Top 10 Reasons why you gotta like moving the School Board Election to November

10. Because the Board of Mythomania will save money by not having separate elections in April. Oh wait, they never save money; just repurpose it to another $pending line like they do with hoarded taxpayer relief money rather than give it back to you.

9. Because we'll get more people out to vote in the November elections. Oh wait, that's more EDO candidates to fill the BoE seats.

8. Because you won't have to worry about voting on $217 million plus bloated school budgets, which constitute 56% of your property tax bill since you won't be able to vote on them anymore. Oh wait, you can still vote on School Board Candidates along with the rest of the Local Dem Party Groupies.

7. Because it's more important for the Board of Mythomania to have a backup plan to negate your vote on the $28.1 million James Monroe McMansion bonding than it is to respect your wishes at the voting booth.

6. Because Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley can spend more time looking for another gig rather than hanging in the Central Office on Election day biting his nails waiting for the vote on the School Budget.

5. Because the Edison Council won't have to review Defeated School Budgets and continuously disrespect the wishes of the residents to reduce the school tax levy. Oh wait, the Council considers a reduction in an increase as a savings.

4. Because Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl won't have to remember anymore to recuse himself from Defeated School Budgets.

3. Because Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak won't have to make that trip to Trenton along with Emil Ferlicchi to demand we get our fair share of state school aid.

2. Because Mayor Tom '8%' ChoiLankey and Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley are two sides of the same coin when it comes to school budgets in that they both have mastered the fine art of being truthful but misleading.

1. Because moving the School Board Election to November only serves the interests of those doing it and those who benefit from it and Not Your interests.

James Monroe - Financing Costs

Here's the info received on the financing of the James Monroe School. They will be financing the total cost of $28,127,796 less the insurance proceeds of $9,493,934 or $18,633,862.

Debt service state aid will be on $3,876,730 ( 40% of Final Eligible costs of $9,691,825 - calculated at $143 per sq. ft. for new construction x 67,775 sq. ft.) So, what that means in English is that of the total $18,633,862 bonded, we will finance $14,757,132 or 79.2% and the state will pick up the $3,876,730 or 20.8%.

Over the 30 year life of the bonds, the principal of $18,633,862 and interest (3.72%) of $12,449,306 will total $31,083,168, which we will pay out $24,616,390 and the state will pay 6,466,778.

To calculate the average tax impact over the 30-years, they assumed no growth in the current ratables and came up with an average tax rate per 100 of 0.01168 - and on the average home assessed at $176,700, they gives you the infamous $21 a year.

Here's the breakdown of their numbers:

Here's a pic of an excel calculator that will calculate what this bonding means to you over the 30 years. Your welcome to it - just drop me a note:

Anyhoo, when you get done laughing at this whole thing, remember it's your money they're $pending without your input.

James Monroe School Construction Costs - $28,127,796!?!

Well, got some info today on the cost of this new school. You know the Board of Mythomania has a history of bloated bond referendums with these ambushes but this one kind of makes you just want to shake your head and say - are you serious? Is this a joke? Some $28.1 million for one school to house some 500-600 kids??

Did someone forget to temper the Wish List over there in the Land of Mythomania?

So anyway, according to their numbers, this Mythomania McMansion will cost $28,127,796, has 67,775 sq. ft. for a Cost/Sq.Ft. of $415.02 - or should I say a Whopping $415.02 Cost/Sq.Ft.

It's just unbelievable that they would put something as outrageous as this together and expect the people of Edison to go for it. Oh wait, silly me - they don't care if we go for it and they're not expecting us to go for it. They have a backup plan to negate any No vote by the residents by having the town bond for it. Brilliant plan du jour.

Here's the breakdown of their numbers:

Here's a chart depicting the breakdown of the Cost/Sq. Ft.:

Since it's hard to take these numbers seriously, I can't even bring myself to make fun of these numbers so - you can just chalk me up as a No Vote on March 10th.

You should do the same. It's way too much money and needs to be revisited with a dose of reality.

Anyhoo, since we're in the world of Mythomania and they're gonna be silly with this stuff then I can be silly too - does that mean if it costs $28,100,000 for one school then it will cost another half-billion to replace the other 16 schools?!? Hey, it's as good a number as their $28.1 million.

Edison Board of Mythomania reschedules tonight's Public Meeting

According to their website, tonight's public meeting has been changed to Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Washington Elementary School at 7:00 P.M.

Among other things, they'll be voting on moving the School Board Election to November and for the $18 million Bonding on the $28.1 million new James Monroe School.

$217 million and 56% of Your Property Tax Bill

Who Says You Can't Vote on School Budgets Anymore?!?

Board of Mythomania taking away Your right to Vote on the School Budget!

Well, just took a look at Monday night's Public Meeting agenda here and wouldn't you know - they've decided to move the Annual School Board Election to November. It's their prerogative and they're going for it now.

You know what that means - those on the board now who lead from behind and are up for re-election get to stay there until the November election and worse than that - You don't get to vote on School Budgets anymore as long as they stay under the Cap Levy.

Isn't that nice! Let's take those bloated school budgets and carry them forward every year with Cap Levy increases and;

You don't get to have a say anymore on single largest hit to Your Property Tax Bills.

So, let's see what else is on the agenda. They're scheduling the date for the James Monroe $28.1 million Bond Referendum on March 10, 2015. State annual debt service aid is estimated to be 3.87 million but will only be available if the referendum passes.

Anyhoo, letting Board President Veena 'Out to Lunch" Iyer and Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley over there on Mythomania Lane cut the people of Edison out of the loop on such a huge part of your tax bills is just outrageous.

Guess that's one way to do it when failing on your Board goals to engage the public - just cut them out of the loop completely and don't give them a say on $200 million plus bloated school budgets.

