Lahti and Stephen: So Happy Together

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Right on the corner of Main & Goodrich, there's a big "Stephen Development" sign, and next to it a sign touting IQ Modular Homes, which is supplying the pre-fabricated bits of Stephen's new shopping center.

Recall for a moment that Paul Stephen has been actively funding and supporting school board candidates who want to cut and weaken the school district. Recall that his are the deep pockets that fund Lisa Thrun's tinpot AFP astroturf effort to ensure that kids get to school in unsafe, dilapidated, rusting, broken-down buses. These are people for whom student safety takes a back seat to an extra $6 per year in the bank. (Now you know the price that the tea party places on your kid's safety.)

Paul Stephen has been vocal in town about ensuring that a proposed local law limiting multi-family housing be made more flexible. I favor smart growth in the town that follows the principles of new urbanism; walkable neighborhoods that are built for people rather than cars, and mixed-use development that doesn't require residents to have to drive to accomplish every activity of daily living.

So, while Stephen seems to have good ideas about Main Street, this project at Goodrich is about as far away from new urbanist principles as you can get. It's nothing more than a copycat of the plaza at North French and Transit - ground-floor retail, 2nd floor residential, and parking in front. If you want to build a proper walkable community, you build to the sidewalk and put the parking out back. Stephen talks a good game about urbanist principles, but he's not delivering, what with the trailer park and the motels.

Furthermore, among a large number of school families, Stephen's name is mud.

Stephen's reputation isn't only because he bankrolled the 2013 no vote, or the anti-bus effort in 2014, or backing Worling's campaign.

The unforgivable thing he's done is to back tea party activists to implement a "divide and conquer" strategy pitting school families against seniors.

The resentments are still raw even today, and people are angry at seniors. But the "seniors" aren't some groupthink collective that votes in lockstep, and dividing the town this way is cynical and completely counterproductive. Those who stoked these divisions are not deserving of respect or support.

So it is that Paul Stephen is doing business with IQ Modular, which is a company owned by the Lahti and Showalter families.

iQ Modular Homes was founded in 2005 by Lahti and his in-laws – members of the Showalter family – who own and operate Buffalo Tungsten Inc., a local manufacturer of tungsten powder products. At the time, there were no modular homebuilders in the area.

To what extent are Lahti or Showalter colluding with Paul Stephen to, e.g., elect Worling or agitate against the bus proposal that they voted for as board members? This whole thing reeks to high heaven, and our kids' futures are being held hostage by big business interests in town. But even worse, in order to get what they want, these deep pockets are dividing the town for their own financial self-interest.

Sour Grapes

From this week's Bee Heard:

New school buses, really? I think we have enough buses if you count all the SUVs and mini vans that drop their kids off at school every day. We have a huge problem at the middle school with half-empty buses and hundreds of vehicles that cause daily traffic jams before and after school. Maybe these parents could arrange car pools, so we could eliminate the need for new buses and daily traffic jams. 

Right. Maybe we can ask Santa Claus to use his sleigh.

There is no problem with "half-empty buses", despite the fact that many kids get dropped off. Also - the reason we need new buses isn't because we need MORE buses.  It's because the EXISTING FLEET IS TOO OLD AND UNSAFE

Sorry that your need to avoid a "traffic jam" outweighs the needs of kids to get to school safely.

You know, I see a big parking lot with a lot of cars in it at the Senior Center.  Based on the logic shown above, they don't need a taxpayer-funded shuttle bus.

Never let it be said that Clarence doesn't have a whole lot of selfish people.

The Clarence School District has more than 92 buses, 46 with more than 100,000 miles and no buses newer than 2010. I am a taxpayer with a 1995 and a 1999 car trying to keep my head above water. After 10 years, they are complaining it’s difficult to purchase parts for their buses. Well, give me a list of the parts needed and let me see if I can find them. Also, let’s find out the cost of contract transportation so taxpayers can compare costs. This is ridiculous.

