Its That Time Again - Consolidation Talks 2011

A new consolidation sub-committee has been formed. I am only aware of two members - Brianna Costello and David O'Halloran. This seems to be a BOE subcommittee which suggests that perhaps only BOE members will serve. It may or may not have public comment.

BUT PEOPLE SHOULD STILL ATTEND!!

Being there shows that we care and are watching.
If no public comment is possible, we can bring the comments to the full BOE

The FIRST meeting is coming up and is especially important to attend.

Meeting will be on opposite on the Tuesdays opposite BOE meetings. I forgot what time they said but one parent informed me that she understood it would be from 5:30-7:00. If this is different I will post ASAP. It is also planned for now at the District Office. I hope enough people come that they realize they need to move it to a bigger venue.

FIRST MEETING: Oct. 4
Tentative next meetings: 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 11/29

Do not worry about speaking. Being there shows you care. If they decide this in an empty room, they will assume we do not care.

Help Protect Next Years Budget Now

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders are preparing to pass the most devastating tax cap in the nation, one that would permanently harm schools, SUNY community colleges and public services in New York State. It would let a minority of voters — just one vote over 40 percent — reject school budgets in a breath-taking subversion of democracy.   The bill, A- 7916 Silver, would starve our schools and community colleges, cause massive program closures and layoffs, widen the achievement gap and deprive students of a sound basic education as required under our state constitution. If you thought budget cuts were bad, this bill would cause far more permanent devastation, without doing a thing to provide tax relief to those most in need.

The very future of public education is at stake. Please call the AFL-CIO hotline at 1-877-255-9417 to speak with your Senator, Assembly member and Governor Cuomo's office. Tell them we will hold all officeholders accountable should this measure become law.  For our statement on the tax cap bill:

http://www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/mediareleases_16629.htm

Budget Passed!

BUDGET PASSES

Yes Votes – 1425
No  Votes – 1058

James Ayers – 1286
Kent Anderson – 1290
Peri Rainbow – 828
James Blair – 1255
Pamela Longley - 1108

Please VOTE Yes Today

And vote for Ayers, Anderson & Rainbow

We are coming down to the line

Please, please, please, do anything you can to get informed and get others informed and ready to vote on May 17th at the district office (located behind the high school).


Last year 2753 people voted. There were 1246 "Yes" votes and 1507 "No" - NOT GOOD.

Rondout school district has over 2000 kids meaning 2000-4000 potential parents, guardians, grandparents, babysitters. In other words we should have no problem passing this budget if people come out and vote.

Please call your friends and tell them to vote YES to the budget and to NOT vote for Blair. Do it today, tomorrow, Monday & Tuesday.

If you have ANY questions about any of this PLEASE email me at walterme@newpaltz.edu and I will do my best to answer as soon as possible.

Notice there are practically no "VOTE NO" signs?

Rather than posting VOTE NO those who feel like our schools should be operated like a low cost factory rather than sound, potentially innovative educational environment have been posting VOTE BLAIR as the factory, bottom line will be his approach if he gets in.

DO NOT VOTE BLAIR - Please spread the word and vote so that the good guys can get in.

Who to Vote for? BOE Candidates

Many people are asking me who I plan to vote for for the Board of Education. I have thought long and hard about this since I was not sure at first. Now I am and I will do my best to explain. I figured I would provide my answer here.

Also know that there are three slots and five people so clearly I am not voting for two candidates. This is not because I have an issue with them personally but rather I am looking for who will be best for our district going forward.

There are two new people running, Peri Rainbow and Jim Blair. I plan to vote for RAINBOW because she is intelligent, invested in the district and has ideas for innovation. I think she is strong enough to voice these opinions at board meetings even if others disagree.

I feel that Blair is harmful to our district. He is not vested in the school district success is is just a dollar minded candidate. He actually came to a number of budget meetings but he never became engaged. He did not ask the Board questions, he did not make suggestions like the rest of us. Privately, he has said that classes of 30 kids was fine when he was younger so they are fine now. He has good ideas about property tax reform. That said , if he gets in he will not be an advocate for our children, for strengthening our community. He is bad news as a BOE member.

I get two more votes but there are three incumbents to choose for. All three are good and I would be fine seeing them all reelected. However, I feel even better about RAINBOW so I need to select only two. I select ANDERSON and AYERS. This is not to say Longley is not good. However, from spending hours watching the BOE operate, I feel the other members do not respect her making her ideas often unheard. I believe ANDERSON and AYERS will be more successful at doing the right thing.

In Summary:
I will VOTE: RAINBOW, ANDERSON & AYERS
and I will VOTE YES.