Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The upcoming budget vote, 3 weeks left to adopt
At this weeks BOE meeting Dori attempted to remove full day K from the list of possible cuts being considered.
That didn't work out so well. Watch the video.
I am inclined to take the stand that any budget, without full day K and still including administration available to cut, should be failed.
Last year we cut teachers (education) and were unable to cut administration because of the freeze negotiated the prior year. This year that is over. There is no longer a road block yet the BOE seems to be back looking at cutting education and keeping administrators.
It seems that, like last year, the BOE is "proposing" to take out the high emotion items to get the community in yet another uproar. Last year pink slips of paper were handed to teachers in front of the school population. That got everyone out to the next meeting in a total uproar. It was pure theatrics, remember?
We know who was behind it, she's gone. Was she the only one? Perhaps we have some BOE remnants that thought that pink slips were a great idea. Some in leadership may be pulling strings to keep the forums and presentations going for the next few weeks in an effort to keep up the stress on the community until the budget vote in May. Does anyone else find it odd that with three weeks to go to adoption, nothing is settled?
I have put out my ideas below and will continue on that path. Time will tell what path the BOE will continue down, time is running out.
That didn't work out so well. Watch the video.
I am inclined to take the stand that any budget, without full day K and still including administration available to cut, should be failed.
Last year we cut teachers (education) and were unable to cut administration because of the freeze negotiated the prior year. This year that is over. There is no longer a road block yet the BOE seems to be back looking at cutting education and keeping administrators.
It seems that, like last year, the BOE is "proposing" to take out the high emotion items to get the community in yet another uproar. Last year pink slips of paper were handed to teachers in front of the school population. That got everyone out to the next meeting in a total uproar. It was pure theatrics, remember?
We know who was behind it, she's gone. Was she the only one? Perhaps we have some BOE remnants that thought that pink slips were a great idea. Some in leadership may be pulling strings to keep the forums and presentations going for the next few weeks in an effort to keep up the stress on the community until the budget vote in May. Does anyone else find it odd that with three weeks to go to adoption, nothing is settled?
I have put out my ideas below and will continue on that path. Time will tell what path the BOE will continue down, time is running out.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The Drama continues, but what are the facts?
Lets run some numbers.
Using the numbers supplied by the District,
what could be cut to balance the budget?
Elem schools
Special area subjects $704,173.00
School Psychologists $277,320.00
Class Size (-1 not -3) $72,000.00
Special Ed $73,205.00
M School
Guidance Counselor $72,564.00
School psych (1/2 time) $46,220.00
Assist Princ. $110,550.00
H School
Technology (-1 FTE) $56,000.00
ELA $52,084.00
Math $15,670.00
LOTE (1/2 cut now) $144,000.00
Special Ed (-1 FTE) $73,205.00
School Psych (1/2 time) $46,220.00
Assistant Principals (2-$143,000.00) $286,000.00
Admin/super ($110,550.00) actually $150,000.00
Daily Cleaning (1/3 cut) $41,300.00
Pupil Transport (central bus stops) $70,000.00 ?
Clerical support (across the district) $225,000.00
Subtotal $2,515,511.00
What other ideas?
Last year I suggested cutting modified and 9th grade sports
because the void will be filled by local groups.
That didn't happen, but now it must. $125,000.00
Assist Super $175,000.00
Total $2,815,511.00
We are within $300,000 of the goal.
The District list supplied totals $6.74 million.
I haven't touched Kindergarten, sports, music, or art.
Kindergarten saves money in the long run because of the early intervention with regard to learning disabilities.
I have kept a LOTE teacher in the HS as a safety net to finish the 3 yr requirement.
The LOTE program in the MS is kept and we need to aim for the 3 year completion at those grade levels.
I didn't touch transportation other than to suggest central bus stops and the savings, going door to door needs to stop.
I still don't trust some of the numbers supplied, here's why.
For example : HS Assit Princ. savings is quoted at $110,000.00.
