State-wide, financial aid to Long Island school districts will fall from the 2010/11 school year level by over $2 billion in 2011/12. That represents a loss of 9.1% of funding for LI schools. These numbers are serious for all taxpaying residents and the children we educate.
Here in Smithtown, it means that we are losing $5,080,994.00 of state funding. This loss equals a -15.3% change. It means that the Smithtown Central School District will need to 'find' over 2% of our current budget to be able to afford a zero-change budget next year, if this is the only change.
Unfortunately, it is probable that we will, at the same time, face another multi-million dollar end-of-the-financial-year surprise payment to cover post-employment obligations. That is, the district must pony up when the depressed market doesn't cover retirement payments that are due. None of this large hunk of our school budget is 'for the kids.'
The special Citizens' Advisory Committee will soon give preliminary reports to our PTAs about potential school closings in order to better serve the declining student population and conserve our financial resources. Bear in mind that there are other ways in which to truly use our resources wisely that have not, yet, been put on the proverbial table.
As some parents learned in the busing referendum do-over, sometimes the savings we
spend so much time seeking aren't there; they reside elsewhere. Why aren't we looking in all the right places?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Referendum on Busing Change Restores Coverage for Students
Read the Smithtown Patch article on the contentious issue of busing students to New York State guidelines, about four months after the initial vote, the extra 5 miles are back in Smithtown.
One could be excused for confusedly calling this a re-vote, which is, of course, illegal.
click here to read the Smithtown Patch
One could be excused for confusedly calling this a re-vote, which is, of course, illegal.
click here to read the Smithtown Patch
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
New Vote on Bus Controversy
Community outrage sparks board to set a Sept. 19 re-vote on its plan to limit bus service.
By Peter Verry, Editor,The Smithtown Patch
After more than two months of public outcries over bus cuts, the Smithtown Central School District Board of Education voted Wednesday night to give the public a chance to overturn a controversial transportation referendum.
The new vote, set for Sept. 19, was approved by President Gladys Waldron and Vice President Scott Martella, who were the only two votes to accept community petitions for a new vote on the referendum in June, as well as Theresa Knox, Grace Plourde and Joanne McEnroy.
Board members Louis Liguori and Joseph Saggese were the only two board members to oppose the re-vote.
read more at the Patch
By Peter Verry, Editor,The Smithtown Patch
After more than two months of public outcries over bus cuts, the Smithtown Central School District Board of Education voted Wednesday night to give the public a chance to overturn a controversial transportation referendum.
The new vote, set for Sept. 19, was approved by President Gladys Waldron and Vice President Scott Martella, who were the only two votes to accept community petitions for a new vote on the referendum in June, as well as Theresa Knox, Grace Plourde and Joanne McEnroy.
Board members Louis Liguori and Joseph Saggese were the only two board members to oppose the re-vote.
read more at the Patch
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Public Schools in Worse Shape Than We Feared
By: Walter Williams | Examiner Columnist | 07/18/11 8:05 PM
Last December, I reported on Harvard University professor Stephan Thernstrom's essay, "Minorities in College -- Good News, But...," on Minding the Campus, a website sponsored by the New York-based Manhattan Institute.
Thernstrom was commenting on the results of the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), saying that the scores "mean that black students aged 17 do not read with any greater facility than whites who are four years younger and still in junior high. ... Exactly the same glaring gaps appear in NAEP's tests of basic mathematics skills."
Thernstrom asked, "If we put a randomly-selected group of 100 eighth-graders and another of 100 twelfth-graders in a typical college, would we expect the first group to perform as well as the second?"
In other words, is it reasonable to expect a college freshman of any race who has the equivalent of an eighth-grade education to compete successfully with those having a 12th-grade education?
Maybe this huge gap in black/white academic achievement was in the paternalistic minds of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals justices who recently struck down Michigan's ban on the use of race and sex as criteria for college admissions.
The court said that it burdens minorities and violates the U.S. Constitution. Given the black education disaster, racial preferences in college admissions will become a permanent feature, because given the status quo, blacks as a group will never make it into top colleges based upon academic merit.
The situation is worse than we thought. The July 7 edition of U.S. News & World Report featured a story titled "Educators Implicated in Atlanta Cheating Scandal," saying that "for 10 years, hundreds of Atlanta public school teachers and principals changed answers on state tests in one of the largest cheating scandals in U.S. history, according to a scathing 413-page investigative report released Tuesday by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal."
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/2011/07/public-schools-worse-shape-we-feared#ixzz1SaEVMsrd
Last December, I reported on Harvard University professor Stephan Thernstrom's essay, "Minorities in College -- Good News, But...," on Minding the Campus, a website sponsored by the New York-based Manhattan Institute.
Thernstrom was commenting on the results of the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), saying that the scores "mean that black students aged 17 do not read with any greater facility than whites who are four years younger and still in junior high. ... Exactly the same glaring gaps appear in NAEP's tests of basic mathematics skills."
Thernstrom asked, "If we put a randomly-selected group of 100 eighth-graders and another of 100 twelfth-graders in a typical college, would we expect the first group to perform as well as the second?"
In other words, is it reasonable to expect a college freshman of any race who has the equivalent of an eighth-grade education to compete successfully with those having a 12th-grade education?
Maybe this huge gap in black/white academic achievement was in the paternalistic minds of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals justices who recently struck down Michigan's ban on the use of race and sex as criteria for college admissions.
The court said that it burdens minorities and violates the U.S. Constitution. Given the black education disaster, racial preferences in college admissions will become a permanent feature, because given the status quo, blacks as a group will never make it into top colleges based upon academic merit.
The situation is worse than we thought. The July 7 edition of U.S. News & World Report featured a story titled "Educators Implicated in Atlanta Cheating Scandal," saying that "for 10 years, hundreds of Atlanta public school teachers and principals changed answers on state tests in one of the largest cheating scandals in U.S. history, according to a scathing 413-page investigative report released Tuesday by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal."
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/2011/07/public-schools-worse-shape-we-feared#ixzz1SaEVMsrd
Friday, July 8, 2011
"...you've got... to get a little bloody when necessary."
A BATTLE IS BEING WAGED AND MOST AMERICANS DIDN'T GET THE MEMO
See this short video....it sheds a small, bright light into the workings of a government union.
Now, what can YOU do about it?
See this short video....it sheds a small, bright light into the workings of a government union.
Now, what can YOU do about it?
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Wisconsin on the Thames?
Read Michelle Malkin on Necessary Teacher Reforms in England--Sound Familiar?
by Michelle Malkin 7/1/11 in the Patriot Undate
LONDON — Big Labor looks the same wherever you go: petulant, irrational and wholly aggrieved beyond its means. I’m here on vacation with family as some 750,000 public-sector employees strike in protest over modest pension reform proposals. It’s a taste of Wisconsin on the Thames.
U.K. government teachers are just as shameless and entitlement-mongering as their American counterparts. More than half of England’s schools shut down on Thursday as union members took to the streets.
to read more click here
by Michelle Malkin 7/1/11 in the Patriot Undate
LONDON — Big Labor looks the same wherever you go: petulant, irrational and wholly aggrieved beyond its means. I’m here on vacation with family as some 750,000 public-sector employees strike in protest over modest pension reform proposals. It’s a taste of Wisconsin on the Thames.
