Sachem proves athletics over education

It's a sad day in the Sachem community. The district decided to keep all sports and drop to half day kindergarten even with the new common core program. Horrible failure to the children!!

Message edited 5/30/2013 6:01:58 AM.

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

That's sad!!!

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Honestly I don't think you could win either way. If they cut the sports programs it would be horrible for those kids as well. Unfortunately not everyone will be happy when they have to make cuts.

Message edited 5/30/2013 7:33:32 AM.

Sachem proves athletics over education

WTF they should just get rid of 7 and 8th grade sports because all of these kids play in leagues outside of school! Utterly ridiculous. That district needs to be split in 2 so it is more manageable.

ETA: I read it wrong I thought they dropped Kindergarten all together. Though it is not a great thing, at least they still have 1/2 day as do many other districts.

Message edited 5/30/2013 7:52:10 AM.

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Sachem proves athletics over education

Listen, its not ideal for anyone. half day is better than nothing.
This will turn a shit show, just like the sachem moms FB page, crazy chicks over there. With a district this huge you can NOT please them all.
Signed,
A parent off half day and that sucks.

Message edited 5/30/2013 7:54:55 AM.

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Did they have a board meeting for the new budget?

Sachem proves athletics over education

What about the closing of middle schools? Did they decide against that?

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Sports are the reason some kids go to school. It is an unfortunate reality, but true. It motivates some struggling students to attend school and pushes them to do at least some of the work.

Sachem proves athletics over education

I am a mom in Sachem Schools. My son is not yet ready for kindergarten, and tbh, we will not be living here anyways come time for him to start. I do not think this is an ultimate fail. Half day K used to be the norm. I survived half day K and went in to college and to do well in life. I do think cutting sports would be a fail. Sports and other activities are something to keep kids out of trouble. It helps kids who try hard but just are not stellar students, get into college. Without sports, many kids would not be able to go on to college. I recieved a field hockey scholarship as well as an academic one. It helped pay for my $30k school. Sports can help those not well off pay for education. Many kids, whos parents work full time, would be home alone, with nothing to do. It could lead to a lot more drug use and criminal behavior. I do hold education VERY high. But, I do not think half day K, cutting out play time, snack time and gym or music, and giving them a full 2 hours of LEARNING is the worst thing that could of happened.


Again, this is MY OPINION. I am in mo way saying yours is wrong. People feel strongly about different things. Please do not knock my feelings.

Message edited 5/30/2013 8:44:22 AM.

Sachem proves athletics over education

Plenty of districts have half day kindergarten. Its not the end of the world. I understand it may make things difficult for workign parents as far as scheduling but as far as education...the kids will be fine.

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Did music programs get cut?

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Message edited 5/30/2013 8:49:35 AM.

Sachem proves athletics over education

he Sachem Central School District Board of Education officially adopted a contingency budget during a special meeting held at Samoset Middle School on Wednesday evening.After four meetings totaling more than 12 hours across six days, Sachem’s Board of Education voted 7-2 in favor of a 3.14 percent tax cap budget totaling $286,936,993 for the 2013-2014school year. This adopted budget includes half-day kindergarten and a 50 percent reduction in co-curricular activities, among other cuts. There are no cuts to the music, sports or science research programs.The original budget vote on Tuesday, May 21, which included a 7.49 percent tax increase, failed to meet the 60 percent super majority needed to pass. Instead, it received 54 percent of the vote. The contingency budget vote is on Tuesday, June 18.“We were trying to get our finger on the pulse to the best of our ability of what the majority of the people are feeling so that we can present a budget at the tax cap that will be supported now by 50 percent, plus one, of our community,” Sachem Superintendent James Nolan said during Wednesday's meeting. “Many conversations are the exact same conversations we’ve had the last five months. What we may hold as priorities asparents, educators, and community members, we have to be mindful of the fact that no two people will have that same priority list, and that is our greatest challenge."Cuts on the adopted 3.14 percent tax cap budget:Half-day kindergartenTwo FTE administrative reductionsIncrease elementary class size by one, except for kindergarten levelSix FTE elementary librariansSix FTE social workers50% reduction in co-curricular clubs. This will allow cheerleading, Arrowettes, marching band, drama and all honor societies to be included in the 2013-14 budget.Reduction of half of the kindergarten aides (22)Elimination of the GATE programTwo FTE psychologistsEight FTE district-wide clericalTwo FTE school communication aidesThree FTE (two custodial, one auto mechanic)District wide reduction in supplies totaling $500,000Inaddition is a recommendation to increase revenue as follows:Increase childcare fees by 15 percent. This is in addition to the 20 percent previously authorized by the Board of Education, therefore the total increase would be 35 percent. The a.m. session would be $6.50 and the p.m. session would be $13.50. This represents the 35 percent increase.Increase music instrument rental fees (currently the music rental fee is $12. It is recommended to increase this fee to $50. This is consistent with surrounding school districts).Increase the building usage fees. This is in addition to the $80,000 previously authorized. Therefore the total anticipated building usage fee would be $130,000 by charging $3/hour.What happens if this budget vote on June 18 fails? Sachem would be mandated by the state to have a zero percent tax increase. The following items would be cut:The entire kindergartenprogramAll co-curricularclubsAll music tothe state minimumAll sportsClass size atthe elementary level increased by 2 Since the Board adopted a budget with half-day kindergarten, administration said there would be additional after-care available through SCOPE. The details and information on that are not yet finalized or available.In regards to the 50 percent reduction in co-curricular clubs, this means that the budget will cover half of the costs for clubs, and these clubs would fundraise the rest. The district will provide information regarding fundraising for clubs or activities when it becomes available.




copied from sachem fb page

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Message edited 5/30/2013 9:11:22 AM.

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Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion here. 1/2 day does effect real estate value. With the new common core standards children need to be a totally different place then they did years ago. Listen it is what it is and for many of us it stinks.

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Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

nm

Message edited 5/30/2013 10:30:38 AM.

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It stinks overall and I don't think anyone will be happy

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education

Re: Sachem proves athletics over education