According to See Thru NY the salary is over $105,000 making the total savings to the district closer to $140,000.
The Admin / Super position is quoted at $110,550.00 savings and at See Thru it is $115,000 making actual savings $150,000.
Athletics is stated at $524,000. The athletic groups have contributed huge moneythis year. Is $524,000 the same as last year before the trimming or is the real budget over $600,000.00 including contributions?
Add to that, we just received a $700,000 refund from health ins. That says to me that the original "roll over" numbers used in the budget last year (11-12) were overstated. Is the number used for this year overstated as well? Buy how much?
If we lay off any employees going into next year the health number will be decreasing as a result.
Either way, is the $8,292,043.00 (12-13) Health Ins.budget number based on an 11-12 budget number that was $700,000 too high to start?
As always, I will keep you posted....
One more thing, we have chosen, and are negotiating with a new Superintendent.
Details will be out tomorrow (Monday) morning.
I think we did GREAT! I hope you agree.
Using the numbers supplied by the District,
what could be cut to balance the budget?
Elem schools
Special area subjects $704,173.00
School Psychologists $277,320.00
Class Size (-1 not -3) $72,000.00
Special Ed $73,205.00
M School
Guidance Counselor $72,564.00
School psych (1/2 time) $46,220.00
Assist Princ. $110,550.00
H School
Technology (-1 FTE) $56,000.00
ELA $52,084.00
Math $15,670.00
LOTE (1/2 cut now) $144,000.00
Special Ed (-1 FTE) $73,205.00
School Psych (1/2 time) $46,220.00
Assistant Principals (2-$143,000.00) $286,000.00
Admin/super ($110,550.00) actually $150,000.00
Daily Cleaning (1/3 cut) $41,300.00
Pupil Transport (central bus stops) $70,000.00 ?
Clerical support (across the district) $225,000.00
Subtotal $2,515,511.00
What other ideas?
Last year I suggested cutting modified and 9th grade sports
because the void will be filled by local groups.
That didn't happen, but now it must. $125,000.00
Assist Super $175,000.00
Total $2,815,511.00
We are within $300,000 of the goal.
The District list supplied totals $6.74 million.
I haven't touched Kindergarten, sports, music, or art.
Kindergarten saves money in the long run because of the early intervention with regard to learning disabilities.
I have kept a LOTE teacher in the HS as a safety net to finish the 3 yr requirement.
The LOTE program in the MS is kept and we need to aim for the 3 year completion at those grade levels.
I didn't touch transportation other than to suggest central bus stops and the savings, going door to door needs to stop.
I still don't trust some of the numbers supplied, here's why.
For example : HS Assit Princ. savings is quoted at $110,000.00.
According to See Thru NY the salary is over $105,000 making the total savings to the district closer to $140,000.
The Admin / Super position is quoted at $110,550.00 savings and at See Thru it is $115,000 making actual savings $150,000.
Athletics is stated at $524,000. The athletic groups have contributed huge moneythis year. Is $524,000 the same as last year before the trimming or is the real budget over $600,000.00 including contributions?
Add to that, we just received a $700,000 refund from health ins. That says to me that the original "roll over" numbers used in the budget last year (11-12) were overstated. Is the number used for this year overstated as well? Buy how much?
If we lay off any employees going into next year the health number will be decreasing as a result.
Either way, is the $8,292,043.00 (12-13) Health Ins.budget number based on an 11-12 budget number that was $700,000 too high to start?
As always, I will keep you posted....
One more thing, we have chosen, and are negotiating with a new Superintendent.
Details will be out tomorrow (Monday) morning.
I think we did GREAT! I hope you agree.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The drama queens begin.......What took so long?
From a FB Page:
"Averill Park is looking at cutting all non-mandated programs including Kindergarten, sports, art, and music! Unless we are able to talk to our legislators and convince them to put more money towards our schools, these programs will be cut and the deficit still won't be covered for next year! I STRONGLY encourage you to attend!!!! Legislators are most convinced by people sharing their stories in person!!!"
