29 Adminstrators Again Reap 3%-10% Raises. District Plays Hardball w/Teachers

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 15, 2009: The White Plains City School District Budget Book for 2009-10 reveals that it pays to be a School Administrator in White Plains no matter what shape the school district is in. Twenty seven administrators who will receive raises will receive an average increase of $7,416 beginning July 1.


 


The listing of the 38 Administrator salaries in the Budget Book shows 14 Administrators receiving 3% raises , 5  receiving increases from 5% to 6%, 9 are getting increases in the 7% to 8% range, and one High School Assistant Principal is receiving  a 10.5% raise.


 


Adminstrators across the district will receive pay increases ranging from $4,485 to $15,216. There are 6 administrators receiving year-to-year increases of $10,000 and up. Seven receive raises from $7,000 to $10,000


 


 


The five elementary school principals all will make $172,433 a year in 2009-10 but to get there, two principals received $9,738 raises (6%) and a second elementary Principal, a $8,356 raise (5%). Two other Elementary School Principals are receiving $5,022 increases (3%)


 


The increases though not Wall Street proportions by any means are intriguing in light of the district hand-wringing over the White Plains Teachers Union contract which is in the fact-finding stage of arbitration.


 


Life will be excellent for Elementary Assistant Principals, too. One receives $9,040 more, a  7.3% raise to $132,665 a year; a second will be paid  $10,811 more to $147,269 a year, a 7.9% increase and  a third $9,040 more, a 7.3% boost in pay $132,665. Two others will come on board at $128,000.


 


As you move into the Middle School hierarchy, you are reaching heady levels.


 


The two Middle School Principals will make $183,127and $172,433 – each pocketing pocket change of 3% in increased salaries, $5,334 and $5,022 respectively. The three Middle School Assistant Principals will receive 7.4%, 3% and 3%. The 7.4% raise increase means $10,217 more for that  Middle School Assistant Principal bring them to $147,901, the other two are only being increased $5,022 and $4,485 each, raising their salaries to $172,433 and $153,987.


 


At the high school, the Principal receives a modest 3%, bringing him to $195,828 up from $190,124 this year.  One  Assistant Principal at WPHS receives a 10.5% increase from $149,919 this year to $160,135, while a new Assistant Principal position new in the budget book this year, comes in at $155,059


 


The four House Administrators at the high school will be paid $128,000; $149,502, $153,987 (increased 3% from $149,502) and $149,911, up $8,323 from $149,502 this year.


 


Among the Directors the raises were modest and personnel shuffling limited raises there. The Director of Adult Education will receive a 3% raise in 2009-10 to $160,135; the Director, New York Hospital program salary for that position reduces to $127,490, saving the district $27,981, but it is unclear how this pay change affects the position.


 


The Director,Special Education receives a 7.1% increase of $11,477, bringing that position pay to $172,433 in 09-10 from $160,956.


 


The Director, Support Programs is increased 3% ($4,664) to $160,135.


 


The New Director, Management Information Systems will be paid $156,750. The Director, Research, Testing & Evaluations who earned$149,502 this year, has retired and that position may be eliminated.


 


The Director, Pre-K that was paid $155,471 this year, is not listed as a position in the new budget.


 


Moving into Coordinator land in the School District, Coordinators continue to do well.


 


The District will save $171,004 by  consolidating the Athletic Director and Interscholastic/Physical Education/Health Position and hiring a “Coordinator,Interscholastic/Physical Education/Health” for a budgeted $128,000. The position has just been posted according to the Superintendent of Schools, and will not go to Jody Cole the former Director of  Physical Education and Health. She has decided to retire, as announced at the Board of Education Monday evening.


 


Coordinators doing nicely are the Coordinator of Mathematics, who picks off a $10,974 raise on top of a $16,385 raise last year, bring that position to a total salary of $153,987, one of three highest paid Coordinators. The Coordinator of Science and Coordinator of Social Studies earn the same $153,987 (as they collect 3% raises, up from$149,502).


 


The Coordinator of Guidance receives a $10,209 increase, too, bringing that position to a pay of $149,206, up 7.3%.


 


The Coordinator of ESOL and Director, Newcomer Center  receives a $9,740 pay increase from $133,159 to $142,899.


 


With Ron Paladino retiring as Coordinator of English, the district expects to appoint a new Coordinator of English at $128,000 a saving of $12,561.


