New School Board member appointed

[Admin]

As per plainedgeschools.org...

"The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Presuto to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Thomas Dick. Mr. Presuto will serve until the end of June, 2005."

[concerned]

Wow, I didn't know this. Did I miss a board meeting? I thought they had planned to announce it at the next board meeting and I thought those meetings were next week. Then again, the days are all just a blur right now.....

[concerned]

Also, does anyone know anything about him that they can share? Has he been involved in the board meetings, community, etc.? Just curious. Thanks.

[techie]

"Administrator and Concerned"

Don't you think it humorous, I mean about "Dr. Richman's" post on the school website?

Frank Presuto Named To Board of Education
Posted on Wednesday, November 09 @ 16:07:17 EST by jrichman

Board of Education The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Presuto to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Thomas Dick. Mr. Presuto will serve until the end of June, 2005.

It seems that this well paid individual can't get his numbers correct at ANY time. In a little blurb about a Board position being filled (which I think is very important) he can't even get the right year!
If he is careless about this, it shows that what we have found in the past with his numbers is a trait that is ingrained well in his work.

[techie]

I just thought that I would add this email that went out to a few of us after my last post.


[/b]

Hi one and all,

Just in case you haven't seen the recent post by techie on the Unofficial forum: plainedgechat.proboards57.com/index.cgi, I thought I'd e-mail you a cut and past of the actual post by Richman on the School District notices. Plus, an observation about Richman's capability with numbers and how to improve next year's budget processs.

Here it is:
=======================================================================================================================================

Frank Presuto Named To Board of Education
Posted on Wednesday, November 09 @ 16:07:17 EST by jrichman

Board of Education The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Presuto to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Thomas Dick. Mr. Presuto will serve until the end of June, 2005.

=======================================================================================================================================

And here's his recent track record of errors with numbers;

This is the same Richman that said State Lottery aid was "about $4,000" ~ the actual State provided amount was over $1 Million more.
This is the same Richman that said a Librarian would cost $65,000 ~ then said it would cost $78,761.
This is the same Richman that said the Middle and the High School sports programs cost a total of $747,656 ~ then said they cost $701,919.
This is the same Richman that said the Library TAN cost $16,500 ~ then said it cost $27,143 ~ and charged the Library $26,598.
This is the same Richman that wrote that a second vote costs $8,000 ~ then said it costs $24,000.
This is the same Richman that wrote Total Revenues was $56,539,922 ~ then gave 4 numbers to support this which totaled $57,139,922.
This is the same Richman that wrote the Fund Balance to Reduce Tax Rate would be $600,000 on 2004/5 Budget ~ the actual amount was $0.
This is the same Richman that wrote $1,090,000 would Reduce Tax Rate last year ~ the actual amount planned to be used was $700,000.
This is the same Richman that forgot to enter $390,000 from the Packard Fund into last year's Draft Budget.
This is the same Richman that wrote the new Board Member's term was up before he was even selected!

Clearly, Dr. Richman is incapable of using, planning, estimating, remembering or even calling for help when it comes to the use of numbers. His track record is 10 serious strikeouts! ~ ~ ~ God Awful! ~ ~ ~ He also, before his first "coffe hour", had asked what could be done in this coming year to make the budgeting process better. The answer is obvious! KEEP RICHMAN totally out of the Budget loop!

Leave the Budget preparation to those subordinates that have a modicom of skill with numbers and arithmetic. Then have the Board go over all numbers and costs, independently verifying figures and costs where necessary, before they approve the proposed Budget for the public to review.

The rally cry should be: "KEEP RICHMAN AWAY FROM THE BUDGET!" He's a walking nightmare when it comes to numbers!

[Go Plainedge!]

Techie:

I saw that "typo" and didn't think much about it. I'm just as guilty when typing the year. I know I recently sent out some information to clients that pertained to 2006 and I wrote 2005.

In fact it takes me until February to get used to writing the new year.

[techie]

Go Plainedge!,

Zat iz y I pruf reed wut I post, be4 I post. Your wurds live 4eva on the internet.

All kidding aside, it may seem petty but, this "typo" is indicative of the way that this person treats information given to this community.
For a position that deals with dates and numbers for the large part of their work, I would call it careless. An important notification to the community I would think, would be well thought out and checked.

[techie]

Several people in the district have written in emails about "how" things have been changed on the Board. This email following is from another source.
One thought though, if the VP of the country stood up and said that President Bush has resigned, would we just let it happen without question?

