Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee Meeting scheduled for March 25 at 6:30 pm is cancelled.
Board Meeting
The monthly school board meeting will be held in the LGI room located in the Middle Senior High School at 7:30 p.m. in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer Street, Morrisville, PA.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Neshaminy Administrators Say YES
From the BCCT.
Divide and conquer works.
Administrators OK offer rejected by teachers
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The teachers union president maintains that their counter-offer is not being reported accurately, but would not discuss details.
Neshaminy's almost three dozen administrators Tuesday afternoon ratified a new three-year agreement proposed by the district that the teachers rejected, officials said during Tuesday night's board meeting.
The 30-plus members of the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association unanimously approved the deal that will replace the one that expires June 30, according to that group's President Paul Minotti.
Mirroring the contract that the educators union turned down, the offer, which still has to be approved by the board in April, includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15, 16 and 17 percent toward health care premiums over three years.
"This new agreement is, in my opinion, an extremely responsible one that goes a long way toward helping the students of Neshaminy by controlling future costs," board President Ritchie Webb read from a statement. "If other bargaining groups in the district follow this example, it would go a long way to resolving our financial crisis, saving jobs and preventing program cuts. It's my hope that the (Neshaminy Federation of Teachers) will follow the administrators' lead so we can reach an agreement with them."
Union President Louise Boyd, who was at the meeting, said only that the district's claim that the teachers counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change to the medical insurance package is inaccurate. Boyd would not reveal the union's offer and declined to comment further.
While slight changes were made to the board's proposal to the administrators, officials did not disclose what those were.
The board's offer suggested changing the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The district's proposal recommended removing the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The board's deal also called for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the contract asked to eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000, officials said.
Although Middletown resident and businessman Larry Pastor admitted the board's agreement with administrators was significant progress, he also said he and many other taxpayers still have concerns about the overall budget. He encouraged the educators and the 500-member support staff to make reasonable offers, including concessions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Steve Rodos, a retired attorney and Langhorne resident, though, said bashing teachers isn't productive and doesn't recognize the staff's efforts. He asked why the non-salary part of the budget, such as special education and transportation, can increase unquestioned. Rodos also urged the union to adopt the same contract as the administrators.
March 25, 2009 02:11 AM
Divide and conquer works.
Administrators OK offer rejected by teachers
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The teachers union president maintains that their counter-offer is not being reported accurately, but would not discuss details.
Neshaminy's almost three dozen administrators Tuesday afternoon ratified a new three-year agreement proposed by the district that the teachers rejected, officials said during Tuesday night's board meeting.
The 30-plus members of the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association unanimously approved the deal that will replace the one that expires June 30, according to that group's President Paul Minotti.
Mirroring the contract that the educators union turned down, the offer, which still has to be approved by the board in April, includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15, 16 and 17 percent toward health care premiums over three years.
"This new agreement is, in my opinion, an extremely responsible one that goes a long way toward helping the students of Neshaminy by controlling future costs," board President Ritchie Webb read from a statement. "If other bargaining groups in the district follow this example, it would go a long way to resolving our financial crisis, saving jobs and preventing program cuts. It's my hope that the (Neshaminy Federation of Teachers) will follow the administrators' lead so we can reach an agreement with them."
Union President Louise Boyd, who was at the meeting, said only that the district's claim that the teachers counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change to the medical insurance package is inaccurate. Boyd would not reveal the union's offer and declined to comment further.
While slight changes were made to the board's proposal to the administrators, officials did not disclose what those were.
The board's offer suggested changing the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The district's proposal recommended removing the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The board's deal also called for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the contract asked to eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000, officials said.
Although Middletown resident and businessman Larry Pastor admitted the board's agreement with administrators was significant progress, he also said he and many other taxpayers still have concerns about the overall budget. He encouraged the educators and the 500-member support staff to make reasonable offers, including concessions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Steve Rodos, a retired attorney and Langhorne resident, though, said bashing teachers isn't productive and doesn't recognize the staff's efforts. He asked why the non-salary part of the budget, such as special education and transportation, can increase unquestioned. Rodos also urged the union to adopt the same contract as the administrators.
March 25, 2009 02:11 AM
There's No Place Like Home
From the Intelligencer.
"There is no sense of community between the students and parents of Riegelsville and the school district in Easton. There is a sense of loneliness and isolation that is very detrimental to their education..."
Glad we don't have that here in Morrisville. Or will we?
Riegelsville makes case for school district move
By: AMANDA CREGAN
The Intelligencer
The Riegelsville Tax and Education Coalition argued there's no sense of community with Easton schools.
Kids' birthday parties, baseball games and PTA meetings are just a slice of what makes up a rural community, but decades of lost moments and relationships that often grow from those events have taken their toll on Riegelsville parents.
They say the divide they must endure between their quiet borough and the urban Easton Area School District miles away is hurting their children.
Residents united in a show of force in a Bucks County courtroom Monday in their continued battle to allow Riegelsville children to attend Palisades School District.
It was an opportunity to explain the disconnect they feel because the majority of Riegelsville students are bused across county lines into Northampton County to attend Easton schools, even passing through neighboring Wilson School District.
