SD 15 News
I am well aware of the dissatisfaction that some (especially teachers) have expressed with the high-stakes testing that determine a school's academic status under the No Child Left Behind act. That being said, I am certain that no one can attempt to claim that poor scores are an indication of students' academic excellence. This year, Lawrence Senior High School once again was on the list of schools not achieving status. Joy.
In other SD15 updates, an article in the Jewish Star had a few interesting tidbits about public school enrollment in the district. This, regarding enrollment in the Middle School:
I also found this section from the article a bit perplexing, where schoo board member Pamela Greenbaum responds to an interesting suggestion presented by school Board president Dr. Mandsorf that might help in getting the district to pass a budget:
Another choice Pam Greenbaum comment, from the same article:
In other SD15 updates, an article in the Jewish Star had a few interesting tidbits about public school enrollment in the district. This, regarding enrollment in the Middle School:
Only 740 students, 6th, 7th and 8th- graders, are enrolled in the middle school this year. Rows of unused lockers line the hallways. In 1967 the building teemed with nearly 1800 students.Also this quote:
Public school enrollment was down 8% in the last ten years. A preliminary budget projection released by Fitzsimons for the 2007-2008 school year contained an estimate that enrollment will fall an additional one to two percent.With the numbers quoted here, I'm not sure where the hysteria about the possibility of closing more schools can come from. If enrollment is down to such a degree, as even reported by the school superintendent,what choice does a district have aside from consolidating and closing half-empty schools?
I also found this section from the article a bit perplexing, where schoo board member Pamela Greenbaum responds to an interesting suggestion presented by school Board president Dr. Mandsorf that might help in getting the district to pass a budget:
So, how to get enough of the people who voted against the last four budgets to vote for the next one, which comes before voters in mid-May? Mansdorf pointed out the Middle School’s expansive band practice hall, the elaborately appointed library and the large woodworking shop, and suggested making them available to private school students after public school hours. The idea would be to give families that feel they have nothing invested in the public schools a reason to care about them anyway. Of the families he knows with a child receiving special ed from the school district, Mansdorf said, “not one voted against the budget.”Um...what? Unless I'm mistaken, there is no law against district private school students being taught on public school property by public school teachers. The reason such an arrangement generally does not occur is a matter of the choice private school parents make to send their children elsewhere to be educated. In this case, we are discussing the prospect of private school students receiving extracurricular education from public school teachers on public school property. There is no connection whatsoever to the religious education these students may receive in another venue during the school day. I just don't see how Greenbaum can object on principle to the concept of district children being taught by district teachers on district property. Anyone remember Super Sunday, the (now-defunct) program where district teachers were paid to provide extracurricular activities to private school students on public school property? That was legal. And if she's discussing her personal preference as opposed to some legal issue with Dr. Mansdorf's suggestion, then...wow. Way to make it clear that you have no interest in helping the private school community in any fashion.
Making the facilities available to non-public school students is not necessarily a new idea, said Ralph Isaacs, who’s been teaching shop at the Middle School for 16 years. “Years ago we taught [what was known as] the zero period before school started,” he recalled. “and some yeshiva kids were there and they loved it.” He estimates about a dozen yeshiva students participated in that program.
Does Greenbaum, who has criticized numerous proposals by Mansdorf in the past, like the idea? “Why not?” she asked. ”They could do it now,” so long as public school teachers are not being paid public funds to teach non-public school students.
Another choice Pam Greenbaum comment, from the same article:
I think Asher Mansdorf has the best interests of the kids at heart, but I think he has too many factions pulling at him. And I think he's getting screwed. He should stop listening to everyone else and start listening to his heart and he would be a much better president.He should stop listening to everyone? In my estimation, a school board president who tries to listen to everyone, and tries to meet everyone in the district's needs, seems like a worthy president indeed.
posted by orthomom at 4:29 PM
165 Comments:
That's the third year in a row. And the only school with a worse status on Long Island is Freeport.
Pam Greenbaum is a bigot and really should not be on the board.
How about Fitzimmons using some creativity and trying to raise funds from the private sector.
there are foundations which would gladly underwite much of the needed repairs.
Creativity? Fat chance! Fitzsimons is passing the time until his pension kicks in.
Pam Greenbaum is a bigot and really should not be on the board.
Good thing her term is up this year.
"so long as public school teachers are not being paid public funds to teach non-public school students"?
How can a kid who's physically present in a public school be a "private school kid"? How many classes do you need to take to be a public school student...
Super Sunday -- Wow -- what ever happened to that?!
Greenbaum is smarter than she seems. Unfortunately, there is a significant group of voters who can't get enough of her bigotry.
greenbaum is not to be believed.
what about public school kids who then go on to hebrew school twice a week in the afternoons and on sundays? what's the difference? if the taxes are paid, there's no reason district kids can't partake.
Just curious...Why was SAT prep defined as continuing education and discontinued? I understand if the budget did not allow the continuing ed program to be up and running at this time,but I can't see putting advanced macrame in the same category as SAT prep.
Pam Greenbaum will take any position opposite to the majority, just because. I was at a meeting where there was a discussion about security in school buildings. She spoke against everything that the majority were advocating.
But, who will be willing to run against her. She will not go easily. If history is a guide, She will make it a dirty campaign, so be prepared.
It seems that what you are saying is that you are willing to raise taxes to pay public school teachers more money to stay after school to teach extra hours. Of course, public school students would probably be allowed to take these classes as well, as it would probably be illegal to exclude them. A well-funded after school program would be a wonderful opportunity for the public and private school students to get to know each other after school - an opportunity for real friendships between public and private school kids. I would think that all parents would support the tax increase to make this possible. Friendships create the basis for a sense of community, and that is a wonderful goal for the community.
It seems that what you are saying is that you are willing to raise taxes to pay public school teachers more money to stay after school to teach extra hour What I am saying is that Dr. Mansdorf's suggestion, that perhaps giving some type of extracurricular activities to the very community that is viewed (correctly or incorrectly) as the sole barrier to getting a budget approved, makes darn good sense.
In my estimation, a school board president who tries to listen to everyone, and tries to meet everyone in the district's needs, seems like a worthy president indeed.
A President who tries to meet everyone's needs will routinely disappoint everyone. Mansdorf does a fine job of picking a direction and sticking to it regardless of the special interests trying to push him off course.
To quote Harry Nilsson, If you have a point in every direction you really have no point at all.
Orthomom said:
What I am saying is that Dr. Mansdorf's suggestion, that perhaps giving some type of extracurricular activities to the very community that is viewed (correctly or incorrectly) as the sole barrier to getting a budget approved, makes darn good sense.
Of course, giving extracurricular activites will have a cost, which would include, at the least, paying the teachers to teach extra hours and the cost of materials. Offering extracurricular activites without a fee means they will be part of the budget, which currently does not cover those costs.
Anonymous at 9:10 am
Simply put, Mrs. Greenbaun is an obstructionist, carrying the LTA banner. When re-election time comes around you can be sure that the LTA will be putting it's resources, financial and human, to ensure her re-election. Clements was her mentor in the past elections.
Yes, she is an inteligent person, who uses that intelligence to an obstructionist rather than being proactive.
Fitzsimmons is a lost cause waiting to be bought out or wait it out. He hasn't made an intelligent decision or recommendation to solve the problems in the district.
The test score in the high school will continue to go down, along with the district's enrollment.
Why is it that the HS performance is so poor when the elementary scores have been improvng slightly? What happens when our "outstanding" high priced teachers get them in the middle school and high school?
Mansdorf has at least tried to advocate for all the students and community which is more than Greenbaum ever did.
our High School is on the needs improvement list again. The third year in a row. Only roosevelt ranks with us. Thank Ms. greenbaum for voting for a teachers contract without one minute of extra teaching time in it. Also not even one guideline about student achievement. it seems the only thing that has to go up in this district is teachers salaries. Thank ms. Greenbaum for caring about her allies in the LTA more than the children. And of course, let us not forget Dr. Fitzsimons who is now in his fourth year with the District. Ms. Greenbaum was one of the four Bd. members who gave him an extension on June 20. Again, how the students did meant nothing, how the High School did meant nothing. Only paying her political debts and supporting the status quo are what makes Ms.Greenbaum run. Watch out for another term.
why don't we suggest homework help for all kids in the district too . pay the teachers for an hour or two after school to help ALL the children.
The new members of the BOE Michael Hatten and Uri Kaufman have exhibited growth on the job. They speak of all the children and they attempt to represent all the children. They speak of equality and they appear to be acting with purpose. Kaufman sticks the area he says he knows which is construction and repair while Hatten sticks with education and achievement. Forman talks of state of the art schools and votes to improve public school outcomes.Mansdorf shepards them all to a middle of the road approach. Greenbaum and Kopilow are so obviously stilted that it is laughable. Do people notice?
What I notice is the pathetic attempts trying to make the new board members look good at the expense of others. This is a one-sided blog probably run by those complementing themselves.
The bottom line is: these are public schools and are best run by those who have the interest of those in them first and foremost.
"
The bottom line is: these are public schools and are best run by those who have the interest of those in them first and foremost."
Sure. Theyve done such a bang-up job in the past.
Lawrence High School is on NYS need improvement list for three years in a row. All with "Public SchooL Boards". Exactly what kind of a job does anyone think they are doing with the children's education and our tax dollars. We are now spending in the range of 25 thousand dollars per child even when we subtract the money spent on the private schools.
While it makes sense that those with children in the public schools would run the district better, unfortunately, those people have failed miserably at it, and have effectively handed over the reigns to the teachers' union, inwood patronage mill, etc.
Hading the reigns to the LTA and patronage groups means simply "Tax and Spend." Rather than fix a problem the people who gave away the last LTA contract9 read Greenbaum and Kopilow) want to throw money at it. We are going to hear we need more programs and homework sessions (at 85 dollars an hour) but those same people cheered when last years Bd signed a 250 million dollars teachers contract without an ounce of extra time or academic guidelines in it.
It's sad that those whose children suffer most from the LTA's chokehold blindly support the LTA candidates anyway
The test scores at the HS occured during Fitzsimmons term and Mrs. Greenbaum's majority BOE rule. It would be nice to hear their explanation as to the reasons for the poor performance and what they did for the past three years to improve scores during their "reign". I wonder what Clements would say. If Clements & Greenbaum spent as much time with theLTA memebers working to improve the scores as they did getting a new contract, maybe we wouldn't be on the "list" of underperforming schools.
Why are we failing in the Middle School and High School? BECAUSE U PEOPLE HAVE FAILED THE BUDGET THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND ALL THE GOOD QUALITY FAMILIES THAT USED TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE MOVING OUT. SO DONT BLAME THE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATION, ETC. BLAME ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO FAIL BUDGETS AND COULD CARE LESS ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION. THIS IS THE REAL ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS. PASS BUDGETS, DEVOLOP RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WITH EVERYONE, MAKE THIS DISTRICT WHAT IT USED TO BE AND ALL THESE PROBLEMS WILL DISAPPEAR. IN OTHER WORDS, GET OUT!
Who's "YOU PEOPLE"?
AND ALL THE GOOD QUALITY FAMILIES THAT USED TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE MOVING OUT.
