From Montgomery Media.
Public meets with finalists for school district superintendent
Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Elizabeth Yonson. Sun staff photos by BOB RAINES
By Nick Malinowski
Staff Writer
With the search for the next Springfield Township School District Superintendent down to two candidates, the school board hosted community meetings Tuesday and Wednesday evening to give resident a chance to examine the finalists.
Superintendent Roseann Nyiri is retiring in July after seven years on the job.
On Tuesday, Elizabeth Yonson, currently the superintendent of the Morrisville School District, spent the day in Springfield, meeting teachers, administrators, staff and students before addressing parents and answering their questions in the high school auditorium.
The Morrisville district has a student enrollment of 1,050 and an annual budget of about $19 million.
Yonson told the 25 parents in attendance at the high school auditorium Tuesday that Springfield, which is larger than Morrisville yet more intimate than other districts, would allow her to be personally involved with the staff, a prospect she found attractive.
Of her five years at Morrisville, Yonson said she was most proud of raising the proficiency levels and closing the achievement gap between white students and students of many minority groups.
Questions from parents included concerns about Yonson’s commitment to the position, planned curriculum changes and goals, the importance of athletics and afterschool activities and ways to save money.
On Wednesday, Wendy Royer, director of elementary education in the West Shore School District in New Cumberland, was asked most of the same questions as well as additional ones, many focusing on her lack of experience as a superintendent at another school district.
Royer explained that because of West Shore’s size — 8,000 students — and her work on curricular programs for multiple buildings, she had gained leadership skills that would translate to Springfield.
Both candidates said they appreciated the strong community support for the Springfield School District and would make gaining a firm understanding of the needs of the constituents a priority before looking to make any changes.
Following Wednesday’s meeting with Royer, Laurie Kristiniak, president of the High School/Middle School PTA, said the meetings were a poor forum for parents to get to know the candidates, and that it was impossible to make substantial judgments about either one because many of the questions demanded precise and thoughtful answers that the format did not allow.
The search would have been better had a parent group had the opportunity to meet with each candidate in face-to-face interviews, she said.
“In no way did the search team replace the stakeholders,” she said. “We felt our insight as parents is an insight a majority of the board members don’t have. How can that not be important?”
Fifty-seven candidates applied for the position, and the school board reviewed 16 applications, interviewing six candidates before arriving at two, school board President Malcolm Gran said Wednesday.
The public, teachers and staff were not included in earlier steps of the recruitment process to preserve confidentially, so that rejected candidates were not put in an awkward position within their current districts, Gran said.
Yonson and Royer were eventually selected because of their track records of creating strong curricula and improving their schools, he said.
Although both candidates were relatively local, Yonson from Bucks County and Royer from just outside Harrisburg, Gran said that the national search was necessary.
“We had some fascinating candidates from, really, around the world, one from Italy, one from Canada,” he said.
The board is not required by law to do any type of candidate search, he said.
To decide between Yonson and Royer, the board will again meet with each candidate and go through responses prompted by this week’s meetings from the community and teachers.
A hiring date has not been set, but residents should contact the board with reactions by Sunday, Gran said following Wednesday’s meeting.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Schools Monitoring Flu Progress
From the BCCT.
Link to the Morrisville District website and specific swine flu recommendations.
Schools closely monitoring situation
If a student is infected with swine flu, the county health department would recommend closing the school for seven days, a county spokeswoman said.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
With Pennsylvania reporting its first probable case of swine flu in Philadelphia Wednesday, local school administrators and public health officials are closely watching the outbreak sweeping across the United States.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are among the states with unconfirmed swine flu reports, while 11 states have confirmed at least 93 cases and one death, a toddler from Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The World Health Organization has raised the swine flu alert level to five, the second highest level meaning it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. The identical virus has spread to at least seven countries, though most were mildly sickened; Mexico, where the virus originated, is the hardest hit with more than 2,400 sickened and more than 150 deaths.
The suspected first Pennsylvania case occurred in a 2-year old child in Philadelphia who became ill on March 23, according to the state department of health. The child has no known risk factors for exposure to swine flu and he has fully recovered.
With the virus moving human-to-human, national attention has focused on schools where health officials worry it can spread quickly. Most of the U.S. cases so far are connected with two schools in New York City.
President Barack Obama said public health officials are recommending schools with confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu “strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible.”
The CDC said more U.S. cases have required hospitalizations and a pattern of more severe illness associated with the virus may be emerging in the United States. Typically 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population is infected and 36,000 deaths are blamed on seasonal flu annually.
Pennsylvania health officials have maintained contact with schools this week to keep them updated, spokeswoman Holli Senior said. School districts do not currently submit emergency preparedness plans to the state Department of Education.
If a student is infected with swine flu, the county health department would recommend closing a school for seven days, the infection’s incubation period, Bucks spokeswoman Stacey Hajdak said. But the final decision would be left with the superintendent, she added.
In Bucks County, schools have posted basic swine flu prevention information on Web sites. Public, parochial and private school officials are also monitoring CDC updates and student and staff illnesses, as well as updating parents, officials said.
“As a proactive measure, we will be meeting with all of our staff this week to go over our procedures,” said Leon Poeske, acting director of the Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township.
Neshaminy Superintendent Louis Muenker said his schools would follow county and state health department recommendations, unless a national directive requires other action.
Council Rock School District is reevaluating field trips scheduled for cities and other high population areas.
“While we are not taking a position on these trips at this time, changes in the concentration or severity of this reported outbreak will likely force the district to eliminate some or all of these trips,” according to a letter to parents.
Holy Ghost Preparatory High School in Bensalem reported it has an emergency response plan in case a swine flu situation should arise, said Ken Ferrara, the school’s executive director of Institutional Advancement. He doesn’t expect that the school to close because of an outbreak.
The Philadelphia Archdiocese’s superintendent for Catholic education Wednesday sent health department guidelines to its elementary and high school principals, but left it to the administrators’ discretion to forward it to school families, spokeswoman Donna Farrell said.
She added the archdiocese would likely follow the same protocol it uses during the regular flu season.
“We have schools that sometimes have to close because so many teachers are sick, so it is something we’re prepared to deal with,” Farrell said.
Bucks County Community College, which has three campuses, incorporated a pandemic flu response plan into its emergency preparedness manual two years ago, during the avian flu scare.
If a local, state or federal health agency declares a local flu or viral outbreak, which could potentially affect the college, college administrators meet and decide the course of action, according to the manual.
Decisions may include: Closure of the campus in whole or part, delayed semester start, cancellation of a semester, opening up campus as a temporary health facility, continuing college business as usual but taking precautionary medical measures, etc.
Ongoing training of college administrators and information dissemination to campus users will be part of the college’s response to addressing the potential for a pandemic flu, viral outbreak, or other health related emergency.
Staff writers Manasee Wagh, Jo Ciavaglia, Rachel Canelli and Joan Hellyer contributed to this story.
Link to the Morrisville District website and specific swine flu recommendations.
Schools closely monitoring situation
If a student is infected with swine flu, the county health department would recommend closing the school for seven days, a county spokeswoman said.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
With Pennsylvania reporting its first probable case of swine flu in Philadelphia Wednesday, local school administrators and public health officials are closely watching the outbreak sweeping across the United States.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are among the states with unconfirmed swine flu reports, while 11 states have confirmed at least 93 cases and one death, a toddler from Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The World Health Organization has raised the swine flu alert level to five, the second highest level meaning it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. The identical virus has spread to at least seven countries, though most were mildly sickened; Mexico, where the virus originated, is the hardest hit with more than 2,400 sickened and more than 150 deaths.
The suspected first Pennsylvania case occurred in a 2-year old child in Philadelphia who became ill on March 23, according to the state department of health. The child has no known risk factors for exposure to swine flu and he has fully recovered.
With the virus moving human-to-human, national attention has focused on schools where health officials worry it can spread quickly. Most of the U.S. cases so far are connected with two schools in New York City.
President Barack Obama said public health officials are recommending schools with confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu “strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible.”
The CDC said more U.S. cases have required hospitalizations and a pattern of more severe illness associated with the virus may be emerging in the United States. Typically 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population is infected and 36,000 deaths are blamed on seasonal flu annually.
Pennsylvania health officials have maintained contact with schools this week to keep them updated, spokeswoman Holli Senior said. School districts do not currently submit emergency preparedness plans to the state Department of Education.
If a student is infected with swine flu, the county health department would recommend closing a school for seven days, the infection’s incubation period, Bucks spokeswoman Stacey Hajdak said. But the final decision would be left with the superintendent, she added.
In Bucks County, schools have posted basic swine flu prevention information on Web sites. Public, parochial and private school officials are also monitoring CDC updates and student and staff illnesses, as well as updating parents, officials said.
“As a proactive measure, we will be meeting with all of our staff this week to go over our procedures,” said Leon Poeske, acting director of the Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township.
Neshaminy Superintendent Louis Muenker said his schools would follow county and state health department recommendations, unless a national directive requires other action.
Council Rock School District is reevaluating field trips scheduled for cities and other high population areas.
“While we are not taking a position on these trips at this time, changes in the concentration or severity of this reported outbreak will likely force the district to eliminate some or all of these trips,” according to a letter to parents.
Holy Ghost Preparatory High School in Bensalem reported it has an emergency response plan in case a swine flu situation should arise, said Ken Ferrara, the school’s executive director of Institutional Advancement. He doesn’t expect that the school to close because of an outbreak.
The Philadelphia Archdiocese’s superintendent for Catholic education Wednesday sent health department guidelines to its elementary and high school principals, but left it to the administrators’ discretion to forward it to school families, spokeswoman Donna Farrell said.
She added the archdiocese would likely follow the same protocol it uses during the regular flu season.
“We have schools that sometimes have to close because so many teachers are sick, so it is something we’re prepared to deal with,” Farrell said.
Bucks County Community College, which has three campuses, incorporated a pandemic flu response plan into its emergency preparedness manual two years ago, during the avian flu scare.
If a local, state or federal health agency declares a local flu or viral outbreak, which could potentially affect the college, college administrators meet and decide the course of action, according to the manual.
Decisions may include: Closure of the campus in whole or part, delayed semester start, cancellation of a semester, opening up campus as a temporary health facility, continuing college business as usual but taking precautionary medical measures, etc.
Ongoing training of college administrators and information dissemination to campus users will be part of the college’s response to addressing the potential for a pandemic flu, viral outbreak, or other health related emergency.
Staff writers Manasee Wagh, Jo Ciavaglia, Rachel Canelli and Joan Hellyer contributed to this story.
Tech school budget approved
From the BCCT.
(NOTE TO DESK - MIGHT WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK YOU REMOVED ALL THE NOTES BEFORE POSTING THE STORY. PRINTER DEVILS HAVE NOW GONE DIGITAL. THX STS)
Tech school budget wins approval
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Three sending districts will pay more in 2009-10 and the other three will pay less based on the school's funding formula.
By Joan Hellyer
Bucks County Technical High School operations in 2009-10 will be financed with a $22.4 million budget approved by a majority of governing bodies of the sending school districts.
The technical high school's bylaws call for at least four school boards from the sending districts and at least 28 board members of the governing panels to approve the proposed budget.
The Neshaminy school board on Tuesday night pushed the approval process across the finish line with a 7-2 vote in favor of the budget for the school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township.
The Bristol, Morrisville and Pennsbury boards previously approved the "bare bones" budget with 26 members of those governing bodies voting in favor of it.
Bensalem's school board was scheduled Wednesday night to vote on the tech school budget.
The Bristol Township board, however, rejected the financial plan to protest the 15 percent increase its district will pay in 2009-10. The added costs are needed to cover recent enrollment increases of Bristol Township students at the tech school, BCTHS representatives said.
Bensalem and Bristol also will pay more in the coming year while Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury will pay less based on the school's funding formula, officials said.
Bensalem will pay $3,135,268, Bristol's charge is $733,313, Bristol Township's share is $6,503,272, Morrisville will be charged $528,077, Neshaminy's cost is $3,921,993 and Pennsbury will pay $3,643,532, said officials.
Overall, the budget is 2.9 percent greater than the 2008-09 budget, said administrators, who are moving forward to enact the financial plan effective July 1.
(NOTE TO DESK - MIGHT WANT TO CHECK WITH MANASEE WHO IS COVERING BENSALEM MEETING TONIGHT TO SEE WHAT THAT BOARD DECIDES - RIGHT NOW I JUST HAVE IT THAT "BENSALEM'S SCHOOL BOARD WAS SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO VOTE ON THE TECH SCHOOL BUDGET." THX, JH)
(NOTE TO DESK - MIGHT WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK YOU REMOVED ALL THE NOTES BEFORE POSTING THE STORY. PRINTER DEVILS HAVE NOW GONE DIGITAL. THX STS)
Tech school budget wins approval
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Three sending districts will pay more in 2009-10 and the other three will pay less based on the school's funding formula.
By Joan Hellyer
Bucks County Technical High School operations in 2009-10 will be financed with a $22.4 million budget approved by a majority of governing bodies of the sending school districts.
The technical high school's bylaws call for at least four school boards from the sending districts and at least 28 board members of the governing panels to approve the proposed budget.
The Neshaminy school board on Tuesday night pushed the approval process across the finish line with a 7-2 vote in favor of the budget for the school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township.
The Bristol, Morrisville and Pennsbury boards previously approved the "bare bones" budget with 26 members of those governing bodies voting in favor of it.
Bensalem's school board was scheduled Wednesday night to vote on the tech school budget.
The Bristol Township board, however, rejected the financial plan to protest the 15 percent increase its district will pay in 2009-10. The added costs are needed to cover recent enrollment increases of Bristol Township students at the tech school, BCTHS representatives said.
Bensalem and Bristol also will pay more in the coming year while Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury will pay less based on the school's funding formula, officials said.
Bensalem will pay $3,135,268, Bristol's charge is $733,313, Bristol Township's share is $6,503,272, Morrisville will be charged $528,077, Neshaminy's cost is $3,921,993 and Pennsbury will pay $3,643,532, said officials.
Overall, the budget is 2.9 percent greater than the 2008-09 budget, said administrators, who are moving forward to enact the financial plan effective July 1.
(NOTE TO DESK - MIGHT WANT TO CHECK WITH MANASEE WHO IS COVERING BENSALEM MEETING TONIGHT TO SEE WHAT THAT BOARD DECIDES - RIGHT NOW I JUST HAVE IT THAT "BENSALEM'S SCHOOL BOARD WAS SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO VOTE ON THE TECH SCHOOL BUDGET." THX, JH)
Top Republican assails Gov. Rendell's budget
From the Inquirer.
Top Republican assails Gov. Rendell's budget
By Angela Couloumbis Posted on Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - A top Senate Republican yesterday set the stage for a budget showdown with the Rendell administration, saying that the governor's plan reflected "short-term thinking" and that he could not support it without major changes.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman (R., Centre) said the Republican-controlled Senate would soon pass a counterproposal that would call for spending 5 percent less than Gov. Rendell's $29 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
The Republican alternative also would not increase any taxes, he said.
"If we were to adopt [the governor's] plan, we in the legislature would be committing something akin to budgetary malpractice," Corman said at the monthly press club luncheon in Harrisburg.
Corman did not say how Republicans would achieve their spending cuts. He and others have said those details would be released early next month.
Corman said the Republican plan called for reducing Rendell's proposed budget to close to $27.5 billion. While the GOP plan would include the roughly $2 billion in federal stimulus aid that Rendell's budget relies on, it would reject Rendell's proposal to add taxes on tobacco sales, natural-gas extraction, and health-insurance premiums.
Corman acknowledged that reducing Rendell's budget "does not come without pain and does not come without political peril."
"But we absolutely have to do it, and we have to do it now to get our economic house in order," he said.
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo yesterday countered that "at a time when more Pennsylvanians are looking to government for essential services, it appears the senator's proposal will provide less of them."
He added that "the governor's vision for the commonwealth's future has been endorsed by the electorate twice," and that "the time for rhetorical flourish is long past - it's time to do the hard work necessary to craft a responsible budget."
