From the Lebanon Daily News.
Advocates question Pa. school enrollment policies
By MARTHA RAFFAELE AP Education Writer
HARRISBURG, Pa.—A legal advocacy group for public school students has asked the state to examine whether enrollment policies in some of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts are unnecessarily preventing children from going to class.
In the last school year alone, the Education Law Center has been asked to intervene in 270 cases where questionable policies and practices delayed the enrollment of new students by up to a month or longer, according to a complaint the center sent to the state Education Department.
State law requires families to provide proof of age, residency and immunizations for new students before they can enroll in public schools. It also requires districts to enroll students who live with caregivers other than their parents if the caregivers meet certain qualifications.
But some families have encountered requirements that are too rigid, exceed what the law requires or are specifically banned by the law, said Janet Stotland, co-director of the Philadelphia-based center.
"The whole point is not to make it a crapshoot to enroll students in school districts in Pennsylvania," Stotland said.
The Education Department was reviewing the complaint, but had no immediate comment Tuesday, spokesman Michael Race said.
The complaint, sent on Friday, cites four examples of its concerns without identifying school districts or students.
In one case, a mother of twins could not comply with a requirement to provide photo identification because she did not have a driver's license or other ID. The children missed one month of school until the law center got involved, according to the complaint.
Children who move frequently due to poverty, homelessness or foster care placements are most often caught in the middle of enrollment disputes, Stotland said. Nearly 13,600 Pennsylvania school-age children are in foster care, according to the Department of Public Welfare.
The complaint also suggests that the enrollment policies of at least 162 school districts may be illegal, based on the law center's review of policies posted on district Web sites. Since about 40 percent of all districts do not post enrollment policies online, the complaint said, the problem could be more widespread.
Common problems include many districts' insistence that only a birth certificate is acceptable proof of a student's age, the complaint said. Guidelines published by the state education department in 2002 say documents such as baptism certificates and notarized statements also can be accepted.
Nearly 60 school districts asked for a student's Social Security number, 34 required parental identification, and less than a handful demanded documentation of a student's immigration status—all prohibited by law in order to streamline the enrollment process, the complaint said.
The center wants the department to inform all school districts about the legal requirements for enrollment, review all enrollment policies and ask for revisions from districts not in compliance with state law, Stotland said.
Emily Leader, an attorney with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, said determining whether a student can legally enroll in a school district can be tricky, but that most districts contact the association "at least once a year" to seek guidance.
"I think most schools are enrolling most children when they come in," Leader said. "My guess is that some enrollment policies and procedures go back to the beginning of time ... and there may need to be modifications."
———
On the Net:
Education Law Center: http://www.elc-pa.org
Pennsylvania Department of Education: http://www.pde.state.pa.us
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tales From the Re-Registration
Now that we're a week into re-registration, are there any stories you have to share?
Grading our schools
From the Towanda Daily Review. Before you dismiss this as just a report on the Scranton area schools, the Review has also provided a searchable database on all 501 districts.
Grading our schools
Published: Sunday, August 10, 2008 4:28 AM EDT
Times-Shamrock’s Grading our Schools project looked at the local districts’ performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test for all grade levels and subject areas, as well as on the SAT.
Specifically, Grading our Schools examined the results on 17 PSSA tests as well as each district’s average combined math and verbal SAT score.
Officials from several local school districts objected to the methodology used in Grading our Schools, which focused to a large extent on whether school districts scored above or below the state average for each test.
These officials said school districts should instead be evaluated on whether they met the state targets for proficiency in math and reading on the PSSA, which is the basis for determining if a district is making "Adequate Yearly Progress." Since the state averages on PSSA tests are higher than the state AYP targets, school districts appear to be doing better when evaluated in relation to the AYP targets. The adequate progress guage is included in the report, and is the focus of other stories during the course of the year. State averages are part of the state Department of Education’s listings.
The Sullivan County School District exceeded state averages on 15 of 18 test areas examined – a better performance than any other local school district — and was also the top-ranked district in Bradford and Sullivan counties on seven of those tests areas.
"I don’t know if we have anything different from any other district" that would explain the Sullivan County School District’s success, said Kathryn Gruber, superintendent of the Sullivan County School District. "We just have a high commitment to the state standards and we have high expectations for all students."
The PSSA tests correlate to state educational standards and the school district has incorporated all the state standards into the district’s curriculum and teaching practices, she explained.
The Daily & Sunday Review’s Grading our Schools project analyzed SAT and PSSA scores from the 2006-07 school year for all districts and schools statewide, as well as a dozen other key educational factors. The 2006-07 data is the most recent available.
While a couple of school districts stand out locally, the region’s schools as a rule have a long way to go before they meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which requires all students be proficient in reading and math by 2014.
Three local schools, however, did achieve 100 percent proficiency on specific PSSA tests. In Pennsylvania, the PSSAs, which are used to determine proficiency, are taken by third- through eighth-graders and 11th-graders.
In its eighth year of publication, this year’s Grading Our Schools report includes charts on the area’s eight public school districts on page A13, as well as comprehensive online databases with searchable information on all 501 school districts in the state, which are available at www.thedailyreview.com. The databases include educators’ profiles, financial information, district and student demographics and test scores. Users can tailor search results in the databases to compare districts.
The newspaper analyzed how well the state’s 501 districts and more than 3,000 elementary, middle and high schools performed on PSSA and SAT tests and ranked their results statewide.
The results show how far Pennsylvania has come to meeting the goal of 100-percent proficiency, said Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. "In Pennsylvania, we’ve seen great results," Zahorchak said. "It’s absolutely going to continue. ... We can count on that."
In order to maintain funding and not fall into penalty, districts must meet the state’s proficiency targets on the PSSAs.
For the 2006-07 year, Pennsylvania’s target was for at least 54 percent of students to score proficiently in reading and at least 45 percent in math. Across the state, 69.2 percent of students are now proficient in math, and 67.7 percent in reading.
The state periodically raises the targets as it seeks to move the state’s students toward 100 percent proficiency by 2014.
[Moderator note: Local district discussion removed]
100-PERCENT PROFICENCY
While no local district had 100-percent proficiency on the math, reading or writing PSSAs at any grade level, each of the following three schools had 100-percent proficiency on a specific PSSA test:
Third–grade reading: Harriet Child Elementary School, Athens District
Third-grade math: Laceyville Elementary School, Wyalusing District
Fourth-grade reading: New Albany Elementary School, Wyalusing District
ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS
All school districts in Bradford and Sullivan counties made Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2006-07 school year, which is based in part on their performance on the 2006-07 PSSA tests, according to the state Department of Education’s Web site.
Adequate Yearly Progress is also based on high school graduation rates, attendance rates, and student participation on taking the PSSA tests.
However, three schools in Bradford County – the S.R.U. Middle School, the Towanda Area Elementary School, and the Troy Area Middle School -- failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress for 2006-07, according to the Department of Education Web site.
The Athens School District’s S.R.U. Middle School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress because its special education sub-group did not meet the AYP targets for either math or reading, said Michael Race, a spokesman for the Department of Education.
The Towanda Area Elementary School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress because its special education and economically disadvantaged subgroups failed to make the AYP target in reading, Race said.
FUNDING AND LAWS
Although the goals of No Child Left Behind "are terrific," some changes need to be made, Zahorchak, the state education official, said.
Those changes include additional federal funding, having flexibility in determining the consequences for districts that do not meet goals, and having flexibility in testing special-education students.
Despite the needed changes, the state can meet the 100-percent proficiency requirement — if the funding is available, Dr. Zahorchak said.
Grading our schools
Published: Sunday, August 10, 2008 4:28 AM EDT
Times-Shamrock’s Grading our Schools project looked at the local districts’ performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test for all grade levels and subject areas, as well as on the SAT.
Specifically, Grading our Schools examined the results on 17 PSSA tests as well as each district’s average combined math and verbal SAT score.
