The Board of Education will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 202.1. The agenda is available on BoardDocs. The meeting will be streamed live on the District’s website at www.youtube.com/greenburghcsd and transcribed at a later date.
A public hearing on the proposed appropriation from the District’s Repair Reserve Fund will also be held this evening and anyone wishing to speak on this topic must register in advance. At the hearing, the Board of Education will propose to appropriate the total sum of $1,611,827 (“Appropriation”) from the District’s Rapid Repair Reserve Fund, with $1,325,457 of the Appropriation to be placed in a Capital Fund Sub-Fund to be designated for the purpose of Capital Construction Phase 1 to include roof, elevator, ventilation, and electrical repairs at Highview Elementary School, Lee F. Jackson Elementary School, Richard J. Bailey Elementary School, Woodlands Middle/High School, Early Childhood Program Main Building and the Administration Building(Mansion), and $286,370 of the Appropriation to be placed in a Capital Fund Sub-Fund to be designated for the purpose of Mansion Roof Repairs.
Showing posts with label Woodlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Woodlands. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Greenburgh Schools Schedule Information Session On Bond Referendum For $114.6 MILLION
In an effort to keep Greenburgh residents and taxpayers informed, we are posting this information. Sadly, Greenburgh School Superintendent Tahira Dupree Chase has met with one civic association, and the leaders of another, to detail her plans to consolidate the Greenburgh School District schools to the Woodlands campus. She has not shared information with residents through mailings, meetings or articles. It seems a bit disingenuous to foist this referendum onto the unknowing in hopes they will vote for it? Or, is her plan to not inform the residents and have only those she feels assured will vote for this come out and cast a ballot in favor of it?
A referendum held in February can slam the voters and keep them from coming out if the weather turns out to be what February weather usually is. Regardless, it seems a very suspect and disappointing. Also disappointing is that Mr Feiner and his Town Board have just allotted $7,000 toward an East hartsdale Road traffic study for something that hasn't even happened yet and they don't know will be voted through! Their canned response is that they want to be prepared should the vote go through. Actually, if history has taught us anything about referendums in Greenburgh, and it has, this proposal will go through for a number of reasons. Many with school age children in the Greenburgh system, educators, well-off, well-paid residents will buy into the rationale being offered and vote yes. The uninformed, seniors, fixed-income residents and many not involved in politics or school issues may want to vote no, but may not be able to get to the polls at the Woodlands campus. Or, as we believe is the case, will not even know about it!
Several information sessions on the bond referendum for the Greenburgh School Districts proposal, will be voted upon on February 12, 2019, to spend a minimum of $114.6 MILLION to build replacement schools on the current Woodlands campus. School tax increases are being predicted to increase approximately $850 per year for property owners. Well-paid Superintendent Chase has used the analogy of equating this increase to a daily cup of gourmet coffee. Many of our fixed income readers have related to us that they are barely able to pay their taxes now and fear losing their homes should this referendum pass and these increases be instituted.
Consolidation for what purpose remains the unanswered question? To simply say we would have all grades on one campus does not validate the expense or return on this huge investment. To sell two current schools that are either in disrepair or needed repair begs the question why weren’t they maintained to begin with? And, can we expect more of the same should the referendum pass after Dr Chase has moved on? Mr Feiner insisted on letting WestHelp degrade to the point of ruin. He insisted on letting the buildings intentionally deteriorate so such a dismal picture could be painted, ultimately proving the need to destroy them. Also, what of security and threats to the younger children in our ever-burgeoning active shooter world? Somehow the separate locations seems a viable alternative.
The Greenburgh Central schools have a more surmountable problem with education. They are now teaching the Mandarin language from kindergarten through the high school senior class because studies show it’s an up-and-coming language. It used to be that French or Spanish were the two more popular foreign languages to learn. Frankly, after hearing some of these students speak English, the school probably needs to be working on speaking better English than learning others. And, with all of the special programs and remedial classes that are maintained, a fundamental education seems to be absent. Our suggestion to Dr Chase would be instead of trying to apply lipstick to make this proposal look pretty, fix the glaring problems before undertaking such a major expense and cost to the already beleagured taxpayers.
