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Post by plainedgeammo on Feb 20, 2007 13:50:35 GMT -5
Go,
Thank you for clarifying your point of view.... I would state that we are in agreement on this fact. I would hope that we should have a long term plan which would incorporate a progression of programs to be restored year after year.
Unfortunately, the recommendations of the Administration to implement a developmental Athletic program in the Middle School causes some of the teams which were funded in the last budget to not exist any longer.... Thus being cut in favor for this developmental program.
I would state that using P-Town as a case study for this developmental program is not the most prudent way of using tax payer money considering we are just coming off of Austerity. Let some of the other towns in Nassau or Suffolk be the guinea pigs. Thats right I forgot, no other towns in Nassau or Suffolk use this program.
Patriot,
Why couldn't some of the BOE members be invited to a Community meeting. Just limit the number of attendees to less than a quorum..... Certainly if they want to be involved they would be willing to be with groups? Sounds like if the Community met with three BOE members at a time...there should be no issue. The real question, is whether they desire to do so without being told what to do or say? Maybe we should vote in members of the BOE who desire community input? Who seek out the recommendations of the community? Just my opinion.
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 20, 2007 16:33:53 GMT -5
Ammo, we could very well do that.
However, I reached out to the state and received a reply today. This is not a standard clause, but one that is approved by the BOE. So again I ask the questions:
1. why would the superintendent request that clause? 2. why would the NEW superintendent request that clause? 3. Why would the BOE, which knows the community would frown on it, approve that clause?
I have no answers.......
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Post by plainedgeammo on Feb 20, 2007 16:53:06 GMT -5
IMO....For whatever its worth.... As long as the Board of Education conducts business as if they work for the Superintendent , nothing will change in this community.
Unfortunately, there is only about two Board Members that understand that it is their responsibility to hold the administration accountable.
I don't really fault the Superintendents for requesting this clause during their contract negotiations. As any good negotiator does, you shoot for the stars with your initial offer and wind up with the reality when the contract is ratified. Kinda like a no Trade Clause for these professional athletes. When a player invokes his no trade clause who is to blame....The player or the people who agreed to those terms. I would say that the BOE would be the ones responsible for ratifying the contract with this clause in place.
Again, just my opinion for whatever its worth.....
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 20, 2007 19:44:28 GMT -5
Ammo, you are certainly correct. Doesn't hurt to ask!!!! But why approve it? ??
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 20, 2007 22:02:37 GMT -5
I know we discussed this in another thread but here is the clause:
Item 12. Meetings
The SUPERINTENDANT of Schools shall receive notice of, and be permitted to attend and participate in, any and all meetings of the BOARD OF EDUCATION
Please note that he only needs to be NOTIFIED. He is not REQUIRED to be present.
Now lets also review the open meetings law for NY State:
According the NY State Open Meetings Law
Amd S102, Pub Off L
Redefines the term public body under the open meeting law to mean any entity consisting of three or more members created by statute or elected to conduct public business collectively or committee or subcommittee of such body or other body designated by such public body to conduct or advise with respect to public business.
You can legally meet with up to two BOE members without having to go through the process of notification, minutes and attendees
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 20, 2007 22:04:02 GMT -5
Ammo, you are certainly correct. Doesn't hurt to ask!!!! But why approve it? ?? Perhaps someone could ask Mary Karageorges what she was thinking when she signed that contract.
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Post by supportstudents on Feb 20, 2007 22:33:59 GMT -5
My opinion of a good candidate for the BOE is a free thinker that is not intimidated by the politics related to the position. The person will not decide based on pressure but will decide because it is right for the kids. Isn't that what it is all about THE KIDS.
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Post by pedgeneeds on Feb 21, 2007 8:25:48 GMT -5
Support,
So true! What happens to theses candidates once they are sworn in? Is there some secret underground organization that zaps their minds once they are on the board?
When you look at their faces during a BOE meeting they look confused and intimidated.
