The recent meetings and forums have demonstrated one thing:
This Administration and the BOE cannot be truthful about what they knew and when.
People are still talking about the "one time" gap adjustment and how it was only supposed to be one year.
This is what was being sold as "the truth" by the former Administration and now by the present Administration.
Unfortunately for us, these are the people with the votes to make the decisions. The ones made last year and the ones coming. New leadership changed nothing.
The reality is the "One time adjustment" was made FOREVER. Not one year. It never was just one year. Get over it!
The BOE has known this for at least the past year, the former Administration has know from day one. No one wants to admit it. Why?
This following contribution was posted last year on March 23rd, 2011
I have copied and pasted it here to make access easier.
These points were also stated to the BOE during a meeting last year and it is on video.
START----
We have a guest contributor, Thanks Mark!
AP School Taxes…What next?
At recent school board meetings, we have heard from dozens of teachers and students who are telling us what we already know. We have great schools, dedicated teachers and talented children. The problem is math.
The state will continue to cut education aid to achieve “sustainable levels”. Our governor like many others does not believe our state can afford to fund schools at our current levels so they are pulling back through Gap Elimination Adjustments which if passed in the current budget, will continue for years to come.
Right now, the governor has already proposed cuts for the 2012-2013 school years which could mean another $3.5 million out of our budget on top of the $4.7 million for next year. What that would mean is that next March, we will be right where we are now because a 2% property tax cap will add less than $600,000 to the budget which is hardly enough to offset millions in cuts.
Meanwhile, our personnel and benefit costs continue to rise. Salaries, benefits and pensions make up 80% of the school budget, sadly staff reductions are inevitable. The math cannot and will not add up. We have spent too much and we are now paying for it.
It’s no longer a revenue problem. It’s a spending problem.
We need to find a way to make a $55 million budget work. We need to make fair and equitable cuts across all lines and departments. Any discretionary spending and overtime needs to stop immediately. We need to stop the partisan bickering and work together to get spending under control. The board needs to think long term regarding budget cuts.
Go to www.aptaxpayers.com and give us your ideas. Join us Monday, April 4th ,7pm for an open exchange and information forum on property and school taxes.
We need to come together as a community to find solutions for the sake of our district and the children who are depending on us.
Mark Keefe, Averill Park ---
END
At this point there is no meeting April 4th, yet there was last year.
Unfortunately the BOE still didn't listen.
We have just recently decided to freeze spending, OT has run rampant (other that plowing), the BOE has still been spending, the salary of the soon to be hired new Superintendent was set too high, BOCES was not used for the search, and there is more hypocricy coming. You will be amazed.
"We Love" folks are blaming the Governor for the Averill Park BOE lack of leadership. They still think that the Administration story of "we didn't know" is correct. The letter above proves otherwise. They will continue to urge you to contact your representatives for more dollars rather than your BOE majority to say "do a better job!"
Note the accuracy of the numbers in the letter. "$4.7 million for next year" refers to this year. Here we are! The actual increase in state aid is slated to be $650,000 MORE than last year, yes MORE. Combine that with a 2% tax limit of $600,000 ish and we still are in a hole. Yet we spend on.
You need to come to the BOE meeting this Tuesday and speak about some of the items on the agenda. Once the District gets around to publishing the agenda, you will know which items are offensive.
I have it now, I don't know why you cannot get it on the AP web site.
This is another thing that needs to be changed. Why do they wait until the last minute to post the agenda?
Budget season is upon us, you need to be involved........
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21 comments:
Results from last years community budget forums are still posted on the AP budget corner. Have any of the 20+ pages of suggestions been reviewed, studied, or in any way considered by the BOE? Many of these items were even suggested the year before to the BOE. The public is asked to contribute and they do, yet is there any follow-up by he BOE? Will this budget season be different and what will make the BOE listen now? They have had over 2 years to look line by line at the budget and study each entry and all novel ides . What has been done? Anything?
Offensive; causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying.
Bill are you suggesting that the APCSD BOE and Administration could be in any way, shape or form offensive to the taxpayers of this district?
Bill I believe you may need counseling.
Thank you,
I'll get right on that....
@anon 12:30
I don't believe there have been any real effort at cost cutting measures.
I am hearing that we don't do regular preventative maintenance on our buses. That will save some money, until we spend more on larger repairs. Apparently there is an effort to force the district into an emergency purchase of buses.
Nice employees right?
BOE agenda is up. Let's talk about item V!!! Last budget season Assistant Super position was a possible cut. AP is heavy with administrators and ALL areas should have cuts. How many have the administration had? And now Ms. Lawrence is in the agenda to renew her contract. How much grant money has she brought into AP schools?
V, VI, and VII are all in need of examination. The details are irresponsible at the least.
With the $4.7+ million gap why are we redoing anything? The reality is that no one on those lines can count on a job for the 12-13 year.
No matter how much money she has brought in, to where. If some of the money was for Japanese or other programs like that, we could do with those type of programs. Lets see how much money she brought in for programs that are required.