Here is a list of meeting dates that are being scheduled by the Greenburgh School district to discuss the $114.6 million dollar proposed Greenburgh School bond referendum that will take place on February 12th. The school district hopes to sell the Highview and Bailey schools and consolidate the Greenburgh schools into one campus.
To learn more, please plan to attend one or more of these upcoming informational Community Meetings:
◾Tuesday, January 15 - 7 p.m. @ Woodlands Middle/High School
◾Thursday, January 24 - 7 p.m. @ Richard J. Bailey Elementary School
◾Tuesday, January 29 - 7 p.m. @ Highview Elementary School
◾Thursday, January 31 - 7 p.m., @ The Greenburgh Public Library
◾Thursday, February 7 - 7 p.m. @ The Theodore Young Community Center
These meetings may be a little bit too late in the game to give this proposal the scrutiny it deserves. We hope that Dr Chase’s lack of forthcoming information is not how she normally operates. And why are they only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instead of utilizing other days to accommodate those who work or have child care issues? This should be changed. Finally, she needs to turn the schools she already has around and prove that she has what it takes before selling us a bill of goods that should be expected out of the corner office on Hillside Avenue. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.
A referendum held in February can slam the voters and keep them from coming out if the weather turns out to be what February weather usually is. Regardless, it seems a very suspect and disappointing. Also disappointing is that Mr Feiner and his Town Board have just allotted $7,000 toward an East hartsdale Road traffic study for something that hasn't even happened yet and they don't know will be voted through! Their canned response is that they want to be prepared should the vote go through. Actually, if history has taught us anything about referendums in Greenburgh, and it has, this proposal will go through for a number of reasons. Many with school age children in the Greenburgh system, educators, well-off, well-paid residents will buy into the rationale being offered and vote yes. The uninformed, seniors, fixed-income residents and many not involved in politics or school issues may want to vote no, but may not be able to get to the polls at the Woodlands campus. Or, as we believe is the case, will not even know about it!
Several information sessions on the bond referendum for the Greenburgh School Districts proposal, will be voted upon on February 12, 2019, to spend a minimum of $114.6 MILLION to build replacement schools on the current Woodlands campus. School tax increases are being predicted to increase approximately $850 per year for property owners. Well-paid Superintendent Chase has used the analogy of equating this increase to a daily cup of gourmet coffee. Many of our fixed income readers have related to us that they are barely able to pay their taxes now and fear losing their homes should this referendum pass and these increases be instituted.
Consolidation for what purpose remains the unanswered question? To simply say we would have all grades on one campus does not validate the expense or return on this huge investment. To sell two current schools that are either in disrepair or needed repair begs the question why weren’t they maintained to begin with? And, can we expect more of the same should the referendum pass after Dr Chase has moved on? Mr Feiner insisted on letting WestHelp degrade to the point of ruin. He insisted on letting the buildings intentionally deteriorate so such a dismal picture could be painted, ultimately proving the need to destroy them. Also, what of security and threats to the younger children in our ever-burgeoning active shooter world? Somehow the separate locations seems a viable alternative.
The Greenburgh Central schools have a more surmountable problem with education. They are now teaching the Mandarin language from kindergarten through the high school senior class because studies show it’s an up-and-coming language. It used to be that French or Spanish were the two more popular foreign languages to learn. Frankly, after hearing some of these students speak English, the school probably needs to be working on speaking better English than learning others. And, with all of the special programs and remedial classes that are maintained, a fundamental education seems to be absent. Our suggestion to Dr Chase would be instead of trying to apply lipstick to make this proposal look pretty, fix the glaring problems before undertaking such a major expense and cost to the already beleagured taxpayers.
Here is a list of meeting dates that are being scheduled by the Greenburgh School district to discuss the $114.6 million dollar proposed Greenburgh School bond referendum that will take place on February 12th. The school district hopes to sell the Highview and Bailey schools and consolidate the Greenburgh schools into one campus.
