03/21/11 Where The Hell Is The Westmore News? Jim Dreves: "I think the employees have to become part of the solution."

The Port Chester school district:

"I don't really believe that a tax levy of over 6 percent will pass," board member James Dreves said of the proposed increase. "We run a really lean ship in Port Chester. I think the employees have to become part of the solution."...

Like other districts, Port Chester is coping with declining property values and increased pension costs.

Sounds familiar.

And this is just kicking the can down the road, shifting the burden onto future students.

On the spending side, the district expects to save $1.1 million next year as a result of a retirement incentive taken by 26 teachers and three administrative employees.

Pension reform is desperately needed.

Port Chester district aims for lower tax increase - lohud, 3/20/11

The entire article:

Port Chester district aims for lower tax increase

PORT CHESTER — School officials are looking for ways to trim an $80.5 million budget plan that calls for a 6.5 percent tax increase next year — and, like elsewhere, all eyes are on the unions.

The school board reviewed an initial budget proposal March 10 from interim Superintendent Thomas Elliott.

Members of the board stressed the need to negotiate with school employees in the coming weeks before they firm up a plan to put before voters May 17.

"I don't really believe that a tax levy of over 6 percent will pass," board member James Dreves said of the proposed increase. "We run a really lean ship in Port Chester. I think the employees have to become part of the solution."

The board will discuss the budget again March 30 and make the key decisions April 7, board President James Taylor said.

Two union contracts — one for about 150 Civil Service employees and one for 350 teaching employees — expire June 30.

Together, those contracts account for about 75 percent to 80 percent of the annual budget.

Like other districts, Port Chester is coping with declining property values and increased pension costs.

Port Chester also is hit hard by state aid cuts, because it is more reliant on that revenue than neighboring districts.

Officials expect state and federal aid to cover just 18 percent of next year's budget, compared with the current 20 percent.

On the spending side, the district expects to save $1.1 million next year as a result of aretirement incentive taken by 26 teachers and three administrative employees.

Elliott's plan would increase overall school spending by about 4 percent over the current year.

It would eliminate one elementary teaching position and reduce a handful of jobs from full time to part time.

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12/19/07 - Port Chester Teachers: If we had respect, we'd have a contract.

For Months Superintendent Dr. Donald Carlisle Has Claimed That He Is Continuing To Work On The "Language Issues." He Has With The Port Chester Teacher's Contract. When Is Carlisle Going To Realize That He Needs Dedicated Teachers Of Port Chester To Turn Around The Failing School System He Heads.

For Over 18 Months The The Hopelessly Biased Rag Known As The Westmore News Has Ignored The Plight Of Port Chester's 340 Teachers As They Have Worked With Out A Contract.

Unfortunately, the hopelessly biased newspaper founded by Bernie "I Forgot To Pay Over 100 Property Tax Bills" Abel has been a mouth piece for the School Superintendent and The School Board.

Time and time again Westmore News Publisher Richard Abel has refused to cover the mis-deeds of school board member's who has devastated single family homeowners with massive tax increases.

During the last school board election, Westmore News Editor Jananne Abel was given a letter that all the school board candidates admitted receiving. The letter detailed questionable and illegal activities, being undertaken by school board members and their family members.

The letter covered everything from ....

How Port disgraced ex-Port Chester School Board President Dominic "I Did Not Edit That Racist Flier" Bencivenga was illegally living outside New York State for over 6 Months

to.....

How Current Vice President Jim "I Covered Things Up While The Police Chief Helped Dom Find An Apartment In Port Chester" Dreves has let his wife repeatedly engage illegal activities at the school.

Everyone, but the Abels understands that About the only thing going right at the failing Port Chester Schools are the dedicated staff of teachers. The Abels have put their head in the sand, because they are too close to Port Chester Board Members who feed them biased information about the Port Chester Schools.

It's time for the Port Chester School Board to stop screwing around and wasting money. School Board President Larry Lupo is allowing precious school resources to be pulled away from children and using the money pay a bunch lawyers' fees and the massive Martin Scheinman mediation bill.

Just Pay The Teachers What They Deserve And Give Them A Little Respect For The Hard Job They Do.

Last Night More Than 100 Port Chester Teachers Wore All Black And Symbolically Held Candles At The Front Steps Of The High School.

It is a shame that Port Chester Teachers must do these theatrical things, but they have no choice, because the hopelessly biased Westmore News wont tell both sides of the story.

However, Port Chester Roundup will continue to report what the hopelessly biased Westmore News tries to hide from the Parents of Port Chester school children. Plus, other news outlets are starting to take notice.

Last night Port Chester Teachers' Association President Linda O'Connor gave passionate and factual interviews to local television stations pleading the teachers' case against the do nothing but raise taxes school board.

Moreover, Last nights Port Chester Teacher's held rally was very heavily attended by concerned Port Chester parents.

Since Port Chester Roundup Started Pointing Out How The Hopelessly Biased Westmore News Was Ignoring The Hard Working Teachers Of Port Chester Many Parents Have Become An Increasingly Vocal Element In The Contract Debate.

Now many Parent-Teacher Associations in the district have drafted letters to the editor calling for an end to the contract dispute.

Port Chester should be proud that teachers, despite their lack of a contract, they have remained committed to the children of Port Chester, by staying in the classroom.

Many Of The Teachers At Last Nights Rally Wore Buttons That Said "When?"

Word Is The Buttons Stand For "When Are Richard And Jananne Fable The Hopelessly Biased Rag Known As The Westmore Snooze Going To Start Reporting All The Facts In The 18 Month Old Contract Dispute And Stop Playing Down The Teacher's Side Of The Story."