Locust Valley Central School District Annual Budget Vote
On going discussion on the annual LVCSD Annual Budget proposals and vote
Posted by Admin at Thursday, April 22, 2010 9:43 PM 
Categories: Locust Valley Central School District
Categories: Locust Valley Central School District
Vote yes for the budget. If the district goes on contingency it will not fare well for the children with proposed teacher cuts, program cuts and larger classes. It is always the children that are most affected.
Bust the Union!!!!!!! NO to tenure.cut the asst. whatevers and don`t touch the kids!!!! WHY do we have so many people making well over $100,000 a year that are not even teachers!!!
Well, because admins work an 11-month contract, have to be available 24/7 for student/parent/teacher issues, and have to get advanced certifications (and in some cases also advanced degrees) beyond what teachers are required to get. See how that is different than teacher contracts? The thing is, there ARE administrative cuts in the proposed budget, and ALL CONTRACTS ARE BEING ANALYZED, REVIEWED, AND RE-NEGOTIATED for 2010-2011. Not just teacher/admin contracts.
I wish students wouldn't be "touched," but the reality is, if the budget goes down, students and parents are going to suffer real hardships, and will end up paying HUNDREDS MORE in out-of-pocket costs for academics, athletics, music, and clubs. That's the hard reality--everybody, please get a reality check on that. If you don't think you can handle the tax increase, wait until you see what the out-of-pocket costs are on a contingency budget. OUCH!!!!
The tax increase for next year is going to equate to one or maybe two weekly trips to the grocery store. Aren't our kids worth that much? In my home, we took a cut in pay (one-income family) and an increase for health care contributions as of last year, but we are going to find a way to fund this budget and vote YES. I hope that you will too, because the contingency is going to be tooooo expensivveeee for meeee!!!!!
You and your family took a cut in pay ".. and are going to find a way ..." why shouldn't all district employees be required to do the same. This can be accomplished many ways, increased share of medical or pension costs, time off without pay, temporary reduction in salary, etc. As total compensation is the largest portion of the budget this is where to start, once this is addressed other areas can be evaluated. Doesn't everyone realize that the "guaranteed" budget increase every year compounds the problem and offers no real solution. In order for real reforms to be made they have to start from the zero increase perspective. BOE praise of the small increase is only window dressing at best. If the student population is decreasing and the CPI is near zero then the budget in real terms should also be decreasing. We all need to remember State Aid also comes from the LVCSD taxpayers so do not buy into the argument that this increase is due to the loss of state aid. It is absurd for the BOE to always start from the premise of how small the increase is and doesn't start from zero and work to decrease the budget. When was the last budget decrease? Enough is enough, it is time to vote NO.
There are several problems with LVCSD. The biggest is the BOE and the supt. They bow down to the parents and basically have no spine to stand up for what is best for the kids. They give in to ever whim brought up by a certain, vocal select group of parents. I'm not saying that parental input isn't warranted or necessary in a child's education, I'm saying that the parents are in control, not the experts who are trained.
The only grades they care about are 11 and 12 because those are the grades that put the school in the Newsweek rankings. Did you know that our ranking in that top school report is only based on one thing: how many students are "sitting" in college level classes. That's it. Why do you think they are pushing for all kids to be in IB? Why do you think the school has paid over $20,000 this year for the students to take the exams? In the past, the exams were paid for by the students. This is no longer the case. The ranking doesn't reflect student success, it's just the figure of how many students are enrolled in the IB classes. Why do you think IB classes run with 10 or 12 students in them yet Kindergarten and First grades have to now have 24 or 25?
Parents, go ask your kids about the absence of discipline at the MS and HS levels. Ask about how drug dealers are permitted back into schools after a minimal suspension and how students misbehaving and cursing out teachers are just allowed back into class. The principal can't related to the students or parents either. Did you know that the average for entrance into the Honor Society is now the lowest it possibly can be?
The LVCSD is being horribly handled by admins. If there are looking to cut people, start there. And removing a few of those BOE members who have let this happen wouldn't be a bad idea either. As a parent, my HS child has come home with stories that have made me consider remortgaging my house to send my child to private school. That's how bad it is.
WE WANT A CONTINGENCY
VOTE NO
VOTE NO
WE WANT A CONTINGENCY
BUST THE UNIONS
VOTE NO
let dr. huderfund go
let bellisari go
let the high school principal go, he aint no "pal" of mine. he is hitler
let all of the other admins go and hire fresh new faces
vote no
take over the BOE they are only self interest individuals like suzie who has her own agenda
and dr. chu who has no present education in informatics, he is old school with old knowledge
vote no
MOVED BY ADMIN - Originally posted 4/23/10- was located in wrong thread
CJ wrote:
Vote No on May 18 to the Locust Valley Central School District Annual Budget.
Everyone can agree that public education is a democratic right and our children and society as a whole benefit. Many will argue that good schools enhance property values, and to some extent this is true.
Here's the problem. School tax makes up for 2/3 or more of our annual property taxes. It is an onerous burden that ultimately stifles property value and our quality of life on Long Island.
Middle class families can no longer afford to live on Long Island. Many families, with fixed incomes and empty nesters are looking to flee to lower cost regions. The exodus will ultimate decrease the tax base, cause property values to go down and continue to put upward pressure on taxes and services.
Our children, educated on Long Island, can not afford to purchase homes and live here. As a result, businesses will not be able to attract young talent and will also seek relocation causing additional pressure on property taxes.
In the end, this never ending increase in school taxes does not provide better education. Studies show that comparable demographic regions in the U.S. spend substantially less on schools and yet get equivalent scores/ percent graduations/ college admissions, etc.
I believe there are several ways we can lower the school tax burden.
1. put a freeze on teacher pay and extravagent benefits/ pensions!
2. put limits on administrative/ superintendant compensation.
3. let families that desire extrodinary extracurricular attivites for their child pay for them (separately).
4. share infrastucture/ common costs through cooperative that includes all school district- county wide.
I am sure there are othe measure that can reduce this endlessly increasing tax. In order to stimulate the politcal will to do this we need to send a message. The first step is to vote NO.
PS- I am sure there will some people that will pan my argument...but I would imagine they are those that somehow have a vested interest in more school taxes.
PSS - don't bother correcting my spelling or grammer
MOVED BY ADMIN - Originally posted 4/23/10- was located in wrong thread
Anonymous wrote:
CJ...U R 100% correct.
I am following in UR footsteps
I am 18 now, went 2 lv school and was forced to take IB.....it ruined my life
I no longer am in college because it was toooo hard
I am voting 100% NO
My friends that are coming home early will b also doing the same
I will b attending Farmingdale this September
The Class of 2010 who were forced to register to vote are voting NO !!!!
I am 1 of 25 18 year old seniors who have talked about the vote,agreed how LV did nothing for us that helped us get into college and want to show the school they need to change to help the next group of kids.
VOTE NO - REGROUP - MAKE A CHANGE
Class of 2010
You ROCK...stand up and be counted.
VOTE NO May 18, 2010
Certain portions of teacher's salaries and compensation are mandated by NY State- they have nothing to do with individual school districts. Even the most aggressive negotiations will result in these portions being included in all NYSD budgets.
I agree that the teachers union is too powerful and for too long have received benefits and salaries inconsistent with their performance or the economic times. The good news is that it appears numerous teachers unions across the nation are starting to wake-up and realize their employment packages are extraordinary disproportional to other professions
However, it must be noted that a contingency budget( ( 0 %) will be an absolute bloodbath on the district and cripple its ability to provide the services it currently offers.
The LV budget its not filled with pork or bloated as many are stating. I have examined it firsthand and anyone with basic accounting and finance courses under his or her belt can see the district runs a tight ship. The monies and accounts are well documented and no improprieties exist.
Unions should be busted and teacher's benefits should be more inline with other fields. However, the union's power is derived from Albany. To most effectively curb their power, our state's representation must be change. Until such time, voting NO on the LVSD budget will have a greater effect on student services and student performace than on the teacher's union.
LOADED WITH PORK
VOTE NO
teacher's benefits should be more inline with other fields:
I am curious as to what other fields you are thinking of. Being a teacher requires a bachelors degree, a master's degree, passing a state certification test, and re-certification/professional development credits every year. I can't really think of a parallel field that requires as much of their personnel but pays less - do you know of any? Thanks
Brentwood's teacher union, LI's biggest, OKs pay cuts
lets see if locust valley will do the same!
we also do not need all the Assistant Superintendents. the district is administratively top heavy.
VOTE NO!!! and stop wasteful spending and skyrocketing taxes
Pay-cuts are a small step and often misleading. To appease town residents, unions will often times agree to a pay-cut or freeze the first year, but ask for/demand the pay be made up in subsequent years. I do not know the Brentwood situation and no one really does b/c negotiations are close doored and not discussed outside of the meetings.
Brentwood might have been given and ultimatum by the district: "Either take a pay-cut or we will cut positions, your choice."
I would expect LV to do the same. But like I said, the key factor to the teacher's contracts will not be its effect on this budget, it its effect on budgetary precedent in the future.
LV is planning on increasing class size with the current proposed budget. You can't save jobs that are being eliminated by taking a salary freeze.
It all depends on the negotiations, and since none of us our there, we must stipulate on where these actions stem from.
I would guess that not all jobs will be saved by a simple freeze. The teacher's union may not like this approach and request they receive a raise during this economy even if that means some of their fellow teachers get laid off. This would then cause an increase in class sizes.
A salary freeze MAY save jobs for positions not originally slated to be eliminated, but will be if teachers do not agree to a freeze in pay
However, once a tenured position is eliminated, it cannot become an "available" position again for a number of years. This clause it but into place to prevent school districts from eliminating jobs to saving money one year, and hiring a non-tenured professional the next.
LV must be very careful to ensure that if "positions" (not teachers) are eliminated that these positions will not be needed in subsequent years. If they are, increased class sizes will be the least of its problems.
VOTE NO
VOTE NO
VOTE NO
VOTE NO
has anyone read the little booklet that this school district hands out to new 6th graders???
it is a joke!!!!
my child is actually going around telling everyone to read one page about bullies, the green portion.
it tells you to cheat, do drugs and bring weapons to school. it actually doesn't but if you just read the green bullets you are mislead, as a young child can be!!!!
come on lvcsd, don't you proof read things before you hand them out?????????
i hope that this district did not pay for those booklets.
VOTE NO
of course they did! with out money!
IB Programme
VOTE NO
It`s disgusting that LVSD will once again try to balance its books on the firing of hallway monitors and security people making next to nothing compared to the top heavy asst admins across the street.If thats the best she can do, then we`re being ROBBED!!!!! Call the super tell her NOWAY!! let the pork across the street GO!!!!!
OH Yeah one more thing , how about cutting out the 3:30 buses don`t need and if your kid misses the 2:30 they can wait till the 5:00 bus
how about cutting out 1/2 the buses, most people drive their kids to school and pick them up, the buses are never full.
For those concerned with amount of administrators the district has, can you please identify which specific positions you believe could be eliminated and why? Also, it would be important to know how these eliminations would impact the budget,aka by what percent would the budget be decreased and what potential savings could voters see because of the decrease?
Off the top of my head I can think of maybe two that are" questionable positions." but I have yet to see the top-heavy argument individuals on this blog have made.
Thanks,
I have voted Yes for the last umpteen votes and I have finally had it with this district. I'm voting NO. The administrators need a wake up call and voting no might be the perfect medicine.
I don't know that much about the budget but what I do know is disparity
this school district supports a program that caters to only a few students rather than the majority
the IB programme must be eliminated before this districts increases class size
the district will increase class size and cut "special programmes" from the budget if it does not pass
IB is considered a special programme
A no vote will cut IB
VOTE NO
PS who ever is passing out the VOTE NO flyers...BRAVO. Keep up the good work. I will make copies of mine and also pass them out. thank you.
Vote No, I don't know where you get your info. from but yes IB is a special program, but a NO vote will not take it out of the budget. Maybe a student protest would help take out IB and parents who voice their opinion to the powers that be that they will not stand for it anymore. Don't fool yourself IB is NOT on the chopping block.
It is my understanding that the IB programme continues to grow and more and more students are taking at least one IB class. I believe it is over 70 percent of 11th and 12th graders. It would appear to me that this does not equate to a speciality program, but one that has empowered a majority of LV's upperclassman to take on a more challenging curriculum.
Also, an examination of the budget reveals that the IB programme takes up such a small percentage of the districts expenditures. Even under a contingency it is HIGHLY unlikely the district would cut something that A, would do nothing to reduce the budget B, something LV have invested years in implementing.
so is lisa mcloughlin banned again?
Will you post this for me?
Yes, Pat. I am apparently blocked again from the Bayville Blog. I have sent admin 2 e-mails regarding my inability to post (each thread states: COMMENTS CLOSED) and I have not received a reply. To those who subscribe to conspiracy theories, one might speculate that SOMEONE doesn't want me weighing in on the LVCSD budget issue.
First, allow me to disagree with Admin's statement: "Everyone can agree that public education is a democratic right and our children and society as a whole benefit."
Our country is a Federal Republic and nowhere in our Constitution does it state that children are entitled to a free public education. Nowhere. Public education is a privilege. Society has agreed that public education is of benefit to the general welfare of the population and has made state by state provisions to provide and fund public education through property tax levies, supplemented by State reimbursements, which also btw, come from resident tax coffers.
Next, Get Rid of IB is 100% correct. IB is not on the chopping block, even if the budget goes down. It is precisely the lack of transparency and the unwillingness of LVCSD to even consider the elimination of IB that I am voting NO. LVCSD would rather increase your child's class size and lay off teachers than admit it made a mistake by implementing IB. I have failed to get it removed from LVHS. For that, I apologize. I did my best, but I came too late to the table. If I had been forearmed before LVCSD made application to IBO back in 2002, I might have stood a chance.
VOTE NO TO WASTEFUL SPENDING AND HIGHER TAXES! TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!
Regarding the Newsweek Best High Schools List - I happen to have some inside information on this year's list (not yet released) which could prove scandalous. According to Sally Bandow, Dr. Hunderfund was recently heard boasting at a Rotary meeting that LV is in the "top 100 schools in the country!"
Really. I have told readers from Day 1 that LV's investment in IB has absolutely nothing to do with actual quality of learning and everything to do with PR. Ever since 2004 when I established contact with Jay Mathews, he has sent me LVCSD's reporting of its IB/AP results for the list. This year, the principal reported that 546 IB exams were taken, up from 352 last year. Hmmm. That's a HUGE jump, how could that be? I told Jay that he better double check that number because in years past, Buonospina tried to DOUBLE COUNT the number of IB exams because they are given over a 2 day period. I was at that Board meeting and immediately challenged the reporting which then Trustee Lauren Straub defended saying, "Well tell that to my daughter who had to sit through those exams!" Yeah, okay Lauren. The numbers were "corrected" and as I recall, adjusted downwards into the 350 range which put LV at #317 on the List.
Jay's List is nothing more than developing a ranking ratio by dividing the number of seniors by the number of exams taken. It doesn't matter if they pass the exams, it's an empty, deceptive ratio and has nothing to do with student success.
Well, IF Sally said that she is mistaken. I was at that luncheon and what Dr. Hunderfunf clearly said in her presentation was that in 2009 Locust Valley was in the top 1% of school districts nationwide as selected by Newsweek. Her hope was the school would remain in the top 1% and hopefully move up in the rankings.
She also said she expected LV's Regents graduation rate to be among the best in Nassau County. True to her word, Newday reported the Regents graduation rates for LI schools this past week and Locust Valley had a 99% Regents graduation rate, tied with Jericho and one other school for the #1 ranking in Nassau County.
LVCSD may be in the top 1%, and it is because of the parents that spend hundreds of dollars EXTRA a year to tutor their children NOT because of Dr. Hunderfunds administration.
If the parents did not spend money on tutors LVCSD would NOT be in the top 1%.
LVCSD needs to cut out the nonsense of wasteful spending and put the money into educating the children in this district.
VOTE NO
This appears to be a very definitive, bold, statement and one that I find difficult to accept. The conclusion, based on the information presented by the district and our inability to travel back in time, make this assumption almost impossible to prove or disprove. In philosophy, this arguments composition is referred to as a fallacy of false cause.
How certain are we that Jericho and Syosset would not be in the top 1% without their own private tutoring? Certainly LV students are not the only ones receiving help outside the classroom. Should those districts be villianised as well because students need extra help outside of what their district is providing?
In order to prove or disprove the above statement, research would have to be conducted and control groups established. Simple random sampling must be implemented and data would have to be analyzed and interpreted over many trials. Furthermore, additional tests would have to be conducted to verify the conclusions of first experiment. Even the "final" results would be subject to speculation as often times extraneous circumstances or causes are unknown.
The bottom line is, the above argument does not follow the laws of logic and therefore the conclusion drawn cannot be accepted as the "truth"
WHO CARES about Jay Mathews' Newsweek "Challenge Index"???? Are people in this district so stupid that they are still being fooled by this specious PR? Jay's list has NOTHING TO DO WITH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT! It is so vapid that a number of LI Superintendents (including North Shore) have decided to opt out because its "top 1%" ranking is meaningless!
http://truthaboutib.com/breakingnewsopinions/ibinthemedia.html
Has anybody bothered to ask what LVCSD's Advanced Regents Diploma percentage is? We darn well should be at 99% for the standard Regents Diploma since we are paying over $30,000 per student! This is the most basic of basic graduation requirements in NYS. There is nothing lower.
WAKE UP LVCSD! Stop drinking the Kool Aid! VOTE NO on May 18th!
The reason so many 11th and 12th graders take IB classes because THE CHOICES ARE LIMITED - there are no more AP classes and then there is regents classes. Your guidence councelor says you wont go to a good college without the rigor classes so most kids take IB. They tell you try the class if you dont like it we can change it. BULL - they dont let you drop the class.
All 18 years old who were forced to fill out the voter reg form are VOTING NO !!!!! Finally LVHS gave us a choice.
WE CHOICE TO VOTE NO
VOTE DOWN THE BUDGET !!!!
Wow - just read my post !
Grammar stinks - didn't spell check
Oh, that's right ... I am a product of LVHS
No Spin you are so wrong. Kids are forced into IB because there are no other choices. LV can't afford to run AP classes and IB. It costs the District money to have the IB tests graded from outside sources, not the case with AP.LV takes awhile to admit they were wrong about a programme at the expense of the children. Maybe there is hope for the future that people will wake up and get rid of something that isn't worth the expense. And IB is buried in the budget it costs WAY more than you think! DROP IB!!!!!!
I would not expect a district the size of LV to offer a vast assortment of courses or levels. Please someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe Jericho does not offer honors courses. If this is the case, would say that those children are forced into taking AP courses?
I have been line by line through the district budget year after year and have yet to find the hidden expenses you suggest. Can you please point out to me what accounts or notes you feel hide the expenses of IB? Also can you provide me a total of these hidden expenses?
While multi-billion dollar corporations financials can often times be difficult to interpret, the districts financials are straight forward and transparent. All legal and ethical accounting and financial standards are observed. While there is no "lump-sump" figure for IB, that is not to be expected. Accounts and different transactions must be recorded in separate areas of financial statements. This is not "hiding" but simply following solid budgetary principles.
Dear No Spin,
Really? You've been through the entire 2010-2011 budget book? Maybe you could share with Bayville Blog readers what the projected % budget increase the anointed ones in LVCSD are going to try and clobber taxpayers with since the district (in its ever decreasing efforts at transparency and unlike almost every other district on Long Island), hasn't posted any budget information online. Who's up for re-election? Who's running for the Board?
http://www.lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/budget_information
In 2005, IB was listed as a $100,000 budgetary item under HS programs. When the budget was defeated the first time around, the district "cut" the budget to $60,000 and the budget passed on the 2nd go around.
In 2006-2007, knowing I was filing FOIAs at every turn, the district decided to get crafty and establish a Code 64 for IB. Ironically, the amount listed for dollars spent in the prior year on IB expenditures was listed as $0 because Code 64 didn't exist in the prior year.
There was a line item under Instructional Salaries for "Unallocated" or "Unappropriated" funds, I forget now, it's been awhile. This dollar amount ranged between $300,000 and $800,000. I was told this money was necessary for teachers they might have to replace mid-year. Yet when I FOIA'd the actual line item, I received back an unfollowable trail which shifted the money from one category to another without ever explaining how it was actually spent.
The district allocates at least $50,000 for "curriculum writing" so teachers can "adjust" the IB course garbage to comply with NYS standards.
The IB Coordinator's salary is not listed with the IB expenditures. Neither are the stipends for the CAS and EE Coordinators.
Of course you couldn't find it. That's why it's HIDDEN!
Dear Lisa, Kudos for getting your hands dirty "under the hood" digging into those financial statements! You are looking under the right rocks and asking the right questions. I am not suggesting there is improper reporting here. But, you have identified at least a yellow flag. Making it difficult to access and question these financial statements is just wrong! And, with all due respect to Ms. or Mr. No Spin, one cannot "discover" problems with even audited financial statements without an opportunity to question in detail everyone involved with their preparation, including the independent auditors. Does anyone think that the members of this school board did not query these individuals? The rate payers have every right to chapter and verse on this stuff.
I have never voted against a school budget in my life. However, I am dismayed at the apparent lack of clarity and transparency on many critical issues raised by writers on this blog. This situation is a mess of conflicting interests and agendas. My grandchildren attend an excellent public school in another state. It's one of those places where virtually no child attends a private school. The public school there is everyone's "problem". Here, we appear to have a lack of both leadership and broad public involvement.
I am not sure just voting "no" is the proper action to take. I had a very positive interaction recently with a wonderful teacher and some very able students from LV High School. I am not sure I would serve them well by voting no. But, I AM certain they would be well served by broader community support for their school!
Why havent I received any literature in the mail about the proposed school budget? Is this where district is saving money?
When did High School stop being High School. Why do my tax dollars have to pay for someone else's pre-college education. At least students and parents pay for their AP tests. Why should I pay for IB testing. It is a bogus program and should be removed. No spin stop putting your spin on things. Thanks Lisa for your IB input.
Nothing the district has done here seems to indicate any improprieties. While budgets and financial statements do allow for reporting of certain transactions or accounts in different ways, in the end all the monies and accounts must be calculated and defendable. As long as the LVSD follows all financial and accounting guidelines, I will have no issue with how it reports its budget. If independent auditors see nothing wrong with LV'S finances, than neither do I.
I can foresee many reasons for wanting to vote down a school district budget- many of them legitimate. However, voting it down under the assumption that a budget is inaccurate or incorrect when no facts have been show proving this is quite another.
If the district was caving to pressure from the teacher's union for increases and retirement packages I would be one of the first the pull "no." So far this does not appear to be the case.
I thought about attending the LVCSD budget meeting this evening. Then I said to myself, "Eh, why bother?" For you see, whatever I write on here is seen by the district and then reported back to Jay Mathews:
Date Monday, May 3, 2010, 2:11 pm
"i hear you are creating a new storm about LVHS IB numbers" ---jay
Therefore, since I write far more effectively than I speak in public, please humor me by pretending I am speaking with a crisp British accent as I borrow a slightly amended phrase from a member of the British Parliament whom I hold in the highest esteem, Mr. Daniel Hannan:
To the Administrators and Trustees of LVCSD,
Ladies and gentlemen. You are the devalued officials of a devalued school district. You have willfully and wantonly hurled the futures of the children down the bottomless IB pit of despair. With reckless abandon and arrogant adherence to Progressive ideology, you have shown complete disregard not only for the truth, but for the financial burdens borne by the people who have entrusted their most precious assets, their children, to your alleged professional discretion. By clinging to your false, elitist, globalist demagoguery and seeking to "set yourselves apart" from those oh so terribly common districts that offer the superior Advanced Placement (AP) courses, you have financed the selling of your souls on our taxdollars to IB/UNESCO diplomats who seek nothing more than to undermine our American sovereignty by "fundamentally transforming" our children to become the new generation of "global citizens".