 


The Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts receives a 3% increase to $153,987, up 3% from $149,502. Though WPCNR believes the Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts is being promoted to Elementary Assistant Principal.


 


Finally, the Coordinator of Business Education & Technology is increased 3% to $153,987.


 


At the top of the food chain, the district is saving money on its incoming Superintendent of Schools. The new Superintendent  at $210,000 a year will earn $40,347 less than his predecessor, and pay him $7,618 less in benefits, and $4,750 in other compensation.


 


The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction receives a $4,239 raise to $169,744 a year, up 2.6%.


 


The Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources gets a 3% raise of $5,250 raising her to $179,562.


 


The Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services is raised 3.4% to $170,470.


 


The Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred Seiler, is the only administrator of the 43 will not receive a  pay raise this year.


 


WPCNR cautions that these increases may be mandated by contracts, academic achivements, and promotions of the positions, but the increases cost money and lift pay.


 


This is the second consecutive year raises more than double the rate of inflation have been liberally distributed by the Board of Education and the Schol District, while pleading poverty in the stalled teacher contract negotiations.


 

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School Board Forum First Cast Friday Night,8 PM. No Zicca,No Lahrmann

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 14,2009: The Educational Public Access Channel announced days and times of its video tape of the League of Women Voters Public Forum held Tuesday night. The first telecast will be Friday evening at 8 P.M. on Cablevision Channel 77, and Verizon FIOS Channel 46, (right after White Plains Week, showing at 7:30, the city news roundup show — public access channel’s best  lead-in), just switch the channel to 77 or 46.



School Board Candidates’ Public Forum  For the Record  begins Friday at 8 on Educational Channels.  (L to R), Peter Bassano, Jim Hricay, Reynolds Longfield, Donna McLaughlin without Augostino Zicca, Jr. and Elsie Lahrmann, (empty seats) who declined to participate, according to Mr. Zicca, on advice of his legal counsel due to an inflammatory letter circulated by leaders of the White Plains Democratic Party.


That letter urged Democrats to turn out and ask pointed questions of the two. The letter also portrayed Mr. Zicca as being anti-immigrant, which Zicca told WPCNR was “slanderous.”  Zicca told WPCNR, “we thought they were going to ambush us, and we would not get an oppotunity to get our message out.”The series of Forum telecasts of the replay featuring the four candidates who appeared will be televised Friday at 8


Viewers on Educational Access Channels 77 (Cablevision) and Channel 46 (Verizon) can view all the action in Tuesday evening’s League of Women Voters Public Forum beginning at 8 P.M. Friday night. The show will also be telecast Saturday at 12:15 and 4 P.M.; Sunday at 9 AM, 3:15 P.M. and 7 P.M.; Monday, at 12 P.M., 3 P.M, 5:15 P.M., 8 P.M. and 10 P.M., and on the election day itself, Tuesday at 9 A.M., 12 P.M. and 3 P.M.


The letter Zicca and Lahrman in a news release refers to, reads:


 The Text of the Democratic Leader Letter, obtained by the CitizeNetReporter reads:
Hello friends and fellow Democrats:
As you probably already know, Augie Zicca has filed
as a candidate for WP School Board this  year.  
Zicca, however, is not the only Republican stalwart 
running this year. 
  He is joined by Elsie Lahrman, who is a regular 
contributor to Republican causes 
and who gave Zicca $300 for his 2007 campaign.  
    Ms. Lahrmann, it should be noted, has never
(to my knowledge) had a child in the White Plains schools
 nor has  she been involved with any
school-oriented activity that she can identify or 
 that anyone I know is aware of. 
  At the candidates’ interviews at the Journal News today,(last week) 
Zicca also acknowledged not having any involvement with
 school activities (although I believe his daughter did  
attend school here). Both candidates stated today that 
they would be voting no on the school budget this year.
       Zicca, as you can imagine, has showed the same
 disregard for facts in his recent campaign for School Board 
as he did in 2007.     
       For instance, he made several claims regarding a statue (spelling incorrect)
around tax certiorari which turned out to be completely false, 
and after being told so by school officials and attorneys only now 
is acknowledging that he was wrong.
       He has also claimed to support a 0% tax increase (despite falling
property valuations) and that this should be funded by cutting administration
and not  staff positions. Some simple math shows that this is infeasible.
        What is unfortunate this year is that the WP Teachers
Association, which is seeking a new contract, has chosen to endorse 
 Zicca, Lahrmann and a third candidate, James Hricay, in order to 
‘send a message to the Board incumbents about their contract demands.  
        Unfortunately many of their (teacher) members seem
 to be unaware of who Zicca and Lahrmann really are and don’t know anything
about Zicca’s positions in the 2007 election, including his stated wish to
 sic the Immigration authorities on our neighbors with problematic
 immigration status, which would presumably mean them
 and their children who attend WP schools facing deportation.
 What I am asking of you is: 
 
