Pine Bush, NY

Last night I attended a portion of the Pine Bush Central School District Board of Education meeting. During the meeting one of the things that really hit home for me was the fact that the State of New York has used old data to compile it's budget for the cuts in State Aid to our district. Mr Steinberg, our Superintendent of Schools, stated that we are one of eight or so Districts state wide who got hit hard due to the determination that we were not burdening our taxpayers enough. The formula used to determine this is based on several factors including the value of homes within the district and the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches.

Debora Brush, our Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Serivces, told us that the numbers of students in the program that the state used in this determination were four or so years old even thought the State has been provided with up to date data. There has been a huge increase in the number of students who qualify for and are using the free and reduced lunch program. In this time of economic uncertainty it is vital that the State use current data. How many people in this District have experienced job loss or reduced income in the past few years? It is ridiculous that the State is not using the current data that they have.

On top of this injustice the way we spend our education budget is largely determined by State mandate. What this means is that we are required to spend so much of each school dollar on a specific portion of the total budget. So while programs are being cut and the education of our children is compromised we are not able to reapportion the tax dollars to best serve our local needs. There are also many State mandated programs that we must provide even though there is little money provided by the state to do this. I have not fully studied this all but I will.

Now those of you who know me know I am not usually vocal about political topics but this one has taken root in my heart. Our children are going to suffer. Our home values may suffer further. Our reputation as a school district is at stake. I will not stay silent about this.

The District is sending a group of Students to the Capital on February 24th. They are scheduled to meet with representatives and will even be on a few television programs. Having heard the eloquent student speakers that voiced concerns at the Budget Forum on Monday I know that our children will make us all proud.

We are also being asked to form a group of parents and other concerned residents to head for Albany on Lobby Day, which is March 15th, to show them our concern. The discussion was still ongoing as to how and what we would be doing but I urge everyone to either attend this rally or send messages of support along with those of us who go. You can also go to the Pine Bush Central School District web page and find a sample letter (about half way down the home page on the right) to send to our representatives in Albany (a list of the legislators is included on the website also). This is just a sample and you may certainly write something in your own words. I will be emailing the superintendent and board of Education today to let them know I will make a point of joining any group headed for Albany if they need me. If you are willing to make the effort let them know as well.

Upcoming Budget Forums

The Budget Forum that was to be held Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Has Been Rescheduled for Thursday February 25th

Circleville Middle School Auditorium
PTA Parent Forum - 5:30pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 6:00pm

Monday, March 1, 2010 Pine Bush Elementary School Cafeteria - 6:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Crispell Middle School Cafeteria
Crispell PTA - General Meeting at 7:00pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 7:30pm

So many times we are tempted to defend our hard won gains or our positions at a point where it is no longer logical. When we draw a line in the sand we often lose everything in the end. Case in point a world known local Orange County Motorcycle empire. I drove past the world headquarters on Route 17K in Newburgh yesterday and saw one of the Hummers that you have seen if you followed the show out front with a for sale sign on it. I don't follow the show but have been aware of the rift between father and sons that has caused many problems. There are lawsuits flying in many directions and the television show has lost it's draw for many because it was the very interaction between the family that drew people to watch it. When I picked up the local paper last night I found this article about the show being canceled. What a shame that the Teutuls could not bend. Will Choppers be able to maintain the brand and continue to generate interest in the business without the show? I don't know but the value has certainly decreased and may be gone completely.

I use this to illustrate the need for adjustments in life and certainly in this current economy. If you continue to operate business as usual you may be in for a surprise. If you cut services to make up for lost income because you wish to continue to maintain your benefits and personal income you may find no one wants to take advantage of your services any more. During a hurricane trees bend an incredible amount before they snap off an fly. That helps the tree to have a possibility of surviving the storm. Our current economy puts all of us in the line of a fierce wind of decreased funds. So do we bend with the wind in an effort to survive or do we stand straight and tall secure in the knowledge that WE ARE RIGHT only to be snapped off and scattered to the wind.

I hope that we all learn to adapt and survive during this time of economic adjustment. More spending on personal, business, or government level is truly not possible. We can not continue to borrow beyond income. There are no more places to run to grab some quick cash to make up for shortfalls. We need to come up with creative solutions that will allow us to provide excellent service and maintain a comfortable lifestyle. If we can do that then we will make it through this storm.

I have been writing about the Pine Bush Central School District budget planning process. At tonight's Budget Forum there were many wonderful people who showed up to express their concerns about and offer suggestions to help with the school budget. I heard a lot of great ideas and I was encouraged to hear a lot of "we are in this together". There were energy saving suggestions, town supervisors who offered the schools use of facilities, parents who volunteered to help, students who spoke eloquently about their passion for various school programs, and so much more.

