Save The Morrisville School: News From the Budget Talks

Thursday, June 26, 2008

News From the Budget Talks

What's the scoop from last night? Dr. Yonson? The budget? The teacher contract and student ratios?

32 comments:

Jon said...: I could only stay until 10 pm, and things hadn't progressed to Dr. Yonson's contract or the budget yet. The way things were going, the meeting was gonna go way past midnight.

There was talk about the student teacher ratio of "substantially"12.33:1 in the teacher's contract. Hellmann seems to think it all hinges on the meaning of the word "substantially", as though 14, 15, 17, 29.2, etc. are "substantially" close enough to 12.33. He seems willing to risk a lawsuit to find out. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but his support on the board also seems to be crumbling down to the way hard core (Marlys, Al).; June 26, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Kevin L said...: I stayed until about midnight.

The board approved a budget with all of the May 2008 cuts intact. Reba Dunford had three other proposals that funded the special education, charter schools, and alternative schools without raising the millage and they didn't even consider them.

Reithmeyer challenged the legality of the budget meeting that Hellmann, Radosti, and Mihok held with Dunford and Yonson. Fitzpatrick's answer on the legality of the meeting was non-committal and really didn't answer the question. He avoided answering which allowed the vote to continue. Thank you Robin!

The "modification" of Beth Yonson's contract was another low point of the evening. I think last night that the school board opened themselves up to at least two potential lawsuits. One from Dr Yonson and one from special ed parents around February when the money runs out. They have also invited a PDE audit because the budget will be exceeded.

The appointment process for a high school math teacher and an elementary teacher was also controversial. Hellmann wanted to not hire any new teachers, including three substitute teachers for teachers on maternity leave. There was a lot of heated debate but in the end the appointments went through.; June 26, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Sandy said...: I was a part of the teacher contract negotiations and I can tell you and will testify that substantially was intended to be no more than one number plus or minus.; June 26, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Jon said...: Sandy, this may seem silly, but can you also clarify that "12.33" does not give permission to cut teachers into 3 pieces?; June 26, 2008 at 8:39 AM
Anonymous said...: Am I hearing correctly? The board majority had the potential to meet the special education needs AT NO ADDITIONAL COST and they still rejected it? Was anyone hired to fill the Special Education Director spot? Is there now any funding for alternative education?

Which board members, exactly, voted yes to the budget, and which board members voted no?

Thank you Robin for bringing up the potentially illegal process and thank you also to any board members who stood up to this irresponsible budget. We will remember who you are. And we shall overcome.; June 26, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Sandy said...: Talk about your potential lawsuit!; June 26, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Jon said...: So was Dr. Yonson's contract just unilaterally cut from 5 years to 3 years - take it, leave it, or litigate it at taxpayer expense? That's the impression I had from the agenda/notes packet.; June 26, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Jon said...: Is anybody impressed with the job former U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick has been doing as solicitor? I'm not. Mr. Kelly seemed far more knowledgeable and prepared.

And when do board members stop being "new", a period during which you can apparently blast right through laws and procedures?

Al & Gloria are in year 6, Brenda's in year 4, Marlys served on the board before. Heck, they went to enough meetings over the years, and used to be able to spot a Sunshine Law violation easier than a yellow-bellied sapsucker in a field of daffodils.

Also, board members and solicitor: if you're going to be messing around with the teacher's contract and the Sunshine Law, you outta be carrying these documents around with you in briefcases chained to your arms, like the U.S. Nuclear Codes. And when you open the briefcases, the documents inside should be well-worn and riddled with more highlights than a Neil Diamond concert.; June 26, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Anonymous said...: Kelly knew the law and spoke up when these yahoos were wrong. That's why he's gone. Fitz is book smart but not experienced. I like the guy and voted for him twice but he's in over his head.; June 26, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Damon said...: I stayed until the bitter end, and I do mean bitter.

Dr. Yonson's contract was shortened to three years expiring June 30, 2011. No real explaination was given other than it is rare to have a 5 year contract.

I believe the current budget that is posted on the website is the budget that was passed. Yes, mother bear you are correct. The opportunity to fund special ed, charter schools, and put back in 50% of the difference for alternative schools was given (actually 4 options were given with this option as the other end of the scale) with no increase to the millage except for a reduction in the fund balance.

