Woodman Field: The Money Pit

I'm still trying to figure out why this woman and Alvarez still have jobs after "Asbestosgate."

Isn't their some loophole in their contracts that say they can be fired for gross incompetence?

How has the BOE screwed up projects at the high school sports complex, lied to the community about the use of the fields and failed to respond to requests by neighbors? Let me count the ways:

1.) Construction at Fortunato Field delayed for months. BOE failed to employ a construction manager to oversee the project.

2.) The BOE proposed cutting down about 50 old growth trees at the north end of the complex to expand the baseball field. Only a community uproar got the board to modify their plans.

3.) The field house came in over budget requiring the board to come up with additional funds above and beyond the generous gift from the Furlong family. Construction workers expressed amazement over warped floors and other problems in the original field house (that has been left pretty much intact). And why is there a big dip in the roof of the new multi-purpose room (the architects originally called it a "skybox")? If this is some new avant garde design concept, it is lost on me. A huge paved driveway was put in to accomodate buses picking-up and dropping-off athletes. To date, this driveway (you could land a small plane on it) has not been used by busses. At each event the driveway is lined with passenger cars, presumably those of school officials, coaches, etc. Buses park on Essex Avenue, sometimes idling (and belching all kids of smoke) for up to an hour.

4.) Baseball field II: Hey, what's $41 thousand? Chump change, right Frank? There had better be a good explanation about why the original contractor isn't picking up the tab for this.

5.) The BOE promised neighbors that temporary lights used for late-season football practices would be turned off by 7 pm. They lied. The lights are on well past 7, often to accomodate practices held by local youth football teams.

6.) The BOE has failed to deliver on repeated requests by neighbors and 2nd ward councilman Cary Affrick to provide a full and complete schedule of all activities at the complex -- high school, youth athletic teams, adult teams. OPh, and why we're on the subject, are any of these teams paying rent to use the fields. And why are township residents locked out of these facilities when they are not being used by teams?

7.) The BOE and the township have failed to provide adequate security and traffic control during events. On Sundays, youth teams from all over the area converge on the complex with their families, friends and coaches. They play several games on the football field starting around 8 am and going until 7 pm. These games draw many more fans than the high school games, yet no police or traffic control officers are assigned to the area. The result: traffic congestion and violations of "no parking" zones.

8.) Repeated requests to the BOE by neighbors asking for more trash cans to be placed around the complex have fallen of deaf ears. Trash, bottles, discarded athletic gear are strewn up and down neighboring streets. Wrappers and other paper trash blow into the yards of neighbors.

Somwetimes I think are kids get educated in spite of the BOE and the inept district administration. Perhaps it is time to push for some accountability. Perhaps it is time for an elected school board.

"Both the architect and the construction manager verified that the work was performed by the contractor in conformance with the bid specs so the contractor is not responsible" - Dana Sullivan

Did the architect consult an engineer if there was an existing drainage issue? If not, and they knew there WAS AN ISSUE (QUOTE..."We had drainage issues before"). They moved ahead and knowingly ignored the problem. This is worse than just being ignorant. This is knowing and saying "Fuck it."

Disgraceful.

No one cares.

People care Jimmy229oz, they just feel powerless fighting against affecting the BOE since they are truly powerless in affecting the decisions of the BOE. The entire populace of Montclair could attend a BOE meeting and demand a stop to the construction of the new school, but they would be 100% powerless to affect that change.

Like the driveway constructed for the buses to use for athlete drop-off and pick-up which currently is not utilized, I attended the capital budget meeting and said the same would occur with the $150,000 wasted on the purchase of wireless cameras that will allow the local access cable channels to broadcast (ooooh) live. Mark my words, we will never see a single event broadcast live in Montclair. Cary, says he is going to make sure that 'real' money will be found (i.e. cuts) when the operating budget is determined so we shouldn't worry about the little stuff. Three words for you Cary...We can't wait!

I wonder what it would take to change the BOE into a form of direct democracy?

"I wonder what it would take to change the BOE into a form of direct democracy?"

It would have to start with an effective town council.

