|
Post by techie on Sept 22, 2005 22:05:11 GMT -5
This is an excerpt of an Email today;
The School Fiscal Year and the Library Fiscal year start on July 1. The approved taxes collected from their individually approved Budgets is collected by the Town by November 10th of the same calendar year and May 10th of the next calendar year. These monies are then passed to the District by the Town within 2 to 3 weeks after receipt (time is needed for processing and cutting checks for each School District in the Town) The single check for each collection period is sent to the Plainedge District and has noted on it what percentage of the total is to be set aside in a segregated account for the Library.
There is one problem with this system. The first money to be received for the new budget expenditures is delayed by about six months from when the fiscal year begins for both the Library and for the School. To cover the expenses during that period of time, the school is empowered to enter into a contract for a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) with a bonding company. The Library, by law is not allowed to do the same for its needs. Only the District is allowed to do this.
From either the monies the school gets from the TAN and/or from other reserve funds it may choose to use, the school must turn over the needed Library Trustee requested budget money "as soon as is practicable" to the library so it may continue to operate.
So, both the Library and the School are operating on the same revenue approval, same revenue expenditure, and almost the same revenue receipt cycles - and have been doing so for decades. The only difference is the library's revenue receipt cycle is dependent upon the school's prompt transfer of the segregeted money in the Library's account - or the prompt payment by the school of monies collected from a TAN which are necessary for the operation of the library.
Any delay, beyond what is practicable, in that cycle is up to the School to control, it is not under the control of the library.
By the way, the recommendation by the Comptroller in past Opinions, is that the School take out but one TAN for both entities to reduce the TAN fees and interest costs. which are borne soly by the taxpayer. It is a more effective and efficient use of taxpayer money. There is no requirement to take out two independent TANs, that is a method to be deferred.
The School Board authorized the District to take out a $15,000,000 TAN in its May meeting of this year.
|
|
|
Post by yruohk on Sept 22, 2005 22:50:55 GMT -5
Regarding the Plainedge Public Library. Throughout the day, I had to do errands in a number of stores in the community and stopped to chat with owners whom I've known for years. We got to discussing community info and was told by a few owners they were told that there was a decision to do away with the library and wanted to know if it's true and when was it decided. Just curious, where would this information come from as though it's been decided? Who's decision could this be? Who would be telling biz owners this has been decided? Doesn't this have to be voted on? I've read some stuff here in the forum that some are suggesting this be done. I didn't think I read anywhere here that it's been decided. Any answers to why biz owners are being told it's a done deal?
|
|
|
Post by techie on Sept 23, 2005 11:23:50 GMT -5
ELPHBA65, POST #50 Sept. 20 9:24 AM REPLY
I'm wondering if you opened today's mail and saw the response to your questions about the Library Director's contract, and the "Pension" Mr. Ed is collecting?
From your post, you stated that Mr. Richman "discovered" the cost would be higher ($13,761) from the time it was first posted. For a $65,000.00 job to go up almost $14,000.00 dollars in a couple of months due to "Market Place Prices" seems a little far fetched. Maybe the numbers included in the Budget were just not accurate in the first place? This is what we want to change. Give us a Budget that can be read and makes mathematical sense and more people will vote YES. You also think that this may have included an Aid. IF an Aid is included, why is that position not listed seperately? What about asking for student volunteers for an Aid position?
Please POST the response that you have from the Library Director.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Sept 23, 2005 19:25:20 GMT -5
Frawg88-Good points. Again, we can't just stay at this forum. We have to get out to the meetings and ask these questions.
I'll help however I can.