After midnight and during new business Mr. Hellmann introduced a motion to change insurance carriers (sorry it was late and I can't remember all the details and if there is anyone out there that can clarify, please do - or watch the rebroadcast after about 3 1/2 hours in.)

Earlier in the evening, during the student teacher ratio talks, Mr. Hellmann mentioned briefly that he would like to see a hiring freeze. Mrs. Mihok reminded him of that and it was brought up. Mr. Fitzpatrick, after much discussion, suggested that clarification should be made and then a motion can be brought up at a future meeting.

Then Mr. Hellmann mentioned that he was asking Mr. Fitzpatrick to contact Pennsbury and Bristol (sorry - dont remember if it was boro or township) for exploratory purposes. I questioned Mr. Hellmann to clarify the purposes and after him answering very vaguely and my repeated asking for clarification, he slammed his gavel down and adjourned the meeting. It was short lived because Kathy Panzitta had comments as well and the discussion continued for a short time after.

While I understand the dire straits our district is on the verge of entering (Yes Mr Hellmann I do understand despite your constant claim the people that disagree with you don't), I don't like the fact that this board is willing to jump on any opportunity to save money without looking at the effects this may have on the education of the children of this district. Case in point, Mr. Hellmann did not want to hire a replacement aide, did not want to hire replacement teachers, and did not want to hire Karen Huggins on a per diem basis to cover Kate Taylor's absence due to surgery (this was discussed to great lengths as well including the suggestions by Mr. Hellmann of having the Mrs. Gehrens or Mr. Ferrera cover for her instead, or cutting the rate for Mrs. Huggins in half - it was finally agreed upon to have Mrs. Huggins in for no more than 2 days a week over the summer and reevaluate the situation when school begins).

With this quick action to save money, I don't see where this board is standing by their promise to increase test scores and provide a quality education to the students.; June 26, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Jon said...: Re: Special Ed. Items 6.1, 6.2, & 6.3 on last nite's agenda:

When I do a google search of "LifeWorks Alternative School Agreement" from Item 6.3, the 1st entry I get is:

http://www.npenn.org/557797124144715/lib/557797124144715/Supporting%20Documents%20for%20Agendas/June_21_2007/Combined%20Informational%20Sheets.pdf

It's 29 pages of June 2007 stuff from the North Penn School District in Lansdale, PA. Page 10 is a memo about a contract with LifeWorks Alternative School.

I note a couple things:

1. A daily rate of $138 per student is shown. I hope we're getting the same or a better rate than that;

2. North Penn School District is 1 of 4 districts in PA (the others are Boyertown in Berks County, Red Lion in York County and Perkiomen Valley in central Montgomery County) that were apparently victims of fraudulent investments by the firm Dolphin & Bradbury - the firm that Steve Worob and Ron Stout have blasted in public remarks (i'm sure it's in the book). Anyway, one wants to play the game of smear and slime consistently would probably ask why is the Morrisville board contracting with an alternative school that has also apparently contracted with a school district that was defrauded by shady investment firm Dolphin & Bradbury?; June 26, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Save The School said...: Jon's North Penn Link; June 26, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Anonymous said...: Mr Hellman owes the public an explanation of what he is exploring with Pennsbury and Bristol. Plain, simple, period.

Any other board members know what this is? You might want to come out in the sunshine. Don't get sucked into the shadowed, potentially illegal secrecy.; June 26, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Sandy said...: Just an FYI, it is VERY UNCOMMON to have a 3 year contract for superintendents. A five year contract is standard, particularly for a superintendent who has a known record. She had a 3 year when she first started because she was an unknown entity in our town. Now that she had proven herself, she was given the STANDARD five year contract.; June 26, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Anonymous said...: Mommy is struggling to wrap her head around the board majority's actions and to see through the veiled “plans” that seem to ooze slowly forth. Groucho Marks captured that feeling of confusion. “Why a four-year-old child could understand this report. Run out and find me a four-year-old child. I can't make head nor tail out of it.”

Or, how about Prince Andrew: “It's slightly complicated for people to grasp the idea of a head of state in human form.”