I tire of your endless sophistry. There are two of you who know I speak the truth. Yet you have allowed LVCSD to continue with this IB charade of "21st century learning" when you know in your hearts it is nothing more than globalist pablum and the path to mediocrity. If this district worked half as hard for its students as individuals as it does in seeking to obfuscate data, then you would have something to be really proud of. You are more concerned with putting bandaids on the image you think you project, than the actual quality of learning taking place within your walls. Your bandaids will not cure the cancer you have introduced. You have devalued LVCSD, perhaps, irreparably. How very sad, indeed.
Bayville has lost a Valued Teacher Mr.Clander has been let go after 10 years of service and serving as couch to numerous teams!!! Why because of the union!! not because of ANY perforce issue.I for one will be voting and demanding the removal of Dr. Hudderfund!!! She has shown the people of this community how wrong we were to hire her!!!! THIS IS NOT JERICHO!!!!!!
Do you mean Mr. Calandra? From Bayville Intermediate? If so, he is one of the best teachers that they have up at that school. He is kind and sensitive and an asset that should not be given up.
Yes, Mr.Calandra won of the best!!!! Maybe as parents we keep the kids home till Dr.Hunderfund leaves!!!!
I am with you. We can't allow teachers like Mr. Calandra to be let go while we pay a superintendent more than the President of the United States and her assistants over a million dollars in salaries. For What???? Shame on this community and the BOE.It is time to be proactive and not be afraid to do what we know we must do, that is, a complete restructuring of OUR district keeping in mind what is in the best interest of our students NOT the administrators.We NEED good teachers not an overabundance of admistrators and assistant administrators. Take a stand a VOTE NO!
Your facts are a little stale - the Superintendent does NOT make anywhere CLOSE to the $400K earned by the president:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=usgovinfo&cdn=newsissues&tm=516&f=10&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi%3Fdbname%3D106_cong_public_laws%26docid%3Df:publ058.106
(search for "$400,000")
How about a comparison in the same profession? Chancellor of NYC Schools as large if not larger than as all of Long Island's districts and he only make $250K? Seems beyond absurd that a superintendent of Locust Valley with 2300 students would make more. Now lets not try to compare the two the point here is job and responsibility for pay. We need to watch our dollars and here is a place where we can easily reduce expenses. Start with the administration and in November we can work on replacing the waste in Albany and begin fixing the system. Vote No send a message to the administration. Maybe they will come to their senses and present a new budget for round two.
It is always unfortunate to see valuable, hardworking teachers go. I know nothing about Mr. Clander but from the way you describe him, he seems like one of the "good ones".
Cutting of productive personnel is one of the consequences of having powerful, Albany-supported unions that fail to make accommodations during tough economic times. As previously stated, some parts of teacher union benefits and salaries are forced upon all school districts by New York State. You can have the best labor lawyer in the world and still have to pay into ridiculous retirement packages. The longer public sector employee benefits fail to coincide with private sector positions, the more layoffs like this will happen.
O BTW, is it not comforting to know that a portion of your property taxes this year will be going to bail out the MTA? That's right, Albany has mandated that a portion of all school budget's must go to fund the MTA as it reorganizes.
Maybe if the Albany had been controlling union benefits and not bailing out organizations such as the MTA, teachers such as Mr. Clander would still be employed next year.
To truly win the battle of fiscal responsibility and reasonable property tax rates, we must take the fight to Albany.
Mr. Clander? What did he teach? Did he have tenure? Are tenure teachers being let go or asked to leave?
There were several tenured teachers who were told that their positions were being eliminated. Most of them from the elementary schools. Why weren't cuts made across the board? Can the enrollment have gone down that much in one year?
I understand positions being eliminated, but why not get rid of the "dead wood" in the district? There is plenty of it. Every district has teachers that are merely collecting a paycheck. Mr. Calandra is not one of them. Our district stinks!
Enrollment levels are decreasing across the northeast. This is not just an issue at LV or even Long Island. In fact, colleges across the region are bracing for this reality and doing new strategic planning to address this very issue.
While cuts are being made in the lower grades, eventually these cuts will make their way into the middle and high schools as well.
I am on the floor laughing at those with the strongest opinions about our educational system here in LV who can't marry a noun and a verb, or spell the easiest words. At least TRY to sound intelligent, people!!!
F U ,hows that for marrying a noun to a verb
Very good, Joe. Now do you know which is the noun and which is the verb? Let's see, what is the difference between one and won? Oh, that's a hard one. Sorry! I know I should just go Fu__ myself. How, cleaver, how creative
The formula that districts are forced to operate under is " last in-first out." The most senior teachers are granted the most security during lay-offs. Their is very little wiggle-room.
The educational system in its current form DOES NOT reward success. Unions have ranted and raved for years that holding teachers to higher standards and rewarding success is unfair.
As long as Democrats in Albany continue to run the show, very little can be done about reforming our school systems and teacher's unions.
Tenured teachers can be "excessed." That means there is no longer a position for them. Generally, State law requires excessing to take place by seniority in license. The tenured teacher with the least time gets excessed. The district may not hire someone in the fall and say that a line has opened. The tenured teacher has to be offered their old job back.
Tenure applies only to the district of employment. A tenured teacher in LV would have to start in another district on probation.
Enrollments are dropping island wide - thus the cuts are impacting lower grade teachers. As the new smaller enrollments move up, there maybe be excessing in the MS and HS.
The state has offered a retirement incentive for senior teachers. I believe they have to retire by a certain date in June. I'm sure some of the more senior people will think about it because it means that someone can retire 7 years earlier and recieve no penalty.
No spin, the MTA tax is old news LVCSD started paying into that last year. And they were told they would have the money refunded. Taxation w/o representation.No school district or any business should NOT be responsible for bailing out the MTA, maybe we should send a check to Obama's healthcare reform as well. Wake up people the budget has more room for trimming. And if the Mr. Calandra thing is true that is a great loss, i didn't hear that at Hunderfund's budget meetings. Shame on you BOE!!!!!!!
Why didn't some of our lazy, America hating NY Democrats make a grab for Obama porkulus money for the MTA budget? Was UpChuck Schumer was too busy cursing out an airline attendant and squishing his ugly face next to Harry Reid's for Obamacare photo ops to fit it into his busy schedule? Doesn't the mass transit system of the financial capital of the world count as "infrastructure"? I'm sure we all agree it's MUCH better to spend the stimulus money on turtle crossings and wine warehouse skylights, right? This indeed, is old news, "No Spin" (what a joke of a handle).
No more lies. No more hypocrisy. VOTE NO ON MAY 18TH and TAKE BACK YOUR SCHOOLS!
great letter in the leader on the budget http://www.theleaderonline.com/2010/May%205/Page4.html
Dear Teachers,
Loose the VOTE YES buttons...our children are offended by your freedom of speech. It is not welcome in our school districts.
We are in the process of making T shirts for the children to wear to school stating VOTE NO
VOTE NO
this is true - I had three students from Jericho and one from Syosset. They get tutors in EVERYTHING, academics, music, etc. they are highly competitive.
So if children get tutors are the teachers and school districts responsible for high achieving students???
NO
Our school district relies on parents to pay for tutors and takes credit for the high grades our children receive.
If the education provided through this district was so great then why are parents with children in kindergarten hiring tutors?????
Children in kindergarten should not need tutors!!!
Wake up residents and VOTE NO.
Children in kindergarten should not need tutors!!!
Yes, this is true. I think that is what RTI (Response to Intervention) is all about. RTI is not yet fully implemented. There is a deadline by which we have to have it in place. Under RTI, there will have to be a formal record of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier interventions that the classroom teacher and the district have taken to make sure each child is getting the kind of instruction needed to achieve, no matter what.
the district spends more per child than a state college costs with room and board something is definitely wrong!
wake up people!!!!! they only way they will learn to cut the fat is to vote no and suffer for one year! high taxes are forcing people out of their homes and making it impossible for young people to stay in this area.
I don't have a problem paying teachers a "good" salary. Their job is not easy, and one that has great responsibilities and consequences on our children and direction as a nation.
Where I do become upset is teachers who earn a "good" salary and provide mediocre or poor support and schooling for our children. Success and superior performance are unfortunately not rewarded in our school districts. A gym teacher, after becoming tenured, can show up in flip-flops, role out the gyms balls, kick up his or her feet and read the paper. A tenured math teacher can come in wearing shorts, give the students a "formula sheet" on tests so students don't have to memorize them, not take attendance, and not offer extra help before or after class.
On the other hand, you could have a teacher that dresses professionally, comes in early and stays late, works with students on his or her lunch hour, gets excited from seeing his or her students succeed and works constantly to improve their understanding and passion for a particular subject matter.
For this teacher, I would be happy to pay them a "good" and above average teaching salary; They are, by my standards, an above average teacher and therefore should be paid as such. Attracting teachers like this to the district requires that school districts provide good paying jobs and solid benefit packages. I strongly believe that teacher's unions have become too powerful and must be curbed. However, I also understand that if LV want's to attract the best teachers, we have to offer an environment that is attractive to work at.
This is an extremely tricky balance to find. I do not envy the district in its search to uncover it.
What is fat is the outrageous guaranteed teachers pension plan and benefits. A pension plan which is part of the overall state's pension plan, the primary reason NYS has a $9 billion budget gap. The private market abandoned pension plans and replaced them with 411k plan years ago because they are unsustainable, but not the state. It keeps taxing us to pay for a benefit the rest of us can't afford.
When the stock market went bust in 2008 the rest of us lost 50% or more of our retirement but not the teachers. Not only was their pension guaranteed, we, the taxpayers, were taxed to pay for the loss and also the 8% return the state teachers union is guaranteed.
So my $100, 401k went to $50 when the market crashed and so did the value of a teacher's pension. The difference however, is since the teachers plan is guaranteed by the state SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PAY FOR THE LOSS OF EVERY SINGLE TEACHER PLUS THE GUARANTEED 8% RETURN.
So not only were my life savings wiped out but I had to pay taxes so teachers remained whole. In fact while my savings are not worth half of what they were, a teacher's pension, in this example, in now worth 8% more payed for by all of us. This is what has people so angry. The same is true of all public employees and is the key reason why states across the country are broke.
Although everyone would like to blame school districts, they have NO control over pension plans and scores of other mandates the state requires- the MTA bailout has already been discussed on this blog.
The school district announced at the last budget meeting that the current budget has a 0% salary increase for teachers. The salary increase is the ONLY PART OF TEACHER COMPENSATION CONTROLLED BY THE DISTRICT.
So our issue is really with the state. We can vote down the budget but that will not solve the problem. The fat pensions will still exist and what school districts all over the state are doing are doing to pay for them, as required by law, is to lay off newly hired teachers and other personnel. This doesn't help anyone.
The answer is we must force our representatives to make changes. Every school district budget in the state can be voted down but the problem of unsustainable public pensions and health benefits will remain, as well as all the other unfunded mandates.It may feel good to blame school districts and we can defeat the budgets and perhaps that will make us all feel good short term but it will not effect teacher pensions and benefits and the crust of the problem will remain. We must vote out our current state representative, replace them with new ones who will change the laws and bring fiscal sanity to the state.
You are absolutely correct on this matter. People like to cite salaries for administrators as a place to "cut the fat" but the REAL area where costs must be controlled are through the pension plans. They are simply unsustainable.
It's not what the district has to provide its staff this year while they working, but what they have to pay-out 10, 20 or 30 years after a teacher retires that really is outrageous.
Guaranteed pensions, coupled with mandated raises and a decrease in supposed "state aid", is a burden school districts cannot and should not shoulder.
Current lawmakers will not "get the message" even if every district in NYS went down- the unions contribute too much campaign money. New lawmakers, those not tied to union bosses, must be voted into office if we really want to address the issue at hand.
Vote YES! Think about all the great teachers and teachers assistants that will lost their jobs if you vote no. Voting yes might be the one thing that keeps their job. Also, think about the children, do we really need to give them a worse school district with less money?
Actually, Joe - CPI is up 2.3% for the 12 months through March 2010. See for yourself:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
Joe,
It's clear you haven't the foggiest notion of finance and budgets, but you do know how to marry a noun and verb. You are correct FU does so, but you still haven't told us if you understand which is the noun and which the verb. However, the fact these are the two words you choose to marry says all we need to know about you.
So ... did anyone else get a letter from Dr. Hunderfund addressed to LVHS alumni? I skimmed it briefly before chucking it in the garbage. I noticed bragging about the Regents diplomas and some unnamed student that won national honors in something or other .... but nothing, not a single sentence about IB. Now why is that? Is this district so embarrassed of this program(me) which it has flushed millions of dollars into that it can't find a single thing to boast of?
Stop whining about what you'll have to pay if we adopt a contingency budget. Your school taxes will actually go DOWN a quarter of a percent!
STOP THE WASTEFUL SPENDING ON IB! VOTE NO!
Well, this is interesting. I just received my 4th NO RETURN ADDRESS letter containing information bashing LVCSD Superintendent Anna Hunderfund. From what I can discern, these letters are coming from teachers. I'm sure they chose me because they know I have a big mouth and blog. One was a copy of the letter in the Leader, two were 3 page articles called, "When the Boss is a Bully" and the most interesting revealed that 2 Commissioner Appeals have been filed against Hunderfund and please feel free to FOIA them at the Administration building. Comments handwritten on the letters include: "Shame on the School Board and everyone who knows how Hunderfund bullies and harrasses and ruins lives" and "Hunderfund ruins lives!"
So all is not one big happy family at the Locust Valley Country Club, eh? IF these letters are coming from the teachers, will somebody please explain to me why you are wearing VOTE YES buttons? And now you want me to champion your cause? Really?
First of all, I don't take kindly to anonymous letters. Have some guts and sign your name. Secondly, where were you teachers when I ran for the Board and battled the three biggest bullies this district has ever known; Ron Walsh, Jack Dolce and Richard Shear? Why didn't any of you get behind me and speak out about the farcical IB program? Or when the School Board bullied The Leader and pulled its legal notices because I worked there as a reporter? Hmmm? Where were you then?
WOOOWWW! First there's whining about how many teachers we have when enrollment is down. Then when A.H. actually makes the cut, what do we GET?? MORE WHINING! Make up your mind, people!!! Seems like you just like to WHIIIINNNE!
There are several things wrong with the education system on Long Island. I do not think that the problem is just overpaid teachers, some are professional, enthusiastic and have high standards for the achievement and behavior of their students. Many however, once tenured, slack off. So obviously we need tenure reform. Every other occupational field requires employees to prove themselves, education should, for obvious reasons, be no different.
Additionally, how many students are enrolled in LVCSD? How many students are enrolled in Oyster Bay? Do we really need so many administrators? They are the ones that pull out huge pensions at taxpayer expense. One look on OLAS www.olasjobs.org, a database of available jobs will open your eyes. The majority of the available jobs are for administrators. There are precisely 2 openings for teachers (excluding subs), one in general ed. and one in spec. ed.
One look at see through NY http://www.seethroughny.net/Payrolls/StatePayroll/tabid/69/Default.aspx?BRANCHID=6
will show you how much we spend on all of the secretaries and auxiliary workers. Surely huge amounts of money could be saved by consolidating smaller districts. Not only would we halve the amount of administrators we pay, but our buying power would reduce costs for paper, electronics, ink, textbooks, etc.
Please do not berate me for suggesting that secretaries lose their jobs. When things get financially tough in our home, we tighten our belts. We do more of the work that we may otherwise have hired someone to do. Our schools should do the same.
Lisa,
You are so funny! It it so ironic, actually sad, that a grown woman who doesn't have a college degree would label herself, PhD in IB, and than ridicule someone else's handle. Wow, it doesn't take a trained psychiatrist to identify the depth of the pathology.
Lisa, how could you have run for BOE if you don't have a college degree? I thought that was a prerequisite...
Well, Rosalita J, that just shows your ignorance. The only "pre-requisites" to run for the Board of Education are:
1. You must be an American citizen
2. You must be a resident of the district in which you seek election
3. You must not be a convicted felon
Abe,
How about I ridicule your grammar, instead? That should be "then", not "than. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington didn't have college degrees? (not that I am in anyway comparing myself to these great men, but just to point out how ridiculous your attack is)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_by_education
http://www.peytonwolcott.com/International_Baccalaureate_Inc.html
Lisa,
I do not have a college degree, either - and I do not try to offend you. Calling my understanding of the matter "ignorance" seems a little out of line. I just asked a question about a fact that is not widely known, and not available online (when I looked).
Lisa, are you running for BOE this year, given your strong opinions?
Lisa,
Yes, and many other bright, accomplished people don't have college degrees but of course that isn't the point.
They don't pretend to be what they aren't. I never read of Abe referring to himself as a Doctor of anything. He was comfortable with who he was. He didn't pretend to be what he wasn't, and discount the value of all those who worked hard to meet the requirements of advanced degrees.
You accomplish nothing and assign yourself a designation conferred on a select few who dedicated themselves to excellence in a field of study. You have no shame and spend your life ridiculing others. It really is sad. Well, I have already discounted myself by engaging you so that ends it for me.
Continue your life work of fault finding and condemnation. I am reminded of the old saying, "Those who can do, those who can't complain. Next to this saying in the book of quotes is your picture.
Abe,
I'm sorry you were born without a sense of humor. The handle PhD in IB was only used by me in the defunct Leader forum. I chose it because former LVHS Principal Richard Shear once said to me, "You should have a PhD in IB!" You will not find that handle on my website or anywhere else.
Now don't you feel stupid?
Lisa,
Abe said it correctly. You used the PhD in IB handle for a long period of time, and no one,except you, found it humorous. It is flippant, impudent and disrespectful to furnish yourself with a title others worked years to consummate.
As to criticizing others it really is the only thing you do. I think the quote fits you perfectly!
LT-RESIDENT
As you know, it is the purpose of financial audits to flush out improprieties, loose controls, and violations of ethical and standard accounting practices. In the case of school districts, the Roselyn scandal resulted in the state mandating four different audits be conducted annually. These audits are matter of public record and you can request them. Since I am an accountant , in the private sector, I read two of the audits-- the external audit and the internal audit. The financial statements and audits in Municipal Accounting are different than the private sector but once you understand Fund accounting relatively easy to follow. Since you have questions,I suggest you access the audits and financial statements. You should also ask the Assistant Superintendent of Business, I think her name is Adriana Silver any questions you have.
From my observation of the statements and audits, it easy to see why the state distinguished LV financially as on the best run districts in the state. Outside the need to tidy up procedures and separate a few disbursements the books were very clean and tight. However, you should feel comfortable and examine the records yourself, after all it is your money.
Anonymous......leave the teachers alone! Most, if not all of them took their jobs specifically for the benefits and the security. You sound like a bitter person to me. Same goes for cops and firemen......LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!!! Jealousy gets you nowhere my friend.
I would hope teachers are not becoming teachers for the benefits and job security. I would hope they became teachers because they love teaching and educating our country's future leaders and influencers.
Perhaps these benefits and job security are the reason the US educational system has become a mockery to the world and in need of reform. Might we be better off rewarding performance and success? The teachers that are the most motivational, passionate and able to educate our children would be the ones receiving better pay and job security. After all, why would you want to let a teacher go who is doing an outstanding job?
Superior performance in the private sector ensures the greatest amount of job security. Seems to me that if teacher's job's were on the line based upon their ability to effectively teach, our children would be better off.
Let the best teacher's teach and be rewarded for it. Let the others to the wayside.
LT-Resident,
Thanks for the kind words. There is one item somewhere in the budget that I have a real objection to. Last year, sometime after the budget was approved, the district decided that it would start paying the IB and AP exam fees for students. I searched the Board Actions and could find no record of this ever having been voted on. In the past, parents always picked up the cost of these exams, just like they pay for the SAT or SAT IIs. This item totals just shy of $100,000. So why out of the blue is LVCSD paying these fees? LVCSD doesn't qualify as a Title I district where it would be eligible for Federal grant money. Has $100,000 become chump change to these folks? That sounds like two teaching positions to me. It is this sort incongruency of thought and withholding of information from the public that causes distrust and suspicion. An audit would never expose something like that to the public. An audit wouldn't consider that something out of the ordinary or inappropriate. But I know what they're doing. Meanwhile, they don't even mention in the SoundWaves anything about IB or AP! Considering LVCSD only ran 3 AP classes last year, down from the 14 we used to run and compared to the 20-25 AP courses schools like Jericho, Manhasset, Cold Spring Harbor, Sysosset, North Shore stc. run, it's an awful lot of money with not a lot to show. Why doesn't the district post the IB results (# of diplomas, pass rate) on its website? Where is the accountability? If people want to call this criticism, good! It is! Fair and honest criticism of a district which has gone out of its way to accuse me of spreading misinformation. If LVCSD doesn't have something to hide, what's the problem? Let's see some of that transparency you boasted of. Anyone who asks a question around here other than "When can I bring in the cupcakes", is considered an enemy combatant by this district.
No child will be harmed if LVCSD has to go on contingency. They will still receive just shy of $70,000,000 for 2300 students which works out to over $30,000 per student. This is the only opportunity for voters to say, "Enough is enough!" The budget is the only message they understand. Saying NO to the LVCSD proposed tax increase is a message that they need to tighten their belts and cut wasteful spending. I could slash a million dollars from that budget without any sports programs or teacher positions being lost.
Anon and Abe -
I think it's hysterical that you think it's "disrespectful to furnish myself with a title it took others years to consummate". You do, do you? Really? Please find me one person on this planet with a PhD in IB. After that, you can tie up a unicorn in my backyard. Ok?
The educational setting is NOT the the same as the private setting. Get that straight. The classroom DOES NOT WORK like the office. What happens in the classroom is largely dependent upon the quality of teacher, but is also heavily dependent on support provided by parents, building administrators, and district support. If the district itself is not a learning organization, the effectiveness of teachers is curtailed. Stop making teachers the scapegoat for your anger. You are misguided.
Furthermore, I would appreciate hearing from someone other than lisa on this blog, which she is usurping. Everyone, please stop responding to her, because it just feeds into her psychological issues and need to dominate. Ignore her, and let's get some fresh voices in here.
Who is angry? You are correct that numerous factors can and do contribute to a child's success in school and therefore often times in life.
However, I disagree with the notion that a school should not be like an "office." There are of course specific differences, however, any successful organization, private or public, relies on communication and dedication by the entire organization. Success, however it is defined by that organization is derived from marketing- the facilitating of a satisfying exchange. These exchanges cannot be effectively provided if the entire organization is not onboard with an understanding of the types of products or services it is providing.
In the private word, products or services do not sell simply because they are made. The company must have an understanding of the market and market trends, current and potential customers, political, economic social and legal forces, and numerous other factors and decision points.
These understanding or realizations are not unlike the ones experienced by public education. Schools must understand what service they are "selling"/ providing, who their "customers" are and will be, as well as their expectations, educational trends, shifts within the educational system, and the potential forces influencing changes.
Schools also have service-marketing representatives aka, teachers. These individuals are the ones primarily responsible for facilitating this exchange of the service. They are accountable for ensuring that customer's expectations, wants, needs and preferences are all met. If these wants, needs and preferences are unmet or unfulfilled, customers typically take their business elsewhere and the company fails. Unfortunately, children and their parents do not generally have the option of "taking their business" elsewhere; there school district is their school district.
I just find it hard to argue against competition and rewarding individuals for superior performance. If LV has a teacher that comes in with a great attitude and provides a quality education for his or students, reward this person. However, why should this person continue to have a job and have their salary and benefits increased despite the fact that they no longer care, interested in, or capable of effectively performing their profession? Why not bring is someone new, who is willing to go that extra mile to educate our children?
Lisa,
Now dear, do you really think the rest of us so dumb? Well, of course you do, you're blinded by hate.