Officials from several local school districts objected to the methodology used in Grading our Schools, which focused to a large extent on whether school districts scored above or below the state average for each test.
These officials said school districts should instead be evaluated on whether they met the state targets for proficiency in math and reading on the PSSA, which is the basis for determining if a district is making "Adequate Yearly Progress." Since the state averages on PSSA tests are higher than the state AYP targets, school districts appear to be doing better when evaluated in relation to the AYP targets. The adequate progress guage is included in the report, and is the focus of other stories during the course of the year. State averages are part of the state Department of Education’s listings.
The Sullivan County School District exceeded state averages on 15 of 18 test areas examined – a better performance than any other local school district — and was also the top-ranked district in Bradford and Sullivan counties on seven of those tests areas.
"I don’t know if we have anything different from any other district" that would explain the Sullivan County School District’s success, said Kathryn Gruber, superintendent of the Sullivan County School District. "We just have a high commitment to the state standards and we have high expectations for all students."
The PSSA tests correlate to state educational standards and the school district has incorporated all the state standards into the district’s curriculum and teaching practices, she explained.
The Daily & Sunday Review’s Grading our Schools project analyzed SAT and PSSA scores from the 2006-07 school year for all districts and schools statewide, as well as a dozen other key educational factors. The 2006-07 data is the most recent available.
While a couple of school districts stand out locally, the region’s schools as a rule have a long way to go before they meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which requires all students be proficient in reading and math by 2014.
Three local schools, however, did achieve 100 percent proficiency on specific PSSA tests. In Pennsylvania, the PSSAs, which are used to determine proficiency, are taken by third- through eighth-graders and 11th-graders.
In its eighth year of publication, this year’s Grading Our Schools report includes charts on the area’s eight public school districts on page A13, as well as comprehensive online databases with searchable information on all 501 school districts in the state, which are available at www.thedailyreview.com. The databases include educators’ profiles, financial information, district and student demographics and test scores. Users can tailor search results in the databases to compare districts.
The newspaper analyzed how well the state’s 501 districts and more than 3,000 elementary, middle and high schools performed on PSSA and SAT tests and ranked their results statewide.
The results show how far Pennsylvania has come to meeting the goal of 100-percent proficiency, said Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. "In Pennsylvania, we’ve seen great results," Zahorchak said. "It’s absolutely going to continue. ... We can count on that."
In order to maintain funding and not fall into penalty, districts must meet the state’s proficiency targets on the PSSAs.
For the 2006-07 year, Pennsylvania’s target was for at least 54 percent of students to score proficiently in reading and at least 45 percent in math. Across the state, 69.2 percent of students are now proficient in math, and 67.7 percent in reading.
The state periodically raises the targets as it seeks to move the state’s students toward 100 percent proficiency by 2014.
[Moderator note: Local district discussion removed]
100-PERCENT PROFICENCY
While no local district had 100-percent proficiency on the math, reading or writing PSSAs at any grade level, each of the following three schools had 100-percent proficiency on a specific PSSA test:
Third–grade reading: Harriet Child Elementary School, Athens District
Third-grade math: Laceyville Elementary School, Wyalusing District
Fourth-grade reading: New Albany Elementary School, Wyalusing District
ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS
All school districts in Bradford and Sullivan counties made Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2006-07 school year, which is based in part on their performance on the 2006-07 PSSA tests, according to the state Department of Education’s Web site.
Adequate Yearly Progress is also based on high school graduation rates, attendance rates, and student participation on taking the PSSA tests.
However, three schools in Bradford County – the S.R.U. Middle School, the Towanda Area Elementary School, and the Troy Area Middle School -- failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress for 2006-07, according to the Department of Education Web site.
The Athens School District’s S.R.U. Middle School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress because its special education sub-group did not meet the AYP targets for either math or reading, said Michael Race, a spokesman for the Department of Education.
The Towanda Area Elementary School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress because its special education and economically disadvantaged subgroups failed to make the AYP target in reading, Race said.
FUNDING AND LAWS
Although the goals of No Child Left Behind "are terrific," some changes need to be made, Zahorchak, the state education official, said.
Those changes include additional federal funding, having flexibility in determining the consequences for districts that do not meet goals, and having flexibility in testing special-education students.
Despite the needed changes, the state can meet the 100-percent proficiency requirement — if the funding is available, Dr. Zahorchak said.
Monday, August 11, 2008
But they're somewhere in the top ten...
This story came across my screen earlier today. Check out the sidebar story.
I am forced to concede that Morrisville does not have the worst behaved school board members in the world.
MEETING HALTED BECAUSE OF CONDUCT
As members of the public listened to a complex policy discussion on charter schools, Nevada Board of Education member Greg Nance dangled a piece of jewelry in the face of his newlywed wife, ringing a tiny bell on a bracelet as she giggled.
The distraction caused fellow board member Cindy Reid to call for an immediate halt to Saturday's video-conference of the state Board of Education; all members but Reid and Nance were meeting in Carson City.
"I don't know what to say," Reid said from a conference room on East Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas. "I'm embarrassed the public has to watch this. This is so inappropriate."
Nance, who represents District 5, was unapologetic. "I will entertain my wife. I love my wife," he said, adding that he was only answerable to the members of his Las Vegas district.
Bill Irvin, a deputy attorney general who advises the board, urged Nance to follow decorum. "I will tell you I love my wife, but she's not sitting next to me," Irvin said.
Nance responded that there was no law saying his wife could not sit next to him at board meetings. "Therefore, bite me!" Nance told the attorney.
Vice President Anthony Ruggiero, who was acting president for the absent President Marcia Washington, advised members of the public to file complaints and continued the meeting.
During a break, Nance, 49, told the Review-Journal that he married the 20-year-old woman 12 days ago. She has cerebral palsy and came to the meeting in a motorized wheelchair.
He said "too much partying and rock 'n' roll" over his honeymoon explained why he could not always stay awake or hear what was going on.
Because he was dozing during one policy discussion, Reid demanded that he take back his vote on his issue. The board agreed with Reid, but the issue passed by a wide margin anyway.
Nance met his future wife last fall at a nursing home where he was recovering from a heart attack. He said the heart attack temporarily left him dead but he returned to consciousness just before the embalmer was about to treat his body.
His wife was a patient at the same nursing home, he said.
I am forced to concede that Morrisville does not have the worst behaved school board members in the world.
MEETING HALTED BECAUSE OF CONDUCT
As members of the public listened to a complex policy discussion on charter schools, Nevada Board of Education member Greg Nance dangled a piece of jewelry in the face of his newlywed wife, ringing a tiny bell on a bracelet as she giggled.
The distraction caused fellow board member Cindy Reid to call for an immediate halt to Saturday's video-conference of the state Board of Education; all members but Reid and Nance were meeting in Carson City.
"I don't know what to say," Reid said from a conference room on East Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas. "I'm embarrassed the public has to watch this. This is so inappropriate."
Nance, who represents District 5, was unapologetic. "I will entertain my wife. I love my wife," he said, adding that he was only answerable to the members of his Las Vegas district.
Bill Irvin, a deputy attorney general who advises the board, urged Nance to follow decorum. "I will tell you I love my wife, but she's not sitting next to me," Irvin said.
Nance responded that there was no law saying his wife could not sit next to him at board meetings. "Therefore, bite me!" Nance told the attorney.
Vice President Anthony Ruggiero, who was acting president for the absent President Marcia Washington, advised members of the public to file complaints and continued the meeting.
During a break, Nance, 49, told the Review-Journal that he married the 20-year-old woman 12 days ago. She has cerebral palsy and came to the meeting in a motorized wheelchair.
He said "too much partying and rock 'n' roll" over his honeymoon explained why he could not always stay awake or hear what was going on.
Because he was dozing during one policy discussion, Reid demanded that he take back his vote on his issue. The board agreed with Reid, but the issue passed by a wide margin anyway.