The way the BOE is appointed need to be changed. If not an elected board, lets have the new mayor appoint all the members as the elected mayoral term is started. Therefore Frank and Dana will be indirectly accountable to the mayor, through the mayors direct appointments for their constant expensive mistakes.
Furthermore, all construction responsibilities should be revoked immediately.
Something is really broken here.

The only authority which can be brought to bear is the township council, which, despite the pre-election rhetoric seems uninterested in changing much.

I hope Cary and others prove me wrong, but I don't see much change in store.

This is bizarre. Construction doesn't proceed from architectural plans to breaking ground without the consultation of a civil engineer, who would have had responsibility for addressing drainage even if by incompetence the town forgot to mention past problems. Surely the engineer has insurance to cover the $41k addition expense, no?

What am I missing here?

How does a someone get to be on the BOE in Montclair? We elect them in Bloomfield.

"How does a someone get to be on the BOE in Montclair?"

The applicants submit their resumes and salary demands. The town council then looks through the resumes to determine who is most likely to waste the largest amount of our tax money. For example, this one resume suggested that an all expense paid trip to China was necessary to start an elementary school Mandarin language course.

Not helpful.

It sounds like there is a complete communication disconnect between the community and the Board of Education. This may be a foolish recommendation, and I know in these tough economic times we shouldn't be spending any money that isn't warranted, but perhaps if we hired a director of school/community relations, that person could make sure all the concerns of the community in regards to our public schools were being addressed. I'd even be so bold as to suggest paying this person more than $140,000 per year (not including benifits and pension). Just an idea.

Sorry Laser. If I'm not mistaken, I think the mayor appoints the members, but for some reason I thought he only gets to do two per term or something similar.

Typically the architect writes the specs and the construction manager and owner check them. Sounds like an errors & omissions issue to me...perhaps they'd like to split it?

"Typically the architect writes the specs and the construction manager and owner check them. Sounds like an errors & omissions issue to me...perhaps they'd like to split it?"

Typically the owner is not expected to be the expert in engineering, thus the reason the owner hires one.

Unless there was some kind of stipulation or exemption in how the contract was written (very possible with draining issues) , the engineer involved should be responsible and liable.

Wouldn't E&O insurance cover this?

ROC - exactly my point. Owner hires architect/engineer/const mgr, who say problem is not contractor's fault...guess what - IT'S YOURS! Pay up or get sued.

Oh, I thought you meant "they'd like to split it" included the "owner".

No, but I do think the owner should charge additional use fees to cover any overages...place should pay for itself, right?

".place should pay for itself, right?"

No, public facilities are not businesses which "pay for themselves".

Usage fees should relate to the upkeep and repair necessary as a result of usage outside of the public use.

Dear 13%,

You and I go back a number of years, so repeat after me, "Cary Africk is our friend, Cary Africk is our friend."

I was on the other side of the table not too long ago.

Trust me on the investments in the TV station, for example. We have to delegate some of the things we do, and in this case the Communications Committee, which negotiated a phenomenal contract with our vendors, Comcast and Verizon, also laid out a plan for communications objectives for the town. As part of this effort, which probably took over a year, they recommended equipment to be bought, all of it necessary to implement the plan.

I recommended we buy about 1/2 what they recommended. And I'm not going to second guess their recommendations.

As to the contract they negotiated, it included a $90,000 up front payment, $5K per year after that, plus raising fees paid to the town from about $110,000 per year to close to $500,000. If you think investing $150K to make close to $600K in the first year, $500K after that is a "bad" decision well, we need to have a long talk.

As to the BOE, the Council is trying to improve the situation. The Superintendent, Frank Alvarez, is very sensitive to our financial constraints and is trying to work with us. Also remember that Frank is hired by the Board of Ed, which is the body that sets policy.

We have reinstituted the Capital Finance Committee, and held our first meeting last night. The BOE was there and pledged cooperation.

It's a big job. Have some faith we can improve the situation, one way or another!

Cary, Can't the mayor and council remove and or replace BOE members if they want to?

" And I'm not going to second guess their recommendations."

Isn't that your purpose on the council?

