Eastplain Expansion

[Go Plainedge!]

As posted on the school weblog:


At the August 10th meeting of the Board of Education, the Board voted to move forward on the proposal to build additional classroom space at Eastplain Elementary to accommodate unpredicted growth. This project will be at no cost to the taxpayers.

Two demographic studies have been completed for the district. The first was conducted in 1999. That study predicted that the population at Eastplain would be at 376 by September, 2006. The second study, conducted in 2004, revealed a projected jump to 487 students for the same time period. The enrollment, as of June 2006, was 489 students.

Over the past two years, there have been numerous discussions between the Board of Education and the administration as to how best accommodate the projected increases at Eastplain, the only elementary building that is unable to accommodate the growth in enrollments.

The proposal calls for the construction of 3.5 classrooms. This would include one additional academic classroom, one music room and one art room. The ½ room would be used for support services (psychologist, social worker, etc.) In this way, these programs will not have to remain on a cart or in the cafeteria.

The BAD NEWS is that the estimated cost for the project is $1,400,000. And, now the GOOD NEWS!

As part of the 2006 New York State Budget, the Legislature created a new program, Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL), to provide additional funding for school construction projects. To support this program, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) is authorized to issue a maximum of $2.6 billion in bonds and notes; a maximum of $1.8 billion for NYC and a maximum of $0.8 billion for other districts. Plainedge is eligible to receive $1,159,424. EXCEL funds may be used with State Building Aid. Since our aid ratio is approximately 50% for capital projects, we are eligible for an additional $1,000,000. Between the EXCEL funds and building aid, the addition can be built with no cost to the taxpayers of Plainedge.

As with all capital projects, voter approval is required. A vote is being scheduled for October 25, 2006. This will take place at the high school between the hours of 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Additional information will be disseminated as details become available.

If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to attend one of our regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education (August 31, September 12, September 14, October 10, October 12.) This topic will also be discussed at our October 3rd Community Coffee Hour and Forum which will be held at Schwarting Elementary School at 7:00 PM.


Sincerely,

John A. Richman

Discuss....

[techie]

Hey GO,

I see we saw the same thing on the site.
Maybe the ADMIN of this site can move my last post to this thread.

I posted in NEWS Headlines just a minute or two before. My point to say was I hope this isn't a way to not watch the costs.
Any how, it's got my YES VOTE. Now if we can just find a way to keep the polls open 'til 9:00pm.....

[Go Plainedge!]

There's a part of me that doesn't mind the expansion.

However, what about the rest of the school. It needs repairs (sofets, doors, paving, painting, etc) The original bond was supposed to be put toward these repairs. Now that there was a worn out battery in someone's calculator, where will the money come from and when will the repairs get done?

Perfect, so three classrooms will look great while the rest of the school is falling apart (slight exaggeration but you get the point).

[Go Plainedge!]

In reading todays Massapequa Post, there is a Public Notice from the Plainedge School District.

This notice is to inform the residents of the voting for the Eastplain expansion.

The proposition on the Voting machine will read as follows:

"Shall the proposition set forth in the notice of the construction of additions to and reconstruction of Eastplain Elementary School, including site and other improvements, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,490,036, and providing that up to $1,490.036 of the obligations may be issued with such sum raised by the levy of a tax to be collected annually, to the extend not paid by state aid, including excel aid, be approved?"

OK...so where as Dr. Spin's last message mentioned that it wouldn't cost us any money because the state aid is paying for it, this proposition basically states that just in case we don't get the money the community will pay for it in their taxes!!!


HELLO!!!! - THIS IS A BAD THING! This spin doctor is trying to get improvements done when

1. it's not REALLY needed and
2. Without any guarantee of State Money.

If the state money doesn't come through, we will be stuck paying for it!. HE GAVE US FALSE INFORMATION!!!!

Guarantee me that the state will pay 100% of this bill and I might consider voting yes.

[techie]

But,...But,...But,....

Last night when a resident (Stu), asked exactly THAT question, he was assured by the Administration that IT WILL NOT COST THE TAXPAYERS ANYTHING!!!
I guess the people in charge last night speaking for the Administration didn't know what was going to be put in the public notice the next morning!

