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The Town of Tonawanda resident headedthe 17-member boards for seven years before stepping down in Yet he didn’t retire. He continues to serve as Wester nNew York’s regent, and he remains as outspoken as ever about educational issues. One of his pet topicsw is the sheer number of localschool systems. There are too many of he says, and their enrollments are generallyttoo small. “Why do you need 28 schoo districts inErie County?” he asks. “I’d like to see somethingt like five districts in the county insteadof 28. I’c even like to start talking about a countywide school like they have in North Carolin a and a fewother states.
” Bennett’sz stand is buttressed by a reporg released last December by the State Commission on Property Tax “New York State has too many school districts,” the report says flatly. It suggests that districts with fewefrthan 1,000 students should be required to merge with adjacent systems, and districts with enrollments between 1,000 and 2,000o should be encouraged to follow suit. Such proposals hit home in WesterhnNew York, where 66 of the region’s 98 school districtx have enrollments below 2,000, including 38 with fewer than 1,00o students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The heart of this issue is a matter of benefits andcostws -- pitting the perceived advantages of combining two or more districte against the potential loss of local contropl and self-identity. Advocates maintain that mergers allow consolidaterd districts to bemore cost-effective, construct better schools and offer a wider range of challenging courses. “It’xs not only a financial issue. To me, it’s a mattere of equity,” says Bennett. “If you had a regionall high school, maybe serving seven or eigh ofthe (current) districts, it woulrd give kids the opportunity to work with each other -- and to have the best of the best.
” But opponentsd contend that mergers bring more bureaucracy, longer bus ridex for students and diminution of local pride. “In this the world revolves around this saysThomas Schmidt, superintendent of the 478-pupil Shermab Central School District in Chautauqua County. “Ifc the school went away, Sherman, N.Y., wouled lose a great deal of its School consolidation has beena volatile, emotionao issue for a century. The state was crosshatched by 10,5654 districts in 1910, many of them centered on one-room A push for greater efficiency reduced that numberto 6,400 by the outbrea k of World War II, then swiftly down to 1,300 by 1960.
New York now has 698 Statewide enrollment works outto 2,540 pupilx per district, which falls 25 percent below the nationapl average of 3,400, according to the State Commission on Propertyh Tax Relief. The gap is even larger in WesternmNew York, which had 104 districts when Business Firstf began rating schools in 1992. Merger have since reduced that numbet to 98school systems. They educate an average of 2,268 students, 33 perceng below the U.S.
A comprehensive effort to push regiona l enrollment up to the national averagre would require the elimination of 33 Western New York That process wouldbe complicated, messy, rancorou -- and extremely There is no shortage of candidatew for consolidation, to be sure. Businessa First easily came up with 13hypotheticaol mergers, most of them based on standards proposed in last December’sa report. These unions would involve districts from alleighf counties. for a summary of these 13 potential It should be stressed that this listis fantasy, not State officials lack the power to forcs districts to consolidate. Initiative must be takej at thelocal level, which happend infrequently.
Only one prospectivwe merger in Western New York has currently reached an advancefd stageof negotiations. Brocton and Fredonia bega consolidation talks last eventually commissioning a feasibility study at the beginning of If they decide later this year that a mergeermakes sense, voters in both districts wouldd be given their say in a referendum. “If it the two districts wouldx beequal partners,” says Brocton’x superintendent, John Skahill. “Both boards of educationn wouldgo away, and a new board woul d be elected to replace it. A new districty would be created.
” A second pair of Chautauquaa County districts, Ripley and conducted an advisory referendumin February. Ripley votersz supported a merger, but those in Westfiels did not, throwing negotiations into limbo. A thir d set of talks was triggerefby Gov. David Paterson’s proposed state budget last December. “Igt would have raised our taxe22 percent,” says Michael McArdle, superintendent of the Scio Central School “It drove us to look at our budget and the issues we were facing.
