NYS PTA Joins Education Partners in Stand Against Governor's Action to Delay School Aid Payments

From the New York State PTA:

As anticipated, Governor David Paterson has directed the Division of the Budget to delay December state aid payments to school districts (and municipalities) throughout the state by withholding certification of payments. While this action is intended to prevent the state from running out of cash, it further shifts the state's fiscal problems onto already cash-strapped school districts.

In reaction, a broad coalition of education advocates and citizen taxpayers, seeking to protect school programs from elimination, stop employee layoffs and prevent dramatic property tax increases, filed suit against Governor Paterson, saying he acted illegally and unconstitutionally by withholding state funds allocated by the state Legislature for school districts. 

Click here for press release.

The Heating Debate Continues…

District Boilers in Need of Repair or Replacement by Facilities Director Wayne Robinson.

December 15 State Aid Payment Cut by 10%

New York State made the sudden decision to cut aid to school districts, leaving school boards with the challenge of trying to manage budgets, which were voted on and funded months ago, with unanticipated mid-year cuts. At the 12/15/09 Board of Education meeting Superintendent Villanti reminded the audience that the Board tried to anticipate these state aid shortfalls, and their prudent planning will mean that Haldane will not suffer. However, the future of state aid remains uncertain, and larger cuts are anticipated expected in 2010. New York State’s fiscal crisis will likely prompt the Board to take this into account as they craft the spending plan for 2010–11. 


See the press release from NYS Comptroller diNapoli, which contains details about cuts, including notice that STAR and other payments will be reduced by 19%. 


Here is the aid reduction breakdown:

Heating Discussion

At the 12/15/09 Board of Education workshop the Board will discuss Heating of Plant/Energy Performance Contract. Also, hear a special report on the Secondary Science Program by Maggie Davis, Julia Sniffen, Brian Alm, and Mark Patinella. Draft agenda available.

Letter from Dr. Villanti about the current status of the Capital Project

Superintendent Villanti answers some frequently asked questions about the Capital Project and the approximately $400K in unexpended funds. Also, he provides a status update on the boilers.

Teacher Retirement Plan and State Funding News From the NYSSBA

EFFORT TO IMPOSE MID YEAR AID CUTS THWARTED

DEVASTATING AND DISTRUPTIVE IMPACT STAVED OFF AGAIN

Following months of negotiating, the New York State legislature passed a deficit reduction plan that saves hundreds of millions of dollars in critical school funding. The legislation closes nearly $3 billion of the state’s budget gap. This is the second time this year that NYSSBA has worked to stave off a plan to cut education aid in the midst of the school year. Cutting aid after communities have approved district spending limits and implemented programs and services would have had drastic consequences. Prior to the passage of the deficit reduction plan, the legislature, led by Senate Finance Chairman Carl Kruger, conducted budget hearings, where NYSSBA and local school board associations provided compelling testimony about the impact of potential cuts and the need for increased local authority to weather the financial crisis. With vocal opposition from NYSSBA and member boards, the legislature rejected a call for mid-year cuts for the second time this year. The legislature achieved its goal of balancing the budget without new taxes or fees and without cutting education aid that would have taken money out of classrooms, depleted district reserves in a time of need and potentially raised property taxes.

Teachers, Tenure and Tomorrow

This panel discussion, sponsored by an area League of Women Voters chapter, takes a look at tenure from several angles: panelists include New York State United Teachers president Richard Iannuzzi, Director of Government Relations of the NYSSBA David Little, Attorney David Shaw and others.
Click here to access a video of the panel discussion. 

Audit Report and Approval of Use of Unexpended Capital Project Fund

See complete meeting packet from 12/1/09 BOE Meeting. Also includes minutes from Safety and Technology Committees.

Board Meetings Now on Cablevision

Tune in to Cablevision Channel 22 every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. for Board of Education Meetings and Workshops.

Fine Arts Meeting Date: November 16, 2009, 3:30 pm, Merritt Bldg.

An open meeting to discuss the future of a Fine Arts support organization in Haldane is scheduled for November 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm in the Fireplace Room of the Mabel Merritt Building. All those interested in becoming part of the planning process are encouraged to attend and share your thoughts.

UPDATE: Notes and Activity List from the meeting. Follow-up meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2009 at 3:30 pm in the Fireplace Room.

Note 6:30 pm start time to 11/17/09 Workshop!

The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30 pm in the Merritt Bldg. Fireplace Room. The workshop will start with a speaker on Energy Performance Contracting.

At 7:00 pm there will be a presentation regarding the Virtual High School.

Facilities Director Wayne Robinson presented a prioritized list of ongoing repair projects at the 11/3/09 BOE meeting. This workshop will also include a follow-up to that presentation to allow the Board to discuss the use of the remaining funds from the capital project.

Fine Arts Support in Haldane

At the October 20, 2009 Board of Education Workshop President Dave Merandy raised the topic of support for the Fine Arts in Haldane. The issue triggered energetic discussion with suggestions, which included creating a new Booster Club, modifying or adding to an existing group, and advocating for more and richer Arts education opportunities.

A preliminary meeting with Haldane School Arts faculty, administration, parents, students and interested community members will launch the conversation about the direction of Arts education, funding, advocacy and support (Meeting date now set for November 16, 2009 at 3:30 pm in the Fireplace Room).

