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Post by wantaghcitizen on May 8, 2008 22:25:52 GMT -5
The comparison with massapequa is very interesting why are we so much higher? Are we getting that much more?
Why are we cutting back on the 7th and 8th grade teams by combining them? How were we able to pay for it all these years and now there is not enough money? Our taxes didn't go down so what happened with the money? The way I see it sports are the best deterrent for our children, it keeps them busy and we all know when a school kid has nothing to do the potential to get in trouble increases. We must keep all the sports we have. The way they are right now should even be expanded not reduced! Who is making these decisions? Why can't we encourage a Wantagh citizen with the proper financial expertize to scrutinize the budget to find ways to properly allocate the monies in the most efficient way possible. Even if we have to pay this person, the savings alone will pay his salary! We need to get creative or nothing will change!
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Post by Wantagh Parent on May 8, 2008 22:37:36 GMT -5
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Post by parentinwantagh on May 15, 2008 12:51:40 GMT -5
As I understand that parents may not want to see 7th & 8th grade teams being combined - will it actually be so horrible. We all do so much for our children - when do we teach them that they have to fight for what they want - so they may have to try harder to be on a team instead of being on a team because they have the space.
I don't want to see our children lose sports or academics but when does it all stop. What is it about Wantagh that makes our schools so great? I actually see other schools with less money provide more for their children. Why don't we have more advanced computer classes with the latest technology? I am sure there are so many more areas in which we could discuss needs help.
Has anyone thought about contacting the state and requesting our school be audited? I did and made the call. Here is the number if anyone else would like to make the request: 1-888-672-4555.
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Post by wantaghcitizen on May 16, 2008 8:45:51 GMT -5
There have been 7th and 8th grade sports for so many years for several programs and was even added to some last year and now they are gone. Why is it that the money to pay for these sports is not available this year? What happened? 1-Where is this money going and 2-where is the money from the increase in tax going? Does anyone have these #'s?
The Sports Program in general is a whole other problem: All the children in Middle School should be giving the opportunity to play a sport. It is an important time in their life to find what athletic capabilities they have. To cut teams out it will leave way too many kids on the sideline.
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Post by sally on May 16, 2008 9:55:04 GMT -5
In response to wantaghcitizen,I understand your frustration and on the outside looking in it is DIFFICULT to see.This budget process was very difficult.There were uncontrollable increases that represesent large parts of the increase,for example the special ed budget increased 1,076,724 dollars this year,utilities and fuel represent a 277,250 dollar increase in this budget, all things that are not controllable and must be paid for. We have unfunded mandates from the state that we as a district must pay for. I know it is a frustrating issue,but I too am a parent of an incoming seventh grader,I also THROUGHOUT the schoool year participate with the BAC and attend every Board meeting so I have a much clearer view of what the district does with the tax money that they collect from the community. And like many of us the district is currently not enjoying the benefit of greater interest from investments..These all play a major role in decisions that needed to be made,some not that popular and very difficult,but I support them..These discussions begin way back in November when the BAC is handed the first draft of the budget for the following year..What I am asking you is to join us next year.I am looking out for everyone's children and not just my own as well as the well being of our community and the value of your home.
Just some items we are getting in this years budget include:Bond Components: New Roofs new bleachers new temperature controls and boilers new computer labs at the middle and high school upgrades to PA and fire alarm systems and a renovated band room Track and Field OUTSIDE OF THE BOND: additional technology upgrades for teachers and all staff four new courses include contemporary and college level offerings NEW MATH,GLOBAL STUDY and ELEMENTARY SCIENCE TEXT BOOKS,as well as a phase in of calculators,i.e. a STATE MANDATE. Funding for all contracted and MANDATED services for our special ed program
These all are a major part of this years budget. I hope you see where I am coming from. We are all very BUSY, but if you take the time to get involved from the start you can play an active role in the operation of our school district.We are very fortunate to have a district that lets community members like you and I join in the process.The BAC is a diverse group of people,some have children currently in the district others have recent grads and others are long time community members with grown children and so on..... Everyone's input is highly regarded and valued.We all have one common goal and that is for the GOOD of our community..Thank You,enough said
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Post by wantaghcitizen on May 17, 2008 10:55:07 GMT -5
Posted by sally
Thank you for your response. I have a question for you since you were so nice to give me some feed back to the actual budget items and the process you are so involved in.
Do you actually make the decisions of where the money goes? Do you and the 19 others("BAC") actually decide what gets cut and what gets added? Or do you just make recommendations to the BOE ?
I attended one meeting and I thought it was quite obvious that there was not enough money to get all the things we all want. There are those fixed expenses which are as you said "uncontrollable" and then whatever money is left is what the BOE or BAC controls?