[/b]
=====================================================
There are several items therein that show the School Board does not follow a formal meeting process as required under Robert's Rules and as done by established bodies of legislators (Congress, the House, Parliment, etc.) First, the meeting being conviened, Thomas Dick, still in office should announce his resignation - upon which he cannot set terms or conditions without Board approval (i.e. "until selection and acceptance") The Board then should Move to have a vote accepting (?rejecting?) the resignation. Convention is that this is only an acceptance - but the Move should be made and seconded - with discussions to follow - before the resignation is accepted by a formal Vote. Then, separately, the terms may be approved (or again, rejected) by the Board's Motion, Second, Discussion and finally, Vote.

Next, since Dick was still President, he should get the Board to move, second, discuss and vote upon the Vice President assuming the Presidency of the Board - with her acting as President following a positive Vote. (Swearing in is not necessary at this point) In the discussion phase is when she can decline, make a new suggestion to have Mr. Mallow asssume Presidency and bring the matter to a vote. At the Vote the Board can reject or approve her assuming and continuing the Presidency or not. If her refusal to serve is accepted by the Board (the normal Voting result) then a new Motion must be made for Mr. Mallow to assume Presidency - with the corresponding second, discussion, vote process. Assuming the vote is positive, then Mr. Mallow assumes Presidency immediately after being sworn in and should immediately call for a vote about the Vice-Presidency. Technically, having declined to fill the requirement of the Vice-President's office to assume Presidency, Mrs. Giardina defaulted on her position and should be replaced as Vice-President. That matter is subject to the motion, second, discussion and vote process. If the motion is approved, then a new Vice president is motioned, seconded, discussed and voted upon and sworn in. Mrs Giadina can't just "wish to remain" as VP - the Board must take an Action and Vote its Approval/Rejection. Having failed to meet the requirements of Office, she should not be allowed to continue in that office.

That's a long winded process - but it is what should be done. It can take but two minutes to do. Obviously, by following what was recorded in the minutes of this meeting, a majority of voting individuals on this Board had prior knowledge and discussions about the matter - and failed to follow "due process" by having determined what they would do before the meeting. That method of doing conviened Board business is a definite NO-NO according to the Open Meetings Law - but it is what was done! Discussions in front of the public and prior to a vote are such an important part of the process that they should never be circumvented. Several Board members just can't come into a meeting and operate under a prepared (scripted) set of actions which circumvent, or fail to follow, the due-process proceedure I've outlined.

Any member of the Board may present an Open Discussion Topic to clarify a process - such as Guardina did about the options available when a Board member is no longer available. That is public information and not a voting process. However, before the Board can exercise and option they must have - you guessed it! - Motioned, Seconded, Discussed and Voted to make the issue a Board decision or Action. They can't just say "We can do, or are doing, this or that" - they must make a formal Motion and take a Voting action. It's not "official" until that process takes place. One member can't just ask another member to "take-over" - the Board must Vote upon that action. Or else ~ ~ ~ It is not a Board - it's a clique!

[Go Plainedge!]

Techie:

Some of that process seems a bit tedious and the way it was handled basically "cut to the chase". BUT, I do agree that the board may be getting a little lax in their ways and means.

Secondly, I agree that Mrs. Giardina defaulted on her role as Vice President. The purpose of the VP is to assume the role of the President should the president not be able to complete or carry out his/her duties.

In my opinion, this is the characteristic of a follower and NOT a leader. A person that is a leader and VP would immediately take control of the presidency and carry on. Her decision to say "thanks but no thanks" was quite disappointing. Why bother becoming VP if you can't accept ALL of the responsibilities.

What if Mr. Cheney decided that he would pass on presidency if Mr. Bush was unable to complete his duties.....errr.... never mind.....maybe she made the right decision. ;D

[BOEBUSTR]

Is anyone going to address the legal issues about the appointment of Mr. Mallow as the president, And how Mrs. Giardina conveniently declined the office even though she was next in line for it legally ?? was this a grand plan ?? or back door politics I strongly believe this was hatched by several BOE members or should i say "the clique" that someone mentioned previously. I believe there are a lot of issues that should be raised about the behavior of the BOE and the superintendent of our school district. I know i am not the only one who sees what is going on. I believe we are on another collision course with a failed budget and the backroom politics and the remarks made should come to a halt. Why would any of the school board members be seen at any sports functions at all after threatening the voters of the community with the first Budget and then sticking the same failed budget back on the floor to fail again? then as they threatened taking all our sports programs away instead of trimming the fat, and i do mean fat from the top down. The voters of this community spoke out and where told to bad. They took are sports and they kept there jobs, gave raises to the teachers and all the parents had to raise money to save the sports in our schools. And they had the nerve to go to the games ?? That takes nerve ....or i guess they really like to rub there clout in our faces. Plainedge should come together and let this board know you cannot bully us, it will not happen. We must band together and do what needs to be done.