What's ridiculous is that you haven't gone out and "found out the cost of contract transportation" yourself, oh woeful whiner. You're a taxpayer with a 1995 and 1999 car, so maybe we can hire you to transport kids, right?

Mold Makes the School Go 'Round

Here are some more pictures from Clarence's school buildings: 

Mold: Neither delicious nor nutritious. 

Painting over the mold: not optimal

Perhaps some repairs might be needed. Perhaps some ceiling tile should be replaced. 

Telling a Thousand Words

Here is what an urgent need for school repairs looks like:

Water and electricity: they don't go well together

Clarence Center Elementary: water drips from the light fixture, collected in buckets

The vent drips water on the Ledgeview secretary every time it rains

Leaks in the Ledgeview Office

Doors at Harris Hill in Need of Repair. At Sheridan Hill, the ground heaves and prevents the doors from being opened

Water pouring through the wall at the Clarence Center Elementary Gym/Auditorium 

This is a classroom in Clarence Center. It is still in use. 

Thanks for the New Buses, Time to Fix the Dilapidated Schools

Thank you, voters, for choosing the safety of our kids over nickels and dimes. In May, you approved the purchase of several new buses to help transport Clarence's schoolkids to and from public and private schools across the region.

It wasn't just a safety issue, but also a value proposition. The state picked up the vast majority of the bill, the interest rate to finance the purchase is at a historical low, and newer buses are cheaper to maintain than older ones with hundreds of thousands of miles on them.

We turn now to the schools and their physical plants. A task force has been working for months at the school buildings and playing fields, and in mid-June made its recommendations to the Board of Education. Here are some facts, Clarence.

1. It has been over 40 years since the town undertook a comprehensive project to make repairs and upgrades necessary to maintain the physical school buildings. When it comes to HVAC systems, roofs, and windows, many have never been replaced and are woefully wasteful and inefficient. The school buildings are between 48 and 75 years old, and are held in trust for the benefit of the people of Clarence. It is our responsibility to ensure that our investment is properly maintained, and that we are not throwing money away. Here is what will be done:

2. When Clarence undertakes this comprehensive maintenance project, the State of New York will fund 70% of the cost; Clarence taxpayers will only be on the hook for 30% of a 15 year bond, amounting to $6 per month on a home valued at $200,000.

To reiterate: if we bond this, we pay 30% of the cost. If we do not bond this, we will still have to make the necessary repairs, and pay 100% of the cost. 

3. Enrollment trends are reasonably stable, but in decline. They are not, however declining at a rate that would facilitate the closing of an elementary school.  Between 2009 and 2014, enrollment for all schools is down only about 350. Experts project that, going forward, 2014-2019 enrollment will decrease by 104 in K-5, 139 in 6-8, 23 in 9-12, and 266 overall in K-12. That's a slower rate of decline than the previous 5 years, and it doesn't factor in 700 building lots in the town's development pipeline, potential Catholic school restructuring, and unknown potential growth of younger households. The elementary school census would have to be at or less than 1,650 to justify closing a school - the current figure is 1,954. The optimum capacity for an elementary school is about 550, and our schools are at between 422 - 534.

4. In 2011, a building condition survey was undertaken - these surveys are done every 5 years. To make necessary - not optional or discretionary, but mandatory - repairs to the schools, the task force recommends a $9.3 million town investment in order to leverage an additional $21.6 million in state aid, for a total rehabilitation of $30.9 million. Most of the school buildings have not had a needed upgrade since 1970.