The deadline to pass the budget is July 1. Since Rendell took office in 2003, no budget has been passed on time.
This year appears no different, with Republicans once again showcasing wide ideological and fiscal differences with the administration.
Rendell's proposed budget includes no broad-based tax increases, but it does seek a 10-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and new levies on smokeless tobacco and natural-gas reserves.
While education, welfare, corrections, and probation and parole would receive budget increases, every other department faces cuts.
Rendell has proposed eliminating funding for 101 state programs, including schools for the deaf and children of military veterans, and trimming spending for 346.
Top Republican assails Gov. Rendell's budget
By Angela Couloumbis Posted on Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - A top Senate Republican yesterday set the stage for a budget showdown with the Rendell administration, saying that the governor's plan reflected "short-term thinking" and that he could not support it without major changes.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman (R., Centre) said the Republican-controlled Senate would soon pass a counterproposal that would call for spending 5 percent less than Gov. Rendell's $29 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
The Republican alternative also would not increase any taxes, he said.
"If we were to adopt [the governor's] plan, we in the legislature would be committing something akin to budgetary malpractice," Corman said at the monthly press club luncheon in Harrisburg.
Corman did not say how Republicans would achieve their spending cuts. He and others have said those details would be released early next month.
Corman said the Republican plan called for reducing Rendell's proposed budget to close to $27.5 billion. While the GOP plan would include the roughly $2 billion in federal stimulus aid that Rendell's budget relies on, it would reject Rendell's proposal to add taxes on tobacco sales, natural-gas extraction, and health-insurance premiums.
Corman acknowledged that reducing Rendell's budget "does not come without pain and does not come without political peril."
"But we absolutely have to do it, and we have to do it now to get our economic house in order," he said.
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo yesterday countered that "at a time when more Pennsylvanians are looking to government for essential services, it appears the senator's proposal will provide less of them."
He added that "the governor's vision for the commonwealth's future has been endorsed by the electorate twice," and that "the time for rhetorical flourish is long past - it's time to do the hard work necessary to craft a responsible budget."
The deadline to pass the budget is July 1. Since Rendell took office in 2003, no budget has been passed on time.
This year appears no different, with Republicans once again showcasing wide ideological and fiscal differences with the administration.
Rendell's proposed budget includes no broad-based tax increases, but it does seek a 10-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and new levies on smokeless tobacco and natural-gas reserves.
While education, welfare, corrections, and probation and parole would receive budget increases, every other department faces cuts.
Rendell has proposed eliminating funding for 101 state programs, including schools for the deaf and children of military veterans, and trimming spending for 346.
Neshaminy: Busy Signal, Please Try Again
From the BCCT.
Board members won't be allowed to call in votes
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
A motion to allow school board directors to cast their votes by phone narrowly failed.
A policy that would've allowed Neshaminy school board members to participate in meetings by phone was disconnected Tuesday night.
The vote failed 4-5 with only board members William O'Connor, William Spitz, Susan Cummings and Joseph Blasch voting yes.
The process would've let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would have been able to make such a request only once a year through the board president or superintendent, according to the policy.
O'Connor, who works in sales and marketing, requested the guideline so he wouldn't have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips. He wanted the rule to allow two directors per meeting to vote by phone twice a year since his job takes him a few times a year to places like South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Germany. O'Connor said he missed two or three meetings in the last year.
Board member Richard Eccles expressed concerns that board members would miss too many meetings. But district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III said it wouldn't count as an absence if a board member participated via phone.
The policy would've given the board the ability to increase those numbers in the future, administrators said.
Profy also said the board member participating remotely could not have been used to reach a quorum. At least five other board members must be present to hold a meeting, said Profy.
Board member William Spitz favored the remote participation, which he believed could be monitored and adjusted to avoid abuse.
The concept already is used in some districts, including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said.
And Neshaminy allowed board member Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said 35 school districts across the state have adopted similar protocols.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But Neshaminy board member Frank Koziol argued the policy isn't necessary. By his calculations, only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director's absence.
Board President Ritchie Webb said he could see why the policy might be beneficial, but he voted against the policy, too, because voting over the phone doesn't allow directors to look residents in the eyes. Webb was also concerned about members hearing public comment.
Board members won't be allowed to call in votes
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
A motion to allow school board directors to cast their votes by phone narrowly failed.
A policy that would've allowed Neshaminy school board members to participate in meetings by phone was disconnected Tuesday night.
The vote failed 4-5 with only board members William O'Connor, William Spitz, Susan Cummings and Joseph Blasch voting yes.
The process would've let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would have been able to make such a request only once a year through the board president or superintendent, according to the policy.
O'Connor, who works in sales and marketing, requested the guideline so he wouldn't have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips. He wanted the rule to allow two directors per meeting to vote by phone twice a year since his job takes him a few times a year to places like South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Germany. O'Connor said he missed two or three meetings in the last year.
Board member Richard Eccles expressed concerns that board members would miss too many meetings. But district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III said it wouldn't count as an absence if a board member participated via phone.
The policy would've given the board the ability to increase those numbers in the future, administrators said.
Profy also said the board member participating remotely could not have been used to reach a quorum. At least five other board members must be present to hold a meeting, said Profy.
Board member William Spitz favored the remote participation, which he believed could be monitored and adjusted to avoid abuse.
The concept already is used in some districts, including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said.
And Neshaminy allowed board member Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said 35 school districts across the state have adopted similar protocols.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But Neshaminy board member Frank Koziol argued the policy isn't necessary. By his calculations, only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director's absence.
Board President Ritchie Webb said he could see why the policy might be beneficial, but he voted against the policy, too, because voting over the phone doesn't allow directors to look residents in the eyes. Webb was also concerned about members hearing public comment.
Pa. senator pushes bill on school district mergers
From the Inquirer.
Pa. senator pushes bill on school district mergers
The Associated Press Posted on Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A western Pennsylvania state senator wants a government commission to study how to consolidate many of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
Cambria County Democrat John Wozniak said Tuesday the state should begin a process he says could take years but result in better academic programs and substantial cost savings.
Wozniak's proposal is similar to an idea Gov. Ed Rendell introduced during his February budget address.
Wozniak wants a 15-member commission that would hold 20 public hearings around the state before putting forward a plan to realign districts.
Rendell said the state should aim for about 100 school districts, but Wozniak isn't setting a goal yet.
Pa. senator pushes bill on school district mergers
The Associated Press Posted on Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A western Pennsylvania state senator wants a government commission to study how to consolidate many of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
Cambria County Democrat John Wozniak said Tuesday the state should begin a process he says could take years but result in better academic programs and substantial cost savings.
Wozniak's proposal is similar to an idea Gov. Ed Rendell introduced during his February budget address.
Wozniak wants a 15-member commission that would hold 20 public hearings around the state before putting forward a plan to realign districts.
Rendell said the state should aim for about 100 school districts, but Wozniak isn't setting a goal yet.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Economics 101: Supply and Demand
Here's an idea from an emailer. What do you think?
I have driven past several businesses in Morrisville that are displaying their red "Stay on Track" campaign signs and was wondering if you could start a new thread on the blog where we can keep track of which businesses they are. I am not asking for a boycott, but I am personally interested in knowing which business owners in my town reject my kids' education. Then, with this knowledge I can decide which businesses I will continue to support and which I will not.
To date, I have seen the red signs in front of:
* Hellmann, CPA (of course)
* The Squirrels Nest
* A-Z Music
Anyone see any others? Please post them here.
Added April 29 4:30 P.M. I received an email suggestion that these "Stay on Track" sign sightings should be photographed. I received photos from Hellmann, Squirrels Nest, Colonial Hair, and A-Z Music. Do NOT photograph or report residences. I have removed one reported sighting and the comment for a private residence.
I have driven past several businesses in Morrisville that are displaying their red "Stay on Track" campaign signs and was wondering if you could start a new thread on the blog where we can keep track of which businesses they are. I am not asking for a boycott, but I am personally interested in knowing which business owners in my town reject my kids' education. Then, with this knowledge I can decide which businesses I will continue to support and which I will not.
To date, I have seen the red signs in front of:
* Hellmann, CPA (of course)
* The Squirrels Nest
* A-Z Music
Anyone see any others? Please post them here.
Added April 29 4:30 P.M. I received an email suggestion that these "Stay on Track" sign sightings should be photographed. I received photos from Hellmann, Squirrels Nest, Colonial Hair, and A-Z Music. Do NOT photograph or report residences. I have removed one reported sighting and the comment for a private residence.
The Emperor's Mailbag
Our series on the Emperor's released emails continues with a look that is all too familiar to us.
From: bill hellmann
> [mailto:bill_hellmannXXXXX@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 12:02 PM
> To: Heater, Gloria
> Subject: RE: COMPETITION ON HEALTH AND OTHER
> BENEFITS
>>
i am not trying to show up the admin. i want them do
> do their job, that is all. they won't do their job
> unless i bully them first, it seems. i think they do
> not think i am serious about it because they never
> faced it before, i guess? kind of weird?
> i want to live in peace and educate the kids at a
> cost
> the town can afford instead of getting blasted each
> july.
>>
see you tonight!!
>
> bill
Oh dear. Isn't this in violation of Morrisville School District policy 252?
Then there's the Emperor's take on the pro-schoolers. (I guess I'm one of them.)
From: bill hellmann [mailto:bill_hellmann_cpa@yahoo.com)
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 1:19 PM
To: Heater, Gloria
Cc: bill hellmann
Subject: RE: FW: Notes from last meeting
well if i am not the boss how am i to get anything done? you sound like ole
mrs. reithmeyer. i need four other votes, remember? what was my promise,
please refresh my memory. i believe it was only on the tuitioning out
referendum, correct?
NOT on a k-12 consolidated school? i do not care. if this town wants to keep
the school the same, fine, but get ready to get crushed on july 1 each year.
you worry about politics all the time. let me tell you, you have not seen
anything yet as far as the public when you have to vote on the projected tax
increases the next few years. these pro-new schoolers you are afraid of will
be nothing compared to that.
these pro-new schoolers do not bother me one iota!!!!!!
if you can not take the heat, get out of the kitchen, because it will get
hotter this time next year. mark my words!!!!!!!!!
Let's have a refresher course in how to identify abusive leadership styles.
From: bill hellmann
> [mailto:bill_hellmannXXXXX@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 12:02 PM
> To: Heater, Gloria
> Subject: RE: COMPETITION ON HEALTH AND OTHER
> BENEFITS
>>
i am not trying to show up the admin. i want them do
> do their job, that is all. they won't do their job
> unless i bully them first, it seems. i think they do
> not think i am serious about it because they never
> faced it before, i guess? kind of weird?
> i want to live in peace and educate the kids at a
> cost
> the town can afford instead of getting blasted each
> july.
>>
see you tonight!!
>
> bill
Oh dear. Isn't this in violation of Morrisville School District policy 252?
Then there's the Emperor's take on the pro-schoolers. (I guess I'm one of them.)
From: bill hellmann [mailto:bill_hellmann_cpa@yahoo.com)
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 1:19 PM
To: Heater, Gloria
Cc: bill hellmann
Subject: RE: FW: Notes from last meeting
well if i am not the boss how am i to get anything done? you sound like ole
mrs. reithmeyer. i need four other votes, remember? what was my promise,
please refresh my memory. i believe it was only on the tuitioning out
referendum, correct?
NOT on a k-12 consolidated school? i do not care. if this town wants to keep
the school the same, fine, but get ready to get crushed on july 1 each year.
you worry about politics all the time. let me tell you, you have not seen
anything yet as far as the public when you have to vote on the projected tax
increases the next few years. these pro-new schoolers you are afraid of will
be nothing compared to that.
these pro-new schoolers do not bother me one iota!!!!!!
if you can not take the heat, get out of the kitchen, because it will get
hotter this time next year. mark my words!!!!!!!!!
Let's have a refresher course in how to identify abusive leadership styles.
Going the Extra Step
Thanks to the emailer who sent this in:
This reminds me of our board of education. They're just concerned with the quick fix and not willing to do the real work to make it right.
This reminds me of our board of education. They're just concerned with the quick fix and not willing to do the real work to make it right.
Neshaminy: Layoffs Coming
From the BCCT.
Business administrator recommends layoffs
About 65 positions would be eliminated under the potential budget changes.
By RACHEL CANELLI
With a somber tone, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night forecasted Neshaminy School District’s financial future: layoffs.
After months of trying to find ways to cut the projected $14 million deficit and avoid a $500 tax hike, Paradise recommended many budget changes to the Neshaminy school board, which included eliminating about 65 positions.
Paradise said the administration’s suggestions are made “with great sadness … but little choice.”
“Many of these cuts reduce … spending to their bare minimum,” Paradise read from a prepared statement. “It will not be business as usual next year in Neshaminy … there will be few dollars to do anything other than what’s legally required.”
To fill the holes between an estimated $167 million spending plan and $153 in projected revenues, Paradise described how officials found more than $10 million mostly through employee jobs.
That would reduce the average tax increase from 12.5 percent to 3.6 percent, which is under the Act 1 4.1 percent limit, administrators said.
If approved, at least two cabinet-level spots, including one in human resources, won’t be filled, saving roughly $300,000. By moving the ninth grade to the renovated high school next year, more than 27 positions would be eliminated, said Paradise.
And, so far, about 25 support staff jobs could be lost, officials said.
Administrators recommended saving $637,000 of the $10.6 million transportation budget by eliminating the mid-day kindergarten bus run, as well as reducing late day transportation routes and consolidating pick-up and drop-off spots.
Paradise strongly suggested that the board seriously consider establishing a committee to close an elementary school next year.
Travel and support staff ’s overtime would be reduced by 50 percent, officials said. Administrators said they can more efficiently schedule music, art, and languages.
Officials also recommended increasing facilities usage fees, gather $250,000 through establishing to-be-determined fees for extra-curricular activities to cover a portion of the $1.6 million activities budget, saving $114,000 by canceling the summer work program and eliminating the long term service awards ceremony.
While some residents continued petitioning the board for no tax and budget increase, others, including senior citizens, said they supported Paradise’s recommendations. They also suggested forging business partnerships, being more energy efficient, creating a budget committee and seeking corporate sponsorships, specifically for sports.
Since officials used $8.8 million of the district’s savings in the last two years — more than Neshaminy’s history — administrators suggested avoiding what’s left of the dwindling $1.2 million fund balance to bridge the gap.
Officials said they’d continue to review the budget.
“It’s with heavy heart that we have to have this conversation tonight,” said Superintendent Lou Muenker. “Every number comes with a story, a face and a family. But these recommendations don’t come without a lot of sleepless nights.”
Business administrator recommends layoffs
About 65 positions would be eliminated under the potential budget changes.
By RACHEL CANELLI
With a somber tone, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night forecasted Neshaminy School District’s financial future: layoffs.
After months of trying to find ways to cut the projected $14 million deficit and avoid a $500 tax hike, Paradise recommended many budget changes to the Neshaminy school board, which included eliminating about 65 positions.
Paradise said the administration’s suggestions are made “with great sadness … but little choice.”
“Many of these cuts reduce … spending to their bare minimum,” Paradise read from a prepared statement. “It will not be business as usual next year in Neshaminy … there will be few dollars to do anything other than what’s legally required.”
To fill the holes between an estimated $167 million spending plan and $153 in projected revenues, Paradise described how officials found more than $10 million mostly through employee jobs.
That would reduce the average tax increase from 12.5 percent to 3.6 percent, which is under the Act 1 4.1 percent limit, administrators said.
If approved, at least two cabinet-level spots, including one in human resources, won’t be filled, saving roughly $300,000. By moving the ninth grade to the renovated high school next year, more than 27 positions would be eliminated, said Paradise.
And, so far, about 25 support staff jobs could be lost, officials said.
Administrators recommended saving $637,000 of the $10.6 million transportation budget by eliminating the mid-day kindergarten bus run, as well as reducing late day transportation routes and consolidating pick-up and drop-off spots.
