Thursday, May 14, 2009
BCCT Voters Guide: School Board
Morrisville School Board
4 seats 4 years
Questions
1. Would you try to push the Legislature to merge your school district with a neighboring district like Pennsbury?
2. If Reiter Elementary is closed, how would you proceed with arranging students in the remaining district schools?
3. The district’s PSSA scores improved last year. How would you continue to ensure that PSSA scores keep improving?
Jermaine Jenkins (Crossfiled)
Party: Democratic Age: N/A Education: Some college, Essex County College, Newark, N.J.
Job: Train conductor, New Jersey Transit Rail Ops
Answers
1. It’s my duty to do whatever is in the best interest of the borough’s residents as a whole. That being said, it’s not my intent to push the Legislature to merge Morrisville with a neighboring district. I believe that Morrisville can provide a quality learning atmosphere for its students.
2. If Reiter is closed the very first element that I would explore would be safety. Being a parent first, I want to be assured that my children are in a safe atmosphere conducive to learning. Any decisions from me would be clearly based on safety.
3. Support of the staff and programs geared towards education is key. Listening to the very experts, whose ideas guided our students to improved PSSA scores, will continue to be beneficial for the students of Morrisville.
Damon Miller (Cross-filed)
Party: Democratic Age: 43 Education: BS, communications, SUNY Frenonia
Job: Freelance videographer
Answers
1. I would first ask the Morrisville community if a merge is desired. If so, I would push for one. Unfortunately the reality is that Pennsbury is not receptive and any legislation forcing a merge is years away. Morrisville cannot hang their hopes on a dream that may never come true.
2. The modular units currently used should only be a temporary fix. I would work with the administration and the community to explore all options to house the students in a permanent structure conducive for learning. The students and the taxpayers deserve permanent solutions for our facilities, not Band-aids.
3. The teachers and the administration have done an outstanding job improving test scores. We need to keep building on that by continually identifying where any problems may be and give the teachers the tools to make improvements in those areas while building on the successes of the past.
Ronald Stout (Cross-filed)
Party: Democratic Age: 68 Education: High School
Job: Retired
Answers
1. Yes. I would push for our community to make a decision on this. We want our students to have the same opportunities that other districts offer.
2. The superintendent has said that grades K-3 will be at Grandview Elementary School and grades 4-12 will be in the high school. Renovations this summer will completely separate the elementary classes from the middle school and high school students for upgraded and safer schools.
3. Renovation costs for Grandview Elementary and Morrisville Intermediate/Junior/Senior High School are less than estimated, leaving more money for better educational programs.
Jack Beck (Cross-filed)
Party: Republican Age: 41 Education: Graduate, Council Rock High School
Job: Production manager, Minuteman Press
Answers
1. This has been tried. The Pennsbury board, with the seeming majority of its residents, don’t wish to merge the school districts. Perhaps, in this time of economic strife facing many school districts, we may have an open dialogue to consider future consolidation. We must first take care of our own.
2. We need to work together, as a collective body, to implement a permanent long-term solution that will be economically feasible. This present arrangement can only be temporary. It will be impossible to maintain an effective teaching and learning atmosphere under the existing facility conditions. We must plan for the future.
3. We must make certain that our teachers and staff have the necessary tools to build on the successes thus far. We should continue to teach the core subjects as full year curriculum and ensure the teachers and students have an atmosphere conducive to teaching and learning.
John “Jack” Buckman (I) (Cross-filed)
Party: Republican Age: 63 Education: Neshaminy High School; continuing education, Bucks County Technical School
Job: Microfilm technician in Bucks County; security officer, Oxford Valley Mall
Answers
1. Yes, at this time with shrinking enrollment and rising cost it is the most logical answer.
2. Due to size and financial constraints, Grandview should be K-3 and the Morrisville Middle/High School building should contain the rest: grades 5-8 in an intermediate school and 9-12 in a high school.
3. Through the savings of renovations vs. building, we should invest in better educational material. That in conjunction with our very capable staff will accomplish the goal of good PSSA scores.
John DeWilde (Cross-filed)
Party: Republican Age: 44 Education: BS, education Job: Network systems administrator
Answers
1. I do support merging with other school districts if it will benefit the residents and students of Morrisville. I believe a merger has the potential to offer more resources to our students, and offer more services to the families of Morrisville.
2. Rearrange the grouping of classes to create a K-3 elementary school, grades 4-8 intermediate school, and grades 9-12 high school. This is the plan according to the current school board, and will be put into effect in September.
