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November 06, 2006

To the Plainedge Community,
 
I would like to thank those that supported me during this campaign.  While I did not win this election, I hope that the message that the State Aid Formula for Education MUST be changed has been heard.  I will continue to work on this issue that I am passionate about by continuing the work of the Plainedge Tax Relief Association as Co-Chairman and as a member of the County Executives Committee of School Districts.  Further, I will attempt to use my new contacts with the new Governor and others to fight for us on this issue.
 
I may have lost the battle, but I have not lost the war!
 
Thanks again.
 
Craig Heller

 

October 23, 2006

An open letter to Joe Saldino:

 

      Dear Mr. Saladino, I watched the debate you participated in with Craig Heller this past week.  I found it very enlightening. I am not going to review the specific topics discussed, but I will comment on character.  If you remember back in 2005 the Plainedge Community was desperately looking for ways to reinstate programs for our children. We were facing a double digit school budget increase and we wanted to reduce that but not have it affect the children. You were invited and attended community meeting where the letter writing and telephone campaigns were discussed.  These campaigns were started to pressure Albany into providing additional state aid. I remember YOU standing in front of us and telling us what a great idea that was and how, if the community response was big enough, Albany would listen. I remember YOU telling us that proceeding with the campaigns would help your bill.  I remember YOU saying to write as many letters as possible, to get petitions signed, to make calls.  YOU even guided us as to whom to send them to. 

 

Mr. Saladino, a tremendous amount of effort went into these campaigns. The residents of Plainedge set the stage for other school districts to do the same. Long Island residents need to be heard and will be heard.

 

In the debate you stated that the efforts of the Plainedge Community were a “group getting some press clippings”. Shame on you for putting down the effort to try and further your campaign.

 

Phil Toscano

October 16, 2006

Dear Plainedge Community,

 

My name is Craig Heller and I am the Democratic candidate for State Assembly in the 12th Assembly District.  I am running in this race because our number one issue is our property taxes, specifically our school taxes.  As I am sure you are aware, 65% of our tax bill comes from our school taxes.

 

Last year, I was co-Chairman of the Plainedge Tax Relief Association, a local group organized to lobby Albany to change the state aid formula for education that shortchanges us on the aid we receive because it takes real property values too much into account and doesn't take the regional cost analysis into the formula (that things cost more here on Long Island) and to request more dollars for our Plainedge School District.  We organized the community to send letters; sign petitions and call the powers that be in Albany to make these changes.  As most of you are aware, we succeeded in a small way by receiving more than $955,000 more dollars than anticipated.  However, the overall formula did not change and the future is just as bleak as before we began this effort.

 

My campaign is about the need to change this formula so that we can receive our fair share of state aid.  According to my calculations, if the correct formula were used the Plainedge School District would receive $9 MILLION more per year in State Aid!  This would have a significant effect on your tax bill.  I believe this can be done by an Assemblyman that would be in the majority in the State Assembly (Democrats out number Republicans in the State Assembly by 2 to 1); have a passion for this issue as I do; and would have the ability to connect with the new Governor, which most people believe will be Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat. 

 

On October 18, 2006 on News 12, my debate against my opponent will be on at 4:00 PM and 11:30 PM.  If you miss those airings, on Saturday October 21 and Sunday, October 22 the debate will air at 10:00 AM.  Further, I am presently on a webcast that will last until tomorrow afternoon on www.massapequanews.com.  Take a look.

 

I can be reached at my e-mail address at hellerverdi@aol.com if you have any questions or problems that you wish to discuss.

 

CRAIG S. HELLER

Democratic candidate for the 12th Assembly District

September  28, 2006

Hello Plainedge Community.

 

I would like to inform you of a News 12 debate that will be aired between Joe Saladino and Craig Heller.  They are running for State Assembly.  Before you make any decisions, I urge you to watch this debate, I'm sure you will find it enlightening.

 

Debate Air

Times: Wed., 10/18 at 4:00 PM and 11:30 PM (you read it right)

 

                Sat. 10/21 at 10:00 AM

 

                Sun 10/22 at 10:00 AM

 

 

Thank you,

Phil Toscano

September 16, 2006

Dear plaintalkonline.com,

For what's it is worth, here are my views on the TAN issue....

I've reviewed the Board package and the latest letter from the BOE about TANs. Lil's note, troubles me and for the following reasons: It is premature and it is prejudicial to us.

Premature:
TAN Plan activities need not begin until the Budget process begins. That is in February or March. Up until then we may get clarification on this issue from the Comptrollers office which could radically change the situation. Any "contract" made with the District before then could put us behind the eight-ball. There is no need to act or respond before then. Let us Table TAN activities.

Prejudicial:
The excerpt below (a) from a prior post succinctly states the options the BOE has for providing funds for the Library. Signing the BOE request eliminates two of the BOE funding options and gives away our discretionary rights to contribute to the payment of interest or NOT! It also gives away that right for future Boards. There is no beneficial return to the Library for doing so.

Excerpt:
(a) Doug, and I'm sure some others, show no awareness that it's the publics' money; and that;

1) The BOE is authorized to levy added tax for this interest in anticipation of fulfilling their statutory responsibility to provide operating funds to the Library for that period. 

2) In lieu of an additional tax amount, they are also authorized to use the TAN process to obtain those funds! 

3)OR, as recommended in another Comptrollers decision, it would be more prudent for them to pre-plan adequate fund balances in the prior year to provide these funds without having to have the public pay  interest on a TAN

4) (They, the public, are the only true payer's of TAN interest - not the School, not the Library)

Further:
There are words used in the BOE requested agreement that could be very unfair to the Library and to the public.

1) For instance, when the "net payments" section is reviewed carefully it also means that if the Library, while managing the funds gains more interest than the cost of the TAN - the excess money must be paid over to the school. Presently, any excess money would remain in the Library fund.

2) There is no control on our part, nor any means to negotiate, what the interest rate the BOE decides to charge would be. They could simply say, on one of their "hen-scratched" justifications of interest that the Library's share is 8% or 10%! We have no recourse on rates! We have no recourse on amounts! We are victims of their determinations.

3) Signing this agreement opens the door for the BOE to charge taxpayers twice for the same service. I will not participate in any plan which allows this to occur! Firm, fixed safeguards must be in any agreement which entails two District entities that collect funds from taxes, which will prevent double-dipping into taxpayers pockets for the same cost element! All present plans or writings have no provision for ensuring this does not happen.

4) There is no provision for finding out if the money transferred to the Library account came directly from a Library TAN transfer to the Library account or if it came from the general funds account via an overall TAN transfer into the general account. The latter method is what was done this year. Having the money transferred to the Library account from a general fund account makes it ineligible to have an interest charge attached! Interest charges can't be put on funds in the general account.

5) The information about where this year's funds came from was given to us indirectly at the last BOE-Board meeting which makes their entire claim for interest this year invalid! From their lips to God's ear! They had no legal basis to charge the $27,000! (See 7 below for a clarification)

6) The agreement that Lil suggests, although "giving us control" provides no benefit to the Library other than personal satisfaction. However, it does put an additional burden on Dorothy. I don't believe the "gain" is worth the added load on her. The District has finally acknowledged their responsibility to keep the separate and segregated Library accounts and appears ready to do so. Until that effort proves to be defective, I'll option for them doing the work they are responsible for doing. There are two people at least for that task and between them they are paid $300,000 by the taxpayers - let them do this work until their efforts are proven unsatisfactory.

7) A very important point about the $27,000 withheld! It was not withheld from the total Library TAX funds for the year! It is almost a "fictitious" withholding since it was supposed TAN money that was withheld. This means it only had an impact during the first months of the year prior to receipt of TAX funds. Since the District provided a --- what can best be called "screwy and irresponsible" lump sum payment four months late and in excess of our actual needs at the time --- it had no real impact compared to their being late with "TAN" funding which did not come from TANs. (See 4 & 5 above!)

8) The main negative impact is from their being late and their other fiscal shenanigans which entailed unnecessary attorney fees, was forcing us to use our own funds and losing what might have been the interest gained by them! We are still out that amount of money and the issue of their repayment is not addressed. Neither is the cost of Attorney fees covered. Should we send the District a bill?

Ed Dowell 9/16/06

September 06, 2006

A Report from a Fly on the Wall.

The 800 pound Gorilla sat down with the Bookworms at a meeting of the two District Boards last night.  The 800 pound gorilla huffed off!

The Library Board hosted a meeting with the School Board last night to discuss a letter that the School had sent to the Library claiming they were "fiscally irresponsible" for not going along with the School Districts desire to change the way taxpayer funds are passed thought the School's hands to the Library. The School Board's letter had negative value judgments about the Library Board resulting from Dr. Richman's recent two mis-statements of truth and fact to his Board about his meeting with Library representatives. The Richman meeting concerned the school's new desire to have interest costs are on the Library Budget - in addition to those same costs that are on the School Budget. Additionally, the latter part of the meeting was to discuss how to best move forward in a more cooperative way to better serve the community.

WOW~ what an eye opener ensued! The School Board laid down the law! They would not discuss the letter - just like e-mail gate - it was in their "past", the past two months that is. Instead, the theme presented by Mrs. Zinke of the school Board to the Library was: "Here's how we are going to pass your taxpayer approved funds to you next year - you are going to get them this way . . . " We are only going to look forward - in the direction we tell you to look!

Astute members of the Library Board pointed out that this method is exactly the method tried to be used last year, and attempted to be used this year. The trouble was - It doesn't work! And it is not in compliance with the Law, the Rules and Regulations and the Comptrollers Decisions that cover these matters.

It was only then, based on figures the Library Board knew by rote, figures the School Board fiscal experts in attendance could not recall or give (despite armfuls of manila folder records in their lap) that this fly had its eyes opened as to what is really going on with this issue!

Last year, the School Board overestimated the actually cost of interest on borrowed money by $62,700 dollars. In addition to this, they took and added $25,982.57 from the Library funds as "fair" interest costs. That total of $88.7 Thousand dollars - doesn't go to cover children's programs as wrongly claimed it might by Mrs. Zinke, its part of the Capital program and goes directly into the general Fund at the end of the year.

The Library Trustee's showed reluctance to accept this proved defective plan because of one important fact. In essence, claims the Library's trustee's, this excess money is collected twice by the District from the taxpayer, and is going directly into an unaccounted for surplus of funds at year's end. It is not spent on the children.

Where does it go from there? One place is into one of the newly created $2.5 Million in 5 fund balance accounts, like Dr. Richman’s retirement fund balance! Since he's retiring at the end of the year, money has to be fed into the account to pay for his "perk" of $10,000 a year for ten years after he leaves the job, he and his wife's lifetime medical and dental insurance, etc. This is addition to his collecting the $20,000 per year tax deferred annuity the District has been giving him since his hire!

The meeting dissolved when the Library Trustee's stated the only way to go forward with the same old plan from the District was to fix its shortcomings - give a proper bill or invoice for past costs, provide an estimate or quote for present and future costs - and, if reasonable and not charging taxpayer's twice for the same costs, the Library might accept the charges, What was really evident, despite repeated requests by the Library Board, the School Board financial persons present could not, or would not, tell the Library Board how much these already negotiate interest costs would be! Talk about being unprepared!

The other silent members of the School Board and Mrs. Zinke left with Dr. Richman and staff, stating that they would go forward next year with their plan - and only their - plan in effect.

- Name withheld upon request

July 30, 2006

Dear Readers of plaintalkonline.com:

While re-reading the statement made by Barbara Fisch at a past BOE meeting, she respectfully requested that the BOE step in to help facilitate negotiations for a fair and equitable contract for the secretaries of the Plainedge School District.  Her exact statement was "We, the Plainedge Educational Secretaries, are asking you, the Board, to instruct your Administration to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with us now."  She also stated towards the end of her message "Will you, the Board, in this spirit of cooperation restart negotiations now?  We are willing to talk to you today.  How about you!"  Why hasn't anyone from the BOE helped to move this process along? 

The statement made by Dr. Richman in the Massapequa Post article written by Jason Kahn adds to a confusing situation:  "I've resolved every other contract ahead of time and they seem to be the only ones who we cannot come to an agreement with," said Richmond. "This has nothing to do with the last contract and getting back at them. This has to do with a failure of leadership and a failure of that leader to come to the table and negotiate."   In Mrs. Fisch's statement, she requested that the BOE help her get to the table to start negotiations, it seems that someone isn't giving the community the correct information. 

I find it odd that the situation has not recently appeared on a BOE meeting agenda and the community has never been updated on its status?   Shouldn't the community get some sort of update?  I hope that the community receives clarity on this situation in the next BOE meeting in the same way that they have clarified other current issues.  Could someone on the BOE simply explain who is not coming to the table?  Thank you.

Respectfully,

Felice Cantatore

July 18, 2006

Plaintalkonline.com,

 

Some true facts about Dr. Richman's statement on Library TANS.  His spin on this subject, reported at the last BOE meeting - is deplorable!  In his contrived world of "internalized truths" he grossly misleads the Plainedge public!

 

Here are my comments:

 

Correct Facts

 

Both the Plainedgechat.com site and the Plaintalkonline.com Site are community sites that have come under criticism from the District Administration. Their stress is on the claim that factual information is given only at the District's Meetings and not on these sites.

 

Well folks, in many instances ~ Nothing could be further from the truth!

 

Take just the single case of what comes directly from the mouth of the former President of the Board and was reportedly repeated by Dr. Richman at the last Board meeting concerning Library TANS. For those that haven't seen the report it is repeated here:

 

1) Next on the agenda was a discussion involving the Library TANS. Dr. Richman explained that former President Richard Mallow and Vice President now Trustee Loretta Giardina recently met with the Library Board regarding the TAN (Tax Anticipation Notes).

 

True! There was a meeting!

 

Questionable! As of yet, there is no evidence of a "Library TAN" existing - or ever existing in the past forty years!"

 

False! The meeting was not with the Library Board, but with the Library Board President and Vice President - who stressed that any agreement would have to be presented to the Library Board for consideration.

 

2) He explained that they left the meeting in agreement regarding the payment of the TAN interest and they were expecting everything to be OK . . . ."

 

False! What "they expected" exists only in the mind of those quoted by Dr. Richman. No agreement was made!

 

Truth! The Library Board had previously sent to each BOE member a letter containing quotes from the Law and Comptroller decisions that the cost of funding Library operations during the time between when the Fiscal year begins (July 1) and the first receipt of Property Tax money (about November & December) is a Statutory obligation of the School Distinct that they must meet by the use of reserve funds, Tax Anticipation Notes (TANS) or other Funds. It is the sole responsibility of the School District to determine how that is to be done each year - and it is not an item under control of, or within the authority of the Library Board. Thus, the Library Board would not interfere with the District's determination of how that obligation was to be met! This information was repeated to the BOE members and Dr. Richman at the meeting.

 

3) . . . but now the Library Board refuses to pay any cost associated with the TAN interest.

 

False!

 

Truth! The amount of "TAN interest" has yet to be determined and quoted to the Library Board by the BOE! The request for the Library Board to include an unspecified amount of TAN interest in their budget for a portion of the yet undisclosed total TAN amounts necessary for School District operations - and an estimate for the portion of those funds that might cover Library operating costs was not provided by the BOE, or even mentioned, prior to the Library's Budget preparation and approval by the Voters.