Paradise strongly suggested that the board seriously consider establishing a committee to close an elementary school next year.
Travel and support staff ’s overtime would be reduced by 50 percent, officials said. Administrators said they can more efficiently schedule music, art, and languages.
Officials also recommended increasing facilities usage fees, gather $250,000 through establishing to-be-determined fees for extra-curricular activities to cover a portion of the $1.6 million activities budget, saving $114,000 by canceling the summer work program and eliminating the long term service awards ceremony.
While some residents continued petitioning the board for no tax and budget increase, others, including senior citizens, said they supported Paradise’s recommendations. They also suggested forging business partnerships, being more energy efficient, creating a budget committee and seeking corporate sponsorships, specifically for sports.
Since officials used $8.8 million of the district’s savings in the last two years — more than Neshaminy’s history — administrators suggested avoiding what’s left of the dwindling $1.2 million fund balance to bridge the gap.
Officials said they’d continue to review the budget.
“It’s with heavy heart that we have to have this conversation tonight,” said Superintendent Lou Muenker. “Every number comes with a story, a face and a family. But these recommendations don’t come without a lot of sleepless nights.”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dubious Budget Congratulations
From the BCCT.
Let's not go this far just yet. The first paragraph, "undisclosed unilateral decisions by the board chairman, secret discussions about shipping high school students to another district, and other shenanigans" speaks volumes by chapter and verse regarding the track this school board is traveling.
There's a lack of ethics at work here on a 24/7 basis.
So while the numbers may add up, does the action those budget numbers represent also add up? A stopped clock is wrong twice a day and every yin must have some yang.
With all due respect to the esteemed Dr. Yonson, the Emperor has very little use for her in public and in private. Perhaps we should recognize that she and her staff have done wonders with what little she has to work with rather than using her endorsement as proof the budget, and the strategy behind it, is sound.
Incredible shrinking budget
Here’s one you don’t hear very often.
Morrisville school board members have taken a lot of flack in the last year or so — from the community and also from us. They deserved most of it: Undisclosed unilateral decisions by the board chairman, secret discussions about shipping high school students to another district, and other shenanigans have earned the board majority just and heated criticism.
But board members deserve credit as well. We refer to this recent headline: “No tax increase for district.”
When was the last time you read that one?
Credit the board’s focus on cutting expenses. Admittedly, board members have gotten help via the departure of high-salaried administrators who have not been replaced, and the shuttering of an elementary school after a boiler fire. But a concerted effort to identify and end wasteful practices such as the extraneous use of paper helped produce a budget that proposes spending a million dollars less than last year.
The motivations driving this board often are wrong-headed. So while there is good reason to remain skeptical of almost anything this board does, it’s reassuring that Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson has given the zero-tax increase spending plan her seal of approval.
“I can assure you all the cuts will not change any of the programs we’ve been doing,” Yonson said.
We’re glad to hear it. Morrisville students and parents have been through enough.
Let's not go this far just yet. The first paragraph, "undisclosed unilateral decisions by the board chairman, secret discussions about shipping high school students to another district, and other shenanigans" speaks volumes by chapter and verse regarding the track this school board is traveling.
There's a lack of ethics at work here on a 24/7 basis.
So while the numbers may add up, does the action those budget numbers represent also add up? A stopped clock is wrong twice a day and every yin must have some yang.
With all due respect to the esteemed Dr. Yonson, the Emperor has very little use for her in public and in private. Perhaps we should recognize that she and her staff have done wonders with what little she has to work with rather than using her endorsement as proof the budget, and the strategy behind it, is sound.
Incredible shrinking budget
Here’s one you don’t hear very often.
Morrisville school board members have taken a lot of flack in the last year or so — from the community and also from us. They deserved most of it: Undisclosed unilateral decisions by the board chairman, secret discussions about shipping high school students to another district, and other shenanigans have earned the board majority just and heated criticism.
But board members deserve credit as well. We refer to this recent headline: “No tax increase for district.”
When was the last time you read that one?
Credit the board’s focus on cutting expenses. Admittedly, board members have gotten help via the departure of high-salaried administrators who have not been replaced, and the shuttering of an elementary school after a boiler fire. But a concerted effort to identify and end wasteful practices such as the extraneous use of paper helped produce a budget that proposes spending a million dollars less than last year.
The motivations driving this board often are wrong-headed. So while there is good reason to remain skeptical of almost anything this board does, it’s reassuring that Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson has given the zero-tax increase spending plan her seal of approval.
“I can assure you all the cuts will not change any of the programs we’ve been doing,” Yonson said.
We’re glad to hear it. Morrisville students and parents have been through enough.
Neshaminy: Now WE Want a School Board Just Like Morrisville
From the BCCT.
First Pennsbury, now Neshaminy...
"Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers." What ever happened to the children in this equation? Take this fight to Harrisburg. Stop making the children pay alongside the rest of us. Call your state senator and representative.
Contracts made when times were better are going to look lavish when compared to today. Similarly, they would look shabby against a healthy economy.
Personnel costs are an immense cost in every business, not just teaching. But teaching is a very high "face time" profession, requiring 1 on 25 group interaction (pick your teacher to class ratio as you will), and the necessary 1 on 1 interactions. No computer program in existence today can replace the teacher-student time.
Teachers are well educated people and they deserve a real salary based on their past experience, their current workload, and the night education they are receiving to become better at their job. Do not read that to mean I stand for unlimited and excessive pay. I've signed payrolls in the past. Fair pay for fair work, but remember that one man's fair is another's foul.
Another local school board, another local taxpayer riot. Been there, done that. Our wreckage is still bouncing from the collapse, and the occasional heater explosion.
Are you sure you want to go down this extremist road?
Tell irresponsible unions, school boards our pockets are empty
The moment of truth is approaching. This was announced at the Neshaminy board meeting when Joe Paradise, the school district’s business manager, stated, “The preliminary budget will be out April 28 and there will be something for everyone to hate in this budget.” As the guardian of spending no one understands the tyranny of the numbers better.
When he says “everyone,” I have more than a suspicion that he means every one of us taxpayers will yet again shoulder the pain caused by past and current failures in fiscal responsibility.
However, taxpayers need to understand the reason our budget is so painful. Escalating personnel costs in our district now comprise nearly 80 percent of the expense. This is predominately unionized personnel, aka teachers and staff. Their excessive past contracts, including rich benefits, have put us in a $14 million deficit and this will likely be severely exasperated by the outrageous demands in the next contract.
Read every page of the last collective bargaining agreement (an extension of the 1998 contract) from 2002 and you will see contracted pay, benefits and perks that will absolutely drive you crazy — especially now. Amazingly, in the ongoing renegotiation, the most highly compensated teachers and staff in Bucks County (top 10 in Pennsylvania), now are demanding much more.
When he says “something,” we ALL will hate, it is code for the draconian cuts the board will be forced to make to close the budget gaps resulting from the elephant in the room — out of control employee costs. The teachers rejected a perfectly decent offer the board made last year and one the administrators recently accepted. This included a generous 3 percent annual increase and a diminished yet still rich benefits package. They should have grabbed it since now, given the deteriorating economy, this package is now even more unaffordable for the district.
The National Federation of Teachers and its members didn’t compromise, but instead insisted on demanding a 4 percent increase plus steps totaling 6 percent annually, zero employee contribution to the exponentially increasing budget health care costs, continued defined benefit retirement plan, including full non-participatory health care in retirement, retirement bonuses of $30,000 vs. the current $27,000 (who gets this in the real world?), a longevity bonus (WHAT? You have to be kidding?) and many other benefits that no other Pennsylvania district still provides.
Just think, if the offer the board made is unaffordable, what if they now get a compromised middle ground deal or worse, their demands? You won’t be able to cut enough elsewhere and we will be in deeper deficit spending and escalating annual tax increases as far as the eye can see.
A petition circulating in the district on behalf of taxpayers for a Fair Neshaminy Budget, so far signed by several hundred taxpayers and growing, has demanded the board withdraw its offer and make a significantly reduced one with much lower long-term cost to taxpayers. Many more are speaking up at school board meetings.
When the board recommends cuts in programs that will negatively impact the children of the district (remember them?), don’t direct all your displeasure at board members. Their hands have been tied by unions and lawmakers so they do what state laws permit. Instead, focus blame on the teachers and union leaders. The possible reduction in educational quality will now rest with them as they make their needs preeminent to ours.
Many are uncomfortable that these facts are being called out publicly, but unfortunately this powerful group has brought it on themselves as they simply have no defense of the demands. Please know that if the union wins, everyone else loses. It will lead not only to continued massive tax increases, but also to potentially major reductions in very popular programs. Ironically, to secure their demands, union leadership will throw some teachers over the side due to program elimination.
I don’t know about you, but I have had it with irresponsible unions, school boards and politicians who assume our pockets are deep enough to pay all the bills they sign up for? People continue to fatten up at the public trough when the rest of us can now least afford it. Fair compensation in line with current private sector offerings is acceptable but communities should no longer have to subsidize the excessive packages that teachers and other public workers demand through their powerful unions. If the madness doesn’t stop, our children and grandchildren will be left with the increasingly noncompetitive public education system we have now — and taxes that make Europe look like a bargain.
Join the fight. Speak at tonight’s board meeting. Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers.
First Pennsbury, now Neshaminy...
"Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers." What ever happened to the children in this equation? Take this fight to Harrisburg. Stop making the children pay alongside the rest of us. Call your state senator and representative.
Contracts made when times were better are going to look lavish when compared to today. Similarly, they would look shabby against a healthy economy.
Personnel costs are an immense cost in every business, not just teaching. But teaching is a very high "face time" profession, requiring 1 on 25 group interaction (pick your teacher to class ratio as you will), and the necessary 1 on 1 interactions. No computer program in existence today can replace the teacher-student time.
Teachers are well educated people and they deserve a real salary based on their past experience, their current workload, and the night education they are receiving to become better at their job. Do not read that to mean I stand for unlimited and excessive pay. I've signed payrolls in the past. Fair pay for fair work, but remember that one man's fair is another's foul.
Another local school board, another local taxpayer riot. Been there, done that. Our wreckage is still bouncing from the collapse, and the occasional heater explosion.
Are you sure you want to go down this extremist road?
Tell irresponsible unions, school boards our pockets are empty
The moment of truth is approaching. This was announced at the Neshaminy board meeting when Joe Paradise, the school district’s business manager, stated, “The preliminary budget will be out April 28 and there will be something for everyone to hate in this budget.” As the guardian of spending no one understands the tyranny of the numbers better.
When he says “everyone,” I have more than a suspicion that he means every one of us taxpayers will yet again shoulder the pain caused by past and current failures in fiscal responsibility.
However, taxpayers need to understand the reason our budget is so painful. Escalating personnel costs in our district now comprise nearly 80 percent of the expense. This is predominately unionized personnel, aka teachers and staff. Their excessive past contracts, including rich benefits, have put us in a $14 million deficit and this will likely be severely exasperated by the outrageous demands in the next contract.
Read every page of the last collective bargaining agreement (an extension of the 1998 contract) from 2002 and you will see contracted pay, benefits and perks that will absolutely drive you crazy — especially now. Amazingly, in the ongoing renegotiation, the most highly compensated teachers and staff in Bucks County (top 10 in Pennsylvania), now are demanding much more.
When he says “something,” we ALL will hate, it is code for the draconian cuts the board will be forced to make to close the budget gaps resulting from the elephant in the room — out of control employee costs. The teachers rejected a perfectly decent offer the board made last year and one the administrators recently accepted. This included a generous 3 percent annual increase and a diminished yet still rich benefits package. They should have grabbed it since now, given the deteriorating economy, this package is now even more unaffordable for the district.
The National Federation of Teachers and its members didn’t compromise, but instead insisted on demanding a 4 percent increase plus steps totaling 6 percent annually, zero employee contribution to the exponentially increasing budget health care costs, continued defined benefit retirement plan, including full non-participatory health care in retirement, retirement bonuses of $30,000 vs. the current $27,000 (who gets this in the real world?), a longevity bonus (WHAT? You have to be kidding?) and many other benefits that no other Pennsylvania district still provides.
Just think, if the offer the board made is unaffordable, what if they now get a compromised middle ground deal or worse, their demands? You won’t be able to cut enough elsewhere and we will be in deeper deficit spending and escalating annual tax increases as far as the eye can see.
A petition circulating in the district on behalf of taxpayers for a Fair Neshaminy Budget, so far signed by several hundred taxpayers and growing, has demanded the board withdraw its offer and make a significantly reduced one with much lower long-term cost to taxpayers. Many more are speaking up at school board meetings.
When the board recommends cuts in programs that will negatively impact the children of the district (remember them?), don’t direct all your displeasure at board members. Their hands have been tied by unions and lawmakers so they do what state laws permit. Instead, focus blame on the teachers and union leaders. The possible reduction in educational quality will now rest with them as they make their needs preeminent to ours.
Many are uncomfortable that these facts are being called out publicly, but unfortunately this powerful group has brought it on themselves as they simply have no defense of the demands. Please know that if the union wins, everyone else loses. It will lead not only to continued massive tax increases, but also to potentially major reductions in very popular programs. Ironically, to secure their demands, union leadership will throw some teachers over the side due to program elimination.
I don’t know about you, but I have had it with irresponsible unions, school boards and politicians who assume our pockets are deep enough to pay all the bills they sign up for? People continue to fatten up at the public trough when the rest of us can now least afford it. Fair compensation in line with current private sector offerings is acceptable but communities should no longer have to subsidize the excessive packages that teachers and other public workers demand through their powerful unions. If the madness doesn’t stop, our children and grandchildren will be left with the increasingly noncompetitive public education system we have now — and taxes that make Europe look like a bargain.
Join the fight. Speak at tonight’s board meeting. Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Where's the plan?
For a while now, Morrisville residents have eagerly awaited the "six point plan" put forward by the Emperor, but safely hidden from the public's scrutiny and debate.
One parent has now gone to the state to force the Emperor to make the plan public. Kate Fratti has a blog entry about it.
My reading of the PA state right to know law exceptions says that this is not likely to prevail.
Here's hoping I'm wrong.
What's the plan, Mr. Hellman?
By: Kate Fratti
In Morrisville, a parent applied to receive a copy of "a six point plan," authored by School Board President Bill Hellmann and has been denied. Kevin Leather has appealled under the right to know laws. Here's hoping he's successful. Folks have a right to know what their elected leaders are planning. Or in this case, should the word be plotting? Why else would leaders be so secretive?
April 20, 2009 05:35 PM
One parent has now gone to the state to force the Emperor to make the plan public. Kate Fratti has a blog entry about it.
My reading of the PA state right to know law exceptions says that this is not likely to prevail.
Here's hoping I'm wrong.
What's the plan, Mr. Hellman?
By: Kate Fratti
In Morrisville, a parent applied to receive a copy of "a six point plan," authored by School Board President Bill Hellmann and has been denied. Kevin Leather has appealled under the right to know laws. Here's hoping he's successful. Folks have a right to know what their elected leaders are planning. Or in this case, should the word be plotting? Why else would leaders be so secretive?
April 20, 2009 05:35 PM
Mayoral Discussion?
Thanks to the emailer who sent this.
The Grandview Greats deserve a big round of applause, along with their teachers, coaches, and parents.
We can talk about the mayoral and borough council races. They are as important as the school board elections.
We had a visit from candidate Graeme Thomson earlier but I think we scared him off. His message did leave some items out for open discussion.
This might be a good time to mention that I will post in its entirety, anything any announced candidate for mayor, council, or school board, would care to provide.
Scanned copies of campaign literature dropped off at your doorstep are also welcomed.
I will not claim to post without comment. I know some of the readership would probably comment also.
Two things:
Reading Olympics
The fourth and fifth graders won a blue ribbon at the annual Reading Olympics held at Bensalem High School in April. There were over 100 schools represented. Not only did the Morrisville team (Grandview Greats) win a blue ribbon, they scored 60 points - only a handful of schools earned sixty or over. I was there. One of the moderators complimented our kids for their behavior and courtesy. They were so impressive. Worked so well together, all participated, they were respectful and considerate, applauded the other teams, etc. They worked all year preparing for this event, just like any other sports team preparing for a tournament.