 *support Board incumbents Donna McGlothlin and Peter
Bassano in this year’s election, along with new candidate Reynolds
Longfield, a community-minded person with a child in the high school 
who will work for  the benefit of the children, not his personal agenda
 
*support the school budget, which has the lowest
 expense increase (actually a small  decrease if you take out debt
 service) in over 225 years and whcih was  prudently crafted by he Board.
 
BTW, if the budget fails and the District has to go to
 contingency budget, by statute all groups using the school facilities
 will have to pay full price for their use.   
A Little Leaguer may have to pay as much as $100 more to play  baseball.
 * come to the candidates forum Tuesday 5/12 at the High School and have
pertinent questions ready for Zicca and  Lahrmann
*spread the word about the current issues,
particularly if  you know any teachers in the District who may not know 
about Zicca and his  friends. help offset the cost of a mailing in support 
of the candidates and the  budget (contact me directly if you are interested)
 *above all, come out to vote on Tueday, 5/29 from noon
 to  9 p.m.
 Remember that there are a limited number of voting
 places  and you may not be voting in the same spot for the general election.  
 Absentee ballots are available from the District office for those who 
 can’t make the polls that day.
thanks to all for taking the time to read this.   
After 5/19 I look forward to working with all of  you to
march to victory in November. 
 

RESPONSE — ZICCA AND LAHRMANN NEWS RELEASE SENT TO LEAGUE


In response, upon becoming aware of the mass circulation of this e-mail letter among district leaders in the Democratic Party last week, Zicca and Lahrmann sent this e-mailed press release to the League of Women Voters notifying them they would not attend the forum.


Mr. Zicca said he and Lahrmann did not telephone the League informing them of their decison to withdraw from the forum due to the “poisened atmosphere.” As a result, the League moderator did not read the news release as requested, and did not announce why Zicca and Lahrmann were not present, as requested in the news release. Apparently no one monitors the League of Women Voters e-mail in the afternoon of a public forum.


The Zicca-Lahrmann News Release:


Elsie J. Lahrmann


Augie Zicca Jr.


For White Plains School Board


changewp@gmail.com


 


May 12, 2009


 


Press Release via Email:


 


We authorize and request the media and the League of Women Voters to read and or print for the record the following statement.



In the past few days we, (Mr. Augie Zicca Jr. and Elsie J. Lahrmann), have been privy to a hateful and libelous email. The inflammatory missive is presently being requested to be circulated throughout the (White Plains Democrat) community.  This vicious email has personally attacked the integrity and real purpose of our campaigns for the School Board of the City of White Plains.



These emails are filled with untruths which hold no validity and attack the political information about us.  We believe our political registrations should not influence or be a subject in a School Board election.  We believe partisan political party politics and the education of White Plains school children are clearly two separate subjects.


           


We will not participate in tonight’s debate due to the political overtones threatened by the emails circulating. We will be notifying the press when a non-partisan debate and forum can be arranged.


             



Candidates for White Plains School Board



 


Augie Zicca Jr.


 


 


Elsie J. Lahrmann



 


 

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Get Your School District Budget/Board Election Absentee Ballots IN before Tuesda

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WPCNR CNA NEWS. From Council of Neighborhood Associations. May 13, 2009:  For the past few days, CNA Co-President Candyce Corcoran  tells WPCNR,  “I have been averaging 2 phone calls per day asking, “Where are we supposed to vote for the school budget.” 

 

She writes, “Unfortunately, the district map included in the brochure that all White Plains Residents received in the mail, is impossible to read.  Today at Education House, I received an enlarged version of the map. 

 

You (also)  may NOT be voting at your “normal polling place”. There are 6 voting election districts for this vote.  Battle Hill Fire Station #5, Church Street School, Rochambeau School, Highlands, Mamaroneck Avenue, and Ridgeway. 

