Honestly Averill Park

I guess it's time......

2012-01-22T18:23:00.002-05:00

Things have been pretty quiet since the former Superintendent departed.

The BOE went with a head hunter for $20k to get Superintendent candidates. I felt BOCES offered a free service and we should take advantage of it.

The BOE went with a salary range for the new Superintendent of $155,00 to $170,000. Again I said no because you can always go up with your offer but in schools, you can never go down. We had 22 applications, many from much lower paying districts. Now we can't offer less.

Finally, at the last BOE meeting, I became very affraid.

First, there was the camera put up in the Transportation Break room. It was put up over the Christmas break while no one was around. I really thought we were past this kind of behavior with the departure last spring. I really hope this was an isolated incident.

Second, I am affraid of what the BOE of the next few years would be doing if they listen to this Administration.

We saw a presentation of debt service outlook for the next 4 years. This is what it looked like:

Capital Bond Debt

Year       Total Debt (Payments)      State Aid             Net Local Share
                                                                                                      (levy amount)
12-13      $6,505,608.00                 $6,217,407.00         $288,200.00
13-14      $5,145,658.00                 $5,593,548.00          ($447,890.00)
14-15      $2,673,964.00                 $3,818,967.00          ($1,145,003.00)
15-16      $2,675,464.00                 $2,636,442.00           $39,022

Next year 12-13 we are almost even on Capital Debt payments vs State Aid

The following year 13-14 we are at a net gain relative to cash flow. And the following year we come out of the woods. The woods prior incompetent boards sent us into.

What scared me? The recomendation that we dive into more debt! The result? We may never get the benefit of the incoming state aid payments being greater than the outgoing debt service. We have BOE members who are interested.

Another thing to look at is the decrease in debt service from 13-14 to 14-15. Just about a $2.5 million decrease. With $250,000 being the number for 1% increase in taxes, do the math.

Look at it this way. If the budget amount remained the same, we will be required to actually spend $2.5 million less in 14-15 than in 13-14. We would be able to put money in the bank, pay cash for improvements, take some off the tax levy, open a mistakenly closed school, the options are endless. Only if we don't start borrowing again.

Decreased taxes to benefit the community and not be teetering on the brink of disaster based on shrinking state aid? What a great idea!

What did some of the BOE say? Lets get started.

I will be voting NO.

Ps. Are there any candidates looking at this year?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T19:37:00.000-05:00

This is a novel approach to taking our world back

2011-12-22T16:24:00.000-05:00

Winds of Change....

Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no

pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social

Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the

Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into

the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the

American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all

Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and

participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the

American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void

effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this

contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in

Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers

envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their

term(s), then go home and back to work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T19:03:00.000-05:00

If you have a chance this weekend, try to watch this report. It is interesting and disturbing. Much of it hits home.

Where are we?

http://www.hulu.com/watch/282115/the-cartel

If your traveling, be safe.

B

Anon has an interesting question......

2011-11-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

How much does it cost to get a job in APCSD?

Advance agenda for a Board of Education meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m., November 15, 2011 at the Averill Park High School – LGI.

8. Approve to accept a donation in the amount of $15,000.00 from the Averill Park
Booster Club for the purpose of restoring winter track and increase the General
Fund budget (A28551500053000) by this amount.
9. Approve to accept a donation in the amount of $27,874.00 from the Averill Park
Booster Club for the purpose of restoring boys & girls freshman basketball and
boys & girls varsity assistant basketball coaches and increase the General Fund
budget (A28551500046000) by this amount.
9. Approve the appointment of Jenna Brooks as Freshmen Girls’ Basketball Coach, effective November 7, 2011.

10. Approve the appointment of Meghan O’Shea as Modified Girls’ Basketball Coach, effective November 21, 2011.

Comments?

Does the end justify the means?

2011-10-21T20:44:00.000-04:00

Recently the BOE heard from Sharron Lawrence with respect to how AP ranks against the rest of the Capital District in a number of different areas. This information has been compiled and summarized by the Capital District Business Review.

Let me assure you, it was all good news for the district and its residents. The years covered were 07-08, 08-09, and 09-10. We can only look back at the results, there is a one year lag in the information available.

The best news was that our academic ranking had increased over the three years. All rankings are based on 100 or so other districts around the region. The academic rankings were as follows. 30th in 07-08, 21st in 08-09 and 13th in 09-10. This shows that the teachers have continued to excel and in turn have continued to educate our kids in spite of the turmoil around them. These are good people simply doing a good job.

Another bright spot was that the average cost to educate per student, during those same three years, decreased. The ranking for our cost to educate vs the rest of the area had fallen. Our rankings were 42nd the first year, 60th the second and 68th in 09-10. Enough external pressure was being placed on the Administration during those years that they responded, and in turn, succeeded. A better education for less was being delivered. (In spite of a certain someone and her cronies who were constantly defending the administration and allowing teachers to be laid off)

The third item that really go my attention was that during this time the ranking for Median teacher salary had increased. We were 54th the first year, 34th the 2nd and 25th in 09-10. There could be a number of reasons for this. We could be seeing this because we have laid off teachers during this time. The rule "last in first out" gets rid of the lowest paid, pushing the median salary higher via seniority union rules. The other option is that other districts have been hiring new teachers during this period and dragging the median at their district lower with lower salaries. Either way, we are doing more with less and our teachers are the key.

That was confirmed during the last BOE "get together" with the Administrators group. They basically told us that they were working. A lot. Most of their time was spent managing. Personally, managing is what I always thought they were supposed to be doing. Teachers teach and Administrators, well they administer. They have confirmed that they are in deed earning their pay.

It appeared to me that the group was telling the BOE that the 11-12 contingency budget adopted, sucked. This was the budget put forth by both the former Superintendent and former BOE President. The Superintendent had no idea she would be leaving at the time and may have had to live with this budget, and its consequences. Yet, they pressed on.

Where were the Administrators then? Even though I had put forth alternatives (over $500,000) that didn't impact kids, no Administrator came to me to sound a warning. It seems no one wanted to say anything, they just sat on their hands. Why worry? They had the no lay off clause. Let the teachers get the ax.

The Administrators cited the "reduction of student engagement" as a problem brought on by the loss of 1 business, 2.0 FACS, .6 Social studies electives and .4 Art. Then they reported that our late arrivals and early dismissals are both up. Why? We don't have any teachers to teach the electives to fill the school day. Could the cause be that the teachers got the ax? I would say so.

We were told that if any further cuts are made at Algonquin, the education supplied may drop below NYS mandate. Teachers are now at "the maximum contact time allowed by contract" and "have been relieved of supervisory duties". They are just teaching.

So with the bad news delivered by the Administrators this early in the year, I have to ask: Where were you guys last spring? You had a "no lay off" clause protecting you and you didn't speak up to try to change the BOE direction. Now you say you are working hard, all day. Welcome to the world that the rest of us have experienced for years. It's called reality.

Oh, and another thing. The next time you see the misguided majority of the BOE getting ready to adopt a travesty, speak up!

I guess I can talk about these now.

2011-10-16T13:32:00.001-04:00

The following are two E-mails sent out by Chris Foster, our BOE President. One is before the bus vote, the other after its failure.

It is very interesting how people act when in power, on this AP BOE . Take for example, Ms. Lofredo. She was in a position of power during her day and was heard to tell the public "Keep in mind, we don't have to let you speak. We just do it as a courtesy." It seems that the power went to her head. She is not on the BOE any more.

Then we have Mr. Shaw. Became President and was going to put the district in a better place. Then he helped fire Jenny, and shut down the public comment at BOE meetings. He even went to the trouble to obtain a gavel to quiet the audience. Like those before him, he is out of power.

Now we have Mr. Foster. Following the same path and he has a gavel. He says in one E-mail, " It is imperative to me that we reclaim our district during these crazy times". Really? The bus prop. failed 480 no to 288 yes. The majority of those who care, came to vote. The majority voted NO. Perhaps the "reclaim" has been done and the BOE is out of step with the community "in these crazy times".

The BOE thought this was the thing to do even though we have a 100% inspection passage rate.They also thought a 4.8% levy increase, going to contingency and laying off teachers were the right things to do. How in touch with the community is that?

I now hear that we have 12 or so buses sitting as spares on any given day. The ones approving and paying the bills, the community, voted NO to this added spending. A resounding defeat for more non education spending. This of course goes hand in hand with the budget defeat.

Don't be fooled. This is not a safety issue, the buses are inspected. This is simply an image issue. When there are buses in need of replacement and the economy improves, the district will be able to purchase buses.

I can't put my finger on what has caused the three people mentioned above to be so out of step. I do find it interesting that they all reside on the same cul-de-sac. Three BOE members, all risen to power, all from the same street with seven or so homes. There must be something they all have in common but what could it be? What are the odds? Anyway.

Here are the emails.

One more thing: Chris writes," The board of education is putting together a communication plan to assist with this upcoming budget season and receiving candid feedback will assist us as we move forward.

Really? You received candid feedback from the 600 people who attended the first meeting after the pink slip rain storm this spring. You also have been getting very candid feedback for a couple of years from two blogs that have been allowing people to give the BOE candid feedback, sometimes very, very candid.

Anonymous continues to speak candidly and vote. No gavel works on the internet.

It seems the BOE is listening to the "Misfit Minority" who has provided self serving and out of step advice.

Does anyone out there have any "candid feedback" they would like to deliver to the BOE?

You have probably heard by now......

2011-10-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

School Bus Proposition Fails

Averill Park residents went to the polls on Wednesday, October 12, to vote on a school bus proposition to continue the district’s bus replacement plan. The proposition was defeated by a vote of 480 to 288.

I love this picture from Unmoderated. They do some great work.


                                                             Can they hear you now?
                                                            Do you think they are listening?

I wonder if they will ever listen to the majority of the community.
The budget went down and they did their own thing by going to contingency.
Now this proposal has gone down.
I have been told that nothing will pass until the BOE gets it together. I believe you.

This is a clear sign that the majority of the BOE needs to listen to a different part of the community. They are obviously being led astray. We as a board need to demonstrate that we do understand that the budget for next year is going to be bad. Every dime spent now is a dime we don't have to educate kids in the future. That is our charge. Maybe this vote will be the catalyst for change.

The community sees the budget woes coming. Those that came to vote, no matter which way, cared enough to vote. We have many disenfranchised voters. Those that say "Who Cares?"

Can you blame them? Rember the pink slip rain storm this spring? The one dreamed up by the former Superintendent and approved by the BOE leadership? That got people out to the BOE meetings didn't it.

I would think that the public pressure would keep the BOE on the straight and narrow. Only time and the election next year will tell. If yesterday is a preview, some people need to worry.

Bus vote coming Wed Oct 12th

2011-10-06T19:52:00.000-04:00

The question most asked recently is, "How are you voting?"

First I will tell you why.

I was disappointed when the BOE voted to put up the last budget. I voted no.
The same occurred when they voted to go straight to contingency. I voted no.
Then they voted to set the tax rate at 4.6% and I had been trying to get them to cut that down.
That vote was the day of the earthquake. I was stuck in Queens. I would have voted no.
The BOE seems to just keep spending.
I also disagree with the mix of buses. We rerouted the district to put more kids on buses and get efficient.
That being said, why buy mostly small buses? Five small and 2 large? Don't forget the Cadillac of buses
the "under belly" tour bus at just $124,400.

I would have considered a yes vote if the BOE had made room for the increse in taxes from the bus purchase by reducing the tax levy by an equal amount. That discussion was early in August. No one on the BOE listens.

Maybe if the purchase of buses fails they will start to listen. Maybe......

Again, I will be voting, NO.

