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Post by pedgegirl on Mar 2, 2008 11:01:15 GMT -5
Is DeRiso is the new Asst Supt for Bldgs and Grounds? Or, was yet another position added?
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Post by bagelmaker on Mar 2, 2008 11:36:58 GMT -5
I believe there was no position - they brought it back and gave it to him. Now they have to fill the AP job at the high school. Probably added 130,000 to our admin. cost. Just another day at Plainedge- when no one is looking or even when we are looking, they throw it in our face. Do we really need a buildings and grounds based on what was written on here in regards to the volunteers keeping up on the fields? I do believe we do have 3 deans and 2 APs. I plan to ask at the next BOE meeting what they exactly do. I am sure I will get double talk as an answer. It just gets sickening. I have one other question - why do we continue to have our own bus "company." Has there been a real cost comparison to see what we are spending compared to those districts that contract out? We have to pay benefits to those drivers and we have to maintain and pay the insurance - how can that be cheaper than contracting out - let other companies deal with the benefits and insurance. I know that the old BOE did much to protect some of the drivers that were neighbors of them. They insisted that it was more economical - that was then - what about now? I believe a very thorough investigation should be had. I heard that most of the after school sports trips are contracted out anyways. I am trying to think of ways we can save money without taking away programs.
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Post by getitpassed on Mar 2, 2008 12:57:21 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 getitpassed on Mar 2, 2008 13:10:59 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!!! Momma 3, As Co-President at John H. West, I can personally tell you that at our September meeting both Nancy Giris and Frank Presuto spoke to all in attendance. I don't disagree with all of your comments but I will stand up for what I know to be true. We do what we can. We make phone calls informing people to vote or to go to important meetings. We CAN NOT tell people how to vote. We CAN NOT write VOTE YES on any signage on school property that belongs to the PTA. Those are the rules of the game and we must abide by them. In the past few years the PTA's heve worked closely with the other groups in our community to do what needed to be done and we will do so this year too. As for informing the elementary parents, I agree that many don't know all of the facts. We pass along the information at our monthly meeting and through the Wizard but I can't force people to come to meetings and I can't make sure everyone reads the notices. So please don't come on here and imply that the PTA is not doing all they can do because we are but it's up to all the parents to take advantage of what we offer. Denise Fischetti
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Post by supportstudents on Mar 2, 2008 15:24:43 GMT -5
I agree with Denise. The information is out there if you want it. The problem is the majority of the community choses not to take the info or should I say absorb it. Soon as Budget time comes people begin to complain, but they do nothing about it. I have seen over the past 3 years since we last failed a budget that many people including close friends of of mine just simply go about living and do not get involved in the process for whatever reason, too much work, too much kids, etc. I have no problem if you chose to be that way but then don't complain, trust the people that are involved or who you elected to do what is right. So in closing don't blame the PTA, BOE, Private Groups or the Administation, the info is there just grab it.
John Danielo
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 2, 2008 19:03:38 GMT -5
Just because the information is there for the taking doesn't mean
a) People will find it b) People will take it c) People will understand it
With 6,000 residents and only 2,500 voting, I would say there is more work that can be done to educate the community.
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Post by supportstudents on Mar 2, 2008 22:17:57 GMT -5
Look at the Voter turnouts for the past few years across LI. Since we failed in 2005 and the community did get more involved, Plainedge has some of the higher turnouts on LI. That is my exact point, right or wrong many maybe most people in Plainedge and other communities across LI just don't care enough to look for and grab the info. Just my opinion. They go about there everyday lives and school politics is simply not a priority and in some peoples case not even in there mindset. I must admit that prior to 2005, I had never stepped into the Board Room at PHS. I am sure that I am not alone in that statement.
John Danielo
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Post by momma3 on Mar 3, 2008 8:04:28 GMT -5
Denise, my prior comments was no way a knock at the PTA. I know what you guys have on your plate and you definatley deal with enough. I am sure it is the same in each school, you can name on two hands which parents will be at each meeting and which parents are involved. In hindsight, educating people through the PTA is preaching to the choir!
The point was to throw out some ideas out there as to how to educate people at the lower levels. It absolutely scares to me death to think people would go out of there way to vote down a school budget without the knowledge of what they would lose or gain, not based on just vote no because they are mad and can not see the big picture of whats involved.