• Black Sabbath's debut and second albums released
• The Chicago 7 are acquitted
• Cambodia's King Sihanouk is overthrown in a military coup; US invades
• The inaugural Earth Day occurs
• TV cigarette ads are banned
• Apollo 13
• Kent State Shootings
• American Top 40 debut
• Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin die
• Nasser dies
• de Gaulle dies
• Bridge Over Troubled Water is the #1 song of the year

5. Pursuant to the 2013 building condition survey update, a total of $43.7 million should be spent to make all upgrades identified as category 1 and 2 needs.  Category 1 updates involve health & safety, electrical, HVAC, and roof repairs, building infrastructure, and technology updates. The task force whittled this down to $30.9 million out of respect for the taxpayers, by excluding category 2 items, and by recategorizing some items from 1 to 2. Task force chairman Vic Martucci emphasized that the task force recommendations reflect only needs - nothing is a "want".

6. The updates are needed now in order to bring the buildings up to code. Martucci indicated that state aid is available now, but might be gone if we wait.  It is, therefore, imperative to strike while the iron is hot and get a state aid commitment. He also indicated that historically low interest rates are so attractive that the board would be breaching its fiduciary duty to the schools and the taxpayers if it didn't do this now. He added that many systems have long outlived their useful life, and efficiency updates would pay dividends year over year.

7. A second bond will be proposed to make needed upgrades to the high school playing fields. The passage of the sports bond is contingent on the passage of the larger bond proposal, but not vice-versa. The task force is recommending a $1.5 million town investment to leverage $3.5 million in state aid in order to perform $5 million in total upgrades.

8. The condition of the fields is poor, and grass is expensive to maintain. Drainage is poor, and leads to myriad cancellations. When conditions are muddy, it takes a great deal of time for the fields to recover, and this past school year 117 games had to be rescheduled, and the fields affect 1,775 students. These fields can also be utilized by the community, to everyone's benefit.

9. One of the proposals includes upgrading the football field to field turf, which is safer and will have state-of-the-art drainage. It will be cheaper to maintain, be more durable, and lead to fewer injuries. We will also have a new scoreboard, a new track, and new fencing. A second multi-purpose, soccer field-sized area will also be upgraded to turf, accommodating soccer, field hockey, baseball, and softball.  The life of the turf itself is about 12 - 15 years, and is relatively cheap to replace. Adoption of field turf will save money on the operating budget as it relates to field & grounds.

The incoming school board will be analyzing the task force's recommendations, and it is anticipated that it will vote on the final bond proposal sometime in September. The vote would take place sometime in November, and be held at the High School, like all school board and budget votes. 

Financing the repair and maintenance of publicly owned buildings is not only necessary, but the economic conditions are ideal - 70% of it paid directly through state aid, and low interest rates. 

Don't think that you're saving the state any money if it's rejected - Albany will spend the money one way or another, and it's important that Clarence claim its fair share. 

Clarence CSD: #3 in Erie County

CLARENCE (Via Business First) 

Rank: 3 (of 97)

Percentile: 97.9%

Subject awards: English/foreign, mathematics, science

English/foreign languages rank: 1 (of 97)

English/foreign languages rating: 5 stars

Math rank: 2 (of 97)

Math rating: 5 stars

Science rank: 1 (of 97)

Science rating: 5 stars

Social studies rank: 12 (of 97)

Social studies rating: 4 stars

Population (all residents): 27,833

Enrollment (K-12): 4,812

Pupil-teacher ratio: 13.9

Spending per pupil (2012): $14,288

Eligible for free or reduced lunch (2012): 7.7%

Youth poverty rate (2012): 5.3%

Median teacher salary (2013): $62,374

Achievement index rank: 36 (of 97)

Achievement index rating: 3 stars

Cost-effectiveness rank: 2 (of 97)

Cost-effectiveness rating: 5 stars

Administrative efficiency rank: 6 (of 98)

Administrative efficiency rating: 5 stars

Socioeconomic climate rank: 4 (of 98)

Socioeconomic climate rating: 5 stars

Student access rank: 95 (of 98)

Student access rating: 1 star

Teacher experience rank: 36 (of 98)

Teacher experience rating: 3 stars

Teacher pay rank: 13 (of 98)

Teacher pay rating: 4 stars

(Subject ratings are based on the percentage of other Western New York districts that a given district outperforms in that field: 5 stars (90-100 percent), 4 stars (75-89 percent), 3 stars (50-74 percent), 2 stars (25-49 percent), or 1 star (0-24 percent).)