3. I think the best course of action would be to understand what the teachers have been doing, and identify what other resources they consider necessary. The savings that has been realized by renovating the existing buildings and not building a new school will provide funding for additional resources.
David Stoneburner (Cross-filed)
Party: Republican
Age: 50
Education: Two years college, business administration major
Job: Tractor trailer driver, Federal Express National LTL
Answers
1. Morrisville must have an economical educational system, and control of it. Regionalism has many benefits, but we would have no controllability. As a parent of a child in the Morrisville school system, I would do what is in the best interest of education. We, together as a community, must decide.
2. Safety for all students is my first concern. If we have only two schools, we must compartmentalize the high school to better separate the large age group that would necessarily be there. We may need to add structure to replace the temporary trailers. Those children need real classrooms.
3. Support continuing education for teacher development. There is an opportunity for community involvement and support through mentoring, tutoring, and educational programs to further prepare our students for this and future critical tests. We have made a good start, but we can do more, with the community’s involvement.
Brenda J. Worob (I) (Cross-filed)
Party: Republican Age: 48 Education: Graduate, Morrisville High School; graduate, Philadelphia Paralegal Institute
Job: Legislative assistant, Pennsylvania Senate
Answers
1. Absolutely, in fact, I recently proposed that the school board send a letter of support to Gov. Rendell for his proposal for school district mergers. The board is working on a resolution to do that. I believe in giving students all the tools and every opportunity they need to succeed.
2. My first objective would be to hear the public’s input through public meetings. Also, I will rely heavily on the recommendations of our administrators. If Reiter does close permanently, we will do what’s in the best interest of our students.
3. First of all I would keep doing what we have been doing. Eventually, I would like to see independent standardized tests administered at the beginning and end of the school year to measure the progress that our students had made under their teachers.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Awards and Savings and Election Hijinks
There's an interesting discussion about the plaque awarded by the school board to Ron Stout. Once again, there's some pre-electoral shenanigans going on as some commenters on this blog have pointed out as well as the commenters to this story.
Would anyone think "there is more than a slight appearance of a conflict of interest" in presenting this award? Heavens to Betsy!
Did the board pay for the plaque? Then when was the public vote authorizing it?
Was the plaque paid for and presented by private citizens? Then why was it presented at a school board meeting under the implied endorsement and consent of the school board?
BUCKS BRIEFS
Bucks County Courier Times
School renovations set
The board approved bid proposals of $3.44 million for asbestos abatement, window replacement, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical work at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School this summer.
The work was expected to cost about $4 million, but the bids came in lower.
"We're very happy with the results of these bids," said Bill Corfield of Vitetta, the architectural firm handling the work. He surmised that costs have dropped because of the economy.
Savings on major items allowed the board to accept bids on all items needing renovation, not just the HVAC and window replacement. The work on boilers, classroom ventilators, windows and other systems will improve efficiency and save the district in future energy costs, said board President William Hellmann.
Resident Ron Stout received a plaque for ideas that saved the district money. His suggestion to have the high school's hot water piping tested for reliability instead of simply replacing it saved $719,000 on renovations, said board member Maryls Mihok, who presented the plaque to Stout at the Tuesday board meeting. The pipes were found to be sound enough to continue being used.
Stout, who's running for school board, brought up ideas that should save the district $200,000 in future Grandview renovations, Mihok said. "I don't care who saved us money. I would have given the award to anybody," Mihok said.
Comments
Broken For Sure, 03-27-09, 10:46 am | Rate: Flag -3 Flag | Flag Report
"School renovations set"
(Stout, who's running for school board, brought up ideas that should save the district $200,000 in future Grandview renovations, Mihok said. "I don't care who saved us money. I would have given the award to anybody," Mihok said.)
Campaigning has come early to Morrisville Borough - and thanks to people like Mrs. Mihok, its ugly, but not surprising.
You would give an award to anybody? Really? I doubt it, although you did give one to Ron Stout so that statement may be very true. From what I can see, Robin Reithmeyer has saved the school district millions in legal fees for pointing out wrong-doings of the present school board majority in Morrisville, so WHERE'S HER PLAQUE?! The previous school board majority was undermining the community in a big way and the current school board majority is just more of the same. Its just disgusting. When watching school board meetings on the TV its such a dog and pony show, (and now we even have awards, WOW.)
