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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 %  that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
There were no increases, or very small ones, because the district was using their surplus funds to continue spending without budget increases. It was going to run out eventually and then what did you think would happen?
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Posted 5/22/13 12:58 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by jerseychick
Posted by afternoondelight828
The increase would be about $10/week. The one that was voted in would be about $5/week.
Nothing was voted in yet. There will be a new budget proposed by June 5, and a vote will take place on June 18.
Yes because it failed. These are the numbers that the people should be shown, not the 7% of the $485 as it sounds much higher and unmanageable.
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:08 PM |
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by Kitten1929
ETA: Cheerleading, drama, dance, etc...those should never be paramount factors in deciding a budget. Those are "extras" that are never a guaranteed right to any student. Extra fundraising can help offset costs if they want those programs to continue. Expecting taxpayers to continue bearing the burden of increasing costs without question is insane. People need a reality check, too.
Yes, certain things ARE extra's. Music should never be considered an extra, neither should Gate or Kindergarten .
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:09 PM |
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 % that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
I think that is an obscene number as well. So it would be an extra $40 a month (if passed). What about next year? Our school budget included a 1.3 million increases solely for pensions. Every year something is cut just for increase of pensions regardless if the budget passes or not. I would not be able to afford a $40 increase on top of my $20 electric increase, $20 gas increase and $300 health care increase...not to mention food or gas. This year my monthly bills have increased dramatically where my income is not. This will continue on here in LI making the desire to live here less and less.
I have been a homeowner for 20 years. I never remember my taxes going down. That is life. Bills go up, not down 
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:10 PM |
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Kitty
LIF Infant
Member since 1/13 86 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Kitten1929
ETA: Cheerleading, drama, dance, etc...those should never be paramount factors in deciding a budget. Those are "extras" that are never a guaranteed right to any student. Extra fundraising can help offset costs if they want those programs to continue. Expecting taxpayers to continue bearing the burden of increasing costs without question is insane. People need a reality check, too.
Yes, certain things ARE extra's. Music should never be considered an extra, neither should Gate or Kindergarten .
I agree. 
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:18 PM |
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twiceasnice
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1126 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 % that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
I think that is an obscene number as well. So it would be an extra $40 a month (if passed). What about next year? Our school budget included a 1.3 million increases solely for pensions. Every year something is cut just for increase of pensions regardless if the budget passes or not. I would not be able to afford a $40 increase on top of my $20 electric increase, $20 gas increase and $300 health care increase...not to mention food or gas. This year my monthly bills have increased dramatically where my income is not. This will continue on here in LI making the desire to live here less and less.
I have been a homeowner for 20 years. I never remember my taxes going down. That is life. Bills go up, not down
I agree bills will never go down...but the rate they are going up is unsustainable. Especially if we are to continue to pay more but get less for our money.
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:25 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 % that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
I think that is an obscene number as well. So it would be an extra $40 a month (if passed). What about next year? Our school budget included a 1.3 million increases solely for pensions. Every year something is cut just for increase of pensions regardless if the budget passes or not. I would not be able to afford a $40 increase on top of my $20 electric increase, $20 gas increase and $300 health care increase...not to mention food or gas. This year my monthly bills have increased dramatically where my income is not. This will continue on here in LI making the desire to live here less and less.
I have been a homeowner for 20 years. I never remember my taxes going down. That is life. Bills go up, not down
I agree bills will never go down...but the rate they are going up is unsustainable. Especially if we are to continue to pay more but get less for our money.
ITA
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:28 PM |
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Kitty
LIF Infant
Member since 1/13 86 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 % that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
I think that is an obscene number as well. So it would be an extra $40 a month (if passed). What about next year? Our school budget included a 1.3 million increases solely for pensions. Every year something is cut just for increase of pensions regardless if the budget passes or not. I would not be able to afford a $40 increase on top of my $20 electric increase, $20 gas increase and $300 health care increase...not to mention food or gas. This year my monthly bills have increased dramatically where my income is not. This will continue on here in LI making the desire to live here less and less.
