Schools
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swataz May 21, 2013 at 10:45 pm
4,852 people voted in a town made up of over 115,000? Way to show up at the polls. What a joke.
swataz May 21, 2013 at 09:04 pm
People of our community should be seriously concerned with the rise in taxes. It's sad that the…Read More school districts go right for the jugular and take away kids' programs as the FIRST step when they have to reduce budget. It is a complete farce and done deliberately to get the knee-jerk reaction they want from parents. Sad, sad, sad.
greencap May 21, 2013 at 04:51 pm
Everyone who can vote please go down in local elections EVERY VOTE COUNTS. Seriously the difference…Read More could be a few votes. You better bet that all the people with kids in 5th grade orchestra etc are going to be down there voting for. Most of the increase is to fund pension benefits that are simply outrageous (every teacher that retireds gets their huge last year salary for life!)
robkoz May 21, 2013 at 08:06 pm
Got to love some of the comments elsewhere! "It's for the kids." LMAO. The intelligence…Read More level of Long Islanders has dropped sharply this past decade. You are definitely the school districts sheep.
Some people even think that by increasing taxes it'll keep out the least common denominator. I got news for you Smithtown, it's already here and it's growing.
P. J. Miller May 21, 2013 at 06:02 pm
The superintendent should take a pay cut. So should the principals. In this world of an economy…Read More that is affecting all of us - they should take a cut. Not raise our taxes. And you are right - with declining enrollment HOW can then ask for more money? They will scare all of the residents and say if they don't get their budget they will take away. How about taking away your $300K SALARY? VOTE NO and sleep better tonight. AND>>> keep in mind they will sneak in another vote in June so be ready to VOTE NO AGAIN
I voted NO and felt so good. Yes saw the lawn crew- not impressed. They should send them on Jericho Tpke and Indian Head Rd and have them cut that grass LOL!!
Good Luck Smithtown residents hope we are all getting good news and the budget was voted down.
Sticks60 May 1, 2013 at 10:41 am
I agree with Stan Meyers and scsddad. Two issues that could have received more discussion would…Read More have helped. The first concerned the gathering at HSE should have been noted just for the fact a student's life was lost and there was a responce by the community at HSE. The second being the adding of a key member to the administration staff without any public discussion.
To Norman, to see every year the quality of the education in Smithtown being attacked due to the reduction in services to our students while the cost of thoes services keep going up has a marked effect on many in the community. In the private sector a company that every year reduced the quality of the product while raising the price would find itself closed down by customers going elsewhere.
scsddad April 30, 2013 at 01:46 pm
The turf getting damaged isn't the problem. The problem is the board don't let the community know…Read More what's going on. They do this with everything.
Smithtown Mom of 3, If the board was up front with this there wouldn't have been any mis-information given out. This happens a lot with this board
Stan Meyers April 29, 2013 at 01:46 pm
Stan
I find it interesting that most comments are aimed at the messenger and not the message. The…Read More most disturbing thing to me is that neither the building committee Board Member during the building report, or the Superentendant, nor any other Board Member reported the incident. If any of them were aware of the incident it was their responsibility to state what occurred, what was the extent of the damage. It should not have fallen upon a concerned tax paye to bring it to the publics attention.
The fact that there is so little dialog going on during the School Board meeting is disconcerting. For example, the Superintendent adds a new position and nobody questioned it. While he may have a master plan in mind it would be nice to know what it is and how it will save tax payers money and add value to our educational system.
By the way Norman is that really the reason we can't get our taxes cut. We're in more trouble then I thought.
Norm Allen April 29, 2013 at 02:58 pm
There are those who believe that the position of Asst Supt for pupil personnel services could be a…Read More good thing for the district as it consolidates management of services which would likely include the guidance offices in addition to all special education teachers and service providers. There will still be a need for someone to manage the Special Education department,as the number of students requires someone with specific expertise in the area. It must be said that Dr. Clark is an exceptional leader whose knowledge and advocacy is already missed. One can only hope for her swift return.
Chances.are.i.hate.you April 24, 2013 at 11:56 pm
The problem is they run unopposed. If someone had enough of a problem with it, they would run…Read More against her.
Sticks60 April 18, 2013 at 10:01 am
Bob, in reply to your thoughts let me say that I know there are many hard working educational…Read More professionals out there. I have members of my family as well as friends who are or were educators from the elementary to the collage level. What I do have a problem with is the unions and the on going financial problems they are causing the people of this community. I also have issue with the fact that the way we conduct our insturction of our students is so antiquated when compared what has gone on in most every other industry. If our educators want to increase their overall compensation then they have to join in the efforts to make their day more productive. White boards was a good start but there is so much technology out there today to support a quality education.
Pam April 16, 2013 at 03:20 pm
For those interested there is a facilities and business affairs meeting tonight (usually held in the…Read More BoE room across from receptionist), these committee meetings begin at 7pm. I would think tonight there will be a lot of discussion on monetary details- this is the norm for this particular committee at this time of the year.
Norman April 16, 2013 at 03:14 pm
I did not reveal any opinion that particular post. My point was that by letting too much…Read More conjecture, rage, and opinion overpower the actualy facts of the matter, one's viewpoint actually loses credibility. I think when many parents read the highly inflamatory comments on PATCH it actually gives the argument against the district LESS credibility. Those seeking change in the district should seek a change in strategy or they will continue to lose at the polls. About 6 or 7 years ago there was a board memeber, who left on his own volition after a few years, who seemed to get it. Unfortuantely, this person left I think b/c he was growing wary of the changing nature of the board.
