“The more things change the more they stay the same” is an expression applicable to the 2007-2008 budget deliberations. After years of requesting a new local school tax structure from Harrisburg, and finally having them pass House Bill 1, would also require a new approach by the board in creating their budgets. Unfortunately, the Oley School Board did not get the memo.
At the December 18, 2007, the district presented the board with a “Proposed Preliminary Budget Summary”.
Summary is an appropriate term because the discussion was not a line item analysis required under state form 2028 but rather expense totals. This sketchy information does not provide the public enough of a description to determine educational versus frivolous non-educational expenditures.
The administration and the board could not even answer the question regarding expenses which are contractual and which expenses are discretionary in nature. Discretionary decisions are those made by the board and would include Wish List items.
Also not reviewed at the meeting where the off-budget money sitting in funds. They include the General Fund Balance, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Capital Project Funds. The monies in these funds are important because they are available for property tax relief in the form of lower millage increases.
Last year, the district had over $6,000,000 languishing in these accounts, yet they raised taxes for the sixth consecutive year.
This year they claim they have no idea what these balances will be even though they prepared a 2007-2008 operating budget. Preparing a budget without knowing about money in reserve contradicts responsible spending plans.
Funds balances seem to be the repository for tax dollars earmarked for projects that get people re-elected to school boards. Harrisburg uses Walk Around Money to buy votes, school boards have these off-budget funds for the same purpose.
Paying millions in school taxes for education is one thing, paying millions in taxes for politicians to be elected is another.
As usual, probing questions about the budget and fund balances meet with either annoyed responses from the board or no responses at all, dé•jà vu.
Based on the 2007-2008 Proposed Preliminary Budget Summary presented by the business manager, the district can increase revenue by $1,091,053 dollars or approximately 1.678 mills. These numbers represent the inflation index and the projected exceptions to the inflation index. Anything above this figure would require a referendum approval by the taxpayers.
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218 comments:
1 – 200 of 218 Newer› Newest»In the previous blog, regarding the comments on my letter to the editor, my facts are accurate. We had unexpected increases in revenue because of economic factors that could not be predicted. We definitely did not spend more money than was in the budget for last year. That budget included around $200,000.00 we had planned on taking from the reserve fund. With the extra $740,000.00 we were able to replace the $200,000.00 budgeted from reserves with the "new" income and also put the rest in the reserve fund. We therefore had an extra amount, around $500,000.00, which was not spent. That's why it was available to be put in a "designated" fund which Al/Cindy subsequently complained about. I don't know how to explain this more simply so if you don't understand, you will have to take it on faith (ha), or maybe ask one of your kids. RS was absolutely backward in his “facts” when he implied I lied. Does that mean he was lying? Referring to LB's comment, I guess she should be ashamed of herself instead of the board for not knowing what actually happened before venting about it.
(For the record, if anyone's keeping one,so far the only factual error I am aware of making on this site was when I acknowledged increasing the cost of a sheet of copied information from 10 to 25 cents. It turns out that the price had been raised a long time ago. I got my original info from Al and foolishly believed it.)
For all the complaints I read about board members being rude to complainers or comment-makers, I am not aware of any that compare to the level of nastiness on this site. I could probably stomach reading the tripe on here more often than every 1-2 months, if there was a little more reason and sense and a lot less baseless vitriol.
Incidentally, I still wish someone would explain why they think school board members supposedly delight in raising their own taxes as well as yours. Unlike your reps in state and federal government we have no campaign funds to draw from for ourselves or family; no lobbyists buy us presents or trips to Italy, or even Camden; we can't raise our salaries or other perks since we have neither; etc., etc. Al says we have the equivalent of “walking around money”. I don’t know what he’s talking about and I don’t think he does either. Who do we spend money on that effects our re-election? You might consider that our actions are actually necessary to do the job, but you will probably prefer some other ulterior motive.
P.s. I still don't blog as "anonymous", but thanks for the occasional misattribution of words of wisdom.
RC
Beware, those few of you who stumbled on this site looking for truth! Survey the last blog series, including the entry by RS (8:52 AM toward the end) and the one by Al that follows it, where the truth is completely reversed. Read the completely erroneous lead entry, “Auditor Finds Violation of State Law”. Read the discussion of “amazing Al “and his godliness, and get the flavor of the other participants’ contributions. Then go to a board meeting and see if it’s the audience or the board who are the abused ones. Ask the business manager what she really said. Talk to a couple of board members and form your own conclusions. If you do these things, you’ll probably only come back here to be appalled. Delphi
Oh Cappa, Mr. Know-it-all "NOT", not one of us is twisting your arm to come on this blog and read it. You took our rights of speech away. Russ is correct and so is Linda. You have $500,000 now you say, use it for a no tax increase this year and give us all a break, including yourself. Such a poor fellow! Al is of sound mind not like you. The board did give Dr. Zackon a big raise and he does go to Spain for free so shut up. Maybe you should bug him to let you go to Spain on a one way ticket. I thought the district had problems before you came abord, but you take the cake. Yes the football team has 5 people ready to run and if it is up to this board they will pay for the football program so they will not try to clean house. I think it would be nice to actually look at people that care about the whole district and not the evil faces we have to look at when we go to a board meeting and dare we ask a question! AL AND CINDY DO NOT GO TO THE BOARD MEETINGS FOR THE FUN OF IT, THEY WANT ACCOUNTABILITY THAT YOU I GATHER DO NOT WANT OR CARE TO GIVE THEM!
Al’s latest blogspew continues his tradition of innuendo and twisted factoids. Al was right that this was, as advertised, a “preliminary budget summary” and that was all. That’s the first step. As was explained to Al, the state has not yet released the new version of the form 2028 so it could not be filed. When it’s available, it will be released to the board and to the public. That’s the next step. Contrary to Al’s assertion, the items that could be considered contractual were pointed out as far as possible. The “wish list” details will follow.
The $6,000,000 he repeatedly refers to was explained to him many times as not all being available for general fund use and reducing taxes. About ¾’s of it were not so available when he first stated misusing this particular fact. Unfortunately, the facts, as usual, have little effect on his opinions or his statements.
Contrary to Al, we don’t “have a 2007-2008 operating budget”. We have a preliminary operating budget summary which is a rough initial estimate.
As explained to him, we don’t yet know our exact income or expenses for the next 7 months so we don’t yet know what our exact reserve fund balance will be. At this time, it is not terribly relevant.
“Projects that get people re-elected to school boards”??? Sounds interesting. I‘d like to know if they include the oil, insurance, and salaries, or what exactly fits this category. Likewise, “millions for politicians to be re-elected”: is he confusing us with the guy/gals in Harrisburg or Washington?
What “probing questions” (!!!!) did he even ask, much less fail to have answered- again, at least as much as possible at this stage of the budget process?
Just about the only unslanted truth in his whole blog is the last 5 lines.
you are slanted!
factoid
schmactoid
I hope the guy that wrote that does not have a driver's license.
After reading those couple of posts, there's only two words with which a reply would begin:
Our Father....
For a dude that does not like to lower himself to the likes of blogdom, he sure does know how to re-create the manuscripts from the Dead Sea.
It's quite a stretch to attempt to get the point across that the board is not favoring their own children. It does not matter one bit if any or all of the board members are there for the good of the entire community. The records speak for themselves. And those facts don't lie. There's no record of board member's children doing without or being treated as one of the crowd. If that is not correst, please, by all means, put it in print.
"The administration and the board could not even answer the question regarding which are contractual and which expenses are discretionary in nature."
If you're going to ask a question, then you need to pay attention to the answer - Mr. Richards went item by item for Mr. Jacobs.
Who's slanted here?
“We had unexpected increases in revenue because of economic factors that could not be predicted.”
To underestimate a small amount of money is one thing, but underestimate $741,000 is another.
Mr. Cappa, et. al. are trying to save face from an embarrassment discovered by an auditor.
I wonder if he would whitewash reasons for revenue shortfall, if taxpayers claimed they were unaware of funds come time to pay school taxes.
“We definitely did not spend more money than was in the budget for last year.”
This is a direct contradiction to what the business manager stated at a meeting.
The district spent $740,000 more than budgeted in 2005-2006 and they covered the excess spending from off-budget funds.
They cannot cover overspending with funds they did not know existed until late 2006.
“That budget included around $200,000.00 we had planned on taking from the reserve fund.”
I thank Mr. Cappa for revealing one of the ways that a school district can spend more than the charade spending plans they present to the public.
A district can spend more than they do in the operational budget, if they have large sums of money sitting in funds they can draw on for pet projects.
“With the extra $740,000.00 we were able to replace the $200,000.00 budgeted from reserves with the "new" income and also put the rest in the reserve fund. We therefore had an extra amount, around $500,000.00, which was not spent.”
Mr. Cappa’ scenario belies the number discussed at two meetings.
The first time he voted to “designate” $741,000 to an unreserved fund balance.
At the December 18, 2006 meeting, the same $741,000 is a possible fund balance as of June 2007.
If he does not want to listen to the public, maybe he should pay attention at meetings.
“For the record, if anyone's keeping one,so far the only factual error I am aware of making on this site was when I acknowledged increasing the cost of a sheet of copied information from 10 to 25 cents.”
If anything, Mr. Cappa is entertaining as he grades his performance.
“For all the complaints I read about board members being rude to complainers or comment-makers, I am not aware of any that compare to the level of nastiness on this site.”
Once again, we thank Mr. Cappa for his candor describing people who attend meetings.
Perhaps, he thought of the public as “complainers” while crafting policies that trample on Free Speech or make public records expensive by design.
He also has a convenient memory forgetting when he brought a camera to a meeting to intimidate female speakers or his letters to the editor attacking the community.
His venomous actions is his way of bringing the community together.
“Incidentally, I still wish someone would explain why they think school board members supposedly delight in raising their own taxes as well as yours…. we can't raise our salaries or other perks since we have neither”
Maybe one of them could vote on his wife’s increase in salary and benefits. Then live on the increased pension because of his vote.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about and I don’t think he does either. Who do we spend money on that effects our re-election? You might consider that our actions are actually necessary to do the job, but you will probably prefer some other ulterior motive.”
For starters, we can talk about the $1,400,000 non-state mandated, non-educational track.
The board is busy catering to special interest groups interested is similar undertakings.
They are not making these commitments to get off the board.
“The $6,000,000 he repeatedly refers to was explained to him many times as not all being available for general fund use and reducing taxes”
Mr. Cappa once again displays his lack of understanding regarding the financial aspects of managing a school district.
There was nearly $3,000,000 in the General Fund Balance that was available for tax relief.
There was $1,800,000 in the Capital Reserve Fund available for items that have a life to them.
The board confirmed the use of Capital Reserve funds for operational expenses at the December 13,2006 meeting.
The only funds that may not be available for current expenses were the Capital Projects Fund of nearly $1,200,000. These reserves are to pay a steel contractor who is suing us for $1,400,000.
This board member is the icon for a state proposal to require school board members to take courses on school administration.
“As explained to him, we don’t yet know our exact income or expenses for the next 7 months so we don’t yet know what our exact reserve fund balance will be.”
The district knows enough about their operating expenses to present a Proposed Preliminary Budget Summary. We already know how much they can increase the budget by law. Therefore, any major changes from now until later are remote at best.
The state allows a district with our budget size of $26,650,776 a fund balance equal to or less than 8% of that figure or $2,132,061.
Knowing the track record of the board trying to reach the allowable amount, it is safe to say we may have millions in the General Fund Balance, alone.
Mr. Cappa’s indifference to the citizens is fodder to the idea that there should be a county school district, thereby eliminating current school boards.
Besides the economy of a streamlined administration, we rid ourselves of board members who are clueless about their responsibilities and think they sit on a throne.
In addition, there should be term limits for a county school board. A career politician serves only himself and not the constituency.
"If you're going to ask a question, then you need to pay attention to the answer - Mr. Richards went item by item for Mr. Jacobs."
Hi RC, but Richards only discussed superfical, miscellaneuos expenses, not a detailed summary of object codes 100 to 900.
If the board wanted to discuss the budget in detail they could present a line item, consistent with form 2028, discussion by object code.