 

In addition, if you will need an absentee ballot, you will need to get one immediately.  It is a 2 step process.  You will need to fill out an application and in turn, an absentee ballot will be provided. 

 

When obtaining ours, I was told that the ballot MUST reach the district before 12 PM on Tuesday, prior to the polls opening.

 

If you need additional information, please contact the school district. 

 

 

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Wanted Financial Wizards for School District Finance Committee

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld. May 13,2009:   In accordance with a new policy adopted on May 11, 2009, the White Plains Board of  Education is seeking up to two community members to add to its Finance/Audit Committee, to assist in providing financial oversight for the district.

 


            The committee, which also includes three Board of Education members, meets once a month during the school year, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M., at Education House.  Membership will be  for one year, from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. 


 


Individuals who wish to apply should have accounting or auditing experience and should send a letter of application, citing qualifications, to the District Clerk, 5 Homeside Lane, 10605.   Letters must be received by June 15th and interviews will be conducted by the current committee.  The Board expects to make the appointments at its Regular Meeting in July.


 


            Education Law stipulates that committee members shall not be employees of the District,or have provided goods or services to the district within the last two years, or have a direct  interest or be related to a principal in any company providing goods or services to the district.

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Council: 6-1/2% Tax Hike.Dept Cuts:$1.4 M, Accepts B& M Revs To Save Fund Bal

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 WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. May 12, 2009:


 


There was no decision on “Decision Night.”


 


The Common Council tonight with the exception of Councilman Glen Hockley, in a 2 hour 45 minute session issued a call for a 6-1/2% Tax increase, raising the Mayor’s tax increase from 4.9%. They called on a series of city departments for $1.4 Million in cuts targeting jobs across city departments, with the exception of the Department of Public Safety which was asked for $500,000 in expense cuts. The council accepted  the $2.5 Million in revenues suggested by the city Budget & Management Committee. The Council did not enact the cuts, adjourning to Thursday or Friday of this week to hear from Department heads on whether they could comply with the cuts.


 


 The additional revenue produced by the cuts and revenue items, Councilman Benjamin Boykin totaled $5.575 Million. Boykin declined to provide the press with a written tally of the budget actions.


 


They in effect told David Birdsall, the Acting Budget Director,  he would not have a job effective July 1.


 



In the process, the Council suggested publicly  the Acting Budget Director position, currently occupied by David Birdsall, not be funded beginning with the new fiscal year, effectively firing him to his face.


 


Mr. Birdsall, was hired by the Mayor  a year and a half ago against the council wishes which voted him down. The council did not suggest cutting salaries of all city commissioners and management personnel that were non-union, and did not discuss the impending union binding arbitration. The Council also recommended eliminating the second Deputy Commissioner of Parking. It was also learned according to Paul Wood, that Leonard Lolis, the Manager of Information Systems was leaving the city, (after WPCNR believes about 9 years of employment), but is currently working “on vacation time.”


 


 


When WPCNR joined the untelevised meeting in progress at 7:15,  the council and Mayor were in heated debate, snapping at each other, pointing fingers and wringing their hands. Tom Roach, made the most sense of all, saying we are cutting because they have to, to prevent fund balance from descending to $1 Million. He said the council could raise taxes 30% (as pointed out by WPCNR weeks ago), to cover the deficit, “but nobody wants to do that,” saying they were picking away instead at lowering the budget in bits and pieces with the 6-1/2% tax increase being the first step.


 


At this point, the council wanted to go into executive session to discuss the personnel cuts, but did not, thanks to Journal News Reporter Keith Eddings, who as the council was making the motion, interrupted the meeting at the balustrade saying the council should  not go into Executive Session because they were discussing general cuts, not the conduct of  specific employees.


 


 The Council left the chamber at 7:40 and returned at approximately 8:00. At that time, Mayor Joseph Delfino announced to the considerably thinned crowd, (room was packed at the outset with dozens of union personnel and city managers and workers), that the counsel, presumably Edward Dunphy, had told the council they had the right to discuss personnel cuts in executive session, but that they might consider conducting the session in public, “since it’s going to get out anyway,” the Mayor said. So the department cuts were made public in a very general way.


 


In the Building Department, Councilman Boykin called for elimination of 2 to 3 persons since building activity was way down in the city. He suggested the additional Code Enforcement Officer added last year be one. It was then suggested by Councilman Power that this be a general request to the Building Department to come up with $200,000 in cuts.