U.K. government teachers are just as shameless and entitlement-mongering as their American counterparts. More than half of England’s schools shut down on Thursday as union members took to the streets.
to read more click here
Friday, July 1, 2011
A Letter from Senator Flanagan
Dear friend,
Yesterday, I joined Governor Andrew Cuomo as he signed the landmark Property Tax Cap measure, which I sponsored and voted for, into law. This tax cap will help ease the burden that skyrocketing tax increases have placed on hardworking middle-class homeowners, senior citizens and small businesses throughout our state by limiting the growth of school and local taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower.
While this much-needed legislation is aimed at protecting our taxpayers, it is important to note that steps have been taken to make sure our schools and our local governments are able to continue providing the critical services we all rely on. That is why the tax cap legislation that was signed into law included important mandate relief with $127 million in savings to local governments and the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations.
This package has been my number one priority this year because it is a sensible way to help our families stay here on Long Island without harming the overall quality of life we all have come to expect and appreciate.
The enactment of the property tax cap is just one of the many key measures approved during the recently concluded 2011 Legislative Session -- a session many observers are calling the most productive in many years. Working with Governor Cuomo, we were also successful in passing a responsible on-time budgetthat achieved my key goals of reducing state spending and cutting taxes, as well as an historic ethics reform packagethat increased accountability and transparency for government.
While these changes to the Albany status quo were long overdue, there is much more work that lies ahead and I will be sure to keep you posted.
As always, your input on the issues that matter most to you and your family, and I encourage you to respond to this email if you have thoughts on this or any other state matter.
Sincerely,
John J. Flanagan
New York State Senator, 2nd District
P.S. If any of the links on this e-mail will not open in your Internet browser, please visit my web site (flanagan.nysenate.gov) for more information.
Yesterday, I joined Governor Andrew Cuomo as he signed the landmark Property Tax Cap measure, which I sponsored and voted for, into law. This tax cap will help ease the burden that skyrocketing tax increases have placed on hardworking middle-class homeowners, senior citizens and small businesses throughout our state by limiting the growth of school and local taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower.
While this much-needed legislation is aimed at protecting our taxpayers, it is important to note that steps have been taken to make sure our schools and our local governments are able to continue providing the critical services we all rely on. That is why the tax cap legislation that was signed into law included important mandate relief with $127 million in savings to local governments and the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations.
This package has been my number one priority this year because it is a sensible way to help our families stay here on Long Island without harming the overall quality of life we all have come to expect and appreciate.
The enactment of the property tax cap is just one of the many key measures approved during the recently concluded 2011 Legislative Session -- a session many observers are calling the most productive in many years. Working with Governor Cuomo, we were also successful in passing a responsible on-time budgetthat achieved my key goals of reducing state spending and cutting taxes, as well as an historic ethics reform packagethat increased accountability and transparency for government.
While these changes to the Albany status quo were long overdue, there is much more work that lies ahead and I will be sure to keep you posted.
As always, your input on the issues that matter most to you and your family, and I encourage you to respond to this email if you have thoughts on this or any other state matter.
Sincerely,
John J. Flanagan
New York State Senator, 2nd District
P.S. If any of the links on this e-mail will not open in your Internet browser, please visit my web site (flanagan.nysenate.gov) for more information.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tennessee Trumps Wisconsin: Kills Teacher Collective Bargaining. Dead.
by Kyle Olsen at the Andrew Breitbart Big Government Blog
To fix public schools, you have to control public schools.
And there’s little control when teachers unions, with their self-serving agendas, question every cost-cutting proposal and reform on the table.
That’s why so many state governments have taken swift action to limit the power of organized labor in public schools. Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho and Michigan were the first, and Tennessee added itself to the list on Wednesday.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam affixed his signature on House Bill 130 and Senate Bill 113, ending collective bargaining and giving local school boards the full authority to operate their districts in the manner they choose. read more here
To fix public schools, you have to control public schools.
And there’s little control when teachers unions, with their self-serving agendas, question every cost-cutting proposal and reform on the table.
That’s why so many state governments have taken swift action to limit the power of organized labor in public schools. Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho and Michigan were the first, and Tennessee added itself to the list on Wednesday.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam affixed his signature on House Bill 130 and Senate Bill 113, ending collective bargaining and giving local school boards the full authority to operate their districts in the manner they choose. read more here
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Silver's Poison Pill?
Sheldon Silver yesterday seemed to be sticking a poison pill in the fine print.
by E.J. McMahon 5/25/11 New York Post
If Silver insists on a hard expiration date for the cap, the governor will need to start again.
Silver and his allies in the state's teachers union were always seen as the chief obstacle to passage of the most popular initiative of the highly popular new governor. But hope resided in the coming expiration of New York City's seemingly perpetual but legally temporary rent regulations, last renewed in 2004.
The two issues -- a cap on property taxes outside New York City, and price controls applying mainly to apartments within the city -- obviously are unrelated. But since the renewal of rent control is a top Silver priority, it seemed likely all year that their fates would be linked in the end.
Sure enough, with the clock ticking on an as-yet unfinished rent-regulation deal, the speaker on Tuesday introduced his own tax-cap bill -- matching Cuomo's priorities in almost every significant respect.
Cuomo has been insisting all along on a broad, tight and permanent cap -- like the one passed by the GOP-controlled Senate in January. And the speaker's changes to the governor's basic tax-cap structure are relatively minor.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/poison_pill_for_the_tax_cap_lOdioQZXBPSedtxkzveoTL#ixzz1NTrcZRYE
by E.J. McMahon 5/25/11 New York Post
If Silver insists on a hard expiration date for the cap, the governor will need to start again.
Silver and his allies in the state's teachers union were always seen as the chief obstacle to passage of the most popular initiative of the highly popular new governor. But hope resided in the coming expiration of New York City's seemingly perpetual but legally temporary rent regulations, last renewed in 2004.
The two issues -- a cap on property taxes outside New York City, and price controls applying mainly to apartments within the city -- obviously are unrelated. But since the renewal of rent control is a top Silver priority, it seemed likely all year that their fates would be linked in the end.
Sure enough, with the clock ticking on an as-yet unfinished rent-regulation deal, the speaker on Tuesday introduced his own tax-cap bill -- matching Cuomo's priorities in almost every significant respect.
Cuomo has been insisting all along on a broad, tight and permanent cap -- like the one passed by the GOP-controlled Senate in January. And the speaker's changes to the governor's basic tax-cap structure are relatively minor.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/poison_pill_for_the_tax_cap_lOdioQZXBPSedtxkzveoTL#ixzz1NTrcZRYE
A Tax Cap & Mandate Relief
A legislative column by Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown)
Throughout this legislative year, there has been a push by the Assembly Minority Conference and the state Senate’s Majority to pass a property-tax cap. The proposed tax cap would keep property taxes at a 2% increase or 120% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. While a cap is important to limit the growth of Long Island’s sky-high property taxes, only the tax cap will drive all interested parties to the negotiating table to produce comprehensive mandate relief in order to keep these rates low.
