What Nanci Hutson's BOE Budget story in the News-Times doesn't tell you is that recent BOE Appointee Bill Wellman came under fire at the BOE deliberations for asking an entirely reasonable and necessary question. "What happened to last year's disappearing surplus?" [Update: SEE MY CORRECTION BELOW] he asked, preceded by comments about his concerns about the Budget increase.
Former BOE Member Dian Marandola was outraged and went haywire, saying from her new perch as member of the public that Bill was defiling the atmosphere of the BOE by asking the question.
But another audience member rose to speak. Michel Gutman said that Bill's question was perfectly legitimate and that he'd be asking the same question very soon...as a Member of the Board of Finance.
Well done, Bill. That was a great question to which all the taxpayers would like an answer!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wellman, Doing His Job, Incurs Wrath
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15 comments:
Since the NT "accidently" leaves out inconsequential details like this, nobody will know about it.
This is a major detail...no doubt INTENTIONALLY left out by the reporter.
Thanks for misleading the public again NT.
I have sent this post to the Publisher and Editor of the NT, and the Editor of the Spectrum.
You can watch the entire video on http://www.theeventisonline.com/newmilfordboe.html
Everyone in our community has the right as Taxpayers, to ask questions about the monies being spent, in every facet of our Towns Budget, especially the School budget. The members of the board of education have been entrusted with the responsibility to make our schools competitive and to spend our money wisely. Spending wisely is important every year, but especially this year when our economy is in a recession and costs of everyday necessities (heating oil, gas, electricity and food) have risen dramatically.
We all want our schools to be the best, our children to have the best teachers who are well paid and facilities that are state of the art.
But when money is tight as it will be this year, we need to be smart on how it is spent.
The budget process is about asking the tough questions and coming up smart solutions. I applaud Mr. Wellman and anyone who asks the question "Where's the money and how did you spend". We ask that of every other town agency and commission so why is it so hard for the BOE to answer it.
It has been overheard that the three dirty words have entered into the private discussions among administrators again.
PAY TO PLAY.
It wasn't well received before and it will be the ultimate slap in the face if it appears again.
Don't even think about using PAY TO PLAY as a weapon against this community. If it does the Ax should fall on anyone who is in favor of it.
Our Town agencies and commissions are working on growing our tax base from the business sector. There are businesses looking to move to NM, now that we have the road infrastructure. Let's not SCARE them away before they get here. New businesses and smart growth will be the source for money we will need to fund what the schools want and need in the near future.
Let's work together, fund what are absolute necessities this year and keep the process civil. Negative press doesn't help the Town New Milford
Here's an idea...
Eliminate all sports programs so pay-to-play is not an issue.
What is schooling for anyway?
JB I couldn't agree with you more
Thanks to a diligent reader for the following:
"I actually want to give you his question word-for-word, because it was even more innocently posed than your post.
His exact words were, 'Apparently there was at one point last year a very substantial projected surplus of someplace in the vicinity of two million dollars. If you could provide me any information on what was done with that surplus, or how it disappeared, I'd greatly appreciate it.'
He said this to Dr. Paddyfote, and was very soft spoken, polite and respectful. There was no arrogance or tone in his voice that could've been misinterpreted by any reasonable and sane person. Unless, that person is Dian Marandola. She absolutely and intentionally threw a spin on his question.
Her exact words were, 'So when inflammatory statements such as 'disappearing surplus' are stated on our first night of review, that is not the kind of aura and tone that I feel the community deserves from this Board of Education. I look forward to helping you all as you bring your budget forward.'
Mr. Wellman never used the words "disappearing surplus..."
There's video of the hearing, on www.theeventisonline.com . Mr. Wellman's comments start around 1:38...and Marandola's start around 1:44 (hours:minutes into the hearing).
I'm curious as to how she plans to "help" them....
just watched the meeting on the web at theeventonline.com
Mrs. Marandola said information on surplus is in minutes.
NOT SO.
From Aug. 28 board minutes on school site,
"Mrs. Marandola moved approval of the request to move the 2006-07 End-of-Year Balance into the
Capital Reserve Account.
Motion seconded by Mr. McSherry and approved unanimously."
NO information on amount mentioned in minutes.
June 12 minutes state from Operations Committee that "Budget adjustments were noted and
brought forward."
That tells us a lot!
A check of the Operations minutes from June show,
Budget Position as of 5/31/07
Discussion:
"Dr. Paddyfote explained that there is a favorable balance for the following reasons:
Staffing – Replacement staff salaries were lower than the staff that retired or left the district.
Utilities – Approximately $261,000 was saved in this account. The district realized a significant
savings with the change from oil to gas.
Transportation – Extra time charges have been reduced and funds have been saved on special
education transportation."
NOT MUCH ABOUT AMOUNTS IN MINUTES
BUT WAIT,
Later in the meeting the minutes show there was a discussion of the
06-07 Year-End Balance.
"The year-end balance is favorable because of staff attrition and replacements as well as efficiencies in utilities, transportation, and benefits.
The administration enclosed in the Operations’ packet a
list of items and projects that can be accomplished prior
to the year-end closeout. A back-up list of additional projects was distributed to the committee.
The consensus of the committee is to have the administration proceed with the items and projects on the
lists."
NOTE: there is nothing in the minutes to explain what was on those lists or how the "favorable" balance was spent.
Thank you Mr. Wellman for asking a reasonable question. It was in no way inflamatory. He even praised the Superintendent for putting the budget on the school website.
Maybe Mrs. M in her new roll as RINO turned Democrat can tell us how the surplus was spent back when she was the board secretary.
Anyone who wants management and oversight of the finances related to the education system will be branded anti-education by the PTO Nazi's.
There is not one reason the maintenance services should not be combined with the town. We should not be adding admin or any positions with the town population and school enrollment receding.
Manage, manage, manage.
Actually, NOT managing is a style of management.
It's good to see the same small minority of dumb dumbs is back to their favortie sport - beating up on the schools. Didn't you read the results of the last election? Of course not - you were probably at the bottom of your class at NM High...
You guys beat up the schools no matter who's on the board, who's the superintendant, who's in the Mayor's office, or who's on the Town Council. Instead of providing solutions, you just complain. None of you whiners provide any value - typical of complainers everywhere.
Let's at least give Wellman some credit for speaking at the meeting. Julie Turk rarely speaks - either because she is unprepared or out of her league.
You dumb dumbs need to read the auditor's report on this matter. This independent accounting firm gave the schools a clean bill of health. In fact, if any one was scolded, it was the town of NM...
Read it, dumb dumbs...
The auditor's report simply stated that nothing unlawful was done. That doesn't make it right, and it certainly doesn't answer Mr. Wellman's question.....
Did the BOE line it's pockets with the $$? No
Did the BOE hand out cash to administrators?? No
Will pay to play be reinstituted? No
What sort of corruption do you dumb dumbs dream up?
In most towns in this country, people view their schools with pride and see their children as assets to the community. You dumb dumbs think the schools are a mess all kids are on drugs. Take a few minutes to visit the schools and maybe you'll change your mind.
Kids are great....
you pay for yours
The BOE is not doing anything illegal, just corrupt.
Since the effective tool of zero-based-budgeting is not used, the objective is to spend as much as you can so no surplus exists.
Kids are great - my parents probably paid for you many times over...
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