Boykin said the Courts Office should reduce part-time employee expenses by $3,000 to $5,000.


 


Birdsall on short list.


 


Councilman Rita Malmud called on the elimination of funding the Acting Budget Director position beginning July 1, effectively firing David Birdsall as of that date. Malmud said dryly, ending the discussion, “There will be zero for that position (in the next budget).”


 


In the Information Systems Department, the Mayor said one person was retiring. Paul Wood identified this person as Leonard Lolis who was still on the payroll, but using vacation time. Mr. Boykin emphasized they wanted the department cut by one person. Nothing was said about whether Mr. Lolis was going to be replaced.  At the end of the meeting, Boykin made a point of saying there was no hiring freeze in effect for next year, yet, anyway


 


Boykin requested a graphics technician be cut from the Mayor’s Staff.


 


The Department of Parking, at first was requested by Councilman Dennis Power to eliminate the second Deputy Commissioner of Parking, and a total of $500,000 in cuts (including the salary and benefits of the Second Commissioner of Parking,(salary: $105,835 plus benefits) and three Parking Enforcement Officers of the PEO field force of 37). It was later agreed the Department of Parking should eliminate the 2nd Commissioner of Parking and determine where the rest of the cuts would come to reach the $500,000 level. It was also suggested parking maintenance be combined with DPW maintenance. The Mayor said they do that already.


 


The Planning Department was asked to cut $75,000, without suggestions.


 


Personnel was asked to cut $20,000.


 


It was suggested the Human Rights Commission eliminate $2,545 in part-time workers.


 


The Traffic Department, it was suggested, should cut $6,900 in part-time salaries.


 


No more sacrifices were asked of the Department of Public Works, the Department of Recreation and Parks,the Youth Bureau,  Senior Services, the Slater Center, the Purchasing Department, the Finance Department.


 


The budgeting will resume Thursday or Friday depending on when the Mayor and other members of the Council agree on the day and time.


 


To be continued.

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League of Women Voters Vs. Decision Night. “Infotainment Without Content”

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WPCNR NEWS COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. May 12, 2009: Well tonight the White Plains citizen has the choice of two interesting “Infotainments” being staged by the League of Women Voters and the White Plains Common Council.


 


At the White Plains High School, at 7:30 P.M., the League introduces the six candidates for the Board of Education seats of three years each, asking them a series of general questions that tell the interested parties very little about what the candidates bring to the table. 


 


Of the handful of persons speaking at last night’s Public Hearing on the School Budget – none  was a candidate for the school Board. How preposterous was that? How serious are these candidates? If you’re the challenger you have to make some comments. Bad job, candidates.


 


Perhaps the League of Women Voters might depart from the usual hanging curve balls they ask these candidates. The six candidates are incumbents Peter Bassano and Donna McLaughlin, and 4 challengers, Jim Hricky, Elsie Lahmarr, Reynolds Longfield (who was at last night’s hearing, but who did not speak), and Augie Zicca, Jr.


 


So, if you’re reading League of Women Voters, here are some questions:


 



 



  1. If  the assessment roll declines drastically ($10 Million), how would you as a Board Member proceed with next year’s budget?  Demand spending deaccerlation from July 1 in anticipation? What is your doomsday plan, because the assessments are going to drop in free fall this year. Prices are down and getting downer. Companies are not making money in the city. Look for an onslaught of certs. What would you do?
  2. Will you cut staff realistically, by not replacing personnel who retire with lower salaried replacements?
  3. What austerity measures will you put in place in the district, beginning in July?
  4. Will you tear down the Old Post Road School? (It still stands, you could save it or sell it — for school district offices, another school possibly – or as an asset for the rising birth rate.)
  5. Will you push newly hired technology persons (strangely silent for the last 8 months), for detailed longitudinal studies of all classes before the next School Budget. (The reporting of school district results has lagged, without detail for years, despite one software package or glitch after another. It is a disgrace. The WPHS high school students could do a better job.)
  6. Will you make results and objectives of the strategic plan understandable and clear to the general public, stripped of their academic gobble-de-gook?
  7. Will you get a definitive answer as to whether class size can be increased without affecting performance? (One of the great myths)
  8. Will you support hiring more dual language teachers (Spanish and English)?
  9. What will you do to improve the performance gap between whites and Hispanics and African-Americans? Where do you stand on this issue?
  10. Will you rent the Loucks and Parker articifical turf stadia for revenue?
  11. What is your solution to the Salary Benefits debate now being played out in the teacher negotiations? 

