Whatever your opinion may have been on the budget that was originally presented this is about where we are at this time.                                                                                                    

Date:                           JUNE 15, 2010

Voting locations:     MINISINK INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GYM
                                     OTISVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYM

Time:                          12:00 PM – 9:00 PM


If you are unable to VOTE in person on June 15, you MUST request an Absentee Ballot from the District Clerk’s Office – located in the Intermediate School. You may submit your Absentee Ballot to ensure your participation in this important VOTE.

Why should I VOTE YES?

• Failure of this budget will result in the District being mandated into adopting a contingency budget.
• A contingency budget will result in the loss of programs to the children of this district
• A contingency budget will result in MVCSD not replacing old equipment (like buses)
• A contingency budget will result in the charging of fees (as mandated by NY State regulation) for the community usage of the MVCSD campus
• Fees will be in place for community usage of the Pool, Athletic Fields, Gyms, Classrooms, etc.
• A contingency budget will not improve working conditions or return ANY of the staff slated for cutback
• A contingency budget will add more crisis to a district that is already experiencing labor relations difficulty
• A contingency budget will not make Jack Latini’s job as the new Superintendent any easier. Nor will it make the jobs any easier of the new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, the new High School Principal, or of the new Personnel Director
• YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE VOTE YES ON JUNE 15, 2010 FROM 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Who are we?

We are a group of Minisink parents and taxpayers who have been silent for too long and who are tired at seeing the children of this District being drawn into a labor relations issue.
 
Why is this vote even necessary?

On May 18, the budget, which called for a 2.50% tax levy increase was defeated.

Why was the budget defeated on May 18?

There are many reasons. Some folks were not happy with any tax increase, some were not happy with the proposed layoffs of 51 teachers and teacher aides, some voted NO because their union directed them to vote no in order to make a statement – so they voted NO.

Why were people told to vote NO?

Because they were told that a no vote would permit the leadership of the Minisink Valley Teachers Association to go back to the Board on May 20 and pressure them to put a new budget out with a 5.60% increase.

How do you know that?

You can see for yourself by going to the MVTA website www.minisinkteachers.com

So what happened on May 20?

The Board weighed 3 options that included going back out with the same budget a second time, contingency or going back out with a lower tax levy. The Board opted to cut the levy to 1.98%.

Who supports the budget now?

Many community members (like the hosts of this site) who have been silent for far too long. Also, the Minisink Valley CSEA President stated at the June 3 BoE meeting that she and her union members are in support of passing this budget. The CSEA President stated that, even though she had concern for those being laid off, passing this budget was the right thing to do for the children and health of this district.

Who is opposed to this budget?

There are community members who are opposed to this budget.

If the budget is defeated on June 15, how will that help?

It won’t help. The so called ‘message’ was sent and delivered on May 18. The education atmosphere will be worse, not better.Defeat of this budget will make the task of the new Superintendent and his leadership team MORE difficult and strained.

What will bring the Teacher’s and Teacher’s Aides that were laid off back to work?

A better economy and increased State aid would certainly put the District in a better position to bring staff back. However, with 10% unemployment, uncontrolled spending and a NYS deficit of $10.5 billion projected into 2011, you tell me if it looks promising.

What’s to be gained by voting NO?

ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING!!! Unless you subscribe to the school of thought that “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste” the only guaranteed net result from voting the budget down and forcing the District into contingency is a CRISIS.

What is to be gained by voting YES?

We will embark into a new school year on a much more positive note with a new administration that will not be saddled by being under a contingency budget.

Any questions?

Email minisinkkids@yahoo.com and answers will be posted as soon as possible!