13%, thanks for the info. It would be nice if Montclair choose a more democratic system for the BEO. Perhaps a system base on direct democracy with no BEO members.

p.s.

I think when a slate runs with a "top priority" of property taxes, then "second guessing" expenditures is precisely what people expect you to do.

Cary, how can expect improvements when BEO members have been appointed and not elected? BEO members do not owe their allegiance to the people but the council.

School TV? Try youtube.

Cary, how can anyone expect improvements when BEO members have been appointed and not elected? BEO members do not owe their allegiance to the people but the council.

School TV? Try youtube.

"Perhaps a system base on direct democracy with no BEO members."

What a numbskull.

This week don't miss the vote on math curricula, and Janitor Stevens' request for new mops.

Next week Dr. Jones' raise and we'll go over food service resumes...

"School TV? Try youtube."

They're talking about live feeds of council meetings with monies provided by Cable operators and lease agreements, Turnip.

It worked for the Greeks. A BEO of the people could make and oversee executive positions.

Again, try youtube.

"It worked for the Greeks"

You really have to get past that 5th grade social studies text. In the 6th grade you find out that only males with who had been in the military were allowed to vote.

See direct democracy.

You will never save money, reduce taxes, and make change if you are unwilling to innovate.

Keep on complaining.

Cary,

I must be dense because we do need to have that long talk.

What you are saying is that in order for the cable companies to pay us 500K per year, we were required to purchase special apparatus that would allow us to broadcast live? Had we not purchased such equipment, we would not have received the 500K?

Props is deserved of the communications committee to bring in the annual 500K. I know, you want to throw them a bone for the great job they did, but this thank you gift in the way of fancy new equipment will be woefully underutilized and may cost more in operating budget than the 500,000 you will get per year.

It takes one person to shoot to tape. It takes a minimum of three to shoot live. Who is going to man the studio and the truck? What do you plan to broadcast live?

I would have been much happier if the communication committee focused on lowering my taxes so I could afford to stay here. Pretty soon, I will be forced to leave, but at least you will be able to watch my departure in real time.

Cary, I heard the same promises from Ed about how Alvarez and the rest of the BOE administration was going to make real cuts. Then I watched my non-deductible sewer portion of my property taxes come out of my tax bill to make it look like the tax increase was smaller as more people were 'demoted' from lower positions into the administration. I wish you luck with the BOE. May we only pray that the parents who pay property taxes in Montclair and send their children to private schools don't decide to cut back and send their children to our public schools.

Cary, you are my friend, but I still fear for you and your optimism with the BOE. I will be watching and supporting and soon volunteering (sensing my pink slip is coming any day now).

Since the Council appoints the BOE members, here is a tried and true method:

"Dr. Alavarez and esteemed members of the BOE. Please cut the budget 5% for FY 2009, or you will be replaced.

Thank you,
The Township Council."

p.s. I hereby relinquish the copyright on the above hypothetical letter.

RoC: You are too extreme. But it is entertaining.

cary,

Are you the liaison with the BOE? I seem to recall that someone else is....

I can't wait to see the cost overruns on the new school once construction is fully under way. Anyone want to place bets now on the final amount?

13% how do you expect to get budget decreases? "Pretty please" ?

Hoping the superintendent is "very sensitive to our financial constraints".

Good luck.

Should your pink slip come (i hope it does not) how do you think it will come about?

Someone in authority at your employer will say to your department head "cut X% of cost." The "your fired" if he does not comply is, of course, implied.

It is always thus.

13%,

Give me a call and we can spend some time on Sunday talking, later AM perhaps.

Right,

I've dug into the legal relationship between the BOE and the Municipality. The only way a BOE member can be replaced, prior to the end of their term, is if they resign. They can't be removed.

Every year, April I believe, the Mayor can designate two members. Hence, it will take him three years to get a majority. Mind you, I don't speak for the Mayor so you need to write him about those things.

But I will share with you something I believe we can do. The Board of School Estimate approves the school budget. Three members of the Council (mayor plus two council members) are chosen, along with two from the BOE, to make up the BOSE. But the governing body, i.e. the Council, can pass a resolution with a different number for the BOE. Hence, I'm trying to get more of the entire council involved in reviewing the BOE budget, since they could, theoretically, over-rule a BOSE decision.

