Sachem Residents Send A Message

[4me2know2]

It was good to see that there is finally a district of residents that collectively spoke out in opposition to a School District's budget. With a vote of 6 to 1 to not pass the budget, maybe not only did Sachems Board get the message loud and clear, but also some of the other District Boards that its time they take control of excessive spending.

Congratulations to the residents of Sachem for sticking together!

im on a school board and i cant understand how in the world they thought they could get this budget passed....we had a 5% increase and we were worried....keep up the fight!!!!!

[not good]

??????????????????????? :(

Congratulations!? Congratu'freak'n'lations!? you must not have children in sachem schools - the only thing you should be patting yourself on the back for is for denying children a good education. You people are nothing more than edunazis - against education against anything that will make you have to pay a cent more on the future of our children. SHAME SHAME SHAME

[Congrats ARE in order]

oh lord. another one of those PTA Freaks. Go bake some brownies.

[PTA Rampage]

PTA's are not important to our schools and our communities because of bake sales. They're important because they foster important partnerships that preserve and promote student success. They are part of the recipe in the ingredient of a better tomorrow for our children. How dare you degrade PTAs ... how dare you be so chauvenist that you deny our poke fun at our role in schools and community!

[Stormin Gorman]

Looks like fred gorman is up to his old tricks. There's a new committee being formed. And the sachem taxpac website is being used as an example. More tax pac dysfunction spread across long island. exactly what we need. With the issues schools are having passing budgets, we don't need tax pac in the equation - we need reform at the state level. Anti-education groups are not going to promote these changes appropriately.

[Gorman's groupies]

any news on Gorman's new group. How is it progressing? Is it secret membership? Is the website up yet?

[Fred Gorman]

any news on Gorman's new group. How is it progressing? Is it secret membership? Is the website up yet?

Dear ????,

Long Islanders For Educational Reform (LIFER) is not a secret group. It’s a resource center for civic’s and Long Islander interested in school maters. The site is almost ready for the public. Their are approximately 20 people preparing positions on such things as curriculum, special education, NYS Education, government, taxes, budgets, union contracts, etc.

The goal is to provide Long Islanders with school district information in a format they can understand.

The group is lead by Frank Russo of Port Washington. Please contact Frank if you wish to know more or join. His e-mail address is fjrussojr@cs.com

It’s not my group at all. I'm providing LIFER with free websites. As respects content I will have no input.

Fred Gorman

[Gorman hater]

any news on Gorman's new group. How is it progressing? Is it secret membership? Is the website up yet?


As respects content I will have no input.

Fred Gorman[/b][/i][/color]

thank god that pony tailed loud mouth loser will not having any input!

[quote="Gorman hater"

thank god that pony tailed loud mouth loser will not having any input![/quote]

Hater,

I never wore a pony tail. In fact I look like a Bank President. My suits cost $1,500, I wear a solid gold Rolex and drive a new Cadillac.

I try very hard to make my points with logic, not volume. It’s my success at driving home my opinions, not my vocal volume that brings you to the point of hatred.

If you wish to see how strong and on target my opinions can be, just challenge any of my opinions on curriculum, taxes, budget, union contracts or state aid. You can go to www.sachemunspun and search Fred in the forum for you ammo.

Perhaps when I answer you, some of you anger will go away.

Fred Gorman

Fred you must recognize that the legacy of some tax-pac has left a bad taste in people's mouths. While you are a decent and knowledgeable part of the discussion of education and funding, some of your following do not have the same decorum that you represent yourself with. As unnecessary as hater's personal attacks are - its not altogether unfair. Guilt by association.

Fred you must recognize that the legacy of some tax-pac has left a bad taste in people's mouths. While you are a decent and knowledgeable part of the discussion of education and funding, some of your following do not have the same decorum that you represent yourself with. As unnecessary as hater's personal attacks are - its not altogether unfair. Guilt by association.


Dear Guest,

Guilt by Association?

Does that mean every school superintendent, trustee and State Ed official I collaborated with as well as every elected official whose private cell I have is guilty of Taxpac by association?

You mention some of my friends do not have the same decorum that I do. You must mean the guys that refer to me as a “PTA Mom from la la land”. As tough as they can be, their not half as hostile as the teacher union antagonists. Just go to www.sachemunspun.com open the forum and read any of the teacher posts.

Furthermore, I like Andrea Vecchio even though she is the last taxpacker standing. I know her to be a lot more open to the opinions of others than most teacher union presidents.

Here is a typical Fred to a tax griper speech… As important as keeping education affordable is it is no were as important as rising our nations intellectual proficiency. We have become the new Rome. An intellectually week country more interested in gain than accomplishment.

The last 30 years of ... keep everybody happy ... don’t rock the boat ... social worker education coupled with parents more interested in their children’s fun than their future has resulted in foreign born doctors, engineers, scientists and American kids that can’t make change. We are rapidly becoming England and France.