Clarence School Rankings 2009 - 2014

Here are charts showing the Business First rankings of individual Clarence schools from 2009 - 2014.

Due to the nature of this chart, a lower number is better, so you want to see a light green trendline that slopes down, not up.

High School

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Middle School

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Clarence Center Elementary

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Ledgeview Elementary

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Sheridan Hill Elementary

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Harris Hill Elementary

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And the spending and tax levy data during this period: 

Respect the Taxpayer: Part 2

At a meeting the other night, some detestable loudmouth started whining about how teachers make $40k to start, and $90k after 30 years of service. Too much, said he!

So, how come they never bring up these salaries, some of which these people earn on day one? Some of whom have part-time jobs?

Clarence Central School District: Respecting the Taxpayers

Business First has more good news for Clarence taxpayers - i.e., the people who think that they deserve maximum benefit and minimum cost.

Yesterday, we learned that Clarence teachers' salaries don't even crack the top 10 in western New York, and let's not forget how many we've let go in the last few years.

Today, we learn two new data points that should make taxpayers downright cheery.

Clarence broke the top ten on the list of districts with the lowest spending. Clarence is 8th, spending less than $15,000 per pupil - 31.66% lower than the state average.

Another data point to consider: Clarence is one of the 25 lowest-spending school districts in the entire state. 

Another baseless charge that the pediaphobes throw around is that there's too much administrative waste in Clarence.

That, too, is not borne out by the facts. The Clarence Central School District is the 6th most administratively efficient district out of the 98 western New York school districts. As Business First explains,

Business First's three-part rating formula is designed to determine which Western New York school districts have the tightest budgets and leanest staffs, regardless of academic performance. 

The best rankings go to districts with low spending rates per pupil, high ratios of students per administrative staffer (a group that includes principals, assistant principals and district-office employees), and small percentages of their budgets committed to debt service.

The best way to combat lies and propaganda is with the facts. Remember:

• one of the 25 lowest spending districts in New York State; 
• 8th lowest spending in western New York;
• 6th best for administrative efficiency in western New York; and
• teacher rate of pay not excessive.

Buffalo Business First: School Ranking Roll-Out

Every June, Buffalo Business First releases its various rankings of western New York schools and districts. These rankings use a complicated algorithm to assess how big of an educational bang taxpayers get for their school tax buck. 

Clarence has a reputation for educational excellence and cost-effectiveness.  It is only through false, twisted, well-funded propaganda that certain people came to doubt this. On top of the skewed information, the propagandists would have you believe that the school district is somehow disrespectful of the taxpayers. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

As of last year, the Clarence Central School District was ranked #3, behind Williamsville and East Aurora. In fact, Clarence's decline was already reflected last year, as East Aurora edged Clarence out of the #2 spot. 

People who like to get a good value for their money expect great results. 

In order properly to respect the taxpayers, we need to strive for #1; not #2 or #3. 

We won't know how Clarence ranks in 2014 for another couple of weeks, but we do have one new data point. Clarence's teachers are 13th in terms of pay. The highest-paid teacher earns $92,680. A starting teacher earns $45,750, and the median is $62,370. 

This is average for a professional with a Master's Degree. 

The people who complain about what teachers earn bring up tons of oranges to compare to this particular apple. They compare teacher pay at parochial and private schools, and basically suggest that they should be held to lower qualification standards and earn less pay.  But when you ask them how much, they never give you a straight answer. Do you think $46,000 per year is excessive for a professional with a master's degree? How about $92,600 for a professional with a master's and 30 years of experience? 

Teachers at Sweet Home make the most - $51,300 to start, a median pay of $78,300, and the highest-paid teacher earns just under $100,000. 

Educating the next generations of Americans. Providing educational excellence. What's that worth to you and your family?