I hope the same people that came on this site and complained about Jason getting a raise do the same now.

So, THIS would be why our school taxes went up.....again!

You know everyone else in this country has either lost their job, or been forced to take a pay cut in order to keep their job.

When are the govt workers going to "suck it up" like the rest of us have? This is a disgrace (as well as Molino getting a raise). They should be ashamed of themselves!

I was born in the USA...I hvae no clue where I am now....

Again, a reminder, personal insults and name calling posts will be taken down as soon as I see them. You don't have to like somebody and no public official is above criticism, but name calling and insults have no place in a civil discussion.

It is crazy..at a time when every one is taking a reduction in pay and benefits,Government workers get raises...Puzio is the one that wants to develope more land into parks,only in the end to cost us more..Our school enrollment is shrinking and the school board thinks this woman need a 5000 dollar raise..140,000 a year salary...write the school board president tell him what you think.
Andrew Pedro
President 2009-10
Email: apedro@bataviacsd.org

She makes more then enough money ,does she even live in the district...If its not enough for her, let her go somewhere else..

In the first place, this is outrageous, but is SO in keeping with this board's M.O. They appear to be completely out of touch with the taxpayers of the district.
How many of you got a 4% raise this year??

I've challenged them via email and tonight at the meeting about the fields to work on things that count (like improving the district's rating this past June by Buffalo Business First). This district was ranked 68th out of 97 WNY districts in Cost Effectiveness. (any idea why??) They were also ranked 77th out of 97 districts in Administrative Efficiency.
Unless and until they start focusing on these kinds of issues instead of trying to build playing fields that nobody wants nothing's going to change.
$139,360 per year and she pays NO school taxes in the district...unbelievable.
What ARE the members of the board thinking?

Sucks in the beginning when school starts me and the wife have to buy school supply's for 3 kids. I guess that so the schools can save money or something.

What do I know I'm just country folk stuck in the city ;)

What I want to know is how you justify an increase on that salary? There was an outcry when members of the City Fire Department made over $100,000 and those guys put their life on the line every day. The biggest injury the Supervisor is going to get is a paper cut.

Sean,
How much do you think a superintendent of schools should make? This is just a sample of the job description.



DEPARTMENT: District
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Board of Education
CERTIFICATION: New York State School District Administrator

The Superintendent shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District. He/She is responsible for the effective operation of the District; general administration of all instructional, business or other operations of the District; and for advising and making recommendations to the Board of Education with respect to such activities. He shall perform all the duties and accept all of the responsibilities usually required of a Superintendent as prescribed by the Education Laws of New York State, the rules and regulations of the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education, laws and regulations of the United States, statutes of New York State, and the policies, rules, and regulations established by the Board of Education.


1. Primary Activities


The Superintendent shall possess the following powers and be charged with the following duties:


A. To be the chief executive officer (CEO) of the District, with the right to speak on all matters before the Board, but not to vote


B. To enforce all provisions of law and all rules and regulations relating to the management of the schools and other educational, social and recreational activities under the direction of the Board.


2. Responsibilities


A. Keep the Board informed of the condition of the District’s educational system; assure effective communication between the Board and the staff of the school system. Relay all communications by the Board regarding personnel to district employees and receive from all school personnel any communications directed to the Board.


B. Prepare the agenda for Board meetings, in consultation with the President of the Board. Prepare and submit recommendations to the Board relative to all matters requiring board action, placing before the Board such necessary and helpful facts, information, and reports as are needed to insure the making of informed decisions.


C. Submit to the Board a clear and detailed explanation of any proposed procedure that would involve either departure from established policy or the expenditure of substantial sums.


D. Develop and recommend to the Board objectives of the educational system; see to the development of internal objectives which support those of the Board.


E. Develop and recommend to the Board long-range plans consistent with population trends, cultural needs, and the appropriate use of District facilities, and see to the development of long-range plans which are consistent with Board objectives.


F. See to the development of specific administrative procedures and programs to implement the intent established by Board policies, directives and formal actions.


