February 28, 2011

Schodack Blotter

Blotter

SCHODACK 1/23-2/17, 2011















Blood Drive MHHS

Red Cross Blood Drive 
 Tuesday, March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Maple Hill High School. The blood drive is organized by Maple Hill's Key Club. Walk-ins are welcome.

Budget Meeting Thursday

Community Budget Advisory Team Meeting
click to read more

See the Power Point Presentation of the First Draft of the Budget.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Maple Hill High School Library

February 27, 2011

Fresh Air Fund

By Catherine Sager
East Greenbush, NY

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has been affording inner-city children the joy of a summer vacation with volunteer host families and at Fund camps, creating unforgettable memories and extraordinary possibilities. Fresh Air kids get away for a few weeks every summer to live with a host family. More than 65% of all children are re-invited to stay with their host families, year after year.

A paperwork glitch made the Hansen's first fresh air child unavailable the following year and although they were very disappointed, another boy was hoping for a host family and was matched with the Hansens. The very first meeting between Noah Hansen and Troyvon Young, seemed to make the upsetting snafu easier to handle. "The boys just hit it off immediately," says Tenniel Hansen, Noah's mother. "They have so much in common."

Really?!?


"It's no different to me than watching democracy spread across the
Middle East," said Mark Walsh, president of the Troy Teachers Association,

"I strongly believe that the right to collectively bargain is an American fundamental basis for our democracy," said Mary Sherwood of West Sand Lake, a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Troy

Comparing union bargaining rights to fundamental rights under an oppressive dictatorship in a place where people die for speaking their minds?  Really?!?

Should our founding fathers have refused to cross the Delaware in the dead of winter with rags around their feet because they weren't contractually obligated to do so? Really?!?


I understand when a child has a fit because someone won't let her have another cookie, and another cookie, and another cookie.  And if that child cries long enough and loud enough, some parents will just "give in, because it's easier."


Bargaining rights for teachers include being protected by the powerful Teachers' Union when they are requested to perform tasks for which they are not "contractually obligated," for instance chaperoning a dance or meeting parents after hours.  "I don't have to and you can't make me!"

February 26, 2011

What cuts will tax payers support?

How much of a tax increase will voters approve?

Notes to Self

Budget Woes
Schodack School District


The Schodack Central School District presented the first draft of its 2011-12 Budget at the February 17 Board of Education meeting, a $21,072,866 budget that would require an estimated 4 percent increase in the tax rate. Details are outlined in this  Power Point Presentation.



Be sure to attend the next Budget Advisory Meeting March 3. 
There are tough decisions to be made. The Board of Education wants your input.