 

Truth! The Library transferred this information to the BOE in a recent letter of response to Dr. Richman's request for the Library Board's intentions to request a "Library TAN". The statement provided by the Library included the fact that it is only the BOE which determines if and when a "Library TAN" is obtained - and such info or requests for the Library to share that listing of the taxpayer's cost for that on their Budget for this year by the BOE was not timely in that the Library budget was already released and approved by the voters in the community.

 

FACT! TAN interest charges, whether for school operations or School plus Library operations, are paid only by the TAXPAYERS - not by the School or by the Library. These interest amounts and charges are determined only by the School District and the School Board is the one, and only one, that can lawfully LEVY the taxes the TOWN collects for these expenses. The District is authorized by law to include the cost of the TAN interest in the Taxes they Levy.

 

Fact! The Library Board plays no role in, nor has any legal authority with determining or collecting, the means and amounts of funding for operating costs during the July to December period.

 

Truth! The Library Board, at its discretion, may include in its Budget funds for listing TAN interest - but the money that becomes part of their budget must be directly transferred to the School District who pays the Brokers this interest that the BOE contracted for TANs. It is not spent for Library purposes.

 

4) The Superintendent asked the board what course of action they would like to take on this situation stating "the question is do you want to be stubborn and unfair or take the high road?"

 

Truth! The BOE has been stubborn and unfair - despite this self-serving quote from Richman that is backhanded attempt to paste this label on the Library. It is about time that Richman took the high road and followed the law and its rulings.

 

The demands made by him on the Library have been unfair - requesting this year that an unknown amount of funds be included in an already approved Budget - requesting last year that the Library pay interest charges on a non-existent Library TAN; first in the amount of $16,500 - then improperly withholding $27,000 for that amount and never providing proper accounting for the charges.

 

Additionally, last year the Library Board, at its discretion under the threat made by Richman that Library operating funds would not be paid until they were collected as taxes; approved the paying of interest charges - only to have the BOE fail to approve taking out such a TAN for the Library, and the District never having obtained such a TAN.

 

However, the School District did fund a series of TANs for $9.05 Million which cost about $221,000 in interest - and they have collected from the people a Property Tax of $283,700 to cover these costs. The excess money, about $62,700, sits in a General Fund along with the Library's $27,000 that was improperly held from its voter approved funding! If it is continued to be held - the effect is to charge the public twice for the same pre-paid TAN interest charges!!!

 

5) New BOE President Ms. Zinke again showed a great new Board attitude by stating that the situation with the Library needs to be a public discussion. New Trustee, Ms. Capone stated "Can we work together as two Boards for the Children?" She went on to mention that everything should be out in the open and that the community should be educated on the topic.

 

Truth! That is precisely the openness that the two Community Sites have been created for and the rules they continue to exist under! Unlike the BOE and Administration which decries other sources of information, the community sites have presented factual information as well as opinions of the Plainedge public at large. They have encouraged and fostered open dialogs subject to peer review and comment - unlike the often restricted, filtered, sanitized, censured and whitewashed information supplied by the School District.

 

Ed.

July 13, 2006

I just wanted to step back from everything and share this with everyone.  It's a great article, one that should be shared with our children because we sometimes seem to forget the true beauty and greatness of this country.. I hope you enjoy it....

 

 

We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA .

 

Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title "C"ntarea Americii, meaning "Ode To America") in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei "The Daily <BR>Event" or "News of the Day".

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

~An Ode to America~

 

Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs. Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart.

 

Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, and the secret services that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about. The Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand.

 

After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag.  They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing.

 

On every occasion, they started singing their traditional song: "God Bless America!" I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian

Hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people.

 

How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being?

 

Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.

 

What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their galloping history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace.

 

I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion... Only freedom can work such miracles.

 

Cornel Nistorescu

Phil Toscano

July  9, 2006

Dear Sirs:

I have just spent about 45 minutes reading your website catching up on everything that I have been missing.  I read the statement made by the secretaries and I caught up on the June 15th meeting minutes about the administration raises.

Why are the secretaries having such difficulties negotiating their raises (or have they already received them?) when everyone else seems to be getting their share.  I thought that after voting yes last May everything would be taken care of.  My kid who will be a high school senior this year has told me about the shirts they wear and I was present the night the union was chanting outside of the meeting.   Can't we just move on and fix everything in this district?

Concerned Parent

July 4, 2006

Did you know that last year the School District caused about $50,000 to be spent in attorney Fees and lost investment money interest gains in order to try to get $26+Thousand in TAN (Tax Anticipation Note) interest cost moved from being listed on the School District Budget to being listed on the Library Budget?

 

Do you also know that neither the Library no the School pays this TAN interest? It does not matter which Budget list this cost is on - the money goes into the hands of the TAN Agent that the only the School negotiates with for the TAN interest cost!

 

And it is only the taxpayer that pays for this cost! IT comes out of the taxpayer's pocket. Not the Library, not the School, not the State!

 

Last year the total collected by the District for their TANs was $283,700, of which the portion of the TAN interest for Library operations was claimed to be that $26+ Thousand. This year the District plans to collect $495,000 - the library portion will remain at about $27,000!

 

Some Financial management skill! Some questionable spending!

 

Ed.

 

P.S. There was no financial need for getting such a TAN last year to begin with!

June 27, 2006

Another example of the Spin Doctor's work!

 

It is no secret that Dr. Richman often misleads and misguides the District and the School Board by twisting information and facts.  In fact, he’ll often make up his own facts to fit the situation at hand if needed.  A famous one was when he "created out of thin air" the amount of State Lottery money received the prior year.  He quoted it at $40,000 - it was actually $1.6 Million!

 

He has also claimed undue credit for the ROBOTICS efforts, started and successfully done by others.  Recently he's made overtures about the successful “$550,000 fund raising" in the District.  Those that did the actual Fund Raising know it was more - $575,000.

 

Now he is attempting to get ownership of, and put in place controls on, future Fund raising in the District.  At least, that's what it seems he's doing when one reads to recent minutes of the last BOE meeting!  He has the audacity to claim that the outstanding community efforts of the past year in raising the funds to restore sports were flawed!  It did not properly cover itself with insurance is his claim.  HE will set things straight!  He'll get the Board to make policies about Fund Raising!

 

What hype! It was that same Board he bamboozled last year into the unnecessary cutting of the Sports Program funds! A fact proven by the Fund Balance left at the end of the year and a known lie at the beginning of the year when the cuts were forced through the Board despite District planning documents (Cash Flow Analysis sheets) that showed the financial industry that no cuts were needed!

 

The flaw in his logic is simply this:  A community Fund Raising effort is a COMMUNITY effort, not a School District effort!

 

He has no control and/or authority over a COMMUNITY event.  It is only the BOE that may have control over a School District event - that they can set policy for its conduct.  And it is only in a School District supported fund raising event would the District be able to require that insurance be obtained by the participants.

 

In a Community sponsored event the District has no authority - except if School District property is used for the event!  In that case, Dr, Richman will ask the event sponsors to assume some of the District's insurance costs - a fine way to make his budget appear better - but taking money from the event holder in order to do so!

 

Many other Districts, and entities in a District, do not ask this of groups.  Especially of groups of residents that bought and paid for all property in the District!  Instead, they obtain a Blanket insurance policy that covers all uses of the property by the Public.  Overall, it is less expensive to do so.  This "charging of a fee" for the Public to use a facility owned by the public is just another devious construct of the Spin Doctor to save peanuts on the Budget bottom line while squandering bushels of money on undue Capital costs.

 

So the Spin Doctor got the witless Board to vote on setting up the process that would allow the District to force Community groups to spend money to get insurance policies if they want to use School District facilities in the future!  Facilities that the Community already owns!  Want to bet this really didn't reduce School District Insurance Policy costs one bit?  But it will make one more obstacle in the road towards a successful fund raising effort!

 

Ed.

 

What a legacy he leaves!

June 21, 2006

Fellow Plainedge Residents,

 

First, allow me to convey my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Joe Chaloupka. Please know he (and all of you) are in my prayers.

 

The purpose of this posting is to finally address the numerous emails and phone calls that I have received in regards to the email situation that had occurred. My wife has also been approached 2 times in a nasty way by residents asking what happened. Below you will find a timeline of STRICTLY the facts. Before I go into the timeline - it is important that everyone knows that this situation was not revealed to me until Mr. Raymond and I initiated numerous investigations.

 

- In November of 2005 I was appointed to the Plainedge Board of Education and a Plainedge email address was created for me. (fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org)

- On Tuesday April 11th, during an executive session, Mrs. Flanagan brought up 3 emails that were addressed only to the fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org email address that she had come in possession of. When asked how she got them, her reply was that they were forwarded to her by Mr. Raymond. When I asked Mr. Raymond if he had sent them to her - he said no.

- That same evening (April 11th) Mr. Raymond sent a few test messages to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org with the tracking function enabled to try to find out how the emails brought up in executive session got into the possession of another Board member.

- The results of that tracking showed that emails addressed to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org were also being sent to the personal email address of Mrs. Flanagan.

- After seeing these results, I contacted an outside IT specialist to do some investigating. The IT specialist found that the emails sent to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org were also being forwarded to the personal email address of Mrs. Flanagan through the Plainedge server.

- Immediately, I (along with Mr. Raymond) contacted Dr. Richman to inform him of what had been uncovered.

- Dr. Richman then did an internal investigation to get to the bottom of the situation.

- Dr. Richman then sent out a timeline with the results of his investigation that stated that the records from the server did show that the server was directing emails, sent to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org , to the personal email address of Mrs. Flanagan, however, at this time, they were unable to determine who set this up or for how long it was occurring. Also in the timeline, it stated that I may have mistakenly done something to unable this.

- Again, I reached out to an IT professional to see if I was the reason for the situation. After remotely accessing my computer, he verified that I had not done anything to cause this and showed me how it would be done. There are numerous steps that need to be taken to do this, including typing specific email addresses in specific fields that could not have been done mistakenly.

- At the April 27th BOE Business Meeting, I read a prepared statement apologizing to members of the community, Board, and administration for what had transpired and I also stated my dissatisfaction as to what had occurred.

- On April 28th , Dr. Richman requested for me to provide copies of every email that went to the fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org email address from March 28th through April 13th, and any other emails that I felt may help with the investigation. I provided him with 194 total emails. Of the 194 emails,

o 27 of them were sent FROM that email address between March 28th and April 13th

o 113 were sent to that email address (21 of which were ONLY sent to that email address)

o 3 test emails

o 51 emails sent only to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org from 11/23/05 to 3/24/06

- After taking all of those emails, Dr. Richman did a further investigation that proved that all emails sent to fpresuto@plainedgeschools.org from November,2005 to April 13th ,2006 were being sent to Mrs. Flanagan's personal email address.

- I was also told that the person responsible for these settings in the server was named Jim and that he no longer was an employee of the district.

 

I have investigated what my possible course of action could be and was told by Mary Ellen Clark of the NYSED that any email that goes through the Plainedge server is foilable - therefore, I did not have any recourse.

 

Hopefully this answers everyone's questions. Going forward, I ask that if any resident has any further questions, comments, or concerns on this or any other matter - please contact me directly. Disrespecting my wife is uncalled for and is out of line.

 

THANK YOU

 

Sincerely,

Frank Presuto

 

June 20, 2006

Can I pass along some exciting fundraising info??

 

Please hurry and visit the Plainedge library for the month of June.....

 

Go see Phil Collin’s art/doodle sold to help raise funds for Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Foodbank!!

 

 This is a fundraiser for a well known charity that I am working with. You can purchase or view a collection of celebrity artwork for Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Foodbank. (Phil Collins, Marty Balin, Nelson DeMille, Peter Yarrow, Phyllis Diller and many others.)

 

please visit:

 

http://www.licares.org/Development/Celebrity_Ceramics/Celebrity_Ceramics.htm

 

Thanks in advance to all that visit,

 

Frank Duffy

 

June 19, 2006

Dear Mr. Toscano,

Congratulations on your idea of establishing a community action group.  It is important that as a community, we police what is going on in our school system. 

It seems that with things such as “emailgate” and with the answers we have received we can no longer tolerate it.  I am concerned more now since our current Superintendent has announced his retirement starting next June 2007.  I am nervous about what in store for us this coming year.

In order to help your cause and to help our community of Plainedge, I offer some information that I have come across from the Farmingdale District.  It is a two page layout from the "Concerned Citizens for Action, C.C.A.”.   It is laid out below:

Corruption 

When will your office address the corruption in Farmingdale Public Schools?

Concerned Citizens for Action, C.C.A.

We have been made aware of the corrupt administration in your school district.

If you have any information about the corruption, waste, or fraud in your school district you must contact: 

Nassau County:

Kathleen M. Rice                                           The Office of the Commissioner of Investigations               

District Attorney of Nassau County                  Nassau Commissioner Bonnie Garone

262 Old Country Road                                    1 West St. Mineola, NY 11501

Mineola, New York 11501                               (516) 571-0534

OR CALL (516) 571-3800                                Hotline at 571-STOP

                                                                    Fax 516-571-0537

Additional information:     http://www.nassauda.org

                                         http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/investigations

New York State:

New York State                                              Office of the State Comptroller            

Office of the State Comptroller                         Bureau of Investigations

Allan Hevesi                                                   110 State St 14th fl

Gov. Alfred E. Smith Office Building                  Albany, NY 12236                

Floor 6                                                           Email to: Investigations@osc.state.ny.us

Albany , NY 12224                                          Phone: 518-474-4331

webmaster@osc.state.ny.us                            Fax 518-408-3364

Phone: 518-474-4044

Phone: 518-474-4331

Fax:     518-408-3364

Additional information:     http://www.osc.state.ny.us

                                          http://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations/index.html

New York State:

Attorney General - Elliot Spitzer                       Attorney General - Elliot Spitzer            

The State Capitol                                            Mineola (local office)

Albany, NY 12224                                           200 Old Country Road

(518) 474-7330                                                Mineola, NY 11501-4241                

                                                                      518-248-3302

Additional information:     http://www.oag.state.ny.us

                                          http://www.oag.state.ny.us/complaints/complaints.html

You May remain anonymous.

                                                      Remember; Failure to report a crime is a crime!

June 15, 2006

To the Secretaries,

The Richman Secretaries fiasco is so typical of the way this arrogant egotist works.  He is ruling Richman's Domain and will tolerate no deviation from "his way"
Face it!  - - - He owns this District!  And he will continue to punish you for having taken him to court over the Vacation Pay issue!  A court which he pays no attention to.

You had the audacity to stand in the way of one of the very first dictates of his regime - - and he will continue to punish you.  There is no such thing as having the emperor explain away his position to the serfs of this community via an e-mail!  He need not justify his asinine positions to anyone.  Nor does he need to "negotiate" with anyone. Just play the game! Things will go his way or he will ignore them. Stonewall it!  If all else fails, tell the Board the "story” about the situation - weaving fiction into fact. Those suckers will believe anything he says!

His Charlie Brown dance was an example of the jubilance he feels for having "won" the vote.  Tell them anything, and continually change what you tell them, for the fools will do it my way!  He won!

He is now pushing to have the Board set aside a half-Million dollars into a newly created special retirement fund for him, one that can't have the money used for any other purpose. He's mixed it in with other funds in his normal devious way - and will bully the Board into giving in to his plan.  Do you think he is anyway concerned with putting money into the secretaries’ pockets? Accept it! - You are lower down on the totem pole that even the howling but hapless residents are!  You work IN the system he controls!

The only salvation to hope for is the members of the new Board taking charge.  What are the odds that they will?

