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Post by justfacts on May 28, 2006 21:08:28 GMT -5
Wildrover Glad to know there's still someone "out there" Thanks! Ed. Who's getting the 30¢ on the dollar cut from the Budget money?
Even some of the Banks and Credit Card companies aren't taking that much!
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Post by patriot2415 on May 29, 2006 7:13:07 GMT -5
Ed, we are all here. As The wild one said, just catching up on things.
Here is what I am waiting for:
1.The BOE to come here and start discussing issues with us. 2. The BOE to start calling "unofficial" town hall meetings with the community to continue what the COMMUNITY started: open communications to speak about buildings swaps, building extensions, salaries, which administrators/teachers the COMMUNITY feels it wants to keep, replace and reward..it is OUR MONEY. 3. For the BOE to start sharing THEIR ideas as to how to TRIM the budget next year.
My tanks are almost refilled, and the community stands ready to make things better.....
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Post by justfacts on May 29, 2006 8:14:45 GMT -5
patriot2315 & wildrover
So glad to see the signs of life. There have been posted under the Board Member thread, specific areas noted for the BOE to examine and it will take time for them to respond.
The Agendas for next meetings are set for certain things to happen, almost by tradition, so I don't expect them to pay much attention to the community's needs in those meetings - unless the community goes to the meetings and asks for replies to legitimate financial questions.
What has to happen is for them to break with tradition and turn their attention to these new tasks - in addition to their "old" work. That'll only occur if the audience for the meetings is large enough, and vocal enough to ask for that to happen.
Their activity will reduce during the "summer break" and that is a good time for the individual "financial experts" on the BOE to look into the financial control lapses that have occurred.
That's why it is important to get them started in these first few meetings after "Budget time", even if they can't give answers right away. Give them the "Game Plan" before the game begins!
Waiting until the fall to demand their attention to these financial control matters, or letting them choose their own items to pay attention to, will dilute the efforts to correct the main cause of our problems - weak and ever changing financial controls and reporting. Don't send the BOE team out to play without our Game Plan!
Pressure "up front" and telling them the planned directions - are what is needed now to get the BOE team off to a good start.
Ed.
It will be a new Plainedge - the start has been made and its capabilities demonstrated!
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Post by concerned on May 29, 2006 19:09:13 GMT -5
So, you are saying that at a meeting the topic of someone having their e-mail tapped into and redirected to a Board Member's house was discussed. In addition, the district said that someone who no longer works for the district did this? I missed all of this...when did this first come to light? Is it true or just a rumor?
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Post by justfacts on May 29, 2006 20:10:10 GMT -5
concerned
The very "filtered" comments about this non-rumor appear in the minutes of a Board meeting: MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUSINESS MEETING, April 27, 2006. They can be seen (as yet) on the School District site.
What has already been posted on this site has more details, essentially, about 60 e-mails from at least two BOE members that were pressuring the Administration in the last few meetings, were forwarded to the home e-mail address of another Board member. That redirection of e-mails can't be an accidental act. The change was done intentionally - and most likely "under willful direction".
Draw your own conclusions!
Ed.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 29, 2006 21:40:30 GMT -5
From the school website:
Board of Education Minutes BUSINESS MEETING - April 27, 2006
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUSINESS MEETING April 27, 2006
At the regular Business Meeting of the Board of Education of the Plainedge Union Free School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau, N.Y., held at Plainedge High School, No. Massapequa, N.Y. on April 27, 2006 there were:
Present: Mr. Mallow Mrs. Giardina Mrs. Flanagan Mr. Pascarella Mr. Raymond Mrs. Zinke Mr. Presuto
Also Present: Dr. Richman, Ms. P’Simer, Dr. Rufo, Mrs. Ripley, and approximately 85 interested persons.
Mr. Mallow opened the meeting at 8:05 PM
Mr. Pascarella moved, seconded by Mr. Raymond to approve the Minutes of March 14, 2006 and March 16, 2006. The motion was approved 7-0.
Dr. Richman announced that the presentation on the Annual School Report Card would be
postponed until May when the embargo on this document is removed by the Commissioner
of Education.
