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Andrew McCarthy May 9, 2013 at 07:45 am
Kings Park Teachers, Staff and Students under the guidance of our Administration and Dr. Agruso…Read More should be very proud of this accomplishment. Congratulations to all, and may I just say that this is exactly the kind of evaluation of our superintendent that Mr. Locascio spoke of a candidates night. Dr. Agruso- this and all of the other achievements by our staff and students- is a reflection on you and I hope you are proud of our schools and community.
Charlie May 8, 2013 at 01:31 pm
Very impressive. Congratulations to the administration, teachers, support staff, CSEA members, and…Read More of course the students. The school district defines the town and this helps all of us. Kings Park is a great place to live and a good school district increases the value of our homes. Please make sure to vote YES on May 21st for the budget.
Andrew McCarthy May 18, 2013 at 02:47 pm
Sally- I have only one name and if I had only one wish on this blog it would be for you just shut…Read More up. Really- just stop it. You seem to be nothing but a trouble maker- i think as a former board member which you shove down our throats every time you open your mouth- you would have more understanding of the way things work. Of the politics. Of the budget. Of the responsibility for confidentiality. Ms Barret votes for larger class sizes- but now she's against it- she votes yes for every proposal by the superintendent but now she's against her. You can’t trust her with our kids. I can’t believe you think otherwise. Period. You are right about class size- i completely agree- but you can't have all the programs, low class size and what ever the teachers are demanding and keep our taxes where people can afford to live in this town. Please shut up- you are giving me a headache.
and one more thing- I think you and Diane are really only interested in one teacher's position. Sorry Diane, that's the way it goes- what is best for the community overrides one person's needs.
sally pruslow May 18, 2013 at 10:45 am
Sally Pruslow
I see we received more money from Mr. Flanagan via Tom. He, Mr. Flanagan, seems to…Read More have an unending amount of aid available. Don't get me wrong it nice that he has given us these monies. However, when we have cut teaching positions every year for last few years I think maybe Tom should be asking for teacher aid. Next year we are cutting a whole team out of the middle school program?????? SIX AND !/2 TEACHING POSITIONS....At the BOE meeting (5/14/13) a discussion about an elimination of an excellent english program that was working on writing skills was cut some years back because of cost.!!!! This was a 9th grade program.However, it was making a difference. There was way to save it!!!!!! We need to have a balanced approach. I know the Marie(our BOE president) and Ms Agruso keep saying we saved programs........ I think we need to make sure ALL our children's needs are met. With larger class sizes the children in the mid range of the learning curve and below will have more difficulty. The new education mandates are asking more of the students not less. Some children will be left behind and lose interest because they are not getting the attention they need in order to be successful. That is what happens when you have larger class sizes!!!!
pam king May 17, 2013 at 02:47 pm
Sally thank you for your informative post regarding our BOE. I agree wholeheartly with you regarding…Read More the people posting on this site. If you look at the writing styles as well as the information spoken about it would lend one to believe that there are five people posting. I would say that Motherway,Brendan, you, me and one other person that has different names but the same vile tongue. I always learned in life to speak highly of those that you are voting for and make your case for him or her. Our saying in Kings Park is Kings Park Pride but thid individual shows nothing in the way of pride. I remember the female glass ceiling when it was difficult to not only move up the ladder towards sucess and now this person state that we should vote for the MEN.I am totaly disgusted with this format and I will not answer any of her different names. Thank you again Sally and hopefully one day our BOE will be what we all want KINGS PARK PRIDE
Liberty April 22, 2013 at 06:35 pm
Good luck Tom but I hope that there was no plotting to bring out a former member to run. You know…Read More when people plot it usually backfires. You have my vote unless this conspiracy theory is true then I'm sorry I will not vote for you or the former member. We need young blood like you but not former members that caused our taxes go up in the past and now is going to be anti tax increase candidate.
Concerned mom May 14, 2013 at 08:47 am
Some many other teachers unions in other districts have agreed to concessions and pay freezes, why…Read More does our teachers union refuse to be reasonable? I have 2 daughters in elementary school and the class sizes are two big, younger teachers are being laid off because the older teachers refuse to help their own members, and now a teacher is running for the Board of Ed? The union must be very excited about the prospect of negotiating a new contract with one of their own! This is one of the worst ideas in recent local history. You cannot vote for a teacher to be on the BOE. Pam Deford is probably a good teacher and a nice person, but it will translate to much higher taxes and teacher salaries if we elect her to the Board of Ed.
