Vote Budgets and School Board May 21st - Interesting Week -updated

This week promises to be interesting if nothing else. This story has been updated.

First - Racism Alledged

Amid charges of racism, was a field trip by a fourth-grade class from the Bailey School that has been happening every year with the Solomon Schechter School to celebrate Purim. One definition we found online of Purim is: the jolly festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). Purim 2019 begins on Wednesday night, March 20, and continues through Thursday, March 21 (March 22 in Jerusalem). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Megillah (book of Esther).

This year would prove no different as exposure to other religions, schools, and people seem to exemplify multi-culturalism. Here, a 12th grade Schechter student, part of the 12^th grade class hosting the Purim event, face-painted a Bailey 4th grade student as the Marvel character Venom. An online search showed numerous depictions of what the character Venom might look like. The charge is not that the youngster was painted in black-face with red lips by one child to another. Rather, neighborhood activist Patricia Weems maintains that the teachers were derelict in properly supervising the children and that public school kids should not be going to a Jewish school and participating in a religious event. We don’t know if this was billed as a religious event or a festival that obliges the Schechter students to practice their faith while maintaining a carnival-like atmosphere for the younger kids?

Update: We discussed this issue again with Ms Weems and she clarified her position. Apparently there were too few teachers present and not properly supervising the kids. Ms Weems felt the Superintendent, Principal for RJ Bailey and the teacher supervising the event were at fault and should be held responsible. During our discussion, which lasted about an hour, we discussed this being a teachable moment and that we could effect a change with this type of event specifically. She maintained that the school personnel should know better. 

Agree or disagree, there is a meeting  tentatively set for Monday night, the 20^that the RJ Bailey School on Hillside Avenue. Ms Weems requested Mr Feiner’s help. Mr Feiner should stay out of the Greenburgh School District’s business for three reasons: one, he offers no solutions; two, he was convicted of discrimination in the Fortress Bible Church case that we are still paying for; and three, he swept a discrimination complaint against Edye McCarthy under the table several years ago. https://abettergreenburgh.blogspot.com/2014/04/selective-racism-condoned-by-supervisor.html

The Bailey school event will be held outdoors if Ms Weems is unable to secure permits to hold the meeting indoors. 

Second - School Budget & Candidates

School Board elections and school budget elections are taking place this Tuesday, the 21^stat the Woodlands High School. This election cycle is for the $70 million budget, not to be confused with the bond that was previously proposed and shot down in a two-to-one vote by taxpayers, and for three new School Board members. There are two incumbents running whom we believe are no longer performing to expected standards and should be replaced. Tenure, while unspoken but oft-practiced in Greenburgh is not serving the public well. It does, however, effectively make the case for term limits.

Then there is the lack of information coming in a timely fashion from the District. We received a brochure from the school district last week that has cursory information about the budget but does have all of the candidates pictures and bio included. We think this might be helpful to voters. However, we weren’t the only ones dismayed by the late arrival of this information. One reader, whom we'll refer to as Bob, wrote to School District Superintendent Chase and we quote:

“We received a letter from you today, Feb. 6, 2019, regarding the Greenburgh Central School District Public Vote. The date of your letter is January 23, 2019. Your letter outlines a schedule of  Public Meetings regarding the 2019 Capital Project. The schedule dates are:

-Jan.24,Jan.29, Jan.31, Feb. 7

Clearly, the timing of your letter is not appropriately calibrated to sufficiently provide Taxpayers and Community Constituents with appropriate notice to attend these meetings. Your letter is dated the day before the first meeting! And, given realistic mailing times, it would be impossible to expect Taxpayers to receive your letter in a timely way to attend these meetings.

Would strongly suggest that you establish an additional series of these meeting, as well as discuss appropriate lead time planning for these types of communications with whoever is responsible for them. ” To which Dr 

Chase replied:

“Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, our postal system has not been too kind to district mailings. Knowing this, we added additional meeting dates to ensure all community members have the opportunity to participate in at least one meeting. Please open the attachment. I hope you are able to join us for one of the meetings. ” 

Really? The Post Office is at fault? This is akin to my dog ate my homework which would be unacceptable at every level by any teacher in any school. Why does Dr Chase feel this is an acceptable answer? It’s this type of cavalier attitude toward the taxpayers that make what’s being shoveled our way difficult to tolerate. Finally, Bob responded:

“Today, Friday May 17th, we received a newsletter from you and the Greenburgh School District that outlines details about the 2019/2020 School Year Budget and the vote for this budget on this coming Tuesday, May 21st. 

It is unacceptable for constituents to receive information of this importance to our community with virtually no notice to review and comment on the details in advance of a vote. 

