Carthage Residents Demanding a Change in the School Budget…Again
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Frustrated, confused and furious.
That’s what the majority of the crowd felt at the Carthage School Board meeting last night as Carthage residents came out to voice their opinion on the Carthage Central School budget.
The school board had previously met with village officials and other lawmakers from around the area to discuss what could be done about cutting the budget back.
Originally the tax increase was 9.8 percent and was dropped to just under 7 percent after that closed door meeting.
The school board also agreed to keep special education teachers and programs at the request of Justin LaJoie, who had been circulating a petition to prevent cuts to special education.
However, according to the residents of Carthage, something has got to give.
“You are absolutely insane…what gives you the authority to keep spending money on things while my tax increase in at 6.8,” one audience member said to the Carthage School Board.
His comments were met with applause.
Most who attended said that the budget was too top heavy, asking that more administrative costs be cut from the budget.
Superintendent Carl Militello said that two administrative positions had already been eliminated, as well as a Fort Drum liasion and an assistant principal.
“We’ve been doing our job and that’s part of what we do to provide a quality education and we will continue to do that after the vote because obviously the process of education goes on,” he said.
The budget goes to vote Tuesday, May 20 and no one is sure what the outcome will be.
Jessica Cain reports:
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22 Responses to “Carthage Residents Demanding a Change in the School Budget…Again”
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It’s difficult times. Gasoline is approaching $4 per gallon and food prices are going through the roof. Is it asking too much to ask the school district to control the spending rise to a more reasonable level. Other districts in the area are limiting increases to three to four percent. Why can’t the Carthage District practice the same discipline and restraint. The district also needs to recognize that it has far fewer commercial rateables than most other districts in the area.
It appears our school board is out of control when it comes to spending. To complicate matters even further, our individual assessments are being raised substantially every year while home owners across the country are experiencing major decreases in their home values. We can no longer tolerate those nice to have items in the school budget. Even State Government acknowledges the fact that run-away school budgets are having a major impact on the residents of this state. Get a grip school board and sharpen your pencil!
I am a life long resident of this area, and a CCS grad my self. THere are many ways that i feel money is wasted,,, example busing kids to fort drum to bowl for gym, people just to make copies so that the teachers do not have too, with the raisng price of gas i feel the school needs to look at bus routes. I also am very uspset that my children come home from school, telling me to vote for the budget, per their teachers or else they would lose many of their activities. I have very little respect for educators who intimidate children in order to pressure the parents to vote yes. signed anonymously
We have a broken system in this country. I would not want to be on the Board of any school district. Health insurance and gas prices have created many problems for everyone. Our problem begins in Washington and Albany primarly. Big business lines the pockets of politicians. From a local standpoint, local budgets in this area get complicated when you factor in the aide from the State and Federal government for the military students. For example, the bowling trip to Fort Drum that was mentioned would be of little cost since the district would get aide for the gasoline. If substantial tax hikes are occurring this often, what is going on with the business manager? or the Board? Somebody is doing fuzzy math to continuously being off that much each year.
Carthage school system seems to be very shoddy. Taxes are outrageous for the quality of education and programs that are offered. Mediocre grades seem to easily be accepted, while nothing has been down to increase quality and programs. Teachers and principals would rather suspend a student rather than work with parents to get to the core of their problems. I would maybe be more inclined to believe a tax increase for that type of nature.
Unfortunately we are coming into hard times and a 6.8 percent tax increase is insane while other school districts in NY are at about 4 percent.
First I would like to address the issue of teachers and principals suspending students. I am not a teacher nor am I an employee of the school system, I am however a spouse. One evening we sat down to budget our household and in doing so came to the conclusion that our daughter makes more babysitting (hourly) than that of a teachers income, and she only has 1 - 3 children at a time. The teachers at CCS are some of the most dedicated teacher I know (I have lived in a few other states.) Parents need to take a more active role in their students education even if that means sitting in the classroom so they behave. Teachers should not have to dicipline the students, that should be learned at home before they even enter the classroom. Most of the time parents don’t want to deal with a dicipline problem and 9 out of 10 don’t believe it is their childs fault. As for the budget, yes there is waste and yes we certainly could do without some of the frills, but where do you begin. If you stop paying coaches, who will coach. It does not pay all that well to begin with, is very time consuming and the paperwork not to mention the parents can be exhausting. I know I wouldn’t want 15 - 25 or more parents calling my home to complain about a game, a practice, playing time etc., etc. So lets cut out sports all together? Okay then what do we do with the hundreds of kids who do play them after school hours? How do we keep them off the streets and out of trouble - because once again there is that dicipline issue. Team sports is the only dicipline some of these kids ever encounter. Before we hang oureselves over this issue I think we should all take a step back, breathe deep and focus on what we can do to help this situation. Do we have people in our communities that are willing to sit down and help budget, do we have people who will sit on a board or panel and help figure out the most cost effective way to get our kids to and from outings, can we volunteer to help in the classrooms and offices, can we sit in classrooms with students that are repetetive diciplinary offenders. Lastly it seems our elected officials are trying to help the people in our district, and that is certainly appreciated, but, in what other ways are they also willing to help. The tax levy is not as steep as we would like to think it is. It looks that way because our assessments are so high. Assesments are suppose to be based on the current sale of property in the area, sales are down and prices are lowering in our area. Times are diffucult and will more than likely get worse before they get better. All boards, village & town, as well as school, should see what they can do to help the people of this area, not throw blame at one another. I’m sure there are ways to better budget all around us we just need to be more attentive and creative.