I would be VERY uneasy about voting YES for something written that way with the past spending habits of this Administration.
The numbers always change for an increase, and now the wording for the proposition has changed overnight!!

[Go Plainedge!]

Techie, I agree.

Here is a suggestion for the BOE: Put it in writing and sign it - all seven of you!

Until I see it in writing and signed I will NOT believe a word they say and will make sure all of my neighbors and fellow parents understand what they will be doing if they vote yes. They will understand that they are jeopardizing their taxes by voting yes. They are taking a chance by voting yes. What I see in writing now is that WE are held liable for paying for the expansion IF we don't get all of the money. That's not how Dr. Spin presented it in his letter.

This gets a NO vote by me.

Come on BOE - prove me wrong! This is YOUR proposition to win or lose. Are you up for the challenge? The approval of this expansion rests on your shoulders.

[justfacts]

Go Plainedge!

I saw your post about the Eastplain Expansion as discussed in the meeting with a very favorable "spin" on the information (no cost to taxpayers) and the immediate publication the next day in a local newspaper that there would be a Bond vote for the taxpayers to assume responsibility for the cost - a notice which had to be "in the works" prior to the meeting.

So once again you were faced with the Administration talking out of both sides of its mouth!

However, if you'll look at my post under Misdirections & Deceptions, you'll find you, as well as many others, are following the Richman path. It walks along finding new ways to spend more of the Tax money on Capital Projects and less on children. The Eastplain Expansion is just one of those diversions. It should be sent back to committee for a year or two.

Rather, lets start doing something along the line of taking a nickle from the Bankers and brokers and make it available for the Children!

One of the first steps along that path, instead of asking about Eastplain or Pickard/Packard is to focus on the excessive Capital spending going on NOW!

Take the TAN issue. Double the amount of actual interest cost was allocated in the Budget this year than the actual cost of last year ($495,000 allocated, $221,000 actual cost). That 's a lot of money in Capital going to the Banks.

This year in June TANs were negotiated and the TANs were obtained at a known amount of interest in July. Just how much was the actual interest and fees? And how much money was taken out in a TAN? The administration knows these figures, they've signed the papers with the Brokers!

Now to an important question; When the tax levy was set in August, was the $495,000 expected cost number used - - - or was the actual cost number used?

Also, during which past BOE meeting was authorization given from the Board to the Administration to take out a TAN? Last year the authorization was given and recorded in the Minutes for the Administration to take out up to $15 Million in TAN money. This year's available minutes reflect no such authorization - an action that must take place but can not take place in "Executive Session".

Wouldn't it be nice if several attendees at the next meeting brought the focus of BOE activity back to spending money on the Children (70 cents on the dollar) and critically reduce the spending on Capital (20 cents on the dollar)?

Here's a questionnaire that should be answered by the Administration.

How much TAN money was taken out this year? $__________________
How much is the Interest & Fees? $____________________________

When did you get the Funds? $ __________________
At what Interest rate are they invested? ________%
When is it to be paid back? ________________

Was the actual cost used to change the TAX levy? YES ____, No ____

If not, Why not?


By getting the administration to focus on better handling of their present Capital funds and showing we have a sharp concerned eye in that spending - we will give them cause to use a very sharp pencil with the Capital Budget next year - cutting out or reducing the "fat & slop" that is in that area.

Last year the "estimate" was 40% over the actual cost!

And the overage sat idle on the Capital part of the books for the rest of the year! What is it this year?

The Budget planning can then focus into putting the dollars saved into the Programs portion of the Budget - - - MAYBE!

Here's just some ares that can have money that would have gone into Capital go to Programs instead;

School Supplies supplied by the School!;

Career Day Forums for Seniors;

CD-Rom in backpacks instead of backbreaking books!

Guaranties that ALL extracurricular activities will be supported for the next few years! (I'd support a Bond issue for that goal before I'd support the Pickard/Packard deal!)

What's your addition to that list?

Ed.

