A budget of $55,364,115 for the Mt. Sinai School District has been rejected by voters Tuesday by a vote of 1263-1147.
The budget, which pierces the tax levy cap with a 4.76 percent increase, fell short of a 60 percent supermajority with 52.4 percent yes votes.
With the budget failed, administrators and the Board of Education must go back to the table and propose a budget that does not exceed the tax levy cap. In recent presentations, the district forecasted the possible loss of clubs and athletics with a budget that does not pierce the tax levy cap. A budget revote will be held in the coming weeks.
In the Board of Education election, the two seats were won by Donna Compagnone, with 955 votes, and Lynn Capobianco, with 801 votes. John Yavorka earned 768 votes, Marnie Kula 604 and Deborah Lang 603 each.
Congrats on being the Mt. Sinai teacher bashing coalition. So to review, all was quiet and well while you were making money and the economy was well. Being in the private sector you were likely making a nice salary (I'm guessing you invested heavily into your education like teachers. somewhere in the neighborhood of 80k plus). Now, the economy has been dragging and you haven't got a raise. Meanwhile, teachers in Mt. Sinai have forfeited their raises, increased the percentage they pay on their benefits, and even forfeited their progressive pay steps, all in order to help the district cope with the financial woes. Further, the governor has cut funding in the hundreds of thousands and millions, thus taking the burden off his budget and putting on your back. Now, instead of you questioning why Mr. Cuomo is hammering away at educational funding, you insist on crucifying your neighbors and local teachers. You did not have a problem a couple years ago, but now since the state and the media have brainwashed you into hating your teachers, you have taken the bait. Well in reading some of your posts, you come across as someone who is jealous of teachers, someone who is not knowledgeable about district revenue, someone who is unhappy with their choices, and frankly a complainer to put it mildly. So do yourself a favor and spend some time reading about what has gone on with funding and don't be a slave to Newsday. And I'm not even a teacher
You are making too many inaccurate statements about people you don't know. Seems that it is easier than addressing the real issue of unaffordable school taxes. Sorry, but nothing justifies $407,090 compensation of the superintendent. The fact is, as stated by Concerned resident, that the compensation is out of control. This is just a pure math, nothing to do with reading Newsday, which I do not read.
Sure, let's talk fact. The fact is that 407k is too much for a super, and all who work in the district would likely agree. The fact is that you have had the opportunity to speak about salaries in the district for decades. So, where have you been? These salary numbers have been going up for years, but you were not concerned. Why? You could've stopped "the madness" years ago. Why didn't you? Perhaps you were too busy making money in your own profession, and you're not making quite as much now. It is called a recession, and that is why the FACT is that there is a hard freeze in this district for the next few years. Did you know that teachers have to vote on whether to receive this freeze? Wow, they voted yes because they understand the current economic situation. And as for my speaking about other people, when rants sound like the cover of Newsday for the last two years, which is to say that they lack depth and the "other" side of the story, I will make a judgement about someones argument. Teachers have to read the junk you and your buddies come out with, and any response from them is brushed to the side as arrogant and driven by greed. Let me know the website that is attacking your profession right now, I would love to comment on it. Another Fact about this profession is that it is critical to the future of our society. Teachers are responsible for something very valuable, human development. Sorry you have to pay for that.
Look at the numbers from LI without including the rest of NY, most significantly NYC. Using NYS as a whole is pointless when discussing and comparing LI.
No I am not JEALOUS I am ANGRY, and have been for years. I believe that teachers and administrators are outrageously overpaid. My opinion and apparently many others feel the same. You have no idea who I am or what my life is like. Yet you judge me so I will fill you in. I am a controller for a small LI corporation and am very happy to still have a job. I have not had any raise since 2007 and make less money now than I did in 2007 and pay more towards my benefits. I also have a part time job so I can afford to continue to live here. I am sick & tired of hearing the phrase "for the children" when it is obvious it is NOT for the children because if it was the teacher & admin would agree to deeper cuts in their compensation packages, especially the steps, rather than cut the programs. I have been voting no on the Miller Place budget for 35 years since I have always believed that LI teachers were overcompesated and underworked and I can voice my opinion at board meetings but I can't have a say in contract negotiations. I can tell you all with sincerity that this entire situation has made me realize that I live in the wrong area of the country. I have finally convinced my husband that when we retire we need to move to a place where we will not be judged as ignorant because we are tired of paying for a segment of the commumity who thinks they are superior to us.
budget, or just that they have in the past? Please clarify. Would you also happen to know how much our new Superintendent will be making per this year's budget? I'd appreciate the information if you, or someone else has it. Thanks.
They did send out 1 flyer with some numbers on it, but I didn't feel like that single page flyer really told the whole story. Instead of spoon feeding us the bare minimum that they can get away with a day before the vote, perhaps next year they could spend some more time educating the voters & less time on condescending threats. I don't think we would have had anything near the uproar we've experienced this year if we had'nt received those obnoxious red & black flyers screaming "Vote yes or else!". Every person I've spoken to could not believe the audacity, and was totally offended by that letter. So much so, that people who've ALWAYS voted yes, voted no because of it. I'll be attending the next budget meeting, but it would also be nice if next year residents who are unable to make it were given the same respect as those who can.
2012-2013 Budget Presentations: January 19, 2012 - Presentation February 15, 2012 - Presentation March 14, 2012 - Presentation April 2, 2012 - Forum Presentation April 18, 2012 - Presentation May 8, 2012 -Budget Hearing Presentation Budget Fact Sheet 2012-2013 Budget Brochure Questions and Answers about the Budget 2012-2014 2 Year Technology Plan Questions and Answers with a Resident
http://www.mtsinai.k12.ny.us/boe/budget/12-13/Q%20&%20A%20with%20a%20resident.pdf