There is a $26,492,504 difference between Richard's response and a through analysis.
They made no such presentation at the meeting.
Questions about district spending anger some people.
GO AL GO PUT RC IN HIS PLACE. HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.
Our board ...trying to save face that is like throwing a single life preserver to a sinking ship.
rob c said...
"Referring to LB's comment, I guess she should be ashamed of herself instead of the board for not knowing what actually happened beofe venting about it...."
Well, Rob C., many would like to hear you say that to LB's face. Linda served a heck of a lot longer on the school board than you did so far, and held her own through many ups and downs. One thing Linda does not ever have to do is BE ASHAMED OF HERSELF.
If you want to talk shame, review your own credentials.
What is the story about our Oley girls getting in some sort of serious trouble at another school? Something about Alcohol?
Yes that is correct, the girls got in trouble this past weekend at a basketball game Oley vs. Upper Perk. at Perk Valley gym. The story is they brought alcohol in water bottles! Do not know if this is the whole story but they got busted for it at the game.
If Al can dance, he must be a master of the Twist. Where to begin on his response to my response to his attack? He claims I once "brought a camera to a meeting to intimidate female speakers".
Once upon a time, I explained to Al, the Never Listening, that I wanted to record mainly his hit and run attacks so they could be refuted at the next meeting. No one, especially the unexpected ‘female speaker’ who is a former board member and is anything but bashful, was intimidated. She used the episode as an excuse to try to bully me and 'promised' not to talk if I filmed her. Who could resist a bargain like that? Unfortunately, she spoke anyway, in the usual insult attack mode favored by about five of our esteemed citizens. These, incidentally, are the only butts of comments-in-return that I have ever aimed at, not the community at large as he likes to also claim. He now routinely tapes us and uses the video to attempt to poke fun at us. I never realized he was trying to intimidate us. I just thought he was being childish . Incidentally, I never showed my video to anyone although I did think of submitting it for an episode of “Americans Behaving Badly” on the Jay Leno show.
I said “We definitely did not spend more money than was in the budget for last year.”
He replied, "This is a direct contradiction to what the business manager stated at a meeting."
"The district spent $740,000 more than budgeted in 2005-2006 and they covered the excess spending from off-budget funds."
"They cannot cover overspending with funds they did not know existed until late 2006."
My current reply: This is a repeated misstatement that Al refuses to give up and doesn't even make sense. The business manager said exactly the OPPOSITE, which is why we were able to put the money in the reserve fund as an overall addition of around $500.000, not as a replacement for $741,000. wE DID NOT OVERSPEND THE PUBLICLY BUDGETED AMOUNTS. You may have noticed that Al never gives up an idea once it enters his head, especially when it is shown to be untrue.I believe he loves his opinions and will hear no evil of them.
I said "That budget included around $200,000.00 we had planned on taking from the reserve fund."
He replied, "I thank Mr. Cappa for revealing one of the ways that a school district can spend more than the charade spending plans they present to the public.A district can spend more than they do in the operational budget, if they have large sums of money sitting in funds they can draw on for pet projects."
My current reply:
I can think of no “pet projects” paid for in the last budget unless you count books and technology spending and special ed. When something is included in the budget, how is it being hidden or part of a “charade spending plan”? AS EXPLAINED, we had planned on using around $200,000.00 from the reserve fund instead of raising taxes to cover that amount. The extra income made that withdrawal from the reserve fund unnecessary because the money was “replaced” before it was probably spent. (Think on that before you jump on it)
He said, "Mr. Cappa’s scenario belies the number discussed at two meetings.The first time he voted to “designate” $741,000 to an unreserved fund balance. At the December 18, 2006 meeting, the same $741,000 is a possible fund balance as of June 2007.'
My reply: I can’t understand Al’s confusion on this. For state required legal reasons the money was temporarily put in a designated fund. It may be added to the general fund depending on collections and expenses where it will be part of the general reserve fund balance. Or' it can be left as a separate fund balance. This proves or indicates nothing either way, except that it is money that was not spent and will be available to cover the expenses and delays in income if Act 1’s income SHIFT is approved, or for whatever else is necessary.
I asked' "Who do we spend money on that effects our re-election?"
He said' "For starters, we can talk about the $1,400,000 non-state mandated, non-educational track.The board is busy catering to special interest groups interested is similar undertakings.
They are not making these commitments to get off the board."
I respond, not just reply,
Who is the special interest group interested in the track that we are ”catering to”? Is it the group of students and parents and other community members, who number more than your group has ever amounted to? Do the other “special interest groups” include the football enthusiasts who consist of the same type of community members as the track group?
He again claims there was the famous $6,000,000 available for tax relief. As I pointed out long ago this included the 1.2 million (I believe it was 1.4 then) restricted to the cap projects fund, plus another 1 million plus that was in an accrual fund to pay bills from the previous years’ budget that came due during the summer. (Contrary to what Al has previously accused, and never understood, this money was NOT included in 2 separate budgets to be squirreled away for parties or something.) The money in the cap projects fund (another million plus), as explained to Al at the last meeting, can be used for certain durable recurring expenses but this is not a good idea as a usual practice because you will have to eventually pay for them out of the general fund to restore your capital reserve. That leaves the 1-2 million in the general reserve fund, not 6 million.
Lastly, at last, he claimed that, as a perk, I "could vote on his wife’s increase in salary and benefits. Then live on the increased pension because of his vote." Without my vote on the contract for all teachers, which is part of my job and which I am specifically allowed to do, the budget would have passed unanimously -so my vote did not have any impact. The relatively small increase in her salary for one year did not make a particularly significant impact on her retirement income. Actually,I might have not voted since it didn't matter; and I certainly would not have voted if it did matter;- except that Al demanded in his usual repugnant manner that I not vote. I have a strong aversion to being bullied and tend to go counter to attempts like that "on principle".
If you need further examples of Al’s twisting the truth or of my “ lack of understanding regarding the financial aspects”, I’m sure Al will supply the latter. I’m tired of this, especially since I believe many of you are True Believers in your anti-board crusade and would require intervention by God in person to change your minds. (Maybe that would work- I’m not sure). Enough is enough, or already too much, as I’m sure you’ll agree. The floor is yours Al; dance away, but without me as a partner. Incidentally, Al, you can call me Rob.
You're nuts!
MR. Cappa, to say Dr. sickens me. You must not be hearing to good lately. Did you ever go for a hearing exam? To solve this matter lets have the Business Mgr, yourself and Al sit down and discuss the budget in a normal setting. You are making a fool of yourself. Al does not make up anything. Lets pick a time and spot for this meeting and lets get everything out on the table. You do not understand the budget it is very clear with the way you keep attacking Al. You do not like us asking questions and being a watch dog group for the people of this district. It is about time we hold you and the rest of this board accountable.
Isn't it amusing that ROB is granted all the time and space he so desires on this blog? ROB and everyone else can blog to their heart's content, no limits on here. Blog, ROB, blog. We're glad that you feel free, occassionally, to blog your heart out. Why is it so different, then, that at a school board meeting, we're limited BY YOU? Interesting.
Furthermore...you claim that you always blog with your own name, and extend "thanks for the occasional misattribution of words of wisdom...."
That should be a clue. There's more than a handful of citizens finding out that you're not their cup of tea.
In this town, we'd be fools to state our real feelings and sign our actual names. Our children live here.
Three days a year, we enjoy the Oley Fair. The other 362 days of the year...
we deal with the Oley UN-fair.
"(Mr.) Richards only discussed superficial miscellaneous expenses"
Salaries
Benefits
Special Education
Bussing
Fuel Costs
etc.
Maybe you need to listen to the answer before hearing what you want to hear.
Dance on Al.
Al's a great dancer for real! You are the one stepping on peoples toes with your stupid comments. Rob, Robby, RC, Doc whatever, you need to get together with the BM, Al and yourself and I guess from your last blog you like sounding off on this better. What are you afraid Al is correct and you are not?
8:36
"Dance on AL?"
Where' your COMMA...Mr. Perfect?
"Dance on, Al!" That's the way it should look. Your version makes it look like you literally want to:
DANCE ON AL. And speaking for the whole platoon, I think Al would have a problem with that!
With all Rob's chatter about dancing, I guess that will be the next thing the board pushes for...
....male ballet....
Grab your tutu, don your toe shoes, and grab your favorite partner...let's dance!
My niece told me that she's got some really nice teachers in Oley, and some that are nice but can't teach very good. For the teachers that are doing a great job, we all say thank you. For the one's that are dropping the ball, please pick another profession and let the teaching to those that can do the job.
My child came home and told me that teachers are reading this blog and like it that we have a chance to speak and tell the facts. They have been at board meetings and have seen you people in action. They know what it is like to deal with you at the board meetings. So you cannot say we are the only ones on here. Everyone knows about the blog!!! Dance on, CAPPA.
This just in:
Al's heartbroken. Rob doesn't want to be his partner? I can hear Al now:
Boo,hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo...
“Once upon a time, I explained to Al, the Never Listening, that I wanted to record mainly his hit and run attacks so they could be refuted at the next meeting…. Who could resist a bargain like that?. , I never showed my video to anyone although I did think of submitting it for an episode of “Americans Behaving Badly” on the Jay Leno show.”
”
Wrong, Mr. Cappa claimed to the press that he brought the camera to meetings to record events. This is in the Reading Eagle archives.
The woman respectfully asked him to turn the camera off and he refused. Cappa’s refusal delayed the meeting so the solicitor could check school policy on a board member intimidating the public.
He is obviously proud and amused of his actions to harass and abuse a female.
“The business manager said exactly the OPPOSITE, which is why we were able to put the money in the reserve fund as an overall addition of around $500.000, not as a replacement for $741,000. wE DID NOT OVERSPEND THE PUBLICLY BUDGETED AMOUNTS…. AS EXPLAINED, we had planned on using around $200,000.00 from the reserve fund instead of raising taxes to cover that amount. The extra income made that withdrawal from the reserve fund unnecessary because the money was “replaced” before it was probably spent.”
Mr. Cappa’s Enron reply about the $741,000 can be easily tested.
The 2005-2006 budget year starts from June 30, 2005 and ends June 30 2006.
Mr. Cappa asserts these transactions happened during that period, yet the auditor revealed the $741,000 surplus late in 2006, near the middle of the 2006-2007 budget year.
Therefore, he might explain to the public how the district can make transfers to funds with money they claimed did not exist during the 2005-2006!
“I can think of no “pet projects” paid for in the last budget unless you count books and technology spending and special ed.”
The board slipped through an expenditure for Internet 2 in the 2006-2007 budget.
Internet 2 is an unnecessary duplication of the high-speed land lines currently used for Internet access.
At the December 18, 2006 meeting, the assistant superintendent could not identify any current use for their new toy rather she conjectured as to its application.
Sound fiscal practices require a cost analysis before purchase of expensive technology rather than after it.
“Who is the special interest group interested in the track that we are ”catering to”? Is it the group of students and parents and other community members, who number more than your group has ever amounted to? Do the other “special interest groups” include the football enthusiasts who consist of the same type of community members as the track group?”
More than once taxpayers packed the boardroom asking for property tax relief.
Also, over 1,100 people signed petitions for a No Tax Increase Budget.
Both groups received the back of the board’s collective hands with six consecutive years of tax increases.
If Mr. Cappa thinks it is such a popular idea to spend millions on non-state mandated, non-educational expenses, then he would have no problems making a motion at the next meeting to put a question on the May ballot to raise taxes for these expenditures.
We will be eagerly waiting for your motion, Rob.
“The money in the cap projects fund (another million plus), as explained to Al at the last meeting, can be used for certain durable recurring expenses but this is not a good idea as a usual practice because you will have to eventually pay for them out of the general fund to restore your capital reserve. That leaves the 1-2 million in the general reserve fund, not 6 million.”
The details of the $6,000,000 and its application are on the blog.
Mr. Cappa not only does not want to listen to the public, he does not want to read from them as well.
Unintentionally, he confirms that you can use monies from these funds to reduce the amount of millage as previously posted.
As to the contention these funds are solely for education, we will see how the board pays for the $1,400,000 track.
