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Richard A Carletta
Member
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DVP, try to remember Most of the people who previosly posted on the OD Forums still read them. They just don't post anymore. I am not your solo reader , so any major announcements probably should be addressed to the public. I do appreciate the attention though.
Anyway, I watched most of the meeting. interesting water problem . knee high flooding ? basement damage ? who ultimately will pay for the damage for these homes ? Is this a cost that the school board will just have to cover without a means to recover it like you may be attempting with the health consultants ? or will the school's insurance cover it ?
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Richard CarlettaUtica, NY
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Total Posts: 104 | Joined May 2002 | Posted on: 12:49 pm on July 26, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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Dear Richard
I know others read my postings, but you are the only one friendly enough to talk to me on this forum. 
The board should use every effort to get the contractors to cover this damage. At the last board meeting I asked Dan to obtain a legal opinion on how the taxpayers could recoup these damages. If there is negligence on the part of anyone, the Board will make sure we make a claim for damages to avoid the taxpayers paying for this if it is legally posible.
I have also asked Dan to get a legal opinion on suing the health insurance consultants.
Apparantly the district spent $ 500,000 more than was projected because the health insurance consultants didnt include the cost of the administraion of the plan in determining the overall cost of the plan.
This appears to be negligence and should be pursued. It is still unclear as to whether we lost any money or simply had projections that were to low.
I will keep you posted on both issues.
DVP
President Board of Education
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 12:25 pm on July 27, 2002 | IP
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Richard A Carletta
Member
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Boy, I have been talking to local people these last few days. Boy, some of them are a little displeased concerning the teachers not getting the state retirement deal . I hope that contract negotations and that local retirement incentive idea come through. No idea if as many teachers will accept the local one ?
Good to hear about what you might do about those houses. the sooner you put those people's mind at peace, the better.
DVP , do you ever check out Utica Monday Night ?
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Richard CarlettaUtica, NY
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Total Posts: 104 | Joined May 2002 | Posted on: 2:16 pm on July 28, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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Dear Richard
I am more than displeased about the teachers not getting the state reirement incentive this year because it would have saved the taxpayers $500,000 this year and about $2,000,000 over the next several years.
The votes for the incentive were not on the board last April without a cap of 40 teachers.
While the votes are on the board for the incentive now, it was felt that it was just too late in the year to do it because it would be too difficult to hire quality secondary teachers before September.
I couldn't go to Utica Monday night last week because I was working with UTA representatives until midnight with regard to the teachers retirement incentive. I'll try tomorrow.
The work was not wasted, because the votes are there on the board for an incentive in the teachers contract that will be voted on September 12th. This will help reduce any tax increase by $500,000 next year and $2,000,000 over the next few years.
I will keep you posted.
DVP
President Utica School Board
(Edited by DVICTORPELLEGRINO at 1:05 pm on Aug. 5, 2002)
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 6:16 pm on July 28, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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At a meeting Thursday with our Superintendent, Mr Lowengard, our Deputy Superintendent, Bernadette Eichler, Director of Federal Programs Pauline Fudjack, Grant writer Bette Mammone, Ed Keeler, UAA rep, Larry Custodero, UTA rep and Barbara Klein, we discussed the importance of settling the teachers contract to eliminate now a projected $ 400,000 from the aprroximately 1.1 million dollar alleged projected deficit.A teachers retirement incentive for the proposed contract will be on the agenda at the next board meeting on the 13th.
It is clear that incentive will save the tax payers at least a projected $ 500,000 in next year's budget and go a long way in getting teacher support of the teachers contract in September which will eliminate at least $ 400,000 from the alleged 1.1 million dollar deficit this year.
Also discussed was use of federal funds to allow us to hire certain teachers from the federal funds instead of general funds which would further reduce the alleged 1.1 million dollar deficit by at least $ 350,000 and Dan thought perhaps by more.
A presentation will be on the agenda for the next meeting so this concept can be explained to the board and the public.
It is critical that class sizes during teaching time not be increased. If you want to see how this proposal will work and how it can help reduce the deficit and without increasing average class size, come to the next board on August 13th at 530 or watch the next board meeting on channel 10 at 7pm on that Thursday the 15th or Sunday 18th.
Your questions, thoughts and comments are welcomed.
DVP
(Edited by DVICTORPELLEGRINO at 1:09 pm on Aug. 5, 2002)
(Edited by DVICTORPELLEGRINO at 1:11 pm on Aug. 5, 2002)
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 1:45 pm on Aug. 3, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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I was contacted by our Deputy Superintendent Bernadette Eichler on Friday, who indicated that the proposal to use federal Funds to hire teachers instead of general fund dollars was not only educationally sound, but is currently already being used in the district and elsewhere with success.
Bernadette, and Pauline Fudjack our Director of Federal Funds are projecting estimated savings off the current alleged 1.1 million dollar deficit of approximately $700,000, reducing that alleged projected deficit to approximately $400,000, which approximates the cost savings if the teachers contract is passed, thus pretty much eliminating the entire alleged projected deficit.