You would be amazed how many tax gripers get that picture. It’s a lot easer to convert taxpackers than excuse making educrats.

Fred

I actually was giving you a compliment but so take it back. I think there's a balance between your interests and the interests of providing a cost effective quality education to our young people.

I think the reputation for tax-pac will be restored and revitalized in the wake of such prevelant defeated school budgets. Certainly taxpayers are not going to stand for this much longer.

A revitalization of tax-pac!? Now that's a scary thought.

[Fred Gorman]

Dear Guest,

Extremism on either side of the equation is no good. Single minded tax reductionests are just as bad as pro union Boards and the status quo. The way to keep Long Island affordable is to keep increases that do not improve educational quality below 4% a year. If our children are to be able to afford to live hear we have to provide them with the intellectual skills necessary as well as keeping costs down.

All can be accomplished.

The contingent budget cap puts the voters in control of spending. Board tricks that make it look much higher than it is, only last for 2 contingent budgets. Three years of contingency should reduce reserves for future spending to reasonable amounts. This is the only way to get administrators to do more with less and convince the unions the gravy train left town.

On the education side:

We must return the classroom power back to the teachers and concentrate more on core curriculum. Our reading programs must concentrate on retained comprehension. Thank God the new math has become history. Reading, writhing and math must be treated as intellect builders not courses. They are the stimulants that improve intellect.

Parents must become parents more interested in their child’s future than their child’s fun. The parent teacher relationship has to be returned to the parent-teacher partnership of the 50’s.

Student moral has to change. High School Intellectual prowess has to equal the status of football hero. When our children enter school they must become students with the responsibility of learners, not kids. Learning is a job with a goal. It is their responsibility to become as best as they can be so the can protect us and prosper. Children love responsibility and contributing. It makes them proud. Bullies an emotionally disturbed students that are disruptive in class have to be segregated from the general population until they demonstrate that the can behave.

Every thing I mention costs almost nothing and can give us every thing.

I believe the first step to bring everyone together is teaching the voters the contingent budget, reserves and budget BS.

In my opinion the ideal situation is to let the voters decide how much the parents get to spend on education and a board of parents decide how to spend it. Unionists, taxfighters, old fogies, retired administrators, etc. need not apply. Contrary to what school insiders want you to believe any parent with a heart in the right place that can balance a check book can make an excellent trustee.

As respects Albany, as long as NYC controls the state assembly we can do nothing. However, a united state wide citizen’s movement of people that would rather say goodbye to a senator then their children, can.

Fred Gorman

[PM Educator]

you make a lot of good sense. Why not run for a School board seat?

[Fred Gorman]

you make a lot of good sense. Why not run for a School board seat?

Dear PM Educator,

The contingent budget limits spending. It is all taxfighters need to control spending. As more people begin to understand contingency, how long it takes to work and the Board tricks to make it look closer to a passed budget than is truly is; the more they will begin to control the purse strings

Furthermore, I believe, Unionists, taxfighters, old fogies, retired administrators and people without kids in school, don’t belong on a Board of Education. As I said… “let the voters decide how much the parents get to spend and let the parents spend it.”

Personally, I see no reason to sit on a Board that would limit my right to speak out on the many community issues I address. Also I don’t have children in school.

Fred

[guest 411]

Hey Fred,

Why not go after Unfunded Mandates first? And you contradict yourself by saying that budget cuts and deunionization will empower teachers. All it will do is what happened to the levees in New Orleans.......let all the rancid water (parents with agendas) into the educational system.

And the Rolex and Cadillac reference is typical of the freedom fighters. You have things, yet still managed to pay those HIGH school taxes. That's a great Reverand Ike mentality.

Roughly 4K per year. Thats the average school tax amount. Those in Syosset that pay up to 8-12K for taxes don't seem to complain as much because their kids are the ones succeeding. Those care payments add up to more. Unless you were the fortunate 2% of the population that can afford to pay cash.

Fred, taxes are out of control. But so are parents, kids and corrupt administrators. Teachers making 70K per year is not out of control. It is the average salary needed to survive on LI. Without a house!!!!! Get out of the air conditioning in your Cadillac and check the time on your Rolex. Your time is up and the onrushing water will envelop you and your new "political friends"

[Fred Gorman]

Dear 411,

You ask why not go after Unfunded Mandates first? Because it will take a state wide movement to take down NYC’s stranglehold on Albany. My friends and I are doing our best all over the state. Bob Schultz and his friends are taking the fight to Washington.

You are wrong. I never said deunionization will empower teachers. I would oppose deunionization. What I said/say is ... unions use their unity to control school elections and elect union friendly board members and the people have a right to know why. Furthermore, I support tenure. The kind that was created to permit a teacher to teach and manage the classroom without interference from government, religion or parents, not as a protection from incompetence or abuse. Kindly remind your union of its responsibility to get its members the power they need to achieve the results they became teachers to achieve.