Comments from a transportation employee

2011-09-14T14:34:00.000-04:00

Have had parents on my run asking why R they getting home so late?
Get to a school, bus isn't even shut off R putting the kindergartners on RIGHT AWAY!! Can't use the rest rms. been on our bus' about an hr or more & have an hr + to go, (is this not healthy or even illegal!!) Sitting on bus till they let other grades out, sitting at least 20 min or more before they allow us to leave or loaded, little 1's R very squirmy, tired, noisy, hot, uncomfortable, about another 45-60 minutes on bus!! This is good weather!! We as drivers (most I should say)are sorry for all this, but had no HAND in what is taking place, meaning how runs R being done, worked last year, the runs & dismissal, told they were done this way BC of dismissal times, makes no sense BC for an ex: U have 3 bus' doing same HS run 1 bus did last year, on time, could use the rest rooms, being told it wouldn't work? 1ex. of 50 plus runs more or less like this!! Have never seen anything like this, we realize runs change but the DRASTIC CHANGE beyond drivers comprehension! This 1 run has 3 bus', 1 bus goes 1 way, the other pass students standing waiting for their bus, " saving money" HOW? 3 bus' what 1 BUS DID on time! Waste of time, fuel, mileage & have us loaded!! Drivers being told to re-write runs, EXCUSE ME? WHY? The job of the people in our office over the summer to do? What did they do all summer long?? I can tell U what some did, were on Facebook, looking up jokes etc & Supervisor hardly there ever, came in most times when we left for our AM runs was gone before we got back from PM run!! & gets paid what?! For what!!? I know!! To go run for parts for the bus', part stores deliver! Always going for parts or in the garage with the guys more than she is at her desk!! We R not being paid to write runs, we may have to critique but not re-write,R responsible to drive & be safe, also R crossing some kindergartners on major roads!!! We never use to EVER!! DANGEROUS! Have added more roads and increased student load but,here's a funny 1 we can't figure out, have taken time from runs!! How does that work? doesn't take someone with a PHD to figure out that doesn't make sense!!! Have a sub driver going out & doing runs with FT drivers reporting to supervisor & telling her what she thinks should be done, EXCUSE ME, we have a VERY COMPETENT Head Bus Driver be given that responsibility? Sure she wouldn't mind ( matter of fact know she wouldn't mind!!) Sub drivers on the 1ST couple of days of school just sitting in the brake room in case they were needed! $17 an hour each!! They live close enough to call, Head Bus Driver if needed for a run she was there, subs sitting & being paid!! We R treated pretty bad by our supervisor, but no 1 is listening to us haven't been since she walked in the door!! She isn't listening to parents, she hardly returns their calls, & basically blow smoke up your____!!, Call the new Interim Superintendent Mr Michael Marcelle #674-7066 and let him know what is going on, concerns, maybe just maybe something will be done, TALK TO HIM, not Mike Oumiet, he doesn't care, a very nasty person to deal with & will go on deaf ear just like the Supervisor.U think you're confused & frustrated, just imagine how we feel! The new Superintendent seems like he may take things by the horn when he knows things aren't right, don't forget he's not from around here, so "He has no 1 in his pocket & vise versa. Good luck, we understand exactly where U R coming from, we R in the same boat trying to do a good job for you & keeping your children safe. The stress we are feeling this year is like no other (Drivers/Monitors).

What do you think?

2011-09-01T19:59:00.000-04:00

Should the BOE spend $25,000 on a superintendent search with a head hunter or
take advantage of the free services offered by QUESTAR and bank the cash in anticipation of the cuts in funding next year?

Just wondering......

Info on changes in school times

2011-08-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

From Sharon Lawrence,

Our new elementary student day will begin ten minutes later and end ten minutes earlier. Our main purpose for the change was to provide a more effective instructional day for students. This is accomplished through the use of split specials which will allow teachers to have more direct instruction with a smaller group of students. This will allow for a reduced student to teacher ratios for ELA & Math instruction.

In addition, it is a more effective instructional day because it allows for teacher common planning time (for enhancing collaboration) which has been moved outside the student day. We also have incorporated an integrated library model which will allow for teachers to team teach with the library media specialist. This will increase the use of project-based learning and other instructional methods that will be beneficial for your children.

Lastly, we will accomplish some savings through the compression of our transportation schedules. This is a district wide initiative across all 3 elementary buildings.

Check this out, then give an opinion, thanks.

2011-08-13T12:22:00.000-04:00

This is very well done, is it realistic? Tell me what you think....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

We have a guest contributor, well done anon!

2011-07-24T07:04:00.001-04:00

This came in as a contribution on the "Sun has risen". It speaks to many and reflects the feelings of many more. Someday, we will finish fixing the errors of our recently departed Superintendent. For now, it is a work in progress.

Over the last two years this community has faced an administration and Board of Education that has tried to divide us and even put friend against friend. We fought and beat the streets to get signatures trying to stop our beloved school from closing. We watched a Superintendent and BOE Candidates (Foster & Zweig) come to our school and tell us what a wonderful school we had. The three people are the same ones that put in place the closure. One of them is gone but we will never forget the destruction that she caused during her tenure as the school Superintendent. We then watched as Bill Reinheart came to this community and asked for our support. This community opened our hearts and embraced him with support and votes. We embraced his willingness to lead the fight for transparency of a School Board and Administration. His comments to re-open George Washington were like music to our ears. At the last BOE meeting he asked for a real accounting of what is saved by keeping George Washing closed as an elementary school. We may again be able to have an elementary school open again within our community. We also seen Dori Salisbury come and ask for our support. We again supported this person who brings the same message of Bill. As you have seen, Dori too has been elected to the Board. Jennie Glasser also asked for our support and we too supported her. Jennie was re-elected to the board. As you can see, one common denominator to Bill, Dori and Jennie is that this community gave each one our support. All we ask is that we are treated fairly and have the ability to help chart our course of what happens to our community school. As we continue on, we will continue to support the Board Members that treat us fair and gives us the same dignity that they ask of themselves. We will however try to remove the members that look out only for the schools that they live next two. As we have continually been told, BOE members need to look at the whole district. Just don’t forget that we are part of that district. We will watch how each board member votes and we will hold you accountable. Your services as a board member are appreciated, but always remember who voted you in.

In closing, As we embrace our new President Chris Foster, please remember the words he spoke at the end of the July 12th Board Meeting. And I quote "I am sure the Board Members will be a target at some time this year”. I would like to assure all members of this Board, that if this community is treated fairly, we in return will treat them fairly. I will also say on behalf of this community, if we are not, come May 2012 we will go shopping for two new Board Members.

The sun has risen a bit over Averill Park

2011-07-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

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........

Comments please?

2011-06-25T19:13:00.000-04:00

This came over from the Unmoderated site. I was asked to comment for accuracy.

My coments are in (bold)

Since we had to cut MILLIONS of dollars from our budget, how can we think that the children would not suffer? Teachers and their benefits are expensive. Yeah, I know, I know, cut more admin, but they did cut positions there too and took on more work (ie department heads). The school district is fairly large and needs some leadership.

(We had to cut millions but it didn't need to be from kids. There were many other lines in the budget that could have been trimmed, not allowed to be touched by the Admin.)
Teachers and their benefits are expensive (true)
Yeah, I know, I know, cut more admin, but they did cut positions there too and took on more work (ie department heads). (Thats wrong No Admin positions were cut, 2 year no lay off clause in effect.)

Not just teachers, but all employees/benefits are expensive to all businesses. I think that we get what we pay for. Do we want a Walmart level of education for our youth? Looks good in the package, but never functions in real life the way that the competitors do. Our community has said, pretty clearly, that they are NO longer funding education for our youth to the same degree that we have seen in the past. How long will the good teachers stay if they can get more respect, support and salary elsewhere? Are we going to burn them all out with the bigger class sizes, less support etc.? You may not agree, but I still find all of this mess very, very sad.

Not just teachers, but all employees/benefits are expensive to all businesses. ( Benefits are expensive, sharing the cost more equally in private industry makes things better)
I think that we get what we pay for. Do we want a Walmart level of education for our youth? Looks good in the package, but never functions in real life the way that the competitors do. (In reality, a Wilson tennis ball from Walmart is the same as one from Macys and you can purchase twice as many. Shopping at Macys doesn't necessarily get you a better product)
Our community has said, pretty clearly, that they are NO longer funding education for our youth to the same degree that we have seen in the past. (Yet they had nearly the same budget forced down their throat thru a contingency declaration)
How long will the good teachers stay if they can get more respect, support and salary elsewhere? Are we going to burn them all out with the bigger class sizes, less support etc.? ( The teachers didn't get support from the Admin. this year. Can you say pink slips? Who are you trying to make responsible? Respect, support and salary are all here, especially for the lifers. Class size is probably not the negative you think, especially with an aide in the class or second teachers for core items)

Please note that I did not attack ANYONE; I simply expressed my opinion. I hope for the same respect. I do not have a personal disagreement with anyone! Disagree with me, convince me of your views, but just skip the degrading remarks, please.

Hope this helps. No attack, just reality....

Let's talk about FRESHMAN SEMINAR. What have you heard?

2011-06-23T19:20:00.000-04:00

And so,it is done....

2011-05-31T20:57:00.001-04:00

The BOE accepted the resignation of the Superintendent tonight at 6:45. The vote was unanimous.
The resignation is effective 6/30/2011.
May God bless Averill Park Schools.

News from The New York State School Boards Association

2011-05-26T15:04:00.001-04:00

May 26 , 2011
SPEAKER SILVER INTRODUCES TAX CAP

Yesterday Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver introduced his version of a cap on local property taxes. Like the governor’s bill, the legislation would generally limit annual increases in the tax levy to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Both Governor Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos were quick to provide their support, with the only apparent outstanding issue being whether to allow for an expiration date, so that the legislature can determine if the measure is working. For school districts already reeling from the loss of state and federal aid, as well as a new annual cap on school aid and school STAR payments, a cap on local tax revenue will have profound repercussions to both educational programs and the staff that provide them.

Specific Provisions of A.7916 – Tax Cap Legislation

The new law would apply to all school districts serving populations of less than 125,000, meaning everyone but the Big 5 city school districts which are dependent on the city government for funding. The new law would apply to budgets voted on next May, for the 2012-2013 school year. The timing of budget votes and public notice requirements would stay the same.

TAX LEVY LIMIT. The Assembly bill outlines an equation to be calculated each year in order to determine the tax levy limit for each school district. Factors of the equation would include; taxes levied in the prior school year, payments in lieu of taxes, the allowable levy growth factor, the tax base growth factor, available carryover and tax levy exceptions.

Allowable Levy Growth Factor. This factor represents the tax cap to be imposed upon school districts. The allowable levy growth factor would be limited to the 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

Tax Base Growth Factor. The district’s tax levy would be allowed to grow modestly each year due to expansion of the tax base from either an increased assessment of existing property or from new development.

Available Carryover. Districts that have spending plans approved that are under the tax cap would be allowed to carry over the difference to the following year, up to 1.5 percent.

EXCEPTIONS. There are three exceptions which will not be capped by the tax levy limit, these exceptions would also be allowed in the case of a contingency budget (see below):

Court orders or judgments. Any amount arising from a tort case exceeding five percent of the total tax from the previous year would be exempt.

Pension Costs. The tax limit would have an exemption for increases in pension rates, in both the ERS and TRS systems, above 2 percentage points from the previous year. NOTE: NYSSBA is seeking specific clarification regarding this calculation.

Capital expenses. Capital expenses (building project bond payments) would also be excluded from the tax cap calculation under the plan.

OVERRIDE VOTE. The bill includes the ability to override the cap limit with a “supermajority” approval rate of 60 percent of voters. Local budget proposals that are either at the cap limit or under the cap limit need only a simple majority vote. The budget proposition on the ballot will still ask for a vote on the district spending plan, but if that plan exceeds the tax levy cap, the legislation dictates the ballot language that must be used. That required ballot language highlights the fact that the amount requested would be over the cap and that a 60 percent approval rate is needed for passage. Boards may put separate propositions on the ballot, but if the total of the budget and propositions exceeds the cap, 60 percent approval by voters would be required.

CONTINGENCY BUDGETS. Under the proposal, districts would be allowed a second vote following a failed budget, or the automatic adoption of a “no growth” budget, meaning that the district’s tax levy could be no more than the previous year. If the second budget vote also results in a rejection of the proposed budget, the school district would need to adopt a contingency budget which is the same as the “no growth” budget plan – not to exceed the prior year’s tax levy. The current contingency budget law would be amended under this proposal to reflect this change as well as to eliminate certain exemptions presently allowed under a contingency budget. Of course, total spending could increase if state aid increases.

REORGANIZED SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Two or more school districts who have reorganized will not be subject to the tax cap but instead will have a unique tax levy limit for the first year following reorganization as determined by the Commissioner of Education.

TRANSPORTATION. There is a transportation provision in the bill that would require voter approval if the district wanted to transport students for distances less than 2 miles for K-8 students and less than 3 miles for students in grades 9-12.

EXPIRATION. The Assembly version of the tax cap would “sunset” at the same time as rent control regulations in New York City, as Speaker Silver has tied the two issues together, stating that both laws are intended to keep housing affordable for all state residents.

NYSSBA ANALYSIS
Support by Governor Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Skelos for the Assembly tax cap plan signals near inevitability of a tax cap on school district spending, although the deal is not yet done. This reflects the consistent support expressed by public opinion polls and would fulfill one of the governor’s most strident campaign pledges. Its timing could not be worse, coming on the heels of three years without an increase in state aid, the loss of federal school jobs funding, federal recovery stimulus funds and a state budget that caps future increases in school aid. Together, they create a new fiscal austerity for our schools that will recalibrate spending in the foreseeable future, at a time when schools face rising expectations for student achievement. Local school officials have always faced significant challenges, but these constraints will be stifling.