I have been a homeowner for 20 years. I never remember my taxes going down. That is life. Bills go up, not down
Exactly. It isn't fun to dole out extra $, and at times it can be difficult, but bills go up. It is unfortunate that they asked for such a big increase at once, but as stated there were 2 years with no increase followed by smaller ones for 5 years after that. I was afraid it would fail, but I strongly believe that whether or not you have children in the district, a failed budget has a negative effect on you - not just on children and their education, but property values and the community as a whole. I really think there was a lot more to lose by the failed budget than there was to gain.
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| Posted 5/22/13 1:30 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by evrythng4areason
At the least I know more teachers are going to be laid off, and as a result class sizes are going to be larger.
My bil's gf is a teacher and truly might lose her job now :(
My brother too. They will lose an amazing teacher
Hopefully they will revote with new figures and pass the budget so programs can stay and jobs can be saved
Message edited 5/22/2013 2:11:36 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/13 2:05 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Sachem Failed
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Message edited 5/22/2013 2:14:48 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/13 2:14 PM |
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Kitten1929
ETA: Cheerleading, drama, dance, etc...those should never be paramount factors in deciding a budget. Those are "extras" that are never a guaranteed right to any student. Extra fundraising can help offset costs if they want those programs to continue. Expecting taxpayers to continue bearing the burden of increasing costs without question is insane. People need a reality check, too.
Yes, certain things ARE extra's. Music should never be considered an extra, neither should Gate or Kindergarten .
I agree. I also wanted to add that not having extracurricular activities can affect college admissions. Just good grades does not make you a competitive applicant. Also, the opportunity for sports and music scholarships would be taken away.
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| Posted 5/22/13 3:04 PM |
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twiceasnice
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1126 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
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| Posted 5/22/13 3:16 PM |
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by Kitty
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by afternoondelight828
Posted by Onemoretime
Our school budget increase was a 2.89 %and it passed.
Sachem is 7.49 % that is obscene
Not really as for 2 years we had no increases and then smaller ones for 5 years.
I think that is an obscene number as well. So it would be an extra $40 a month (if passed). What about next year? Our school budget included a 1.3 million increases solely for pensions. Every year something is cut just for increase of pensions regardless if the budget passes or not. I would not be able to afford a $40 increase on top of my $20 electric increase, $20 gas increase and $300 health care increase...not to mention food or gas. This year my monthly bills have increased dramatically where my income is not. This will continue on here in LI making the desire to live here less and less.
I have been a homeowner for 20 years. I never remember my taxes going down. That is life. Bills go up, not down
Exactly. It isn't fun to dole out extra $, and at times it can be difficult, but bills go up. It is unfortunate that they asked for such a big increase at once, but as stated there were 2 years with no increase followed by smaller ones for 5 years after that. I was afraid it would fail, but I strongly believe that whether or not you have children in the district, a failed budget has a negative effect on you - not just on children and their education, but property values and the community as a whole. I really think there was a lot more to lose by the failed budget than there was to gain.
EXACTLY. It is NOT just for people with kids.
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| Posted 5/22/13 3:59 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
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| Posted 5/22/13 4:09 PM |
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mrs717
LIF Infant
Member since 7/10 124 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
Take most any service type/knowledge industry out there....and the highest expenses are going to be the people and salaries!
The article mentions the other expenses are:Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES. How many of these need to be completely re-paid every year? Textbooks - you reuse them for a few years at least. Computers and Software can be re-used and SHARED, etc...
I am not a teacher and my DH is, so I completely understand the pay structure is different than the norm. However, Teachers are mandated to get a masters degree, have to take a certain amount of professional development each year. The teachers also signed contracts a few years ago, giving up their pay increases for 2 years just to decrease the number of teachers laid off and the budget down.
These teachers are also the people that are with your children everyday for hours. I would think that as parents, you would want to ensure that you have the highest quality professionals that there are.
Sorry this is so long, I am just not sure why people are surprised that Salaries are the biggest chunk of a school budget, especially in a district as HUGE as Sachem!
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| Posted 5/22/13 4:24 PM |
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by mrs717
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
Take most any service type/knowledge industry out there....and the highest expenses are going to be the people and salaries!