Because the only source of tax revenue is the government and the Wantagh residents we actually spend less per pupil than most other schools. This was an amazing fact that I bet most people aren't aware of.
So what do we do? Most people have resorted to complain. There is a certain amount of merit to that in the fact that the members of the BOE have dug the hole we are currently in to a certain extent. What I mean is allot of the bond expenses should have been anticipated and money should have been put aside to pay for these things as needed. Special Ed. is something this school has ignored for so long that it can't catch up. This is a very serious problem that has to be corrected. I hope it is being addressed.
As far as complaining about not having enough or making budget cuts or paying too much tax is all ridiculous! To get all the services we all complain about you have to be prepared to pay for it. Unless we get creative and find other sources of income this problem will never change!
What you and the other BAC are up against is like trying to get something out of nothing. It can't be done. I am grateful for those who volunteer their time for the rest of us! I feel if everyone knew the facts, including me, there would be less complaining. Then people could make a logical decision as to what they want to do.
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Post by wantaghcitizen on May 17, 2008 11:32:48 GMT -5
Sally, See (Re: 2008/09 agenda orders & school supply lists « Reply #1 on May 8, 2008, 11:42pm ») , to add to the above response.
[shadow=red,left,300]All so look ahead as I pursue your response in reference to the dollar amounts of cuts, increases, taxes, etc.[/shadow]
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Post by sally on May 17, 2008 13:48:02 GMT -5
Complaining about it WILL get us no where,and you are right that if we want something we have to pay for it..But the facts are not everybody can..We need to look at other ways to get more funding into the district..We need to as a community,not 29 people ,but hundreds or more and write hand written letters to our elected government officials for more help with state aid..WE NEED MORE!
To answer your questions with regard to the bond ,I want to make you aware that our costs are spread over a fifteen year period during which the district will receive annual building aid reimbursement from the state that does reduce the overall tax impact by 50%...It is more prudent to do things in bonds for this reason..
As for spend ind less per pupil than other districts,we do a good job with alto less..and our teachers are not the highest paid in the county by far...
The BAC makes recommendations that are taken into valued consideration..Over the years many recommendations have been implemented...
I hope you make a logical decision whichever the way you vote...We all have our hearts in the right places..I am a YES vote and I have been out talking to many people that see the need to pass this budget,no matter how difficult it may be.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you..I hope,maybe,I can see you on the BAC next year...Take Care
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lk90
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by lk90 on May 18, 2008 11:04:05 GMT -5
Obviously something needs to be done to fix our current situation. We need to look ahead for ways to stop the cuts in ALL programs. Personally, I just don't see how the board or administrators can justify taking away from the children while granting themselves increases? My Mom was a teacher and she always said "teaching is a service profession" Teachers and administrators need to be paid well but they should also be willing to to make sacrifices for the children. I'd be interested to find out just how much money would be saved by combining the grades? Someone on this website (not sure which thread) suggested salary freezes. That seems like a great place to start. Stop penalizing the children and start holding the administrators responsible for the mess they have created.
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Post by parentinwantagh on May 18, 2008 12:34:57 GMT -5
Sally, as always I appreciate you breaking down the different information. Now my question is - what is the truth about the track and field being over budget and almost more importantly it not being bided out correctly?
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Post by planman78 on May 18, 2008 16:03:07 GMT -5
To lk90 The school board does not get paid one cent as this is a volunteer elected position. I believe that if they attempted to freeze salaries that this would be a violation of the contracts in place and would result in numerous lawsuits and grievances.
As for the next post (parentinwantagh) about the fields and track, the field bidding came in under budget as did the track. The field was bid out through a competitive bid process as was the track. The track was won by a different vendor than the field.
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Post by parentinwantagh on May 18, 2008 18:39:36 GMT -5
Sally, If you could be so kind to clear this up for me because this is were I am confussed. If we passed the bond last year for "New Roofs, new bleachers (which I thought we already received), new temperature controls and boilers new computer labs at the middle and high school, upgrades to PA and fire alarm systems and a renovated band room" Why are all of these same items listed again in this years budget?
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Post by sally on May 18, 2008 18:58:03 GMT -5
In response to parentinwantagh,You pay for these items through the budget,it is like paying for your credit card items,I hope this clears this up for you.....you buy it then you have to pay for it...
Also I agree with planman78 on the track and field issue,just to answer the question
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Post by sally on May 18, 2008 19:15:49 GMT -5
In response to IK90,Board members DO NOT GET PAID,they are also tax paying members of the community,like you and I.
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Post by parentinwantagh on May 18, 2008 19:54:41 GMT -5
Sally, As I understand it's like a credit card or a mortgage, and I have to say I am a little tired of this statement. Because number one, if I can't afford something I Can't and Don't get it!
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