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Post by pedgegirl on Feb 4, 2007 12:36:41 GMT -5
Good Question. The only reason I can think of is that there is not quite enough of an increase in students to warrant running a cafeteria, having a nurse, custodial staff, traveling teachers, etc. And, the kids would be in an essentially empty building (pretty depressing).
FYI : I was not thrilled about Eastplain expansion. And, another poster, brings about a good point.....are we getting less money due to our receiving EXCEL funds? Ironic, huh? Not in a good way.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 4, 2007 16:21:53 GMT -5
I too attended all the Packard meetings. Yes, they didn't come out and say it was unsafe. They insinuated it. They told us they were afraid of the concrete that was falling apart/loose hurting someone. Has that changed? I don't think so. There are still spots that can be seen where that is the case. Anyone know if the roof is still leaking? Friends of mine who live across the street from Packard told me that they did see people working on the roof for awhile. It was also in the minutes of the BOE that the company that repaired the roof was going to be giving the district the supplies and that the district would supply the manpower for the faulty repairs made prior. If all or most of the issues were fixed, then why aren't we utilizing Parkard instead of expanding Eastplain? Alot of us would like to know. Yes, we were told it was unsafe when the BOE FIRST tried to pass the bond. After it failed, they changed their story and said it was not worth the money to rebuild.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 4, 2007 16:22:42 GMT -5
Good Question. The only reason I can think of is that there is not quite enough of an increase in students to warrant running a cafeteria, having a nurse, custodial staff, traveling teachers, etc. And, the kids would be in an essentially empty building (pretty depressing). FYI : I was not thrilled about Eastplain expansion. And, another poster, brings about a good point.....are we getting less money due to our receiving EXCEL funds? Ironic, huh? Not in a good way. No shock there. I knew in the long run we would be paying for this expansion. Once again, poor money management and more misleading of the community. Unfortunately, the minority of use knew better.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 10, 2007 13:38:46 GMT -5
From the latest meetinmg minutes:
Dr. Richman announced that the Town of Oyster Bay is withdrawing from the Packard/ Picken project at this time and believes it may be a year or so before it comes back to the table. Dr. Richman asked the Board to think about what they felt should be done with the building and to give him their recommendations. He reminded members that it costs the district approximately $200,000 a year on upkeep for the Packard building.
The community needs to embrace the project and assure the Town that they support the transaction if it is to go forward. He invited the Board to take a tour of the Packard building
No backup plan? No option 2 if this didn't work out with the town?
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Post by elphaba65 on May 10, 2007 19:41:20 GMT -5
The pick/pac deal was originally to be on the ballot May 15th until a handful of people decided to speak for all of us and delayed the vote. This, by the way was option number 2, originally the Nassau County Police Department was interested in it. If you are wondering why it is not on the ballot you might want to ask the presidents of the youth sports organizations.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 10, 2007 20:36:45 GMT -5
In my opinion....
The Nassau County Police and BOCES were never as solid of deal as the TOB. There should have been a back up plan in place if the TOB either fell through or was voted down.
However, looking further back, this failure (yes, it is a failure) dates back to 2000 when the bond was pushed by the BOE and Richman. In 2004 the new middle school opened. So, for four years we knew the school would eventually be vacant and failed to come up with a successful plan for the property and building. Now add an additional 3 years of it actually being vacant and now we have 7 years with no real plan in place and a school building and property that looks like it belongs in the slums.
If Dr. Spins numbers are correct (doubtful, but we'll use them for now) that means that this district has lost at least $600,000 for BARELY maintain a building that probably could have been nicely renovated for $53,600,000.
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dborg
New Member
Posts: 47
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Post by dborg on May 10, 2007 21:05:27 GMT -5
see this is how rumors get started...if you look at the minutes from the April 19th board meeting you will see the following:
A question was asked regarding the Packard/Picken transaction and whether this was
just put on hold or was cancelled entirely. Mr. Andy Rothstein, Director of Operations
for the Town of Oyster Bay, who was in attendance at the meeting, told audience mem-
bers that the Town and District continue to negotiate but the project has been slowed
down in an effort to hear from all residents. Mr. Rothstein said the Town is very interested
in getting feedback from the community, which will only enhance the process and final
plans. The Town and District are not going to rush the vote on this issue. The first com-
munity meeting on this transaction will be scheduled sometime after the district’s May 15th
budget vote. Dr. Richman and Mr. Rothstein dispelled rumors about site toxicity stating
that the Picken property has received a clean bill of health.
So perhaps Elpha you missed that meeting and were quick to jump on the blame game. Dr Spin was trying to split the community against each other and we cannot allow that to happen. ANY MEMBER of the community can contact Mr Rothstein from the TOB to ask questions regarding the deal. If you were SO concerned about it being on the May 15th ballot why didn't you voice your opinion at one of the meetings? It was the school board that voted to remove it off the May 15th ballot and rightfully so...how many residents do you think are/were appropriately informed about the packard/picken trade. Even those on this website had the facts wrong. This is a major deal for plainedge and deserves to be in the spotlight and highlighted; the only way that can happen is for it to have its own ballot sometime after May 15th.