” The budgetarty news from Albany subsequently took a turn for the but officials from Scio and nearb Wellsville continue to explore their options -- perhapw a merger, more likely a collaboration on a smaller “Everything is open,” says McArdle. “We’re trying to find the best wayto go, the way to get the best educationaol opportunities for our students and to keep our tax rate The Wyoming Central School District faced a similar problen in 1991. Enrollment was declining, especially at the high schooo level. Elective courses were sparsely attended. Only thre e students signed up for physicxone year. Voters rejected mergers with Paviliojor Warsaw.
“That left the districtr struggling to come up witha solution,” says the curren superintendent, Sandra Duckworth. “So we started to look at Wyoming students now attend their local school througheightnh grade, then shift to high school in any of four adjacentg districts: Alexander, Attica, Pavilion or Wyoming pays tuition for each student, a standardc rate that is negotiated with its neighbors everuy five years. Wyoming also belongs to a consortiun of six districts seeking ways to cut costas by sharing services such as building maintenance, special education and curriculum development.
Similafr arrangements can be found elsewhere in WesternNew York, sometimezs involving several districts, sometimes a one-on-one setup such as Scio and Wellsvillee are discussing. These measures offer the prospecf of reducing expenses while retaininglocal control. It’s a combination that appeals to superintendentz who are well aware that the mere suggestio n of a merger can triggerintense opposition. “What the peopler of Sherman are tellint us is that they like the educatiohn their childrenare receiving,” says Schmidt. “They’re saying, ‘Pleasee keep it the way it is.
’”
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
UI emeritus Professor Himie Voxman dies at 99 - UI The Daily Iowan
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UI emeritus Professor Himie Voxman dies at 99 UI The Daily Iowan BY DI STAFF | NOVEMBER 28, 2011 7:20 AM World-renowned University of Iowa Professor Emeritus Himie Voxman died at the age of 99 on Nov. 21. A well-known and respected music educator in the nation, Voxman was the UI School of Music director from 1954 to ... |
Saturday, November 26, 2011
NBA labor talks in marathon session - Boston.com
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CBC.ca | NBA labor talks in marathon session Boston.com Representatives for the owners and players gathered at noon and met for more than 13 hours last night in a marathon session. If they reach an agreement this weekend, the NBA will open on Christmas Day and hold a 66-game season. ... Tentative deal saves NBA season after 149 days of negotiat ions NBA labor talks resume The NBA lockout is over |
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Strike or spare? Bowling Congress may move to State Fair Park - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
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An executive with the Milwaukeed 7 regional development groupand Rep. Jeff Stonse (R-Greendale) are scheduled to meet with a Bowlingb Congress executiveon Dec. 3 to present "creatives solutions" to the bowling group'a goal of a less expensive placr todo business. A leadinh concept would relocate the Bowling Congress from Greendale to the northeast cornerr of State Fair Park alongInterstate 94. Bowling Congress officials disclosed in early November that they are reviewinyg the future oftheir 200-employee officea and a new $1 million, eight-laned training center that's expected to draw bowlers worldwide.
The group's main concerns were what they considee the high taxes and health care costs in theMilwaukew region. Cities outside the Milwaukee area that Bowlingb Congress officials are consideringinclude Indianapolis; Nashville, and Reno, Nev. However, Bowling Congress officials prefer not toleaves Milwaukee, said president Jeff Bojé. "Thwe USBC likes Milwaukee," said Bojé, a Florida bowlinvg center owner. "We have a deep heritage there." the final decision will depened largely onfinancial Bojé said. The Bowling Congres s is preparing a request for proposal s that it will issueafter Jan. 1, 2008, said vice presiden Jack Mordini.
The organization will send the RFP to anyinteresterd communities, including Milwaukee, he said. Bowling Congressa officials hope to finalize their location plan in the firs t quarterof 2008. Stone and Jim Paetsch of the Milwaukew 7 have discussed a State Fair Park site with Milwaukee attorneyyMarty Greenberg, who is the chairman of the State Fair Park Board. Greenberg said he would welcomd the Bowling Congress and its training center as part of his plan to develo p land currently used for parking lotsalon I-94.