To learn more, please plan to attend one or more of these upcoming informational Community Meetings:
◾Tuesday, January 15 - 7 p.m. @ Woodlands Middle/High School
◾Thursday, January 24 - 7 p.m. @ Richard J. Bailey Elementary School
◾Tuesday, January 29 - 7 p.m. @ Highview Elementary School
◾Thursday, January 31 - 7 p.m., @ The Greenburgh Public Library
◾Thursday, February 7 - 7 p.m. @ The Theodore Young Community Center
These meetings may be a little bit too late in the game to give this proposal the scrutiny it deserves. We hope that Dr Chase’s lack of forthcoming information is not how she normally operates. And why are they only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instead of utilizing other days to accommodate those who work or have child care issues? This should be changed. Finally, she needs to turn the schools she already has around and prove that she has what it takes before selling us a bill of goods that should be expected out of the corner office on Hillside Avenue. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Daily Voice Pushes Vote for Carcinogenic Property
In an amazing act of desperation, the online site the Greenburgh Daily Voice has written a brief article and put a banner on their home page announcing that the GameOn 365 Proposition #1 is on the back of the voter ballot. It’s bad enough that they’ve chosen to be “in the tank” for The Paul and his developer cohorts by assisting his illegal referendum, but by informing the uninformed where the ballot is, they are guaranteeing a favorable vote simply by proxy.
They insist on ignoring the reports of carcinogens that have been found on the site and the serious health hazards it presents to the future users of the property as well as the nearby residents. It is an indirect admission of collusion. Had this been asbestos found in a school, the GDV would be hollering for an evacuation, shut down and remediation of the school. That’s what they should be doing here, not pushing the vote!
When the media becomes part of the story, and in fact IS the story, it verifies that the public has few places they can turn for the truth. Stay tuned to ABG for the truth. Maybe GDV will remove their endorsement of this project. We can only hope!
They insist on ignoring the reports of carcinogens that have been found on the site and the serious health hazards it presents to the future users of the property as well as the nearby residents. It is an indirect admission of collusion. Had this been asbestos found in a school, the GDV would be hollering for an evacuation, shut down and remediation of the school. That’s what they should be doing here, not pushing the vote!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Welcome The Worthington Woodlands Civic Association
A newly formed civic association meeting was held Monday evening in the Town Hall’s main meeting room. Uncharacteristically for that room, this meeting started on time at 8PM on the dot. So, to The Paul and his Stepford Board, it can be done. With so much going on throughout the Town, as well as issues concerning their neighborhoods specifically, neighbors reached out to each other and decided to join together. About fifty or so residents from several neighborhoods converged upon Town Hall.
Other meetings were also underway in other rooms throughout the Town Hall facility. Several members of other civic associations joined this newly formed association as guest speakers, and to help aim the group toward accomplishing several goals. First thing was to fill several positions such as President, Vice-President and the like. That went remarkable well as neighbors eagerly stepped up to help out. Because time was short, the guests guided several conversations and suggestions toward the newly elected officers and members.
Next was a discussion about the GameOn 365 Sports bubble that The Paul and his Stepford Board have already voted on and signed a lease for on the contaminated, formerly owned Frank’s Nursery property on Dobbs Ferry Road. For many residents, this was the first time many were learning of this. They asked about the referendum The Paul has be talking about? One member explained that The Paul is opening up actions to be taken in their neighborhood to the entire Town to decide through this referendum. Another civic association guest speaker explained what The Paul will say regardless of the outcome. If the referendum passes, he’ll say, “This is great! Democracy works and the people have spoken. I’m so happy.” If it fails to pass, he’ll say, “It doesn’t matter, we’ve already signed the contract, so the deal proceeds and the vote really doesn’t matter. I’m so happy.”
Another guest speaker was from the Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations, the umbrella group for all the Town civic associations. She expounded on the history of the Fortress Bible Church lawsuit and subsequent guilty verdict against The Paul and his previous Town Board. She also explained the appeal process that the Town just lost as well – guaranteeing more tax increases for Greenburgh residents! The decision holds The Paul and the Town guilty of discrimination, destroying evidence amongst other verdict findings. Some in the audience welcomed the explanation of the entire process while still amazed and disgusted by the behavior of Town leaders. As a note, Town Attorney Tim Lewis had repeatedly refused to discuss Town strategy for their appeal with the public. Perhaps if he had, greater legal minds within the Town may have been able to help gain a more favorable outcome.
