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Post by justfacts on Oct 13, 2006 23:25:26 GMT -5
Here's a response I made to an e-mail on this site. I think it has info others could use.
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Hi,
The hospital and other travails are annoying and keep me away from local issues. But local issues seem to be of little interest to many anyhow! They may continue to be that way until the next TAX BILL comes in!
It's amazing isn't? The latest news release often states that present "TAX RATES" will not be changed - while it is the future TAX LEVY that hits us in the pocket book!
For those that don't know it yet: Tax Rates are applied to Assessed values and do not affect the individual or combined collected tax money!
Is the use of the improper term intentional, though ignorance - or just plain careless work? In any case - it is not competent and professional.
And now this "free project" is stated in the press as adding at least $750,000 to the Capital portion of next year's budget for Plainedge! That's the amount briefly mentioned at the September Board meeting - but not seen in the Minutes as yet.
And did you notice? The total money planned to go into the Capital portion of next year's budget is now listed at $2.3 Million? That's closer to what some of us posted about a month ago!
Just how much will be cut from the Program portion of the Budget to keep the total Budget "bottom line" down? How much more will the children through out the District be denied?
Remember: When a budget is rejected twice and "Contingency" rears its ugly head - the CAPITAL portion of the budget is never reduced - it is excluded from the calculation of the Capped values by law!
It appears that if these Capital projects are approved the amount of the budget money per Hundred dollars set aside for Programs will go far below the present $70,20 of this year! (During the prior Contingency year, $70.50 went into Programs!)
My present estimate, based on the variable and inconsistent data given by the District, is that only about $66 to $67 will go to the Children - the difference going to Bankers, Brokers and Builders!
What say? Put the money into projects that could be staggered over a few years - or put the money into Programs? Remember - what goes on in East plain, is a cost burden to the entire District!!!
Ed ***************************************************************
And to Bette - if you've followed the $1 Million "left over" reports from the last Bond issue Jeff Burns mentioned, and the planned projects and maintenance items to be fixed that would use up all that money, you'll find the bond excess money has diminished in size - but many of the same "fix ups" are still not done!
And, by fiscal definitions, many should have been done under normal annual maintenance efforts and not by being funded as Capital Projects!
We all agree - many repairs and refurbishments should be made, but not under false guise of Capital Expansions!
And especially not under the transferal of TAX Dollars from Programs to Capital![/i]
Ed.
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bette
New Member
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Post by bette on Oct 14, 2006 1:17:07 GMT -5
I have been following everything believe you me!!!!!! But East plain needs the room and the Excel monies are offered to be voted on. What do we do? If we vote yes we take the chance of having to pay it or the state could really come through and fund the projects. If we vote no we may have saved ourselves from paying it or kicking ourselves as other districts get their Excel funding and their projects are being built.
In my opinion the state has our money anyway, I think vote yes and get our piece of the tax dollars the state already has and put it towards the addition we need at East plain. It's all tax dollars that we are talking about anyway. If they screw us shame on them and we take up action against them.
As far as other "fix-up"projects and Track refurbishing and anything else we want done a lot more than 15 people at a School Board planning session or meeting and even the coffee hours is necessary. The board meets meet - They open the floor to questions but again and again the same few people are there.
The coffee hour had less that 12 attendees and none of the these points you give on this site were stated. People do not know your facts Mr. Just and I hope you send them to the powers that be. This is a small forum that is read by a lot of people. The problem is people don't believe what they hear and especially what they read. It is speculation and gut feeling on this vote. This site does promote some conversations about it but not enough to bring the conversation to the floor at the meetings.
Have a great day everyone!
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 14, 2006 6:48:53 GMT -5
Wait!....Bette, please read the proposition (as it will be worded in the voting machine) that I posted on the first page of this thread.
The proposition is not worded to agree to accepting the funds. We are voting to agree to have the expansion done. Again, if we vote yes, we agree to a tax levy for whatever money the state doesn't give us. We need to give the district the approval to spend it on this project. That's what we are voting on according to the proposition.
So, do you agree for the expansion and possible tax hike or do you vote NO and look for another solution?
Remember, when voting in May, you will agree to another tax hike.