 


If the League of Women Voters does not ask questions like this, and I suspicion they will not, they are not paying attention. See if they do.


 


 


On the other side of town beginning a little earlier at 6 PM at crumbling city hall,(he moving vans are underway early for the Delfino Administration), is the Common Council is going to give us their take on how to cut the city budget – obviously making the decision a little earlier than the usual May 27….obviously everybody needs to get away for the Memorial Day Weekend.  Council President Benjamin Boykin and Councilman Dennis Power said they’d cut the budget –looking for $4 Million in cuts.


 


Perhaps they will will grab the set-aside hold-back in spending already proposed by the Acting Budget Director David Birdsall whom they rejected months ago. That would be one way to do it. Birdsall had suggested holding back some spending towards the end of the year. The council could just grab it. The council is also faced with the union contracts that they have allowed to go to binding arbitration (outside the auspices of the New York State Public Employees Relations Board), to the city’s peril, which if they are slapped with a 3 per center for the next two years — creates a massive deficit next year — with another contract to be negotiated next year.


 


Anyway, the council better cross their fingers and hope the economy turns up locally because the assessments will not.


 


They could run the same budget by just increasing the property tax 30% — and cutting taxes next year – if the economy turns around. But they do not have the guts to do that. They will let the newly nominated Adam Bradley have that pleasure. The assessments, unless the business community shows some patriotism (by not filing certioraris or withdrawing ones already filed), the city’s $5 Million drop in assessments this year will look very good.


 


Both the Board of Education and the City Government will be into your pockets big time next year due to the sad, sorry, timid and unprofessional analysis by the Board of Education and the Common Council,  of both budgets.


 


Either way, if you like “Infotainment” without content, attend either of these meetings. See your government and democracy – uninformed democracy in action.


 


And the fault is with us.We do not demand better. We much prefer pleasant, sanctimonious sugarcoated earnest “this is so difficult, these are extraordinary times,” excuses  than the blunt truth.

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School Districts to Be Reimbursed for 2009-10 MTA PAYROLL TAX in JUNE 2010

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. Special to the White Plains CitizeNetReporter. May 11,2009 UPDATED 3:10 P.M. E.D.T.: School Districts will receive their MTA Payroll Tax back in June,2010, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Press Office stated today to WPCNR.


Susan Burns, with the NYSDTF Press Office, told WPCNR Monday, according to Part B of legislation S05451, enacting the MTA Payroll Tax Bill,  “the School Districts will be reimbursed commencing in June for MTA Payroll taxes paid from September 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 and will be reimbursed for that sum in June, 2010.”


 


Ms. Burns added that Governor David Paterson has promised to make an appropriation covering the reimbursement in the 2010-2011 state budget. Ms. Burns has confirmed as of 3:10 P.M. Monday that the MTA Payroll Tax will begin to be collected by schools as of September 1,2009.


 


For businesses, she said, the Payroll Tax went into effect retroactive to March 1, 2009.


 


 


The legislation enacting the MTA Payroll Tax among other measures to address the Metropolitan Transportation Authority deficit may be read in its entirety at http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05451&sh=t


 


 


 

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Connors: ZERO% Contingency Budget Next Year. Final JobTally 2 Nite

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 11, 2009 UPDATED WITH MTA TAX REIMBURSEMENT CLARIFICATION FROM STATE, 12:55 P.M. UPDATED BY STATE, 3:10 P.M.: Superintendent of  Schools Timothy Connors, speaking in an exclusive WHITE PLAINS WEEK “Special Report” this week said he would have a final tally  tonight on the number of  positions the district would retain based on how many administrators and  service personnel eligible for retirement,  took the district’s one time offers of $25,000 and $10,000 “buyouts” in exchange for accumulated sick days.


 


Connors said thanks to retirements, attrition only 2.5 teachers would lose their jobs, and at this time only 11 Teaching Assistants (down from 24) would be cut with final tally due tonight.


 


The Superintendent said holding this year’s budget increase to 3/4 of a percent put the Board and the incoming Superintendent in good position if next year’s Contingency Budget increase is 0%, which is quite possible, in his opinion.