But what can be one about the spending and the salaries with these previously discussed positions. Do all such positions get approval from the BOE or are they appointed and we deal with the salaries and benefits when we together we uncover the truth?
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 4, 2008 13:55:13 GMT -5
The point was to throw out some ideas out there as to how to educate people at the lower levels. It absolutely scares to me death to think people would go out of there way to vote down a school budget without the knowledge of what they would lose or gain, not based on just vote no because they are mad and can not see the big picture of whats involved. You're right. But once inside the voting machine you only have two choices....YES or NO. Sadly, not everyone will come to a BOE meeting and for many years the communication from the administration and BOE has been less than stellar. So, when someone doesn't agree with the budget and is faced with only those two choices...... There has to be a better way.
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hmmm
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by hmmm on Mar 6, 2008 12:36:15 GMT -5
Budget Workshop Thursday, March 6, 2008 7:00 PM, Board Room. Budget Workshop Thursday, March 27,2008 7:00 PM, Board Room. Budget Hearing Thursday, April 3, 2008 7:00 PM, Board Room Last Opportunity for Community Input
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Post by 78ptownpower on Mar 6, 2008 21:48:55 GMT -5
see this crap irks me. Alot of folk around here aren't home from work by 7:00. Either push it back or webcast the meetings. Then when people have comments about the budget they come back with the BS that why weren't you at the meetings we had so many of them... Well, many of us can't get there until later. They have the technology...webcast the meetings. END OF RANT
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Post by supportstudents on Mar 6, 2008 23:13:25 GMT -5
I was there tonight. Me and 4 others. There was a TOB Town meeting at Allen Park about the SEA Bond, hope that is where everyone was. We should of had a better turnout tonight but at least those there were positive. To me, 700pm is a fair starting time, most evening events start around 700. I was happy it got me home by 900pm. Working # is 5.49 with a little wiggle room to come down further. I brought up issue about buses. Super maintains that it is cost effective to own fleet as opposed to contracting it all out. Also, I asked for them to look at our neighboring school districts formula for projecting fuel costs as we seem to have projected a higher # vs. actual usage of last year. The new Admin. position is a Director at a lower cost then an asst. super. Job functions will include overseeing all Plainedge SD properties including the Packard albatross. Also, will have personnel duties. BOE scrutinized the hire and felt it necessary.
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Post by workingmom on Mar 7, 2008 7:31:05 GMT -5
I went to the SEA meeting last night (a little late as it was trophy night for basketball) - I spoke to remind them to build a park/fields in Plainedge. I also advised them that it was a budget meeting in Plainedge.
There were lots of ideas from residents - mostly Farmingdale and Massapequa. Main interests I heard were to build an indoor pool at Allen Park, a skate park and improve Burns Park and Field of Dreams as well as discussion of the potential takeover of the Massapequa Preserve by the TOB (they are studying it).
They are looking for ideas, so if anyone wants to let them know of any land available for use, or any idea, as small or large as you have, they will consider it.
I did suggest exploring if the LIPA land where the large electrical towers are at the border of Plainedge school district and Bethpage school district could be used for a field (past the middle school). They will look into it.
Thanks.
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Post by patriot2415 on Mar 7, 2008 8:47:09 GMT -5
I don't get it.. I was at the budget meeting, there were 7 people. 1 person at the TOB.. Where was everyone? This is why things happen in this district without people being informed. As for the busses.. I can't understand that it would be cheaper, leasing/purchasing our own busses, maintaining them, insuring them, gas, driver salaries, benefits and retirement then outsourcing to some other company. I asked for the fully loaded costs last year and they were never provided.
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Post by bagelmaker on Mar 7, 2008 14:51:52 GMT -5
I'm sorry i had to work last night- but thanks for asking about the bus situation. It is impossible that it is more cost effective to have our own. As was listed - the benefits alone can be costly. If it was cost effective , why would the neighboring schools refrain from having their own. There is a history of protecting that bus situation. I don't know why but there is. It makes no sense to keep our own fleet - especially when we spend a large amount contracting them out. Do you know that our JV basketball teams, varsity teams, and cheerleaders take 3 buses to away games. Back in my day, the two teams traveled together and the JV watched the Varsity play. With gas and oil prices rising, we can't be getting a better price than a major bus company.
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