These 13 kids are our future high schoolers! We can't let them down!
Mayoral Candidates
Will we be discussing the candidates on this blog?
The Grandview Greats deserve a big round of applause, along with their teachers, coaches, and parents.
We can talk about the mayoral and borough council races. They are as important as the school board elections.
We had a visit from candidate Graeme Thomson earlier but I think we scared him off. His message did leave some items out for open discussion.
This might be a good time to mention that I will post in its entirety, anything any announced candidate for mayor, council, or school board, would care to provide.
Scanned copies of campaign literature dropped off at your doorstep are also welcomed.
I will not claim to post without comment. I know some of the readership would probably comment also.
Two things:
Reading Olympics
The fourth and fifth graders won a blue ribbon at the annual Reading Olympics held at Bensalem High School in April. There were over 100 schools represented. Not only did the Morrisville team (Grandview Greats) win a blue ribbon, they scored 60 points - only a handful of schools earned sixty or over. I was there. One of the moderators complimented our kids for their behavior and courtesy. They were so impressive. Worked so well together, all participated, they were respectful and considerate, applauded the other teams, etc. They worked all year preparing for this event, just like any other sports team preparing for a tournament.
These 13 kids are our future high schoolers! We can't let them down!
Mayoral Candidates
Will we be discussing the candidates on this blog?
Recession may teach lesson no job is safe
From the Allentown Morning Call.
Recession may teach lesson no job is safe
Easton Area is talking staff cuts that could bring ruling on state law
By Scott Kraus | and Christopher Baxter Of The Morning Call April 26, 2009
Teaching jobs have long been thought of as safe havens from economic uncertainty, insulated from the ups and downs of the financial markets.
That has been especially true in Pennsylvania, where state law makes it difficult, if not impossible, for school districts to balance budgets with teacher layoffs.
The Easton Area School District made a move to change that last week, warning that it might join financially strapped school districts in California and Washington in handing teachers pink slips.
Facing a budget shortfall, and unhappy with the cost of the five-year teachers contract the school board approved unanimously in 2007, district officials asked the union Tuesday to reopen the deal or face job cuts.
''I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't see some number of school districts feel like they had no choice but to try to open those deals back up,'' said Kent McGuire, dean of Temple University's College of Education. ''At least they want to take credit for having tried to have that conversation.''
While even the threat of mass teacher layoffs is new to Pennsylvania, the economy has pushed schools elsewhere to take the drastic step.
The number of districts planning staff cuts quadrupled in the past year to 44 percent nationwide, a March study by the American Association of School Administrators found. Teachers made up about 40 percent of those targeted.
The Easton Area Education Association has asked the district to tap some of the $5.1 million in proceeds it expects to get from the federal economic stimulus to stave off the cuts. But the district so far has balked at the idea.
Can they or can't they?
The question is whether Pennsylvania's restrictions on layoffs make Easton's warning that it may cut 45 to 60 teaching jobs a hollow threat.
Districts can lay off teachers only if enrollment drops or if an educational program is discontinued. The state prohibits layoffs just to balance the budget.
If Easton Area goes ahead with the layoffs, it may face a battle from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which says it will fight any effort to lay off teachers for financial reasons.
''I think they are grandstanding,'' said PSEA President James Testerman. ''It is inappropriate and illegal and most importantly sad for the kids Â… We will use every legal means to make sure they are complying with Pennsylvania law.''
The ability to let teachers go for financial reasons is something school districts would like to have, said Sean Fields, Pennsylvania School Boards Association attorney.
''There are enumerated reasons teachers can be suspended, but those reasons are not specifically economic reasons,'' Fields said.
The school boards association wants to change that. It spelled out its reasoning in an education reform proposal to state lawmakers earlier this year.
''Every other public and private sector employer except for school districts has the prerogative to make adjustments to its work force when hard economic times hit,'' the proposal reads.
But Easton believes a decision to make cuts is on firm ground. Easton Area business manager Marie Guidry said the district's solicitor has assured administrators they can make teacher cuts.
The district plans to rely on a provision in the Pennsylvania School Code that says schools can suspend teachers ''as a result of substantial decline in class or course enrollments,'' she said.
The state Department of Education must approve such suspensions to prevent districts from slashing courses and teachers simply to save money, said Leah Harris, spokeswoman for the department.
So far this school year, the state has approved 17 of 18 of school district requests, Harris said, most recently for the Pottstown School District, which cut a swimming program for Grades 1 to 6.
Most have involved just one or two positions.
A plan such as Easton's to cut dozens of teachers -- a move Guidry says would save $4 million in salaries and benefits -- would be unusual, if not unprecedented, Harris said.
Quality debate
Easton Area plans to argue that it is simply carrying out a policy that scraps classes that fail to draw more than 10 students, said Superintendent Susan McGinley. The district also plans to increase class sizes and freeze hiring for all but state-required courses.
High school electives would be most affected under the 10-student rule, said union President Kevin Deely. And cutting only those would fall far short of the district's goal, he said.
Just the prospect of class eliminations has alarmed students, who have started a Facebook group to fight the cuts.
Deely said the district cannot afford to slice the jobs without hurting education quality. Easton's student-to-teacher ratio is about 12-1, comparable with other Lehigh Valley districts and liable to rise to 13-1 with layoffs.
''I think the district is still understaffed,'' Deely said, adding that it is among those needing ''corrective action'' -- a label the state gives to districts that are academically struggling. Easton Area High School has struggled to meet benchmarks for the reading and math portions of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams.
Stimulus to the rescue?
Deely wants the district to use federal stimulus money to maintain staffing.
Before the stimulus passed, the National Education Association projected 2009 could bring as many as 600,000 school personnel layoffs, said spokesman Bill Parker.
''We're predicting this recovery bill is going to save almost all of those jobs, it will just vary from state to state,'' Parker said.
All $5.1 million of Easton Area's projected stimulus share can be used to ''avert layoffs and promote reform,'' said U.S. Department of Education spokeswoman Sandra Abrevaya.
About $814,000 of Easton's stimulus package is expected to come in the form of stabilization dollars, which are specifically targeted to avoid layoffs, said state Department of Education spokesman Mike Race.
The rest of the money comes with some restrictions, but could be used in ways that would preserve jobs, he said.
Guidry, who said previously that the district might use some stimulus money to install energy-efficient doors and windows, said the district doesn't want to tap the stimulus for salaries.
''That stimulus money will be only for the next two years,'' she said. ''After that we would be looking at a larger deficit.''
District officials say their efforts to gain concessions is driven by grim fiscal realities: declining property tax receipts, plunging investment earnings and rising pension costs.
That contrasts with 2007, when the district signed the five-year contract, and experts were still debating whether the slowing economy would turn into a recession in 2008.
The contract's annual raises of 4.9 percent were similar to those in the Parkland and Nazareth Area school districts.
Easton Area School Board ratified the deal by a vote of 6-0, with two abstentions. Board President Patricia Fisher has since said she and her colleagues did not fully understand its costs.
Former business manager Jeffrey Bader predicted at the time that the pact would save the district money through early retirements, but Guidry said the sagging economy has prompted many teachers to put off retiring.
Easton Area teachers are far from the state's highest paid. The average teacher earned $49,422 in the 2006-07 school year – the most recent state Department of Education survey -- ranking 404th out 727 districts in the state. This school year, the average Easton teacher earned $53,644, according to the district.
The district's 2008-09 maximum salary of $70,050 for teachers with a master's degree is higher than 57 percent of districts in the commonwealth, while its starting salary of $41,300 is higher than 76 percent of districts, according to the school boards association.
In Pennsylvania, those wages have come with a measure of job security that's not available in many other states, said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.
Far from being immune to economic stress, financial problems in public education usually lag the national economy by about a year, he said.
''The story I am hearing pretty regularly everywhere I go Â… there's going to be a lot of elimination of positions,'' he said. ''And under the best of circumstances, it is going to be done through attrition.''
Recession may teach lesson no job is safe
Easton Area is talking staff cuts that could bring ruling on state law
By Scott Kraus | and Christopher Baxter Of The Morning Call April 26, 2009
Teaching jobs have long been thought of as safe havens from economic uncertainty, insulated from the ups and downs of the financial markets.
That has been especially true in Pennsylvania, where state law makes it difficult, if not impossible, for school districts to balance budgets with teacher layoffs.
The Easton Area School District made a move to change that last week, warning that it might join financially strapped school districts in California and Washington in handing teachers pink slips.
Facing a budget shortfall, and unhappy with the cost of the five-year teachers contract the school board approved unanimously in 2007, district officials asked the union Tuesday to reopen the deal or face job cuts.
''I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't see some number of school districts feel like they had no choice but to try to open those deals back up,'' said Kent McGuire, dean of Temple University's College of Education. ''At least they want to take credit for having tried to have that conversation.''
While even the threat of mass teacher layoffs is new to Pennsylvania, the economy has pushed schools elsewhere to take the drastic step.
The number of districts planning staff cuts quadrupled in the past year to 44 percent nationwide, a March study by the American Association of School Administrators found. Teachers made up about 40 percent of those targeted.
The Easton Area Education Association has asked the district to tap some of the $5.1 million in proceeds it expects to get from the federal economic stimulus to stave off the cuts. But the district so far has balked at the idea.
Can they or can't they?
The question is whether Pennsylvania's restrictions on layoffs make Easton's warning that it may cut 45 to 60 teaching jobs a hollow threat.
Districts can lay off teachers only if enrollment drops or if an educational program is discontinued. The state prohibits layoffs just to balance the budget.
If Easton Area goes ahead with the layoffs, it may face a battle from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which says it will fight any effort to lay off teachers for financial reasons.
''I think they are grandstanding,'' said PSEA President James Testerman. ''It is inappropriate and illegal and most importantly sad for the kids Â… We will use every legal means to make sure they are complying with Pennsylvania law.''
The ability to let teachers go for financial reasons is something school districts would like to have, said Sean Fields, Pennsylvania School Boards Association attorney.
''There are enumerated reasons teachers can be suspended, but those reasons are not specifically economic reasons,'' Fields said.
The school boards association wants to change that. It spelled out its reasoning in an education reform proposal to state lawmakers earlier this year.
''Every other public and private sector employer except for school districts has the prerogative to make adjustments to its work force when hard economic times hit,'' the proposal reads.
But Easton believes a decision to make cuts is on firm ground. Easton Area business manager Marie Guidry said the district's solicitor has assured administrators they can make teacher cuts.
The district plans to rely on a provision in the Pennsylvania School Code that says schools can suspend teachers ''as a result of substantial decline in class or course enrollments,'' she said.
The state Department of Education must approve such suspensions to prevent districts from slashing courses and teachers simply to save money, said Leah Harris, spokeswoman for the department.
So far this school year, the state has approved 17 of 18 of school district requests, Harris said, most recently for the Pottstown School District, which cut a swimming program for Grades 1 to 6.
Most have involved just one or two positions.
A plan such as Easton's to cut dozens of teachers -- a move Guidry says would save $4 million in salaries and benefits -- would be unusual, if not unprecedented, Harris said.
Quality debate
Easton Area plans to argue that it is simply carrying out a policy that scraps classes that fail to draw more than 10 students, said Superintendent Susan McGinley. The district also plans to increase class sizes and freeze hiring for all but state-required courses.
High school electives would be most affected under the 10-student rule, said union President Kevin Deely. And cutting only those would fall far short of the district's goal, he said.
Just the prospect of class eliminations has alarmed students, who have started a Facebook group to fight the cuts.
Deely said the district cannot afford to slice the jobs without hurting education quality. Easton's student-to-teacher ratio is about 12-1, comparable with other Lehigh Valley districts and liable to rise to 13-1 with layoffs.
''I think the district is still understaffed,'' Deely said, adding that it is among those needing ''corrective action'' -- a label the state gives to districts that are academically struggling. Easton Area High School has struggled to meet benchmarks for the reading and math portions of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams.
Stimulus to the rescue?
Deely wants the district to use federal stimulus money to maintain staffing.
Before the stimulus passed, the National Education Association projected 2009 could bring as many as 600,000 school personnel layoffs, said spokesman Bill Parker.
''We're predicting this recovery bill is going to save almost all of those jobs, it will just vary from state to state,'' Parker said.
All $5.1 million of Easton Area's projected stimulus share can be used to ''avert layoffs and promote reform,'' said U.S. Department of Education spokeswoman Sandra Abrevaya.
About $814,000 of Easton's stimulus package is expected to come in the form of stabilization dollars, which are specifically targeted to avoid layoffs, said state Department of Education spokesman Mike Race.
The rest of the money comes with some restrictions, but could be used in ways that would preserve jobs, he said.
Guidry, who said previously that the district might use some stimulus money to install energy-efficient doors and windows, said the district doesn't want to tap the stimulus for salaries.
''That stimulus money will be only for the next two years,'' she said. ''After that we would be looking at a larger deficit.''
District officials say their efforts to gain concessions is driven by grim fiscal realities: declining property tax receipts, plunging investment earnings and rising pension costs.
That contrasts with 2007, when the district signed the five-year contract, and experts were still debating whether the slowing economy would turn into a recession in 2008.
The contract's annual raises of 4.9 percent were similar to those in the Parkland and Nazareth Area school districts.
Easton Area School Board ratified the deal by a vote of 6-0, with two abstentions. Board President Patricia Fisher has since said she and her colleagues did not fully understand its costs.
Former business manager Jeffrey Bader predicted at the time that the pact would save the district money through early retirements, but Guidry said the sagging economy has prompted many teachers to put off retiring.
Easton Area teachers are far from the state's highest paid. The average teacher earned $49,422 in the 2006-07 school year – the most recent state Department of Education survey -- ranking 404th out 727 districts in the state. This school year, the average Easton teacher earned $53,644, according to the district.
The district's 2008-09 maximum salary of $70,050 for teachers with a master's degree is higher than 57 percent of districts in the commonwealth, while its starting salary of $41,300 is higher than 76 percent of districts, according to the school boards association.
In Pennsylvania, those wages have come with a measure of job security that's not available in many other states, said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.
Far from being immune to economic stress, financial problems in public education usually lag the national economy by about a year, he said.
''The story I am hearing pretty regularly everywhere I go Â… there's going to be a lot of elimination of positions,'' he said. ''And under the best of circumstances, it is going to be done through attrition.''
Pa. struggles to craft budget
From the Inquirer.
With economic forecasts dire, Pa. struggles to craft budget
By Amy Worden and Angela Couloumbis Posted on Mon, Apr. 27, 2009
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - With a new state revenue report likely to deliver more bad news this week and a budget deadline looming, legislative leaders are buckling down to craft a spending plan amid a dire economic climate.
If the first quarter is an indication, April revenue figures - usually among the year's strongest because of tax payments - will come in hundreds of millions of dollars below estimate.
So far this year, revenues have lagged nearly 8 percent below estimate, adding to the struggle Gov. Rendell and lawmakers are facing to close a widening shortfall in the state's current budget ahead of the June 30 deadline to enact the new one.
The current shortfall is $2.6 billion, up $300 million from just two months ago.
"I'd say Pennsylvania is pretty typical in the problems that it's encountering, but certainly a lot of states are much worse," said Corina Eckl, fiscal program director for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The conference last week released a report that found states would have to address a cumulative $281 billion budget gap that would continue to 2011, and likely beyond.
While Pennsylvania's shortfall is still smaller than those of some states, including New Jersey at $3.3 billion, continued slumping revenues might force further cutbacks.
So far, Rendell has avoided drastic measures that other governors, such as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have had to take: notably, ordering state employee furloughs and closing state offices.
The Rendell administration and the state's largest public-employee unions reached a tentative agreement earlier this month to avoid furloughs. Under a cost-cutting plan, the state would temporarily reduce its contribution to the fund that administers worker health-care benefits by 20 percent over the next 15 months, at a savings of $200 million.