 



 


Breakfast with Tim Connors: Special Report: Tim Connors on WHITE PLAINS WEEK this morning at 8. The WPW Special Report may be seen at 8 AM all this week on the local cable access channels and worldwide, any time, on www.whiteplainsweek.com


 


He made the remarks on a Special Report Edition of White Plains Week dealing exclusively with the School Budget which can be seen all this week at 8 A.M. on Cablevision Channel 76 and Verizon FIOS Channel 45. It may also be viewed  any time, 24 hours a day right now at www.whiteplainsweek.com. Just click on “SPECIAL REPORT” with Windows Media Player


 


Here are the highlights:


 


 


In a wide range of topics, the Superintendent said the district decided not to cut the budget any farther, because further cuts would impact class size and the programs the district is accustomed to, but the budget prepares the district for an expecting low threshold of “contingency budget” next year.


 


Final $15 Million Infrastructure Improvements Necessary to get $6 Million in State Reimbursement


 


He said that the district decided to go ahead with completing the infrastructure improvements to schools using $15 Million more in borrowing this year, because otherwise the district would lose some $6 Million in state reimbursement for construction which would be paid for at the end of the project, meaning in essence the district is paying $15 Million plus interest to get back $6.6  Million from the state (in essence paying for the high school  Loucks Field artificial turf and stand renovation).


 



 


District can handle increasing birth rate. 


 


The Superintendent said that even though the birth rate in the city is growing,  that the new Post Road School could absorb increases at the elementary level, and that middle school and high school enrollments were expected to decrease. He said the city would not see a 1,000 student increase “for a long time.”


 


He said Highlands and Eastview Schools, despite being 70 years old would not need replacing in the years ahead, but Highlands would need replacement of science labs and windows.


 


How MTA Payroll Tax Reimbursement Happens Not Clear. 


 


Connors said that even though the state-enacted MTA Payroll Tax was said by the Governor’s Office will be reimbursed to the school districts, the district is still forced to collect it, and the state has not given the districts an indication how that money will be reimbursed, so the district is keeping it in the budget. He said the district has to collect it, how they get it back is not clear.  Connors said. “We’re wating for the state to tell us exactly what it (reimbursement) means.”


 



 


State Senator Vincent Leibell of  Brewster pointed out the lack of clarity as to how school districts would be paid back in a news conference Friday.  A call has been placed to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance by WPCNR, asking for clarification on how the money being collected on the MTA tax will be reimbursed, whether it will be given in the form of more state aid.


 


Susan Burns, with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Press Office, told WPCNR Monday afternoon, that according to Part B of legislation S-5451, enacting the MTA Payroll Tax Bill, the text of which is not apparently available yet on the New York State Senate website, “the School Districts will be reimbursed commencing in June for MTA Payroll taxes paid from September 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 and will be reimbursed for that sum in June, 2010.” Ms. Burns added that Governor David Paterson has promised to make an appropriation covering the reimbursement in the 2010-2011 state budget. Ms. Burns confirmed at 3:10 Monday afternoon  the MTA Payroll tax payments school districts collect for the state will BEGIN  to be collected September 1, 2009.  She said businesses, though must collect the tax retroactive to March 1,2009.


 


The Bill Enacted may be read at http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05451&sh=t


 


Class Size Drives Budget


 


Connors said in defense of the school district refusing to cut more from the budget than they did allowing the incoming new Superintendent leeway in raising the budget next year,  that the City of White Plains community has always felt small class size was important, and to lower budget farther would compromise that, and that was why the budget was not lowered.  The budget in fact has increased slightly, 3/4 of 1%. 


 


Asked why positions weren’t simply not filled, Connors said that through the  community forums and talks with the community, the city was reluctant to increase class size and to leave positions vacant would require increases in class size, and “the board is not committed to do that.”


 


The Superintendent said that an improvement in the economy would help the school budget as well as a leveling off of certiorari settlements.


 


Predicts possible 0% Increase Allowed in Contingency Budget Allowed Next Year.


 


Connors commented about the situation newly hired Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Clouet will face: “The steps taken here  (on the 2009-10 Budget) have been proactive and(the Board) made tough decisions that will enable him to move forward. The Contingency Budget next year could be a zero increase,  (and with a .75% increase this year), enable the Board and the new superintendent to make decisions (for 2010-11) that are educationally and fiscally sound.”


 


More Data on performance to come.


 


Asked if the additions of a new Manager of Data Processing and a second highly paid data executive last August would result in same-year reporting of district achievement results, Connors was noncommittal, saying report cards came from the state and they were two years behind. He said the district was in the process of implementing new software enabling the district to use the “Infinite Campus” program for performance reporting. Connors said it would be in place next fall and  “help us deliver more data across all aspects.”