It seems that stubborn allegiance to an idea, rather than plain facts, are ruling the decisions of the board majority. Reason has lost. Others have spoken to this more eloquently than I could:

"He behaved like an ostrich and put his head in the sand, thereby exposing his thinking parts."
George Carman

"A man will do more for his stubbornness than for his religion or his country. "
Edgar Watson Howe
(Or substitute community.)

"They disallowed this and disallowed that, and now I can't even get my head above water! "
Bud Abbott

"Well you know, for my experience, your head's for having ideas, not for holding them."
David Allen

"In the face of an obstacle which is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is stupid."
Simone de Beauvoir

"Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief."
Jane Austen

"A thick head can do as much damage as a hard heart."
Harold W. Dodds

"We've stayed really normal and down to Earth I think, and haven't let the success thing go to our head."
Ashley Olsen
(Just threw this one in because I found “our head” to be amusing. Remind you of anything? “You can make me we..”)

"His mouth is for export and his head has no entrance."
Douglas Feaver

"You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."
Dwight D. Eisenhower

"A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head."
Elizabeth I

"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."
Jonathan Swift

"But I do believe this - I believe that fundamentally, society is headed in the right direction or wants to head in the right direction, and I think judges have an obligation to try to help it head there."
Judge Mills Lane

BRING ON THE JUDGES!!

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"
William Shakespeare

Mother Bear thanks to Brainy Quotes; June 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Anonymous said...: Some answers:

Rolled out of there at about 12:30 after a protracted New Business session in which Mikok (props for coming to the meeting 4 hours after surgery, beats my coming after a night of watching my wife give birth) and Hellmann wished to make a motion for a hiring freeze.

Exchange: "Please clarify what that means."
"We won't hire anyone."
"You mean ever?"
"We won't hire anyone, it's a hiring freeze."
[From Dr. Yonson] "So if your superintendent quits, you won't hire a superintendent?"
At which point it was given to the HR committee to pound out the verbage.

Voting against the budget were Kemp, Reithmeyer and Farrell. I wouldn't have voted for any of the choices because I think they all underfund the district, but I think Bill Farrell realized that special ed, charters and alternatives (50%) could all be funded at nearly the necessary rates with money from the fund balance and no tax increase. Dr. Yonson and Mrs. Dunford took the board by the hand and showed us four doors. Behind one was a vase full of flowers, behind two were Monty Hall's goats, calmly chewing on tin cans, behind the fourth was a hungry tiger. "Now, you asked for the tiger, but we have these other fine doors without hungry carnivores behind them, please open one of these doors." "We wanta see the tiger!!! The tiger!"

Robin is fighting the roadblock and putting it all out there to open the process, to let the public know (and the rest of the board) what kind of communications are going on between board members and vendors, solicitor and other school districts. I wish to thank her and her big mouth on behalf of the town.

Finally, Mr. Fitzpatrick was tasked by Mr. Hellmann to speak with at least Pennsbury and Bristol Township school districts regarding - what? Possible cooperative efforts or something. Explain please? Weaselwords weaselwords, weaselwords.

Kathy Panzitta, at a reopened public comment session on that issue asked, pleaded with the board to go through the proper process, telling the community what it wants to do, finding out once and for all what is legal, who wants to play, what any major changes will actually cost. I sent an email to the board after Mr. Hellmann's Plan was revealed. I've got huge concerns with the plan, but I think we owe it to everyone to do this the right way. It's ridiculous that all we have is ideas, rumors and Bill Hellmann, CPA's assurances and cries of impending doom.

Finally, even though teachers and aids weren't cut by the board, everyone can see that Bill, Al and Marlys are willing to cut deep into the educational quality of this district to save money. When warned that not hiring a first grade teacher would shoot the class sizes in first grade from at least 20 up to 28, and that we are out of PDE compliance without a certified secondary math teacher (there are three for the four high school grades currently), they still voted against hiring those teachers, who were only replacing teachers that have left. Thanks to the majority on those votes.; June 26, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Save The School said...: Thanks Joe and Mother Bear. These are excellent posts. The quotes are very revealing and I think Joe has been studying at Jon's School of Witty Repartee. (Tigers, indeed!)

I don't see eye to eye with Marlys Mihok on a great number of issues. I agree that arriving at a public meeting four hours post-op does deserve credit.

