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Post by lilly on Jun 19, 2008 8:29:53 GMT -5
halo - I didn't mean to single you out and offend but I did. The whole situation is frustrating and there is so much anger. I didn't mean to feed into it so apologies if I did.
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Post by lilly on Jun 19, 2008 8:32:08 GMT -5
I think there is an executive planning session tonight.
Does anyone know how the district and BOE plan on communicating that information and next steps? I feel like we are in a holding pattern until we know.
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Post by lilly on Jun 19, 2008 8:35:33 GMT -5
forestlakermomof2, were you on the BAC this year? If you weren't, would you please seriously consider joining next year? I think the perspective teachers from other districts who live in and have kids in Wantagh is invaluable to the BAC.
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Post by dotherightthing1 on Jun 19, 2008 8:41:31 GMT -5
The public has already spoken, now let the BOE and admin. do their job. They have the opportunity to show if they are really for the kids. I also wonder how the community will be notified as to what they cut from the budget.
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Post by lilly on Jun 19, 2008 8:51:55 GMT -5
I know that everyone wants to know what is going to happen next, however, how would the BOE contact everyone in Wantagh to find out what they wanted. The public has already spoken, now let the BOE and admin. do their job. They have the opportunity to show if they are really for the kids. Bc this is less a test of the BOE but more pragmatically, something that affects our kids that we could be working on yesterday whatever the news. It would be nice to channel the collective energy of the community right now into something positive before we all disappear into camps and vacations for the summer. How is the BOE going to communicate with the community? We can't just let the kids show up for school in Sept. without knowing immediately.
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Post by taxed2death on Jun 19, 2008 21:15:21 GMT -5
Here's the update from the Wantagh PTA meeting. Please keep in mind that none of this is final, but it is the direction that it looks like its going. I'm merrely providing a recap, no opinions: $1.5 mill needs to be cut. $770K will almost definetely come from sports, $239K from extra curricular activities, 2 teachers will be eliminated from Mandaly, 2 teachers will be eliminated from Beech. These teachers have been notified, No new textbooks with exception to those that received NYS aid, no equipment updates, no band/orchestra at elem before school (daytime lessons only). No activities to take place outside of school hours, including fundraising on premises such as Sat car wash, jamboree, etc. Fundraising for sports is all or nothing, need the full $770K by Aug 1st. Individual extra curricular activies TBD in terms of if they can run their own fundraisers. Student council at the elem school would also be eliminated. Next Thurs June 26th Planning meeting in HS, all encouraged to attend. If I have missed anything, please add if you attended this meeting.
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Post by taxed2death on Jun 19, 2008 21:19:10 GMT -5
I also realized that I excluded the following info: Specifically to Wantagh Elem - 4th and 5th grades will be eliminating a section each. 4th grade at this point is looking like 27 kids per class, and 5th grade 26 kids. THis number could keep going up with additional enrollment. It was suggested at the PTA meeting that Mr Brown maintain his guidance chair role in his new as Asst Princ in the HS and delegate responsibilities to the guidance staff in order to save a teacher in the classroom. We do not know if the Admin has considered this as an option.
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Post by ourkids on Jun 19, 2008 21:22:34 GMT -5
thank you taxed2death for that info which I will not hold you to if things change. Does anyone know who is organizing this meeting? The reason I ask is because June 26th is graduation and I'm sure many people who would like to participate in this planning meeting will not be able to do so. Please keep us updated on this site about the meeting. Thank you.
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Post by wantaghinmyheart on Jun 19, 2008 21:26:01 GMT -5
taxed2death- What time is that meeting on June 26th because Graduation is at 5:30pm
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Post by sally on Jun 20, 2008 5:55:45 GMT -5
Just a clarification on sports fundraising.The budgeted amount for the each entire fall ,winter and spring sports season has to be collected..So for example any teams that play in the fall season,that amount will be due on Aug. 1st in order for all the teams to play that season.The dollar amounts will be defined at the June 26th meeting for each sport season.
To ourkids,the BOE is organizing the meeting.And I would assume that it will be after graduation,since the board also attends the grad services.
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Post by hightax on Jun 20, 2008 6:40:32 GMT -5
I have been reading all the blogs since the budget failed and I have heard many angry citizens complain how could people vote NO. Anyone who voted NO does not care about the children. It only cost $20 a month extra. Do not buy Starbucks coffee in the morning…
Well here is my solution. Everyone who voted YES should simply write a check for the $250 it was going to cost if the budget passed and put it in a joint fundraiser. So $250 times the 2330 yes votes equals $582,500.00. This is about 70% of the full sport budget or 7 teachers at 75,000 each. This will show how much you care about the children.
Think about it
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Post by sally on Jun 20, 2008 6:44:12 GMT -5
You know what Hightax,That was actually discussed last night in a positive way at the Wantagh El PTA meeting,and most there want to do it.There is a group forming to see if it is possible.People do care about the children.There are many that have taken an active role in getting things done. ;D
Anyone else who was there please feel free to back me up.Thanks.And as one person stood up and said. at that meeting,not me BTW,something positive always comes from a negative. I hope we all can agree and move forward.
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Post by bnjasper on Jun 20, 2008 6:52:05 GMT -5
If the blog reflects where the budget cuts are coming from (programs and teachers), does that imply that the administration is still exempting itself from participating. They had opportunity with the assistant principal position but apparently don't feel the need to be part of the solution.
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Post by hightax on Jun 20, 2008 6:55:26 GMT -5
Great!! People thinking outside the box. Looks like there will be some good things coming from a failed budget. Also $770,000 does not have to be raised by Aug 1. Only the cost of Fall sports needs to be raised by Aug 1.
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Post by hightax on Jun 20, 2008 7:10:13 GMT -5
bnjasper - You are Correct 100% If you take all the Administrators that make over $113,000 a year and add their increases up it will total out to approx. $177,000.00. They could agree not to take the increase (Yes even under a contract). Also some administrator are renewing their contracts by June 30. Which means they still have time to defer the increase this year.
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