The District made its standard sales pitch, as it has at every opportunity (many open house nights at school included their presentation to the captive audiences).  The District has also hired a marketing consultant to help them pass this bond issue, and has published some full-page and half-page advertisements in local “news” papers.   This was my first time watching some new minions (for they are legion) of the school district, including the “construction manager” (the board’s latest feeble attempt to show that there is some impartial oversight).

The Official Explanation for High Individual Item Prices

One developer (whether he was an architect, financier, construction manager I cannot tell) stood before the audience and explained the complexity of the estimating process.  They start with the overall cost of a “similar” project in Boondock County, then they inflate that project price for inflation since that project was completed, the extra cost of supplies in this area compared to the area where that previous project was, etc.  In my own simple words it’s “Well, Boondock paid 20 million for a new school, you guys should pay 35 million because things are more expensive in White Plains.” 

I asked if that is why there is a numerical common denominator to many of the line items I have been questioning since the Budget Committe meetings last winter.  After all, that explains why we have so many line items costing multiples of 365, 730, 1460, 2920 etc. These guys started with the overall price they want (remember they are including whatever profit or excess was included in these prior “similar” contracts) then apportioned it among all of the line item jobs that they needed to be done.  That’s how you end up with a $29,200 gas valve (that costs a few bucks in Home Depot).

You know how the lead architect answered me?  “There is no numerical common denominator.  It’s just coincidence.”  Well I must be imagining the pages that they provided to me at the budget committee meetings, and all of the copies I have made and distributed.  You all decide.  I am still waiting for anyone to explain to me why any one of the line items is so extravagantly priced other than “oh, well, we might open a can of worms and have to do a whole lot more work.” 

In the example of the $29,200 gas valve, one minion explained, “we might have to repipe the whole room.”  My question to you all is, shouldn’t they know that before they estimate the job?  This is all a smoke screen to keep you from understanding that IF THEY GOT YORKTOWN TO PAY THEM 30 MILLION, WHITE PLAINS CAN DISH OUT 40 MILLION, OR PLEASANTVILLE CAN DISH OUT 29 MILLION.  THE DEVELOPERS ARE THE SMART ONES, BECAUSE THERE IS A BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT JUST ACCEPTS THIS PRACTICE WITH AN ARROGANT DEFENSIVENESS.  

Dissent, Discussion Not Allowed.

  Mike DiMarco, co-president of the Fisher Hill Neighborhood Association (who lives right across from the Post Rd School being replaced) spoke out against the project.  He questioned the intelligence of placing a ballfield on Post Road with only a six foot fence along a major highway running through our city (Route 22).  While DiMarco and the FHNA have many other grounds for opposition to the project (they debate the necessity to replace their own neighborhood’s school), Ken Werden interrupted his questioning, citing DiMarco’s argumentative questions and moved on. 

Another man whose name I do not know posited that sinking millions of dollars into Mamaroneck Avenue School is a waste, because it is as old as Post Rd. School, and will likely have to be completely replaced by some other Board within a few years.  Why build something just to tear it down?  Again, Ken Werden said this was no place for opinion, ask a question or sit down. 

One lady and another gentleman inquired as to why White Plains is the only district around that plans on building turf field stadiums solely at the taxpayers’ expense . . . all of the other towns have used grant writers and corporate donations as well as funds raised by civic organizations.   I believe that the substance of Tim Connors’ answer was “That’s a good question.”

 Moving Right Along.

After each question was posed, and as the administration began it’s explanations, Mr. Werden pointed out audience members with hands raised saying “you’re next.”  This had a terrible effect of interupting the flow of the answers, hurrying everyone along, discouraging follow up questions.  There were also at least three warnings that argumentative questions and positions were not wanted.  Three is my limit. 

If the CNA forum is just a stage for a sales pitch, I’m not interested, so I left.  Folks, this is the time for argument.  If Werden wants peaceful meetings, he should join the girl scouts.  Do any of you remember that there was a revolution fought over taxation without representation?  Wake up and look around.  You pay the highest taxes in the country already, and largely due to an ineffective (look at the scores) of inefficient (look at the numbers) school district.  Now that school district wants to borrow 70 million dollars for you to pay back with taxes.  For what? 

So the school developers profit!  I have met too many of you who blindly trust the bureaucrats and say “it’s for the kids,” or “they’re the experts.”  Well, there were suckers in Roslyn, Nassau County, Yorktown, wherever they have ended up busting corrupt and wasteful school bureaucracies. 

And do you think you are represented?  Do you even know when or where to vote on this issue, or that there is an election?  Should the district be allowed to hire professional marketers to advertise for one side of an issue that is up to a vote?  Is that fair when I, the opposition only have Bailey’s site (no offense John).  By the way, the vote is on their machines, in their schools, collected by who?  Counted by who?  Overseen by who?  You don’t know?  Well neither do I.  If you can find out, let me know.  55,000 voters in White Plains, and how many have voted in any School election?  Maybe 1% at most.  STOP TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!