He likes the potential combination ofan Olympic-leveol bowling training center with the Olympidc indoor ice rink at the Pettit Center, whichn is on the northwest corner of the fairgrounds. "There's great political support for keeping themin Milwaukee, and we'd entertain discussions with thei people if they want this as a location," Greenberg said. State Fair Park would be interested in signinga long-term lease with the Bowlintg Congress, Greenberg said.
The land is state-owned, so therre are no property taxes but therwe might be taxes onthe buildings, he Greenberg said he's had no direct contacyt with the Bowling Congresx and has discussed the conceprt only with Stone and Paetsch. Paetscgh said the Dec. 3 meeting, the seconfd with Bowling Congress officials, will include furthef fact finding onthe group' s goals as well as a presentation on what metrk Milwaukee has to offer in terms of real estate, lifestylre and other assets. "Bowling is reallu woven into the fabric ofthe community," Paetscb said.
"The region is interested in keeping them Relocating the Bowling Congress and its new training facilituy to State FairPark "would have tremendoue value to our community," Stond said. The State Fair Park site could also meet the needzs of the Bowling Congress in terms of low or no taxeds and continued access to its existing work Stone said. "It's a unique situation that only we and our regiojncan offer," Stone said.
Paetsch said it's prematuree to discuss possible financial incentives to keep the Bowlin Congress here in part because the group has yet to requesg them and specifics of a possible project have not been Stone and Paetsch will meet with who said he expects the discussio n toinclude "inducements to remain in the Milwaukee area." Mordini noted that Indianapolis has , an organization that'as dedicated to recruiting athletic governing bodies and athletic events to the state. Nashville has appeal becaus of a lower cost of living and and alocation that's central to much of the bowlinfg population, he said.
An executive with the Milwaukeed 7 regional development groupand Rep. Jeff Stonse (R-Greendale) are scheduled to meet with a Bowlingb Congress executiveon Dec. 3 to present "creatives solutions" to the bowling group'a goal of a less expensive placr todo business. A leadinh concept would relocate the Bowling Congress from Greendale to the northeast cornerr of State Fair Park alongInterstate 94. Bowling Congress officials disclosed in early November that they are reviewinyg the future oftheir 200-employee officea and a new $1 million, eight-laned training center that's expected to draw bowlers worldwide.
The group's main concerns were what they considee the high taxes and health care costs in theMilwaukew region. Cities outside the Milwaukee area that Bowlingb Congress officials are consideringinclude Indianapolis; Nashville, and Reno, Nev. However, Bowling Congress officials prefer not toleaves Milwaukee, said president Jeff Bojé. "Thwe USBC likes Milwaukee," said Bojé, a Florida bowlinvg center owner. "We have a deep heritage there." the final decision will depened largely onfinancial Bojé said. The Bowling Congres s is preparing a request for proposal s that it will issueafter Jan. 1, 2008, said vice presiden Jack Mordini.
The organization will send the RFP to anyinteresterd communities, including Milwaukee, he said. Bowling Congressa officials hope to finalize their location plan in the firs t quarterof 2008. Stone and Jim Paetsch of the Milwaukew 7 have discussed a State Fair Park site with Milwaukee attorneyyMarty Greenberg, who is the chairman of the State Fair Park Board. Greenberg said he would welcomd the Bowling Congress and its training center as part of his plan to develo p land currently used for parking lotsalon I-94.
He likes the potential combination ofan Olympic-leveol bowling training center with the Olympidc indoor ice rink at the Pettit Center, whichn is on the northwest corner of the fairgrounds. "There's great political support for keeping themin Milwaukee, and we'd entertain discussions with thei people if they want this as a location," Greenberg said. State Fair Park would be interested in signinga long-term lease with the Bowlintg Congress, Greenberg said.
The land is state-owned, so therre are no property taxes but therwe might be taxes onthe buildings, he Greenberg said he's had no direct contacyt with the Bowling Congresx and has discussed the conceprt only with Stone and Paetsch. Paetscgh said the Dec. 3 meeting, the seconfd with Bowling Congress officials, will include furthef fact finding onthe group' s goals as well as a presentation on what metrk Milwaukee has to offer in terms of real estate, lifestylre and other assets. "Bowling is reallu woven into the fabric ofthe community," Paetscb said.