From one who has seen the emperor in his new clothes - it is an ugly sight!

-name withheld

June 14, 2006

Unfortunately I could not attend last nights BOE meeting, but from what I hear from PEOPLE I TRUST, things are back to normal. No Answers, small room to discourage the community ( I'm sure we will hear there was some construction or something going on in the larger board room) shutting down the community with agenda item only discussions, total disrespect for the people in this community who worked so hard...etc..etc.etc...

 

Shame on the current BOE members for turning their back on the community.  You have in one meeting destroyed any partnership that was developed with the community. Shame on all of you for not being our voice. You have all shown your true colors, ...You should all resign....

 

 I will be forming a community action group. One that will monitor everything the BOE does and everything the administration does from this day forward.

 

We will not be held hostage in our own community, we will not go back to the way things were.

 

Anyone interested please email me at Patriot2415@aol.com put community action group in the subject . . . thank you.

 

Phil Toscano

June 11, 2006

I received an email last week from Dr. Richman the Superintendent regarding a strange vehicle in the neighborhood.  I appreciated the update and I wanted to thank him for keeping Plainedge residents informed.   Emails like that are so important to us.   You should all send him your email addresses to receive his updates. 

Thanks, keep up the good work.

Joe C. 

May 30, 2006

Re: Current Plainedge Flash Photo

I totally agree on this issue.  I was present at the meeting where "JIM" was blamed and in the interest of getting the budget passed I let it go at that point. I did not want to have people distracted with this issue and possibly have a backlash on the budget vote.
 
Now that the community has spoken and committed to the betterment of Plainedge, it is time for the administration and BOE to do the same.
 
This issue cannot just go away. It goes to the very core of the people involved, their honesty and their commitment to the community.
 
As for the BOE members that are not involved, I understand their loyalty to other BOE members, BUT their first duty is to the community and the total resolution of this issue.
 
Phil

May 30, 2006

P-talk,

This school board stuff was like a soap opera.  Now it's a comedy show!  Jim did it!  It was Jim!  It had to be Jim, it was Jim all along. 

By the way which board member was taking the emails?  How do I get more info on this?   Should be asking Jim?

It's a comedy !

Sincerely,

Jim - - - LOL, LOL, LOL

May 30, 2006

Dear plaintalkonline.com,

Welcome back!  You did it again, this "JIM" story in the Flash Photos is unbelievable.  Is it true?  This is the first I'm hearing about this email-gate and I'm in dis-belief.

Why doesn't the Superintendent come on this website to answer the questions that are featured?   He should address the community immediately regarding this issue and it better be better then "JIM"!

Who governs the superintendent?  If we don't get the answers, who do we go to for help?  Stealing e-mails is illegal and blaming it on "JIM" is ridiculous!

We need answers now, is this what we want to teach our kids?

Thank you plaintalk for keeping an eye out!

Signed a reader forever,

Maria

May 17, 2006

Congratulations to the six members of the community who stepped up and put themselves out there.  The six of you comprised in my opinion one of the best group of candidates Plainedge has seen in a long time.
 
I want to also congratulate the 3 winners.  There is much work to be done starting in July and many tough decisions to be made in the coming months. This community as we have shown has one voice now.  We will look to you to keep your promises of open communication, community involvement, and the pursuit of fairness on decisions affecting this community. 
 
Our children have been affected 2 years now with cuts in the budget, the residents of this community passed a double digit budget ( I believe the only one in Nassau), taking as we have called it a "leap of faith" in the Vote Yes campaign.  It is now time to scrub the budget and use all your professional knowledge to hold the line on spending.  Those of us involved in producing the record turnout WILL NOT go back on our word to the community.  We will be out in force, providing our input to you on many subjects.
 
I personally look forward to working closer with the BOE and I know the PPAC, PTRA,Vote YES teams and every resident are certainly on board.
 
Again, I want to thank you for stepping up and representing us, and I look forward to the future....
 

Phil Toscano

May 15, 2006

Saturday May 13, 2006
 

The day Plainedge became a community!!!
 
I thought this tiny town called Plainedge came together when we raised $575,000.
I thought this tiny town called Plainedge came together when we received $900k in more aid
I thought this tiny town called Plainedge came together throughout the budget process
 

That was only the beginning!!!
 
This tiny COMMUNITY called Plainedge put on a display of spirit and cohesiveness that will be remembered, talked about and followed years to come.
 
From cute baby's to our well respected seniors, CPR and CFL supporters, residents, BOE members, Administrators and teachers all celebrating Plainedge and the work we have all done.
 
A GRAND PARADE, a fun car wash, hot dogs, burgers, pizza, cookies, soda, balloons, music, signs, kids playing, adults laughing.
 
A GRAND DAY !!!!
 
If you were there, you know what I mean !
 
If your weren't, you missed out on the biggest feel good opportunity this community has ever had !!!
 
Let's start planning  soon for next year, we have a hell of a day to beat !!!!!
 
My personal thanks to everyone involved.  We did a good thing that day!!!!!

- Phil Toscano

April 18, 2006

Plainedge Community


VOTE "YES" Meeting

 

Thursday 4/20 at 7:30pm, H.S cafeteria


The PPAC will be hosting another community meeting on the
passing of the 2007 budget.



Anyone who would like to help is welcomed!
We will need active, involved people to help get the

VOTE YES

message out.

The topics of discussions will be center on the passing of this year’s budget and the strategies that need to be put in place or continued to ensure its passage.

We have one message and one mission to focus on and it is passing this budget.


Come join us,

for OUR children
and
for OUR community.


Bring all ideas with you!!!!!!!! .........See you there

April 13, 2006

Dear Parents,

 

I just wanted to share with you some interesting items brought to light at Last Night’s budget workshop.

 

1)    The BOE has decided to utilize $1,000,000 dollars of our Fund Balance from last year’s   budget to offset the tax increases to our community.

2)     We have received additional state aid from Albany amounting to $953,887

3)     Each tax payer will be sent a $300 STAR tax relief check directly to there home

4)     MS Baseball is not part of the proposed budget.

5)     ALL VARSITY SPORTS WERE RESTORED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL

6)     Estimated Tax Impact to the Community per average household

Factors outside of Plainedge’s Control                                       $449 / year

General Operating Costs                                                          $306 / Year

Restoration of Programs 05/06 Budget                                      $139 / Year

Estimated Impact of Fund Balance Contribution                        ($139 / Year)

Estimated Impact of Additional State Aid                                 ($135 / Year)

STAR Refund Check paid directly to taxpayer                          ($300 / Year)

Estimated Average Tax Increase per Household                        $320 / Year

 

The estimated Average Tax increase of $320 / year is the equivalent of

            1) $26.67 / Month         

            2) $0.88 / Day              

 

SENIOR CITIZENS WILL BE RECEIVING AN ADDITIONAL STAR REFUND CHECK FROM THE ENHANCED STAR PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $228/ YEAR. This means that the Senior Citizens will only have to pay $92.00 more per year to pass this budget.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks so much. I think we can all say that most of us can invest a $0.91 / day (Seniors = $0.25 / day) to ensure the Plainedge Community Thrives.  I think our community is worth $0.88 / day to ensure that our school district and property values stay at the levels we are accustomed to.   

Most importantly we can not afford to be put on Austerity again. If that were to happen the headlines in Newsday would read “A DEATH OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT”. Let’s copy this email and give it to all our neighbors….Let’s also email this to as many people in this community as possible so we can get this passed the FIRST TIME. WE OWE THAT TO OUR CHILDREN. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Sincerely,

Joe Amalfitano

April 12, 2006

Dear Plainedge Community friends and neighbors,

Please join me this Tuesday evening April 18th from 7:30 to 8:30PM for "Greet the Candidate Night II” at Carvel on route 107 across from Carl's Fence.  With the success of the last Greet the Candidate Night, it would again be a great opportunity to meet and share some ideas together . . . please Join us.

Should you need to reach me please email me at felice@feliceCAN.com or for information, please visit www.feliceCAN.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we hope to see you at Carvel.

Respectfully,

Felice Cantatore

felice@feliceCAN.com

www.feliceCAN.com

Working together to bring us together . . . Yes we CAN!

April 10, 2006

Dear Mr. Vinny Capuano, Mr. Joe Karam, Mr. Rob Molinari, Mr. Dan Matthews, Ms. Susan Lindsay, Mr. Mike Swayne and all Plainedge Soccer Club members:

Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of tonight's Plainedge Soccer Club general meeting.  I appreciated the time that all of you graciously allowed me to introduce myself. 

It is easy to see why you run a successful organization that positively influences many of our community's children both on and off the soccer field.  I believe within your organizations thought process and I look forward to assisting and supporting the Plainedge Soccer Club.  Please feel free to contact me if my assistance can be helpful to your organization.

An organization is made great by the people involved and The Plainedge Soccer Club makes our town great by being involved in our community.  Thank you again for your time and the opportunity that your organization gave to me.

Sincerely yours,

Felice Cantatore

Candidate for Plainedge Board of Education

www.feliceCAN.com

felice@feliceCAN.com

 

April 08, 2006

Plainedge School Board Members,

 

I would personally like to thank each one of you again for all the hard work that was involved in presenting this "fair and reasonable" budget.

 

I realize tough decisions were made and some feelings were hurt, but in listening and being responsive to the community that attended the meetings, you did a service to the democratic process.

 

There will always be disagreements amongst you and amongst the community.  Ultimately, it is the democratic process of majority rule that best serves the wants and desires of the public.

 

The "Vote Yes" campaign is ready to kick-off and there is a united, organized and galvanized community anxious to work as hard as they did last summer.  If past practice is any indicator, there is no doubt that the budget presented to the community will pass.

 

Thank you again for your hard work, passion and receptiveness to the communities input.

John Hanrahan

April  08, 2006

Plainedge Board Members. 

 

There is a small buzz in the community about one group not being happy with what another group "GOT".  It has nothing to do with who got what, but what was best for the kids. I have no issue with keeping full day kindergarten even though it is not state mandated, I was elated that you decided to bring back drama for the elementary students, I totally agreed with bringing back the music teacher because studies have shown music opens a child's mind. I have no child affected by this.  I was happy that some sports and clubs for the middle school were restored, although I would have liked to have seen more. Again, I have no child affected by this. The restoration of the cut HS sports was a good, sound decision. I have a junior and a freshman both affected by this decision. One gets to realize his dream of playing varsity sports, the other is disappointed because her JV sports are not returning. Yet I understand why she can't play. It is so the kindergarten can stay, so drama in the elementary can be brought back, so the music teacher can open children's minds, and so the middle school sports and clubs can return. My child is disappointed, but I have explained to her that these decisions were right.

 

The four years in high school shapes the student into what they will do and be in life. It is a fact that sports in this day and age are a huge factor, not the only one, but a huge one in the ability of the student to gain access to better schools and more monetary assistance. 

 

I thought the Wednesday night meeting although sometimes contentious, turned out to be the turning point of this community uniting under one goal...to pass this budget.  When the board returned to session and discussed the re-instatement of the cut varsity sports, there was spirited debate among you.  I enjoyed seeing the passion each of you brought to the table.  In the end, with the vote and the agreement to restore those sports, and not cut anything else to make up the cost, the board served this community. You showed us for the first time in a long time that you heard the community. At that point, a partnership that did not exist was created between the BOE and the community. We were a team with a COMMON GOAL, to present a fair and reasonable budget, one that everyone would not be happy with, but one everyone could live with.  This is the process and the action this community was waiting for.  Everything on the table, no hidden agendas, open discussion, laughing, crying, anger and happiness.  There was no anger after your vote, there were friendly conversations after the meeting was adjourned, everyone there got it.  We all want what is best for our kids, but to make this budget pass and this community whole, we all must make concessions and look at the bigger picture for ALL THE KIDS.

 

As I said that night, I applaud you for the decisions you made in an open forum. As the community representatives I expect nothing less in our time going forward. To make this community successful, not only this year, but for the children in kindergarten and the ones after them, the bond formed that night, the team that came together that night must go on!

 

Thank you for your time and efforts

Phil Toscano

April 08, 2006

Dear School Board Members,

 

You can count on us.  I know the decisions made Wednesday night were difficult but I really believe it is the fair and reasonable budget the community has been asking for.  The music program at the elementary level is so important and I'm thrilled that it will be included.  Equally important was the addition of the remaining varsity sports.  My oldest son is playing lacrosse in college on a scholarship so I can attest to the importance of having the varsity opportunity available in the HS.  Of course we all have to give and take.  In our own household, my son who is a junior has his varsity sports included while my freshman daughter's JV is not. But the reality of our district's financial situation is that we all had to make concessions and make the most of what we do have.  I take satisfaction knowing that her varsity opportunity will there for her the following year.

 

I am confident that the budget agreed upon last Wednesday will pass. The board's democratic decision was recognized, respected and already spread by those in attendance.  We are united in our pledge to pass this budget.

 

Thank you again for listening and responding to the community.

 

Jeannie Toscano, Bethpage NY

April 01, 2006

To all residents...Congratulations! 
 
It looks like our community letter / calling efforts made a little dent in Albany. Posted below are some figures we received the other day. They need to be confirmed.
 
We are not finished!  After the budget process this year, the Plainedge Tax Relief Association will be regrouping and attempt to bring other districts into our cause.  We still need to put pressure on Albany and demand change!
 
WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN !!!!
 
Please look for posts here, on the school web site, check the mail and your kids back packs for information from the PTRA !!!!
 
 
PLAINEDGE
 
2005-2006 BASE- $14,173,127
 
2006-2007 FINAL- $15,505,048
 
INCREASE OVER BASE- $1,331,921
 
INCREASE OVER EXEC RUN- $845,813
 
 
Phil

March 31, 2006

To all residents:

 

We are at a critical time for our community. The budget vote is upon us. I urge everyone to attend the budget meetings listed below.  There is a tremendous amount of information to gather and understand.  WE all know there are still some issues, but we need to understand how to handle them while not putting our children, our homes and our community at risk.  Please attend as many sessions as you can.

 

We need to be informed. This budget cannot fail!

 

Monday 4/3                          Review of Budget Draft I

                                           Review of Budget Draft II

                                           Presentation of Budget Draft III

                                           Discussion of Revenues

                                           Recommendation on use of fund balance

                                           Discussion of State’s new tax relief program

                                           Discussion on Plainedge’s state aid

                                           Explanation of tax impact

                                           Questions and Answers

 

Tuesday 4/4                         Review of Budget Draft III

                                           What your taxes buy you

                                           Impact of austerity on Plainedge: now and the future

                                           Questions and Answers

 

Wednesday  4/5                   Review of Proposed Budget

                                           Questions and Answers

                                           Board Recommendation

 

 Phil Toscano

March 25, 2006

Dear Plainedge Community friends and neighbors,

Please join me this Thursday evening March 30th from 7:00 to 8:00PM for a "Greet the Candidate Night” at Pappalardo's Pizza Cove.  It would be a great opportunity to meet and share some ideas together.

Should you need to reach me please email me at felice@feliceCAN.com or for information, please visit www.feliceCAN.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Felice Cantatore

felice@feliceCAN.com

www.feliceCAN.com

Working together to bring us together . . . Yes we CAN!

Editors Note:  Please note time change from 7:00 to 8:00PM

March 24, 2006

plaintalkonline.com,

Nice job on recognizing the efforts of the PYBL and the hard work that goes into running that program.  Does anyone have any information on the opening day parade?  Please post it.