What Abe points out is that in your quest to satisfy your fragile ego and weary from childhood (one would assume judging from the size of the malignancy) of any sincere recognition you heap it on yourself. It is the need to attribute PhD to yourself, which is repelling. The IB part has nothing to do with it. You self indulgence insults anyone who has achieve a PhD, in any field, I am sure whoever told you should have a PhD in IB was mocking you. You can't even see that?
It is not hard to understand the actions induced by the disease. A person devoid of achievement, without a college degree, spending all her time taunting and maligning those who have and do-- EDUCATORS, and setting up a blog that judges educational programs, as if competent and qualified, and crowing herself with recognition only elite educators achieve. If not so sad it would be funny.
I love when IB zealots decide to speak in the plural while declaring me psychologically unfit. Unable to defend their scam of a program, what do they do? Follow Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals:
Rule #5. - "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."
Then Ann jumps into the fray with Rule #13 - Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. In conflict tactics there are certain rules that [should be regarded] as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and 'frozen.'...
"Ignore her". "Don't respond to her". "Usurping", Annie? Seriously?
Btw, your Alinsky tactics don't work on me. I'm not infuriated. I'm giggling. I find those of you who blindly follow the Progressive ideology quite pathetic. Now let's get to the crux of the matter.
No Spin made an interesting point about performance pay tied to student achievement. I happen to agree with that concept. The problem is the teacher's union. No one here has discussed the union and tenure. Pensions were briefly mentioned and then you guys went into a bunch of emotional whining. Until school officials are willing to stand up to the union like that Superintendent up in Rhode Island who fired EVERYBODY, nothing is going to change. Out in Colorado, teachers pay in close to 50% of their pensions. Here in NY, teacher only pay 3% the first 10 years and then are 100% funded by we the taxpayers for the balance. There are good teachers and bad teachers. The truly outstanding teachers my children had in LVCSD were the ones many of the whiney mommies complained about. They thought they were "too strict" or "too sarcastic" or "gave too much work". They were actually the ones who stood up to the union and administrators and didn't cave to every educational fad that came along. I can count the great ones on one hand. Look at the administrative turnover you've had in LVCSD. My kids went through 8 HS Principals in 10 years. Doesn't anyone else think something is seriously, seriously, wrong here?
On May 18th, TAKE BACK YOUR SCHOOLS AND VOTE NO!
This out today, on topic of tying performance to achievement:
Teacher, Pupil Grades Entwined
State, Union Reach a Landmark Deal
from WSJ 5/11/2010:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704879704575236491442429802.html#mod=todays_us_new_york
Oh Lisa, it is so comforting to know you have listened to Glen Beck so carefully.
In NYS, as you should know, issues of teacher tenure and pension contribution are made by the state. Local School Boards and administrations must work within the state laws governing tenure and pension contribution.
If you want change, instead of complaining about local administrations that have no jurisdiction over these issues, you and your buddy, Glen, should take aim at the state. The reason you don't is that would require a real plan and work. It's much easier to just complain and loft grenades at educators, and we do understand your malady with educators.
Rosalita J -
You chimed in after a poster launched a personal attack on me for not having a college degree. I read your post as hostile, however, my response was not out of line, but accurate. I'm sorry if you felt offended. Here is the definition of ignorance:
"Ignorance is where someone or something is uninformed. This should not be confused with being unintelligent, as one's level of intelligence and level of education or general awareness are not the same. The word "Ignorant" is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware."
And to answer your question, no, I am not running for the Board of Ed. But shouldn't you ask yourself why ONE WEEK prior to the May 18th election, LVCSD hasn't sent out the traditional budget brochure which tells us WHO IS?
As I read it, the post cited you for fabricating an advanced degree to yourself,
all the parents know that the budget flyer is on the way - as described in parent council meeting
BTW, I never said you were angry, lisa. I think you are more under-stimulated. I think this is all quite enjoyable for you!!!
WOW! Gosh, Anonymous, thanks so much for "schoolin" me in how the law works. I mean, I never would have suspected that NYS law governed pensions and tenure without your sage advice. Why the heck do you think I mentioned the difference between Colorado's teacher pensions and NY, hmmm Einstein?
There are ways of getting laws changed. Do you think the NYS School Boards Association has any clout when it comes to reform at the state level? Do you think that might be why it is important to know who is trying to get elected or remain in power on your local school board? Accountability starts locally. These are our elected representatives. It is their fiduciary duty to the public to lobby for fiscal reform for unions. Unions are bankrupting this country - New York, New Jersey and California in particular. Stop with the personal attacks and Glenn Beck references and debate like you have something worth saying, if possible.
Dear Anonymous 33,
It was a FABRICATED degree! There is NO SUCH THING as a PhD in IB! IT WAS A JOKE! But it sure was a lot more original than "Anonymous 33", eh?
Now why don't you go pick on Burger King for not being a real King! Good grief, you people are hopeless!
Frankly, If you were a student of the constitution, as you claim you would understand the reference to 33. Write and ask Mr. Beck he may know.
Imparting a PhD title on yourself is a joke only to you. To others, it represents your frustration. With no credentials, your low self esteem comes out and you rally against those who do.
Actually, comparing yourself to the Burger King is appropriate. Maybe you do get it.
Ann said:
"all the parents know that the budget flyer is on the way - as described in parent council meeting"
WOW! Well that sure is just peachy, Annie ol' girl. So I guess as one of the "privileged" whose children are currently enrolled in LVCSD, you feel that it's perfectly OK to keep the 18-30 and 50+ crowd of registered LVCSD voters who DON'T have children currently in the system but help foot the bill, in the dark? No press for the "new guy" challenging the stale and useless incumbents Dolce and Madsen, eh Annie? What's his name again? Fishbein? Fishburn? Am I close? How very Stalinistic of you.
NO to $100,000 for IB/AP exam fees!
NO to $200,000 for IB!
NO to wasteful "studies" on parking lots and botched construction (remember the Big Rat!)
NO to LVCSD slush funds
VOTE NO on May 18th and TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!
Lisa,
You are so right. You could be the Burger King or Queen. Which do you prefer?. Just remove the facial hair and the likeness is striking.I mean really, the power of the unconsciousness. While PhD of IB is offensive, PhD of BK or BQ works.
On the election relax BQ (I like BQ better) You are so out of the loop. Madison announced weeks ago he isn't running. You will be happy to know Fishburn-- no, not close spent seven years at guess where? GS. My gosh, we better increase the four unfunded mandates to twenty. What a break, you have great ammunition even before he starts.
WOW...the anti lisa posters must be participants from the ols leader blog. they must be older members of the boe that also accused lisa of the helicopters flying in to take over the world!!!
BOTTOM line we are the taxpayers.
We DO not care about anyother school district but our own
We will not support this budget
We DO NOT want IB
VOTE NO
Army,
Yep. That's me. Out of the loop. Such a silly goose to expect our public school district and local rag of a paper to actually report who is running for the Board. Or to post the budget online. Yeah, that sure is arrogant of me. Of course, since you have all diagnosed me as paranoid, the reason LVCSD must only be providing this information to "insiders" is because they don't want ME to know, right? Yeah, that must be it. Oh, but that would be giving ME way too much credit. And that would mean extreme narcissism and confidence, not low self-esteem. I mean, why would an entire district be afraid of someone who has such low self-esteem and no credentials? Uh, oh, looks like you've got your diagnosis wrong! Maybe, now I know this is really difficult for you to understand, but just maybe, it's because I speak the TRUTH. I sign my name to my posts, I don't cower behind an anonymous moniker launching personal attacks. (Btw, it was Madsen, not Madison, who was the useless Board member. At least he has the decency to step away)
So the newbie was with Goldman Sachs, eh? Who's he with now? Free Press? Green for All? The Apollo Alliance? Inquiring minds want to know.
VOTE NO!
Lisa, just said the flyer is on the way. No content, no information. Chillax.
BQ, great handle, providing information to insiders, you must be kidding! The budget is available as always at the library and I picked up a copy, as I do each year, at the district office. The librarian told me she isn't hiding it from you, and I find it unlikely the receptionist at the district office would refuse your request.
Why you didn't attend the annual," Meet the Candidates Night" last Thursday is your business but the event was public knowledge.
As to why The Leader didn't announce the candidates, you should ask you friend Sally why? But the lack of a newspaper announcement didn't single you out. Wow, talk about paranoid and an inferiority complex.
There was a Meet the Candidates Night? Oh, that's nice. How many people were there besides Jeanne Zaino and Patti Craft? 5? 7? How was anyone who doesn't have a child in LVCSD supposed to know about it? Did the district advertise it anywhere? Why wasn't the budget brochure sent out in a timely manner like in years past? FOR ALL THE MONEY WE SPEND ON TECHNOLOGY, WHY ISN'T IT ONLINE??? I can't believe you people are defending the secrecy and lack of transparency of this district! Why should I have to go to the library to look at the budget? Let's see, what do other NORMAL districts do as BEST PRACTICES:
http://www.jerichoschools.org/finance/Budget1011/Budget_Summary.pdf
http://www.csh.k12.ny.us/files/filesystem/Budget%20Booklet%202010-2011.pdf
http://www.syosset.k12.ny.us/
http://www.roslynschools.org/business/budget1011/budgetscope1011.pdf
http://www.manhasset.k12.ny.us/district.cfm?subpage=8652
http://obenschools.org/administration/budget.htm
http://www.northshore.k12.ny.us/
http://www.glencove.k12.ny.us/district/pdfs/GC%2010-11%20FINAL%20BUDGET%20NL_05-3-10.pdf
And as of this morning, one week before election day, what does LVCSD have up?
http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/budget_information
Absolutely NOTHING! CRAP! So how much is in that budget for technology?
VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO!!!!
BQ,
Calm down, relax. You're giving the impression you
becoming unglued.
For all the alarm over $2-300K spent on IB -- it's less than 1/2 of 1% of the budget. Are we unwilling to invest that proportionate amount in something helpful to students who want an alternative to AP? What if the budget were $69.7 mil instead of $70.0 mil and we offered AP only... is that truly forward progress?
To the Progressive Truth:
IB decimated LVHS AP courses! The only 3 AP courses that ran last year were 9th & 10th Grade AP World, 10th Grade AP Euro, and 11th Grade AP U.S. History. THERE IS NO CHOICE!
So do I think offering college-LEVEL (AP) instead of college-preparatory courses (I
You betcha!
Wow, sounds like some big important news about to break on IB.
Have you found out the relationship between the constitution and 33. Do you want a hint?
To The Truth,
Yes, dump IB for what ever the cost. I am absolutely unwilling to invest .1% in IB.
So Keep IB and leave no alternative for the children who want to take AP is what this district is doing.
69.7 million would get a no vote as long as IB is attached to the budget.
True progress would be a NO VOTE and taking over the teachers union.
VOTE NO
THIS SHIP HAS SAILED. Goodness, you remind me of the Japanese fighters who didn't get the message that the war ended until 29 years later! 21st century learning is here, and so is IB. That's the bottom line.
However, if you have a child who had a negative experience with IB, I must ask:
Did you share the nature of your problems with Bob Buonaspina, or A.H., or anyone who in the past could have used the information to help families and strengthen the program?
If you really want to help today's children, this is what you will do. Don't waste your experiential knowledge. This is how you can make your experiences count for something good.
Pulling the "no" lever doesn't make IB, or guaranteed pensions, or tenure go away. It doesn't help today's families with school-aged children; those families certainly will suffer severe financial hardships if the budget goes to contingency.
Some approximations for out-of-pocket increased costs:
$900 transportation
$270 lunches
$1300 summer rec
$900 per sport
$190 per club
$550 driver's ed
? school supplies (the kind usually provided by the district)
That's the bottom line: your no-vote will hurt families and children in this community. Attack in Albany - there lies the root of your problems - problems you can do something about.
Senator Marcellino
Assemblyman Montesano
Assemblyman Charles Levine
Gov. Patterson
Lt. Gov. R. Ravitch
Why just in Albany how about a two prong approach; at the district and then in November in Albany. They all need to pay attention, voting down this budget and others on Long Island will get the attention of Albany law makers and maybe open the field for some reform minded challengers. By the way what happened to everyone paying for what they use, why should families that don't use drivers' ed have to pay for ones that do, and so on? Why should my or any other family subsidize some family looking for summer recreation. None of the items above are reason to vote yes nor will they hurt the educational development of our children, with the possible exception of lunches. (By the way that is reason Albany are excluded them when a district is on a contingency budget.) Why do the children need busing how about they get some much needed exercise and walk to school, isn't that what earlier generations did? Don't we advocate this daily, exercise, exercise. I could go on but many here are just as polarized locally as on the national level. It's time we accept some sacrifices before disaster is thrust upon us. These continual increases only increase the burden on our children in the future. If we don't start to fix it now, it will not matter whether they have IB or AP classes they will have such a hole to dig out from it won't matter.
http://www.lischooltax.com/1010PTRC.pdf
Locust Valley USDF Hunderfund Anna F $255,000
Locust Valley USDF Vogenberger Thomas C $173,325
Locust Valley USDF Marino Judith $171,000
Locust Valley USDF Silver Adriana $160,000
Locust Valley USDF Presland Robert A $155,384
Locust Valley USDF Lupson Martin P $152,647
Locust Valley USDF Gary Sophia D $152,008
Locust Valley USDF Rogin James K $151,443
Locust Valley USDF Jodre Roberta-Michele $142,811
Locust Valley USDF McGuire Kieran J $142,158
Locust Valley USDF Christie John J $138,686
Locust Valley USDF Mc Andrew Daniel P $137,636
Locust Valley USDF Teseo Robert F $137,011
Locust Valley USDF Harrington Gabrielle E $137,003
Locust Valley USDF Schwartz Marian E $134,523
Locust Valley USDF Patak Colette M $134,018
Locust Valley USDF Mc Elhiney Scott A $133,304
Locust Valley USDF Gurzynski Walter B $132,846
Locust Locust Valley USDF Perrone Anthony J $132,362
Locust Valley USDF Ethe David J $132,182
Locust Valley USDF Dantuono Mark J $130,726
Locust Valley USDF Gould Kenneth J $130,102
Locust Valley USDF Margiotta William R $128,919
Locust Valley USDF Hogan III Howard T $127,039
Locust Valley USDF Palmer Elaine M $125,838
Locust Valley USDF Casillo Judithann M $125,409
Locust Valley USDF Masopust Marianne $125,189
Locust Valley USDF Gordon Carlyn R $124,736
Locust Valley USDF Minnick Marie S $124,513
Locust Valley USDF Bender Denise L $124,056
Locust Valley USDF Tobin Cynthia L $123,964
Locust Valley USDF Weiss Janet R $123,602
Locust Valley USDF Buonaspina Robert $123,566
Locust Valley USDF Kane Kathleen P $123,352
Locust Valley USDF Mulstay Mary Jane $123,023
Locust Valley USDF Kleiger Maria $122,983
Locust Valley USDF Fuggini Francis L $122,911
Locust Valley USDF Stella Alan C $122,725
Locust Valley USDF Lasko Pamela $122,261
Locust Valley USDF LaBella Barbara E $122,203
Locust Valley USDF Aragonesi Joseph $122,087
Locust Valley USDF Crici Vincent D $121,912
Locust Valley USDF Mc Manus Dorothy A $121,734
Locust Valley USDF Cagney Monica A $121,154
Locust Valley USDF Murray Patricia A $121,016
Locust Valley USDF Saland Lori $120,833
Locust Valley USDF Emery Carol A $120,823
Locust Valley USDF Blask Sherri G $120,823
Locust Valley USDF Mahoski Shelly L $120,493
Locust Valley USDF Hoppner Christopher J $120,416
Locust Valley USDF Medwed Marjorie J $120,072
Locust Valley USDF Benstock Jane P $119,770
Locust Valley USDF Sokol Ricki J $119,765
Locust Valley USDF Muniz Mary Lou R $119,765
Locust Valley USDF Mantle-Kemp Catherine A $119,668
Locust Valley USDF Hendrickson Mary R $119,652
Locust Valley USDF Kalbacher Prudence A $119,376
Locust Valley USDF Hockman-Zappulla Lynette S $119,272
Locust Valley USDF Morris Philip A $118,877
Locust Valley USDF Oilman Donna J $118,745
Locust Valley USDF Meli Joann M $118,093
Locust Valley USDF Neal Margaret E $117,913
Locust Valley USDF Beers Susan M $117,883
Locust Valley USDF Galano Jacqueline O $117,405
Locust Valley USDF Zindman Shari P $117,325
Locust Valley USDF Kobus Doreen A $117,050
Locust Valley USDF Rupp Beatrice $116,793
Locust Valley USDF Eno Stacey L $116,676
Locust Valley USDF Becker Tanya J $116,676
Locust Valley USDF Kriesberg Karen L $116,676
Locust Valley USDF Youngs Lynn A $116,645
Locust Valley USDF Craddock Judith L $115,571
Locust Valley USDF Mierlak Barbara A $115,378
Locust Valley USDF Nardone Andrew J $114,742
Locust Valley USDF Herlich Kimmarie T $114,715
Locust Valley USDF Prisco Jennifer A $114,647
Locust Valley USDF Greco Mary L $114,598
Locust Valley USDF Gallucci Maureen A $114,307
Locust Valley USDF Bellisari Timothy $113,223
Locust Valley USDF Mancini Nancy E $113,189
Locust Valley USDF Collins Carolyn J $112,941
Locust Valley USDF Kardonsky Mark H $112,887
Locust Valley USDF Boudreau Elizabeth $112,548
Locust Valley USDF Harrison Joseph $112,477
Locust Valley USDF Mc Elwain Susan G $112,364
Locust Valley USDF Portente Valerie $112,248
Locust Valley USDF Duvall Loretta I $111,780
Locust Valley USDF Shanahan Jeanne M $111,481
Locust Valley USDF Fahlbusch Barbara M $111,481
Locust Valley USDF Waite Yvonne M $111,370
Locust Valley USDF Bressel Elizabeth R $111,290
Locust Valley USDF LoGerfo Michael J $111,215
Locust Valley USDF Galloway Marc B $111,049
Locust Valley USDF Defeo Linda $110,888
Locust Valley USDF Lynch Lawrence P $110,688
Locust Valley USDF Salerno Michele M $110,039
Locust Valley USDF Weprin Jennifer L $109,829
Locust Valley USDF Green Rachel B $109,694
Locust Valley USDF Mann Emily L $109,632
Locust Valley USDF Arthur Christine A $109,529
Locust Valley USDF Reilly Kathleen M $109,107
Locust Valley USDF Miller Maribeth $108,874
Locust Valley USDF Yanez Diane $108,641
Locust Valley USDF Rogers Jean M $108,418
Locust Valley USDF Hodgson Janice $108,362
Locust Valley USDF Keys Erin E $108,197
Locust Valley USDF Adames-Pugliano Juana E $108,109
Locust Valley USDF Bates Elizabeth A $108,092
Locust Valley USDF Vissicchio Dawn M $107,944
Locust Valley USDF Mason Evelyn D $107,590
Locust Valley USDF Ciampi Veronica M $107,488
Locust Valley USDF Keenan Faith K $107,293
Locust Valley USDF Benstock John E $106,843
Locust Valley USDF Levy Robert P $106,715
Locust Valley USDF Parente Margaret H $106,497
Locust Valley USDF Cook Joyce A $106,386
Locust Valley USDF Cassara Robert J $106,223
Locust Valley USDF Patak Ellen C $105,673
Locust Valley USDF Schaffer Gail R $105,224
Locust Valley USDF Craig Catherine H $104,510
Locust Valley USDF Buzzeo Carol A $104,358
Locust Valley USDF Cronin Bernadette R $104,130
Locust Valley USDF Haslinger Lynn C $103,354
Locust Valley USDF Mills Marie S $103,354
Locust Valley USDF Loher Pamela J $103,239
Locust Valley USDF Caballero Elizabeth G $102,699
Locust Valley USDF Kollias Frank $101,366
Locust Valley USDF Weiner Michelle $101,047
Locust Valley USDF Monsees Ann M $100,886
Locust Valley USDF Calandra William J $100,221
Locust Valley USDF Altstadter Meryl $100,189
Locust Valley USDF Guerra Vincent J $100,169
Locust Valley USDF Steiner Vicki R $100,124
Locust Valley USDF Mc Elwain Penny $99,981
Locust Valley USDF Bennett Romy M $99,356
Locust Valley USDF Lee Joseph G $99,114
Locust Valley USDF Nagor Heather $99,047
Locust Valley USDF Santoro Jenifer J $98,541
Locust Valley USDF Ring Karen H $98,388
Locust Valley USDF Murray Lucia L $97,952
Locust Valley USDF Maruca Judith A $97,697
Locust Valley USDF Saltzman Amy R $97,447
Locust Valley USDF Hersh Jennifer A $97,071
Locust Valley USDF Cahill Adrienne P $95,854
Locust Valley USDF Bates Elizabeth A $95,506
Locust Valley USDF First Meris L $94,603
Locust Valley USDF Hank Jennifer A $94,107
Locust Valley USDF Watson Amy E $94,063
Locust Valley USDF Vitale Anthony J $93,810
Locust Valley USDF Aucone Carmen A $93,502
Locust Valley USDF Cummo Lara M $93,243
Locust Valley USDF Wolf Stephen J $92,788
Locust Valley USDF Oromaner Diana M $92,614
Locust Valley USDF Dimasso Josephine A $92,539
Locust Valley USDF Levy Rachel $92,514
Locust Valley USDF Ettinger Dana L $92,474
Locust Valley USDF Hilbert Stacey M $92,474
Locust Valley USDF Morris Lisa A $92,265
Locust Valley USDF Cusano Nicole L $92,210
Locust Valley USDF Vera Laura A $92,193
Locust Valley USDF Quinn Lauren E $91,550
Locust Valley USDF Fredericks Donna M $91,072
Locust Valley USDF Meli Lucia D $91,067
Locust Valley USDF Fredican Nicole B $90,539
Locust Valley USDF McCarthy Amanda B $90,234
Locust Valley USDF Schmid Christopher J $90,205
Locust Valley USDF Verrelli Sara M $89,438
Locust Valley USDF Spear Melinda J $89,099
Locust Valley USDF Mc Glone Elizabeth M $89,063
Locust Valley USDF Cole-Onaifo Karen $88,890
Locust Valley USDF Ward Jessica M $88,861
Locust Valley USDF Pace Lori A $87,624
Locust Valley USDF Alonge Francine $87,552
Locust Valley USDF Wohrle Judith G $86,785
Locust Valley USDF McFarland Matthew J $86,677
Locust Valley USDF Caramico Tammy $86,576
Locust Valley USDF Coppola Paige M $86,505
Locust Valley USDF Brezina Melissa E $85,639
Locust Valley USDF Cameron Lisa M $85,474
Locust Valley USDF Bolitho Adele $85,371
Locust Valley USDF Manzo Angela E $85,199
Locust Valley USDF Prohens Meredith C $85,183
Locust Valley USDF Klug Kristy L $84,512
Locust Valley USDF Sherry Sharon E $84,478
Locust Valley USDF Ayoub Jodi N $84,338
Locust Valley USDF Schade Jeanine $83,612
Locust Valley USDF Lomot Timothy M $83,210
Locust Valley USDF Cavanagh Dina E $82,935
Locust Valley USDF Shadock Michele $82,541
Locust Valley USDF DiGennaro John F $82,284
Locust Valley USDF Goeren Kathleen $82,127
Locust Valley USDF Rovere Santa T $80,772
Locust Valley USDF Gallagher Scott F $80,614
Locust Valley USDF Vaccaro Mathew G $80,499
Locust Valley USDF Ricciardi Efrat $80,456
Locust Valley USDF Loveland Dawn M $80,363
Locust Valley USDF Notti Douglas W $80,333
Locust Valley USDF Chafetz Bradley K $80,247
Locust Valley USDF Soman Philip E $79,555
Locust Valley USDF Perillo Rebekah I $79,165
Locust Valley USDF Dickstein Jaimie F $78,770
Locust Valley USDF Holz Maggie A $78,692
Locust Valley USDF Chaplin Donna R $78,260
Locust Valley USDF Franco Adriana M $78,045
Locust Valley USDF Maier Jeffrey E $78,018
Locust Valley USDF Dennis Tracy E $77,767
Locust Valley USDF Zahn Robert C $77,424
Locust Valley USDF Whitting Margaret A $77,077
Locust Valley USDF Lipsey Stefanie M $77,062
Locust Valley USDF Foote Tiffani D $77,026
Locust Valley USDF St Denis Scott A $76,790
Locust Valley USDF Mooney Melanie M $76,180
Locust Valley USDF Aiello Eleonora J $75,718
Locust Valley USDF Amft Mark R $75,578
Locust Valley USDF Pacifico Nadine M $75,480
Locust Valley USDF Smith Katherine A $74,791
Locust Valley USDF Czerniecki Lisa A $74,700
Locust Valley USDF Hujber Christine M $73,948
Locust Valley USDF LeMieux Jennifer A $73,791
Locust Valley USDF Rose Doreen A $73,726
Locust Valley USDF Labansky Charles A $73,649
Locust Valley USDF Angelo Mariantonia $73,205
Locust Valley USDF Rosenbaum Amy F $72,777
Locust Valley USDF Hauck Maura M $72,495