Meanwhile, Senate and House leaders from both parties have been meeting to reach an agreement for next year's budget despite being split by ideological differences: Democrats say some tax increase will be necessary along with program cuts, while Republicans are adamant about deeper cuts and no additional taxes.
"We think under the Rendell proposal that we can balance the budget for the next four years," said Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "We're looking at a $10 billion problem in four years if nothing is done."
In his proposed $29 billion state budget unveiled in early February, Rendell said he wanted to increase spending for education and health care, while proposing limited taxes to cover shortfalls, such as an increase in the cigarette tax and new taxes on smokeless tobacco and gas drilling. He also proposed legalizing video poker as a way to help community college students cover tuition costs.
The governor has not proposed raising broad-based taxes such as income or sales, and wants to cut the rate of the capital stock and franchise tax that businesses pay.
Evans said the final budget would need to use a full menu of funding sources, including roughly $10 billion in federal stimulus dollars expected to flow into Pennsylvania over two years.
While recognizing cuts must be made in many areas, he said, he supports the governor's new investments in education and health care and will fight to preserve them.
"There will have to be compromise," Evans said. "Everything is on the table."
It will have to be to get the support of Republicans who control the Senate.
In an interview last week, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware) said his caucus' problem with Rendell's proposed budget was basic but critical: His members do not agree with the spending level the governor is advocating.
Pileggi said his caucus wanted to make sure that the state wasn't unduly relying on the influx of federal stimulus dollars - which will last for only two years - to make ends meet. He said lawmakers needed to "look out at least to a three- or four-year horizon" and make sure that whatever state spending was approved could be sustained even when the federal money ran out.
"The stimulus money presents both a benefit in the short run, but also a trap in the long run if not used properly," Pileggi said. "We could be in a position where, if we think only in the short term, we are faced with the need for a drastic tax increase or the need for a drastic cut in services when the federal stimulus funding expires."
Right now, Pileggi said, "there is no support in our caucus for the spending levels established in the governor's budget proposal." He said his caucus was scouring the budget line by line to come up with "spending levels that are sustainable" and hoped to have that alternative complete in the next three weeks.
"Whether the governor and the [Democratic] leadership in the House are able to accept that product or agree to that remains to be seen," said Pileggi.
Other Republicans opposed to any new taxes have bristled at program cuts to some of their pet programs in agriculture and land conservation.
Rep. Mario Civera (R., Delaware), the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said taxes - even limited ones - were not on the table for GOP lawmakers.
"The caucus has no intention of looking at tax increases," said Civera. He said special legislative accounts and the governor's spending lines could be further reduced.
Civera said he intended to make a line-by-line budget and revenue presentation to his caucus in the coming weeks, so lawmakers would understand the reality of the fiscal crisis.
"We're talking about a $3 billion situation here," he said, referring to the state's current budget gap. "This is the worst I've seen it in 30 years in the legislature."
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said the governor was willing to work with legislative leaders to reach an agreement but would not compromise the state's fiscal health just to get a budget completed by July 1.
Since Rendell took office in 2003, no budget has been passed on time.
"The governor remains committed to seeing the commonwealth move forward - and there is no end date for that commitment," Ardo said.
He added: "I think that providing odds on the timing of the budget may be a violation of the gaming law."
With economic forecasts dire, Pa. struggles to craft budget
By Amy Worden and Angela Couloumbis Posted on Mon, Apr. 27, 2009
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - With a new state revenue report likely to deliver more bad news this week and a budget deadline looming, legislative leaders are buckling down to craft a spending plan amid a dire economic climate.
If the first quarter is an indication, April revenue figures - usually among the year's strongest because of tax payments - will come in hundreds of millions of dollars below estimate.
So far this year, revenues have lagged nearly 8 percent below estimate, adding to the struggle Gov. Rendell and lawmakers are facing to close a widening shortfall in the state's current budget ahead of the June 30 deadline to enact the new one.
The current shortfall is $2.6 billion, up $300 million from just two months ago.
"I'd say Pennsylvania is pretty typical in the problems that it's encountering, but certainly a lot of states are much worse," said Corina Eckl, fiscal program director for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The conference last week released a report that found states would have to address a cumulative $281 billion budget gap that would continue to 2011, and likely beyond.
While Pennsylvania's shortfall is still smaller than those of some states, including New Jersey at $3.3 billion, continued slumping revenues might force further cutbacks.
So far, Rendell has avoided drastic measures that other governors, such as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have had to take: notably, ordering state employee furloughs and closing state offices.
The Rendell administration and the state's largest public-employee unions reached a tentative agreement earlier this month to avoid furloughs. Under a cost-cutting plan, the state would temporarily reduce its contribution to the fund that administers worker health-care benefits by 20 percent over the next 15 months, at a savings of $200 million.
Meanwhile, Senate and House leaders from both parties have been meeting to reach an agreement for next year's budget despite being split by ideological differences: Democrats say some tax increase will be necessary along with program cuts, while Republicans are adamant about deeper cuts and no additional taxes.
"We think under the Rendell proposal that we can balance the budget for the next four years," said Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "We're looking at a $10 billion problem in four years if nothing is done."
In his proposed $29 billion state budget unveiled in early February, Rendell said he wanted to increase spending for education and health care, while proposing limited taxes to cover shortfalls, such as an increase in the cigarette tax and new taxes on smokeless tobacco and gas drilling. He also proposed legalizing video poker as a way to help community college students cover tuition costs.
The governor has not proposed raising broad-based taxes such as income or sales, and wants to cut the rate of the capital stock and franchise tax that businesses pay.
Evans said the final budget would need to use a full menu of funding sources, including roughly $10 billion in federal stimulus dollars expected to flow into Pennsylvania over two years.
While recognizing cuts must be made in many areas, he said, he supports the governor's new investments in education and health care and will fight to preserve them.
"There will have to be compromise," Evans said. "Everything is on the table."
It will have to be to get the support of Republicans who control the Senate.
In an interview last week, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware) said his caucus' problem with Rendell's proposed budget was basic but critical: His members do not agree with the spending level the governor is advocating.
Pileggi said his caucus wanted to make sure that the state wasn't unduly relying on the influx of federal stimulus dollars - which will last for only two years - to make ends meet. He said lawmakers needed to "look out at least to a three- or four-year horizon" and make sure that whatever state spending was approved could be sustained even when the federal money ran out.
"The stimulus money presents both a benefit in the short run, but also a trap in the long run if not used properly," Pileggi said. "We could be in a position where, if we think only in the short term, we are faced with the need for a drastic tax increase or the need for a drastic cut in services when the federal stimulus funding expires."
Right now, Pileggi said, "there is no support in our caucus for the spending levels established in the governor's budget proposal." He said his caucus was scouring the budget line by line to come up with "spending levels that are sustainable" and hoped to have that alternative complete in the next three weeks.
"Whether the governor and the [Democratic] leadership in the House are able to accept that product or agree to that remains to be seen," said Pileggi.
Other Republicans opposed to any new taxes have bristled at program cuts to some of their pet programs in agriculture and land conservation.
Rep. Mario Civera (R., Delaware), the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said taxes - even limited ones - were not on the table for GOP lawmakers.
"The caucus has no intention of looking at tax increases," said Civera. He said special legislative accounts and the governor's spending lines could be further reduced.
Civera said he intended to make a line-by-line budget and revenue presentation to his caucus in the coming weeks, so lawmakers would understand the reality of the fiscal crisis.
"We're talking about a $3 billion situation here," he said, referring to the state's current budget gap. "This is the worst I've seen it in 30 years in the legislature."
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said the governor was willing to work with legislative leaders to reach an agreement but would not compromise the state's fiscal health just to get a budget completed by July 1.
Since Rendell took office in 2003, no budget has been passed on time.
"The governor remains committed to seeing the commonwealth move forward - and there is no end date for that commitment," Ardo said.
He added: "I think that providing odds on the timing of the budget may be a violation of the gaming law."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Emperor's Emails
More of the Emperor's emails were released Wednesday night by board member Gloria Heater.
We see a picture emerging of a tragic Nixonian figure, a brilliant man who cannot handle a meeting or understand that he is the main contributor to his own problems.
He sees everyone going off in all directions under his watch, yet is powerless to stop it.
He portrays himself as a brilliant strategist and planner, yet botches the execution of those plans, holding them close to the chest, letting no one else in.
Leadership is partly being in front. It also means that there are followers. Yes, yes, we all know about the board of chosen accomplices. Every dictator through time has had a band of trusted servants. "Followers" refers to more than just the people predisposed to follow you. It means you can rally a diverse group to you.
He hears only one voice. His own.
From: bill hellmann [mailto:bill_hellmannXXXXX@yahoo.com}
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 10:38 AM
To: Heater, Gloria
Cc: bill hellmann
Subject: RE: The truth is
how am i to control the meeting when reithmeyer constantly interrupts and
yonson constantly interrupts and the pro-schoolers speak out of line?
the problem, gloria, is we have to make decisions that are unpopular to a
certain segment that attends the meetings. there is no way out of it. it is
either that or the town goes financially in trouble. yonson, kemp,
reithrneyer and the pro-schoolers have no talent in the area of planning or
financial projections. they do not know what the ramifications of their
voting is. yonson wants to spend unlimited to get scores up. kemp wants a
private school for his kid. reithrneyer wants to be a popular politician and
do nothing except raise taxes extremely high. the pro-schoolers want a
private school for their kids.
NONE OF THEM REALIZE THE FINANCIAL SUFFERING TO COME THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
the old board meetings were chaotic also, even more so, because of the
CONTROVERSY. there is no way out of these raucous meetings. if you can't
take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
We see a picture emerging of a tragic Nixonian figure, a brilliant man who cannot handle a meeting or understand that he is the main contributor to his own problems.
He sees everyone going off in all directions under his watch, yet is powerless to stop it.
He portrays himself as a brilliant strategist and planner, yet botches the execution of those plans, holding them close to the chest, letting no one else in.
Leadership is partly being in front. It also means that there are followers. Yes, yes, we all know about the board of chosen accomplices. Every dictator through time has had a band of trusted servants. "Followers" refers to more than just the people predisposed to follow you. It means you can rally a diverse group to you.
He hears only one voice. His own.
From: bill hellmann [mailto:bill_hellmannXXXXX@yahoo.com}
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 10:38 AM
To: Heater, Gloria
Cc: bill hellmann
Subject: RE: The truth is
how am i to control the meeting when reithmeyer constantly interrupts and
yonson constantly interrupts and the pro-schoolers speak out of line?
the problem, gloria, is we have to make decisions that are unpopular to a
certain segment that attends the meetings. there is no way out of it. it is
either that or the town goes financially in trouble. yonson, kemp,
reithrneyer and the pro-schoolers have no talent in the area of planning or
financial projections. they do not know what the ramifications of their
voting is. yonson wants to spend unlimited to get scores up. kemp wants a
private school for his kid. reithrneyer wants to be a popular politician and
do nothing except raise taxes extremely high. the pro-schoolers want a
private school for their kids.
NONE OF THEM REALIZE THE FINANCIAL SUFFERING TO COME THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
the old board meetings were chaotic also, even more so, because of the
CONTROVERSY. there is no way out of these raucous meetings. if you can't
take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
More on Homelessness
You're welcome.
Thank you, Save the School, for posting this information about homelessness. Our district serves children who are homeless, more than most people realize, as it must and as it SHOULD. Therefore, board members (who take an oath to uphold quality education for the children they represent) ARE responsible for the education of those children. Many of us would be but a paycheck away from homelessness in these challenging economic times. Surely, no family faces such a crisis by choice.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this important issue to light.
Thank you, Save the School, for posting this information about homelessness. Our district serves children who are homeless, more than most people realize, as it must and as it SHOULD. Therefore, board members (who take an oath to uphold quality education for the children they represent) ARE responsible for the education of those children. Many of us would be but a paycheck away from homelessness in these challenging economic times. Surely, no family faces such a crisis by choice.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this important issue to light.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Comprehending Homelessness, Children, and Education
Thanks to the emailer for the links and research.
Dear Marlys,
We recently saw an email where you expressed some slight uncertainty over responsibility for homeless students.
"I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member."
We understand your concern. Many people who have a roof over their heads express similar feelings. Unfortunately, in these days of economic uncertainty, more and more families are facing homelessness.
We do not expect for you to personally provide Motel 6 like amenities, although the hot tub does sound like a Jim Dandy idea. Just imagine for a moment the happy squeals of joy from several children who have had almost nothing to laugh about for quite a long time now. Here is some information on what you or any other concerned private citizen can do to help.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit also has some resources on homelessness and students. Perhaps the BCIU representative from the school board can help you.
As a school board member, you do have a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy little bit of responsibility. The Pennsylvania Department of Education website has a site search tool.
Here's a bit from the Homeless Children's Education Fund webpage.
A 2008 estimate of homeless children and youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is approximately 30,000 (ages birth to 18). 50% are in elementary school, 26% in middle school, and 24% in high school. Pennsylvania ranks 6th nationwide in the number of children and youth identified as homeless (behind California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas).
Since a child often spends anywhere from a few days to a few months in a given center, many of the children counted in these surveys are forced to adapt to several different living spaces and schools each year. That exacts a terrible toll on a young mind and spirit.
What about the children's schooling?
Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Act, signed into law in July 1987, included authorization of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. A fact sheet provided by the National Coalition for the Homeless (Fact Sheet #10, updated June 2008) includes a summary of amendments to the act. The critically important 1994 amendment "provided local educational authorities with greater flexibility in the use of funds; specified the rights of homeless preschoolers to a free and appropriate public preschool education; gave parents of homeless children and youth a voice regarding their children's school placement; and required educational authorities to coordinate with housing authorities."
* Children must be allowed to remain in the school they were attending before becoming homeless and for the entire time they are homeless, even if they move from place to place
* The school district must arrange transportation for children who choose to remain at their school of origin but have moved outside that school's boundaries
* Children must be enrolled without delay, even if they lack necessary documentation or immunization records
* Children cannot be segregated from peers solely because of their residential status
* School districts are mandated to hire/train a homeless liaison to coordinate services and ensure compliance with federal/state mandates
Links:
National Coalition for the Homeless
Bucks County Housing Group
Bucks County Homeless Shelters
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Bucks County
Dear Marlys,
We recently saw an email where you expressed some slight uncertainty over responsibility for homeless students.
"I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member."
We understand your concern. Many people who have a roof over their heads express similar feelings. Unfortunately, in these days of economic uncertainty, more and more families are facing homelessness.
We do not expect for you to personally provide Motel 6 like amenities, although the hot tub does sound like a Jim Dandy idea. Just imagine for a moment the happy squeals of joy from several children who have had almost nothing to laugh about for quite a long time now. Here is some information on what you or any other concerned private citizen can do to help.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit also has some resources on homelessness and students. Perhaps the BCIU representative from the school board can help you.
As a school board member, you do have a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy little bit of responsibility. The Pennsylvania Department of Education website has a site search tool.
Here's a bit from the Homeless Children's Education Fund webpage.
A 2008 estimate of homeless children and youth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is approximately 30,000 (ages birth to 18). 50% are in elementary school, 26% in middle school, and 24% in high school. Pennsylvania ranks 6th nationwide in the number of children and youth identified as homeless (behind California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas).
Since a child often spends anywhere from a few days to a few months in a given center, many of the children counted in these surveys are forced to adapt to several different living spaces and schools each year. That exacts a terrible toll on a young mind and spirit.
What about the children's schooling?
Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Act, signed into law in July 1987, included authorization of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. A fact sheet provided by the National Coalition for the Homeless (Fact Sheet #10, updated June 2008) includes a summary of amendments to the act. The critically important 1994 amendment "provided local educational authorities with greater flexibility in the use of funds; specified the rights of homeless preschoolers to a free and appropriate public preschool education; gave parents of homeless children and youth a voice regarding their children's school placement; and required educational authorities to coordinate with housing authorities."