I'm not surprised at all. Why would they want to live with biased garbage like you?
"BECAUSE U PEOPLE HAVE FAILED THE BUDGET THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND ALL THE GOOD QUALITY FAMILIES THAT USED TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE MOVING OUT."
And wouldn't it be nice to be able to collect taxes from tens of thousands of people and then deny them any input into how those tax dollars are spent or who makes those decisions.
I heard that the majority of the board members support child abuse screening. Pam Greenbaum, refusing to ever agree with an Orthodox Jew, now opposes protecting children.
I've seen more maturity from kindergarten kids...what a stupid case of reverse psychology. Get a life, Pam. Even the public school parents (me) think you're pushing things too far.
I think you're reading her wrong. Pam is not only about refusing to agree with an Orthodox Jew. She's also about safeguarding the interests of the teachers' union.
A few thing about the needs improvement list. We are on the list because 95% of all students should be taking the test but for whatever the reason be it disability english, are not taking the test.
Now, the enrollment is down on the middle school level, but the elementry school level is not down as of yet. So close High school and combine and make a 7-12. Stop picking on pam greenbaum. Enough fighting, take care of business and our children. I have one child in a prep school and one in public. The private school child tuition 20,000 does not use the gym at the public school. I do not feel slighted in the least, and eventually I will have two children in private school. I love the public schools, but cannot take the chance that the constant cutbacks and bickering will hurt my childs education. Education should not be a power struggle amongst the adults. People need to get a life. So what you pay taxes. Welcome to Long Island.
And wouldn't it be nice to be able to collect taxes from tens of thousands of people and then deny them any input into how those tax dollars are spent or who makes those decisions.
What country do you live in? What Bush is currently doing right now, do you have a say in how he is spending your tax dollars? You tax dollars go towards repairing the roads, you know the ones that you get stuck on for hours, why not write them and complain to see what they say. Continue this way and all children who have to go to the public school will be shoved into one school and have no programs.
We have been on needs improvement list for three years because administration can not fix problem. Administration and Ms. Greenbaum also do not seem to care that we are spending 25 thousand a child for an educational system that ranks in the bottom 15% in Nassau County. If things were going well, even half well there might be an argument about just paying taxes and being silent but at this point, after awarding a teachers contract in the midst of a failing system, the tax burden is an insult.
wake up and smell the coffee, all the "good quality people" moved out long before the budgets failed over the last 3 years. They moved out because of the level of education their children were NOT getting in the public schools. Signed,
Public School Parent that stayed
It's nice to see some honest objectivity around here.
Why has the quality of education deteriorated?
If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck and swims like a duck then its a duck.
If everyone is saying that the teaching level has deteriorated, then it has deteriorated. Back when Lawrence and Great Neck were the two best districts on Long Island, the teachers came early and stayed late. Now teachers come in for extra help, only because of their paychecks. I am sad to see a district ruined by the corruption caused by the almighty dollar.
so who's to blame and what's the solution?
Who's to blame:
I believe the administrators are to blame for not carefully checking the teachers who will "fit in" with the rest rather than who is the best. Year after year of teachers not being held responsable for their students. When a teacher decides that they should not come in more than what is mandatory in their contract you know that your teachers are not teaching for the love of their students.
The Solution: Tighter reviews of the teachers. Stop letting in teachers who "fit in" and start looking for who was the best. Look for their grades in college, their previous jobs and why they left. If a bad teacher is constantly on review then they will try to work harder to get off. Perhaps by making a principal sit in on teachers,more than by appointment, put them on probation if needed.
Who is going to want to teach in a district that is having all these issues and has such a big 'problem' with its teachers???
I would like to say that this morning Newsday printed and article about the intel winners, below find a link to intel, all ny state winners, we had six, Bronx High School of Science had six, not bad for such a crappy school, must be Ms. Greenbaums fault. You all should be thrilled to know your tax dollars are put to something. Local yeshievas had 1 student. Maybe we should work on science programs for the 20,000 you pay for private school. Perhaps working on yeshivas to improve would be a good idea. Also, New York State site, shows tuition for a typical non resident student to be 18,000, which the state claims to be roughly what we spend per pupil. The total budget when divided includes all monies. Then they divide it be how many public school students there are. I doubt we spend 7,000 per pupil on transportation. I would like to know why Sussman and Mansdorf having been on the board the longest(when the 18million was spent) has allowed the bus company to rake us over the coals in fees. I wonder how much besides a scholarship is this worth? Ramapo has twice as many kids, and pays far less per child. Interesting,
http://www.sciserv.org/Sts/66sts/state.cfm?state=ny
perhaps if Fitzsimons and his cronies hadn't pulled the intel specialist away from the yeshivas .....
I would like to know why Sussman and Mansdorf having been on the board the longest(when the 18million was spent) has allowed the bus company to rake us over the coals in fees.
As I recall, Sussman and Mansdorf have been in the minority until this year, and they had little or no influence regarding the busing contracts.
The district reports a per student expenditure of approximately $25k, and $25k x the number of public school students equals far less than the district's annual budget, so the $25k clearly doesn't even include everything.
You can fudge and spin the numbers any way you like (just like Fitzimons and his administrators do), but any way you slice it, the district still spends far more per student that any district with comparable performance. Our underperforming administrators and teachers have their hands in everyone's pockets, and too many people don't give a damn.
perhaps if Fitzsimons and his cronies hadn't pulled the intel specialist away from the yeshivas .....
Right whatever,
You can fudge and spin the numbers any way you like (just like Fitzimons and his administrators
Well you better include the state to your little list. Because New York State has listed non resident tuition to be 18,000 far less than most districts in the area. Which means, we are spending 7000 per child for busing to the private schools. I am sure you school taxes are probably 5000-7000 dollars you have more than met your quota.
There are over 3000 children being bussed,and three thousand x the 7000 you claim we spend on busing is more than 21/2 times our total transportation budget. Using math like you do, you may just have been taught in Lawrence. KUDOS to our Intel finalists, but that does not change the fact that we are ranked in the bottom of Nassau County in our overall scores and spend over 25 thousand for the oublic school children. We have abundant extra space and "public advocates" are more interested in protecting jobs and real estate than addressing our educational needs for all our students and citizens. Educational needs means we need to address at risk children who we are doing poorly with. Also , shame on us for standing in the way of our Library for all these years. Thats right, educating the community means that the School Board and PTA should not have blocked library needs for all the years. Now, the School Board should AID the library with the same generosity that Ms. Greenbaum aided the teachers with a 225 million dollar contract earlier this year. She also gave Fitzsimons an extension. How about fighting for the taxpayer, the library and the kids that need it most. Hmmm.. sounds like a plan. Sounds like something that Mansdorf and Company are trying to do and that Greenbaum and allies are fighting.
The post above spoke of a 225 million dollar teachers contract but i do not understand how that figure was arrived at. Between all the benefits and the open ended class size provisions of the teachers contract I have been told by sources that this contract could cost over 250 milliuon dollars before it is over. Just this year we had to add 4 tachers which would be a cost of 400 thousand dollars to the contract. The class size provision was never in the contract until this year and now it is the most comprehensive and worst in all of nassau County. It ties the hands of administration. This year the Superintendent has told people there was no educational reason for the added teachers except that Greenbaum and company placed it in the contract. We have one of the lowest student to teacher ratios in Nassau County. There are almost one teacher for every 9 students even when you subtract the teachers that are used for special ed at the Yeshivas. Still,tax and spenders like Greenbaum will call for higher taxes, more teachers and more programs.I have never heard Greenbaum ever call for tighter controls on teachers, checking lesson plans are finding out which teachers consistently have poor results. Why not?
Anonymous said...
There are over 3000 children being bussed,and three thousand x the 7000 you claim we spend on busing is more than 21/2 times our total transportation budget. Using math like you do, you may just have been taught in Lawrence.
Thanks for saying this so I don't have to. Bincha idiots out there. This is simple math.
to the question of Mansdorf and Sussman on transportation contract I believe that every time the transportation contract came up it was approved unanimously by a Board controlled by public school parents. In fact the price of the bussing contract has nothing to do with the extreme amount of money we pay for each child in the public school. The number 25 thousand is probably low.We spent over 650 thousand dollars on legal fees last year( Ehrlich). This was about over twice what the previous lawyers (Minerva and Dagosteno) cost the Board and taxpayers. Yet Greenbaum was one of the major proponents of bringing in this law firm. At 13 thousand dollars a week and 175 dollars an hour that law firm had to bill over 14 hours a day ( 5 day week) for their services. Yet Ms. Greenbaum supported that law firm.No wonder she wants higher taxes.
Does anyone know what Parise is doing with his property? I heard that he got some zoning approvals for it.
wHAT DOES pARISE PROPERTY HAVE TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. fOR YEARS HE HAD THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE FIVE TOWNS LIT UP ON HGS PROPERTY IN A FESTIVE CELEBRATIUON OF THE SEASON. cONCERNING LEGAL FEES, MAYBR THE 600 OR 700 THOUSAND DOLLAR EXPENSE WAS JUSTIFIED? wERE THERE LAWSUITS LAST YEAR,LIKE THIS YEAR TRYING TO REMOVE MEMBERS OF THE bOARD OF eDUCATION? tHIS YEAR, THE TWO pta PEOPLE(AT LEAST i THINK ONE IS A pta PRESIDENT AND THE OTHER A pta MEMBER) WHO INSTITUTED THE LAW SUIT AGAINST THREE ORTHODOX MEMBERS OF THE bOARD HAVE COST THE dISTRICT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. yOU CAN NOT BLAME THE LAWYERS FOR THIS. yET,WASN'T ONE OF THE REASONS THE OLD LAWYERS WERE REPLACED WAS THAT THERE WAS AN IMPLICATION THAT THE LAW BILLS WERE TOO HIGH? tHEN THE VERY NEXT YEAR THE BILL DOUBLES WITH NEW LAWYERS. Now that is irony to say the least.
it looks like that Parise comment was misplaced from another comment thread
"wake up and smell the coffee, all the "good quality people" moved out long before the budgets failed over the last 3 years. They moved out because of the level of education their children were NOT getting in the public schools. Signed,
Public School Parent that stayed"
If you believe this then, you might just be one of the most ignorant people in the Lawrence School District. People are moving out b/c of the changing demographics. What was once one of the top school districts on LI is now being destroyed by people who could care less about public school education. Its a disgrace and an embarrassment to not only our district, but to all districts in ny state.
TO the last blogger: Do you seriously think it is the fault of the people who moved out that our High School is on the state needs improvement list for three years in a row? Do you think it is their fault that our esteemed teachers have seen the achievement level of Lawrence stay in the bottom 10-15% of Nassau County over the last 4 years? Are you saying that our staff can only produce results with a certain type of child? I hope it is not true, and if it is true, then shame on us for paying amongst the highest teacher salaries in Nassau County for teachers who can not reach out to all types of students? Oh, and by the way, why is the Board the only group that seems to care about these at rick students. Where is the PTA? Worried about real estate. teachers salaries and not our failure to teach everyone?
What was once one of the top school districts on LI is now being destroyed by people who could care less about public school education.