Locust Valley USDF Rice Tara Marie $71,872
Locust Valley USDF Scully Brendan $71,767
Locust Valley USDF Ferraro Doreen D $71,612
Locust Valley USDF Hellyer Carole E $71,480
Locust Valley USDF Enea Joseph M $71,383
Locust Valley USDF Wescott Alyssa R $71,359
Locust Valley USDF Celli Jillian J $71,072
Locust Valley USDF Mc Namara Lisa $70,705
Locust Valley USDF Eliseo Jean B $69,431
Locust Valley USDF Joyce Anne T $69,368
Locust Valley USDF Kuhner Barbara A $68,959
Locust Valley USDF San Filippo Kristen P $66,935
Locust Valley USDF Burns Margaret A $66,560
Locust Valley USDF Howard Beth P $66,536
Locust Valley USDF Comerford-Nilsen Coleen G $66,497
Locust Valley USDF Fallon Kelley A $65,169
Locust Valley USDF Vargas Suzette $64,616
Locust Valley USDF Conti Lisa J $64,101
Locust Valley USDF Camilleri Thomas C $62,811
Locust Valley USDF Dean Teresa $62,152
Locust Valley USDF Echausse Beth A $62,142
Locust Valley USDF Corrado Loren K $62,077
Locust Valley USDF Canavan John F $61,625
Locust Valley USDF Aebisher Erin M $60,361
Locust Valley USDF Marino Lisa M $58,646
Locust Valley USDF Fallot Robert J $57,493
Locust Valley USDF Lee Kristen $56,166
Locust Valley USDF Mossa Maria I $47,618
Locust Valley USDF Himelein Katie L $46,592
Locust Valley USDF Testa Cara R $40,169
Locust Valley USDF Gomula Gail A $37,381
Locust Valley USDF Attonito Patricia P $35,431
Locust Valley USDF Bezmen Catherine J $34,817
Locust Valley USDF Bathie Sandra T $33,865
Locust Valley USDF Repka Patricia M $33,766
Locust Valley USDF Tuozzolo Denise $33,158
Locust Valley USDF Rossetti Maryann $32,813
Locust Valley USDF Kerewich Erin A $32,360
Locust Valley USDF McCabe James $32,244
Locust Valley USDF Simons Joanne M $32,213
Locust Valley USDF Simons Kimberly $31,567
Locust Valley USDF Williams Ellen M $31,415
Locust Valley USDF Kleinberg Lisa $29,013
Locust Valley USDF Caputo Joan C $27,910
Locust Valley USDF Mc Killen Deborah J $27,662
Locust Valley USDF Petrocelli Catherine M $27,127
Locust Valley USDF Giustino Virginia A $27,023
Locust Valley USDF Chiantella Ann M $26,549
Locust Valley USDF Steele Sharon B $25,720
Locust Valley USDF Arena Kelly W $25,216
Locust Valley USDF Hament Tina $23,588
Locust Valley USDF Contreras Stephanie J $23,409
Locust Valley USDF Rant Marina L $23,088
Locust Valley USDF Dalli Marie $23,079
Locust Valley USDF Falabella Marie F $22,624
Locust Valley USDF Palios Katherine T $22,355
Locust Valley USDF Sidor Maria $21,094
Locust Valley USDF Valentine Joan F $21,037
Locust Valley USDF Ecton Suzanne $20,995
Locust Valley USDF Solomon Joshua E $20,747
Locust Valley USDF Delia Christine $20,580
Locust Valley USDF Arocho Rachael A $20,462
Locust Valley USDF Sepulveda Kathleen $20,171
Locust Valley USDF Rudowsky Carol A $19,538
Locust Valley USDF Vlavianos Christina B $19,391
Locust Valley USDF Watson Ronnie G $19,377
Locust Valley USDF Eysser Elaine J $18,975
Locust Valley USDF Domin Anita L $18,759
Locust Valley USDF Rieff Nirel Y $18,535
Locust Valley USDF Warfield Allison G $18,412
Locust Valley USDF Yamond Lorraine $18,379
Locust Valley USDF Zaleski Leslie A $18,217
Locust Valley USDF Jaworski Janet A $17,566
Locust Valley USDF Liberto Linda A $16,782
Locust Valley USDF Notov-Lew Gypsy N $16,750
Locust Valley USDF Gamen Milito Silvana A $16,608
Locust Valley USDF Ricciardi Melissa $15,150
Locust Valley USDF Gross Abbe G $15,030
Locust Valley USDF Herlihy William A $14,249
Locust Valley USDF Fried Jean $12,623
Locust Valley USDF Dargenio Steve R $11,889
Locust Valley USDF Carrozza Jacqueline M $10,302
Locust Valley USDF Espinal Anais $10,194
Locust Valley USDF Northshield Eileen A $9,604
Locust Valley USDF Wiedenkeller Corinne M $9,560
Locust Valley USDF Formicola Lisa M $9,546
Locust Valley USDF Berglund Brian K $9,502
Locust Valley USDF Lindsen MaryAnn $9,345
Locust Valley USDF Calonita Daniella E $8,893
Locust Valley USDF Valicenti Elizabeth L $8,640
Locust Valley USDF Taub Allison M $8,606
Locust Valley USDF Louca Patricia M $8,385
Locust Valley USDF Caso Alyssa A $8,214
Locust Valley USDF Panetta Susan M $8,077
Locust Valley USDF Balk-Dubrofsky Jenna M $7,886
Locust Valley USDF Fanning James S $7,407
Locust Valley USDF Reardon Adele $6,963
Locust Valley USDF Ponterotto Louis D $6,715
Locust Valley USDF De Martino Christina J $6,557
Locust Valley USDF Willenbacher Cynthia A $6,364
Locust Valley USDF Lipari Antoinette M $6,313
Locust Valley USDF Pizzo Michael R $6,052
Locust Valley USDF Schaefer Michele L $5,993
Locust Valley USDF Reiner Karin H $5,937
Locust Valley USDF Bonanno Dorothy H $5,262
Locust Valley USDF Steinberg Glen M $5,193
i could go on.... and enrollment is down!
VOTE NO
I just threw up in my mouth after reading the salary list
VOTE NO VOTE NO VOTE NO
All of those salaries are available on seethroughny.com so basically you provided no new information and wasted valuable time of your life that could have been directed more positively. Congratulations.
And, that list is old. Many of those people no longer work in the district or are retired. And I find it hard to believe that anyone would "throw up in their mouths" over the list. Many of those teachers have worked for the district 15-20+ years. How convenient that their number of years experience is left off of that list. I'm so sick and tired of seeing the teachers used as pawns in a budget vote. The deserve every penny of what they earn. Forget the argument of tenure and bad teachers. There's good and bad everywhere: fireman, business people, garbage men...Find a new argument. Teachers didn't create the system. Go to Albany if you're that upset.
I am going to vote YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES.
I'm tired of the IB conspiracy talk. It's a good program and certainly not affecting which colleges the children are getting into. As a parent of two HS students, I know how good the college acceptances were this year. Ask your kids if you don't believe what I'm saying or call HS guidance and they can tell you. Furthermore, if the budget passes or not, IB is not going anywhere. And your fools if you think it is. There is too much money and time devoted into the creation of solid program at the school. They had to get rid of AP because you can't run the two together. It was a choice made by administrators who are no longer in the district.
As for contingency not affecting students, what a load of bull. No buses in Bayville Elementary, a possibility of no Kindergarten, more teacher cuts, cutting clubs, cutting music and art, cutting the musical, sports, etc. How can you tell me that these cuts won't be noticed by the kids? Did you know that the school tax increase for a house in Bayville valued at $500,000 will only be $60 a year? In LV it will be $100. Most of us spend more than that to fill the car up with gas once a week. It's certainly not an unreasonable amount.
I encourage the community to truly investigate anything you may be concerned about. I know that the superintendent is more that willing to have a conversation with anyone, whether you have kids in the school or not. Don't be easily swayed but anon. postings or by postings of an extremist who has been opposed to IB since its inception.
VOTE YES!!
THANK YOU!
I support our teachers and the salaries as listed. All of you who like to compare teachers to the business world - what does a professional with a master's degree plus 15, 30, 45, 60 additional hours of training get? Alot more than teachers with their February bonuses!! What if your son was a teacher, trying to pay a mortgage and support a family in this town - you know that you would support your child.
I do agree that teacher tenure has to go, both at the public school and college level. Also, gaurenteed pensions have to be rolled over for teachers, just like the rest of us.
Otherwise, I do not begrudge one penny to teachers who have commmitted their entire lives and careers to us. Loyalty goes both ways. Remember that the top wage earners have spent decades here and are at the end of their careers. What does a banker or a CEO or other accomplished business professional make for a salary at the end of their careers - what our teachers make, many times over, that's what.
THANK YOU TEACHERS - MY CHILDREN ARE HAPPY TO GO TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY, AND YOU ARE THE PEOPLE I THANK FOR IT!!
Yes, Ann - my children just love going to school every day - they've always had caring teachers and received extra help and attention when needed, before we even ask for it. When I ask the administration for facts about things mentioned (like in this blog), I receive nothing but help and open communication. This is not a district with something to hide - these are good people.
Vote YES indeed!
LOL...I don't make what the teachers in this district make.
I am voting NO
LMAO...Who care if the busing gets cut. Most of the children in this district are driven to school...look at the busses thay are empty!!!!
LMFAO...the kids they won't notice a thing but maybe more dedicated teachers that will see that they need to do their job or else!!!!
The community will speak and send a message that we are finally taking our district back.
YOU WANTED CHANGE...WELL HERE IT COMES!!!!
..."YES WE CAN" OBAMO CLAIMS TO HAVE MADE THIS STATEMENT BUT IT REALLY IS FROM BOB THE BUILDER!!!!
VOTE NO
I AM NOT PAYING ANOTHER DOLLAR INTO IB
VOTE NO
I'm sure everyone in Cat Hollow, Godfrey and Mountain will certainly mind no buses, especially when the line of cars is backed up and down their roads at 9 and 3 every day. The buses are not empty, just your comments are Masters. Sorry you didn't make the right career choice in life. That's a decision you will have to live with. It's certainly not the teachers' problem.
As for teachers doing their job "or else", you clearly have no knowledge of how tenure and seniority work presently. I suggest you do some research before commenting any further.
Another IB comment. I'm curious as to what you know about the program and what it entails. I'm not talking about the rumors and conspiracies, I'm talking about how it works and how colleges view it. I'm willing to bet that you probably got most of your info from this blog right here. Not really the most reliable source of information.
Again, I will urge any community members who have questions to direct them to the BOE, superintendent, administrators, teachers, etc. Talk to your kids about school. My own are quite happy and feel that the programming exceeds their needs. Do not be so easily swayed without hearing the correct information from those who are knowledgeable and not spouting hatred and conspiracy theories.
I am from Cat Hollow and will accept the cars if it means taking back the district and the beginning of real change. All the contingency talk is just a "scare me" approach to getting parents to vote yes. Bottom line is as a community we will save over a $1.4 million. Lets drop the cost per household argument, it is just an old sales trick. Bottom line if we allow million dollar plus increases every year we will only succeed in running all the young families and retired residents out of town and then where will we be. Vote NO because we all want to continue to live in an affordable place.
Two hours in the morning, two hours in the afternoon, five days a week, longer in the snow and rain. Think about it a little harder.
"And your fools if you think it is. There is too much money and time devoted into the creation of solid program at the school. They had to get rid of AP because you can't run the two together. It was a choice made by administrators who are no longer in the district."
Now THAT makes me throw up in my mouth! Who's the fool? YOU ARE (that would be YOU'RE not YOUR). But I sure do wish you had the fortitude and guts to sign your name to the crap you spewed above. Most IB zealots swear on their children's lives that IB doesn't eliminate AP, that not only is that a ridiculous assumption but that they work hand in hand with each other. Yet here comes an LVCSD cheerleading idiot who, in her blind ignorance, actually states what really happens when IB infiltrates small schools - you can't run both. How delicious. The original decision DID completely eliminate AP in 11th & 12th Grades. This "extremist" lobbied the Board to bring back AP and provide students with equal choice. This was agreed to at a public Board of Ed session when Dr. Singe was still Supt, but under the tyranny of Dr. Shear, teachers and Guidance were forced to continue recommending only IB to students. I'm sorry you are too stupid to understand when your children's rights and futures are being trampled on by lying idiocrats WITH OUR TAXDOLLARS!!!
Maybe you, like DOJ Eric Holder, also support having the Miranda Act "modified" so "extremists" like me can be arrested and held indefinitely without being charged with an actual "crime" based on "suspicion" of "extremist" activitities? You agree with that do you? Because the current "authorities" think that's a "good program"? What are you, friggin KGB? What a sick, demented fool!
Classy way to respond to someone who doesn't have the same point of view as you. Congrats on spewing your lunacy further. So I have to be an idiot bc I have no issue with just IB being offered. I don't feel that my children's choices are being jeopardized at all. And I have researched IB and find nothing wrong with it at all. And to bring your political views here is completely inappropriate. Don't you have your own website somewhere to write on? And forgive my small grammatical error. Sometimes in typing I get caught up in what I want to say.
Let me pose this question: Let's say that the school was willing to offer both AP and IB, would you support the school then? Even if it meant smaller classes, more teachers and more money?
BQ,
You're coming apart. You told us you were too trained to lose it. What is interesting, is paradoxically as the glue loosens the indoctrination by Glen tightens. The polemic below comes right from Glen's show the last two days, and as we all know a clear symptom of indoctrination is the inability to have independent thought.
Maybe you, like DOJ Eric Holder, also support having the Miranda Act "modified" so "extremists" like me can be arrested and held indefinitely without being charged with an actual "crime" based on "suspicion" of "extremist" activitities? You agree with that do you? Because the current "authorities" think that's a "good program"? What are you, friggin KGB? What a sick, demented fool!
You may want to consider the IB program. I understand it supports independent, creative thinking.
IB Economics 101
Lets spend hundreds of thousnads of dollars on a few children but take courses away from the majority
Money is tight so we need to budget it lets carelessly spend 30 dollars more a year for a few children and cut back on our grocery bills!!!!
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS DISTRICT IS FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS AND TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT ALLOCATES MONEY FOR ONLY A FEW IS WRONG
HARDSHIP WOULD BE A GOOD LESSON FOR ALL OF US
MAYBE IT NIGHT BRING A COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY FOR AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
MAYBE WE MIGHT CARPOOL MORE
WHAT ABOUT WALKING OR RIDING YOUR BICYCLES TO SCHOOL???
NOT SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET WILL BRING A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD
WE WILL STRENTHEN OUR INNER SELVES AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN LIFE LESSONS THAT WILL BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THEM THEN IB
VOTE NO
Well put
Anon and Ann,
You think you get to call me an "extremist" who spews "hatred" and "conspiracy theories" and then claim politics has no business entering the conversation? You Liberals are so out to lunch it's scary. IB is junk education which is "social justice" promoted by the UN. It is specifically designed to undermine national pride and patriotism and promote one world government. My website where people from around the U.S.A contact me:
http://truthaboutib.com/home.html
I know you think I don't have the proper credentials to make the case against IB. Why don't you take a look at this presentation by an attorney from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, who after reading my website did his own research and pulled his children from his public schools to homeschool them and who hosted a community meeting last night attended by 120 or so residents and state legislators. Watch the power point:
http://truthaboutib.com/images/IB_-_Connecting_the_Dots.ppt
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibincoeurdaleneid.html
http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_a23befbd-e375-5ea2-99a2-7e761543f706.html
Concerned parents and patriots across this great country are seeing through IBO's lugubrious marketing. What a shame you can't.
From Texas: http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibinbastroptexas.html
http://www.peytonwolcott.com/International_Baccalaureate_Inc.html
From Incline, Nevada:
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibininclinevillagenv.html
From Monticello, NY:
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibinmonticellony.html
From Mesa, Arizona:
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibinmesaaz.html
From Springdale, Arkansas:
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/ibinspringdalear.html
IB is VERY political! It's time to TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS! VOTE NO - REDUCE YOUR SCHOOL TAXES!
Oh...now we see what this is really all about. You're "one of them." Now we get it. People, RUN, don't WALK, from this woman.
Masters,
Or should I say Penny. Sorry dear, you don't have a masters. Following your posts, I believe, it would help you credibility if you displayed your Middle School Diploma.
Hers is a news flash, whether the budget passes or not, IB will stay. The parents, community, administration, teachers and students love it.
Penny you and Mrs.BQ, are out of luck.
Dear Anon,
Penny does have a masters degree.
Now why would an IB zealot find their life so empty and unfulfilled that they would need to come on the Bayville Blog and accuse a dear friend of mine of not having earned her Master's degree?
I proofread Penny's final dissertation. She earned her Master's degree. What disgusting, brainless, evil people we have living here in Bayville. I will pray for your children.
Anonymous wrote:
"IB Economics 101
Lets spend hundreds of thousnads of dollars on a few children but take courses away from the majority
Money is tight so we need to budget it lets carelessly spend 30 dollars more a year for a few children and cut back on our grocery bills!!!!
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS DISTRICT IS FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS AND TO SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT ALLOCATES MONEY FOR ONLY A FEW IS WRONG
HARDSHIP WOULD BE A GOOD LESSON FOR ALL OF US
MAYBE IT NIGHT BRING A COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY FOR AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
MAYBE WE MIGHT CARPOOL MORE
WHAT ABOUT WALKING OR RIDING YOUR BICYCLES TO SCHOOL???
NOT SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET WILL BRING A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD
WE WILL STRENTHEN OUR INNER SELVES AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN LIFE LESSONS THAT WILL BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THEM THEN IB
VOTE NO"
a voice of reason!
I think it would be interesting to see any trends or data pertaining to IB over the last several years.
Tracking the amount of IB courses offered and the number of students taking these courses would help indicate just how "few" students are affected by the IB program.
Like I have stated previously, I believe over 70% of 11th and 12 graders are taking at least one IB course. Whether you like what IB is about or how it is taught, it hard to argue that is is only affecting a small number of students if that statistic is accurate
Does anyone know if 70% of students were taking AP exams at LV before IB became part of the curriculum?
i's gots a massas n makes omosts sis figas....aint got no middle school diploma. my mamma did tell me to lisen to the voice of reason, are you the voice of reason????
i's still voting NO
Sorry to depress your theory Lisa, not me. G'day
MAY 18th, 2010 -
LVCSD SUPER TUESDAY
VOTE NO!
NO = 0% Tax levy increase!
NO TO WASTEFUL SPENDING!
NO TO HIGHER TAXES!
$70 MILLION IS MORE THAN ENOUGH for 2300 students ($30,000 per student 09-10)

Jeff,
Heh! So you are watching. I thought that might get your attention. Do you think trying to block my friends and myself from this trash hole makes you powerful or represents the slightest hint of integrity?
No Spin,
The IB SL courses carry no more weight with colleges than our old Honors classes did. I can provide you with a statistical comparison of AP from 1995-96 with IB/AP in 2006-2007 (lower right hand of page)
http://truthaboutib.com/ibbuyersbeware/iblocustvalleyny.html
LVCSD used to have the 2006 IB results on its website and removed them when they declined in 2007. Please read my description before the analysis. Pay special attention to the pass rate on AP U.S. History. The parents of those students should have been refunded the exam fees by the district (back when parents paid the exam fees) for educational malpractice on the part of the district.
I believe you misunderstood the intent of the former poster's emphasis on a "small number of students". That was made in reference to those students actually earning the FULL IB Diploma, the only aspect of the IBDP which could be considered a "benefit". You will see that in 2009, only 19 out of 28 students actually earned it, a 68% pass rate. I feel truly sorry for the 1 out of 3 students who wasted their final two years of HS in this charade of a program. I do not dispute the fact that IB is "affecting" a large number of students - ADVERSELY.
Don't think that IB's global indoctrination isn't affecting the entire district, K-12. Did you happen to see the drivel in The Leaderless about the 3rd Grade Multicultural Circus?
http://theleaderonline.com/2010/May%2012/Page7_5_12_10.html
I don't know which I found more disturbing - the It's a Small World theme (modeled after the River Styx in Dante's Inferno) or learning about Zimbabwe in an "African Drum Circle". God forbid we should teach them about Zimbabwe's hyperinflation or confiscation of white-owned farmland and give them a REAL worldview. That wouldn't be PC, would it? Better for the nice little white children of Locust Valley to think the native Zimbabweans are all still sitting around banging their drums in the jungle. Good grief.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperinflation_in_Zimbabwe
So should I assume that students that are not receiving the IB Diploma are not receiving any benefit whatsoever? I do not see the argument or evidence behind this. If a student receives 3-6 credits for IB english, are they not receiving a benefit? Even if most schools do not accept SL courses for college credit, is it possible that students are gaining benefits from the class not measured by receiving college credit? Finally, do we know if 68% is a low percentage? What is the global average? If 68% is low, was 2008, or 2007 higher? In order to accurately interpret data, we must put it in perspective of other data points.
I do not plan on getting into a discussion on the subject of IB. However, for those concerned with potential indoctrination, progressive ideological revisionist history, global governments and organizations, I ask to investigate the curriculum provided by the district. Does what provided by LV match up to other IB schools that have been accused of providing a biased slanted approach to education?
After all, are teachers not the ones responsible for what is provided to the students? Do teacher's syllabi reflect a global, leftist agenda? It seem to be somewhat of a stretch to assume that an organization halfway across the globe is providing specific facts, figures or information pertaining to subjects taught in our schools. For argument sake, are we to assume that a right-leaning, yet fair-minded history teacher, is going to shift his/her teaching style to match an organization's leftist agenda? Is a similar english teacher going to adjust his/her teaching style to meet the "demands" of IBO? Seems to be quite the presumption, but one that people are entitled to make.
Like I said above, I do not intend to get into a debate over the IB program. Therefore, this will be my last post on the matter. I know nothing I say will influence those opposed to IB, and vica versa. I personally have not seen compelling, prescient, irrefutable evidence that the LVSD is indeed providing an unbalanced education to our children. Other schools might be, but it does not appear that LV is one of them.
My apologies for not reading the statistics you provided for the LVSD IB grad rates.
Again, I am not sure how these stack up with what is an expected graduation rate.
It doesn't matter. Whether the budget passes or not IB will remain. As a prior post stated, the students, teachers, parents and administrators love it.
