G has left a new comment on your post "Bone Marrow Donor Drive Is Still "On"- Come and sa...":
Suzala, please make this a new post titled Proposed school budget.
Proposed school budget
I
attended the Board of Education meeting a couple of weeks ago in which
Dr. Lewis was introduced to be the new Superintendent of schools in
Plainview. During this meeting, the budget was discussed and I learned
that the district has approved $80,000 to build a parking lot at a
school that is NOT a Plainview-Old Bethpage school where our children
attend. I take exception that the board would want to spend this much
money on a parking lot that in no way benefits the children of the
Plainview - Old Bethpage school district. This money could be spent in
many better ways that would benefit OUR children. It could be spent on
replacing windows in POB Middle, fixing the leaky roof in Mattlin's
wrestling room, upkeep or upgrade of the athletic fields, air
conditioners in over a hundred classrooms district wide, a part time
teacher position, the possibilities are endless. It seems very
irresponsible to spend this much money to build a parking lot for
teachers and assistant teachers who are not part of our school district.
When this was questioned by a couple of people at the meeting the
reasoning was as follows. The current resident (ACDS)of the building's
lease expires in a few years. The school board felt a new parking lot
would entice them into extending their lease and therefor bringing in
revenue for the rent. While I do follow this, the logic is flawed. If
we spend $80,000 that should have gone to our kids there is no guarantee
that they are staying when the lease is up anyway. All we have if they
leave is $80,000 wasted and a vacant parking lot that will be a magnet
for kids to hang out in late at night. If it is so important, then the
lot should be built contingent to ACDS signing a long term (10 years or
so) lease so we are guaranteed this was not a waste of money. There is
no need to put the horse in front of the cart when that money could
benefit our children. I also wonder are the parking conditions that bad
that an additional parking lot is needed. I do not think it is
unreasonable if people have to walk a half block to get to their job.
This is money that should be going to benefit OUR kids, the kids of
Plainview - Old Bethpage, and if this budget is approved as it stands
the money will instead go to teachers from an outside school. You can
email Ryan Ruf (Asst Superintendent of Business) or call his office to
express your concerns about this topic if you wish.
RRuf@pob.k12.ny.us
516 937 6310
I
don't think any of us wish to see the budget fail. With that being
said I will not vote yes to approve this budget if this is not taken
out. On May 7 at 7:45 there will be another school board meeting and
the budget will be addressed. It is open to the public if anyone wishes
to attend. The actual vote is May 15. Just so everyone has the facts
as I understand them, if the budget is defeated they can amend it and a
new vote would take place. We would not automatically have the default
budget. This comes with a price however. Mr. Ruf said a revote would
cost the district about $15,000 dollars. I hope this is taken out of
the budget before the vote. I have spoken to many people who plan on
voting no to the budget on this point alone. If the budget is defeated,
amended and then passed it is still a net of $65,000 going towards our
kids. It would just be easier if it were taken out before the vote took
place.
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Once again the BOE has shown their fiscal irresponsibility. Spending $80,000 to "entice " a tenant to stay is not a smart business move. How about the BOE tells the tenant: if you sign another lease we will do x and y for you. This is why the vote to elect board members should be changed to November when more residents go out to vote and you will get a better turnout other than just the friends, family members of the BOE and school employees and maybe that will encourage residents to run for the board. We need some new members on the board that can be more fiscally responsible with the way our tax dollars are spent. The other issue that the board has not talked about is the teacher contract which is 10 months expired. Does the BOE plan to tell everybody after the voting is done what the status is? Are they going to cave in to the PCT again when other school districts are laying off, freezing salaries, or demanding give backs?
ReplyDeleteThis parking lot would've cost nothing, nada, zilch!! The Town of Oyster Bay was going to put the parking lot in for free, but nooooooo! the people who lobbied FOR the parking lot decided it wasn't what they wanted! So now the board was faced with spending 80,000 to keep a tenant who brings the district 100's of thousands of dollars a year in revenue happy. You do the math! it's money well spent!
DeleteOh and if you thought that there should have been new board members, why didn't you put your name on the ballot???
In response to Apr 28, 08:53 PM: I wouldn't put my name on a ballot with all of you corrupt,self-serving BOE people. I have integrity!
DeleteIt's strange that the Fern Pl school is in better condition than any of the other elementary schools. Why? I'm voting the budget down unless this is removed from the budget. Put it in only if there is a signed long term lease.
ReplyDeleteThe school's maintenance and much of its upkeep has been paid for by ACDS as per their lease agreement. Why you would send all those kids out of our community when the school is doing a great service for society is beyond my understanding. Pick on someone else.