[Go Plainedge!]

CD-Rom in backpacks instead of backbreaking books!

Ed:

From what I understand, at the Middle School they get TWO sets of books. One set stays at school and the other stays at home. I don't know how true this is. Perhaps someone with children in the middle school can clarify.

[Go Plainedge!]

Maybe Stu knows the answer.

[concerned]

For those of you who are interested, a note came home stating that the expansion will not cost the taxpayers one dollar. There will be a special coffee hour devoted to this meeting. FYI

concerned

[techie]

Concerned,

Could you do us all a favor?
As I don't have a child in this district's schools, I didn't get something brought home.
I imagine that the new BOE would if not already, send the notice out to all. ( they really are trying)

Could you make a copy or two and keep them on hand for the future?
Could you also post the contents here?

The Public Notice seems to be different from what you state they say.

I would think that the Public Notice would be more binding as to what we will have the chance to vote upon.

Was this "note" from the Administration, the BOE, or the PTA?

It does make a huge difference.

Thanks for the help!

[techie]

Concerned,

Last night I had a chance to look through my mail and found a letter from Plainedge Public Schools.

(Told you the BOE would make sure ALL of us found out)
They are trying,

The only thing that gets me (so far) is that in the 4th paragraph the word ELIGIBLE is used TWICE!!!

This is different from what we have heard from "GO PLAINEDGE" about the article of PUBLIC NOTICE.

Hey "GO", can you put the post up and let's see what the ADMIN. & BOE put up for the District.

I got your back, with your past track record!


A slight modification to this earlier post;

Also in the 4th paragraph the letter from Mr. RICHMAN says,"As a result, the Eastplain addition can be built with no additional tax increase to the residents of Plainedge."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, and the Administration always spends within the budget, tells everyone the truth and facts,( they should be the same) has accurate information, (oops! I guess that one IS true, it's just that we don't get that information!),.... yeah, and I could swim the Atlantic, (well, always possible, BUT NOT VERY LIKELY!!!) ;D

How can the officers of the Administration tell the BOE and the residents at the meeting that it will not cost the taxpayers ANYTHING, and then the next morning publish a "Public Notice" that was carefully worded with a possible tax levy. THEN, send letters out to the residents that it CAN BE built with NO INCREASE. This is so vague, so awful, so, so, RICHMAN! He signed the LETTER!!

Ah, the wonderful SPINDOCTOR!!

[Go Plainedge!]

Here is the full legal notice. Again, I have read too many contracts to know that this makes US liable for the amount NOT given by any State aid. This wording in combination with the word "ELIGIBLE" in the letter is enough for me to vote NO. UNLESS they put a guarantee in writing and all BOE members sign it. I know this won't happen.

A friend of mine has asked for clarification from the administration. I don't know if he's received an answer yet.

2x 9/13/06 #735-POST 6x 10/18/06 #741-POST NOTICE OF SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING PLAINEDGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF OYSTER BAY COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK The Board of Education of Plainedge Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of said School district will be held in the gymnasium of the Plainedge High School on Wyngate Drive, in North Massapequa, New York, in said School District, on the 25th day of October, 2006, at 1:00 PM, Prevailing Time, for the purpose of voting by voting machine upon the proposition herineafter set forth. Polls for the purpose of voting will be kept open between the hours of 1:00 and 9:00 PM. Prevailing Time. The proposition is as follows:

PROPOSITION Shall the following resolution be adopted, to wit: RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Plainedge Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, is hereby authorized to construct additions to and reconstruct the Eastplain Elementary School, including original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, site improvement, and incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,490,036, and that said amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the extent not paid by state aid, including excel aid, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law; and in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said School District shall be issued. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the aforesaid proposition may appear on the ballot labels of the voting machines used at such Special District Meeting in the following abbreviated form if necessary due to space constraints (in which case the full text of such proposition shall be posted thereat):

PROPOSITION Shall the proposition set forth in the notice of this meeting authorizing the construction of additions to and reconstruction of Eastplain Elementary School, including site and other improvements, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,490,036, and providing that up to $1,490,036 of obligations may be issued with such sum raised by the levy of a tax to be collected annually, to the extend not paid by state aid, including excel aid, be approved?

