Why is it necessary for the Schenectady school board to run an independent investigation simultaneously with the district attorney’s on the Raucci case? Taxpayers will pay twice for the same initial investigation, once through the DA’s office and now again through the school district. Taxpayers will foot the bill for hours of work at $100 per hour to uncover the same information and evidence that the DA’s office already has. We should wait until the DA is finished with his investigation, and then, if still more information is needed by the school district, we can proceed at that point. Clearly there may be personnel issues to address that the DA’s offi ce would not. However, we can save a lot of money by waiting for the DA to finish, and then proceed. Considering the Gazette’s April 5 editorial [“Raucci probe inherently flawed”], it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to stop this independent investigation now. If the school board wants the public to trust them (and vote for them), they should set up an independent committee to determine when, who and how an independent investigation should happen. For years the district has had a strategic planning committee that includes a balance of stakeholders in the community. Now is a good time to consider that committee. Between the school district and the police department, it’s a horrible time to be a taxpayer in Schenectady. And to think my assessment just went up 91 percent!
No one has been fired. No one resigns in complete disgrace. What did you know and when did you know it?
And it gets worse, BT was right-they are running for re-election! The same idiots that let him run their campaigns, refused to fire him even when he was in jail, and raised taxes to the highest in the Nation.
But they are "caring"-they are "committed". (Actual BS from the sign) Throw them all out and vote NO! on your school budget on May 19th. Show up and vote and bring your neighbors-let's see a NO! vote in every school district in this tax happy County.
leave these people alone who work in the schools this is a direct attack on the kids to go after them in this way when they have the kids best care at their hearts WAKE UP
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
8 Another shoe is about to drop the political connection with the worst school district in the State. All the chickens are coming home to roost. Bring in the FBI. Then let the State Education Department run it.
Re-elect Linda Bellick AGAIN? C'mon stuna's ONE MORE TERM! She is "caring"-not about the taxpayers. She is "committed"? To what?
BT was right-they refuse to resign in disgrace AND SEEK RE-ELECTION! You can't make this up. Shut up and re-elect morons that failed to protect either the kids or the taxpayers.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Where is the DA's investigation that was promised 2 weeks ago? On State Street sheeple expect more nothing with everyone covering their tails. Still looking the other way, investigations with blinders on as the Gazette cartoon stated.
Meanwhile, the pathetic City School Bored incumbents have decided not to resign in disgrace but run for another term! As predicted by BT, they have to be chased out of office. You can't make this stuff up.
Raucci probe a waste of taxpayer money and futile cover-up attempt
Judging by its proposed budget and resulting tax increase, the Schenectady City School District is in dire financial straits. So now the school board is paying $100 per hour for an independent investigator from BOCES to determine who in the district had knowledge of the intimidation tactics employed by Steve Raucci; tactics which ultimately led to his arrests. The board’s investigation, while costly to taxpayers, will shed little light on the truth. People who were directly involved and bear some degree of responsibility will certainly not admit it. District employees who may have relevant information cannot be candid with the investigator if they fear retribution from “higher ups” being investigated. If the school board’s investigation reveals nothing at all, the community will consider it another waste of taxpayer dollars at a time when every dollar counts. My best guess is that one hapless administrator will be thrown under the bus to take the rap for a larger guilty group. They then hope to pat themselves on the back for an investigation well done and go on their merry way. Not so fast! There’s just one catch: Steve Raucci’s alleged actions are not a simple “personnel matter,” but criminal acts so serious he is being held without bail. Since crimes of this magnitude require intensive investigation by law enforcement officials, the school board’s own investigation will not provide cover for those who were involved in the Steve Raucci affair. As for the $100 per hour, buy classroom supplies.
PAULA SKALWOLD Schenectady The writer is a former city school board member.
The Steve Raucci I have known since childhood is honest, hard-working, loyal and a straightforward man. Mr. Raucci served his country in Vietnam in the middle of the worst fighting, was decorated and honorably discharged. Does anybody find it curious that this man, who is being made out to be some psycho monster, has never had a disciplinary [action] in 34 years of service to the city school district, and nothing more than a seat belt violation as his only run-in with police in his life? To top it off, in reality these alleged crimes were all perpetrated with nothing more than common Fourth of July fireworks, without any personal injuries. I understand that someone committed a crime here, and whoever committed it was wrong. But let’s try this case in court, and not the media. He is certainly entitled to the presumption of innocence from us all.
Maybe he is who Janet Napolitano was thinking of when she said returning war vets were a "terrorist threat."
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Logged
No one has been fired. No one resigns in complete disgrace. What did you know and when did you know it?