Has anyone else out there looked at all the new houses that are out there. Can you believe that taxes keep going up with all the new houses that are built in the district. You would think that that this would take care of some of the price hikes every year. While our assessments keep increasing and the percentage going up no one will be able to live here. Something should be done with how the way that the spending is done because people will start moving away. There again this shows how bad are government really is if it is this bad at the local level.
I here rumors of Mr.Millitelo spending somewhere around $100,000.00 on renovating his office If this is true I need to see this office. And who gave him the permission. The school board? Thats 1.2% of the budget. Thats a chunk!
We have owned a home in the CCS district for the last 11 years and we also own another in an other district that is much smaller then CCS. It amazes me that our taxes for our house in CCS is MUCH higher than that of our waterfront property address. That distict also has been rated in the top 112 schools in all of New York State. Most of their tax payers are retired people who do live on fixed incomes and somehow that district functions and those kids excell. I have always felt that CCS budgets were ridiculous and the problem is administration costs! That is the cut that has always been needed to be made, not teachers or programs! But all of us tax payers will have that final say at the vote!
As a current student of CCHS I was disappointed to see how people acted at the meeting. We should be able to voice our opinions without creating such a scene as the one Monday night. I believe that this matter can be solved with commitment from the community members. We can all easily complain and point fingers at the board members who are trying to come up with a budget, but do we come up with ideas to help them with it? As a community we should talk to the board members and communicate different possibilities as to what could be done. I agree fully with the comment written by MB. It is hard to come up with budgets that please the whole community, but we need to talk to the board about alternate solutions instead of pointing fingers at them. Also I believe MB when she stated, “teachers should not have to discipline the students…” Teachers are not there to baby-sit they are there to teach us. I think Carthage has some of the best programs around our area. Commenting on discipline again I just have to say that it has to start at home with the parents. I know that if I acted up in class my parents would not hesitate to discipline me. Too many parents are beginning to take their Childs side when they get disciplined by the teachers. I take my education very seriously and enjoy having the privilege to attend such a school as Carthage High School. I also enjoy going to school and I just want to see the community come together and work with the board on a budget plan instead of reliving the meeting that happened Monday night.
The teachers are always complaining about under pay. The benefit package these people have is higher than most people have. At one time I lived in Carthage school area. At that time they were crying about pay. Why don’t they work in some of the lower 48 states and see the pay these people make. I would not trade my home here in Oklahoma for the best in Carthagr area. God bless OK.
As for Carthage Central School and a concern tax payer I went to the school over some of the problems there . All I got was the run around .But I do agree sport can be a good thing but I think a good education is more important . I also beleived that they should have in school sepention instead of giving up on student . ALSO I FEEL ANY TEACHER WHO GET OFF BY TELLING A STUDENT HE OR SHE IS STUPID SHOULD BE FIRE . this has happen over at CCS quite a few time and the student is away wrong ,I was one of these student years ago and I have heard that teacher of CCS I QOUTE “I GET PAYED WHEATHER I TEACHER YOU SOMETHING OR NOT” this is the atitude of a few of our great CCS teacher and they are the ones that should be fired or sepended without pay to see if they will start being a real teachers . and that should save some money for the school . and how about letting fort drum help pay for some of the extra we are not in a draft the solder tooked the job . they get pay for doing that job just like a police officer takes his job to protect and serve . They risk their live to and all they asked is to be respected . SO LET FORT DRUM HELP PAY FOR THE EXTRA SO THEIR KID DO NOT GO WITH OUT EXTRA!!!!
It is crazy!! People can’t handle anymore in this area. The Transportation is getting a revenue off the buses they sell and it’s said that money is going into a general fund not back into the transportation. There auditors wont let them put it back into transportation to cover higher cost of fuel. It sounds like are money right there is being spent very unwisely. The two admitivtrative jobs he created need to be gone. And more need to either go or take a pay increase big time.