* Children must be allowed to remain in the school they were attending before becoming homeless and for the entire time they are homeless, even if they move from place to place
* The school district must arrange transportation for children who choose to remain at their school of origin but have moved outside that school's boundaries
* Children must be enrolled without delay, even if they lack necessary documentation or immunization records
* Children cannot be segregated from peers solely because of their residential status
* School districts are mandated to hire/train a homeless liaison to coordinate services and ensure compliance with federal/state mandates
Links:
National Coalition for the Homeless
Bucks County Housing Group
Bucks County Homeless Shelters
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Bucks County
Don't Show Us the Money!
From the BCCT.
Pennsylvania Republicans are moving toward saying "NO" to stimulus money.
Pa. may turn down some stimulus funds
By: Gary Weckselblatt
The Intelligencer
State Republican lawmakers from Bucks County claim federal stimulus money has too many strings and will ultimately leave the state with long-term fiscal problems if it's accepted.
Citing federal mandates that come with portions of the $16 billion and rules that still "haven't been written," the legislators said in some cases it's best to turn the money down.
"We'll take the money for construction and engineering jobs," state Sen. Chuck McIlhinney said. "The shovel-ready projects are the way to go. The other stuff is just social engineering."
Speaking at a Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday, where members begged for some good news, the lawmakers didn't oblige.
McIlhinney said if the state accepts federal stimulus funds for unemployment compensation, for example, it's mandatory that the Family Leave Act includes 12 weeks of time off with pay.
"That would cripple small business," McIlhinney said. "It's a very noble idea. They're doing it in California and they're in great shape there.
"These are the things we're going to say no to."
Another example McIlhinney cited is the Troubled Asset Relief Program [TARP], where rules for gaining access to the $700 billion kept changing.
"Tell us what you want up front," he said.
"That's the amazing thing about Washington," said state Rep. Kathy Watson, "the money's coming, but the rules for using it haven't been written."
It's possible a portion of the stimulus money could be used to stave off the anticipated school pension spike in 2012 from today's 4.76 percent district contribution rate to one in excess of 30 percent.
State Rep. Bernie O'Neill, co-chair of the House Republican Policy Committee's Education and Job Training Task Force, is looking at giving districts stimulus money to hold in a "secure dedicated fund" to ease the increase.
O'Neill also bemoaned Gov. Ed Rendell's plans to create new education programs while cutting others. "It's going to be a battle," he said.
He cited the state's push for Keystone Exams, a series of 10 state-developed end-of-course exams that area districts had balked at.
"It would cost our school board $42 million," O'Neill said.
State Rep. Paul Clymer said he's "opposed to the direction the governor is moving on these tests."
Clymer, an anti-gambling crusader, also blasted Rendell's proposed expansion of video gambling machines into bars to lower costs for those attending state universities.
"It's an enormous amount of gambling expansion in Pennsylvania," he said. "This is not the way this state should be going."
The same could be said for overall spending, according to State Rep. Scott Petri, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Economic Impact and Infrastructure.
He said that although state revenues decreased by 6.2 percent this fiscal year Rendell plans to increase spending from $28 billion to $29 billion.
"I don't believe another state has proposed higher spending than last year," Petri said. "We've got to buckle down."
Also Friday, state Rep. Marguerite Quinn argued on behalf of Worth & Co., the mechanical contractor from Plumstead that's been hounded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for paying 19 of its 450 workers $61,516 less than prevailing wage over a four-year period.
She said the state's "draconian measures" could put the company out of business.
"We're told by the governor, we're told by Washington that things are getting better. I'm not seeing it," Quinn said.
She then went on to question the government's commitment to job growth.
Quinn used the illustration of Congressman Patrick Murphy's plan to spend $10 million in flood relief to potentially create 200 jobs and $2 million more for up to 12 jobs at Humanistic Robotics.
"Do the math," she said. "We've got 450 jobs here that pay between $75,000 and $100,000 each. We're going to throw those away for $61,000.
"I'm deeply concerned with this fight. + Scream about this. It's something we should not let happen."
Pennsylvania Republicans are moving toward saying "NO" to stimulus money.
Pa. may turn down some stimulus funds
By: Gary Weckselblatt
The Intelligencer
State Republican lawmakers from Bucks County claim federal stimulus money has too many strings and will ultimately leave the state with long-term fiscal problems if it's accepted.
Citing federal mandates that come with portions of the $16 billion and rules that still "haven't been written," the legislators said in some cases it's best to turn the money down.
"We'll take the money for construction and engineering jobs," state Sen. Chuck McIlhinney said. "The shovel-ready projects are the way to go. The other stuff is just social engineering."
Speaking at a Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday, where members begged for some good news, the lawmakers didn't oblige.
McIlhinney said if the state accepts federal stimulus funds for unemployment compensation, for example, it's mandatory that the Family Leave Act includes 12 weeks of time off with pay.
"That would cripple small business," McIlhinney said. "It's a very noble idea. They're doing it in California and they're in great shape there.
"These are the things we're going to say no to."
Another example McIlhinney cited is the Troubled Asset Relief Program [TARP], where rules for gaining access to the $700 billion kept changing.
"Tell us what you want up front," he said.
"That's the amazing thing about Washington," said state Rep. Kathy Watson, "the money's coming, but the rules for using it haven't been written."
It's possible a portion of the stimulus money could be used to stave off the anticipated school pension spike in 2012 from today's 4.76 percent district contribution rate to one in excess of 30 percent.
State Rep. Bernie O'Neill, co-chair of the House Republican Policy Committee's Education and Job Training Task Force, is looking at giving districts stimulus money to hold in a "secure dedicated fund" to ease the increase.
O'Neill also bemoaned Gov. Ed Rendell's plans to create new education programs while cutting others. "It's going to be a battle," he said.
He cited the state's push for Keystone Exams, a series of 10 state-developed end-of-course exams that area districts had balked at.
"It would cost our school board $42 million," O'Neill said.
State Rep. Paul Clymer said he's "opposed to the direction the governor is moving on these tests."
Clymer, an anti-gambling crusader, also blasted Rendell's proposed expansion of video gambling machines into bars to lower costs for those attending state universities.
"It's an enormous amount of gambling expansion in Pennsylvania," he said. "This is not the way this state should be going."
The same could be said for overall spending, according to State Rep. Scott Petri, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Economic Impact and Infrastructure.
He said that although state revenues decreased by 6.2 percent this fiscal year Rendell plans to increase spending from $28 billion to $29 billion.
"I don't believe another state has proposed higher spending than last year," Petri said. "We've got to buckle down."
Also Friday, state Rep. Marguerite Quinn argued on behalf of Worth & Co., the mechanical contractor from Plumstead that's been hounded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for paying 19 of its 450 workers $61,516 less than prevailing wage over a four-year period.
She said the state's "draconian measures" could put the company out of business.
"We're told by the governor, we're told by Washington that things are getting better. I'm not seeing it," Quinn said.
She then went on to question the government's commitment to job growth.
Quinn used the illustration of Congressman Patrick Murphy's plan to spend $10 million in flood relief to potentially create 200 jobs and $2 million more for up to 12 jobs at Humanistic Robotics.
"Do the math," she said. "We've got 450 jobs here that pay between $75,000 and $100,000 each. We're going to throw those away for $61,000.
"I'm deeply concerned with this fight. + Scream about this. It's something we should not let happen."
Teen volunteers honored
From the BCCT.
After seeing the selfishness of our school board so well displayed yesterday, it is refreshing to see that the next generation is using a more community based focus.
Congrats to Morrisville honoree Michael Leather!
Teen volunteers honored by Bucks County YWCA
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Jazmin Shields spends countless hours volunteering her time to make her world a better place.
The senior at Harry S Truman High School in Bristol Township is the Bucks County NAACP Youth Council president. She’s also a youth ambassador for St. Mary’s stroke awareness initiative and a volunteer with the YWCA and Camp Hidden Falls.
Plus she volunteers with Youth Fighting Against Tobacco, Neighborhood First and the peer mediation program and environmental club at her high school.
For her efforts, Jazmin has been named the Bucks County Teen Volunteer of the Year.
The Truman senior was one of 20 area teens honored by the YWCA of Bucks County recently in conjunction with National Volunteer Week for their service to the community.
The top volunteer is chosen based on a willingness to serve and take on a leadership role or significant responsibility in that service. The teens also are selected based on whether they have a mix of school and community-based volunteer efforts and how their service impacts the lives of others, organizers said.
Other teens recognized during the YWCA awards ceremony at the Bucks County Schools Intermediate Unit No. 22 complex in Doylestown on Wednesday are:
Kaitlyn Utermark, Archbishop Wood High School senior, who volunteers at Wood Services and with Aid for Friends and Operation Santa Claus.
Jaison Zachariah, Bensalem High School senior, who serves as a math tutor, a library and hospital volunteer, with the school’s Student Government Association and as vice president of Bensalem’s National Honor Society.
Anikka Grange, Bristol Borough Junior/Senior High School senior, who works with the homeless ministry, is a Titus Kitchen instructor and a member of a library club and the Interact Club.
Kristin Sandquist, Central Bucks East High School senior, is a founding member of Team Peru Denmark —Kiya Survivors, a Key Club and Interact Club member and a Special Olympics volunteer.
Thomas Lonergan, Central Bucks South High School senior, who volunteers with Doylestown Hospital patient transport, American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer campaign and with community-based athletic programs in Central Bucks.
Kelly Steelman, Central Bucks West High School senior, is a March of Dimes, NOVA, Relay for Life and soup kitchen volunteer.
Julia Burke, Conwell-Egan Catholic High School senior, is a Community Services Corps vice president, a student council representative and a member of the Key Club.
Joshua Wortzel, Council Rock High School North senior, is the Garden of Giving founder and president, National Honor Society president, a member of the environmental protection and Invisible Children clubs, and Pennsbury Manor Historic Center volunteer.
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Catherine Edwards, Council Rock High School South senior, volunteers at the Churchville Nature Center, Northampton library, St. Mary Medical Center and the Bucks County Association for the Blind.
Michael Tantum, Holy Ghost Preparatory School junior, is an elementary school tutor, a Pickering Manor and music volunteer, and did his Boy Scout Eagle Scout project in Middletown’s Community Park.
Michael Leather, Morrisville Middle/Senior High School senior, is a Boy Scout, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, and Mentors in Violence Prevention.
Valentina Souprountchak, Neshaminy High School senior, works with the district’s toy drive, People to People, Fairy Godmothers, Sister Wheeler’s annual Thanksgiving dinner and VITAS Organization for Hospice.
Elizabeth Rowland, New Hope-Solebury High School senior, is a variety camp volunteer, a Girl Scout, a member of the Key Club and a volunteer with the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, Relay for Life and A Woman’s Place.
Colleen Moran, Palisades High School senior, is Key Club president, volunteers with the Delaware River Clean-up Community Project, Kiwanis Club and Students for Social Change and serves as National Honor Society vice president.
Kelsey Detweiler, Pennridge High School senior, volunteers with the Adopt A Highway program, Stand Tall Student Mentoring program, Pennridge Ambassador program and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society.
Ashley Mullican, Pennsbury High School senior, has volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, New Orleans Rebuilding Effort, Aid for Friends, Souper Bowl of Caring and at Pickering Manor.
Molly Jamison, Quakertown Community High School senior, has served as a Youth With a Mission director, at Allentown Rescue Mission, Milford homeless shelter, and Quakertown food pantry and is a National Honor Society member.
Brittany Nicole King, Villa Joseph Marie High School junior, works with Canine Companions for Independence.
Geoffrey Eill, William Tennent High School senior, volunteers with a local adoption agency, Doylestown Hospital patient transport, Cat Tales Inc., American Red Cross Blood Drive, and is a Key Club member.
Each honoree received a certificate of appreciation and a monetary award for their volunteer service, organizers said.
After seeing the selfishness of our school board so well displayed yesterday, it is refreshing to see that the next generation is using a more community based focus.
Congrats to Morrisville honoree Michael Leather!
Teen volunteers honored by Bucks County YWCA
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
Jazmin Shields spends countless hours volunteering her time to make her world a better place.
The senior at Harry S Truman High School in Bristol Township is the Bucks County NAACP Youth Council president. She’s also a youth ambassador for St. Mary’s stroke awareness initiative and a volunteer with the YWCA and Camp Hidden Falls.
Plus she volunteers with Youth Fighting Against Tobacco, Neighborhood First and the peer mediation program and environmental club at her high school.
For her efforts, Jazmin has been named the Bucks County Teen Volunteer of the Year.
The Truman senior was one of 20 area teens honored by the YWCA of Bucks County recently in conjunction with National Volunteer Week for their service to the community.
The top volunteer is chosen based on a willingness to serve and take on a leadership role or significant responsibility in that service. The teens also are selected based on whether they have a mix of school and community-based volunteer efforts and how their service impacts the lives of others, organizers said.
Other teens recognized during the YWCA awards ceremony at the Bucks County Schools Intermediate Unit No. 22 complex in Doylestown on Wednesday are:
Kaitlyn Utermark, Archbishop Wood High School senior, who volunteers at Wood Services and with Aid for Friends and Operation Santa Claus.
Jaison Zachariah, Bensalem High School senior, who serves as a math tutor, a library and hospital volunteer, with the school’s Student Government Association and as vice president of Bensalem’s National Honor Society.
Anikka Grange, Bristol Borough Junior/Senior High School senior, who works with the homeless ministry, is a Titus Kitchen instructor and a member of a library club and the Interact Club.
Kristin Sandquist, Central Bucks East High School senior, is a founding member of Team Peru Denmark —Kiya Survivors, a Key Club and Interact Club member and a Special Olympics volunteer.
Thomas Lonergan, Central Bucks South High School senior, who volunteers with Doylestown Hospital patient transport, American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer campaign and with community-based athletic programs in Central Bucks.
Kelly Steelman, Central Bucks West High School senior, is a March of Dimes, NOVA, Relay for Life and soup kitchen volunteer.
Julia Burke, Conwell-Egan Catholic High School senior, is a Community Services Corps vice president, a student council representative and a member of the Key Club.
Joshua Wortzel, Council Rock High School North senior, is the Garden of Giving founder and president, National Honor Society president, a member of the environmental protection and Invisible Children clubs, and Pennsbury Manor Historic Center volunteer.
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Catherine Edwards, Council Rock High School South senior, volunteers at the Churchville Nature Center, Northampton library, St. Mary Medical Center and the Bucks County Association for the Blind.
Michael Tantum, Holy Ghost Preparatory School junior, is an elementary school tutor, a Pickering Manor and music volunteer, and did his Boy Scout Eagle Scout project in Middletown’s Community Park.
Michael Leather, Morrisville Middle/Senior High School senior, is a Boy Scout, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, and Mentors in Violence Prevention.
Valentina Souprountchak, Neshaminy High School senior, works with the district’s toy drive, People to People, Fairy Godmothers, Sister Wheeler’s annual Thanksgiving dinner and VITAS Organization for Hospice.
Elizabeth Rowland, New Hope-Solebury High School senior, is a variety camp volunteer, a Girl Scout, a member of the Key Club and a volunteer with the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, Relay for Life and A Woman’s Place.
Colleen Moran, Palisades High School senior, is Key Club president, volunteers with the Delaware River Clean-up Community Project, Kiwanis Club and Students for Social Change and serves as National Honor Society vice president.
Kelsey Detweiler, Pennridge High School senior, volunteers with the Adopt A Highway program, Stand Tall Student Mentoring program, Pennridge Ambassador program and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society.
Ashley Mullican, Pennsbury High School senior, has volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, New Orleans Rebuilding Effort, Aid for Friends, Souper Bowl of Caring and at Pickering Manor.
Molly Jamison, Quakertown Community High School senior, has served as a Youth With a Mission director, at Allentown Rescue Mission, Milford homeless shelter, and Quakertown food pantry and is a National Honor Society member.
Brittany Nicole King, Villa Joseph Marie High School junior, works with Canine Companions for Independence.
