Absolutely you are so right! This is like a shell game. Who's in, who's out this is ridiculous. No one has a clue what is going on or the notes aren't clear. As a taxpayer I cannot follow what the board is voting on, why they are voting on it, where the money is coming from. People are being cut added cut added moved nothing is clear nothing makes any sense. Line items are blurry-smoke and mirrors
This looks more like rotten politics by poorly informed, no clue, what's gioing on board members. It is just ridiculous and makes it less likely I could vote for any budget these clowns present. Did read the other post about hiring more teachers while the student numbers have gone down. Just why do we need more staff with less students? Who is running this place? And why are they hiring unqualified teachers? It does look like this school is giving jobs away to freinds and family and taking us taxpayers for a ride. No wonder they never want to broadcast their meetings, It would be embarrassing and taxpayers would catch on. One more thing why aren't the Sentinel and Mid Hudson Times reporting these meetings?
But I am concerned about the functionality of the BOE-
The BOE members seem at a lost as to what direction they are taking with this budget. There appears to be confusion as to why they are voting on this or that. Something is in then its out then someone wants it in again because there is some money available from a fund balance or because a bunch of people show up and object to a cut. There appears to be no clear guidelines, direction and rationale for what is going on.
It appears the goal is to present a budget that does not increase the taxes. That is appreciative, but what are the guidelines and the priorities of what stays and what goes? No one seems to have come prepared to make the tough decisions.
And more thing - so much seems to be put in without much accountability as to what its real value or benefit is to the students.
Along with those property tax rebates these gimmicks have not reduced school property taxes. They just gave school boards more reasons to raise taxes and collect these extra funds. This appears to be the same for the utility tax. There has been little mention of it and it woulk not be surprising that it gets absorbed into more hires and more spending. If the board had any backbone it would clearly show how it would reduce taxes as compared to last year when there was no utility tax.
Last year didn't school taxes remain at the same level? That's what I thought at least. The utility tax was added to make things more fair for those who pay property tax, as it collects more money from renters. As far as the lotto, that's probably just being mismanaged by the state, because with the way I see people blowing $15, or even $50, every time I go to the gas station, that alone should be almost enough to cover the school budget.
Your arguement is "The utility tax was added to make things more fair for those who pay property tax, as it collects more money from renters."
You are wrong -
The tax levy may have stayed the same (thank you), but the property tax bills for most property bills increased.
Renters pay property taxes via the rent they pay. Apartments are not excempt from property taxes.
Homeowners and business owners already pay mucho property taxes and are now paying utility taxes on top of that.
As for your lottery ideas-
How is it that "people blowing $15 or even $50" is " almost enough to cover the school budget"
In 2008-2009 NECSD received $17,476,116.82 toward a budget of close to $175,000,000. Check it out at http://www.nylottery.org/ny/nyStore/cgi-bin/ccdist/allocation.php
The people spending that much money is the exception. Most people play for a buck or two or not at all since the odds are ridulously high to win anything at all.
Assemblywoman Calhoun - "Responding to numerous inquiries asking, “Where do lottery proceeds go?” Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (R,C – Blooming Grove) wanted all to know that these funds are being used solely for their intended purpose of underwriting a portion of the cost of educating New York’s children. These funds, which totaled $2.54 billion statewide in 2009, contribute millions of dollars to the budgets of local school districts in direct proportion to their state aid, and are monies which are especially important during the present economic recession." http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=096&sh=story&story=36767
truth
Absolutely you are so right! This is like a shell game. Who's in, who's out this is ridiculous. No one has a clue what is going on or the notes aren't clear. As a taxpayer I cannot follow what the board is voting on, why they are voting on it, where the money is coming from. People are being cut added cut added moved nothing is clear nothing makes any sense. Line items are blurry-smoke and mirrors
A dysfunctional school district
This looks more like rotten politics by poorly informed, no clue, what's gioing on board members. It is just ridiculous and makes it less likely I could vote for any budget these clowns present. Did read the other post about hiring more teachers while the student numbers have gone down. Just why do we need more staff with less students? Who is running this place? And why are they hiring unqualified teachers? It does look like this school is giving jobs away to freinds and family and taking us taxpayers for a ride. No wonder they never want to broadcast their meetings, It would be embarrassing and taxpayers would catch on. One more thing why aren't the Sentinel and Mid Hudson Times reporting these meetings?
Once again, Thank You
But I am concerned about the functionality of the BOE-
The BOE members seem at a lost as to what direction they are taking with this budget. There appears to be confusion as to why they are voting on this or that. Something is in then its out then someone wants it in again because there is some money available from a fund balance or because a bunch of people show up and object to a cut. There appears to be no clear guidelines, direction and rationale for what is going on.
It appears the goal is to present a budget that does not increase the taxes. That is appreciative, but what are the guidelines and the priorities of what stays and what goes? No one seems to have come prepared to make the tough decisions.
And more thing - so much seems to be put in without much accountability as to what its real value or benefit is to the students.
Once Again
BINGO!!! You hit the nail on the head...and let's not forget that 3% utility bill tax from last year..how much $$ is that bringing in?
Remember the Lottery Money was to reduce taxes
Along with those property tax rebates these gimmicks have not reduced school property taxes. They just gave school boards more reasons to raise taxes and collect these extra funds. This appears to be the same for the utility tax. There has been little mention of it and it woulk not be surprising that it gets absorbed into more hires and more spending. If the board had any backbone it would clearly show how it would reduce taxes as compared to last year when there was no utility tax.
?
Last year didn't school taxes remain at the same level? That's what I thought at least. The utility tax was added to make things more fair for those who pay property tax, as it collects more money from renters. As far as the lotto, that's probably just being mismanaged by the state, because with the way I see people blowing $15, or even $50, every time I go to the gas station, that alone should be almost enough to cover the school budget.
What?
Your arguement is "The utility tax was added to make things more fair for those who pay property tax, as it collects more money from renters."
You are wrong -
The tax levy may have stayed the same (thank you), but the property tax bills for most property bills increased.
Renters pay property taxes via the rent they pay. Apartments are not excempt from property taxes.
Homeowners and business owners already pay mucho property taxes and are now paying utility taxes on top of that.
As for your lottery ideas-
How is it that "people blowing $15 or even $50" is " almost enough to cover the school budget"
In 2008-2009 NECSD received $17,476,116.82 toward a budget of close to $175,000,000. Check it out at http://www.nylottery.org/ny/nyStore/cgi-bin/ccdist/allocation.php
As for all that money people spend on the lottery
31% goes to education
59% goes to winners
10% goes to operating costs
http://www.nylottery.org/storelayoutimages/pieChart209.pdf
The people spending that much money is the exception. Most people play for a buck or two or not at all since the odds are ridulously high to win anything at all.
Lottery
That lottery money goes into the general fund and not toward education.
You are mistaken -
Assemblywoman Calhoun - "Responding to numerous inquiries asking, “Where do lottery proceeds go?” Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (R,C – Blooming Grove) wanted all to know that these funds are being used solely for their intended purpose of underwriting a portion of the cost of educating New York’s children. These funds, which totaled $2.54 billion statewide in 2009, contribute millions of dollars to the budgets of local school districts in direct proportion to their state aid, and are monies which are especially important during the present economic recession."
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=096&sh=story&story=36767
Senator Larkin - http://www.nysenate.gov/files/pdfs/Lottery_Education_Informational_Sheet...
NY Lottery Chart - where does the money go - http://www.nylottery.org/storelayoutimages/pieChart209.pdf