SCHENECTADY Few attend hearing on budget BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Three speakers came to Wednesday’s school budget hearing, and only one criticized the school board over its spending plan. The proposed $161 million budget raises taxes by $6 a month for the average homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000, a change from last year when a large tax hike angered voters. The board also avoided some controversy this year by keeping every foreign language that is currently being taught, and continuing elementary music classes. Both were once at the top of the board’s list of cuts, but were restored after public complaints during budget work sessions. The board kept the tax increase low this year by pouring almost all of the district’s savings into the budget. The plan is to spend $7.9 million of savings to balance the budget without higher taxes. ..................>>>>............>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01103&AppName=1
THREE speakers????? That's all? Where were the pitchforks? Are we to believe that most of the city folks are illiterate and don't know how to read the newspaper reports of the last year? They apparently are also blind and deaf since they obviously didn't see or hear any news reports on TV either. Or perhaps they were tired from spending the day at the dss building.
Well that's the way the libs like 'em......dumb and dumber and TOTALLY uneducated, incompetent and dependent on government! Pathetic! It's like they say....'the government is just a reflection of it's culture'! A culture 'they' created!
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
Sch’dy residents have no reason to fear SCOPE group
I was deeply disappointed by your misleading article of May 2 [“Some wary of citizen group SCOPE”] which implied that three groups — Citizens Convention for the Schenectady School Board, New Citizens Convention (Mr. [former President Jeff] Janiszewski’s shell), [and] Schenectady Citizens for Openness in Public Education — use the same methods. Founded in 1961, The Citizens Convention, through its open process of selection and endorsement of board candidates, was responsible for an unparalleled record of academic excellence in Schenectady schools. One does not need to be particularly observant to recognize that with a current graduation rate of 53 percent and numerous scandals, Janisewski’s New Citizens Convention failed miserably, largely because this group lacked the openness and honesty of its predecessor and was marked by secrecy and control. As the name implies, Schenectady Citizens for Openness in Public Education has gone to great lengths to restore the trust of the community by making our process an open and inclusive one. On Sept. 22, 2009, through a letter to the editor to the Gazette, I extended an invitation to everyone interested in forming a citizens coalition to improve our schools. All except one who answered the call were strangers to me. No secret meetings were held, no special briefi ngs were given. Again in December 2009 your front page article, titled “New Group wants school board change,” stated that all people interested in joining the group or running for the board should contact us. We attended neighborhood association meetings, created an e-mail address, made calls to many people searching out candidates. We tried all possible ways to seek out candidates. It is very discouraging to read an article that in any way compares SCOPE to Janiszewski’s group, which was shrouded in secrecy from the beginning. Those involved in SCOPE were ordinary citizens with nothing to gain and a deep desire to see desperately needed change for Schenectady schools. They volunteered countless hours to this task. The 11 people who answered SCOPE’s call were asked identical questions, and allowed as much time as they wanted. The four who were chosen — Ann Reilly, Ron Lindsay, Cathy Lewis and Andy Chestnut — did not come to us as a team. They came as individuals, each with their own talents and interests, and each with a fi ercely independent spirit. SCOPE has done its job of bringing independent-minded individuals to this contest. If elected, they will make good, sound decisions for our schools without being directed or infl uenced by anybody. It is up to you, Schenectady. Come to the meeting tonight, May 11, at Schenectady High School. Make up your own minds about whom to vote for on May 18. Get involved — the success of our schools and our city depend on it.
People are starting to ask what this group stands for. A long cry for help that completely ignores crushing taxes and incompetent school administrators. Schenectady can't afford a $161 Million school budget. A group of social workers, without any answers to the financial crisis, are running as a bloc? Only in Schenectady.
It's every man for themselves and everyone is running away from Mr Lindsay who closed Mt Pleasant High School. Vote NO! on huge school tax increase, force them to cut administrators and look for independent business people to fill the 4 open seats.
As the name implies, Schenectady Citizens for Openness in Public Education has gone to great lengths to restore the trust of the community by making our process an open and inclusive one.
