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Half-truths and Innuendoes. . . or Facts?
Over the last fourteen-weeks Rhau, Buono, and cronies have repeatedly accused me of telling only "half-truths" and making "innuendoes," and claimed that I tell only "one side of the story." If that’s the case, and there is another side to the story, especially one that would support them, why have they been so utterly silent for all this time? Why haven’t they rebutted the charges or offered a mitigating explanation? Indeed, if there’s more to the truth than meets the eye, it shouldn’t be kept secret; it needs to be told ....and we’d all like to know. The one thing you can be sure of is the information obtained through the FOIL process speaks for itself. The documents are not fabricated, they are what they are. To the best of my knowledge, the information is not only accurate but complete—for when asked, I was assured that I was being provided with everything in the folders. So, if there is more, it has been hidden somewhere else and not given to me. And, if that’s the case, my follow-up question would be whether this is a juggling act designed to confuse the spectators.
But exactly what is the "truth?" Does Buono know? Does either McCaig, Parisian, or Kovac know? Does Rhau know? Does anybody know? Instead of burying their heads in the sand for fourteen weeks, hoping this nightmare would go away—as Buono and his cronies have done, why not address the issues? To board member MacIsaac’s credit, he took the time to review Rhau’s lunch receipts and, although he claimed not to have seen anything "wrong," he did at least make a motion that the board review all of Rhau’s bills each month. He also indicated that he had a problem with Rhau lunching with certain board members and having the District pay the bill. Ironically, and MacIsaac conveniently failed to mention, that he, himself, was one of the board members who met with Rhau for lunch at Chowhound, at a cost of $28 to the District ....and that is not a half-truth, that’s a FACT.
To restate what I’ve said before, the key reason why Rhau, Buono et al., have remained so silent all this time is that they don’t want to open their mouths and jeopardize the budget vote. It’s all about getting the budget passed. Yet, after the June 20 vote, they will surely make an attempt to defend Rhau’s actions by justifying his self-indulgent expenditures. And, again, no matter how intensely Superintendent Rhau, Buono and his cronies attempt to excuse Rhau’s self indulgences, I will not be deterred from the posting of his excessive expenditures on conferences, seminars, phone calls, credit card bills, and the copious number of eateries where he dines at the expense of the District. Likewise, I will not discontinue my pursuit of answers to the following questions:
- Did Rhau’s apparent "double-dipping" violate either the terms of his Contract with us or the law when he submitted a voucher in the amount of $160.30 for payment for mileage during his trip to Boston when he knew or should have known that he had no right to do so? And if so, what (if any) action has the board taken? At the very least, this is taking advantage and should not be permitted.
- Why did Business Administrator Joe Dziaik sign Rhau’s voucher to authorize payment for the $160.30 (see above), when he knows (or should have known) that it’s prohibited?
- Did Rhau abuse cell-phone privileges by making 585 calls (479 of which were to either out-of-town or out-of-state numbers), many of which were made after school hours? Should those calls be considered "reasonable?"
- Did Rhau violate the terms of his Contract when he failed to notify the Board of his out-of-state business travels to Orlando, Florida, Boston, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California? According to a majority of the Board, they had no idea he was out-of-state. So just who was he telling, Buono? Maybe just his wife.
- Why did the District pay for Rhau’s hotel room in Orlando, Florida, for the three-days prior to the start of the convention?
- Why did the District pay $339 for car rental for eight-days when Rhau only attended the conference for one-day out of the eight while he was there?
- Why is Business Administrator Joe Dziaik signing and approving his own vouchers for payment?
Are these all half truths? These are legitimate questions, and we have a right to know the answers to them. Board President Buono not only has a responsibility but has an obligation to investigate these allegations and if that probe reveals any wrongdoing by Superintendent Rhau, then Buono and the board have a duty to take whatever action is appropriate in order to protect our best interest, including action against the Superintendent. Checks and balances (as well as accountability) is lacking within this Administration.
As far as the school budget goes, I attended the June 6 school board meeting and watched Superintendent Rhau and Business Administrator Joe Dziaik take center stage to lay out new budget proposals and warn the public that if this budget is not approved by voters on June 20, another $839,652. will have to be cut, which would, of course, mean staff cuts–causing larger class sizes, elimination of all non-mandated summer programs; field trips, athletic programs, extracurricular activities, library computer labs, and custodial workers.
Although the very controversial $100,000 administrative position (that Rhau claimed was not in the budget) was cut, I did not hear Rhau, Dziaik, Buono or any of his cronies mention one single word about cutting any fat from the existing top-heavy administration which, according to documents obtained through FOIL, currently costs the District approximately $750,000 annually for just eleven individuals.....and that is not a half-truth, that’s a FACT. Rhau, Dziaik, and Buono were quick to point out the cuts that will hurt the children but failed miserably when it came to mentioning any cuts to the top-heavy administration. How convenient was that? And how selfish, as well. Recapping the cost to the District for the administration alone is as follows:
- The Superintendent himself receives approximately $170,000 annually (taking benefits into account); his personal secretary/district clerk receives $45,240 annually, $6,032 (prorated) plus benefits; and a part-time clerk receives $6,063 annually plus;
- The Assistant Superintendent (a nonresident) receives approximately $120,000 annually (including benefits); her personal secretary receives $36, 617 annually plus benefits;
- The Business Administrator (who does not own real property in Saugerties) receives more than $100,000 annually (plus benefits); his personal secretary receives $32, 018 annually plus benefits;
- The Payroll/Benefits Senior Accounting Clerk receives $36,907 annually (plus benefits); an account clerk receives $34,756 annually (plus benefits);
- The District Treasurer receives $41, 115 annually (plus benefits);
- The Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings receives approximately $55,000 annually (plus benefits) and a personal secretary receives $42, 443 annually (plus benefits).
- The total annual cost for eleven individuals in the administration alone is almost $750,000 —that includes salaries and health benefits, and to which Social Security and Medicare payments, and Disability Insurance, etc., can be added.
It was disturbing to sit there and hear Rhau, Dziaik and Buono using scare tactics such as threatening to make cuts to the teaching staff and children’s programs, while not even mentioning any cuts to the top-heavy administration. Apparently, their concern is more with the administration than with the children, the ultimate slap in the face to both our children and the teachers who educate them. The bottom line is, if this budget is defeated on June 20, we can place the blame squarely on the shoulders of Rhau, Buono and his cronies, as they alone, who don’t have their priorities straight, are the real culprits here. Instead of pointing fingers at others, they should take a good, long look in the mirror to see that they have nobody to blame but themselves.
My suggestion would be that the Board of Education make a change in leadership. The current one has become way too cozy with the Administration and as a result has totally lost his credibility. Buono should step aside and yield that position to a fresh new face. If anyone is hurting the children, it’s the board president and his cronies, .... and that is not a half-truth, that’s my opinion
..... Stay tuned..more to come!
Visit my web-site www.saugertieswatchdog.com.
George D Heidcamp, Sr.
June 15, 2006