The bottom line is simply this: the number of students registering for college level classes is up, the number of advanced Regents diplomas being received is up, test scores on exams across the board are going up, etc. Anyone who attended the last BOE meeting saw this in the presentation of the school's annual report card. The students are getting in to unbelievable universities and they are thriving. This notion that IB isn't the right choice is a farce. Obviously the school is doing a fantastic job educating our students.
IB is not for just a few select students. While I don't feel that the Newsweek ranking carries any weight whatsoever academically speaking, it does address the numbers factor. We have a lot of kids taking IB classes. I agree with No Spin on many points. All material on this blog regarding IB has been posted from a source that, I would call, biased and unreliable. Having the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy doesn't fly with me. Those is favor of IB are called "cheerleading idiots" with "blind ignorance". The children don't have a choice, but there should be no IB. Well, what happens if I want my child to take IB? Are you then going to remove my child's choice? I would like my children to know more about the world than Sarah Palin can see Russia from Alaska.
The school is doing a great job. The teachers should be commended for the help and guidance they give the kids. Make a truly informed decision about how to vote on the 18th. Don't think for one second that the blog is the place for this info.
VOTE YES ON THE 18TH
Good job Anon! In one post you proved:
1. the kids have no choice
2. you don't know the difference between college preparatory and college level
3. You think dumbing down our kids constitutes a "fantastic job"
4. You're a bigoted, close-minded, commie Palin basher
... and to the other anonymous IBLoser - you speak for everyone? Based on what? Your ouija board?
WRITE-IN MICHAEL THOM FOR SCHOOL BOARD !
Funny, I don't ever recall seeing Michael at a school board meeting this year, and I've been to most of them and all of the budget ones....hhhmmmmm, what does he really know about anything?!
ANSWER: NOTHING!
lets say the budget did not pass
the school would have to cut many things that are directly related to the children...including jobs
we all don't want our children to have to get stuck in over sized classroom, i certainly do not want any teacher to loose his/her job...because i do respect every teacher and believe that they do deserve a good salary..i especially am very fond of my sons coaches and mr. zahn for what they have done for my sons
but...lets really put things into perspective
i am still holding a grudge from the past when the boe did not keep the 5 classes for over 100 children that i felt really needed it
i really think that IB needs to be re evaluated for the cost and for the amount of children it serves as compared to AP, honors etc
what i really am not understanding is...what is the allegiance to IB and that we must continue to keep the program??? other than the alleged college credits and global/diverse education
personally i would rather donate 1000.00 to falcon pride and fund raise for after school sports, drive my children to school, make their lunch, pay for school trips, pay for books, etc then support another budget and pay another dime that supports a program such as IB that serves a few children
i don't understand that thought process
i apologise for my ignorance, poor grammar and spelling
lets discuss this rather than attack me
How is IB just for a select few? and why is it the focus?
All the energy on this thread should be pointed towards Albany where real change can take place.
I accept your graceful invitation to discuss the issue rather than attack each other.
To begin, Your first objection is " IB SERVES A FEW CHILDREN" is simply incorrect. As No Spin has repeated on numerous occasions IB is not for a
select few. He states that 70% of Junior and Seniors take an IB class. I asked Dr.M last week and he said the number is now over 80% and growing. Just think about that for a minute. Since most students who are in elementary. intermediate and middle school will eventually become Juniors or Seniors it means MOST STUDENTS will take an IB class. This old notion tying IB to diploma candidates only undermines the fact that the program has an open enrollment policy and most students benefit from this program. Your children are not yet in the high school but when they get there and, as you know, it will happen in no time, you, like almost all other high school parents will be thrilled with the program.
Second objection:" benefit is for alleged college credits" is also incorrect and has been spread by those with different agendas. While MOST COLLEGES give college credits for IB HL courses and most of our IB students do get some college credits (my daughter received 6 credits) that is NOT the primary purpose. The purpose is to provide children with college level work, and while IB humbly calls it college preparatory, colleges recognize it as college level by the very fact that it earns college credits.
Third," it provided a global diverse education is a red herring. What it provides is an integrated, liberal arts approach which integrates different disciplines. This is one reason why colleges and universities like it so much. It reflects learning to impart wisdom rather than providing only knowledge, which it also does.
But the key point is that if the budget fails, over $2m will need to be cut and some of these cuts are MANDATORY. Forgetting the tremendous impact cutting IB would have on the school's academics it would have little impact on the financials unless AP was eliminated as well. Why? There are costs associated with college level classes. We can argue AP might be as expensive as IB but if it served 80 %of juniors and seniors more teachers would need to be trained and AP Director would need to coordinate the classes. This function is provided in all schools with large AP programs. It is an administrative necessity.
Most important to get close to anywhere near the $2m cut required many, many jobs would need to be eliminated and class sizes would increase dramatically. That will happen even if IB were cut. By state mandate busing will be eliminated in Bayville under three miles and school lunches as well.
' alleged college credits"
is also incorrect. First the primary value of the courses is to prepare students for college level work, which if you ask children who have taken the courses or college administrators it does. I know, I asked both.
Lisa,
Now that Penny and Listen have set up a respectful dialogue, I would appreciate it, and I think others would as well ,if you left your blistering, obnixious attack mode in the closet. Thank you.
ok...so lets find out exactly how many children take IB classes, graduate with a diploma and get college credits.
and compare...how many children take AP and get college credits
from what i have heard, maybe hearsa, IB is replacing AP and there will be no choice for those who don't want to take IB
personally, I do not want my children taking IB...so what choice do they have???
I suggest you talk directly with the school principal, instead of individuals on this blog who have their own agenda. If you don't trust the school principal then you're problem with the district is far greater than just IB.
I can appreciate that some want to have AP options in lieu of IB. By all means, request it.
Why don't we just express our concerns to the Board and Administration, and ask them to make more AP courses available?
Similarly, if this is such a concern, why wasn't this brought up at "Meet the Candidates" last week? (full disclosure - I was unable to attend first-hand).
There's NO need to vote down the budget and force contingency standards over the IB vs AP debate. Let's have a dialogue with the right people.
ok...where did i say i did not trust the school principal???
in fact mr. hogan has been a great influence to my older son and has always supported my children...wasn't too impressed with the HS principal the night i met him at a BOE meeting...never said i did not trust him
I may not care for him because of his response and how he presented himself but if i had any issues believe me i would address them with him
i don't know the other pricipals so therefore i can not make any judgements
Anonymous...please do not assume anything on my behalf
moving forward
why does this district need 2 advanced programs??? for the amount of children in this district
look at it this way...you own a store you have 2 items that are somewhat the same but you can't afford to keep both.
you do an analysis of both items and decide which one to keep...AP or IB
can anyone offer any comparison in the LVCSD IB vs AP
lisa has furnished me with this comparison...
http://fairfaxcaps.org/pdf/IB_-_AP_Comparison_V1.pdf
Wow, reread my post I just tried to help and I think that was what Anonymous was doing as well. What a freekin mistake. What a whiner! You have a tough life. Imagine the BoeE didn't make 5 classes for 100 kids. Call the police and shrinks, these kids will be scared for life.
So ask Hogan. What's the big deal, you and BQ don't like IB .We get it. Vote no for the budget, who cares. As was posted and repeated, whether the budget goes up or down IB will remain so get over it. Enough already.
wooooow...who's whining??? i think someone got hit with the ugly stick!!!!
sorry for your hardships...just want someone to provide the facts in which this district as well as yourself have not.
clearly you can't have an a respectful conversation...nor do you know enough to support having 2 advanced programs when this district is in a financial crisis
VOTE NO
As far as the alleged Meet The Candidates Night, I have YET to receive the traditional budget brochure from the district which always provided short bios of the Board candidates and the date of the "upcoming" Meet The Candidates Night. And because The Leaderless chose to focus on the 3rd Grade Multicultural nonsense and a totally misleading ad from the LVPC, I still don't know who is running to replace Madsen. In short, LVCSD has totally and completely withheld all information concerning the budget and board vote from the general public as was traditionally distributed in the past, other than that lame postcard received about 3 weeks ago which told me absolutely nothing.
Those who support IB and question my "agenda" have obviously not bothered to read TAIB's "About Us" page. Again, I'll make it short. My agenda is to see all public funding to IB in American public schools halted. IBO is free to keep selling its program(mes) to private schools. Those who believe this is a "superior" form of education are free to pay tuition to attend those schools.
It is clear the Obama administration does not approve of my agenda or those who hold Constitutional Conservative beliefs. I have analytics on my site. I see the Department of Homeland Security visited again today:
IP Address: 204.248.24.162 Date Visited: May 13, 2010, 7:47:55 PM
Domain: sbcp3.dhs.gov java_script: Enabled
Host: dhs.gov java_script Version: 1.3
Language: English (United States) Java: Enabled
Cookies: Enabled Operating System: Windows XP
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 Monitor Resolution: 1152 x 800
Entry Page: IB in Fairfax, VA Monitor Color Depth: 65,536 (16-bit)
Referrer: http://www.truthaboutib.com/ Country: U.S. Government
Monthly Unique Visitor: No
IBelievers refuse to acknowledge facts as they don't fit THEIR political agenda. In small public schools like LVHS, there is no room for AP and IB. It makes no sense to send $300,000 to Switzerland for an inferior educational program with a political agenda when we can provide students with the superior AP for $0. I stand by my position that American public schools should be APOLITICAL - neither right nor left. If that makes me an extremist, then try and come put me in an internment camp. The Bayville Blog is trying to practice its own version of Net Neutrality by banning dissenting opinion. If we don't take back this country and our schools, our children will inherit U.N. Amerika, not the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Finally someone has posted something of value
Should we offer 2 "advanced" programs?
one program costs 300,000
the second program costs $0
We need to cut special courses........not sure of the actual terminology the state uses but wouldn't IB fall into that category????
I think I will pay a little visit to the commissioner and ask him what category IB would fall under.
I vote to remove the program that costs money..............300 grand
I know that isn't a lot of money for the elitists like Listen and Anon and the principal of the high school but it is a savings and my children can without it!!!!
BTW.....Long Beach is not a top Long Island school and they have just started the IB program in their HS.
Looks like the failing schools are going IB.
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/repcrd2003/overview-analysis/280300010000.pdf
I do not know much about IB but think its a load of bull! When I was in school, AP and some college credit classes were offered and in the years I attended, LVSD produced many successful students who went on to prestigious colleges and have lucrative careers. The 300,000 a year they spend on it could have been used to save the 5 tenured jobs they "excessed." Give me a break-the district is so short sighted. I do not understand how they can get rid of teachers and claim to have a "lower enrollment" yet propose an increase. This new superintendent is a piece of work and is trying to make a mini Jericho SD. While I do think voting the budget down ultimately hurts our kids, I am not sure how we as a community can take back this district before its beyond repair!
When our generation went to school is not relevant anymore. Kids got into prestigious colleges with AP at that time because AP was "the high water mark." Things are changing. Education changes with the times. Our kids are "digital natives" and they are growing up in a world where America may not always be the super power. Technology changes by the minute. Global issues dominate. It's the 21 century, and anyone thinking like it's still the 20th century will be left behind.
IB seems like a sham to those of us who grew up in a less technological and globalized world. But it is exactly what the kids of today need to survive the conditions of their future world.
Or 20-30 years of brainwashing has finally run its course. I doubt anyone from the "greatest generation" while looking at such a depressing world scene would have brought into the concept that America was about to lose its "Super Power" status, but I submit to you that once you accept the possibly you have already ensured the reality. If you are happy with the reality of Global Issues dominating then don't worry about the school budget because before long there will not be a vote as the budget will be set in Brussels or Beijing.
AP =
*Scores based solely on the AP exam
*AP teachers work independently or within their discipline to support students.
* AP classes move at a rapid pace surveying a broad spectrum of a particular discipline, similar to college entry-level survey classes.
* AP promotes open access to students who may excel in only one or two academic disciplines.
IB =
* Scores based on classroom work done over time plus IB exam.
* IB teachers work as a team to support students and to connect the curriculum across disciplines.
*IB courses move at a different pace, some over a two-year period, to allow time for in-depth research, inquiry and analysis.
* B promotes open access to students who are motivated to pursue a well-rounded education and a high level of performance in all six disciplines: English, World Language, Sciences, Mathematics, Individuals and Societies (Social Studies), The Arts and Electives.
IB diploma candidates also take Theory of Knowledge, write a 4,000-word Extended Essay, and must demonstrate creativity, action and service.
* IB is a more scholarly approach to education, develops higher order thinking, project-based, hands-on learning, more organized curriculum, teaches kids skills they will need to achieve at the college level
NOT A WASTE OF $ FOR ANYONE THINKING OF SENDING A KID TO COLLEGE.
Well, the alleged, Meet the Candidates Night, did occur and from what I am told was well attended. You claim you didn't know? hmm.
Hard to believe since you also claim the district has totally and completely withheld budget and board vote information from the general public, as was traditionally distributed in the past.
Really? I guess that's true if you want to discount the fact that all this information is on the District Web Site. Please, I applaud the fact that the district gives us quick access to information and doesn't spend unnecessary money on printing and mailings. Are we to believe you have not read this information on the web site? Are you that disinterested?
Can you send the link as I can not find all the information on the District Web Site? Thanks
I see it is there now, nice and timely. For the record it was not there early last week.
Great point, Anonymous. Let's take a stroll down memory lane to October 19, 2004, when Robin Collitri, the IB Rep from SouthSide HS in Rockville Centre told the audience of over 100 parents, '"ALL of the TOP high schools on Long Island are CLAMORING for IB!"
CLAMORING! My goodness! Considering the IB authorization process takes two years and there is no evidence of a single school having been denied IB authorization, as long as the checks are good, where are they? Since 2004, after spending money on IB teacher training, Garden City rejected IB. Glen Cove rejected IB after being heavily lobbied by an anti-IB faction there. The Superintendent who failed to get IB pushed in is retiring. And so only Long Beach, after 6 years of CLAMORING has opted to choose IB. Don't think for a minute that Long Beach's Title I status which garnered it over $1.2M had something to do with it going for IB. There is over $5 BILLION in the U.S. Recovery Act for Title I schools for "innovative programs".
I'll give IB one thing. It has the most "innovative" marketing I've seen. Especially when it comes to finding a way to make a grab for U.S. taxdollars to implement its UN "social justice". You have been sold disinformation. IB is a ruse. And any of you who have watched Glenn Beck today and yesterday, do me a favor. Google Maurice Strong + International Baccalaureate + Earth Charter. Yes, I've been consistent in what I have told you about IB. You can call me and Glenn Beck crazy. Or you can open your minds and connect the dots. There's no such thing as coincidence.
Ann,
Remember Charlie Brown's teacher WAH, WAH, WAH, WAH......
yes, I remember. That's what you sound like to me.
Well golly gosh gee whiz, anonymous, I mean, I know my eyes are getting old but I just went back again, just NOW to:
http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/budget_information
... and for the life of me, I can't find any budget information. Nor do I see a posting for the alleged Meet The Candidates Night, nor any mention of the Candidates. So what the heck are you talking about?
Did LVCSD create a new and special website for the election that I don't know about? Wait, I'll Google LVCSD + May 18, 2010, and see what I get ... Nope .... nothing other than whining from the Drivers Ed dept. that if the budget is voted down there will be no Drivers Ed.
Oooo, but I did get this from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locust_Valley,_New_York
In 2004, LVCSD began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The programme's introduction resulted in controversy due to the district's decision to eliminate most Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses in 11th and 12th Grades and the "globalist" aspects of the programme.[7]
NO TRANSPARENCY + NO INFORMATION + COLLUSION + SECRECY + DECEIVING THE PUBLIC + DISINFORMATION SPREAD BY "CHANGE AGENTS" + WASTEFUL SPENDING + CENSORSHIP + NO DATA + NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC + MEDIOCRE RESULTS = VOTE NO ON MAY 18TH!
TAKE BACK YOUR SCHOOLS! VOTE NO!
Bayville Village Taxes are being raised 8% and the school tax 3%. How much more can the taxpayers take in this economy?
We cannot vote down the Village Taxes..but we can vote down the School Tax, which has increased every year, including last year when no other district on Long Island had an increase due to the economy.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Jack Dolce
Jack Dolce is committed to keeping property taxes down while preserving the excellent education which Locust Valley students receive.
Mr. Dolce, who received his MBA from the University of Dayton, has vast financial experience as an investor, business executive, and entrepreneur, will rely on his background in finance to help the district create stable budgets that preserve educational excellence and keep costs down. Additionally, Mr. Dolce taught the Capstone Business Course at Hofstra University for five years and taught Economics at University of Dayton for one year. He plans to lobby State Senators and Assemblymen to eliminate unnecessary mandates imposed on school districts. Additionally, he will work closely with the Administration to negotiate responsible contracts with teachers, administrators, and staff. “Contracts need to reflect today’s poor economic climate,” Mr. Dolce said.
Carl Friedrich
Carl Friedrich is dedicated to meeting the district’s financial obligations while maintaining its exceptional academic standing. With four children who will go through the Locust Valley School District, Mr. Friedrich has a deeply vested interest in keeping taxes low and educational standards high.
Mr. Friedrich, a graduate of the Wharton School of Business, is a financial planner and investment manager who plans to use his professional experience to manage the district’s finances. He plans to take active roles in deciding key budgetary priorities. “I will also keep a keen eye on maintaining the educational excellence Locust Valley provides,” Mr. Friedrich said.
THE BALLOT AT A GLANCE
• Candidates Running for two seats on the Board of Education
Jack Dolce
Carl A. Friedrich
• Proposition No. 1: School District Budget 2010-11 - $71,752,390
Residents will vote on the Board of Education’s adopted school budget for the school year
2010-2011 in the amount of $71,752,390.
• Proposition No. 2: Driver Education 2010-11 - $83,200
Residents will vote on the authorization to conduct a Driver Education Program for the school year 2010-2011, in the amount of $83,200.
• Proposition No. 3: Capital Reserve Fund – $830,000
Residents will vote on the authorization to expend $830,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund, with NO INCREASE TO TAXPAYERS, for capital improvements related to health and safety.
• Proposition No. 4: Locust Valley Library Operating Expenses 2010-11 - $1,414,237
Residents of the Locust Valley Library service area only will vote on the Locust Valley Library appropriation submitted for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 in the amount of $1,414,237.
http://tiny.cc/9uz2i
http://tiny.cc/wlk58
Thanks, now why didn't the District post this information on the Web Site?
Soundwaves: Budget Edition
http://tiny.cc/negf7
lisa,
well, now we're getting somewhere. you need to learn how to use the internet. go to the district
HOME PAGE dear and you find the information on the budget and the candidates you have been complaining and ranking on and on doesn't exist. you may apologize for ranking. perhaps, no spin(above ) can explain to you how to access the home page the rest of us use.
i mean i don't know how the district can be more transparent than placing the information on the home page.
lisa, BQ you need to learn how to use technology. I imagine given your personality you will be sending an apology to the district for slandering them.
Nice to see that the information made it to the home page but why did it take until late last week? Now that it is there we can all rest easy and put that issue of contention behind us. I would have liked to have seen a more neutral presentation.
I wish people would do some research before posting.
Here is a link to the school budgets from last year. While some districts did have little to no increase, Kerry's posting is completely inaccurate. Most schools had some increase. LV was not the only one.
http://www.lischooltax.com/LIvote09.pdf
Actually, Mrs. Friedrich will give birth to their 5th child very soon. Between the five children, that adds up to 72 collective "person years" for his kids in the district. He is very much invested in maintaining the financial integrity of the district as well as maintaining excellence in academics, arts, and athletics, for his children as well as all of ours.
VOTE FOR JACK AND CARL, the two men who have all ready spent COUNTLESS HOURS analyzing ALL issues facing the district, and who SHOW UP TO MSOT (IF NOT ALL) OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. The so-called "write in candidate" I must ask, HAS HE EVER EVEN BEEN TO A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING??? He doesn't behave like a knowledgeable candidate. He's just a weapon of retribution against IB
Kerry, this isn't true!! What the heck are you TALKING about, "no other district raised taxes??!!!" You didn't check your facts, girl, before you wrote that!!!
I don't feel like doing your homework for ya, so I'll just say, start by logging on to newsday - they have all the stats - you can even check NY Dept. of Ed.
LOL! That information was NOT there at 5:15 AM TODAY when I checked the page. Note the pretty red "NEW!" notations next to the links. Furthermore, I still have not received the SoundWaves in the mail. So no apology is forthcoming from me to the district, that's for sure! And even at this late date, there was no notification of the alleged Meet The Candidates Night or summary of what was discussed, if anything.
Lisa,
Have you found the district home page yet? you know the one with all the information on the budget and candidates you said didn't exist -- you know no transparency. Did No Spin teach you how to navigate the internet? If your still having problems, I'll provide the link, you do know how to use a link or no?
I can appreciate that some want to have AP options in lieu of IB. By all means, request it.
Why don't we just express our concerns to the Board and Administration, and ask them to make more AP courses available?
Similarly, if this is such a concern, why wasn't this brought up at "Meet the Candidates" last week? (full disclosure - I was unable to attend first-hand).
There's NO need to vote down the budget and force contingency standards over the IB vs AP debate. Let's have a dialogue with the right people.
Everybody, if you refer back to Lisa's entry of May 12th about how she scared that guy into home-schooling his kid, you'll see right through this whole AP vs. IB issue.
It really isn't an issue of people in LVCSD thinking AP is better or costs less; it is really an issue of this one person with persuasive powers thinking IB is a conspiracy of the UN to indoctrinate our children into beliefs they think will result in a one-world government.
Go back and read the entry again. You will be astounded at the level of paranoia.
Remember the middle ages? When the world embraced science and reason, people who were afraid of new knowledge and changes it would bring killed intellectual advancement? Plunged us into darkness for hundreds of years? We're looking at the same thing now. Again, I ask you to re-read the entry.
Please do not let these people indoctrinate YOU into their FEARS. They fear change. It's not really about AP and it's not about our school system. The whole AP vs. IB argument is being led by someone's national political point of view. don't let her whip you up with her polemical rhetoric. See through her power to scare you.
Our kids are going into the 21st century world and there's nothing we can do about that, except to get them properly prepared with the appropriate skills == IB!!!
I don't support IB over AP, but...
I WILL NOT let the IB/AP-debate-CIRCUS push me to vote down the budget.
I encourage you ALL to do the same.
I am voting YES for the BUDGET and voicing my IB concerns to the admin/BOE SEPARATELY.
What else do we know about Friedrich besides he went to Wharton and runs a financial planning practice (and breeds like a rabbit)?
Oh Annie, Annie. You give me FAR too much credit, just like IBO's George Walker when he called on his minions at the IBNA Conference to "stand up against" me because I denounced his love of Rousseau and collectiv--m over the rights of the individual. The truth isn't always pretty. And the "CHANGE" that people like you and Maobama advocate, is not change for the good.
You really need to read my updates today. I worked very hard on them. They have been e-mailed out to my subscribers, all those "paranoid" people you choose to dismiss out of hand.
http://truthaboutib.com/breakingnewsopinions.html
You may consider your ignorance bliss and "Progress". I consider it a regressive mentality that is trying to foist 1940's social--t ideology on the entire world through our children. The only way this district will learn to reset its priorities and provide REAL 21st education not social--t pablum is to VOTE NO on the budget. Until then, you are feeding the Marx--t beast.
But hey, I have some great property on the Arizona border to sell. Interested?
Lisa,
Please, the information wason the sit long ago and the fact is you bookmarked the old home page. You posted the old site so don't deny it, dearie. Yes the old home page you access doesn't have current information but the new one the rest of access does. What a klutz!
I received my SoundWaves TODAY. Pretty smart move to get the information to the community just before the election.
The district carries the "new" logo for at least week sometimes two weeks when it posts. You wouldn't know that since you went to the old site.
Gee, can you imagine the district taking down the notice of a meeting held over a week ago.