Geoffrey Eill, William Tennent High School senior, volunteers with a local adoption agency, Doylestown Hospital patient transport, Cat Tales Inc., American Red Cross Blood Drive, and is a Key Club member.
Each honoree received a certificate of appreciation and a monetary award for their volunteer service, organizers said.
Don't Tax Me!
From the Philadephia Daily News
We hate taxes! The teabaggers chant of choice! It's an unsurprising poll finding.
It's easy to say don't tax ME. The harder answer is the one to the question how are WE going to pay for US?
New poll: we hate taxes Posted on Fri, Apr. 24, 2009
ACCORDING TO A NEW poll from the Pew Charitable Trust's Philadelphia Research Initiative.
The 800 Philadelphians contacted for the poll are unsure about how deal with the $1.4 billion hole in the city budget. According to the survey, residents oppose Mayor Nutter's plan to increase the property and sales tax.
But a majority also opposes increasing the wage tax, which has been pushed as an alternative by some members of City Council.
That seems straightforward enough, but the poll also found that many people don't understand the ramifications of not increasing taxes. Sixty-two percent opposed reducing the city workforce by just 250 employees, which is only about 1 percent of the total. That's a major disconnect, since failing to raise taxes will undoubtedly lead to layoffs.
It's particularly puzzling because both Nutter and Council have tried to engage the public. More than 1,700 people attended community budget forums sponsored by the administration, and Council added additional public hearings in neighborhoods. The citizen input from these events runs counter to the poll results.
Part of the reason could be that responding to a poll requires little thinking. Who is going tell a stranger over the telephone that they want to increase taxes? In contrast, the forums actually required citizens to come up with actual solutions.
Ultimately, the findings are also a warning against government by polling. The financial crisis demands that Nutter and Council provide strong leadership. Their decisions should take public input into account, but must also be rooted in sound public policy. Some of the ultimate decisions might make the public unhappy, but it's clear that it's going to take hard choices to get the city through this crisis. *
We hate taxes! The teabaggers chant of choice! It's an unsurprising poll finding.
It's easy to say don't tax ME. The harder answer is the one to the question how are WE going to pay for US?
New poll: we hate taxes Posted on Fri, Apr. 24, 2009
ACCORDING TO A NEW poll from the Pew Charitable Trust's Philadelphia Research Initiative.
The 800 Philadelphians contacted for the poll are unsure about how deal with the $1.4 billion hole in the city budget. According to the survey, residents oppose Mayor Nutter's plan to increase the property and sales tax.
But a majority also opposes increasing the wage tax, which has been pushed as an alternative by some members of City Council.
That seems straightforward enough, but the poll also found that many people don't understand the ramifications of not increasing taxes. Sixty-two percent opposed reducing the city workforce by just 250 employees, which is only about 1 percent of the total. That's a major disconnect, since failing to raise taxes will undoubtedly lead to layoffs.
It's particularly puzzling because both Nutter and Council have tried to engage the public. More than 1,700 people attended community budget forums sponsored by the administration, and Council added additional public hearings in neighborhoods. The citizen input from these events runs counter to the poll results.
Part of the reason could be that responding to a poll requires little thinking. Who is going tell a stranger over the telephone that they want to increase taxes? In contrast, the forums actually required citizens to come up with actual solutions.
Ultimately, the findings are also a warning against government by polling. The financial crisis demands that Nutter and Council provide strong leadership. Their decisions should take public input into account, but must also be rooted in sound public policy. Some of the ultimate decisions might make the public unhappy, but it's clear that it's going to take hard choices to get the city through this crisis. *
Friday, April 24, 2009
"I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member"
Thank you everyone for the overwhelming response. I now have a copy of the emails.
Ladies and gentlemen: Introducing Marlys Mihok, Morrisville Borough School Board Secretary addressing her lord liege, the Emperor.
From: dxxxxxxxaol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:27 AM
To: Heater, Gloria
Subject: Re: zoning issues
Dear King,
I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member.
Never had kids of my own and I certainly don't want anyone else's kids. If I have to take kids home and feed and cloth them, tuck them in and send them to school I'm afraid I'll need a pass. Never realized I was responsible to the extent that Gloria is saying. I just volunteered to be a school board member, not a mother. WHERE DOES SHE COME UP WITH STUFF? I hope she takes her medication before tonights meeting.
Ladies and gentlemen: Introducing Marlys Mihok, Morrisville Borough School Board Secretary addressing her lord liege, the Emperor.
From: dxxxxxxxaol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:27 AM
To: Heater, Gloria
Subject: Re: zoning issues
Dear King,
I have tried to comprehend Gloria's e-mails to you about the homeless kids and the school boards responsibility to them. Just to let you know I will never, never, ever be responsible for any child because I am a school board member.
Never had kids of my own and I certainly don't want anyone else's kids. If I have to take kids home and feed and cloth them, tuck them in and send them to school I'm afraid I'll need a pass. Never realized I was responsible to the extent that Gloria is saying. I just volunteered to be a school board member, not a mother. WHERE DOES SHE COME UP WITH STUFF? I hope she takes her medication before tonights meeting.
More Email Released *Your Help Needed*
School board member Gloria Heater provided another exposé on the Emperor's unfortunate email habits Wednesday night.
I have several email requests to see the documents. Alas, I do not have copies of them. If some kind soul would provide copies, I will post them as quickly as possible.
I have several email requests to see the documents. Alas, I do not have copies of them. If some kind soul would provide copies, I will post them as quickly as possible.
We Saved A TON of Money
From the BCCT.
No tax increase for district
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
The district saved $1 million by cutting down wasteful practices and installing a new air conditioning system.
The Morrisville school board has approved a zero tax increase and a proposed $18.9 million final budget for next year.
The news came as a relief to many residents at the Wednesday evening meeting. Taxes are expected to remain the same as this year, at $3,371 for an average assessed property of $18,000. Individual taxes may be lower if people take advantage of homestead rebates that the state offers from its gaming revenue. The millage rate is 187.3 mills and the value of a mill in Morrisville is $59,059.
The budget decreased by about $1 million from this year, due to several changes. Among them are a more efficient HVAC system in the high school next year and an effort to cut extraneous paper use and other wasteful practices.
As usual, salaries and benefits make up a large percentage of expenditures. Total staff salaries are expected to cost $9.22 million and total benefits should be $2.35 million.
"That's pretty consistent with where we were last year," said business administrator Paul DeAngelo.
Residents asked if the reduced budget means education will be affected.
"I can assure you all the cuts will not change any of the programs we have been doing," said Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson.
Some residents pointed to the disruption of M.R. Reiter Elementary School's operation as well as the loss of two elementary principals and a high school principal as a sign that education has been affected.
After Reiter Elementary closed several months ago due to a furnace explosion, the district ended up saving money in daily operational costs for the school. Students have been placed in other district buildings and eight modular units, which are paid for by insurance. There are no plans to replace three principals who left for various reasons, including a new job and retirement.
Although their jobs have been temporarily covered by other capable staff and administration, the board should think about replacing the principals, said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
In his 2009-10 budget calculations, DeAngelo assumed that Reiter would remain a non-operational district property. If the board decides this summer to sell it, the revenue could be used toward planned or future renovations for the district's middle/high school and other elementary school.
The budget appears balanced for now, but the future could bring uncontrollable expenditures to the district, said DeAngelo. One of the most damaging could be the anticipated sharp rise in future retirement pension contributions, up to 30 percent higher by 2013, according to the state. After next year, DeAngelo wants Morrisville to place $500,000 annually in a fund to avoid asking taxpayers to dig deep for retirement pensions.
The board plans to hear a public response to the proposed final budget on May 13 and adopt the budget on May 27. Details are available on the business page of Morrisville schools' Web site at www.mv.org/district.cfm?subpage=537779 and in district offices at 550 West Palmer St.
No tax increase for district
By: MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
The district saved $1 million by cutting down wasteful practices and installing a new air conditioning system.
The Morrisville school board has approved a zero tax increase and a proposed $18.9 million final budget for next year.
The news came as a relief to many residents at the Wednesday evening meeting. Taxes are expected to remain the same as this year, at $3,371 for an average assessed property of $18,000. Individual taxes may be lower if people take advantage of homestead rebates that the state offers from its gaming revenue. The millage rate is 187.3 mills and the value of a mill in Morrisville is $59,059.
The budget decreased by about $1 million from this year, due to several changes. Among them are a more efficient HVAC system in the high school next year and an effort to cut extraneous paper use and other wasteful practices.
As usual, salaries and benefits make up a large percentage of expenditures. Total staff salaries are expected to cost $9.22 million and total benefits should be $2.35 million.
"That's pretty consistent with where we were last year," said business administrator Paul DeAngelo.
Residents asked if the reduced budget means education will be affected.
"I can assure you all the cuts will not change any of the programs we have been doing," said Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson.
Some residents pointed to the disruption of M.R. Reiter Elementary School's operation as well as the loss of two elementary principals and a high school principal as a sign that education has been affected.
After Reiter Elementary closed several months ago due to a furnace explosion, the district ended up saving money in daily operational costs for the school. Students have been placed in other district buildings and eight modular units, which are paid for by insurance. There are no plans to replace three principals who left for various reasons, including a new job and retirement.
Although their jobs have been temporarily covered by other capable staff and administration, the board should think about replacing the principals, said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
In his 2009-10 budget calculations, DeAngelo assumed that Reiter would remain a non-operational district property. If the board decides this summer to sell it, the revenue could be used toward planned or future renovations for the district's middle/high school and other elementary school.
The budget appears balanced for now, but the future could bring uncontrollable expenditures to the district, said DeAngelo. One of the most damaging could be the anticipated sharp rise in future retirement pension contributions, up to 30 percent higher by 2013, according to the state. After next year, DeAngelo wants Morrisville to place $500,000 annually in a fund to avoid asking taxpayers to dig deep for retirement pensions.
The board plans to hear a public response to the proposed final budget on May 13 and adopt the budget on May 27. Details are available on the business page of Morrisville schools' Web site at www.mv.org/district.cfm?subpage=537779 and in district offices at 550 West Palmer St.
Pa. coalition favors testing high school seniors
From the Inquirer.
Pa. coalition favors testing high school seniors
By Dan Hardy Posted on Thu, Apr. 23, 2009
Inquirer Staff Writer
A newly formed statewide coalition added its voice yesterday to the debate about whether Pennsylvania should develop statewide tests that some high school students would have to pass to get a diploma.
The group - which includes teachers' unions, parent groups, advocates for special education and the gifted, school administrators' organizations, and the Pennsylvania NAACP - said it favored the voluntary use of proposed state tests by school districts as final exams in 10 subjects.
But it said it opposed a state Education Department proposal that would make passing such tests a condition for graduation.
Some of the tests, the group said, might also be used in the future to replace Pennsylvania's 11th grade math and reading PSSAs - the state's No Child Left Behind competency tests. But the state test could count for no more than 20 percent of any final course grade, it said.
The group - Coalition for Effective and Responsible Testing (CERT) - announced its proposals at a news conference in Harrisburg.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D, Chester), the minority chair of the Education Committee, joined the coalition members, saying the proposal "provides local teachers and school boards some degree of control over the test."
In a statement, Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R., Dauphin) said this was "another positive development in the conversation and ongoing debate to enact a system of strengthened assessments that can be supported by everyone."
Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said in a statement that "we have seen nearly every state-level education association acknowledge the limitations of the status quo and the need for reform." But under CERT's proposal, he said, "you lose the assurance that any student in any school is actually able to show they are meeting high school academic standards."
The CERT plan is the latest round in a contentious exchange about whether Pennsylvania should beef up graduation requirements, which now are determined mainly by school districts with little uniformity across the state.
Since early 2008, the state Board of Education, the Department of Education, and the Rendell administration have pushed for comprehensive state tests, saying thousands of graduates lack the skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce. Any change would be phased in over several years and would not affect current high school students.
The state now requires that to graduate from high school, students must complete a senior project and either pass the math or reading PSSAs or pass graduation assessments set by their districts. Most districts use their own measures to set graduation eligibility.
Critics complain that a district's assessments often have not been evaluated by any outside group to see whether they really meet state standards. For example, a required course such as Algebra 1 in one district could be very different from another district's version of it - and both could differ from state standards.
This year, a study by two Pennsylvania State University researchers said most districts could not show that their local assessments met state benchmarks.
The debate over graduation requirements began last year when the Board of Education and the Education Department proposed the adoption of 10 math, reading, writing, science and social studies tests that would be offered in all school districts.
Students who failed the 11th grade math and reading PSSAs would have to pass the equivalent state tests to graduate, pass a similar local test or pass the equivalent Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests.
Special education students would only have to meet individualized requirements set by local teams of educators and parents.
The plan faced widespread opposition from school boards and lawmakers. They said that students should not have to take more tests, and that standardized exams were poor indicators of student proficiency and students who do not do well on that kind of test would be denied a diploma. Last July, legislators shelved the plan for a year.
In March, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Board of Education and the Education Department proposed a compromise: the 10 tests could be developed and used as graduation requirements, starting in 2015, but it would be up to school districts whether to give them and whether to use them for graduation requirements even if they did give them. They plan to introduce the revised proposal in July.
The three groups agreed to strengthen local graduation assessments. A committee of experts would set guidelines for them and all the assessments would be evaluated.
Yesterday, CERT also proposed a review of local graduation assessments by a committee of experts, parents, educators and students.
Pa. coalition favors testing high school seniors
By Dan Hardy Posted on Thu, Apr. 23, 2009
Inquirer Staff Writer
A newly formed statewide coalition added its voice yesterday to the debate about whether Pennsylvania should develop statewide tests that some high school students would have to pass to get a diploma.
The group - which includes teachers' unions, parent groups, advocates for special education and the gifted, school administrators' organizations, and the Pennsylvania NAACP - said it favored the voluntary use of proposed state tests by school districts as final exams in 10 subjects.
But it said it opposed a state Education Department proposal that would make passing such tests a condition for graduation.
Some of the tests, the group said, might also be used in the future to replace Pennsylvania's 11th grade math and reading PSSAs - the state's No Child Left Behind competency tests. But the state test could count for no more than 20 percent of any final course grade, it said.
The group - Coalition for Effective and Responsible Testing (CERT) - announced its proposals at a news conference in Harrisburg.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D, Chester), the minority chair of the Education Committee, joined the coalition members, saying the proposal "provides local teachers and school boards some degree of control over the test."
In a statement, Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R., Dauphin) said this was "another positive development in the conversation and ongoing debate to enact a system of strengthened assessments that can be supported by everyone."
Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said in a statement that "we have seen nearly every state-level education association acknowledge the limitations of the status quo and the need for reform." But under CERT's proposal, he said, "you lose the assurance that any student in any school is actually able to show they are meeting high school academic standards."
The CERT plan is the latest round in a contentious exchange about whether Pennsylvania should beef up graduation requirements, which now are determined mainly by school districts with little uniformity across the state.
Since early 2008, the state Board of Education, the Department of Education, and the Rendell administration have pushed for comprehensive state tests, saying thousands of graduates lack the skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce. Any change would be phased in over several years and would not affect current high school students.
The state now requires that to graduate from high school, students must complete a senior project and either pass the math or reading PSSAs or pass graduation assessments set by their districts. Most districts use their own measures to set graduation eligibility.
Critics complain that a district's assessments often have not been evaluated by any outside group to see whether they really meet state standards. For example, a required course such as Algebra 1 in one district could be very different from another district's version of it - and both could differ from state standards.
This year, a study by two Pennsylvania State University researchers said most districts could not show that their local assessments met state benchmarks.
The debate over graduation requirements began last year when the Board of Education and the Education Department proposed the adoption of 10 math, reading, writing, science and social studies tests that would be offered in all school districts.
Students who failed the 11th grade math and reading PSSAs would have to pass the equivalent state tests to graduate, pass a similar local test or pass the equivalent Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests.
Special education students would only have to meet individualized requirements set by local teams of educators and parents.
