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Jennifer Sloat (Editor)

Schools May 20, 2013 at 11:18 am

2013 Kings Park Voter Guide: How Will You Vote?

Your guide to the proposed 2013-14 school budget and board election.

21 Comments Recommend Jennifer Sloat (Editor)

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KP LIslander May 21, 2013 at 11:53 am

How is it that certain board members, in good clear conscience, can choose to excise needed…Read More positions, consequently increasing class sizes just in order to “cut costs”, and yet at the same time unwisely allowing an increase in salary to someone making quite a sufficient and adequate salary for her position and who is not in need of this extra raise? It was/is not a matter of what is allowable, or what one may be “eligible” for, or for “rewarding” someone for the job that they are already getting paid well to do. That is not what is being questioned or disputed. On the contrary, the issue is about making sound decisions which conveys genuineness and sincerity about doing what is the right thing for the children and taxpayers. Sad to say, the unfortunate decisions being made by some are astounding, mind-boggling and bewildering to say the least, if not reprehensible. How is that supposed to be considered taking steps to do what is in the best interests of the students? Maybe it’s just me but I am having difficulty in seeing how that is the case. I guess there is never a shortage of ethically challenged individuals. And despite all of this, we incredibly (still) have individuals trying to espouse and advertise how “concerned” they are about cost cutting, and then at the same time trying to put down other candidates who are at least standing up for keeping what is best for the children in mind with regards to not cutting areas that would take away from the children such as keeping a reign on class sizes. People shouldn’t be so quick to jump to make speculations, presumptions and generalizations about what they “think” that a candidate “may possibly do” just because it is their opinion that there “could potentially” be a conflict of interest just because of one’s occupation, when in fact that may very well not actually be the case. For example, having an educator (from a DIFFERENT district) on the board that is ALSO A TAXPAYER in THIS district is a positive thing as it will provide unique insight needed for the board to truly consider what to (and what not to) instill and implement which would be conducive and effective and best for students learning while also being mindful of keeping costs down for taxpaying residents. I know who I am proudly voting for and who I am making it a point to not vote for.

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KP LIslander May 21, 2013 at 11:52 am

Let’s be mindful & not gloss over or take attention away from the fact that there are…Read More those on the board who voted FOR the approval of a 1.75% increase of Agruso’s salary last August (AFTER supposedly having a “set” budget in place which had already been approved that prior May). And this occurred AFTER Agruso had already indicated (prior to that budget vote) that she would not take an increase!! And now some on the current board, after having chosen to make that decision at that time, which effectively shows lack of regard for the taxpayers and poor decision towards keeping costs down, are knowingly including an ADDITIONAL 1.75% increase for Agruso in this year’s budget to boot. It seems pretty cut & dry that approving an increase after a budget was already passed was an underhanded thing to do with respect to the community. And yet somehow it is supposed to be considered “appropriate” just because of a majority vote? Puh-lease. I’m sorry but just because it was a majority vote does NOT make it OK. Nor justifiable. The fact is that the vote last August regarding this should never have even been tabled or occurred at all in the first place. Despite the obvious that we apparently have some individuals who erroneously choose to have the temerity to think that what they have done regarding this is not wrong and/or not unethical, any reasonable person can see the truth through the charade. While there may be those that don’t like the fact that these truths are being highlighted, too bad. There is nothing wrong with telling it like it is. The issue is not about what they may like or not like anyway. The facts don’t lie. As they obviously didn’t have any problem or issue with being concerned about how they went about approving Agruso’s increase and how that would consequently negatively affect the taxpayers, so likewise they should not now, all of a sudden somehow be “concerned” when someone rightfully speaks up as a result of their actions. It’s not like they should try to act surprised either at such a legitimate reaction to their actions. So, here we are, the 1.75% raise was wrongfully allowed to occur last August, and once THIS budget passes, since Agruso’s ADDITIONAL 1.75% raise is included, she will effectively receive a total of a 3.5% increase since last year’s budget vote. And we’re not talking about a $45K, 65K or 85K salary here either. Great job for those that voted in favor of this. And, again, these are raises for someone who supposedly wasn’t going to take an increase in these difficult economic times. How is accepting these increases, at such fiscally tough times when the BOE is looking at every line item to cut costs, somehow supposed to be considered appropriate, while yet at the same time they are choosing to cut teacher positions, thereby increasing class sizes which in turn will result in creating a more difficult learning environment for the students? And then, with the continuing and ongoing imposition of ridiculous state mandates upon teachers being passed down upon students, the administration will have the audacity to turn around & wrongfully choose to lay blame on the teachers as if they weren’t doing their job well, or will erroneously choose to place labels on students as needing “help” as if it were the students who are somehow are at fault for not being able to keep up and absorb the material (that teachers are forced to cover) at too rapid pace to be able to sufficiently learn & comprehend. Talk about a broken system. Pretty sad actually. “Race” to the top is more like a race to nowhere. Reducing staff is certainly not the answer as such actions will only make matters worse as this will definitely NOT help or enable students to do as well as they could or should be able to do.

