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Post by forthekids on May 20, 2008 21:44:17 GMT -5
Sally, how can we encourage the BOE to but up the budget again since the vote was so close?
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Post by sally on May 20, 2008 21:46:33 GMT -5
Twinlaker,Some of those districts are also excessing 49 teachers.And the state aid we recieved was peanuts compared to others..We need more state aid...I think cuts in teaching staff is herendous,but now we will feel it in Wantagh...I hope you don't have any children in the school district next year,like many of us do.
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Post by sally on May 20, 2008 21:48:51 GMT -5
Forthekids,First come to board meetings and get involved on the BAC. This year the tone from the BAC was negative from the start..We need positive productive people to join..Please for the sake of our community...
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Post by forthekids on May 20, 2008 21:52:03 GMT -5
Sally - I do go the meetings and it's sad how few of my fellow Wantagh Citizens are there with me. With all these posts on the board and with so many people voting no because they don't think the administration has it right, there should be standing room only at the BAC and BOE meetings next year.
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Post by sally on May 20, 2008 21:56:39 GMT -5
Forthekids,I stand shoulder to shoulder with you...I think the administration has it right. We need more state aid,and we MUST now implore that we get it..We do not deserve the misery of a failed budget..Maybe senator Fuschillo needs alto of hand written letters from each one of us...We must begin this enormous task NOW....
I must go now,the sun will rise tomorrow and there is a lot of work to be done...What a Sad Day for those kids tomorrow...
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Post by Wantagh Parent on May 20, 2008 22:05:54 GMT -5
twinlaker, I don't know how you want me to respond to that.
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Post by dotherightthing1 on May 20, 2008 22:26:37 GMT -5
The school board has repeatedly stated that there will not be a re-vote, that they always put their best effort forth the first time. These results will not destroy Wantagh. The reporting on News12 has been accurate, I don't understand the "sound bites" comment. The children should not be depressed, and if they are it is only due to what their parents have told them. Other districts passed becuase they reflected economic reality and the increase in State aid.Wantagh did not. This is a good opportunity to show our children how a democracy works and how sometimes things do not always go the way you want.
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Post by lilly on May 20, 2008 22:35:19 GMT -5
It looks like we are one of the few (only?) districts to not pass the budget.
I hope the district has a good PR spin on this - using it as an opportunity to get the attention of the politicians to get more aid.
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Post by idea2004 on May 20, 2008 23:01:47 GMT -5
The budget failed the community sent a message to the school board enough is enough. listen to the people they said no, there is no reason for a re vote ! all had the opportunity to get out and vote those that did sent the message no because some are not happy with the decision there is no reason for a revote and for those that children do not recieve special education this is what it feels like when you ask the district for help and they say no! It's not a good feeling is it but believe me not having a few extras is nothing compared to not having a child recieve a free approiate public education as requried by law
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Post by loveforwantagh on May 21, 2008 4:48:21 GMT -5
idea2004.....why are you so negative? This IS a tragedy. People are going to lose jobs and students in Wantagh will not have the same edges as other students who are applying to college....your application is not only academics but also how involved you are in your school and what leadership skills you have. How are the students in Wantagh supposed to show that now? ? The worst part about this is exactly what Sally said....only 18% of the district voting is a disgrace to this town whether you were voting yes or no....that shows that the majority of people just don't care either way. I hope the people that voted no are happy, because they are only going save about $200 a year for this (I rounded that because I don't know the exact number...Sally?)
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Post by bamper on May 21, 2008 5:17:06 GMT -5
Just for the record, the BAC came to almost a tie when making its recommendations to the Board as to whether or not to accept the budget, as the tax rate was too high. The Board was aware of this. Additionally, it didn't help that a few days before the vote it showed that the districts around us didn't come near our proposed rate hike!
If anyone caught News12 last night, there was a person discussing the courageous belt tightening that I believe Longwood did. It cut it's hike down to 3.? percent by cutting teachers and making the hard decisions that needed to be made so that budgets can get passed in this economy.
Some food for thought.
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Post by sally on May 21, 2008 5:22:05 GMT -5
Thanks idea2004,its because of people like you that there should be a re-vote,You are JUST thinking of your own and not ALL the kids...And dotherightthig no one said this will ever destroy us,but it will surely HURT...And thats right,a democracy in action,My children were with me as the vote was read to SEE democracy in action...So lesson learned there.But they also learned that you have to take a stand for what you believe in and go forward in your thinking.
As for the bad economic times,this is a countrywide issue and by dragging down this great town,nothing will be accomplished,and I know for a fact dotherightthing,you are a member of the BAC,and our share of state aid as compared to others was minimal..So instead of bucking heads,lets get out for the common cause,the community and our children..They are our future leaders and they deserve the BEST.
More people voted than voted NO...That speaks volumes,that we still have a caring community out there.The sad fact is with all the scandals in the surrounding districts they still passed their budgets..None of which affected us...We are the only district in Nassau county to have a defeated budget,some will gloat others will be truly saddened...
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Post by bamper on May 21, 2008 5:23:14 GMT -5
I think some voters did not come out as they were really unsure how to vote. Too many factors in really horrible economic times. Sometimes one has to ask, food on the table? roof over head? gas in the car? (did you know that it has been said that Nassau County and Chicago have the highest gas prices?)pay the highest school taxes at this time? Listen to the people who both voted no and didn't vote at all. There is something to be said on both sides!
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Post by Wantagh Parent on May 21, 2008 5:41:10 GMT -5
This is a respectful reminder to keep the conversations beyond reproach. I realize feelings may be raw but please keep it polite.
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Post by idea2004 on May 21, 2008 5:59:14 GMT -5
Why am I so negative I have a child that needs special services. I have sat in CSE meetings asked for services and been told no by wantagh. I have had the service providers agree certain services are appropriate but wantagh say no. the committee does not make the decision only the Pupil Personnel director makes the decision .I have written goals with people who work with my child only to have wantagh change them to use what they have not to get what the child needs .all the services cost money and wantagh will not spend the money on any thing they do not already have they have the mind set if we give it to one child we will have to offer it to all, let's not give services to child we do not have in house . the BAC stated in there report " let's take a hard look at services offered and try to reduce 1 to 1 to 2 to 1 or stop services " this may not be an exact quote but the message is there reduce services to the children who need it the most . Some one wrote" family's have moved out of wantagh" because they could not get what their child needed .I know of a family that is in a law suit with the district they are in federal court how much money is spent on fighting families . In fact I heard that there is a due process hearing starting today in the conference room at the administration building today. No money for services but money to not give services .Sorry you are not happy with the vote I was not happy when the district would not help my child so I went and got the services needed . I spend thousands each year where wantagh failed to give my child what was needed . I could go on why I am so negative but I have to go to work so I can pay for services for my child
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