There is already a committee in place for this. It is called THE COMMITTEE FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT.......use it!
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
Another joke. The Plante Pro-Tax Party couldn't find any candidates. They wanted people to announce months before the election. Their bubble has burst. Who were the 11 candidates?-lol-
The problem is not openness. Everyone knows we are spending too much, taxing too much and getting horrible educational results. They refuse to fire any administrators. They refuse to budget. Cut from the top-not teachers and paras.
Bottom line benny is that there is hardly anyone left in the city, intelligent enough to know or care about what the hell is going on. They are all at the dss building, buying hot dogs with their food stamps while they're bragging on their cell phones to their friends and families downstate on how great schenectady handouts are, and admiring each others gold jewelry! REALLY!
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
Hot topics under wraps at meeting Schenectady school board candidates forum shows little sign of public's anger
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published in print: Wednesday, May 12, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- If Tuesday's meet the school board candidates night was judged on submitted questions alone, one would have no idea the controversies that brought the nine candidates into a race for four seats.
But once each candidate was allotted two minutes for a closing statement, the true tenor of the election shone through. "I will not withdraw," said current school board President Maxine Brisport, about criticism she's been subjected to concerning the district's handling of the case involving Steven Raucci, the former facilities supervisor now convicted of first-degree arson and weapons possession. "I'm here for the students."
Next Tuesday's election has drawn interest in bringing new blood to the Board of Education as the city schools have struggled with one blemish after another: from questions about how much administrators knew about Raucci's intimidation and harassment in the workplace, to the high school's low graduation rate and spot on a state list of persistently dangerous schools.
Many questions posed by the Schenectady County League of Women Voters, which the league said were queries posed by audience members, were of the standard school election variety, such as "how do you get parents more involved?," and "describe how you volunteer in the schools?" But it was moments like the candidate's own statements that brought out the passion, and sometimes rancor, that color the upcoming election............>>>>..........>>>>.............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspS.....2/2010#ixzz0niCYwWzr
The questions were whitewashed by the cheerleaders running this "debate". Property owners are furious about the unchecked spending at this District. While Albany lays off 100 and freezes administration pay-Schenectady continues to fiddle with 3 layoffs while blaming the State for their fiscal incompetence.
BT is correct that the vast majority are disgusted, disinterested and uninvolved. Fiscal CONS must show up next Tuesday at noon to vote NO! on this outrageous budget and YES! to independent business people for the bored.
A gray cloud has hung over the Schenectady City School District for some time. We have an administrative system that has left residents, parents, staff and students feeling betrayed and deceived. On May 18 all registered voters will have an opportunity to vote for four new school board members. This election could shift the majority to a new element of leadership. It is imperative that all residents who are eligible to vote have a voice. According to the district’s clerk’s offi ce, 2,295 residents voted in last year’s election. There are approximately 30,000 registered voters in Schenectady. There has been no shortage of public outrage regarding the district’s current state of affairs, yet less than 7 percent of us invested in the electoral process. Why so few? “My single vote doesn’t count;” “I forgot;” “It was raining;” “I’m too busy;” “Nothing will change.” We signifi - cantly limited the opportunity for change by not exercising a right that we claim to deeply value. I applaud all of the candidates who are willing to dedicate their time and energy to facilitate such change! As a city resident and parent of two Schenectady public school students, I can’t afford not to be optimistic for a restructured system that will put the focus back on the needs of our students. I encourage residents to take some time to familiarize themselves with the 10 candidates and prioritize a commitment to vote.
Maybe Kim needs to familiarize herself with the process? There are only 9 candidates running. Anyone who is optimistic hasn't been paying attention.
Another attempt to gin up turnout. Very few candidates acknowledge a problem let alone provide any solutions. More "vote for me cause I care about the kids" nonsense. The most important vote is NO! on the budget.
I agree with you benny! Where is the plan? Where are the cuts in spending? Will there be layoffs? 'All about the kids'....my a$$!
