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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 20, 2006 6:24:53 GMT -5
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 Concerned, Yes, Eastplain does need the space. However, given the history of the administration and BOE for saying one thing and doing another along with their less than stellar track record of correct information, NONE of us can afford two tax increases in one year. You know that another large budget increase is just months away which will increase your taxes. Again, let them all sign their names to the document they distributed that mentions it will not cost us a thing OR re-word the proposition so it doesn't mention a thing about a tax levy. Then I may consider voting yes as well as encourage my neighbors to vote yes. I believe they worded the proposition to cover themselves because the amount of state money was not guaranteed yet. Is there a chance the money received from the state will fall short of their estimates? Based on their documents and proposition, I would say there is. Then what?
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Post by thewildrover on Sept 20, 2006 9:54:53 GMT -5
Think long and hard before casting aspersions Techie.
Recipe for disgust:
1.) Take a group of people, have them invest 6 months, sacrificing basically every waking minute working (for OUR children) towards what most reasonable people would say was a unattainable goal ($575,000 in 18 weeks).
2.) Then without a break, have them put in more countless hours raising the WHOLE communities (not just this cyber-sandbox’s') awareness with regards to the budget process and the importance of what would be lost, and the price the kids would pay, if they didn’t step up.
3.) Add in a gallon of stress the process took on the families involved, the toll it took on their relationships and jobs.
4.) Then for the kicker, add in some whiny finger pointing like, “After all, their kids got what they need”,....and…….” How about all of those that were so vocal before respond back?…. Or, don't you care?”
Let simmer for a few days and serve with disillusionment, antipathy and a sprinkle of condemnation.
Garnish with some of your special audacity.
This recipe will serve: To turn off a whole lot of good intentioned folk.
Suggested side dish: Crow
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Post by patriot2415 on Sept 20, 2006 10:06:46 GMT -5
Wild one, I agree.
As a proud member of that group I still have children in the district and I will continue the cause. But for those who don't know, the parents of last years seniors are still very much involved and they will, I know continue to help OUR children because they are remarkable people.
What I do say is, those elementary, middle and high school parents whose children are VERY much affected by what happens, get involved, and get involved NOW. 10 people at a board meeting is not going to get it done. Don't wait until March and April when it's too late. They are OUR children, it is OUR distinct and it most certainly is OUR MONEY... so be heard!
Techie... as i have always said, if you are going to challenge someone or something, be ready to step up, be ready to put your name on the line.... your dad does.....
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 20, 2006 13:47:59 GMT -5
PLEASE! stay focused on the thread topic. You can start another thread if you want to argue about things in the past.
We're not even one month into the school year and already we have misleading information given to us by the BOE and Administration about the Eastplain expansion.
The proposition stands as the prevailing agreement as far as the vote is concerned. If this gets passed and all of the money is not obtained by the state, we will pay for this expansion out of our own pockets - after being told if won't cost a thing.
This goes even deeper. Everything that the new BOE members said they would do about maintaining clear and open communication is not being followed through with.
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Post by plainedge13 on Sept 20, 2006 20:43:37 GMT -5
The legal notice that Justfacts quoted is not what is in the letter sent out by the District, received today. The letter does not tell the reader that the cost of this project will have to be paid out of tax levy if the EXCEL funds are not received. The letter states that ">>>>THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK THROUGH A NEW PROGRAM, EXPANDING OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND LEARNING (EXCEL), WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL TAX INCREASE TO THE RESIDENTS". That is very different from what Justfacts quoted from the newspaper.
I understand that Maryann, Allen, Loretta and Kathy are "East Plains" PTA people. Odd how this Eastplain expansion is being proposed now.
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Post by techie on Sept 20, 2006 22:01:29 GMT -5
Plainedge13,
Personally I don't think that there is any other reason for this being brought up other than it is a project that is felt is needed.
Just because some of them are Eastplainers, it still is a project that could help the district.
So far the new BOE is doing ALOT better than the previous one. Lets give them a chance, ( but in order to do that, you have to talk with them.) Phil's idea of having BOE meetings with just the public is a way to do that. The commitment that they already make is far more than most of us do. Maybe it might work to have a different forum with just the BOE, or maybe email suggestions?
I don't know. What do you all think?
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Post by patriot2415 on Sept 21, 2006 6:14:32 GMT -5
Go,
it's all the same subject. It's all about commitment by the BOE and the residents. It's all about lowering taxes or at least a minimal increase AND getting what we need for the children within that framework. Believe me, I know it's not an easy job, but the only way we can accomplish it is for residents to be involved, and for the BOE to address our concerns.
As for the expansion, the BOE needs to come clean with all the what "if scenarios". Those should be explained at open meeting with the community.
On the topic of communications, I understand the hours the BOE puts in and the time away from their families, but they knew last year that meetings outside the regular BOE meeting would be pushed for this year. This needs to happen. Anyone who uses email to communicate knows a lot is lost in it. You don't get to see the emotion in the person, you don't get to see the commitment. These budget issues, contract issues, tenure issues all need to be discussed face to face with the BOE. I believe that after last year, this is the next step Plainedge needs to take to make us stronger.