The article mentions the other expenses are:Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES. How many of these need to be completely re-paid every year? Textbooks - you reuse them for a few years at least. Computers and Software can be re-used and SHARED, etc...
I am not a teacher and my DH is, so I completely understand the pay structure is different than the norm. However, Teachers are mandated to get a masters degree, have to take a certain amount of professional development each year. The teachers also signed contracts a few years ago, giving up their pay increases for 2 years just to decrease the number of teachers laid off and the budget down.
These teachers are also the people that are with your children everyday for hours. I would think that as parents, you would want to ensure that you have the highest quality professionals that there are.
Sorry this is so long, I am just not sure why people are surprised that Salaries are the biggest chunk of a school budget, especially in a district as HUGE as Sachem!
And ask anyone who thinks teachers get paid too much to walk in their shoes and see if they can do it or would WANT to. It is not just only the kids anymore they have to deal with but the parents.
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| Posted 5/22/13 4:41 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Sachem Failed
Teachers where I come from don't make nearly as much as they do here, and yet we had kids go on to Ivy League Schools. So its not really "you get what you pay for".
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| Posted 5/22/13 4:48 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by mrs717
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
Take most any service type/knowledge industry out there....and the highest expenses are going to be the people and salaries!
The article mentions the other expenses are:Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES. How many of these need to be completely re-paid every year? Textbooks - you reuse them for a few years at least. Computers and Software can be re-used and SHARED, etc...
I am not a teacher and my DH is, so I completely understand the pay structure is different than the norm. However, Teachers are mandated to get a masters degree, have to take a certain amount of professional development each year. The teachers also signed contracts a few years ago, giving up their pay increases for 2 years just to decrease the number of teachers laid off and the budget down.
These teachers are also the people that are with your children everyday for hours. I would think that as parents, you would want to ensure that you have the highest quality professionals that there are.
Sorry this is so long, I am just not sure why people are surprised that Salaries are the biggest chunk of a school budget, especially in a district as HUGE as Sachem!
I have no issue with teachers' salaries. IMO most are underpaid. But not all employees are teachers. I think administrators (Superintendents, Asst. Superintendents, etc.) don't need raises every year and don't need to be making 1/4 million dollars.
Message edited 5/22/2013 5:02:25 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:01 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Message edited 5/22/2013 5:06:14 PM.
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:04 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Sachem Failed
Oh I agree, sorry can't quote on tablet. I just don't agree that you should have to pay whatever the district asks just because they are teaching your kids everyday.
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:15 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by mrs717
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
Take most any service type/knowledge industry out there....and the highest expenses are going to be the people and salaries!
The article mentions the other expenses are:Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES. How many of these need to be completely re-paid every year? Textbooks - you reuse them for a few years at least. Computers and Software can be re-used and SHARED, etc...
I am not a teacher and my DH is, so I completely understand the pay structure is different than the norm. However, Teachers are mandated to get a masters degree, have to take a certain amount of professional development each year. The teachers also signed contracts a few years ago, giving up their pay increases for 2 years just to decrease the number of teachers laid off and the budget down.
These teachers are also the people that are with your children everyday for hours. I would think that as parents, you would want to ensure that you have the highest quality professionals that there are.
Sorry this is so long, I am just not sure why people are surprised that Salaries are the biggest chunk of a school budget, especially in a district as HUGE as Sachem!
I have no issue with teachers' salaries. IMO most are underpaid. But not all employees are teachers. I think administrators (Superintendents, Asst. Superintendents, etc.) don't need raises every year and don't need to be making 1/4 million dollars.
250k is not a huge salary to run a multi million dollar company. Sachem is the largest (or one of) school districts on LI. I think they are getting off cheap by only paying that. Superintendents usually have doctorate degrees and have tons and tons of experience. They are not sitting in a cushy office or playing golf all day. They work hard and I'm not sure you would find someone to do it for much less.
Teachers make 100k +. What would you think is a fair salary for someone who manages an entire district.
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:44 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by kerrycec03
I'm extremely upset by this. My son will be starting kindergarten in Sept'14, BUT if they can do it with 1/2 day, I don't see full day coming back.