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 23, 2005 20:51:41 GMT -5
To “concerned” and “go plainedge” I don’t think it’s far fetched at all to think that everyone can be on the same side working for the community and the children. Plainedge’s only identity is as a school district – we don’t have our own zip code and we’re made up of pieces of other towns. So, since life here really centers a round the schools, then everyone needs to band together in the true spirit of cooperation to preserve the quantity and quality of educational and extracurricular programs that we want for our children. At one of the June meetings the BOE asked for people to sign up for the lobbying effort to get more state aid, so I think that’s an indication that they are both willing to do it and asking for help to do it. But let’s not kid ourselves - this will not happen with just a few dozen people. People need to come out in numbers and be SEEN and HEARD by the legislators, because I don’t think they’ll pay attention to generic letters and e-mails. This requires more than clicking a button if we want them to take us seriously. I think a good place to start is to find out at a BOE meeting what the game plan is, the timeline, and how many people will be needed to make this an effective campaign. (Does anyone know if this is a planned topic at one of the coffee hours?) The next thing to determine after that is HOW to get people to commit to do this. I think at that point the word needs to be spread, both through the schools, and through the community to recruit people. If this forum could be used as a tool to recruit people and pass along all the details of the campaign, then it will really be doing the community a service. I agree with some of your points. However, to ask 20 people at a BOE meeting is a minimal and uncreative effort. This needs to be a "grass roots" style campaign. Passing flyer's in the morning to arriving parents, brief announcements/explanations at coffee hours, flyer's send home from school with the kids, broadcast emails with regularly scheduled reminders. Reminders and constant reinforcement is the only way you will get people involved. It's not easy and requires some leg work, but certainly needs to get started from the top and make it's way down to the masses. "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand"
|
|
|
Post by elphaba65 on Sept 25, 2005 7:57:20 GMT -5
Techie,
I am at a complete loss as to what you are saying. Please go back and reread my posting, I did not state that Mr. Richman (DR) discovered the cost would be higher, that was a quote from "just facts" that I was questioning. As far as a response from the library director, I have never written her so I have no idea what you are talking about. My question to Ed was is it true that he receives some type of pension from being a library trustee. A simple yes or no was all I asked for. I have heard that certain volunteer positions receive pensions after a number of years of service, just asking if he does. Oh Ed, by the way you never answered that question or my question as to whether you were trying to let the community belive that a school district could hire a civil service librarian.
So, if you're stating that a letter from the library went to someone that means that either Ed is shaing information with you or you too are a library trustee. Has anyone ever noticed that only one library trustee has children in our schools, amazing that they want to be the "authority" of what goes on. Your children do not attend my schools nor do you share the personal experiences that I have with teachers and staff. Please, stop claiming to be an expert on what should be offered in my school and what my child needs to be sucessful.
Now, lets get back to the library- you have so much to say about the school district's website, you might want to spend some time looking at your own website. Do you realize that you still have Carol Reece listed as the high school principal? ( God rest her soul) Joan Costanza (Ripley) is listed as the principal of the Northedge Pre-Kindergarten school, how long has that been closed? The only posting that is correct is Dr. Richman. Please also check your own site, there is a link to meet singles, is this something you want children to be able to access? A question, why isn't your budget information on your website? The April newsletter states that the budget is enclosed but it is missing from the website. With all this library talk maybe people would like to take a good look at your budget, I know I do. I would like to verify what I have heard regarding the percentage of the budget spent on salary as compared to what is spent on books. Ed, hope you can post that budget and get the website updated in a timely manner.
I have noticed that any posting that questions a - let us say misleading statement- are never answered. I am still waiting for yruohk to let us know how old those test scores were that she posted on this website and was distributed on flyers? If you do not want to let us know if you are suing the school district or not, that is your personal business and I aplogize for asking. I will just have to assume what I heard is correct.
Don't remember who but someone stated that they did attend the budget meeting before and after the vote. If you were there after the vote then you also were one of the people in the audience that pleaded with Dr. Richman and the BOE not to cut anything, put up the same budget and we would get it passed. The entire BOE then voted yes to put up the same budget. Looking back, maybe their idea of putting sports up on its own propostion would have worked, but was it a risk we were willing to take? No one in the audience that night thought it was. I know I did my two weekend of flyers, my phone calls, and anything else l I could do to get it passed. Unfortunately, we all failed.
There was a statement about Standard & Poors and Ms. Rufo, once again let's send out misleading and negative postings. If you look back at the booklet given to us at the budget meetings the report fron S & P is dated 2004, unless a year before being hired she planned it!