This statement is incorrect. It is simply wrong to continue the misinformation. ALL will not be cut. Not even most or even 1/2 of the items listed.
In standard "drama queen" fashion, someone else answers : "She's not kidding, folks..."
Well, she may not be kidding but she is totally misinformed. Who would do such a thing?
The district has put out the list, supplied by Greg and printed below, of non mandated programs being looked at by the Administration for reduction to balance the budget. The interim Superintendent stated at the last BOE meeting that not all items would need to be cut. Not even close.
We have recently received over $800,000 in refunds that will offset the shortage. Does this sound like last year? Get everyone up in arms then just increase the taxes or go to contingency. I am surprised that it continues to work.
There has not been a budget presented that shows any spending scenarios, just generalizations. This is used to raise anxiety in the community.
So, rather than trying to sort out the "drama queen information", wait for the first run of the district budget and see what the actual numbers are. When the budget presented includes all the assistants, administrators and their raises, etc and cuts education to the detriment of the kids, AGAIN you will know the truth.
I do have a question. The administration has used a formula to determine that the legal maximum increase in the tax levy is actually 3.95%. This would lead to a variety of tax increases from 1.9% to 5.7% depending on the town. Do you really think they could pass a budget with that kind of increase? They need to hear (or see)your answers.
"Averill Park is looking at cutting all non-mandated programs including Kindergarten, sports, art, and music! Unless we are able to talk to our legislators and convince them to put more money towards our schools, these programs will be cut and the deficit still won't be covered for next year! I STRONGLY encourage you to attend!!!! Legislators are most convinced by people sharing their stories in person!!!"
This statement is incorrect. It is simply wrong to continue the misinformation. ALL will not be cut. Not even most or even 1/2 of the items listed.
In standard "drama queen" fashion, someone else answers : "She's not kidding, folks..."
Well, she may not be kidding but she is totally misinformed. Who would do such a thing?
The district has put out the list, supplied by Greg and printed below, of non mandated programs being looked at by the Administration for reduction to balance the budget. The interim Superintendent stated at the last BOE meeting that not all items would need to be cut. Not even close.
We have recently received over $800,000 in refunds that will offset the shortage. Does this sound like last year? Get everyone up in arms then just increase the taxes or go to contingency. I am surprised that it continues to work.
There has not been a budget presented that shows any spending scenarios, just generalizations. This is used to raise anxiety in the community.
So, rather than trying to sort out the "drama queen information", wait for the first run of the district budget and see what the actual numbers are. When the budget presented includes all the assistants, administrators and their raises, etc and cuts education to the detriment of the kids, AGAIN you will know the truth.
I do have a question. The administration has used a formula to determine that the legal maximum increase in the tax levy is actually 3.95%. This would lead to a variety of tax increases from 1.9% to 5.7% depending on the town. Do you really think they could pass a budget with that kind of increase? They need to hear (or see)your answers.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
TO GWS, FROM GREG WHITNEY
Greetings
Over the past couple weeks I have had some conversations with Mike Marcelle (Interim Superintendent) and some BOE members about having a Budget Workshop in our community. They seem to be receptive to this idea. So I wanted to see if any of you would be interested in attending if this was scheduled at GWS. I have attached the presentation that the Superintendent presented. The projected deficit is 4.7 million. As you can see by the slides, EVERYTHING is on the chopping block with the exception of mandated items. I am not looking to get into debates about what they should and shouldn't do but simply to see if people are interested in having a forum within this community to share their views on what is important to them.
This workshop would not be to present a actual budget, but to give this community a forum to give their views on possible cuts. Things that we as a community feel are important and should be taken off of the table as possible cuts. We all have been jaded by past experiences from the AP Administration and BOE but remember that we are dealing with a new Interim Superintendent and we now have some new BOE members.
Please let me know so I can work with them to provide this if you are interested.
Greg Whitney
This information was given at the February 28th BOE Meeting
Current Programs & Services That Exceed NYSED Mandates
General Information
•Items are not listed in rank order.