Everybody Gets a Trophy April 12, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Throw them all out, the SAT exams, ACT, LRE's, GMATs, Police exam, Bar exam, CPA exam, Professional…Read More Engineer exam, Nursing Boards, etc. this way nobody will be stressed, and everybody gets a trophy.
Bonnie April 12, 2013 at 10:25 pm
To Marion. There are many teachers with backbones, but unfortunately they are not allowed the same…Read More first amendment rights because they are teachers. Many are afraid to be vocal on the issue because they would be putting their jobs on the line. Here is some information that is helpful in understanding why.
http://www.firstamendmentschools.org/freedoms/faq.aspx?id=13021
If parents are fed up with the way standardized tests are being used, then parents need get informed and do something. Parents have more power than the districts and teachers on this one. Good luck with your decision.
Smithtown Mom of 3 April 12, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Pam-Are you in favor of standardized tests bring used (along with other forms of evaluation) to rate…Read More teachers?
Sue April 13, 2013 at 01:59 pm
The most important focus of the school district budget should be to offer a sound, well-rounded,…Read More academically challenging education to the students; that should include the arts and foreign language. So, why is the new superintendent willing to cut teachers, raise class sizes, only to hire two new "Teachers on Special Assignment" to act as assistants to the chairpersons????? Due to the new state mandates, the department chairs are overwhelmed with paperwork and new protocol; but so are the teachers. So Dr. A's answer is to pile more kids in the classroom. Something is amiss here.
Get Educated April 9, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Yeh, teachers are the only ones that can afford to live in Smithtown. Really? Again learn the…Read More facts. Just like in other professions, if teaching jobs become scarce, their level of education will be even that more important. I agree that taxes are high and going higher.. Not happy about it. Why have we forgotten the poor job the town did in the last snowstorm? The poor response during the hurricane? The fact that I try to save money by cutting my lawn, and the town won't pick up grass clippings. Yeah, mulching in the spring doesn't work.. Ask your landscapers. Those are things that bother me more than paying a teacher what thy deserve.
HeyJoe April 9, 2013 at 03:01 am
Annunziato should lead by example and cut his own exorbitant salary and benefits package.first.
scsddad April 9, 2013 at 09:21 pm
You would think reading programs would be the last thing they cut.
scsddad April 9, 2013 at 09:19 pm
It's not always the school district or the teachers. If you put Smithtown teachers in Brentwood or…Read More the students from Brentwood in Smithtown it would be the same results. It has to do more with the culture of those kids and there families. Parents need to take interest in there kids education.
robkoz April 16, 2013 at 08:57 pm
I wouldn't have anyone wave the white flag until Smithtown actually votes a budget down.
Concerned Commackian April 16, 2013 at 08:54 pm
Heart, wave the white flag already. I dont think you have a prayer of beating Former on points!!
On…Read More second thought, put that white flag away......im having too much fun reading these exchanges!!!!!
Former Long Islander April 16, 2013 at 08:29 pm
Canon received about $100 million in government aid, including tax breaks from New York State and…Read More Suffolk County, and an extra lane on each of the Long Island Expressway service roads. In return you got not new jobs, but just a relocation of existing jobs from four offices in Lake Success and one in Manhasset.
Canon “hopes” to add 750 more jobs within 10 years. Wait and see if that happens. Bottom line is that you paid Canon $100 million to keep, not add, 1300 jobs, about $80,000 a job. What a good deal.
Wee Little Heart, is that all you got.
j car do za March 30, 2013 at 03:49 am
Congratulations Gabby! I'm so proud of you and not one bit surprised! Enjoy every moment of your…Read More studies in Japan.
Sticks60 April 2, 2013 at 02:59 pm
The real problem is noted by the fact that everyone including administration is on spring break.…Read More Who in private industry gets a week for spring break? I don't know of any does anyone else. Just for the record, who in private industry gets off ten weeks in the summer. a week at the end of the year and winter break? All these days off but full time pay and benefits.
knee jerk April 2, 2013 at 01:08 am
@ANGRYTAXPAYER: The answers are NO,YES and YES. You flit all over the place making inane…Read More statements, and constantly change your blog handle, even to the point of agreeing with YOURSELF. You are a real SICKO!!! I've gone head to head with one of your alter ego's ROBKOZ, and will continue to in the future.
Anonymous Person March 30, 2013 at 12:01 am
Excellent point. Schools are here for children, and we have to stop cutting so many damn programs…Read More for students just because some teachers "must" make 6 figures.
Had Enuf! March 29, 2013 at 08:36 am
From the Huffington Post ( a mouthpiece of progressivism)
NY State the least free state. Due to…Read More taxation and regulation.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/new-york-least-free-state_n_2972080.html
Think your taxes are high now....wait until you have to pay higher taxes to fund the outrageous retirement benefits of teachers and other public employees.
Google.......NY State Pension Bomb and read for yourself.
GET OUT OF NY STATE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Nesconset Dude March 28, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Wow, knee jerk, that's paranoia. The way you're swinging at the alter egos is the Patch equivalent…Read More to being in the middle of nowhere and insisting that you can't stop the car because it's "bat country". Get a grip.
Smithtown Voters Pass $224M Budget
43 1 Recommend Jennifer Sloat (Editor)