I really hope and the think budget passes, it is a very, very responsible budget and I believe the community understands this. But I fully realize in this difficult economic environment many budgets may go down. What pleases me is regardless of the budget outcome IB will remain.
Listen up skippy,
You are a liar and a fraud. I don't bookmark LVCSD, I enter lvcsd.k12.ny.us each time because one would presume that the district would post NEW information on its homepage. IT WAS NOT THERE AT 5:15 THIS MORNING!
The OLD page, Budget Information, still refers to Budget meetings held back in March with NO MENTION of the alleged Meet The Candidates Night. Imagine that, LVCSD STILL hasn't taken it down!
http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/budget_information
The NEW meet the candidates blurb on the LVCSD homepage was NOT included in the traditional Budget Brochure which SHOULD have been mailed out at least a week in advance of the alleged Meet The Candidates Night WITH the date and time of the meeting included within.
That you can actually sit there and in "good conscience" try and spin this 11th hour posting of public information as my ineptitude on the computer, is pathetic.
You would think that by now, these alleged "professionals" who whine about not getting any respect would have the common sense to realize that THEY DON'T DESERVE ANY RESPECT OR MORE OF OUR HARD EARNED MONEY WHEN THEY INSULT THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE VOTERS!
VOTE NO on MAY 18TH and TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!
LISA (BQ)
Please you accessed the wrong page as identifies by the link you posted http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/budget_information
and NEVER went on the home page. Listen is correct! I accessed the information two days ago so your contention the information was not on the site at 5AM today is an outright lie, something very familiar to you.
If you went on the home page you would have found the information as I and many, many others did. Please learn how to surf the internet and especially navigate web sites. This is a disgrace
Frankly, I have never heard the "alleged professionals whine" Please document, but we have countless posts of you winning on this site alone.
Army,
Are you off your meds? I most certainly did look at http://www.lvcsd.k12.ny.us/ at 5:15 this morning and you know perfectly well if it was there DAYS before, you and your twisted sister would have linked it here instead of claiming I could have gone to the library to look it up and the Parents Council knew all about the meeting and that the brochure was coming out, blah, blah blah. While I was not on the computer between 6:00 and 7:30 AM, judging by the time stamps of Listen's posts, I can safely speculate that the links appeared on the homepage around 7:00 AM today. I posted the "other" link to show Earsfullofwax that the district does NOT remove old postings of meetings in response to his snide remark about the district REMOVING a posting of the Meet The Candidates Night which was allegedly held over a week ago, a posting that never existed.
I believe IB falls under the reduction/elimination of NON REQUIRED subjects
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/mgtserv/budgeting/contingency.html
cut IB save 300,000 keep jobs, after school sports...we will drive our kids to school and make their lunches
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING REVISIONS TO STATUTE
AFFECTING SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET VOTES
Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 amends various sections of law concerning authorization of expenditures and indebtedness in central, union free, common and small city school districts. The provisions of the statute are further defined in Section 170.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The following list of questions and answers is provided to assist school districts in understanding and implementing these new provisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.THREE PART BUDGET IN 1998-99
II. ADMINISTRATION OF 1998-99 BUDGET
III. BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
IV. PROPOSITIONS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS
V. CONTINGENT BUDGET ADOPTION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING REVISIONS TO STATUTE
AFFECTING SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS
Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 amends various sections of law concerning authorization of expenditures in school districts. The provisions of the statute are further defined in Section 170.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The following list of questions and answers is provided to assist school districts in understanding and implementing these new provisions.
I. THREE PART BUDGET IN 1998-99
QUESTION: How is the general fund budget to be structured for public presentation in connection with the annual budget vote and election?
ANSWER: The budget is to be divided into three components: an administrative component; a program component; and a capital component. Each must be separately delineated in accordance with regulations of the Commissioner of Education (for a chart which separates specific account codes into the three components, click here). The budget must categorize revenues, property taxes refunds, expenditures, budget transfers and fund balance information. This information is to be formatted to show changes in the data as compared with the previous year. The budget must be presented in plain language which best promotes public comprehension and readability.
QUESTION: What basis was used to determine the appropriations to be included in each of the three components?
ANSWER: Basically, the functional units prescribed by the Uniform System of Accounts for School Districts were used to divide appropriations among the three components. In most instances, whole functional units were used. In a few instances, however, the language of the law requires that a functional unit be split between or among the components. The specific functional units and accounts assigned to each of the components are listed in the regulation using the titles contained in the Uniform System of Accounts.
QUESTION: Which functional units are divided among the components?
ANSWER: The Employee Benefits Functional Unit (9000) is distributed over all three components so that the cost of benefits is included in the same unit as the salary of the employee entitled to the be
Your posted link shows you were on the wrong page and posting the correct link now can't change that.
At any rate, rant all you want, IB will remain.
By the way under a contingency budget school lunch cuts are mandatory. Look it up
BTW...we said we will make our kids lunches and drive them to school read the post
Also...we feel that since jobs will be cut the first one to go would be the CFO for presenting a budget that will keep a 300,000.00 program but will cut jobs and take necessary programs from the children
VOTE NO
FIRE THE CFO
CUT IBO
No JOB CUTS
SAVE 300,000 PLUS the CFO's salary 100,000+
PUT that 400,000 TOWARDS AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS AND KEEPING JOBS
VOTE NO
PS...the above link IS NOT old
Please learn how to navigate the web and be able to interpret legislation before commenting
Not sure who is responsible for preparing the budget but the first to go when cuts are made will be
Ms. Donna Wengrofgsky YOUR FIRED.
I am pretty sure The Don wouldn't keep her if she presented a budget with a program that is NOT necessary at 300,000
and that would eliminate jobs
we don't need anyone to make next years budget we will use this years with the elimination of IB, savings of over 400,000 and put a line in with a new salary, yours, when the budget is passed next year
VOTE NO
We can also cut Phys ed from the school day because our kids will be walking to and from school which will be plenty of exercise
The PE teachers can coach after school sports
Since the PE teachers won't be getting a stipend to coach anymore that would be an additional savings of 3,000-5,000 per coach a year they would just receive their base salary.
Agreed - Lisa is a soar loser and has officially lost the last shred have credibility she had left.
"The Cooch" interesting choice of names.
Isn't that also slang for an STD???
Global education at its best
What's an STD?
I think I would refrain from using cooch it is really inappropriate.
What does it mean to keep teacher salaries in line with "other professions?" Who sets these incomes? Please do not say that it is the free market, because your taxpayer dollars are bailing out the corporations that caused this mess. How about the bonuses that TARP money is paying for? How about the companies that are destroying our environment and living off of taxpayer subsidies? Maybe your anger should be directed at the actual cause of your misery, and not the people who educate your children. Or, is it just easier to scape-goat your public servants than it is to pursue the real villains?
Phys ed can't be cut out of the budget; The state mandates PE for all grades. As for bus service, state law requires that districts provide free transportation. Just how much is another matter. If buses are running well belowe capacity maybe runs could be consolidated.
Has anyone looked at how many of the students who passed IB got into a college or university that accepted the credits? I kmow from experience that there are colleges who won't accept a four on an AP test even though three is passing. The colleges like to have studnts take as many of their courses as possible. It helps the bottom line.
Lehrer,
Isn't that Obamos idea to "keep salaries in line with other professions" You, the teachers union, voted for him and supported his ideology, so you should know his agenda. Make everyone equal etc.
When one wants to stop tax increases one starts at the bottom ie:school budgets.
Then you move up the political ladder ie:legislators etc.
This financial crisis started at the bottom, one example: Richard Hurts salary now very comfortable retirement package.
Anger and Misery, no my dear.
Intolerance for ignorance and control "it is my way or no way" attitude. The BOE has never, in the 30 years that I have lived here, included the tax payers in decision making.
It is just a pacifier when they invite the community to the BOE budget process, they don't listen and don't accept anyones but their own ideas to the table.
VOTE NO HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY
Anonymous,
I have no quarrel with you trying to get a good deal for your community. Fix your barn if you must. But while you do, watch out for the billionaires that are raiding your crops. We will look a lot like Malaysia when there is no middle class left to tax.
Anonymous,
The BoE has "never included the tax payers in decision making"???
How can you say this when the Board hosted not one, not two, but three WELL ATTENDED Budget Forums this year, where community feedback was ACTIVELY solicited.
I mean, if you had taken the time to attend ONE of them, you would have been sitting at a square table with at least one Board Member and Administrator/Superintendent asking you point blank for your feedback.
And THEN the Board would reconvene in the front and RECAP the feedback for the audience to ENSURE the right message was received.
Your facts are just wrong.
And worse, you're too lazy to get involved before complaining.
And in an ultimate insult, you're using your misinformed perspective to tell others to vote down the budget -- shame on you.
Lehrer,
Dear, your thinking is as empty as your mind.
Lehrer,
Correction:
Your statement is as empty as you are.
The fact of the matter is, if the budget is not passed, then extra-curricular activites will be cut. Nowadays, extra-curriculars are one of the main factors that colleges look for when accepting students. It has also been said that extra-curriculars offer an alternative to drugs, and with the amount of druggies in the high school nowadays, we need to do all we can to limit it. If buses are cut, how are kids who live in Brookville supposed to get to the high school and middle school if they can't get a ride in the morning, when some of them live about twenty minutes away? If the budget does not pass, it will only mean bad things for students.
Please be mindful that if MY job is cut the Bridge will have to remain open ALL THE TIME because water traffic has priority over road traffic, including your precious busses. (You are welcome very much Mr. Flowers).
Why are LVCSD zealots so stupid and arrogant? I mean, it's one thing to be right and arrogant, but to spew disinformation and be arrogant is just ... well.... unattractive.
The poor little children in Brookville who live over 3 miles from the schools will still get buses. Or they can have their chauffeurs drive them.
I'm going to admit right off the bat I don't know if this has changed. But it used to be that the district had the opportunity to put the budget up for a 2nd vote at a reduced increase if it failed the first time. So, instead of whining and crying like a bunch of spoiled babies about how you might have to make your kid lunch, pay for Drivers Ed like thousands of other parents on Long Island, have your child walk or ride their bicycle to school and whine about losing Summer Rec which you only want so your teenager can get a job there, why don't you figure out what you are willing to give up (hint - I
Btw, I DID attend one of those dog and pony show budget meetings. 95% of the attendees were staff. The "budget" was not available for the public at that meeting. I was cut off by the BoE rep and a PC rep who felt the need to defend, rather than listen. It was a joke.
CUT THE IB/AP EXAM FEES!!! $100,000!
CUT IB + IB Clubs - $250,000
CUT IB EXTRA HELP AND CURRICULUM WRITING - $100,000
CUT WASTEFUL SPENDING ON CONSULTANTS - $100,000
TOTAL: $550,000
Who do you think made Hunderfund come clean about that $852,000 in EBALR funds? Hmmm?
VOTE NO! It's the only thing the BoE will actually listen to. A NO VOTE sends the message - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Yes, I'm bored. This blog repeats the same old tired phrases over and over again. Lisa, for someone who follows Glen Beck, you should know that he believes in civil discourse. Calling people in your community stupid and arrogant zealots is not worthy of his philosophy. And, just because people live in Brookville, it doesn't mean they have chauffeurs. That's a very elitist statement and something an Obamanite would say. We should respect different points of view. This constant focus on IB is ridiculous. There are so many larger issues to be worried about i.e. State pensions and benefits, drinking and drugs among our youth..... Your children benefited by receiving a good education, busing, BOCES, clubs etc. Now that they are out of school, is it time to disregard those left behind? Or, is it more important to continue an agenda that hasn't gained much traction in 6 years?
My advise to all those who know Lisa and her one or two follows, who use different names, is to just ignore them.
You know what she posts isn't correct and so does so deliberately to get us angry and frustrated so
we will reply. Truth is she has been successful.
Stop allowing her to call us names. Just go on with your constructive lives, doing good works, helping people and looking to make things better. She may rant about this post but who cares.
Focus on the positive and don't allow her to drag you down to her level, If you're templed to reply just reread her posts and say to yourself "is this the type of person I want to communicate with, is the the tone of dialog that is constructive? I think if we do that we will be able to move on.
Look for the good in others and don't allow vexing spirits to contaminate your otherwise product lives. As an example, regardless of the ranks that comes from Lisa in whatever names or her follow, I will not reply
Political objections to the IBDP in the United States have resulted in attempts to eliminate it from public schools.[30][31] Thomas Sowell, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, describes the IBDP as a "kind of indoctrination" and "one of the endless series of fad programs that distract American public schools from real education in real subjects."[32] Some schools in the United States have eliminated the IBDP due to budgetary reasons and low student participation.[33][34] In Utah, funding for the IBDP was reduced from $300,000 to $100,000 after Senator Margaret Dayton objected to the program, stating, "I don't want to create 'world citizens' nearly as much as I want to help cultivate American citizens who function well in the world."[35][36]
Advocates for education and human services were worried about cuts in the budget due to the lowered estimates of surplus revenue. Teachers may not receive expected raises. A planned increase for special education has been deleted. The International Baccalaureate program was funded, but at $100,000 instead of $300,000. Medicaid dental services were in danger. Education groups held an afternoon press conference. Immigration reform supporters also met the press. When asked a question about employers taking advantage of immigrants by paying low wages, Rep Donnelson, sponsor of many bills, responded "It's wrong, wrong, wrong."
http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-191243-high-district.html
IB is a special program that can be cut from the budget.
The above link stated that although IB was an influence in 1 child's education in which it got him into Harvard the BOE decided to cut IB because of low student registration
http://www.ibo.org/media/documents/annual_review04.pdf
Scroll down to page 21
The majority of this program is salary and fees!!!!
Is this education or profit????
Although it keeps getting said, people can't get it through their thick skulls. Voting down the budget WILL NOT RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF IB!!! The program can't be taken away. Think about it: In order to be competitive with other schools, what would they replace it with? AP? Ok. Fine. So now, the school must pay to re-write curriculum for two dozen classes in order to prepare students for the AP tests, because IB and AP tests are very different. Teachers will have to attend AP conferences and be trained in teaching AP. $$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$. It's not going to happen that way. One very intelligent post above made a good suggestion: don't vote down the budget because of IB. Take up your problems with the supt. and the BOE.
VOTE YES ON TUESDAY MAY 18
Is this a public school system, where is the competition? Private Schools, fine let residents send their children to the superior private schools and those that can not afford to do so can go to public school. If IB has limited value in these dire financial times it should go as should anything else not absolutely necessary to educate our children. It seems from this blog it is a nice to have not a necessity. Without or without IB students will get into quality schools.
Bored,
The previous poster LIED about the busing. Children who live 3 miles or more away from their school will still receive busing. Did I forget to put a sarcmark after my comment about having the poor Brookville children driven by their chaueffeurs? How silly of me to assume that any of the status quo defenders would have a sense of humor.
"We should respect different points of view. This constant focus on IB is ridiculous."
LOL! Nothing contradictory there, eh Bored? What you meant to say was only YOUR point of view should be respected. My POV addresses wasteful spending and a means of keeping property taxes under control while insisting on accountability, transparency and a committment to quality education. It doesn't matter whether someone has children in school, or never had children, it doesn't matter if a taxpayer is a senior citizen or has 10 kids in the system, all homeowners are paying into the system and our property values are directly affected by the quality of the system. You are deluding yourself if you think comparable Brookville properties on the LV side of the line are valued higher than those on the Jericho side of the line. Jericho blows away LV. 99% of people in this country say, "What's IB?" You bought into a craftily marketed "designer label", but the Emperor has no clothes.
VOTE NO!
"My POV addresses wasteful spending"
Exactly, it's your point of view. As for the majority of us, our point of view is that we like it, we want it, we keep it, we pay for it.
Signed, Enthusiastic Supporter of IB!!
GOOOOO IB!
Don't the teachers already teach AP?
Shouldn't teachers attend CEU's no matter what the curriculum is????
Isn't the most of the curriculum already written for AP????
Half a dozen AP classes how many IB????
$$$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$ does not add up to 300 grand
VOTE NO
I never gave an opinion about IB one way or the other. I just think that in the scheme of things, we should be concentrating on the bigger picture. Property taxes are ridiculous. Our legislators are not our advocates. Laws need to be changed regarding benefits and we should get our fair share of aid.
There are only about 3 or 4 AP classes given and that's it. Different tests, different curriculum. Different tests, different preparation for them. A half a dozen AP classes won't be as academically challenging as what is being offered in IB right now, nor will only a half a dozen AP tests be competitive enough for the students preparing their college resumes against students from other districts.
Just to give you all an idea of how many AP exams are given, this is directly from the AP website:
Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language and Culture, Computer Science A, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, English Language, English Literature, Environmental Science, European History, French Language, German Language, Comp Government & Politics, U.S. Government & Politics, Human Geography, Japanese Language and Culture, Latin: Vergil, Music Theory, Physics B, Physics C, Psychology, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics, Studio Art, U.S. History, World History. There is no longer an Italian AP, which is a language offered at LV.
IB classes run along the same vein as AP, math, sciences, history, with Italian included as well as Latin and Classical Greek, dance, film, theatre and visual arts, world religions, philosophy and a few other classes.
So, curriculum, teacher training, new textbooks, tests, etc. will all add up to a lot of money. It's not as simple of a switch as everyone thinks it is.
Anon,
I think you might want to refrain from casting aspersions as to whom has the "thick skulls" when your ignorance on the subject is astounding.
"The program can't be taken away." -Anon
Yes, it can. LVCSD does not have a contract with IBO to continue paying fees beyond the end of this school year. LVCSD is free to disassociate itself from IBO at anytime, ESPECIALLY before a new budget is adopted.
"So now, the school must pay to re-write curriculum for two dozen classes in order to prepare students for the AP tests, because IB and AP tests are very different." -Anon
Another falsehood. We spend tens of thousands for teachers to re-write the IB "curriculum" because it doesn't align with NYS standards. AP does. Not only does AP align, but the syllabi are online for FREE:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/subjects.html
"Teachers will have to attend AP conferences and be trained in teaching AP. $$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$." - Anon
Another falsehood. We wil SAVE $$$$$$$$ because AP does not mandate expensive touchie-feelie 3 day out of state "training", or chi chi conferences in the Bahamas or Miami like IBO. We have well qualified teachers who are perfectly capable of delivering the courses developed by The College Board. Furthermore, unlike IB, they don't need a paid "Coordinator" to make sure they are properly delivering the material. AP has no annual "membership dues", it has no student registration fees, it is more accomodating in giving extended time to students with special needs than IB, its exams cost less than IB, are more college-creditworthy than IB and, for those who feel they may not do that well on the exam after having taken the course, the exams are optional. Of course, that doesn't sit well with nudging LVCSD's way up the Newsweek Best High Schools List which is why LVCSD has taken this backdoor action to pay for the IB/AP exams with our taxdollars.
So you see, if the budget goes down, there is absolutely NOTHING standing in the way of the Board making the fiscally responsible decision to do away with IB (a non-mandated program) other than people like YOU who refuse to learn the facts. The district can resubmit the budget for a 2nd vote. Keep class sizes the same and cut IB.
VOTE NO!
Anon,
UHHH mentioned "half a dozen AP classes" because he or she inaccurately assumed that at least that many AP classes remained. Last year, only 3 AP classes were run in LVHS, 2 of those were for 9th & 10th Grades. Before IB, LVHS offered 14 AP courses. Schools like Syosset, CSH, Jericho, NS, etc, all run in excess of 15-20 AP courses. IB Diploma courses CANNOT be taken by students in 9th or 10th Grade. IB is totally inflexible in this regard. The truly gifted and advanced Math or Science student is placed at a serious disadvantage with IB. IB's SL Math Studies is a very low level HS math course. Even IB's HL Math does not carry the weight and rigor of AP BC Calculus. LVHS only offers SL IB Physics, again, not creditworthy at any university.
As to Italian, I've always wondered why LVHS taught Italian. Is there a huge demand? I took French and Latin in HS and both of my children took Spanish at LVHS. I know for years SEPTA has advocated for LVHS to teach sign language as an alternative for students with special needs who often have difficulty with a foreign language. Sign Language is a Regents course. We have Mill Neck Manor right in our backyard as an outstanding resource. But instead of trying to craft educational offerings that best serve the needs of ALL of our students, LVCSD has thrown the baby out with the bathwater for phony IB "prestige".
The way to affect the "bigger picture" is to start locally. "Bored" agrees that property taxes are out of control. Thank you for that. On Tuesday, you have the opportunity to actually REDUCE your property taxes by a small percentage, by voting NO.
Bored,
Yes, we should get our fair share of aid.
If we keep supporting the budget why should the state give us our fair share????
VOTE NO
Again, why get mixed up Lisa? Read her comments and how she name calls. Don't let her bring you down to her level. Let her rant and rave and call people: liars and idiots and fools (HER DIRECT DESCRIPTION OF PEOPLE)
She is a master of raising emotions, and then attacking. Just keep doing the positive things in your life. Don't get into name calling with her, you have so much more to offer.
I recently received a letter stating the comparison of costs if the budget fails.
I make my children lunch: savings 270.00
I drive my children to and from school: savings 900.00
I don't register my children for summer rec: savings
Goody two-shoes for you. And the other 2,199 or so children in the district?
think beyond yourself - it's not just about you. Also, you would pay for supplies the district now provides your child (children)- every piece of paper, workbook, staple for their handouts, food for Fam. Consumer Science, supplies in art class, equipment for gym class, on and on and on. You haven't thought deeply enough about this. You're thinking superficially.
"Look for the good in others and don't allow vexing spirits to contaminate your otherwise product lives. As an example, regardless of the ranks that comes from Lisa in whatever names or her follow, I will not reply." -Listen
Woooooo, ooooooo, ... it is I, Lisa, the great and powerful "Vexing Spirit of Bayville"! I am here to contaminate your skulls full of mush with the raw and terrible TRUTH! Run! Hide! Cover your ears and put on blindfolds!
ROTFLMAO!
Of course, you also know that YOU TUBE falls under my spiritual dominion, so allow me to share the words of one of my disciples from the UK, an IB student, whom you might not find as scary or vexing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G-mjVUvG0M&feature=related
And which "Parents' Council" put THAT flier out?
Locust Valley Elementary Parents' Council?
LVMS Parents Council?
LVHS Parents Council?
The Coordinated Parents Council?
The advertisement in The Leader was only paid for by the LV Elementary Parents Council.
FULL DISCLOSURE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!
Laura Torff are you willing to sell your home in Locust Valley, for $500,000?
I understand that you know how to do the math on that one.
Cat Hollow Resident
You are right on the money as well as more than half of this community
This blog is absolutely ridiculous. If you want to trash talk Locust Valley School district- do it elsewhere. If you truly feel that this school has done nothing for your children or yourself (if you are a child) then get out of the school district. Locust Valley has done wonders for it's students. IB classes have gotten students into many colleges- just look at the schools that the class of 2010 is going to. It is not only about the numbers and people being forced into these higher level classes. The skills that you learn from these classes will help throughout life. What Locust Valley has done for many people is something that students would not be able to get elsewhere. Everyone should be voting yes for the budget!!!
enough is enough!
no to higher taxes!
no to wasteful spending!
no to greedy, lazy parents who want the school to be their nanny and us to pay for them!
we can trash talk locust valley anywhere we dang please. who are you? hitler?
vote no!
I'm the mighty LVCSD
You will not speak,
any ill of me
Just fork it over,
more and more
if you don't like it
there's the door,
My fans are brainless,
yes it's true,
but they are loyal,
through and through,
for I am hungry,
don't you know?
I need to eat
more of your dough!
I need, I need, I need, you see
I need it for my sweet IB!
Do not question!
do not think,
cuz if you do,
we'll say you stink!
Who cares if,
your taxes soar,
move somewhere else,
just gimme MORE!
TUESDAY MAY 18TH - VOTE NO!