Seriously now, just can't think of a worse thing that could happen to people of this town than to let this bunch loose with all that taxpayer money. Well, having Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak on the Council is a close second.

But hey, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that we'll still get to vote for School Board Candidates in November and any proposed cap-override.

'Edison will ask voters to borrow $18M to rebuild James Monroe'

Just saw this piece in the Star Ledger here. Well, you knew that was going to happen. They need $28 million to rebuild the school and insurance company is standing at $9 million.

So, they'll fight that out in the courts but, in the meantime, they're planning to hold a special election for the $18 million referendum on March 10, 2015.

Not for nothing, but typical Board of Mythomania Bond Referendum Ambush! What, that's a whole month and a half notice?!?

You can see the quotes from, Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley as well as Board President Veena 'Out to Lunch' Iyer both a tad bit off point.

But hey, my favorite is Council President Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl - he never met a school budget or bond referendum that wasn't to his liking.

So, I gotta defer judgment on this proposed referendum until we can see what's in this proposed $18 million bond referendum and how the numbers work out . Made the request today and will let you know when I know.

Anyhoo, it's good to know the Board of Mythomania has a back-up plan in case we, the voters, turn it down.

'In the event that the voters do not approve the borrowing plan, the Edison school district has a backup plan. The township of Edison can borrow money on its own, which the district cannot do. District officials have approached town leaders, asking to go out for a bond on their behalf if the taxpayers vote down the referendum. The township council would need to approve the bond, but it wouldn't be subject to a town-wide vote.' 

Don't you just get a kick out of their confidence going into this latest Bond Referendum Ambush? Bet they're wishing they achieved those Board Goals of reaching out to the public - instead of failing to achieve Zilch, Nada, Nothing on all 5 goals to open up the closed club over there on Mythomania Lane.

Anyhoo, this should be interesting to see how this plays out here in Downtown Edison - if one-hand washes the other and both hands pick your pockets again.

Can you imagine how that conversation went?!?

Edison Board of Mythomania's, (aka..EBoE) Current Staffing - $130,444,651 for 1,952 Heads

Well, just received the current staffing levels for the Edison Board of Mythomania. It shows total dollars of $130,444,651 for 1,952 heads. As I understand it, contract salaries also include any and all extras.

Here's a summary that shows the heads and dollars by Salary Range:

Here's a summary of the heads by salary range in pic form (if you're like me and don't particularly like staring at numbers):

Here's a summary by department where you can see the the total dollars broken down by average, median, high and low salaries:

Here's a summary where you can see where how many times Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's salary exceeds the average salary by department:

Finally, here's two summaries of interactive tables in this Excel file where you can sort the data in this file:

Anyhoo, if anyone wishes to have this Current Staffing Excel file, just drop me a note.

Edison ETEA Contract Settled - 8.6% over 3-Years

Well, the Board of Mythomania settled the ETEA contract. This 3-year contract brings the dollars up to $120,565,110, which is an increase of $9,554,858 or 8.6%. The annual increase each year over the 3-years is 2.8%.

Certified dollars go up to $110,438,690, which is an increase of $8,815,570 or 8.7%. The annual increase each year over the 3-years is 2.8%.

The Non-Certified dollars go up to $10,126,420, which is an increase of $739,288 or 7.9%. The annual increase is 2.3%, 2.5% and 2.9%over the 3 years, respectively.

Here's the detail info provided on the ETEA settlement:

Anyhoo, it is what it is!

Edison's Board of Mythomania grants Super O'Malley a Merit Bonus on top of their 'Safe Haven' Contract!

You know, I'm all for merit bonuses (if done correctly) but what happens when you fail to achieve the majority of the merit criteria established?

For the 2013-14 school year, Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley received a merit bonus of $1,092.42. Now, let's look at that for a moment. According to his contract, he was eligible for a max bonus of 2%, which on his base salary at the time of $218,484.00 - amounts to max bonus of $4,368.68.

The Board of Mythomania set 4 goals with 21 action items for Dr. O'Malley to achieve to earn that max bonus of $4,368.68.

So, what happened then if he only earned $1,092.42 or 25% out of a possible max bonus of $4,368.68? Seems Dr. O'Malley fell a tad bit short on achieving the board's goals established in his merit criteria.

Out of the 21 action items established in the Board's 4 Goals, he only achieved 4 action items. Probably most disconcerting to me is the failure to achieve improvement in the 3rd and 7th grade NJ ASK scores where he only achieved 2 of the 12 action items and failing to increase engagement with the public in all 5 action items.

What's the Board to do with a Super who fails to achieve 75% of their Goals? Wait, I know, give him a new contract.

Here's the analysis of his bonus:

But wait, it gets better if you don't live in the world of Mythomania. Under his new contract (you can see the contract in a previous post), he becomes eligible for a max merit bonus of 8% for the 2014-15 school year. Under that new contract, his salary is traded off with increased bonuses (you can see the effect of that too in a previous post).

For the 2014-15 school year, the Board established 3 Merit Goal Criteria worth $14,630 or 7% on his salary of $209,000. That's 2 quantitative goals worth $9,405 and 1 qualitative goal worth $5,225 both with various action items.

Here's the 2014-15 Merit Bonus Criteria:

Anyhoo, you really have to shake your head at what goes on over there on Mythomania Lane.

Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's Safe Haven Contract

Plucked this off the Board of Mythomania's website - Super O'Malley's new contract out to 2019. Don't you just get a kick out of what goes on in this town!?!

Anyhoo, it's comforting to know that public disloyalty to the residents and taxpayers here in Downtown Edison doesn't deter the Board of Mythomania from going forward with a new contract over there on Mythomania Lane.