03/27/06 Shame on Price and Rhau The piece in last week's paper titled "The Buono Central School District," resulted in a flood of calls and e-mails—each one in support of my opinion about the juggling around of administrative positions in our school district and the speculation as to why. To reiterate, briefly, I pointed out that Superintendent Rhau and Board President Buono want to move the current principal (Tim Price) into a position that had been created on a temporary basis by the School Board (and which should be expiring) and then fill the principal position that Price will be vacating with someone new, possibly Buono's son, all at the expense of taxpayers. This follow-up to that article, which is based upon additional information passed on to me by those who know the Saugerties School situation best, will point out additional malfeasance on the part of this administration which have (or will) resulted in legal problems and financial issues. First, during 2005, a civil rights lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, by a teacher who accused Rhau and Price of violating her First Amendment rights (freedom of speech). Last month, after finding that the Defendants had failed to make a case in favor of their position and that the plaintiff teacher had "demonstrated irreparable harm and likelihood of success on the merits," District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn ruled in favor of the teacher, concluding that the Defendants' policy restricted her (and School District employees') First Amendment rights. This wrongful act and the resulting decision against the District will not only cost taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs, their actions were irresponsible and demonstrated a total lack of leadership. Second, I understand that the teachers' union has filed approximately 30 grievances against principal Price in the past year. It is absolutely and totally unacceptable for a principal to disregard the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. Shame on Tim Price for his egregious conduct, and shame on Rhau for not taking the necessary action to correct it. Being a union leader myself, I can fully appreciate the frustration the teachers' union must be experiencing. Doesn't Tim Price realize that all the litigation he is causing will eventually cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars in court costs? But, then again, it doesn't affect him so it is likely that he doesn't even care. After all, he isn't a resident of Saugerties and doesn't pay school taxes here. He lives on other the other side of the River in Valatie, New York (Columbia County). Instead of attempting to promote Price, perhaps Rhau and Buono should consider asking for his resignation. Principal Tim Price is too much of a burden on Saugerties' taxpayers. Stay tuned!   George D Heidcamp, Sr.