“Lastly, at last, he claimed that, as a perk, I "could vote on his wife’s increase in salary and benefits. Then live on the increased pension because of his vote." Without my vote on the contract for all teachers, which is part of my job and which I am specifically allowed to do, the budget would have passed unanimously -so my vote did not have any impact.”
If Mr. Cappa was so sure the vote for the teacher contract was a done deal, he could abstain from voting. He did not.
Financial gain appears to outweigh decorum.
“The relatively small increase in her salary for one year did not make a particularly significant impact on her retirement income.”
The words “relative” and “significant” have different meanings to different people.
The board approved a contract, which is one of the most lucrative in Berks County, yet Oley is near the bottom of total wage income.
This board member's indifference to the plight of taxpayers is a confirmation of his disconnect with the community.
“Actually,I might have not voted since it didn't matter; and I certainly would not have voted if it did matter;- except that Al demanded in his usual repugnant manner that I not vote. I have a strong aversion to being bullied and tend to go counter to attempts like that "on principle".”
The board likes to blame the state and federal government for its problems, yet their actions affect well over 90% of the budget.
Mr. Cappa is no different in defense of his vote to feed off our tax dollars.
Perhaps, he can produce board minutes where he claims someone demanded he abstains from voting.
“If you need further examples of Al’s twisting the truth or of my “ lack of understanding regarding the financial aspects”,”
Mr. Cappa’s attempt at defending his and the board’s actions need to be measured against the fact the state imposed fiscal controls on school boards.
The school boards forced to the state to impose spending controls because of their indifference and inability to manage tax dollars responsibly.
They spent so much money so quickly that the state could not keep up with the funding reimbursement formula.
Referendums will limit board members wasting tax dollars.
Thank you Al for making it clear on what is going on in this district. Cappa keeps on rambling!
Who could possibly follow the blogging board member's train of thought? I guess that's the object. Confuse the masses. That only works for so long. When people get good and tired of this act, it will change for good.
A long time ago, a "grandma" type woman wrote a post on here and strongly hinted that Rob and Al reminded her of brothers that argued all the time. I think she suggested that they should confront each other like mature adults. Face to face.
Why does it seem as though Al is more than willing to listen to reason and discuss these issues, but Rob waits for a while, gets all steamed up, and blogs lengthy replies that are filled with sour, strange, and downright creepy quips---aimed directly at Al and anyone else that feels compelled to question the board?
Why is that, Rob? You've got time to look up all of those weird words you use to insult and belittle Al and others, you've got time to write blogs that are Guiness Book length, but you don't have time to be a man and just plain ask Al to go get a cup of coffee with you, and hash over your issues? In person, nothing should be misunderstood or misinterpreted! Al probably would not even mind if you recorded it, ran a camera, whatever. Al is not afraid of telling the truth. Are you afraid you can't defend your input with truth? It sure looks like that's the case. If I'm wrong, Rob, please set the record straight. I'm no "grandma" but I've been around long enough to know when trouble is brewing. This district is brewing up a lot of trouble. Have a chat with someone besides retired Oley teachers and current board members. Go to the source. John Q. Taxpayer and Jane Q. Parent. It's but a handful of residents that are happy with how things are, tax wise, and even less that are thrilled with our school system. Those that are totally happy with Oley School seem to have children that would do well in ANY school, not just in Oley. You don't have to think back that far to remember fellow classmates that breezed through school, almost without effort, and pulled straight A's. Those students will succeed anywhere. Try chatting with the parents of children that have to work three times as hard to get an "A" and on top of that, have to compete against the "accepted" kids. Try being a new kid, C+ student, not particularly athletic...and guess what? Nothing special for these kids. Nothing at all.
You are totally correct!
OK what happened to Mr. Know-it-all? We want to sit and talk to him regarding the budget with the Business Mgr. and Al and what now he has cold feet.
What is the matter? If you are correct as you say you are then why do you not want to have a meeting? Come on be a man will you. Contact Al and set something up. This is the best way to settle who is right regarding the budget as well as all the other issues this school has.
one person does not a school board make....I think Yoda said that once
"One person does not a school board make...?"
Heck, we've got 9 people....and we still don't have a school board.
Good point!
WHAT'S UP DOC?
CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?
Step right up, folks! If the nine members who make up the school board don't tickle your fancy, put your money where your mouth is! Do a better job! Show those no-good horrible slobs!!! Come on, step right up!
....or could it be that it is so much easier to whine, moan, and groan on here than to put your self in their place!?! I thank God I am not on the school board, but if I were, I would most likely not treat some of you very congenially. Respect deserves respect! Ignorance on the other hand....
...hahaha, like you're not on the board!
hahaha.. deserves.. hahaha !
response to BB:
The district knows you pulled your child out, so what, no big deal,it is your right.We are saying that volley ball at the MS would benefit her if she came back to the MS or when she comes back to the HS. Board members in the past and present vote for items that benefit their families. It is a known fact. We are there when the votes are being taken. You have voted for things your friends that helped you get into office are against. You have disappointed alot of people. Your homelife and family is your own business. Vote for what you truly believe in not because you do not have a back bone and you are afraid of the newspaper and administrators of this district. Board members are elected to help the people in this community not get kicked out of their homes. Board members are to have fiscal responsibility and accountability. they are not to vote on wish list items. Education must come first. We have alot of educational problems in this district which should be your number one priority.
is that BB or DB or RC
Wake up blogger 10:47:
The board started with the disrespectful attitudes towards the public when asking questions.
The first time I had dealings with the board, I got looks, Mrs. Butchko made a comment that was absolutely uncalled for (which she knew, and did apologize), I got big eyes, laughed at, whispered about, all right in front of everyone.
So please do not talk to us about respect.
RESPECT is a word that is foreign to the Oley Valley School Board.
It goes both ways, people, and unless you have been there to witness anything, perhaps you should reserve your judgement.
What you are reading now, is utter and complete frustration after dealing with this school board for four or five years, and having to ask the same questions for four and five years, questions that use our own school's figures.
So if you would like to talk about ignorance, HOW ABOUT YOUR OWN?
When we moved here, we came to one meeting. The ignorance we witnessed was beyond anything we expected. The board knows exactly what they are doing. Driving everyone away, so they can have an easy time passing the same crap every other board tries to get away with. It works great! Right on up until you get turned into a county school system. Been in areas where that happened, and there was nothing but changes for the good with county schools.
The board should write their resignation speeches now, so they have plenty of time to make sure THEY get in every dig.
It amazes me that next to none of you have first hand knowledge of what actually happens at school board meetings, yet you are all so sure of what goes on there. In my last letter to the editor, I invited all of you somewhat concerned citizens to attend the last meeting to hear for yourselves. They left that part out of the letter probably because they didn’t print it until after the current meeting. The invitation still stands. If you attend any of the committee meetings, including the combined committee which is when matters are actually discussed and decided upon, you will have all the time you need or want to ask questions and state opinions. Did you know that? It is only at the formal meeting when items are formally voted on that any restriction on comments is made. A little secret known only to anyone who ever attends the formal board meeting: the matters have just about always already been publicly discussed and anything you say at that one meeting will be heard but is unlikely to change many minds.
As for Al and I and the business manager getting together, we already did at the last two board meetings when she told Al exactly what I have tried to tell you. He didn’t listen then either. Again, feel free to come and ask for yourself. Al and I have had 1 or 2 accidental meetings and discussions on a range of ideas. As a self proclaimed champion of the poor and down trodden, he had peculiar opinions about things like the minimum wage increase, which he opposed, and tax shifts to save property taxes. If I remember correctly, (of course I do!) he generally favored other measures that benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle and lower class workers. Of course he always specifically targets teachers as overpaid and underworked with no apparent understanding of their actual hours or the scope of their jobs. However, I am talking about the rest of the working world as well.
I realize the length of my blogs probably kept most of you from reading them or thinking about the contents before forming an opinion about them. If Al didn’t make so many factual errors, I wouldn’t have to spend so much time correcting them. It is far easier to attack anyone, like a board, with half and twisted truths and outright lies, than to explain the underlying facts.
To defend just one of Al’s latest attacks:
He says:
“Mr. Cappa’s Enron reply about the $741,000 can be easily tested.
The 2005-2006 budget year starts from June 30, 2005 and ends June 30 2006.
Mr. Cappa asserts these transactions happened during that period, yet the auditor revealed the $741,000 surplus late in 2006, near the middle of the 2006-2007 budget year.
Therefore, he might explain to the public how the district can make transfers to funds with money they claimed did not exist during the 2005-2006! “
I don’t understand Al’s confusion. The money in question came in at various times during the ‘05-’06 year: when someone paid reclaimed clean and green taxes, when bank interest was paid to us at 4% instead of the expected 2%, etc. It is likely that we were still receiving some of these funds for that school year during the summer. Our auditor audited the accounts at the end of the school year ( probably during the summer of ’06) and reported in the fall of ’06. Where is the difficulty in understanding this? Where is the skullduggery on the part of the board?
Enough. Hear what you want to hear, believe what you choose. Just don’t confuse opinion with truth. Also please don't expect me to respond to every comment on this site. RC
Go Oley, Go
The white and the blue
an innocent snow man
shame on you!
Hail Mary, full of grace
your duct tape ripped the paint
off my snowman's face...
bah humbug
Hey!
I thought you and Al broke up????
Frosty says: The board are not the only ones with a video camera. We can see everything. Do not come near my home again. I will charge you to fix the paint on frosty's hat. You people are gross! The truth of this district being put on this blog is killing you. Oh well!
You should not do that!! Sending one of your buddies to do your dirty work! Grinch!
re: RC's lastet blog
"It amazes me...."
Well, we're amazed, too. Although some will not agree with what you most recently wrote, we'd have to be blind not to see how your attitdue has softened since your last blog. Did "Grandma" hit a nerve? We can only hope so. Even if you mean well, your general attitude has turned many people off. At least this most recent blog had far less anger floating on the surface. It's not the length of your script, not the subject matter. It's the peculiar wording which you choose. Eccentric and bizarre phrases rarely soften such cutting remarks.
Perhaps the noticeable improvement is due to the season? If so, "Grandma" would suggest a truck load of artificial snow and a bunch of LED Christmas lights to be used year round. You attract a lot more flies with honey.....
We are not "somewhat" concerned citizens. The majority are concerned about two things:
1.Our children getting the best we can give them.
2. A tax structure that will allow us to remain in our homes and keep our children right where they are.
Face it, there's not many people around that don't truly have to count every penny. Like it or not, it's the truth. There are plenty of people working more than one job. And it is kind of annoying to read blogs where people state: "Show me one person that is working an extra job to pay their taxes." We could show you plenty of people doing this, were it not for our pride. Most people don't enjoy telling anyone that they don't earn enough to cut it. What's worse than that? Trying to figure out how old people will be able to pay the taxes, on top of everything else. I certainly hope nobody starts that rant again.
Another long blogger....
“As for Al and I and the business manager getting together, we already did at the last two board meetings when she told Al exactly what I have tried to tell you. He didn’t listen then either.”
The business manager and the board stonewalled questions about millions sitting in off-budget funds.
Any discussions about these balances cause angst because it refutes the districts yearly contention they must raise taxes.
They like to skim over other figures, because any deeper discussions might reveal pork.
“Al and I have had 1 or 2 accidental meetings and discussions on a range of ideas. As a self proclaimed champion of the poor and down trodden, he had peculiar opinions about things like the minimum wage increase, which he opposed, and tax shifts to save property taxes.”
Mr. Cappa and I saw each other as we swam laps at the Boyertown YMCA.
It is very difficult to have a conversation under the water.
His recollections about conversations with me other than an acknowledgement of a person while in a locker room, boardroom, on the street, etc. are a figment of his imagination.
For the record, the raising of the minimum wage has no meaning to me one way or the other.
It would be nice if there is a tax shift to a broader base of taxpayers, preferably to a sales tax.
Mr. Cappa publicly opposed this concept.
Public education is too expensive for local funding.
The major reason for this debacle is that school boards are unable or refuse to manage district expenses.
“If I remember correctly, (of course I do!) he generally favored other measures that benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle and lower class workers.”
This is a strange comment coming from someone who voted his household generous wages and benefits that far exceed those in the private sector at the expense of the less fortunate.