A brief discussion of The Paul’s failure to renew the $1.2 million Westhelp contract with the County took place and the impact this loss of revenue is having on the Town. They didn’t discuss the $4 million loss from the water department or the 19 laptops stolen from the Theodore Young Center. They didn’t discuss how the Teamsters have been without a contract for four years. They didn’t discuss the spot zoning performed by the Stepford Board while ignoring recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Boards. They didn’t discuss the reshaping plans for Central Avenue or Rt 119. There will be other meetings and plenty of other topics to discuss down the line.
They did touch on the reduction in curb-side leaf pickup and the supposed savings taxpayers will “enjoy”. Really? The Town is keeping the equipment and the same highway crews will now pick up bagged leaves left at the curb by homeowners or gardeners (for additional fees). No savings there. There is no personnel reassignment or hourly savings with this change and no waste removal cost savings – nothing! The Paul cannot tell us how much taxpayers will save as there really are no savings. It’s The Paul’s routine deflection tactic. To quote one of the G8, we currently pay for these services and they should be maintained or our taxes reduced to match the reduction of service!
As you can well imagine, the meetings and conversations were spirited and ran past the official end of the new civic association’s first meeting. The organizers should feel they’ve earned the right to claim success based on the turnout! Welcome to the new Worthington Woodlands Civic Association and best of luck in the future.
Other meetings were also underway in other rooms throughout the Town Hall facility. Several members of other civic associations joined this newly formed association as guest speakers, and to help aim the group toward accomplishing several goals. First thing was to fill several positions such as President, Vice-President and the like. That went remarkable well as neighbors eagerly stepped up to help out. Because time was short, the guests guided several conversations and suggestions toward the newly elected officers and members.
Next was a discussion about the GameOn 365 Sports bubble that The Paul and his Stepford Board have already voted on and signed a lease for on the contaminated, formerly owned Frank’s Nursery property on Dobbs Ferry Road. For many residents, this was the first time many were learning of this. They asked about the referendum The Paul has be talking about? One member explained that The Paul is opening up actions to be taken in their neighborhood to the entire Town to decide through this referendum. Another civic association guest speaker explained what The Paul will say regardless of the outcome. If the referendum passes, he’ll say, “This is great! Democracy works and the people have spoken. I’m so happy.” If it fails to pass, he’ll say, “It doesn’t matter, we’ve already signed the contract, so the deal proceeds and the vote really doesn’t matter. I’m so happy.”
Another guest speaker was from the Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations, the umbrella group for all the Town civic associations. She expounded on the history of the Fortress Bible Church lawsuit and subsequent guilty verdict against The Paul and his previous Town Board. She also explained the appeal process that the Town just lost as well – guaranteeing more tax increases for Greenburgh residents! The decision holds The Paul and the Town guilty of discrimination, destroying evidence amongst other verdict findings. Some in the audience welcomed the explanation of the entire process while still amazed and disgusted by the behavior of Town leaders. As a note, Town Attorney Tim Lewis had repeatedly refused to discuss Town strategy for their appeal with the public. Perhaps if he had, greater legal minds within the Town may have been able to help gain a more favorable outcome.
A brief discussion of The Paul’s failure to renew the $1.2 million Westhelp contract with the County took place and the impact this loss of revenue is having on the Town. They didn’t discuss the $4 million loss from the water department or the 19 laptops stolen from the Theodore Young Center. They didn’t discuss how the Teamsters have been without a contract for four years. They didn’t discuss the spot zoning performed by the Stepford Board while ignoring recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Boards. They didn’t discuss the reshaping plans for Central Avenue or Rt 119. There will be other meetings and plenty of other topics to discuss down the line.
They did touch on the reduction in curb-side leaf pickup and the supposed savings taxpayers will “enjoy”. Really? The Town is keeping the equipment and the same highway crews will now pick up bagged leaves left at the curb by homeowners or gardeners (for additional fees). No savings there. There is no personnel reassignment or hourly savings with this change and no waste removal cost savings – nothing! The Paul cannot tell us how much taxpayers will save as there really are no savings. It’s The Paul’s routine deflection tactic. To quote one of the G8, we currently pay for these services and they should be maintained or our taxes reduced to match the reduction of service!
As you can well imagine, the meetings and conversations were spirited and ran past the official end of the new civic association’s first meeting. The organizers should feel they’ve earned the right to claim success based on the turnout! Welcome to the new Worthington Woodlands Civic Association and best of luck in the future.
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