Upcoming vote and Board of Ed budget hearing dates

[ourkids]

ectoshot - The BOE is really not threatening anything regarding students programs. I believe they are informing us to the reality of what will be cut if we go on austerity. The information you provide about administrators in your blog in the first paragraph about car allowances and gas stipends is interesting. Is this information in a document that the people on this site can view? The calculators i believe are now a state mandated item. The BOE has no choice but to put in state mandated items into the budget. Hopefully all this information can be sorted out before June 17th.

[forthekids]

ectoshot- As ourkids stated, the providing of calculators is now a state mandate. As for the ceiling tiles and chairs in the library, those where all covered under one of the bonds. Looking at the line by line budget, I don't see a "gas or car allowance" entry, however, under pretty much all the departments there are a lot of "contractual" lines which are not explained and in reality could cover a myriad of costs. While I trust that they are legitimate, as we go forward as a district we really need to see where all our money is being spent so there is no confusion. This is also why I believe the district should provide complete copies of the budget on the website. The brochure that is mailed home does not provide a complete picture of where the money goes. Is there waste? Maybe. But in most cases I think you will see how little is spent on most categories.

[sally]

Ectoshot,I have clarifications for you on the car allowance and gas stipends issue which you brought up.There are NO car allowances given to any administration in the district.The only gas stipend is given to the Director of Facilities for use during school hours,when his duties require him to travel to the many district facilities,schools, and is documented by mileage and time of usage,and he also uses his own vehicle.The reimbursement is beneath the IRS guidelines in doing so.Administrators are not paid for their commute,as you stated.

Items such as this are re-enacted annually at the July BOE meetings and are open to the public.

As for the payment to do evening meetings by admin,there is no additional money paid to administrators for any evening meetings.This is a part of their duties.

If you would like any additional info to any of this contact Jim Christie at 679-6308.

Thank you forthekids,the calculators are a MANDATED item,and the district must provide them to all students.

[ectoshot]

Thank you all for responding to my blog. What is state mandated is mandated.

According to a source in the school system, certain administrators are not only paid an annual salary, but bonuses up to $35,000 for extra "appearances" such as book reviews.

What I really wanted to bring to light is the waste that is going on. The trashing of excess supplies is a fact. I learned that from a community member who has knowledge. I reiterate, the use it or lose it mentality of budget finances has to cease. A surplus is not is negative ocurrence. It should be encouraged.

The chairs, tiles and moulding.... totally unnecessary. That money could have been applied to more critical items that would help educate our children.

I had asked for a line item budget last year. Never saw it. The community was gong ho to approve the bonds. However, at the presentations for the bonds, information wasn't provided on how it would impact our yearly budgets. In hind sight, the community might have voted differently had that information been provided.

We all need to be better informed when the district is presenting financial information. We need to require them to provide us with more extensive information on how it will impact us financially in the future.

We can no longer have blind faith in whatever is told to us.

[sally]

Ectoshot,Most of us writing on this Blog are members of the BAC,myself included.You can go and get a copy of the budget at the administration offices or one is available for your perusal at the Public Library.I do not think you are getting your facts straight when you speak about the bonuses for book reviews.They are not extra compensated for these duties and as for Dr.B this is the job of a responsible superintendent.

You are correct that you should be better informed,so ask questions,attend BOE meetings and put a Little time in during the year,we are all very busy,but find the time.

There is also a bond implementation committee,BIC,which is also open to the public,where you can have a say.Stating your opinion regarding moldings and chairs now is a little late.

That is interesting to hear about the use it or lose it,but it sounds like hearsay and can not be confirmed.If I can make a suggestion to you,why not bring that info to the building principal where you have knowledge of waste.I am sure they would like to find out,because every year they are in charge of creating a list of needed items for their buildings.And that list is scrutinized by both the BOE and the BAC.This info could be beneficial to us all.

And as I and others recall payback and specific information on bond numbers were presented at every PTA and parent Principal meetings as well as 6-12 meetingsBOE MEETINGS,Bond hearings and others. If you had any questions you probably should have addressed them at the time.I am sure you had to attend one of the meetings.And a BOND brochure was also sent to homeowners with dollar amounts as well as being published in the Citizen.I would never vote on something before I had my facts.

I wish you well.

[ourkids]

To all - I thank Sally for saying she is a member of the BAC because I read her comments and believe they are truthful and based on FACT. This is such an important word as we approach June 17th. I have said and will say again that when our budget was voted down it was a wake up call to those who assumed it would be passed as it has been in the past. The time is now to know the FACTS and pass them along to those who may be confused about them. If anyone is not clear on the facts, numbers, issues, etc., please contact administration and talk with someone directly. I have done it several times and am always more informed.

Ectoshot - You will have a tough time selling your points when you share them in such mysterious ways. I would want to see in black and white that Dr. B gets additional money for his Booktalks before I take it as fact. Please provide us all with this info if you have it.