The proposal is likely to lead to a number of inequities, including the fact that districts with an expansive tax base would be able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for each one percent increase in the tax levy, while low wealth districts would raise much less under the same levy. High performing districts would also suffer, as the ability of the communities to support their schools at a higher funding level would require a supermajority override vote, certainly not a slam dunk. These inequities have been noted in Massachusetts following the Commonwealth’s passage of a tax cap. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

Wealthier communities will override a tax cap more frequently than poorer ones. This has contributed to a growing spending gap between local governments in high-income communities and all other communities, despite Massachusetts’ progressive system of state aid. This is likely to occur in other states that implement a cap.

Massachusetts’ tax cap has exacerbated disparities between wealthier communities and poorer ones in access to quality local services, as many of the former have voted to override Proposition 2 ½’s revenue cap while the latter have generally had to adhere to it.

This proposal’s approach also raises issues of voter equality, with a “no” vote essentially counting for more than a “yes” vote when seeking a 60 percent passage rate. Clearly, this is not the way the democratic process was designed to operate. Our democratic process has always required a simple majority for passage except in rare and extreme occasions. A simple majority allows for every vote to count equally and thus fairly reflect the will of the people. One man, one vote counts as much in our democracy when it relates to budget votes as it does in when voting for the members of the legislature.

One of the most onerous omissions in the legislation is an adjustment for increases in student enrollment. Under the present version of the legislation, school districts could double in enrollment without being able to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Also troublesome, is the lack of a clear expiration date for this bill. It is unclear whether the rent control laws will be extended for three, five or maybe eight years and the tax cap proposed by the Assembly would remain in effect so as long as rent control was also in effect. If the state truly wants to re-examine whether or not the tax cap is successful, a date certain within two or three years would provide a better benchmark.

Taxpayers themselves may well become disillusioned by the cap, as they believe the measure would limit their individual tax increases to two percent, while the Assembly bill would actually allow the entire district tax levy to increase by two percent. Individual tax rates, in fact, could be much more than two percent, depending on local growth and equalization rates. Moreover, the allowable exemption for pension costs almost guarantees that some districts will regularly seek a tax levy increase more than two percent.

Having fought the tax cap at every stage, providing legislators with the impact on their schools and the numbers of layoffs, NYSSBA will now push for a more workable cap and real mandate relief. In particular, the requirement that 60 percent of voters support an amount over the cap, a sunset provision and the failure to adjust for student enrollment must be addressed.

While public support for a tax cap is estimated at unprecedented levels, the public has very little understanding of its implications, both for schools and for their own taxes. With a tenuous majority in the Senate having just changed party leadership in the last election, the Senate understands their need to be responsive. Membership in the Assembly majority comes largely from urban centers and so Speaker Silver is motivated by his members’ need for rent control (which the Senate majority seemingly opposes) and is maneuvering for a trade. The governor’s political timeline on this issue is much different than the legislature’s, however, as the Senate’s need to pass a tax cap is offset by the fact that the political fallout from potentially massive school program and staffing cuts will come right before their election next year. In order to survive the community concern over the loss of such cuts, the Senate will need to be able to point to fulfillment of their pledge to provide “significant mandate relief” to coincide with the tax cap. To date, neither the governor nor the legislature has advanced such mandate relief.

NYSSBA has provided state leaders with the NYSSBA Essential Fiscal Reform Playbook that spells out in explicit detail exactly how to accomplish the kind of mandate relief that would mitigate the effects of a tax cap. During the gulf oil spill disaster, attempts to cap the well were unsuccessful until they were able to limit the flow of oil from the source. If the quality of New York State schools is to be preserved, gushing costs will need to be similarly contained.

Our schools must be given the means to adjust to this new fiscal reality beyond merely laying off staff and eliminating programs for students. Recognizing this, NYSSBA has met nonstop with state leaders in recent weeks to push for the mandate relief measures contained in the Playbook.

Tax cap is coming, tied to rent control

2011-05-25T07:18:00.000-04:00

"It will tie the hands of school districts". That is the plan, their hands need to be tied.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cuomo-says-tax-cap-a-game-changer-for-New-York-1393257.php

Can you hear me now? You can't believe anything they say.....

2011-05-25T06:52:00.001-04:00

Prior to the budget vote, the Administration was putting out the threat of a contingency budget totaling $56.3 million with a levy increase of 11%.

The truth was proven last night. A Contingency budget of $55 million was adopted carrying a 4.87% tax increase. If the budget had not been voted down, you would never have gotten the correct numbers. I have been saying for years that the voters don't get the actual numbers, just scare tactics to lead you to the desired outcome.

Two examples from the media follow.

The Averill Park Central School District is proposing to cut freshman sports, winter track and fall cheerleading.

"It's pretty clear there's a very good correlation between student success in school and participation in athletics," said Averill Park Superintendent Jo Moccia. "It's not something the district wanted to do. There's just not a lot of choice."

Moccia said that Averill Park's proposed $55.1 million budget would cut so deeply that it actually spends less than its $56.3 million contingency plan -- the budget that would be put forth if voters reject the one presented Tuesday.

Averill Park voters defeated a $55.1 million budget Tuesday, 1,777 to 1,499. On Wednesday, they were buzzing about a contingency budget carrying an 11 percent tax hike -- twice the proposed 5.1 percent increase in the original budget.

Board President Neil Bonesteel said a tax increase would not jump into double figures.

The school board meets Tuesday to discuss whether to send the defeated budget back to the voters, produce a new spending plan for a vote or to adopt a contingency budget.

Averill Park has undergone a two-year emotional and fiscal roller coaster ride. It closed elementary schools last year and plans layoffs for next year.

"It's been very difficult, to say the least," Bonesteel said.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Schools-grapple-with-hard-choices-after-budgets-1386055.php#ixzz1NMJ8Yk4f

Perhaps we will be able to get it straight now that things are changing at the top.

So they did it anyway.

2011-05-24T21:24:00.000-04:00

During the process of crafting the failed budget, members of the BOE said they would not go straight to contingency. Well, they did.

There was one surprise, the vote was 4-3. Yes 4-3.

Right now, the spending limit is set at just over $55 million. This yields a 4.87% tax levy increase to be spread out over the nine towns we cover. It is a contingency budget.

We gained this year but will need to be totally on point for the election next year.

Sorry folks, I will keep working to give you your board back.

Pending agreement, the district will be changing

2011-05-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

Things look good in Seattle and I don't know what is going on with Google.

This is from "students first",not "Administrators first"

2011-05-20T14:43:00.000-04:00

BBS and crew are soooo out of step.

www.studentsfirst.org/christine

Teachers teach kids, plain and simple.

Nicely done Joyce, well said

2011-05-20T09:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2011/05/20/opinion/doc4dd55d6c4e5b1310971861.txt

Interesting statistics on teacher retirements

2011-05-19T21:03:00.003-04:00

Thanks to http://aptaxpayers.com

'"http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/millionaire_teachers_0TAnsJddHXPrQi80FnIrXK

I never expected it would be this lopsided.

Jennie and Dori hit it out of the park!!!!!!

2011-05-17T23:11:00.002-04:00

Donation letter rescinded.

2011-05-16T09:18:00.000-04:00

The newest message from the Superintendent follows Re: prior letter looking for donations from the employees. Even those who are being laid off ! The APTA correspondence is included.

Hi all

I recently sent an email to all staff informing you of the possibility of making individual monetary donations to the District as a means of helping in these difficult times. That message followed several employees asking me how they might help and followed some employees making compensation concessions to the District. The message was sent purely as an information item about a potential voluntary effort that could be made by individual employees should they believe that would be appropriate.

I have been informed by the leadership of the APTA that some of its members have expressed that they were upset by the message and may even have felt some forced obligation to make a contribution. That could not be further from the truth. I have had the opportunity to speak at length with the APTA leadership and, at their request, am sending this message to address those concerns in an effort to reduce what has unfortunately become a source of further stress in an already stressful time. Therefore, please consider my prior message rescinded.

Although my message was appropriate and well intentioned, I am sorry and disappointed that it created any concern among some of you. I was laying aside business and labor considerations and thinking of the folks who may not have jobs when we come back to school next year. Though there is no way to predict what would have been done with donations, because it would have depended on the level of money donated. No one was required or even urged to donate. Understand that while most of us still have jobs, some of us will not. My only consideration was saving some positions, not only for the people who will be excised, but for our students who will most certainly feel the effects of fewer teachers and staff. I know this is a concern that all of us share. After 24 years in the District, there are very few people who work here who I don't personally know. It is painful and sad for all of us to lose colleagues and friends, and while a donation may not have saved many jobs, it was offered as a response to those of you who were asking what you could do as individuals.

However, since it was never my intent or interest to create any further stress, confusion, or angst among the staff, I am sorry that the message may have had that effect on some. It is for that reason that I am sending this message to rescind the earlier suggestion so that no employee feels any pressure however unintended that was. Thank you. Jo Moccia

To: APTA Members

From: APTA

On or about April 27, 2011, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Moccia, sent an email to the staff suggesting that each member voluntarily contribute to the district in order to “allow the district to potentially save program, jobs, and the taxpayers.” We asked Dr. Moccia to rescind her letter for the following reasons:

Some members felt pressured to contribute or face recrimination. Dr. Moccia has made it clear that this was not her intent.
Members were concerned that there was no guarantee that their contributions would be applied directly to APTA positions.
Members expressed concern over a perceived attempt to avoid the negotiations process that has already begun.
Members felt the request, well intentioned as it might have been, was not an effective way to bargain with APTA.

In the interest of positive movement forward toward finding solutions and meeting our mutual goals, Dr. Moccia has agreed to rescind her letter. APTA appreciates this decision. We will continue to work with the Superintendent through the negotiations process to reach an equitable agreement, negotiating in good faith, and hoping for a reasonable collectively bargained agreement.

APTA President,

Chris Blais

It's official, AP Taxpayers Association endorsement below

2011-05-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

AP Taxpayers Endorse

Jennie Glasser

and

Dori Salisbury

Vote "No" to a 5.1% increase!

After careful consideration, we are proud to endorse Jennie Glasser and Dori Salisbury as our candidates for the Averill Park Board of Education. It is clear that they represent our best chance to return some sense of fiscal sanity to the taxpayers. This district is faced with a financial crisis that will impact our children and the property owners for the forseeable future. We need to get a board that will balance the needs of children with the ability of taxpayers to foot the bill. Jennie has shown through her actions on the board that she gets it. Dori brings a wealth of expreience in financial analysis and employyee benefit packages which would be invaluable to this board. They both presented well at our candidate's forum. The choice is clear.

As for 5.1%, the answer is simply "no"! This board needs to have the courage to do what needed to be done a long time ago. They must stop giving more money to an admistration that makes no effort to control costs. If the techer's union is unwilling to accept a freeze or a pay cut, then we need to let teachers go. The 5.1% increase merely kicks the can down the road! Next year, we will be back again cutting more teachers and programs. We should make the hard choices now. Tell this board you have had enough of higher taxes by voting no!

The Averill Park School District can no longer afford the path we are on. We need to rally support for these candidates to represent your interests and not those of the administration and the teacher's union. You are payint too much! Call your friends and neighbors. Make a sign and put it on your lawn. Let people know where you stand. We need to out work them. Get everyone you know out and vote on May 17th.

It's time to take control of our own financial destiny!

APTaxpayers

Could this BOE have wasted 1 Million dollars?

2011-05-13T18:52:00.001-04:00

On March 30th of last year I put forth this scenario for consideration. It would have cut the 3 assistant principal positions and created 3 disciplinary dean positions. It did not consider the excess principal that could have been cut for additional savings. They had probably already put through the no Administrator lay off contract at that point.

Cut 3 Assistant Principals for a salary savings of $285,358.00

Est. Benefit savings on the 3 positions @ 35% $ 99,875.00

Total $385,233.00 (wow)

Add back 3 Disciplinary Deans $45,000.00

These are 3 teachers with admin. Certificates working part time as administrators.

Net Savings $340,233.00

As of May 12 th 2011

If we add in the possible savings of the excess GW principal we save an added $113,800 in salary and $34,000 in est benefits.

Add $149,000 to the $340,233 and the annual savings could have been $489,000.

Basically $500,000 the first year.

Add to that, the cost of this irresponsible decision for the 2nd year (2011-2012) and you have just short of $1 million dollars that could have been used to fund a lot of education for kids. The BOE should have been looking at cutting expenses last year, other than closing schools. We did have a GAP elimination in 2010, right?

Like this year, the majority of the BOE still never did the hard work of looking at the line item budget for economy last year.

It gets better. The bumping process may also have been a consideration for the "no lay off clause" put together by the BOE and the Administrators unit.

The way I understand it, and the bumping process, if the excess GW Principal position was eliminated, she could have bumped out the newest Assistant Principal at the middle school. The newest Assistant Principal could have retreated to his last position of Social Studies teacher. Does anyone know who the last social studies teacher hired was? Does anyone know what team he coaches? He might have dropped out of the bottom with the shuffle, what would we have done without that coach? By the way, I don't believe he knew any of this was going on.