This is not the first time that this has happened. In February, we wrote to you about virtually the same issue with respect to the Bond issue. 

I can tell  you from a "preliminary" review of the proposed budget today that we have multiple issues, and suggestions, about the composition of the budget and the positioning of the overall budget. Unfortunately, unless this vote is delayed, it is doubtful that you will  receive the type of feedback and input from Greenburgh constituents that is appropriate. 

I would like to understand why Greenburgh cannot send this vital information to voters / constituents in a more timely way (see below) so that appropriate consideration and diligence and review can be applied to this vital progress before we are asked to vote on one of the most important issues facing our community. 

Thank you, ”

The four other candidates that are running seem to hold more promise for the Greenburgh taxpaying stakeholders and our kids. We have previously written about the ones we feel will perform better for us. Let it also be said that spending taxpayer money is not a big part of our consideration when we chose. Read more about the candidates here: http://abettergreenburgh.blogspot.com/2019/05/greenburgh-school-board-forum-offers.html

Third (Could be Part One-b) - More Racism Alledged

We are also sure that Town Clerk Judith Beville will be in attendance. She has contended that she is being pushed out of the Town Clerk’s position by the Town Board. In a recent meeting with Ms Beville, she told us that she is the victim of racism against her by the Board and specifically Town Councilman Francis Sheehan. While we are unable to corroborate her accusations, given the history within the Town administrations from Mr Feiner on down, we believe there could be something to what she is saying. 

We have been critical of Ms Beville in the past as she sits on the Town Board work sessions and monthly meetings. Our criticism is that she constantly interrupts the proceedings with her own comments and opinions. Regardless of the validity, as the Town Clerk she is there to record the session, offer information when asked and work the ridiculous timer to keep residents from participating in their government meetings under three minutes. Since she is no longer on “Team Feiner”, it can only wonder what she did to force Mr Feiner to drop her from the ticket.

Being dropped from the Feiner ticket has happened before. We refer to it as being Sonya’d. For the uninitiated, Sonya Brown was a Town Board member originally supported by Paul Feiner until she stepped away from the Feiner reservation and was shunned while she completed her term and then tossed aside for Ken Jones in the subsequent election. So, no Board member is willing to give up the position simply by doing the right thing or going against Mr Feiner and risk being “Sonya’d”. Icing on the cake if you’re on “Team Feiner”: Mr Feiner pays for all campaign costs for candidates on his ticket with his campaign fund war chest.

Alfreda Williams, the former Town Clerk who was dropped by Mr Feiner for Ms Beville, went on as the hand-picked successor of Lois Bronz for County Legislator. While her effectiveness as County Legislator is unknown, Ms Williams performed adequately as the Town Clerk. Ms Beville touts a number of improvements that she’s initiated during her tenure. She claims many innovations, but while she stakes claim to expanding open government for example, Dial Democracy still doesn’t work (for years) under her control. 

She also claimed that she has hired professional staff. Here’s where it gets a little dicey. She had to hire replacements because several in her office didn’t like working for her and either transferred or quit. That was one of the reasons Francis Sheehan got involved with her staff, ultimately giving someone from her office a different position within the Town administration in order to not lose her skill-set. And while this person remains in the Town’s employ, Ms Beville disclosed the employee’s medical information to the public at a Board meeting. All of the Town Board members and the Town Attorney were telling her to stop because she was violating HIPAA guidelines as well as personnel matters which should not be disclosed to the public.

There are other things happening but let’s kick back and see what shakes out with budgets, the School Board changes and the upcoming year. Next up, November elections. Please get out and vote on Tuesday, May 21st. It will make for A Better Greenburgh. 

Dr Tanya Dragic For GCSD School Board

For the past six months, I’ve been speaking to residents, parents, teachers, former Board members and old friends about our schools. I have been pouring over statistics, budgets, and education policies, reading historic articles and remembering my own experiences. In the 1970s and ‘80s, when I was living and going to school here, the student body was truly diverse and mostly middle-class. Greenburgh schools educated their students effectively. Today, 63% of our students are socio-economically disadvantaged and 80% are minorities. This feeds indifference and prejudice towards our schools.

Most parents who can afford it – regardless of race or ethnicity – either leave the District or send their children to private schools. Those children who remain in Greenburgh Schools, and who live in economically comfortable homes with involved parents, generally do well. Those who live in economically disadvantaged households without supportive parenting, generally do not do well. These are the children whose educational disparities we must address, while also supporting those who are doing well. If we can raise the achievement level of those in the middle and the bottom of the academic spectrum, the performance of the entire district will obviously improve.