It all comes down to finding new ways to do what we already are doing and it is going to take the cooperation. One of the things that needs to be said is that everyone will have to give a little. We are living in a different world then we were just a few short years ago. I urge the administration, teachers, and support staff to consider making concessions to cut back on expenses. As I said at the meeting most of us in business have had to economize and adjust our expenses while trying to deliver the same service. Many of the small business owners who spoke at the forum said the same thing. Business owners have adjusted and made the cuts. In order to maintain the school programs and keep many of the staff from losing jobs all together concessions will be necessary. Let's face it if the school quality and desirability goes down there is certainly the potential for more job loss.

Well tomorrow night is the School Board meeting and they will be discussing the administration and transportation parts of the 2010-2011 budget plan. I urge you to get out and show your support for our district. Wednesday is scheduled to be another School Budget Forum at Circleville Middle School, but with the snowstorm forecast, they may have to postpone the Forum. Currently there are two more Forums planned in addition to several Regular Board of Education meetings prior to the budget presentation, hearings, and school board elections and budget vote.

Upcoming Budget Forums

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Circleville Middle School Auditorium
PTA Parent Forum - 5:30pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 6:00pm

Monday, March 1, 2010 Pine Bush Elementary School Cafeteria - 6:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Crispell Middle School Cafeteria
Crispell PTA - General Meeting at 7:00pm
Budget Forum - Approximately 7:30pm

You might find buying a house in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York's Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan Counties is a little different than buying a home in other states and even in different areas of New York State. This series will prepare you for searching for and buying real estate in my neck of the woods.

When you are looking for a house you should first speak with a mortgage representative. You can speak with someone at your own bank, credit union, or a mortgage company. It is my recommendation that you work with a lender who is at least familiar with the area you are planning to search in. With the different practices in different states and even within areas of states the local representatives will know how best to help you.

The mortgage representative will give you the amount you are qualified for but remember to ask how much your monthly payment will be including principle and interest and also remember that you will need to add 1/12 of the taxes plus insurance to each payment. Make sure you feel comfortable with the amount of your monthly payment. You still need to pay for the other things you need to buy like food and clothing. Once you know your target amount you can start your search.

Most home-buyers start their search on the Internet. They will go on a real estate search engine or to a broker's website and search through the available homes in the area they want to live in. Once they find some homes that they like they will start calling the agent's that have those houses listed. They will make appointments to see those houses with the listing agents and will go to see homes without representation. WHAT???? Yes, the agent who is showing them the house works for the seller. A Listing Agent is looking out for the best interests of the people who hired them. I can't understand why anyone would want to make one of the most expensive purchases they will ever make without representation.

If you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you will have someone on your side. A good buyer's representative will do the search for you, put together a tour so you can see a variety of houses in your price range, and provide you with all the information and resources you need to make the right decision.

I wish you luck with your search and hope you will give me a call if you are looking to purchase a home in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties of New York State or if you would like a referral to a good buyer's agent in your search area.

Our school district, the Pine Bush Central School District, is in the process of formulating a budget for the next school year. Like many school districts in New York state and I am sure across the country, Pine Bush Central School District is faced with severe cuts in income through lowered contributions by the state and lowered tax income. There are several options being considered. It seems that one of the options is to cut services to the bone. This would eliminate many programs that help to keep our children involved in school. The quality of our schools affects our property values in the district. It is important to keep our school's reputation intact. Well I think it is time to rethink how we do things.

You see it is not about cutting this program and slashing that one it is about finding a way to deliver the same service for less. In the real estate business most of the Brokers have made adjustments in their business plans or they have gone out of business. In my brokerage we have cut down to two main offices from the five locations we had during the peek of the market. We have cut down on administrative assistants and the broker has asked the agents and associates in the office to contribute towards a marketing budget. We are still providing the same service for our clients but we have cut back on expenses and found more effective ways of doing things. The schools need to do the same.

Can we rethink the status quo and come up with creative solutions that allow our kids to continue to get the quality educational opportunities and the rich extra curricular programs? I believe it is possible. It will take everyone working together, the school board, administrative staff, teachers, community, students, and parents. It will take creative minds and a willingness to do things in a different way but it can work.

I hope that you all will come out for some of the upcoming Budget Forums or Board of Ed Meetings. This week there is Two Budget Forums on Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM at Circleville Middle School and a Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at Circleville Middle School. We can do this for the district and for the kids.