 



 


For the last eight years, the Board of Education has complained about the district inability to report longitudinal studies of the grades, following their performance through each year. The district has demonstrated how each grade in a particular level performs annually but has never published clear indications of how one group of students performs year to year, though this can be done quite simply by using state statistics which the district has not done.


 


Middle School Scores Up


 


Connors pointed out the rise in achievement test scores in the White Plains Middle Schools hitting the 80% mark up from 50% a few years ago, crediting emphasis on the elementary school curriculum.


 


Hopes for Settlement of Teachers Contract by July 1


 


The Superintendent was optimistic on the Fact-Finding process now under way with the White Plains Teachers Association. He said every time the two sides talk they get closer together.


 


Asked why the district has already budgeted for an increase of about 3% for 09-10, why the contract had not been settled, the Superintendent said the settlement has been allowed for, and the contract would be negotiated so as not to exceed that.

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Hey Mom! By the WPCNR Poet-In-Residence

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Hey Mom, bring me two waters so I’m set?


Where’s my under armor? And my visor?


Are my tights washed? My skates are dull.


Hey Mom, can you call the advisor?


 


Hey Mom,  I wasn’t yelling at you.


I didn’t mean to! You were yelling at me!


You never let me do anything my friends do


Hey Mom, would you chill, lighten up, just do!


 


Hey Mom, I don’t like the way this looks for the prom —


I don’t like the color, how could you think this was me?


I just can’t wear this, it’s this, it’s that it’s…Oh, Mom!?!


 


Hey Mom, I’ve been studying all morning getting knowledge.


Can’t I go out, I’ll be back by ten.


But, I know the material, gone over it again and again.


Oh, Mom – I hate my life! I can hardly wait until college.


 


Hey Mom – But I did call and let you know


Don’t you understand, I couldn’t call at that time.


No, you can’t not let me go – it’s a great band


Oh, Mom – I hate you! You never understand!


 


Hey, Mom, please don’t embarrass me at the game


By screaming so loud, it’s just so tacky


But, hey mom, I like that you’re over there in the stand


Watching me play, you know that don’t you Mom, you understand.


 


Hey Mom, can you get me to the rink


At 5 – I know you have to take off from work early?


Thanks, Mom, I’m so sorry but the team has a special thing


I have to be there, thanks Mom – I love you—dearly.


 


Hey, Mom, please when you pick me up at the dorm


Don’t come inside. Just wait outside, call me on the cell


I’ll be right down — it’s the norm.


Don’t ring the bell.


 


Hey, Mom, I’ve read the classifieds


There are no jobs, I can’t make all those calls.


Well, OK, I guess  I can send that resume you made for me (sigh).


OK, I’m lost, where’s the post office, down Lexington to what?


 


Hey Mom, well I’m bringing my friends by,


Don’t let Dad embarrass me with his jokes, OK?


I’ll just die if he’s silly again — you won’t let him do that?


You’ll talk to him about that?


 


All right, Mom I’ll take that extra course.


But I’ve just been going to school for months it never ends!


Can’t I have a little vacation, I don’t know what’s worse


Can’t I spend a little time with my friends?


 


You do like him Mom?


Oh, I hoped you would.


Yes, I really do


I am so glad you do too!


 


Hey Mom, can you take care of the kids this weekend?


We’re going to Vermont with a friend.


And Mom, the cats get kibble in morning and meat at night,


We love you mom, sorry for the short notice, talk to you tonight.


 


Hey Mom, I’m sorry I can’t see you Mother’s Day.


Are you all right, what will you be doing today?


Going to the club – great – you know we love you in every way?


Though we may not show it you’re always with us


even when you’re away.


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$104,000 Scoreboard Works Just Fine at the Loucks Games

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer.May 9, 2009: The Annual Loucks games were in full swing today, and WPCNR’s Roving camera confirmed, that, yes, White Plains, the $104,000 scoreboard obtained for the newly renovated Loucks Field works just fine, recording track results with major league quality.



They’re Off! Athletes off an running at oneof the events Saturday at the annual Loucks Games at White Plains High School which featured the debut of the new $104,000 Scoreboard “track software.” Taxpayers can be reassured that it works like a $104,000 scoreboard should.


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