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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 29, 2005 12:48:48 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I realize that the website was down for several weeks.
Does anyone have an idea when the BOE meeting minutes will be posted. The last posting that was done is from July!
Somewhere on this site Yruohk received an email from Tom Dick stating that they are posted shortly after the meeting.
In an effort to get the most accurate information, I like to read these minutes from the BOE meetings and check them against my notes.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 13, 2005 20:21:43 GMT -5
October 13, 2005 - No updated minutes posted on the school's website.
However, I see they added mini British flags to each minutes posting.
Last I checked we lived in the United States. I think we adopted our own flag a long time ago. Or, did the British take us back again and no one tell me???
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Post by concerned on Oct 13, 2005 20:35:10 GMT -5
I went on it last night to find out information about various things and was surprised to see there was no district information - the page was still down. Some of the other things on the web site were old. I also directed someone there to find out information about kindergarten registration. That too was old. I know we are under contingency, but it wouldn't take that much to update some things and get the BOE minutes put up as well as contact information for the administration. Even if there is no support staff to do it, couldn't Cynthia LaPier do it? How long could it take her. I really hope they get started on it. I so rarely check that site anymore and with good reason.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 13, 2005 21:33:31 GMT -5
But someone had the time to add the British flags??? As far as the minutes; as long as they are typed up in a word processing program, they can be copied and pasted into the website VERY easily, It takes less time to do this than add the flags.
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Post by justfacts on Oct 14, 2005 2:44:37 GMT -5
About those flags ~
They look to be a diagonal split between a British Flag and an American flag (Star field in upper left corner) That type of flag usually occurs on an International language site to select the American version of the English language, as opposed to the British version.
This could happen if someone took the entire module on the School Site's page and converted it to their native language to review it. [Possibly French or German - since "trautman", the new Plainedgeschool site's host name - seems to be either nationality]
After reviewing it in their native language, the module was returned to the American English version. That could explain the flag on all elements of just this module. You'll note that several modules in the site lacking flags are "not ready yet" meaning they await this review (and sanitization?) step. Other modules, such as those that contain pictures, are ready - since pictures require no language translation to review.
I don't know if I have read too much into this flag business, but it does provide an explanation as to why an flag, usual for International sites but unusual on local sites, would appear on this local site.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 14, 2005 10:01:05 GMT -5
Just: I agree. A flag like this is usually on a site that allows the viewer to click on the version they would like to read. Here is a larger version: However, this is NOT one of those websites and there is no need for a combined flag. It doesn't have anything to do with the site and its content nor is this a website to service an international group. Perhaps I'm just nit-picking, but its little things like this that just "get under my skin".
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Post by yruohk on Oct 14, 2005 23:48:44 GMT -5
Concerned, JustFacts & GoPlainedge....my sentiments exactly. I hesitated from making the same comments about the school site but see the same was on your minds. Hmmm, guess we think alike. I've looked at many highschool/district websites from LI and many are updated and proficient in what's available and no, no British/American combo flag or any other for that matter. You'll note that several modules in the site lacking flags are "not ready yet" meaning they await this review (and sanitization?) step. I did peruse the site earlier the other day and noticed the same and thought the sanitization process was under way. Look under Employment Vacancies and it states: module not available. Then look under Website and you will find the employment vacancies. If I were looking for employment I wouldn't look there, I would look under Employment Vacancies. Maybe they will be relocated "back"?
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 25, 2005 18:48:55 GMT -5
August 11, 2005 BOE minutes have been posted!
It only took 11 weeks.
As much as I dislike the comparisons to other schools, I invite other members here to view the Massapequa School District website.
It appears to be nicely organized and information appears to be easily accessible.
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Post by justfacts on Oct 25, 2005 20:32:24 GMT -5
Go Plainedge! I took your advice - Massapequa's website is an example of what a more fully developed website should look like!What is of particular importance on that site that many in Plainedge should look at is the report they have on comparative school performances. Here's the link to that report. In addition, page 20 has a comparison to Plainedge. Yes, it is NOT the current data - but it should put many things into perspective.www.msd.k12.ny.us/files/filesystem/massapequabenchmarks%2EpdfCut and paste this into the address box on your browser - clicking on the direct link may not work. What is also significant is a review of how they are going to use the reports in another paper on the site. Although it is long - it is worth reading as a set of goals to achieve more balanced results in teaching students.
Analysis by Massapequa showed that deficiencies in one particular area was the main reason students were not taking other courses that would benefit them the most in their future.
This deficiency was in English and their ability to read and write with comprehension at a mature level . The lack of this skill is very evident today in the pre-employment marketplace. It is one of the main points that I make when I attend the Career Day sessions with students throughout this area[/b] As the paper reveals - testing for bragging about results is less beneficial to the students than testing with analysis.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 25, 2005 20:52:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the link! It was interesteing to read, even though a bit outdated. I'd like to see a revised one with current scores. Here is the direct link to their site www.msd.k12.ny.us/Oh...and I noticed the flags are gone from our site
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Post by rinx on Oct 25, 2005 22:00:58 GMT -5
Not to get off topic but did any of you check out their (Massapequa's) audit report? Doesn't look anything like ours did.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 26, 2005 8:20:49 GMT -5
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Post by justfacts on Dec 8, 2005 12:38:55 GMT -5
For those of you who haven't been there in a while:
Please got to the School District Web site and check out the revised arangement for the Minutes.
Someone is paying attention to this site (and the recent comment from Go Plainedge! about putting the minutes in date order) and then cleaning up the School District site. It looks one heck of a lot better than before. Congratulations from all of us is in order to the person that did this great job!
See! - If we do work together and listen to each other, it can result in better Web sites and maybe even better budgets!