Plus, the sale of waverly fields...the sachem soccer program..
The GATE program (not bragging but couldn't wait for my older son to be part of this)
Extremely sad when in my GUT the money for the cuts could come from other areas.
Personally Sachem owns and operates WAY TOO MUCH property. Unused property. And with enrollment down, they could probably redistrict elementry schools and close one of the buildings, same with middle.
That would help cut the gaps for sure!!
i'm sorry about the budget failing. :(
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:49 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by BargainMama
Teachers where I come from don't make nearly as much as they do here, and yet we had kids go on to Ivy League Schools. So its not really "you get what you pay for".
Yes it is. I disagree completely!
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| Posted 5/22/13 5:51 PM |
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StarsStripes
LIF Adult
Member since 12/12 1192 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by alli3131
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by mrs717
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by twiceasnice
Posted by greenfreak
Not a parent or in Sachem SD but this article was making the rounds on my friends Facebook pages, thought I'd post it here...
http://sachem.patch.com/groups/dan-kosters-blog/p/bp--why-sachem-school-district-needs-to-live-within-ie8046a811f
"As you can see, 76% of the total proposed budget goes towards employee costs. Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES, etc. – is paid for with the remaining 24%"
Excellent Article. It is spot on and every year it will continue and nothing will ever get better without some core changes.
"Clearly, the smartest way to go forward is to neither raise taxes nor cut programs, but rather to reduce costs associated with employee overhead. That means cutting salaries (rather than simply slowing their growth) and shifting more of the burden of insurance and retirement costs back onto the employees instead of the taxpayer. The first two can be accomplished at the local level, while the third must be lobbied for in Albany. This is how every private business in the world responds when revenue streams decline; in order to save the company as a whole, overhead gets reduced. "
Take most any service type/knowledge industry out there....and the highest expenses are going to be the people and salaries!
The article mentions the other expenses are:Everything else – school buses and drivers, utilities, textbooks, stationary, the cost of outstanding bonds, computers and software, art supplies, uniforms, musical instruments, testing services, BOCES. How many of these need to be completely re-paid every year? Textbooks - you reuse them for a few years at least. Computers and Software can be re-used and SHARED, etc...
I am not a teacher and my DH is, so I completely understand the pay structure is different than the norm. However, Teachers are mandated to get a masters degree, have to take a certain amount of professional development each year. The teachers also signed contracts a few years ago, giving up their pay increases for 2 years just to decrease the number of teachers laid off and the budget down.
These teachers are also the people that are with your children everyday for hours. I would think that as parents, you would want to ensure that you have the highest quality professionals that there are.
Sorry this is so long, I am just not sure why people are surprised that Salaries are the biggest chunk of a school budget, especially in a district as HUGE as Sachem!
I have no issue with teachers' salaries. IMO most are underpaid. But not all employees are teachers. I think administrators (Superintendents, Asst. Superintendents, etc.) don't need raises every year and don't need to be making 1/4 million dollars.
250k is not a huge salary to run a multi million dollar company. Sachem is the largest (or one of) school districts on LI. I think they are getting off cheap by only paying that. Superintendents usually have doctorate degrees and have tons and tons of experience. They are not sitting in a cushy office or playing golf all day. They work hard and I'm not sure you would find someone to do it for much less.
Teachers make 100k +. What would you think is a fair salary for someone who manages an entire district.
Teachers who have been working for 20 years are making over 100k, the majority are not.
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| Posted 5/22/13 6:13 PM |
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mrs717
LIF Infant
Member since 7/10 124 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sachem Failed
Posted by juanvi
Posted by BargainMama
Teachers where I come from don't make nearly as much as they do here, and yet we had kids go on to Ivy League Schools. So its not really "you get what you pay for".
Yes it is. I disagree completely!
I'm not sure where you are from...but is the cost of living as much?? In Rochester NY a teacher starts at 30,000, while on LI my DH started at 40,000, but the cost of living is SO much less there.
I don't want to argue about teachers salaries, was just saying that in any service industry, the People are going to be the main expense.
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| Posted 5/22/13 6:21 PM |
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