The open meeting of the CCSD budget was well attended by the public and continued to meet opposition from the board. First of all the property owners cannot afford the high tax rate and the cost of doing business with the school district officials. As for as teacher dedication, not all are. Talk to students who need extra help and see how much they actually receive staying after school. It is not in the teacher’s plan to actually work or even stay! The accomplihments made in the education process are achievements, but are a result of statements of deficiency, making the district look at the teaching methods and deliverence of teachings. Don’t pat yourselves on the back to hard. Down size the programs, administartaion, frivillous spending. We didn’t need new buildings. We own the one in Great Bend!. There were approximately 600-650 more students in the district in the 1970’s to mid 1980’s than now. So we are gaining back a few. Why more space? Just because it’s newer? Negotiation will be coming up. Let the paying public in on it. Let the teachers start paying more benefit and healthcare costs. The rest of us have to! VOTE NO!!!!!
I too am a graduate of Carthage. My daughter is also a graduate of Carthage. I would like to see the fact that all of our children deserve a good education become the main concern of our budget. My daughter was one child that was left behind when no child should be left behind in receiving a good education. There are by far to many assistants and too many assistants who have assistants. Why do empty school buses with maybe 1 or 2 children go up and down my rode everyday? Can we not make some changes? Because that is the way it was 10 years ago doesn’t mean that that is what would work best now. Times change and policies and procedures need to change with the times. Why do we bus children to Fort Drum to bowl??? What happened to being a volunteer and taking responsibility for your children- help out with sports and other programs. Why were kids told to go home and tell their parents to vote for the budget or there would be no more sports program? Sounds like a threat to me.
Why are people paid to sell tickets at events? Have we become that money hungry that we can’t support our school and our children without being paid or letting someone else take the responsibility when it should be ours.
I for one like where I live and like my home. If taxes keep going up as budgets go up I will lose my home. When your household budget is more than your income do you not see where you can make cuts instead of keep spending.
Sounds to me like it is time for numerous changes at Carthage before we lose everything we as tax payers have worked hard for, our school, our homes and our way of life.
I say vote no and go back to the drawing board and see where our priorities are - education.
I too am a Carthage graduate and now teach in the Rochester area. I must say I am very disappointed in the way the district has gone down hill in the few short years I have been away. I received a great education there and many of the teachers I had inspired me to go into teaching as a career. I am disappointed that we need a new turf field when we had a well kept grass one. I am very sad to hear that because of construction on this (unnecessary IMO) project, that graduation will be moving (again…they moved us from the courtyard seven years ago in yet ANOTHER capital project) to the front parking lot of all places. Due to this, I won’t be able to see my sister graduate from Carthage. In the districts around Rochester, the highest tax increase is around 5%. I do not see the need for many of the frivolous items in the budget. In order to teach students, you need writing utensils, paper, textbooks (current but do we really need new ones every year?), computers, and desks. Why do we need turf fields?
As to the comment another user posted regarding the busing to Ft. Drum for bowling, I was involved in the bowling program as a student. I remember Ft. Drum welcomed us with open arms after the Carthage alleys burned down and I am pleased to see that relationship continuing. SInce gym classes are in the middle of the day, it is hard for students to get individual rides to the alley so buses are needed. The other alternative would be to drop the bowling curriculum altogether (or do what my district does…use something akin to an adult sized fisher price kit in the gymnasium).
I also feel that the supposed elimination or many special needs services and positions is uncalled for. I can understand some consolidation, but why do that at the teaching level and not at the administrative level? From my observations and some recent experience, the supposed cuts are unjustified. If the district cannot already properly deal with issues concerning students with disabilities (even MINOR ones) with the staff they have now, then cuts are only going to make the situation worse. What should happen is a consolidation of UNNEEDED positions and some form of accountability to make sure things are being accomplished.
If there were ANYTHING i would rather see added to the Carthage budget, it would be more education programs rather than perks for the athletes. Offer more AP courses, etc. Many of our great lacrosse teams played on grass and they were successful and deserve their proper due (even Rochesterians know where Carthage is because of our lacrosse success), but what good is it if you can play lacrosse (or football, baseball, etc) if you don;t have a solid education to back it up?
As an educator I should be encouraging people to vote for the budget, but if I were an educator in the Carthage system right now, that would be dishonest of me. I do encourage people to vote, however. Research the issues and decide for yourself. And if anyone is curious, my entire family, plus many neighbors (including one who works for the district) plan on voting no.