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KP LIslander May 21, 2013 at 09:17 am

While it is important and necessary to examine every line item to cut costs wherever…Read More feasible/possible, the area(s) that have the largest cost factors in the budget are not only administrative salaries, but the contributions towards retirement and healthcare costs by all school district employees. These MUST be addressed, rectified ADEQUATELY, and implemented ASAP (i.e. in the current ongoing contract negotiations as well as future negotiations) - namely ALL employee contributions FOR ALL TIER LEVELS towards the ever increasing health care costs as well as what they contribute towards retirement costs, inclusive of redoing any formulas as needed at state level regarding these areas, instead of always looking at every other way to cut back in areas that takes away from the children. The current employee contribution amounts/levels are not adequate enough and the time is now to ensure that these areas are in fact addressed adequately. Generally speaking most employers contribute typically on the order of approx 75-80% of the total health care cost, with that employer contribution % decreasing as time goes on (not to mention what is to come with the Affordable Healthcare Act). This should likewise be the same for ALL school district employees regardless of TIER level. Many pensions have gone away and instead the norm has become that many are left having to contribute their own monies towards their own 401Ks if they can afford to do so. All school district employees, regardless of TIER level, needs to contribute a reasonable and justifiable amount which is fair to taxpayers who subsidize school district budgets, as the current employee contribution amounts are not adequate enough to enable the system to be sustainable. The taxpayer is NOT an unending source of revenue. With school districts faced with limited revenue due to tax caps along with less than needed state aid to fund state mandates, if the state laws need to change to ensure that employee contribution rates for retirement are adjusted as needed, then it is incumbent upon school districts (not the taxpayers), to seriously take the initiative (en masse) to do so, and not continue to keep stating the same old nonsense that nothing could be done about that, and instead keep cutting in areas that takes away from the students. Continuing to do that is not nor should not be considered by anyone as appropriate course of action.

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Mixed Reaction To the Budget At The Polls

Voter turnout by noon on Tuesday had been steady for the Kings Park School District budget…

Top News May 21, 2013 at 01:24 pm

0 Recommend Jennifer Sloat (Editor)

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Claudia Borecky, Tackling Obstacles Facing the Community

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knee jerk May 21, 2013 at 12:06 pm

Claudia is a classic NIMBY. Where do you think the natural gas is going now? Its' a byproduct when…Read More drilling for oil. On the famous Alaska pipeline project of the 70s' it was (is) burned off since it was uneconomical to do anything with it at low prices. The USA selling nat gas overseas would offset the oil drilling costs, thus making gasoline, jet fuel,diesel fuel, motor oil etc cheaper.If it is still being burned off, what does that do to our "carbon footprint."

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Abrakadoodle's Kings Park Blog May 21, 2013 at 02:51 pm

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Agnes Fegan May 20, 2013 at 07:47 pm

Larry, you can't make this stuff up lol!

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CAB May 21, 2013 at 11:58 am

Well, thats Ralph's Ices, but I think the effect is nice, it looks rather like a painting....I wish…Read More my mistakes were as good :)

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Nancy Bachthaler May 20, 2013 at 11:05 am

Apparently you are not the only one this is happening to. From what I understand if these signs are…Read More on a main drag somehow they are disappearing in the middle of the night. Hmmm, now I wonder who or what organization could be doing this illegal act? I'm not going to make an educated guess who could be involverd in this deed but I think if Kings Parkers do some research they are smart enough to figure out who does not want the real facts of the "Uplands Project" to come to light. Displaying these signs is a way of making the public aware of the atrocity of this project. Questions will then be asked. Making a night run to remove them is, at the least, a cowardly act that should be publicized every time it occurs!

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Jennifer Sloat (Editor) May 16, 2013 at 10:59 am

Thanks for reaching out to us. We are aware of the problem and should have it fixed very soon. Sorry…Read More for any inconvenience.

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Madeline Pearl May 16, 2013 at 09:05 am

I had the same problem this morning. My inbox had around 50 e-mails from the patch. I deleted all of…Read More them and unsubscribed for new e-mails.

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David masterson May 18, 2013 at 06:04 pm

Many of the babies won't survive. They get hunted down by raccoons and other predators. Good…Read More riddance

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barbara s May 15, 2013 at 09:04 pm

Thanks Mike.... My daughter brought it to Sweetbriar today. she and the children were getting…Read More attached.....and we found out it is a baby gosling. But...still haven't located mom and sibs...I hope they can find a family for him...cute little fella! B

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