Monday, July 21, 2008
Pennsbury taxpayers frustrated
When we're absorbed by Pennsbury, here's what's in store for us...
Board needs fresh blood
The Courier Times reported on Jan. 11 of this year that Pennsbury will raise taxes, on average, $401. J. D. Mullane wrote a column on Jan. 29 that stated “readers rage over fullday kindergarten.” Come on, who as an adult remembers school that far back? What benefit was it?
On May 9, the tax hike is $231. On June 4, they have suggestions including a hiring freeze and six other spending cuts. At least they’re going in the right direction. On June 13, the budget is OK’d with a $175 increase. On June 29, the increase is 4 percent. A letter writer on Jan. 31st said he was confused by the Pennsbury school board. I’ll give him an Amen!
Alas, my taxes have gone up again this year. And the year before, and the year before — you get the idea. What do I get from all these increases? Zero, Nothing, Nada, Zilch. Why can’t Pennsbury come up with new ideas so the residents don’t have to shoulder the burden for all these overpaid teachers?
Maybe Pennsbury needs to have fresh blood on the board, new ideas, people who are more competent than the present. For the good of the community Pennsbury needs to do something! Tax revolt!
Phil Denny Falls
Board needs fresh blood
The Courier Times reported on Jan. 11 of this year that Pennsbury will raise taxes, on average, $401. J. D. Mullane wrote a column on Jan. 29 that stated “readers rage over fullday kindergarten.” Come on, who as an adult remembers school that far back? What benefit was it?
On May 9, the tax hike is $231. On June 4, they have suggestions including a hiring freeze and six other spending cuts. At least they’re going in the right direction. On June 13, the budget is OK’d with a $175 increase. On June 29, the increase is 4 percent. A letter writer on Jan. 31st said he was confused by the Pennsbury school board. I’ll give him an Amen!
Alas, my taxes have gone up again this year. And the year before, and the year before — you get the idea. What do I get from all these increases? Zero, Nothing, Nada, Zilch. Why can’t Pennsbury come up with new ideas so the residents don’t have to shoulder the burden for all these overpaid teachers?
Maybe Pennsbury needs to have fresh blood on the board, new ideas, people who are more competent than the present. For the good of the community Pennsbury needs to do something! Tax revolt!
Phil Denny Falls
BCTHS Article
From the BCCT.
Turning kids on to a career path
The tech school offers almost 30 summer exploration courses for seventh- and eighth-graders who live in its sending districts.
By JOAN HELLYER
Students participating in a skateboard construction project at Bucks County Technical High School this summer will not only emerge with a new way to get around, they’re also getting a jumpstart on making a career choice, school officials said. “They’re learning without knowing it,” said Kevin Ody, who oversees the tech school’s threeweek summer program.
Almost 30 summer courses are being offered by the comprehensive technical high school that serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts. The course offerings include culinary, forensic science, robotics, cosmetology, money management, plumbing, automotive, commercial art and computers.
Seventh- and eighthgraders from the sending districts are invited to participate in the classes to learn more about the career and trades training available at the school on Wistar Road in Bristol Township. David Ayres, a teacher’s assistant, said he knew doing something with skateboards would provide a good way to connect with the students. “I want them to open their minds to know they can do whatever they want to do. That’s what a tech school is all about,” said Ayres, a 2005 BCTHS grad. He precut seven layers of wood in the form of a skateboard for the 13 students in the class and then showed the kids how he did it.
The students spent last week gluing and sealing each layer together and sanding the board once all the layers were in place, Ayres said. This week they’ll paint the skateboards and attach wheels to the bottoms. In the process, the kids are getting a feel for various construction procedures.
“It makes me feel very accomplished,” said Angelica Mena, 13, an eighth-grader at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Bristol Township.
The kids said participating in the program has given them the chance to consider their options. Most said they would like to attend the school, where students are accepted based on a variety of criteria.
“I think it will be good for my career,” said Michael Arthur, 12, a seventh-grader at Pennsbury’s William Penn Middle School.
Many studies suggest that, too, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education.
The studies show that technical education graduates are 10 percent to 15 percent more likely to be in the labor force than are their peers from traditional high schools who don’t go on to college, according to ACTE. In addition, the tech graduates earn 8 percent to 9 percent more than academic program graduates, according to the association dedicated to providing students with the education needed to have successful careers.
BCTHS, one of 14 comprehensive technical high schools in the state, does not keep track of how many summer exploration students ultimately end up at the tech school, Ody said.