The cynical side of me says: Look at the close votes from last night and was her presence decisive in any votes? Was she there to rescue the Emperor's plans from ruin?

And where was Gloria Heater?; June 26, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Anonymous said...: How incompetent are these people? I can't wait to see some angry parents winning huge lawsuits. WOO HOO!!!

You can bet that they want to destroy the school district so that they can hurt the very people that they envy. What sad lives they live.

In the end we will win, because we are just happier people, not carrying such anger towards the world, and they know it.; June 26, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you - Joe Kemp, Bill Farrell and Robin Reithmeyer for voting against the budget. Also, thanks to the three of you and to Brenda Worob and Jack Buckman for making it possible to keep a crucial math position and a much needed elementary teacher.

It sounds as if at least a few board members are as unaware as the public is of Mr. Hellman's plans in outreaching to Pennsbury and Bristol. I recall a time when another board president, Sandy Gibson wanted to outreach for a merger and the board as a whole voted for that exploration. This would be proper procedure, respectful to the public and respectful to all board members.; June 26, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Morris said...: Though the future is kind of dicey.

And Bill Hellmann's veins are icy.

So please Yonson, the thing to do,

You should sue, you should sue, you should sue.; June 26, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Jon said...: Ladies and gentleman, from Los Angeles, California.......

THE DOORS!......

Guess I'm in a musical mood today. Hey, what's the status of those doors at MR Reiter, the ones Ron Stout and Steve Worob thought just needed some paint? Last I heard, Hellmann ignored the official repair bids, hired someone to do it on the cheap, that didn't work out so well, and the district had to pay again to get them fixed at a greater cost than the original legit estimate. How much ex-tree did that end up costing? Feel free to express your answer in Bargaining Unit employees.

Didn't have enough time to ask this last nite either: what's the status of that lighting study that guy volunteered to conduct? I thought maybe a report/findings would be known by about now. And is everyone aware that new lightbulbs in the schools will indeed KILL US ALL?????!!!!!!......

{The Environmental Protection Agency and some large business, including Wal-Mart, are aggressively promoting the sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs as a way to save energy and fight global warming. They want Americans to buy many millions of them over the coming years.

But the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin, and the companies and federal government haven't come up with effective ways to get Americans to recycle them.

"The problem with the bulbs is that they'll break before they get to the landfill. They'll break in containers, or they'll break in a dumpster or they'll break in the trucks. Workers may be exposed to very high levels of mercury when that happens," says John Skinner, executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the trade group for the people who handle trash and recycling.

Skinner says when bulbs break near homes, they can contaminate the soil.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and it's especially dangerous for children and fetuses. Most exposure to mercury comes from eating fish contaminated with mercury,

Some states, cities and counties have outlawed putting CFL bulbs in the trash, but in most states the practice is legal.

Pete Keller works for Eco Lights Northwest, the only company in Washington state that recycles fluorescent lamps. He says it is illegal to put the bulbs in the trash in some counties in Washington, but most people still throw them out.

"I think most people do want to recycle, but if it's not made easy, it doesn't happen," Keller says. "And they're small enough to fit in a trash can. So by nature, I think most people are not recyclers. So if it's small enough to fit in a trash can, that's where it ends up."

Experts agree that it's not easy for most people to recycle these bulbs. Even cities that have curbside recycling won't take the bulbs. So people have to take them to a hazardous-waste collection day or a special facility.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency program concedes that not enough has been done to urge people to recycle CFL bulbs and make it easier for them to do so.

"I share your frustration that there isn't a national infrastructure for the proper recycling of this product," says Wendy Reed, who manages EPA's Energy Star program. That programs gives the compact bulbs its "energy star" seal of approval.

She says that even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air.

"The compact fluorescent light bulb is a product people can use to positively influence the environment to… prevent mercury emissions as well as greenhouse gas emissions. And it's something that we can do now — and it's extremely important that we do do it," Reed says. "And the positive message is, if you recycle them, if you dispose of them properly, then they're doing a world of good."

Reed says the agency has been urging stores that sell the bulbs to help recycle them.

"EPA is actively engaged with trying to find a solution that works for these retailers around recycling the product, because it's really, really important," Reed says.

But so far, she says the biggest sellers of the bulbs haven't stepped up to the plate.

