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Post by Wantagh Parent on Jun 19, 2008 21:08:18 GMT -5
Thursday 6/26
WHS
8 p.m.
All are encouraged to attend.
More details to come as they are known.
Please comment if you heard more.
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Post by Wantagh Parent on Jun 20, 2008 11:09:36 GMT -5
Confirmed this morning on the district website.
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lk90
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by lk90 on Jun 20, 2008 11:25:53 GMT -5
why would a planning meeting be scheduled on the day of graduation?
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Post by vetmann on Jun 20, 2008 11:28:00 GMT -5
Is the meeting to tell us what is being cut or to ask the community what they want cut?
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Post by hightax on Jun 20, 2008 11:31:23 GMT -5
why would a planning meeting be scheduled on the day of graduation? No BOE have kids graduating. So now you have to leave your graduation party |
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Post by taxed2death on Jun 20, 2008 11:33:51 GMT -5
Unfortunately I did not get the sense that they were asking the community, more like announcing. The agenda for the meeting was not clear, but I clearly got the sense that the cuts that I posted earlier were just about a done deal, just needed to finalize. Given that the teachers were already notified, it feels 99.9% done. I wish I could say otherwise, it's very frustrating to see all these cuts that directly impact the kids. Personally, my questions would be... As brought up at the PTA meeting, can Mr Brown's guidance position be absorbed and save a teacher or two? Could we cut back on the bus's (I would glady sacrifice and form block car pools), Is their still going to be an additional pyschologist? I'm sorry to Wantagh moms, but I would eliminate 2 secy's spots and save a teacher and kid related cuts. All of these I would want evaluated before loosing 4th/5th grade teachers, band/orchestra, sports, actiivities, student council, etc. If this is not happening, which it doesn't appear to be, I want to know why.
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Post by hightax on Jun 20, 2008 12:02:08 GMT -5
Maybe the BOE and Administration really are not about the KIDS. Seems like they want to punish the citizens of Wantagh.
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Post by dotherightthing1 on Jun 20, 2008 12:34:26 GMT -5
The BOE can find the $ to fund the activities they are threatening to cut, but don't appear inclined to do so. Instead of eliminating 20 clerks/secretaries and saving aprox. $1,000,000 they will look the other way and hurt the kids. This type of cut would not significantly hurt the kids and is exactly what the BOE should be looking at. In the private sector , secretaries cover multiple desks and rarely type memo's etc.
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Post by wantaghmom1 on Jun 20, 2008 14:12:48 GMT -5
dotherighthing1, have you ever watched what a school secretary does every day? She actually doesn't have time to sit and "type memos" all day because she is juggling balls all day taking care of students (foremost), teachers, administrators, parents, visitors, etc. - in short, making sure the entire school runs smoothly within her capabilities. Secretaries are part of the "support" staff - the success of each school is due to the teamwork of ALL personnel. Ask the principals/teachers/administrators if the schools could function without the secretaries, custodians, teacher aides, etc. They will emphatically tell you it would be impossible. Yes, it is heartbreaking to lose some of our bright teachers, but the answer is not to eliminate another position to save a teacher's job. This is not the answer to solving the crisis and actually is creating more negative and hurt feelings. Better to use your energy by trying to come up with positive and constructive suggestions that will help out our kids - that's all that matters, right?
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Post by dotherightthing1 on Jun 20, 2008 14:26:23 GMT -5
It would appear that some community members don't understand what happened on Tuesday. The budget was voted down- there needs to be cuts. I know that stinks, but it is reality. I am using secretaries as an example, but despite what wantaghmom1 says, it is an area to be looked at. Does the super , and the two assistants need 1.5 secretaries each? The culture of Wantagh has been to never say no to anyone, to give everyone everything they asked for- this must change. Some say this is what makes Wantagh special, I don't . Cut administration, cut the number of sports teams( we have 71 teams, other districts with larger enrollment have less) look everywhere to save. I am sensitive that these are painful cuts, but we must change. If we are so dependent on secretaries to run the district, what does admin do? I doesn't work like this in the business world. I anyone's feelings are hurt, time to move forward, life in Wantagh is about to change. My suggestions are positive, you don't think so because you disagree with me.
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Post by forall on Jun 20, 2008 17:19:46 GMT -5
I can not believe that this meeting is taking place on graduation night. Is this just another way of limiting the number of people who may speak up? This is not working with the school community. I wonder if one of the board member's had a child or grandchild graduating, would they have made it on this evening? I am disgusted. Then people wonder how and why the budget failed. The board is failing this community - limited communication, some with their own agendas just to name a few ways. I pray that those members and administration took some time and a real hard look at what they have done or failed to do for the past years to bring this community to this point. I hope that in their planning they plan beyond the moment and look to the future.
I have a graduate and my family comes first, so I won't be there.
I encourage all those without graduates to attend the meeting and let your voices be heard. For too long there have been a handful of community members at BOE meetings and planning sessions. It is no wonder why the best interest of the students has been put to the side and salaries and fields have become the priority. All those who read this-PLEASE ATTEND
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Post by lilly on Jun 21, 2008 9:37:06 GMT -5
forall, hopefully there will be bigger attendance and someone who attends will report back here.
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Post by patchin on Jun 21, 2008 21:12:15 GMT -5
wantaghmom1 - do you know the processes the secretaries are performing as "support" staff?
There may be ways of automating, and refining, these "support" processes so they have more time to do other things.
Is it possible to have the community observe what the "support" staff does?
The community maybe able to make recommendations (automating, rescheduling, etc..) to make their job easier.
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Post by thebigpicture on Jun 24, 2008 7:48:54 GMT -5
The "Big Picture" is that the BOE has to put their hurt feelings behind them and do their job! They work for the community, Wantagh, not the teachers, (I think Dr B might have a conflict of intrest) They need to show show us that they understand our fustration and are working on a solution. They know that they control the purse strings and hold all the keys. Only they can decide what gets cut. All we can do is try to let them know that we will be closely watching every move they make, and that the "will of the people" will prevail.
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