How valuable could a sports program be to some people? Consider what coaching position was saved, who is an avid supporter of the same sports program on the BOE and in turn, also very friendly with a person who could benefit greatly from scholarships received by some players on that team?

You have to wonder if it actually occurred this way or if it was just dumb luck (Bad luck for us taxpayers). Either way, the result was the same, $1 million dollars spent and not available for the education of kids this year.

Finally, consider this, how much dumb luck have you had in your lifetime and conversely, did the taxpayers have enough input to authorize this BOE essentially spend $1 million dollars for one sports program to be kept together? It is a tangle web we weave.....

Follow the money folks, always follow the money

CAN PAM GET RE-ELECTED BASED ON HER RECORD?

2011-05-13T18:06:00.000-04:00

As promised, the E-mail disected.

2011-05-05T21:04:00.000-04:00

My notes are in bold.

This E-mail sends the message that both candidates will behave as alleged and are in locked step.

Subject: If you believe in our Averill Park schools ...

And you are concerned about how we will continue to educate our children without causing financial hardship to our citizens, please vote for Cheryl Glanton and Pam Tatar for Averill Park School Board.

This statement leads the reader to believe that Glanton and Tater will makes decisions " without causing financial hardship to our citizens". Tater voted to increase the levy by 5% and cutting programs and teachers. The tax increase will be causing many people a financial hardship.

Both Cheryl and Pam recognize the severity of our current fiscal situation and are prepared to confront it while maintaining the excellence of our schools.

Like I said, BOTH candidates. If there was any preparedness to confront it, Pam would have voted NO on this budget and she would have been willing to keep kids programs over Administration. The excellence of our schools is in jeopardy because of program cuts approved by Pam. This questions her judgement.

We need board members who will focus on a managerial approach to
addressing the serious issues confronting every school in our nation.

This statement conflicts with Mr. Dimin. He believes the BOE is strictly policy and not managerial. Supposedly the present Administration is quite capable and doesn't need a "managerial approach." Mr. Dimin was moderating and criticizing some candidates on the BBS face book page. He would like to hear more about the Charter School Pam says we should open, even after voting to close GW last year.
Both he and BBS are involved in this campaign for Glanton and Tater. Can they get on the same page? Do you think they talk?

Not every school district is having these problems. Our problems are ours and need to be corrected locally. Districts on Long Island are feeling very little because of their massive tax base.

Cheryl brings years of management experience to the table. (Like?)

Her ability to negotiate and work with diverse factions will prove to be a tremendous asset to our community.

(How? When? BOE members don't negotiate)

Pam has spent the past six years attending every conference and studying every course available in order to learn how to unite school boards from across the state in demanding mandate relief.

(At district expense, What has she accomplished so far? How did that visit with the "wizards in Albany " go?)

We are at a point RIGHT NOW where NYS is actually listening!

(This is the LIE. We should be listening to them, they are not listening to us. The districts have screwed themselves.)

Let her continue this important work!

(Important work? Really? Like what?)

Thanks anon

2011-05-05T15:30:00.000-04:00

I love this district! Just ask and here it is.

This is the E-mail being circulated by the "other side".

After reading it I have one thing to say, HYPOCRISY!

Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie.

Subject: If you believe in our Averill Park schools ...

And you are concerned about how we will continue to educate our children without causing financial hardship to our citizens, please
vote for Cheryl Glanton and Pam Tatar for Averill Park School Board.

Both Cheryl and Pam recognize the severity of our current fiscal situation and are prepared to confront it while maintaining the excellence of our schools.

We need board members who will focus on a managerial approach to
addressing the serious issues confronting every school in our nation.

Cheryl brings years of management experience to the table. Her ability to negotiate and work with diverse factions will prove to be a tremendous asset to our community. Pam has spent the past six years attending every conference and studying every course available in order to learn how to unite school boards from across the state in demanding mandate relief. We are at a point RIGHT NOW where NYS is actually listening! Let her continue this important work!

How can you help?

1. We will print ads in The Advertiser, copies attached, where supportive community members can add their signatures. Suggested donation is $10 per signature. Checks made payable to The Advertiser. You may sign your name or your sentiment. I.e. John Doe or Proud parent of a track athlete. Important - names and $$ must be submitted by Friday, May 6th. Just a few days from now. We have collected dozens of names and they continue to pour in. Please contact me ASAP if you want to be included.

2. Forward this to like minded members of the community.

3. Print out the attached and give to friends and neighbors.

4. Do you live on a prominent road? Will you allow a sign to be posted? Please call.

This resembles the nail biting article written by our Administrators about how to survive a school closure.

Can someone send me the E-Mail?

2011-05-05T08:06:00.000-04:00

I hear BBS and company have sent out an E-mail begging for contributions for some ads or maybe even another PUBE mailer. They continue to support the Administration candidates Pam and Cheryl. Perhaps the well paid Administrators will all put up their raises to run ads. Do you think that will work?

Anyway, I would love to have it and take a look at the e-mail addresses. Maybe I would like to contribute to the cause....Either way you will remain anonymous.

Thanks

Can we get it straight?

2011-05-03T20:04:00.000-04:00

I heard today that Jennie and Dori were pushing to privatize both cafeteria AND transportation.

Do you remember one of last years rumors? The rumor was that I wanted to privatize transportation. Sound similar? Here is another:
"If you vote for Bill Reinhardt, everyone will loose their job." Really? I voted "no" to fire people. Do you know which 5 people voted to cut all of the jobs?

Have you noticed that the people that want to privatize and fire everybody are never the Administration candidates before election and are exactly those people the next budget season? I guess you know what is next, as long as the Administration candidates get elected.

Let's look at some facts can we?

Jennie voted just a month ago AGAINST the privatization of daycare. There were 5 votes to privatize daycare, Pam Tater was one.

Jennie voted AGAINST the closing of GW. There were 6 votes for the closure, Pam Tater was one.

Jennie voted against the budget with a 5.1% tax levy increase. Not because of the tax increase but because of the lack of cuts to slush and excessive cuts to kids programing. Are we seeing a pattern here? Pam voted "yes."

Dori has brought $1.9 million in suggestions on how to save so that a solid education can be delivered to our kids. The majority of the BOE and Administration ignored suggestions for savings from many!

They both understand the need for local labor to deliver and care for our kids. Look at who the rumor is spread by. Look at how the candidate has voted, or spoken, to see where your candidates are coming from. The videos are everywhere. Take the 15 minutes to understand.

Do you remember who met with coaches and cancelled football for next year? The athletic director in the name of the BOE. That was WRONG!

Who handed out 60 layoff notices in the name of the BOE? Was there enough uproar on this one? You know that was WRONG!

How many stupid stories need to be "leaked" to the community in an effort to create uproar? Don't you feel it is WRONG? Show how wrong they are. This year, vote to be right.

Glasser and Salisbury are the RIGHT direction for the BOE, the others are just........

A REAL MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT

2011-04-26T07:00:00.002-04:00

Word is, there will be a Meet the Candidates night on Wednesday the 11th of May.

Lake View upstairs. Capacity is 100 so go early. Free hors d'oeuvres and cash bar available.

Event from 6:30 pm on, you will be able to ask questions.

All candidates welcome.

Sponsored by the AP Taxpayers Association.

AP Taxpayers BOE Candidates Forum

Wednesday, May 11^th, 6:30pm

Lakeview Restaurant 2^nd Floor

It is vital that we change the culture of the Averill Park School Board with candidates who will balance the interests of the property owners of the district in providing a quality education to our children. The only way this can happen is to vote in candidates who understand the fiscal reality we find ourselves in today. We can no longer afford BOE members who simply rubber stamps the wishes of school administration and the teachers unions whose only solution to the problem is to raise taxes 5.1%. This needs to change on May 17^th.

The reality is we have overbuilt and overspent as a district. The escalating costs of retirement benefits and health care are unsustainable. A 2% Property Tax Cap next year would mean an increase of $600,000 which would not even cover the increase in pension contributions of $1,100,000 this year. How then do we pay the increased fuel costs, health care costs not to mention the salary increases for union teachers even after their contract expires guaranteed by the “Triborough Amendment”? The answer is “We don’t!” The cuts will continue each year. Meanwhile, the “For Sale” signs continue to appear as more of our neighbors look to move away from the regressive taxes we endure in Rensselaer County.

We lay off music teachers, art teachers and business teachers in the classrooms but we fail to cut a single position from the administration. What’s wrong with this picture?

The Averill Park School District can no longer afford the path we are on. Join us and share your thoughts and concerns with potential board candidates and frustrated taxpayers. We need to rally support for candidates who represent your interests and not those of the administration and the teachers union. You are paying enough. It’s your money. It’s your school district. They work for you. It’s time to elect a board who represents you. Tell your friends and neighbors.

Join us!

Your concerns Re: this budget season

2011-04-24T19:30:00.000-04:00

I received this recently. I have answered in bold.

Bill,

What is your position on the April 27th church meeting, at Zion Methodist Church, where Jo Moccia and TWO BOE members will do a presentation???

I think it is nice that the church is holding this meeting. The BOE members that support the budget should be the ones presenting it. This way they have a platform to run on for next year. Unfortunately, it will be a history of favoring Administration to the detriment of the education of students of APCSD. Being that I am NOT supporting this Administrator heavy budget, I should not be the one to explain it.

I do not believe any BOE members have the authority to speak, at public meetings, outside of Board meetings. Do they?

They do "IF" the majority of the BOE makes that decision. The majority of the BOE needs to sell this budget.

To your knowledge, which two BOE members will be going?

I believe it will be Foster and Jweig

How were they selected to go?

Majority decision

Will you also be attending?

I expect to attend, just to offer another opinion. Anyone else?

Why is there a need for ANY meetings, outside of the public BOE meetings? Are these meetings discussed with the entire BOE?

I have not participated in any BOE discussions of how to make a positive sales pitch out of this budget. You can't polish a turd.
There is an urgent need to build support for this budget because it is a travesty. It hurts every interest in the district except Administration, as usual. Then, to add insult to injury, it then raises the tax levy on people already choking on the high taxes and a failing economy.

The price of gas is now at $4.00 per gallon and expected to be at $5.00 by the Memorial Day weekend. This BOE is raising taxes for the next 12 months just as the economy gets ready for a second crash landing. They have no forward vision.

I demand that similar meetings be held in Brunswick - Bill, can you make that happen? Phil Harrington would be interested in this nonsense, seeing as how Brunswick is getting the educational shaft in the district!!!!

Well, I disagree. Everyone in this district and every Geographical part of this district is going to get shafted by this budget. Last year George Washington was shafted, this year everyone in the APCSD is being shafted by the majority of the BOE. All of whom have been supported by, well, you know who.

I would be happy to get together with Phil and anyone else interested. He is a good man. If you have ideas on this, pass them along. Perhaps he would allow us to use town hall one night for a discussion group. I do not believe that the Administration would attend, do you?

Someone suggested protesters, just sayin.....

This is interesting, I was just elected the first time

2011-04-20T09:23:00.001-04:00

I received this post overnight.

Some is factual, some is close, some not to much.
I have made notes in bold thruout.

I would like to see if you would post my comment to your blog.

This concerns Jennie Glasser.

More than 10 years ago (actually 8 yrs), when she served on the BOE, then President (Pat Dahl was president at this time), she supported a school staff member who embezzled more than $50K from the child care program my son was enrolled in at that time. ( I was present during the executive sessions, I would not call it support and the amount she was accused of was less than $5,000. You will see in a minute where the rest went.)

Yes, the Director of the Child Care Program, named (unpublished and unproven). Jennie stepped in and it was in the Advertiser that she asked people to leave xxxxxx alone as xxxxxx was a member of the AP community. (I don't believe this ever happened. No board member made any entries in the Advertiser, it was an ongoing State police investigation and we couldn't say anything, especially in the news paper.)

I cant say there is any integrity on Jennie to run for another term. xxxxxx was never charged in court or asked to return back the money. (As I said, unproven and as you will see, unaccounted for) You see, we already had this type of BOE species a decade ago. I dont like any on the present BOE because I dont think they listen to us. (I will assume I am included in that but I don't understand why)

If only we can replace all of them with a new group. (If)

This is one of those historical problems that has been corrected.
The system of collecting Child care payments and tracking was the worst I have ever seen. Cash was received and put in metal cash boxes and left in desk drawers overnight, unsecured. Receipts were issued and lost. The cash passed through many hands and could have been disappearing anywhere along the travel path. There were virtually NO checks and balances to account for all of the cash changing hands. There was no audit trail and the State Police investigated. No one person held responsible.

