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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 17:35:19 GMT -5
Hey ACE!!!
Thank you administrator....I don't think that OUR COMMMUNITY FORUM is any place to post that vulgar info about her penchant for some kind of wacky therapy...leave that stuff at home...please. There may be kids that read this...we wouldn't want to expose them to that kind of stuff now would we???
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by justfacts on Sept 18, 2005 18:43:31 GMT -5
Hi,
There's a bit of info that I'd like your help in tracking down. You made a reference about what I said at a block party with regard to what I believe.
Now, can't speak about what my son did or did not say, nor can I speak about how he voted. But I do know for sure how I voted, and I do know what I said about that.
The statement you made in the post was:
Mr. Ed, if you really believe that perhaps you and your son should not be bragging at block parties how you got the budget defeated.
That statement is simply and definitely not a true statement.
I have never said "I got the budget defeated" Please help me trace, if you can, the source of that untruth.
I have said to some, even though it is no one's business but my own, how I voted. And the other untruth I've often heard, is that I voted NO.
Now be reasonable - how could any one know how I or you voted? None can take anyone else's word for how they voted because common sense tells us that there is no verifiable audit trail for how each of us voted - in any legal election. One must just take (or reject) the other person's word for it.
And yet, I have told some how I voted and why I voted that way. I came to a decision on the Saturday before the last vote, when the corrected Contingency Budget information was quietly mailed to the public in the "Remember to Vote" flyer from the District.
This was the one that showed the Board was planning to reduce the Administration portion of the budget to the proper amount (after first showing that no cuts in administration were planned, in violation of the required Cap ratios - a violation that I filed an appeal to the Commissioner of Education about a few days before the flyer was sent)
This last minute change would result in a planned restoration of $307,000 to the Programs portion of the Contingency budget - if followed.
And it made up my mind for me to not use the budget as a way to get the Board to respond to correcting budget errors.
I would use factual information, obtained through District publications and information that had been filed with the State, and distribute it as widely as possible. Attempts to reveal some errors in the prior year's budget meetings resulted in outright lies from the administration that were an insult to an adult's intelligence.
And, if letting the conflicting or erroneous information be widely seen failed, I would continue to use my right to complain to the Commissioner of Education through the Appeal process.
I would not reject the budget as a means to get the District's attention, or for personal feelings or spite. And that's what led me to vote YES on the last budget. I could effect changes beyond the limited power of one vote.
It was the majority of the Plainedge public that voted NO to the budget, for reasons of their own, that got the budget defeated. Most voters that I talk with laid the blame for the defeat directly at one cause: The Budget was resubmitted without change.
Shall we take an informal poll on the Forum about whether Ed Dowdell caused the budget defeat - or did the refusal to reduce the budget cause its defeat?
If this Forum is considered to be too biased, why not a simple survey mailing to each household with the question? (Return postage included)
So please help me to set both those falsehoods to rest. I found that I have more powerful and direct means to use than to just say NO with one out of thousands of votes.
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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 18:55:02 GMT -5
Don't believe it. You wouldn't listen to a talking horse now would you??
Vote YES.
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
Love Y'all,
JD
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 18, 2005 19:53:55 GMT -5
If I see a sensible budget - no problem.
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Post by techie on Sept 18, 2005 19:56:01 GMT -5
JD, You May have some points to consider on some topics, as I am always open to new thoughts. When you say "Just Vote YES" you forget that the next Budget for the kids is not now. We should all start to get into a better association where we can help to devise, contribute to and design a SOUND, FINANCIAL, COST EFFECTIVE BUDGET that will benefit the children of this district and all the taxpayers.
With that said, let's move on.
I came accross an idea that KW a former BOE Member had about changing the Tax Structure on Long Island. This idea as I understand is to take ALL the Commercial/Business Tax in EACH district in Nassau County and "POOL" it together. This would give back to each district an even reduction in tax credit. (lower for us) WE spend OUR money in other districts on Long Island because we do not have the commercial businesses here. such as Malls, Strip Malls, Golf Courses,Super Markets, etc... They benefit from our cash dollars and we get nothing in return. They get a lower tax levy on our spending. I think that KW had/has a very interesting idea that we should investigate further. The politicians may think that the voters in a certain area may be upset with this idea, but in reality the LARGER amount of voters in this county and in suffolk would benefit and this would mean more votes for any Politician that helped to back this change.