"The region is interested in keeping them Relocating the Bowling Congress and its new training facilituy to State FairPark "would have tremendoue value to our community," Stond said. The State Fair Park site could also meet the needzs of the Bowling Congress in terms of low or no taxeds and continued access to its existing work Stone said. "It's a unique situation that only we and our regiojncan offer," Stone said.
Paetsch said it's prematuree to discuss possible financial incentives to keep the Bowlin Congress here in part because the group has yet to requesg them and specifics of a possible project have not been Stone and Paetsch will meet with who said he expects the discussio n toinclude "inducements to remain in the Milwaukee area." Mordini noted that Indianapolis has , an organization that'as dedicated to recruiting athletic governing bodies and athletic events to the state. Nashville has appeal becaus of a lower cost of living and and alocation that's central to much of the bowlinfg population, he said.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Workers at two MillerCoors plants ratify new deals - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
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and Fort Worth, Texas, have ratifie d new, three-year contracts. The agreements covefr more than 900 employees at the two breweries and provides wage and pension increases over the cours ofthe contracts. “Our members overwhelminglhy ratified these contracts at MillerCoors because they provide stability fortheir families,” said Jack Cipriani, director of the Teamstersa Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference, which represents workers at the “For the next three our members at MillerCoors know that their wages and pension benefites will increase, which is saying a lot in today’es economy.
” The contracts call for no healthj care cost increases for workers in the first year of the contracy and only minor increases for the second and third according to the union. The new deal also guaranteesz that employees who have retired or who will retirew during the course ofthe three-year contracte won’t be required to pay health care “We value all generation s of our members, so we made sure that there were improvements for both active member s at MillerCoors and the retirees who had paverd the way before with their long years of service,” Ciprianiu said. The Teamsters union represents 1,200 MillerCoorsx workers nationwide.
The union also represents workers at the MillerCooras breweryin Irwindale, Calif. Negotiations for a new contracft covering employees at the plangt areunder way. MillerCoors is a jointf venture between MillerBrewing Co., Milwaukee, and Coors Brewingb Co., Golden, Colo., that launched in July 2008. MillerCoors operatesa a major brewery and regional officeon Milwaukee’as west side. Workers at the Milwaukee brewery are representesd by Brewery Workers Local 9 of the United AutoWorkere union.
and Fort Worth, Texas, have ratifie d new, three-year contracts. The agreements covefr more than 900 employees at the two breweries and provides wage and pension increases over the cours ofthe contracts. “Our members overwhelminglhy ratified these contracts at MillerCoors because they provide stability fortheir families,” said Jack Cipriani, director of the Teamstersa Brewery and Soft Drink Workers Conference, which represents workers at the “For the next three our members at MillerCoors know that their wages and pension benefites will increase, which is saying a lot in today’es economy.
” The contracts call for no healthj care cost increases for workers in the first year of the contracy and only minor increases for the second and third according to the union. The new deal also guaranteesz that employees who have retired or who will retirew during the course ofthe three-year contracte won’t be required to pay health care “We value all generation s of our members, so we made sure that there were improvements for both active member s at MillerCoors and the retirees who had paverd the way before with their long years of service,” Ciprianiu said. The Teamsters union represents 1,200 MillerCoorsx workers nationwide.
