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Post by jdelisa on May 27, 2008 22:38:51 GMT -5
in case you were staying up to find out.......
after meeting in two session today, the Board voted to take the existing budget proposal, that was voted down on May 20th, and re-submit it, as is, on June 17th. as part of their re-vote resolution they would allow fundraising to take part on the ten combined (cut) 7th grade teams. after the meeting there was some ad hoc discussions by parents to try to put together a similar effort for the cultural art cuts.
lot of good comments pro, con and elsewhere all night.
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Post by ourkids on May 27, 2008 22:55:26 GMT -5
The upstairs cafeteria of the middle school was packed. So many people had an opportunity to speak and everyone's voice was heard. The voices that spoke the loudest were the students. Thanks to those students that spoke and all that came because they care. To all Wantagh seniors that can vote on June 17th, please register to vote by the first week of June because it takes at least 5 days to process. Anyone who may be out of town, please get an absentee ballot. EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT!!!!! We had our wake up call, now let's not fall asleep until June 17th. Please talk to your neighbors. Share the correct facts with them about the budget.
Regarding the fundraising for 7th grade sports - is it possible to combine our efforts and fundraise as one community for both the 7th grade teams and the cultural arts programs?Both are equally important and should be supported by our community. Does anyone know if it would be possible?
We saw a community come together tonight because they care. We must continue to care by getting involved in the BAC. They need our active support. We have a re-vote. Now let's go and get a YES vote!!!!
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Post by manyquestions on May 27, 2008 23:04:44 GMT -5
Is the same budget going up for a re vote or will it be tighter???
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Post by manyquestions on May 27, 2008 23:06:06 GMT -5
FORGET MY POST, I didn't refresh before I posted
SORRY
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Post by iteach on May 28, 2008 5:42:34 GMT -5
Many of the comments from last night's meeting dealt with sports and getting into college because of sports. Is that all our schools are about? I agree, cultural and other activities are equally important. How about our students who get into college without ever being involved in sports? Is not the budget supposed to cover everyone, not just a few? This budget is too high for only a few. Are the lack of updated curriculum, textbooks, science rooms, technology, poorly kept buildings, etc. being lost at the expense of sports? I hope not, because if this is so, I know how I have to vote.
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Post by sally on May 28, 2008 5:58:56 GMT -5
Many of the comments from last night's meeting dealt with sports and getting into college because of sports. Is that all our schools are about? I agree, cultural and other activities are equally important. How about our students who get into college without ever being involved in sports? Is not the budget supposed to cover everyone, not just a few? This budget is too high for only a few. Are the lack of updated curriculum, textbooks, science rooms, technology, poorly kept buildings, etc. being lost at the expense of sports? I hope not, because if this is so, I know how I have to vote. iteach,updated curriculum with the use of technology,new text books and new and refurbished 50 year old buildings,updates to the middle school labs, are all a part of this budget,it is not all about the sports program.If you recall the sports program was not added back thru the budget,community members are able to fund raise for that money for the program.
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Post by ourkids on May 28, 2008 6:33:23 GMT -5
iteach- The budget is for everyone. Many of the students who spoke at the meeting last night talked about sports, band and clubs. I believe Sally's response to you makes it clear that this budget is not all about sports. I'm sure there are students who go to college that have never played a sport. But, I bet they have been in the band or involved in some sort of club. The % of students involved in some kind of extracurricular activitiy is very high in our district. It is just not a "FEW". I think it's great that our students want to do more than just academics. The spirit of the school is a result of good academics and high involvement in school activities. Both are needed and we have it here at Wantagh. iteach, I hope the correct information helps you to vote YES!!
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Post by halo on May 28, 2008 7:35:01 GMT -5
just a quick thank you to the board of ed and all the citizens of wantagh who were at last nights meeting.. thank you for listening to our concerns and allowing a re-vote. we have to now figure out how to get all this great info into our community.. does anyone know how i can join the BAC? i know dr b. answered a question about how to get involved by making some phone calls but the numbers were not given out. im sure this info will help alot of people who want to be involved but just dont know where to start.
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Post by dotherightthing1 on May 28, 2008 7:43:48 GMT -5
Sally, the 50yr old buildings were mostly taken care of in the bonds. Just a question: How did the BOE make sure that senior citizens were aware of the meetings yesterday? A lot don't have computers. I seems as if the BOE made sure that those who wanted a re-vote got the word, what about everyone else? The BOE has deceived the community by putting the budget up for a re-vote when the president said it would never happen. By the way, this years BAC was not negative from the start, the admin floated a budget with a 14% increase at the first meeting. This shows how out of touch the BOE and admin. is with the current economic conditions both countrywide and locally.
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Post by sally on May 28, 2008 7:57:37 GMT -5
Sally, the 50yr old buildings were mostly taken care of in the bonds. Just a question: How did the BOE make sure that senior citizens were aware of the meetings yesterday? A lot don't have computers. I seems as if the BOE made sure that those who wanted a re-vote got the word, what about everyone else? The BOE has deceived the community by putting the budget up for a re-vote when the president said it would never happen. By the way, this years BAC was not negative from the start, the admin floated a budget with a 14% increase at the first meeting. This shows how out of touch the BOE and admin. is with the current economic conditions both countrywide and locally. Yes,I understand the up keep of the buildings is in the bonds,but what the community,some not all,did not know the payment was included in the budget number.Let me ask you,how would you have gotten the word out,if you were a member of the board. With the holiday weekend they did the best they could have.Maybe a bull horn in the neighborhoods?And by the way,I am very glad for the re-vote and so are many others,so a change of heart shows that they listened and then decided...The board of ed lives in the same economic times as we all do.They are all hard working people who pay their taxes as well. Contrary to what you may think,not every senior voted against the budget as well.
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Post by iteach on May 28, 2008 7:59:58 GMT -5
Sally and ourkids - I know that other things besides sports are included in this budget. However, at what expense? This community can not survive on such a high tax rate. When the Board has been asked to make cuts, people balked at increased class sizes and for excessing teachers. We really can't have it both ways. Everything - sports included, needs to be cut to a manageable, reasonable tax rate. This budget is not well-rounded. It is still top heavy in certain areas that can be cut, equitably.
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Post by vetmann on May 28, 2008 8:06:17 GMT -5
iteach has it right- equitable cuts is the answer.
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Post by dotherightthing1 on May 28, 2008 8:27:41 GMT -5
Sally, I never said every senior voted against the budget. The BOE made a decision to re-vote and I , unlike those who complained after the budget was defeated, will accept it and move on. My opinion is that their decision was in part based on their own political survivial , not only the best interest of the kids.
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Post by iteach on May 28, 2008 8:29:47 GMT -5
vetman-thanks for the support. I truly believe it is the right thing.
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Post by iteach on May 28, 2008 8:32:00 GMT -5
dotherightthing1-I totally agree with you. If they had the children in mind (as well as the community), they might have gone back and with good will intended, cut the budget by a small amount to show that they cared about the community and its own needs to survive.
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