Posted by: Noël Jones
What the heck is going on? Just last week (see previous post), the Easton Area School Board's Business Manager, Marie Guidry, projected a 5.8% property tax decrease for Easton residents, due to some strange assessment whereby we are combined with part of Bucks County (Riegelsville), and the combination of our tax hikes could not exceed the state cap of 1.7% this year. Now Scott Kraus of The Morning Call reports that Guidry has said she did the math wrong and has issued a press release saying that Easton residents will now have a 1.6% tax hike after all.
Aside from the sheer incompetence of all this, when is the district going to get it through their heads that the taxpayers are not some infinite well of revenue to be drawn on each year when they create their budgets? In case anyone hasn't noticed, this economic downturn has yet to turn up. We have no more ability to cover more spending than we did last year. We still have a tremendous amount of people out of work or taking pay cuts, and we still have seniors on fixed incomes struggling to cut their medicine dosages in half and foregoing medicine for food. The situation has not changed significantly, and yet the
district keeps saying each year give us a little bit more...and a little bit more...
As many residents have said over and over again at these meetings, WE NEED LINE BY LINE CUTS TO THE BUDGET. We also need to stop giving raises to teachers and administrators until the economy recovers so as to save teaching jobs and relieve the burden on taxpayers. The administrators and teachers union must come to the table and start negotiating to give up their raises soon, or they will just prove themselves intent on taxpayers and new teachers again for their own gain in the middle of a depressed economy. We also need an audit of the budget, and we need to urge the state to investigate Sodexo for potential fraud, as NY has done (to the tune of a $20 million settlement) and NJ is currently doing.
Please make it a priority to attend the next meeting to speak up (or just to observe and be counted)! According to Kraus's article, the next board meeting where this will be discussed and decided upon will be Wednesday, Feb. 15th, 6:30 p.m. at the East Area Education Center at 1801 Bushkill Drive.
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25 comments:
I'd love to say I'm shocked, but I'm soooo not.
Some areas have shut schools down for a short time and completely restaffed. This may not be the worst idea for Easton. It's not fair to the good teachers, but so far nothing about this has been fair to anyone.
In the end I think the question is being able to give a valid cost effective education to the students of the Easton area and this is something that our school system can not do.
That being undeniable, it may be time for more drastic thinking. If at the close of this school year, we simply gut the system that gives us time to build it back up and staff with all new people who have reason to know that the citizens of Easton have had enough , it will also give us a school system without any of the bad habits, etc... of the old one.
I'm prepared to argue for points in the middle, but no one has put anything even remotely viable of the table.
Peace,
David
and yes if our teachers, admin and board are so inane that they come with a tax cut one week and a raise the next, it is clear that they have nothing to teach to anyone and are either unwilling or unable to learn from areas that have solved these issues.
What's with the reference and stereotyping of Italians. When is this country going to get rid of this type of thinking and ethnic slurs. Our diversity is our biggest strength.
Now for EASD which I thought was what this was about. The EASD central administration and Board totally lack any leadership. There is not one leader in the whole bunch. The taxpayers are paying dearly for this vacuum.
How can a finance director be so far off within the same week????? This is incompetence to the highest degree. The whole situation is a mess because there is no leadership.
Worse news for us in the WW. I hear that the sex discriminating Board President who thinks cheerleaders should just "stayon the sidelines and cheer for the boys" isn't running for EASB. BUT HE IS RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL!!!! Please please please, this cannot be true. Has anyone else heard this?
Wow, and I thought I had a gift for going off subject?
Anywho, any one want to through out a name for our sex discriminating School guy, I really don't care for the practice and would like to know who not to vote for.
Thanks,
David
And just a side note here, I happen to love Italian cooking,their folk magic "Stregha" (I can't spell the whole word) and well, their shoes and suits, and I'd kill to get the recipe for the sausage sandwiches they make at St Anthony's festival.
Blessings,
David
I have deleted Anon 3:38's comment as it not only full of ethnic slurs but completely off-topic. S/he was apparently smoking the best that Easton has to offer.
Aw, I'm sorry I missed it. I was off enjoying myself; I always enjoy a senseless lunatic rant.
I think it was here that I first heard the term- blogger-baiting.
Perhaps a bit off topic, but I read where the Jersey City Police Union and the City Leaders came to an interesting compromise Mo avoid layoffs.