Monday's hearing before Bucks County Judge Clyde Waite was the Riegelsville Tax and Education Coalition's second chance to present its argument why students living in the Upper Bucks community would be better off to attend Palisades, a 10-minute drive, rather than the Easton district, a 30-minute drive.
A state appeals court allowed the group this repeat opportunity. Transcripts of Monday's expert and resident testimony will be presented to state Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, who must again make a ruling.
He had previously ruled against the Riegelsville coalition, but this time around he's been ordered by Commonwealth Court to make a new decision based on the testimony and explain his reasoning.
Attorneys and superintendents from Palisades and Easton were present at the hearing, each party objecting to the Riegelsville transfer.
Coalition attorney James Sweeney called the relationship between Riegelsville and Easton schools strange on Monday.
"There is no sense of community between the students and parents of Riegelsville and the school district in Easton. There is a sense of loneliness and isolation that is very detrimental to their education," he said.
Citing a tedious, dangerous school bus ride along Route 611; overcrowded, poorly performing Easton schools; an unwillingness of parents and students from the urban school district to socialize with Riegelsville families; and few opportunities for after-school activities because of the long commute, Sweeney argued that the 65 students from the 1-square-mile borough would be better served academically and socially at Palisades.
Riegelsville parents emphasized their kids are stressed because they straddle different worlds.
Borough children participate in community events and sports teams throughout the rural Palisades area and even practice on school fields. But they go to school in a different world.
Damian Newton says he can't explain to his third-grader why he doesn't know any of his classmates.
"It's very hard for him to socially interact with the kids who live on Southside. He says, 'Why do I have to go to class? I don't know anybody who goes to school.' "
The fight to transfer school districts is nearly unprecedented.
"We're embarking on relatively unchartered territory here," said Judge Waite. "The statute itself has not been amended in decades."
Although Waite urges a fast resolution for community members, documents will be delivered to Harrisburg in a couple of weeks, and there is no time limit for
The state education secretary to make a final ruling.
Amanda Cregan can be reached at 215-538-6371 or acregan@phillyBurbs.com.
March 24, 2009 02:40 AM
"There is no sense of community between the students and parents of Riegelsville and the school district in Easton. There is a sense of loneliness and isolation that is very detrimental to their education..."
Glad we don't have that here in Morrisville. Or will we?
Riegelsville makes case for school district move
By: AMANDA CREGAN
The Intelligencer
The Riegelsville Tax and Education Coalition argued there's no sense of community with Easton schools.
Kids' birthday parties, baseball games and PTA meetings are just a slice of what makes up a rural community, but decades of lost moments and relationships that often grow from those events have taken their toll on Riegelsville parents.
They say the divide they must endure between their quiet borough and the urban Easton Area School District miles away is hurting their children.
Residents united in a show of force in a Bucks County courtroom Monday in their continued battle to allow Riegelsville children to attend Palisades School District.
It was an opportunity to explain the disconnect they feel because the majority of Riegelsville students are bused across county lines into Northampton County to attend Easton schools, even passing through neighboring Wilson School District.
Monday's hearing before Bucks County Judge Clyde Waite was the Riegelsville Tax and Education Coalition's second chance to present its argument why students living in the Upper Bucks community would be better off to attend Palisades, a 10-minute drive, rather than the Easton district, a 30-minute drive.
A state appeals court allowed the group this repeat opportunity. Transcripts of Monday's expert and resident testimony will be presented to state Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, who must again make a ruling.
He had previously ruled against the Riegelsville coalition, but this time around he's been ordered by Commonwealth Court to make a new decision based on the testimony and explain his reasoning.
Attorneys and superintendents from Palisades and Easton were present at the hearing, each party objecting to the Riegelsville transfer.
Coalition attorney James Sweeney called the relationship between Riegelsville and Easton schools strange on Monday.
"There is no sense of community between the students and parents of Riegelsville and the school district in Easton. There is a sense of loneliness and isolation that is very detrimental to their education," he said.
Citing a tedious, dangerous school bus ride along Route 611; overcrowded, poorly performing Easton schools; an unwillingness of parents and students from the urban school district to socialize with Riegelsville families; and few opportunities for after-school activities because of the long commute, Sweeney argued that the 65 students from the 1-square-mile borough would be better served academically and socially at Palisades.
Riegelsville parents emphasized their kids are stressed because they straddle different worlds.
Borough children participate in community events and sports teams throughout the rural Palisades area and even practice on school fields. But they go to school in a different world.
Damian Newton says he can't explain to his third-grader why he doesn't know any of his classmates.
"It's very hard for him to socially interact with the kids who live on Southside. He says, 'Why do I have to go to class? I don't know anybody who goes to school.' "
The fight to transfer school districts is nearly unprecedented.
"We're embarking on relatively unchartered territory here," said Judge Waite. "The statute itself has not been amended in decades."
Although Waite urges a fast resolution for community members, documents will be delivered to Harrisburg in a couple of weeks, and there is no time limit for
The state education secretary to make a final ruling.
Amanda Cregan can be reached at 215-538-6371 or acregan@phillyBurbs.com.
March 24, 2009 02:40 AM
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