School districts are overburdened with paperwork and government red tape, which the state forces upon them without funding. Schools then pass these additional costs on to taxpayers through property-tax increases. In Governor Cuomo’s current property-tax-cap legislation, there is no direct answer to the problem of unfunded mandates and schools are worried that, with cuts to state education aid, they will, inevitably, have to continue to make cuts in classroom instruction in the effort to afford those unfunded mandates.
However, I see any cap on property taxes as a necessary first step to bring all the stakeholders to the table for true mandate relief. This tax-cap legislation will begin to force the hand of Albany to address the burdens faced by school districts with unfunded mandates. Some of my fellow lawmakers do not want to pass the tax cap without direct mandate relief – but there will be no mandate relief without a tax cap.
It is time for the state to take action to save struggling taxpayers and provide relief for school districts and local governments. The governor’s property-tax cap will lead to unfunded mandate relief and force a hard look at the cost-drivers that have created some of the highest property taxes in the nation. I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to pass both a genuine property-tax cap and long-needed mandate relief as soon as possible.
As always, I urge constituents to contact me about this or any other state matter. You may reach me at my Smithtown office at 631-724-2929.
Throughout this legislative year, there has been a push by the Assembly Minority Conference and the state Senate’s Majority to pass a property-tax cap. The proposed tax cap would keep property taxes at a 2% increase or 120% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. While a cap is important to limit the growth of Long Island’s sky-high property taxes, only the tax cap will drive all interested parties to the negotiating table to produce comprehensive mandate relief in order to keep these rates low.
School districts are overburdened with paperwork and government red tape, which the state forces upon them without funding. Schools then pass these additional costs on to taxpayers through property-tax increases. In Governor Cuomo’s current property-tax-cap legislation, there is no direct answer to the problem of unfunded mandates and schools are worried that, with cuts to state education aid, they will, inevitably, have to continue to make cuts in classroom instruction in the effort to afford those unfunded mandates.
However, I see any cap on property taxes as a necessary first step to bring all the stakeholders to the table for true mandate relief. This tax-cap legislation will begin to force the hand of Albany to address the burdens faced by school districts with unfunded mandates. Some of my fellow lawmakers do not want to pass the tax cap without direct mandate relief – but there will be no mandate relief without a tax cap.
It is time for the state to take action to save struggling taxpayers and provide relief for school districts and local governments. The governor’s property-tax cap will lead to unfunded mandate relief and force a hard look at the cost-drivers that have created some of the highest property taxes in the nation. I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to pass both a genuine property-tax cap and long-needed mandate relief as soon as possible.
As always, I urge constituents to contact me about this or any other state matter. You may reach me at my Smithtown office at 631-724-2929.
Unions Win Big
The voters decided to elect three candidates sponsored by unions over two proven Trustees on Tuesday, May 17th. The ramifications of the vote will be enormous to the people and students of Smithtown.
Four contracts will be decided by the new, union-backed Trustees in the coming months, and several top administrators will be hired by the Board. Superintendent Edward Ehmann will retire next spring. Mary Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & Administration; Dr. Meryl Ain, Assistant to the Superintendent for General Administration and Planning; and District Clerk Mary Wilson are retiring this June.
The Board's actions on both the contracts and hiring will impact the SCSD for years to come. When those overseeing the running of SCSD's business are so comfortably tied to the unions working for the district, it appears that the taxpayers of Smithtown are slightly under-represented.
Four contracts will be decided by the new, union-backed Trustees in the coming months, and several top administrators will be hired by the Board. Superintendent Edward Ehmann will retire next spring. Mary Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & Administration; Dr. Meryl Ain, Assistant to the Superintendent for General Administration and Planning; and District Clerk Mary Wilson are retiring this June.
The Board's actions on both the contracts and hiring will impact the SCSD for years to come. When those overseeing the running of SCSD's business are so comfortably tied to the unions working for the district, it appears that the taxpayers of Smithtown are slightly under-represented.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Rossi & Carlin for School Board!
Smithtown Taxpayers Education News wholeheartedly endorses Board President Bob Rossi and fellow Trustee, Neil Carlin, for election on Tuesday, May 17th, for the SCSD Board.
Also on the ballot is the uncontested seat held by Gladys Waldron for 33 years. We endorse no one for this position.
There are two referendum questions with a 'yes' or 'no' for both--they cannot be split. They are: to extend the walker area slightly--an elementary student now is eligible for busing if living next door to the school, this would extend the distance to 1/2 mile, with similar changes for older students; and to go back to the state required 15 mile distance for mandatory busing to private and parochial schools, rather than the 20 miles Smithtown previously agreed to in a referendum.
The budget and contingent budget are the same, so voting it down will only force the taxpayers to pay for a re-vote. Support the budget.
Get to your polling place on Tuesday--Accompsett El, Smithtown El, St James El, or Nesconset El.
Also on the ballot is the uncontested seat held by Gladys Waldron for 33 years. We endorse no one for this position.
There are two referendum questions with a 'yes' or 'no' for both--they cannot be split. They are: to extend the walker area slightly--an elementary student now is eligible for busing if living next door to the school, this would extend the distance to 1/2 mile, with similar changes for older students; and to go back to the state required 15 mile distance for mandatory busing to private and parochial schools, rather than the 20 miles Smithtown previously agreed to in a referendum.
The budget and contingent budget are the same, so voting it down will only force the taxpayers to pay for a re-vote. Support the budget.
Get to your polling place on Tuesday--Accompsett El, Smithtown El, St James El, or Nesconset El.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A Quiet School District Investigation
Sgt. Schultz: “I Know Nothing!”
Spurred by a friend’s request to the Administration to investigate charges of ethics and policy violations, Rick Schlomann and another Smithtown citizen, Stan Meyer, spoke before the general meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 10th.
Mr Schlomann read Policy 1511 which prohibits politicking in schools on school time by staff. The policy exists to protect the students. He asked Superintendent Ehmann if he had followed through on this investigation.
Mr Ehmann acknowledged that the Administration had looked into the charge and took ‘appropriate action,’ indicating that the details were ‘not for public disclosure.’ At this point the District’s attorney, Eugene Barnosky and Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Karen Ricigliano, added that, “in one or two instances corrective action was taken, counseling letters, (and) documentation was provided so that will not occur again.”
In other words, the policy was violated.
Mr Schlomann tried to dig deeper and discover what names were on the petitions, to no avail; they hadn’t asked.
Upset by this revelation, Mr Meyer said, “I think you gave a political definition, not a legal definition, because if anyone benefited, we should know.” He didn’t know why a blanket of secrecy was covering the candidates’ identities, and was dissatisfied to hear that is was not a question the district asked. We are not to know who was petitioned for by district employees, in schools, on district time; only the petitioners were reprimanded.
It stinks. And the stench carries far in this election year when contracts are up, the board could be flipped, and the union has everything at stake.
Spurred by a friend’s request to the Administration to investigate charges of ethics and policy violations, Rick Schlomann and another Smithtown citizen, Stan Meyer, spoke before the general meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 10th.