Who does VII include?
That is various secretaries and office staff. Adminstrator assistants and the like.
Why is -authorizes payment in accordance therewith--on V and VI and not on VII?
Well, you need to come and ask the BOE about that one. Details of the agreements are confidential until voted on.
Makes it kind of difficult to comment before and too late after.
I think maybe someone should go and ask the BOI (Board of Ignorami)the one question we all need answered - "Short of voting each Board member out, what can we, who are not in agreement with current decisions, actually do?"
And when Kneel, Jessie, and the remaining head bobbers, stare, and say "well, actually nothing", THEN they will know why Board meetings are empty, votes go as they do, and blogs exist.
Sign me,
ANONYMOUS
Isn't it amazing how poisonous to the Distric a person operating under the "We Love" mantra has been?
For the past 3 years, almost to the month, people have been put on the BOE that continually give away shrinking district funds to those who are already making plenty rather than maintaining the class rooms and education.
Those recipients, because of either greed or entitlement continue to take said money, while chanting "It is for the kids!"
Those on the outside are left to watch, unable to make any changes except for the once a year election.
I guess it is like watching a train wreck, you can feel the pain yet not be able to help until the end.
Then we have the teachers, who just keep on doing their job while the battle rages around them. They continue to be the key to a sound AP education, thank you for your service.
It's too bad this district has gone down the toilet and there is so little support from the community (tax payers) to do anything. To those with kids who have gone through the system and are now unwilling to support the programs that benefited their kids, shame on you. We need to cut some of the administrative staff immediately and the salary range for the incoming Super is ridiculous. It's also a shame that this get's put on the teachers. I know that many of them would like out of this mess but there is no where to go. Approximately 30 kids per class in an elementary school is ridiculous. I for one never thought I'd consider private school for my kids but that is the way I'm leaning at the moment. I moved to AP only six years ago partly for the schools, now it's they are motivation to move on. What a let down the BOE, Administration, and taxpayers have been.
It's about coming to the table and talking about what we have in common. Educating our children for less. Providing a good education that we all can afford. If it means no Japanese, guess what. Get rid of it. If we need to eliminate some sports than so be it. We need to be fair to all parties involved.
Senior's and other people can not afford there current taxes, never mind increasing them. Even 2% can break the bank for some people. Why should they be forced to sell their houses so kids can play football or soccer.
Again, let's be fair for all.
It's about providing a good education.
They BOE is circulating letters still claiming the "3rd year of the one time gap...." which totally makes my point.
If you get one will you send it along? I would like to get it posted here.
Just for comparison.
Dear Friends,
The following information is posted on the Averill Park’s website:
The Governor is proposing a third “One Time” Gap Elimination Assessment (GEA) to our school district. The proposed assessment for the upcoming school year is $4 million for a total of $11 million. This means our state aid revenue will be reduced by $4 million.
To be responsible fiscal stewards, the district has made the cuts and consolidations as well as used up our reserves – as Albany has called for. We are in good standing with the State Education Department and spend money per pupil wisely. Attention needs to be focused on Albany to provide support to districts that are doing the right thing. The community has felt the impact of the first two years of the GEA. Coupled with the Tax Levy Cap, this reduction in revenue will have a devastating impact on the program currently provided to our children.
The State budget will be finalized in mid March so our voices need to be heard now. We need to ask for mandate relief and the removal, once and for all, of the GEA.
As it stands, this cut in revenue will be devastating to both our school and our community. The GEA is currently not equitably distributed across the state. Please view this video for more information about the GEA: http://www.schooltube.com/video/baf36792587c48bba561/Cleveland%20Hill%20Budget%20Video
Please stop by the High School Library on Wednesday, February 29th anytime between 7 and 8:30 pm to write a letter to send to our legislators and the governor asking for the removal, or at a minimum, equitable distribution of the GEA. Paper, envelopes and sample letters will be available. If you are unable to attend, letter information can be found here: http://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/Elected_Officials.htm
For the sake of our children and community, please make your voice heard.
Please forward this information. Working together, we can make a difference.
Thank you,
Jessie Zweig
How did Jessica get my address?
Thank you for the copy.
I don't know how she got your email, probably forwarded by someone else to you.
No - Her email came directly to me.
This is copy from the email. It was not forwarded. It appears that she or someone created a group called Jessica. Was this a board authorized letter. Is she sending this letter on behalf of the board or her self? Can you comment on that? I think she got it from either the District Office or the PES office or she took them out of the PES Directly.
So I would really like to know how she got it.
See this was on the email:
Jessica Zweig jzweig71@verizon.net
10:55 PM (19 hours ago)
to Jessica
Dear Friends,
She is part of the group that is going to send letters to Albany to beg for more money. She has most of the BOE backing.
She may have your email from her campaign 3 years ago. Last year Tater and Glanton had email blasts from the District also.
I will check into it. I always thought the district info was confidential.
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