It sounds like Steve Clements is back in town. This tax more and spend more on teachers attitude is what got us into the mess in the first place. This district lost focus long before any budget was defeated and the administration still has not come terms with its failures. Are we to blame the 2006-07 board for the failures of the past 5-10 years?
Worse than being blamed, the current board was hamstrunged by the outrageous contract that Greenbaum and Kopilow and the previous "public school board" gave their allies, the teachers. Rather than using academic guidelines or givebacks in time to help improve the district, the contract was a gimme with a few medical givebacks that all the other unions had given without even the rest of the givebacks that the Board had gotten from other unions. It was a sweet contract that has left Dr. mansdorf's Board weakened in how it must deal with the teachers. Why not, the teachers has been consistent allies with Greenbaum and other public school Board members who turn a blind eye to the teachers and administrative failures.
A blind eye indeed. How about a reward. Fitzsimmons gets an extension after Lawrence has three years on the NYS "needs improvement " list (only other High School is Roosevelt) while the teachers get a raise even though scores are amongst the lowest in Nassau County.Instead of concentrating for their own children they are more concerned about giving us a hard time on Special Education and Transportation.
It's unfortunate that the real needs of public school students are ignored by Greenbaum, while she focuses on blocking a single penny from being spent on private school students.
It's time the public school community found someone who will really advocate for the needs of their children rather than this silly obstructionism.
Has everyone forgotten Clements public comment at a BOE meeting in arguing for a "fair' contract "that this community can afford the taxes..." I sure haven't. He should have paid more attention to my childs poor performance. All I got was jibberish from the teachers and principal when I pressed for solutions.
We are now going to hear that the program is successful because we had 6 Intel Semifinalists. Thats great, its a successful program, going on for years and it should be continued. But look at the demographics of the students. The Lawrence system continues to fail the average and at risk student. Being in the bottom 15% of the County in achievement scores and having a High School on the state "Needs Improvement " list for three years in a row only proves this point. If Greenbaum and the other members of the " public " contingent were more interested in our educational lack of achievement than in protecting the administration and teachers maybe the needs of our children could be addressed. When Mansdorf called for an outside educational consultant he was met with opposition by Breenbaum and the PTA. What did they want.... more teachers. Thats right, instead of substantive change and accountability they wanted more of the same.
Let's cut to the chase. Our children (mine included) are not performing up to standards. This needs to be fixed. Fitsimmons is the Educational leader of the district, as such, he needs to present a comprehensive plan to the BOE to address this very serious problem. He should have Kurant, Principals, teachers and other administrators meet to develop a plan to present to the BOE within the next 2 weeks. They've had years to analyze a problem that's been in front of them. Their plan should include any costs related to it as well as any additional staffing that may be needed. Until this is done, we will never correct our childrens
deficiencies.
As educators this should be our educational leaders ONLY priority. How can they prepare next years budget if they don't know what they need to fix our educational shortfalls.
We pay them all very well to educate our kids. Let them start earning their salaries.
Stop the sniping at each other and the BOE. There is no other issue as important as this one.
What we really need is some concerned parents and PTA people sniping at the superintendent and the administration for their failures, rather than blaming the superintendent's incompetence on the board.
I agree with the above sentiments. Of course, rather than just accept anything the Supt says there has to be accountability. If this were a private organization he would ,in my opinion, have lost his jobs long ago. One has to wonder why he was given a vote of confidence through a raise and an extension by Greenbaum while the PTA cheered. I can only guess that their children were doing well.
I find the above interesting. Does anyone know what needs improvement?
1.You are put on that list when you do not have 95% or more taking certain tests in that particular subject. It has nothing to do with passing.
2.If we hired four more teachers, I would like to know what school they were hired for.
3. We do not spend 25,000 per pupil. We submit to NYS non resident tuition as being 18,000 a year. This is what we pay.
For some of us who grew up in a public school system, all the above demands are out of sync. Sat prep, Super Saturday, free usage of buildings, no other district has or has had any type of program like that. My parents always paid for Sat prep, and weekend activities. It is unfortunate people are upset there taxes are only getting them transportation, books, etc. I can understand how one can feel they are entitled to more, but, you complaints should be directed to the government. It is not the fault of this district that Blaine exsists. If this is something that people should feel strongly about, get people together and file a class action to overturn Blaine. I understand the feeling of inequality, but you choose to not to send your children to the public school. When buying on Long Island, it is a known fact the taxes are high all over. It is never a good idea for people to blame one group of people for the "bad",. Using all our board members as scapegoats is wrong. Pam Greenbaum is a favorite target, I respect her for voting as an individual on what she believes in. Since everyone is so worried about education, I think screening for child abuse is not where we should be centering our energy. I think district wide testing for ALL children should be given three times a year. Private school children take state tests, and if it is this districts responsibility to educate ALL our children then let them do so. Education is not Super Saturday, Busing, or Free building usage. Let us stop picking on the teachers contract, 25 kid cap in the 4th grade is high, especially since most Long Island Schools have 21 in a class. Move forward, come to board meetings, and help our children ALL our children get the best education.
What needs improvement. Well,we consistently test in the bottom 15% in Nassau County in Math and English in the 4th and 8th grade for starters. Next, if we only spend 18000 per student and there are only 3300 students in the public school where does the rest of the money go? Since, even with transportation and books and special ed the private sector does not get more than 10 million there is a missing 29-25 million. It goes to the public school education thats where. Real estate and ever escalating salaries and benefits are where the money is going.
Declining enrollment..yes. Can we close another builing?..probably. close the high school and send all those kids to the M.S. I will enjoy reading all those people complain when the building is filled to capacity and the students are dimissed - walking on Broadway. Go ahead, I can't wait!
To can't wait. Instead of closing the HighSchool and keeping the same demographically segregated elementary system that exists are you ready for a Princeton Plan and the closure of just one elementary school because we do not need it and it will be much fairer to all our children. Do you believe in Brown vs. the Board of Education or is that just liberal philosophy as long as it doesnot happen here.
Here comes the Princeton Plan again. Just so everyone knows, Number Five School has less than half the "free lunch" children than Number 2. Since financial levels are at risk categories this is a tremendous disadvantage for Number Two School. Also, the number of minorities are about 21/2 times higher at 2 than 5. There is no way that this gross distortion, while the children from Atlantic Beach ride their bus right by Number Two School to go to Number Six School. could never stand up to public or Federal scrutiny. That being said, the PTA and administration will never allow a Princeton Plan in this District.
All you people on here love to do is gossip, gossip, gossip. What do you really know? NOTHING! Do you work in the LPS? NO! Do you have any idea what goes on in the schools day in day out? NO! Do you have any idea what your talking about? NO! Until you all are up to speed on the actual facts, and the realistic day to day functions of a LPS employee, SHUT UP!
Do you work in the LPS?
Yes, I do. And these numbers and characterizations (by Anon 8:24) are all fairly accurate.
Many of us work in the LPS and are disgusted by the lack of leadership. Anon 10:01-How is it that your so knowledgable about the numbers and we're not? Do you work in the district or perhaps serve on the BOE?
One does not have to work in the District to be aware of how poorly we are doing and how demographically segregated the elementary system is.
Well, finally some help! Governor Spitzer laid out his new education plan. Interesting. Some of his ideas, smaller class size, (there goes closing a school) more money to the school district, but the district must tied to education outcomes. I guess busing does not fall under that. Also, universal pre-k. That is public school pre-k.
More training for public school teachers to help produce those results. Here is the best, if those results are not achieved, the board will be held accountable and will be removed. Spitzer is putting this to legislation. These extra monies that will be available are not for the private schools. Spitzers goal is to improve public education. Although he did mention a tax cut for all overtaxed communities. I guess that is it. This board and this community is going to be forced by the state to follow the law or they take over, below please find the link to the speech. I guess there really is a chance the state will step in, no more all i get is busing, special ed, textbook cries, because this will contine, and it will be law.
http://www.state.ny.us/governor/keydocs/0129071_speech.html
funny how you pick and choose from his speech to further your agenda
I really don't think I picked and chose, I gave you the link, the speech made things very clear. More funding to the public schools, but the board and fitz will have the responsibility to make sure all children pass. The extra money that will be given to the district will be spent on education, and the district will have to account for every dime it spends. Class size will be smaller, charter schools will be expanded. There seems to be many misconceptions from people(ALL) in this district. I agree it is very unfair taxes are high, but it is a choice to send your children to private school. Be it yeshivot or parochial, or prep school. In making this choice there are downsides. Spitzer has chosen to improve the public schools. This community is going to have a rude awakening. When technology and phone systems are falling apart, and the board wants to spend 20,000 so we can vote on free building usage, it is just plain irresponsible. Teachers salaries have always been the scapegoat. Spitzer in his speech acknowledged teachers need retraining, and he is going to be providing more money for that. Pre-k busing I agree one gets it we all should. It is not this boards responsibility to ensure the private school system in made stronger, as Dr. Mansdorff has been quoted as saying. I do not think I misquoted any of what Spitzer said. I think it is a good thing the district must show how they are going to use the money towards making the schools in this district better. It is not the fault of the public school community that he is not trying to help private schools. If you read his speech, all of it you will find I left many things out that if I wanted to further an agenda I could. Things have to change, or this board will be replaced by the state, we have a choice, start to follow the law, and not people who want to close public schools, or the board and fitz will be removed, Spitzer is passing legislation to this fact. If this happens, you won't be able to blame Pam Greenbaum, or anyone else. The agenda should be our children, if they attend private schools the law will limit what this district can do. Now might be the time, to switch the us vs them theory, and have it US(ALL THE COMMUNITY) vs THEM(THE BOARD)
not sure I understand the points made above. When our Governor makes universal pre-k the law and institutionalizes it, no one I know will do anything but carry out the law. Willingly and in a democratic fashion as soon as it happens. That is not quite the same thing as members of the public community questioning whether private school parents have a right to vote or hold elected positions on a school board. One group believes in democracy,with its rights of protest and election, and the other would smash down rights in the name of whatever they want from the public taxes, If I am correct it was this current Board who brought up the issue of outside help to try to right this failing district. In fact, it was Pam Greenbaum and group who only wanted more of the same and feared what an outsider might think of the kind of product we are delivering.