There was a statement about BOE members being paid. I noticed that no one corrected that. BOE members DO NOT GET PAID. A statement was also made, I think by the same person, that they do not like 4 members on the BOE. Would that be a reason to vote no for a budget? (not saying you did) I know I did not agree with eveything over the years that the two ladies who just stepped down have said, ( I don't agree with my spouse on everything either) but I do know where they stood on issues. My questions for BOE members would be on their educational philosophy, their voting records, their reasons for being on the board-politics or the concern for education? We need seven people each bringing something to the table.
If anyone really wants to learn what is TRUE, I encourage you to go to the Tuesday night meetings. You will hear the disussions that take place, see if the BOE members are prepared, learn how a decision is made. The Thursday night meeting is just a formality, voting on what was discussed Tuesday.
IF this website was intended to bring accurate information to the community it is not realizing its goal. The first posting I should have read on Friday morning is we are #1 on 4th grade scores. How amazing is that, tied with Jericho, #4 in eight grade scores, these are the FACTS that should be shouted throughout the community. Does everyone understand what per pupil expenditure is? We spend the least amount of money in any K-12 district in Nassau County educating our kids, how can we spend less than that? How can we not expect budget increases when ever other district is spending more? Look at these results, do you think they are by accident? Momma 3- an additional teacher because of class size, this is done evey year when there is an increase. Amazingly enough, some people screamed at the board for cutting what they said all year they would cut-the outer ring- they wanted to see class sizes increase instead. (BTW my child is a 12th grader so the outer ring did affect us) Those are the kind of people I would not like to see on the BOE. Why, because of their educational philosophy- larger class sizes are ok. We also are achieving these scoress with just two people in charge of curriculum, Ms. P'Simer and Ms. Ripley, yet people screamed for their positions to be cut. Our children have the capacity to become anything in life, our teachers mold their futures. I want our teachers to be the best that they can be, and that is what we are seeing. This does not happen by itself. For anyone new, Plainedge does not have Directors for the different subject areas, nor do they have chairpersons. We have the two people above who are responsible for all curriculum.
In closing, when you have questions go to the source, not people who claim they know everything. I have always found administation to be helpful. Any questions I had last year or any other year regarding the budget I called Mr. Burns, he always got back to me with an answer and I am expecting no less from Ms. Rufo this year. Call or e-mail Dr. Richman or BOE members, they have always responded to me with any questions I have had.
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Sept 26, 2005 20:02:53 GMT -5
Elphaba-You wrote "There was a statement about Standard & Poors and Ms. Rufo, once again let's send out misleading and negative postings. If you look back at the booklet given to us at the budget meetings the report fron S & P is dated 2004, unless a year before being hired she planned it!" what is this referring to? I commented at one time somewhere in these posts that she came from Standard and Poors and could assist us all with better understanding the scores, etc. that everyone keeps referring to.
Regarding your comment about the teachers, they are all excellent. No doubt. As are Chris and Joan and to that we are all fortunate. But, you comment their are no chairpersons. I thought so too. It's a matter of semantics. Their are chairs, I believe I learned last year, but they just aren't called "chairs". FYI. If I am wrong, I do hope someone corrects me. Whoever the people are who are in charge do get some form of compensation of for serving in that capacity I believe.
|
|
|
Post by rinx on Sept 26, 2005 22:20:03 GMT -5
Elpha, I agree with lots of what you posted above. The only thing that I don't agree with is the "How can we not expect budget increases when ever other district is spending more?" theme. Those other districts have more to work with then we do in this regard with businesses contributing to the tax rolls.
|
|
|
Post by elphaba65 on Oct 8, 2005 1:31:15 GMT -5
Rinx,
I agree that other districts have more to work with than us but there are only a few ways that additional revenue can be brought into our district which I have previously mentioned. I know at home my oil, lighting,food costs etc. are continually on the rise, the district faces those same increases.