I believe the issue with the individual was purchases at local markets. Things were added to the purchases and taken home. The missing cash could never be tracked so no one was ever prosecuted.

I don't know if you remember when the district began taking credit cards for child care but it took the business office almost a full year to begin accepting them. Jennie, J.Slyer and I were the driving force to get that done. There was alot of resistence at the time, unbelievably.

I hope this helps, Jennie wasn't the issue then. This is one of those quiet stories that get out during a campaign cycle to make a candidate look bad or questionable. I have a question, why now, have you asked?

Welcome Jennie Glasser

2011-04-14T19:54:00.000-04:00

I wanted to officially announce that I am running for a seat on the Averill Park Board of Education.

I was first elected to the Board of Education in 2000 and that was after serving the district, for over a year, on the Communications Committee. During my first term with the Board, the District faced tumultuous times. We saw major changes in administration, the hazing and High School climate issues were front and center during that time. I am proud to say that I was part of the positive changes that took place as a result of these “tragedies”. When the Board President suddenly vacated her position, I stepped up and was unanimously supported by the Board to be the President. That was a period of time that I cherish. We were a thoughtful, proactive, effective board even though there was rarely a unanimous vote.

There was respect amongst the board members, administration, staff and taxpayers that I have yet to see again. It is my strongest desire to get back to that place where we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable, where the needs and wants of our children are respectively balanced with what the taxpayers can afford and where the board performs its role of accountability and oversight without repercussion.

Since being elected again in 2008 I have continued to show my support of our educational system despite forces that have opposed me for a variety of reasons. Those reasons are not important compared to the decisions that have been made by the majority of this board that affect us daily and will effect our near and distant future. The administration works for the Board of Education and I believe that our role, as a board, is to provide oversight to the administration, therefore becoming the “checks and balances” that we expect from our government on any level.

I believe that my experience, both in and outside of the “board” will provide a balance which is desperately needed to operate this district for the benefit of ALL. Voting for me ensures a voice for balanced, affordable education that we call ALL be proud of!

I welcome all comments, suggestions and criticisms, please contact me via email at jennieglasser@hotmail.com, cell phone at 518-248-0669 or good old fashioned mail at 4451 NY HWY 150, West Sand Lake, NY 12196.

Please vote on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 Averill Park High School 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

Well done Greg, Well done.

2011-04-14T11:41:00.005-04:00

Greetings

This letter is intended to officially announce that Dori Salisbury is running for the Averill Park School Board.

Over the past years, many of us have been faced with bad economic times. These times have also hit our School District. No longer can we just create programs without the foresight of how we will sustain these programs long term.

Taxpayers have been stretched to the limits. Taxpayers that are on fixed incomes are at the point of not being able to even afford their taxes. At the same point we must educate our children so they are successful and can get jobs.

I believe that Dori Salisbury would be an asset on the Averill Park School Board. Her background in financial management would help in utilizing the money we have and looking at waste within the district. Any organization has waste, but we must have people on our school board that are willing to look outside of the box in order to make these cuts.

In order to get Dori elected, we must run a campaign that costs money. Below I have outlined a very reasonable campaign that would cost approximately 1000.00. I am aware that times are hard for each of us. If we could get 50 people to contribute $20.00 a piece, this would take care of the funding to get the word out and to the voters of our District. We can no longer just sit back and say that this does not affect us. School Taxes affect everyone within this district, weather you own or rent. If in fact we are only able to raise part of the fund we will have the signs made first.

Please send checks to Greg Whitney 1 ½ Gene Ave, Troy, New York 12180 marked Dori’s campaign fund.

Stage 1 - 100 Signs @ $3.95 a piece = 395.00
Stage 2 - 2 Adds in the Advertiser (Inserts) plus printing = 600.00

Thank you for your time and I look forward to listening to your thoughts. I have set up a blog for your information. The address is

http://www.doriforapboe.blogspot.com/

Greg L. Whitney
518-283-2221
Email – greglwhitney@aol.com

April 14, 2011 11:36 AM

Excellent letter at AP Taxpayers Assoc.

2011-04-13T20:33:00.000-04:00

Perhaps he would run for the BOE.

Follow the link

http://www.aptaxpayers.com/

Twitter on this page now - Search Communicuss- note 2 s's

2011-04-13T18:15:00.001-04:00

If the BOE gets it right....read this

2011-04-13T09:52:00.000-04:00

http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/School-aid-reductions-won-t-harm-students-1334448.php

We could have done much better.

2011-04-13T06:35:00.003-04:00

Last night the BOE passed a budget with a tax levy increase of 5.1%. This budget was slanted to the Administration, again. All departments took cuts except the highest paid slice, Administration and their office staff. Programing took the biggest hit.

The BOE cut the last of business teachers and even 5th grade music. There were ways to keep these course areas and more. They failed to look. Our Superintendent actually cut the levy increase by finding more available cuts ( non-admin ) . The BOE accepted about $70,000 of my $710,000 in suggestions. We could have kept more and still lowered the tax rate.

So now we have this spending plan. It does not address next year at all. We are scheduled to lose and additional $1.6 million in funding next year. They have succeeded in "not cutting too much this year so we have something to cut next year". I guess that is a forecast for next spring.

My plan would have reduced spending by nearly half of the cut for next year, this year. We would have been in line to trim only $900,000 because we would have already saved $700,000 this year. That would have been a much easier task. Now we will be trimming the whole $1.6 million next year. Naturally, the BOE will be looking to raise taxes to offset their lack of effort again. Welcome to government inefficiency.

I do have to say this, as much as it pains me. The BOE has made some good decisions with an eye on the future fiscal health of the district.

We declined offers of "freezes" from three union groups.

One would have the teachers loan us this years pay raise (cash) for three years "if" we agreed to rehire 80% of those laid off. Either way, all would have been back on track in three years. No change. This simply would not have helped long term.

One would have the Administrators group get another year of a "no lay off clause". By my count, this decision last year cost the district $1 million. I will get into that soon.

The last would have had Transportation take a pay freeze conditioned on an agreement by the district to freeze the dollar figure paid by each employee for health insurance, forever. Presently the amount paid is a percentage and changes as the health costs change.

This proposal would have frozen the actual amount. Say $100.00 per month , forever. We all know health insurance costs will go up, employee contributions as a percentage of cost in municipalities must also.

Last night , all three representatives of these groups said we were not looking to the future. I say that is exactly what we are looking at. Unfortunately this BOE is not looking at what is on our doorstep. The $1.6 million cut next year and $350,000 in loses by the cafeteria.

I just heard it on the news. "You can't tax your way out of this". Who is listening?

Isn't it IRONIC ?

2011-04-10T21:39:00.010-04:00

This entry was done by me on April 5, 2010

We hit a milestone on Saturday. Over 200 visits that day. It is good to know that people are thinking about their Averill Park Schools. Schools that WE ALL love.

Some of the elite of the Averill Park area feel that we are anti-education. It is simply not true. We just want to know that the taxes we pay are spent efficiently and on education, not on unnecessary salaries and overtime.

Spent on programs that help the most with the best yield and not just a few. Keep coming and spread the word. Those that have the most to loose are also the most vocal, the most devisive and the minority. They support the smallest slice and highest paid portion of the district employees.

Doesn't this sound familiar?

The next is last year also. But by BBS on her FB site.

Bridget Ball Shaw ----We need to stand united in support of our schools. Please invite all the Averill Park people in your friend list to join this group and use this as a forum to share thoughts and disseminate real information. The anti education group is organizing big time. If you doubt that, please check out Bill Reinhardt's blog, "...Honestly Averill Park." Just google it.

March 28, 2010 at 5:41pm

Now, consider this. BBS labeled me and most of you anti-education because you were coming here. As of today there are 4 other places to visit with the same opinions, those that are opposite BBS's.

If you have seen a board meeting, you have seen every board member supported by BBS in the past few years, looking to cut classes and programs while avoiding decisions about efficiency, administrative cuts, and supporting our kids.

I would call that "anti-education" .

Jennie and I ( I was labeled anti education by BBS ) have been pushing to keep programing and teachers and paying for them by making the district more efficient.

Otherwise known as "PRO" education.

Now isn't that Ironic?

I guess there is more to this story for BBS than education and labels.

Makes you wonder........

I just got info on Cafeteria. (Saturday)

2011-04-10T14:45:00.003-04:00

Jenny and I have asked for, and the board has received, information on the Cafeteria program.

Sometimes patience is a virtue.

I will report after numbers are crunched and some questions are asked.

Keep your paper plates handy.... ;)

More to come

FLORIDA MAKING GREAT GAINS

2011-04-08T07:43:00.003-04:00

Check these out. Florida will be leading the way to performance http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/studentsfirst-applauds-floridas-passage-of-breakthrough-education-reform-le/ and http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/the-road-to-success-in-florida?utm_medium=email&utm_source=studentsfirst&utm_campaign=20110407emailfull&source=20110407emailfull If only we could figure it out in New York.

6.5% ? There is another way.

2011-04-07T19:45:00.003-04:00

Between now and next Tuesday, I will be pushing to make these cuts.

Note: None of these cuts impact kids or programs.

Budget cut by

Overtime spending @ $240,000 cut $120,000

Assist. super and
Assist. to the Assist. super $250,000 cut $250,000

Cut Assist. dispatcher $50,000 cut $50,000

Cut one business office position (9@)$280,000 cut (1) $46,000

Cut technology investment 1 yr $300,000 cut $200,000

Misc. stuff, lines, Blk top,
repairs, (fat)etc. 50% of misc. cut $50,000

Total $716,000

Almost 3 % savings off of the 6.5% - Can we live with this?

Speak up, time is running out.

I wish Bridget had the talent Mr Ouimet has.....

2011-04-06T06:26:00.004-04:00

Bridget Ball Shaw Myth #1 From Anonymous, Honestly Averill Park, 8:35 am, March 31, 2011:

At the last meeting, you (this posed to Dori Salisbury) questioned why fuel and heating costs have skyrocketed? Please re-watch the October 12, 2010 School Board meeting video - Mikie O. "raves" about how low those same costs have been, and goes o...n to talk about how great the budget is!

Fact: A quick Google search indicates that current heating fuel costs are approximately $3.94 per gallon while the price for the same commodity in October was $3.02 per gallon. This approximately 30% increase most likely explains the referenced skyrocketing cost. Mr. Ouimet, as talented as he is, could not have anticipated the extraordinary events of the last six months, including political unrest in Libya, Egypt, and other oil rich countries, nuclear disaster in Japan resulting in increased demand for oil, and the unquenchable thirst for profits on the part of oil companies.

Myth buster, busted again. She can't delete here.

The actual question Dori asked was " Why has the electric budget for the bus garage gone from $10,000 to $23,000 in one year?".

The actual reason is that the County Sheriff has left the building. As a result, the rent money they were paying is no longer being used to offset the electic expenses for the building. It turns out that the $10,000 was the NET expense after the rent payment, the electric use is actually $23,000 ish per year.

Bridget had to Google to get the information, the rest of us know why fuel is up.

To get all the facts about Averill Park........

2011-04-05T21:40:00.005-04:00

Tune into "We Love Our Averill Park Schools' FB page.

Bridget Ball Shaw says... Introducing AP Myth Busters! There are some blogs where misinformation is being presented. Let's use this page to get to the truth. Please ask your questions regarding the school district, the budget, the rumors, and we will get you the FACTS!

GP People should demand that their overpaid district administartors take pay freezes and give up some of the perks.

GP Wow, JoMo gets 18 days of sick time in addition to her 5 weeks of vacation . Why dioes anyone need to accrue 18 days of sick time per year up to a maximum of 245 days? Because she gets up to $24,500 paid out if she doesn't use it. Health care after retirement is nice with the citizens paying 80% of the cost. She also gets a $15K tax sheltered annuity. Then $2K for moving expenses? Tax payors also pay for use of a car and intenet service at her home. She must have Drew Rozenhaus for an agent!

Arrogance is a terrible thing to waste, eh Bridget?

Careful what you post, BBS deletes if you don't behave!

Did you hear this one?

2011-04-05T21:22:00.002-04:00

"Averill park is not a wealthy district" followed by "I am hearing, put the budget up for a vote with a 6.5% tax levy increase" A perfect politician..........

Did you hear the one about.......?

2011-04-05T21:20:00.003-04:00

Who said? " I don't want to cut too much this year so we have something to cut next year"

THIS IS LONG BUT, RELEVANT

2011-04-02T09:54:00.001-04:00

IMPORTED FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

By STEPHEN MOORE

If you want to understand better why so many states—from New York to Wisconsin to California—are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, consider this depressing statistic: Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). This is an almost exact reversal of the situation in 1960, when there were 15 million workers in manufacturing and 8.7 million collecting a paycheck from the government.

It gets worse. More Americans work for the government than work in construction, farming, fishing, forestry, manufacturing, mining and utilities combined. We have moved decisively from a nation of makers to a nation of takers. Nearly half of the $2.2 trillion cost of state and local governments is the $1 trillion-a-year tab for pay and benefits of state and local employees. Is it any wonder that so many states and cities cannot pay their bills?

Every state in America today except for two—Indiana and Wisconsin—has more government workers on the payroll than people manufacturing industrial goods. Consider California, which has the highest budget deficit in the history of the states. The not-so Golden State now has an incredible 2.4 million government employees—twice as many as people at work in manufacturing. New Jersey has just under two-and-a-half as many government employees as manufacturers. Florida's ratio is more than 3 to 1. So is New York's.

Even Michigan, at one time the auto capital of the world, and Pennsylvania, once the steel capital, have more government bureaucrats than people making things. The leaders in government hiring are Wyoming and New Mexico, which have hired more than six government workers for every manufacturing worker.

Now it is certainly true that many states have not typically been home to traditional manufacturing operations. Iowa and Nebraska are farm states, for example. But in those states, there are at least five times more government workers than farmers. West Virginia is the mining capital of the world, yet it has at least three times more government workers than miners. New York is the financial capital of the world—at least for now. That sector employs roughly 670,000 New Yorkers. That's less than half of the state's 1.48 million government employees.

Don't expect a reversal of this trend anytime soon. Surveys of college graduates are finding that more and more of our top minds want to work for the government. Why? Because in recent years only government agencies have been hiring, and because the offer of near lifetime security is highly valued in these times of economic turbulence. When 23-year-olds aren't willing to take career risks, we have a real problem on our hands. Sadly, we could end up with a generation of Americans who want to work at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The employment trends described here are explained in part by hugely beneficial productivity improvements in such traditional industries as farming, manufacturing, financial services and telecommunications. These produce far more output per worker than in the past. The typical farmer, for example, is today at least three times more productive than in 1950.

Where are the productivity gains in government? Consider a core function of state and local governments: schools. Over the period 1970-2005, school spending per pupil, adjusted for inflation, doubled, while standardized achievement test scores were flat. Over roughly that same time period, public-school employment doubled per student, according to a study by researchers at the University of Washington. That is what economists call negative productivity.

But education is an industry where we measure performance backwards: We gauge school performance not by outputs, but by inputs. If quality falls, we say we didn't pay teachers enough or we need smaller class sizes or newer schools. If education had undergone the same productivity revolution that manufacturing has, we would have half as many educators, smaller school budgets, and higher graduation rates and test scores.

The same is true of almost all other government services. Mass transit spends more and more every year and yet a much smaller share of Americans use trains and buses today than in past decades. One way that private companies spur productivity is by firing underperforming employees and rewarding excellence. In government employment, tenure for teachers and near lifetime employment for other civil servants shields workers from this basic system of reward and punishment. It is a system that breeds mediocrity, which is what we've gotten.

Most reasonable steps to restrain public-sector employment costs are smothered by the unions. Study after study has shown that states and cities could shave 20% to 40% off the cost of many services—fire fighting, public transportation, garbage collection, administrative functions, even prison operations—through competitive contracting to private providers. But unions have blocked many of those efforts. Public employees maintain that they are underpaid relative to equally qualified private-sector workers, yet they are deathly afraid of competitive bidding for government services.

President Obama says we have to retool our economy to "win the future." The only way to do that is to grow the economy that makes things, not the sector that takes things.

Mr. Moore is senior economics writer for The Wall Street Journal editorial page.

IT WAS A GOOD DECISION.....

2011-04-01T14:43:00.002-04:00

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2011/03/30/news/doc4d93e8093f882331015390.txt Yes, there was an offer. Yes, the board declined the offer. We simply could not commit the already over taxed residents of the APCSD to even more expense in the future, given the uncertainty of future NYS budgets. Tuesday, I hope we will find balance........

PLEASE STAND DOWN!!!

2011-03-29T17:58:00.002-04:00

It appears that our AD over stepped her bounds.

Our football program has NOT been cancelled.

More to come but please relax. No need to react.

WELCOME DORI !!!!!!

2011-03-28T20:13:00.002-04:00

I’ve sat through more than my fair share of Board meetings over the years. I’ve watched person after person, be they parent, student, teacher, bus driver, or concerned taxpayer, plead their case before the Board of Education, looking for answers.

I’ve done my share of fighting for my child, my neighbors’, my cousins’. I’ve argued for AP classes, sports, music, and probably any other thing you can think of. I’ve sat in the Superintendent’s office with nine other parents the day before my son’s graduation, discussing the issues plaguing the High School, even though we were done in 24 hours.

Why? Because I care about the success of this District.
Simply put, I love Averill Park. The teachers are among the best anywhere. My son and I were both fortunate to be educated by wonderful instructors who very carefully molded us into the adults we’ve become. The administrators in West Sand Lake, Algonquin, and the High School nurtured and supported us both as students and as a parent. It’s strange to deal with administrators who once gave you a ton of homework as a student, or to walk through the halls at Open House and have your science teacher shocked that she has your child now. In fact, my 6th grade homeroom teacher became my son’s district Superintendent. If you don’t think that was a bit odd…

Right now, I’m watching the community rally, pleading their case for programs and fiscal responsibility to a District leadership team that seems disingenuous and disinterested…a leadership team that’s more interested in starting and stopping the timer or giggling like schoolgirls than in listening to what’s being said. This saddens me greatly. I feel like I’m watching the slow painful death of a dear friend and it’s time to right the ship.

I maintain that the hierarchy school districts operate under is staff to Superintendent to the Board of Education to the Community. Ultimately, everyone in this district is accountable to the community at large. Somehow, we’ve managed to lose sight of this premise. For this district to survive the current financial crisis we’re in, it will take a collaborative effort. We’ve done two community forums but to be honest, it felt like the district was simply going through the motions, just enough effort to say they “heard” the public’s input. I know some members of the Board listened but when the Superintendent is laughing it up in the back while a community member is reporting out, the only thing that illustrates to me is a total lack of respect.

So the question becomes how to change course. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and have a few rough ideas.

Financial Management
• Disclosure of ALL financial data (expenses, revenue, reserves, etc) to the public; creation and publication of the District’s financial performance (Actuals vs. Budget, trending, etc) by Month, Quarter to Date, and Year to Date
• Creation of a Financial Oversight Focus Group, ensuring a cross section of the entire Averill Park community including residents, students, parents, teachers, business leaders, community groups, BOE members, administrators, et al.
• Implementation of a Community Task Force on the Budget to review income and expense line items beginning in the Fall with recommendations to be presented prior to the 1st Budget Presentation in February.
• Establishment of a Healthcare and Benefits Administration Committee to review current practices and provide recommendations for alternatives. The world of traditional healthcare has morphed dramatically over the past few years and I don’t think we’ve adequately kept up.
• The Board of Education should be negotiating labor contracts with the Unions in this District, not the administration. Contracts are between staff and the Board, not staff and the administration.
• Review the District’s Business practices, for example, contracting, sourcing, and payment terms to name a few.
• The budget process should continue throughout the year, not just from February to May.
• We should be working with other districts in the region on the possibility of consolidation of resources and services…I think at a minimum we should investigate the concept.
Communication and Community Involvement
• Create the previously mentioned task/focus groups. Engage the community!
• Encourage the establishment of a Booster Club for the Arts and Music programs.
• Build a coalition of all the parent supported groups (i.e. PTA, Booster Clubs, etc) with the Averill Park Educational Foundation and participation by Board of Education members. Critical to the success of this proposal is the establishment of regular meetings. Form a united front to ensure success.
• Create volunteer opportunities by working with the community to identify and implement various experiences.
• Encourage use of internal resources, i.e. High School students teaching foreign languages or reading to our students at the elementary level, acting as tutors/mentors to the Middle School student.
• Create external internships/cooperative experiences for college students. Work with local universities and colleges to define opportunities for credits. For example, think of the experience a Business Major could gain with an internship in the Business Office at Budget time. A Communications major could work on website development and maintenance. English majors could mentor with our high school students in developing and improving their writing skills and preparing them for college – especially critical for the application process.
• Equal treatment for all students. For example, all athletes live by the code of conduct defined in the Blue Card. Failure to do so results in penalties, regardless of WHO you are.

Lastly, I believe in FULL DISCLOSURE. Stop the side deals. For example, the Administrative salary deferral from last year to this year and then this year to next year will mean that the Administration in this district will be receiving three years worth of salary increases in 2012-2013. This may have sounded laudable on the surface but clearly is just exacerbating the financial problems facing us.

Additionally, how convenient that the deferral contained the caveat that no positions could be eliminated…in fact you’re paying for a principal for a school which doesn’t even exist anymore! How short-sighted was that move??

The bottom line is things are only going to get worse. Our “one time” GAP adjustment is going to continue year after year according to a February 4th memo from State Ed. It’s time for fiscally responsible behavior within this district and involvement of the community.

It’s time for a change and I would greatly appreciate your support on May 17th.

Thank you.
Dori

THIS IS A REPOST FROM 1 YEAR AGO

2011-03-26T09:22:00.004-04:00

When do we learn our lesson about this board and administration?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Pastor Martin Niemoller January 6, 1946

Pastor Niemoller spoke these words in a January 6, 1946 speech before representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt, Germany. The situation of George Washington School is not nearly as sinister, but there is a lesson to be learned.....

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

THEN THEY CAME for me and by that time, no one was left to speak up."

If they are allowed to close GWS this year, what gets taken next year to sustain the present spending path this district travels?

March 26,2011

"THEY CAME FIRST for George Washington School, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a resident "there".

THEN THEY CAME for the Child Care, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a child care user.

THEN THEY CAME for the Arts and the Music, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't in either.

THEN THEY CAME for the sports, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn't a player.

THEN THEY CAME for me and by that time, no one was left to speak up."

Funny thing about this, I am an Administrator from Averill Park.

SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG

2011-03-25T20:27:00.002-04:00

"From September to March, when were Board members presented with the specific budgets (monthly), showing the decline in revenue, for the childcare program?"

The whole "Childcare loses money" was a surprise. After last year and the food service program, do you really think I would have let that go? The revenue was stated, based on a portion of the budgeted yearly total.

And what was the January 2010 childcare audit findings and REQUIREMENT (by who) to pay by credit card - was there a theft of funds, or perhaps a lack of effective payment collection, that is just now, being dealt with, by a program elimination Jo???

I am trying to get a copy, I wasn't there at the time thanks to P.U.B.E. and someone named Laura.

Eliminate a program, because you do not know how to manage it - what will be next?

We could have come up with something to make it work, I hate quitters.

Was the $90,000 loss due to decline in revenue OR program mismanagement?
Kneel won't ell us!

I haven't been able to get any statements showing the financial status or yearly performance of Child care. They just voted to shut it down. Quitters.

March 25, 2011 8:47 AM

We have a guest cotributor, Thanks Mark!

2011-03-25T19:32:00.002-04:00

Does this sound familiar?

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 means is that next March, we will be right where we are now because a 2% property tax cap will add less that $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

So sorry, childcare

2011-03-23T12:26:00.002-04:00

Well,
We tried. I think the 5 to 2 votes will be pretty steady now.
Time to get a budget with balance. Cuts across the board equally and
a tax levy people can live with.

For those of you who are willing to pay anything, drop your checks off at
the district offices by 4/6/11. We can figure out the tax levy after that.

ECONOMIC DATA FOR OUR DISTRICT

2011-03-20T19:31:00.003-04:00

This is a web site that gives numbers on our district and our area.

It is teacher salary based but it tells you why we have such a difficult time with Expenses.

Sorry, some numbers looked good, others? Not so.....

Ignore the George Washington in Hempstead NY. We know that GW was closed.

Note the income information and the household incomes at the bottom.

You can compare AP to other districts surrounding us.

Interesting reading.

Are they really doing a great job?

2011-03-19T15:23:00.004-04:00

Andrew says " Not really" find some efficiencies.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnfWqKwsVrg

The first few minutes sounds like what district? Uncanny isn't it?

I have been talking about waste and inefficiency in the buildings and ground all year. No one listens. Bring a lunch for the next BOE meeting. The line item budget gets examined, deeply.

Well, It was due to happen

2011-03-16T16:32:00.008-04:00

www.aptaxpayers.com

Check them out, maybe they can help......

You can check them out at the organizational meeting this

Monday the 21st of March 7 pm to 9 pm at the Sand Lake American Legion Hall.

Next to the Rt 43 Post Office and home of the finest "Chiken BBQ" in Sand Lake

all summer long.

See you there!

EVER FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN QUICK SAND?

2011-03-13T16:05:00.001-04:00

Bill,

Just picked up and read the HS Newsletter, and read about the Greenhouse fiasco - a Sunglo greenhouse was purchased by the Garden Club. At the time of the purchase it was deemed OK to be used on school grounds", so a purchase was made.