Nance met his future wife last fall at a nursing home where he was recovering from a heart attack. He said the heart attack temporarily left him dead but he returned to consciousness just before the embalmer was about to treat his body.
His wife was a patient at the same nursing home, he said.
Taxes up everywhere except in Morrisville
From the BCCT this morning: Marlys Mihok, secretary of the Morrisville school board, stop the school member, and taxpayer advocate trumpeting the budgetary successes of the Emperor and the board of chosen accomplices.
There's two problems with this. The first is that a fresh set of eyes can find things to cut from any budget. It's the second year when things get harder to cut. Among the things that can still be cut are the sports programs, the band and chorus programs, any other extra curricular activities, and utilities. We can choose to fire half the teachers and staff, make the classroom size up to 45 students, and have Ferris Bueller's economics teacher providing the education. It's not the fact that cuts were made, it's where the cuts came from and what will be defunded. What is your focus?
When the state is investigating why we ran out of money early in 2009, we can point to this op-ed piece as one piece of the puzzle. "None of next year’s projections factored the amount of students graduating out of these programs and therefore, in my opinion we have grossly over budgeted in these areas." Of course not! Just in inflation alone, the costs have risen significantly. Still buying the same gallon of milk each week costs much more than it used to. It's the same with special ed, copier paper, and number 2 pencils. Only time will tell if "grossly over budgeted" is right or not. It's standard practice to budget conservatively using at least the same number as last year unless there is significant evidence to not do so. Paging the Auditor General: Your reservations are ready.
The second item is defeasement. The centerpiece of their election campaign is never even mentioned. That's where the cut in taxes really came from.
Instead of making the investments in a new building, we're plunging ahead recklessly without a plan and without receiving state reimbursement making piecemeal emergency renovations among two or three existing buildings. Add back in the millage from not investing in the future and what's the real savings? Every dollar spent today in any repairs, major or minor, "emergency" or routine, is wasted money in the sense that the repair is only temporary. It's a band-aid on failing infrastructure that will need complete replacement sooner than you realize.
Does anyone want to examine this article further and point out the fallacies?
It's not a windfall when you purposefully choose to ignore the needs of the future.
UPDATE 6:30 PM. Scroll down to the bottom of the post.
Taxes up everywhere except in Morrisville
As sure as fireworks on the fourth, Bucks County homeowners have received their school tax bills for the 2008-2009 school year. Every school board in the county has raised taxes for the next year, some significantly, with the exception of tiny Morrisville Borough. In fact, Morrisville School District taxes have plummeted. Let’s examine the phenomenon.
At the first regular meeting of the new school board, Business Administrator Reba Dunford presented the new board with a preliminary budget including a 21-mil increase equaling approximately $425 to the average assessed household of $20,000. State law allowed a 4.4 percent increase without going to referendum by the voters to increase that percentage. This budget was presented to the board as a bare bones, no frills estimate of expenditures for the next school year, on the heels of two consecutive years of outrageous tax increases.
Since that December meeting until June 25 when the final budget was approved, the majority members of the Morrisville School Board dropped the proposed 21-mil increase to zero and further reduced the budget by another 18.7 mils for a total reduction of 39.7 mils.
The administration has acknowledged that we did not disrupt any educational programs with the cuts; however, we are being unfairly criticized for not fully funding the increases requested for special education, charter schools, and alternative schools, although the business administrator is satisfied with the increase the board has provided. None of next year’s projections factored the amount of students graduating out of these programs and therefore, in my opinion we have grossly over budgeted in these areas.
After six months of diligent number crunching with the projected $21 million budget, board President Bill Hellmann found “extra expenditures” that we could eliminate without affecting educational programs in the district. Reducing 39.7 mils in my opinion cut deeply into a bloated budget. The school board did its fiduciary duty but has been relentlessly criticized by a vocal minority for not raising taxes.
Adding the first year of Homestead Rebate from gambling revenue is an additional $241 decrease as the proverbial cherry on top; $600 less is about what the average assessed homeowners have saved in Morrisville school taxes. [Moderator note: The BCCT claims a $218 Act I credit for a $539 decrease. To put it into perspective, that's $1.47 a day. A large coffee at 7-Eleven costs more. We're selling the future of the town for the price of a large coffee. ]
To unify the borough I have a proposal. Parents who are not happy with the extra money and are experiencing guilt about keeping their windfall can purge themselves of that money by donating it to the Morrisville Education Foundation, which will provide our district with additional educational tools not funded by the taxpayers. I suggest that the residents who are not satisfied with the new school board tax reductions donate it back to the district. Donations in the amount of your reduction may be sent to the Morrisville Education Foundation, 550 Palmer St., Morrisville, Pa. 19067. Tax deductions for donations will be less guilt ridden than the actual money itself.
Let’s get this foundation off to a wonderful start. Thank you in advance for your participation in funding the Morrisville Education Foundation.
MARLYS MIHOK
Resident of Morrisville for 25 years and member of the Morrisville School Board
UPDATE 6:30 PM
Great comment posted for this story at the BCCT website.
No Bob, the teachers union isn't the "vocal minority", it's citizens who have been critical of the methods used by the school board. I'll give you a few examples, which Mihok didn't mention in her article, because they don't make her or her compadres of the board members look too good:
1. The lion's share of the tax reduction is a "one shot deal" from the board "defeasing" (giving back to bondholders) $20+ million in bond money set aside for construction of a new, space-efficient K-12 campus. Defeasement reduced taxes this year only, but cost taxpayers about $2.5 million, a fact that was NOT shared with the public before the board voted on it;
2. The board is plowing ahead with replacing boilers based on a cursory $2,500 walk-through by an engineering company unilaterally hired by board president Bill Hellmann, whom Mihok staunchly supports. The board had to vote "after-the-fact" to authorize the work and pay the company because the work was already completed. The bidding for the boiler work did NOT follow procedures that would have resulted in reimbursement by the PA Dept. of Ed., so it will cost taxpayers additional money that could easily have been saved;
3. To date, I believe Mihok has kept the $250 stipend she receives as board secretary (something other board members almost always donate back to the district), yet she was unable to produce timely meeting minutes (one of her main responsibilities as secretary), resulting in the board hiring someone to take notes and write minutes;
4. Mihok was caught in a lie claiming that Superintendent Dr. Beth Yonson hadn’t notified the board about a deadline to pass a resolution capping the district’s budget increase to 4.4% when in fact she had informed the board – it was all caught on tape with reporters present. Those who are familiar with her know that that's just one instance in which she was CAUGHT lying;
It's simply assinine for Mihok to state that the criticism is for NOT raising taxes. Nobody wants their taxes to go up. But people do want school boards to make prudent decisions that balance both educational and financial concerns, not boards that make irresponsible decisions for short-term gain and long-term pain. We've got the latter in Morrisville right now.
There's two problems with this. The first is that a fresh set of eyes can find things to cut from any budget. It's the second year when things get harder to cut. Among the things that can still be cut are the sports programs, the band and chorus programs, any other extra curricular activities, and utilities. We can choose to fire half the teachers and staff, make the classroom size up to 45 students, and have Ferris Bueller's economics teacher providing the education. It's not the fact that cuts were made, it's where the cuts came from and what will be defunded. What is your focus?
When the state is investigating why we ran out of money early in 2009, we can point to this op-ed piece as one piece of the puzzle. "None of next year’s projections factored the amount of students graduating out of these programs and therefore, in my opinion we have grossly over budgeted in these areas." Of course not! Just in inflation alone, the costs have risen significantly. Still buying the same gallon of milk each week costs much more than it used to. It's the same with special ed, copier paper, and number 2 pencils. Only time will tell if "grossly over budgeted" is right or not. It's standard practice to budget conservatively using at least the same number as last year unless there is significant evidence to not do so. Paging the Auditor General: Your reservations are ready.