Now, he enjoys the luxury of a golden, taxpayer-funded pension by citizens who work.
“Of course he always specifically targets teachers as overpaid and underworked with no apparent understanding of their actual hours or the scope of their jobs.”
This is public information.
I have written letters to the editor, made speeches to the board and at taxpayer meetings in various districts and postings to blogs.
They work nine months a year, but they receive a full year’s wages that are usually twice the average income of the households in the districts.
They have a benefit package that exceeds most if not all those in the private sector.
They have a pension plan that will siphon tax dollars away from education.
And what do we get for our educational dollar?
Test scores are not much different today than they were six years ago. Yet, taxpayers spent millions for improvement.
Workers in the private sector would be fired for this performance.
Mr. Cappa benefits from this absurdity, most famalies do not.
“However, I am talking about the rest of the working world as well”
Mr. Cappa embarks on class warfare as do most leftists to justify their position of imposing high taxes.
Personally, I would never want to restrict a person from being successful and being paid handsomely for their effort.
The more people are successful, the more we all benefit, even those who raise taxes.
His votes at budget time, suggests his vision of success is forcible redistribution of income to those who feed from the system.
“I don’t understand Al’s confusion. The money in question came in at various times during the ‘05-’06 year: when someone paid reclaimed clean and green taxes, when bank interest was paid to us at 4% instead of the expected 2%, etc. It is likely that we were still receiving some of these funds for that school year during the summer.”
Again, Mr. Cappa does not understand district finances.
If this money was in the district funds during the 2005-2006 year, then why did they not show up on the fund balance at the end of June 30, 2006?
If the district spent these funds during the fiscal year, they had to open the budget as prescribed by law. The district did not open the budget.
In addition, the district presented a 2006-2007 budget to the community that did not contain the additional $741,000 balance of 2005-2006.
The audit report confirmed this embarrassment.
Mr. Cappa’s explanation is the typical politician trying to whitewash what is a major oversight the by the district and by the board.
“Our auditor audited the accounts at the end of the school year ( probably during the summer of ’06) and reported in the fall of ’06. Where is the difficulty in understanding this? Where is the skullduggery on the part of the board?”
It is not “skullduggery”, it is gross incompetence feed by indifference.
This is but one example of why we need to test school board members’ competence, establish a county school system and impose term limits.
Guess we know who the real grinch is....Al
What amount of effort does it take to have a board member thrown from his throne?
Come on, Al, you mean to tell us that the two of you guys could not have an in-depth conversation while swimming those laps? Sounds like Rob's debating skills are all wet.
Mr. Cappa:
I believe I have heard you say that you did not understand the budget, and did not want to, so it is hard for me to believe that here you are on this blog, explaining monies to everyone.
Also, you do feed off the system, as your wife was a school teacher in this district, and yes you should have abstained from the vote on the teacher's contract.
Anyone with a clear mind and conscience would have done that.
...just got a carton of milk at Kings. There was a photo of a missing snowman, along with a clear description:
Height: 2'6"
Weigh : 4 lbs
eye color: coal
identifying marks: nose looks like a carrot, kind of round in the middle, wearing nice paint job, and a smile.
Last seen being taken from his righful position on his front lawn
Family heartbroken
Please, respect everyone's personal property. Tis the season set a good example for the children....even if it's a new experience for you, it's never too late.
How clearly can someone think when they imagine having in depth conversations while swimming laps? Too much chlorine, maybe?
LOOKS LIKE FINGERPRINTS ARE IN ORDER!
The camera was running.
The perp will soon be brought to justice!
Grinch is you Doc and whoever else you have doing your dirty work for you. You do not know the true meaning of Christmas. I hope you were not in the live manger last weekend in Oley, maybe as a donkey or one of the wise men but instead of giving gifts you took them. You make the people of this valley sick. You and Dale must leave along with your board buddies. Maybe when the Business Mgr. packs it in you can follow her out the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out.
As I said, "Step right up, step right up!"
First, I would like to clarify that the example I used, of interest rates on our reserve fund going from 2% to 4%, was an illustrative, not an exact, example. I cannot swear that the exact rate change was precisely that. The point was that interest rates went up unpredictably, and we benefited from increased interest income.
Al and I had at least one fairly long conversation in the locker room at the Y covering a whole bunch of political/economic subjects. At the end of the last or only one, I was sure it was pointless for us to ever have another such conversation. Perhaps he doesn’t remember it for the same reason he doesn’t remember other discussions that have been contrary to his fixed positions. An example is the infamous extra $741,000 .
Al said “Again, Mr. Cappa does not understand district finances. If this money was in the district funds during the 2005-2006 year, then why did they not show up on the fund balance at the end of June 30, 2006? If the district spent these funds during the fiscal year, they had to open the budget as prescribed by law. The district did not open the budget.”
The obvious reason is that whatever part of those funds that was collected as of June ’06 is included in the reserve account. Of course, it would not be in a separate listing, like “Tahiti Fund”, or “unrealized yet extra money”, but it would be in the total for the reserve fund. I believe that’s why we had to later remove it to a designated reserve. We have no uncounted extra funds just as we have no massive, nor miniscule, unaccounted, off-budget expenses.
The reason we did not reopen the budget, and won’t, and shouldn’t, is that we did not spend the money so we don’t have to do so. If we did, you would hear about it. Is Al or someone else going to try to get us prosecuted for something we did only in their own imagination? Keep tuned.
This whole episode, like so many others, is based on deliberate misunderstanding and false accusations.
To whoever heard me supposedly say “I did not understand nor want to understand the budget”, I would point out that auditory hallucinations can be serious. If they actually heard me say something along the lines of “I don’t have all the details of the budget memorized and don’t want to”, I’ll admit to the probability of saying that. Who in their right mind would want to or could memorize all the components of the budget? I believe my answer was in response to a question about the amount of a very specific expense that the person asking had written in front of her.
This is another fine example of a grain of truth being distorted out of all recognition.
Al Said: “In addition, the district presented a 2006-2007 budget to the community that did not contain the additional $741,000 balance of 2005-2006.”
As a self proclaimed financial wiz, he has apparently forgotten that the PRELIMINARY BUDGET ESTIMATE which was actually presented, and has been identified as such in his blog by him, covered only possible expenses. It was not a final or even preliminary final budget and did not, and should not, make any reference to fund balances.
Al likes to rattle on about me being a “leftist” and the golden pension of my wife that I am living off. I believe the truth would make even him blush. On second thought, it would probably only make him twist the truth and throw in a few unrelated and unsupportable accusations. People who actually know me, have even occasionally accused me of being a right winger. I guess it depends on their starting point.
As far as medical and pension benefits, I think everyone from Congress on up should have the same basic setup with pension benefit levels proportionate to income and contributions. No one should work 20 years for a major company, or their whole life for anyone, and end up with nothing. Nor should anyone get a golden parachute of millions paid by their company with money that could be used for worker salaries or benefits, shareholder profits, or to reduce the charges for their product. Al thinks these people are “paid handsomely ”. I think they are immoral crooks. Any extra retirement benefits would come from personal savings. I think the government sponsored and controlled pension system in Pa needs to be drastically changed for all its beneficiaries. This is totally outside the control of the school board despite Al’s repeated claims during the Act 50 campaign that the voters could eliminate those expenses.
I also think that Act 1 is an expensive and ultimately useless sham tossed out by our legislators. If the shift portion of it does unfortunately get ratified at the next primary election, it should include all income (PIT) not just earned income (EIT). In the numbers they gave us, that would include another $50 million in unearned income that would otherwise be untaxed and would otherwise increase the proportion paid by workers. (The total tax shifted would stay the same but at least some would come from people with potentially large amounts of unearned income.) Unfortunately, so far the mechanism for collecting is full of difficulties that will create a mess.
The above could probably qualify me, depending on who you ask, as a leftist, a communist, or even a Christian- or something else. Anyone who really wants to discuss any of this can meet me at the IGA or somewhere.
I believe if you really examine the rest of Al’s accusations and fabrications and my responses with a reasonable and open mind you will arrive at some semblance of the truth. On the other hand, I don’t understand how people can do half the stuff they do, so maybe you won’t.
I’m now going to concede to Al the title of master abuser of this site- he is willing to put in far more time for questionable results than I am. I can only sustain this kind of minimally sensible exchange for less long than it would take to answer all of his misrepresentations. Twist on. RC
Zackon, stop this nut before you get in trouble.
HAVE NOT HEARD ANY NEWS FROM THE FIELD HOCKEY TEAM LATELY. HOW ARE THEY ALL DOING?
Dear Doc:
The 2006-2007 budget was passed last year, and did not contain the money.
Al is not talking about the 2007-2008 budget. Get with the program.
Also, it was a parking lot discussion in which you mentioned that you did not understand the budget and you did not desire to.
No one is having auditory hallucinations, and this was last year or the year before.
“The obvious reason is that whatever part of those funds that was collected as of June ’06 is included in the reserve account. Of course, it would not be in a separate listing, like “Tahiti Fund”, or “unrealized yet extra money”, but it would be in the total for the reserve fund. I believe that’s why we had to later remove it to a designated reserve. We have no uncounted extra funds just as we have no massive, nor miniscule, unaccounted, off-budget expenses.”
Mr. Cappa needs to be reminded of the old saying “When you are in a hole, stop digging”.
Funds that arrive in the district from outside sources such as earned income, real estate taxes, federal or state grants, etc. are placed in the General Fund not in the Capital Reserve.
Only a public board vote can move money from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund.
Therefore, the $741,000 surplus is not from Capital Reserve interest as he misstates, but from the aforementioned sources.
He is now saying they moved the money from the Capital Reserve Fund to a “designated” unreserved fund balance in the 2006-2007 budget.
The auditor report said the money was a surplus from the General Fund Balance not the Capital Reserve Fund.
If they moved the money from the Capital Reserve Fund, which is only for capital type, purchases into the designated General Fund unreserved fund balance, the board probably violated state law.
This board member has a shocking lack of understanding basic school accounting principles.
“As a self proclaimed financial wiz, he has apparently forgotten that the PRELIMINARY BUDGET ESTIMATE which was actually presented, and has been identified as such in his blog by him, covered only possible expenses. It was not a final or even preliminary final budget and did not, and should not, make any reference to fund balances.”
Mr. Cappa cannot even get the budget terms correct. It is the proposed preliminary budget summary not the “preliminary budget estimate”.
You do not have to be a wiz to understand terms. Well, maybe for some.
We will see how much the preliminary budget summary differs from the preliminary budget and eventually the final budget.
School boards put on a show for the public every year with orchestrated comments about fiscal accountability. One of their favorite expressions is the infamous “bare bones budget”.
We are still waiting for your response to the make a motion to the board that asks the taxpayers by referendum vote on the May 2007 ballot, if they want to pay higher taxes for the million dollars of non-state mandated, non-educational expenses.
“Al likes to rattle on about me being a “leftist” and the golden pension of my wife that I am living off. I believe the truth would make even him blush. On second thought, it would probably only make him twist the truth and throw in a few unrelated and unsupportable accusations.”
Mr. Cappa says he is not a leftist, yet he states later in his post “.. If the shift portion of it does unfortunately get ratified at the next primary election, it should include all income (PIT) not just earned income (EIT)..
He is not satisfied taxing just wages, he wants to tax any and all sources of income.
For starters, this hurts the seniors who rely on modest savings to survive and families saving for their children’s a college education.
To call Mr. Cappa a leftist is generous.
“As far as medical and pension benefits, I think everyone from Congress on up should have the same basic setup with pension benefit levels proportionate to income and contributions. No one should work 20 years for a major company, or their whole life for anyone, and end up with nothing.”
This sounds like a “state” controlled system. The concepts of capitalism and democracy are profane to Marxists.
“Nor should anyone get a golden parachute of millions paid by their company with money that could be used for worker salaries or benefits, shareholder profits, or to reduce the charges for their product. Al thinks these people are “paid handsomely ”. I think they are immoral crooks.”
Mr. Cappa sounds jealous of others success. His solution is to tax them to his level rather than achieve success himself.
People in the private sector are paid for performance and not by holding children hostage to the same bloated wages of a poorly negotiated contact in another school district.