The Union agreed to forgo one weeks pay per officer per year, which will be paid back at the police officers retirement without interest.
According to the report, this agreement frees up enough funds to allow the city to avoid layoffs in the Police Department.
Why couldn't that idea be used in the EASD to avoid layoffs and tax increases?
I think mostly because the schools system has chosen to through us some platitudes and move on.
Someone or several someeones there simply don't want to do the work and they seem to feel that we can't do much about it. Sadly, they may even be right as the school system for the time being seems a power unto itself.
The teacher's union clearly just wants to get paid, admin as well and the EASD itself has it's own issues. The question is what if anything can we do to take the power of self determination from these people and the way or laws work, there isn't much in the short term. An effective approach will probably have to come trough a home rule change to local laws which could take years, or an massive citizen request for the state or federal govt to act on our behalf which could A) simply be ignored, or B) also take years.
It seems sadly to me that this aspect of our city govt has moved past the tipping point. IT also seems clear that no one in the school system really gives much of a damn what we think .
That being said I think we need to find the means to gut and rebuild.
Is it fair?
No,
But until something of value comes from the School system (and how can we trust them if it does?)
We need to start moving against them or we'll just be back here when the next budget comes up.
Peace,
David
BullVon--thanks for that info. Any chance you could make it to the meeting on the 15th and speak up to suggest it? Aside from being heard by the board, administrators and residents in attendance, resident suggestions are often quoted in the papers which takes the idea out to the broader public...
David, you bring up a good point--something I would like to know about more specifically--what precisely are the powers that the elected school board technically has over administrators? I believe they have the ability to fire--via a lengthy process--but they did seem to have that power when I read the superintendent's contract. Of course, the McGinley's contract is so cushy that even if she manages to get fired, she has to be given another high position within the district. Go figure. At least she wouldn't be calling the shots any more.
Of course, to actually fire the superintendent or anyone else, it would require a strong majority on the board to agree, and that's what's missing now, therefore the public's power to fire is missing.
So it seems to me that the fastest way for the public to increase their power is to help find strong candidates to get elected to add to the couple of hard workers that are already there, working on behalf of the tax payers and kids instead of politicking with the old croney network. There are a total of 9 board members and only 5 are up for re-election this year.
Last year, readers of this and other online publications were in a rage over Pat Vulcano's behavior and his daughter's law suit against the district and everyone swore he was going down. Problem is, when everybody sits back pointing fingers and making snarky cynical comments instead of finding candidates and helping them get elected, guys like Vulcano who have been on the board forever waltz to re-election because they run unopposed like he did.
I have heard of three new candidates now--2 in Palmer and on on the South Side--we need a full field--please urge anyone you think would be a good school board member to consider running! The filing window for the getting signatures is this month...
I'm in no position to do so at the moment, but when does This Vulcanno fella come up for re-election again?
Assuming he runs unopposed and we are still in Easton, I may consider running against him. Just to get the seat filled.
I don't much care for leaving this upto our elected board members as clearly they are at least part of the problem, but it may be the most efficient means time wise.
We'll have to see. But you are right someone needs to be on the ballot next time, anyone.
Just my two cents,
David
Billboards along 22 and elsewhere say that 30% of students aren't graduating. One wonders what %age of those who do graduate are functionally illiterate. I do not know the %age in the EASD, but it ought to be clear that gov't schools have problems far more fundamental than the huge amounts they're taking every year for badly substandard performance. How long, do you suppose, do you suppose any private company which pass off a defective 30% of its products as excellent would manage to stay in business? It's far worse than the fact that gov't schools are ripping off property, every year they continue to cheat thousands upon thousands of young people out of the skills needed to function as thinking, independent individuals.
Ken, in this we agree entirely, we are with our current system embracing and continuing a culture of failure. And that is and has to be utterly unacceptable. We are stealing these children's futures and as such the futures of American generations to come. We live in an increasingly competitive world and kids from our school system are not being given the means to know the rules, much less play the game, this is an outrage and what is worse is that we pay for it.
Thanks,
David
I dont know too much about what the board does....but I will pay an increase if they agree to stop giving diplomas to kids that have trouble READING...if they promise to teach our kids well....I will pay......tunsie
If they taught out kids even at bare bone minimum standard, there'd be no need for this discussion.
What is a bit odd is that a year latter, no one is arguing for the school district, not even myself.