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bette
New Member
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Post by bette on Oct 15, 2006 22:36:49 GMT -5
Go,
What I am understanding is that we are voting the same way we did regarding the new middle school bond (just a different name for it) and we were reimbursed on that. We would have even gotten more money off the repayment on the bond had we voted that in the first time, but we didn't. So, If I am wrong please explain.
Listen, I would like the state to just say hi, here is 1.5 million dollars. We tried to give it all to the city but some people bitched and now we got caught totally wrong in our thinking so here spend it as you need to. Lower your tax levy, build a new track, add more teachers, buy some books and certainly add Sprint back, but no we have mandates on it that will only allow certain types of construction or addtions. We need the extra room at Eastplain. How do we not take it? Do you really beleive that they will not come through?
I want to make the right decision this month regarding this.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 16, 2006 7:57:48 GMT -5
It's not that I don't agree with the expansion - I possibly could. I don't agree with nor trust every word this Administration and BOE tells us. They tell us that it won't cost us anything in tax dollars but yet we have to agree to a proposition that has the potential of a tax levy - just in case. Why?
They refuse to discuss (openly) the wording of the proposition and the potential pitfalls of voting for it. They keep saying we are ELIGIBLE for this money. Eligible is not a definite word. "Eligible" leaves room for "oops we didn't get all the money".
This has been an ongoing problem with this administration and BOE. They have never been forthcoming with COMPLETE and accurate information. They only tell half the story.
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bette
New Member
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Post by bette on Oct 16, 2006 8:30:42 GMT -5
Go:
I agree with you.
Why the wording had to come out the way it did is a puzzle. It could be because with the mandates the state is putting on the money if a district does not meet the criteria or uses the monies for something other than what the guidelines state, they will not reimburse. To me this would make the district that voted on the project liable for the non-reimbursement since they vote on the specific project. From what I understand from everything I read (and I noted before I do not believe everything I hear and read) it seems we do meet all of the criteria.
Like you I am trying to make sense of it all before I vote.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 22, 2006 14:59:09 GMT -5
If the wording in this proposition was presented to me in a contract, I would never sign off on it.
It gives too much of an "out" for the district and places too much potential liability on the community.....in my opinion.
I agree the school could use the expansion, but not under these terms.
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Post by thewildrover on Oct 22, 2006 19:07:27 GMT -5
A letter came to my address this past Friday, containing the following statements:.
In BOLD font the letter stated that the “Project” WILL be funded by the State of New York.
A rather concrete statement and certainly one not one open to interpretation.
Until, I read further.
Further down, the letter stated “Plainedge is ELIGIBLE to receive $1,159,424”
Not phrased quite succinctly or concretely, as I would have preferred.
Something like this would have been believable: “WOULD receive $1,159,424”.
A sentence later, the letter continues: “As a result, the Eastplain addition CAN be built with no additional tax increase”
Notice, not phrased as “WILL be built with no additional tax increase”
I’m sorry.
I can’t accept this.
Neither should you.
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 24, 2006 17:43:47 GMT -5
Felice...well stated! - from www.plaintalkonline.com/Plainedge, October 22, 2006
To build or not to build . . . that is the question? This Wednesday October 25th, the question regarding the Eastplain addition will go to vote with help from a few letters like the one pictured above from the Superintendent of Schools. By now you may have received at least two letters from the Superintendent in your mailbox. Each letter is written in classic administration form. They disseminate information using the same old tactics . . . word play and the big scare “pay now or pay more even more later, either way you'll pay.” The same old message takes place with every vote over the last couple of years and it is happening again.
While building an additional wing on Eastplain is a good thing . . . be careful, putting the taxpayers of this community in danger of increased taxation is not! Talk to members of the community and they'll share the sentiment, why the vague wording in the letter? Something must be up. How much will this eventually cost us?
Could someone simply explain this properly to the community and protect us? The bottom-line is if we really need the space and our children can benefit from it and will not cost our overtaxed community more money then do it! But why would a "Lame Duck" soon be be retired Superintendent put our community at further risk in regards to a possible increase in tax dollars, especially our Seniors Citizens. Is this vote being forced to move up the start date for whatever reason including securing one last major project or could we simply just wait to see if the "EXCEL" dollars are officially in our account. Either way, the administration will continue to play the game their way with their classic communication skills. Try to get more information from the Board of Education? Whatever happened to the more community focus promise of the current Board? Will community members ever have that community only Board Meeting without administration present hoping that they could get more sincere answers to questions and current situations?