“Any extra retirement benefits would come from personal savings.”
Mr. Cappa says he wants to tax them too.
“ I think the government sponsored and controlled pension system in Pa needs to be drastically changed for all its beneficiaries. This is totally outside the control of the school board despite Al’s repeated claims during the Act 50 campaign that the voters could eliminate those expenses.”
School boards vote enormous wage contracts for teachers, administrators, and superintendents, then they wonder why the pension obligations are so high.
The state does not negotiate teacher contracts, the boards do.
The board loves to point the finger solely at the state for their problems when in fact a good portion of that finger should be pointed at themselves.
In other words, “We have met the enemy and it is ourselves”.
Act 50 would not give exemptions to exorbitant wage and benefit giveaways.
The school boards and the teacher unions feared the tight Act 50 referendum exemptions.
The school board does not want restrictions on their power, and the teacher unions do not restrictions on their outrageous wage and benefit demands.
The board and the district won the battle but not the war. We are in a hybrid version of Act 50.
Now, all parties are accountable whether they like it or not.
“In the numbers they gave us, that would include another $50 million in unearned income that would otherwise be untaxed and would otherwise increase the proportion paid by workers.”
It is always amusing when those who feed from the system label savings as “unearned” as a means to justify taxing it.
I suspect a number of people would find this depiction of their life efforts as insulting.
Mr. Cappa does not care about workers any more than he cares about people who save. He measures their worth in their taxability.
“On the other hand, I don’t understand how people can do half the stuff they do, so maybe you won’t.”
This comment smacks of elitism. This is another trait of leftists.
Testing board members, a county wide school system, term limits, voter say on budgets = a good start.
Just finished tablulations for 2006 tax preparation.
Now, let's see, before we even eat our meager meals, we have paid out $8900 in medical premiums and co-pays, $4980 in property taxes.
Hey Doc, how much did you and your wifey pay in medical expenses in 2006? Your property taxes don't count because your household gets increases commensurate with tax increases and you vote for the increases so just wallow in your brand of socialism.
As to our savings. Well, that's a story for another day, and they weren't easily come by or saved -- by scrimping and doing without. Oh yea, remember they were already taxed year after year at the state and federal level. Now the school board wants some of them too.
rc - You deserve whatever you get. Most of the rest of us DO NOT. We are just trying to live decent, hardworking and self sufficient lifestyles.
Knock yourself out with this one, rc.
Someone in here talks about RC being a "leftist", but I would argue that the "king of the concerned citizens" is not mainstream either. Perhaps a libertarian. I would doubt that most in the Oley Valley would not agree with those ideals
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands....."
Look up the definition of a Republic. That's the problem here. Not only do some people not know what our country was formed to be, they don't know what form of government that is.
A small fact that Al doesn't realize: if we approve an increase in the earned income tax, I will have my property tax cut with NO increase in any other tax. If we go with the PIT, personal income tax, to include all classes of income, I will have to pay more taxes. As I have previously stated, I hate to pay taxes. However I think it is more fair to spread the burden on all income rather than dump it all on workers. As I stated, this does not increase the total tax but does reduce it slightly on earned income.
He is right about one thing- I believe earned income is worth more because of the sweat and labor that goes into it,rather than unearned income from capital gains and such. Why should we give a tax break that benefits mostly the 10% of the population who own 50% or more of the wealth,instead of the worker who actually keeps the country running? Obviously, I think you should be able to work hard, save your money and live off the proceeds if you can. But you shouldn't get favorable treatment over those still scraping along. Does that really make me a leftist or just a 'fairest'- that doesn't sound just right either.
I do apologize for confusing Al with my fund terminology- I sometimes call the general fund the general reserve fund because I think of it as money in reserve, meaning we havn't spent it. But I never called it the Capital reserve as he incorrectly interpreted it. I suspect he knew very well from the context what I meant as did most of you who might even care what a fund is called. I can't bear to respond to the rest of his blather- he has too much free time and apparently nothing better, make that nothing else, to spend it on. He should use some of it spreading cheer instead of this, and so will I. Avoirdupois! (sounds high falutin even if it makes no sense) RC
I wish Cappa and Jacobs would take a break and leave room for the crazies with their insults instead of reasons. They're much more fun and shorter too.
YOUR CRAZY FOR NOT WANTING TO KNOW THE FACTS THAT AL HAS PUT ONTO THIS BLOG. I GUESS YOU DO NOT CARE HOW THE BOARD SPENDS OUR MONEY AND ON WHAT! WHEN YOU SEE THE STATE TAKE OVER DO NOT SAY WE DID NOT TELL YOU SO. THE PSSA RESULTS FROM LAST YEAR ARE TERRIBLE. ONLY 49% OF THE LAST YEARS JUNIORS KNOW ANY MATH AND READING. I GUESS THAT IS OK WITH YOU. 51% DO NOT KNOW BASIC MATH AND READING. JUST ASK THE HS PRINCIPAL OR THE ASST. SUPER THEY WILL TELL YOU THE SAME SCORES AS I JUST DID. HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT THIS IS OK?
OUR MONEY SHOULD GO FOR EDUCATION FIRST NOT BIG SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR ADMIN. THAT ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB. GO TO A PRIVATE COMPANY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT PREFORM, YOUR OUT OUT OUT OF A JOB.
Let us all pray and hope we can get some honesty and accountability from this board next year. A New Year a fresh start. You owe it to the kids and citizens of this district.
Hello boys,
To heck with the swimming pool chats and chance meetings at the IGA. Have you tried this?
ROCK
PAPER
SCISSORS
_ _ _ _ _ _ the snow man!
our pssa scores are on the computer from the state for anyone to look at.
“A small fact that Al doesn't realize: if we approve an increase in the earned income tax, I will have my property tax cut with NO increase in any other tax. If we go with the PIT, personal income tax, to include all classes of income, I will have to pay more taxes. As I have previously stated, I hate to pay taxes.”
Mr. Cappa suggests that he has income sources that are taxable under PIT, yet his Statement of Financial Interest report for the year 2004, says he has no income of any kind.
All board members must fill out this form once a year and it is a Public Record.
The state requires politicans to list sources of income.
If he says he now has income, which he did not declare for the year 2004, then perhaps he can provide us with updated information.
“As I stated, this does not increase the total tax but does reduce it slightly on earned income.”
??????
The PIT raises taxes on all income. It does exclude or reduce taxes on earned income.
It slightly increases the reduction of the school property tax for a segment of the community.
“He is right about one thing- I believe earned income is worth more because of the sweat and labor that goes into it,rather than unearned income from capital gains and such.”
Savings is what is left after families pay taxes on their wages, not before.
They put this money aside for a college education for their children, retirement, etc.
Mr. Cappa wants to tax these savings, which is a double taxation in the name of his welfare state.
He wants citizens to be working for the state and be in a constant condition of servitude.
This is Marxism.
“Why should we give a tax break that benefits mostly the 10% of the population who own 50% or more of the wealth,instead of the worker who actually keeps the country running? Obviously, I think you should be able to work hard, save your money and live off the proceeds if you can. But you shouldn't get favorable treatment over those still scraping along. Does that really make me a leftist or just a 'fairest'- that doesn't sound just right either.”
Marxists use the class warfare argument to justify the forcible redistribution of wealth.
He wants to penalize people who work hard. He also wants the money taken from them and given to him.
He will live a lifestyle far better than the workers.
Mr. Cappa would do well to contact Hugo Chavez for citizenship papers.
“But I never called it the Capital reserve as he incorrectly interpreted it. I suspect he knew very well from the context what I meant as did most of you who might even care what a fund is called.”
We are not mind readers on this blog.
It behooves Mr. Cappa to get his terms correct.
Maybe, this indifference is why the board did know about the $741,000 of extra revenue in the 2005-2006 budget.
We could use this money for a No Tax Increase Budget in 2006-2007 or in 2007-2008
At least, there was an auditor who cares more about accuracy than this school board member.
A Good Start
Testing board members, a county wide school system, term limits, voter say on budgets.
I agree
TESTING BOARD MEMBERS
YES, THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. JUST BECAUSE TOWNFOLK RECOGNIZE THEIR NAMES ON THE BALLOTS, DOES NOT MEAN THAT CANDIDATE HAS THE SAME QUALITIES THAT WERE ONCE ADMIRED. PEOPLE AGE DIFFERENTLY. SOME OF THEM GET SMARTER. SOME LOSE TOUCH WITH REALITY. SOME WERE NEVER TO DARNED SMART TO BEGIN WITH.
We need no tax increase budgets for the next three years just to catch our breath.
I owe!
I owe!
It's off to work I go!
INCOME OR NO INCOME THAT IS THE QUESTION. WHATS UP WITH THIS CAPPA?
cappa states that he hates to pay taxes, yet does not seem to mind that taxes have about doubled in the past few years. Well, doc, tell us how that would seem fair? You know, there's plenty of local workers that are getting paid half of what teachers make and a fraction of what other so called professionals make, and yet we're supposed to cough up this kind of tax money now? It's as if we're being punished for scrimping and saving to get into our homes, and now you want to tax us out of them. This whole board is about to ruin what was a nice community.
On that note, Merry Christmas to all the real, down to earth people of this area.
"This whole board is about to ruin what was a nice community."
Wow! Truly amazing! That is one very powerful board!
Hey you dummies, they don't actually hold any power. It's from the higher ups, just like any other organization. Look closely, you'll see their strings.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Valley, not a creature was stirring, but Al and his pallies.
With computers turned by the chimney with care, In hopes that Bob Cappa would soon log on there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
But Mary on her keyboard and friens ready to zap, had just set their fingers for long winter's tap tap.
When out form the web there arose sucha clatter, They sprang from their seats to see all the chatter.
Away to the screen they flew like a flash, tore open the blog and began to hash trash.
The type on the page like a new fallen snow, gave lustre of a new day to the words below.
When what to their wondering eyes should appear, But a happy old blogger with wonderful words of cheer!
With the little old blogger so lively and quick, They knew in a moment it must be St. Nick
More rapid than a poet in courses they came, And he gave praises and compliments, never slandered their name.
Now Al, now Linda, now Danny, and Cindy! On Roger, On Barb, On David and Mary!
To the top of the blog, to the top of the new web site! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away into the night!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up on the web site the bloggers they flew, With fingers full of kind words like St. Nicholas too.
An then, in a twinkling, they saw on the site, the prancing and pawling of each little type.
As they drew in their head, and were all turned around, Down the thread came more kind words from St.Nick with such lovely a sound.
He was dressed in wonderful vocabulary from his head to his foot, and his words were not tarnished with gossip and soot.
A bundle of compliments he had flung on his back, And he sounded like a peacemaker, kindness was his tact.
His words how they twinked! His phrases how merry! His sentences were like roses, his sweet tones like a cherry!
He kept all hatred drawn up like a bow, His regard for his fellow man was as white as snow.
The restraint of his tongue, he held tight in his teeth, and it adorned his person like a beautiful Christmas wreath!
He had a great mind with a good sense of humor, He understood that slander and criticism spread like a tumor.
He was positive and happy, a right jolly elf, And many laughed when they read in spite of themselves!
With his words of joy and wisdom from his head, Soon gave us to know the Concerned Citizens were suring nothing to dread!
Gloria Noel
Now that is one thing that everyone can agree with....
Says who? Cappa, Dale and families, buddies and pro-boarders.
Merry Christmas to one and all! What income Cappa?
Dear Gloria Noel:
Blessed tidings this, and every Christmas.
For unto us a Child is born, and his name shall be called The Prince Of Peace.
We are taught as small children that all great things God has to offer shall be bestowed upon those who truly believe in Him. We make no jokes about this subject.
God loves all of us and asks so little in return.
One thing we're asked to do is be Honest. Honesty, however, is a trait that is rarely witnessed by anyone watching or questioning our school board. Perhaps it would be a great place to start. God knows there are temtations in life, and they are fed most often by greed. This is the percfect time of the year to come clean in the eyes of the Lord, in the eyes of your family and friends, and in the eyes of the citizens which the board members have chosen to serve. God bless you, one and all, this Christmas season, and be thankful for our many blessings. Remember, it is more blessed to give, than receive. In response to your lengthy and peculiar blog listed above:
God bless you in your time of need. God bless those that have been over taxed and then made fun of by pro bloggers. I will not throw the word SHAME in your face, as it's not my place to do so. One day, we'll all have to answer to someone even more powerful than Heckman and Zackon. On that day, be thankful that someone reminded you of your greed, while you still had time to change your ways.