Mr Schlomann read Policy 1511 which prohibits politicking in schools on school time by staff. The policy exists to protect the students. He asked Superintendent Ehmann if he had followed through on this investigation.
Mr Ehmann acknowledged that the Administration had looked into the charge and took ‘appropriate action,’ indicating that the details were ‘not for public disclosure.’ At this point the District’s attorney, Eugene Barnosky and Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Karen Ricigliano, added that, “in one or two instances corrective action was taken, counseling letters, (and) documentation was provided so that will not occur again.”
In other words, the policy was violated.
Mr Schlomann tried to dig deeper and discover what names were on the petitions, to no avail; they hadn’t asked.
Upset by this revelation, Mr Meyer said, “I think you gave a political definition, not a legal definition, because if anyone benefited, we should know.” He didn’t know why a blanket of secrecy was covering the candidates’ identities, and was dissatisfied to hear that is was not a question the district asked. We are not to know who was petitioned for by district employees, in schools, on district time; only the petitioners were reprimanded.
It stinks. And the stench carries far in this election year when contracts are up, the board could be flipped, and the union has everything at stake.
Let the Sunshine In
At last night’s Smithtown Board of Education meeting, board members Neil Carlin and Scott Martella had a short, intense interaction regarding giving information to the public. Since it followed a heartfelt explanation by Martella of the new Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC), which was formed to involve the community more directly in school district issues, it created an odd moment.
Carlin raised the idea, endorsed by Suffolk County’s District Attorney, Tom Spota, of informing Smithtown residents of contract agreements with our unions once a Memo of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by all parties. An MOA is like a binder on a house—before the actual sale--it indicates that there is a basic agreement between parties, in this case between the SCSD and the particular union.
Martella insisted that the democratic process was in place, and took exception to the idea. Carlin said he felt as though he was being given a civics lecture. When Martella asked what possible purpose exposing details of the pre-agreement would serve, members of the audience called out, “Openness,” “transparency,” and sunlight!”
Carlin asked that if union members had the information, why couldn’t the public?
Eugene Barnosky, attorney for the district, agreed that it was legal for citizens to be made aware of the district’s negotiation with a union at the point of an MOA.
During the audience portion of the meeting, Rick Schlomann said that since the union’s rank and file get to know the particulars about a proposed contract, “it is only fair, balanced, and open,” to have the Memo of Agreement made available to the public, who can then comment to their elected board.
Stan Meyer, a retired teacher, asked if board members were afraid to hear what the taxpayer had to say about union agreements and the implications to Smithtown for years into the future, saying, “I resent not having the right to know!”
Indeed, following the discourse on the CAC, this disinclination to provide data to the public seems mystifying.
Carlin raised the idea, endorsed by Suffolk County’s District Attorney, Tom Spota, of informing Smithtown residents of contract agreements with our unions once a Memo of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by all parties. An MOA is like a binder on a house—before the actual sale--it indicates that there is a basic agreement between parties, in this case between the SCSD and the particular union.
Martella insisted that the democratic process was in place, and took exception to the idea. Carlin said he felt as though he was being given a civics lecture. When Martella asked what possible purpose exposing details of the pre-agreement would serve, members of the audience called out, “Openness,” “transparency,” and sunlight!”
Carlin asked that if union members had the information, why couldn’t the public?
Eugene Barnosky, attorney for the district, agreed that it was legal for citizens to be made aware of the district’s negotiation with a union at the point of an MOA.
During the audience portion of the meeting, Rick Schlomann said that since the union’s rank and file get to know the particulars about a proposed contract, “it is only fair, balanced, and open,” to have the Memo of Agreement made available to the public, who can then comment to their elected board.
Stan Meyer, a retired teacher, asked if board members were afraid to hear what the taxpayer had to say about union agreements and the implications to Smithtown for years into the future, saying, “I resent not having the right to know!”
Indeed, following the discourse on the CAC, this disinclination to provide data to the public seems mystifying.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Tax Cap Press Conference 5/5/11
To view the You Tube of the Conservative Society for Action meeting in Hauppauge with State and County officials in support of a property tax cap click here
Friday, May 6, 2011
Support the Tax Cap NOW!
The State Senate and Assembly are looking at versions of a bill to provide aid to taxpayers by limiting the growth of school district spending through the use of a tax cap. A 2% cap is expected.
A tax cap will accomplish several things, one of which will be, of course, the limit to increased spending and importantly, pressure on Albany to make swift and effective changes to regulations and policies which cost districts millions, yearly.
Senate version of Property Tax Cap
S2706-2011: Establishes limitations upon school district and local government tax levies; repealer read the proposed bill here
Assembly version of Property Tax Cap
A3982-2011: Establishes limitations upon school district and local government tax levies; repealer read the proposed bill here
A tax cap will accomplish several things, one of which will be, of course, the limit to increased spending and importantly, pressure on Albany to make swift and effective changes to regulations and policies which cost districts millions, yearly.
Senate version of Property Tax Cap
S2706-2011: Establishes limitations upon school district and local government tax levies; repealer read the proposed bill here
Assembly version of Property Tax Cap
A3982-2011: Establishes limitations upon school district and local government tax levies; repealer read the proposed bill here
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Ethics, Anyone?
We have a situation in Smithtown that stinks--a candidate is running for a seat on the SCSD Board--and some believe she is ineligible.
She submitted petitions on April 18th, but, on that date she was ineligible to serve. Policy states the candidate must be eligible at the time of filing. Serving as a district employee bars service on the BOE.
The candidate had her first retirement from teaching in the SCSD accepted by the BOE in November 2009 effective on July 1, 2010, then, on January 11, 2011, she was again hired as a permanent, certified, per diem substitute teacher in Special Education. The second retirement was accepted at the April 28th BOE meeting, after the petition filing date.
This candidate also served on the Smithtown Teachers Association (STA) Executive Committee as Secretary. There is no problem with her holding this position on the STA, but when putting the pieces together, the picture doesn't look good.
The district is in negotiations (actually mediation) with the STA union and two other unions, now. Is this the time to put a former union exec on our School Board?
Maybe what you want to see is an extended contract? If the board flips members, no doubt there will shortly be a new contract with sweet deals for the STA.
As it is, the SCSD will have a hard time getting thru each of the next several years without deep concessions from the union and a change in the pension system. Another season of 8% increases will seriously damage Smithtown's ability to continue to give our children an excellent education.
Is this what we need?
She submitted petitions on April 18th, but, on that date she was ineligible to serve. Policy states the candidate must be eligible at the time of filing. Serving as a district employee bars service on the BOE.
The candidate had her first retirement from teaching in the SCSD accepted by the BOE in November 2009 effective on July 1, 2010, then, on January 11, 2011, she was again hired as a permanent, certified, per diem substitute teacher in Special Education. The second retirement was accepted at the April 28th BOE meeting, after the petition filing date.
This candidate also served on the Smithtown Teachers Association (STA) Executive Committee as Secretary. There is no problem with her holding this position on the STA, but when putting the pieces together, the picture doesn't look good.
The district is in negotiations (actually mediation) with the STA union and two other unions, now. Is this the time to put a former union exec on our School Board?