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Post by thewildrover on Feb 21, 2007 11:42:53 GMT -5
Support, So true! What happens to theses candidates once they are sworn in? Is there some secret underground organization that zaps their minds once they are on the board? When you look at their faces during a BOE meeting they look confused and intimidated. Needs, You nailed it right on the head. I believe it starts with an attempt by the Leader to charm you, compliments and random acts of kindness, getting chummy with your family members, hoping that will soften any contrary stance you may have with the Leader. When one still holds hard and true to ones contrary position to that of the Leader, bullying comes into play. Some folks just can’t deal with confrontation and can’t handle being “The One” that’s gumming up the works and asking the questions that are irritating to the Leader. It’s just easier for them to concede. If one still holds their ground, intimidation and humiliation come into use. Who wants to be made to feel stupid or not up to the task at hand? You see this at play at some of the meetings, whereby a question is asked and the response is just so much incredulousness, “How can you be so stupid to have asked such a question” is the reaction, and the person standing at the mic, or I am sorry to say, the BOE member is made to feel their concern was one of inconsequence and ill thought out. Now, our volunteer is exposing their self-esteem and self worth to overt attacks by the Leader, so they buckle under as well. We saw this at the past meeting when a community member asked "How much does one of the five new buses cost and how many programs can that $ amount fund". The answer recieved was "I dont know what you are asking" and that same answer was repeated numerous times in an attempt to humiliate the questioner, without a real response ever being given by the Leader. ( A Board member approached the gentleman after the meeting and provided the $ figure and knew exactly the point the community member was attempting to make, the BOE member, to their credit, got the point.) One either falls under the charms of the Leader, or is bullied or beat down, or most sadly, perhaps all three. The good news is, and this is my sincere belief, that this way of ‘leading” will cease to exist come June 30th.
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Post by rinx on Feb 21, 2007 15:44:16 GMT -5
I don't understand something. If the BOE member that approached the questioner knew what he was asking, why didn't that BOE member speak up when Dr. Spin stonewalled?
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Post by pedgeneeds on Feb 21, 2007 16:54:41 GMT -5
Rinx, the answer to your question is in Mr Wilds response
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Post by plainedgeammo on Feb 21, 2007 17:11:27 GMT -5
Rover, Excellent point..... I just hope that the new leader sees these tactics for what they are and makes every effort to change.... For the sake of this community. If not, we will get more of the same. Also, this year is an opportunity for this community to remove two of the weaker members of the BOE..... But we need two individuals to rise up and help us! Does anyone know of any people who are throwing their hats into the ring as of yet? ? Thats how we can truly create some real change in this community. Voting people in place who will actually stand up for what is right in this community...Just my Opinion.
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Post by getitpassed on Feb 21, 2007 20:14:49 GMT -5
Go, Thank you for clarifying your point of view.... I would state that we are in agreement on this fact. I would hope that we should have a long term plan which would incorporate a progression of programs to be restored year after year. Unfortunately, the recommendations of the Administration to implement a developmental Athletic program in the Middle School causes some of the teams which were funded in the last budget to not exist any longer.... Thus being cut in favor for this developmental program. I would state that using P-Town as a case study for this developmental program is not the most prudent way of using tax payer money considering we are just coming off of Austerity. Let some of the other towns in Nassau or Suffolk be the guinea pigs. Thats right I forgot, no other towns in Nassau or Suffolk use this program. Patriot, Why couldn't some of the BOE members be invited to a Community meeting. Just limit the number of attendees to less than a quorum..... Certainly if they want to be involved they would be willing to be with groups? Sounds like if the Community met with three BOE members at a time...there should be no issue. The real question, is whether they desire to do so without being told what to do or say? Maybe we should vote in members of the BOE who desire community input? Who seek out the recommendations of the community? Just my opinion.
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Post by getitpassed on Feb 21, 2007 20:18:05 GMT -5
Patriot, Looking at the calendar all 3 elementary schools have PTA meetings on March 14th at night. Why can't we ask 3 BOE members that we know will agree to be present at these meetings to hear our concerns. I'm sure the PTA's will not have an issue with this.
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Post by patriot2415 on Feb 21, 2007 21:36:00 GMT -5
getit,
you get the PTA's ok, tell me where and when and I will extend the invitation.
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