I cannot stand silently by and watch attacks being made on the most prominent and selfless people in our community. Those who give up countless hours with their families so that ALL our children can enjoy the best that Plainedge has to offer, BOTH academically and athletically. Perhaps if you have a strong opinion that should be heard you should get more involved, go to more board meetings, volunteer some of your time...i'm sure the help would be appreicated.
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Post by plainedgeammo on May 10, 2007 21:54:37 GMT -5
Elphaba,
Thanks for assisting the administration in spinning further misinformation. The thing I find so Ironic is that Dr. Richman is looking to still pit factions of this community against one another....its old and pathetic at this point.
After the community outrage at the last budget hearings where Dr Richman had just received the EPA studies that afternoon and was trying to rush this Picken Packard swap to a vote.....Many community members stood up and expressed their concerns. EPA Studies, construction costs, what the districts intended use is for the Picken building.....What the Towns intended use of the building at the Packard buidling were all valid concerns. Of course, this irritated Dr. Richman beyond belief.
Dr. Richman contacted the Town of Oyster Bay and requested that he meet with the Presidents of the Youth Groups. Our only recommendation to the Town of Oyster bay was that because of the outrage displayed at the last meeting they may want to separate the two votes.
The Town of Oyster Bay had also indicated their concerns regarding the lack of community workshops, lack of community input regarding design, and just overall promotion of the transaction. They had shared with us the process used to purchase the Barella property in bethpage and the renovations of those fields. The process was done over an extended period of time with drawings and input share with the community. None of which had taken place in Plainedge.
If Dr. Richman wants to blame the President's of the Youth group's....Go ahead. Joe Karam and I have big shoulders.....When he is long gone....Our kids, The Plainedge Kids will be enjoying these fields. But it must be done correctly and smartly....Not having it jammed down our throat like USUAL and jeopardizing the budget vote. The fact I find offensive is that he is trying to link Nancy Gerris to this deal as well. Nancy had absolutely nothing to do with the TOB Meeting.
Perhaps JR should take a look in the mirrror and realize he placed this deal on hold.....His handling of the community and his lack of communication has placed this deal on hold......I have been reassured by the Town of Oyster Bay that as soon as the community is ready they are ready to make this deal happen. So Elphaba if you want accurate info contact me....If you want spin, talk to JR.
Sincerely, Joe Amalfitano
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Post by mythreekids on May 10, 2007 23:44:06 GMT -5
Hey Go and dborg-- both of you are saying conflicting things regarding the minutes of the meeting!!!! At the same token, IMO- Elpha is correct.. This did start at the March Board meeting when Mr. Karem stood up for all the sports organizations and proclaimed the community should have more info. Personally, I have heard much info over the past year on Packard Picken and I heard it at Board meetings since the beginning of the school year. However, I believe that Mr. Karem and the sports community did not want to delay the transaction but to hold off on the vote for it until after the vote of budget on May 15. They wanted the community to focus on the budget passing only prior to May 15. Joe- it is sort of hostile to state that Richman wanted to blame the sports organization? I did not see that in any of the minutes nor heard that at a board meeting. Rumors like that breed hostility, something we certainly do not need now.
YOU ALL need to remember- WE HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD that makes these decisions - not John Richman and not the sports organizations and YES it was the TOB that placed the deal on HOLD and no one else..it is not cancelled but I heard too ( from the April Board meeting) that community discussions would happen possibly in June. However, we need to let those we elected be the one to speak for the school district and community as well as handle the affairs of the school district. IF anyone wants accurate information, they should be contacting the School Board or the PTA representatives that were elected by the community. Again-- just my opinion..
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Post by workingmom on May 11, 2007 5:41:06 GMT -5
I was at BOTH Board Meetings in April where this occured. At the Tuesday Public Work Session, Dr. R did indicate that the Packard/Picken deal was on hold indefinately because TOB withdrew its support because the 5 leaders of the sports organizations went to the TOB and were divided amongst themselves, e.g., some factions wanted lights, some wanted more field space/design. As people in the audience questioned how this could happen, the response by Dr. Richman was to go talk to the 5 sports leaders. Dr. R also encouraged all those in the audience to contact the TOB to voice their concerns. It was stated that the deal was in jeopardy and even if it does go forward it would likely be another year before it would be put to a vote. Dr. R and Pat encouraged the Board members to begin to think about what other options/plans could be done with the property and if it was justified to spend the 200K per year to keep it up.
