The District has a $4.9 million gap to close. We discussed that tonight and how we need to raise awareness. "Let's write letters", "go to Albany", "tell our representatives of our plight" they say.
In the mean time, to demonstrate our "fiscal responsibility" and "concern for education", we give raises out tonight to Administrators and Management Confidential. These people should be grateful they have jobs! The reality is, some may not, after the dust settles but they took that raise. It will really suck if they get the raise then get laid off because we can't afford the costs.
The vote was consistently 4 - 3. You know who voted and how.
So, how will Albany view us when we go and ask for more education money, while granting raises in the face of a $4.9 million gap? Does laughter ring a bell?
Then we discussed the possibility of another "Bus Prop". We just spent $2,000.00 to fail the last one. The Admin. just is not listening to the community. We need to maintain our fleet, not borrow. We need to support EDUCATION, not keep Freightliner in business. Every dime needs to go to classrooms and kids, especially this year! We are a board of education, nothing else.
Anyway, Admin wants to borrow $526,000.00 to purchase buses. Debt service on this is +- $140,000 per year. All to save an increase in repairs of? $40,000.00
Yes, we will spend $140,000 to save $40,000. To put it another way, spend $100,000.00 MORE!
Oh, and the final piece is that transport aide is %70, knocking the extra $40,000 back to an added net cost of $12,000.00 to the district to keep our buses maintained.
We should be failing the bus prop and putting the $100K to education. What do you think?
I understand you not coming to the meetings, the forums. The BOE thinks it is apathy, I know otherwise.
Just make sure you come out in May when the count gets taken. I will keep you posted in the mean time.
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9 comments:
Voting for the raises made no sense. We need to get organized and present two good candidates that can beat Foster and Zweig. I don't care how good of job Omiet and Lawrence are doing, there just is not money to give raises. I wonder if the 4 board members actually understand where we are. If your check at home was projected to be in the red, would you go out and buy a car. I would hope not.
What is it about Ouimet and Lawrence? This board keeps encouraging them to stay....or is it that they have something special we don't see? It seems that things will never get better....
I agree, it does seem that way.
Things are always darkest before the dawn. I know, I know. Sayings don't fix anything.
So many people recognize the past mistakes, and it just takes so long to get them corrected. It will happen, we are forced into taking small steps over a long time.
It will happen.......
In order for it to change, we need a new majority. We can not change anything with FOSTER, ZWEIG, BONESTELL and SCHAFFER. They will have have voted for the same old thing.
WE NEED CHANGE TODAY, not in two years.
We need someone to step out and run that can win and that has the courage to do what is right. If there is no money for raises that do not give them out. If people want to leave then so be it. Good Bye, and don't come back no more no more, HIT THE ROAD JACK.
These are difficult times, if these people are not aware of this then they surly should not be in leadership positions.
This is finally the year that can shift the majority on the board. Two good candidates and real change can happen. It's too bad for the new super tho..., this board picks the super and then it's a new board ( hopefully) in July.
When was the last time that the district offered a retirement incentive?
Not sure of the year but its probably been 4 years.
There is no money to offer, we really need to concentrate on maintaining the programs.
But will the higher paid teachers, admin, and staff leave so that people earning less can take their place (or keep their jobs rather than losing them). Can't an incentive actually save money?
If that were the case, sure.
I don't know of any that are old enough. Keep in mind that the ones that can retire will be counting what they will give up in future earnings.
The incentive would have to be substantial.
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