Here's an email I received:
The phone blast from the school district about M.R. Reiter tonight was a pathetic, offensive attempt to spin the story of the indoor air issues at M.R. Reiter. It's disappointing, to say the least, that someone crafted such a script. We have documented calls to the Department of Health from October and any staff person can tell you the fumes have been happening for years. So why does the phone blast attempt to spin it as an issue that suddenly cropped up December 10th from maintenance work?
This is disrespectful to parents and I am disgusted. What an arrogant assumption- that we would buy this - that we haven't noticed this before? One might conclude that the EPA or the Department of Health did find something wrong, and someone is worried about what our children might have been breathing. Wait, scratch that. They are worried that we will find out what our children have been breathing.
We've witnessed a few outrages in our years here. This is about the worst. I want the truth. Let's demand some real answers.
Friday, December 12, 2008
President considers closing school
From the BCCT.
President considers closing school
By MANASEE WAGH
The president of the Morrisville school board is thinking about closing an elementary school and wants to hold a public hearing on the idea.
The district will save money by closing either M. R. Reiter Elementary or Grandview Elementary, Bill Hellmann said. He contends Morrisville doesn’t need three school buildings for about 870 students.
“I am not sure at this time what the school board will do with the school building that is closed, if that is what the board decides. We do have a budget crisis and closing one of the schools will make us much more efficient. I also do not believe the educational quality will suffer as the result of closing one of the buildings,” Hellmann wrote in an e-mail.
“If any building or land is sold, the funds would be put in the capital reserve fund for future renovations, if needed. Of course, the entire board would have to make this choice,” he wrote.
Rumors have been circulating about the board closing one elementary school, but Wednesday’s board meeting was the first time many board members heard of concrete steps being taken toward closing a building.
“It seems premature. We should have discussed it and decided which one and then started the process. How are we going to have a hearing and how are we going to answer the public’s questions?” said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
Both the elementary buildings and the middle/high school need frequent fixes. A mechanical malfunction in a boiler caused an oily odor throughout Reiter and sent kids home Thursday morning.
“This problem goes back years and years,” said board member Marlys Mihok, blaming the previous board for not putting money into renovations.
The former school board wanted to build a new $30 million consolidated building for grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Morrisville residents’ opinions clashed on that decision. A majority voted in several new board members who stopped the new construction and returned much of the money borrowed for that project.
The board awaits a final report about the state of the elementary schools by Vitetta, an architectural and engineering firm. It will aid in deciding which school, if any, can be closed, said Mihok.
“Does this mean that, now that we have no money, we can fix up the schools? We are living on borrowed time,” said Johanny Manning, a school district parent and a former board member who wanted to build the new school.
In October, the district Citizens Action Plan Committee made several suggestions, including asking the board to create a master renovation plan. Borough residents and some representatives from the school board and administration are part of the group.
Member Damon Miller, a district parent, said the committee never recommended closing a school.
According to school code, the board needs to advertise for a public hearing to discuss a closing. Board members need to wait 90 days after that meeting to make a decision. If a school is closed, the entire process would probably take about four to five months, said district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
President considers closing school
By MANASEE WAGH
The president of the Morrisville school board is thinking about closing an elementary school and wants to hold a public hearing on the idea.
The district will save money by closing either M. R. Reiter Elementary or Grandview Elementary, Bill Hellmann said. He contends Morrisville doesn’t need three school buildings for about 870 students.
“I am not sure at this time what the school board will do with the school building that is closed, if that is what the board decides. We do have a budget crisis and closing one of the schools will make us much more efficient. I also do not believe the educational quality will suffer as the result of closing one of the buildings,” Hellmann wrote in an e-mail.
“If any building or land is sold, the funds would be put in the capital reserve fund for future renovations, if needed. Of course, the entire board would have to make this choice,” he wrote.
Rumors have been circulating about the board closing one elementary school, but Wednesday’s board meeting was the first time many board members heard of concrete steps being taken toward closing a building.