G. See to the execution of all decisions of the Board.


H. See that sound plans of organization, educational programs and services are developed and maintained for the Board.


I. Maintain adequate records for the schools, including a system of financial accounts, business and property records, personnel records, school population and scholastic records. Act as custodian of such records and all contracts, securities, documents, title papers, books of records, and other papers belonging to the Board.


J Be directly responsible for news releases and/or other items of public interest emanating from all District employees that pertain to education matters, policies, procedures, school related incidents or events. Approve media interviews of this nature with District employees.


K. Provide for the optimum use of the staff of the District. See that the District is staffed with competent people who are delegated authority commensurate with their responsibilities. Define the duties of all personnel.


L. See that appropriate in-service training is conducted. Summon employees of the District to attend such regular and occasional meetings as are necessary to carry out the educational programs of the District.


M. Prior to action by the Board, recommend the appointment, discipline or termination of employment of the administrators of the District.


N. Prior to action by the Board, recommend the appointment, discipline or termination of employment of teaching and non-teaching personnel of the District.


O. See to the development throughout the District of high standards of performance in educational achievement, use and development of personnel, public responsibility, and operating efficiency.



P. See that effective relations with employee organizations are maintained, assume ultimate responsibility for collective negotiations with employees of the District


Q. See that the development, authorization, and the maintenance of an appropriate budgetary procedure is properly administered. Prepare the annual proposed budget and submit it to the Board by March 1 or at such earlier date as is necessary to provide an adequate opportunity for the Board’s discussion and deliberation.


R. See that all funds, physical assets, and other property of the District are appropriately safeguarded and administered.


S. File, or cause to be filed, all reports, requests and appropriations as required by various governing bodies and/or Board policies.


T. Establish and maintain liaison with community groups which are interested or involved in the educational programs of the District.


U. Establish and maintain liaison with other school districts, BOCES, the State Education Department, colleges and universities, and the U.S. Department of Education.


V. Act on own discretion in cases where action is necessary on any matter not covered by Board policy or directive. Report such action to the Board as soon as practicable and recommend policy in order to provide guidance in the future.


Primary Relationships


The superintendent observes and conducts the following relationships:


A. Board of Education


1) As chief executive officer, be accountable to the Board of Education, as a Board, for the administration of the educational system and for the interpretation and fulfillment of the aforesaid functions, primary activities and responsibilities.


2) Attend, or have a representative attend, all meetings of the Board.


3) Represent the District as the chief executive officer in dealings with other school systems, professional organizations, business firms, agencies of government and the general public.


4) Report directly to the Board of Education, as a Board, and as required to all appropriate governmental agencies.


5) Act as reference agent for problems brought to the Board.


6) Work with the Board of Education to develop appropriate programs and policies, upon either the recommendation of the superintendent or the initiative of the Board of Education.


B. Administrators


1) Directly oversee the work of other central office personnel.


2) Hold regular meetings with Building Principals, Coordinators/Directors and all other administrators to discuss progress and educational problems facing the District.


3) Direct the operations and activities of administrators; see that they effectively guide and coordinate the operations and activities of the educational system; secure their assistance in formulating internal objectives, plans and programs; evaluate their job performance; and stand ready at all times to render them advice and support.


4) Approve the vacation schedules for administrators; and be personally responsible for all evaluations of administrators.


C. Others


1) Work with other Board employees and advisors, including auditors, architects, attorneys, consultants and contractors.


2) Hold such meetings with teachers and other employees as is necessary for the discussion of matters concerning the improvements and welfare of the schools. Represent the District in collective negotiations with recognized or certified employee organizations.


3) Attend, or delegate a representative to attend, all meetings of municipal agencies or governmental bodies at which matters pertaining to the public schools appear on the agenda.


4) Represent the District before the public, and maintain, through cooperative leadership, both within and without the District, such a program of public relations as may keep the public informed as to the activities, needs and successes of the District.


