Posted on: 01/09/09 Jackie Sher email: news@spotlightnews.com
The Mohonasen Central School District is looking for feedback from the community regarding next year’s school budget.
Following Gov. David Paterson’s announcement last month that there will likely be a $700 million decline in state funding for education, Mohonasen Central School District officials are bracing themselves for a $1.5 million, or 8 percent, decrease in state aid. To that end, they are asking residents to complete an online survey regarding the budget and budget process.
“We know we’re looking at a tough budget year and I think the primary goal of the survey is to reach out to the community and find out what people’s priorities are while planning our budget for next year,” said Kathleen Spring, Mohonasen Central School District superintendent.
Last year, the district used a budget advisory committee to discuss the budget and get community feedback, but according to Adrienne Leon, Mohonasen Central School District communications coordinator, they would like to receive more input this year.
“People didn’t seem to attend the public presentations in the numbers that we wanted, so we tried to figure out ways to get feedback from the community and get people more involved,” said Leon of the online survey.
The survey asks questions including, but not limited to, whether or not members of the community will attend budget meetings where they can learn more about what’s happening, how the meetings should be run to make them the most informative and effective, and what the priorities are for next year’s budget in terms of what will and will not be cut.
“People still want to support a quality education but I think people are stretched financially… I glanced at a couple of responses and that seems to be the tone,” said Leon.
Spring also noted that people are listing maintaining core academics as their main priority.
Through planned public meetings, which will be held through the winter and spring, the online survey and other communication efforts, the district plans to present information on the budget process and plan their priorities for the 2009-2010 school year.
“Most of the people who have responded have said they plan on attending at least one of our public budget meetings, which is great because the more community input we can get, the better,” said Spring.
Spring also noted they have received pages and pages of responses that “run the gamut,” and that she and her committee will go through the responses and make sure they are answering resident’s questions and responding to their concerns as much as possible.
“I think everyone is speculating; we have information from the governor and we’re hoping that it’s the worst case scenario. We’re hoping that there will be some kind of negotiation so that it’s not as severe,” said Leon of the budget cuts to school aid.
At the first meeting, officials will present the information they have gathered from the survey as well as what they have learned from the state, as well as their current budget goals. They will also solicit input and feedback from people who come to the meeting about what their priorities are.
At least SOMEONE is looking for input for making up an out of control budget, nothing like the controlling party at the county level, who can't be bothered to listen to anybody.
I give Mohonasen a big 'thumbs up' for starting to prepare for the proposed state budget cuts. Let's hope they do something when it's time for the negotiation for the teacher's union contract. IMHO
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
Cap or no cap, the teaches raises and salaries are locked into contract. Judging by other local districts whose contracts have been settled through arbitration, it is clear that the percentages are increasing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the tax cap is capping the WRONG BOTTLE!
First of all, teacher discipline reforms need to get in the works. Consider reading this article: http://www.earlycolleges.org/Downloads/OnBoard.pdf It discusses the time, energy and $$$ that goes into teacher discipline.
The Triborough provision of the Taylor Law NEEDS to be amended. Between contracts, teacher's salaries/benefits should be maintained at the previous contract's leve...WITHOUT step and lane increment increases. This will encourage negotiation in good faith.
We must amend/repeal state laws that supercede bargaining agreements. Local authority is constantly being jeopardized, forcing the local community to lose control of what they are voting on. So many mandated provisions exist today that when budgets are voted down, less and less is actually being saved.
Charter schools should not be authorized unless solid, cost-effective measures are put into place. Charter school are HURTING our public school system.
We also need to look at creating statewide legislation for contribution minimums for health insurance.
I could go on, but I won't...I'm sure most of you have heard these things before...they are not at all intended to sound like excuses or cop-outs. However, I feel it is important for residents to understand the total picture when seeking tax relief. When the schools put out budgets with 3-4% increases, out come the torches. When the town down the same, cue the same torches. HOWEVER, when the county disguises its increases as "State and Federal Mandates," people remain silent and get in line to pay their bill...WHERE IS THE DISCONNECT?!?!?! School districts and municipalities should not receive the majority of the brunt of the frustration for the financial struggles we are all facing! Check the percentages....