The second item is defeasement. The centerpiece of their election campaign is never even mentioned. That's where the cut in taxes really came from.
Instead of making the investments in a new building, we're plunging ahead recklessly without a plan and without receiving state reimbursement making piecemeal emergency renovations among two or three existing buildings. Add back in the millage from not investing in the future and what's the real savings? Every dollar spent today in any repairs, major or minor, "emergency" or routine, is wasted money in the sense that the repair is only temporary. It's a band-aid on failing infrastructure that will need complete replacement sooner than you realize.
Does anyone want to examine this article further and point out the fallacies?
It's not a windfall when you purposefully choose to ignore the needs of the future.
UPDATE 6:30 PM. Scroll down to the bottom of the post.
Taxes up everywhere except in Morrisville
As sure as fireworks on the fourth, Bucks County homeowners have received their school tax bills for the 2008-2009 school year. Every school board in the county has raised taxes for the next year, some significantly, with the exception of tiny Morrisville Borough. In fact, Morrisville School District taxes have plummeted. Let’s examine the phenomenon.
At the first regular meeting of the new school board, Business Administrator Reba Dunford presented the new board with a preliminary budget including a 21-mil increase equaling approximately $425 to the average assessed household of $20,000. State law allowed a 4.4 percent increase without going to referendum by the voters to increase that percentage. This budget was presented to the board as a bare bones, no frills estimate of expenditures for the next school year, on the heels of two consecutive years of outrageous tax increases.
Since that December meeting until June 25 when the final budget was approved, the majority members of the Morrisville School Board dropped the proposed 21-mil increase to zero and further reduced the budget by another 18.7 mils for a total reduction of 39.7 mils.
The administration has acknowledged that we did not disrupt any educational programs with the cuts; however, we are being unfairly criticized for not fully funding the increases requested for special education, charter schools, and alternative schools, although the business administrator is satisfied with the increase the board has provided. None of next year’s projections factored the amount of students graduating out of these programs and therefore, in my opinion we have grossly over budgeted in these areas.
After six months of diligent number crunching with the projected $21 million budget, board President Bill Hellmann found “extra expenditures” that we could eliminate without affecting educational programs in the district. Reducing 39.7 mils in my opinion cut deeply into a bloated budget. The school board did its fiduciary duty but has been relentlessly criticized by a vocal minority for not raising taxes.
Adding the first year of Homestead Rebate from gambling revenue is an additional $241 decrease as the proverbial cherry on top; $600 less is about what the average assessed homeowners have saved in Morrisville school taxes. [Moderator note: The BCCT claims a $218 Act I credit for a $539 decrease. To put it into perspective, that's $1.47 a day. A large coffee at 7-Eleven costs more. We're selling the future of the town for the price of a large coffee. ]
To unify the borough I have a proposal. Parents who are not happy with the extra money and are experiencing guilt about keeping their windfall can purge themselves of that money by donating it to the Morrisville Education Foundation, which will provide our district with additional educational tools not funded by the taxpayers. I suggest that the residents who are not satisfied with the new school board tax reductions donate it back to the district. Donations in the amount of your reduction may be sent to the Morrisville Education Foundation, 550 Palmer St., Morrisville, Pa. 19067. Tax deductions for donations will be less guilt ridden than the actual money itself.
Let’s get this foundation off to a wonderful start. Thank you in advance for your participation in funding the Morrisville Education Foundation.
MARLYS MIHOK
Resident of Morrisville for 25 years and member of the Morrisville School Board
UPDATE 6:30 PM
Great comment posted for this story at the BCCT website.
No Bob, the teachers union isn't the "vocal minority", it's citizens who have been critical of the methods used by the school board. I'll give you a few examples, which Mihok didn't mention in her article, because they don't make her or her compadres of the board members look too good:
1. The lion's share of the tax reduction is a "one shot deal" from the board "defeasing" (giving back to bondholders) $20+ million in bond money set aside for construction of a new, space-efficient K-12 campus. Defeasement reduced taxes this year only, but cost taxpayers about $2.5 million, a fact that was NOT shared with the public before the board voted on it;
2. The board is plowing ahead with replacing boilers based on a cursory $2,500 walk-through by an engineering company unilaterally hired by board president Bill Hellmann, whom Mihok staunchly supports. The board had to vote "after-the-fact" to authorize the work and pay the company because the work was already completed. The bidding for the boiler work did NOT follow procedures that would have resulted in reimbursement by the PA Dept. of Ed., so it will cost taxpayers additional money that could easily have been saved;
3. To date, I believe Mihok has kept the $250 stipend she receives as board secretary (something other board members almost always donate back to the district), yet she was unable to produce timely meeting minutes (one of her main responsibilities as secretary), resulting in the board hiring someone to take notes and write minutes;
4. Mihok was caught in a lie claiming that Superintendent Dr. Beth Yonson hadn’t notified the board about a deadline to pass a resolution capping the district’s budget increase to 4.4% when in fact she had informed the board – it was all caught on tape with reporters present. Those who are familiar with her know that that's just one instance in which she was CAUGHT lying;
It's simply assinine for Mihok to state that the criticism is for NOT raising taxes. Nobody wants their taxes to go up. But people do want school boards to make prudent decisions that balance both educational and financial concerns, not boards that make irresponsible decisions for short-term gain and long-term pain. We've got the latter in Morrisville right now.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Talking in the dark
From the BCCT. This is a bit of a sticky wicket, eh? No one wants contract negotiations to take place in the bright lights of public scrutiny. That's most definitely a time where quiet negotiations should take place without the nonsense of public posturing that public officials are prone to.
We also need to trust the negotiators to do the right thing. Here's where the Morrisville board would fail the test. Public trust in the Emperor and his board of chosen accomplices is falling to new lows each time one of them opens their mouth. Will and can the Bristol Borough board do better? Time will tell.
Let's be fair though. Teaching is not a part time job despite the nine month calendar.
Teaching is not for the faint-hearted: Would you want to be locked away with your children and 30 of their friends for most of the day, trying to make the time productive? Yeah...Didn't think so.
Teaching is not for the uneducated. The bachelors degree they first bring to the job is only the start. There's the masters courses, and for some, the doctorate. Do you want the village idiot to teach our children? Yeah...Didn't think so on that one either.
The rate of inflation is pretty steep too. I'm pretty sure at year's end, you'll be expecting a raise from the boss. It's only "fair", right? You put in your time. And the benefits? They're fair too! Gimme my hospitalization and prescription coverage. Gimme, gimme, gimme. And gimme more.
It's fair to question how and why the taxpayers should be involved in the process. After all, we do foot the bill. Aren't the elected board members supposed to be the taxpayer representatives though? At least part time, while they are education advocates the rest of the time. (Well, in Morrisville, they're taxpayers advocates 100% of the time, but I digress.) Do company shareholders sit in on employee performance reviews and wage negotiations? Yet they foot the bill, too.
It's just like any other election oriented activity. It's not perfect and it most certainly isn't foolproof or pretty. The only time we get to have our say is behind the curtain on Election Day.
Talking in the dark
Contract negotiations could benefit from openness.
Bristol Borough residents received encouraging news this week when we reported that the school board made a ‘fair offer’ to teachers. If so, teachers might swiftly agree to a new contract (the old one expires Aug. 31), which would ensure the school year won’t be disrupted by any sort of labor strife.
On second thought, we’re not really sure how encouraging the news is because we don’t know what the school board offered the teachers. Maybe it’s a “fair offer;” maybe it isn’t. We’re not really sure since the school board won’t elaborate on the offer. And that’s the problem with the way school boards handle contract negotiations. It’s all a big secret.
That means taxpayers are shut out of the process — until it’s time to pay the bill, of course. That’s a fact of life in Pennsylvania. Teachers make demands. School boards respond with offers. Taxpayers sitting on the sideline are obligated to cover the cost — whatever it is.