So back to the letters, why the bold letters and then slip in at the end if the "EXCEL" doesn't go through it will cost you but pay now or pay much more later. How about this . . . guarantee the "EXCEL" has gone through, even wait if you have to, so community taxpayers are not placed in danger. Why is it better to do it now and take the risk? Again expansion is a good thing, our children should have a bigger better schools and re-districting should hopefully be the last choice for a student. Come Wednesday this community will have to do it again . . . hold your nose and dive in neighbor . . . your vote counts. Just give us the straight information the first time and save the postage and the bold letters . . . for better programs most community members will do whatever it takes to give our Children of Plainedge the best of everything but don't add more taxes to this community. THIS GETS A "NO" VOTE FROM ME. I URGE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER VOTING THE SAME. IF THE DISTRICT WANTS THIS TO PASS, THEY CAN PRESENT IT AGAIN WITH BETTER WORDING ON THE PROPOSITION
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Post by patriot2415 on Oct 24, 2006 18:55:18 GMT -5
I must say in all honesty and with a heavy heart that I agree. I want to see every child succeed, every child enjoy their school years, but..there is a BUT. That "BUT" is trust or lack of it. I don't know why the BOE or Administration can't see it. After all this community did last year, after all the promises for better communication, we have gone no where. It's a lack of trust, a lack of confidence that drives residents to look at every sentence, every word spoken and written by those in the district. Straight answers, straight information, that is all we ask, and this community will go the distance. Someone, anyone.. step up !
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Post by thewildrover on Oct 25, 2006 20:38:30 GMT -5
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Oct 25, 2006 21:09:05 GMT -5
THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THE PLAINEDGE VOTERS, THE REFERENDUM TO CONSTRUCT AN ADDITION AT EASTPLAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PASSED 901 TO 229.
ONCE AGAIN, SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR PROGRAMS AND YOUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.
No shock here. IMO - Only 229 people really understood the proposition and what could happen.
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Post by techie on Oct 26, 2006 10:34:27 GMT -5
BAHHH!, BAHHHH!,BAHHHHH!,
Lambs to Slaughter!
Good to have the Soccer Club have picture taking in the HS cafeteria at the time of a vote !!
Why was Dr. JR Spin in the halls at a "POLLING PLACE" talking to parents?
I heard two different people tell him "Good Luck".
I hope he wasn't talking about the voting, (wouldn't that be against the LAW?)
What a sham.
I think the Postal Workers could make A LOT of money when they bring the next TAX Bills. All they have to do is have a Video Camera and send the expressions to America's Funniest Videoes when the bills are delivered!!
What is Richman eating for lunch today,... Lamb Stew?
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Post by Go Plainedge! on Mar 9, 2007 14:25:16 GMT -5
From the posted Meeting Minutes:Authorization to Issue BANS RESOLVED, that the Plainedge Board of Education authorizes the issuance of bonds to pay the cost of the construction of additions to and reconstruction of the Eastplain Elementary School. VOTING Patricia Zinke VOTING YES Maryann Capone VOTING YES Catherine Flanagan VOTING YES Douglas Pascarella VOTING YES Frank Presuto VOTING YES Mr. Fox VOTING YES Can anyone explain what this means? Also what does this mean for the current project of Eastplain:Dr. Rufo reviewed the 2007/2008 Executive Budget and state aid projections for Plainedge. She has had numerous conversations with the State regarding the decline in Allocations in our building aid and BOCES aid. They are recalculating our BOCES aid and she is awaiting a response.
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Post by plaintalker on Mar 9, 2007 15:49:08 GMT -5
Go, the Bans that they were talking about I believe is Bond Anticipation Notes which needs to be taken out to do the work and then the state will reimburse the cost through the Excel funds we were told about that will pay for those improvements. I don't believe the state gives you those funds up front to get the project started. Everyone else correct me if I'm wrong on this one, there is always a lot of double talking going on when some of these things are being explained at some of the board meetings anf I'm never certain that I fully undertstand them.
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