The taxpayers need to send a strong message to the CCS board.First they need to vote down the budget and both proposition. Then they need to vote out all three candidates up for reelection and get new people in that understand that we can no longer afford their tax and spend policys. Any board member that voted to allowed the superintendent to live in another school district so he dosent have to pay these high school taxes should be kicked off the board.
For all of you complaining about the teachers and their so called benefits you should know that the custodial, clerical and transportation staff all have a better benefit package than the teaching staff. But if you rally think it’s that great you know it’s never too late to go back to school for 5 years and spend 50 -100 thousand dollars and get your education degree. Become a teacher - make a difference in the life of a child instead of complaing about the ones who are trying. Never are you going to have a school system that has 100% of it’s staff working to cater to each individuals wants. The object is to cater to the general needs of the student body. They all need an education, some may need special ed, some may need the fine arts and some may need the sports programs, but all have needs that could and should be met. What has to be looked at is what we don’t need. No administrator is going to say that their position is despensable. The people need to be more involved all year round in these matters, not just when there is a tax levy increase! Come together as a community and get in there and get informed as to what each individual position does and see if it really is necessary. Stop throwing tantrums and slinging mud and do what it takes to get the right job done. By the way, teachers pay taxes too, in fact they actually pay their own salaries with their taxes.
MB, Thanks for the input. It would be nice if we could all just talk out our issues and resolve the budget issues in a civil matter. Unfortunately the board decided to give away millions of dollars in property tax income by signing on to the ACTUS lend lease PILOT agreement. I spoke at length with Mr. Peck about this and how giving tax releif to an out of state multi million dollar corporation and simutaneously increasing the local home owners share was not in the least bit fair. So, I’ll ask you. Did you have any forwarning that the five board members were going to commit to give away millions of your tax dollars? I can bet you had no idea this was happening. That is why I absolutely lost my composure! I’m sorry but there comes a point were reasonable discussion fails to accomplish what is fair and just. That’s why our country broke away from England in an armed revolt, sometimes talking just doesn’t work. Anyway go to the JCIDA website and educate yourself on the ins and outs of PILOT agreements then come back with your thoughts. Don’t mean to get grumpy but I retired here and now pay close to 7 thousand dollars a year in property taxes.
I plan on voting NO on the budget. It is my understanding that CCS is a High School not a College. I think it is terrible that we are more concerned about our athletes playing on turf rather than grass. Give me a break. The amount of money used for artificial turf could be spent through the actual education department. I believe that our sports programs are outstanding and the coaches should be commended on the job they do. But education needs to be more of a focus. Especially now that the requirements for these children have increased so much. Now that fort drum has increased so much, Our school system is overpopulated. The children are not able to get the attention of the teachers that some really need. Rather than raising our taxes to meet the needs of fort drum, why dont fort drum build there own school or dump in a big portion of the money needed to make the accomidations for their children. We pay enough taxes. It is very unfortunate that natives of Carthage are being pushed out of there hometown because of taxes. Enough is Enough. My parents did a wonderful job supporting me as a child and they provided toward my education. But they are retired now and lets face it they don’t even have kids in that school and they are paying out the butt for what…..ARTIFICIAL TURF!!
I have been amazed at the CCS budgets that have been passed for the past few years, and I cannot believe the malaise on the part of the CCS district taxpayers as a whole. I’m glad to see that people are getting sick of the constant tax increases as I have been for some time now, realizing it isn’t all because of the school budget.
I have no problem with teachers getting paid professional salaries. The education requirements by NYS are tough and costly, and the educators have a huge responsibility which is compounded by what seems to be an era of lazy and lousy parenting. As in any profession, there are good dedicated educators and there are those who are only there for a paycheck and summer vacations. There needs to be a way to cull out the lousy ones, but let’s not begrudge paying the good ones.
I don’t have all the answers as far as how to get to a more reasonable budget, but somehow it has to happen. Too many sports teams and facilities? It seems so to me, but that’s my observation from a distance. The turf field is a joke and I can’t believe that one got by. To those who remark that “we” should offer up ways to cut the budget instead of just complaining: While suggestions should certainly be welcome from those who offer, isn’t the responsibility to build a cost effective budget that of the school board and the Superintendant? I thought that’s a reason those on the Board are there. That is, to act in the best interest of those who put them there.
I encourage the people who think the school budget has gotten out of hand to vote “NO” and tell the CCS District the days of big wasteful increases are over. And, if excess has been allowed in previous years, it’s time to get rid of it.
everyone needs to get out there and vote NO to more school taxes as you have gotten enough from us and enough is enough.. what is u want us to have to be forced to sell our homes and go elsewheres? no one can afford living now and yet you think we need to pay more.. its a crock of [crap]…