There are other savings available without increasing average class size, that could actually build a fund balance or offset other expenses the district needs to incur.
Please attend Tuesday's Board meeting or watch channel 10 Thursday or Sunday at 7pm to see a presentation on this proposal and a proposal for a teachers incentive in the teachers contract to be voted upon on September 12th that will save in excess of $500,000 in next year's budget and help get the teachers' contract passed.
You will see how your school District can operate more efficiently if we are creative and are willing to operate differently. I trust Bernadette's opinion that this proposal is educationally sound and I believe that we are working toward getting numbers we all understand and can agree upon.
Some prophets of doom predicted draconian cuts would be made, but it is becoming clear that creative planning eliminates the need for any cuts that would be harmful to our children.
In fact, it is clear that other cost saving measures would allow restoration to the budget of previously cut line items such as supplies which should in fact be restored.
Please post your questions or concerns.
DVP
President Board of Education.
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 5:46 pm on Aug. 11, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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I am very pleased to announce that the alleged proposed deficit of 1.1 million dollars, formerly 1.5 million dollars, has been reduced by another approximatey $700,000 at last nights school board meeting.
Bernadette Eichler, our deputy superintendent, Maggie Beck, principal at Jefferson school, Maggie Ohare and another teacher currently involved in team teaching made a presentation to the board explaining how using federal funds to pay teachers could avoid not hiring 15 teachers and avoid an increase in average class size.
After being questioned by the board, the board found no objection to Bernadette's proposal, which was also supported by the superintendent.
How refreshing to see the board, administrators, teachers and the superintendent on the same page!
The next issue is settlement of the teachers contract by September 12th, which will save approximately $400,000, which will eliminate the formerly alleged proposed deficit of 1.5 million, without a tax increase and without the draconian cuts predicted by certain prophets of doom.
The board met until 11:30 last night reviewing the counter offer submitted by the UTA on Monday and will submit a written counter offer to the UTA today. There has been substantial movement since July on the UTA contract and the board is hoping to reach a tentative agreement at the regular meeting, the 4th Tuesday of this month.
A well done to Bernadette Eichler and Pauline Fudjack and many thanks to Maggie Beck and Margaret O"Hare for showing the way to creatively saving the taxpayers money in an educationally sound way. This is what we need to avoid large tax increases without sacrificing educationally sound programs.
I will keep you posted.
Your thoughts are welcomed.
DVP
President Utica School Board
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 7:51 am on Aug. 14, 2002 | IP
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Richard A Carletta
Member
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You mentioned the idea of hiring a part-time board clerk a few weeks ago. What are the job requirements for that ? is it an appointed position or civil service ?
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Richard CarlettaUtica, NY
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Total Posts: 104 | Joined May 2002 | Posted on: 9:44 am on Aug. 15, 2002 | IP
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DVICTORPELLEGRINO
Advanced Member
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Dear Richard
As a cost saving matter the board has decided not to hire a part time board clerk.
This is a good decision.
DVP
President Board of Education
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D Victor Pellegrino, Utica
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Total Posts: 356 | Joined Jan. 2002 | Posted on: 12:59 pm on Aug. 15, 2002 | IP
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Ralph C Quinn
Newbie
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Mr. Pellegrino,
I don't mean to jump in here and change the subject, but, I have a question which you might be able to help me with. When the Memorial Parkway project was first begun, Mr. Vano and the Board of Ed. reached an agreement with the City of Utica for use of the Soccer field at the old Kemble School site for a staging area. In exchange there was some property deeded to the School System along with an agreement that when the "Parkway Project" was finished, it would be returned to it's original state as a soccer field.
Well, the project was completed last year, equipment was cleared from the sight, and the neighborhood waited in anticipation of a new soccer field. Low and behold a few months ago loads of rubble began to appear, then a large stone crusher was brought in. Over the past few months the people in the neighborhood have lived with a constant stream of large dump trucks carrying rubble in, and an eighteen wheeled transport coming up Kemble street about five times a day to remove it after it has been crushed! Needless to say the dust and noise has been awful, not to mention the damage done to the surrounding streets.
Several of the community leaders in the area approached a councilperson with a letter, to try and find an explanation, they were provided with a copy of the original agreement and were informed that as of that day (Aug. 6th), the onging activities would cease. They have not.
My question is, when will this stop? Why is this neighborhood being used as a staging area for the Herkimer Road and other resurfacing projects. I take a personal interest in this, as it is in my neighborhood. I go out every morning and have to let my windshield washer run for several minutes to get the settled dust off. Any information you could provide us with would be greatly appreciated.
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Ralph C. Quinn
Utica, NY
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Total Posts: 50 | Joined July 2002 | Posted on: 11:54 pm on Aug. 15, 2002 | IP
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UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT
