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
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