He was correct. Every agenda item passed unanimously, with little or no discussion. In fact, the lengthiest portions of the meeting were the occasional rounds of applause for honored students and administrators. Teachers union president Jolene Vitalos tried for a round of applause herself, announcing "pom pom" awards for teachers who go "beyond the call of duty."
Only one item of actual school district business - a contract that will allow the school district to go after properties it believes are under-assessed - was discussed after Bethlehem resident Randy Toman questioned several provisions. An agreement with Keystone Realty Advisors, a New Jersey firm, will give that firm a finder's fee if it discovers properties whose assessments are too low, and the district is ultimately successful in increasing the valuation in what is called a "reverse appeal."
Faccinetto corrected Toman's assertion that Keystone Realty would be paid upfront, noting that payment (30% of the increased taxes for three years) would only be made as taxes are collected. Superintendent Joseph Roy added, "All the risk is on that firm. ... It comes back to the Board to decide which ones we want to pursue."
Without comment, board members also unanimously approved a three-year energy savings agreement with Tangent Energy Solutions. In exchange for reducing electrical consumption up to ten times between June and September, the school district will earn $387,200, including a $69,789 advance payment.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for March 19, 7 PM, at the East Hills Middle School auditorium.
9 comments:
We want more money. We need more money. You will give it to us.
If you are living in a home with a mortgage, we will find out and get the money you are not entitled to keep. If our sleazy consultant says the property is worth more than you think, you will have to prove otherwise or face a robe-draped trough feeder to explain your defiance.
We are, after all, the best and brightest. Better than you, lowly scum, who do not have the common sense to buy off cowardly legislators as we do. If you do not pay up, we will leave. We are fully prepared to pack our things and go work for uh, er, uh ...
Never mind that part.
Do not question us on how or why we spend the money. Do not believe that just because you fund us, you have any say in the matter.
Do not expect improved performance or sound fiscal management. That is too much too ask when we have a contract which will not allow us to work past 3:00 pm. Too much to ask when our administrators are so busy teaching at local colleges, creating do-nothing positions for their friends, rearranging bus routes and racking up sick days so they can retire in the style they, but you do not, deserve.
Sincerely,
BASD today, your school district tomorrow.
Bernie,
the impression your article gives is that the board approves items on the agenda w/o thought. They have education committee and finance committee meetings in the weeks prior to the board meeting. It is at those meetings that issues are aired, questions are asked, information provided and a full discussion occurs. Unless an issue is contentious or new information is provided, most items will be passed at the board meeting w/o much discussion.
The impression my article gives is that, in the meeting itself, there was little or no discussion. I believe that is accurate. I do point out what President Faccinetto stated about the committee work. The meeting moved much more quickly and efficiently this way, and I saw several administrators nod in satisfaction. But I have to wonder whether the interest of democracy was really served. Perhaps it was. Perhaps it was not. I any event, my account is accurate and my job is primarily to inform. That includes telling not only what happened, but how it happened.
Your account of the meeting was accurate. We have been trying for some time now to encourage more citizens to attend the committees where the items are vetted and discussed. For example the Keystone Tax issue was discussed over the course of 4 months and 3 separate meetings not including last night. We had presentations from both our solicitor and the firms partners. Unless an item is highly controversial there are usually little or no comments made at the general meeting.
The last step of each committee meeting is to approve items to be placed on the regular meeting agenda. If an item was not supported by the majority it would go back for more discussion or be scrapped all together. There doesn't seem to be much point to move something to the agenda only to be voted down. I realize it may seem like a rubber stamp board if folks only attend the regular meeting. As you saw last night the public has been absent recently and I would love to get more folks involved.
Mike Faccinetto
BASD Board President
How much of the district is covered by the reassessment of Lehigh County?
That would cut out a good % of the properties for this vendor to evaluate.
It would also make more sense in the long run for Norco to reassess. Then the school district won't have to split its millage.
Mike,
Thanks for your comment. I personally believe that ANY person who serves on a school board is insane. No matter what you do, you're wrong. That's why I try to stay away from school board issues. They are complicated and it is often like peeling an onion.
Having sat thru a few of your more lengthy meetings, I understand the reason for the streamlining of the agenda. Democracy is not served by interminable meetings, either.
But I have the advantage. I can sit back and criticize whatever you do. You, on the other hand, are the person out there on the playing field, and I saw enough to know you are trying to involve the citizenry, as demonstrated by your attentiveness to Toman.
I suspect that once an issue bubbles to the surface, you'll see plenty of people in that auditorium.
"How much of the district is covered by the reassessment of Lehigh County? "
1/3 of Bethlehem & Fountain Hill.
It is past time for Northampton Nounty to do a reassement. Lehigh County seems to have done it with little fallout.
This "reverse appeal" is akin to spot assessments. It's bad policy and terribly unfair since the school picks and chooses who it wants to target based on how much more in taxes the school district will get. Legislation to stop terrible practice passed the legislature unanimously on two separate occassions, but was vetoed both times by Ed "I love teachers unions" Rendell.
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