5) Receive all complaints, comments, concerns and criticisms regarding the operation of the District from the public, employees of the District, students and Board members.

Forget about trying to explain this rationally Bea. There isn’t a real understanding of how much education and experience these administrative positions require.

I know it isn’t easy to understand but, this kind of money is far from out of the ordinary in the private sector. You’re looking to fill these types of positions with highly skilled people who could make far more working for a corporation.

Oh and before someone says it, I know that Joe-Bob and Mary-Sue are out of work and they would do the job for $30,000 a year. I’m also sure the school district would lose millions in funding opportunities under the reins of Joe-Bob or Mary-Sue as well. Not to mention how poorly the test scores of our kids would be from an improperly run school district.

The job and the worth of the school supervisor are in the hands of the School Board members. They have the best grasp on the value of this position to their organization. If you disagree, I suggest it’s time for you to run for School Board. I’m also pretty sure that once you were elected and seen the information you would go along as well.

But Charlie, the job of Monday Morning Quarterback is so much more fun. For one thing, you don't have to take the hits.

I got some good advice for school board members as well. Don’t let people talk down your employee, defend your decision and inform people of why you did what you did. Don't leave Pat Burk out there by himself. You guys already let this information get out of hand about the fields and you are losing the public debate because of it.

There is no doubt that you will take some shots when you opening yourself up on this site but, in the end people will appreciate that you took the time to answer the questions.

Howard, can you imagine the hits they would take if they appointed some unqualified idiot to run the school district? They could save $60,000 a year on the front end and lose millions on the backend. I wonder what our school taxes would look like then.

There are a bunch of good people on the school district and if they believe the pay is right, then its right.

Instead of giving her this raise (which may or may not be deserved - I'm not debating that issue) why doesn't the city give the CITY POLICE a new contract and the raises they deserve and have not received in many years? I've heard that they have just recently been awarded back pay for the raises they did not receive for a multiple years up to 2006 or 2007 but are still not up to date and they were not even half of the raise the superintendent was just awarded.

If you haven't noticed by the growing length of the police blotters here and in the daily paper (break in's, drug crimes, etc.) it is clear crime is still a problem in the city and outlining areas

Posted by Charlie Mallow on October 7, 2009 - 2:05pm
Forget about trying to explain this rationally Bea. There isn’t a real understanding of how much education and experience these administrative positions require.

Well, I tried :)

Ron,
Nothing for nothing, but the police contract is a City only matter.

The School Supt. is a School district budget issue and takes in the city and parts of the towns of Batavia and Stafford.

They are not the same body.

Posted by John Roach on October 7, 2009 - 4:49pm
Ron,
Nothing for nothing, but the police contract is a City only matter.

Darn, John. There you go throwing logic into equation again.

Bea,
Sorry.

Ron, keep in mind with The Batavian "blotter" ... we post every arrest that is made publicly available (which, I'm sure, is not every arrest -- for whatever reason, neither the Sheriff's Office nor the BPD send out a PR on every arrest). Since that hasn't been the policy of other news organizations in the past, it may give the appearance of more crime. Really, the only way to evaluate crime trends is look at the annual reports from the various agencies and see what they say about crime statistics.

And, btw, over the past two weeks, I've received seemingly few PRs on crime. You'll note only two items yesterday, none today. Crime seems to be taking a holiday.

Yeah what's the SWAT TEAM been up to lately, bustin peeps for stealin Halloween Lights.

Posted by Howard Owens on October 7, 2009 - 2:08pm
But Charlie, the job of Monday Morning Quarterback is so much more fun. For one thing, you don't have to take the hits.

I don't know the current Supt. of Schools, but I imagine that last night was especially stressful for her (or anyone in her position). She was trying to make sense of the sudden death of a child in her school system plus the regular plateful that is always there, and the slings and arrows thrown at her at this meeting. I understand a former educator, channeling a memeber of House of Representatives, outright called her a liar.
As far as I'm concerned, she is earning every penny she is receiving.