Poestenkill Elementary running Averill Park CSD?

If you look at the profile of the BOE you see some interesting things.

One that stands out is the number of representatives from Poestenkill. Could this be just an accident or is there a pattern of organized support and voting that is an effort to take over the district by the Poestenkill voters?

We have 3 members on the Board from Poestenkill and now one more running. There is also the Assistant Superintendent promoted from Poestenkill Elementary. Makes you wonder if the rest of the district will be represented in the coming years.

Introducing our next guest contributor, Jennie Glasser

It is with great pleasure that I announce my intention to run for the Averill Park School Board. I previously served the board as a member from July 2000 to February 2005 and served as President of the board during 2004 and 2005. Prior to that I served on the school district sponsored Communications Committee.

I will bring experience and commitment to do what is right for all district residents, students and staff with me on this journey. Serving the school district has been one of the greatest experiences of my public service career. Having served the Sand Lake Town Library Board, the Sand Lake Business Association, the Sand Lake Zoning Board of Appeals and the West Sand Lake Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, the Averill Park School Board was by far the most challenging yet rewarding of all.My knowledge of board and district operations, including Public Meeting procedures will help ensure that our school district community will be treated in a fair, honest and open manner.

As a child of this district and community, with children currently in the district, I want to be in a position to guarantee the success of all children with all due respect given to the taxpayers that finance our operations.I look forward to serving the district and hope I can get your support in winning this election, so that I can once again play a part in the successful operation of our district. Having served this district through the “worst of times”, I realize that through difficult issues we sometimes get the best results. The job is not easy and I believe that I have the energy, character and commitment to be, once again, an integral member of this board.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Any feedback on what you may want or don’t want to see happen would be appreciated. You can reach me at 248-0669 cell or by e-mail at jennieglasser@hotmail.com.

Thanks to all those who have and who continue to believe in me, I hope to serve you all again.

Thank you again Communicus

Guest contributors welcome.

Jennie Glasser asked to contribute her own post. Jenny, send it along and it will get added. jenny will be our second guest contributor.

We have a guest contributor

NO AP SCHOOL TAX INCREASE

That got your attention right? It is possible this year. It was also possible last year.
On June 26th of 2007 I made a motion in open session to take 1 million of your over paid tax dollars, and reduce the tax levy increase to zero. Steve Valente joined me in supporting this, the others said no. The motion failed 5-2

Now, throughout the budget season, this administration has admitted that those accounts were in fact over funded and has wanted to use the money to increase spending. I have been strongly against this because it still does not bring any tax relief to you, the tax payer. Keep in mind, these funds are overpayments that you made in 05-06 and 06-07. Don’t you, the voter, deserve some consideration given the economic outlook and the reassessments?

It is time to say “GIVE IT BACK!!” It was taken from the taxpayers under false pretenses and the audits show the truth. This year, you should get something back. Do you remember when they said we couldn’t afford sports? Dori Haines and Erin Loffredo worked their butts off to fund raise and for what? We had surpluses in the budget.

Misrepresenting the financial state of the district to the voters should be a crime. Using the line “If the budget fails we have to cut programming” is unfair and inaccurate. On April 3rd, we received a list of non-mandated items. We could cut $500,000 from the budget by eliminating Asst. Principals, the Asst. Superintendent, conferences, graduate re-imbursement, and stipends. Student programming would still go on and the people that really do the work, the teacher, would not be touched.

How can a zero tax levy increase be done?
First, take the bus debt pay down (labeled Debt Service, buses) out of the capital debt reserve account instead of the “4 accounts” (where the $3.5 million got buried last year).
For even numbers, let’s pay down $750,000 in bus debt.
Second, increase the “Debt service transfers” by $750,000.
Third, decrease the line labeled “local school taxes” by $750,000.
Done! No increase in“Local School Taxes” this year. Simple right?

One problem, the BOE adopted the budget early, by a vote of 5-2 (You know who the 2 were). The vote was taken on April 3, 2008 during the bid award meeting. The vote wasn’t on the agenda and the only mention of budget was a discussion of options. The BOE had been saying right along that the adoption would be April 8th, 2008. So, unless they change their mind, the only way to do it now is fail the budget and tell the board to try again. Maybe then, they will listen.

Bill Reinhardt

Let's talk budget, ready, set, go!

Here is an open forum for budget discussions. What do you think?
BTW, if you are a little paranoid, this is not a trap...... Promise!

AP does have great people!

The majority of workers of Averill Park are a great group of people. That is why our kids get a great education. Teachers, drivers, cleaners, and the rest.
What about those at the top?
District leaders that ignore the warning signs.
Have you ever experienced intimidation from above?
Are you affraid of attending a school board meeting?
Do you approve of the sign in sheet?
Are you affraid of getting on the "list" for speaking out?

Transportation Department uproar

The transportation Department has been in upheaval since last fall when the district fired Glasser. Where does the suit stand? How do the transportation rank and file feel after six months of changes. How is the new transportation contract?

New teacher contract

I hear there is a little concern with regard to the new teacher contract. Teachers are up in arms. Can this be confirmed? What are the details?