How can we raise test scores, increase graduation rates and college-attendance? How do we help the average Greenburgh student acquire the knowledge and skills for success? We have a significant school budget and we need to use our resources as effectively as possible. For this, we have to have a strong and united leadership that serves the best interest of the students and the community. I hope that on Tuesday you vote for me. I am a member of your community and an alumnus of the District. I am an educated parent and an educator. I know the skills that students need to do well in school, in college and in their professional lives. I would like to be the voice that advocates for you and education, here in Greenburgh’s public schools. This is my platform:

- We need to hire administrators with a strong track record of improving student performance.

- We need highly-qualified teachers. They should either have experience or be trained to work with our student demographic. Their contracts should be competitive, so that they REMAIN with us.

- We need to make sure that academic support programs are working, and that they are being used by the students who need them the most.

- We need to support the social and emotional development of students, especially those with difficulties at home.

- Parents, teachers and students should be empowered to WORK TOGETHER.

- Beyond that, we need to embrace everyone in the community who is willing to volunteer in our schools to provide academic or emotional support.

- In fact, we need to embrace neighboring districts to share resources and to learn from them.

- And finally, we need to repair and maintain our buildings so that they are a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Thank you for your support and your vote!

I'd Like Your Support And Your Vote

www.tanyadragic.com

For years, the state of our public schools has gone unaddressed by the Greenburgh collective. I am running for the School Board because I want to be an effective interface between the residents and the schools to improve education standards and allocation of resources. Until this happens, and our enrollment starts to increase significantly, we should not be talking about spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a consolidation bond.

We spend 30% more per student than the average spending by other school districts in Westchester County, while we remain at the bottom of the charts by every state and national metric. We do not make any “Best of” lists, and we are poorly rated on web-sites consulted by young families looking for a place to raise their kids. Yes, there are bright academic points, but they mostly benefit top-tier students.

Our infrastructure is run-down. We are told that this is because education was prioritized. It’s hard to tell because our school budgets are so opaque: it seems that we have 25% more administrative staff than the average Westchester school district  - is that necessary? We hear about teachers on home assignment while receiving full salaries – how many and what is the plan for resolving their situations? Are we sharing resources and services with other school districts? How about sharing resources with the town government and community organizations?

The bottom line is that those who can, leave Greenburgh or send their children to private schools. I’ve heard this story again and again as I’ve talked to residents over the past weeks. This is both disheartening and unacceptable. The children of Greenburgh deserve a better education in their public schools. The residents of Greenburgh deserve public schools that reflect their input in tax-dollars. 

My goals are to:
• Focus the curriculum on proficiency and skills for success
• Empower parents, teachers and students to work together
• Restore and maintain existing buildings
• Streamline budgets and use resources efficiently

• Explore philanthropic and grant opportunities
• Improve communication with all residents in our District

As an educator, a scientist, a grant writer, a parent and a taxpayer, I expect more from our public schools. The struggle for that change cannot rest solely on the shoulders of our teachers and administrators or the School Board. We must turn this around collectively. 

Join me by voting for me on May 21^st. Let’s make Greenburgh Central School District the shining example of a modern, inclusive and functional public school system that it should be. 

www.tanyadragic.com

Greenburgh School Board Forum Offers Little

Wednesday night at 6:30pm found about 30 or so people in the Woodlands High School cafeteria. They weren’t there to eat.

Rather, the somewhat subdued crowd were there to hear 6 people try to sway stakeholders to vote for them in the upcoming Greenburgh Central School Board elections on May 21st. There are two seats open for a three-year term and one that is a partial term for one-year, completing a vacancy created when interim trustee Jeff Barnes term ended. You can watch the session at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgYlTHGlZ38.

With two and half spots open, we expected all the candidates to be on their “A” game. Sadly, this would not be the case. In fact, we were a bit distressed to hear almost every candidate monotonously say similar things, offer few specifics and regurgitate what every candidate has said for the last umpteen years. We heard statements that included fresh perspective, dedicated toward the kids, will work for better schools, etc. With the current School Board bond initiative shot down, the candidates said they believed they would need to do a better job communicating with the stakeholders. Really, that’s all they came away with? By the way, School Superintendent Dr Chase was not present during this event.

The only breath of fresh air was Tanya Dragic, who not only offered tangible ideas, but seemed convincing when she identified the issues and offered some actual solutions. We understand that incumbents always have a better grasp on district issues by the nature of the positions they hold. We were inclined to be a bit more forgiving to the new candidates. Out of that pool however, Tanya Dragic was the real stand out.