I am interested to know why this is reverted to Pam Greenbaum. This is not about Pre-K. This is about the monies this district will be given and the accountability to the state. As far as the board I really don't care who is on it. The only issue is to clarify what their purpose is. When members are quoted in the paper on wanting to make the private school district stronger (ny times)I question the ethics of the individual board member. The boards responsibilites are to educate the children in the public schools. Yes there is a shift in population, but the laws did not change. Spitzer is finally taking a stand for the children of this state. A consultant is only good if the funds are available to enhance the recommended programs. Do you really think with out his intervention this board is going to approve the state proposed 15-18 class size for grades k-3. I doubt it. No matter how many studies or how many schools do this, the community will complain, and threaten to not pass a budget. I believe in democracy, I do not believe blaming a specific group for what is going on is a good practice. This community is in for a rude awakening. Spitzer is not a big supporter of Private school. Charter schools yes. Spitzers plan is pro public all the way. Smaller class sizes more money, which will have to be accounted for and must be spent on enhancements in the public schools, is the way it should be. People have to understand they pay taxes, and they receive all legal services, equality for building usage, and after school activies is not a legal entitlement, I did not make the law, I am not against the extras for all, but when I have a child in a school where there are thirty children in a class (hs) due to budget reasons, I am going to say what 5 other districts on Long Island said in a recent phone survey, 2 laughed and said private school children go to private school, they are not equal. 1 said you must be from 15, and 2 said under ny state law they provide what is required, special education services are given, parent are responsible to bring them to the service, and if the parents want to utilize the buildings, they should send their kids to public school. This board is going to have very rough times ahead, Spitzer will remove them if our children don't perform. No if ands or buts, he does not care about teachers salaries, in fact he wants more training. For many years threats of the budget failing have been shoved down the communities fault. If it fails, and if the monies don't go to fixing the buildings, Their is no doubt Spitzer is going to step in. Freeport just had three board members removed by the state. So I do not think he is making idle threats.
I am not sure the previous blogger gets it.It is obvious from the actions of this Board and members like Hattan, Kaufman, Forman, Sussman and of course President mansdorf that this Board, not the previous public school boards, cares about"how our kids do." This Board has shown it will welcome a Governor that will hold everyone accountable. So here are a few questions. How will our Governor feel about: 1,Forcing all of our "professional" teachers to show their lesson plans. 2/ Diminishing the cooking and fluff electives in the High School and replacing them with more reading and Math.3/ In an effort to encourage teachers to "stay the course" publishing the names of those that take leaves in the middle of a year or semester. 4/ Publishing data warehousing of how each teacher is doing. 5/ Holding responsible and considering terminating administrators who have allowed our High School to be on the " needs improvement " list of New York State" for the last three years if it continues and 6. ending the segregation in our school system and going to a Princeton Plan so the children of Atlantic Beach will not be forced to take buses past Number Two School on their way to Number Six School and NumberTwo School will no longer have 2 1/2 times higher minority population than Number 5. Our School Board, this new one I mean, will applaud Governor Spitzer. I just hope you do.
To the above blogger, your interest in the public schools is refreshing. In response to your comments.
1. Every teacher that my child has had offered to show all there lesson plans when requested.
2. The courses you claim to be fluff are called electives, encouraged by the state. Public schools have guidlines set by the state. Each child must take a certain amount of english and math, and then they are REQUIRED to take electives.
3. The leaves the teachers are taking are usually maternity leave or illness leave. If you review the Boces job site for teachers jobs on Long Island, you will see numerous teacher leave jobs. I guess I can see the advantage of the children seeing a baby being delivered,
4. I find it humerous that people discuss segregation as a new problem, but okay I will answer it. The princeton plan was presented to the parents and most thought it was a wonderful idea. The board hired architect said it was a building impossibility. Now as far as your concern about the Atlantic Beach Children, you are mis-informed. Currently they do not pass the # two school, turning up brodway and cutting across. I know that this is a disapointment to some, but what can you do. Today Governor Spitzer signed the new aid packages. The money is to be spent on school districts improving scores. This will come from decreasing class size. Offering more training to teachers, and updating technology. I do not think the governor is going to appreciate a district having votes for free building usage. This board is now going to be fiscally responsible on state aide ensuring the children who attend public school will achieve. They need to explain how they will go about doing this. I really do not think he cares about the teachers contract. His goal is to offer more education to our teachers. The unfortunate side of this being he is not for private schools and has no plans to help these schools. It will no doubt come to his attention about our budgets not passing, and the sale of school one monies not going to public schools to update the technology and phones. It will go part and parcel, New board larger classes lower scores. Hopefully he does have some sort of savings for those in the private sector.
the atlantic beach children do pass number two school,if not by one block than by several. Why misinform the public,Number two is miles closer to Atlantic beach than Number Six. it is segregation, and those for it would be what? You figure it out,but start by doing the mileage from the AB Bridge to number two and then number six. As far as the fluff electives like International cooking, no one says that reading could not be made into an elective to improve scores. Do you honestly think that that our Governor would be against that. Now, as far as watching a child have a baby tell the truth.Many men take leave to watch the babies! Imagine leaving a class of science or high level math children in the middle of a semester to help with a baby, them coming back in a month or two and disrupting the class again. Legal sure, good for marks? Let the people decide. As I understand the added revenue our Governor is sending (and believe me it is only a start) is only about a little less than 400.000. This does not amount to much in a budget of 95 million. Now, I wonder what Governor Spitzer thinks of jobs for life for 25 year olds or automatic increments. Betcha by the time he is President both of these anachronisms will be gone. Imagine teachers having to compete for promotions...Just imagine. Anyway thought I would correct your misunderstandings or statements. By the way, the Princeton is not only doable, but it is going to happen. Brown vs the Board of Education will finally come to our District, if only 50 years late.
Sorry i forgot, but no one cares about the incredible underachievement of our District more than the President of the Board.
It absolutely amazes me the lack of correct information that comes from the people in this district who do not have childrn in the schools. Being you are so concerned about segregation issues, let us discuss it. If Atlantic Beach children are shifted to the number 2 school, you will have a segregation issue at the #6 school. Last year they looked into the princeton plan, we spent thousands on architects. The final report stated that the way the district is set up there was no way for the princeton plan to be set into motion. It also was determined that it would traumatize to many children. Now onto the maternity issue, in the world of public education, Governor Spitzer would never touch the maternity issue, as it would set off a civil rights problem. Every district public district on Long Island has a teacher out on maternity leave. Also, the job for life is not exactly correct, in the public education, we have something called tenure. New teachers who don't measure up don't come back, and it has happened. It is unfortunate that the people in this community have false information. In the past four years of this austerity, our class sizes have gone from 20 to in some cases 26 in the lower grades to 30 in the high school. Since your children are not in these schools you probably not know the dynamics. I welcom Governor Spitzer to come into this school district. I think many people will have a rude awakening. If you read his speech you will find the call for smaller class sizes in k-3 15-18 more teacher education, in the upper grades more support in the classrooms. Let us see how the board handles these recommendations. This is a governor that is pro public school. There is not one doubt that people are not already trying to get him to step in. Let him, let us see what he thinks when a district sells a building and does not invest the money into the very programs our schools are lacking. Blaming the teachers are going to be a thing of the past, threats of austerity will no longer matter. No more free building usage, when our phone system doesn't work. This board will be accountable for every cent spent. So continue with your cries of segregation, you have no leg to stand on. The NAACP which currently has become involved in Lakewood, was contacted and after review of our racial breakdown have found we are not segregated. All we need is the governor to get rid of Board of Ed vs ALlen, and we are set. For the record, most states follow the Blaine amendment to a tee. In a recent phone call to Parents for Public schools, an organization based in mississippi, they found it appalling that public school districts had to provide anything to any parent who chooses to send their child to ANY private school.The days of this communities threats of austerity are over. Welcome Governor Spitzer!
I love the new and exciting put down of the public schools. The unfortunate truth is, taxpayer dollars will always pay for the public schools, the private schools will now get very little, and Spitzer and his men, when the children fail and they will , 30 in a class in high school, this board will be removed. I am sure it doesn't help to have a president who is quoted in the times as wanting to make the private school system stronger. Before you go on the screw the jew campaign, which is far from the truth, The fact of Long Island life in ALL school districts, is, you pay high taxes, you knew that when you moved here. Crying fiscal responsibility is over, other districts have had people arrested and monies have actually disappeared. It is fortunate the allen case is even around, most states don't provide busing,special education,etc. There is only so long you can hold a budget over peoples heads. Oh and the so called segregation theory and Atlantic Beach worries, give it up, no matter what you do or say, things are going to shift, and this garbage about free building usage will be gone. Sorry
... and the NAACP is coming down, and my daddy is going to beat up your daddy, and the feds are coming down too, and the commissioner is onto the board, and everyone's phones are wire-tapped, and all this juvenile rhetoric is getting kind of stale.
If you think you have such a good case against the "new board" why don't you get some of your lazy @#&*% friends out to vote this year ... because you're definitely not going to get much accomplished with your whining and empty threats.
When exactly did the Naacp evaluate our system? Let's see the report. These are just out and out lies. The Board was never tolds the Princeton Plan could not work, another lie. Segregationists will do anything to keep the system from equality. As far as teachers salaries go, I recall the last liberal, Mario Cuomo was very upset with salaries in Nassau County. Spitzer is twice the intellect of Cuomo so I would be surprised if his position is what you expound. Going further please explain how giving a 25 year old a job for life makes sense to any logical thinking person, except one with a socialist agenda perhaps, but even socialists believe in competition and performance. Let our Governor see the reprehensible "at risk" statistics for the last 15 years and he will probably mandate that Dr. Mansdorf and the Board he controls stay at their jobs for the next ten years. Then, maybe they can break thru the lack of performance and the stranglehold of the LTA and PTA on this failing system.
Fact: It is about 1.9 miles from the Lawrence side of the Atlantic Beach Bridge to the front of Number Two. It is about 3.5 miles from the same point to the front of Number Six school. Atlantic Beach children go to Number Six School.
Fact: The Princeton Plan means that all the children at each grade level will be in the same school. Right now they are in the same school in Kindergarten and starting in 6th grade. The Princeton plan would keep them together in all grades assuring equality.
Fact: Integration is the law of the Land for public schools
Fact: Atlantic Beach has already threatened to secede from this district.
Fact: A previous blogger has said that the Princeton Plan(i.e. equality and integration of the elementary schools) will be "too hard" for our children.
Opinion: Wait till Governor Spitzer sees this.
You know it is ironic, all of a sudden the community has come out of the woodwork to show concern for the atlantic beach children. Touching. I welcome the governor to see this site. The princeton plan for those who actually attend board meetings and remember the outcome of the districts rchitects reprot .The princeton plan was turned down by the board. The plan was to make use 2,4,5 as elementry based schools the #6 school as the junior high and the middle school the high school. The board including this years president were informed the # 2 school did not have the room to hold 3 grades, and the middle school would not be able to be updated to a high school. This can be verified through Dr. Mansdorff. Also, the community around the middle school did not want the high school to be moved to their community. Most of the public school community had no problem with this plan. There seems to be a misconception that we do not want our children to mix. This is so far from the truth it is understandable why nothing can be accomplished in this district. Our children mix together every day. Contrary to what the people writing think the # 6 school is now 52% minority. The children accept each other and children who transfer in from Yeshivot. They do not know the difference, they are taught about all cultures and have their eyes wide open. They play little league, soccer, and football together. So the mere notion that as parents we strive to keep them seperate is ludicrous. For anyone who has researched the school districts past ten years, you will find as the years have passed the class size has increased while the test score have decreased. Teachers salaries cannot be used as an excuse. The raise they received in this new contract is the lowest in the state. They also contribute more than any other district the most towards their insurances. Not that would mean anything to somone who doesn't want their to be a public school system. I think we know segregation is the law of the land. If anyone is that concerned about segregation,teachers salaries, princeton plan I encourage no urge you to call the governors office. Also if you feel the NAACP needs to be informed that we are violating the law then please call them. I am not sure what the governor would say about a board putting up a refferendum so people can use the buildings for free on austerity, or door to door busing, while children from public school in danger zones are still not bused and the boys from HALB boys high school, have to cross Pensiula without a crossing guard probably at the shortese light in Nassau County. Halb buses have three to a seat, and children hang out the window but at least we have door to door busing. I mean hey, what is a teenage boy worth. I am sure the governor would be enlightened by a board president who in the NY times was quoted as wanting to make the private school district stronger. If you have more concerns I encourage you to attend the board meeting this Tuesday night. It is a democratic process and I think if there are this many concerns about the district violating segregation law you should be there to speak to the board. Either way expect to see smaller classes in grades k-3, extra reading teachers and extra math programs, more after school programs to hep at risk children
and universal pre-k. It does not matter if the budget passes or not, they board will have to follow the new legislation or be removed, financial accountibility will be necessary or funding will be cut. Democracy is the law of the land, and you know what it is nice to hear that a governor is in place who does not care about being best friends with the community, he makes not mention of private schools in his speech. Oh and for the record being a resident of Atlantic Beach I appreciate your concerns for my child's bus ride./
Then, maybe they can break thru the lack of performance and the stranglehold of the LTA and PTA on this failing system.
Wow, that is pretty harsh blaming the parents for there kids failing. Your concern is touching. I guess those evil pta parents asking for smaller class sizes, knowing we cannot refuse any child, behavioral issues or not. Imagine those withches. If the governor wants this board to stay on well then okay, unfortunately private school students iwll get the bare minimum under this prgoram. But if you do not care ,,,,,,
OK, so the PTA wants to keep the minority kids in Inwood as long as they can get away with it.
But why are there no minority parents on the PTA? Why do parents of underachieving children accept this segregation and mistreatement? The PTA and LTA may be selfish and greedy, but the onus should be on the parents of the failing children to take a stand.
Whether or not at risk children have parents that attend Parent Teacher Association meetings, the officers of that organization should be defending their needs. They certainly have defended the needs of the Teachers. For years, in spite of falling scores and frankly embarrassing achievement from our at risk population, the PTA has never ever taken on the teachers. How could they, if they did, perhaps there own children might be targeted. Several years ago a PTA President ran for the Board, and after losing took a job the very next year as a teacher in the District. Imagine how this candidate would have acted if she got elected concerning the then pending teachers contract. Dont imagine, the candidate would have acted just like Pam Greenbaum, the candidate that ran with them. ANother PTA vote for the teachers. Another vote and voice to spend more money and never question how it is being spent. A Princeton Plan can easily work without sending High School children to the Middle School. In fact it will work as the only way to create equality in the District. Odd that the previous bloggers failed to mention the country club school #5. AN airconditioned auditorium and less than 40 % of the minority children at Number 2. ANd forgive me for being skeptical but which parents in Atlantic Beach are willing to send their children to Number Two, the ones who are threatening to secede? I wonder.
In all truth 3:22 blogger needs to be put on abilify to stop the bipolar symptoms. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I am not going to touch the segregation it is a petty pathetic way to stir the pot knowing the law is against you and you will always get less than the public schools. Next, if you really did care about the racial makeup of our schools, you would know # 6 is more than half minority. # 5 is half minority. Either way your interest is heartwarming. If you are that concerned I recommend no encourage a phone call to all necessary state officials. I won't go into the princeton plan, as it was deemed non achievable by people who inspect buildings for a living. Not women who have nothing better to do but gossip and teach their children to hate all. Not that you care, but their are minorities on the PTA, we don't hate people not in our community, and we do fight for them, we just don't have religous leaders taking out half page ads announcing it. Either way, I call on every parent who has a child talking the math tests to encourage their children to fail. If all are children fail, we will be rid of this board, and perhaps people who are supposed angels, who have been on the board can be removed and new fresh blood can actually help our schools with smaller class sizes, currently 26 in some elemntry classes 30 in high school. You know what until you actually know what the public school system is about, which you and most don't say nothing. Perhaps Spitzer being a PUBLIC SCHOOL governor, can go to court and get rid of allen 4-3, very close, and the monies that should be spent on technology, and lessons, and field trips and dual language(Jericho) will be. Their is always hope>>>..
To The Public School Parents:
Stop letting the biddies on this website get your goat. Stop posting. They have the slightest idea about what goes on in the public schools. The only place they are allowed to speak by their husband and community is on this website. Let them write whatever they want. TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS: State math tests will be coming up in March. I urge all parents to encourage your children to FAIL. Crazy? I think not, look at it this way, we all fail, we get put on the state list. Spitzer gets involved and we end this nonsense. No more board meetings listening to a bunch of morons who know nothing about education No more of this crap about equality, use of buildings, etc, you want to use the buildings, enroll in public school. You have no leg to stand on Of course are scores suck, and will continue to go down as long as the terrorists hold the board. You fixed the roof,-you want a cookie. The excel grant was given to all schools on Long Island. No more postings people, even when the whines of screw the Jews come out. I am a conservative Jew, and am humiliated by this community’s behavior. Rabbi’s getting involved to influence a vote shame on you. What would you say if the ministers did it? I would type it in Yiddish, but you all know. The public school parents have a message non-public people. WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS!! We hold all the cards. Members of the Lawrence School Board Beware of the ides of March…
Interesting, I know how about if they don't pass the budget we all fail the tests This could be fun. Don't add new technolog; we will keep our kids home 1/5 of the week, loss of funding. I just want to add to the above blog, if people on this website are upset about segregation, please call the state and the NAACP, what a better way to show your concern for your school district.
To Blogger of 12:53 PM, you do not have to encourage our children to fail math tests, lawrence is all ready in bottom 15% of Nassau County. Again to same blogger... if public school parents hold all the cards then you should really be ashamed of yourselves. You could not manage to lift scores in years of rule. Your last great hope stayed on the Board for three years, left and sent his children out of the Distrcit. Dr. Fitzsimmons, selected by him was renewed here in the face of falling scores and failed budgets. Why don't you ask your "Panaceas", Greenbaum and Kopilow, if he was ever renewed anywhere else. You will be surprised at the answer. Point is, the "public school" parents have produced a segregated district that fails at educating its children. It spends over 24 thousand a child(after subtracting for the private kids)and all you can say ,"Give us more." You are afraid to criticize the teachers for doing a poor job and would rather look anywhere else than in the mirror to see what is really happening in this district. Taxpayers and citizens have banded together and created a new board that has tried for positive change. Rather than embrace the change,call for equality and community and challenge the new board to make good on its promise you have resorted to "smash mouth" tactics to try to disrupt the Board at every turn. You actually sued to try to remove Kaufman,Hattan, and Forman from the Board. There have been death threats. While children from Atlantic Beach travel twice as far to Number Six school each day to avoid Number Two, you tried to deny transportation to the Orthodox community citing the cost of gasoline in an attempt to disrupt the system this year. Now you are calling the school board terrorists and telling them to beware. They do not have to beware. We know about your meeting in Inwood last week. We know that you have all ready selected a member of the Sanitary District to run for the Board. And believe me, we know what you will do if you control the Board. We should "Beware". Peddle your fear tactics somewhere else. We will answer them at the ballot box, not in March, but in May.
lawrence is all ready in bottom 15% of Nassau County.
I know we all said we would not post anymore, but when somone who has to sit in the back, should not be allowed to decide anything accept where to buy your kosher chicken. 1. Since private school members have graced our board scores have gone down. Class sizes have increased. If you read the scores last year you will see our elementry schools are doing quite well. As far as your concern for my child in Atlantic Beach, They were sent to # 6 because that is where the room was, and if you were so concerned about my children who happened to both get 4's on the middle school testing you should have been there when they decided to ship them across town. I forgot you are only allowed to spread your wast online, showing up for a board meeting and giving your opinion publically is taboo in your neck of the woods. Yahoo for Kaufman and Hattan, Kaufman who cannot sit still during a meeting, bringing into conversation how adult adhd should be treated with Ritalin, is so concerned with our children, pre-k busing was his first thought. Hattan, wants to increase his technical school population. I was not able to attend this so called terrorist Inwood meeting, but from what I understand it was to discuss this years upcoming election. For the record most of us had high hopes for this new board, but instead we were faced with a board who had meetings for door to door transportation, with promises of busing for students who had to walk on Rockaway Tpke, and when overcrowding was a problem at a few schools, the board threatened to fire specialists, if we hired more teachers. So do not spew about chances, they have done nothing except approve to waste taxpayer monies on free building usage get a grip. We would rather the state step in than have to put up with the closeminded anti semetic jews who run this district, I am ashamed to be a jew as well. My children will be attending Private High school next year, I cannot afford to wait for this board to have these board members satisfy their rabbi's and shul, before the safety of our kids. Shame on you
The district spends 18.900 per student. Please look at the ny state website under Lawrence Schools. We charge non resident regular education students 18,900 dollars to attend our school. The state can verify this, when you are done in the kitchen
There have been death threats.
They really were serious killers, threatening Stanley Kopilow and not Murray Foreman. Just another excuse for a group of people who want equality for private schools when they have no legal right. As far as sanitation employees running, I was at that meeting, and no one discussed candidates, but hey, come to our next meeting, if your husband and rabbi let you. Hey maybe you can show us you care for the safety of you children and lobby for buses that are overcrowded kids hanging out the window, intersections with out crossing guards, oh and for the record, why is it the referendum, was canceled? Could it be the board was told it was illegal to allow the vote to go on. That you cannot have free building usage while on austerity.
afraid to criticize the teachers for doing a poor job
The teachers are excellent, it is hard when you have 26 in a class with 8/9 year olds. 30 in High school. Especially when you send your behavioral problems to us. Couple 26 with 5 who are esl, 4 that are non classified behavioral issues, and no assistance at all. What do you get? Crappy test scores. But hey, Please call the state about our segregation issues. End this terrible problem, tell him about those KKK members that ship those XXXX to #2. Go for it. You still won't get anymore than you are getting now, and once the staet comes in , you will get less.
Is there not something else for you to pick on? Is there not some grocery store that you strong arm lie about and put out of business. Come now, there must be some store that chickens can be lied about.
Give us more."
Not more ALL, Private means not public and if all cannot attend you should get nothing. Pick on the teachers,fitzsimmons,Greenbaum, Governor Spitzer even wants to give more to the public schools. The board will have to show where this money is going to, and it won't be you. No free usage of building, no Crowne Height bus runs, your rein is over.
As if the current "PTA/LTA" school board members aren't enough of a laughingstock, the latest pick is hot off the sanitary district's payroll. This is simply ingenious - Why don't we just merge the two districts, so we'll have the most corrupt and disfunctional body of government outside of the former soviet union?
Please, Yuri ADHD Kaufman, Murray I hate women Forman, Michael I run a school, I became religous Hattan, Dr. I want to win so I will pretend I am religous Sussam, and last but not least Dr. I am going to make my kid yeshivots better Mansdorff. I think that sums it up.