If you want parents and teachers to once again become partners and put classroom power back into the hands of the teachers, get your union and your Board to develop a moral boosting plan. Imagine the impact you could have on your students if they had to behave in a polite professional manor as learners who are being trained to take over the country and eventually repaying their parents by doing the same for their children. If you are a parent, you know nothing in the world is more important than having your child succeed in life. As a teacher you know your vocation. As either you know most kids love a responsibility. All the building blocks are in place. So talk to your friends and make a difference.

As respects budget cuts. Boards must learn how to do more with less. Other have, Hospitals have, business do it every day. Education is no exception.

You say Rolexes and Cadillacs are typical of freedom fighters with a great Reverend Ike mentality. I disagree, it’s more like Franklin and Jefferson. My car and watch have little to do with my neighbors, my efforts do.

You state the average school tax amount is roughly 4K per year and teachers making $70,000 per year. In Sachem it’s $5300 per taxpayer per year and half the community pays between $8,000 and 12,000 in school taxes just like Syosset. This year our cost per student is $16,461. Last year 397 Sachem teachers and administrators earned between $100,000 & 180,000, 72 earned between $96,000 & $100,000, 107 earned between $90,000 & $95,999, 67 earned between $80,000 & $89,999 95 earned between $70,000 & $79,999 169 earned between $60,000 & $69,999 262 earned between $50,000 & $59,999 and 190 earn between $40,000 & $49,999 in base salaries.

You are right Syosset doesn’t seem to complain as much because their kids are the ones succeeding.

I suggest that if you agree that taxes, parents, kids and corrupt administrators are out of control, make your union do something about it.

Fred Gorman

104,

1) I did not compare my self to Jefferson. My civic actions are taken from his writings and my tactics from Franklyn.

2) Didn’t your union elected Kidpac Board members?

3) Actually 381 Teachers earn between $100 & 120 ,000 in base pay. However, if you ad in stipends 428 teachers earn between $100,000 and $134,000. Our Superintendent earns $212,000.

4) You say after reading the contracts, some items have helped to sell Sachem down the river. Such as the 10-month administrator earning top dollar. I say our secondary jobs program curriculum and two years of free SAT preparation is a bigger tax drain.

5) You are right it’s not Sachem's teachers or administrators fault that the district population has dropped. At one time we had 20,000 students we now have 15,000. However is was the Boards fault when we were on contingence and they charged us for 185 phantom students.

6) You assume that Boards will make spending decisions based on more community input? And can count on 3 hands the number or residents present at Board meetings unless something is being taken away. Our Board never listens to taxpayers.

7) Your district is being overwhelmed by immigrants that do not pay taxes. Do you mean like Sachem’s Farmingville?

8) Should foreigners be charged a tuition if they do not contribute? No Education is free. If they live here they get free education until the legislature changes the rules.

9) If you find my support of tenure is contradictory to control taxes. I don’t think you understand the purpose of tenure or my comment.

10) I only speak for my self or for the civics I belong to when asked by them to speak.

11) You are paying for the mistakes made when my kids were educated? I don’t have any idea of what you are talking about.

Fred

[guest 411]

Welcome to 1930's Germany.

My anti-Gorman retort was taken off. I didn't use profanities. I merely questioned Fred's motivation. He does a great job and answering questions yet avoids confrontation by having his band of taxpacers keep silent the majority.

Fred, if you think things should be FREE, it means you have benefitted in some way by your position. I know plenty of people in high standing that keep the freebies, whether it's golf tees or an education.

Nothing is free Fred.

Let's see how long this stays on.

[Fred Gorman]

Dear 401,

I am also upset that you questions were removed. It makes my response meaningless. How do we get it reposted?

Public Education is free and open to all. It also provides one of the most important things citizens need to be free. It’s as important than the first amendment and more important than the second amendment. The ability to read and think gives us the tools to bloodlessly revolt against oppression with the Great American Sacrament, your vote. You can’t stand up to the President with a pistol but you can send him packing with the pull of a lever.

If you deprive any resident of free education you enter a very slippery slope. If foreign borne residents have to pay for education, why shouldn’t parents with special children have to pay a surcharge. How about a behavior tax for unruly students. How about taxing single moms who work two jobs for not helping the kids with homework wile washing their close?

401, if you believe nothing is free, I’m sad for you. Memories and love are free. When a warm memory crosses you mind is it about a good time with friends, a day at the beach or your watch? My reward for my activities are pride in my accomplishments and thanks from my neighbors and friends.

Fred

[guest 411]

Fred,

I'm really enjoying this reparte. You make a valid point about taxation, yet 30% of a schools total budget is for special ed.

Read Newsday's centerfold today. I think it answers a lot of the questions about why you and I have these issues.

We seem to be talking on opposite sides of the fence and the real answer is that it's the fence (parents) that's causing all the problems.

PS I didn't really think you were responsible for removing the post.

http://www.redclock.com/dumpflanagan/dump_flanagan.gif