Thank you,

Louie

March 22, 2006

Dear Parents,
 
Attached please find the flyer for this year’s PYBL Golf Outing Fundraiser for our Cooperstown Teams. Below I have listed some of the important info:
 
When:              Friday May 5th, 2006
 
Time:               1:30 pm Shotgun Start
 
Where:             Swan Lake Golf Course
                        373 River Road
                        Manorville  NY
 
Cost:                $150 per Golfer
                        (Includes Golf, Lunch & Refreshments on Course
                        Plus Dinner and open bar immediately following Golf)
 
Deadline:          Payment must be received by April 21st
 
Contact:           Joe Flynn         516-753-2511
                       Craig Golub      516-753-9838
                       Steve Miller      516-796-8630
                       Joe Diemicke   516-541-2598
 
Please support our 12 year old Cooperstown representatives by attending this great event.
 
Sincerely,
Joe Amalfitano
Vice President

March 21, 2006

I just checked out www.felicecan.com , this guy has my vote.  I'm buying into change and this guy is bringing it.  He's the guy we need and he's ready to take on the "executive board".  Lets beat these people.  Spread the word  - Felice Can!  Felice Can!  Felice Can!

Thanks,

Mr. Bruce

March 13, 2006

Dear Plainedge Resident

 

WE are being heard !

 

We have received much feed back from our government officials stating that they are receiving our letters.  Keep it up! If you have not received a reply, write again. If you have received replies... write again!!!  If you haven't written we are counting on you to do so!

 

We have 800+ names on petitions that were signed at school events and at some senior community centers.  We are sending a set of them to each of 51 county and state officials how have input into the State Aid process.  Below is the cover letter we used.

 

Nassau County officials are using us as an example!  They are rallying all Nassau County School Districts to combine their efforts and put pressure on Albany. They will be starting a County letter writing effort! 

 

WE ARE EMPOWERED!!!!  HOW?  OUR VOICES and OUR VOTES!!!!

 

Keep up the great work and thank you!!!!!

 

The Plainedge Tax Relief Association

 

Phil

March 12, 2006

Plaintalk,

 

As of Sunday, March 12, there is exactly 30 days before the final budget is adopted for next year....If ever was a time for the Board to see OUR strength it is NOW!!!!

 

Every possible body we can recruit to get to Tuesdays and Thursdays meeting, NOW IS THE TIME, there will be only 2 more meetings for us to influence this years budget before it is put up for adoption on April 11th and we can only speak at 1 of them. So, NOW is the time, use your phone chain #'s and talk to all those who spent their summer raising funds and ask them to sacrifice these unbelievably important 2 nights to make our point.

 

The time is NOW for those parents whose kids are most effected to get involved!!!

 

John Hanrahan

Concerned Parent

March 12, 2006

Dear Plainedge Community Members,

 

A Greeting, my name is Felice Cantatore, a community member in good standing in the Plainedge School District. I am privileged to announce, my candidacy to represent our community in regards to the Plainedge Union Free School District Board of Education. 

A petition has been received from the Office of the District Clerk and all nomination signatures have been secured.  The nomination is for a Board of Education Trustee seat that is currently held by the BOE President, Richard Mallow.  The decision to run for this seat has been supported by many community members both privately and as part of various organizations. 

 

I strongly believe that immediate change is necessary to restore the confidence and value of our great community of Plainedge.  Last year the budget planning divided and sent us in the wrong direction, a direction that must change immediately.  Only a change at the executive level of the Board Education will give us the best opportunity to steer us in the right direction.

 

As a taxpayer and homeowner, I fully understand the burden of the level of taxation that we face.  It is important that we properly manage our school tax dollars and work toward acquiring increased state aid.  In the process, we need to be mindful of all of our community members and support our children, the future of our community.

 

Please remember to vote for change by supporting Felice Cantatore on May 16, 2006.  Join me to help us, as we are "working together to bring us together . . .

Yes we CAN!"

 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Sincerely,

 

Felice Cantatore

www.feliceCAN.com

www.plaintalkonline.com

 

Email: felice@feliceCAN.com

March 11, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

Last year under the Contingency Budget controls Administrative spending levels should have been slightly less than what they were the year before.  We have no information from the District that confirms that was done.  However, we do have information from the State that shows Administration Salaries that are over the $104,000 level.  That list for 2005-6 is shown below, with the information about Salaries from the year before.  You can calculate for yourself that some salaries, such as the Superintendent's, were raised 5%.  Administration salaries went from a total of $1,860,195 in 2004 to $2,389,263 in 2005.  That's a $529,041 increase!

 

How that amount of salary increase allows Administration costs to "hold the line" is not clear.  Maybe this year, we could stress that the "Outer Ring" items include all Raises, Bonuses and Benefits in the Administration part of the Budget.  Maybe this freeze should even happen on the basic budget itself!  Over a half Million dollars of increase could be better spent on Programs.

 

 

New York State School Administrator Salary Information 

Chapter 474 of the Laws of 1996 required that the State Education Department prepare a statewide compilation of the salaries and other personnel costs of certain school administrators and make it available to all interested parties. 

 

2005-6 Data

TYPE    TITLE                           SALARY        BENEFITS    OTHER

1    Superintendent                     $243,713       $35,146         $5,100

2    Assistant Superintendent      $135,000       $14,315         $0

2    Assistant Superintendent      $159,000       $7,706           $0

2    Asst to Superintendent         $137,800       $7,628           $0

3    Principle                              $139,691       $0                 $0

3    Principle                              $133,486       $0                 $0

3    Principle                              $124,982       $0                 $0

3    Principle                              $124,982       $0                 $0

3    Principle                              $124,982       $0                 $0

3    Asst Principle                      $116,042       $0                 $0

3    Asst Principle                      $116,042       $0                 $0

3    Asst Principle                      $116,042       $0                 $0

3    Asst Principle                      $116,042       $0                 $0

3    Director                               $121,114       $0                 $0

3    Director                               $121,114       $0                 $0

3    Director                               $121,114       $0                 $0

3    Chief Info Officer                   $125,242       $0                 $0

3    Academic Supervisor            $112,875       $0                 $0

TOTALS    18                           $2,389,263      $64,795   $5,100

 

2004-5 Data

TYPE    TITLE                           SALARY        BENEFITS    OTHER

1    Superintendent                    $232,108        $33,411        $5,100

2    Deputy Superintendent         $174,785        $12,182         $0

2    Assistant Superintendent      $140,225        $7,090          $0

2    Asst to Superintendent         $120,547        $1,832          $0

3    Principle                              $132,535        $0                $0

3    Principle                              $127,616        $0                $0

3    Principle                              $121,342        $0                $0

3    Principle                              $121,342        $0                $0

3    Principle                              $121,342        $0                $0

3    Asst Principle                      $112,553        $0                $0

3    Asst Principle                      $112,553        $0                $0

3    Asst Principle                      $112,553        $0                $0

3    Director                               $115,347        $0                $0

3    Director                               $115,347        $0                $0

TOTALS    14                           $1,860,195        $54,515       $5,100

 

Remember:  These listings are for Administrative Personnel that earn at, or over, the $104,000 level. Others may have Administrative positions that are paid less than this level.

Ed.

March 10, 2006

Can someone please explain this post on the Plainedge School Website?  Without a discussion or an input from the community, what exactly are we understanding?  This should be something to see.  I hope everybody is coming to this.  

Mr. Bruce 

PLAINEDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
COMMUNITY COFFEE HOUR

March 13, 2006
7:00 PM
Plainedge Middle School Cafeteria

“Budgeting 101”
Tricia Rufo, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administration
Christine S. Miller, CPA, Assistant Business Manager

Discussion Topics
-       School District Budget Process
-       Key Terms
-       District Revenues
-       District Expenditures
-       Fund Balance
-       Taxes

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COFFEE HOUR WILL NOT INCLUDE A DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED 2006-2007 BUDGET. THIS MEETING IS INTENDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.

March 08, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Can the BOE learn a lesson from the past?

The First failed Budget for last year was for $59,949,303.
The Second failed Budget for last year was for $59,949,303.

The Contingency Budget used for last year was for $57,492,449. The Community's addition to that was for $570,000. That makes a total of $58.07 Million.

How many would have Voted YES to a budget less than the "cast in concrete" number of $59.95 Million, but more than $58.07 Million to be spent this year. Fifty?, a hundred?, That's all it would have taken!

That actual spending level is $1.88 Million less than the failed budget amounts! Would a Second Budget, reduced by about half that much, have passed?

Let's see - "What if the second budget was for a little less - say a nice round $58.95 Million?" That reduced Budget is $1 Million less than the "cast in concrete number" but its almost $1 Million more than the Contingency and the "community gift" total.

Could that Million Dollar cut have been passed as a Second Budget Number? Wouldn't the extra money then have paid not only for varsity sports, but have left much more money for other Program items?

In other words, by being insistent in demanding the first Budget number, and the first number only, the BOE passed up a chance to have a more reasonable Budget passed, one that would have given more money than they end up with this year - and one that would have not needed a heroic gift of money from a few of the parents and children in this District!

Can they learn that lesson this year?

They might! If you go to the Budget hearings and shout it in their ears!

Remember - the Budget job the community has is to see that the Children get their fair share of the budget money!

Keep up the very good work!
Ed Dowdell

March 07, 2006

Dear Parents of PYBL Players,
 
A meeting notice has been distributed regarding a coffee hour taking place on Wednesday March 8th at the Plainedge Middle School Cafeteria beginning at 7pm, to discuss a proposed swap of the Packard and Picken properties which include the Baseball Fields that our children play on and our the Headquarters of PYBL. These fields were built by the hard working hands of many of our current and former PYBL parents, which we as an organization, are deeply indebted too. We would like to ask everyone who had or have children playing in PYBL to come to this coffee hour so we can openly discuss the positives and negatives of this potential transaction. I look forward to seeing many of you at this meeting. Thanks so much for your anticipated support. 
 
Kindest regards,
Mike Parise – President PYBL
Joe Amalfitano – VP PYBL

March 07, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

The following table is taken from a Report of State School District Statistics. I know we've been given some different figure from the District but the numbers below are what has been filed with the State for the year 2004-2005.

 

What to make of the figures is something else. Note that the highest Dollars per Student is for Island Park - but I don't think anyone believes that Island Park therefore has a better Educational system that Plainedge - or some of the other Districts that are lower.  Rankings by quality of Education vs Dollars per Pupil has not been done in any place that I can find.

 

School District               2004/5  Budget          Enrollment         Dollars/Pupil

Island Park                    $  24,758,472                  800                 $30,948

Jericho                          $  77,557,541                3235                 $23,975

Carle Place                   $  33,565,722                1650                 $20,343

Uniondale                      $122,974,000                 6376                 $19,287

Valley Stream #24         $  20,606,873                1099                 $18,751

Bellmore                       $  22,996,121                1262                 $18,222

Levittown                       $145,082,285                 7993                $18,151

Bethpage                      $  55,356,055                3085                 $17,944

Glen Cove                     $  54,301,365                3031                 $17,915

Garden City                   $  76,061,612                4277                 $17,784

Herricks                        $  72,323,963                4077                 $17,740

Westbury                      $  71,184,386                4037                 $17,633

Hempstead                    $120,145,354                 7040                $17,066

Valley Stream CHS        $  75,986,105                4556                 $16,678

Hicksville                       $  84,648,982                5234                 $16,173

Bellmore-Merrick            $  94,493,646                5881                 $16,068

Roosevelt                      $  50,797,670                3207                 $15,840

Freeport                        $112,772,779                 7182                $15,702

Plainedge (Actual)       $  55,933,372                3616                 $15,468

Massapequa                  $128,884,991                 8353                $15,430

Seaford                         $  42,211,493                2739                 $15,411

Plainedge (Budget)      $  55,313,909                3616                 $15,297

Merrick                         $  29,397,279                1949                  $15,083

North Merrick                 $  19,678,028                1324                 $14,863

Wantagh                       $  51,006,666                3682                  $13,853

North Bellmore               $  34,022,490                2463                 $13,813

Sewanhaka                   $118,403,756                 8630                 $13,720

 

Averages                       $  68,535,738                4089                 $17,376

 

Ed.

March 06, 2006

TO THE RESIDENTS OF PLAINEDGE

 

I would like to address the recent letter I received from the PTRA. The letter was titled, “Our school taxes are too high.”   The letter is posted on this website.  The fact is our school taxes are not to high.

 

The way the state figures out state aid is wrong, in order to keep everybody in the community happy, we spend less on our children.  We spend less per child on education than any school in Nassau county.  Plainedge spends $12k per child, which I personally feel is not something to brag about.  Here’s the bottom line, other districts like Mineola for instance, spend $ 18K per child but have lower taxes then Plainedge. In our district, we pay higher taxes and the children get $ 6K less in education.   It’s the children that suffer when you spend less per child.  Spending less per child shouldn’t be boasted about.

 

I don't care what they say; our children do not get the same education that Jericho, Garden City or Great Neck who spend $20,000 per child. I feel that, if we do get additional dollars from the state for our letter writing, we shouldn't cut back taxes, we should give it back to the children.  We should bring back the programs they are entitled to.  The state aid money should go to our children not our pockets.

 

What's the point of having a new middle school if we can't afford to keep it going? Its equivalent to buying a Mercedes but you can't afford the gas to make it go.

 

Real estate taxes are too high, gasoline is too high, car insurance is too high, college tuition is too high, utilities are too high, cable TV is too high. School taxes too high? I don't think so. But, it’s the only tax we can vote on. So, when you ask the board to cut the budget, remember its only hurting the kids.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ed Parlow

March 05, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

Attached is a letter given to Dr. Richman in March of last year.  It outlines an approach to get Property Tax relief for Plainedge residents. It needs added information that we as individuals can't easily get but some Nassau County "official" can obtain - like Dave Meijas. That information is the number of Voters in each School District and the breakdown by District, of the average Class 1 Property Tax percentage paid compared to the other three Classes.  This information is available from the County Assessor's Office. 

 

What is different about this approach is instead of addressing Albany for relief; the relief action is only required to be done in our local domain - Nassau County.  That is where we should have the strongest and quickest chance to effect change.

 

The concept is not new; even Mr. Levinson has proposed such plans.  What is different is the adding of specific numbers to the plan.  The possible amount of tax relief to some Districts and the amount of voters across Nassau County who would benefit from implementing the plan.  I believe there are more property tax stressed voters who would benefit from this relief than there are voters who will object to the plan.  The politico's should have the estimate of that majority of voters so they have an incentive to make the needed changes and get favorable votes.

 

Here's the letter:

 

Dr. Richman,

 

I noted in your letter to the Governor concerning the "Facts" of taxation and performance in the Plainedge district that you are concerned with the inequity of the tax burden distribution for the various School Districts in Nassau County.  I am also dissatisfied with the fact that our District burdens our Class 1 property owners with 84.7% of the Tax Levy (for both School and Library)  Hard to come by information, indicates that the average Class 1 property owner in Nassau County pays 65% of the Tax Levy.

 

Can you imagine the impact on voting for our Budgets if our Class 1 Tax Levy was at 65% instead of 84.7%? [$29,339,240 vs. $38,233,656]  

 

That $8.89 Million reduction amounts to about $1425 per household for Plainedge!  What a heroic effort that would be hailed as! If together, we could convince legislators to implement a fair and equitable distribution of the other property Class (2, 3 & 4) Tax Levies equally to all School Districts across Nassau County we'd be doing Plainedge a great service.