Maybe what you want to see is an extended contract? If the board flips members, no doubt there will shortly be a new contract with sweet deals for the STA.
As it is, the SCSD will have a hard time getting thru each of the next several years without deep concessions from the union and a change in the pension system. Another season of 8% increases will seriously damage Smithtown's ability to continue to give our children an excellent education.
Is this what we need?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Teachers Discuss Bringing Marxism into Classrooms
While these are NOT local, LI teachers, their conversation is not unusual, uunfortunately. Please take a look. http://youtu.be/dDeXhmTz_0M
Here is another group discussing recruiting high school students...http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/video/revolutionary-socialist-group
Here is another group discussing recruiting high school students...http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/video/revolutionary-socialist-group
Thursday, April 21, 2011
School District Seeks $3M in Withheld State Aid
Paperwork errors concerning past building and improvement projects are resulting in $3.1 million in state aid being withheld, something Superintendent Edward Ehmann is seeking political help to remedy.
Since the Smithtown Central School District adopted a $212.4 million budget that cuts many programs and staff members, discussion has swirled around $3.1 million in withheld state aid stemming from four reports not submitted on time to New York State of 81 total from a district capital improvement plan, which began in 2000.
It's led to a lot of fingers being pointed at Superintendent Edward Ehmann, though officals and the super himself say it's not warranted, and hope to set the facts straight.
“Both the district and the state are constantly auditing everything to see if the state owes us anything, they look to see if they overpaid us at all … the state found the fact that the district didn’t have these forms filed on time so what they did is they are withholding the building aid that comes out of those projects,” Ehmann said in a phone interview.
The capital improvement plan consisted of many building improvements, from classroom construction and additions to alterations to elementary school buildings, roof replacements, changes to security systems and more.
A statement released by the office of the superintendent stated a $138 million dollar bond as well as appropriations from the budget and capital reserve and building aid on allowable costs funded the projects. read more
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A Young Man with the Right Stuff--James Funaro
Six year old James Funaro of Nesconset started wearing a tie to school after picture day, decided to try for a Guinness record, and began to help others along the way.
His daily tie-wearing has so far raised over $1,400 for the Suffolk Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps make wishes come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.
James quickly beat his own goal of raising $1,000 and is now going for $2,000 for Make-A-Wish. He is still wearing those ties! He has received donations from his brother, friends, and people from across America who have heard of his effort.
First grade is coming to a close, and James thinks he might wear a tie all through second grade, too. He may or may not beat a Guinness record, but James Funaro is a winner in Smithtown, already!
To help James help Make-A-Wish, you can send checks payable to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County. Mail to James Funaro, PO Box 128 Smithtown, NY 11787.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Teachers Sign Petitions during School Day?
"Educators are confidantes, mentors and advocates for their students' growth and development. As models for youth and the public, they embody intellectual honesty, diplomacy, tact and fairness."
from New York State Education Department Code of Ethics
Why have teachers in Smithtown schools carried petitions in schools during the school day? Students report other teachers coming into their rooms while classes were in session, 'with clipboards and long pieces of paper' for their teachers to sign.
Politicking during school hours is not allowed. Hopefully, each school monitors such behavior?
from New York State Education Department Code of Ethics
Why have teachers in Smithtown schools carried petitions in schools during the school day? Students report other teachers coming into their rooms while classes were in session, 'with clipboards and long pieces of paper' for their teachers to sign.
Politicking during school hours is not allowed. Hopefully, each school monitors such behavior?
Who is Minding the Store?
Word is that there is a connection between one of the Smithtown Board of Education members and a CPA who sits on a volunteer audit committee. Such committees are called for by state regulations for larger school districts.
Turns out that the board member's husband is a partner in the firm that employs one of the two volunteer CPAs.
At the same time, we learned this news, the board was told by CPA and board VP Joe Saggese that these audit committee members had gone well outside the bounds of the State's charter for Audit Committees.
Troubling news. If you are concerned, please write to:
Mr. Robert Rossi
President, Smithtown Board of Education
Smithtown Central School District
26 New York Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
Turns out that the board member's husband is a partner in the firm that employs one of the two volunteer CPAs.
At the same time, we learned this news, the board was told by CPA and board VP Joe Saggese that these audit committee members had gone well outside the bounds of the State's charter for Audit Committees.
Troubling news. If you are concerned, please write to:
Mr. Robert Rossi
President, Smithtown Board of Education
Smithtown Central School District
26 New York Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
Global Competition--USA Schools Failing
The Cartel
see the trailer here
What is going on in America's schools today and how can we turn things around?
In America, 5 % of college undergraduate students major in science and engineering, while in China, 42% major in those areas. In science and math we lag behind China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, most eastern European countries, Estonia and Slovenia--to name a few!
see the trailer here
What is going on in America's schools today and how can we turn things around?
In America, 5 % of college undergraduate students major in science and engineering, while in China, 42% major in those areas. In science and math we lag behind China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, most eastern European countries, Estonia and Slovenia--to name a few!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Teacher Raises Shrinking on LI--Your Help Needed to Continue the Trend
By JOHN HILDEBRAND with Joie Tyrrell -Newsday
Teachers across Long Island are doing the math and settling for lower raises.
In a growing number of Long Island school districts, they’ve agreed to annual raises roughly half the size of those negotiated in multi-year contracts before the economy nose-dived in 2008. And with residents balking at skyrocketing taxes and heavy pressure to resolve the state’s fiscal woes, experts say contracts are likely to continue to get leaner. read more at Newsday
Bearing this in mind, please write to Philip Maier-Regional Director of NYS PERB- Public Relations Board's Brooklyn regional office. This office is in charge of the current mediation between the Smithtown Central School District and the Smithtown Teachers' Association. The contract with the STA expired in spring 2010, and teachers continue to be covered by the expired contract as per the Triborough Amendment, and have received STEP increases in pay during this time.
We ask for a very low contractual salary increase (on top of yearly STEP increases) and an increase in contributions to health benefits. In addition, no future give-back, balloon raise, or bonus increases should be written into the new contract. In short, nothing to 'sweeten the pot.' The district cannot maintain the current level of STEPS, raises, and extras for credits earned and longevity, which amount to 7-8% yearly increases, so give-backs are out of the question.
Philip Maier
NYS PERB
55 Hanson Pl.
Suite 700
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Teachers across Long Island are doing the math and settling for lower raises.
In a growing number of Long Island school districts, they’ve agreed to annual raises roughly half the size of those negotiated in multi-year contracts before the economy nose-dived in 2008. And with residents balking at skyrocketing taxes and heavy pressure to resolve the state’s fiscal woes, experts say contracts are likely to continue to get leaner. read more at Newsday
Bearing this in mind, please write to Philip Maier-Regional Director of NYS PERB- Public Relations Board's Brooklyn regional office. This office is in charge of the current mediation between the Smithtown Central School District and the Smithtown Teachers' Association. The contract with the STA expired in spring 2010, and teachers continue to be covered by the expired contract as per the Triborough Amendment, and have received STEP increases in pay during this time.
