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
Monday, April 25, 2011
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!
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