What precautions will be taken to prevent a principle at a school that housed a 'terrorists', from allowing this to happen again? This principle knew nothing?????? How can that be? I thought it was 'all about the kids'. What about 'the kid's' safety.
These issues as well as spending need to be addressed first!
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
The questions were whitewashed?by the cheerleaders running this "debate". BT is correct that the vast majority are disgusted, disinterested and uninvolved.YES! to independent business people for the bored.
Here you go again, Benny, with your false description of the LWV Meet the Candidates' evening. How would you handle questions from those of the 150 people who submitted them? The normal way would be to group those that were similar. Too bad you have such a negative opinion of what was a welcome event to the other people who attended. The chance to hear the opinions of all nine candidates, given equal time to express themselves, was the first we've had in many, many years. May there be more of them in the future. You and BT will be surprised to find out that the disgusted (your word) citizens of Schenectady are NOT uninvolved and disinterested. They will vote in record numbers on Tuesday, May 18. And who knows if the "business" people you claim are independent, are any more independent than you claim other candidates are?
CAPITAL REGION Voter turnout for district elections is traditionally poor BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
There is an election on Tuesday that will decide how millions of dollars is spent. But few people will turn out, if past experience is repeated. .........>>>>...........>>>>..........
Other districts are trying to increase voter awareness. Schenectady Board of Education President Maxine Brisport asked that this year information on all the candidates to be put on the school’s website and in the newsletter. Despite all the publicity last year following the arrest of former facilities director Steven Raucci on arson and vandalism charges, not many more voters showed up at the polls a year ago. Only 1,900 people voted out of 29,000 registered voters in Schenectady. Brisport attributed the lack of participation to the fact that the election is in May, instead of during the general election in November. Senior citizens are a dedicated voting block but they may be less inclined to vote because they don’t have children in the schools, according to Brisport. “A lot of our senior citizens and empty-nesters feel somewhat detached from the process; they’re not keeping up with the day-to-day activities at the school,” she said. “I don’t think they realize it’s important for them to get out and vote.” ...............>>>>...........>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01902&AppName=1
The questions were whitewashed?by the cheerleaders running this "debate". BT is correct that the vast majority are disgusted, disinterested and uninvolved.YES! to independent business people for the bored.
Here you go again, Benny, with your false description of the LWV Meet the Candidates' evening. How would you handle questions from those of the 150 people who submitted them? The normal way would be to group those that were similar. Too bad you have such a negative opinion of what was a welcome event to the other people who attended. The chance to hear the opinions of all nine candidates, given equal time to express themselves, was the first we've had in many, many years. May there be more of them in the future. You and BT will be surprised to find out that the disgusted (your word) citizens of Schenectady are NOT uninvolved and disinterested. They will vote in record numbers on Tuesday, May 18. And who knows if the "business" people you claim are independent, are any more independent than you claim other candidates are?
First......yes, I'm sure there are some involved and interested residents in the city who truly do care about their school system. However, there are the seniors, the empty nesters and the folks who never had children that are very detached from school issues. And there is a huge population of city dwellers that are either high on crack, can't speak english or they themselves never made it through high school.....basically just don't give a sh!t!
Second.....I do not give the LWV any credibility! After their fiasco in rotterdam, it was quite evident that they are nothing more than a group of liberal women attempting to control the outcome of their 'gatherings'. They actually stopped someone from filming one of their OPEN PUBLIC meetings....which by the way is against the 'Committee For Open Government'. I would never again attend a LWV meeting. They have no credibility and obviously try to sway the outcome!
And yes they do filter questions!
It is refreshing to know that there are still some that take their school system seriously and are involved. But again...sorry to say....there just aren't enough of them. IMHO
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
Logged
People are starting to ask what this group stands for. A long cry for help that completely ignores crushing taxes and incompetent school administrators. Schenectady can't afford a $161 Million school budget. A group of social workers, without any answers to the financial crisis, are running as a bloc? Only in Schenectady.
REALLY!
