State Asked To Nullify Turf Field Vote

[Uncle Joe]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/art ... thrown-out

Good for Bob Herloski. I hope he wins and the State Education Department overturns this vote.

There is plenty of proof, despite Ann Carmondy's claim, that the school district tried to influence the outcome of this referendum back on January 19th with their emails and signs posted on Hard Road.

[Felix]

"The school district acted in good faith to provide comprehensive information to the public throughout the referendum process."

So Ms. Carmody, can you show me a single piece of paper that talks about this interest to be paid for by the Webster residents.

Can you show me a single reference to the fact that the Webster taxpayers were informed they would have to pick up the tab for turf replacement 7 to 10 years after it is installed and long before the 15 year bonds are paid off.

Can you show me where we were informed the cost of the "Portable flushable" toilets that I'm sure we will be renting to put on the pads as shown on the drawings for the "portable toilets". Is this cost to be bonded or will it be paid for out of operating funds - which would be funds used for the core business as opposed to raising taxes if all of the funds for the core business are to remain intact?

The idea that the school district did not know these flyers were being sent - that school district resources - including e mail addresses were used, is pure B.S.

I am firmly convinced this bond passed for one reason on one reason only - a majority of the voters believed it would not raise taxes. after all, it was voted down 3 years ago because it would raise taxes as part of a bond issue. And to those niave voters, where the h*** do you think the state's money comes from?

I applaud Bob for taking this on but unfortunately, I think the most that will happen is a hand slap and that will be the end of it. Possibly, this may cause the AG to take a look at the books for Webster. Who knows what he will find - I'm hoping it is that 28 million they are sitting on. or maybe they will find a grand piano or two.

I recieved some very disturbing numbers from the gov's office a week or so ago - it is clear that school spending is way out of control and the leading contributor to the tax problem in NYS - far exceeding what they like to blame, medicade.

[leadfoot4]

.....I am firmly convinced this bond passed for one reason on one reason only - a majority of the voters believed it would not raise taxes. After all, it was voted down 3 years ago because it would raise taxes as part of a bond issue. And to those niave voters, where the h*** do you think the state's money comes from?

I applaud Bob for taking this on but unfortunately, I think the most that will happen is a hand slap and that will be the end of it. Possibly, this may cause the AG to take a look at the books for Webster. Who knows what he will find - I'm hoping it is that 28 million they are sitting on. Or maybe they will find a grand piano or two.

I recieved some very disturbing numbers from the gov's office a week or so ago - it is clear that school spending is way out of control and the leading contributor to the tax problem in NYS - far exceeding what they like to blame, Medicaid.

Good points, Felix, especially the last one. Every time I drive out 490 west, past the north side of Gates-Chili high school, and see the newly built, full enclosed athletic field, I wonder in amazement what THAT must have cost!! Furthermore, I wonder if anybody even remotely considered what the future maintenance/repairs will cost the school district (taxpayers).

Government spending is TOTALLY out of control, and somehow or other, this runaway train needs to have it's brakes applied!!

[Felix]

leadfoot4 - I believe a fully enclosed athletic field is on the agenda for Webster. After all, we paid for some of that facility in Gates, why shouldn't we have ours? The state will pay for it.

And on and on and on it goes!

[flipper]

i've talked to many people about this vote. if they seem remotely knowledgeable about the project and are willing to say how they voted, if they voted yes i ask why and many say the money is there to be spent and if we don't take it, it will go somewhere else. so why not here.

i said knowledgeable not intelligent.

[leadfoot4]

i've talked to many people about this vote. if they seem remotely knowledgeable about the project and are willing to say how they voted, if they voted yes i ask why and many say the money is there to be spent and if we don't take it, it will go somewhere else. so why not here.

i said knowledgeable not intelligent.

leadfoot4 - I believe a fully enclosed athletic field is on the agenda for Webster. After all, we paid for some of that facility in Gates, why shouldn't we have ours? The state will pay for it.

And on and on and on it goes!

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is why New York, among other states, is in DEEP financial trouble! I cringe whenever some politician says, "We're going to save money". All that means is we're not going to spend it here, but instead over there.....

[Uncle Joe]

The Webster School District reported " no impact on school taxes" The bond will require interest to be paid over 15 years. The state is paying 80% of principle and interest.

School district officials also said they would take the 20% principal out of surplus funds. That leaves 20% interest the taxpayers have to pick up out of the school budget which the school district never disclosed.

School officials did say there would be $91,000 in savings a year. However if you take out the $40,000 interest payment taxpayers have to pick up each year, ( the 20% share), plus the cost of re-turfing in 10 years, two fields at $300,000 each or $60,000 per year set aside to do that there is no savings in fact it DOES cost the taxpayers money.

Amazing how people with Masters degrees in education can't figure out something as simple as that. Maybe the wrong people are in charge of educating our children if they can't figure out interest rates and simple math.

[Alfred E Neuman]

What disturbs me is that it is apparent that the school district withheld vital information from the public regarding this referendum.

It is also being alleged that the school district violated established rules forbidding them from using their influence to push for a 'yes' vote.

Sorry but I don't believe the excuse that someone from a sports group sent out just one email on district letterhead urging a 'yes' vote.
My question is how did that person have access to school district computers in the first place?

I too saw the 'Vote Yes' sign on Hard Road and thought to myself, who is paying for that sign; and will it be visible again come May when the school district's budget comes before the public for a vote?

As the old saying goes "There is something rotten in Denmark." This is why I support this gentleman's efforts to have the State Education Department investigate what led up to the January 19th vote, and if needed declare the vote null in void if it is discovered that irregularities were committed.

[Felix]

It is all in knowing what to say and more importantly, WHAT NOT TO SAY. The school district is an expert at knowing what not to say.

[leadfoot4]

.......Amazing how people with Masters degrees in education can't figure out something as simple as that. Maybe the wrong people are in charge of educating our children if they can't figure out interest rates and simple math.

Oh, don't worry, Joe...THEY most certainly DO know how to figure it out. However, they DON'T want US to.......

[Bob Herloski]

Request for status from another thread:

The school district has submitted its answer to my petition to the State Education Department and me. I have submitted my reply to the district's answer to the State Education Department and the district.

For information about appeals to the NYS Commissioner of Education in general, go to:

http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/appeals/

From the FAQs:

"...Once the file is complete, we endeavor to issue a decision within six to eight months (i.e., eight to ten months after the petition is filed). However, hundreds of complex appeals are filed each year, so it is impossible to guarantee a specific date. "