•Some items may be reduced but not eliminated in entirety.
•Every reduction / elimination has a ripple effect and may impact other program delivery.
Elementary
Kindergarten
Special Area subjects
Instrumental Music
Remedial Services
Library Media Specialists
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Social Worker/Counselor
Class Size
Middle School
Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Literacy
LOTE in grades 6 & 7
Earth Science
Geometry
Studio in Art
Interscholastic Athletics
Extra Curricular Activities
Library Media Specialist
Substance Abuse Counselor
Guidance Counselors
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Assistant Principal
School Monitors
High School
Band/Orchestra/Chorus
LOTE beyond level 3
Electives
Advanced Placement
College-in-High School
Interscholastic Athletics
Extra Curricular Clubs & Activities
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Substance Abuse Counselor
Guidance Counselors
Assistant Principals
School Monitors
Teacher clerical support
District-wide Services
Assistant Superintendents
Directors
Technology Support Staff
Daily cleaning of school buildings
Maintenance of athletic fields
Pupil transportation
School breakfast & lunch program
Adult Education
Programs & Services eliminated in prior budgets
Neighborhood elementary schools
School Resource Officer
School Nurse Practitioner
Child Care Program
MS CARES
Summer School
Service Learning
Freshman Sports
K-5 Health classes
K-8 HAL services
Grade 6 Tech class
HS FACS
HS Business
Driver Education
Arts-in-Education
Late buses
Thank you Greg
Over the past couple weeks I have had some conversations with Mike Marcelle (Interim Superintendent) and some BOE members about having a Budget Workshop in our community. They seem to be receptive to this idea. So I wanted to see if any of you would be interested in attending if this was scheduled at GWS. I have attached the presentation that the Superintendent presented. The projected deficit is 4.7 million. As you can see by the slides, EVERYTHING is on the chopping block with the exception of mandated items. I am not looking to get into debates about what they should and shouldn't do but simply to see if people are interested in having a forum within this community to share their views on what is important to them.
This workshop would not be to present a actual budget, but to give this community a forum to give their views on possible cuts. Things that we as a community feel are important and should be taken off of the table as possible cuts. We all have been jaded by past experiences from the AP Administration and BOE but remember that we are dealing with a new Interim Superintendent and we now have some new BOE members.
Please let me know so I can work with them to provide this if you are interested.
Greg Whitney
This information was given at the February 28th BOE Meeting
Current Programs & Services That Exceed NYSED Mandates
General Information
•Items are not listed in rank order.
•Some items may be reduced but not eliminated in entirety.
•Every reduction / elimination has a ripple effect and may impact other program delivery.
Elementary
Kindergarten
Special Area subjects
Instrumental Music
Remedial Services
Library Media Specialists
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Social Worker/Counselor
Class Size
Middle School
Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Literacy
LOTE in grades 6 & 7
Earth Science
Geometry
Studio in Art
Interscholastic Athletics
Extra Curricular Activities
Library Media Specialist
Substance Abuse Counselor
Guidance Counselors
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Assistant Principal
School Monitors
High School
Band/Orchestra/Chorus
LOTE beyond level 3
Electives
Advanced Placement
College-in-High School
Interscholastic Athletics
Extra Curricular Clubs & Activities
School Nurse
School Psychologist
Substance Abuse Counselor
Guidance Counselors
Assistant Principals
School Monitors
Teacher clerical support
District-wide Services
Assistant Superintendents
Directors
Technology Support Staff
Daily cleaning of school buildings
Maintenance of athletic fields
Pupil transportation
School breakfast & lunch program
Adult Education
Programs & Services eliminated in prior budgets
Neighborhood elementary schools
School Resource Officer
School Nurse Practitioner
Child Care Program
MS CARES
Summer School
Service Learning
Freshman Sports
K-5 Health classes
K-8 HAL services
Grade 6 Tech class
HS FACS
HS Business
Driver Education
Arts-in-Education
Late buses
Thank you Greg
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