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Subject: Information
38253 New Subject Score -3
The schiool district is making a strong effort to get information out to the public and give people a chance for constructive comments.
An Evening with the Superintendent will be held this Thursday night January 21st at 7PM in the middle school auditorium.
There is a new online discussion opportunit called Superintendent's Forum available through a link on the district's homepage. Current information will be posted and people will have a chance to comment.
Martin Handler on:1/19/2010 9:38:37 AM
38254 In Response To: 38253 Score 1
Committees met a few years ago and what was accomplished? District Surveys were done with results not shared with the public. Bus schedules were reviewed with controversy. Cafeteria was outsourced costing more managed by a 3rd party. Pel study was done. Rockland stayed open at the time. Proposals were made to close Schools met with fierce opposition. Intense community envolvement ensued with contract negotiations. Additional staff hired, all day Kindergarten was implemented and now funding is in jeopardy and we have to supplement the states pension program and renovate our schools. Consultants recommendations suggested closing Rockland, budget Surplus found and no money to fund our operations. Your right it will be a difficult budget year. Additional cuts are imminent. How can we continue the same course if funding gets cut?
Anonymous_6702140290144 on:1/19/2010 11:43:41 AM
38255 In Response To: 38254 Score 1
What cuts that will make a big difference do you suggest? Looks like we will be raising taxes...........again.
Anonymous on:1/19/2010 1:11:17 PM
38256 In Response To: 38255 Score 0
Athletics - not mandated by the state
Anonymous_20402701560146 on:1/19/2010 3:10:20 PM
38257 In Response To: 38255 Score -2
I don't know what to suggest that would be a significant savings. Before we built the High School there were 2 bus runs. Why can't we go back to that? Perhaps Elementary could be one run and MS and HS the other? Would save gas and be better for the environment. Would in turn save the State and District some money I would think ultimately savings tax dollars. OR maybe there could be a split run of some sort with 2 start times at the MS. Another idea was the kitchen which they tried but didn't pan out. Outsourcing janitorial staff could be a consideration. If the pension costs are going to climb, the District wouldn't have to fund that if the Janitors worked for say ABC Cleaning Services? Please don't criticize I just making suggestions.
Anonymous_6702140290144 on:1/19/2010 3:45:53 PM
38258 In Response To: 38256 Score -1
Good luck with that.
Anonymous on:1/19/2010 4:02:21 PM
38259 In Response To: 38256 Score 3
Or the Senior Citizen Tax Rebate/Welfare program we provide. That's not state mandated either.
Anonymous on:1/19/2010 6:07:47 PM
38260 In Response To: 38259 Score 0
Bill all of the outside groups for using the buildings. I am sure the electric and heat isn't free either.
me on:1/19/2010 6:59:17 PM
38261 In Response To: 38257 Score 1
I agree something has to be done to keep the costs down. What upsets me is, in all the postings everyone has suggestions to cut personal but I never see anything being posted about freezing administration raises or complaints about replacing their pension which is much more than your average support staff worker who is also getting paid much less than them. In addition, why isn't anyone concerned about the expenses they accour on all their conferences they attend. Could the district save money by setting a limit as to how many each administrator can attend throughout one school year at the expense of the tax payers. Maybe some of you concerned tax payer groupies should investigate this avenue.
concerned tax payer on:1/19/2010 7:06:45 PM
38262 In Response To: 38253 Score -2
What a novel idea!!
... on:1/19/2010 9:35:43 PM
38272 In Response To: 38261 Score 0
How about forming a committee when the time comes for the teacher’s contract?
How much did they get in raises last year? You can not balance the budget on the back of the Administrators. Not one of them got what the teachers got and many got far less even though they had good evaluations.
There’s an idea, let’s do evaluations on all of the employees and give them raises based on that.a bone to chew on:1/20/2010 3:13:10 PM
38276 In Response To: 38272 Score -2
I'm an employee and I very much agree with that. And no, that is not said with sarcasm. I think you will find (for the most part) that any good employee who does what they have to do and then some would not have a problem with that. The people that would take issue are most likely not doing their jobs, and shouldn't be here anyway.
Anonymous_2401150163015 on:1/20/2010 3:58:01 PM
38284 In Response To: 38261 Score -3
Several years ago I made suggestions and felt nothing was even considered. We did hire outside consultants but that was building specific and enrollment projections. What we need is an evaluation on the entire staff of the District which will identify ways to eliminate duplication, redundantcies and improve efficientcies. For an example, where it makes sense for a teacher to say pick up a class or two of Spanish for example and continue to teach their other subject(s) only makes sense. Many teachers are qualified and certified to crossover either by certifications or continuing education which would allow them to switch buildings and grade levels say Elemenatry to MS and so on. How bout the electives teachers for another example like art, musice phys ed. Worth a looksy.
Anonymous_6702140290144 on:1/20/2010 8:49:04 PM
38285 In Response To: 38284 Score 0
While this seems like a doable idea, it is not feasable do to the NCLB requirements. This made most teachers as specialists in narrowly defined areas
Anonymous_20801010168070 on:1/20/2010 9:18:54 PM
38286 In Response To: 38284 Score -6
While this seems like a doable idea, it is not feasable do to the NCLB requirements. This made most teachers as specialists in narrowly defined areas
Anonymous_20801010168070 on:1/20/2010 9:18:57 PM
38290 In Response To: 38286 Score -2
You are right that NCLB and State certification requirements make this diffuclt. However there are two instances where teachers had dual certifications and we were able to utilize staff in this way. One HS teacher teaches both science and math. Another teacher teaches both foreign language and social studies enabling the district to replace a retiring full time teacher with a part time teacher.
Martin Handler on:1/21/2010 7:49:50 AM
38317 In Response To: 38290 Score -4
Now that is thinking outside the box!! Not only are we being flexible with offering part time teacher opportunities, we are meeting children's needs. Not all Teachers desire full time jobs.
Anonymous_6702140290144 on:1/22/2010 9:57:23 AM