Chris Foster is our new leader, Jenny is our new Vice President.
Transparency and openness have been delivered to the District.
So, I asked for financial information regarding GW. I will have it, really, and then you will have it too.
Things are better, the dynamic is much better. We are moving in the right direction........
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The meeting had a totally different vibe with the new Super, new BOE pres/vice pres and Dori! Bill- great job tonight at the meeting. Thanks for asking some tough questions! When will Ouimet get back to you on the GWS financial data? Will this be a presentation at a BOE meeting or a handout just for BOE?
Can you please get the real numbers and answers on the cafeteria program, that one year, is a "financial loser", and that employs Mrs. Bonesteel, but the next year, is a "profit maker"?
We "saved" that program, the same year GWS was closed.
Time to get the real answers from Mike. He needs to start telling the real truth.
Thank you Bill
It appears that a BOE member can simply ask a question now and get an answer. What a difference a Superintendent makes.
He even said to the audience that if you have a question related to the district, just call his office and ASK! Yep, he will respond and be helpful.
Are you feeling the warmth yet?
I don't know what the form of the information will be but I will be able to pass it on.
Thanks Bill for asking for the financial data related to G.W. I had thought about F.O.I.Ling the information myself, but wasn't sure where to start, as you need the information from the two years to compare. As I came a little late, I didn't hear if the district was hiring a new asst. principal as Mr. Messia moves up to principal, or will they rearrange the administrative staff we have. I have to agree with the board majority that it would be wrong to do away with modified sports at this time, but I am definitely an advocate of the savings that intramural sports for middle school would bring. I'm also happy to hear that there won't be anymore special deals for the use of the school facilities, by outside groups.
I want to see the real numbers on GW now that the first fiscal year has closed.
As you may recall the "estimated" savings went from $750K to $400k to $200k and then the vote occurred.
After hearing how much we were spending on the school without occupying it, I would love to see the actuals. Just to see how close the estimates were.
It will help make the decision on how fast we can re-occupy. The lease says
they get 1 year notice. We need to get this done in the short term.
As an extra district expense, I believe all 3 GWS area to PES buses now have aides (which they didn't have before). How many GWS faculty/staff positions were REALLY eliminated? Also, I have heard rumors that AP is providing cafeteria service at GWS for Questar. Bill- do you know if this is true? Also, didn't the original cost-savings proposal say that only 2 buses were needed? Now there are 3 and kids still have 45 minute bus rides.
Reduction Analysis overhead 3/2/10:
http://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/budgetcorner/documents/2010_Reduction_Analysis__BOE_03_02_10.pdf
For a savings of $350K for closing GWS they said:
"in addition to cutting six elementary teaching staff this results in reductions to adminstrator, secretary, custodial staff, support staff, nurse, cafeteria, bus run,utilities, etc."
Were 6 teaching positions cut last year? Was administrator reduced? Secretary gone? I thought in the agreement w/Questar the district still pays for a custodian/maintenance, etc. AND utilities (don't forget that now the entire building is used year-round and AC's are in the windows). Is this true? The cost of bus runs has increased greatly. Where were the savings?
I am sure that we all agree the decision was a sham, (and a shame)
The point I wish to make with the rest of the BOE is that the numbers were not necessarily the most accurate but constructed to get the desired vote.
Keep the information close at hand and we can compare notes when I get the request.
Could GW parents please realize that a 45 min bus ride is nothing. My child could see his elementary school from our house, and he still rode the bus for 45 min. Do what we do drive them, or stop complaining please!
The fact that it has happened to anyone, doesn't make it right.
If the numbers show that there is truly no need to bus and no savings in closing GW, all the worse.
Let's wait and see....
B.O.E.
We voted for change, We got change, We needed change.
The boe members have picked a new President & Vice President
We as a community need to stand behind what we voted for.
Chris Foster was overwhelmingly voted in to be the new president of the B.O.E.
This is no reflection on the past president but just a new direction that the board is going. I myself believe that it will be good and we should stand behind the ones that we support .
The community needs to give Chris and the rest of the B.O.E. the support that they will need.
STUART NIPPES AVERILL PARK N.Y.
A 45 minute bus ride for elementary kids is not right for anyone. That's like saying our kids commute back and forth everyday to Glens Falls for school. In my opinion an hour and a half each school day wasted.
When my son went to Miller Hill, he got up the bus at 8:30 am for school session that started at 9:20 am. He was on the ride for 40 minutes and the distance was only a mile and half. I disliked the idea of a young child riding the bus that long when I could have driven him to school. However, I did not have the luxury as I had to work. Plus my son liked meeting his friends on the bus and he never complained. So to those out there, please stop complaining. I know of middle school kids who have to be at the bus stop at 6:30 am - an hour including the time sitting in the bus till they can get down at AMS. Be happy, at least the school still has a budget for running the school pickup.
Dont mind my posting here but yesterday I received a letter from the West Sand Lake Fire Department to vote for a Referendum to build a new facility at the existing site for 5 million dollars. I live in Averill Park and anyone out there who can tell me if residents in Averill Park come under the West Sand Lake Fire District? I dont want to see my property taxes going up even if it means starting in 2013 to pay the new fire facility. This is bad economic times. I am not getting pay raises anymore. I cannot believe they would demolish the old buildings and build a new one in times when everyone is trying so hard to put food on the table for the family.
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