Please check back here or at the Haldane School website for updates, and join the discussion about the direction of Fine Arts education in Haldane. 

School District and Local Government Consolidation with Sandy Galef

How can we reduce the burden of property taxes? Attend the Public Forum on taxation and consolidation with Sandy Galef and find out!

October 15, 2009 from 7:30–9 pm at Croton Village Hall (NEW! Meeting materials available here, and please follow this post for schedule of Public Access broadcast of the meeting.)

New York State Attorney General Cuomo’s Legislative Policy Advisor Dr. James Malatras, New York State Education Department’s Coordinator for Educational Management Services Dr. Deborah Cunningham and former Executive Director of the State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness John Clarkson will join Assemblywoman Galef to talk about ways to consolidate local governments and school districts. Guests can learn the "How-To’s of Local Government and School Consolidation" and how a new law allows community members to initiate changes in their own municipalities and districts.

Map below:

Governor Paterson’s Proposed Budget Cuts

From The Journal News 10-19-09:

Are You Interested in Supporting the Arts at Haldane?

Board of Education Workshop—October 20, 2009, 7:00 pm in the Mabel Merritt Building Fireplace Room. 
Discussion will focus on the K–12 Arts programs in the school and the proposed Booster Club.
UPDATE: draft agenda now available.

Special Education Plan for Haldane

Complete meeting packet and newly-adopted Special Education Plan now available.

October 6, 2009 Meeting—Special Presentations

Jennifer Wilson will make a presentation on the Special Education plan, and Susan Reid will present on the Health textbook.

Superintendent Mark Villanti will present results from a symposium, “Engaging the Public in the School Budget Development.”

See Agenda for complete list of meeting business.

Twice-Monthly Ads in PCNR

Look in this week’s PCN&R for the latest ad and highlights of the next BOE meeting.

PTA, HSF and Booster Club Appreciation Night

Haldane’s Board of Education will recognize the volunteer contributions of these groups at the 9/15/09 BOE Workshop immediately following Wayne Robinson’s Capital Project presentation. Draft agenda available at the school website.

Public Forum for Heating Study

9/15/09 Board of Education Workshop—Facilities Director Wayne Robinson will present Capital Project update at 7:00 pm in Mabel Merritt Building Fireplace Room. See his outline for an overview of the presentation.


3/11/09 UPDATE: Podcast is now available! 

Also visit the Haldane School website for AKF engineering presentation.

March 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Meet in Music Room.

AKF Engineers will present report on heating feasibility study.

Upcoming Events

Subscribe to the Haldane School event feed

The Board of Education holds scheduled meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. There are workshop meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. Special meetings are occasionally added. Visit the Haldane Central School District Calendar here.

Follow Board of Education News at Haldane’s website.

VOTE MAY 19! 2009–10 Budget Process

VOTE RESULTS 5/19/2009 posted 9:20 pm on Haldane School Website:
School Budget -- Passed 505 Yes 346 No
School Vehicles -- Passed 450 Yes 378 No

Joseph F. Curto Jr. and Evan Schwartz were elected as Trustees.

Thank you for voting!

4/28/09 BOE Workshop

See agenda. John D’Angelo will also present roofing project update.

4/14/09 Budget Adoption Meeting

Dr. Villanti gave an updated Budget Presentation. The Board adopted Proposition 1, a $20,688,727 spending plan for 2009–10. This is the budget you will vote on May 19th. 

Proposition 2 will pay for two new vans and a car and streamline the fleet.

4/7/09 Special Budget Workshop

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss budget priorities prior to the 4/14/09 budget adoption meeting. See the Dr. Villanti’s Budget Presentation, including proposed cuts, the

2008–09 and 2009–10 budget comparison, (updated 4/9/09) and the 2009–10 State Aid Projections. Check back regularly at the PTA BOE website for additional budget documentation.

3/17/09 pre-budget hearing at 7:00 pm in the Merritt building.

See agenda for the meeting at www.haldaneschool.org.
Draft of 2009–10 Budget available here. Podcast now available!

Complete BOE meeting packet, including draft budget at PTA BOE website. 

From 3/9/09 PTA meeting with Dr. Villanti

Budget Summary Proposal #1 and Proposed Budget Cuts

At the February 24, 2009 Board of Education meeting Superintendent Mark Villanti read a letter describing his thoughts about this unusually difficult budget process. The goal would appear to be to keep the budget increase below contingency levels. To achieve this, there will be spending cuts to programs, personnel, sports, field trips and many other areas.

This year, perhaps more than any other year, it is imperative for voters to understand the consequences of a contingency budget. A contingency budget occurs when voters fail to approve the budget as put forth by the Board of Education. A contingency budget is still a spending increase; however, with a contingency there are spending restrictions placed upon the school. With an approved budget, on the other hand, the school has more freedom to decide how funds are spent.

A contingency budget will still result in an increase, and if the Board crafts a budget with an increase below contingency levels there is the possibility that a failed budget will actually cost us more.

In the coming weeks please visit the Haldane School website for updates and budget news, and check the PTA BOE pages for news, agendas and notes of the Board meetings.