This is one idea that may make it easier on the taxpyers here, and still we would be able to afford MORE ,( in a responsible manner) for the Education and Activities for our kids.
KW, if you read this forum can you give us more information on your plan?
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Post by frawg88 on Sept 18, 2005 20:37:16 GMT -5
Thumbs up to “arascabe” for telling it like it is. Those of us that are advocates for children and education (and who voted YES for the budget) are sick and tired of all of the negativity that is so pervasive in this town. When will it ever stop? People need to channel all this wasted energy into things that are positive and productive. If all of you really feel that Plainedge is such a horrible school district then do the rest of us a favor… find a town where taxes never go up, where the entire school district can be run by just one person, and where every resident is an expert on every topic… and MOVE ! Just post the moving dates on this website and we’ll be glad to come over to help you pack and give you a lovely send-off.
1) To “jdevola”: Here are the 2005 test scores you asked for. People with a genuine interest in education have signed up to the school district’s e-mail distribution list and automatically get this data when it is published. (There’s a link from the plainedgeschools.org website.)
- 4th grade score on the ELA test ranks Plainedge as #9 in Nassau County (out of 53 districts), and #15 on Long Island (out of 118). - 8th grade score on the ELA test ranks Plainedge as #8 in Nassau County (out of 45 districts), and #8 on Long Island (out of 105). - 8th Grade NYS Social Studies Assessment - 95% passing with 36% at Level 4. - 9th Grade Regents Math A Exam - 96% passing with 43% at Mastery (this number is district-wide & includes all 9th grade special education students); 287 students out of 299. - Regents Foreign Language (Spanish, Italian, French) Exam - 100% passing with 87% at Mastery (85 or higher); 212 students took the exam with 182 scoring over 85 and 18 students earning 100%.
2) To “yruohk”:
I’m curious as to why you didn’t find any of these academic statistics given at the school board meeting newsworthy, or the fact that we had 17 out of 22 scholar athlete teams last year. I’m also curious as to why you consider yourself qualified to be the community’s unofficial source for school district information when you don’t even have kids in school and therefore have no regular interaction with the schools. (Oh yeah, come to think of it… neither does “justfacts.”)
3) To “justfacts”:
I can’t believe you actually posted this statement: “No Library?, then no library tax money approved by the voters to go to the school.” Are you trying to make people believe that when they vote on the library budget each May that the money is going to the SCHOOLS? If so, I suggest you dust off a dictionary at your library and look up the word "FACT."
Also, FYI – I’ve been a library card holder from the public library in my zip code as well as the Plainedge Public Library and receive both newsletters, and it didn’t cost me a cent. If the Plainedge Public Library closed, all of the materials and resources in it will still belong to the Plainedge community, and could be incorporated into the 5 school libraries. If high school kids can wash millions of cars every weekend they could easily volunteer to stock and catalog library materials in the schools and at the same time meet community service requirements for their various clubs and societies. It’s been a grueling summer trying to raise money. If given the choice to spend $300 on a public library or to spend it on the schools to restore the programs and services that were denied our children by the negative and vindictive people in this community, it will be a no-brainer. Our children can obtain books/tapes and do research very easily by other means; but they cannot recover from losing the things that earn them scholarships which fulfill their dreams, and which also save families thousands of dollars in tuition costs.
4) To “administrator”:
You’ve underestimated this community’s intelligence. Judging from the junk I see on this site, it’s evident that all you are doing is providing another opportunity for people to spread negativity, incorrect information and make anonymous criticisms and accusations. We deserve better.
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Post by elphaba65 on Sept 18, 2005 20:56:33 GMT -5
frawg88,
I hope you can hear my applause!
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Post by concerned on Sept 18, 2005 21:26:14 GMT -5
Jdavola wrote: IT IS AN ISSUE AT THIS TIME....PEOLPLE ARE WASHING CARS TRYING TO MAKE UP THE MONEY THE NO VOTERS TOOK AWAY!!!!