P.K. DeBar May 10, 2013 at 01:26 pm
The 1982 Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law prohibits a public employer from altering any…Read More provision of an expired labor agreement until a new agreement is reached. This amendment, which was originally approved with the strong support of unions, has the effect of requiring automatic pay increases where a salary step schedule or longevity schedule exists, even though the labor agreement has expired. Consequently, a public employer's salary costs continue to rise even when labor negotiations have reached an impasse.
The Triborough Amendment also undermines the collective bargaining process by discouraging unions from offering concessions or givebacks since, as long as no agreement is reached, the terms of the current contract remain in effect. Not only is New York the only state in the nation known to have such a requirement, but in the private sector, where collective bargaining has existed for more than 60 years under the National Labor Relations Act, no similar obligation is imposed upon employers who are parties to a labor contract.
The dramatic impact that the Triborough Amendment has on collective bargaining translates into a negotiations process that discourages compromise, putting New York's taxpayers at an extreme disadvantage.
Solution: The Triborough Amendment should be repealed so that public employers and employees can be encouraged to work together to achieve labor contracts that are both fair and affordable.
Kerry Smith May 10, 2013 at 11:36 am
Mr. Leo - a question I have that was not answered at last years "Meet the Candidates"…Read More night when I submitted it is why the Asst. to the Superintendent earns a salary of $100,000. I am under the impression that is an administrative/support position and if that is the case that salary is outrageous!!!!! Do any of these positions (teachers included) have salary caps??
An outside observer May 4, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Seriously the grammar and spelling in the above posts is atrocious. I seriously hope you are all bus…Read More drivers and not teachers etc. I blame the schools. Business w/ extra s, "bullie" really WTF?
Brenda Hetterich April 8, 2013 at 11:02 pm
Not nice Brian. A least I have class unlike you who can spread stuff on line and who doesnot even…Read More say a word at the board meeting . You are a Bullie and need to stop . I will and always stand up to bullies
NonBeliever_Anymore May 2, 2013 at 11:19 pm
I'm with you Andrew. I wrote a question on a card and handed it in but they never read it. I heard…Read More the same thing from someone else. Seems like they were afraid to ask Mrs Barrett to answer the question. She knows nothing about anything - except to agree with the people who do know ( like she voted YES on every Agruso resolution- except for the one which extended her contract) LOVED what Tom said about every day being an evaluation- Liz is an idiot and Pam wasn't much better with her fundraiser for the betterment of our community. The community? I guess the Barret community bank account. And oh yeah- Liz didn't know ANYTHING about it - she just showed up- except that I saw the facebook post that she herself invited a district employee. Damn I thought I was impartial- but she made me so mad tonight> i expected a hard question or two and thought she would be stand up and answer them. Instead she doesn't want to talk about it.... I bet she doesn't. I think someone should post these flyers and emails in the Newsday. I think she should answer people like me who voted for her last time and think they got screwed. Screw me once shame on you- screw me twice shame on me. Not happening Lizzy- hit the road.
Andrew McCarthy May 2, 2013 at 10:55 pm
What a crock tonight at the meet the candidates meeting. League of women's voters didn't ask the…Read More questions and since when is a candidate allowed to get away with saying that she "doesn't want to talk about it?"Who wrote Ms Barett's statement? not her words for sure. Now she's gonna learn to write grants? And maybe she can tell us what is the Taylor law- clearly she didn't know what it even is .....so sorry you had to answer first . Wasted night - If you even considered voting for her - forget it. She is a disgrace . I'm glad she learned a lot in her last three years- it is a school after all- she had a chance to talk to the public and she read some stupid prepared statement. This is why Deford loses my vote too.. Put it behind us? This was last month for God's sake. Fess up ladies and take your lumps like a grownup. Comment people. Please tell me i am not alone.
ChudleyQ May 3, 2013 at 10:55 am
One more thing. I knew who to vote for when Mr. Gardner pointed out the built in increases in…Read More teacher salaries. I'm not convinced that he's got new ideas, but in Mr. Gardner we're getting a track record of integrity and honor, and a demonstration of how to conduct yourself with dignity. Sadly, this seems to be a lesson Mrs. Barrett has not yet learned.