DeleteTotally, agree with you! Time to elect a new board. The same goes with getting the community out there to vote come this November. I hate to sound cynical but from what I have seen with this BOE they will probably cave in to the PCT again.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster 8:53 I did the math. The lease is coming to an end and they are spending $80,000. Not too bright. Get them to agree to extend the lease and then invest the money. Maybe you were using that constructivist math when you figured that one out. How about some one get a referendum on the ballot for term limits for Board members. I am sure that would be one to vote for.
ReplyDeleteto the poster at 7:03, if you went to Board meetings, you would have heard Mr Ruff state that the renters at Fern pl. are willing to pay half of the renovation cost! It was also stated at the meeting that the lease has years left to it, so the math DOES work out in favor of the district. In these hard times when school districts are closing buildings which those districts will look to fill those vacant buildings with tenants, it is to the district's advantage to KEEP TENANTS HAPPY!!! Go out and poll the people who are complaining about parking on Fern pl., you will find that the majority want the parking problem resolved; what you will also find out is that there are a select few of those who are opposed to the town's plan. I know if they submitted another petition asking the question if they supported the town's plan there'd be more for it than against it. You seem to be very vocal about this plan, maybe you should spearhead the fact finding mission.
ReplyDeleteThe maintanence of the Fern Place School is paid for by ACDS. They have taken better care of the building than the Board of Ed has of its own schools. Only half the cost would be covered by Plainview-Old Bethpage. The school is an asset to our community, not just financially but also because it does in fact help out children and families who need it. To turn our backs on a school helping those with down syndrome and other special needs is gross. Anyone suggesting we do so should rethink where they are coming from.
ReplyDeleteThe lease is coming to an end in SIX years. O_O That is an investment. Also we use the area when we have games there on the weekends. We need the parking space anyway. This is a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add that Plainview-Old Bethpage residents do benefit directly from ACDS. Many of us have had children in the school. The notion that somehow we as a town do not benefit is a misrepresentation of the facts. And even if not a single one of our residents attended the school? We should still want to support them.
ReplyDeletewith the right information posted , it looks as though it would be a good investment to build a parking lot. Probably one of the most important factors will be that they install bushes or trees in front of the parking lot so residents will not be looking out their windows at a bunch of cars
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY!! the ACDS school is a benefit to our community. To 1:37 I believe that the subject of bushes were stated at the meeting if my memory serves me right. Residents who attend meetings are informed residents and hear it straight from the horses mouth. This subject is one that if you don't attend meetings could and has been slanted. Be informed and attend meetings. I do!
ReplyDeleteI used to attend meetings until my stomach would turn from hearing all the "political " answers and double talk. That is why there is such apathy among residents and voters. I am still witing to hear after the budget vote how the BOE will cave in on the contract negotiations once again with the PCT
ReplyDeleteI do not know who is responsible for the upkeep of the building’s interior. I am not familiar with the lease agreement so all I can base things on is what was said at the meeting. They said at the meeting that the upkeep and improvements to the exterior of the building, including the existent lot, was the districts responsibility. I sure hope I am not giving you the impression I am picking on the school or the children that go there. This has nothing to do with them. This is about spending $80,000 unwisely to accommodate a handful of teachers and teacher’s assistants that currently park on nearby streets and have to walk 50 or 100 yards to get to their job. Please do not misinterpret what I have said. I feel that $80,000 could be spent much better on the children of our school district instead of a parking lot. I reread my post and do not believe I said anything negative about the school, the children or their employees. I have nothing against any of them and to say that I do is insulting. This is about about the POB school district budget, nothing more.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was said that the lease runs out in 2018. Six years away. They currently pay $435,000 per year. Spending $80,000 is not a lot against this amount. That is true. But the fact is they are still paying this $435,000 per year for six years with or without a second parking lot. It seems like wasted money once again that could be spent elsewhere, in our schools. They said they are trying to get them to stay longer. I understand that but again they have six more years. They are not about to resign a lease right now. Between the economy and them not knowing what their enrollment will be in six years and numerous other factors I'm sure the resigning of a lease is years off. Why is there a pressing need for this lot right now. If it is so important use it as a bargaining chip four years from now when they are negotiating. Three, four or five years from now nobody will care when we say remember back when we built you a parking lot. As far as a resident petition, there was one handed in to the board opposing the lot. I do not know how many names were on it but there certainly was one turned over to the board at the budget hearing.