I voted yes. I was torn up to the last minute how to vote. If I had voted no, it would have been because the taxes have gone up so significantly over a 5 year period. I find your remark to be highly insulting. Anyone who voted no did not vote no to take away from the children. I'm confident they voted no as a way of saying they just can't keep digging in any deeper when there seems to be no end at sight. Everyone else is asked to keep paying more and more and more. But, notice that the administration, as good as they are, still didn't hesistate to get healthy increases, which probably didn't reflect merit increases, bonuses, etc. In addition, two administrators, including the Chief Technology Person, appeared on the charts as having earned over $104,000 this year, which means they weren't earning that last year. So, again, healthy increases. I'm not saying people don't deserve increases, but during potential times of austerity, wouldn't you think you'd try to save a little bit from every single place possible. In addition, if everyone is so confident that the salary levels paid to administration is justified, why not make that a coffee hour. I have learned we have fabulous people on board who deserve their salaries. But, it also seems awfully secretive that during the three budget meetings, those numbers were never presented. They just suddenly appeared in the massive packet of budget information and then when people in the community began to ask questions, no one ever gave straight answers. Then again, I guess it would be hard to say the Tech. person earned their increase, when the site has been down, and the explanation is that they Tech person has no web site background....but, it's really not her fault. The admin and the BOE gave her her increase so good for her and everyone else who got it. But, maybe next year, it could be a focus of the coffee hour. The new job descriptions on line was a nice addition to helping explain how much falls on certain people's plates. And, I want to caution we don't lump all admin. into one pool, since several of them clearly stand on their own merit and we truly should be thankful for them.
I give great applause to those who have washed cars. I just fear that people will only expect them to do this again next year.
And, another thing, if you want to talk about the library not posting things, why doesn't someone pass a referendum that the Parent Teachers Association should simply send home flyers telling people to vote - as opposed to telling them "to vote yes". Nothing infuriates me more than having someone take away my freedom of choice. I dare to say that more people saw that flyer than anything posted in the library, since you have clearly indicated no one goes to the library.
The opportunity for discussion is great on this forum, but please be sensitive to those who said "no". It doesn't mean they deserve to have scarlet letters hung on their necks. Everyone has their reasons and each person's reasons should be respected. If you antagonize the no voters enough, rather than showing them the merits of a "yes" vote and showing how the board and admin. has worked to really cut areas next year, I'm confident the "no" vote will be even higher, despite how many people are out there washing cars, etc.
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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 21:42:21 GMT -5
Hey concerned!!!
Re-Read my posts. Don't put words in my mouth. I never said people don't use the library. I think Plainedge residents should have it all.
I also said be informed...don't listen to a talking horse...go to the source...there is much BOGUS info going around...
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 21:47:37 GMT -5
Hey concerned!!
Better check those flyers from the PTA...The only ones I got from the PTA was a reminder to VOTE....I never saw one advocating to vote either way....If you have one...bring it to a boe meeting...I'd love to see it..but I'll tell you...I think the PTA is all about kids, so you tell me what they would like the outcome to be....
And I AM a sensitive type...can't you tell???
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by concerned on Sept 18, 2005 22:14:18 GMT -5
Jdavola - My apologies. I meant to write the Plainedge Federation of Teachers. Those flyers definitely said to vote yes (it may have been a clip-art type item on the flyer itself). Again, my apologies to anyone on the PTA - wasn't referring to you!
If I have any flyers, I'll be happy to present them at an upcoming board meeting. Thanks.
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Post by concerned on Sept 18, 2005 22:17:34 GMT -5
Jdavola-What did you think about the coffee hour topic? I don't think the topics are set yet. A review of job descriptions, salaries, etc. could be a useful topic to help with the budget process next year. Better to address it head on early than let people get all uptight about it at the very end of the budget process next May.
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Post by justfacts on Sept 18, 2005 22:18:30 GMT -5
Hi frawg88,
Welcome to the Forum.
In your post you said that you couldn't believe a sentence that was in a prior post I made.