[bnjasper]

If the 8+ percent average increase over the past 11 years persists in what year do you think we should try to force the administration and the BOE to look for cuts. They wouldn,t find any further cuts after the budget was defeated so when will it happen?
When the budget reaches:

Year
NOW $64,735,634
2 $69,914,485
3 $75,507,644
4 $81,548,255
5 $88,072,116
6 $95,117,885
7 $102,727,316
8 $110,945,501
9 $119,821,141
10 $129,406,832
11 $139,759,379

[taxed2death]

For anyone thinking of voting “No” to the revote…
I know that the taxes are a huge problem, but please hear me out and seriously think about the implications of saving $250-$300 a year. I did not support the initial budget, and although I wish that more effort had been made to bring the revote budget down by the slightest percent, I will vote to pass this budget because I have asked questions and have a better sense of the issues at hand, and because going on austerity will not solve our problems, but instead will bring new issues. Initially I had hoped that a close vote or a defeated vote would wake people up and put a stop to these high budget increases each year. Defeating the initial budget sent a message that we no longer can afford to continuously pass bonds and budget increases, and that Wantagh will no longer pass every budget that comes our way. The failed budget has been positive in waking people up to ask questions and motivate people to get involved, myself included. But now, we need to move ahead and pass this years budget to prevent our school system from being sub-standard. We need to pass the budget so that we can continue to maintain the high level of education that we expect, and that new home buyers expect when moving into Wantagh. And remember that our High School students will pay the highest price by loosing many extra-curricular activities, clubs, and sports that help them to explore and grow as individuals, as well as open doors for college opportunities. All of this will impact your home value. We should not bite our noses to spite our face. If anyone feels that the budget lines are unjustified, or has heard rumors about inappropriate expenditures, I urge you to pick up the phone and call Mr. Christie or Dr. Bonuso directly to get your questions answered directly and get informed. You will find out that despite what you hear from your neighbor on the street, the school budget is very lean, and the Wantagh school district is suffering from tremendous inflation on everything just like homeowners and businesses. And yes the teachers have made sacrifices as well, and contracts need to be continuously re-evaluated. People need to get involved in Sept when we can make a difference for next years budget. Basically everyone has come out to vent in the 9th inning when little can be changed, and the end result would be an austerity budget that would be bad for the kids, bad for the community and bad for home values. Let’s pass the budget, and then everyone needs to get involved in the fall so that we are not in this situation next year. There is tremendous parent involvement during the elementary school years, and once they enter middle school many of us feel cut off. This is an opportunity for us to continue the momentum of the elementary school years and form task force groups to focus on new problem solving with a positive productive attitude and check the negativity at the door. The community is made up of parents with kids in the schools, as well as residents with children that have graduated and taxpayers without children. All voices should be heard and become involved in the process from the beginning. We all need to get involved in the 1st inning so that next year we can all win.

[forthekids]

Thank you to taxed2death for your great assessment. I think you summed up what a lot of people are feeling. This isn't a perfect situation and I don't know anyone who looks forward to having their taxes go up, but the alternate at this point in time would be worse. I hope that we can come together as a community and pass this budget. And when September comes, let us all take that active role that we've been saying we should, and work as one to try and come up with some creative ideas to go forward.

[ourkids]

taxed2death - WOW!!! I hope you think about putting your words into the Citizen. Y ou nailed it on the head. The budget process started many innings ago and people didn't arrive at the game on time. Let's all work together next year and hit a Home Run!

[dotherightthing1]

Let me see if I understand, don't vote no because it's the ninth inning, don't vote no because it will save me only $250-300, don't vote no because our school will be sub-standard, don't vote no because our home values will go down. Wow! I'll take the $300 in my pocket now, with the hope that the BOE and Admin. make cuts in excess spending in the future. Our schools will not suffer if parents stay involved. Our home values will go down if no one can afford to live here. Venting in the first inning or ninth inning is our right , don't make people feel guilty for how they feel or what or when they ask a question. The community is clearly divided- the vote should be close- let's respect our right to differ!

[hightax]

To All

This is a piece of information that the Wantagh BOE and Administration does not want you to see (at least not made easily available). Thanks to our legislators it is available. The BOE states that they can not cut any more out of this budget. The BOE also state that they don't have enough money to keep the 7 and 8 grade sports separated. Some how BOE just can not find $81,000 anywhere in the budget and they just had to cut the BOCES program for the Arts because this budget is sooooo tight. Hey but never fear the community can fund raise for the money. OH Sorry just for sports. NOW TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND SOME MONEY.

WANTAGH UFSD

Position Salary Benifits
Superintendent of Schools 257,161 59,184
Assistant Superintendent For Instruction 170,000 45,106
Assistant Superintendent For Businessa 157,000 40,699
Principal High School 142,000
Principal Middle School 147,834
Principal Elem 152,687
Principal Elem 152,622
Principal Elem 140,826
Asst Principal High School 137,544
Asst Principal High School 115,000
Asst Principal Middle School 113,850
Director Of Guidance 125,638
Director Of Science 123,636
Supervisor Foreign Lang/Business Ed 131,350
Supervisor Of English 113,148
Director Of Athletics/Drivers Ed 132,368
Supervisor Of Social Studies 118,058
Director Of Pps 124,078

[dotherightthing1]

hightax, Do you have any info. on how many secretaries there are in the district? In the private sector secretaries often cover several areas.

[hightax]

I will get that info for you

[sally]

To All,

The salary info that one of the previous posters obtained is PUBLIC INFORMATION which is easily obtained at any one of the district buildings as well as administration.It is also found on any copy of the budget which can be read at the PUBLIC LIBRARY or you can also obtain one at the administration building,located at the middle school.

FACT:Wantagh's Administrative costs are the second LOWEST in Nassau County.

Numbers without years of service,educational degrees serve only one faction without any basis of comparison with other district that have similar numbers of students,state aid info,turn over rates and many other poignant factors.


And,kudos to taxed2death,well said!
Get the info from directly from knowledgeable sources is always the best way to go.
Call Mr.Christie,as many of us who have had any opportunity to have had meetings with him, will not disagree,he is very knowledgeable and always willing to discuss matters of such
importance.Anything posted on this blog should be confirmed by his office.