I feel that the general feeling of dissatisfaction has just grown so deep and so clear that there isn't anything left for the schools system to say except we're taking this and you can't stop us. Unless or until we can prove them wrong, why should they change?
Peace,
David
we are in desperate need of a candidate for school board from the south side district which also includes parts of downtown and west ward. It is the position held by Kerry Miers and the one candidate that has announced isn't much better. Please help recruit a good candidate. We need to make the changess where changes are needed.
The bad news is that I hear Kerry is running for one of the three city council seats up this year.
It is frightening to see such an open appeal for candidates in a democratic republic, and not feel a deep pull to the figt.
But in the end I don't feel that I am in any position to run at present. I am on disability and sadly, I'm not scamming. I am however getting better (finally) and we'll see what the future holds.
What many who know me might find totally out of character is that I will probably be approaching the local GOP when that time comes. I have deep and serious issues with the GOP nationally and yet find that locally it is the party to which I am most drawn.
We'll see.
There is a question in all of this mess that every veteran has asked and answered at least once, and that question is - If not me? Who?
SO that is my question to those out there-
While we have our disagreements, I would vote for Noel for the school board, Terrance Miller as well. Dennis in a New York minute, and the same for either Tim or Earl, I think Julie Zando Dennis would make a great choice for the school board and would bring a needed voice against gender discrimination within our schools. Same for her partner.
Clearly the need is upon us, the question is who can or will step up.
If not you?
Who?
And the answer clearly is no one.
Anywho,
Peace,
David
While it is an American right / past time, it bears noting here, that our elected officials are often in one hell of a spot. I agree with all, that change is needed, but I do understand why many don't run. It is a decision we each have to make for ourselves and giving serious thought to the idea, even for a moment is hopefully enough to make us consider the investments of time, privacy and other issues that go with running for and holding public office.
And having had to do this myself very recently I can say that it is sobering. It is something some of us must however do. It is a sacrifice not much different than soldiering or other such positions and it is a sacrifice that must from time to time be asked of us all. I have never given much thought to the idea of running for a public office. I have thanks to this article chosen to do so, and my decision is that when I am able I will do so. Bitch , piss and moan though I sometimes do, I like my system of government and clearly it needs the help.
In the interim, I'll ask you all to ask yourself the question, and see if the sacrifice is one you can make at this time.
While we never discuss it, a democracy without candidates isn't much of a democracy.
So even if you've never considered it, please do so now. We have some damned fine people here in Easton, busy one's by and large, but decent none the less.
Blessings,
David
There has been alot of research done on what it takes to keep kids in school and graduating. Most of them point to two important thresholds that are at third grade and sixth grade. It make sense to me that what causes kids to drop out is ground work laid out or not laid out way before their teens. Yet we throw most of the programs (and funding) at the teens. Not that they don't deserve programs - but this is not a strategic approach that will produce win wins over time. A strategic approach (check the research and the studies) is to improve early age education and to address the social behaviors of all youth. Social competencies are 75% of the predictors for literacy at 3rd grade level. A 3rd grader not reading at grade level is most at risk for dropping out of school. Its been proven. There is no argument with these facts.
I think you are quite right. I was a horribly abused kid, and not surprisingly something of a discipline problem. But I was lucky in that my school system did just what you're talking about. I was in such a group by 3rd grade and until about sixth, we learned about things like social responsibility and a lot about rewards and punishments based on actions. Decades later I can say in no uncertain terms that those programs changed my life and world view, though I had no idea of it at the time.
I agree completely that we throw money at the wrong areas.
I am not going to say that some programs for those who reach the HS level aren't worth having, but I agree it should not be our focus.
Thanks,
David
To be fair, I grew up in Arizona and things like mandatory reporting of suspected abuse weren't yet law. As well, the school had corporal punishment, and I will always remember the "whistler" a paddle with holes drilled in it that our principal favored.
In third grade, Dad was still in Vietnam, and I for one was happy to have him gone and wished for his death. Still he came home and got into civilian work while keeping a civilian role with the corps. We went from the trailer park to the suburbs around 3rd grade and stayed there till sixth.
We then moved to NJ where I found myself in one of the best school systems American public schools had to offer. Still abused, but changed. I learned to love knowledge and look to it for my salvation.
What I do Find funny is that the sort of program I was in cost nothing. It was parent supported.