However, he knows quite a few have over the years, including 2008 graduate Brian Knecht, who recently won a silver medal in the welding division of the national SkillsUSA competition.
“Some of our best students are those who participate in the summer program. It turns them on [to a career path],” the administrator said.
Turning kids on to a career path
The tech school offers almost 30 summer exploration courses for seventh- and eighth-graders who live in its sending districts.
By JOAN HELLYER
Students participating in a skateboard construction project at Bucks County Technical High School this summer will not only emerge with a new way to get around, they’re also getting a jumpstart on making a career choice, school officials said. “They’re learning without knowing it,” said Kevin Ody, who oversees the tech school’s threeweek summer program.
Almost 30 summer courses are being offered by the comprehensive technical high school that serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts. The course offerings include culinary, forensic science, robotics, cosmetology, money management, plumbing, automotive, commercial art and computers.
Seventh- and eighthgraders from the sending districts are invited to participate in the classes to learn more about the career and trades training available at the school on Wistar Road in Bristol Township. David Ayres, a teacher’s assistant, said he knew doing something with skateboards would provide a good way to connect with the students. “I want them to open their minds to know they can do whatever they want to do. That’s what a tech school is all about,” said Ayres, a 2005 BCTHS grad. He precut seven layers of wood in the form of a skateboard for the 13 students in the class and then showed the kids how he did it.
The students spent last week gluing and sealing each layer together and sanding the board once all the layers were in place, Ayres said. This week they’ll paint the skateboards and attach wheels to the bottoms. In the process, the kids are getting a feel for various construction procedures.
“It makes me feel very accomplished,” said Angelica Mena, 13, an eighth-grader at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Bristol Township.
The kids said participating in the program has given them the chance to consider their options. Most said they would like to attend the school, where students are accepted based on a variety of criteria.
“I think it will be good for my career,” said Michael Arthur, 12, a seventh-grader at Pennsbury’s William Penn Middle School.
Many studies suggest that, too, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education.
The studies show that technical education graduates are 10 percent to 15 percent more likely to be in the labor force than are their peers from traditional high schools who don’t go on to college, according to ACTE. In addition, the tech graduates earn 8 percent to 9 percent more than academic program graduates, according to the association dedicated to providing students with the education needed to have successful careers.
BCTHS, one of 14 comprehensive technical high schools in the state, does not keep track of how many summer exploration students ultimately end up at the tech school, Ody said.
However, he knows quite a few have over the years, including 2008 graduate Brian Knecht, who recently won a silver medal in the welding division of the national SkillsUSA competition.
“Some of our best students are those who participate in the summer program. It turns them on [to a career path],” the administrator said.
Borough Council Meeting Tonight
Reminder of borough council meeting tonight. There's a referendum proposed to raise the millage supporting the Morrisville Ambulance Squad funding.
GOVERNMENT
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider traffic ordinance amending Chapter 435 of the code of ordinances for vehicles and traffic; consider amendment to zoning ordinance for sign regulations; consider resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot to approve a millage increase in the EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad; consider advertising a public hearing for Aug. 12 on the use of the CDBG funds; consider two 3-year appointments to the Morrisville economic development corporation. 215-295-8181
___________________________________
Possible referendum in November for Morrisville voters
Posted in News on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pm by Courier Times staff writer Danny Adler
MORRISVILLE — Voters in Morrisville may get their say on a millage increase to bulk up the borough’s EMS fund and support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
A resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot will be considered at Monday night’s council meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at borough hall, 35 Union St.
The referendum will ask voters whether they want the borough to increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved through a successful referendum, officials have said.
GOVERNMENT
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider traffic ordinance amending Chapter 435 of the code of ordinances for vehicles and traffic; consider amendment to zoning ordinance for sign regulations; consider resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot to approve a millage increase in the EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad; consider advertising a public hearing for Aug. 12 on the use of the CDBG funds; consider two 3-year appointments to the Morrisville economic development corporation. 215-295-8181
___________________________________
Possible referendum in November for Morrisville voters
Posted in News on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 6:47 pm by Courier Times staff writer Danny Adler
MORRISVILLE — Voters in Morrisville may get their say on a millage increase to bulk up the borough’s EMS fund and support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
A resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot will be considered at Monday night’s council meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at borough hall, 35 Union St.
The referendum will ask voters whether they want the borough to increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved through a successful referendum, officials have said.
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