If you are a long time resident you already know the changes and eliminations of programs and services in our schools to cut costs. Programs are monitored for cost and restructured whenever possible to reduce the expenditure. Unfortunately there are many things that have been eliminated and I think what young parents do not realize is that there will be very little left for their children to enjoy in high school if we continually ask for cuts.
If we are to be realistic we must face the fact that all the cuts made this year will not be restored next year. The School District will have to bring some back each year as aid allows and people are ready to pay for.
I would not like to be a Board member this year to decide which of the programs to reinstate, once again children are going to be hurt and community members will be pitting one group against another.
I guess I'm still frustrated, our scores continue to rise, awards and scholarships are in abundance yet people want to see their taxes stay the same. I just don't believe that is possible . That is one of the reasons I have asked for the Library budget figures. Is there a way to provide these services in a different manner? The way programs and services are delivered in the schools have changed, perhaps it is time to look at reduced services in the library if we can keep our taxes stable and create additional revenue.
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 8, 2005 5:46:41 GMT -5
Rinx, I agree that other districts have more to work with than us but there are only a few ways that additional revenue can be brought into our district which I have previously mentioned. I know at home my oil, lighting,food costs etc. are continually on the rise, the district faces those same increases. If you are a long time resident you already know the changes and eliminations of programs and services in our schools to cut costs. Programs are monitored for cost and restructured whenever possible to reduce the expenditure. Unfortunately there are many things that have been eliminated and I think what young parents do not realize is that there will be very little left for their children to enjoy in high school if we continually ask for cuts. If we are to be realistic we must face the fact that all the cuts made this year will not be restored next year. The School District will have to bring some back each year as aid allows and people are ready to pay for. I would not like to be a Board member this year to decide which of the programs to reinstate, once again children are going to be hurt and community members will be pitting one group against another. I guess I'm still frustrated, our scores continue to rise, awards and scholarships are in abundance yet people want to see their taxes stay the same. I just don't believe that is possible . That is one of the reasons I have asked for the Library budget figures. Is there a way to provide these services in a different manner? The way programs and services are delivered in the schools have changed, perhaps it is time to look at reduced services in the library if we can keep our taxes stable and create additional revenue. Elpha: I think people realize that the school budget needs to increase. The problem people have is the amount of increase each year. If the school likes to compare itself with other districts, then why must we constantly have one of the highest increases year after year? As far as expenses on the rise. Absolutely. However, it's very disheartening to learn of $100,000 mistakes (Keyspan - even though we "only" paid $25,000) and not locking in on an oil price back in April. I was able to lock in on a price in April. It was $2.09. I'm sure the schoool would have paid less considering the amount of oil they buy. If the winter is a bad one, then this oil mishap could prove to be a very serious "oversight". Over the past serveral years oil prices have NEVER gone down. They should have just locked in and put that issue to rest. Poor forecasting. If the budget gets passed, why wouldn't all of the programs be restored? I don't understand.
|
|
|
Post by elphaba65 on Oct 8, 2005 13:07:41 GMT -5
Go Plainedge,
The budget was defaeted last year and 2.4 million was cut. To restore all the cuts you are starting with a 2.4 million dollar increase, that does not take in to account any rollover costs: contracts, increases in medical, ( our teachers pay 20% of the cost, the highest contribution rate on L.I. my friends who teach in the city pay nothing towards theirs) the contribution to the TRS mandated by the state and any other unfunded mandates they come up with. Every time the state changes what is to be taught, such as math going back to algebra, geometry and trig, it means new curriculum writing new text books etc. These are costs in the budget that you have no control over. Another large cost is special education. Any time a child moves into our district by law ( and morally I should add) the district must provide for that child's education. This can and sometimes does run into more than $100,000.00 per pupil.
I can not see this community passing a budget with a two digit increase, that is why I stated all programs would not be restored.
Concerned, Regarding your comment about the teachers, they are all excellent. No doubt. As are Chris and Joan and to that we are all fortunate. But, you comment their are no chairpersons. I thought so too. It's a matter of semantics. Their are chairs, I believe I learned last year, but they just aren't called "chairs". FYI. If I am wrong, I do hope someone corrects me. Whoever the people are who are in charge do get some form of compensation of for serving in that capacity I believe.