ChudleyQ May 3, 2013 at 10:53 am
I don't really like to pile on, but I thought Mrs. Barrett's performance last night was embarrassing…Read More for her and for the district. My favorite moment was when the moderator asked for clarity after Mrs. Barrett's prepared statement on the confidentiality issue. The moderator thought she was unwilling or unable to answer because of ongoing litigation, but Mrs. Barrett had to correct her, basically saying "I don't want to answer". The moderator clearly didn't want to ask the tough follow up questions, and seemed kind of uncomfortable. Too bad. I didn't understand Mr. Locascio's statement on the grant for the press box, and the exact amount and source of the funding. It still bothers me that we would use this money to put in a press box (whether the old one is condemned or not), when the money is better spent elsewhere. If Mr. Locascio could post a clarification here, that would be helpful.
Christopher Dowling May 2, 2013 at 11:59 pm
Funny in a sad sort of way. My favorite question of the night- what mistakes you think the board…Read More made in the last 3 years. She says communication! Freakin communication is exactly her mistake- too much talking - divide the community- hire a lawyer instead of talking it out with the board- evading service- ATTENDING a fundraiser of which she knew NOTHING about, oh yeah and researching grant writing which is hard enough for intelligent people to do. I don't know how to get the word out to the other 5000 people who come out to vote. Any suggestions? People have to know that this chick is dangerous to us- Kings Park Community can NOT let this happen. Any ideas? I'm actually freaked out a little bit after tonight. And im not putting it behind me- Im putting it on the top of the heap- Im thinking Newsday. I don't need to put up signs- I would pay for a full page ad. Maybe page 3- hmmm pennysaver too- and the TImes Beacon or Smithtown news. Wonder if they have the real deal on this travesty. Shame on you girl, shame on you.
P.K. DeBar April 18, 2013 at 01:20 pm
I am thinking that since many of the buses arrive at the schools half full, this purchase should be…Read More delayed and the bus routes should be revamped to ensure that the buses are being used to near capacity.
Why are so many parents driving their kids to school? This not only creates a big traffic problem in the area of each of the schools, but it also is a waste of resources (our buses).
Perhaps parents could get their kids out of bed 15 minutes earlier so they can get to the bus stop on time.
Albert Noesei April 16, 2013 at 11:51 pm
You can pretty much guarentee that NOBODY is going to relax when the scores come out and they…Read More PLUMMET! I wonder if there is a direct correlation between the abolishing of teachers and class sizes rising with the scores tanking. Only time will tel. One thing is for sure, that absolutely failure of a president of the KPCTA is sailing off into the sunset at YOUR expense. All the while, a superintendent is making more than the govenor. AMAZING Kings Park. Stand up and take a bow!
ChudleyQ April 16, 2013 at 06:17 pm
What am I missing here? Why is there any "test prep"? Why are we taking time out from our…Read More children actually learning, to "prep" them for these tests? This is just one of the many things that the modern education system gets WRONG. These tests aren't designed to measure how well the kids know the material, they are designed to measure how well the educators are teaching it. But because the teachers are held accountable for it, the learning stops and "prep" takes over. So sad. So much of what Dr. Agruso said is misguided. If you aren't going to use the information gleaned from the tests to guide educational decisions concerning students and teachers, then why are these tests being given? Obviously decisions shouldn't be based solely on these tests, but if you aren't using them.....what a huge waste of time, money, resources and opportunity. Also, rather than "opting out", as many parents are advocating, if they really want the tests to go away, the kids should sit for the tests and not answer any of the questions. Either way, if all students aren't taking them, they are statistically meaningless. As I said....waste of time, money, resources and opportunity.
John K Massaro April 16, 2013 at 01:01 am
I just assumed you were a man, because most women show a ton more class than you ever have...
Precious Box April 16, 2013 at 12:10 am
How chauvinistic of you to insinuate that I am male,,,,just goes to prove your ignorance. You closed…Read More minded people bore the crap out of me.
John K Massaro April 15, 2013 at 09:05 pm
Yeah, well... Anyway...
How can one find out more info on this? Is the rocket solid or liquid…Read More fueled? Is there some sort of guidance system on board? What payload will it be carrying? When will it be televised? This sounds like a blast! (pardon the pun...)