Is this the same Marlys Mihok who, just last week, went to a Morrisville Council meeting and blasted Councilman Rivella, accusing him of accepting campaign contributions, (as Mr. Rivella pointed out, it may be new to Morrisville but it certainly isn't new to politics) and accusing him of being on council just to get a Responsible Contracting Ordinance in place, (From what I've heard the RCO was actually put before council by another person long before Mr. Rivella was even elected to council.) Mrs. Mihok, where's Mr. Rivella’s plaque for trying to save the borough millions of dollars with this ordinance?! It would be nice if Mr. Stout could formulate a sentence or two on his own for a change so that he wouldn't need his very small circle of friends like Mrs. Mihok and her cronies to try to build him up by awarding him a bogus plaque at a televised school board meeting. NO GRANDSTANDING THERE AT ALL! Yeah right.
As for Mr. Rivella and the ordinance, I’ll tell you right now that I supported this guy and I continue to do so. Mr. Rivella’s got what it takes to take on people like Jane Burger, Marlys Mihok and their kind and he and his group will actually be able to make positive changes in Morrisville once they successfully get the same old guard off council in November. I CAN’T WAIT!
I’ve been watching and I can clearly see a few things about Dave Rivella. He’s a family man who's dedicated to Morrisville Borough and he's working hard to move Morrisville forward in spite of the people on council who don’t want this. If Mr. Rivella was in any other profession, he would naturally go to the people surrounding him for fundraising purposes so why would it be any different because he’s a union guy?! Wake up people, this is how its done. Are you trying to say that everyone else should be allowed to fundraise but he should not?! As Mr. Rivella rightly pointed out at the last televised council meeting, all of his campaigning finance contributions have been public record since 2007 but are just now being brought up, as we are in another campaign cycle, ( by the very people he won his seat from, by the very people who don’t want change of any kind - unless they're dismantling the school system that is.) I believe these people are jealous and running scared because they know that Mr. Rivella seemed to actually have people who thought enough of him and his fellow "good Democrats" to support them where as the likes of Mrs. Mihok, Mrs. Burger and their kind have to rely on negativity. This kind of behavior by these naysayers puts Morrisville in a bad light and is disgusting to watch.
AwHellYeah, 03-27-09, 12:56 pm | Rate: Flag 2 Flag | Flag Report
Robin Reithmeyer hasn't saved the district anything. She is your typical politician.
Broken For Sure, 03-27-09, 2:25 pm | Rate: Flag -2 Flag | Flag Report
AwHellYeah
"Robin Reithmeyer hasn't saved the district anything. She is your typical politician."
I don't agree, although I can understand why someone may think she. She does her thing of standing up to the school board majority, but I just can't give her any credit for being a politician. She voted for Fitzpatrick not once but twice. I'm sure there were people in her own party who weren't too happy about that. Is she outspoken...yes ...is she a politician, her actions say differently...a nd I just don't see it.
AwHellYeah, 03-27-09, 2:31 pm | Rate: Flag 1 Flag | Flag Report
Go to a Democratic Club meeting then.
Broken For Sure, 03-27-09, 5:07 pm | Rate: Flag 0 Flag | Flag Report
Simply being involved as a Democrat or Republican does not make you a political person per say. You are simply promoting your fundamental beliefs with others. Having a party affiliation does not make you a politician. Being involved within either the Democratic or Republican parties or any other party does not make you a politician. I believe there are many people in Bucks County alone who belong to political clubs yet are not politicians. Its a mean business and I can understand why it isn't for everyone. Mrs. Reithmeyer is clearly not politically savvy, although she is, I believe from what I can see trying to do what SHE feels is correct as a Morrisville School Director. I believe that if she was fighting with the board majority instead of***ainst them she would be there hero. But then again there is only room for one of them and this week it seems to be Mr. Stout, award in hand. (I mean no harm...just a little joke...very little though it may be)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Oh The Comments I Receive...
I have an answer from anonymous addressing peter's comment that is currently pending approval for posting. I generally have no problem posting anonymous comments. This one is rather lengthy and specifies certain areas where there appear to be issues.
Without corroboration or substantiation, I cannot print this reply. If there is something the poster would like to add with some sort of independent proof, I'd be happy to post it. Send me an email at savethemorrisvilleschool@yahoo.com with the details. To prove you are really you, you mentioned a person's name in the 3rd paragraph of your reply. Mention that name when you reply.
Anonymous said...
