Board of Ed. Election

We can debate what the best approach is but the $130 million number I think is realistic considering how badly we have let things deteriorate.  I fear if we don't do the 5/6 7/8 split that number will climb even more.

that’s only about $16,000 per household, plus interest.

Let me guess.  There’s an Aquatic Center in the cards.

Robert_Casotto said:
that’s only about $16,000 per household, plus interest.


Let me guess.  There’s an Aquatic Center in the cards.

 Have you looked closely at MMS and CHS recently. Both buildings are in need of either complete rehab or replacement. 

The Administration came out with a Plan B last night that would have the district have K-5 elementaries,two 6-8 middle schools, and then CHS as a 9-12.

The possibility of having two 5-8 middle schools has been ruled out.

Robert_Casotto said:
that’s only about $16,000 per household, plus interest.


Let me guess.  There’s an Aquatic Center in the cards.

 I think that at one stage they outlined a potential plan where "wants" such as an aquatic center were included along with "needs" and that budget easily passed $200 million.

Though I always look at BOE plans with a great deal of skepticism, as tjohn said, the idea that we need well over $100 million just to make these buildings safe, comfortable and durable doesn't seem outrageous given what I've seen.

Your $16,000 is spread over 20 years.  About 800 per year.  

Stoughton said:

Robert_Casotto said:
that’s only about $16,000 per household, plus interest.


Let me guess.  There’s an Aquatic Center in the cards.

 I think that at one stage they outlined a potential plan where "wants" such as an aquatic center were included along with "needs" and that budget easily passed $200 million.
Though I always look at BOE plans with a great deal of skepticism, as tjohn said, the idea that we need well over $100 million just to make these buildings safe, comfortable and durable doesn't seem outrageous given what I've seen.

 Starting point was $217m, whittled down to the $93m.  (Add in the $34-odd million for expansion plus a Montrose cost to get the $131m.)  I’ve been after the $127m for months and finally forced to OPRA the info after being stonewalled repeatedly.  Waiting to see what if anything I get in that and the varied buildout costs.  What is in the $127m they culled out is anyone’s guess, though I presume some of the nice-to-haves announced last eve were part of it. 

Robert_Casotto said:
they looking to acquire a 737?  


in lieu of bussing, I imagine?

I’d be SO up for acquiring Led Zep’s 747 now that you mention it.  

My two cents FWIW - I'll be voting for ctrzaska and Cutler.  ctrzaska, I'm impressed with your financial background which I think we need and I'm especially impressed with Marian traveling to many different districts to get their perspective on middle school groupings, leveling and IB.  I'm also voting for Laskowski for his recruitment background given how many interims we have.  

The big question I have is how do we not repeat the same mistakes where we're paying the piper for a total lack of updates to our infrastructure?  Also, has there been any updates on elementary schools?  This is what impacts my family the most.  

Much of what has transpired over the past few years has been of real concern to me, to the point where we are very much considering moving and have been going to open houses in other towns.  

I don't trust Ficarra.  Can't wait until he's gone.  What's the status of the search?  At the rate the BOE is moving, there is no way they will have someone in place before Ficarra leaves.

Marian Cutler should get A LOT of credit for the research she has done into what other school districts are actually doing.

Even doing online research is worthwhile, but Marian has actually traveled to other school districts. 

Back in 2011-12 Marian Cutler traveled to other IB districts and concluded that IB wouldn't work in SOMA.  She was one of the few people in the community who publicly opposed IB.

Here's a Cutler op-ed from 2012 against IB.  She had no crystal ball, but she got a lot of things right about how hard it would be to implement.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/maplewood/op-ed-kicking-the-tires-on-international-baccalaureate

Thanks Runner Guy for posting that link by Cutler.  Now I have four candidates I want to vote for.  A good dilemma to have.  Right now I'm leaning towards Trzaska for his budget smarts. I've worked with him on Maplewood CBAC and am confident he recognizes the balancing act between " must haves", "should haves",  and "nice to haves, but not now or never".  Laskowski has put his professional life out as selling point important for the selection of a new superintendent.  I found his comments on the forum to be well thought out.

I am torn between Cutler and Farfan, a newcomer to our towns.  His profile demonstrated an ability to recognize problems,  initiate solutions, and find external support to implement.  

The sound on the recorded forums is so poor that sometimes I wonder why we bother.  Women candidates....learn how to speak into a mike. It is something you can learn.

krnl said:
Thanks Runner Guy for posting that link by Cutler.  Now I have four candidates I want to vote for.  A good dilemma to have.  Right now I'm leaning towards Trzaska for his budget smarts. I've worked with him on Maplewood CBAC and am confident he recognizes the balancing act between " must haves", "should haves",  and "nice to haves, but not now or never".  Laskowski has put his professional life out as selling point important for the selection of a new superintendent.  I found his comments on the forum to be well thought out.


I am torn between Cutler and Farfan, a newcomer to our towns.  His profile demonstrated an ability to recognize problems,  initiate solutions, and find external support to implement.  


The sound on the recorded forums is so poor that sometimes I wonder why we bother.  Women candidates....learn how to speak into a mike. It is something you can learn.

 Is this a real post?

Perseverance said:
My two cents FWIW - I'll be voting for ctrzaska and Cutler.  ctrzaska, I'm impressed with your financial background which I think we need and I'm especially impressed with Marian traveling to many different districts to get their perspective on middle school groupings, leveling and IB.  I'm also voting for Laskowski for his recruitment background given how many interims we have.  
The big question I have is how do we not repeat the same mistakes where we're paying the piper for a total lack of updates to our infrastructure?  Also, has there been any updates on elementary schools?  This is what impacts my family the most.  
Much of what has transpired over the past few years has been of real concern to me, to the point where we are very much considering moving and have been going to open houses in other towns.  

 Thanks for the vote of confidence.  As to what the BOE needs to do to ensure they’re not running to the well again in 5, 10 years... off the top of my head it’s two things: 1) make sure the list is exhaustive and, 2) make sure there’s a maintenance plan with appropriate costs, offsets, etc factored in as a standard part of this rollout and integrated into the overall budget process.  And elect folks down the line who aren’t afraid to make tough Andrew unpopular decisions. That too. 

As to the elementary schools, not sure what the question is.  On rezoning?  If that, they’ve FINALLY introduced something I’d been clamoring for, which is the baseline numbers and option for keeping the existing model.  To fix the demographic disparities, they’ve again backtracked and now seem to be thinking about two magnets, yet another thing I and some others had been bantering about months ago.