In the minds of some people, that’s not the way it should be.
Since taxpayers are footing the bill, they argue, taxpayers ought to get a say along the way. This could hasten fair offers and also reasonable demands because neither side will want to appear unrealistic or selfish in the light of public scrutiny. And whatever eventually is agreed to won’t come as a costly surprise to taxpayers. Sounds like an idea well worth exploring.
By the way, negotiators will meet again Tuesday — behind closed doors.
We also need to trust the negotiators to do the right thing. Here's where the Morrisville board would fail the test. Public trust in the Emperor and his board of chosen accomplices is falling to new lows each time one of them opens their mouth. Will and can the Bristol Borough board do better? Time will tell.
Let's be fair though. Teaching is not a part time job despite the nine month calendar.
Teaching is not for the faint-hearted: Would you want to be locked away with your children and 30 of their friends for most of the day, trying to make the time productive? Yeah...Didn't think so.
Teaching is not for the uneducated. The bachelors degree they first bring to the job is only the start. There's the masters courses, and for some, the doctorate. Do you want the village idiot to teach our children? Yeah...Didn't think so on that one either.
The rate of inflation is pretty steep too. I'm pretty sure at year's end, you'll be expecting a raise from the boss. It's only "fair", right? You put in your time. And the benefits? They're fair too! Gimme my hospitalization and prescription coverage. Gimme, gimme, gimme. And gimme more.
It's fair to question how and why the taxpayers should be involved in the process. After all, we do foot the bill. Aren't the elected board members supposed to be the taxpayer representatives though? At least part time, while they are education advocates the rest of the time. (Well, in Morrisville, they're taxpayers advocates 100% of the time, but I digress.) Do company shareholders sit in on employee performance reviews and wage negotiations? Yet they foot the bill, too.
It's just like any other election oriented activity. It's not perfect and it most certainly isn't foolproof or pretty. The only time we get to have our say is behind the curtain on Election Day.
Talking in the dark
Contract negotiations could benefit from openness.
Bristol Borough residents received encouraging news this week when we reported that the school board made a ‘fair offer’ to teachers. If so, teachers might swiftly agree to a new contract (the old one expires Aug. 31), which would ensure the school year won’t be disrupted by any sort of labor strife.
On second thought, we’re not really sure how encouraging the news is because we don’t know what the school board offered the teachers. Maybe it’s a “fair offer;” maybe it isn’t. We’re not really sure since the school board won’t elaborate on the offer. And that’s the problem with the way school boards handle contract negotiations. It’s all a big secret.
That means taxpayers are shut out of the process — until it’s time to pay the bill, of course. That’s a fact of life in Pennsylvania. Teachers make demands. School boards respond with offers. Taxpayers sitting on the sideline are obligated to cover the cost — whatever it is.
In the minds of some people, that’s not the way it should be.
Since taxpayers are footing the bill, they argue, taxpayers ought to get a say along the way. This could hasten fair offers and also reasonable demands because neither side will want to appear unrealistic or selfish in the light of public scrutiny. And whatever eventually is agreed to won’t come as a costly surprise to taxpayers. Sounds like an idea well worth exploring.
By the way, negotiators will meet again Tuesday — behind closed doors.
Coercion in Morrisville: Another unilateral decision
From the BCCT
Coercion in Morrisville: Another unilateral decision
The Morrisville School District is conducting a re-registration for its existing students in an effort to identify and remove nonresidents from our schools and lessen the tax burden. While I appreciate the idea, I am concerned with how this is being handled by the school board.
The largest concern I have with the re-registration, besides the hassle itself, is regarding the use of volunteers for the re-registration process and their handling of confidential personal information. According to the 2006 Identity Theft Survey Report published in November 2007 by the Federal Trade Commission, 8.3 million people had fallen victim of identity theft. While we would all like to trust our neighbors — and I do sincerely thank them for volunteering their time — we also must not be naive to the risks of giving out personal information.
When my wife contacted school Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson with our concerns, she was told that this was a decision made by the school board and that her recommendation was to come in during daytime hours when district employees would be available to handle the re-registration process. If this were a board decision then I would expect that a motion would have been made and voted on; to my knowledge no such vote occurred.
Instead we are being coerced to comply with the re-registration, at the whim of select board members, because, according to the article in the Courier Times and the public notice on the district’s Web site, “class schedules and assignments will not be sent until your student is re-registered.”
This appears to be the latest in a string of unilateral decisions by board President Bill Hellmann, and it needs to stop. Re-registration should only be handled by district employees and the school board must begin to follow due process.
Peter Eisengrein Morrisville
Coercion in Morrisville: Another unilateral decision
The Morrisville School District is conducting a re-registration for its existing students in an effort to identify and remove nonresidents from our schools and lessen the tax burden. While I appreciate the idea, I am concerned with how this is being handled by the school board.
The largest concern I have with the re-registration, besides the hassle itself, is regarding the use of volunteers for the re-registration process and their handling of confidential personal information. According to the 2006 Identity Theft Survey Report published in November 2007 by the Federal Trade Commission, 8.3 million people had fallen victim of identity theft. While we would all like to trust our neighbors — and I do sincerely thank them for volunteering their time — we also must not be naive to the risks of giving out personal information.
When my wife contacted school Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson with our concerns, she was told that this was a decision made by the school board and that her recommendation was to come in during daytime hours when district employees would be available to handle the re-registration process. If this were a board decision then I would expect that a motion would have been made and voted on; to my knowledge no such vote occurred.
Instead we are being coerced to comply with the re-registration, at the whim of select board members, because, according to the article in the Courier Times and the public notice on the district’s Web site, “class schedules and assignments will not be sent until your student is re-registered.”
This appears to be the latest in a string of unilateral decisions by board President Bill Hellmann, and it needs to stop. Re-registration should only be handled by district employees and the school board must begin to follow due process.
Peter Eisengrein Morrisville
Reassesment, Act I, and Taxes
From the Wilkes Barre Times Leader
Reassessment won’t affect state’s Act 1 tax cut
Gambling revenue will be doled out to Pennsylvania’s school districts based on their economic situations.
By Mark Guydish, Education Reporter, August 10
Amid the confusion and tumult of countywide property reassessment, one question has repeatedly bubbled up: Does it affect Act 1, the 2006 state law that promised to use money from legalized gambling to lower property taxes for homeowners?
Alternatively, some have asked if Act 1 affects reassessment.
The short answer to both is no.
Act 1 property tax relief is doled out as a specific dollar amount to each district, and that amount is determined first and foremost by the amount of money available from gambling revenue. The state has projected there will be as much as $1 billion available a year, but that amount likely won’t be reached until all licensed casinos are open.
The law required a minimum amount of money ($500 million, when first enacted) to be available before any could be spent on tax relief, which is why no one saw a penny in property tax savings until this coming school year, even though the law was signed in 2006. This is the first year the minimum was reached.
Now that enough money is available, the state is using a complex formula to determine how much each school district receives.
In a nutshell, the formula looks at a district’s wealth and tax rates in relation to other districts to determine which districts need more money to level the playing field. That is, a district with booming economic growth is apt to get less Act 1 money than one with declining population and high unemployment.
The district, in turn, distributes its share of the money equally to all eligible homeowners. To be eligible, you had to fill out an application and be approved by the county. Your tax bill and your assessed property value are irrelevant. If you’re eligible and live in a $10,000 hovel, you get as much knocked off your tax bill as the eligible rich guy in a million-dollar mansion.
That will hold true after reassessment. The amount you get will depend on how much money your school district gets from the state, and how many property owners are eligible for the tax exemption.
Act 1 only applies to school district taxes. The property taxes you pay to the county and your municipality are not affected.
One more thing that seems to cause confusion: Reassessment cannot affect your school taxes this autumn.
That’s because school districts budget on a fiscal year that runs July 1 through June 30. If reassessment is done on schedule, the values won’t be certified until November, long after school district property tax bills have been prepared and sent. New reassessed values can’t be used for school district budgets until next year.