To the next couple of posters, once again this is not about not supporting the school. I, nor anyone I spoke to has anything against the school, the staff or especially the children.
ReplyDeleteThe board suggested bushes and or a white PVC fence to serve as a buffer for the residents so they need not look at a concrete jungle. Two long time residents got up and addressed this issue. Apparently years ago there were large bushes there and since it sheltered the view of anyone from the street it became a magnet for teenagers to drink and use drugs. We might want to rethink creating a hiding place that would be inviting for this type of behavior.
To the last poster. Please tell me if you feel I have misrepresented anything that was said at the meeting. I took notes and tried to get as many facts as I could. I guess I will see you at the next meeting.
In all seriousness I hope I have addressed every point you guys made on here in as much of an informed way as possible. I still have a big issue with this school needing a SECOND parking lot at our expense with the hopes of enticing them to sign a new lease years from now. It is not good business sense to me. I'm still voting no on Tuesday.
Post 1 of my 3 part post was not posted. This should have gone first.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, it is very hard to address everyone individually since you guys all have the same name (anonymous). Anyway I tried to do a bit more research and I did attend the most recent board meeting which was also the budget hearing. There is a bit of misinformation being passed around regarding this issue as well. There were many people at the meeting who spoke out against this issue and many who asked questions and raised concerns regarding the parking lot. I will try to address things in the order which they were posted
As one of you posted the town did offer to put in a lot a while back at their expense but the offer was turned down.
At the meeting they specifically stated they were "In negotiation with ACDS" to share the cost. Nothing was written in stone. Unless something changes in the next two days you are voting to approve them spending $80,000 on this lot. I spoke to someone who told me they called Mr Ruf's office and was told we were only spending $40,000 because ACDS is footing the other $40,000. Many of you may have gotten the same information, I don't know. All I can say is at the last meeting they said they were negotiating, not that it was a done deal. Maybe others who attended the meeting can post also and attest to what I am saying.
$80,000 or $40,000. I support the parking lot being put it. It is an investment we need for the building regardless of who rents it. We need the extra parking on weekends and future leasers will likely need it as well. It is not a waste.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't the school who initially requested the additional parking space. The issue was brought up as a solution to complaints of the staff parking on the street. As a member of the staff at ACDS I want to say that we do not want to impact our neighbors this way. I know how it is when you have only space for 1 car and you have a 2 car home. On street parking is necessary for many families. We want to stay in the school and also want to make life easier for those around. It was told to the staff that the school would share some of the cost. Of course there is no way now to know how much that will be but the estimated amount given was at least half. To state that this is an egregious spending of funds because a few teachers have to walk 50-100 yards is a misrepresentation.
ReplyDeleteAlso where the posters here have no had an issue with the school if you look at the articles in the Plainview Patch you will see that there are neighbors of the school who have stated they want the school gone and housing in its place. So there are those who do want the school gone.
To the last poster. I'm so glad you posted so you can give us a view from the employees perspective. I think that is important to have to understand the situation in it's entirety. I read all of the articles on the Patch regarding this issue and I did see one poster who did say we should not renew the lease so I guess I shouldn't say nobody has anything against the school. With that being said that ONE post is the ONLY person out of dozens I have spoken to or read comments from that made expressed that opinion. The overwhelming majority of us have no issue and please believe that. I do not know if you are a Plainview resident as well as a teacher at the school so I do not know how familiar you are with the area. Orchard is a main cut through from Old Country Road to Jamaica Ave (another main road in Plainview). I pass the school at least once a week if not more going to Old Country Road. I do not see thirty or forty cars parked all over the street. In fact, I see a lot of available parking within a block of the school. I stand by my assessment that it is money that is not spent wisely. I drove around the neighboring blocks a few weeks ago when the issue first came to my attention. There were many legal parking spots on neighboring blocks that are vacant. You may have a different perspective than I do but I do not seen the need for an additional lot. I will drive by there again today and see what the parking looks like to see if my opinion should be swayed.
ReplyDeleteWell the budget passed 2 to 1. http://plainview.patch.com/articles/plainview-school-budget-passes-easily
ReplyDeleteGo by the parking lot during the hours when the buses are lined up and the kids are being dropped off and picked up at the end of the day. Also at noon when more children are dropped off and picked up. There are limited spaces available. This isn't a made up problem. There is not enough parking. In addition to the normal day to day parking issues the school holds many special events for it's students. On those days people park on the grass in front of the school. When Election day rolls around the staff and parents park on the grass to leave the parking lot open for voters. It's a mess.
ReplyDelete