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Post by techie on Dec 16, 2005 6:45:45 GMT -5
Good Morning,
Has anyone been to the Board Meeting last night that can give us some information? Let's make sure that what we post can be verified by (either / both), people at the meeting, or the Minutes of the Meeting,(when we get them) so as to keep the Community informed , and not have mis-information produced.
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Post by justfacts on Jan 12, 2006 9:33:35 GMT -5
From the plaintalkonline.com site:
A report on the Current Topics of the January 10, 2006 Working Board Meeting Activities:
Note: We realize these are not official "minutes" of the meetings, but lacking those which will be a month or two in coming out, we take them as a reliable record of what a person who attended the meeting thought had transpired.
There are three areas, in addition to the prior one on the "one vote issue" that are worth more comment. They are:
"1. 2006 / 2007 Budget Preparation: The Budget preparation is in progress. The Board is working with Boces to aid in the projections on salaries. Board Member, Cathy Flanagan asked about not working on Zero Based Budgeting. Board Member, Frank Presuto requested to freeze the 1.7 million dollars in the Fund Balance. The External Auditor advised not to utilize the Fund Balance. Dr. Richman explained that the funds should stay in reserve for accounts that become under-funded because "you don’t know what the revenue stream would be". He mentioned that only once has the budget passed on the first vote and that is not healthy to do two votes.
10. Discussion of New Monthly Reports: The new monthly reports on expenditures are now featured as summary reports with account codes for any vendor over $10,000.
During the discussion, Mr. Raymond requested to see copies of the school’s monthly bank statements. Both Dr. Richman and Mr. Mallow opposed his request. Dr. Richman cited staffing issues as a reason. Mr. Mallow just opposed.
11. Resignation of the Internal Auditor: The Internal Auditor firm decided to resign to focus on a different practice of accounting. Dr. Rufo is currently interviewing a new firm."
Comment on 11. It is worrisome to me that now the "Internal Audit Firm" chooses to leave. The is the last in a chain of financial persons to leave recently. The first was Jeff Burns, who oversaw the Bond issue expenditures and many other major expenditures, including much of the Budget transactions. The next was Ida Burtk who keep the books for all expenditures in the District. Now with the Internal Auditors gone, there is no personal link to all those past transactions. This happens to be one of the highlight signs in the County Comptroller's Handbook or checkout list of whether your School District is in trouble of not. Maybe just a coincidence of timing - maybe not.
Comment on 10. With regard to the New Monthly reports being treated as summary reports for accounts over $10,000. It was a favorite saying of my first financial mentor - "The Devil is in the Details!" Now, we are leaving them out? Strange!
Also, it is the right and duty of any one or all of the Trustees on an institution to see, not only Bank Statements, but also any or all returned checks on demand. It is their ass that is on the line - they can be personally sued by any person in the District for up to the full amount of the Budget if any malfeasance went on during their "watch".
It is routine for many good Trustees to even check Invoices against Receiving Tickets - just to spot check that all is OK with the procedures and processes of handling public monies. A trustee doesn't need the permission of anyone to do these checks and balances. His request for them is actually a demand that must be met. And, so sorry Charlie (Richman), if it takes effort to do - that is no excuse for not doing it to safeguard the Public's money. Do it!
It was in the Amityville School District not so long ago (late 90's) that the request to see an actual returned check revealed it had been "kited" by adding a "1" in front of the $345 authorized to be written on the check. It had been cashed for $1,000 more than authorized! This "Audit" turned up many more serious transgressions for which the State Comptroller, Allen Hevesie, issued his report of deficiencies.
Comment on 1. There is no such thing as being able to "freeze" as Mr. Presuto requested, or to retain, as Dr. Richman explained, money in the Fund Balance that is unencumbered and is in excess of the cap value of 2% of the Budget (it must be under $1.1Million, not the $1.7 Million level quoted!). A given amount of unencumbered Fund balance money can be dedicated by a Board Resolution and vote to one of nine* specific purposes and only those purposes. Once in an Encumbered Account of specifically fixed size, purpose and time duration - all financial transactions with the Fund are under strict financial controls and reporting requirements, including for interest earned on those specific funds held in this separately maintained and controlled account..
They are NOT "slush fund" monies - as implied in Dr. Richmand's statement of " for accounts that become underfunded" - which is just a fancy way of saying "for accounts in which we overspent".[/i]
Once the need for which the Encumbered account was created is fulfilled, any money left over must go back into the unencumbered accounts in the General Fund. Any money in the unencumbered account at the end of the Fiscal year that is over the "reserve" amount of 2%, must be returned to the taxpayer first and foremost. The School can not become a Bank endlessly accruing money from the taxpayer for "future uses"[/u]. The 2% limit is set up so that there are funds available, not in excess of that amount, for unexpected or sudden expenses which were not forecast in the Budget or are residing in the Encumbered Accounts. That amount of 2% has been deemed necessary and sufficient for normal School District operations by State Law. Anything in excess of 2% can't be frozen or otherwise held onto, especially for later designation as an "Encumbered Account".
"Tain't legal Charlie!" (Richman) - no matter what you personally want. Board Members that go along with your concept can be personally sued for misuse of public funds!
* The nine Funds allowed are: Worker's Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, Repair Reserve for Capital equipment, Capital Reserve for expected costs to issue Bonds , Insurance reserve (%5 of Budget each year), Property Loss & Liability Claims (3% of Budget total), Residual Debt Service from Property sales, A 10 year Fund reserve from Property Sale for gradual tax reductions, Refund of over taxation reserve (Tax Certiorari) for a 4 year period - not a factor in Nassau County since the County pays this, not the School District.
As you can see, not all Encumbered Accounts will have money in them at this time in Plainedge, only three of four of them are expected to be funded.
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