Well, this was the final "budget hearing" meeting. What was accomplished over these past four meetings? Nothing. The board, administration and the unions (er, units) missed a great opportunity to take control of this crisis, hammer out a deal and present it to the crowd and show how all of the interested parties could work together for the common good -- themselves and the residents. Lumps would have to be taken, but if all shared in the pain the taxpayers would have, in all likelihood, rallied behind them and passed a budget.
But, noooooo.
We went to four excruciating meetings, each one building on the pointlessness of the one before. The bad news was presented as a done deal, the crowd complained, cried, begged, and exhorted, all probably for nothing. We were presented with no valuable information. We are still in the dark as to what negotiations are taking place with the unions -- we don't even know if there are any negotiations. All we know is that 30+ teachers are likely to get the axe, and all of the good stuff that the kids participate in is getting cut. And, we are gonna get a big tax increase. So, what was accomplished?
Other districts in the area have worked together and taken proactive steps to save jobs, programs and present a unified, coherent plan to their residents. Middle Country comes to mind. Their unions all agreed to concessions and they worked out a deal with the district. Then, they let the residents know what they were doing. There is a high probability that their budget will be passed because the residents there have been kept informed, and the unions got a PR coup by proactively making concessions. They acknowledged to the people that pay them that they understand we are in tough times, and they wanted to do their part. Good for them.
Mr. Mangani, you told the audience that the board is kept well informed via the state's clip service, so you all must have known about the Middle Country deal. Why didn't you at least try to get out in front of this matter, rather than have these pointless hand-wringing meetings?
What do we have in Miller Place? A board that answers very few questions and hides behind legalisms. They should have been having round-the-clock talks with the unions right after the first budget meeting (debacle) and then presented something to the public at the next meeting, and by the third meeting that information would have been digested and we, the taxpayers, would at least have a reasonable picture of what to expect for next year -- program-wise and tax-wise. Instead, we heard more of the same. Nothing.
Now we learn that Jim Moran has quit as president and trustee. But, did he really? The email read by Angela Guido was confusing, and even the board seemed befuddled. And then(!) we learn that two or possibly three trustees (did that include Moran?) will not stand for reelection. My guess is that the two who should go will not be the ones leaving. What is going on here?
Some valuable questions were asked again last night -- again because they were not answered by last night as they should have been. A parent asked what AP classes were being cut. That should be an easy one to answer especially since the schedules are already be made up (or may be completed by now) for next year. Why won't they answer the question?
The agitated guy spoke again last night, but this time he was more like Columbo than My Cousin Vinny. I think the new persona works well -- run for a seat! I would vote for you!
Another rumor floating around is that the PTA president is going to run for a board seat. That would be a bad move as this person is widely thought to be way too friendly with the administration and the teachers. The district needs someone who will represent the residents and not be a rubber stamp for the unions and administration.
No comments:
Post a Comment