We ask for a very low contractual salary increase (on top of yearly STEP increases) and an increase in contributions to health benefits. In addition, no future give-back, balloon raise, or bonus increases should be written into the new contract. In short, nothing to 'sweeten the pot.' The district cannot maintain the current level of STEPS, raises, and extras for credits earned and longevity, which amount to 7-8% yearly increases, so give-backs are out of the question.
Philip Maier
NYS PERB
55 Hanson Pl.
Suite 700
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Budget Approved by BOE
On Tuesday, April 12th, the Smithtown BOE voted 5-2 to accept the Superintendent's budget for the 2011-12 school year for the district.
The $212, 361,284. budget is a .41% increase over the 2010-11 budget. The contingent budget happens to be the exact same number, making the necessity of a a re-vote unlikely. The tax levy is expected to be 4.9%
The 2 'no' votes were from Terry Knox, who gave no reason for her vote, and board vice-president Joe Saggese, who had previously asked for--but never received-- a budget with a total three year projection. He felt it was impossible to make an informed decision without this information.
The $212, 361,284. budget is a .41% increase over the 2010-11 budget. The contingent budget happens to be the exact same number, making the necessity of a a re-vote unlikely. The tax levy is expected to be 4.9%
The 2 'no' votes were from Terry Knox, who gave no reason for her vote, and board vice-president Joe Saggese, who had previously asked for--but never received-- a budget with a total three year projection. He felt it was impossible to make an informed decision without this information.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Smithtown 2011-12 Superintendent's Proposed Budget
Smithtown's Superintendent Edward Ehmann gave the district his bottom-line budget number for the 2011-12 school year at last night's community input meeting, but no specific budget line information at all.
The $212, 361,284. budget is a .41% increase over the current year's budget. Beginning with a rollover of the 2010-11 budget, the Administration then began .5% cuts to departments across the board, got savings in: security, building management, through increasing elementary class size, making cuts to athletics, and from a number of clerical and other non-classified positions, partially through attrition. This budget maximizes the use of reserves up to $6.7 million.
The district may see additional savings through a transportation referendum.
The $212,361,284 budget comes with a tax levy of 4.92%.
A contingent budget of $215,307,048 would, obviously, be greater than the proposed budget.
The $212, 361,284. budget is a .41% increase over the current year's budget. Beginning with a rollover of the 2010-11 budget, the Administration then began .5% cuts to departments across the board, got savings in: security, building management, through increasing elementary class size, making cuts to athletics, and from a number of clerical and other non-classified positions, partially through attrition. This budget maximizes the use of reserves up to $6.7 million.
The district may see additional savings through a transportation referendum.
The $212,361,284 budget comes with a tax levy of 4.92%.
A contingent budget of $215,307,048 would, obviously, be greater than the proposed budget.
Reality in Central Islip
What one school district--and its taxpayers--are facing:
Central Islip, which has a $171-million budget and 6,300 students, is expected to lose $5 million in state aid. With a 13 percent tax hike, 50 teachers would be laid off while all sports programs and extracurricular activities would remain. That scenario is unlikely to be put to a vote. A 5 percent tax increase would require 110 teachers be laid off, and flat taxes would require 170 teachers to go.
Central Islip, which has a $171-million budget and 6,300 students, is expected to lose $5 million in state aid. With a 13 percent tax hike, 50 teachers would be laid off while all sports programs and extracurricular activities would remain. That scenario is unlikely to be put to a vote. A 5 percent tax increase would require 110 teachers be laid off, and flat taxes would require 170 teachers to go.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Community Input Tonight 4/6
The Superintendent's budget for school year 2011-12 will be presented for community input tonight at 7pm at the Admin Building at 26 New York Ave, Smithtown. Be there to learn what is being done to get a handle on expenses. Share your concerns.
2011-12 Increases:
STA Contractual Salary $2.4 million
Other Contractual Salary $0.6 million
TRS (State Mandate) $2.2 million
ERS (State Mandate) $1.0 million
2011-12 Reduced state aid: $3.4 million
Net Gap $9.6 million ---do the district and Smithtown Taxpayers Education News have the same number?
At the next general Board of Education meeting at 8pm on April 12th the Board will vote to approve the budget. It will then go to the community for a vote on May 17th.
2011-12 Increases:
STA Contractual Salary $2.4 million
Other Contractual Salary $0.6 million
TRS (State Mandate) $2.2 million
ERS (State Mandate) $1.0 million
2011-12 Reduced state aid: $3.4 million
Net Gap $9.6 million ---do the district and Smithtown Taxpayers Education News have the same number?
At the next general Board of Education meeting at 8pm on April 12th the Board will vote to approve the budget. It will then go to the community for a vote on May 17th.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Budget Review 4/5 and 4/6
3 IMPORTANT MEETINGS FOR SMITHTOWN RESIDENTS
Smithtown's BOE meets again tonight, April 5th, to review the proposed budget for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. They will meet in the Adminstration Building at 26 New York Ave-enter thru the rear door and go to the 2nd floor auditorium. The meeting begins at 7 and will run until? Next meeting, tomorrow, April 6th, same time, same place. Budget adoption will take place at the next General Board of Education meeting, April 12th at 8pm at New York Ave.
Your input, attendance, and understanding of the issues are vital for the children and residents of Smithtown!
Smithtown's BOE meets again tonight, April 5th, to review the proposed budget for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. They will meet in the Adminstration Building at 26 New York Ave-enter thru the rear door and go to the 2nd floor auditorium. The meeting begins at 7 and will run until? Next meeting, tomorrow, April 6th, same time, same place. Budget adoption will take place at the next General Board of Education meeting, April 12th at 8pm at New York Ave.
Your input, attendance, and understanding of the issues are vital for the children and residents of Smithtown!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Albany Passes Budget
Smithtown Central School District will see a slight improvement as New York State aid will be reduced by $3.4 million rather than the expected $5.5 million the district has been considering. This means a real change in aid to the district by -8.9%. State aid information in the published version of Governor Cuomo's budget is not yet correct. Our thanks for this currant information to State Senator John Flanagan's local office.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Facts for Schools in New York
The Taylor Law--Adopted in 1967 granting public employees the right to organize and bargain collectively with their employer.
Strikes Prohibited--Within eight months of its enactment, N.Y. Times describes the Taylor Law as having an "almost revolutionary effect" on public sector labor relations.
By the fall of 1968, an additional 360,000 state and local government employees had been unionized, in addition to the roughly 340,000 (mostly in New York City) who were already engaged in collective bargaining before the law passed.
Duty to Bargain in Good Faith Section of the Taylor Law
“The duty to bargain in good faith means that both parties approach the negotiations table with a sincere desire to reach an agreement. Thus, good faith is a matter of intention”
Duty to Negotiate in Good Faith means that both parties approach the negotiating table with a sincere desire to reach an agreement – a matter of intent.
The Duty Does Not Include Agreement!