Superintendent’s Report Report on Learning Dr. Richman introduced the building principals who presented their Sixty Seconds of Success
noting the accomplishments, special events, and student achievements from the previous
month. Dr. Richman informed the community of a conversation he had with John Hildebrand of News- day in which he expressed his dismay with Mr. Hildebrand’s negative reporting on school districts, especially preceding the budget vote. Upon Mr. Hildebrand’s denial that this is not his intention, Dr. Richman volunteered to email him with his critique of Mr. Hildebrand’s future columns. Additionally, Dr. Richman spoke with Carolyn James of the Massapequa Post on details of the 2006/2007 school budget for an article to appear in that paper.
Dr. Richman announced Carol Muscarella’s resignation as CSE Chairperson concurrently with her appointment as John H. West Principal upon Mr. Faust’s retirement.
The Board will be accepting resumes from qualified individuals to serve on the district’s Audit Committee until May 2, 2006. Information will be posted on the district’s website and on Dr. Richman’s listserv.
The PTA will be hosting this year’s Meet the Candidate Night on Monday, May 8, 2006 at 8:00 PM in the Board Room. Questions will be solicited ahead of time and can be submitted either online through the PTA Council or in writing on an index card, placed in an envelope marked Meet the Candidate Night PTA Council and placed in any PTA mailbox.
Mrs. Ripley once again presented the video on Student Achievement. Mr Raymond attended the PFT sponsored We Make a Difference Awards and thanked them for their commitment to the community. Mr. Mallow attended a PPAC Meeting and thanked the PPAC, on behalf of the Board, for their signs, coordination, hard work and determination in getting the budget passed. Mr. Frank Presuto read a prepared statement regarding BOE email correspondence. A discussion followed with statements by Mr. Raymond and other members of the BOE.
Questions on the agenda included: BOE email investigation, Code of Ethics signed by all BOE Members, FOIL request for emails in question, $9,000 received from Nassau County for wrestling mats, Budget signs available for community, BOE members to be accessible on May 13th community rally and car wash. Mrs. Flanagan moved, seconded by Mr.Pascarella to approve Agenda Items #1-20 under New Business. The motion passed 7-0.
New Business: 1. Personnel Action Report RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves the appointments, resignations, terminations, elimination of positions, transfers, and leaves of absence as detailed in the Professional Personnel Action Report attached as Appendix D & Appendix E. 2. Recommendations of the Committee on Preschool Special Education and Recommendations of the Committee on Special Education RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education accepts the recommendations of the Committee on Preschool Special Education and Committee on Special Education as to classification, evaluation, and education program as contained in the identified cases on file in the Office of Special Education, presented to the Board of Education by Ms.Mona Tobin, Chairperson of the Committee on
Preschool Special Education and Committee on Special Education.
3. Co-Curricular and Coaching Appointments – 2005 and 2006
RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves the following co- curricular and coaching appointments for the 2005-2006 school year with compen- sation as provided in the collective bargaining agreement with the Plainedge Feder-
ation of Teachers:
Chaperones Mary Kennery Margaret Babyatzky Rosemary Bonserio Eugenia Avgeris Andria Auletta Alexis Daleo SangMi Fahnestock Elena O’Connell Juliana Fillinger Elaine Calceglia Barbara Fisch Mary Cirillo Dorothy Molinari Carol Cohen Maura Kaufmann Joellen Smith
4. Appointment of Per Diem Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following personnel as a substitute teacher on a per diem basis for the 2005-2006 school year with compensation as provided in Administrative Regulation #6840R: Name Effective Date Debra Wrynn March 20, 2006 Steven Bromberg-Resident Sub March 22, 2006 Amy Salem May 12, 2006 5. Health Service Contracts RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the contract with South Huntington Union Free School District for providing health services for Plainedge resident students attending non-public schools located in the South Huntington Union Free School District for the 2005/2006. 6. Contract Agreement RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the Implementation Agree- ment between Plainedge UFSD and Nassau County for a capital projects grant established by the Community Revitalization Program. 7. Appointment of Assistant District Clerk RESOLVED, that Paul Shannon be designated as Assistant District Clerk on Saturday, May 13, 2006 for the purpose of inspection of registration books. 8. Appointment of Election Inspectors RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves the appointment of Election Inspectors for the May16, 2006 election. 9. 2006/2007 Board of Education Meeting Calendar RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves their 2006/2007 meeting calendar. 