“It seems premature. We should have discussed it and decided which one and then started the process. How are we going to have a hearing and how are we going to answer the public’s questions?” said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
Both the elementary buildings and the middle/high school need frequent fixes. A mechanical malfunction in a boiler caused an oily odor throughout Reiter and sent kids home Thursday morning.
“This problem goes back years and years,” said board member Marlys Mihok, blaming the previous board for not putting money into renovations.
The former school board wanted to build a new $30 million consolidated building for grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Morrisville residents’ opinions clashed on that decision. A majority voted in several new board members who stopped the new construction and returned much of the money borrowed for that project.
The board awaits a final report about the state of the elementary schools by Vitetta, an architectural and engineering firm. It will aid in deciding which school, if any, can be closed, said Mihok.
“Does this mean that, now that we have no money, we can fix up the schools? We are living on borrowed time,” said Johanny Manning, a school district parent and a former board member who wanted to build the new school.
In October, the district Citizens Action Plan Committee made several suggestions, including asking the board to create a master renovation plan. Borough residents and some representatives from the school board and administration are part of the group.
Member Damon Miller, a district parent, said the committee never recommended closing a school.
According to school code, the board needs to advertise for a public hearing to discuss a closing. Board members need to wait 90 days after that meeting to make a decision. If a school is closed, the entire process would probably take about four to five months, said district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
Boiler fumes close Reiter
From the BCCT and the Inquirer.
Boiler fumes close Reiter
Students were sent home early Thursday. The school should reopen Monday after the boiler is repaired and tested over the weekend.
By MANASEE WAGH
Kids went home from school early Thursday because of oily fumes and will not return until Monday.
A faulty fuel pump in an M.R. Reiter Elementary School boiler caused the odor of oil to permeate the building.
When the odor first started spreading Wednesday afternoon, after-school activities ended and children and staff went home. Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities, had expected the boiler to be working properly when school opened Thursday.
However, after a recurrence of the odor Thursday morning, an inspection revealed the faulty pump, said Elizabeth Yonson, the Morrisville district superintendent.
“It’s not dangerous, but it doesn’t smell good. Especially for people with asthma and allergies who could have problems,” said Yonson. Nobody was taken ill by the fumes, she added.
The borough inspector toured the building and the county health department came in because a parent called, said Yonson.
School personnel opened windows and doors to dissipate the smell. The district has ordered a new pump for about $200 to $300 that it expects to install today and test before the weekend is over, Lastichen said.
The boilers in the district are at least 50 to 60 years old and have exhibited problems before, he said. “The Band-Aids are getting bigger,” he added.
Yonson said school should resume as usual on Monday.
Johanny Manning, a parent of a kindergarten student and a former school board member, is unhappy that her child is missing one and a half days of school.
“We knew it was going to happen,” she said. “We knew the boilers were way past life expectancy. Now what’s going to happen?”
------------------------------------------------------
Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
Bucks elementary school closes due to oil fumes
The M.R. Reiter Elementary School in Morrisville school closed early yesterday after a faulty pump on a boiler sent oil fumes spewing into the building.
Morrisville Borough schools superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said classes ended at 10:30 a.m. for the 250 pupils and 28 teachers and aides at Reiter, located at Harper and Hillcrest Avenues. Yonson said students' parents were notified of the closing by phone and all the pre-kindergarten through second graders were picked up by noon.
There were no injuries, she said. School will be closed today while the defective part is replaced.
Officials from the Bucks County Health Department, a local fire marshal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitored the situation, Yonson said. No citations were issued, she said. The school is expected to reopen Monday, after officials check the air quality, Yonson said.
- Bonnie L. Cook
Boiler fumes close Reiter
Students were sent home early Thursday. The school should reopen Monday after the boiler is repaired and tested over the weekend.
By MANASEE WAGH
Kids went home from school early Thursday because of oily fumes and will not return until Monday.
A faulty fuel pump in an M.R. Reiter Elementary School boiler caused the odor of oil to permeate the building.