 

The fairness comes from the fact that it is our residents who spend their money equally well with the residents of districts favored with Shopping Centers, Malls and Hotels.  They also work side by side in Commercial properties with residents of districts favored with Industrial Centers. (Nassau County Tax Offices would hardly be burdened, in fact they'd have their calculating tasks reduced, by equally divvying up the Class 2,3 and 4 monies to all Districts)

 

Sure, some noted Business Districts will have home owners whose Class 1 property taxes will rise a large percentage if what we propose as fair is enacted upon.  A recent example is a Freeport homeowners lament as his Tax bill went from $2130 to $2850, a 34% increase! ~ until it was pointed out that the typical Plainedge resident's bill was more than double their new amount!

 

What is ignored (to date) by those objecting because of the negative Political Impact of such a change, i.e.; loss of votes, is that there are many more Nassau County voters who would benefit from such a just and equal distribution of the Class 2, 3 and 4 Tax Levy.  The fact we must prove is there is a positive impact,  in than there are more voters in favor than those who will object!

 

What I'd like to do is to assist you in preparation of an information sheet which shows the before and after effects of an equalized distribution by District ~ coupled with the number of households (voters) favorably impacted by the plan. Those districts, whose voters would object, because they now would have to pay a fair share of Taxes, would also be shown. Politicians could then directly see the amount of voters who would accept or reject the new plan.

 

There is no rush to get together on this ~ I will try to make myself available on your schedule if you are interested in pursuing this effort.  Both the School and Library could benefit ~ but more importantly ~ our residents could have some of their unfair Tax burden reduced!

 

Ed Dowdell

March  04, 2006

To everyone who posts.  It is great that forums like this exist where people can share their thoughts. However it is discouraging that so little effort is given by members of this community to actually get involved.  As a member of the Plainedge Parents Athletic Club, I and other parents gave up our summer for the kids.  We saw the same faces at all the events and we thank everyone for their effort.  At the past PPAC community meeting 75 people attended.  As a member of the Plainedge Tax Relief Association, again a very small number of residents are involved.  At the last PTRA community meeting 45 residents attended.  At the last 2 BOE meetings there were 18 and 16 residents attending. That is 154 residents, most of them are the same person attending all four meetings.  We as a community need to make a decision, are we just going to complain, or are we going to put ourselves on the line and get things done.  Although some believe the letter writing is a waste of time, we have spoken to local and state officials and their reply was, it certainly does make a difference.  But we can't send 20, 50 or 100 letters. We need to send 1000's of letters. Every voter in every home should be sending letters to local and state officials. Even our children can send a letter and describe what a failed budget meant to them. We must also go to board meetings AS A COMMUNITY, and challenge the administration and BOE on how the budget will be formed.  We need financial professionals and legal experts to attend the BOE meetings so we in the community can address our questions to them which will enable us to be prepared for the discussions at the BOE meetings. If you own a home in the district or rent, the topics of school budgets, school taxes and state aid affects YOU, everyone has a stake in this, everyone has something to lose and something to gain.
 
We are less then 3 months from the next school budget vote, I urge you to get involved, be informed, and vote.  This is OUR district, this is OUR home, these are OUR KIDS... lets protect it ALL

 
Phil Toscano

March 04, 2006

Plaintalkonline,
 
Below is a post from the Plainedge School Website . . . Isn't time we TAKE CONTROL . . . Someone please take control, please take control!!!
 
Mr. Bruce
 
In our efforts to improve, we continue to make changes in the budget process based on reactions from the community in previous years. This year’s discussions will be led by Dr. Tricia Rufo, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Ms Christine Miller, CPA, District Treasurer.

As of this writing (and it still continues to change), the first draft of the budget  totals a 13.64% budget to budget increase.

To help understand this significant increase, we have divided the 13.64% into 3 distinct categories:


1.       6.25% of the increase is due to factors outside of our control. They include:

Utility increase                                                   $1,104,281
Liability insurance increase                                        66,455
Teacher Retirement System increase                        908,883
Health insurance increase                                        677,274
TAN interest increase                                               211,300
Auditing expense increase                                         86,450
Special education                                                    
537,225
                                                       Total:          $3,591,868
2.       3.60% of the increase is to add back MOST of the programs and services ($2,066,854) that were removed last year when we had to meet our contingency caps.

3.       And, 3.80% of the increase is the remainder of the 13.64%. This includes such items as contracts, equipment, supplies, personnel, etc.

Please understand that these numbers are preliminary and, as such, are subject to change. Each of these categories will be discussed at up coming meetings of the Board of Education and at selected coffee hours and budget workshops.

March 03, 2006

Dear Fellow Plainedge Residents,

 

I  have  been  reading  the  postings  on  this  site  and  I  truly  believe  that  these  forums  are  invaluable  for  me  in  understanding  the  community's  thought  process and  desires.

 

However, I  believe  that  accuracy  does  need  to  be  represented  within  some  of  the  comments, especially  those  that  are  addressing  direct  quotes.

 

 Ed - As  I  read  your  comments  and  postings, and  certainly, respect  your  opinion, I  would  like  to  clarify  one  specific  misinterpretation  of  yours.   On 3/2/2006, you wrote;

 

Clearly, as those of you who have attended Board meetings can attest, the Board "stonewalls" the public in releasing auditable accounts of just how much is in the Fund Balance.

 

Occasionally, there is a slip. Like from the newest appointee to the BOE by the BOE. One of his first public comments in a meeting was to want to put a "freeze" on the $1.7 Million in the Fund Balance!

 

Now, what does that significant statement tell you about the BOE? The word freeze tells me that even the newest appointee reflects a BOE attitude of "collect the public's money - but don't spend it all on the children! - we need to set a lot aside!" This innate desire to collect and set aside funds exhibited by the Administration and BOE should reveal, for one and all, that it is more important to them to have a bank account than it is for them to spend the money on the Children! The Administration has publicly said - a 2% cap isn't enough! It should be 4% or even, 5%. For the math disinclined that comes to $3 Million in the Fund Balance - about five times the sports program cut!

 

Your  statement  and  interpretation  of  what  was  stated  could  not  be  farther  from  the  truth. To  clarify - I  requested  a  "freeze" of  the  additional  money  over  the  2%  required  in  the  Fund  Balance  in  order  to  prevent  that  money  from  being  designated  to  a  reserve  fund.  What  I  also  stated  at  that  meeting  was  I  wanted  it  frozen  to  be  utilized  for  this  upcoming  budget. To  state  that  my  intentions  were  not  specifically  to  benefit  the  children  is  untrue  and  disturbing.  Being  a  parent  whose  first  child  will  be  entering  kindergarten  in  September  2006 - the  ONLY  reason  I  have  become  engaged  and  will  run  for  my  current  BOE  seat  again  this  year  is  to  ensure  that  the  children  of  this  district  get  the  very  best  education  that  our  tax  dollars  can  provide.  Operative words "OUR TAX DOLLARS.”  I  have  as  much  skin  in  the  game  as  anyone  else  and  refuse  to  let  the  children  down.

 

In  closing, if  anyone  has  any  further  questions  or  concerns, I  ask  you  to  please  email  them  to  me  and  I  will  be  more  then  happy  to  answer  them.  I  do  ask  that  before  you  make  direct  statements  about  my  future  words  that  you  ask  me.  Especially, if  you  are  not  at  the  meetings  and  are  taking  my  comments  from  another  source.

 

Thank you, and please keep these dialogues going.   Although  I  may  not  be  able  to  respond  as  often  as  I  would  like, I  do  read  them  and  your  voices  are  heard.

 

Sincerely,

 

Frank Presuto

fpresuto@att.com

March 03, 2006

Plaintalk,

 

Out here in the community there is still a residue of anger, resentment and the pain left over from last years budget fiasco.  The people who so unselfishly gave their time and/or money to the fundraising efforts for the restoration of sports or drama feel it. The parents and kids who didn’t have their activity/clubs/honor societies restored definitely feel it. The middle school children, who received the short end of the stick when it comes to cuts, especially with regards to inter-scholastic sports, absolutely feel it.

 

All you need do is listen to the tenor of this community. At school functions, youth league sports games, community meetings, the local pizza parlor, Waldbaums, etc.  That residue of anger is joining with a sense of urgency to not let this happen again.

 

There already has been one meeting organized, with all the leaders of the local youth groups in attendance (PTA’s, sports leagues, community groups, youth organizations, etc.) with over 75 people in attendance.  The reasons these people were chosen was because they are people of action, organizers and doers. Each one of the 75 has a constituency.  The overwhelming feeling in that room was not to let this happen again. Becoming part of the process is a must, holding the school boards feet to the fire to present a fair and reasonable budget is a must. More meetings and community rallies will follow, as we get closer to May 16th.

 

These anti-school board letters that are posted here, when broken down (sorry, I do feel like I need a 5 minute intermission while reading some of them), do make some valid points.  However, the perception in the community could very well be that Mr. Dowdell's letters are instigating an “anti school board” NO vote as opposed to a “disagreeing with the budget” NO vote. The hanging of “Vote NO" signs in the library last year can’t help that perception. 

 

Ultimately, it’s not Dr. Richman or Mr. Mallow who suffer when a NO vote is cast just in protest of the Board. The children themselves feel the impact of a NO vote most intensely. It doesn’t hurt the Board, it just hurts the kids.

 

John Hanrahan

Concerned parent

March 02, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

A different way to look at the real world.

 

Last year half of the Plainedge voters believed that the District budget of the year before, where it would be increased by the $2.1 Million added by a Contingency Budget would be enough to run our school system for the next year.  Another half believed this wasn't right - $2.5 Million more than that had to be added to that $2.1 Million, bringing it to a $4.6 Million increase over the year before, This $4.6 Million was necessary in order to do the job as the BOE claimed - or else a catastrophe would follow.

 

With the ability to look backwards, who was right?

 

Well in one aspect, the BOE proved their catastrophe prediction right by using their discretionary budget cutting powers to cut $575,000 ($0.6 Million) from the Sports program.  This action by them, focusing on the sports, proved themselves right.  It did produce a catastrophe - which by laudable and valiant efforts of some of the community was overcome.  But - was it necessary?  Was the other half of the voters wrong?

 

Let's find out by looking at some results.  Undeniably, there is somewhere around $1.5 Million to $1.8 Million in a Fund Balance this year.  That's excess property tax money collected that exceeds allowable expenses of a Contingency Budget.  Where did it come from?

 

Well, it’s obvious that $0.6 Million came from the collected tax money the School Budget did not spent on sports!  That still leaves about a Million more public tax funds in the excess funds account of the School District.  That fact alone sort of proves the contention that the Contingency Budget gave more than enough money to run the District last year.  It looks like those that decided a Contingency Budget gave enough funds were right! 

 

As an aide: Imagine how much fund balance there'd be if the demanded $2.6 Million more was added to the $1.7 Million!   A whopping $4.3Million in the Fund Balance!  Yep! The Contingency Budget increase provided more than enough money!

 

That excess tax fund collected on just the Contingency Budget amount, is about $1.7 Million more than the 2% cap on Unencumbered Fund Balance monies - which in itself, is last year's budget amount ($55.3 million) times 0.02 or about $1.1 million! 

 

The School has reported to the State that, in the last few years, their fund balance average runs about 4.62% of the Budget.  For those who don't do math - that means there is an average total of about $2.5 Million in the Fund Balance.  Does this average total differ from what we now have?  NO! The $1.1 Million of last year's capped value and the $1.7 million of this year's quoted excess amount over that come to a total of $2.8 Million - pretty much on the mark!

 

Of course we must consider, if the BOE did not cut out sports, and the community did not raise the money to pay for the sports - where could the missing funds have come from? 

 

It's pretty obvious.  Rather than sitting on a large bank account, the missing money could have come from what is now the total "Fund Balance" account!  That would have reduced the Fund Balance to $2.1 Million!   Or, if we just used the excess amount provided this year by the Contingency Budget increase, the BOE would have been sitting this year on a net of only $1.1 Million, not $1.7 Million!

 

Clearly, as those of you who have attended Board meetings can attest, the Board “stonewalls" the public in releasing auditable accounts of just how much is in the Fund Balance.  Occasionally, there is a slip.  Like from the newest appointee to the BOE by the BOE. One of his first public comments in a meeting was to want to put a "freeze" on the $1.7 Million in the Fund Balance!

 

Now, what does that significant statement tell you about the BOE?  The word freeze tells me that even the newest appointee reflects a BOE attitude of “collect the public's money - but don't spend it all on the children! - we need to set a lot aside!"  This innate desire to collect and set aside funds exhibited by the Administration and BOE should reveal, for one and all, that it is more important to them to have a bank account than it is for them to spend the money on the Children!  The Administration has publicly said - a 2% cap isn't enough!  It should be 4% or even, 5%.   For the math disinclined that comes to $3 Million in the Fund Balance - about five times the sports program cut!

 

That is what half the community recognized last year - and the final results on the Budget score card proved them right.  The sports program cut was a discretionary BOE and Administrative vengeful act that was not needed - there are extra funds - even with a Contingency Budget of just $2.1 Million added to the prior year's budget!

 

When will we cease fighting each other and direct our attention to where the real problem is?  We need a more skillful and sensible management team for our public monies - not one that makes spiteful cuts and wants to hoard "reserves", but one that takes a legitimate and controlled amount of money from taxes in this District and applies those monies to the maximum benefit of the children!  And then one that controls the spending so it is best applied to the children - not to cover meal and refreshments costs, Utility Company fines, the Secretary's and Insurance Company Court cases, second audits of decade old BOE expense accounts, etc. that this administration has been allowed to do under this BOE's inattention.

 

Now - - - let me tell you about another $620,000 in excess collected tax monies slipped into a past account to bury them from public view!  NO! On second thought, I’ll leave that for another time so I won't be accused of long-winded statements.  I'll leave it for the time I'll show where my personal action caused the BOE to say  that they'll take a $307,000 cut in administration and put the money into programs for the Children if we go on a Contingency Budget (we still don't know if they lived up to their word and did this!).  Can some (or one) of my critics say that their attendance at district meetings accomplished adding $307,000 to children's programs?

 

Ed

March 02, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

I believe that this comment about the "mandated costs myths" is warranted because the term is too often used as authoritive reasons as to why we (those of us on Boards) stop doing our job better than we presently do it.  At the Library, we also have newly imposed "mandated costs" - such as all financial records must now be kept in the "mandated" Uniform System of Accounts provided by the State.  Also, year end Audits and reports now must be filed not only with the Commissioner of Education, but also with the State Comptroller - each in their own formats.  These new controls and requirements could be looked upon as an added burden - and we could play the "Harried" role (Games People Play) - to gripe and moan about how much harder our job has become.  But, at least at the Library, we look upon these new requirements as providing newer more effective tools that now allow us to do our job better!  We EMBRACE the new - it saves us time and allows us to use the public's money in a better way!  I doubt if you'll ever hear that "mandated cost" excuse for cost increases in a Library Budget presentation.

 

I just wish that those that are on other Boards would become blessed with what I believe, is a better attitude and reaction to changes and improvements. 

 

Regards,  Ed   edowdell@hoflink.com

March 02, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Here's one of a series of comments about Budgeting and its problems.