SEQRA STATUS OF PROJECT: The School District Board of Education is acting as lead agency under the regulations of the State of New York, promulgated under the State Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA"). The capital project herein described has been determined to be a Type II Action, pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the implementation of which as proposed, the regulations provide will not result in any significant environmental effects. SEQRA information is available in the office of the School District Clerk for inspection during regular business hours. NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting whose name does not appear on the register of said School District or who does not register as hereinafter provided, except a person who is otherwise qualified to vote and is registered under the provisions of Article 5 of the Election Law. The Board of Registration shall prepare a register for said Special District Meeting, except that the register prepared at the last annual meeting or election shall be used as the basis therefor and shall include persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration thereat and also all persons who shall have been previously registered hereunder for any or special district meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special district meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four years prior to the preparation of said register. NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet in North Massapequa, New York, at the School Building in North Massapequa, New York, on September 12, 2006 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, September 14, 2006 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM Prevailing Time, and on October 20, 2006 between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM Prevailing Time to prepare the register of the School District for said Special District Meeting, and any person shall be entitled to have his or her name placed upon such register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of

Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said Special District Meeting. The register prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law shall be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District on each of the five days prior to and the day set for the school district meeting, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Prevailing Time, except Sunday, October 22, 2006.

NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the School District Clerk. Any such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the date of aforesaid Special District Meeting if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before such Special District Meeting, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. A list of all persons to whom absentee voter's ballots shall have been issued shall be available for public inspection in the office of the School District Clerk not less than five days prior to the date of the Special District Meeting (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) during regular office hours until the date of the aforesaid Special District Meeting. In addition, such list shall also be posted conspicuously at the place of voting during the hours of such Special District Meeting. No absentee voter's ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of the aforesaid Special District Meeting. Dated: August 31, 2006

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF Plainedge, New York EDUCATION OF PLAINEDGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK CATHERINE KELLEY, District Clerk 4x 9/13/06, 10/4/06, 10/11/ 06 & 10/18/06 #739-POST

[concerned]

In light of the variances in the wording, we really need to talk this up and get people not just out to the vote but out to the coffee hour.

I know they need space...no doubt.....but I can't afford any more in terms of taxes.

Concerned

[techie]

I am modifying this post to clear up some misinterpretations

Remember, the "coffee hour" is only a place for Richman to speak about what HE wants to. Ask a question that isn't liked and you will be ignored, or worse.

What we need, is the same people that were involved to "Vote YES, Pass the Budget at ANY Cost" to get involved again on the issues.

It seems when we agreed to vote YES (for the kids) the good hearted people of this district decided they did enough.
Maybe now with their kids about to go off to other schools, they will be the next to leave Long Island.

How about all of those that were so vocal before respond back to what may burden this district in the future?
Or, don't you care?

For Wildrover and Patriot,

I have taken out the wording " they got theirs". Wildrover, I guess you could take it as a shot. (wasn't meant to be.)
In NO WAY did I say ANYTHING about ANY of the fundraising!!
All of the people involved did one of the best things this entire country has seen. And Plainedge was mentioned in articles accross the country. They are all to be commended.

I was refering to the "VOTE YES" actions. It was what we needed and everyone came through.
What is needed again is the same interest in the daily runnings of the District. The last BOE meeting only had about 10 people watching and one wasn't even from our district. We need everyone to get involved again. Look, in the past week we have THREE (3) different stories from the ADMINISTRATION about the cost of the Eastplain expansion. This was not from the BOE!!
We have to have more people questioning the ADMINISTRATION. That means US and the BOE.

You all have known who I am from the begining, wasn't a secret.
Just in case though;
Techie= Brian Dowdell
Son of Ed Dowdell
Brother of John Dowdell
Father of two
Grandfather of two

Hope there are no misunderstandings to take us away from a common goal. If you got offended, it was not the purpose. I am really proud of what EVERYONE did last year with regards to the fundraising and Vote Yes.