Reassessment won’t affect state’s Act 1 tax cut
Gambling revenue will be doled out to Pennsylvania’s school districts based on their economic situations.
By Mark Guydish, Education Reporter, August 10
Amid the confusion and tumult of countywide property reassessment, one question has repeatedly bubbled up: Does it affect Act 1, the 2006 state law that promised to use money from legalized gambling to lower property taxes for homeowners?
Alternatively, some have asked if Act 1 affects reassessment.
The short answer to both is no.
Act 1 property tax relief is doled out as a specific dollar amount to each district, and that amount is determined first and foremost by the amount of money available from gambling revenue. The state has projected there will be as much as $1 billion available a year, but that amount likely won’t be reached until all licensed casinos are open.
The law required a minimum amount of money ($500 million, when first enacted) to be available before any could be spent on tax relief, which is why no one saw a penny in property tax savings until this coming school year, even though the law was signed in 2006. This is the first year the minimum was reached.
Now that enough money is available, the state is using a complex formula to determine how much each school district receives.
In a nutshell, the formula looks at a district’s wealth and tax rates in relation to other districts to determine which districts need more money to level the playing field. That is, a district with booming economic growth is apt to get less Act 1 money than one with declining population and high unemployment.
The district, in turn, distributes its share of the money equally to all eligible homeowners. To be eligible, you had to fill out an application and be approved by the county. Your tax bill and your assessed property value are irrelevant. If you’re eligible and live in a $10,000 hovel, you get as much knocked off your tax bill as the eligible rich guy in a million-dollar mansion.
That will hold true after reassessment. The amount you get will depend on how much money your school district gets from the state, and how many property owners are eligible for the tax exemption.
Act 1 only applies to school district taxes. The property taxes you pay to the county and your municipality are not affected.
One more thing that seems to cause confusion: Reassessment cannot affect your school taxes this autumn.
That’s because school districts budget on a fiscal year that runs July 1 through June 30. If reassessment is done on schedule, the values won’t be certified until November, long after school district property tax bills have been prepared and sent. New reassessed values can’t be used for school district budgets until next year.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Back to the Future...Circa 1955
Pearls Before Swine today explains what so many long time Morrisville residents are thinking.
Funny or sad? We report...you decide.
Funny or sad? We report...you decide.
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
Writing Off Disabled Children
New York Times
In Texas and throughout the country, disabled children should be given the school services they are entitled to under federal law. Many of America's juvenile jails would be empty if the public schools obeyed federal law and provided disabled children with the special instruction that they need. Instead, these children are allowed to fall behind. When they act out, they are often suspended or expelled, which makes them more likely to commit crimes and land in jails where they can count on even less help.
Over-cautious parents stop play
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (UK)
Children are being denied the chance to climb trees and play conkers by over-cautious parents, a new survey claims.
"A Program That Pays." [PDF format]
Providing a world-class education for all kids may no longer be possible without outside financial help, says Stan Levenson, Fundraising Consultant to the Public Schools in his latest article appearing in the July 2008 issue of the American School Board Journal. In this article, Levenson recommends that school districts consider a large-scale fundraising effort coordinated and articulated across district lines.
Growing hesitancy over a military test
Philadelphia Inquirer
Every school year, at hundreds of high schools across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, students are asked - and sometimes required - to take a vocational aptitude test with a strange-sounding name - the ASVAB, which stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
Students 'robbed of their childhood'
Chicago Sun-Times
Maybe kids do know best. For a social studies project this year, fifth-graders at Little Village Academy plotted a cost-free way to counter the guns and gangs that plague their neighborhood: They asked parents to volunteer to lead after-school programs in drawing, painting, handcrafts, dancing, sports, cheerleading and chess.
College Board to debut an 8th-grade PSAT exam
Los Angeles Times
By Gale Holland
The test, expected to be released in 2010, aims to identify talented students and get them into college-prep classes early. But many critics say students already face too many tests and too much stress
New York Times
In Texas and throughout the country, disabled children should be given the school services they are entitled to under federal law. Many of America's juvenile jails would be empty if the public schools obeyed federal law and provided disabled children with the special instruction that they need. Instead, these children are allowed to fall behind. When they act out, they are often suspended or expelled, which makes them more likely to commit crimes and land in jails where they can count on even less help.
Over-cautious parents stop play
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (UK)
Children are being denied the chance to climb trees and play conkers by over-cautious parents, a new survey claims.
"A Program That Pays." [PDF format]
Providing a world-class education for all kids may no longer be possible without outside financial help, says Stan Levenson, Fundraising Consultant to the Public Schools in his latest article appearing in the July 2008 issue of the American School Board Journal. In this article, Levenson recommends that school districts consider a large-scale fundraising effort coordinated and articulated across district lines.
Growing hesitancy over a military test
Philadelphia Inquirer
Every school year, at hundreds of high schools across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, students are asked - and sometimes required - to take a vocational aptitude test with a strange-sounding name - the ASVAB, which stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
Students 'robbed of their childhood'
Chicago Sun-Times
Maybe kids do know best. For a social studies project this year, fifth-graders at Little Village Academy plotted a cost-free way to counter the guns and gangs that plague their neighborhood: They asked parents to volunteer to lead after-school programs in drawing, painting, handcrafts, dancing, sports, cheerleading and chess.
College Board to debut an 8th-grade PSAT exam
Los Angeles Times
By Gale Holland
The test, expected to be released in 2010, aims to identify talented students and get them into college-prep classes early. But many critics say students already face too many tests and too much stress
Makefield Elementary Goes Green
From the BCCT
School getting $12.7M green renovation
The work will be done according to environmental standards set up by the U.S. Green Building Council.
By CHRIS ENGLISH
A “green” makeover is coming to Makefield Elementary School after the Lower Makefield supervisors granted final land development approval for a $12.7 million renovation-expansion at the Pennsbury school on Makefield Road.
Supervisors Pete Stainthorpe, Ron Smith, Steve Santarsiero and Matt Maloney voted 4-0 for approval at Wednesday night’s meeting. Board Chairman Greg Caiola was absent.
Construction is scheduled to include many green, or environmentally friendly, elements, Pennsbury officials have said. Among them are solar panels that will provide about 12 percent of the school’s power, lowflow features in bathrooms that will reduce water use by 20 percent and some permeable pavement in the parking lots that will allow rainwater to soak through.
“I appreciate the fact the school district decided to go in that direction,” said Santarsiero. “I was impressed with the design of the building.”
Santarsiero said he had some concern there wasn’t enough space being added to accommodate future enrollment increases at the 74-year-old school.
“The school district acknowledged that anywhere between three and five years from now, even the expanded space might be inadequate,” he said. “I don’t want to see Makefield kids get redistricted to other schools because I think neighborhood schools are important. I would have preferred they increase the space even more, but that ultimately is not our decision as a board of supervisors. I asked Dr. [Paul] Long [Pennsbury’s chief executive officer] to consider anything possible to avoid redistricting at any of the Lower Makefield schools.”
Long said the amount of added space, about 7,000 square feet to a school now 68,000 square feet, was decided on after much deliberation among school board members and administrators and with input from residents.
“I believe it will be sufficient for at least five years,” he said. “People ask why not add more space than that, but you’re limited by the size of the tract. You can’t overbuild the property.”
The township planning commission had expressed concerns with some parts of the project’s storm water management plan and took a neutral position on the project rather than recommending to approve or reject it. The supervisors didn’t think those concerns were serious enough to warrant voting against the project.
“The positives far outweighed the negatives in my mind,” said Stainthorpe. “There are some pretty progressive pieces to this project and the building is definitely in need of an update.”
The project includes a new and larger cafeteria and kitchen. Some empty space will be renovated to create a new library and music room, and there will be lots of other work throughout the entire building, including overhauls to the heating, ventilation and other mechanical systems. Also, the entire building will be air conditioned.