Mandated Costs Myths

Along with the ancient "the dog ate my homework" and the modern "the computer rebooted itself just as I finished your report, sir" there are less than creditable excuses people use every day. Among the less creditable Educational excuses are "State Mandated Costs" and "Costs outside our Control"

Lets take a close look at one of the latter used recently in a post on plaintalkonline by Ed P. "in fact, 85% of the school budget is state mandated."

Sounds authoritative doesn't it? It's also a mantra that has been oft repeated at many a BOE meeting. "Costs are outside our control because they are state mandated" Once again, this hapless "don't blame me" cover line, is used to excuse lack of financial performance - and its used so often many don't question its basis.

Well, for once, let's just see how authentic this excuse for lack of financial control is. Ed P. is positive and assertive that 85% State mandated costs make up the School Budget. Do they?

For instance; the Superintendent's salary & benefits - who sets that figure? The state or the BOE? The Administration staff and the Principals/Assistant Principals - does the state or the Administration set their salary and benefits? The Maintenance staff - who sets their salary and benefits" The state or the Administration? The Teachers, Aides and Part timers - who negotiated their salaries and benefits for the next few years - the state or the BOE president, Rich Mallow?

Since just these cost elements alone are not set (or mandated) by the state and they make up about 2/3rds of the total budget - how can one believe that "85% of the school budget is state mandated"? Yes, there are state requirements that attendance reports, safety plans and other tasks are required if the District wants to take advantage of state plans that provide overall funding - not on a task-by-task basis - but on an overall funding basis. But these hardly constitute 85% of the budget.

Clearly, the "Mandated state costs" statement claiming a major impact on the budget is a fiction.  An over exaggeration at best, an ineffective myth at worst. Newly implemented state requirements will make for a jump in cost for the new services required and cause a budget to budget increase when they start.

But, as these these plans continue year after year, there are no continued same sized budget "jumps" caused by them! Their only increase is on a slight CPI basis, much like all other costs. We should no longer highlight them; or use them as an excuse! If the plans stop - then there should be an equivalent decrease (jump downward) in the budget. Have you heard of any of those jumps downward in the budget? Or is the amount of money set aside for abandoned plans used to spread out over other plans?

One of the more glaring new "costs outside our control" cited in the proposed Draft Budget is the cost of TANs (Tax Anticipation Notes, money loaned by institutions to School Districts until Property taxes are paid by the Town in December)

The money set aside for this in 2004-5 was $165,000. In 2005-6 it was $283,700. Now the "estimate" says $495,000 is needed. Since TAN Agency documented costs for this last year showed slightly over $210,000 was the cost, well under budget, why would a skilled planner set aside enough money to cover more than twice the amount of what this item cost us this year? Slide an "extra" quarter of a million dollars into an obscure capital account?  About half of what the sports programs cost?

If that be a "cost outside our control"; we had better get new people to control our costs!

Does the draft budget truly show "costs outside our control"? Or does it show "costs we failed to control"?

Does this list document poor planning?; A failure to shop for better rates?; Or is it just the same old budgetary "padding" in places most people don't look?

The job of the financial staff, under the control and discretion of the BOE is to control all costs for the school. To shop around, negotiate and get the best deal possible, not just passively accept invoices and increases and say "that's the way it is".

According to the Hevisie report they did a poor job of doing just that in limited Administrative cost areas - and Hevisie found that several cost controls and procedures were in need of correction. I wonder what a Hevisie report would reveal if it was done on all Budgetary items? How about on the Bond issue? I wonder what his report would be on that!

Overview:

Our agressive examinations of the Budget before it is put up for vote is what is called for - let us not abandon that task and wait until the budget vote is upon us to attack the budget.  Yes, it is disheartening for the BOE to take strong questioning and heated objections from all of the public in the budget hearings - unless, and until, they realize that this is the result of the public doing their job as they should be doing it!  Putting the proposed budget through the test of fire is the public's role in budget hearings.  They are not there for "kissy-kissy" make nice, pat on the back purposes!  That comes after a good budget is hardened on the forge, put up for vote and passed!

Ed.

March 01, 2006

Dear Plaintalk,

The library Trustee Mr. Parlow was referring to is well known for his caustic diatribes and anti-school board rhetoric. Most, if not all of the missives published by the said Trustee, seem intent on one thing and one thing only, discrediting the current superintendent as well as a majority of the school board members. All is done with complete disregard to the impact that his bloviating has on the students in this community. His long-winded and overstated comments do nothing to help heal this community, nor does he offer any concrete solutions to the problem. He chooses to point things out he deems are wrong, but then takes no action (other than complaining) to effect change.  Not unlike him, I will use a (poor) analogy:  “It’s like a gardener, who complains on how the weeds are taking over his garden, but then never pulls any of the weeds out”.
 
I ask, when was the last school board meeting that he attended? Is it that he is more comfortable passing judgment from the anonymity his keyboard gives him?  Did he attend any of the rallies that the children held at JH West or the high school last spring and summer?  Did he donate any of his time to the fund raising activities that was done to restore the clubs, sports and activities that were cut from the school calendar due, in large part, to HIS anti-school board rhetoric? (Regardless of how he says he voted)
 
What the Trustee and the people of his ilk will soon understand is this, this is not last year, and these fund raising parents woke Plainedge from its slumber. Families that were devastatingly affected by last years disgrace will come out and support in large numbers a fair and reasonable budget.  I don’t think there is a person out there that truly cares about the Community of Plainedge that ever wants to see the pain that the children went through last year.
 
 Except for… maybe…. the Trustee!!!… 
 
 The bottom line: ITS ABOUT THE KIDS!!!!!!
 
Jay Aiche

Febraury 28, 2006

Each pupil should pay their own share:

Why not have every family of each student registered in a district pay a certain amount in taxes. This would probably be an increase in revenue, because now any family with children in a district will now pay a percentage, incorporating families that are renting with 2, 3, or more kids in  a school district. This also alleviates the burden on senior citizens who no longer have children in school or families without kids.

February 28, 2006

Dear Trustees:
 
I too recieved the letter describing the services provided through a Public Library system.  I think we all know that the community, as a whole, supports keeping the Plainedge Public Library open.  Many taxpaying residents, however, are running out of financial options in Plainedge. 
 
I would like to see public support for the 2006-2007 Plainedge School Budget from trustees, as well as employees of the Plainedge Public Library.  Sometimes the tone of the letters published by our Boards of Education, Library, etc. seem a bit threatening.  The residents are frightened into desired decisions with ultimatums of closures or loss of services. 
 
I realize that different organizations are vying for our tax dollars, but It seems that is the forgotten item,  it is OUR TAX DOLLARS!
 
Sincerely,
Susan Magnani

February 27, 2006

Dear Plainedge Public Library Board of Trustees,

 

You have to be kidding with this letter that you sent out.  The Plainedge Public Library is the center of the community?  Then how could you have endorsed a “no” vote with a negative sign in your building during the school budget vote last year.  Do you realize the harm that you caused in your own community?  The sign you posted caused pain and suffering to the children of your community.  The Board of trustees should come to the Middle School to hear the silence of the gym and the empty fields not in use.  They should see the long faces of our Middle School athletes who can’t participate in sports.  The children cry after failing the test to move up to J.V. Sports.  The test is ridiculous and difficult but the children are willing to try anything.  Most would have a better chance of singing the National Anthem backwards in a foreign language then passing that test.

 

One of your Library Board of Trustees and a member of his family are obsessed with hurting the children of our community.  Last summer, when we were trying to raise the money to save the sports programs, that Trustee’s son came down to the local meeting.  He was telling the children present that their parents were exploiting them by trying to raise the money to save sports programs.  Is this a nice guy, a solid member of the community?  I don’t think so.  Despite the efforts of the Plainedge Library and some member of its Board of Trustees to hurt the community, we were able to stop some of the bleeding with a group of determined parents who would not let this happen to the children.  The Plainedge Public Library is guilty by association with the said Trustee when it comes to the endorsement of a no vote.  The only “no” vote that really should be endorsed is “NO” to the 1.2 million in salary that the library staff receives.

 

Personally, I feel we are getting off cheap with the school taxes but we are getting robbed everywhere else.  It’s easy to let out our frustration on taxes by voting no to the school tax but look at it from this prospective.  Last year when the budget was turned down, I looked into sending my daughter to a different public school on Long Island, the cost was $ 20,000. dollars.  So if a family sends two children to school at $ 40,000. dollars per year for twelve years you get $ 480,000. dollars worth of education.  You would have to pay school tax of $ 4,000. dollars per year for 120 years to pay back what your children received in education.  The system only works if you contribute whether your children are in or are not in the school system.  

 

What the library supported last year during the school budget vote “as the center of our community” was equivalent to running 99 yards and fumbling on the one yard line.   Even with the no vote that the library supported, we are still paying taxes even if the average family saved $ 350. dollars.  Some people spend more then that on gasoline while waiting in line at the Starbuck’s drive up window near the Middle School.  For less then a dollar a day and by endorsing a no vote, you only hurt the children because every dollar cut from the budget only hurts them.  The cuts don’t hurt the administration, in fact 85% of the school budget is state mandated.

 

In closing, it is obvious that one of the Plainedge Library Board of Trustees has a problem with the school budget.  Maybe it is his way of avoiding focus on the library budget and some of the spending practices that they have.  Maybe he wants to take the attention away from the faulty NLS system or the 1.2 million dollars in salary that if gone could pay for two full sports seasons for our children.  His promotion of a no vote that is clearly associated with the library “only hurts the children of the Plainedge community.  He should just stop spreading his poison in the community. 

 

Respectfully,

 

Ed Parlow

 

February 26, 2006

Dear Resident,

At the request of community members the Plainedge Tax Relief Association has drafted a letter for your use in our letter writing campaign. Please use this letter to send to All the Government  Officials listed.  One letter should be sent to each official.  We are hoping that you can dedicate a small amount of time to do this ASAP. The tax situation in Plainedge affects everyone.  Your letters will go a long way in helping our representatives deliver our message to Albany. Only as a unified voice will we be heard....Thank you the members of the PTRA
 
Phil

Editors note:  Please click on the "State Aid Info" Page for the sample letters

February 26, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

An offer of support to some.

 

To anyone so inclined:

 

IF you are considering running for a seat on the BOE, I will assist you all that I can with information about the petition process, filing, requirements to be a Board member, actual levels of involvement, and other "up front" information.

 

Hopefully we'll get to know each other better by that process. I'll not support you as much just because you're running.

 

If I find that you have a platform that consists of more than "I want to get that (guy) out", I may even give you my further support - going around my area and getting signatures on your Nominating Petition, etc. One person in the past had no goal for being on the Board other than replacing someone he did not like. My response was I would not support him because he had no agenda past that point.

 

If I find you have the desire, a reasonable head on your shoulders and an agenda that is for the long term betterment of the Schools in this District, then I’ll lend much more support. Helping with creating, duplicating and distributing fliers and posters, promoting your ideas, etc.

 

The purpose of running for a seat on the Board is to make this a better than what it is School District. I'd also like to see a BOE that is more responsive to the community and stops this mad dash for "mo' money" as a solution to all learning problems - problems that are really rooted in the teaching methods, not the learning process.

 

That's why I'd like to see a school that stops using the 1900's techniques to teach our children - one that gets with adapting to the new devices that have been available to help students learn more thoroughly and faster the knowledge they will need to compete in their world! Which is and will be - quite different from my old world?

 

Just look at one example of my "Old World" techniques for learning that is still being used today - BOOKS. They have become much more expensive and "glitzy" and greater in number.

 

So much so that instead of my carrying just an armful of books to school as I had to do - the Children are now carrying overloaded backpacks of them every day. This has made School more of a physical chore than a mental one.

 

With the tools of today there is no excuse for them not to have a set of CD-ROMs with all that data on them! Even just one DVD can carry a couple of semester’s worth of BOOKS in it!

 

At the present cost of reproduction - duplicate sets of "modern books on DVDs" can be both at home and at school - there is no longer any need to "carry books". Adequate License fees can be negotiated that satisfy the School Book Publishing industry such that they need not worry about loss of income.

 

And, because of their low cost, the data can be retained by the Children to build up their own library of the "books" they learned by. These could be helpful in college or later life as "learning refreshers".

 

Networks have been put into schools with the aid of State and Federal funds - and other grants. But as to date - they're used more as toys and for showmanship than as routine teaching aids. I know of several advanced teaching groups that are developing internet lesson plans and interactive CD training systems on a volunteer basis in France and the Orient - these systems make our present methods look like the "Little House on the Prairie" level of schooling.

 

It may be comfortable and easy for administrators to hang on to our older, less effective schooling methods, and to complain about having to do "mandated testing" - which is the Federal & State way of checking up on poor teaching effectiveness - testing that was implemented because of the known troubles, unfairness and defects in the present teaching process for many children.

 

But testing the effectiveness of present teaching methods is not getting the "best bang for the buck" in giving our children the know-how they'll need to live and compete in the 21st century. The teaching methods must change from what they were, to those that work better than what we had - and all this can be done by redirecting the money we have rather than just adding more money to the pot.

 

These are but a few of the thoughts and directions I'd like to see from potential candidates - even if such plans cannot be implemented in a term or two or more - at least it shows that one has the foresight to not be satisfied with the status quo - the "that's the way we always did it" mentality. The mentality that has converted a child's walk to school into a pack-horse event.

 

That's the type person that I promise I will give more active support to, both physically and financially, in their run for a seat on the BOE.

 

Ed.

February 24, 2006

You should all have figured out by now that the Richman/Mallow team does nothing without carefully planning to pull the wool over the community's eyes.  It seems that they decided and planned to let Mallow be the fall guy for the fireman fiasco for their advantage.  These two have taken advantage of the community for a long time.  They throw up smoke screens and propaganda to the public and behind the scenes they laugh at how they manipulated the community again and again.  It is obvious what is in it for Richman (A guy not from the neighborhood, who seems to care about raises and bonuses even on austerity), we will soon find out what was in it for Mallow (A guy who seems just a little too dedicated to the man rather than the community that voted for him).

Their act should come to a close as soon as possible.  It should start with Mallow resigning immediately, the post from February 20th is right on.  Whether he wanted the exemption or not, someone is not telling the truth here and this community can not have this type of representation running the board.  The admitted mistake is a lot bigger then they planned for, they hurt the reputation of the entire Board.  The scary part is that if Mallow does the right thing and resigns like he should, then that leaves us with a Vice President that didn't want the President's role from the last resignation.  The community needs a new leader.  The current leaders are working for the Superintendent and are clearly forgetting that the Superintendent works for us.

Unfortunately, the smoke screens will continue (these guys know what their doing in regards to smoke screens), buildings will obviously be swapped, money will be spent on building projects that are not researched properly and the community's kids will continue to suffer as they get hurt the most on cuts.  This has to be fixed properly.  Fair budgets need to be passed and better leadership and representation needs to be present.  The Board leaders that didn't deliver last year need to move aside now so we can move ahead with the future of the Plainedge School District and the future of our children.

I will not sign my name to this letter, consider this my smoke screen.

Signed,

Fed up with smoke screens and propaganda!

February 23, 2006

This link is similar to the meghan’s law site but better.
 
http://www.familywatchdog.us/
 
Great job on the site and thank you for providing it.
It is very much appreciated!
 
Sincerely,
 
Mark Nevola

February 20, 2006

plaintalkonline.com,

I have just read in amazement the recap of the last School Board Meeting.  I also read the footnote and I went back to read the events of the meetings during the initial discussions.  I must admit that I'm very confused. 