I'd love to see such things here in Easton, but in this environment they are tricky, and may not even be acceptable to the union or the board.
We need change and that won't happen without bodies to fill the seats.
Anyhow,
Thanks,
David
If I find one thing to be true, it is that like all others, I am a human being.
This is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by those who have suffered deep and true abuse and it is that others have no idea how to deal with us.
So I give you all permission to deal with me as you would any other, on behalf of my kind, I beg for it.
I am an adult survivor of child abuse, I am an adult survivor of pedophilia , I am also a person, a flawed voice and face of the gods. I am a veteran, I have killed for you, my countrymen as have many others. I am simply human, perfectly normal in my way.
And in this I know that I speak for us all, argue, call me names, treat me as you would you would anyone else, for that is what I am.
I am not my past, thought it does haunt me. There are places that I have gone that you have not...I'm sure that you can all say the same.
I will be honest in saying that my experiences give the lie to the many excuses that the worst of us offer, but is that a bad thing?
I am if nothing else, proof that a man is the result of his choices, good or bad. If you disagree, do so. I will argue against...this is humanity.
Anyhow, my past is not my shame unless others make it so...nor is anyone elses. Our present is the statement of what we have learned, our future our shared vission.
Anywho,
Blessings,
David
This nation above all others may be heaven or hell,and every man or woman, willing or unwiiling bears responsability,
no spell checker on my netbook...sorry...i'm also dyslexic
David--thanks for sharing your story. You pose an interesting paradox here, as you credit the parent-run program that influenced you as an abused third-grader, and then later say that who you are now is the result of your choices. I think a combination is probably true. And that is why people who might not have the benefit of intervention by a program of engaged parents might not turn out the same way.
I was an abused welfare kid, have been on my own since I was 17 and am now a college-educated home-owner that is engaged in my community. But there was a big determining factor in there--I was adopted by teachers at the age of 7 and funneled through an intensely academic education. So I can in no way look at other kids on welfare and say, "they should just pull themselves up from the bootstraps like I did." Because I know full well that my life would have been on a completely different trajectory had I not been adopted out of the situation I was in. So it was a combination of intervention, education and individual choices that landed me where I am now, and I try to maintain that humility for the circumstances that affect the people around me.
I hate it when people say, "people should just take care of their own kids and teach them that education is important!" without ever addressing the hundreds of thousands of kids in this country whose parents DON'T take care of them and DON'T value education. And then these critics shrug their shoulders like it's not their kid, not their problem. But when you have hundreds of thousands of kids across the country being passed through the system without an education, that becomes a problem for the community at large.
Still, I prefer the personal solutions of engaged individuals in a community coming together to resolve these challenges, like the program you had in third grade. I just wonder what it will take for those groups to form here? It seems like all the literacy programs are handled by nonprofits.
For better or worse, I hold to the other side, I was also adopted, but by an abusive family. And went from one set of abuses to the next.
I will probably always hold a certain distrust for the system, but you are right in that I had options that our local kids, not teens, might not have. I chose to listen, I chose to participate, I chose to grow, and while they were not easy choices for a kid, they were the ones that I made even while the abuse continued.
I think, that the single most important thing that I learned was that my life was not normal, that what was happening to me was wrong. While that knowledge did not stop things, it did open a window to a wider and more normal world that I would one day embrace. It was a hope , a hope that I feel that we deny our kids locally. The reason that I oppose such things as ghetto culture, as there is no hope in it.
It was not a happy hope, more of a brutal one truth be told, but it gave me something to cling to and that is something I feel that we do not offer our kids . We do the opposite when we put them on welfare and give them a diagnosis and mark them as somehow permanently damaged. It becomes self fulfilling and it needs not be so. I can say with truth that I grew to do a lot i my life, I have a wall of plaques and awards that might not be there if I had been judged as broken.
I do not by any means frown upon the laws of our day that seek to help those who like us made the most adult of choices at the most tender of years, but I do think we have taken the wrong path. There is a great divide between discipline and coddling, and I find that we have embraced the later and call the former abuse.
Different paths dear, but I knew there was a reason I always felt a kinship towards you.
anywho,
Blessings,
David
If there is one thing I love about this people it is that eventually , we are self correcting.
If there is one thing that "I hate, it is that it takes generations.
Still, I find that we are better than most.
Pace,
David
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