HOWEVER, when the county disguises its increases as "State and Federal Mandates," people remain silent and get in line to pay their bill....
This is not the case with all of us. All of us are informed and aware, for example, that when our tax bill comes in with 'state and federal mandates' = $$$$$$, we DO know that these amounts are a combination of madates AND county taxes. (never broken down on our tax bill for all of the sheople to see)
And may I remind everyone, that the state does mandate certain services. It is our lucrative county that goes far and beyond the amount that is mandated. This county along with the entire state, are very generous with OUR money.
As far as Charter schools go, I am a proponant of them. The only way it is hurting the public school system is financially. I find the idea of not being held captive to a teachers union refreshing.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
So people can break free from the "captivity" of a teacher's union...but at what expense? I am friendly with someone who used to do maintenance contract work in the charter school in Rotterdam. He described the day-to-day operations as being a zoo! Kids running amok, teachers clearly unable/unqualified to deal with academics or discipline.
The standards are lower...for everything. Take asbestos abatement, for instance. I'm told that many years ago, one of the reasons the school district ditched Draper was because of the asbestos presence. Lo and behold, the charter school was able to avoid a significant portion of that abatement because they are held to a DIFFERENT standard!
Kids running amok is what happens in public schools too......I was VERY disappointed at the leadership at one school when it came to 'discipline'.....there has been a push to 'talk it over' 'work it out' 'time out'......this clearly has come from the 'edumacated' minds of the new Dr.Spock.......
these schools are just a reflection of our edumacated society......these teachers and systems do not come out of a vaccum.....
as for the $$$.....rape happens all the time......
charter/private schools fare just as well.......when the government living entity has the minds of the masses is where we become complacent and line up to pay our tax bills.....the arbitors sleep in the same beds.....
Mr.Salamone.....who pays you?????
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I think that Mohonasen does a decent job. I understand that they have to follow state guidelines as all schools do. What I don't like is a group of tax paid employees (teacher's union) that lobby the GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, threatening a 'no vote' for a candidate if their contract isn't passed, Or if they don't get what they want. Strong arming if you will.
This action makes the average taxpayer feel helpless and insignificant at best. The only recourse the taxpayer has is voting down a budget. Then the school district comes back with a revised budget with cuts such as busing, sports or art programs. Never once does the school district come back with a revised budget with cuts in teacher's benefits. God forbid!!!
I have a friend that is a retired school superintendent, who retired with his FULL SALARY and FULL BENEFITS!! So the day he walked out of that school for the last time....there was no change in his salary. Nice, huh? And the rest of us slugs continue to work to pay their salaries/benefits and when we walk out the door for the last time when we retire, our wages will be far less.
My issue is not with teachers, per say. (however, I thought Schamont's teachers crossed the line with bringing their union contract issues to school during class time which was unprofessional at best) It is however with the idea of a teacher's union.
And by the way Mr. Salamone, I don't even know what you do, to be honest with you.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
I'm a member of the Mohonasen CSD Board of Education, and I can only assume that is what senders was referring to, as I have stated it before on this board.
I'm a member of the Mohonasen CSD Board of Education, and I can only assume that is what senders was referring to, as I have stated it before on this board.
And any other job you have.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Just trying to put into prospective about the defense of public schools vs charter schools.....does it matter who pays them???? sure.....if it's a government freebie/contract (never say no) then of course the charter schools are at a disadvantage......I pay (as we all do who own homes) for those contracts...
as a nurse,,,I may not have a union/contract,,,but, some of my pay is government money...medicare/medicaid........there is a view around..... just because our schools are an historic institution doesn't mean it should just get to eat what it wants when it wants........
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
We are paying for charter schools too with our tax dollars as well. When a student from district A attends charter school A, District A pays them! The home district is also responsible for costs of a nurse, etc...even if NO students from that district attend the charter school!
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