we had Mr. G. and a woman, I think. Now there are more? ?
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