When the odor first started spreading Wednesday afternoon, after-school activities ended and children and staff went home. Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities, had expected the boiler to be working properly when school opened Thursday.
However, after a recurrence of the odor Thursday morning, an inspection revealed the faulty pump, said Elizabeth Yonson, the Morrisville district superintendent.
“It’s not dangerous, but it doesn’t smell good. Especially for people with asthma and allergies who could have problems,” said Yonson. Nobody was taken ill by the fumes, she added.
The borough inspector toured the building and the county health department came in because a parent called, said Yonson.
School personnel opened windows and doors to dissipate the smell. The district has ordered a new pump for about $200 to $300 that it expects to install today and test before the weekend is over, Lastichen said.
The boilers in the district are at least 50 to 60 years old and have exhibited problems before, he said. “The Band-Aids are getting bigger,” he added.
Yonson said school should resume as usual on Monday.
Johanny Manning, a parent of a kindergarten student and a former school board member, is unhappy that her child is missing one and a half days of school.
“We knew it was going to happen,” she said. “We knew the boilers were way past life expectancy. Now what’s going to happen?”
------------------------------------------------------
Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
Bucks elementary school closes due to oil fumes
The M.R. Reiter Elementary School in Morrisville school closed early yesterday after a faulty pump on a boiler sent oil fumes spewing into the building.
Morrisville Borough schools superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said classes ended at 10:30 a.m. for the 250 pupils and 28 teachers and aides at Reiter, located at Harper and Hillcrest Avenues. Yonson said students' parents were notified of the closing by phone and all the pre-kindergarten through second graders were picked up by noon.
There were no injuries, she said. School will be closed today while the defective part is replaced.
Officials from the Bucks County Health Department, a local fire marshal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitored the situation, Yonson said. No citations were issued, she said. The school is expected to reopen Monday, after officials check the air quality, Yonson said.
- Bonnie L. Cook
Information on the Reiter closing
From the district website.
Office of the Superintendent Morrisville School District
December 11, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, December 10, the maintenance crew was working on one of the boilers at M. R. Reiter. The boiler backfired and smoke and the smell of oil filtered into the school. This occurred after school hours. However, there were children still at school for Homework Zone. The district contacted parents and asked them to pick up their children.
The maintenance supervisor checked the building early Thursday morning and determined that it was safe for the children to attend school. Right before school was to open the boiler backfired again. There was no smoke in the building but the smell of oil again was present. Windows were open and the smell dissipated. Around 11 a.m. I was notified that sporadically the smell of oil was detected whenever the heat came on. At that time, I felt it was in the best interest of the children and staff that the building be closed until the boiler could be repaired.
The boiler needs a new pump, which has been ordered and will arrive on Friday. Students in M.R. Reiter will not return to school until Monday, December 15. Once the boiler is repaired, we will have someone come into the school to test the air quality.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson Superintendent of Schools
Office of the Superintendent Morrisville School District
December 11, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, December 10, the maintenance crew was working on one of the boilers at M. R. Reiter. The boiler backfired and smoke and the smell of oil filtered into the school. This occurred after school hours. However, there were children still at school for Homework Zone. The district contacted parents and asked them to pick up their children.
The maintenance supervisor checked the building early Thursday morning and determined that it was safe for the children to attend school. Right before school was to open the boiler backfired again. There was no smoke in the building but the smell of oil again was present. Windows were open and the smell dissipated. Around 11 a.m. I was notified that sporadically the smell of oil was detected whenever the heat came on. At that time, I felt it was in the best interest of the children and staff that the building be closed until the boiler could be repaired.
The boiler needs a new pump, which has been ordered and will arrive on Friday. Students in M.R. Reiter will not return to school until Monday, December 15. Once the boiler is repaired, we will have someone come into the school to test the air quality.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson Superintendent of Schools
News from the Joint Meeting?
Anyone have anything to contribute from last night's meeting? Was Reiter discussed?
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