I spoke up and explained that the only issue I knew of was that the sports organizations wanted the vote on Packard Picken not to be voted on the same day as the budget, and both Pat Zinke and Dr. R exclaimed that the vote was pushed back and so that was a non issue. I pointed out that no one seemed to know that the Board had changed the voting date, so it was not well communicated.
As a result, I believe a number of residents contacted the TOB (including myself) resulting in Andy Rothstein attending the Thursday Board meeting and speaking seperately with Dr. R. At the Thursday Board meeting, Andy clarified that the TOB wanted to slow down the process to ensure all issues/residents are heard from and that ANY resident has the right to speak to the TOB regarding the project. It is the TOB's responsibility to solicit input from all on this project to ensure that it is the best solution for all and he described the process used in Bethpage. He also promised to work with the BOE to have a communty meeting in June.
I also stayed after the BOE meeting where many informal discussions took place. I did hear some of Nancy's personal concers regarding the deal where she questioned what the BOE plan was for extra space during the construction phase of the project if it was needed (e.g., if more classroon space is needed in 2 years, what is the plan) and I thought her concerns were valid and should be addressed......
In this particular instance, I was disappointed in the BOE and Dr. R's handling of the issue. However, it does appear that the project is back on track, that community input and education will occur in an appropriate manner so that all in the community can make an educated decision.
Thanks!
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Post by workingmom on May 11, 2007 5:46:49 GMT -5
And Andy advised me that there was no division between the 5 sports leaders that he saw regarding fields/lighting or anything else - that the 5 sports leaders were united in their support for the project and desire to delay it only to ensure a thorough communication and objective process is followed in the community.
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Post by pedgeneeds on May 11, 2007 7:38:11 GMT -5
elpha, your last post was May 17, 2006. Where have you been?
You would think being away that long you would at least have some facts correct!
From those March meetings the ONLY objection was putting it up with the budget. The deal is a good one. A new smaller building that replaces the existing one, state of the art fields, the revamping of the JH West fields and $1.5 million dollars from the Town.
seems like a win/win....
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Post by Go Plainedge! on May 11, 2007 8:18:05 GMT -5
To give ONLY facts as they are given to us.....my post was quoted from the 4/17/2007 meeting minutes. This is from the 4/19/2007 meeting minutes
A question was asked regarding the Packard/Picken transaction and whether this was just put on hold or was canceled entirely. Mr. Andy Rothstein, Director of Operations for the Town of Oyster Bay, who was in attendance at the meeting, told audience members that the Town and District continue to negotiate but the project has been slowed down in an effort to hear from all residents. Mr. Rothstein said the Town is very interested in getting feedback from the community, which will only enhance the process and final plans. The Town and District are not going to rush the vote on this issue. The first community meeting on this transaction will be scheduled sometime after the district’s May 15th budget vote. Dr. Richman and Mr. Rothstein dispelled rumors about site toxicity stating that the Picken property has received a clean bill of health.
There is NO WAY that this would have received voter approval if it was on the May 15th ballot. The community hasn't been given any concrete information yet.
P-NEEDS - I wasn't aware of West Fields being redone as part of this deal. Can you explain?
Workingmom - Nancy's concerns about needing future classroom space is a valid one. We are adding on to Eastplain because of a miscalculation/spike in population. Once the TOB fields are completed, we will have the Picken building to "play with" BUT it will need renovation to turn it back into a school if needed.
This is not a simple deal. Long term effects will need to be considered CAREFULLY and WISELY.
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Post by pedgegirl on May 11, 2007 10:37:55 GMT -5
"This is not a simple deal. Long term effects will need to be considered CAREFULLY and WISELY. " THANK YOU, GO!!!
To elphaba65: Aw, c'mon. To "blame" one group of people is not only untrue, it's totally irrelevant to the issue concerning the May 15 voting. There is NO WAY that this was ready to be put up for vote. Do you know how many residents would have been blindsided, even just hearing about this issue?
As an involved, attention-paying community member, I only see that there are still very important issues to be ironed out, many of which have been mentioned on these boards.
Additionally, while anyone in the community can certainly attend board meetings and Superintendent's coffee hours, etc., we all know that these meetings are generally attended by those who have children in the school. Calendars are not even mailed home anymore, so that those without children cannnot easily find meeting dates. Do you think they are really reading the website to look for dates? I know I didn't even read much of that stuff before I had kids in school, I hate to now admit. It is just the way it is, and I'd venture to guess that it is that way for the vast majority.
For an issue of such import, there needs to be information mailed home to ALL residents. All should be informed about community meetings, or they should receive information about what is being discussed. This is too important a community issue. If people STILL do not attend meetings, then at least we could say that we tried. It is our DUTY to inform all.
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Post by momma3 on May 11, 2007 21:08:11 GMT -5
Unfortunately I have not been able to attend meetings lately but I am trying to keep informed thru this website. Has anything been brought up about what will happen to the wrestling facilities at Packard? Will a new room be built at Picken? Just wondering. Thanks for the info.
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