On August 4, 2009, the school board passed Resolution 1078. The resolution included a galley proof of the brochure the District intends to send in the mail. My attention was drawn to the opening paragraph. I was all set to ask about this opening paragraph during the public comment period when, happily, David Lacher saved me the trouble.
The New Rochelle Board of Education maintains an extensive Adult Education program primarily for the residents of New Rochelle. However, in all classes, non-residents are welcome without any additional charge. Senior Citizens, upon presentation of proof of age, pay only half the fee, except for Computer Education courses.
Lacher asked the rather obvious question: why should the people of New Rochelle be subsidizing continuing education programs for non-residents. Not getting any immediate answers, Lacher said he has been raising this question for three years and he wanted to know why this had still not been changed. Assistant Superintendent Diane Massimo replied that Lacher had not been raising the for three years but only for the past year or so. None of this addressed Lacher’s original point.
Emboldened, other members of the board started to ask their own questions, asking whether the program was self-funding, whether prices for the courses were inline with other districts, whether the brochure had already been printed, whether it was too late to change the brochure to reflect a non-resident fee or to increase prices further. The board never did get answers to the questions; Massimo sat expressionless and let the questions wash over her confident that the chatter would end without the board directing her to do anything in particular.
Massimo said that for many years the prices were lower than in other districts. After a review of pricing and other districts a decision was made last year to raise prices this year. Massimo then said she felt that having just raised prices that would be too much to also increase the prices beyond that to nonresidents. This answer does not satisfy Lacher nor should it have. The next question should have been how much the teachers are being paid and whether their cost is being covered by these heavily subsidized prices. Based on what I know about the district, it seems highly likely that the administration is more interested in providing more income for staff than they are with the costs to taxpayers of providing that income.
Massimo offered no explanation as to why her raising prices to normal levels over the past year would bear on the question of whether non-residents should be charged additional fees.
It was apparent that Massimo did not see any reason that she wore the board should know anything about how much it cost to offer these classes and whether the price was competitive with other districts or whether other districts were charging extra non-resident fees. Why should she she’s not paying for any of this and she gets to rain down money one district employees. What’s not to love?
David Lacher once again demonstrated that he is the only member of the school board that is even aware or of the notion that the money being spent by our school administrators is not their money.
To Massimo’s obvious annoyance, it was agreed that Maureen Maire, Director of Continuing Education, would make a presentation to the board at their next meeting to report on the prices for the New Rochelle program relative to prices in other districts and to discuss the possibility of charging additional non-resident fees.
Hooray for Mr Lacher – Booo for Massimo and mr O
As much as I criticize the district , I want it to be clear that support and acknowledgement of moving in the right direction will be just as vigorous . When Mr L raised the questions about student residency , I praised him with the caveat that it is only the begining . Follow through will be needed . Well he’s following through with the scrutiny that no other board member has the competence to address . You’re right Mr L , why should we subsidize non residents with our tax dollars when in just about every other municipality and with just about any aspect of services non resident fee scales are applied? When nonresidents fill a class do our residents get the boot ? That sounds fair . Whoever put this program is either an incompetent moron or she is STEALING from the taxpayer . Which is it Ms Massimo ? The fact that you don’t even realize the issue leads me to my opinion . Shame on you and show some respect and answer Mr L’s questions . You bother to pay attention to how long Mr L has been raising the issue but your incapable of addressing the issue . Here’s an idea , let’s replace you with a competent person .
Now have you had enough New Rochelle ?
Good Job – David Lacher!
It must not be easy to swim against the tide, but thank you David Lacher for pointing out the obvious. At the price of $19,800 per student here in NR there must be waste. This is likely an example.
Now, how about reconsidering the “host family” provision for residency? Don’t give up David Lacher!
“Finally Reading” [deleted this comment]
This comment referencing David Lacher was deleted because it was written in all caps which is against our policy.
No shouting please.