"But then the green house wasn't able to be installed. According to Superintendant Jo Moccia, the reason for the Sunglo greenhouse not being used was due to it not meeting the State Education requirement".

So, as usual, Jo blames the State! I guarantee you that the paper trail would reveal that Jo did not do her homework, and gave approval for this purchase, and only AFTER THE PURCHASE, found out something critical that was over looked.

As a result, the cost for this project shot through the roof (sound familiar childcare families, or students who use the cafeteria, etc.)? So what first cost $8,800 turned into a $22,980. project!

Still sound familiar????

She spends, and does her homework later.

Without the Board demanding day by day, week by week, and month by month hand holding over Dr. Josephine Moccia and the District financials, one day, you will be waiting for the school bus to arrive, and they just won't show up - Jo will have forgotten to tell us, until it is too late, that school is permanently closed in the Averil Park Central School District.

Times Union AP Budget blog

2011-03-11T19:05:00.003-05:00

http://blog.timesunion.com/schools/averill-park-considers-deep-cuts-to-variety-of-problems/1228/

Some interesting reading here.

We have a guest -- Tax paying Parent

2011-03-11T08:05:00.005-05:00

Bill,

Can anyone really be cut, or do they have contracts? Please spell out what position could be cut, right now?

The positions that can be easily cut, teachers, are up already. The only Admin cut available is Lawrence. The postion is not required so it is available to be cut. Will it? Probably not. All other Admin. positions were protected by the 2 year no lay off agreement. A very expensive decision by the BOE last year.

I am afraid we will not keep the best, and only tenured employees will just push the best out of the District - I'll give you an example - cut an Asst. Principle at the Middle School? Then we keep Franchini and lose Mr. Messier? See what I mean?

Both are fine people and protected by the 2 year agreement.

Goldstein is still walking the halls - why? We were told in last year's budget that a principle position would be cut - WHO WAS THAT? In reality - no one.

Again, protected by the agreement, in spite of closing a school at the same time. Apparently no one on the BOE thought about the closing of GW will result in an excess Admin. when voting on the agreement.

So I don't believe Sharon Lawrence is going anywhere - she will either bump someone good out of their job, or be "absorbed" elsewhere in the District - just like Goldstein.

I agree

Before you even begin to talk about position cuts, pull out last years budget, and see the positions we were told that were to be cut - and tell me if Jo actually cut them, and what was the savings?

I have said this before. I don't believe anything was saved by closing GW. Removing assistants would have saved more. There were some position cuts made like no teachers at GW. There were also positions added.

Position "cuts" is smoke and mirrors, as it never really happens in this District - Goldstein is living proof, and last years budget is the plan that didn't really ever happen.

The problem is these budgets don't really play out - they just get voted on - but to ignore last years budget, and not hold Jo accountable for not implementing last years budget - is how you let her get away with it all!

The budget total (amount to be spent) is all that gets voted on. A total spending plan based on predicted revenue. That is law. Once the total is voted on and approved, funds can still be shifted within the budget to accomplish our education goals.

Whatever budget you come up with, Jo will find a way around it, in the next few months - you shouldn't be talking about this year's budget, you should be asking her about her failure to implement last years budget - and recommend her dismissal. The budget means nothing to her - she finds a way around it every year.

If the BOE says nothing, the Administration can do whatever they want within the guidelines. Change that by changing the BOE members.

The Board's failure to discuss last years budget implementation, allows her to stay employed and our Taxes to increase. We should be talking about last years budget with her - not this year's - and then fire her.

Again, BOE.

You have the means Board, just look to last years budget. She was given a directive to work according to last years budget, and she has failed to perform those duties.

She should be held accountable and fired.

If you give her another year and another budget to NOT MAKE HAPPEN, you (the Board) are part of the problem.

Again, no offense taken.

Signed,

a Taxpaying parent

What would you do?

2011-03-09T12:32:00.005-05:00

We saw the slash and burn mentality take effect last night.
It was quite the show, a great opener for the W.O.OZ .
We saw Japanese is more important than French.
Witnessed people willing to pay more taxes, just ask them.
Some said cut sports, some arts, some music, and why does
football get more?

What are your ideas?
I will go first.

I won't support cutting full day k for a variety of reasons. Mainly it actually costs LESS in the long run to assess 5 yr olds early and find those with learning / behavior issues.

I would cut the assistant dispatcher at transport. Keep the head bus driver. She would probably do both if asked. Team player...

As good as our Assist. Super is, I will have to accept her departure. She is the only Admin position not protected by the 2 year "no lay off" agreement. The agreement was signed last year with the BOE. Some one knew something was coming, to have seen that this would be a great agreement for the Admin group. It has cost the district a ton of money we could use right now. I would like to think that BOE was setup on this, it really would have been a no brainer.

I would cut every H.S. class that is not required, and attended by 12 students or less. The same with after school clubs, etc. Japanese would probably disappear with some clubs. We need to pick our priorities. We never did get the P&L report on the Japanese course. Next time......

I would support looking at each budget line and working for a zero growth rate by the line item. I haven't had the benefit of a line item budget to look at, coming soon I hope. I would look hard because the economy has less than 2% in growth and we have been told taxes may go up 12%. We need some serious course correction, NOW.

So what do you think?

PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE CLIFF

2011-03-04T17:57:00.002-05:00

Yes,
People received courtesy notices today yet, our first real budget presentation is this Tuesday.
Do we really need to panic now? No
Has this ever happened before? yes
Should we see what is up? yes
Do we have a definite state budget? R U Kidding?
This is much adieu and way premature, just like the admin likes it.....
Have a nice weekend, try not to step in the B.S.

bill

"We have a revenue shortage"

2011-03-02T20:37:00.004-05:00

Well, at least that is what the spin is.

The fact is we had a spending spree.

I have been saying for years that the APCSD spending is out pacing everything. Inflation, revenue, you name it. The only thing spending is keeping up with is the salaries of those who claim "It's all about the kids". It should be about the kids but, every time we need to cut, it is the kids that take the hit.This year we are painted into a corner. Here is how.

Last year, the board made a deal with the Administrators unit, not to lay off for 2 years. This year is the first, next year is the second. As you are aware, we closed a school and then created a position for the left over administrator. That decision cost the district $300,000 + - over the 2 years.

The process of keeping the added administrators that I suggested laying off last spring (assistants) increases the spending by another $500,000+ -.We spent $300,000 to start up Japanese distance learning. That is just for the room and equipment. Then there is the labor and expenses. We are going to hear how much Distance Learning is "raking in" at the next meeting.

The one time cut in revenue that we took last year from the state ($2.6 million) was never actually cut from the APCSD budget. It was offset by a transfer from reserves. (A one time gimmic and we still kept up the spending) The BOE did not do their job and find savings in the budget last year. Had they found the savings, we would be looking to cut far less than we have to now.

Now we have a $4.7 million gap (hole) to fill. More than half left over from last year.

So, the BOE shuttered a high performing school, gave it away for $200,000 minus expenses and decreased state aid, kept the administrator and others on, started new programs we couldn't afford, and NOW has conclude that WE have a "revenue problem". Well, technically we do, our "personal revenue" has not kept up with the "personel revenue" of the district.
This will give us, the taxpayers, a tax problem.

Get ready for the contingent budget end run.
I don't have the exact numbers or percentages but here is the play.

The board rolls out a budget that is less than the contingent budget (containing an increase of perhaps 12%) with a levy increase of say around 7%. The threat is that we either accept the 7% or the BOE will just go to the 12% contingent budget if the 7% fails.

Does this sound familiar? I will not support this but you can anticipate the way things will go. This week will begin to tell the tax tale.

Thoughts?

Thoughts from anonymous

2011-02-23T18:05:00.002-05:00

DEMOCRACY AT WORK in the APCSD

Democracy - free and equal representation of people: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the majority of the people.

It is time for this community to rally together in these difficult fiscal times. We need to make decisions that serve the best interests of our children.

The members of the APCSD BOE are the duly elected representatives of the APSCD taxpayers. Therefore, we should be addressing them respectfully, intelligently and regularly.

How appropriate would it be then, at BOE meetings, to direct questions directly to individual members. Questions directed to Pam Tatar and Jennie Glasser seem to be appropriate during this budget cycle. " Jennie what's your position on............" or " Pam what's your position on ..........".

If the president of the BOE attempts to limit the individual questioning simply ask the entire BOE to be polled at the meeting regarding the issue. The entire BOE is our representative body not just the president. If the president does not allow the individual questioning then ask the individual BOE members to address the issue in their end of meeting comments.

The Superintendent is asking for input from the community on many pressing issues. We, as APSCD taxpayers, properly expect and deserve to know WHAT INPUT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE ON THESE ISSUES.

The APSCD community eagerly await the individual Board Members input!

GO ANDREW !!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-01T13:35:00.001-05:00

I just watched the budget presentation.

I say way to go, I hope it gets done.

What do you say?

It's that time of year

2011-01-17T15:31:00.001-05:00

Hi Bill,

With elections coming up, can you tell me something?

How are the questions and moderators chosen, at the "Meet the Candidates night"?

It seems that there are going to be many questions that should be answered by individuals running this year - but I do not recall that the questions asked last year were substantial or related to the current issues.

Do you have the questions asked, could you post them, and did you feel they were really substantial?

Thanks!!

You are kidding right?

2010-12-16T06:20:00.003-05:00

"If your not going to represent us why don't you just resign!!!! You don't say anything, I don't understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Anonymous

Is my lack of public writing really "not" representing you?

Did my sole "NO" vote Tuesday represent you?

Perhaps my efforts to derail the items passed on Tuesday night were not what you wanted.

Have YOU been at the meetings to represent yourself? By my count we have had, at most, 6
community members at meetings.

Most of what I have done is during executive session. I can't tell you about it, especially here.
Do you understand that this site is not just a "You and Me" meeting place? Others read here and I am now governed by rules.
You watched Steve get taken out. Do you think I will let that happen to me?

When there is something to report, good or bad, I will be there. For now, I will continue my efforts as I have.
Have some faith. Just because you can't see it happen, doesn't mean it is not happening.

If this fits, have a Merry Christmas! If it doesn't, Happy Holidays!

Budget season starts next month.

Ps. If you all want me to resign, I can, this job really isn't worth the money. There is still time to open another seat for next year. What 3 candidates do we have?

Report from the inside - T or F ?

2010-09-25T08:15:00.002-04:00

This has come in from a concerned person. We all would be interested in hearing from others who may have had a similar experience. If you would like it kept on the side as always start with (private)

I believe a witch hunt has begun by the admin to bring down some teachers, some really good teachers. In the past, for as long as I can remember, if a teacher at the high school needed to take a block or less off, for appointments etc. the procedure was we fill out a blue form and then the admin gets a sub for that block or part of block.

Now the procedure, which was changed this week, is as follows:

If we need time off that is less than a block, we are now being required to take a half day and be docked as such. So a colleague of mine that needs to leave 20 min early now is being forced to take a half day off. So instead of the teacher missing part of a class or one class, he / she is now being required to miss a half day.

The reason? They don't have any full time subs in the building to cover classes anymore. This was a budget cut. I believe this is against a board policy.

Well three weeks into the school year and the admin has started grievance season for the APTA.

Thanks anon.

I have two questions.

Will this create opportunities for more window jumpers?

Was this change unilateral by the administration with no notice to the APTA?

b

Really? This is a joke right?

2010-09-16T19:35:00.002-04:00

I received an invitation a couple of days ago. I had to check the envelope to see if it was misaddressed. It was! It was addressed to Jan and I.

Remember BBS? The nastiness? The accusations? Don't forget LET. Same for her, nothing but negative.

What local foundation are they part of ? It's the Averill Park Education Foundation. Some of the ring leaders of that group were the same people on the BBS WE LOVE site. Remember how much fun they were?

Anyway, we received an invitation from the Foundation to be on the "Honorary Committee". It was a form letter so it didn't really mean for us to join, it just was covering bases. They weren't going to leave us out. That is why I said it must have been a mistake. You don't send a form letter starting with "Dear Friends" to people that you worked so hard to keep off the BOE.

Now for the kicker. The theme of the "Extravaganza" is "There's no place like home". Guess where it is being held? No where near home, it is in TROY. Maybe the district is being picked up by a tornado and dropped in Troy for just a few hours. Dorothy! Dorothy! Where's the wizard?

Yep, There is no place like home unless you need to have an "Extravaganza", you have "Extravaganzas" in Troy. Does anyone else see the irony? Are there no places to assemble and support your local business? Our businesses contribute plenty to our district and when it is time to spend, these people take it out of town.

There oughta be a law.......

b

What you see.....

2010-09-14T07:29:00.003-04:00

Sometimes what you see is not what you get.

