RSS 2.0 FeedMarch 17, 2011, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Labor tensions continue at Wantagh school board
Emotions run high at Wantagh meeting.
Whether it was over proposed budget cuts or the continuing impasse between the Wantagh United Teachers (WUT) and the Board of Education, many expressed emotions at the March 10 Wantagh school board meeting.
Reading from a prepared statement, board President Jean Quinn noted that on March 9, the Wantagh School District and the WUT met with the agreed-upon mediator for over six hours. The third and final mediator-led meeting will be held on April 13.
“The Board of Education believes that public discussion of any specific negotiating points is not in either party’s interest,” said Mrs. Quinn.
A meeting between the district’s negotiating team and the Wantagh Educational Secretarial Association (WESA) unit was held on March 7, and the next meeting is scheduled for March 22.
Approximately 50 teachers, wearing their gray union shirts, were in attendance. David Cippoletti, identifying himself as “a proud teacher and football coach,” told the crowd that “your children inspire us to go above and beyond the call of duty as educators.”
He noted that Wantagh is an exceptional district due, in part, to the fact that Wantagh has exceptional teachers at all levels.
Education is like football
Making the comparison between sports teams and education, Mr. Cippoletti said, “Our teachers are akin to the offensive linemen on a football team. Your children, our students, are the skilled position players – the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Finally, our administration and the school board can be viewed as the coaches of our team, plotting the course and direction our district takes.”
Mr. Cippoletti went on to tell the board that the “coaches” have been calling too many deep-passing plays, which involves both rewards and risks.
“I believe our coaches should recognize how solid our offensive line performs for the good of our team,” Mr. Cippoletti said.
“In these trying economic times, both educators and school leaders need to unite and be cognizant of the role they play on Team Wantagh. Operating together as a congruous school district will best serve the students in Wantagh and their ability to hurdle any obstacle that life thrusts at them.”
“In case you are wondering,” added Mr. Cippoletti, “the parents are the facilitators of practice, and everyone knows practice makes perfect.”
2011-12 budget
The Wantagh school board and central administration continue to aggressively work on the 2011-12 budget. The most recent draft budget, as presented to the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) on March 8, reflects a spending increase of 1.99% over this year’s budget, with an estimated tax levy of 5.1%.
The district has formed a committee, chaired by Mandalay Elementary School Principal Dr. Lynne D’Agostino, to examine a Princeton Plan, to explore declining enrollment and class size. Wantagh has also been in conversation with neighboring districts regarding consolidation opportunities.
“We look forward to the BAC recommendations, and encourage any taxpayer with questions, concerns or suggestions to contact the Board of Education, preferably via written letter or email,” said Mrs. Quinn. The final budget for 2011-12 will be approved at the April 14 business meeting.
In the meantime, the board was scheduled to meet with state Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. regarding budget matters.
Over $2 million in state aid lost
Wantagh lost 14.05% in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal of over $2 million. This amount included a decrease of $776,000 in state aid, a loss of revenue from ARRA funds totaling $643,000 and a loss of one-time building aid of approximately $750,000.
When the meeting was opened to public comments, Jude Netto said that, as an advocate of long-range planning, he had calculated the district's retirement contributions, which had been growing at an alarming rate over the past eight years. While in 2003, retirement contributions accounted for 2-1/2% of the payroll, today it accounts for 11.2%, or $3.5 million, a 26% increase, he said.
“A growth rate such as this is not sustainable. Changes need to be made in payroll by the state,” Mr. Netto said.
Elizabeth Greco said the district was not to blame for financial problems, but rather the state. “We are one of the highest performing districts on Long Island, and we are working on a shoestring budget,” she said. “It breaks my heart.”
“Year after year, this district is asked to do more with less,” said Michael Soethout. “Districts that fail are being rewarded. The people who do their jobs need to be rewarded. I urge everyone to write to Senator Fuschillo and tell him to give our schools the aid they need.”
Stating that “the contract is obviously a real problem. The budget is a real problem,” former Wantagh Board of Education member Christopher Wendt recognized the board members for all their efforts. “What you're doing is very serious,” he told the board, and he encouraged members to “stick with it” and “don't burn out.”
Awards and honors
The board meeting began with honors presented by Wantagh Schools Superintendant Dr. Lydia Begley. Christine Moran was honored as recipient of the Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award by the Nassau Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
An inventive team of Wantagh High School students were honored for receiving first prize in the Rube Goldberg contest sponsored by the Cradle of Aviation Museum. They are off to the national competition in Michigan.
Student government representatives updated the audience on district events, including Spirit Week, Foreign Language Week, An Evening of Jazz and the high school wind ensemble's performance in Carnegie Hall. Sixty-six new members have been inducted into the National Foreign Language Honor Society. Sportsnite 2011 will be held on April 1.
In his report of the Wantagh Foundation, Ralph Spagnolo encouraged parents to send in their applications for the district's summer recreation program as soon as possible.
Diane Wenz of the Wantagh 6-12 Association reported on the successful anti-bullying seminar held earlier in the month, and the success of their “Biggest Loser” fundraiser. The next 6-12 meeting will take place on March 30.
The next Wantagh Board of Education meeting will take place on Thursday, April 14, at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The agenda for the next meeting, as well as transcripts of this and previous board meetings, are available at the district's website, wantaghschools.org.