God's blessing to everyone. God's blessings to those that are trying to help young families and senior cizitens to keep their homes. God bless those that feel justified in milking the "system" to the point that many are suffering at the hands of the greedy administration and teachers. No shame is mentioned here, as the word we're searching for is not shame.... it's sorrow.
anonymous Salvation Army member...
to rhymin' simon...
We're trying to keep in the Christmas spirit here.
You must be new in town, your writing talents leave a lot to be desired.
Check out the creative writing classes at Kutztown, perhaps there's an opening. They have large classrooms with huuuuuge seats!
Up on the rooftop
click click click
Boy in a monkey suit
acting like a dick.
Ho, ho, ho-o-o-o-o-o
Santa is coming to town. Lucky boys and girls getting a nice little toy or two.
Every family in Oley Liked Christmas a lot...
But Rob,who lived in the Valley Did NOT!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
Or maybe because he could not tax people out of sight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
Whatever the reason, His heart or the size of a wife’s pension,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating us all.
Staring down from his thone with a sour, Grinchy frown,
At the warm lighted windows in town.
For he knew every person in Oley he held beneath his esteem
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer,
How could that be, I tried to take what’s left with a tear!
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop Christmas from coming!"
For Tomorrow, he knew, I will tax all of you.
All the girls and boys,
Would wake bright and early.
They'd rush for their toys!
Only to find the Grinch with his loud noise.
Then the ,young and old, would try to sit down to a feast.
Only to realize they have been robbed by the beast.
He liked least of all!
Every person tall and small,
Who would stand together
For the better.
Then he got an idea!
"I know just what to do!" he laughed in his throat.
I will pretend to like children and dress up as a trick
To fool people, he knew how to make things tick.
Then he took some red thread
And tied a big horn on the top of his head.
Unlike the Toyota sign he usually hangs from his shed.
Then the Grinch said, "Giddap!" And he started down,
Toward the homes he targeted for his own.
Families Lay asleep in the night
Hoping their future is bright.
They were all dreaming sweet dreams without care.
Praying they would not be caught in the snare
Of the school board member who did not care.
As he came to the first little house on the square.
"These stockings," he grinned, "are the first things to go!"
He took their feast!
He took the pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
About as fast as he taxed their cash.
The Grinch had been caught by a tiny daughter,
She got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared and said,
"Why are you taking our Christmas tree?"
But, all know, that old politican was so smart and so slick,
He thought up a tale as big as a whale.
I do this in your name
To give myself some fame
To be re-elected
Before I am suspected
WOW! Maybe you should direct some of that energy of altering the dialog of how the Grinch stole Christmas to attack a person who's political views you disagree with. I wonder, do you keep this close of watch on all of your other taxes that you have to pay, or gas price increases, or general inflation that effects how much you have to spend just to live. Or do you only keep an eye on the money that you can use to badger people who are not getting paid to sort out a public service of educating children who will one day pay your social security (if it lasts that long). It seems to me that you complainers have nothing better to do then to sit down and try to find ways to post your own political ideals onto others, almost as if you were crusaders. The public schools to you people is a place that is easy to go to and small enough that you can complain as much as you want because its your right, not because you are a concerned citizen. A concerned citizen would be trying to education children, trying to help reduce global warming, stop steady pollution, be concerned about the war. Although I must say, you did fulfill one service, and that is the service of giving me a good laugh at some of the comments posted. I wish everybody happy holidays (for those who do not celebrate Christmas but other holidays) because I understand that to exclude people because you are not mature enough to stay civilized is for the lack of a better term dumb and childlike.
Commenting on the reading of ONE posting. Try breezing over the other 20,000 or so posts. Breeze over comments written by current board members. Now THERE is an eye opener. This community is in the midst of a real problem. It begins with liars and crooks. Go to the meetings and judge for yourselves. Educating our children is often the farthest thing from the board member's minds. Don't believe anything you're reading? Why is the police department asked to troll the parking lot at meetings that are filled with multiple concerned citizens. If the board felt they were truly working for the good of the children, they would not secure the police department. It's baffling to the average Joe, that is, until you do some research. Don't have time for research? Then read the posts of those who do. Too many loose ends connected with the people spending YOUR TAX DOLLARS. Sooner or later.....they will have your attention.
Did you say police department? There's a good one for all you god fearing don't tax me Oleyites. Name one community Oley's size with full time police force the size of Oley's. You can't! Mr. Coker's private security force protects one state road, a few chools, and a supermarket! Wow, and how much do you pay for that if you live in the township? A lot, but I don't hear you folks bashing the supervisors. No because Al's forte is attacking schools, where can get the most senior citizen's riled up! Who pays for the school taxes NOT collected in our serene "Historical" township that allows no more business in its boundaries? You poor souls with no money forgot that one on your blog!
Where is all your high level math big guy? Why haven't you taken on the State of Pennsylvania either? Surely your fine minds and eagle eyes can see past their deceptions as well. Attack, attack, I say. And don't stop there, go yell at Mr. Bush, who mandated a program but gave little money to carry it out! Oh darn, you must have forgot about that. Perhaps it just easier to beat up on the little Oley school board. Remember, in the true Christmas spirit that I've read here; it's better to give than receive. Go share you concern, anger, and seething spew with all levels of our government! I'm sure many of us would pay for your bus ride!
Silence Be Good
Everyone is sick! Speaking of infected sinuses, what's the word from
U R S I N I S..???
"because you are not mature enough to stay civilized is for the lack of a better term dumb and childlike."
"He liked least of all!
Every person tall and small,
Who would stand together
For the better."
"You poor souls with no money forgot that one on your blog! "
"For Tomorrow, he knew, I will tax all of you."
Who started the Night Before Christmas blog putting our names all through out it. You can attack the messenger but oh no if your name is mentioned. You play you pay.
.”Or do you only keep an eye on the money that you can use to badger people who are not getting paid to sort out a public service of educating children who will one day pay your social security’
How does paying $1,400,000 for a track educate children to pay for social security?
What example does hiding $741,000 from a budget give “children”?
Why is the district being sued for millions?
Why are test scores low?
Why does a board member vote to increase his wife's salary?
Why are you in denial?
12:25 AM
you are not mature enough to stay civilized
The feel gooders think it is more civilized to force families from their homes and for seniors to starve than to stand up for change.
It's a Berks County thing...
They eat meat at every meal. What do you expect? All those brain cells are clogged up beyond repair.
More bacon with your eggs? More spam with your thickly buttered toast? More sausage with your lard-laden home fries? More wallpaper paste with your pot pie?
Belly on up to the cholesterol bar...dig in!
"Why are you in denial?"
Sometimes there is no explaining possible.
You can lead a horse to water and they might not drink.
It must be worse with a jackass.
Just like these liberals. Never rebut the issues, side step them -- into global warming, meat eating, etc..
The fact remains. The Oley School Board spends ALL of the local folks money they collect. Therefore, they are accountable to ALL the folks, even the politically incorrect. For those of us who don't live in Oley Township, we get very little for most of our tax dollars. We maintain and plow our own road (that we paved ourselves), no trash collection, no kids in public schools ever, and most of all NO REPRESENTATION ON THE OLEY SCHOOL BOARD although they're not shy about stealing our money.
As to police, give us the PA State police anytime.
The self styled OLEY CONCERNED CITIZEN has nothing better to do or think about on Christmas then to poke fun at someone who stands up to him and his lies. How Pathetic! On the other hand he showed more wit with his poetry than he ever has with his math or reasoning. I wonder if he actually smiled when he exercised his mean streak.
I don’t know much about Mr Jacobs but some of his supposed facts and comments rub me the wrong way. How can he not care either way about the minimum wage? He thinks people should be "paid handsomely" but is that only the rich? How can he say that working 80 hours a week at minimum wage to barely reach the poverty level, is anything but awful?
Also, his ideas about teacher pay and work are way off the mark. I know a few teachers and they work an average of 50 hrs a week for their 38 weeks a year. That’s 1900 hrs a year plus they go in 2 days before school starts, and work 2-3 days after it ends. A regular 40 hr a week worker for 50 weeks puts in 2000 hours, minus 7-10 holidays, for a real total of around 1920 to 1940 hours a year. And that’s if he gets 2 weeks vacation. With a decent job and some seniority he or she would work less hours than a teacher.
A teachers’ level of pay is comparable to many other jobs that require the same level of training (4 years during which you pay for the privilege and earn nothing, plus postgraduate work required by the state), and job difficulty. If you think teaching is easy, try it- or ask why so many teachers quit in the first 5 years. Besides, don’t they have a right to be “handsomely paid” just like the private sector workers who are paid with our money ? We pay more for the products/ services they sell than we would if they were paid less. What’s the difference? Do we really have a choice about buying food, paying rent or house costs, electric and oil bills?
Mr J says teachers earn twice the average wage in the district. Is he comparing teachers with 30 years experience yo a group of workers that includes those just starting out of high school, and those earning the minimum wage - which he thinks is so fair? A mid experience level teacher probably earns about $50,000.00 a year which isn’t out of line for the job, or other comparable jobs, and isn’t that much higher than the random average he uses.
As for their benefits, they certainly are good, just as good as many others’ were before they got cut back. But, their pension plan is a gift from the legislature who had to raise the benefits of all government employees, not just teachers, in order to raise their own benefits by twice as much. Don’t blame the teachers or other govt workers. As for health benefits, one of your former contributors suggested that you not try to deprive everyone else of what you’ve lost so that they have to suffer too. Instead you should work on getting your coverage back. Maybe try to get it for the 45,000,000 other Americans who don’t have it at all.
Mr Jacobs with his Lexus and his country estate seems to care mostly about the fame and fortune of Mr Jacobs.
"meetings filled with multiple concerned citizens"? You mean the ONE meeting with about 30 allies of Al, mostly from out of the district?
Attacking the facts and the messenger again, you never learn do you? Mr. Jacobs has an audi and a modest house he worked very hard for. All 12 months not 10 like teachers. Please the state and federal gov. has to change the min. wage. Oley School Board has a $25 million budget that they play around with every year. If you think we do not care about that and the lack of honesty and accountability from this board you have not be reading this blog. We the concerned citizens care about all the people of this district not like the board who care about themselves and a few others first. Come to meetings and see for yourself. People that speak out get things taken away from their children, I know and I know people that this has happened to. So if there are 2 or 200 people what does it matter? We all know what is going on anyway. Looking at the board and the way they talk and laugh at the people that pay their bills is not a night out!
In a democracy, changes usually start at the local level. The movement gains momentum and ultimately the politicians pay attention.
This was the process to initiate a new tax relief package for Pennsylvania homeowners.
Citizens in various school districts who tired of obscene tax increases and lousy test scores became involved in school district matters.
There are thousands upon thousands of these concerned citizens in the state, just ask the politicians.
It did not take them long to realize, that public education is more about power and money than education.
School boards want power and teacher unions, administrators, and superintendents want money.
For a long time, they lived off the backs of children with their agenda, until local people decided there is something better.
Despite the venomous attacks of those who defend the status quo for vested reasons and thousands of dollars from outside groups, the first step for property tax relief is on the books.
Now, there are controls on wasteful spending. It is long overdue.
As long as citizens stay involved, there will be more changes in the future.
Global warming?
Tell that to the senior citizens that are all crippled up with arthritis and sitting under blankets in a 60 degree home, so as to conserve oil and be able to pay their other bills, SUCH AS TAXES.
Good thing we're not allowed to swear on here..... One of these days, Alice....one of these day.....
“How can he not care either way about the minimum wage? He thinks people should be "paid handsomely" but is that only the rich?”
The minimum wage is just that, a wage for people starting out on their career.
To suggest, they should be paid far more than a beginning wage would drive up the prices of products you claim are already too high because of private sector workers.
