It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone that education reform - an integral part of which is the way school leaders communicate with the public - is best measured in nanometers. I say nanometers because the term “millimicron,” describing exactly the same unit, is out of fashion, and something more colloquial like “baby steps” overstates things.

I wrote a month ago about a chronic offender of open, honest [I’d call this “basic”] communication - Irvington Union Free School District’s Paul Mandel. In a preliminary assessment of the upcoming budget, Mandel wrote on behalf of the Board of Education a summary that included a bit about New York State’s EXCEL Aid program, which provides funds for improving infrastructures/physical plants in districts statewide. He said:

At the time of the budget vote, the District will ask voters to approve approximately $650,000 worth of EXCEL Aid projects, one-time grants which are 100% funded by New York State. These projects will include replacing the Main Street School gym bleachers and floor, replacing the Main Street School public address and fire alarm systems and improving the Middle School public address system (providing access to the Middle School art rooms and CMS Rooms). Voters must approve these projects, but it is vital that everyone understand there is absolutely no cost to taxpayers for these important projects.

And, as I pointed out at the time, the emphases appear in the original - they aren’t mine. They could’ve been, though.

Mandel’s most recent full-length communique forces us to break out those microtubules and microscopes. In a makeshift homage to project-based learning - this teaches us about science and civics, kids! - we’ve got a nanometer begging for measurement. In the April 8th “View on Board: Superintendent’s Recommended Budget 2008-09″ Mandel informs:

At the time of the budget vote on May 20, the District will ask voters to approve a separate proposition for approximately $627,781 worth of EXCEL Aid projects, one-time grants which are 100% funded by New York State. These projects will include replacing the Main Street School gym bleachers and floor, replacing the Main Street School public address and fire alarm systems and improving the Middle School public address system (providing access to the Middle School art rooms and CMS Rooms). Voters must approve this proposition, but it is vital that everyone understand there is almost no cost to taxpayers for these important projects. (The only cost would be a minimal interest charge on a short-term loan needed to pay for the work before the receipt of the aid, approximately $20,000.)

“[A]bsolutely no cost to taxpayers” has become “almost no cost to taxpayers.”

He points out the minimal debt service, but still fails to acknowledge that the cost to taxpayers - in Irvington and the rest of New York State - bear the full burden. We’re happy to do so for responsible projects statewide, but there’s no reason to pretend that this money defies the adage and does, in fact, grow on trees.

I’d say that Mandel is irresponsible and disingenuous, but at this point I sincerely believe that he, and likely the Board for which he speaks, doesn’t understand - or, what’s even worse, doesn’t care.

I’ve reprinted at the bottom the first letter I wrote. There’s really no need to update it. The Board instructs:

As always, the Board welcomes your feedback. [clip] … feel free to contact us at: board@irvingtonschools.org

If you’re a resident of New York State, drop them a line. I did:

To the Board:

http://www.matthewktabor.com/2008/04/17/irvingtons-pismire-strikes-again-lesson-2-in-new-york-state-taxes/

I hope that you will regard my comments about Irvington’s billing of EXCEL Aid as “absolutely no cost to taxpayers” and as “almost no cost to taxpayers” with the sobriety they warrant. All districts - in New York State and nationwide - must treat their constituents with the respect they deserve and must communicate honestly. Twice your e-mails have failed to clear this relatively low moral and governmental hurdle - I’m confident, for the sake of Irvington’s citizens and those who contribute from other parts of the state, that it won’t happen a third time.

Many thanks,

Matthew K. Tabor
mktabor@gmail.com
www.matthewktabor.com
607.821.1752

And the letter that appeared a month ago:

My primary interest is public education. I read over 7,000 pieces a month on the topic and subscribe to nearly 100 district newsletters from across the country. Occasionally one district or an individual stands proud from the rest - for better or worse.

The February 14 newsletter from IUFSD’s Paul Mandel, titled “View on Board: Athletics, Transportation and Building & Grounds Budgets,” is an attempt by Mandel to justify budget increases in each of the topics in the title. It’s standard fare for board members and administrators to distribute such apologia and, in the District’s defense, most of the increases detailed are unavoidable. Such is public education.

But in the penultimate paragraph, Mandel commits an egregious error as he describes the $650,000 EXCEL Aid package on which voters will decide. This project will “replac[e] the Main Street School gym bleachers and floor” and improve the public address system in the Middle School. He goes on: “Voters must approve these projects, but it is vital that everyone understand there is absolutely no cost to taxpayers for these important projects.” The phrase “absolutely no cost to taxpayers” was made bold and underlined so you folks in Irvington wouldn’t have to bother thinking about it – Mandel has already done it for you.

Mandel’s huckster act conveniently glosses over one important point: New York State taxpayers have already given up the money used in EXCEL projects like the one proposed for IUFSD. The $2.6 billion slated for EXCEL aid didn’t appear when the Fiscal Fairy waved her magic wand.

I have to assume that Mandel meant to suggest that Irvington taxpayers wouldn’t see any additional tax burdens if the EXCEL-based project is approved. In lieu of such pesky clarity, he used sloppy language that masked the honest impact of the project’s approval.

One is compelled to wonder whether the statement is deliberately misleading – if so, it wouldn’t be the first time a school board member pulled a fast one – but that point is nearly moot. Whether out of malice or simply clumsy ignorance, Mandel’s gaffe demonstrates unforgivable contempt for taxpayers in the District and the larger state surrounding it.

Third-rate sales pitches by a public school pismire notwithstanding, honest debate about our schools depends on honest information. If IUFSD is serious about garnering the support not just of its locals but also of taxpayers statewide, they would do well to embrace that honesty.