I went to the first day at PES because of the School closing study and predicted over population at PES. The PES school took all of the GW kids. NO kids in the halls, no stacked desks, all looked pretty normal.

I told the Administrator and some BOE members that the first day was good and that the report must have been wrong. I even said that we should ask for our money back because the report was sooooo wrong.

Over the weekend, I began getting reports. Reports stating that kids were transfered out of PES to ease the overcrowding. They were transfered to MH. So I went digging. I have found that the overcrowding may have been actually been transfered to MH.

I am still trying to get all of the facts and tonight is a meeting. I will get back to you on this....

b

Success in Schenectady

2010-09-06T08:25:00.002-04:00

This is an article that just appeared in the TU.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/New-school-board-sheds-old-ways-646594.php

Note some of the changes. No consent agenda, restrictions on the Superintendents spending ability, removal of restrictions on public comment (sound familiar?).

Comments?

I'm Still standing

2010-09-02T11:11:00.003-04:00

I am watching and reading.

Working like crazy because of the College return to classes.

I get a copy of the e-mails submitted to the BOE as soon as you push send. That is still a good thing. The board as a whole OK's responses. Some I disagree, some not, but majority rules on that. If it is too hard to swallow I will write about it.

Havea great labor day weekend!

B

"Rock the Board"

2010-08-23T11:03:00.003-04:00

Hi,

I love Steve (not in a gay way!) but he and I are very different individuals. I have built a business on service and honesty. I can still do business on a hand shake, how many people can say that anymore?

Steve is just as honest and can do the same.

Our difference lies in style. As you have seen, Steve will fight the fight in open meetings. I will start the discussion behind closed doors and then move it public when I need public pressure to make them bend. You won't see anything happen, other than the result, unless it is becoming a battle.

Things that have been moved forward, email, long range planning, pep rally just to name a few. Last spring the Senior dance occurred. Tremont and I had many things in place to assure that and the overall success of the event.

BBS - BBS is no longer a trustee of St. Henrys. This not because of her political involvement this spring but simply the end of her term.

Have a great day

b

UPDATES

2010-07-24T10:31:00.003-04:00

OK,

1) The first day on the job (4/13) was pleasant. Spent 6 hrs with the board in a retreat at the HS. We then had our first meeting and I was sworn in with Pete Schaeffer. We discussed many issues and aired many grievances on both sides during the retreat.
Jenny and I continue to be the minority but we have hope. The next few meetings will tell the tale.

2) Leadership did not change at all. Bonesteel and Tater are Pres and VP respectively. I wish this had been discussed before hand. It would have been a good gesture to include one of us in the leadership group. No one can run a meeting better than Jenny.

3) I am concerned about the schedule of meetings. BOE is basically one per month during the fall and then two per starting January. With the recreation of the Long range planning, that meeting may be held between the BOE meetings which would be a good thing.

4) I am reviewing the Lease, I received a copy on the 23rd along with the addendum. I will keep you posted.

5) Send in some questions to the APBOE e mail address. Let's see if the new system works.....

I will keep you posted as things come up. As always, let me know if you hear or see anything out there.

b

Sorry, up to my neck right now.

2010-07-09T09:36:00.003-04:00

I will be back on next week. I have been working non stop for the past month.

I did drive by and look at GW and saw the "new thing" and will do some research. Tuesday I become official and will be able to ask questions as a board member. That doesn't necessarily mean answers will be given but I will be making the required efforts.

I will be back on after this Sunday.

b

The first day of school......

2010-07-02T19:53:00.002-04:00

This came in as a contribution and hit the nail on the head.

"Well, just as I thought, no one from "other" schools has an opinion on childcare Bill.

You can see by how much input you got.

Here's a topic for all to comments on: The First Day of School
What jerk chose September 8th, a Wednesday, to go back to school, to only take the next day off for Rosh Hashanah, and then to return to school on Friday????? How stupid!!!!!

I'm sure there is a huge waste of money there - Oh, but we don't need to look at that, do we?

I think we need to look at EVERY action this District takes, from this point on.
Analyze that one, and get back to me.
Or, are we just going to head into September with our heads where the sun doesn't shine, learning our Japanese?
Can't wait to see all the PES, WSL, and Miller hill parents at the next Board meeting - what's that?
You don't need to go.......that's what I thought! "

Unfortunately, me too.......

Let's talk child care....

2010-06-29T12:13:00.003-04:00

Can we discuss weekly and daily child care?

I don't need to know where you go.

I do want to know what you pay.

What you get.

Hours and are you satisfied?

What are the positives, negatives, what would you change or keep.

The post below is NOT Tater

2010-06-24T14:58:00.001-04:00

WHO DO YOU KNOW?

2010-06-24T07:47:00.002-04:00

Let's say you want to be on the modified Baseball Team at the middle school. The try outs occur and you don't make it.

What then?

Well, if you are two brothers, someone steps in and voila' you make the team anyway.

I am sure you have heard. Fill in the blanks.

Birds of a feather.....

2010-06-21T21:00:00.004-04:00

Thanks for the link.

Apparently this is the same LT as that who supports BBS and has a "preference" for our superintendent.

http://lauradtaylor.blogspot.com/

She has authored some very interesting posts. I happen to like Maine.

Do you know the definition of "BIGOT"?

A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.

Perfect fit?

Thoughts?

Baldwins Contract at Questar

2010-06-18T20:15:00.002-04:00

http://www.seethroughny.com/Portals/0/Emp72SchoolContracts/Documents/B0026%20Questar%20S.pdf

It ends in June 2011. Could someone in our district hope to take over?

"Splain this"

2010-06-17T08:54:00.003-04:00

Word on the street is:

We have a student who just won an award.

He is related to an office assistant in the district.

He is a participant in a fall sport.

He was arrested for DUI last fall.

Nothing done, remember the part about the award?

One other thing, anyone remember the Steve Valente FB reaction?

Please make some sense of this...

Comment numbers Not changing? No idea why

2010-06-15T17:03:00.000-04:00

Let's talk about the GW event Saturday

2010-06-15T14:34:00.002-04:00

It rained, people came, BBQ was good. Times were good and will be again.
What are your thoughts and reviews?

Cancell the cancell, dinner dance back on!

2010-06-15T13:54:00.001-04:00

Cancelled Senior Dance, Really?

2010-06-15T13:23:00.003-04:00

We'll see......

More to come

I still can't make this stuff up....

2010-06-11T16:42:00.002-04:00

A report came in today that a student was taken to the hospital. He is a junior with a broken foot. Apparently the unsupervised class room had an open window and the student jumped out. Yep just up and jumped. The class room was on the second floor, ergo a broken foot on his less than stellar landing.

Remember the plan of all principals should be in school during school hours? Guess who was out? Just one assistant administrator was in covering the HS. No sub in the classroom either.

How do a group of administrators, that are as good as they are supposed to be, perform so poorly? Perhaps the Superintendent has an answer, care to comment Jo?

So now the first meeting is 7/13/10

2010-06-10T06:32:00.003-04:00

I read in the School Law book (2:47) that the BOE organizational meeting is to be "the first Tuesday in July. If that is a legal holiday, then the meeting must be held on the first Wedenesday in July."

I have been under the impression that July 6th would be the first meeting.

I recently receive notice that the meeting would be July 13, 2010.

Apparently, as long as the meeting is in the first 15 days of July and the date is decided by board resolution, this is fine. Has anyone seen minutes regarding this resolution?

Could I be the only one looking to get moving?

Either way, hope to see you there.

From Jackie Geraci, District web site info.

2010-06-08T13:08:00.002-04:00

The district website is mearly a snapshot of what is going on in the district.

Each school has its own Edline page which the school updates with their own events. I regret to say that it isn't possible for me to cover every event in the district especially if I do not know about it.

I invite teachers, parents and staff to send me any stories they would like to see on the site. If you have photos and a little information about the event, I would love to post it.

Also, If you send me the information in advance, I might be able to cover the event myself. I am an AP district resident.

My email address is geracij@averillpark.k12.ny.us

Thoughts for the July 6th meeting

2010-06-02T20:53:00.003-04:00

I have come up with a few ideas to bring up for the July 6th meeting.

1) I will suggest that we fix the E Mail problems.
Every employee of the district has an email address. The BOE members don't.
What I will suggest is that emails sent to the BOE address will automatically be forwarded to 8 addresses. The 7 BOE members and J. Moccia. No emails will be intercepted by anyone.

2) I will suggest a committee of 3 made up of the following: A person with business experience, one with accounting experience and one with restaurant experience.
All of these people will be from the AP community. I would like them to look over the shoulder of the head of the Cafeteria program.
They would meet once per month and review sales numbers against purchase invoices. See if there is waste or shrink that can be corrected and hopefully pull the program out of the red.

I would also like to set up a food summit. Invite parents to come to a meeting in August, bring recipes, discuss what their kids love to eat. The goal? Find 8 or 9 recipes for hot meals that can be served at a profit. Serve them in rotation and be sure they fit the nutritional requirements as defined by the govt.

3) Many of you have seen the "for lease" sign on Sand Lake School.
I will ask for authorization to explore a day care service to be opened in the school. It would be for profit operating under a not for profit heading.
What I would be looking for is a Universal Pre K design with tuition. Something like $150.00 per week.

It would be a full day, play/educational type of set up. Nap time included. Parents could volunteer as helpers and barter for day care for their own kids.
I would ask early childhood development students from local colleges to come in and work as part of their college education.
The benefit? Learning disabilities and high performers could be detected early. Education could be started early. We could possibly offer P/T teaching positions to elementary teachers after school.

This is an overview. A place to start. Any thoughts?

I'm back

2010-05-28T07:24:00.003-04:00

Spent the week working with the probable new governor, Andrew Cuomo.

Last Saturday I produced his announcement in Manhattan. Right behind the Tweed court house. Very historic place. Boss Tweed, very corrupt.

Monday morning began the set up for the NYS Democratic Convention in Rye NY. That ran thru yesterday. I just got back last night. I have had some interesting discussions during the past 3 days.

This is the article. It is very interesting that the feelings of some in the AP School District mirror what he discusses with regard to NY State as a whole. CHANGE was the theme there also.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=935658

I will summarize your ideas so far and begin a new post.

Someone from the BOE reads here. Notice the lack of a computer and that the public comment has been moved. I'm sure more changes will come.

Have a great day!

From Jennie......

2010-05-27T22:27:00.002-04:00

Ok, I have watched the meeting in its entirety, even though the sound quality forced me to have my ear to the tv screen.

I am appalled and, in fact, wish that I had chosen not to attend my daughters last concert so I could have been at the BOE meeting. What I would have done, is remind everyone of the comment the BOE President, Neil, made in the beginning..."this is not a board issue..." That means to me that we as a board will not discuss it.

Peter should have been interrupted immediately upon mentioning this issue and reminded that the voters have spoken and we weren't getting anywhere by talking about it. Instead not only Peter, but others were allowed to comment on this issue and when Steven tried to single handledly defend himself, everyone is heckling or judging him.

This is no different for me than the heckling of a student so many months ago, who dared to say what the majority didn't like and was booed right there before our very eyes. What a horrible example we set when we try to pass judgement on those who we have no idea how or why they are the way they are or where they are coming from.

What I can tell all of you is that I hope everyone is ready for the "day of reckoning" that this district is about to have. Taking the "high road" for me has gotten people fired, forced to retire and hurt beyond recognition, while the tactics of smear, nepotism and pandering has gotten others the right to do what they will. All of that is going to change. I for one will not stand for it anymore.

If you wonder why I hadn't done this before, understand that I have tried to work with the system, been a "team player" and believed in the people that work for us. That has gotten me elected in the past, but please know that I will have to be honest and open (even if its distasteful) to make sure that the whole community knows what is going on.

I am sure there is more to say...
I would be happy to post again or answer any questions you may have. Thanks to all that have supported me and the district through these times!

jennieglasser@hotmail.com

Thanks Jennie!

We need a list

2010-05-20T20:39:00.003-04:00

We need to define goals for the Summer and Fall. What would you like and where shall we go?

Please keep away from the "preference" discussion, OK?

OK let's move on

2010-05-20T20:19:00.002-04:00

First,
Has the trash been picked up on your road? The trash I speak of is the yellow and blue signs and the A frame "hand" painted signs. The election was 2 full days ago. Please pick up the streets.

Second,
I do have 1 final comment for my buddy Mike: "Past performance is the best indicator of future results."
The election is past, how'd that work out for ya? Given your quote, and your success in the election, what does that say for you? Can you get the blog at the sos blog site down now?

Third,
I am as unhappy with the present situation as you are. I will continue to look for answers as long as you continue to provide the clues. There are things that can be done, they are in process. If more evidence is available, please send it along. As always, anonymously....

Fourth,
We need to move on. The "preference" posts are getting over the top. That situation will not change. At least not immediately.