The renovation-expansion is scheduled to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification under a program run by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Pennsbury officials hope to start work sometime late next spring and finish by the end of summer in 2010. The $12.7 million price estimate is only for construction and does not include engineering, architectural and other fees and contingencies, Long said.
He said the project will be funded through a bond issue that hasn’t been approved by the school board yet.
School getting $12.7M green renovation
The work will be done according to environmental standards set up by the U.S. Green Building Council.
By CHRIS ENGLISH
A “green” makeover is coming to Makefield Elementary School after the Lower Makefield supervisors granted final land development approval for a $12.7 million renovation-expansion at the Pennsbury school on Makefield Road.
Supervisors Pete Stainthorpe, Ron Smith, Steve Santarsiero and Matt Maloney voted 4-0 for approval at Wednesday night’s meeting. Board Chairman Greg Caiola was absent.
Construction is scheduled to include many green, or environmentally friendly, elements, Pennsbury officials have said. Among them are solar panels that will provide about 12 percent of the school’s power, lowflow features in bathrooms that will reduce water use by 20 percent and some permeable pavement in the parking lots that will allow rainwater to soak through.
“I appreciate the fact the school district decided to go in that direction,” said Santarsiero. “I was impressed with the design of the building.”
Santarsiero said he had some concern there wasn’t enough space being added to accommodate future enrollment increases at the 74-year-old school.
“The school district acknowledged that anywhere between three and five years from now, even the expanded space might be inadequate,” he said. “I don’t want to see Makefield kids get redistricted to other schools because I think neighborhood schools are important. I would have preferred they increase the space even more, but that ultimately is not our decision as a board of supervisors. I asked Dr. [Paul] Long [Pennsbury’s chief executive officer] to consider anything possible to avoid redistricting at any of the Lower Makefield schools.”
Long said the amount of added space, about 7,000 square feet to a school now 68,000 square feet, was decided on after much deliberation among school board members and administrators and with input from residents.
“I believe it will be sufficient for at least five years,” he said. “People ask why not add more space than that, but you’re limited by the size of the tract. You can’t overbuild the property.”
The township planning commission had expressed concerns with some parts of the project’s storm water management plan and took a neutral position on the project rather than recommending to approve or reject it. The supervisors didn’t think those concerns were serious enough to warrant voting against the project.
“The positives far outweighed the negatives in my mind,” said Stainthorpe. “There are some pretty progressive pieces to this project and the building is definitely in need of an update.”
The project includes a new and larger cafeteria and kitchen. Some empty space will be renovated to create a new library and music room, and there will be lots of other work throughout the entire building, including overhauls to the heating, ventilation and other mechanical systems. Also, the entire building will be air conditioned.
The renovation-expansion is scheduled to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification under a program run by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Pennsbury officials hope to start work sometime late next spring and finish by the end of summer in 2010. The $12.7 million price estimate is only for construction and does not include engineering, architectural and other fees and contingencies, Long said.
He said the project will be funded through a bond issue that hasn’t been approved by the school board yet.
PSSA Results Due Thursday
Anyone have info on Morrisville's scores?
Districts celebrate PSSA success
The state education department will release the official standardized test results that determine whether schools achieve Adequate Yearly Progress on Thursday, a PDE spokesman said.
By JOAN HELLYER
The Bristol Township, Centennial, Council Rock and Pennsbury school districts have earned Adequate Yearly Progress status because of their students’ performance on the state’s 2008 standardized tests, according to preliminary results.
Representatives of the four districts provided the preliminary information to the paper in advance of Thursday’s official release of the scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment mathematics and reading tests.
Officials of other local school systems either declined to provide the information or didn’t respond to the paper’s request for the preliminary results.
AYP is used to ensure students have the math and reading skills necessary to prepare them for the future, state education department officials said.
It also measures whether schools and districts have met improvement goals established by the federal No Child Left Behind act. AYP has three goals: academic performance; test participation; and graduation rates or attendance rates for schools without a high school graduating class.
Students in third- through eighth-grades and 11th grade take the tests each spring. They can score either below basic, basic, proficient or advanced on the tests.
This year’s goal is to have at least 63 percent of students in a grade level score proficient or better on the reading test and 56 percent of the students earn proficiency or better status on the math tests, education officials said.
Ultimately, the NCLB goal is for 100 percent of students who take the tests to achieve proficiency by 2014.
Bristol Township, Centennial and Pennsbury officials said various techniques, including intensive reading sessions and periodic testing periods designed to mirror the PSSA exams, are being used in their respective districts to ensure AYP is achieved.
Each district has seen improvement because of the efforts:
Harry S Truman High School in Bristol Township earned AYP status after spending five years in one form or another of school improvement status.
Centennial’s William Tennent High School made enough strides with its student achievement, even among its special education population, to earn a “Making Progress” designation.
Pennsbury High School also is in “Making Progress” status for its efforts to improve test scores and the district’s Charles Boehm and Pennwood middle schools achieved AYP this year after being put in “Warning” status in 2007.
Each district, however, still has some work to do, the representatives said.
In Bristol Township, Abraham Lincoln and Lafayette elementary schools received a “Warning” status because not enough English language learners achieved PSSA proficiency, said Karen Hessel. She’s a Pennsylvania distinguished educator who has been working with Bristol Township educators to improve student performance.
Additionally, Clara Barton Elementary School is in School Improvement I status because not enough students at each grade level showed improvement on the tests, she said.
Elsewhere, Centennial’s Log College Middle School and Willow Dale Elementary School are in “Warning” status because of their special education students’ PSSA test results, said Jennifer Foight-Cressman, the district’s director of teaching and learning.
In Pennsbury, Penn Valley and Fallsington elementary schools, not enough students achieved proficiency on the PSSA reading tests, said spokeswoman Ann Langtry.
Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein confirmed that each district school achieved AYP, but declined to discuss specifics because he wants to provide that information to the school board before releasing it to the public.
In addition to the four local districts, the Center for Student Learning Charter School at Pennsbury reported that it’s in School Improvement II status because not enough of its students achieved proficiency on the PSSA tests.
Elsewhere in Lower Bucks County:
Bensalem declined to release its PSSA information until after administrators review the results during a Tuesday retreat, spokeswoman Susan Phy said.
Neshaminy Superintendent Paul Kadri declined to release information about student performance because administrators are “identifying trends and action plans” in response to the results. In addition, Kadri said, he didn’t want to release the results before he provided the Neshaminy school board and staff with the information.
Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis, Bucks County Technical High School Principal Connie Rinker declined to discuss their respective schools’ results before the state’s expected release of the information Thursday.
Morrisville,School Lane Charter School and Bucks County Montessori Charter School representatives didn’t respond to the paper’s request for information about the PSSA
Districts celebrate PSSA success
The state education department will release the official standardized test results that determine whether schools achieve Adequate Yearly Progress on Thursday, a PDE spokesman said.
By JOAN HELLYER
The Bristol Township, Centennial, Council Rock and Pennsbury school districts have earned Adequate Yearly Progress status because of their students’ performance on the state’s 2008 standardized tests, according to preliminary results.
Representatives of the four districts provided the preliminary information to the paper in advance of Thursday’s official release of the scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment mathematics and reading tests.
Officials of other local school systems either declined to provide the information or didn’t respond to the paper’s request for the preliminary results.
AYP is used to ensure students have the math and reading skills necessary to prepare them for the future, state education department officials said.
It also measures whether schools and districts have met improvement goals established by the federal No Child Left Behind act. AYP has three goals: academic performance; test participation; and graduation rates or attendance rates for schools without a high school graduating class.
Students in third- through eighth-grades and 11th grade take the tests each spring. They can score either below basic, basic, proficient or advanced on the tests.