Note: I am not on the "official" Board of School Estimate.

"But I will share with you something I believe we can do. The Board of School Estimate approves the school budget. Three members of the Council (mayor plus two council members) are chosen, along with two from the BOE, to make up the BOSE."

Thanks for the info.

Then our answer is clear.

could you pass this along?

"Dear Mr. Mayor and esteemed members of the publicly elected portion of the BOSE. Please cut the budget 5% for FY 2009, or you will be replaced.

Thank you,
The Voters of Montclair"

" the Council, can pass a resolution with a different number for the BOE. Hence, I'm trying to get more of the entire council involved in reviewing the BOE budget, since they could, theoretically, over-rule a BOSE decision."

or, so it is within your power to effect a change.

Please, by all means Cary, "second guess" the BOE's expenditures.

Nice fiefdom you have going there.

RoC: You are too extreme. But it is entertaining.

Funny... I was just about to say 5% isn't nearly enough.

What's 10% less of the school's annual budget? I bet that would make next year's tax hike hurt a bit less.

I'd settle for 5%.

In my decades here, I have NEVER seen it go down.

Cary,

Sunday AM will not work for me, but I'll email you soon enough and you should see me at more town council gatherings as my time frees up a bit.

I'm glad that you understand where some of us are coming from and once again praise you for your transparency.

So when does the whole BOE budgeting process take place? Can we buy tickets?

"The Board of School Estimate approves the school budget."

Cary, am I right in saying that the BOSE approves the Operating budget and not the Capital budget (from which the $41k was thrown out the window)?

95% of the towns in the state of NJ vote on their school budgets......towns like Cedar Grove which have sizable senior citizen populations usually have their budgets voted down, trimmed and then voted down again....."Home-rule" is a joke in our state. There are so many things that are mandated by Trenton....there is not much that the local school boards can do with expeditures. I do admit that any contractor should be held liable for any shoddy work....but hey, this is the BOE. We have been down this road before with the Fortunato Field and Woodman fiascos. That is ALL DANA SULLIVAN!!!! The most incompetent Business Administrator in the state. It would also help that "bad" teachers and principals wouldn't be kicked from school to school or to central office just for employment due to their union tenure. Time to pull up stakes and head south or west.

Cary, what would need to be done by the council to take over the BOE construction responsibilities so something can get done right? The BOE literally messes up every project they have ever done in one way or another (I can give examples if necessary).

Why cant the maintenance crews for the town and the BOE be combined to streamline duties, maximize purchasing power and create a minimum level of accountibility?

I say cut 25% out of the school budget if THIS is the kind of crap they're spending it on! Just make sure the 25% is cut out of the Profligate Waste category, rather than from actually educating children. Moving a field 17 feet, for chrissake?

Not that this has anything to do with the town or school budget (unless it somehow does) but I saw the big sign at the corner of Grove and Walnut about how there was a green acres grant involved in the "renovation" of that field.

They PAVED the entire field before putting down dirt, then grass. How the hell does that qualify for "Green Acres" money?

What's wrong with people in this town?

I no longer have baseball playing sons at MHS so I feel a little less connected to this story than I used to. However, I'm still amazed at the spin, the lack of full disclosure and, in some instances, the lack of honesty on the part of some BOE administrators. With the Woodman baseball field project -the lack of candor goes back to it its inception 4 or 5 years ago.

Drainage was an issue as soon as the new field opened. There was so much water around the mound the pitchers said it almost wobbled. They felt like it was floating sometimes. Poor maintenance may have exacerbated the problem and spread it, but it was bad from day one.

The coach, who is totally blameless here, brought up the drainage issue at a parent's meeting once and was reprimanded for doing so. He was just looking out for the kids, but I guess doing so was embarrasing for various administrators who were involved in the project.

What's sad is that this, a baseball field, though indicative of mismanagement, is not the important stuff. The important stuff is what you will read about someday in the CAPA report (is it available yet?) The leadership of our schools has tolerated a substantial amount of incompetence over the last few years. Kids have suffered for it and we are all paying the price.