To Determine the Parties' Intent, PERB looks at the Overall Conduct of Parties:
(1) willingness to exchange proposals,
(2) willingness to discuss the issues,
(3) willingness to explain the rationale of negotiating positions upon request
(4) willingness to accommodate the idea of compromise
The Process of Negotiating and Good Faith Bargaining
“Hard bargaining” is not a per se violation of good--faith bargaining proper for the board to submit demands to freeze or even decrease current levels of benefits
Negotiations Related Communications during contentious times-- merely informative in nature and did not contain threats of reprisal or promise of benefits or otherwise attempt to circumvent the union negotiators
When Negotiations Fail- -Next Steps
Mediation
Fact Finding
Super Conciliation
Uncertainty in the Present Economic Climate
Governor Cuomo has proposed a property tax cap on local tax levies
of 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower, effective July 1, 2012.
If the tax cap is set at the maximum of 2%, school districts will
automatically be forced to operate at a minimum of a 10% deficit.
Property Tax Cap
If the Governor ’s proposed property tax cap were to pass, the 668 school districts with independent taxing authority in the State would only be able to increase property taxes a maximum of $229 million per year, on average, over the next four year period.
Increases in personnel expenses, collectively, during that same period, however, are projected to average approximately $1.044 billion per year, resulting in a $815 million deficit, per year.
Step increases alone would result in a rise above
the cap. (Source “Property Tax Cap: Pass or Fail for School Districts”, New York State School Boards Association, December 2010 at p. 3).
more to come....
Thursday, March 24, 2011
What an Eye-opener!
A funny thing happened at the Smithtown Board of Education meeting on the evening of March 22, 2011. I encountered a swarm of “black shirted- button wearing” drones representing the Teachers. After gathering and organizing outside the school building they obediently marched in and were told by their organizers were to sit.
After the Board’s business was completed; the Supervisor gave the state of the District’s financial health. He showed how the District’s costs for Salaries, Pensions and Employee Benefits have gotten out of control over the past ten years. From my standpoint, and some others in the audience the situation is dire.
When this phase of the meeting was completed, the Board opened the session for Public debate. The first to speak was the head of the local Teacher’s Union. He proceeded to tell the public how the Union had offered to compromise with the Board, but the Board had refused their offers. Of course no mention was made as to what the Unions offered to comprise.
I should also mention the crowds of students who were present in the auditorium holding signs in support of various programs that might be in danger of being cut. I wondered how many parents counseled their children on the true nature of the situation.
After the Union boss had completed his speech, the next speaker approached the podium and an amazing thing happened; in one of the rudest and unprofessional actions I have ever seen, all the drones got up and walked out of the meeting. Apparently not wanting to hear what some of the Taxpayers had to say.
After the Taxpayers had their say, another group, including some Smithtown Graduates, spoke in support of the Business Curriculum. They went on to inform the public what a great benefit it was to them and what they had accomplished since their graduation. While listening, I wondered how many had to go to the private learning centers in order to boost the SAT scores like my Grandson had to do.
All in all, it gave me a wonderful insight into the Professionals who are teaching our children.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Pied Piper of Smithtown
Tonight's Smithtown School Board meeting, held at High School West, was packed. People made their way through a mass of school faculty protesting by wearing black outfits and the ubiquitous pins declaring, "Working Without a Contract." And the contract (in mediation) was the subject of much discussion.
The Board and Administration took care of the business of the district and then opened the floor to the public. Rich Forzano, president of the Smithtown Teachers Association was the first speaker. Mr Forzano claimed that over the past two contracts, the district gave nothing and asked too much of the union. Unfortunately, there was nothing detectably compromising in his address--no hands across the table. It was an inauspicious beginning that grew bizarre as Mr Forzano left the podium, the auditorium, and the building--followed by hundreds of the black-clad STA members. It was the low point of the evening. Even so, the room was almost half full after the exodus.
There followed 23 more speakers including recent Smithtown HS grads; moms of SCSD students; Decca volunteers; Industry Advisory Board members; a Junior Achievement Rep; seniors; business men and women of the district; and concerned citizens. Many plead for retaining the Business program which sounds fabulous--effective and one well-preparing its students for the future.
There were a couple passionate speakers who begged the Board to keep all programs, and do the right thing for the children. The major theme, however, was: dare to make a change, and do it now. The absent union members were asked to join the taxpayers and make a sacrifice. They wanted to know what the teachers were willing to do. They had left, so we were not able to have any dialogue.
One small group of teachers--not wearing the uniform of protest--actually stayed to the very end--they were the Business program teachers, who were warmly received. Their maturity and commitment to the students was appreciated.
Three speakers really stood out--a retired teacher and resident with the guts to challenge an out-of-control union, a businessman who offered to work on the Housing Advisory Committee and pointed out how simple it would be to balance the budget--with an STA contract with give-backs, and another businessman who reminded the Board and Administration to remember the definition of insanity and asked the Board and Admin to....
Take a look at Wisconsin! Stand up for us! Do something different!
Thanks to everyone who made this a productive evening--unfortunately--not the STA.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
An Overview on Our School District
Smithtown Central School District (SCSD) does a good job educating its students; it is something of which we can be proud. But there is a very big crack in the system that needs fixing now!
NYS is in a difficult financial situation, people leaving has resulted in the loss of 3 Congressional seats after the 2010 census. The birth-rate is declining. Businesses are struggling, unemployment is high, and home sales are sluggish, with a 2 year inventory of unsold homes in Nassau and Suffolk. Taxes are being grieved.
NYS is contributing 16.31% less than last year in school aid for SCSD. We learned that for the '11-12 year we will have a shortfall of $5 million from the state--that's on top of last year when we were cut by $3.5 million! At the same time, we were told to expect an increase of at least $7 million in payments we must make for retirement pensions and benefits this year alone. [The amount is being questioned.] In addition to increases in fuel, salaries, and more, we have to find about $12 million (give or take) more.
In the last couple years, the school tax increase has been low, before that, the average increase was around 7% per year. Every year there has been a 'capture' of money 'left over' that are called reserves. This amount can range from $3 to $10 million. It is, essentially, money we are over-taxed that is kept by the SCSD. In 2005, a year we had a contingent budget, meaning that taxpayers voted down the proposed budget and we went to a pared down budget, we had about $6 million in reserves! How did that happen?
There is nothing wrong with carrying a percentage of the budget in reserves--the state lets us keep 4% on hand--like a rainy day fund. We actually have several reserve funds with a total of about $48 million. Some reserves are dedicated to fund to a particular action and may not be used for anything else. One use for a reserve fund is to pay it toward the next year's tax bill--we did and that is why our recent tax increases were so low.
Our school budget is being thrashed out right now, as the Administration proposes and the Board gives direction. Already, the district has been in turmoil over the possibility of 1. changing the walker area, 2. issuing a referendum to change private and parochial school student busing, 3. a referendum to change SCSD busing, and 4. the proposed closing of one elementary school which would only save about $340,000.
The Administration has discussed raising class size as a means to save some money. Unfortunately, even though we have elementary classes with 17 and 18 students, their model didn't produce much more that $1 million in savings.
Last year the district made some changes that we applaud that saved money: buses made to carry 66 passengers had been loaded with 12-15 students--no more, High School electives without an enrollment of at least 15 students are not run, and after-school athletic program teams were combined, creating savings.
If the governor's proposed tax cap goes through, and it is believed it will, we will be limited to a 2% increase a year. And that is where the problem lies. Some would like to tax us by, maybe, 12%, and use the 'excess' money for future years to ease the burden. Others want to see big cuts NOW, as they will surely need to be more cuts made around the corner.