Mallow's admission to a mistake doesn’t seem to jive.  Did Mallow want the exemption or not?  Is he covering up for something by coming out and using the “I made a mistake” excuse technique?  What was his position on the exemption?  Did anyone ask him?  If his position was to not support the exemption then he is taking the coward’s way out.  Either way he should consider resigning from his position. I don’t feel comfortable trusting him.  It also sounded like Richman had to save him.  This isn't right to have him represent us during a tough budget period.  I feel that this incident has placed him in a spot that he can't get out of.  Please let us know what others are saying.  When is his term up?

Thank you,

Name Withheld

February 19, 2006

Just wanted to let you know that the Plainedge Youth Baseball League, servicing more than 700 children in the community, will have their opening day ceremonies on April 8th, 2006. The parade will start at the Hagedorn Little Village School (750 Hicksville Road) at 9am and all the children will be marching down Hicksville Road. We will have our opening ceremonies at the Picken Memorial field behind Town Hall South around 10:15 am. We look forward to seeing everyone from the community.
 
Sincerely,
Joe Amalfitano
Vice President
Plainedge Youth Baseball League

February 18, 2006

Plaintalkonline.com,

Great job with the Flash Photo of Legislator Mejias washing cars last summer.  It's good to see that he is not above helping out.  By the way do you have any pictures of Dr. Richman or Rich Mallow washing cars.  I really would like to see them.  Please search very hard to find them.

Best.

Joe C.

February 18, 2006

Gentlepersons,

 

A short time back there was some discussion about using Audio Tape Recorders at Board of Education meetings.  There also was the suggestion that Video conferencing and recording be used to make these meetings more conveniently accessible to more residents.  This issue has often been a contentious item in other Districts.

 

Therefore I recommend that anyone interested in finding out more factual information on this topic visit the following site:

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html

 

It is the Home page of the Committee on Open Government which provides advisories on the Open Meetings Law and its workings with the Personal Privacy laws.

 

In addition - here is one such lengthy decision by the Committee with regard to recordings made of public meetings held by Government bodies.  It is worth the effort to read this decision all the way - you will see how thoroughly and clearly the laws are interpreted - so that even future disputed items can be resolved by using this decision's guidelines.  This is one Committee that is doing thorough and professional work.  Here's the site:

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/otext/o2197.html

 

Additional decisions of interest can be found by replacing the last four digits of the above site with 2505, 3215 , 3749 and 4044  respectively.  I think you might also find them interesting. In any event, please retain this link if you are thinking of recording any sessions for later viewing by a wider audience - such as might be done as a community service by Plaintalkonline.com!  Wow! - What a suggestion for a new way to serve the Community that is!  If the School's not doing it - why wait on them?  Do it for ourselves!

 

Ed

February 11, 2006

Hi ......
  
Can you please note that the tournament at Hofstra is open to the public!
We'd love a large Plainedge rooting section!
 
Thanks and keep up the good work!
 
Danette De Sena

February 08, 2006

Dear our town,

I have had the opportunity to view your website for the past few months and felt the need to drop you a quick note on my opinion of your website. Your website is and has been accurate, precise and straight to the point.  It is comforting to know that there is another source of accurate information that the community can access.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to keep our community up to date. If I ever could be of any assistance please don’t hesitate to call. Keep up the good work!

Ralph J. Raymond

Editor's Note:  Thank you.

February 08, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Here is an extract from Table 4 of a recent Financial Statistics Study by the State Education Department.  The numbers are the latest ones available, they are for the 2002-03 year.  When the State updates the numbers I'll weed thought the entire Report and supply the latest info.

For those that want to see the full report, and all other tables go to:

Fiscal Report Site for NY State Education Department:

http://oms33.nysed.gov/faru/Profiles/16th/statewide_fiscal.htm

Figures for State Aid

Here's some local School Districts and the percentage of their Budget that comes from State Aid. As mentioned in the prior post, these numbers are current State Figures from the year 2002-3 comparison charts.

Bethpage ______11.28%
Carle Place______8.08%
Farmingdale ____18.72%
Hicksville ______11.86%
Jericho_________5.34%
Locus Valley_____6.45%
Massapequa_____17.33%
Oyster Bay______6.53%
Plainedge____25.73%
Plainview_______11.78%
Syosset ________7.01%

If anyone is interested in the Property Wealth per Pupil or the Income per Pupil send me an e-mail. I'll return the full chart in PDF format.

It clearly shows how paper gains in Property Value strongly influences the State Aid formula. For instance, Carle Place which has about the same Income/Pupil level as Plainedge has their Property Value per Pupil listed at almost twice the Plainedge amount. Plainedge has the lowest Wealth Ratio of those listed (1.243), Oyster bay has the highest (4.385)

If, or when, updates come in I'll post them.

Ed.

edowdell@hoflink.com

February 01, 2006

Dear Ourtown,

When three of my friends told me about this website,  I knew that I had to click in to see what they were so excited about.  This is without question the most informative commentary that has ever come to Plainedge.  From the Robotics team to the touching story on the Hero Fireman to what exactly is taking place at these school board meetings (I never get to attend them because I have young children), you are giving me an insight to what is taking place in this town.

I can’t thank you enough.  I just read that you are growing by 500% and I would have to agree with that because if three of my friends are discussing the website then it must be getting very popular.  I can’t wait to read the recaps of the next meeting.  Thank you for letting me know what is taking place and who is supporting the taxpayer’s best interests.

I urge everyone that reads your website to tell at least 5 friends about it, I know that I have been telling everyone that I know.

Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Mrs. G.

January 29, 2006

Gentlepersons,


One thing I have learned in these past few years of involvement with the District is that the information passed to us is too frequently laced with heavy, and I do mean heavy, P.R.  Sometimes it reminds me of the WWII propaganda.  And often facts are twisted to achieve certain effects - which we may not go for if we knew the full story.  I'll try my best not to grind any one particular ax - and bring out the full story, with all the reference material cited, so the facts can be easily checked and decisions made based on good info and your own judgment.  


About the only reservation I have towards any of this is that I have learned the hard way that the Administration will stonewall it when it comes to info they don't want to be provided - and often attack the questioner - their goals, their competency, their persons, etc.  They'll even spread untruth about them.  After a few dealings with the Administration, which I have had, it becomes very apparent who can be trusted and who can not be trusted.  There is many a tale to be told
in the future when all of this devastation and devilry that has descended on Plainedge in the last few years has been resolved and it will be, shortly.

Ed

January 28, 2006

Gentlepeople,
(From an e-mail I distributed to some local people, and to Dave Mejias, back in early August)
Here's another way of looking at some information that has been a quiet undercurrent in this community - but an undercurrent that greatly affects our annual property taxes.  We, the Plainedge community, must pay this bill.  That has been decided in a Court of Law.  We owe it due to a coverup by the past Board of loans taken out by the prior Superintendent - and due to a poor money management decision by that Board.  The present Board has not fully and openly dealt with this issue, nor has it devised a plan of payment that it has given to the Community.  It is time for responsible Fiscal planning by this Board and time for openly addressing this issue to the public at large.  The public that has to pay the bill. The public deserves to know about a responsible fiscal plan to pay this debt. Sitting on this issue will not hide it any longer.

  A "Second Bond Issue" that you may not know about
 
Source: Minutes of the Plainedge School Board meeting of November 16, 2004 and the School Bulletin Board site coverage of that meeting.
 From the Minutes:

Mr. Burns reviewed the history of the Connecticut General Retirement Incentive Insurance Annuity Package, developed by the BOE in 1991. He explained that the insurance consultant who was recently hired to fully investigate this matter, recommended that the district pay $7,000 a year for an annuity for each individual rather than pay for the insurance policies as they will lapse long before the individuals pass. The estimated cost for this year and the next ten years is approximately $300,000 to $350,000 a year. The district is asking the Insurance Commissioner of NYS to investigate. The retirement incentive package was changed in 2000 by the current administration.

From the Bulletin Board:

Old Connecticut General Retirement Incentive
The old insurance annuity retirement incentive package approved by a previous Board of Education in 1991, (which was discontinued in 2001), continues to be a financial burden to the school district. At various board meetings over the past 5-6 years it has been explained that the insurance policies taken out on retiring employees to pay for the death benefit and annuities were underfunded, and loans in the amount of $325,000 were taken against the policies. The district’s attempt at litigation against the insurance company for allowing unauthorized personnel to make these loans was unsuccessful. The district is now investigating the possibility of pursuing a claim of insurance fraud. In the meantime, the district must still pay $7,000 a year for an annuity for each covered individual from the general fund which translates into a cost of between $300,000 and $350,000 for this year and each year for the next ten years. Further updates will be provided at future board meetings.

This means between 43 and 50 persons are covered under these $7,000 annuities and the total future cost to the District will be between $3,000,000 to $3,500,000. Each year, for the next ten years, the district will pay the $300,000 to $350,000 amount plus ~ the cost to pay off the past loan of $350,000, ~ plus the cost of 4 year's prior annuities (2001 thru 2004) at $1,200,000 to $1,400,000 for that period. This is a total cost of between $4,525,000 to $5,225,000.

These numbers don't take into account that at the Board meeting of March 10, 2005 the cost of the loans, with interest, were stated to now be $800,000 ~ not $325,000. This would increase the Plainedge Community's 10 year debt by  $475,000 to now range from $5,000,000 to $5,700,000 in final cost to the Community. That averages to $500,000 to $570,000 per year!

It would seem that the School Board owes to the residents of the Plainedge School District a plan and details of how it intends to pay off this liability. After all, the amount of money the taxpayers owe, with interests that will accumulate, due to the past Board's actions, is equal in magnitude to the School Bond issue ~ and the pay period is of similar time to a Bond issue.

That $500,000 to $570,000 per year pays for a lot of Programs ~ or a lot of car washes!

January 27, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Here's some information that may prove useful as Budget time approaches.  Since there have been a variety of figures used for the number of homes in the Plainedge School District, there are often conflicting and inconsistent results obtained in some financial discussions.  A recent example was in the discussions about the Fireman's exemptions. Some figures given were even based on the number of "parcels" in the District.  Parcels can be split across District to District lines and are not a good measure of the Tax cost on a home to home basis.  We are taxed per home.  That's the only number of concern.  Since the upper right corner of your present tax bill has the amount of "Total Taxes Levied-School District" you can use the number of houses to find out what the "Average" house was taxed at.  This year the Taxes levied on Class 1 Property (Homes) in Plainedge was show on the Form as $37,131,328.41.  When you divide that number by the number of houses, 6,242 for the year before, you get an "average" house tax of $5,943.63.   That's as close as any number you will see that pretends to be accurate.

The above number is also pretty close to what it will be for the "official" number of houses in the District today.  Now then, here is the background information about why "Average" Home Taxes are useful - and why they can be misleading.

Quite frequently, there is a quote made about what the "average" household pays in taxes in Plainedge. In no way shape or form does this mean the average person will pay this amount!

For example: we could have 9 homes in the district paying $5,000 in taxes and one paying $25,000. That's a total of $70,000. It does not mean that "most people" pay $70,000/10, or $7,000 in taxes.

Also we could have 9 homes in the district paying $5,000 in taxes and one paying nothing. That's a total of $45,000. It doesn't mean that most people are paying $45,000/10 or [/b]$4,500 in taxes.

So when the "Average Taxpayer" costs are mentioned we have to realize this is an approximation based on the fact that there are a very large amount of taxpayers paying roughly similar amount in taxes, and that, although some taxpayers will be at the far end of these "average" costs, there will be many that are somewhat close to this average amount.

Just how large is that large amount of taxpayers in Plainedge? Well if you use some of the widely varying figures thrown about recently by the School District, you'll find that the number varies from about 5,000 homes to about 7,000 homes - apparently one or the other number is used to shift the result to favor the result the person wants to show a "high" or a "low" amount.

But, if you want to know what the "real" number is - you'll have to go out and count for yourself. I tend to use, as the most accurate source of this information, the number given each year by the County Assessor's office. For the 2004-5 school year this number was 6,242 homes in Plainedge.

It is an interesting number in that, when you take Jeff Burns recent dismissal of a $600,000 "minor arithmetical error" on last year's Budget, it comes out to just shy of $100 per house! That's a lot of "give or take a few dollars or so" on a Tax Bill he was asking us to pay. It's not so minor to me.

Or take the famous overage on the Unencumbered Fund Balance -$1,700,000. That comes out to about $270 per house. Hey! That's one heck of a lot to add onto my tax bill- especially when you guessed at the amount "within a few dollars or so"

Try it out for yourself - the undocumented Administration Expenses left over according to Hevisie's audit were for $10,000. That comes to about $1.60 per house! Peanuts! Maybe that's why the Administration has yet to account for it although the Hevisie report asked them to do so.

ED

January 25, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Here's the site for the Regent's State Aid Proposal:

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/mgtserv/regents-state-aid-proposal/2006-07_rsap.htm

This is a distribution of State Aid plan put in place by the Regents and is to be extended into the year 2010/11.

As you'll  see, it is quite extensive and will not be read in its entirety by most viewers.  It does not need to be read that way by all.

However, reviewing, extracting and highlighting the information pertinent to Plainedge's needs is a task unto itself.

Figure 1 is pertinent because it is the only place where the overall changes in distribution of funds is shown AS ENACTED!

However, Figure 1 is "buried" down a bit in the Document - in fact, into part two of the Document, and its importance is masked.

What it means is that we, Plainedge, will get even less State Aid under this plan!  Remember, they said it just dropped a half percentage
point - like that is nothing.   However a half percentage point of 100% on a 5% portion of the whole - - - is a drop from 5% to 4.5% or a
total impact on that part of the Aid of 10%.  They are planning to cut Plainedge's State Aid by by a further 10%! 

Now!, That is really something!

What does it means to Plainedge, how much it will hurt? (WAG - about a $1.4 Million loss each year - maybe more in last few years)

Regards,

Ed

January 24, 2006

Gentlepersons,

A lost treasure.

Over the years I've been very friendly with several of the Banks and their Managers in this area. As a CEO and as a regular patron I've had more involved interactions with them than most people do. And as a long time user of Long Island Banks, I've gotten to know some of the "Bosses of the Bosses" from when they first started out until now. When talking with a new local Branch manager, this past personal contact with there "big Boss" often gives me a relationship with the new manager that is quite respectful. When the new managers find out that I'm also a Trustee in the District, they will frequently comment upon District banking business. One of the comments has been about our former School District financial manager - Ida Bratalik.

Across the board - she has been held in high esteem by almost all in the banking industry. She has earned their respect as a person that is sharp and knowledgeable in this trade. She is considered by them, to be outstanding among her peers in School District financial matters. The Banks regret her leaving. So do I. So do the people that interacted with her on a daily basis.

The reason that I fell compelled to mention this is that there are some school financial issues that may come up - that will attempt to be excused by "we've had a change in the personnel in our financial operations" - as if to lay their cause at the feet of Ida. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ida was the heart body and soul of the School's daily financial operations. If you hear any such stories in the future remind yourself of the old shopper's admonition - If a fish stinks, the smell starts at the head. And the head of the School's financial operations has not changed.

Ed

January 19, 2006

Dear Ed,

 

     Thank you for the information on the Advocacy law and all the other laws you speak about on all the different web sites.