Now you pick on the PTA, some members are from the religous community. You know raise money to pay for school trips, ensure children have extra programs, ensure EVERY child is treated equal, even the ones your yeshivots wont accept. Every parent who comes in is well accepted, and so are there children, we have translators for non english speaking parents, and kosher food for those who adhere to a kosher diet. I can understand the need to speak especially since you are not allowed out of your house to speak, we even let you sit in the front. As far as merging the two corupt districts, your so called board members are part of it. I guess you agree the board members are on the take as well. It must be Pam Greenbaums fault, why not blame her, she is a woman, and hey if you are not allowed out of the kitchen, why should she. I think one of her kids goes to Harvard, she must really be a horrible person to let run our schools, much better to have Yuri Kaufman, who is being sued by everyone, and who had to have the community be him a house because his income was being garnished for liable suits.
You want it all. Thats what you will get.3200 children x 19000 for the public school children( more than what your public school blogger said), 10 million for the privates (state mandates and all that and ) and what do you want 10 million for administration...even you should be able to live on that.Looks like 84 should be more than enough.Loks like this district does not need another budget increase for another 4 years.That is unless your numbers are bogus. Let's see, International Cooking (publish the list of electives at the High School),section sizes of 10 in Phys Ed at the Middle School(post the section sizes in the Middle School, and teachers packages that will cost an increase of 7-8 % next year with benefits(ask Greenbaum in public).Yes sir, your numbers seem to me like Lawrence Math. One more question, exactly how do you think you are going to accomphlish your "Ides of March" threat? Not at the ballot box, but i guess with principles like yours democracy is a problem you can make go away the same way the Romans made Caesar go away.
I was at the meeting and not one candidate was announced. As a matter of fact the meeting was about enrolling voters. If a cadidate has been picked please share the name of this person. We would all like to know.
"much better to have Yuri Kaufman, who is being sued by everyone, and who had to have the community be him a house because his income was being garnished for liable suits."
don't you concern yourselves with Uri Kaufman's finances. Nobody had to buy him a house. He does very well for himself.
You want it all
I think the word is entitled. You are legally entitled to busing,books,special ed. Next year when the new IDEA guidlines come into play, good look, we will no longer be responsible for you endless special ed claims. Good luck getting the district your school is in to provide the services at school, we are one of the only school districts that do that. Look at the audit. When we lobby to push out the busing distance, we all will be driving, no more complaints about bus stops Putting all this petty garbage aside, you can bitch,moan, complain, make comments about pta/lta/fitzsimmons,segregation, you will get no more. We are not the laughing stock, you are. You should hear what people say. Cooking? Yes, we teach cooking, so does Jericho, Roslyn, They are called electives, sorry we don't follow the yeshivot way. But if you think your education is so much better, have your kids take the ela's and publish the scores like they used to.
don't you concern yourselves with Uri Kaufman's finances. Nobody had to buy him a house. He does very well for himself.
Okay Mrs. Kaufman, Then why are your fellow community members talking about how they had to buy you a house?????
Okay Mrs. Kaufman, Then why are your fellow community members talking about how they had to buy you a house?????
I'm not Mrs. kaufman. I am a close neioghbor. I will tell you that that Kaufman's bought their house far in advance of Mr. Kaufman's invovlement in the school board. He owns power plans. Trust me. He does very well.
We teach cooking like Jericho and Roslyn. The last I looked they were not at the bottom in reading and math. Get rid of the fluff and start teaching. The laughing stock is the community that throws its tax dollars at a system that is failing. The disgrace is that the at risk students are being hurt while our "my child got a 4 mother" would rather support the ineptitude than look for a way to teach these oh so precious childing that deserve a better tomorrow. The Princeton Plan stands for equality. This administration proved it just doesnot have the moxie to confront the PTA/LTA to develop a system that will teach all the children.Believe me, if the teachers had the same dedication as your football coach our scores would be much better. But ,the LTA and its friends tried to have at him a few years ago anyway. If you do not believe me ask the President of the teachers Union. They went after him and the head of athletics. It seems the LTA does not like anyone who is devoted to achievement and the children rather than the teachers, but the PTA goes along.
The laughing stock is the community
1.First having friends that live in other districts, we are not the laughing stock, I will leave it at that. Come now you live in the real world, who do you really think people are laughing at on Long Island.
2. Your lack of factual knowledge is really entertaining. Our football coaches are teachers Einstein, they all teach in the schools. So much for your brillance.
3.Roslyn and Jericho have cooking, field trips, dual language, all starting in Kind. Jericho teaches chinese. Class size 20 in k-3 21 in grades 4 and up.. Roslyn I would think should have more budget complaints, but they don't because their board in between stealing ensured their childrens education, new technology, a kitchen in the kindergarten center and 2 elementry schools grades 2-5,. There taxes are far higher, and there private school children get nothing, if they qualify for speech they must drive there. Their board does not spend hours on free building usage.
The LTA those devils, imagine when the board violated the classroom cap, those XXXX they fought, and now the board agreed to 2 reading teachers and 2 math specialists. Good thing the LTA was so wrong. They are so selfish. After being threatend by the board that they would fire 2 specialists if another teacher was hired, they really screwed those kids.
If you are so concerned about those special ed kids, that have been mainstreamed in inclusion classes explain why it is okay to have a class with 4 autistic children and 21 typical kids. 25 kids, 2 aides specialists push in, so 31 people could be in a classroom at once, a classroom with so much going on nobody could learn. But, you know that LTA/PTA, they just don't care. Also are you referring to the lta wanting a teacher removed for racist remarks? What happened to equality, what happened to segregation is over, I guess racist remarks don't count.
Children at risk? Of course they are at risk, 24-26 kids in a class, it is a wonder anyone can learn. Equality for our children, please. The administration is afraid of the PTA, yeah, right. Are their people they are afraid of, sure, they have done things that are not within the guidlines of state and federal policy. This is for both groups of children. The real question should be why is nobody complaining about the cut in services relating to speech,ot, and pt recently. If you have not heard you will.
Let's bring in some trash collectors to clean things up
What racist remarks are you talking about and what teacher. Are you talking about the football coach who was gone after becaUSE he expected his assisstant coaches to work. The same coach who most call a hero. Is there someone else let us know? Maybe you mean the LTA who honored their President when he said, in writing."Do not volunteer even if it is for the good of children? Now you are lying or misinformed about 26 children in 8-9 year old classes. Why dont you list all the classes we have with 8-9 year olds and then tell us how many have 26 children in them. Then, by the way, tell us if there are any other teachers in that one class, you know like aides and teachers for special ed. Finally, why dont you compare the contracts in Roslyn and Jericho as far as class sizes go. They are not smaller than ours and if fact they are larger. When facts do not fit your aganda you simply chose to use misinformation. The problem is the truth comes out at election time and you lose. Seats and budgets. You said there was no money and there was a seven million dollar surplus.You complain about lost teachers but we have as many now as we did when there were 400 more children during Weinbergs tenure. The at risk children have been hurt and neglected at least since Weinberg and the PTA/LTA has not said a thing about it except of course no equality and no Princeton Plan. Over the last decade we have had at least as good if not better teacher to student ratio than Jericho and Syosset, our teachers package has cost more and yet our marks are in the bottom rung. In fact, our esteemed teachers and administrators ask to be compared to Roosevelt and Freeport.We do worse than LOng Beach. Yet the PTA does not have the guts,or else they are so misinformed they do not know, to blame the teachers and administrators for the laCK OF PERFORMANCE.They have the audacity to think that 24000 a child is not enough to educate and as long as someone else is paying over 60% of the tab lets tax,tax,tax.Well those days are over. We have a brilliant governor who will demand performance and no corruption. Believe the nepotism and cronyism in the school district and 5 Towns will not escape his glare. The PTA using tax payer money to promote its political agendas will stop.Thew LTA lack of performance for all teachers will not stand up to data mining. Why not try to be part of the solution. Give up the hatred and defense of a corrupt system.Everyone knows that this community stands for academic excellence.No one more than the "privates." The private community has sent some of the most qualified Board members in history, from finance, to buildings to education. Challenge them to fix the system.Give up the corruption and show love for all the children.The system is not working and needs a top down no holds barred overall change. Everyone has to be raised up and not with cooking and fluff. Mansdorf has committed himself,publically to this effort. Do not stand in the way. Stop protecting the LTA and failed Administrators and administrative technique that has produced nothing. Join the effort to save the system.How long is it okay for our scores to be in the bottom 10-15% of Nassau County?
lying or misinformed about 26 children in 8-9 year old classes
O'connor
Keating
Eagen
Laibach
Why lie,
Roslyn and Jericho as far as class sizes
Nieces and nephews go to these schools, 20-21 kids in a class,
kinderagrten center 18 kids 1 teacher two full time teachers assistants, Call Roslyn they will verify.
PRINCIPAL-REGINA COLARDI
Mailing Address: 240 WILLOW ST
ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY 11577-1253
Phone: (516) 625-6400
When you call ask about their cooking program, dual language, field trips, etc.
Being you know everything, and you are so smart, the following is true, my daughter is in Mrs. O'connors class. There are 4 autistic children. You know the ones your schools don't take. There are 21 typical kids. Yes there are aides, and at certain times of the day, which my daughter describes as meltdown time there are 32 people in a classroom, built for far less. My daughter has learned crap this year. I do not have a problem with the disabled children, the districts used their ass when they figured this one out. Inclusion classroom, especially a new ABA inclusion should have the least amount of children, not the most. Our principal went to the district informing them we needed a 5th classroom, he was told no. The board knew they would violate the contract. Your performance knowledge is about as much as my dog. You cannot expect performance in a classroom with 25 children. Research which you can find on Spitzers web site show 2 groups were tested class size 15-18 and 24 with two aides and teacher, the class size showed the only improvement. So xxxx xx and speak about what you know. Our buildings are falling apart, blame who you want. Our children are not safe. Don't believe me, call each elementry and find out how many ambulances have been called to each school. Your board knows, they did nothing to protect certain children, on child almost died on the way to the hospital. After much encouragement from all PTA board, with our help this family is filing with the Federal Governments Office of Civil Rights. The adminstrators in charge of buildings fight every day , but when you have a district that is more interested in free building usage than a childs life, then... In order to prevent the liar liar pants on fire please contact Dr. Fitzsimmons office ask to speak with A Laino and find out which schools have had problems. Than blog back, next go to the state web site grants/loans, go to the non resident tuition section, look up what we charge other non special education children, than call them and ask how much we spend per pupil. Ask how book lending is supposed to be, ask why new books are being purchased for the yeshievas. Then come back and blog when you have real information and not what you learn from the men in your community. Stand up ladies, being in the back has gone on too long. Once you see how much danger our children are in, perhaps you will move past tradition, walk to the front and take the mike. I can only hope you will stop letting the men in this district fill your minds with anti semetic crap, and the poor/poor/ me will end.
Bayview,Meadowmere,Davis Avenue,
The following children who attend various public schools and HALB high school for boys, are in danger everyday. They are on unsafe roads, intersections where these children cross are unsafe. Perhaps maybe this board now done with giving door to door busing, and free building usage, can stop with the secret meetings outside the real meetings and get off their xxxxx and fix the problem. I know it is not going to make them popular, but being kidnapped, raped hit by a car, little things, should be fixed, and although are esteemed president said things would be fixed, I guess waiting for the upcoming election is a better time to show everyone how much he cares. Now that you are informed wait and see what he does, I bet you one day in a classroom of 25 eight year olds, that will be part of his campaign speech.