Here is that statement in its full context. It was made as a clarification to those who came to a Library Board meeting worried because they said they had heard from a School Board member that; "if the library was shut down, then its budget money would go to the sports program."
The full Statement: "Those that would try to implant the idea that the Library budget money could be transferred into other Programs at the school, are either trying to mislead the people they talk to satisfy their own purposes, or they are just plain ignorant - of the facts.
No Library?, then no library tax money approved by the voters to go to the school. Plus! now each family that uses the library and needs more than one library card, will pay twice as much as the Plainedge Library costs. More cards, more money paid."
Now, we both know how reliable rumors are. But we also know that some people are influenced in their voting decision by them. That is why I addressed the subject as shown in its full context, and that is why the first part of the second paragraph has a question mark. (No Library?, then no . . . .) refutes the false claim that this would happen
It is a factual answer to the claim made by one person to others; that the independently voted upon, levied and collected library money could be transferred to school purposes. As you have stated, and I know, this can't happen. [/i]
I apologize to any and all if I did not express this in the best way. This is one rumor presented as "fact" that I dispelled at the Library Board meeting by the few that were frightened enough by the "Closing the Library" statements to come to a Library Board meeting.
I have not verified the source of the rumor that they stated (one particular board member) because my main goal was to reduce their worry (and possible wrong vote because of their anger), not to go to a witch hunt with only "He said-She said" results.
I believe it is more important to get the proper info to the public - Library funds are separately approved by the voters, levied, collected and should be in a segregated account from school funds.
I was not trying to say library money went to the schools, I was refuting the rumor that that could occur - so no need to dust off the dictionary. However, since you bring it up - indeed the funds collected by the Town do first go to the school. They are the entity in the District that has the power to levy taxes, some for the School and some for the Library, according to voters approval.
How this system operates is information that he residents should be more clearly informed about. So, now that we're on the topic, here goes.
Jim Stefanich, the Receiver of taxes for the Town of Oyster Bay is the source of the Statement:
"When I get the taxes by November 10th, I proportionately divide them according to the approved levy for each District and then cut a check for each District. With each check to each District, I show what portion of the money is for the Library. Last year, of the total money sent to Plainedge, we showed that 4.86% was to be set aside for the Library as their part of the levy. It is up to the District to segregate those monies into a separate account for Library purposes."
From that point, by a several decade old agreement between many libraries and schools, the District would take funds from that account on a monthly basis to meet the library's monthly vouchers - so bills could be paid. This year that agreement has been changed.
The School has not passed library funds to the Plainedge Public library as required by NY State Local Fiscal Law. Since the beginning of its fiscal year, the library is using up money in its fund balance, set aside over the year's for aging boiler replacement and elevator replacement. This equipment has been in place since 1969 and needs to be replaced since it no longer is repairable. The fund balance has been depleted since July 1 in order to keep the library doors open.
The matter is being resolved between the two Boards at the attorney level. We, at the Library look forward to a speedy resolution of this major problem with funding.
This latter information presented here, will not get into a "he-said, she-said" justification at this time. When the matter is resolved, the Community will have access to these public records.
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Post by jdavola on Sept 18, 2005 22:33:37 GMT -5
Hey Concerned!!
No problem. Thanks for showing some love. I did not see any PFT flyers, but would imagine that any organized labor outfit will want things to come out in a manner that would benefit its members.
As far as the coffee hour, my Doctor won't let me have any caffeine..he says it makes me crazy....but I think that topic may be too much to cover in such a short time...with any salary and benefit discussions you have to realize that this invoved many hours of negotiations between many parties...
Peace out. Remember...pray for the victims.
JD
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Post by Admin on Sept 19, 2005 8:01:21 GMT -5
author=frawg88 To “administrator”:
You’ve underestimated this community’s intelligence. Judging from the junk I see on this site, it’s evident that all you are doing is providing another opportunity for people to spread negativity, incorrect information and make anonymous criticisms and accusations. We deserve better.
Apparently you're right. The forum doesn't need a user with three separate names (as stated in the policy). Please choose ONE!
Let me know which name you'd like to keep. The other will be deleted.
Have a great day!
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