 

     As a member of the Plainedge Parents Athletic Club and now the Plainedge Tax Relief Association, I encourage participation.  We are not trying to exclude any group or person as you hinted in your comment " Instead I believe you might consider that some of us "on the outside" of the group would consider donating towards the approximately $1000 in funding  needed for that paper work."  I don't know what your "group" is called or what their purpose is. I put the meeting notes on the web site for the community to see, to get people involved.  Not to have the district threatened with a frivolous law suit by a "dissident".

 

Since last June the residents of the Plainedge School District have been on edge.  We did what we could to restore some normalcy for the children with the raising of funds for JV and Varsity Sports. We wish we could have accomplished more. You should have been involved in that, it ruined the summer of those involved, but it was a great experience.  The community bonded, friendships were made that will last for a life time. We disagreed sometimes, but we had a common goal and we never lost focus of that. That said, let me be perfectly clear, we could never do that again. Forget the personal commitment it takes, we called in all our favors already!

 

Now it is time for the community to once again come together and help OURSELVES. To have a common goal and forget about personal agenda's.  It's a two prong approach. One focus is the PTRA and pressuring Albany for more funding.  We are actively recruiting resident to help this cause. We believe we have a good plan to reach as many people in the community as possible. The second is working together with residents, the school board and the administration to agree on a financially sound budget which protects the children's education and extra curricular activities.

 

I understand this is a daunting task, but so was the $575,000 we needed to raise that everyone said would never be done. We did it in 4 months. The budget/tax issue can be solved by coming together, setting a goal and following through.  We need to stop the attacks, the threats and work as a TEAM.

 

You seem to have a vast amount of knowledge on the subject of school boards and budgets. All I ask is that you start using that knowledge in a positive way and help the community resolve the issues at hand.

 

Phil Toscano

January 19, 2006

Great Pizza, great letter!  Touchdown Joe Pappalardo!   When is the ceremony? 

Sincerely,

D.D.

January 19, 2006

Way to go Joey!  Mr. Pappalardo always seems to come up big when the time is right.  This guy has always given his best for Plainedge and his friends.  He respectfully stuck his neck out.  I hope that he is successful in getting the number retired, it sounds like a no-brainer.

I'm heading to Pizza Cove for a Slice and to shake his hand.

Richie

January 19, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Mr. Papalardo's comments about retiring Mr. Lyon's varsity number are right on the mark.  This is something that the Administration should, and could do, immediately.  What is the best forthcoming date to have it done on? Is it close to his mother's birthday or his father's? Let us all clamor to have this done!  How about on the Easter week period at the latest?

Ed

January 17, 2006

Dear Plaintalkonline.com

 

Great job my friends, I support your website and I read it everyday. 

 

Pat Lyons is a friend and your feature was touching.  I especially enjoyed the association with Football in your story.  Pat was a great football fan and player for Plainedge High School.

 

Pat is a Plainedge Hero and he is missed by me and many others.  I knew him well, he worked at the Pizza Cove with me and he did indeed love football. 

 

This is such a positive story, that I feel that I shouldn’t bring up this next comment but I have to.  Years back, I spoke with members of the Plainedge Board of Education about the possibility of retiring Pat’s Plainedge High School Football number 10.  I was promised and assured by the current BOE President that it would be done.  The current BOE President gave me his word.  He agreed that it would be the right thing to do, to remember Pat who lost his life while saving others.  Weeks later, I learned that it was not going to happen.  I asked why?  I was told that he was overruled by a school official.  I reminded him that he gave his word and promised that it was done.

 

I was disappointed back then and after reading your story, I felt that I once again should humbly request that Plainedge BOE remember my friend Pat Lyons by retiring his number 10.  This year’s Plainedge High School Football season was inspirational and the team showed great spirit.  It is that spirit that reminds me of Pat.  Again, I respectfully make an open request to the BOE, to retire number 10 and rightfully remember my friend Pat Lyons, a Plainedge Hero.

 

Respectfully,

 

Joe Pappalardo

Pappalardo’s Pizza Cove

January 17, 2006

Gentlepersons,

I read with great enthusiasm your latest addition to the site  - the PTRA Meeting Minutes.  Congratulations!

You certainly seem to be on the right track and getting up to speed quickly.

There are two items that I'd like to alert you to in a particular section of the minutes.  They are my personal comments meant to alert you to something your group might like to discuss before any actions take place.

Item 1
I realize, as you do, that Funds are going to be necessary for some of the simplest tasks.  You have already decided to not supply Stamps, envelopes, photocopies, etc.,  for the letters that are to be sent - but to have the individuals bear that cost. However, there is an element of cost with the "multiple Choice Letter, Legislators Addresses and Cover letter" that it seems you'll ask Dr. Richman for support in providing.  That is the first item that I'd like you to reconsider.  

"The Rules" clearly state the Public institutions like the School "can not make a gift of Public monies to any person or organization"  If the school provided such items as you mention - that would constitute a "gift of public monies" - which would be an illegal thing to do.  Instead I believe you might consider that some of us "on the outside" of the group would consider donating towards the approximately $1000 in funding  needed for that paper work.   There are those of us that have PCs that could also duplicate a ream of paper on one of the topics.  This would be an alternative to requesting the school to violate rules and regulations.  I personally am willing to contribute to one of these alternatives.

Remember - It might be a laudable effort (to get the school to defray the cost) - but that doesn't make it legal.

Item 2
Again, just because the efforts might be laudable does no make them legal.  I don't think you would benefit in the long run from an activity that might later be challenged in the courts by a dissident.  I refer to conflicts which you mention between having the school distribute, through "take homes"  with the children and the little known  "Advocacy Laws".  These laws clearly prohibit any school District and/or its BOE from Advocating any one group's viewpoint - no matter how noble it is. That's especially true if the action is a political activity. The District may provide information about some groups activity  but only as information. The line is clearly drawn against the District using any publicly owned equipment, facility or line of communication to support the recommendations, flyers or activities of a partisan group.  To do so, even without direct supportive comments from the BOE is a violation of the Advocacy law.  By providing any of these aids, the implication is that the BOE is in approval of their actions - which the BOE can't do officially (we know they would be unofficially be in approval of your efforts)  

This would also include the use of tables at concerts and other school events.  That activity is formally known as "segmenting the population", again covered under the Advocacy rules as a "no-no" for school Districts to aid and abet.

I would suggest that you consider having a walk-thru the Plainedge area to distribute information, rather that use the School System to distribute it.  The children can provide wonderful assistance with that task and help you to reach each and every home - not just those homes that have children bringing items home from School.  That would totally eliminate any Advocacy challenge and ensure a wider distribution of material.

With a sincere desire to reduce any missteps, I ask you to verify and discuss the above before taking action in those areas.  I have detailed info on the Advocacy law should anyone care to review it.

Regards,  Ed

January 15, 2006

Re: Patrick Lyons Plainedge Hero

The information and features that you are providing are incredible.

Thank you,

AC

January  15, 2006

Plaintalkonline.com,

Bravo!  Thank you for the feature about Pat Lyons, he certainly is a Plainedge Hero.  What a great community website!  This town needs to have something like this.  Plaintalkonline.com seems to have a pulse on what this community is looking for.  Keep up the great work, I am telling all of my friends about the website.  Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Kathy

January 14, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Did you know that SUNY Stony Brook, Yale, Harvard, Cornell, etc., are governed by one of the best sets of definitions and controls I've ever seen for cost control and accounting?  It's called "CIRCULAR A-21 (Revised 8/8/00) issued from the White House's Office of Management and Budget. (Issued pre-Bush era)

CIRCULAR NO. A-21

TO THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
SUBJECT:   Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

No accountant should be without a copy for reference!

Does anyone have an idea of what that Government Document requires for an Unencumbered Fund Balance?  Guess!   No, not 2%, not 5%, not even 1%!  It flat out says 0.0%!

Here's an excerpt from the University of Chicago's implementation of OMB Circular A-21:

"Fund Balance”


The fund balance represents the cumulative net income or loss generated by the recharge operation since its date of inception.  University policy requires the fund balance be $0.00 (break-even) by the end of a reasonable period, usually the University fiscal year end.  This policy
is necessitated by OMB Circular A-21 guideline which stipulates that recharge operation prices be consistently adjusted to insure that the recharge operation recovers only its costs.  It is also necessitated by the need to monitor the impact of recharge operations on the University's unrestricted budget.  Therefore, any recharge operation that has a fund deficit at fiscal year end must fund the deficit from other departmental unrestricted funds unless the Comptroller's Office
has approved an alternative plan.  A recharge operation that has a fund balance at fiscal year end must reduce future prices to absorb the excess income.  The fund balance cannot be used for other activities or placed into a reserve for future purchases."

I'll bet that we don't follow these "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions" at Plainedge!   Any takers?

Regards,  
Ed

January 09, 2006

Dear www.plaintalkonline.com,

I have attached a letter addressed to Assemblyman Joseph Saladino regarding State Aid.  Please feel free to post it and share it with the plaintalkonline community. 

I urge other community members to be involved with this effort and to please recruit your family and friends.

Best Regards,

Felice Cantatore

Editor's note:  A copy of Mr. Cantatore's letter can be found by clicking on our all new State Aid Info page.

January 08, 2006

Good day all,

There is a new Thread on the plainedgechat site;

http://plainedgechat.proboards57.com/index.cgi

that might be of interest to some of the plaintalkonline community members.

It deals with the PACKARD BUILDING PLANS and the information that some might like to have about this effort.

For instance:

Has anyone considered how much interest money was earned on the former Packard Building Fund of $990,000?

At some present rates this was $30,000 to $35,000 per year.

The interest cost on a $260,000 investment to bring the Packard building "up to the mark" for rental  might be $10,000 per year. 

How long would it take to pay back (to us) that money and its lost interest, if it is deducted from rental income minus rental expenses?

If the building were sold, and the money put into a Fund, would the annual interest on this fund (about $200,000) be more or less

than the net "profit" income from Rentals?   In other words, what are the business decisions and plans for the Packard Building Rental?

Regards, Ed

January 06, 2006

Gentlepersons,

This is about the "Exemptions" discussions the BOE had in the December meetings. 

It brings out the fact that not all School Budget money has to come from Property Taxes - some comes from added broader based State funds like STAR.

What's also of interest, there seems to be no awareness that there are planned CAPS about to be put on School Budgets by the State.  The BOE should be at the forefront of these changes which will affect School Budgets and Property Taxes.

It also shows that the prior year’s approval of Senior and "Disabled" exemptions was flawed!  Technically speaking, since it was done under the wrong Chapter of the Law - it could be invalid.  This action should be redone by the BOE this year in its proper format

Here is the basic information about the new Caps and the STAR program money.

School Tax Relief (STAR)
Overview

The School Tax Relief (STAR) program was enacted in 1997 to provide needed tax relief for homeowners across the State.

In 2005-06, $3.2 billion will be provided for STAR, an increase of $130 million. This amount includes funds for the enhanced exemption for eligible senior citizens, the basic STAR exemption for other homeowners and the New York City Personal Income Tax reduction.

A new CO-STAR program is proposed to provide county tax relief to residents of counties that keep their annual general fund spending growth at or below the proposed Medicaid spending cap.  CO-STAR will be phased-in over a multi-year period beginning with eligible seniors and farmers in 2006-07, and other homeowners beginning in 2008-09.

To protect taxpayers from school tax increases that significantly outpace inflation, the Governor is proposing to place a cap on the growth in local school budgets. A new STAR tax credit will protect STAR benefits from the effects of inflation in school districts that comply with the proposed spending cap.

From the State STAR site:  http://www.orps.state.ny.us/star/faq.htm
Q. What is STAR?

A. STAR is Governor George E. Pataki's School Tax Relief Program that provides a partial exemption from school property taxes. All New Yorkers who own and live in their one-, two-, or three-family home, condominium, cooperative apartment, manufactured home, or farm dwelling are eligible for a STAR exemption on their primary residence.

There are two parts to the STAR program:
The Basic STAR exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences regardless of the owners’ ages or incomes. Basic STAR works by exempting the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes.

 The Enhanced STAR exemption is available for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with yearly household incomes not exceeding the statewide standard. (The definition of “income” for this purpose is provided later in this pamphlet.) For qualifying senior citizens, the Enhanced STAR program works by exempting the first $50,000 of the full value of their home from school property taxes. For property owned by a husband and wife, or by siblings, only one of them must be at least 65 years of age as of December 31 of the year in which the exemption will begin to qualify for the Enhanced exemption. Their combined annual income, however, must not exceed the STAR income standard.

Regards,

Ed

January 06, 2006

Gentlepersons,

Here's one synopsis of the Fund Balance Account and its requirement for Plainedge:


The Fund Balance is required to be reported to the public annually in the Proposed Budget. There is a minimum for the details which must be supplied. Plainedge has not met these minimums. A Freedom of Information Law request (FOIL) will have to be made by any citizen in order to force the release of this information.

Other than that - The Fund Balance account has two elements:

A) Encumbered Funds: those funds that are committed to be spent on a future obligation and are decided to be dedicated (Encumbered) to that purpose by the Board - but their use must be only for the purposes decided during the duration of the time that purpose exists. Transfers from these Encumbered accounts can only be done with the approval of the voters during a referendum vote explaining the reasons for the transfer.

Funds may be borrowed from an Encumbered account with voter approval, but must be paid back into that account within two years.

Excess funds from a discontinued or completed Encumbered account must go back into the General Fund Balance in the other element of the Fund Balance - Unencumbered Funds;

B) Unencumbered Funds: are limited to the amount of 2% of the proposed Budget for that year. All amounts over 2% must be first used to reduce the Property Tax levy. Excess Unencumbered Funds at the end of the fiscal year cannot be held onto in the hope of applying them to a dedicated purpose later in the Fiscal year.

Amounts in the Unencumbered Funds less than the 2% limit may to be used during the year for unexpected expenditures to reduce the need for District borrowing of money. During the year, the Board may decide to dedicate funds from the Unencumbered Fund Balance to a specific, clearly defined and recorded purpose and set up such necessary account records for the control and maintenance of these Funds.


The Unencumbered Fund Balance limit for this year is $1,150,000. The actual Unencumbered Fund Balance has not been openly reported to the community. It contains, at least, $390,000 over the prior year's amount since the remainders of the formerly Encumbered Packard Funds were moved into that account when their transfer was not approved by the community during this year's vote.

It is my personal estimate, as one not supplied from accurate information given by the Board, that the Unencumbered funds at this time are $1.5 Million over the limit - for a total Unencumbered Fund Balance of $2.6 Million. I also have estimated the Encumbered Funds at $4 Million. I would most gratefully accept accurate information by the Board about any errors in my estimate.

Anything over the limit amount at the end of the fiscal year must, by law, be first used to reduce the Property Tax levy.

The amount of money in the Encumbered Fund Balance has not been openly reported to the community since done during a Budget Meeting hearing in the School Auditorium two years ago.

The Budget Handbook from the State Education Department has been the source of information about Fund Balances. It can be reviewed on line or downloaded from:     http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/mgtserv/budgeting.shtml

Regards,

Ed

January 06, 2006

To whom it may concern:

I like the information that you are providing on your website.
 
Thank you!
 
plainedgechat.proboards57.com
 

December 23, 2005

Dear Plaintalkonline.com,

This morning when I walked out of my house I noticed a Sanitation Supervisor following one of the Garbage trucks.  I was very pleased to see that each garbage pail was placed carefully back on the curb and not carelessly tossed.  I hope to see more Supervision from Supervisors on routes.  We pay enough taxes, we should get the best service at all times.

By the way, can I have my taxes lowered as my holiday gift!

Peter Anthony