10. Budget Transfers RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves budget transfers, in accordance with Board Policy #6150. 11. Audit Committee Charter RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the Plainedge UFSD Audit Committee Charter. 12. Appointment of Election Chairperson RESOLVED, that Richard C. Mallow be appointed Election Chairperson for the May 16, 2006 Annual School District Election. 13. BOCES Cross Contract RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the cross contract with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES for the On Line Application System (OLAS) for the 2006/2007 school year. 14. Tuition Contract RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the tuition contract with Bethpage Union Free School District for providing specialized educational services for a Plainedge resident student attending the Bethpage Union Free School District for the 2005/2006. 15. BOCES Technology Agreement RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approves the BOCES Technology Agreement. 16. Proposition on the Ballot for the Annual Budget Vote & Election WHEREAS, on April 17, 2006, the District Clerk received a petition from a qualified voter with the requisite signatures calling for the placement on the ballot for the May 16, 2006 annual budget vote and election of a proposition to change from separate specific seats to at-large voting commencing 2007; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education is legally required to place such proposition before the qualified voters at the May 16, 2006 annual budget vote and election. BE IT RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is directed to place the aforesaid pro- position on the ballot for the May 16, 2006 annual budget vote and election; and BE IT RESOLVED, the District Clerk is directed to publish an amended legal notice containing the text of the aforesaid proposition. 17. Health Service Contract RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the following contract with Seaford Union Free School District for providing health and welfare services for Plainedge resident students attending a non-public school located in the Seaford School District for the 2005/06 school year. 18. Teacher Assistant Contract RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve the Teacher Assistants’ Contract. 19. Acceptance of Gift RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education accept, with thanks, a check for $9,000 from Nassau County through an Inter-municipal Agreement between Plainedge Public Schools and the County to purchase wrestling mats and wall padding. 20. Contract Agreement RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education approve a salary increase and an extension of the Superintendent’s contract for an additional year, said contract will expire on June 30, 2007.
Questions from the audience: Thanks to Dr. Richman for web link to National Center for Missing Children and sex offender notification, thanks to Dan Yuengling for his work with students, Barbara Fisch read a statement regarding secretaries contract negotiations and Dr. Richman responded to the statement, raise for secretaries included in the 2006/2007 budget, emails forwarded to untended recipients does not happen accidently, community needs to come together to pass the budget.
Mr. Presuto moved, seconded by Mr. Pascarella to adjourn the meeting. The Board voted 7-0 to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Catherine Kelley District Clerk
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Post by plainedgewatcher on May 30, 2006 7:57:13 GMT -5
The entire e-mail episode is outrageous !!! It goes to the very issue of trust.
As of this writing, there has not been a good explanation as to how it happened or why it happened.
This community deserves those answers. Let's see whom on the BOE is really an advocate of the community and open communications.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Jun 3, 2006 22:46:32 GMT -5
I believe June 13th is the next BOE meeting. I think this topic needs to be brought up again for a clear, concise and detailed explanation.
This needs to be resolved BEFORE Ralph is no longer a BOE member.
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Post by plainedgewatcher on Jun 4, 2006 8:04:34 GMT -5
On May 30 I challenged the current and future BOE members to come here and explain the email issue. To provide the community a sound explanation of what really happened or agree to open this up again at the next BOE meeting. That hasn't happened. There are letters on Plaintalkonline asking for explanations.. again no responses...
It seems the current BOE members have not understood the community and it's demand for the truth and the new BOE members seem to forget their promise of MORE OPEN COMMUNICATIONS. Although they cannot do anything right now, next month they will have the ability to bring the truth to the community.. let's see if that happens.....
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Jun 4, 2006 10:01:10 GMT -5
P-Watch:
That's the problem. I think some are hoping that come July, there will be new people in place and this email issue will be forgotten about.