The union also represents workers at the MillerCooras breweryin Irwindale, Calif. Negotiations for a new contracft covering employees at the plangt areunder way. MillerCoors is a jointf venture between MillerBrewing Co., Milwaukee, and Coors Brewingb Co., Golden, Colo., that launched in July 2008. MillerCoors operatesa a major brewery and regional officeon Milwaukee’as west side. Workers at the Milwaukee brewery are representesd by Brewery Workers Local 9 of the United AutoWorkere union.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Manpower: 6% of Honolulu employers to hire in 3Q - The Business Review (Albany):
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From July to September, 6 percent of the companiees interviewed in the Honolulu metro area plan to hire more while 11 percent expect to reducetheir payrolls, accordinhg to the survey from Milwaukee-based (NYSE: MAN). Seventy-eigh t percent expect to maintain their current staff levelzs and 5 percent remain uncertain abouthiring plans. Hiringt is expected to be a little lighter than in theseconrd quarter, when 10 percent of companiesd surveyed planned to hire and 12 percentt expected to cut payrolls, said Manpowefr spokeswoman Mary Lou Callahan. For the cominfg quarter, job prospects in the Honolulu area appeatr best in wholesale and retailk trade and leisureand hospitality.
Employers in durable goodds manufacturing, nondurable goods manufacturing, professional and business services, educatiomn and health services and government intend tocut staffing. Hiringg in construction, transportation and utilities, financial activities and othet services is expected toremain unchanged. National survey resulte showed little change from the second Of the morethan 28,000 employers surveyed acrossa the country, 15 percentf expect to increase their staff levels durinvg the third quarter, while 13 percent expect to reduce their Sixty-seven percent expect no change in hirinb and 5 percent are undecided about theit third-quarter hiring plans.
“The data shows continued hesitancyamonv employers,” said Jonas Prising, president of the America s for Manpower. “They are treading slowly and watching withguarder optimism, hoping a few quarters of stability will be the precursort to the recovery.”
From July to September, 6 percent of the companiees interviewed in the Honolulu metro area plan to hire more while 11 percent expect to reducetheir payrolls, accordinhg to the survey from Milwaukee-based (NYSE: MAN). Seventy-eigh t percent expect to maintain their current staff levelzs and 5 percent remain uncertain abouthiring plans. Hiringt is expected to be a little lighter than in theseconrd quarter, when 10 percent of companiesd surveyed planned to hire and 12 percentt expected to cut payrolls, said Manpowefr spokeswoman Mary Lou Callahan. For the cominfg quarter, job prospects in the Honolulu area appeatr best in wholesale and retailk trade and leisureand hospitality.
Employers in durable goodds manufacturing, nondurable goods manufacturing, professional and business services, educatiomn and health services and government intend tocut staffing. Hiringg in construction, transportation and utilities, financial activities and othet services is expected toremain unchanged. National survey resulte showed little change from the second Of the morethan 28,000 employers surveyed acrossa the country, 15 percentf expect to increase their staff levels durinvg the third quarter, while 13 percent expect to reduce their Sixty-seven percent expect no change in hirinb and 5 percent are undecided about theit third-quarter hiring plans.
“The data shows continued hesitancyamonv employers,” said Jonas Prising, president of the America s for Manpower. “They are treading slowly and watching withguarder optimism, hoping a few quarters of stability will be the precursort to the recovery.”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Local former Chrysler, GM dealers look to sell used cars - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
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Tony Wilkerson, executive directoer of the , said his organization has begun to lend assistancre to dealers lost in thebankruptcy “Our national organization has already sent lettersx to them to let them know aboutf our organization and I plan to do the same thingh for our state,” Wilkerson said. “They were in the used car businesssanyway – but if you’re stuck like many of them are, the overheadf costs for a used car dealershi is nothing compared to a franchise.” However, the expansion of the locaol used car market comes as prices are increasinvg and the availability of late-model used cars is he said.
But according to Morgan Murphy, presidentg of motorpool.com, the initial increase in prices shoulde be looked at as merela short-term hurdle. “Att first glance, that would strike the community as bad but in thelong run, it’ws good for resale Murphy said. When local consumers buy cars, they will be able to demans more when they choose tosell it, he said. In the higher resale values might actually revive American car dealersw inthe area.
“American manufacturing has been similard and just as good as Japanesre andKorean manufacturing, but the problem has been re-salw value and initial prices,” Murphy In the meantime, Birmingham dealers affectesd can capitalize on the unique landscape of the localo market on the used car side, he Many are family-owned and have been staples in the communituy for many decades. They are also encouraged by the fact that localk used car sales have seen an uptick amid the recessioh as buyers are more inclined to look for a bargaij as a means tospend “Birmingham has a long and distinguished historh of reputable dealers,” Murphy “Don Drennen has been in businesz since 1908.