There were two moderators off to the side of the dais asking the questions of the candidates, actually reading the questions from index cards that had been filled out and submitted earlier by audience members. The moderators read the questions that were given to them by either PTA President Mireille St Armand or vice-President Mona Fraitag. As Ms Dragic answered questions, Ms Fraitag was seen repeatedly walking to the back of the room and quickly returning with another card in hand that either moderator would then read to only Ms Dragic. Ms Fraitag has a long history as a Paul Feiner sycophant, so we are suspect whenever we see her at an event. Tonight would prove no different.

The manipulation of the questions by Ms Fraitag and her obvious bias against Ms Dragic in particular was blatant and underhanded. It quickly became obvious she was trying to “trip up” Ms Dragic by throwing seemingly difficult questions only at her. Her attempt to discredit Ms Dragic backfired. While the other candidates didn’t have to endure the specific treatment against them, Ms Dragic was obviously prepared and capable and deftly answered these curveball questions, proving she was worthy of the Board position.

In fact, one of the questions that was specific to Ms Dragic was how did she intend to bring the recently cut science labs program back to Woodlands? Without missing a beat, Ms Dragic said that this was a passion of hers and she didn’t have enough time to thoroughly expand her answer. She did say that she would work with the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in the Bronx, and their labs, to develop a program that the Woodlands students would be able to take advantage of. She added she would also work in her capacity as a grant writer to get funding for this as well.

The evening brought few innovations or new ideas to the table. The two incumbent candidates, David Warner and Lloyd Newland, have been on the Board for years. It was this current Board that tried to secretly get the bond passed by limiting its exposure to the stakeholders until we exposed that the schools that these people have been entrusted to maintain and provide a safe and healthy environment for the district’s children were intentionally not maintained. We believe their goal, like that of Mr Feiner’s with WestHelp, was to have the schools become so dilapidated that the only thing left to do would be to tear them down; or sell them and build new schools on the Warburg campus. In fact Trustee Terry Williams got up at one of those road tour meetings and said that that was a legacy goal of his as a School Board member. Shouldn’t your legacy be about the quality education the district’s students receive?

Regardless of any Board members legacies, and this one may turn out to be a legacy of decay, it’s time to jettison the incumbents. We were, in fact, impressed with the list of accomplishments that David Warner and Lloyd Newland read off. In fact, Mr Warner, speaking rapidly, like an announcer at the end of a legal commercial, ran out of time during his opening statement. But Mr Warner, Mr Newland and Mr Williams participated in letting our schools decay. Maybe they’re the real problem.

It is our belief and those we spoke with after the forum, that the Greenburgh School District is ripe for change. The other non-Board member candidates include Ashley Pineda, Brezetta Griffith-Bullock, Malena Din, and Tanya Dragic. While we have no real complaints about Ms Griffith-Bullock, as a former principal in what she called a Blue Ribbon school in Mt Vernon, her ideas struck us as stale. Mr Pineda and Ms Din both have children in the Greenburgh schools and came across as passionate for the schools. This could certainly be because they have their kids are in the schools. Ms Dragic’s kids are in college and an adjoining district. Nothing beats the need to see improvements like when it hits home.

We feel certain Ms Dragic should receive one of the three-year seats, and Ms Din and Mr Pineda should get the other two. We wrote extensively about the shenanigans the Board has played with the lack of maintenance towards our schools, the lack of communication to the public and the fact that the public has passed the budget year after year entrusting the current Board to do the right thing. Apparently, they’re not concerned about what the public thinks or wants. That’s why they got their heads handed to them over the bond issue. There will be a bond for repairs coming soon. There will also be a new school budget coming up. The stakeholders need to scrutinize what is being offered and what is being told to them. The Board decided to go for broke with the Bond and the public responded. Let’s not squander that message.

Pleas vote on May 21 in whichever district you reside. Hold your Board’s feet to the fire and consider this a good opportunity to clean house. It’s time and it will make for A Better Greenburgh.

GSCD PTA To Host Candidate's Night

GSCD PTA COUNCIL PRESENTS CANDIDATE NIGHT!

The PTA Council at Greenburgh School District presents Candidate Night on 5/1/19. Please join us at Woodlands HS Cafeteria to hear the candidates talk about who they are and their platform. The candidates are: Milena Din Tanya Dragic Brezetta Griffith-Bullock Lloyd Newland - Incumbent Ashley Pineda David Warner - Incumbent The public will have an opportunity to ask questions in writing. Upon entering the cafeteria, you will be given an index card to write your question. Council will pick the most relevant questions. The moderators will then read the questions to the candidates. There will be no verbal questions taken on the floor... We look forward to seeing you on May 1, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30p.m. at Woodlands HS Cafeteria. Annual budget and board election is May 21, 2019 at Woodlands MS from 7:00a.m. - 9:00pm. Exercise your right to vote! Thank you.