What we have are teachers who are part/time co-ordinators. They teach so many periods and receieve a small stipend for their co-ordinator position. (A few thousand per year) They are in the teacher's union therefore can not evaluate teachers as a chair can, they also to the best of my knowledge do not decide or revamp the curriculum. What else they do in their position might be a question better responded to by Dr. Richman or Dr. Rufo. I know many school districts also have mentors for new teachers, I do not think we have that. There are many extra positions that other districts have that we do not.
I agree a $100,00.00 dollar mistake is sad, as far as locking in our oil prices had the oil prices decreased instead could you hear the community screaming why did we lock in? I guess if we all knew back then what we would be paying now we could have made a lot of money in the market.
I think we forget to quickly how the middle school came in under budget and almost a year ahead of schedule and all the additional work we were able to get done because of the time and management of the project by Mr. Burns and Dr. Richman.
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 8, 2005 13:37:00 GMT -5
As far as the oil - with all that's been going on in this world (for the past several years) do you really think oil was going to drop in price? Not a chance!
Additionally, don't forget that the "lock in price" is a cap NOT a set price.
If we have a very bad winter, additional programs or supplies could get cut because of this terrible mistake. We potentially could be $50,000++ over budget (dollar amount provided by Admin at Board meeting in Sept).
As far as the middle school budget....The bond was established for a new building and repairs of existing buildings. Some of the cuts that were made to the building to lower the budget were items that were "it would be neat to have" types of things and don't play a key role in the influence of better education. I can't give too much credit for coming in under budget for something like that. Although, I'm glad to see someone had the wherewithall to realize that these items are not cost effective and don't need to be a part of this construction.
Time wise - I like to give credit when credit is due. It was built quicker than anticipated. For that I tip my hat.
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 9, 2005 20:15:28 GMT -5
Elpha:
Additionally, please don't mislead people with the wording. $2.4 million was not CUT from any budget. How can it be cut from a budget that was NEVER approved? In actuality, it was decreased by $2.4 in order to comply with state regulations about contingency budgeting. A cut represents a loss from something that was already gained. It can't be a cut if we never had it to begin with. There is a big difference.
The current contingency budget is still greater than last years total budget, therefore nothing has been cut from any budget (except programs for the students). So when you really sit and think about it, the district didn't get the money they were hoping for BUT still got an increase and will have to creatively play with that money to make ends meet this year.
Lets not confuse people more than they already are.
|
|
|
Post by elphaba65 on Oct 10, 2005 7:24:07 GMT -5
Go Plainedge,
I agree, let's not confuse people more than they already are. What I should have said is 2.4 mil was cut from the PROPOSED budget, thanks for the correction. The bottom line remains the same however, any additional programs not in this year's budget will have to be funded to be restored. We all know that already one additional teacher is in the budget next year, we don't know how many other teachers will have to be added for enrollment growth.
So, to restore programs that are not in the budget we have to either hope for additional state aid, raise taxes or find alternative ways to fund them. Yes, the board can also replace what is currently in the budget with a program not included last year, but to me an increase in class sizes is not an option.
Go Plainedge : The current contingency budget is still greater than last years total budget, therefore nothing has been cut from any budget (except programs for the students). So when you really sit and think about it, the district didn't get the money they were hoping for BUT still got an increase and will have to creatively play with that money to make ends meet this year.
Yes there was still an increase over the prior year's budget, but as you know from the budget meetings the additional funds covered many mandated and contractual increase, somehow I don't feel "play" with money is the correct term.
What we need to do is get people to come to the meetings starting in November to understand what is in the budget and to give ideas and suggestions early in the budget process.
|
|
|
Post by rinx on Oct 10, 2005 12:22:49 GMT -5
elpha, I've heard "through the grapevine" that Packard has been rented to BOCES. That they will be moving in at the end of the month. So where's that money going to go if true?
|
|