The teachers are “paid handsomely” for what they do. According to your definition, they are “rich”.
“Also, his ideas about teacher pay and work are way off the mark. I know a few teachers and they work an average of 50 hrs a week for their 38 weeks a year. That’s 1900 hrs a year plus they go in 2 days before school starts, and work 2-3 days after it ends. A regular 40 hr a week worker for 50 weeks puts in 2000 hours, minus 7-10 holidays, for a real total of around 1920 to 1940 hours a year. And that’s if he gets 2 weeks vacation. With a decent job and some seniority he or she would work less hours than a teacher.”
This type of math is the reason why the state put controls on spending.
The teacher contract is available at the school district.
It completely refutes your post.
“Besides, don’t they have a right to be “handsomely paid” just like the private sector workers who are paid with our money ?”
If a teacher thinks the private sector employee earns more money, then he/she has the freedom to change jobs.
“We pay more for the products/ services they sell than we would if they were paid less.”
The private sector employee is paid for their performance. If they do not meet a standard they are fired.
A teacher is paid by comparing their salary and benefits to the most expensive contract in the area.
They are not held to any standard and upon tenure, are not fired for not reaching that standard.
Big difference....
“Do we really have a choice about buying food, paying rent or house costs, electric and oil bills?”
Far more choices than parents trying to find a quality education at an affordable price...
If there is competition for the educational dollar, costs go down and quality goes up.
“ Is he comparing teachers with 30 years experience yo a group of workers that includes those just starting out of high school, and those earning the minimum wage - which he thinks is so fair?”
The average OVSD teacher salary is approximately $52,000. The average earned income of a wage earner in the district is $38,617. If you include people who do not have a job, the average is $28,584.
The wages increases of the teacher far exceed those in the private sector. When the contract ends in 2010, this disparity will be even greater.
According to your thesis, this is the despicable “rich” gap.
“ But, their pension plan is a gift from the legislature who had to raise the benefits of all government employees, not just teachers, in order to raise their own benefits by twice as much. Don’t blame the teachers or other govt workers.”
Nobody is applauding greed from any government employee.
“Maybe try to get it for the 45,000,000 other Americans who don’t have it at all.”
Maybe, the billions that exist in government plans at the state and federal level should be shifted to help those citizens.
Why should government workers have separate plans from the rest of Americans?
Go Al Go, the facts speak for themselves. Thanks for trying to rebut the people that dog you on this blog. They cannot dispute the facts that are on here so they attack you as a person. A nice one at that. Keep up the good work for the people of this district. We all should be glad you care as much as you do. Shame on the OTHER SIDE!!
Hey timeclock blogger...
Where do you think anyone gets away with working a 40 hour work week? King's maybe? This is 2006, and nobody is cutting it on a 40 hour week. Try checking out the other businesses that have been employing folks in our area for several years now. A sprinkling of them work a 40 hour week. The rest work what is required of them, and it's often one heck of a lot more than 40 hours. Salaried workers are given more hours than ever to work, getting nothing extra in their paychecks, and to add insult to injury, dealing with healthcare systems that offer a tiny fraction of the coverage we graciously bestow upon our teachers. What's good for the goose will never apply here.
When people rely on their unions to cover their behinds for every cent, it's a matter of time until their system will break. History repeats itself. The teachers will have no clue as to how to survive on the common man's income.....
Did you want fries with that?
Teachers working a 50 hour week? What sort of sundial are you using? I see the teachers driving into the parking lot every day. That's no 10 hour day they're putting in. And, that's no full year, either. Not their fault, of course, since our country is currently geared to this schedule.
Dear Timex: I have seen teachers pulling out of the parking lot before the buses are leaving. One teacher I noticed pulling up in his driveway from teaching at Oley and my kids did not even come home off the bus before him. It would be nice if the teachers actually tutored children needing help after school instead of running out when the clocks strikes. Teachers are not out for the children. I can say not all the teachers of Oley run out but I have seen tooooooooo many leaving at the same time every day.
Our teachers are the same as any other publilc school teachers. They are in this for the bucks, and that's the main reason. 99% of them would never tutor for free, on their own time. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'd LOVE to be wrong. Please, tell us the names of the teachers that are going the extra mile. It is those teachers that would get my respect. The rest you can stick in a boat and sail them somewhere else, on somebody elses dime.
Blogger 2:06:
You're an idiot.
to the 2:06 blogger
***post graduate work required by the state is generally paid for by the teacher, and then reimbursed by the school...which comes directly from tax dollars. Get it, Sherlock? The taxpayers pay for the teachers to get more training. And more and more...and guess what, we still have kids that can't read well enough to pass standard tests, and don't even think about math. Booo....and shame on you to suggest that our teachers are getting a bum rap.
Wow! You anti-Oley school bloggers are as classy as ever! Your "civilized debates" and polite opinions never cease to amaze me! (sarcasm intended - for those of you who need to have that fact pointed out)
to 11:42 p.m. blogger:
You stayed up that late, to state that?
Having trouble sleeping? Or did you just get in from your second job?
The 11.42 blogger is part of the political correctness crowd roaming the blog hunting for offenders. Get a life.
for those of you for whom ignorance is bliss, some professions,for example teachers, actually take work home. That time counts as work even if you are notspying on them with your timex.
Poor Al, he must’ve run out of facts to twist so he had to take a turn at perverting someone else’s holiday poem- and poorly at that. My guess is that he thought I had something to do with the new, on site version of The Night Before Christmas. Sorry, that’s not my style (I do have some standards even, and especially, when dealing with the likes of him) and didn’t know it was on the site until after someone told me about his major effort to be funny(?), clever(?), witty(?), spiteful(?) or whatever. He’ll be glad to know that I was not offended but do feel even more pity for him: not so much, though, that I won’t continue exposing his semi-evil ways when the mood knocks me over. Anyway, happy new year and good luck in your future attempts at anything.
A first for me
I agree with RC
RC: Al's poem was all you 100%. It was so you, it was so funny. He made my holiday. And even if you did not write the Night Before Christmas, you know who did. One of your evil buddies. Happy 2007 to you and yours. It will be nice and surprising if you actually get your facts straight this coming year. My husband works 12 months out of the year and he still has to work on vacation. 1 little week at the beach and he is still working on his lap top and calling into his office. So I do not feel sorry for the teachers. They do not work 3 months out of the year. They could out of the goodness of their hearts tutor the children that need that after school for FREE. My teachers in the past would always ask if children could stay after to get tutoring. They wanted to help ALL the children be the best they can be.
'twas the week after Christmas
when all through the town
reality struck
but did not strike us down
we had time for family
for caroling and such
the "board member" bloggers
didn't bother us much
It's free speech we value
some serious, some fun
thanks to our soldiers
it's here for everyone
So blog on dear citizens
it's free, every day
the blogging board members
can't make your mind stray
WE know why we're on here
it's not just for the kids
we're here so our taxes
don't have us on the skids.
"My guess is that he thought I had something to do with the new, on site version of The Night Before Christmas."
I bet the next thing he will say is he did not vote to raise our taxes and his wife's pay.
"Anyway, happy new year and good luck in your future attempts at anything."
Another year of mouching off his wife's taxpayer pension while we starve.
Maybe "he" should consider coming out of retirement.
he he he...
Look, everyone's pretending they're so busy they don't check the blog!
he he he...
Well It's amazing how all the poor people who can barely keep a house because of the high taxes have enough money for internet connections, and enought time (with all six jobs to pay the taxes) to post these rants
Whine on !!!
One need not be poor to know when they are being robbed.
Hey whine-oh....get a life.
Oh, we're sorry. We didn't know you wanted us to give up an internet connection. And give up our right to free speech. And give up our every need.
We're so, so, so, so, sorry. If only we could be more like you, Mr. Tall, light, and ugly.
None of us are whining about internet costs. We have a choice about those costs. In fact, we are not whining. We are involved in an interchange of ideas and peaceful resistance. Our disgust is the extortion of our personal assets to fund a failing system that wastes more than it invests without meaningful results. We do not have a choice about to pay or not pay our property taxes, unless we're willing to lose our homes. That's called extortion. Taxing the middle class out of existence will destroy the finest system ever created on the face of the earth. Without a middle class, there is no democracy.
Some bloggers act like 50% or more of ones income going to taxes is okay. Redistribution of personal income isn't okay! It IS NOT an American concept. It is Marxist!!!!! Our forefathers NEVER intended for this bureaucracy to ever exist.
So the people who recognize the demise of the most exceptional form of government in the world are derided for their superior knowledge. If some of you people want to debate, you'd better get educated first. Better yet, why don't you all relocate to Cuba, China or Mongolia where you'd probably relish all the government control, no assets and no free thinking or speech.
Right on . You are 100% correct. Why does this district have so much of our money tucked away? Is there a new building on the horizon? Maybe a HS? I hope not for their sakes. We have a declining enrollment, we do not need another new fancy building. Get staight with the facts board members, education comes first! A new building does not bring better test scores.
Declining enrollment....check your numbers
"We're so, so, so, so, sorry. If only we could be more like you, Mr. Tall, light, and ugly."
There you go again...class act! Wow! Are there any of you left who can debate in a civil manner? What happened to the humor lovers? It seems like the only people left on here are the hate filled "people bashers."
Peace,
The Smiley :)
Hey, smiley, you're right. The only people left on here are the ones that don't work two jobs. As for the smile? Why not? Many of us smile as we turn the other cheek.
State Representative Darryl Metcalf from Western Pennsylvania just released a statement citing the problems with the shape of Pennsylvania's government. Although referring to the state, his remarks and quotes are quite appropo to our local governments and the Oley School District, as follows:
"James Madison said, “It is sufficiently obvious, that persons and property are the two great subjects on which Governments are to act; and that the rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted. These rights cannot well be separated.”
Government at all levels has expanded its reach into our lives beyond protecting our rights and property. Our government at all levels has grown beyond limited constitutional government into an obese bureaucratic government. The fuel for the ever growing fire of bureaucratic government comes directly out of each of our pockets as taxpayers. New programs are dreamed up by self-serving politicians to create new constituencies with the hope of endearing those new constituents’ votes in the next election cycle. These new programs are financed out of the government treasuries, which are only filled by taking more and more from tax-payers."
Bravo! to statesman Darryl Metcalf, I say, for having the integrity to tell it like it is.
Hello and good day, to all you who blog.
But I find it too hard, to see through all the smoke and mental fog!
Facts and figures you quote, and seem to adore.
Yet civility and common sense, you choose to ignore!
The seriousness and candor, with which you seek to persuade,
Gets lost in the laughter,
brought on by your comical tirades!
My wish for you, as the New Year approaches,
Is to find something new, for your paranoid focus!
Gloria Noel
PS. I am NOT BC, I am not related to BC, and I am NOT who you think I am not who I might be!
You go girl! It is so refreshing see some rational words on this site.
I too am thankful for our right of free speech. It is a right that genuinely demonstrates the thoughts and intents of our heart. That is precisely why some of us have difficulty getting elected to public office. We demonstrate our unwillingness to work together in any kind of harmony with others to solve problems. We rather seek to critize and "catch people" in their errors, and demonize them for our personal interests and arguments.
It is intersting to watch and easy for even the simplist individual to see through. I am fond of the adage, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Of course, demonstrating your level of care can be done in many ways. I would think most of us would not relate many of the words we have heard and seen written here on this site about our local elected officials as caring.
Concerned is a good word, but must be used carefully. Observation shows us that the line between concerned and paranoid can be a thin one, and one easily crossed. Concerned evokes a moral tone of responsibilty and, in fact, concern for others. How we display that concern for others is often what makes the difference in relationships with our fellow man.
In the end all that anyone will ever remenber about us is how we demonstrated that care and concern to others during our lifetime. May we all be able to look into the mirror during this next year and see the person Christ, Mohammad, or Ghandi would have known as a true brother or sister.
Silence Be Good
You're milking this a bit, aren't you? Udderly amazing!
I do not believe LB's latest entry was a comical tirade. Do you possess ANY reading comprehension skills at all?