"The only retailer that I know of that is recycling is IKEA," she says, referring to the Swedish-owned furniture chain store.

Reed says the EPA has been prodding other retailers, such as Wal-Mart, to do more.

"We are working with Wal-Mart on it, we are making some progress. But no commitments have been made on the part of Wal-Mart," she says.

Wal-Mart didn't respond to requests for a comment on the issue.

EPA also has asked retailers to sell the lower mercury compact bulbs that some manufacturers are making. Engineers say you can't cut mercury out completely.

Some other big companies have started paying attention to the recycling problem.

General Electric has been making compact fluorescents for 20 years. Now the company admits that the little bit of mercury in each bulbs could become a real problem if sales balloon as expected.

"Given what we anticipate to be the significant increase in the use of these products, we are now beginning to look at, and shortly we'll be discussing with legislators, possibly a national solution here," says Earl Jones, a senior counsel for General Electric.....}; June 26, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Jon said...: The main reason Ann & I had to leave @ 10 pm last nite was babysitting. I note that the going hourly rate for teenage babysitters these days is right around the $12/hr for teacher's aides that the board was squabbling about last nite. You want fries with that?; June 26, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Anonymous said...: "I agree that arriving at a public meeting four hours post-op does deserve Credit ". It was probably to make sure the ring-leader had all the votes he needed. So, in case you missed that link, here it is again.
Do's and Don'ts; June 26, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Did anyone else notice the "school Girl" giggling going on with Bill, Billy, Maryls and Al when voting?
It was quiet distracting!
UGH; June 26, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: ==>"Don't make any important decisions or sign any legal documents for the day. The potential for impairment relates not only to physical activities but to your mental state also. Moreover, the anxiety that frequently accompanies important decisions is to be avoided. The day should be spent resting."<==; June 26, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Jon,

You shouldn't have left the meeting under any circumstance. Now you will be accused of "promptly running out" of the meeting.

And of course, Greorge Bolos will be accused of "promptly moving to Virginia", Damon of staying to the bitter end and then "promptly returning home to his family" and Ed of "promptly dying".; June 26, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Morris said...: From the Do's and Don'ts link:

"Don't make any important decisions or sign any legal documents for the day. The potential for impairment relates not only to physical activities but to your mental state also. Moreover, the anxiety that frequently accompanies important decisions is to be avoided. "

Thanks for the link Annie. So I guess Marlys will use this excuse when the lawsuits come around.

BTW, I saw on a previous broadcast Marlys saying that she and/or Fitzpatrick would explain how we would be receiving a refund from the money spent on the new school and that she promised the explaination would be at this meeting. Did she keep her promise? I haven't gotten my check yet.; June 26, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Can we also ask Mr. Fitzpatrick to talk to various boro's regarding "farming out" School Board Members, Council Members & anyone else who doesn't believe in public education. We could have a really nice town if we could just tution these people out. Maybe DVHS can start a retirement or assisted living community for those that just want to live as cheaply as possible & don't have to be bothered by kids and all there special needs.; June 26, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Peter said...: "Weaselwords weaselwords, weaselwords."

LMOA!!! Now THAT's a classic.; June 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Peter said...: To suggest we can get by with one elementary principal is a stretch (much easier to do in a consolidated building, but I digress...) To suggest we can live without them both is just ludicrous! And to suggest paying Karen Huggins HALF is laughable. They'd have to pay me DOUBLE (not unheard of for contract workers) to come out of retirement and deal with this bunch.

Thank you Karen for being so caring about our schools, our kids. I know you feel some sense of duty, but this is supposed to be your time. It is very generous of you to step in at all.

Also, thank you's are in order to: Robin for continuing to fight the good fight; to Joe, Robin, and Bill F for rejecting the underfunded budget; and to Joe, Robin, Bill F, Brenda, and Jack for replacing the teachers.

Also thanks to all who showed up and spoke (or sang) their minds last night. Anyone notice how crowded the LGI is getting these days? Keep it up!; June 26, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Peter - Isn't that LMAO?; June 26, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Peter said...: Well, duh...

LMOA -- Laughing My Organs Asunder.

What did you think it stood for? Sheeshhh.

:-); June 26, 2008 at 11:05 PM

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

News From the Budget Talks

32 comments: