Poll Results
The results of the poll question, "Do you want to pay higher school property taxes for a new $1,400,000 synthetic track?":
No -65%
Yes - 35%
Site statistics indicated a number of Yes votes from mail.oleysd.k12.pa.us.
This is an unscientific poll, but the results would probably be the same if there were a referendum vote on the same topic.
The information will be presented to the school board.
There will be more polls. The first one was a great success.
The paper reports that the district recently agreed to pay additional engineering fees over the original $39,000 architect charges for the track!
10 Comments:
Isn't the address mail.oleysd.k12.pa.us. from the school district?
Yes.
Some suggestions for future polls;
Have you ever been to a OVSD school board meeting? Y or N
What OVSD budget areas should be cut?
Administration
Technology
Food Services
Transportation
Teacher positions
Facilities
Sports
Music programs
Library
As a OVSD property taxpayer, are you in favor of:
Re-zoning some areas to allow more industry?
More residential developement?
"Pay-to-Play" for art, music and sports programs?
Have students pay for school bus transportation?
I want our schools to be top line, however, I prefer an increase in academic standards before athletics are the priority. The Oley Township must allow more development of business(retail and office buildings) in order to make our school district one of the best in the county. Without help from development, there is no way the homeowners of this district can keep up with the financial burden which is being thrust upon us. I don't mind paying my fair share but if other avenues can be explored in order to pay for the out of control spending let's give them a chance.
"...Some suggestions for future polls;
Have you ever been to a OVSD school board meeting? Y or N
What OVSD budget areas should be cut?
Administration
Technology
Food Services
Transportation
Teacher positions
Facilities
Sports
Music programs
Library
..."
What a silly posting and comment. I don't think anyone has suggested eliminating any of the programs list. However, any professional could accomplish all of the above, and then some, and still reduce the overall budget. It would merely take a collective effort.
First, ask the administration to prepare a budget based on 95% of expected revenues. Don't allow the administration to mix in additions and wish list items to artificially raise the revenue needs. This is a poor financial methodology employed in the SB's budgeting process. When us adults were in school, we learned how manage money and budgets in "Home Economics" Class. I am not sure if that is even a class anymore. Maybe it was replaced with the silly concept of the senior project, which is a disgraceful policy.
Then next step is to individually evaluate the additions, and if items are added, what is being replaced, and what is the financial offset. Something must be being replaced. The students and teachers are not extending the number of days or length of the school day.
I remeber attending a SB meeting a few years ago when the IT teacher was requesting a substantial budget increase, which was approved with little to no critical debate. He stated what the new technology (wireless network) COULD do for the school. At NO point was he questioned or requested to state what teachers were planning to use the new additions, how, why, and most importantly, what was the upside to the students. It was sold primarily on what it could do. Now, I will admit, I do not know if the system works, is adequately utilized by various teachers in their classroom exercises, etc. I hope it is.
The problem is, it was not publically demostrated that it would be utilized right out of the gate. It was not stated that the teachers/administration had worked up a game plan in advance, to utilize the technology. It left the public thinking that the conversion of teaching methods to utilizes the technology was secondary.
It is these types of issues and poor communication by the SB and administration that creates the lack of confidence. It is also the type of example that leads the general public, parents included, to believe that the school is engaged in frivious spending and excessive unneeded tax increases.
To Registered Nurse ... from Linda Baniszeski:
As to the track, I do not think anyone would have a problem with "budgeted" track maintenance and repairs which this board has neglected to do over the past 20 years.
If this track has been in such dire conditions, maybe you could ask the Board "why wasn't it budgeted with the high school renovations, or as part of yearly "antitipated projects," such as new roofs, etc,"?
If you had been watching, and participating as a board member during 4 years of the past 12, you would know that the controlling members of the administration/board often appear to 'purposely' and wantonly allow certain parts of the school property to decay so they can then swoop in and fix a crisis that never had to happen in the first place.
I once asked my dad, "the sage," why certain people who appear to have it all still aren't happy until they're running other peoples lives. He said it all comes down to Power. That's why people will spend personal millions to gain a relatively low paying government seat.
By the way, there is a nice "fundraising sign with progress reports" in front of the Kutztown High School for their new track. Where is the sign at the Oley Schools showing how much the boosters have raised to date toward this project?
I personally am not "against" a track repair or replacement. The grandiose nature is what bothers me. Why can't it be a staged development: track and infield area first; other sports field areas next: and lights et al later. You know, how the taxpayers have had to arrange things within their personal budgets since the beginning of time. The boosters could probably have fund-raisers which would pay for it all, leaving the vast majority who do not benefit out of the financial equation. The Oley Youth League has done this successfully since its beginning.
The deceptive methods of the board are nothing new. To say this won't increase taxes is just not true. We need to maintain a certain fund balance level, as explained by "Warren" the substitute business manager during the budget presentation process. Whatever is taken from an existing fund balance will have to be replaced at "taxpayer expense" which generally results in another property tax increase to people who can barely afford it.
The registered nurse is fortunate to have the intellect, unlimited opportunities, and very fine pay scale that nursing provides in today's economy. All any of us have asked is that those with good healthy incomes just TRY to understand the plight of seniors and retirees whose incomes are shrinking while school taxes are increasing along with medical expenses, energy to heat homes and operate vehicles. To ask for fiscal prudence is in no way to be "against" the school and the children -- although that's how it is always framed by those who don't know when to give the taxpayers a break.
Personally, my husband and I have NEVER ASKED other taxpayers or government for ANYTHING. We've only asked that they not take SO MUCH in the hopes that we are left something to live on.
Linda Baniszeski P.S.
One final thought. When I served on the Board in the mid-90's, I cannot ever recall the decaying track coming to the Board's attention during that time, and Mr. Heckman was the chairman of the Athletic Committee at least part of my tenure. It would have been the Athletic Committee's responsibility to bring it to the full board's attention.
Linda Baniszeski P.S.
One final thought. When I served on the Board in the mid-90's, I cannot ever recall the decaying track coming to the Board's attention during that time, and Mr. Heckman was the chairman of the Athletic Committee at least part of my tenure. It would have been the Athletic Committee's responsibility to bring it to the full board's attention.
Linda Baniszeski P.S.
One final thought. When I served on the Board in the mid-90's, I cannot ever recall the decaying track coming to the Board's attention during that time, and Mr. Heckman was the chairman of the Athletic Committee at least part of my tenure. It would have been the Athletic Committee's responsibility to bring it to the full board's attention.
What happened to the nurse. She has not come back to talk to us. She was not at the board meeting last night. We wanted to meet her.
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