To silence be good: You cannot fool us! The board are the ones that do not care if they tax people out of their homes. We are trying to stop this from happening. This district wants to be "Wyo North". They can move. We are Oley Valley with 2,000 children that need our attention and help so they can succeed in life. Wake up and smell the coffee. You and the rest of the pro-boarders are only concerned with yourselves. We care about all the people regardless. You are failing the children of this district with your I do not care attitude. Think all you want about us the facts speak for themselves.
Hey Mack truck we got your number.
You go girl and do not look back! Get out of town. Gloria Noel you are more stranged then RC.
Hey Gloria Noel, are you related to the DOC, you and him write have the same writing style. You must know him and most likely are just like him "WEIRD"!
Silence: come to a meeting before you write. You do not know what you are talking about.
A "concerned citizen" Oley Valley School District:
1 Room School House
0 Computers
0 College Prep Classes
0 Music
0 Sports
50 1950s Books
50 Quill Pens
50 Candles (No Electricity)
0 Students with Marketable Skills
Hey, but at least you will have lower taxes...Bwuahahahahaha
Gloria Noel, how much has your taxes gone up, and are you happy with it?
When you leave, please remember to close the door in the one room school house. Does that compute?
Gloria Noel...
Your poor soul. There are numerous clinics in our general vicinity, and at least one would open their doors to you and offer you the help you so desperately need. Be ye not afraid, for there are new doctors now. Young and fresh as the fallen snow. Arise now, and go in peace!
SF
Whole lot uh shakin' goin' on....
One for the money,
Two for the show,
Wait, that money's for the taxes
So you can't go...
A new person on the blog named SF, who are you, please introduce yourself!
Ya know, there's been some good posts here.
Who the h**l are these whackos with the
stupid postings?
Wow! that 1:07 blog is all over the place. Where do these people come from????
To bloggers 12:43 and 1:07...
BRAVO!!!! Two entries from people who are thinking rationally and without the obvious hate slinging! I agree whole-heartedly!
:)
"Do you possess ANY reading comprehension skills at all?"
...and another class act...
While sifting through the past several blogs, I don't see anything about the death of President Ford.
Allow me to be the first. Rest in peace, Mr. President. God bless you and your family.
Gloria Noel and You go girl do not know anything. They need to come to meetings before they open their big stupid mouths and write things that are totally false. Mr. Smile i.e. Dale, RC or whoever why are you not rebutting the facts that have been brought to the attention of thousands of readers. What is up Cappa with your income? You have not written back to explain this. What is wrong? Come on your not shy! Dale we will be seeing you come election time. Are you getting ready to do your evil doings again?
President Ford, a good honest man. God Bless him forever. Wish we had some honest board members to deal with. Do not hold your breath.
to: :)
TWO entries from people who are thinking rationally?
What about Elvis? That would make THREE, right?
+ +
.x.
----
In our day, those that served on the school board did what was right for the children and those footing the bills.
Had they not? They'd have been run out of town on a rail.
It's never too late!
While we're spending a moment to thank Gerald Ford for his service, may we also take a moment to give thanks to all of our military men and women. We're The United States! Not perfect, but pretty far ahead of the rest of the pack. We've got heart. We respect our men and women who proudly serve so that we may continue to be the best country we can be. Hats off to all veterans, present and past.
Our guess is that "Gloria Noel" is a man. A retired man. A retired man that has not had a computer for very long. And has just found out about blogging.
WELCOME! And, if you are reading this...you're enjoying your freedom of speech.
Enjoy!
Ha! I'm not a man. Does Gloria sound like a man's name? Oh, of course not. I'm not really named Gloria Noel, it's a pen-name. Anyone around here who uses their own name must be a few sandwiches short of a picnic. We have to live here, remember?
I am retired, though, so you got that one right. And I'm not seasoned on blogging yet, but just you watch. I'll be on here quite alot, making sure all these boys and girls are minding their "Ps and Qs."
Don't forget to say your prayers tonight. And always be kind and polite. And chew with your mouths closed. And be kind to others. Remember the golden Rule.
"They need to come to meetings before they open their big stupid mouths and write things that are totally false. Mr. Smile i.e. Dale, RC or whoever..."
Excuse me?!? Did I read that correctly!?! "BIG STUPID MOUTH?!?" My goodness! This blog is getting classier and classier all the time!
...Oh, and by the way, I am not RC or Dale or anyone else that you have named on here. Feel free to guess again though! ;)
For the record... most bloggers on here are concerned with the ORIGINAL items of interest:
a good education for our children
a tax level we can live with
Free speech is great, and we all deserve it. Guessing who some nameless blogger is does not interest most of us.
Smile on, blog on, and when all else fails, load a bus or two with citizens that want to head to Harrisburg, where the real problems start. Don't continue to give all this credit to the teacher's union. They love it. As do those who directly benefit from it. Go ahead and earn your decent livings, but don't think you're going to force me out of my home. That will not happen.
"I would think most of us would not relate many of the words we have heard and seen written here on this site about our local elected officials as caring."
How about the board's actions that force families from their homes or seniors to cut back on what's left?
Why don't you "care" about them? Or does it feel better to be in denial.
Thanks to THE Oley Concerned Citizen we all know how poor we are and how rich the teachers are and who deserves to be called names. But how about you, OCC? What do you do for a living? You write and give speeches and blog like you want to be a public figure without any of the responsibility so tell us about you. Do you make more than the rest of us, more than the teachers or the administrators? Is what you do worth what you get paid or do you just drive an Audi to fool the world while you impress yourself?
You can pay as much for a nice Chevy Pick-up truck as you can for an Audi. (or more) Yet, I don't hear anyone ripping up the Chevy/Ford/Dodge guys.
If you really want to know more about Al, why not ask him?
To 6:04 - I believe that's what he or she just did!
"Go ahead and earn your decent livings, but don't think you're going to force me out of my home. That will not happen."
Well, good for you for feeling so strongly about wanting to keep your home. I feel the same way about my home. I'll bet those board members would just love to force both of us out of our homes, wouldn't they!?! Why I'll bet that's their main reason for being a part of the board. They love the joy of forcing people out of their homes. I hear they throw a party every time someone loses their home. Surely we know they are worthless human beings, right bloggers!?!
Seriously, thank you, board members, for devoting your time and energy despite the foolish babblings that occur among the minority of Oley (no, I am not referring to a racial minority).
looks like the new year's eve drinking has already begun...
Talking about racial minority, the pro-boarders are in the minority. There are alot more of concerned citizens then you people want to believe. Also we do not feed off the taxpayers like Cappa, Zackon and the rest of the feel gooders. Please, Al has worked for years to have a good home and be a provider for his family. He worked more hours in a day then any of you would ever do. Stick with the facts of this district and please stop praising this school board. If you had any heart you would see them for who they really are. Nasty people that tax people when money is available in their hidden books. You people must have more money than you know what to do with it. Why not give to the poor and homeless. Happy New Year you creeps.
It's a real stretch to imply that the current board members are in this for the good of each child, period. Many are there for benefits that will never be seen in print. The common belief is that we can't fight city hall. That is an old story. There are new rules now. NEW RULES.
Stay tuned.....
Devoting their time and energy! Come on have you seen the board members at every meeting? Most every month 1 or 2 do not show up for the meetings, very important votes and only a handful of members are present! Please!! when they are there they really are not listening. They vote yes, yes, yes and then ask questions. A little to late for questions. You should ask questions before you vote dummies. Maybe have some guts and say no for a change.
Any newcomers that are not sure about the absentees? Go to Reading Eagle online's school district news. Click on Oley Valley. Every meetings for the past several years has a write up listing what was discussed, and also lists the members that were not present. There is your answer, in print. Plenty of absentee board members, those facts are as clear as can be.
I checked on that site, and you are correct. Several meetings where the whole bunch is not there. A few times too many for it to be no big deal. If you're not making yourself available for every meeting possible, especially the meetings where your vote is important, then you should not run for this position on the board. What good is a board of nine, when so many don't show up for meetings or important votes. Although some things can come up and make a meeting impossible, repeatedly not showing up makes it look like it's no big deal. Well, it is.
why would the board members think it was any big deal to miss meetings? The senators and congressmen do it all the time. Just goes to show you, we can't rely on any of them.
What ever happened to the snowman episode? People need to stay away from someone elses property. You can get arrested for that!
Of course they miss meetings. They don't get paid to be on the board, and I'm sure they have many other committments.
And as for the blogger (probably MS)who said this:
"Nasty people that tax people when money is available in their hidden books. You people must have more money than you know what to do with it. Why not give to the poor and homeless. Happy New Year you creeps."
How kind of you to call each and every school board member "nasty" and those who support them "creeps." Be careful, because now your class (actually, lack of) is really showing! You're also proving how narrow-minded you are. It really is possible to disagree with you and not be a creep.
As for the feel-gooder comment... That is a phrase commonly used when a conservative is referring to a liberal. The problem here is that I, for one, am not a liberal. I am a conservative republican. I work long hours and pay a large amount of taxes. Yet I still disagree with you. ...and yes, I do support our group of board members who are willing to give up hours and hours of their own time to try to make a difference in the community. Too bad for them that they have to read the writings of some of you; the narrow-minded, hate filled minority of Oley!
Hopefully most of the board members don't give their time or energy to reading this blog.
P.S. ...I am not wealthy and I DO give plenty to the poor and homeless! How about you?
You're not wealthy? Depends on who's reading the story. You say you give plenty to the poor and the homeless. Good for you, that's a wonderful thing to do. Don't you think that the poor and homeless think of you and others like you...as...WEALTHY?
Today is a great day for brushing up on our New Year's resolutions. This is the one my family likes best...
Remembering the poor and homeless, as one day, it could be you. My family donates to a shelter in Reading. The name does not matter. It does not matter if you send them $100 or $1.00 from time to time. They appreciate either amount, and send a "thank you" back to you. The mission sends a Christmas thank you note which is signed by each person currently staying there. It's amazing to check the names from the year before, and see some that are still there and some which have made it out of that shelter. This gives us a whole new meaning to the word WEALTHY. This is not meant as a dig, it's an illustration. For those that are aware of the feeling, we're glad to share it with you. For those who are not familiar with this type of thing, it's never too late. No matter how bad things seem in life, there's always someone with less in the "blessings" department. God bless everyone that goes the extra mile to help those less fortunate.
Our changing world.
When we were "kids", adults would never allow anyone to find out that they were "living in sin." Any way you looked at it, you knew it was wrong. What happened to this country of ours? Now you've got "kids" that were raised in the church, any church, and they very often skip the marriage part of life and just live with someone. No commitments. What a sterling example they set for their own children. I guess for the most part, we can say goodbye to the morals that were followed by a very high percentage of this country, for a very long time. What do you see now? Weddings where the flower girl is the child of the couple finally getting married. There was a day when that was unheard of. Like it or not, I'd rather be living back then. The days when the man "did the honerable thing" were not that bad. You never saw a church board member coming to church with his or her "live in" mate. How ever they lived in private was one thing, but to shove it in everyone's face was something else again. Our grandparents and parents told it the way it was. If the couple can't commit themselves to the responsibility of a real marriage, they were not much to write home about.
Don't like what I wrote here? Too bad. Free speech is really something, isn't it?
A friend of MS: MS just got home from seeing a family member that is ill. She has more to do than to read this blog of you bashing her.
There is always one in the crowd. Who says all conservative republicans are benevelant.
Like the board all you want, you are most likely one of them.
It's never too late to wish you a Happy New Year, Dale!
Rest up, election day is right around the corner....!!!
I guess the wooden leprechauns won't be safe, either???
Narrow-minded hahaha! Are looking at yourself in a mirror? You are the one that is narrow-minded. The board does not get paid and they know that when they run for the position. If they have busy lives and cannot be available for important meetings and votes they should step down or not run in the first place. A $25 million budget is something that should be voted on by all 9 members, teachers contracts, administration salaries etc. should have 9 members voting. Nasty and creeps are the members that laugh and the public when they are trying to ask a question and get an honest answer, when they talk when someone else is talking, when they bash a concern citizen and their family for wanting accountability and fiscal responsibility, when they lie about their income on a legal document, when they lie all the time! The list can go on and on. Also when they step on someones property and leave nasty notes on a snowman, which is against the law, which better never happen again.
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