Why do we say this? Contributions we make to pay pension and benefits for TRS (teachers) and ERS (other employees) in 2003-04 were $1,161,857. and eight years later in '11-12 it is projected we will pay $11,621,929. Pension, benefits, and salary eat up 78% of our budget this year--it will be greater, next year. In fact, these bills will increase exponentially. We can't afford the contracts we are in, and we can't afford the current retirement system.
Negotiate a package that is good for teachers and for the district.
NYS is in a difficult financial situation, people leaving has resulted in the loss of 3 Congressional seats after the 2010 census. The birth-rate is declining. Businesses are struggling, unemployment is high, and home sales are sluggish, with a 2 year inventory of unsold homes in Nassau and Suffolk. Taxes are being grieved.
NYS is contributing 16.31% less than last year in school aid for SCSD. We learned that for the '11-12 year we will have a shortfall of $5 million from the state--that's on top of last year when we were cut by $3.5 million! At the same time, we were told to expect an increase of at least $7 million in payments we must make for retirement pensions and benefits this year alone. [The amount is being questioned.] In addition to increases in fuel, salaries, and more, we have to find about $12 million (give or take) more.
In the last couple years, the school tax increase has been low, before that, the average increase was around 7% per year. Every year there has been a 'capture' of money 'left over' that are called reserves. This amount can range from $3 to $10 million. It is, essentially, money we are over-taxed that is kept by the SCSD. In 2005, a year we had a contingent budget, meaning that taxpayers voted down the proposed budget and we went to a pared down budget, we had about $6 million in reserves! How did that happen?
There is nothing wrong with carrying a percentage of the budget in reserves--the state lets us keep 4% on hand--like a rainy day fund. We actually have several reserve funds with a total of about $48 million. Some reserves are dedicated to fund to a particular action and may not be used for anything else. One use for a reserve fund is to pay it toward the next year's tax bill--we did and that is why our recent tax increases were so low.
Our school budget is being thrashed out right now, as the Administration proposes and the Board gives direction. Already, the district has been in turmoil over the possibility of 1. changing the walker area, 2. issuing a referendum to change private and parochial school student busing, 3. a referendum to change SCSD busing, and 4. the proposed closing of one elementary school which would only save about $340,000.
The Administration has discussed raising class size as a means to save some money. Unfortunately, even though we have elementary classes with 17 and 18 students, their model didn't produce much more that $1 million in savings.
Last year the district made some changes that we applaud that saved money: buses made to carry 66 passengers had been loaded with 12-15 students--no more, High School electives without an enrollment of at least 15 students are not run, and after-school athletic program teams were combined, creating savings.
If the governor's proposed tax cap goes through, and it is believed it will, we will be limited to a 2% increase a year. And that is where the problem lies. Some would like to tax us by, maybe, 12%, and use the 'excess' money for future years to ease the burden. Others want to see big cuts NOW, as they will surely need to be more cuts made around the corner.
Why do we say this? Contributions we make to pay pension and benefits for TRS (teachers) and ERS (other employees) in 2003-04 were $1,161,857. and eight years later in '11-12 it is projected we will pay $11,621,929. Pension, benefits, and salary eat up 78% of our budget this year--it will be greater, next year. In fact, these bills will increase exponentially. We can't afford the contracts we are in, and we can't afford the current retirement system.
Negotiate a package that is good for teachers and for the district.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
DO YOU KNOW what “working without a contract means”?
The facts are that The Smithtown Teachers Association (STA) is working under a contract that expired on June 30, 2010. Under the Triborough Amendment School Districts are required to continue operating under that expired contract, until a new contract has been negotiated.
Did you know…currently teachers salaries are doubling in 10 years here in Smithtown. (Source: BOE meeting 2/7/2011)
Did you know… only 40.8% of New York State high school graduates are considered college ready? (Source: Commissioner Steiner 2/15/11 Albany)
The Next meeting of the Smithtown Board of Education will be held Tuesday, March 22nd 2011 at the Smithtown High School West auditorium at 8:00 pm. Arrive early!
Our district’s known costs for the 2011 school year contrasted to 2006:
TRS: 2011: $7,727,089.00 2006: $5,394, 783.30
ERS: 2011: $3,894,840.00 2006: $2,287,000.00
Healthcare contribution: 2011: $15,000,000.00 2006: $10,616,886.78
BECOME INVOLVED THE BOE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
How the pie is divided this year:
salary/benefit/pension 78%
transportation 7%
operations 11%
what's left 4%
transportation 7%
operations 11%
what's left 4%
No wonder we are chasing every red herring for a few cents here and there: change the walker area, the buses for private & parochial students, or close a school and save ~$340,000.*
The SCSD must sit down NOW and make the real cuts needed to save our schools for the future.
*We find other districts in NYS closing an elementary school expect to save from $800,000 to $1,200,000.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Did you know?
78% of our $211 million budget for 2011 is spent on salary, benefit, and pension? That's a very big piece of the pie.
We must make cuts in our budget NOW rather than giving already burdened taxpayers a double digit increase to amass bucks for the coming tax cap when spending will be limited. Is it even legal?
We have been so extravagant with contracts that we CANNOT now afford them. We have gone from educating our children and are now in the "people business," as our Superintendent says. That's got to change. Let's make it about educating our kids, rather than an out of control monster.
Teachers who left the system ten years ago would not recognize what Long Island school districts look like NOW.
We must make cuts in our budget NOW rather than giving already burdened taxpayers a double digit increase to amass bucks for the coming tax cap when spending will be limited. Is it even legal?
We have been so extravagant with contracts that we CANNOT now afford them. We have gone from educating our children and are now in the "people business," as our Superintendent says. That's got to change. Let's make it about educating our kids, rather than an out of control monster.
Teachers who left the system ten years ago would not recognize what Long Island school districts look like NOW.
Smithtown Board of Education Special Meeting!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 8 p.m. the Board has moved the general meeting to Smithtown High School West. The Smithtown teachers union (STA) has told all teachers to be present. As you know, the contract expired in spring '2010 and the union claimed impasse in June.
Teachers have been wearing black buttons proclaiming, "working without a contract," while in fact, the Triborough Amendment provides for the previous contract to be in effect until a new one is agreed upon.
Teachers received a 3.93% salary STEP this year, as well.
We face a possible double digit tax increase this year, and there are fears of a 2% tax cap next year that will be unsustainable for districts who must cover ever increasing teacher and employee benefit and pension costs. These costs are anticipated to increase close to 50% in 2012 over 2011!
Smithown taxpayers please show up!
Teachers have been wearing black buttons proclaiming, "working without a contract," while in fact, the Triborough Amendment provides for the previous contract to be in effect until a new one is agreed upon.
Teachers received a 3.93% salary STEP this year, as well.
We face a possible double digit tax increase this year, and there are fears of a 2% tax cap next year that will be unsustainable for districts who must cover ever increasing teacher and employee benefit and pension costs. These costs are anticipated to increase close to 50% in 2012 over 2011!
Smithown taxpayers please show up!
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