This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

16 YEARS OF MASCIELLO IS ENOUGH!

Mary Jo Masciello has served on Commack’s board of education for the past 16 years and is now seeking what will be a Sixth term.  I say No way.  Ms. Masciello may be a nice person and perhaps well intended, but she is no longer an effective board member because she can no longer see the forest for the trees.  Among other things, she has lost sight of the fact that her role is to represent and further the community’s interest and not to just do what she thinks ought to be done.  It is the classic situation that we have all seen in our elected officials once they have been in office too long.     

At Meet the Candidates Night, Ms. Masciello proclaimed she was “proud of every decision she has made.” Really?  She must be hoping we all have short memories.  Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see just a few examples why her record does not merit her a Sixth term in office. 

Ms. Masciello claims she has been fiscally responsible, yet during her16-year tenure Commack’s School budget has gone from less than $90 Million to $184 Million.  Over a 100% increase!  Masciello may not be responsible for increases due to unfunded mandates etc., but the dramatic increases in budgets every year have been primarily due to employee contractual obligations (that make up over 70% of the budget).

Find out what's happening in Commackwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Masciello is accountable for all decisions made for use of our tax dollars that were within her control, and her record proves she is not fiscally conservative with our tax money by any measure. 

In April 2010, Masciello approved the hiring of Dr. James at a salary of $256,900 and a year later voted to raise his salary to $273,598.  She also voted to approve extensions of his contract, first out to 2016 and then to 2017, and amendments giving him 20 extra vacations days for a total of 40 (30 of which can be cashed in at the taxpayer’s expense); 28 paid Holidays, 15 Sick days and 4 personal days.  As a result Dr. James’ total compensation last year exceed $340,000.  Of course there are other perks like, guaranteed minimum yearly raises of 3%, contributions by district of 7% of his salary to a his tax sheltered annuity, Health Benefits (which the district pays 85%), $8000 car allowance, paid life insurance etc.  Contract = http://www.commack.k12.ny.us/contracts/suptcontract2010.pdf

Find out what's happening in Commackwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, under Dr. James’ leadership Commack rankings have plummeted, as has employee morale.  This year Commack did not even make the State or National rankings in US News & World Report of Best High Schools. 

In 2012, Ms. Masciello voted to hire Dr. James's secretary at $106,000 per year and gave her a 5-year contract that provides her lifetime health benefits to be paid for by the district, along with many other benefits.  Contract = https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3cbjRc1NY_pREhyTVJ4eUV5RFU/edit?usp=sharing

She has also repeatedly renewed contracts for administrative staff, like the $100,000+ district clerk and $110,000 treasurer - salaries which are grossly disproportionate compared to what other districts pay for these positions. 

Ironically, at the same time in 2012 while she was extending Dr. James’s contract, hiring his secretary, and renewing admin staff contracts, Ms. Masciello was approving budget cuts that resulted in the:

·  Elimination of approximately 40 teachers

·  Elimination of Art and Music Classes

·  Elimination of approx. 20 after school programs

·  Reductions of athletics and Phys Ed

.  Reductions of Field Trips

More recently, Ms. Masciello just voted in favor of a new Board policy prohibiting residents from having direct email contact with individual board members.  I won’t even get into the generous teacher’s contract, negotiated in the midst of one of the worst recessions, which provided them a 6% total increase last year (3x the rate of inflation). The teachers’ contract is now up for renewal, so why do you think the Commack Teachers Assoc. are endorsing Masciello (and PTA Pres. DiGirolamo)?  http://www.hhhta.com/get-out-the-vote-vote-yes-and-for-these-candidates-may-20/

Let’s also not forget that in 2010 she attempted to sell the 9 Acre Marion Carll Farm for a paltry $750k (which thankfully was voted down by residents); or former Superintendents James Feltman who left with a $657,000 payout and James Hunderfund’s with $316,00! http://empirecenter.intelliclient.com/publications/commack-schools-have-been-very-very-good-to-james-feltman/#sthash.bpvtOLOx.dpbs; and

http://nypost.com/2010/05/13/316245-long-island-school-pension/

When was the last time you saw Masciello question anything the district did or put in front of her for approval?  Never...everything is rubber stamped.  Also, consider the lack of transparency under her reign, violations of the Open Meetings Law, the continued raising of tax levies while having multi-million dollar budget surpluses every year, and unanimous voting of trustees on all issues (before new trustees were elected last year). The list goes on and on... 

Masciello believes these are “all” decision to be proud of?  I say 16 years of these proud decisions is enough.  It’s time to give someone else an opportunity to show they can be more fiscally responsible and can bring with them fresh viewpoints, ideas and perspectives. Just look at what’s happened since last year after Commack elected two new people to the board over long time incumbents. It’s no coincidence that their election resulted in the implementation of many long overdue changes, including: 

. restoration of many clubs that had been cut;

. reinstatement of assistant coaches that had been cut;

. amount paid to District Webmaster reduced from $145k down to $105k;

. amount paid to Community Organizer reduced from $105k to $85k;

. 4 Commack taxpayer residents were added to the Audit Committee; 

. Actual minutes of Board of Ed. Meetings are now posted on District website with Agendas;

. video of BOE Mtgs (at least partial) now posted on District’s website.

Say NO to Mary Jo!  Continue the Change and Vote for Dan Fusco and George Marine on May 20th!

 

 

 

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?