Triborough Amendment April 14, 2013 at 01:12 am
Afternoon kindergarten is the obvious problem. It's not the Big Elephant in the room: STEP raises,…Read More COST OF LIVING raises and MERIT (But don't score my performance, just assume I'm excellent) raises. No Raises means 2012 salary = 2013 = 2014.
CAB April 15, 2013 at 04:54 pm
@ KP Mom I also find it amusing that that's what you took away from my comment, and not the facts…Read More expressed regarding the difference 5 years and added tests made in the school curriculum, and teachers stress levels. That actually confirmed what you had said in a earlier comment. Maybe if you focused on the facts and not the chip on your shoulder your voice would be heard.
Charlie April 11, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Guys, all good comments and suggestions. You bring up valid points and I will try to make some…Read More phone calls and talk with people who have real life experience with this. The MPG issue is important and contradicts what the BOE was told. Please understand that we have about 60 buses in use and we are talking about purchaing 1 propane bus and that will be our pilot program. We need a new bus regardless of diesel or propane. If we continue with propane buses, we will need to have a large tank installed at the bus garage, and will fill the buses ourselves, just like we do with diesel. Keep the suggestions coming, keep them positive, and I will always try to get you an answer. Thanks, Charles Leo
Liberty April 11, 2013 at 12:09 am
Charlie-- I have no position as weather the board recommends or declines purchasing propane buses.…Read More The bigger problem becomes if we decide that we go with propane and start replacing diesels with propane in the coming years what infrastructure is needed for an entire propane fleet. I know that you said the propane company will fill these buses but could they do an entire fleet. If we had to provide a tank on our present facility would the fire dept. approve of it.
Dan Warne April 10, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Totally agree, call the Parks Dept. and ask Al Boylan, the maintenance chief of the towns fleet. The…Read More Senior Cit buses experienced cold weather starting problems and all CNG vehicles be it Parks or Senior Citz had fuel dissapation problems. Buses and parks packer truck were filled up at end of day only to find fuel guages showed
half full next morning. The technology isnt there yet. Suggest BOE or their chief mechanic call before school buys these buses.
Mike Arena April 22, 2013 at 02:53 pm
"Three R's",
I find the way you labeled the musical arts "cute" to be extremely…Read More offense and ignorant. Obviously computer skills are a thriving necessity and demand in today's culture but let us not forget that all forms of education (math, history, science, etc.) are based upon and can relate hand in hand with Music. The Ancient Greeks were the first to master music and through said discovery, inherited mathematics into their culture. Math is one on the biggest components of musical education, for example, students need to learn the skills to read music in time signatures, and sub-divide many different rhythms. This may seem "cute" and all to some, but I'm sure Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Pachelbel and many others did not find this to be cute, but strenuous. History as well goes hand in hand. Musical History and Musical Theory are two of the most dated subjects of education and are often included in biblical references and ancient records. Science is also definitely a part of not only musical arts but every art. If music had not been studied so much by our predecessors, we would not have a foundation for scientific studies now. How do you think many of the instruments we know so well today were crafted? They were designed not only by artisans (who were geniuses) but also by scientists. There are many specific measurements and adjustments that are needed in order to perfect or even obtain near perfection in music. Now, for your "Three R's" theory, Reading is what musicians do, day in and day out; sheet music, musical history textbooks, tablatures, etc. These are all some of the most complex pieces of literature obtainable. Writing; Musical composers take months if not years to think, perceive and write the ideas that have evolved in their minds. These writings and scriptures are the reason we have many of the modern advancements in our culture today. Arithmetic; as stated before, mathematics is the base of all music and every musician has to become an expertise of the mathematical art in order to understand the musical art properly. Now if this is all not enough for you to even consider thinking about your previous comment then I believe there is just no help. If this has broadened your outlook on the much needed and very important topic and you are considering pushing the need for a budget including Musical Education and Appreciation to the Board, then thank you.
From a Kings Park High School Senior, Michael T. Arena
SUSIE April 9, 2013 at 03:44 am
I don't know if this is true. but we will look in to this. Thank you.
JD Salinger April 6, 2013 at 10:05 pm
Can't be concerned about a bus driver, any bus driver, with class sizes being cut and programs cut.…Read More There are districts without any busing. There are districts with less than 100% busing. Kings Park has 100% busing. Kids wait at bus stops within 500 yards of school grounds.
Grant Will Fund Electronic Signs for 2 KP Schools
3 Recommend Jennifer Sloat (Editor)