When we defeated the $66.5 million AECSD budget, we weren't “confused” about the numbers, the turf or anything else.
The only people that are confused are Superintendent J.D. Pabis and a majority of his board who now have the brass tacks to come back with the same budget numbers.
The denial by this superintendent and board of the people#'s plight of not being able to afford these school districts#, ever increasing property taxes #- coupled with Cayuga County#'s yearly increases #- is beyond comprehension.
This school district is out of sync in its tax levies; overall cost controls, students passing standardized tests and graduation rates, teacher and administration accountability, etc.
Some points to ponder:
• Our tax levy will be up by $9.7 million (+60 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• Our budget will be up by $19.3 million (+41 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• And we#'ll have 491 fewer students (-10 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• And the number of teachers in 2000-01 was 384; in 2006-07 there were 380 (-1 percent)
• And the number of administrators in 2000-01 was 48; in 2006-07 there were 58 (+21 percent). (Latest data available from NYSED for 2006-07.)
And the cost per student in 2000-01 was $9,375; next year the cost per student will be $14,620 or +56 percent more per student.
Ergo: Student population is dropping dramatically, but the teachers are not and administrators are increasing unrealistically but without improvement in the student graduation rates or their basic skills.
Yet, our budget, cost per student and taxes keep going up every year.
District out of control? Bingo!
And lest we forget, the board gave Mr. Pabis a 7 percent increase, which brings his salary up to $161,200. Unbelievable!
But do vote yes on the budget, because it#'s #for the children.# Right!
The ATA and administrators will be out in mega force to get all their members, retirees, relatives and friends to stuff the ballot boxes with their yes votes.
The only way this budget will be defeated again is if every voter gets out and votes No on Tuesday, June 17.
It#'s your money.
Bill Balyszak
Auburn
The denial by this superintendent and board of the people#'s plight of not being able to afford these school districts#, ever increasing property taxes #- coupled with Cayuga County#'s yearly increases #- is beyond comprehension.
This school district is out of sync in its tax levies; overall cost controls, students passing standardized tests and graduation rates, teacher and administration accountability, etc.
Some points to ponder:
• Our tax levy will be up by $9.7 million (+60 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• Our budget will be up by $19.3 million (+41 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• And we#'ll have 491 fewer students (-10 percent) next year vs. 2000-01.
• And the number of teachers in 2000-01 was 384; in 2006-07 there were 380 (-1 percent)
• And the number of administrators in 2000-01 was 48; in 2006-07 there were 58 (+21 percent). (Latest data available from NYSED for 2006-07.)
And the cost per student in 2000-01 was $9,375; next year the cost per student will be $14,620 or +56 percent more per student.
Ergo: Student population is dropping dramatically, but the teachers are not and administrators are increasing unrealistically but without improvement in the student graduation rates or their basic skills.
Yet, our budget, cost per student and taxes keep going up every year.
District out of control? Bingo!
And lest we forget, the board gave Mr. Pabis a 7 percent increase, which brings his salary up to $161,200. Unbelievable!
But do vote yes on the budget, because it#'s #for the children.# Right!
The ATA and administrators will be out in mega force to get all their members, retirees, relatives and friends to stuff the ballot boxes with their yes votes.
The only way this budget will be defeated again is if every voter gets out and votes No on Tuesday, June 17.
It#'s your money.
Bill Balyszak
Auburn
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 10 comment(s)
brew1234 wrote on Jun 12, 2008 1:16 AM:
tlb4 wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:28 PM:
For all you no voters who really think there was no confusion at the last vote, how about the fact that 10% (270) of the people in the voting booths never cast ANY vote for the budget. Are you trying to say that 10% of the voters stepped into the booths and did not cast a vote for the budget on purpose? That can't be true. There was definite confusion and lack of voting because of it. "
tlb4 wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:18 PM:
Unknown... wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:53 PM:
Unknown... wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:50 PM:
movedsouth wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:22 PM:
dd wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:07 PM:
Ddg610 wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:00 PM:
That should reduce the tax levy by 1.5 - 2 percent . "
tlb4 wrote on Jun 11, 2008 2:03 PM:
This budget represents a 3.3% increase with only about 52% state aid. This budget for by far the largest school district in the county, represents the second SMALLEST tax levy increase. Have your health insurance premiums increased? Have your utility bills increased? Has the cost of fuel you use for your vehicle increased? Of course it has, and so has all those costs for the school district. This is a maintenance budget. Instead of listing your meaningless stats that are only partially accurate, why not attend a forum and learn the facts and verbally voice your concerns. "
jlmorgansr wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:58 PM:
Compound that with the efforts of the teachers union to block Gov patterson's proposal to cap property taxes, and we will have a total collapse of New York States economy. It's a shame that the school boards refuse to see the whole picture. "