It is time for a change.

Cary, you aren't my council person (if he posts here he does not use his real name), but I'll ask you--how would you suggest that private citizens help the Town Council/BOSE change things at 22 Valley Road? I am fed up, and I'd like the skinny on how to make changes.

I laughed and felt sorry when I found out that towns all across the US are completely insane for high school football. I heard that ordinary citizens turned out for football games and that the culture was that everyone place football as the highest thing there is.

But seeing this that all of This Montclair's money is going to re-flattening a field makes me want to laugh at my town... and myself.

Also, all of this money is going to further waste because so often the school locks up the fields for any sort of event, preventing the people whose taxes paid for it to use it. They're stealing our public land!

We live in a state where education is a STATE function that is delivered at a local level. If you don't like what the BOE is doing, you get to complain to the state, not the town council (actually, there is also a County superintendent that you could also complain to).

The Town has very little control over what the BOE builds. The buildings are inspected, but primarily for safety, i.e. they won't fall down. Cost overruns, or having to do work again and again are beyond the control of the town.

At a local level, if you want to make change go to the Board of Ed meetings. They are listed on the BOE website. There is always time for public comment. The Board hires the Superintendent and the Business Administrator. They are the ones you should ask about construction problems and similar concerns. The meetings are televised, and covered by the print media. You WILL get answers at these meetings.

And the best way to make a point is to bring many people to the meeting. If twenty or more people show up, it's hard to say the complain is "just" from one person.

Football is a big factor in this town, and in this country. As is athletics. You don't hear about anyone donating $1MM to build a new library or a computer center.

RoC,

Full disclosure please. It's been rumored that your wife works for the BOE. TRUE?

Neither I or my partner work in the Montclair School system, either at the BOE, BOSE or in the schools.

"We live in a state where education is a STATE function that is delivered at a local level. If you don't like what the BOE is doing, you get to complain to the state"

This is such crap, I cant even stand it. The council argues about controlling a $10k expenditure while the BOE pisses away MILLIONS. Even if the council has no control what-so-ever, its one thing to claim nothing can be done (and this might just be true). Its another thing to comdemn this gross imcompetence and lack of fiscal discipline. Maybe the council cant directly control the BOE, but you can damn sure say NO, NO, NO to their funding requests until they do your bidding. I hope this council draws a big line through half of the BOE budget this year and a big red X through the whole capital budget, then one through the Chinese language program and continue on until the things left on the budget are for actual nitty gritty educational expenses.

Thanks for the info, Cary. I've got a LOT of complaints about the management of my town's schools, and since my town's leaders can't help me, I'd like the names and phone numbers of the people who can. Apparently the BOE is run like the Supreme Court -- the only way to get rid of anyone is for them to resign (or die, I guess). That would clearly explain their absolute contempt for the parents in this community, and the utter lack of accountability which allows things like asbestos-gate and Woodman Field to happen, and be responded to with a "sh#! happens" attitude.

"Full disclosure please. It's been rumored that your wife works for the BOE. TRUE?"

False.

Somehow, Cary other townships vote on their BOE budgets in this very state. So it is possible to control BOE budgets.

Be real.
1) New MEA contract will certainly call for salary increases, as well as higher starting salary, for 10 month work. It is a white collar union. You really don't expect any change in their medical and pension plans do you? Just like yours, you say?
2) Legacy medical and pension plans' cost will surely go up more than 5%; the state will demand more from the town for this, since the investment value has shrunk.
3) 25% of $110 Million or so budget goes to Special Needs. Why that is, I have no idea.
4) We have a culture that seems to imply that our public schools appear like a private school to some.
5)Most likely, a 10% cut in operating expenses, will still result in a significant tax hike.
6)Interesting to note that the Parochial Schools (Don Bosco, SHP,BC,St Joe's) can do it for far less.
7) The quote in this week's Mtclr Times: "Other districts will have a more difficult time if just starting the process now" of negotiation. Sounds to me like, "glad that we got as much as we could when we could".
8) Cary, thank you for your forthright answers, as always.