[justfacts]

~ ~ cunextuesday ~ ~

Welcome aboard new member!

This is the time of year that School Board and budget issues slow down in the community talk cycle - so it is a welcome event to see, and hear from, a new member to this site. Hope to hear more from you!

There are many items you mentioned that should be hammered into the Board at public meetings. They have been many similar things raised in the past and the Board still has not really made a serious attempt to respond to these items. Maybe a softer tone, or a new voice will get through to them! Are you capable of using the "Velvet Glove" technique - despite the pressing need to use a harder and bigger hammer?

Their usual come back is weak (playing "harried"), or telling how hard a job it is - which we all know it is! And almost all of us appreciate that the Board members have run for the job and are on the Board. But seemingly, nothing is done by the Board about exerting the will, goals and desires of the community upon the Administration!

At least, there seems to be little done nor openly discussed and debated at the meetings. Nothing more than apologizing for the Administration's poor performance and rubber-stamping its requests. This Board's firmness of purpose is especially needed when it comes to allocating our money more towards Programs and less towards Administration and non-educational frills and performance "Gimmicks" (to quote a well-known source of this term)

This is the source that just got another raise and a five year extension of his contract. I wonder if he also got his cash 5% "performance bonus" up front this year as he has in other years.

The fault lies however, within our own selves. There are few in Plainedge who, although very capable and able, will step up to the plate and play ball by running for a seat on the Board.

Yes!, there are many of us with enough money and business sense who, if on the Board, could have countered Dr. Richman's faulty and stupid reasoning behind not reducing last year's second budget by the amount of the Packard Fund. That would have been $390,000 less car washes ~ and maybe even allowed a reduced second budget to pass ~ his argument against doing this is so flawed even a sixth grader poked holes in it immediately!

There are also among us those that have the responsibility to lead others in our jobs - and could take the reigns over an administration , rather than being lead by the administration - or a few Board members in a clique.

I've served, and still serve, on another District Board - and the difference in meetings, debates, goal setting and leadership is dramatic.

From the viewpoint of having served more than 3 decades I can assure anyone that considers running for the Board that it is a very worthwhile effort. It is tough sledding at first - but I find it is one of the most rewarding things that I do. You too, can serve on a Plainedge Board and bring about constructive changes. It will take time, but many improvements can be made.

Then think of the added joys you would get from being a part of what our athletes have achieved this year - despite the obstacles the Administration put in their way.

Yes, it's true! Despite all the talk about the few more non-voters that were needed and voters who said NO, it really was the Administration and its terribly flawed Budget plans and actions that caused the failures of last year. The buck stopped with them when they refused to listen to the community and tried to force the same rejected budget back onto the community.

What insanity! What willful ego! What willful disrespect shown to the community! What stupidity! Buy into our 13.38% property tax increase OR ELSE! It sounds like organized crime!

Think about running next year. Or think about someone you know and trust who could do a better job than what has and is being done. Get them to run. We need persons who can think things through - and not buy into such shoddy and flawed mouthings about money and where it goes that the present Administration often presents.

It seems that he/they can't give the same costs twice in a row. Numbers are thrown about without regard to their accuracy or importance to the taxpayer and their planned use by the secondary level staff - who desperately want these funds to go to Programs!

[Go Plainedge!]

I would love to know the reason(s) why our BOE VP dismissed her responsibilities of taking on the presidency.

Perhaps one of our lurking BOE members would like to tell us. It would be great to hear from you....we promise not to bite. ;D

[BOEBUSTR]

Hey that is a good question, ?? why didn't Mrs. Giardina take the Presidency ?? hummm, A better question would be why did Mr. Dick resign from the board after just 2 months as the president ?? The 2 of them were elected on the same night (back door politics at its best)and i am sure it was planned that way. Could Mr. Dick not know he would be to busy to handle it in 2 months ? hmmm . Also many many rumors to what really happened and why he really resigned from the board hmmm. Could the rumors be true ?? If so watch out Mr Mallow you could be the next one who is to busy and resign ?? If the rumors are valid, and i suspect they are, we may even have a new superintedent soon Now that's what I'm talking about !!

[Go Plainedge!]

edit.

[areukidding]

******CUNEXTTUESDAY*******

I am new to the boards to, I have been lurking around for a while, and Just had to comment on your reply....Tell me, could this be the same rumors that are going around on the soccer fields and football fields, I am shocked that no one has posted sooner!
As per Mrs Giardino not stepping up, BAD MOVE ON HER PART, makes the rumors more valid!
Well, guess we will just have to see what Mr. Mallow will do for the community!