The June 13th meeting is the time for answers. Unfortunately, I am traveling and will not be in attendance.
ALL current (and future) BOE members have an open invitation to this MB to share their information with the community. Unfortunately, some of them have negative feelings towards this MB and view it as the anti-district message board. In fact, I believe this MB helped to played a key role in promoting the budget and HELPING the district.
Mr. Richman, Mr. Mallow and Mr. Dick were quite angry when they learned about the existence this MB last year.
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Post by justfacts on Jun 4, 2006 11:53:23 GMT -5
It is only fitting that Richman, Mallow, Giardino and Dick be angry about this Message Board - it brings viewpoints other than there own in front of the community and challenges the weaknesses in their arguments!
For instance - this latest "Jim did it!" is easily challenged by ~ WHY? What was his motive? What was in it for him?
And, now the this "Jim" is gone from the District (how convenient!) there can be no questioning of him and answers from him!
But we should not be too concerned with getting answers from the BOE and administration about the blatant wire tapping that went on. It should be up to the District Attorney the charge "Jim" with that felony crime. When that happens we can be sure "Jim" will rat out all the answers and all the participants, rather than take the fall himself as the Administration would like.
Then the truth about who gave him the direction to tap the e-mails will come out - and those behind the felony and misdemeanor activities can be punished! When are those who were tapped going to press charges with the DA? That's the only thing that will change all this talk into action!
We should all call Peter Mancuso of the Nassau County District Attorney's Office (516-571-2100) to find out if he has added this e-mail wire-tapping to the list of things he is investigating about the Plainedge School District! His e-mail address is; pete.mancuso@nassauda.org
I've called (out of office) and e-mailed with no reply forthcoming. It will only be responded to when there is a flood of calls and e-mails! When will you add to the tide of pressure on him?
Ed.
;D It is only the squeaking wheel that gets the oil! ;D
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Post by patriot2415 on Jun 7, 2006 8:57:34 GMT -5
Go..you are correct...
The fact that NO current or future BOE member have answered our requests for clarification on the email issue sheds light on the future of the board... NO CHANGE in their attitude towards the community!!!!!! It is extremely disappointing!!! The Plainedge Community has spoken on how it wants the administration and BOE to act. The Community has shown it's willingness to work together and understands the power that they now have over THEIR MONEY and DECISIONS that affect THEIR District. Both the administration and the BOE need to remember that they work FOR THE COMMUNITY and ANYTHING that happens within the administration or the BOE needs to be reported to the community and resolved to the communities agreement.
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Post by rinx on Jun 7, 2006 17:31:54 GMT -5
Go..you are correct... The fact that NO current or future BOE member have answered our requests for clarification on the email issue sheds light on the future of the board... NO CHANGE in their attitude towards the community!!!!!! It is extremely disappointing!!! The Plainedge Community has spoken on how it wants the administration and BOE to act. The Community has shown it's willingness to work together and understands the power that they now have over THEIR MONEY and DECISIONS that affect THEIR District. Both the administration and the BOE need to remember that they work FOR THE COMMUNITY and ANYTHING that happens within the administration or the BOE needs to be reported to the community and resolved to the communities agreement. F'in A-Right!
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Jun 7, 2006 20:06:18 GMT -5
Phil:
I mean no disrespect towards you and everyone else that worked so hard to get the budget passed. But, now that the budget has passed, I feel like all of the promises by the BOE (past, current and future) and administration were nothing by empty promises to lead us on so that we would promote the budget towards passing.
We deserve better than this. If people like you didn't push as mush as you did, they would have been in a VERY awkward position right now.
"....Ya been took!
Ya been hoodwinked!
Bamboozled!
Led astray!....."
Malcolm X
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Post by patriot2415 on Jun 8, 2006 9:00:38 GMT -5
Go, I do not think I nor anyone involved over the past few months were misguided or taken in by the administration or BOE. What we as a community need to do is to hold them to the very words that are on tape. To see just what type of people we are dealing with. They have a VERBAL CONTRACT with the residents of the Plainedge community!!!
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