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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
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