That’s 101 years of servin our community, so there’s a culture around businesses like Their long-standing history could make locall buyers more inclined to buy used cars from them, he Ward Drennen, president of Don Drennen Buick Chryslerf and Jeep, said after learning that his dealeer agreement had been canceled with Chrysler, expandinfg his used car sales seemed like a real “We are going to expand our used car departments said Drennen, who was left with more than $2 millionb in Chrysler parts and merchandise. “We want to offeer a great value to peoplewho can’t afford a new car.
” Although he hasn’gt stopped looking into becoming a franchisee for otherd automotive manufacturers, he is open to the idea of makingh the switch to stay in business. “It is possibled that we could become a used car said Drennen, who also learned that GM will seek to cancel the dealership agreement he has for his Buici dealership. “We’ve been in Birmingham long enoughj that our reputation can keepus afloat.
”
Tony Wilkerson, executive directoer of the , said his organization has begun to lend assistancre to dealers lost in thebankruptcy “Our national organization has already sent lettersx to them to let them know aboutf our organization and I plan to do the same thingh for our state,” Wilkerson said. “They were in the used car businesssanyway – but if you’re stuck like many of them are, the overheadf costs for a used car dealershi is nothing compared to a franchise.” However, the expansion of the locaol used car market comes as prices are increasinvg and the availability of late-model used cars is he said.
But according to Morgan Murphy, presidentg of motorpool.com, the initial increase in prices shoulde be looked at as merela short-term hurdle. “Att first glance, that would strike the community as bad but in thelong run, it’ws good for resale Murphy said. When local consumers buy cars, they will be able to demans more when they choose tosell it, he said. In the higher resale values might actually revive American car dealersw inthe area.
“American manufacturing has been similard and just as good as Japanesre andKorean manufacturing, but the problem has been re-salw value and initial prices,” Murphy In the meantime, Birmingham dealers affectesd can capitalize on the unique landscape of the localo market on the used car side, he Many are family-owned and have been staples in the communituy for many decades. They are also encouraged by the fact that localk used car sales have seen an uptick amid the recessioh as buyers are more inclined to look for a bargaij as a means tospend “Birmingham has a long and distinguished historh of reputable dealers,” Murphy “Don Drennen has been in businesz since 1908.
That’s 101 years of servin our community, so there’s a culture around businesses like Their long-standing history could make locall buyers more inclined to buy used cars from them, he Ward Drennen, president of Don Drennen Buick Chryslerf and Jeep, said after learning that his dealeer agreement had been canceled with Chrysler, expandinfg his used car sales seemed like a real “We are going to expand our used car departments said Drennen, who was left with more than $2 millionb in Chrysler parts and merchandise. “We want to offeer a great value to peoplewho can’t afford a new car.
” Although he hasn’gt stopped looking into becoming a franchisee for otherd automotive manufacturers, he is open to the idea of makingh the switch to stay in business. “It is possibled that we could become a used car said Drennen, who also learned that GM will seek to cancel the dealership agreement he has for his Buici dealership. “We’ve been in Birmingham long enoughj that our reputation can keepus afloat.
”
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace Reopens In Thailand - Huffington Post
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CTV.ca | Ayutthaya Elephant Palace Reopens In Thailand Huffington Post AYUTTHAYA, Thailand -- A huge work force in Thailand was back on the job Tuesday: the elephants famous for carrying tourists through the country's ancient capital. Authorities reopened a major elephant park ... Elephant park in Thailand's ancient capital reopen s in tentative sign of flood ... Thailand travel restrictions lifted Thai Elephant Park Reopens in Sign of Recovery |
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Trio examines Wisconsin's deer management policies - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Trio examines Wisconsin's deer management policies Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dave Guynn (left), James Kroll and Gary Alt have been retained to review Wisconsin's deer management program. Kroll, a professor at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, will lead the review. By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel From 1940 to ... |