"There are 4 autistic children. You know the ones your schools don't take."
you betray your ignorance of the yeshiva system. my son has an autistic child in his class at yeshiva darchei torah.
....Sounds like a good opportunity to bring in some sanitation racketeers.
Whatever problems there may be in the public schools could not have been created by the new board. Certain factions like to use the Orthodox community as a scapegoat for everything wrong in the public schools, but the deep hole that the district is in was dug by Parises, Fitzsimons, Licatesis, Barrys, etc. who have controlled the district for the past few years. The new "orthodox board" has made great strides for the children in the public school and has done very little if anything to directly benefit the people who elected them. So all of this ranting really doesn't make much sense.
question was size by contract. Also you have named 4 teachers, what is the size of their classes and are these the only classes you could name out of 4 elememtary schools. Am told that LTa wanted 4 specialists at cost of 500,000 rather than 4 elememtary teachers? Is that true. So lets see, why lie because truth will make your argument look like that double talk it is. Once again, we have a better student to teacher ratio than jericho but will you hold us up to their standards. Lets see,higher salaries,lower ratios and worse scores. That is the Lawrence package that the PTA wants voters to support. Dream on.
"You cannot expect performance in a classroom with 25 children"
Aaahh, the soft bigotry of low expectations.
I never had fewer than 30 kids in my elmentary school classes, and we all did very well.
We had teachers who were expected to teach, and parents who expected us to learn. Nobody ever to told us to deliberately fail tests for political purposes.
Who's looking out for the kids now?
It seems that Jericho may not have Summer School. That would save hundreds of thousands of dollars for this district. In fact, this District has much more academic support than Jericho. Difference must be in how they teach. Now do not misquote.We know the reason for summer school,but when you compare tell the whole story. Maybe your future blogs should include this disclaimer:"Our idols, Greenbaum and company gave the teachers their raise without any academic benchmarks. We support this and now expect the rest of you to come across and pay for more and more teachers and administrators. We do not care how they do, just that you should pay for more of them. We want every program that any other school has, even if we have some that they do not. Meanwhile, we expect everyone else to take the state minimum when it comes to their own children."
hmm, lots of opinon no fact. The board knew of the potential overcrowding at two elementry shools the middle school and the high school. The lta was told no teachers will be hired. Next know mention of the dangerous road conditions for all our children, conditions Dr. Mansdorff and Dr. Sussman have been aware of for years but have chosen to do nothing. I gues HALB students being hit by a car is okay with you. Yes there are autistic children in the private yeshivot, no on claimed they only come to public school under FAPE, we go over and above giving a private aide. Your student to teacher ratio you see is inclusive all teachers on the public school payroll, we send into the private schools. I would love for just one person blogging on this website to walk into an elementry school class and see the truth. You bash previous boards, but the president was around for all of these decisions. Bitch moan and complain no matter what things stay the same, no matter who you blame, or what you say, test scores say the same, Thanks to our new governor, you know the one who only wants to improve public schools, this board will be removed. Policy and Procedure will be reviewed, between them taking over and the new idea laws, you will get exactly what you deserve under the law, basic transportation, borrowing of textbooks, not necessarily new, and special ed services which parents will have to arrange, especially under new federal and state laws. Good luck in the fall with your special ed, we will wash our hands of you, and when there are 26 in a 4th grade class, and we fail, this board will be gone too. It's like winning the lotto twice. P.S. Free building usage will never every happen, and we really do not care if you pass the budget. All the garbage you claimed nobody listened to us and the staet will never step in, ,, too good to be true, Stop acting like poor losers, no matter how much you pay in taxes, you will never see more than you are now, and this little parade of demands will be gone, we don't go up you are gone. I would stop blaming the teachers, and old boards, I think the state won't care.
In fact, this District has much more academic support than Jericho
Okay, let us get a grasp and pretend you think with your head and not something else. I have copied something from an elementry school in Jericho, I think it will explain, to you the truth.
http://www.jerichoschools.org/cantiague/principal.htm
Please browse our site often and see the many rich and exciting programs we offer our students. Through digital pictures you can see the students in their classrooms as they are learning, or as they explore on a class trip. Peruse Powerpoint and Hyperstudio presentations about science or social studies units being studied by various grade levels or watch students as they solve a challenging mathematics problem posted by our math teacher during a classroom lesson. Each of these is only a small representation of the learning opportunities offered our students. We hope you enjoy them.
Also Link to this
http://www.jerichoschools.org/seaman/teachers/lbaum/index.htm
First grade class
20 student 1 teacher two aides.
http://www.jerichoschools.org/seaman/teachers/sstanco/index.htm
third grade class,
while you are there read about the chinese the children are learning in kindergarten.
please link to the other grades to see what they are learning.
http://www.jerichoschools.org/seaman/teachers/iosroff/index.htm
There is no comparison, every cent is spent on those children, the board puts the children first. and for the record, there teachers make a good salary, pay far less for their benefits, and have a district who supports them. Read and then see what this board has done to this district.
Silly me, I thought we would deal with facts and not conjecture but I forgot who I was dealing with. Lets take the schedules for Lawrence teachers and put them against Jericho teachers. Then lets take the programs offerred in our schools, like summer school, the Bond program and the Lore program in the High School against all the programs in Jericho. Then we can factor in that jericho has great results and ours are at the bottom of the heap. Then we can talk about number of students and number of teachers. Then we can have a fair discussion, until then keep up the babble and hope you do better than you have in the last 4 election/budget votes.
So maybe we think with our heads rather than PR pieces. Lets do an empiric study. You want to study Jericho next to us, help with the research. Program to program, salary to salary.Number of teachers to students in each. PreK program in each. Salaries of all ancillaries. Let the numbers speak for themselves. Of course i am sure you will include achievement in that analysis. It goes to the concept of value for youe tax dollars. What i think all of us who go on this site will find is that the waste is monumental. There is no transparency and the only that has been going up are salaries. But if the studies shows different so be it. Why dont we start with a list of teachers salaries and total take home pay in both districts.
Summer School, they don't need it. I could follow all the links, and tell you right now the foreign language program alone equals our summers school and high school. The schedule at Jericho for teachers is the same. I know sister has taught their for 15 years and currently earns over 100,000, she is elementry, and most years class size 21 anytime over that full time aide assigned.Jericho's non english speaking minority is non exsistent. 2003-4 They had two hispanic children take the test district wide. They did not show their scores. District wide spending if you look at just instructional expenditures, we spend almost the same, a little more, that being the ela programs. Their district has 10% classified rate. We have 12.4. That costing more money. Their private school children get speech and ot as related services, and parents have to drive them to providers they do not get them at schools. Imagine the cost savings!. They have passed their budget every year, They don't have people who don't care about the public schools. Which in all honest you don't. I cannot blame you, I wouldn't want to spend all this money and get nothing, but in saying that I would not move to Long Island. It would scare me though, the amount of public parents moving. Many religous children attend the public schools, and a lot of famillies including ethnic are discussing moving. These are the families who care about education. Your poor children will be left with gang bangers and the residual who ruin it for us all. Now I would be afraid, but then again I would never want another child education to suffer because of my Rabbi's hidden agenda.
Bayview Ave, Meadowmere, Davis Ave unsafe? Why do you let your children walk if you're so concerned. Were these streets there when you bought your home? If so, you weren't concerned then, why now?
To 10:07. You started with anecdotal facts and then ended showing your true bias against the orthodox community and Rabbis. I will not question your hidden agenda ,instead i will sort of repeat my previous request, but now make it a challenge. You picked jericho, the top of the heap, but no matter. Let us compare teacher salaries,programs. student to teacher ratios(this is easy, number of teachers and number of children) and of course results. Please do not say they do not have summer school because they do not need it. How convienient. No summer school, no cost. Instead lets compare district to district. It sounds to me, reading through your last response, that you do not care how much Jericho spends, you just want more. Now I can understand this, as long as you are spending other peoples money, the amount of money never becomes a factor. That is probably a trait that you and many others share. rather than saying we are spending enough money have tremendous programs and the administrators and teachers have not given the children and the community the bang for the buck they deserve, you would rather blame the private community for not throwing more and more money at the problem. You resist the current bd that is incensed over the low scores but believes that people are not doing the jobs they need to do. You have not cheered for Uri Kaufman who, on his own, has discovered we may have been spending 40-50 percent too much on repairs and projects. You refuse to allow Dr. Mansdorf the freedom to try to correct a broken system. Enough all ready, produce the data on Jericho or accept that some will believe you are using anecdital episodes to bolster a weak argument.
Here's a win/win scenario. For every child in SD15 who needed summer school last year, but doesn't need it this year, let the teacher keep 50% of what summer school would've cost. The other 50% can go into some of the other "fluff" programs you all want. Then we'll have the achievement we're looking for, motivated teachers, and whatever extras your little heart desires. At no extra cost to the tax payer.
Why would the teachers go for that? It's not like they work that hard in the summer anyway.
remember summer school teachers get 85 dollars an hour. Figure that in a 40 hour week and we are talking about 170,000 a year.
Bayview Ave, Meadowmere, Davis Ave unsafe? Why do you let your children walk if you're so concerned. Were these streets there when you bought your home? If so, you weren't concerned then, why now?
Actually Davis avenue is for the boys going to HALB High School For Boys, it is a very dangerous intersection. I would assume you would have to ask your question to the community. As far as Bayville, it is a project, I do not think they had much of a choice. They get put where nassau places then. Meadowmere Park, I am sure drive their children. Yes, they knew where their house was. The point was to show you That Dr. Mansdorff and the rest of the crew, have more of an interest in special interest groups than our children, Forgive me for being objective and caring if one of the boys crossing Penisula get hit by a car, I think a board should protect the interest of our children's safety first, and if is okay your children ride on overcrowded buses three to a seat, with many children at times hanging out the windows, then hey, by all means, I will not lobby for their safety. Your comments about did they not know when they bought there house, that is more a matter of finance. A community that is pissed that they do not get more for their taxes. If you truly want to see where are school problems lie. Come to a board meeting. The problem with this blog and this district, everyone runs at the mouth, but 1. Very little factual actual information, 2. Not one person from the religous community shows up to see what really goes on. One meeting the board for two hours discussed what happens if a child has an order of protection, this being brought up by our president Dr. Mansdorff. These meetings in where decisions on our childrens lives are made are a joke. I feel like I am watching New Orleans after the hurricane, So to this community I say, blame whoever you want, next year things don't get better Dr. Fitz, and this board will be gone, and they will have no one to blame but themselves. Also, the teachers contract, wether you agree or not is done, it did not hurt the financial situation any more, their raise was minimal, and legally the state protects their rights. So it is time to move forward, and face the challenges we have, unfortunately they do no include free building usage, I agree with pre-k busing. All monies will have to be put into the public schools. What can you do.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2007/02/05
The above is a radio show given by the governor office. I don't know why we are not rejoicing. His plan is exactly what we all wanted.
