The response from Kingston's elected officials has been remarkably quiet regarding the School District's proposal to stick it to the city and close both Meagher and Sophie Finn schools. Thus far, only Bill Reynolds has joined with me in opposing this measure. Mayor Sottile gave a somewhat tepid response by saying he did not want vacant buildings in the city. I expected more from him. In years past, he was a vocal critic of prior efforts to close Meagher School. I wish he would do so again. I would be happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this fight.
Where are the other politicos? Sophie Finn is in Ward 9. The Alderman of Ward 9, Hayes Clement, wants to be Mayor. Though he has not formally declared, his campaign web site is under construction. How can he possibly seek the Mayor's Office when he has not even stood up for Sophie Finn, a school in his own ward?
Where are the other Aldermen? Legislators? Legislator Madsen lives in Ward 9. Why have we heard nothing from anyone other than myself and Bill Reynolds, as well as a tepid comment from Mayor Sottile?
Are Kingston and our schools not worth fighting for? There is a meeting on March 2nd where the plan to close the 2 schools will be formally given to the Board. I urge city residents to attend this meeting in droves. Let's show the School Board that we do not want Meagher or Sophie Finn closed. If they must close a school because of underpopulation, then close the one with the smallest population so as to move the fewest students. That would be Zena, though I expect that's off limits since the daughter of a prominent school official teaches there.
Here is my alternate proposal. Take the 9th grade out of the high school and put them back into the Junior High Schools. Take the 6th grade out of the Jr. High School and out them back into the elementary schools. This is where these grades belong anyway. This eliminates the underpopulation problem and also deals with the overpopulation problem at KHS. We will saves tremendous amounts of money by not having to expand KHS or even build another building to deal with overpopulation. Then, let's see how things go over the next year or so. If there continues to be problems with under utilization, then we will have to consider closing an elementary school, perhaps Zena.
Since the bulk of the population is in Kingston, it makes no sense to bus them elsewhere and huge costs to the taxpayers. GW, Meagher, and Kennedy have the 3 highest populations of students that walk to school. Closing one of them will escalate busing costs dramatically.
Another way to save money is to cut down the RIDICULOUS salaries being paid to administrators. People are receiving over $150,000.00 per year with some even being over $200,000.00 per year. Here's a flash . . . they are not worth that kind of money. Their jobs are not worth that kind of money.
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13 comments:
In May, let's let the voters decide between moving 6th grade back to elementary schools and closing 2 elementary schools. If anyone out there knows how to get this on the May ballot please let me know.
Rich I agree with you, but if Bill Reynolds also agrees with this plan, then some how we will get screwed.It doesn't matter what Bill Reynolds decides I say do the opposite.Bill Reynolds needs to be voted out of office!!
At least show up and tell the board that any decision must wait until after the election so the four board members who are elected in May will have a vote on the plan that they are going to have to live with.
This decision has waited this long, implementation is not planned till september 2012, let the vote wait till after the reorganization meeting in July.
I think the school board should save money by firing Gretzinger, and rehiring Pritchard. Gerry G could then replace Mathews as head of security, and make more than he made as the bloated superintendant. I am sure he knows how to game the system, after all, he stood by and watched it happen for years. He should be an expert.
All school salaries should be transparent,AMEN!
So when will Gretzing resign?
How many time swill the DPW patch turck ride up and down Broadway this week and not stop and fix the pot holes. This truck has lots of time to ride uptown many hours a day, but never fills any pot holes. When will Schupp get them to fill so pot holes. Oh there are 3 employees riding in this truck.
Bus companies and hired bus monitors to keep the burbs employees in jobs?
i would like to know why is it that the school bus drivers take the bus up to shoprite, walmart, and sam's club and shop.We taxpayers pay for the gas for those buses. Am i right.
The teachers should stop complaining about having to pay more for their benefits.They only work 6 months out of the year and make over 100k,not bad for part time work.They are hurting those of us who work all year and only make 39k.
2/21 11.30 a.m. they are go to see thru N.Y .com. let me know what you think.
Neither Sottile NOR the Common Council stood up and opposed the idea of the High School moving. Do you really think anyone outside of you and Reynolds really cares???
Its a shame...Yes, they ALL should be beating down the doors at Crown St. ....including Turco-Levin and Polacco.
Why has there been no report of Ulster Savings giving $6,000 a week to the Gold Shield of the KPA. Who is tracking these dollars and it is illegal to funnel these dollars through the Gold Shield to the Police Officers working the security detail at thr Frair Tuck. When is this investigation going to start. Have 1099's been reported?
Bit of history....
I was not on the Council at the time of the high school changing locations. As a Realtor do you think I would approve spending over a quarter million dollars for land that floods every spring?
As for researching the closing of a school, if it means that it will bring down the astronomical school taxes then we owe it to the taxpayer to explore the possibility. It may turn out that it is not a viable option, but if you don't ask the question you will never get the answer.
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