So narrow minded!!! IB, IB, IB. It's like a mantra that never ends. What about the other $69 million dollars? What is the proof of wasteful spending? The district had 2 State audits done and was cited as one of the best in Nassau and in NY!
Opinion vary from reasonable to outrageous but real facts are real facts. Let,s look at the facts.
1- Highest Regents Graduation rate in Nassau county (99%)
2- 76% Advanced Regents Graduation rate among the highest in the state
3- Rated by Newsweek in top 1% of School Districts in the United States.
4- Two Inter semi-finalist and one finalist.
5- Graduates accepted to the best colleges and universities. This year alone: Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, Princeton, Boston College, Columbia, Cornell, University of Michigan, Brown, Duke and many others.
6- 98% of graduates going on to college
The facts are clear. This is a very, very, high performing school district.
Facts wrote:
Opinion vary from reasonable to outrageous but real facts are real facts. Let,s look at the facts.
1- Highest Regents Graduation rate in Nassau county (99%)
2- 76% Advanced Regents Graduation rate among the highest in the state
3- Rated by Newsweek in top 1% of School Districts in the United States.
4- Two Inter semi-finalist and one finalist.
5- Graduates accepted to the best colleges and universities. This year alone: Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, Princeton, Boston College, Columbia, Cornell, University of Michigan, Brown, Duke and many others.
6- 98% of graduates going on to college
The facts are clear. This is a very, very, high performing school district.
And very expensive. On average it cost over $30K a student. Let's compare to a private school at almost half the cost. 100% of graduates accepted to colleges with over 75% earning grants/scholarships worth over $25m
Comparison of Locust Valley with Cold Spring Harbor (LV left, CSH right)
https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb-rc/2009/f0/CIR-2009-580402060004.pdf
Post HS Destination
4 year college - 81% vs. 98%
2 year college - 17% vs. 2%
Regents Diplomas - 99% vs. 100%
Advanced Regents Diplomas - 76% vs. 86%
% of students scoring Mastery Level (85+) on Regents
Comprehensive English - 65% vs. 83%
Math A - 24% vs. 69%
Math B - 36% vs. 51%
Algebra - 18% vs. 54%
Geometry - 38% vs. N/A
Global History - 59% vs. 78%
U.S. History - 84% vs. 88%
Living Environment - 42% vs. 67%
Earth Science - 57% vs. 71%
Chemistry - 28% vs. 37%
Physics - 19% vs. 30%
When are you people going to learn to look things up for yourself instead of accepting "Facts" propaganda for mediocrity disguised as excellence? Let's remember that NYS Regents exams are the most BASIC form of assessment in NYS to earn a HS Diploma. The TOP districts on Long Island strive for their students to attain the Advanced Regents Diploma. Furthermore, MASTERY of a subject is considered a score of 85 or higher on a Regents exam. I know you hate being compared to Jericho with any MEANINGFUL statistics, but I'm going to give them to you anyway. If you don't believe my transcription of the ACTUAL stats, please feel free to double check them HERE:
https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb-rc/2009/8e/CIR-2009-280503060003.pdf
https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb-rc/2009/6d/CIR-2009-280515030005.pdf
Let's begin with a comparison of post-HS destinations.( LV on the left - Jericho on the right):
4 year colleges: 81% vs 96%
2 year colleges: 17% vs. 3%
Regents Diplomas: 99% vs. 100%
Advanced Regents Diplomas: 76% vs. 95%
% of students attaining mastery (85) on Regents exams:
Comprehensive English: 65% vs. 79%
Math A: 24% vs. 91%
Math B: 36% vs. 56%
Algebra: 18% vs. 44%
Geometry: 38% vs. -
Global History: 59% vs. 75%
U.S. History: 84% vs. 79%
Living Environment: 42% vs. 88%
Earth Science: 57% vs. 68%
Chemistry: 28% vs. 45%
Physics: 19% vs. 57%
So, you can continue to applaud mediocre passing grades on the minimum state standards, or you can accept the reality that the LV district's "selective" distribution of "accolades" omits some VERY important points for comparison of what constitutes TRUE excellence. (Btw, fully 15% of Jericho's class of 2009 were accepted by the Ivies)
And AGAIN with the Newsweek List?
http://www.examiner.com/x-356-SF-Education-Examiner~y2008m5d20-Newsweeks-high-school-rankings-ignite-dissent--from-winners
Has Jericho been relocated out of Nassau County, False-Facts? It's not nice to lie. Don't you realize by now I'm going to call you out on it?
I have a problem with those of you who compare LV with Cold Spring and Jericho. You must understand the culture of those school districts are not at all like ours.
We do not have the concentration of doctors, scientists, etc.,
Also, a level of competitiveness exists there that we don't have in our public school - maybe at Greenvale and Friends, but LVCSD is not culturally like them.
These people get tutors for their kids for EVERYTHING. DO NOT FOOL YOURSELF into thinking that their high scores are simply the result of better teachers or instructional strategies. It's who their parents are and the money they spend on supplementing kids' education - and they have PLENTY OF $$ and PUSH, PUSH, PUSH their kids at all times!
I'm glad that culture does not exist here, hope it never does.
The facts posted by Lisa are very unsettling.
How can the LVCSD speak to this?
I haven't seen anything posted supporting the statistics by the LVSD except comments stating the district is among the highest ranking on LI.
Could IB be the result of such low percentages?
What should I do tomorrow?
Vote yes because the PTA, Parent Councils and Jack tell us to support it. But, I have never gone to a BOE meeting! Would they say if I vote yes my vote was an educated vote?
Anonymous wrote:
"This blog is absolutely ridiculous. If you want to trash talk Locust Valley School district- do it elsewhere. If you truly feel that this school has done nothing for your children or yourself (if you are a child) then get out of the school district. Locust Valley has done wonders for it's students. IB classes have gotten students into many colleges- just look at the schools that the class of 2010 is going to. It is not only about the numbers and people being forced into these higher level classes. The skills that you learn from these classes will help throughout life. What Locust Valley has done for many people is something that students would not be able to get elsewhere. Everyone should be voting yes for the budget!!!"
This is a clear statement that this district does not want to hear your
voice.
If you disagree you should move out!!!
Vote No
Be Heard
Push them out
Vote No
Early today, facts wrote below. Let's check him out an see if reported the facts
Facts wrote:
Opinion vary from reasonable to outrageous but real facts are real facts. Let,s look at the facts.
1- Highest Regents Graduation rate in Nassau county (99%) ACTUALLY 99.5 ROUNDED TO 100% AND AS REPORTED BY NEWSDAY TIED FOR FIRST IN NASSAU COUNTY WITH jERICHO AND SYOSSET TRUE
2- 76% Advanced Regents Graduation rate among the highest in the state. TAKES A LONG TIME TO VERIFY BUT TRUE
3- Rated by Newsweek in top 1% of School Districts in the United States. TRUE, DOCUMENTED IN NEWSWEEK, ATHOUGH NEWSWEEK HASN'T REPORTED THIS YEARS'S RESULTS YET.
4- Two Inter semi-finalist and one finalist. TRUE,
5- Graduates accepted to the best colleges and universities. This year alone: Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, Princeton, Boston College, Columbia, Cornell, University of Michigan, Brown, Duke and many others. TRUE
6- 98% of graduates going on to college TRUE
The facts are clear. This is a very, very, high performing school district. TRUE.
Reply to this
hey anonymous,
"4- Two Inter semi-finalist and one finalist. TRUE"
"Facts" posted half-truths, hearsay and bold faced lies. I didn't bother to check the "Inter" claim before, but now, based on your obnoxious insistence of "TRUE" and citing Newsday which I wouldn't line a birdcage with, I see you're going to make me do more work. Here are the 2010 Intel Finalists:
http://apps.societyforscience.org/sts/69sts/finalists.asp - NONE from Locust Valley
Here are the Intel Semi-Finalists: http://www.societyforscience.org/Document.Doc?id=128
Congratulations to:
Locust Valley High School
Sorrento, Cristina Maria, 17, Glen Head
The Regulatory Effects of p21CIP1/WAF1 on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation Following Ionizing Radiation
That's wonderful. Back in the late 90's when I ran the Bayville elementary science fair, I featured Chian Chiu as a guest speaker, one of our LVHS students who was also an Intel semi-finalist.
What's NOT wonderful is this district's neurotic compulsion to lie and exaggerate! What is your major malfunction? Why can't you just tell the damn truth and give recognition to the student who actually earned the honor instead of trying to use her as a pawn along with two imaginary students to sell your snakeoil?
VOTE NO!
Elle Woods went to Harvard without taking IB in high school
VOTE NO
Your right. I meant to say two National Merit semi-finalist and one National Merit finalist.
When thinking of great award I sometimes get them mixed up.
Thanks for pointing out that the district had an Intel semi-finalist. They only listed the National Merit awards.Wow, we did better than I realized. Maybe you can call the district office or the high school and suggest it.
You are so easy to predict but I admit it took two emails (I thought it would only take one) to hook you. Great research.
You're not going to be "sending a message" to anyone. The BOE and superintendent can put the same budget up for re-vote.
Bottom line is that the school DID present a good budget. (IB vs. AP argument aside for a few posts.) I'm wondering how many people commenting here actually went to any of the budget meetings that have been held over the past few months. If there had been no state aid losses or any of those unfunded mandates by the STATE, the LVCSD budget would have been -.39% for this year. How many of you actually knew that? Don't for one second tell me that they haven't presented a good budget. Many issues mentioned here should be directed towards our state's government, not the local school district. But, hey, if you're not willing to attend a budget meeting in your own backyard, so to speak, why would you try to tackle the issues in Albany?
BTW - That figure came from a PowerPoint at one of the final budget meetings. It's actually posted on the school's webpage: http://www.lvcsd.k12.ny.us/Assets/Budget_Information/Budget_Summary_Slides.pdf
VOTE YES TODAY
Anon,
I am so sick and tired of people whining about unfunded mandates. The same people who whine about the mess in Albany are the ones who vote for Chuck Schumer and Barack Obama. Why didn't the MTA get money from the U.S. Recovery Act to bailout its deficit instead of going after the taxpayer with a payroll tax? You mean to tell me that the transit system of the financial capital of the world doesn't qualify as "infrastructure"? So when you have Democratic morons like Ron Walsh on the Board cozying up to losers like Tom Suozzi, do you REALLY expect any change in Albany? You're all to blame for failing to see through the party politics and rhetoric that has ruled this once fine, formerly Republican district. You have accepted mediocrity for all and tax and spend, as the only way to "get ahead". It is flawed thinking. The culture of LVCSD is the culture of corruption. I'm proud to call myself LVCSD counter-culture.
TODAY'S THE DAY. VOTE NO! And if LVCSD puts the same budget up twice, VOTE NO AGAIN!
Really! How interesting and silly. As we all know private schools self select students and do not deal with all students of all backgrounds, family circumstances, psychological needs, intellectual capabilities personal problems and special needs. Private schools are not capable or funded to deal with these student. If a student in a private school in not performing academically or has a disciplinary problem the student can and often is expelled. A public school by definition and law serves all students.
That is why LV's REGENTS Graduation rate is so impressive, it includes special needs children. Private schools, since they self select students, can expel problem students and set their requirements for graduation (no state graduation requirements) should have 100% graduation rates.
Still, please document your claimed graduation rate, grants and tuition cost. In particular, the private high schools costing $15k a year. Of course, whatever the tuition, the Locust Valley School budget pays for books and busses.
By the way you may want to discuss these points with the parents of the many private school children who are transferring to Locust Valley. You may be surprised at how many private school students require tutors to catch up academically. No joke, ask them, I have.
And very expensive. On average it cost over $30K a student. Let's compare to a private school at almost half the cost. 100% of graduates accepted to colleges with over 75% earning grants/scholarships worth over $25m
anonymous,
Your post is nothing but hearsay. Why compare apples and oranges? CSH and Jericho are both mostly white, public school districts, with a wealthy base like LVCSD. All three have students with special needs and varying familial circumstances. Yet my comparison was dismissed out of hand because of imaginary differences in "culture". You people have an excuse for everything. Enough with the excuses.
VOTE NO!
"Yet my comparison was dismissed out of hand because of imaginary differences in "culture"
Sorry, Vexy, you're in the wrong. I tutored students from these very districts, and they absolutely speak of the pressure they experience on a daily basis from other kids, teachers, and parents to be better than the next kid, or better than their own last success. For these kids, a simple "A" is a failure - it has to be "A+," or they lose their self-esteem. These kids are pressured to get into the ivy leagues and become the same successful professionals their parents became. And yes, they get tutors for everything even though theirs is a "good" school district.
Don't get me wrong - I am not saying that I want LVCSD to pressure kids that way.
But you need to be aware, when talking about the budget and school district achievement, that PARENTAL & CULTURAL INFLUENCES ABSOLUTELY DO affect achievement outcomes for students.
The same holds true when talking about lower-performing districts. Parents and culture are factors in low student achievement for Roosevelt Park, Hempstead, Freeport, Wyandanch, Brentwood, also poor rural areas of USA, other urban city districts in USA.
ATHLETICS
Middle School = 661 students
High School = 900 students
Participation in extra- curricular activities foster creative, social and physical skills that are desirable qualities to colleges and future employers.
CLUB ENROLLMENT
Grades 3-12 = 1151 students
The key to a child’s success later in life has everything to do with a balanced experience, which includes those activities beyond math or biology class.
Intramurals
Grades 3-5 = 174 students
Grades 6-8 = 95 students
Extracurricular activities help students learn social and leadership skills, such as goal- setting, time management, self- discipline and teamwork that help prepare them for adulthood.
HIGH SCHOOL
MUSICAL = 65 Students
OUT OF POCKET PER STUDENT COSTS
Track: $560 Football: $1270 Musical: $540 Driver’s Education $552 Club Activities: $194
VOTE YES FOR THE BUDGET TODAY! EVERY VOTE COUNTS
Since private schools are brought up let me point out that the district pays for busing, books, and any special ed needs. They can even go to BOCES cultural arts at our expense. They have endowments and large contributions from parents and alumni. They provide housing for some staff. Etc, Etc Friends HS is about $26,000. The private schools are very selective and unless you score high on the entrance exams, you don't get in.
Cold Spring Harbor has had high budget increases year after year and the community always votes them in. 3 Parents contributed over 3 million dollars for 2 turf fields. And yes, they are tutored for everything. Look at their last teacher contract negotiations and the fact finding done by the arbitrator.
I know the budget passed and I feel sorry for our children since they will not be able to afford to live here after graduation unless they stay at home but let me add one final point on Private Schools, Busing, books, and special needs are in the LV budget but the same amount would have been required if that same student attended public school so it is a clear wash. Finally it is all the taxpaying residents that fund education for all school aged children in the district. Take the blinders off. Good night and I am sure they are spending our money wisely in Locust Valley tonight. Once again the parents were driven by the same scare tactics as in years past. Save this entire blog and we can repeat it again next year. Sad but nothing will change until there is no more money to bleed from the residents and rest assured that day is coming.
Don't get you wrong? You don't want LVCSD to put "pressure" on their kids the way the successful parents do in Jericho and CSH? You think paying for tutoring (in cash which I'm sure you didn't report to the IRS) for their children to assure them of mastering their subjects is a BAD thing? I'm pretty darn sure at least 80% of the parents in LVCSD have had to hire a tutor for their child for the deplorable Math Department in LVMS/HS. You criticize the "pressure" parents place on their children in those districts for trying to earn admission to Ivy League schools. But what does LVCSD do? It buys a phony designer label which actually dumbs-down our curriculum, impedes students academically, puts students under more psychological stress than any AP system does, and expects the Ivy League schools to ooh and ahh because 19 students got an IB Diploma. You want all the bennies without the hard work. So I most certainly do understand what you self-describe as the lazy, arrogant, "entitled" culture of LVCSD. I would think that is something you should work on. Raise your expectations. Demand accountability. You think the parents in Jericho only show up at BoE meetings when a sports coach gets fired like in LVCSD? Uh, no sir. They advocate for their children academically, not just as cheerleaders from a bleacher at a sporting event.
Btw, I just got an e-mail from a young man in Thailand, hoping I am still crusading against IB. I assured him, I am. His IB school sits smack in the middle of the violent riots currently taking place in Bangkok. IBO refused to reschedule the IB exams to a time when the students could safely enter the school. He says IB has ruined his life. Or the Mom who just contacted me from Sri Lanka whose IB school won't let her Valedictorian, Class President son graduate because she has fallen on financially hard times and can't pay the remainder of the IB fees. Have some integrity, anonymous. Have some compassion. And most of all, encourage achievement, hard work, honesty and success.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~Thomas Edison
Oh, I'm so glad you brought up the HS Musical, a spectacular event, along with the Senior's Dinner that follows! Don't forget the Drama in the Fall. Can somebody please explain to me why LVCSD pays an outside Director from BOCES $15,000+ a year to come in for the plays? I have nothing against Abbe personally, although some parents do. Don't we have an English teacher, IB Theater Arts teacher and Music Director who could take on that shared responsibility? Or tell me why we have to hire paid musicians for the musical when we have extremely talented student musicians who could perform for extra credit? Or why we have to rent scenery when we have talented art students who could make it? I know between the cost of the required jazz shoes (probably $50+ now), costume supplements, pizza and food prep for Tech Week, I easily spent well over $100 each year my kids participated. And there are many more than 65 students each year. There are at least 60 students on Crew alone. I'm not sure what's the budgeted amount for LVHS theater, but to threaten the program's elimination if the budget fails instead of using your heads and coming up with some common sense cost cutting measures which include MORE student and teacher involvement, is nothing more than lazy, outrageous fearmongering.
I already voted NO.
Myself and a few friends already voted YES.
Lisa makes good points regarding the musical. the fact that students and faculty are not more involved is a symptom of significantly deeper problems.
However, the point stands that any parent who has children in the district who would like to participate in such as things as band, orchestra, musical, clubs and athletics WILL be paying the additional out of pocket costs in a contingency budget scenario.
That is a fact that parents of school-aged children need to know and should be allowed to consider before deciding on their vote.
And should such a contingency scenario materialize, it would probably eviscerate our instrumental programs and then LVHS most certainly would not be able to achieve the kind of musical production which Lisa described.
BEFORE YOU VOTE PLEAS READ
New LVHS scholarship - Soroptomist International - http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/
"Soroptimists are deeply concerned about the major issues confronting the world today, such as climate change, disarmament, poverty, lack of water and sanitation, lack of education and malnutrition. In all those questions we try through our UN representatives to call for understanding that the gender perspective should be put on the agenda in all new declarations and initiatives ..."
International Relations
General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, United Nations (ECOSOC); Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Special List of the International Labour Organization (ILO); Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), Official Relations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Consultative Status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Accredited to the Commonwealth as a Civil Society Organization.
Oh, and this one REALLY kills me:
Bahai Race Unity Award -
http://www.bic.org/statements-and-reports/bic-statements/94-0823.htm
A special committee or working group should be set up to develop both guidelines for promoting social integration, based on the principle of unity in diversity, and proposals for incorporating this principle into existing formal and non-formal educational programs. This committee/working group might begin by analyzing the proposals found in such documents as UNESCO's 1974 Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education Relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; UNESCO's 1993 World Plan of Action on Education for Human Rights and Democracy; and the Bahá'í International Community's World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development.
Funny, I don't see any scholarships from Christian or Jewish organizations. http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/
ZOMG the plan is perfect. During college application season the kids are so anxious they'll immediately convert to the first religion that gives them $1000 toward college.
Not only that, but to encourage the "agenda", (a fate so horrible it cannot be spoken) they have the students write about their ideals for the scholarship! This way the kids brainwash themselves, and come up with new ways to support the agenda in the process!
Then they'll use the spy from the rigged Miss America Pageant to infiltrate the American fashion industry and make the Burqa the must have item for the summer. It'll be called the hole-less shawl and come in a myriad of colors ranging from vibrant berry to forest green.
ZOMG WE KNOW THEIR PLAN, WE MUST FIGHT BACK
PLEAS PLEAS PLEAS, HALP THE RESISDUNCE
LOL
Finally Im involved in something at LV ... just voted NO
thanks LVHS for nothing
Finally you are involved in something at LV??
Did you not bother to get yourself involved in anything before this? How about your parents? Was there ever a time when they encouraged you to please get involved with an academic, musical, club, or athletic pursuit of SOME kind??
Are you making the school district responsible for the fact that YOU were unable to initiate a plan for involvement?
"Thanks for NOTHING" ?? People are complaining on this blog about how much money we spend on all these opportunities for you kiddies - about wasteful spending that has to be cut - let the mommies and daddies pay for it out of their pockets - and you had the opportunities for FREE for 12 years and now you say "thanks for nothing" and vote "no" to deny other children who are willing to get off their butts and get involved the opportunity.
Wow, it is difficult for me to respect your point of view.
WELL IF YOU ALL VOTE NO! THEN THE CLASS SIZES WILL GO UP AND TEACHER'S WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS! WHAT IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT WHO HAS A DISABILITY AND THEY CAN'T Handle A LARGE CLASS SIZE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO FIRE A LOT OF TEACHERS! WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THAT CHILD? WITH YOUR STUPIDITY BY SAYING NO YOU ARE HURTING OTHER CHILDREN AND TEACHER'S! ALSO IF YOU VOTE NO- THERE WILL PROB. CUT OUT SPORTS AND ETC. THEN YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE INVOLVED WITH SPORTS AND THAT MEAN SCHALORSHIPS TO COLLEGE AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT! I ALREADY VOTED YES! YOU ALL POSTED NO WELL SHAME ON YOU AND YOU SHOULD JUST MOVE!! TEACHER'S AND TEACHER ASSISTANT'S WORK HARD TO TEACH YOUR CHILDEN DON'T GO BACK ON THEM AND VOTE THE BUDGET DOWN!!! THAT'S NOT RIGHT! I OULD CUT THE ADMIN. WHO MAKE A LOT OF $$$ BUT I WOULDN'T CUT THE TEACHERS OR TA'S THEY'VE HELPED MY CHILD IN SO MANY WAYS THAT THEY ARE A BLESSING TO HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS!
I 100% support my family, children and their education, community and country.
Thank you to those that have supported my children grow in their academics. Many of their teachers have been a huge influence to their success. I am confident that my children will be very
successful in what ever path they take.
Vote Responsibly not Carelessly
Anonymous,
Why would LV have to get rid of band, chorus and orchestra if we go on contingency? Parents rent almost all of the instruments. The few that the district provides, (baritone horn, tuba) might become items that have to be rented. At the HS level, these courses are run during the regular school day. It's not like they are held before or after school and extra transportation is needed. Furthermore, LVCSD does NOTHING for students who want to participate in NYSSMA. Parents who want their children to excel in music pay heftily for private lessons. I know I did. I'm sure if they had to pay for sheet music, a fundraiser could be held. Here's a little tip for parents who might not be in the know, your child can earn a credit on their HS transcript for "independent" study in music when it involves private preparation for a competition like NYSSMA. The school no longer takes the kids to Disney to sing or play. I'm seriously tired of this district threatening to cut anything worthwhile when it DOESN'T HAVE TO COST anywhere near what they are spending, or claiming to spend, already.
bored wrote:
Since private schools are brought up let me point out that the district pays for busing, books, and any special ed needs. They can even go to BOCES cultural arts at our expense.
Hey there Bored.....
I just need to point this out to you. Parents who choose to send their children out of district to school still pay their taxes. so we essentially are paying school taxes for a service we do not use. therefore the relatively small amount of money that goes towards my childs books, bus, and special ed if it were needed is a DROP IN THE BUCKET compared to the amount of taxes paid. so YOU/aka the public school parents are in no way shape or form paying for my kids' books and bus.
essentially, particularly in LV where very many children attend private school, we private school parents are subsidizing the district. if every kid came back to the public schools from their respective private schools en masse, the district would not be able to handle the #'s on a space basis alone.