I would love to hear other comments on any of the above issues....
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Post by thewildrover on Sept 21, 2006 11:53:08 GMT -5
It doesn’t matter how much we point out how wrong the semantic difference in the wording of the legal notice and the letter sent home is…. the expansion is an ultra local issue…. almost an opposite NIMBY’ism.
The vast majority of residents never read the legal notices…I would venture that a majority don’t read the mailed notices from the school either.
The Eastplain parents want it…. they will talk about in front of the school conveying how important it is to the other parents while they are waiting for their kids, they will talk about it at the bus stops while doing the same…they will hear from their children about how the teachers were talking about how important it is that their parents vote for the school extension…the Eastplain PTA will do a PR campaign no doubt…(As they should, when we get the assurance that it’s the States money that’s being spent, of course.)
That will not be happening at Schwarting……it wont be happening at West or the M.S. or the H.S. either.
It is not the type of compelling issue that will stir up and motivate the “NON-POSITIVELY AFFECTED MASSES”…. (Meaning, the non-Eastplain folk)
I hope I am wrong, but I think that the turnout for the Eastplain vote will be a minute fraction of what the budget vote was.
It is reasonable to envisage that a majority of that fraction will most definitely come from the Eastplain area.
It is a done deal.
Just my humble opinion, of course.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 21, 2006 12:38:48 GMT -5
Wild:
Sadly, I think you're right. This will not be a huge voter turnout.
Yes, all of the parents will talk about how great it will be. They will talk about how they are all for it (as am I if there wasn't the stipulation of the proposition wording). Then, when they get their tax bill and see that there was an increase because the district didn't get all of the money they thought they would, they'll bitch and moan that they were misinformed.
Even worse.... they won't even read the proposition once inside the voting machine. They just pull down the YES lever.
I have no doubts that this will get passed. It will get passed because people take the word of others and don't research what may be the truth.
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Post by patriot2415 on Sept 21, 2006 14:50:12 GMT -5
Wild/Go and everyone else,
That is the exact reason people need to go to the board meeting in the numbers that were there last year.
It is the exact reason why we must have community meetings on this topic. I'm on the fence right now, and I need more information.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 21, 2006 16:46:48 GMT -5
Wild/Go and everyone else, That is the exact reason people need to go to the board meeting in the numbers that were there last year. It is the exact reason why we must have community meetings on this topic. I'm on the fence right now, and I need more information. Thursday's meeting had a poor showing. If there were 15 people there, that would have been a lot. I like the idea of the BOE/Community meetings without the administration. Do you think it could really happen? I'm a little skeptical based on previous BOE members and their demeanor toward the community.
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Post by patriot2415 on Sept 22, 2006 7:10:28 GMT -5
Go, as I stated, during their campaigns, the 3 elected BOE members all spoke to me about this and were in favor of it.
I take people at their word and believe in them until proven wrong. I hope I am not disappointed !!!
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Post by devilsrus on Sept 22, 2006 15:49:43 GMT -5
I thought Eastplain was a district unto themselves........just kidding, just kidding
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Sept 23, 2006 9:37:08 GMT -5
Go, as I stated, during their campaigns, the 3 elected BOE members all spoke to me about this and were in favor of it. I take people at their word and believe in them until proven wrong. I hope I am not disappointed !!! I hope so too. Considering this latest "miscommunication", I would say they're not off to a great start. I hope it changes for the better and they're not sucked into the dark side.
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Post by justfacts on Sept 26, 2006 21:58:38 GMT -5
Hi, I've been "out of circulation" for the past week - third visit to Winthrop in the past two months.
This gave me a chance to get up to date on events and develop an "overview perspective" on the issue.
Part of that overview was the easy fractionalization of the District on some issues. "It's Eastplain that's getting the improvement - not the District" seems to prevail. I'm not a semantic purist that is going to argue otherwise - now.
But the thought did occur! What is the single element of all this School District concern that can't be denied as applying to the whole District all of the time? The single element that should bind us all to action all the time? The single element that should activate us and make more turn out to BOE meetings?
During school vacation time, and after the rousing victory of the last Budget vote, it is understandable if we have lower attention paid to District matters. But, now that vacation time is over, it's time to be much more active in the interest of that single element which unites this District - - - the Children!
Let's do all we can before the BOE sets a Budget in place to have them create a Budget that finally favors the Children after the Budgets of the last few years that did not do so.
Lets' tell them to reverse the trend of dumping fewer dollars into the Programs portion of the Budget by enlarging the Capital portion of the Budget. Our record for division of these dollars is poorer than many surrounding districts.
Let's tell them that if the Eastplain "free money from Heaven" plan does not come through, either in part or full, that just because we OK'ed a Bond Issue for spending a Million and a half bucks in the Capital portion - - - doesn't mean they have to spend it and buy into a Bond and construction in that year!
Revise the plans! Save the expense - put the million and a half bucks into the Programs side of the Budget next year![/i]
Let's strive across this community in the uniting call to take a nickle from the Bankers' and Brokers' side of the Budget and put that money into the Childrens' side of the Budget.
Ed.
P.S. It's good to be back and see some activity!
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