Does anyone realize that over the past 10 years, almost 10 million was appropriated to address the physical conditions of our school buildings? Yes, all of this for absolutely nothing. Face it, were a big cow that's been getting milked for years through corruption and mis-managment but it is politically incorrect or people are the scared to speak of it. Good concerned citizens are to busy working 2 jobs to pay attention. So who then runs for the power positions? Yes, the oppertunists. If you divide the total school budget by the TRUE amount of students and compare that cost to state assessment scores, taxpayers should be outraged. Clearly, as much as it may hurt some, Mr. Stout is absolutely correct.
March 16, 2008 2:22 PM
Peter said...
anonymous said...
"Does anyone realize that over the past 10 years, almost 10 million was appropriated to address the physical conditions of our school buildings? Yes, all of this for absolutely nothing. Face it, were a big cow that's been getting milked for years through corruption and mis-managment but it is politically incorrect or people are the scared to speak of it. Good concerned citizens are to busy working 2 jobs to pay attention. So who then runs for the power positions? Yes, the oppertunists. If you divide the total school budget by the TRUE amount of students and compare that cost to state assessment scores, taxpayers should be outraged. Clearly, as much as it may hurt some, Mr. Stout is absolutely correct."
Anonymous, I'd really like to understand your position. I have a few questions:
[1] What corruption and/or mis-management are you speaking of? I'm not saying none exists, or has existed, but what specifically do you mean?
[2] Why do you feel opportunists run for the "power positions?" I can only speak for myself, but I really had the best of intentions, to serve our town as best I could and do what I thought was best. I can think of several others that have also served on the school board and I believe their intentions were pure as well. I'm not sure what personal gain you think we get from this.
[3] I do agree that our cost per student is high. I also know that we have areas that require improvement. I'm not sure that makes Mr. Stoudt right, though.
March 16, 2008 9:43 PM
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
So what's the cost of ignorance?
Why does it matter if it happened yesterday, a week, a month, a year, or a decade ago? Did it happen? If it did, Angry Al should be held responsible. If it didn't, the false accusers should be held responsible. End of story. That's a responsible and mature response. Why would you want to hide anything about this issue?
The source of the "allegations" are the sore losers from the last election and political opponents of Angry Al. OK. So? Does that make anything that has been said less truthful?
Again with the false $22,000 per student figure. That is the TOTAL school budget divided by the TOTAL number of students. That is not the total taxpayer cost. Grants and other "free" money not paid for by the taxpayers of Morrisville are part of the budget. This is a classic propaganda move. Repeat the lie until it becomes truth. Be a careful and critical reader, especially when "truth" is presented. This is the first step in combating ignorance.
Another classic propaganda move: see how neatly the two issues (Angry Al and John Jordan, and the sore losers regarding school) are neatly bunched together for comparison? If you are against the "sore losers", you're against Jordan and for Radosti. Nicely done, but they do not equate. They are all separate issues. You can be for or against the school, for or against Angry Al, for or against Jordan, and even for or against anything.
You know what? Every adult that spouts off about the failure rate of the students should be required to have their opinion license revoked until THEY take the same tests. Let's see how they do. I'll take the tests anytime. How about you? While we're at it, let's all take this 8th grade test.
Incidentally, take a look at how Washington works to see how ridiculous some of these assertions are. If you're for the investigation du jour, "the American people demand answers and an investigation is needed." If you're against it, "these baseless allegations should be put aside so that we can get back to the work of the American people." It's all useless hypocritical rhetoric on both sides.
Just let the whole truth be told. What are we afraid of...the truth?
Morrisville cannot afford costly school system
Regarding the Courier Times stories about Morrisville school board member Al Radosti and allegations from NAACP President John Jordan that Radosti used a racial slur, apparently, more than two years ago:
The sources for these stories are the disgruntled losers of the last school board election and the political rivals of Al Radosti.
It was more than two years ago when lame duck school director John Jordan defied the town's majority by voting to build a new $30 million school that most did not want or could not afford.
So where was Jordan when over $2 million was squandered on architects, bankers and lawyers on the ill fated school plan? Where was his concern when three out of every four graduates of the Morrisville School District failed at math and reading on their state assessment tests and costs soared to over $22,000 per student?
Morrisville is a beautiful and culturally diverse town that's been free of racial tension but we simply cannot afford the current school system. We don't need Jordan and his allegations stirring the pot.
Ronald Stout
Morrisville