Why would LVCSD have to get rid of band and orchestra?
Well, where it is true that some children rent their own instruments, some don't! Especially at the elementary level. We use the school stringed instruments. Don't forget maintenance, repair, and instrumental supply budgets (strings, oil, mouthpieces, etc.)
How about the guitars, drumsets, sound stage equipment, keyboards, and music computer lab equipment? There have to be some upgrade and maintenance costs there.
Also, isn't the new guy looking to build a marching band?
Cost for music and instruction books for each grade level band/orch chorus grades 3-12: let's look it up. (Also secondary non-performing music classes...)
Then there is the cost of the teachers themselves, and professional music associations to which the district pays fees so that our students qualify for participation.
"so YOU/aka the public school parents are in no way shape or form paying for my kids' books and bus."
Actually, we ARE paying and the irony is, if there is a contingency, YOUR kid gets a BUS RIDE TO SCHOOL every day and OUR KIDS don't.
Anonymous,
WAH, WAH, WAH, WAH, STOMP, STOMP, STOMP
IT'S NOT FAIR
MY KID HAS TO WALK AND THE KIDS THAT GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL GET THE BUS, STOMP, STOMP, STOMP
THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL ARE PAYING MORE THAN THEIR SHARE
THIS DISTRICT HAS BRAIN WASHED YOU INTO BELIEVING WE ARE PAYING FOR THEIR THINGS AND DON'T DESERVE IT WHEN THEY ARE PAYING TAXES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS
private school mom,
Yes, you are correct . You pay taxes plus the cost of tuition and are certainly entitled to transportation and the cost of books.
I respect families who choose private schools an do not believe there is a conflict between private and public education.
I would like to point out however, that if a contingency budget is adopted bus service for private school students, under three miles will be eliminate as well.
Dear WAH WAH WAH,
Well then why don't YOU have YOUR KID walk? I mean, if it's not such a big deal that our little walkers and bike-riders would be exposed to transporting themselves in all kinds of weather and temperatures where there are no sidewalks, but there is high traffic volume due to the fact that 2200 kids are now commuting to school, not to mention the volume of registered sex offenders around here, well, then, I guess your little kiddies can walk and ride along with us! Come on! It'll be FUN!!
You're RIGHT! These kids are TOO SOFT! Let's toughen them up a little!
SAVE %$$$ CUT BUSING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS NOW! I make a motion to amend the BOE busing policy. Any of you savvy cost-saving budget busters want to second???
BTW this is a state law so take the bus to Albany and make your motion.
If the teacher's union and more so, the administration, would concede to the concessions being ordered by the Federal Government, this blog wouuld not exist.
Anonymous,
I like to see communities with children walking to school it makes a statement that the community is safe, children are getting exercise etc.
If their are so many sex offenders why do you live here?
There wouldn't be 2200 children walking to school at one time. More than half would be going to elementary school. Most of the parents that drive will probably continue to drive. So that really leaves a few walkers.
It would be nice to have all the kiddies walk together.
Nah, I think we could think of something to discuss.
Let me add that $700,000,000 was not given to New York State because of concessions not being reached by the Teacher's Union and State.
Can't wait for all of you to cry when the budget PASSES.
Once again, someone didn't do their HW before making a careless, insufficiently researched statement.
I guess you have to read/watch the news to be well-informed on this issue:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/nyregion/11teacher.html?scp=2&sq=dick%20ianuzzi&st=cse
What was that about unions and the state and the missing out of $700,000,000?
Paragraph 2 states: "The agreement, reached in time for the state’s second bid at $700 million in federal education grants, would scrap the current system whereby teachers were rated simply satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Instead, annual evaluations would place teachers in one of four categories — highly effective, effective, developing and ineffective. While the deal would not have any immediate effect on teacher pay, it could make it easier for schools to fire teachers deemed subpar. "
Another blatant lie and misconception being perpetuated on the blog. Congrats for the A+ false posting.
Dear Wah Wah
Exactly. So, have you been checking home listings closer to your private school to facilitate your fun walks with the kids?
"If the teacher's union and more so, the administration, would concede to the concessions being ordered by the Federal Government, this blog wouuld not exist.
Umm, not so sure that is true. There are other important issues "discussed" here. wouldn't it be great if these issues were brought into the light and dealt with appropriately starting tomorrow morning?
Who wants to organize it?
anonymous,
you're missing the point. WE STILL PAY TAXES. in tough times, ie, a contingency budget, we are actually MORE entitled to the meager services we get from the district (books/busing, NOT actually special ed b/c now the law is that the district where the private school is physically located picks that bill up) than in district kids, b/c we are forever and always paying more into the school system than we get back, whereas your average tax bill doesn't cover the full cost per child of educating an in-district child.
and for the record, my kids' school is well over three miles, so even if the budget fails, we still get our bus. bet that must burn your ass, no?
"and for the record, my kids' school is well over three miles, so even if the budget fails, we still get our bus. bet that must burn your ass, no?"
Actually, it does not burn me at all. And I don't begrudge you the buses and in fact, this whole conversation has been absolutely infantile.
budget passed!!
thanks to everyone who voted yes
How did you come by this information 6 minutes before the polls closed?
I AM IN THE CLASS OF 2010 AND FOR THE OTHER SENIORS TO SAY THAT LVHS DID NOTHING FOR THEM SHAME ON THEM!
THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FULL OF HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS EASY
I AM A MEMBER OF THE CLASS OF 2010 AND I VOTED YES!
THE BUDGET PASSED SO TAKE THAT
I AM ALSO IN THE CLASS OF 2010 AND LOCUST VALLEY HAS DONE EVERYTHING IN IT'S POWER TO MAKE THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE. THE BUDGET PASSED!
DID THE BUDGET PASS
PLEASE SAY YES
YES!
Why is it legal for schools to run round-the-clock activities on the day of the election? It is a blatant (and effective) attempt to deter older voters (who may be more likely to vote no) from voting. Voting is supposed to be about hearing all voices. Just as a person running for election cannot promote themselves at a polling place, a school should not flaunt their agenda at a polling place, nor block voters from voting.
Lisa (BQ), and Penny,
Thank you, with certainty, you did more to insure the passage of the budget than any other two individuals. Your unintelligible rants and raves united an entire community. Thank you again and I know we can count on you again next year.
You are welcome
However, I did not rant.
Peace
Listen,
1268 residents came out on a rainy day to say NO. I wouldn't be gloating if I were you, considering the weather, that was a significant turnout for this district. What your win actually amounts to is 120 people. So this community is not united, it is very much divided, just like our country. Only delusional Progressives can perceive a win by a slim majority - "united".
But hey, Rand Paul won and the Sphincter lost, America is looking brighter!
Oh yeah. One other thing. Next Spring when my house goes on the market, I expect all of you cheerleaders who screamed "MOVE" to be sending buyers my way.
The budget passed by 231 votes.
Cat Hollow - for the record my point of the expenses for private school students was add that amount to tuition and then what is the cost for a HS education. I don't begrudge the expense, they are taxpayers too.
The complainers should be on a bus to Albany and really try to change things.
Amen for this year.
Actually, as you know, 54% to 46%, in an election is close to landslide. But what's interesting is that in Bayville, your home town, where you have influence-- that's a joke-- it was a landslide 799 to 592. Biggest margin, I am told , in Bayville history.
THANK YOU LISA (BQ)
"But hey, Rand Paul won and the Sphincter lost"
I assume you are identifying yourself as a Tea Party member?
"a school should not flaunt their agenda at a polling place, nor block voters from voting"
this is just ridiculous. Were you not able to vote? Were you blocked? You are the kind of person who can not be made happy.
Anonymous,
Actually, yes, I was able to vote because I happened to be at the school for the Book Fair in the afternoon, and Curriculum Night in the evening. I did however, have to park up by the Primary School. Would an older resident want to walk down (and then up) the Godfrey hill? I am not sure....
I am sure that many older residents or those in poor health are put off by the congestion around the school. The school guards did nothing to ensure that parking was reserved for voters only. Three of my friends attending Curriculum Night were in the circle.
Local Mom, I think the scheduling of Book Fair and Open School night is very deliberate on the part of the district (not just LV, all districts do some variation of this) having a quasi-mandatory night for parents on election night pretty much guarantees that the people who are most likely to vote yes will be coming up to school for something. i'd venture to say that the district is not looking so much at pulling in the older, more likely to vote no, residents.
Why is it that students, renters, etc. that don't pay taxes are allowed to vote to raise my taxes. Shouldn't it be that if your name is not on the property tax rolls you don't have a say. Representation without taxation!!!
Oh, Lisa you have told us before you are leaving, only to disappoint.
Oh Lisa,
You didn't even know what a progressive was till you tuned in old Glen baby. Problem is he doesn't fully get it either.
Get a good history book and read about the progressive era and progressives. Glen gets it in part but then takes it over the top but I think the over the top part is probably what appeals to you.
If you don't support Obama, You DON'T support IBO
http://www.truthaboutib.com/images/IB_ARRAGuideFinal_-_race_to_the_top.pdf
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/removeibfrompubliceducation/
School Mom,
Actually the figures do not support your claim. MORE Bayville residents and more voters in the overall school district voted in this election than any school election going back to at least 1980. How do I know? I have lived in Bayville 40 years and have kept the records each year. I called the school and they say they have records going back to 1975
Also this is the largest margin of victory for Bayville ever. 799 Yes, 592 No.
I am a senior and I don't expects school events to stop on election day. Of course it will be crowded if 1400 people descend on a school. That's why I vote during the school day when there are fewer voters.
I am proud so many of our residents voted.
^^^^^ a reply to
Lisa wrote:
BEFORE YOU VOTE PLEAS READ
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/removeibfrompubliceducation/
Now that Jeff has graciously unbanned me and the hate-mail from the NYT article has subsided, I thought I would share the 2009 LVCSD IB Exam report with blog readers; Where's the Rigor?
http://truthaboutib.com/breakingnewsopinions.html
WorldNetDaily has recognized my IB research in this exclusive story:
THE NEW WORLD DISORDER
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
They're doing it: U.N. makes its move into your school
Program already operating in hundreds of U.S. locations
--WND
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=189413
(And just a reminder, your LVCSD property taxes last year paid an additional $100,571 for AP & IB exam fees over and above the $150,000+ in annual IB expenses which we were never required to fund prior to IB. Why you people continue to support this globalist scam is beyond me.)
I don't think any of us have a choice in the matter Lisa. You think a public uproar or protest will help? Absolutely not. It seems as though you have a lot of time on your hands to worry about the ib program. In the meantime, my children need to go to school somewhere and the ib program sounds better than NO program
Dear oh well,
Yes, I am fortunate to have time to worry about the infiltration of our American public schools by a bunch of edu-capitalist Eurocrats who use Progressive propaganda and America's most valuable asset, our children, for their NWO ends. I will not stand by silently and allow my taxdollars to fatten their pockets while they dumb down our schools. Since when did the "choice" become IB or nothing? What was wrong with AP and Honors for a fraction of the cost? Why pay more for an inferior product?
Parents from all over the country contact me for help on combating IB in their districts. The key is stopping it before it gets its foot in the door. I was too late to the plate here in LVCSD. If you want to keep throwing good money after bad and say "oh well", well, I have no respect for you. Do your homework, learn the facts, and take a stand instead of being an apathetic do nothing. What could be more important than having principles about what your children are being taught?
OK. So do you want to pay for my children to go to private school then? I'm not moving out of Bayville, and im too damn busy to get into political debates and/or organize protests, so what do you propose I do?
If you have enough time to post to the Bayville Blog, then you have enough time to zip off a short e-mail to Dr. Anna Hunderfund and the LVCSD Board of Education indicating that you are displeased with the IB program and wish to see it eliminated.
If your child is interested in AP courses, Board policy as it stands requires the district to run an AP course if there are 8 or more students who want to enroll. Call some of the parents of your child's friends and see if they would prefer AP over IB.
No I don't want to pay your kid's tuition for private school. I've got a hard enough time paying for my own daughter's tuition to NYU and my property taxes. I also think I have done everything in my power to try and lower your school property taxes and improve your public education system by advocating for the elimination of IB, with little to no thanks from the apathetic mommies around here who care more about sports and their own tennis games and luncheons, than their childrens academics.
@ oh well,
If you want your child to take IB, Yes you need to pay for it and it should not be paid for by the taxpayer.
Attention parents of IB students - I have learned first hand from the head of IBNA that IB exams are NOT mandatory. This is contrary to what we were told by LVCSD.
Since most universities do NOT recognize IB SL exams for college-credit, I would strongly advise that in order to help reduce our taxes and provide your student with a better option for college credit, that when your child is asked to REGISTER for the IB exam sometime in November/December that they refuse to do so.
Students have until March 15, 2011, to register for an AP exam in the same subject. The student may have to take the exam at a different location, but that is an option with AP.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/reg.html
Has professionalism died in LVCSD?
Well according to the teachers it has.
Since the beginning of the school year the teachers have been silently protesting in front of our children by wear their union polo shirts on a weekely basis.
In fact this last Friday they truly represented themselves in a non professional manner by wearing black shirts with the Union logo and jeans to work!
I ask what does professionalism mean to the LVCSD teachers?
Does what you wear separate a professional from a non professional? From what I have observed over the last 15 years many teachers dress unprofessionally.
Do your actions separate a professional from a non professional?
Again many LVCSD teachers actions have been unprofessional in my opionion. Like tearing up a childs homework in front of him/her stating it is no good. (a French teacher)
Does the fact that you are working without a contract separate a professional from a non professional?
Most professions are not represented by a Union.
So when exactly did professionalism die in the LVCSD?
It looks like the union is running the show at the LVCSD.
Why isnt the BOE and administration supporting our children by asking the teachers to hold thier protests after school hours?
Why are the teachers being allowed to protest in such a manner in front of our children?
Why are the teachers telling our children that they are all wearing black and jeans because professionalism has died?
Why is this district using our children to voice their political agends?
The "profession" of "teaching" in public schools is holding taxpayers and children hostage to its temper tantrums and union thuggery.
Fire them all and throw the union out of the district. I'm sure there are plenty of certified teachers looking for work who would be thrilled to work at the LVCSD country club without a union contract in this economy, just to have a job.
Professionalism died because the pseudo-professionals killed it!
I think the kids should start wearing T-shirts that say, "My Mom and Dad help pay your salary. Teach me!"
@taxpayer
LOL.
I had that same thought about the shirts!!!!
soooo.....now the teachers are driving around with placcards
"LV teachers deserve contracts"
http://truthaboutib.com/obamaduncanib.html
wake up people
we need to remove IB from LVCSD
http://truthaboutib.com/breakingnewsopinions.html
SAY NO TO IBO
http://a4cgr.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/08-266/
please read if you are allowing your children to take any IB classes
How About getting whitsons to make the lunch for the students instead of the old lunch ladies they have now? Their are about 12 people making the lunch for the students when you only need about 8.The head lunch lady Locust valley high school has now never took cooking lessons or has a degree in food anyway. Whitsons can come in at a cheaper price, less people, and they are very good cooks to boot!!! I was told that locust valley once did interview whitsons and liked them alot but at the end didn't get them becouse they felt sorry for the lunch ladies they have now. The person that told me this was a big shot across the street from the high school that now works for another school.
How about superintendent salary caps? Especially in a small district like ours. Or a limit on how many supts. a district can have? How about a limit on how many people you need working in central office? Do we really need a PR person and a $70,000 secretary? Do you really want to go after the lunch ladies who make the least out of everyone over there?
I can't comment about the lunch ladies but I've read that other districts are saving some money by running IB on line. This might be a way to save some money.
Woody,
IB does not have a "complete" online diploma program(me) and won't until 2013. LVHS would still have to pay the outrageous $10,000 annual "club" fee to be an IB World School, ongoing teacher training, mailing costs ($5,000+ per yr.) IB Coordinator salary, CAS and EE Supervisor stipends, stipends for the HS Model UN Club, and now I understand there is a MS Model UN club (whoopee!) oh yes, and stipends to run the IB Leadership club. Don't forget, LVSCD also decided to use your taxes to pay for all of the non-mandatory IB and AP exam fees to the tune of $100,000 a year.
You want to save $300,000 a year? Eliminate IB and restore AP classes. There is no contract other than a "poison pill" agreement to finish out the juniors who are in the program this year. Go back to making the parents pay for the AP exams. If a family is having financial hardship, the College Board is much more amenable to adjusting its fees than IB.
And has ANYBODY bothered to ask if the district ever conducted its alleged mandatory 5 year review of IB? I know if it was done it was an internal snow job, but I don't know what it's going to take to get people in this district to wake up to the fact that IB is nothing but an educational scam. This company deserves to be put out of business. IB's CEO is a plagiarist, IB's finances are under review by the IRS, IB has plagiarized mark schemes from Wikipedia and this district flat out lies about college recognition for the program.
I've given up on trying to provide LVCSD with the facts about IB. By not standing up against IB, LVCSD residents have allowed the district to dumb down our school and downgrade our real estate. Doesn't anyone even wonder why IB isn't even mentioned in the Soundwaves? Isn't anyone curious why fully one third of the kids who waste their final two years of HS in IB fail to earn the diploma? How do you think those kids feel?
http://truthaboutib.com/images/LVHS_10_IB.pdf
Wow,Getting Whitsons to work in the kitchen- what a great idea!!! I have only been saying that for the last 6 years lol.
To the anon who provided all those links, I got as far as "soviet brain washing" and the charts that resemble the ones Glen Beck use to connect everything in the world to Soros. Do you have anything that doesn't come with a tin foil hat?
I have a Question. What does Superintendent Hunderfund do that is worth 250,000 dollars. People seem to believe that voting no to the budget will limit the money spent on our children. This is wrong. Voting no the budget means our school board will come up with a new way to spend our money. Then we will have to approve it. If we don't approve it then we can make suggestions on how to spend it. I feel that we should make a max budget for teachers of lets say somthing like 100,000. We should cut Hunderfund's outrageous pay of 250,000 Dollars. Besides, what does she do besides making those cheesy snow day messages and calling snowdays? we should pay her a max of 150,000 Dollars. That will leave us with an extra 100,000. This can pay for 2-3 more teachers, fresh out of college.
You want to make a Change a real change? VOTE THE BOARD OUT!!!!! let the new guys take it to the doctor super what ever she is.let them try to explain why they spent the money how they spent it!! thats real change!
The Model UN Club isn't affiliated with IB. It's a common club in many AP schools, IB schools, and Colleges.
The Superintendent is ruining our school district! Nothing good has come from her being here! She is making our kids into nameless, faceless numbers. I believe the board is going to extent her contract by another year tonight at the meeting. We should insist as parents in this district that we stop the madness now before its too late and get her out!
Hey I heard there`s a Bayville local running this year,his name is Murphy. old Bayville Family I bet he`ll push for a change!!!! vote Murphy!! get the same old same olds OUT!!!
If it's Kevin Murphy, he's a very nice guy, lovely family, but his wife is an LVCSD teacher and you will absolutely just have more of the same. Just sayin ....
I didn't even think this blog was still live - haven't checked here in a couple of months. Our house goes on the market in 2 weeks - if anyone is interested, I'm sure you'll figure out a way to get ahold of me.
I helped stop IB in Incline Village, Nevada. It's officially not only dead in the water - but it looks like the Asst Supt. and Supt are both on their way out. Only $150,000 ($85,000 private money) was wasted trying to force the IB agenda out there. Tyranny is unAmerican. Expensive lesson learned, for some. Not for IBO of course, they pocketed at least $100,000 for fees for applications and teacher training. I'm sure they're laughing all the way to their Swiss bank. You folks CAN make a difference, but it seems the only thing people around here care about is sports. That's why you keep voting in people like Jack Dolce and Ronald Walsh, why is beyond me.
Good luck, LVCSD. You have beautiful grounds and facilities, some of the highest paid teachers and administrators in the country, and you pay more per student than just about every other district in the country. You can keep running country clubs - or get back to the business of education. YOU THE PEOPLE can do what was done in Wisconsin. But your blinders have worn me out. I've taken my message to where people "get it". You can continue to allow yourselves to be Delphi'd - or YOU can effect real change. But one person alone can't do it. YOU own your schools. DO SOMETHING about these out of control spending and perks. I did all I could do to save us millions of $$ and was met with hostility and mocking. Oh well. No one can ever say I didn't care and didn't try.
http://icuhollis.org/?page_id=641
Let me just add, that if voting for Murphy is a chance to oust Walsh, well, he's got our vote!
Lisa i think its Charlie Murphy.he used to own the Reef way back when.his Brother bartends at Walls, he`s a chef for a country club has kids in LVHS.anyway great guy old time Bayville.
Thanks Local Joe. Not that anyone "campaigns" around here. That's frowned upon, I've heard. I mean, I guess that's why Jack Dolce went around and bought up every single copy of The Leader off the shelves when I had the paper's endorsement and a full page ad.
Is he a Republican/Conservative? You know, in CT, the school board members run as Rs or D's. Same for PA. I want to know his politics because it directly affects educational fiscal responsibility.
Hey, has anybody read LVCSD's 5 Year IB Review? No? Me either. Dr. Hunderfund and the Board ignored my e-mail request for a copy, so I guess I have to go down and bother them by filing a formal FOIL request. I just want to read it for all the self-hype and exaggeration. You know they sold that as one of the "quality components" of IB - that there was this "rigorous" 5 year review of the program(me) ..... just sayin .....
When is Meet the Candidates Night? I don't get the district calendar or any school notices anymore and the LVCSD website hasn't been updated since February regarding Board Actions:
http://lvcsd.k12.ny.us/board_of_education/board_actions
Other districts around the country not only live-stream their Bored [sic] Meetings on the web, they immediately archive them and make them available to the public via the district website. The lack of transparency and slacker secrecy is abhorrent.
But I see P. Craft has her letter to the editor in the Leader. Ever the good trooper, that Patti, eh?
Hey lisa, Murphy is a Republican and a great guy family dude.I think meet the canidates is May 2.isn`t Dr. kildare up on her contract,shouldn`t we press the PTA and everybody to get her out!!!!
VOTE NO!
The schools need to be more efficiently managed like any other organization. 2/3 of our property taxes go to our school. In Nassau County when one grieves their taxes successfully the county nuts return 100% of the money back to the property owner while the schools do not return their share. We do not need to throw money to the schools every time the budget comes up for a vote. If one really cares about our children then the school board should become a role model to them by running our schools more efficiently.
Too late! They supposedly extended her contract at the last board meeting! She is ruining the district. And the board, (who were not supposed to propose a budget until after the break) did propose a budget and its actually a decrease. This in turn will lay off 27 teachers (some of whom have been in the district 6+ years are are tenured) whether the budget passes or not. We need to get new blood into the board if our kids and the district stand a chance! We need to send a message that we are fed up with the current Superintendent and Board!
You can get her out, but it will cost you....Her contract is now up in 2016. Why they extended her another year is beyond me. At $285,000 she's too expensive and definitely not running things with all students in mind.
After 5 public budget forums during which at no time was the current budget ever even discussed, at the last meeting they announce the figure of 2.9% and approve it that same night with no community input whatsoever. The forums before consisted of conspiracy theories and fears of a 2% cap. It's a shame that no info. on the budget is even posted on the school's website yet. There is no transparency in the district. As the saying goes, the fish stinks from the head.....
I hope anyone new running for the board gets elected to break free from the power trip that the current BOE president and supt. are on.
FYI...Village Board is voting on a potential 19% tax increase tonight, April 25 at the Vlg Mtg. makes the school budget increase pale in comparison.
Anon -
So people are finally starting to believe what I've been saying for years are they? And they have the audacity to complain that no one goes to their pseudo-budget meetings? I gave up years ago when I saw that the entire system had been obfuscated and hidden.
27 teachers, huh? But they're still going to keep IB. Oh that makes sense.
Thank Patti Craft.