1. Smaller class sizes k-3 15-18 children.
2. Accountability for the children to increase not only test scores but growth in education in general.
3. The super/board will be held accountable for poor results.
4. Monies will be increased but the district will have to show where it goes to.
5.Districts will be given more money to increase study time after school,and more availability for children to attend summer school.
6. State officials will be available to help schools work on what works.
What is the problem, why all the mud slinging? The state is taking over and doing what some districts inlcuding ours have been unable to achieve. Afterschool programs will be funded by the state, that is a good thing, They are also looking at a tax cut for private school parents. You know this is what we have been waiting for. No interest group will be able to demand from our board. It won't matter if people are upset that their monies go to the public schools, the state will ensure monies not only to the public schools but it is spent wisely. Smaller class sizes, better summer programs, afterschool programs, this is what works, this is a good thing. If this community is unhappy the governor want to enhance public schools only, the only thing I can say is, he ran under a public school platform, this should be expected.
WHY IS IT THAT 99% OF THE COMMENTS LEFT HERE BY THE "PRIVATE" AS WELL AS THE "PUBLIC" SCHOOL PARENTS ARE ANONYMOUS ? HAVE SOME NERVE PEOPLE!! CALL IT WHAT IT IS. A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF ANY COMMON DECENCY AS WELL AS COMMON SENSE !!! I AM SO SICK OF HEARING ALL OF THE SO CALLED CONCERNS WHEN THE REALITY IS NOBODY IS WINNING AND ALL THE KIDS ARE LOOSING.. WE ALL NEED TO GET OUR HEADS OUT OF OUR BUTTS AND OUT OF THE SO CALLED LEADERS IN THIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY'S BUTTS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO LIVE TOGETHER ..UNFOURTUNATELY MOST PEOPLE ARE TOO AFRAID TO SAY WHAT THE REAL ISSUES ARE. WE AS PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE. THE LEADERS (AND I SAY LEADERS BECAUSE VERY FEW MEMBERS OF THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY ACTUALLY COME TO BOARD MEETINGS TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY JUST RELY ON WHAT THEY HEAR AT SHUL ON SATURDAY )HAVE DISTORTED THE FACTS TO FIT AN OBVIOUSLY PRIVATE SCHOOL BIASED AGENDA . STOP BLOWING HOT AIR AND GET INVOLVED IT WILL BE IN ALL OF OUR BEST INTERESTS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND NOT FOLLOW BLINDLY LIKE SOME LITTLE SHEEP. I KNOW THAT I AM TRYING ..SIGNED ANDREW LEVEY (SEE I ACTUALLY HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY WHO I AM) SO SHOULD ALL OF YOU
WHY IS IT THAT 99% OF THE COMMENTS LEFT HERE BY THE "PRIVATE" AS WELL AS THE "PUBLIC" SCHOOL PARENTS ARE ANONYMOUS ? HAVE SOME NERVE PEOPLE!! CALL IT WHAT IT IS. A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF ANY COMMON DECENCY AS WELL AS COMMON SENSE !!! I AM SO SICK OF HEARING ALL OF THE SO CALLED CONCERNS WHEN THE REALITY IS NOBODY IS WINNING AND ALL THE KIDS ARE LOOSING.. WE ALL NEED TO GET OUR HEADS OUT OF OUR BUTTS AND OUT OF THE SO CALLED LEADERS IN THIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY'S BUTTS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO LIVE TOGETHER ..UNFOURTUNATELY MOST PEOPLE ARE TOO AFRAID TO SAY WHAT THE REAL ISSUES ARE. WE AS PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE. THE LEADERS (AND I SAY LEADERS BECAUSE VERY FEW MEMBERS OF THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY ACTUALLY COME TO BOARD MEETINGS TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY JUST RELY ON WHAT THEY HEAR AT SHUL ON SATURDAY )HAVE DISTORTED THE FACTS TO FIT AN OBVIOUSLY PRIVATE SCHOOL BIASED AGENDA . STOP BLOWING HOT AIR AND GET INVOLVED IT WILL BE IN ALL OF OUR BEST INTERESTS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND NOT FOLLOW BLINDLY LIKE SOME LITTLE SHEEP. I KNOW THAT I AM TRYING ..SIGNED ANDREW LEVEY (SEE I ACTUALLY HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY WHO I AM) SO SHOULD ALL OF YOU
Why doesn't atlantic beach just secede from the district and sign up with Long Beach?
I'm sure the Long Beach Herald readers would love to read Ringelheim's trash.
Before you try to reform the blog world, try to get a little education in blog etiquette -
Lesson 1
Do not type in all caps. Typing in all caps is considered yelling or screaming online. Those who type in all caps are perceived as lazy and not being considerate of those who will have to read their e-mail. Various studies on the topic reflect that it is more difficult and takes longer to read text that is typed in all caps. And for those who question "What studies?" here is one example for your reading pleasure:
http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/~muter/pmuter1.htm
Lesson 2
Do not post multiple copies of a message. If you entered your post and hit "submit" it will eventually appear. You may have to refresh the screen or wait for a moderator to approve your post.
thx for the lesson. instead of focusing on where i live and how i blog something maybe you could focus on the problems with OUR (i meant to yell that)schools and maybe we can actually do something productive instead of spewing more sensless hateful trash. i will try to only post this once thx by the way i did not catch your name
Yes, that's correct. Everyone needs to take a step back from their predispositions and disdain for the respective "other side" and focus on problems with the system. One thing everyone should agree on is that the status quo is unacceptable.
My name, like those of all the other anonymous commenters, is unimportant. The purpose of the blog and comment threat is for the objective discussion of issues. In the blog world, your sentiments would be taken far more seriosly if your lack of objectivity was a little less apparent.
This blog can be very useful for people from all sides to discuss their viewpoints in a respectful and open-minded forum. Your comments only bring to mind the raucous atmosphere at our school board meetings, which clearly isn't very constructive.
Rather than pointing fingers at this board member or that board member, or their respective supporters, it would far more useful for commenters to offer their objective viewpoints on what/where/how things can be improved in the system. Everyone has unique experiences in dealing with the system, and everyone should have unique insight into how things can be improved. Why waste time and energy squabbling, just to see how much of a rise you can get out of another commenter?
Mr. Levey,
Thank Your for your honesty. But rather than anyone see the truth for what it is, they make comments about they way you blog. The bottem line Mr. Levey, the people on this blog are upset. They are upset because governor Spritzer has sucked the wind from the movement. I myself have tried to remain objective, and fair, only to be rebuffed. So you know what Andrew, let us let them keep their heads where they are. The people are upset, they don't like the fact that Spitzer is pretty much telling them that private schools do not get to play in his game. No more of the endless whining. Who care if board members have a plan, well the plan is not working, and instead of figuring out why, we read the constant banter of teacher insults. Much easier to single a group our and pick on them, than be accountable for their own actions. Either way, look at the people who blog, some poor public parent wrote about the boys crossing to HALB for boys, and not one person even mentioned it. I guess it does not fall under the PC category of my Rabbi told me to.
A Levey,
Stop, Don't bother, your attempts are very admirable, your were very right, but now it is time to move on.
The public schools will now get all funding. Non public children will get whatever is required by law, nothing more and nothingless. No longer will we be subjected to board members speaking in public about how he is going to help the private school kids. Or how we should make people feel more vested, and give them the key, and everything else to the schools. Uh Uh. No longer going to happen. This upsets people Andrew. People thought they would waltz in and the governor and all would go their way, guess not. Either way, the waiting is over, tommorow is a board meeting, let us once sit their and wait for the plan, you know the one that will tell us how they are going to fix things. The one that will make class size 15-18 for k-3,. No matter if the budget fails, or the school sale goes back to the people, the public schools will now get this boards attention. The attention by law it should have had all the time. Now if we could just get through a meeting where we accomplish a goal, that would be nice.
Well, now that we're all convinced Spitzer is an LTA/ALPS member, why don't you and your friends all sit out the election like you did last year.
Eliot Spitzer wrote in a press release when he was attorney general:
"...I support the idea of education tax credits. Moreover, I have long advocated for finding constitutional ways to increase the assistance that the state provides to children in non-public schools. In 2002, I convened a task force that released a report outlining specific proposals to accomplish this goal."
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2006/jan/jan19c_06.html
So which team is Spitzer on? Is he simply batting for "both teams" like every other politician on in this country?
Does this mean that we'll have to get off our lazy tails in May?
Andrew,
Yah, don't waste your time. You're talking to people for whom this is sport. This is their entertainment - why entertain them ?
When you think about it, you should feel sorry for them. They give "blogging lessons" for crying out loud! While you are enjoying your family and friends they are blogging anonymously about things they know nothing about.
How sad is it that they make fun of Barry Ringelheim's letters to the editor of the trashy Nassau Herald ? After blogging, they can't wait to go buy that rag to read the letters. Do they ever write one and sign their name ? Think what you want about Barry, but he cares about the community and has the nerve to stand up PUBLICALLY to speak out against perceived wrongs. Oh, and he actually does research on the issues he speaks of. While he is coaching little league, sponsoring the annual Sweetheart's Tournament to benefit Juvenile Diabetes and volunteering his free time to his shul, the anonymous bloggers here are sitting in the dark, trashing decent people everywhere, anonymously. It's got to be a lonely little life for the professional bloggers, ya know ?
The bloggers here speak about particulars of spending in SD 15, class sizes, education law, etc., without doing the research and even about what goes on at school board meetings which they don't attend.
They claim that Phil Mistero is building a "multi-million dollar house". Heh. If that's the case, you and I should put our houses on the market immediately.
Let's see, I've also read on this blog site where the Satmars have SOME NERVE imposing their beliefs on other people! If that isn't LOL stuff coming from here, I don't know what is.
I find this blog to be mildly interesting in the way of education. Unfortunately, I find it's an education I shouldn't have. Ill will, you know. It's uncomfortable.
So go, enjoy your family. Leave these people to worry about their chickens and to poke Moshe Rabinowitz with a big stick.
Is that you again, Nat? How come you're posting anonymously now?
AnonymASS
I don't need to hide my identity like you, yellow belly. Only cowards like you and your pathetic cheering squad need to hide behind anonymity so you can regurgitate you filth and defamation in the misguided belief that no one will find out who you are.
You may want to be prepared for what's coming. YOUR yellow belly solution should be to peruse the yellow pages for a good moving company. It will be my pleasure to see you off to either the poor house or some other jurisdiction
The problem with you thinking bloggers are somehow not regular folk is exactly why you are living in the past and still don't get what blogs have become. Ask any *real* politician today and they understand the power of blogs. Look at John Edwards, Barack Obama, Howard Dean, and that's just the people on the Left. They are all embracing the blogosphere.
Heck it even got Ned Lamont a Democratic nomination for Senate! Blogs took down the 60 Minutes fake bush national guard memos and blogs defended (successfully) Israel during the Lebanon war from vicious Arab photogs who were selling doctored photographs to the press to make Israel look bad.
Before you get all high and mighty about how lowly bloggers are and how we'll all get ours. Why don't you get a clue and join the rest of in the 2000's. Because back where you live it must be very dark.
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