The plan faced widespread opposition from school boards and lawmakers. They said that students should not have to take more tests, and that standardized exams were poor indicators of student proficiency and students who do not do well on that kind of test would be denied a diploma. Last July, legislators shelved the plan for a year.
In March, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Board of Education and the Education Department proposed a compromise: the 10 tests could be developed and used as graduation requirements, starting in 2015, but it would be up to school districts whether to give them and whether to use them for graduation requirements even if they did give them. They plan to introduce the revised proposal in July.
The three groups agreed to strengthen local graduation assessments. A committee of experts would set guidelines for them and all the assessments would be evaluated.
Yesterday, CERT also proposed a review of local graduation assessments by a committee of experts, parents, educators and students.
Bulldogs Have a New Place to Play
From BucksLocalNews.com
Everyone says "Let the dogs play". When do they say "tax relief is on the way"?
Posted on Thu, Apr 23, 2009
Morrisville Council OKs new dog park
The new dog park received unanimous approval by council.
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; Staff Editor
The canine population in Morrisville Borough now has something else to bark about.In an 8-0 vote, the Morrisville Borough Council approved Morrisville Dog Park on April 20. The park will be situated at Delmorr and Philadelphia avenues in the southern part of the borough - not far from the Delaware River.
About 20 proponents of the park attended the meeting. The Friends of Morrisville Dog Park and council members have had long discussions about using a piece of borough-owned land for a dog park. The land is earmarked as open space.
"This gives us the go-ahead," said Ellen Stieve after the meeting. "It's been a long road. It's like having a baby. It's been nine months!"
Stieve said the unanimous decision is "a turning point to move forward."
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After the meeting, Nancy Sherlock, council president, noted "the vote authorizes the borough manager to proceed with the dog park based on the borough engineer's specifications and dimensions as approved by borough council."
Sherlock said the dog park is "another amenity for the town. This is a group of people who were willing to work for a goal, to come out and assist with the fencing."
To expedite the process, the project will be completed in two phases, the later portion dealing with parking. For now, there will be only off-street parking. Council decided to ask the fire company whether its vacant lot could be used by visitors of the dog park. Borough Manager George Mount had warned it would be better not to use off-street parking.
Talks are underway to determine how many parking spaces are allowed on the site; given the land is part of the borough's open space plan. Five spaces would be allowed. The group wants 20. Another concern was the location of the proposed parking area and whether drivers would be more apt to park on the grass. On the plan, the gates will be moved closer to the proposed parking area to avoid a potential problem.
The Friends of Morrisville Dog Park incorporated as a non-profit organization. They hosted a popular dog wash to raise funds to build a fence and are planning some other fund raisers.
Stieve had given an update and presented the project's final site plan to council on April 16. Council's unanimous vote means the site plan has been approved. Several revisions to the site plan were made to address the council's concerns. A memorandum of understanding will be signed later, spelling out the responsibilities for the borough and the dog park proponents.
She noted some council members recently visited the site. One of the requests from the council was to move the lot line by 15 feet at Delmorr Avenue "to accommodate a picnic area and recreation area," Stieve explained.
Before the meeting, Stieve said since she first presented the idea to the council, the dog park's square footage has gotten "smaller and smaller."
The caged section for small dogs will be 77' x 73' while the larger one will be 220' x 115'.
Stieve noted her group has worked with the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).
The EAC has opposed allowing commercial signs to line the fencing around the park's perimeter.
The dog park proponents said they would have used proceeds to pay for fencing for the park. The EAC maintained the signs are not allowed in designated open space areas. The EAC has said the Bucks County Planning Commission does not allow signage like that.
A compromise was made to have something like a kiosk in one area near the dog park where sponsors could be listed.
The EAC had also been concerned about protecting three large trees, which were originally proposed to be inside the dog park. Park proponents had said the trees would provide shade. However, the trees will now be located outside the fence.
To contribute to the Morrisville Dog Park, make checks payable to Friends of Morrisville Dog Park, c/o Ellen Stieve, 421 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville, Pa. 19067.
Everyone says "Let the dogs play". When do they say "tax relief is on the way"?
Posted on Thu, Apr 23, 2009
Morrisville Council OKs new dog park
The new dog park received unanimous approval by council.
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; Staff Editor
The canine population in Morrisville Borough now has something else to bark about.In an 8-0 vote, the Morrisville Borough Council approved Morrisville Dog Park on April 20. The park will be situated at Delmorr and Philadelphia avenues in the southern part of the borough - not far from the Delaware River.
About 20 proponents of the park attended the meeting. The Friends of Morrisville Dog Park and council members have had long discussions about using a piece of borough-owned land for a dog park. The land is earmarked as open space.
"This gives us the go-ahead," said Ellen Stieve after the meeting. "It's been a long road. It's like having a baby. It's been nine months!"
Stieve said the unanimous decision is "a turning point to move forward."
Advertisement
After the meeting, Nancy Sherlock, council president, noted "the vote authorizes the borough manager to proceed with the dog park based on the borough engineer's specifications and dimensions as approved by borough council."
Sherlock said the dog park is "another amenity for the town. This is a group of people who were willing to work for a goal, to come out and assist with the fencing."
To expedite the process, the project will be completed in two phases, the later portion dealing with parking. For now, there will be only off-street parking. Council decided to ask the fire company whether its vacant lot could be used by visitors of the dog park. Borough Manager George Mount had warned it would be better not to use off-street parking.
Talks are underway to determine how many parking spaces are allowed on the site; given the land is part of the borough's open space plan. Five spaces would be allowed. The group wants 20. Another concern was the location of the proposed parking area and whether drivers would be more apt to park on the grass. On the plan, the gates will be moved closer to the proposed parking area to avoid a potential problem.
The Friends of Morrisville Dog Park incorporated as a non-profit organization. They hosted a popular dog wash to raise funds to build a fence and are planning some other fund raisers.
Stieve had given an update and presented the project's final site plan to council on April 16. Council's unanimous vote means the site plan has been approved. Several revisions to the site plan were made to address the council's concerns. A memorandum of understanding will be signed later, spelling out the responsibilities for the borough and the dog park proponents.
She noted some council members recently visited the site. One of the requests from the council was to move the lot line by 15 feet at Delmorr Avenue "to accommodate a picnic area and recreation area," Stieve explained.
Before the meeting, Stieve said since she first presented the idea to the council, the dog park's square footage has gotten "smaller and smaller."
The caged section for small dogs will be 77' x 73' while the larger one will be 220' x 115'.
Stieve noted her group has worked with the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).
The EAC has opposed allowing commercial signs to line the fencing around the park's perimeter.
The dog park proponents said they would have used proceeds to pay for fencing for the park. The EAC maintained the signs are not allowed in designated open space areas. The EAC has said the Bucks County Planning Commission does not allow signage like that.
A compromise was made to have something like a kiosk in one area near the dog park where sponsors could be listed.
The EAC had also been concerned about protecting three large trees, which were originally proposed to be inside the dog park. Park proponents had said the trees would provide shade. However, the trees will now be located outside the fence.
To contribute to the Morrisville Dog Park, make checks payable to Friends of Morrisville Dog Park, c/o Ellen Stieve, 421 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville, Pa. 19067.
PTO Fundraiser
Thanks to the emailer who sent me this.
There's still a lot of bulldog spirit out there. Keep it up!
Tonight, [Thursday] the Morrisville PTO held a fundraiser at Barnes & Noble in Oxford Valley and it was a success! I hope all walked away with a renewed sense of pride for our district and even more gratitude for our teachers than before. There was a great turnout by parents and teachers alike and all kids had a fun time listening to the teachers read and participating in a scavenger hunt. It was nice seeing new faces and familiar ones, too and even better to see so many smiles! Thanks to everyone's generosity we will find out soon how much money was raised.
Thank you to all who helped make it a great event!
There's still a lot of bulldog spirit out there. Keep it up!
Tonight, [Thursday] the Morrisville PTO held a fundraiser at Barnes & Noble in Oxford Valley and it was a success! I hope all walked away with a renewed sense of pride for our district and even more gratitude for our teachers than before. There was a great turnout by parents and teachers alike and all kids had a fun time listening to the teachers read and participating in a scavenger hunt. It was nice seeing new faces and familiar ones, too and even better to see so many smiles! Thanks to everyone's generosity we will find out soon how much money was raised.
Thank you to all who helped make it a great event!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Bristol Twp: No to Tech School Budget
From the BCCT.
School board rejects budget
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
About one-third of students attending the technical training school come from Bristol Township.
The Bristol Township school board has rejected Bucks County Technical High School's proposed $22.4 million budget for 2009-10 to protest the added costs the district will be charged in the coming school year.
The township's share is scheduled to go up 15 percent over 2008-09 figures while overall costs at the comprehensive technical high school will increase 2.9 percent from the current year, officials said.
According to the tech school's funding formula, Bristol Township's added cost share is needed to cover increased enrollments from that district in recent years, officials said. Bristol Township sends about one third of the 1,500 students enrolled in the tech school, which also serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
"I don't think there's a single member on this board that is at all against the tech school," Bristol Township school board President W. Earl Bruck said Monday night after board voted 0-8-1 to reject the 2009-10 proposed budget. Board members would like to see Bristol Township's increase closer to the 2.9 percent figure.
Bruck, who voted no, said he realizes that despite the vote, enough of the other governing bodies from the sending districts will approve and enact the budget.
To make that happen, at least four boards from the sending districts and at least 28 board members of the governing bodies have to approve the proposed budget.
As of today, the Bristol and Morrisville boards have approved the tech school financial plan and 17 members of those two governing bodies have voted in favor of it.
Pennsbury's board is set to vote on it tonight. The Neshaminy and Bensalem boards are scheduled next week to vote on the proposed tech school budget.
Bensalem and Bristol also will pay more next year while Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury will pay less than in 2008-09, according to the funding formula, tech school officials said.
Local school districts cover the bulk of the operating budget for the school on Wistar Road in Bristol Township. State and federal funds and other sources make up the difference in the $22.4 budget.
Sharing the costs
Below is the proposed payment schedule per sending school district to balance the budget for the Bucks County Technical High School in the 2009-10 school year.
Bensalem $3,135,268 ($2,998,665 for 2008-9)
Bristol $733,313 ($691,360)
Bristol Township $6,503,272 ($5,646,491
Morrisville $528,077 ($607,612)
Neshaminy $3,921,993 ($4,048,804)
Pennsbury $3,643,532 ($3,950,799)
School board rejects budget
By: JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
About one-third of students attending the technical training school come from Bristol Township.
The Bristol Township school board has rejected Bucks County Technical High School's proposed $22.4 million budget for 2009-10 to protest the added costs the district will be charged in the coming school year.
The township's share is scheduled to go up 15 percent over 2008-09 figures while overall costs at the comprehensive technical high school will increase 2.9 percent from the current year, officials said.
According to the tech school's funding formula, Bristol Township's added cost share is needed to cover increased enrollments from that district in recent years, officials said. Bristol Township sends about one third of the 1,500 students enrolled in the tech school, which also serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
"I don't think there's a single member on this board that is at all against the tech school," Bristol Township school board President W. Earl Bruck said Monday night after board voted 0-8-1 to reject the 2009-10 proposed budget. Board members would like to see Bristol Township's increase closer to the 2.9 percent figure.
Bruck, who voted no, said he realizes that despite the vote, enough of the other governing bodies from the sending districts will approve and enact the budget.
To make that happen, at least four boards from the sending districts and at least 28 board members of the governing bodies have to approve the proposed budget.
As of today, the Bristol and Morrisville boards have approved the tech school financial plan and 17 members of those two governing bodies have voted in favor of it.
Pennsbury's board is set to vote on it tonight. The Neshaminy and Bensalem boards are scheduled next week to vote on the proposed tech school budget.
Bensalem and Bristol also will pay more next year while Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury will pay less than in 2008-09, according to the funding formula, tech school officials said.
Local school districts cover the bulk of the operating budget for the school on Wistar Road in Bristol Township. State and federal funds and other sources make up the difference in the $22.4 budget.
Sharing the costs
Below is the proposed payment schedule per sending school district to balance the budget for the Bucks County Technical High School in the 2009-10 school year.
Bensalem $3,135,268 ($2,998,665 for 2008-9)
Bristol $733,313 ($691,360)
Bristol Township $6,503,272 ($5,646,491
Morrisville $528,077 ($607,612)
Neshaminy $3,921,993 ($4,048,804)
Pennsbury $3,643,532 ($3,950,799)
Bensalem: New Staff Contract Approved
From the BCCT.
Split board approves support staff contract
By: Joan Hellyer
Bensalem School District support staff employees will receive annual pay raises and contribute more toward their healthcare benefits, according to a new contract recently approved by the school board.
The four-year deal calls for members of the Bensalem Township Educational Support Professional Association to receive salary increases of three percent each of the first two years, a 3.5 percent increase in the third year and a four-percent pay hike in the fourth year, Superintendent James Lombardo said.
The agreement also includes equity adjustments of 50 cents per hour in the second year and 75 cents per hour in the third year for playground and cafeteria aides to make their salaries comparable to similar employees in other districts, Lombardo said.
The employees also agreed to go to the 10/20/70 insurance plan offered by Personal Choice to help reduce district expenses, the superintendent said. It is less expensive than the provider’s Option 15 plan previously available to the staff members.
In addition, the BTESPA members also agreed to pay $22 per month toward their healthcare premium if they have the Personal Choice plan and $17 per month if they have the less costly Keystone Point of Service plan, Lombardo said.
The new deal is retroactive to September 2008 and runs through August 2012.
The association represents 156 non-teaching assistants, registered nurses, personal care assistants, and cafeteria and library aides who work in the district’s nine schools.
With the new contract, starting salaries range from about $11 per hour to just under $19 per hour depending on the position, Lombardo said.
The board originally voted on the proposed agreement during its Feb. 25 meeting, but fell one “yes” vote short of approving the deal.
The deal was brought back before the board during its April 7 meeting after Carol McGuire, who was not present during the February meeting, asked that it be reconsidered.
It was approved 5-4 with McGuire, James Bodnar, Rose Jacobs, Carol Jones and Stephen Nowmos voting in favor of the pact. President Harry Kramer, Vice President Eugene Rothenberg, Dr. Lewis Brandt and Heather Nicholas voted against.
Split board approves support staff contract
By: Joan Hellyer
Bensalem School District support staff employees will receive annual pay raises and contribute more toward their healthcare benefits, according to a new contract recently approved by the school board.
The four-year deal calls for members of the Bensalem Township Educational Support Professional Association to receive salary increases of three percent each of the first two years, a 3.5 percent increase in the third year and a four-percent pay hike in the fourth year, Superintendent James Lombardo said.
The agreement also includes equity adjustments of 50 cents per hour in the second year and 75 cents per hour in the third year for playground and cafeteria aides to make their salaries comparable to similar employees in other districts, Lombardo said.
The employees also agreed to go to the 10/20/70 insurance plan offered by Personal Choice to help reduce district expenses, the superintendent said. It is less expensive than the provider’s Option 15 plan previously available to the staff members.
In addition, the BTESPA members also agreed to pay $22 per month toward their healthcare premium if they have the Personal Choice plan and $17 per month if they have the less costly Keystone Point of Service plan, Lombardo said.
The new deal is retroactive to September 2008 and runs through August 2012.
The association represents 156 non-teaching assistants, registered nurses, personal care assistants, and cafeteria and library aides who work in the district’s nine schools.
With the new contract, starting salaries range from about $11 per hour to just under $19 per hour depending on the position, Lombardo said.
The board originally voted on the proposed agreement during its Feb. 25 meeting, but fell one “yes” vote short of approving the deal.
The deal was brought back before the board during its April 7 meeting after Carol McGuire, who was not present during the February meeting, asked that it be reconsidered.
It was approved 5-4 with McGuire, James Bodnar, Rose Jacobs, Carol Jones and Stephen Nowmos voting in favor of the pact. President Harry Kramer, Vice President Eugene Rothenberg, Dr. Lewis Brandt and Heather Nicholas voted against.
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