This year’s goal is to have at least 63 percent of students in a grade level score proficient or better on the reading test and 56 percent of the students earn proficiency or better status on the math tests, education officials said.
Ultimately, the NCLB goal is for 100 percent of students who take the tests to achieve proficiency by 2014.
Bristol Township, Centennial and Pennsbury officials said various techniques, including intensive reading sessions and periodic testing periods designed to mirror the PSSA exams, are being used in their respective districts to ensure AYP is achieved.
Each district has seen improvement because of the efforts:
Harry S Truman High School in Bristol Township earned AYP status after spending five years in one form or another of school improvement status.
Centennial’s William Tennent High School made enough strides with its student achievement, even among its special education population, to earn a “Making Progress” designation.
Pennsbury High School also is in “Making Progress” status for its efforts to improve test scores and the district’s Charles Boehm and Pennwood middle schools achieved AYP this year after being put in “Warning” status in 2007.
Each district, however, still has some work to do, the representatives said.
In Bristol Township, Abraham Lincoln and Lafayette elementary schools received a “Warning” status because not enough English language learners achieved PSSA proficiency, said Karen Hessel. She’s a Pennsylvania distinguished educator who has been working with Bristol Township educators to improve student performance.
Additionally, Clara Barton Elementary School is in School Improvement I status because not enough students at each grade level showed improvement on the tests, she said.
Elsewhere, Centennial’s Log College Middle School and Willow Dale Elementary School are in “Warning” status because of their special education students’ PSSA test results, said Jennifer Foight-Cressman, the district’s director of teaching and learning.
In Pennsbury, Penn Valley and Fallsington elementary schools, not enough students achieved proficiency on the PSSA reading tests, said spokeswoman Ann Langtry.
Council Rock Superintendent Mark Klein confirmed that each district school achieved AYP, but declined to discuss specifics because he wants to provide that information to the school board before releasing it to the public.
In addition to the four local districts, the Center for Student Learning Charter School at Pennsbury reported that it’s in School Improvement II status because not enough of its students achieved proficiency on the PSSA tests.
Elsewhere in Lower Bucks County:
Bensalem declined to release its PSSA information until after administrators review the results during a Tuesday retreat, spokeswoman Susan Phy said.
Neshaminy Superintendent Paul Kadri declined to release information about student performance because administrators are “identifying trends and action plans” in response to the results. In addition, Kadri said, he didn’t want to release the results before he provided the Neshaminy school board and staff with the information.
Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis, Bucks County Technical High School Principal Connie Rinker declined to discuss their respective schools’ results before the state’s expected release of the information Thursday.
Morrisville,School Lane Charter School and Bucks County Montessori Charter School representatives didn’t respond to the paper’s request for information about the PSSA
Friday, August 8, 2008
This is no way to build a school
From the Curwinsville, Clearfield County Progress.
Can you imagine any responsible school district waiting for 30 or 40 years before doing repairs? Not only that, they're taking their time to think about a plan, seek state reimbursement, and, even exploring a geo-thermal energy system.
Where's the safe, sober, and responsible stop the school people here to whip up some civic frenzy and needlessly split the town? They're doing it wrong in Curwinsville.
Let's take donations for a road trip so the Emperor, Angry Al, and the rest of the stop the school professionals can take their act on the road and show Curwinsville how to destroy a town and its school system.
Price tag for Curwensville school fixes more than $20 million
Thursday, August 07, 2008
By Dianne Byers Staff Writer
CURWENSVILLE - The age and condition of the components of school buildings was the focus of Curwensville Area School Board as members met for a buildings and grounds committee meeting last night.
Curwensville Area High School and Penn Grampian Elementary School were constructed in 1955, the lower level of Curwensville Area Elementary School was built in 1962 and the upper level in 1972. All the buildings are showing their maturity, especially the high school and Penn-Grampian. In January, the board authorized contracting with Robert T. Scheeren A.I.A., Indiana, to assess the school complex and Penn-Grampian related to an overhaul of the structures and the possibility of additions to the Curwensville buildings to allow them to be brought up to state codes.
Last night, the board had an opportunity to review details of the report, which contains three options for renovations. Norman Hatten, superintendent of schools, said the report analyzed the needs of the school district and provided information to "allow the board to determine what direction to go, if any."
He stressed that the information presented last night is "extremely preliminary." "We are very early in this process and we are trying to make sense of all this," he noted.
He told the board, "There are a considerable amount of things that need to be done. The roofs, windows, doors, steam pipes, plumbing, electricity need to be replaced to allow the building to function properly for the next 20 years. ... This is a conservative project - mainly infrastructure. These things need to be done to keep the building from failing and keep the school operating," he explained.
Mentioned several times last night was the age and state of the roof on the high school building. In January a representative from the architectural firm, during his proposal, presented a section of the steam pipe heating system that was marked with numerous rusted holes.
If the board were to do everything listed in the initial proposal of work to modernize the three buildings and bring them into compliance with state codes it would be spending approximately $21 million to $23 million. The board tentatively examined the possibility of making some cuts to the project and whittling down the price but noted most of what the project contains is necessary to the safe and functional operation of the building.
One of the options noted in the report is to close the Penn-Grampian Elementary School and build additions to the Curwensville Area Elementary School.
Paul Carr, business manager, presented a number of financial details to the board including the repayment of its current bond issues, millage options under Act 1 and possible reimbursement from the state for the building project.
The board made no decisions last night. Members said they would be looking at the report to determine whether they have additional questions for the architect and would revisit the matter at a future meeting, possibly the Aug. 14 work session.
Several members asked about a timeline for the project. Mr. Hatten said the first step is to determine the extent of the project to be done then the details, including a schedule and financing, could be determined.
Other board members said they would like information on a geo-thermal system to be presented as a possible addition to the project, saying they believe it would be a cost effective method for heating and cooling the buildings.
Ken Veihdeffer, board president, said members would need to make a decision soon on what they want to do. "The longer we wait (the more expensive the project will be). Prices are not going to go down," he said.
Can you imagine any responsible school district waiting for 30 or 40 years before doing repairs? Not only that, they're taking their time to think about a plan, seek state reimbursement, and, even exploring a geo-thermal energy system.
Where's the safe, sober, and responsible stop the school people here to whip up some civic frenzy and needlessly split the town? They're doing it wrong in Curwinsville.
Let's take donations for a road trip so the Emperor, Angry Al, and the rest of the stop the school professionals can take their act on the road and show Curwinsville how to destroy a town and its school system.
Price tag for Curwensville school fixes more than $20 million
Thursday, August 07, 2008
By Dianne Byers Staff Writer
CURWENSVILLE - The age and condition of the components of school buildings was the focus of Curwensville Area School Board as members met for a buildings and grounds committee meeting last night.
Curwensville Area High School and Penn Grampian Elementary School were constructed in 1955, the lower level of Curwensville Area Elementary School was built in 1962 and the upper level in 1972. All the buildings are showing their maturity, especially the high school and Penn-Grampian. In January, the board authorized contracting with Robert T. Scheeren A.I.A., Indiana, to assess the school complex and Penn-Grampian related to an overhaul of the structures and the possibility of additions to the Curwensville buildings to allow them to be brought up to state codes.
Last night, the board had an opportunity to review details of the report, which contains three options for renovations. Norman Hatten, superintendent of schools, said the report analyzed the needs of the school district and provided information to "allow the board to determine what direction to go, if any."
He stressed that the information presented last night is "extremely preliminary." "We are very early in this process and we are trying to make sense of all this," he noted.
He told the board, "There are a considerable amount of things that need to be done. The roofs, windows, doors, steam pipes, plumbing, electricity need to be replaced to allow the building to function properly for the next 20 years. ... This is a conservative project - mainly infrastructure. These things need to be done to keep the building from failing and keep the school operating," he explained.
Mentioned several times last night was the age and state of the roof on the high school building. In January a representative from the architectural firm, during his proposal, presented a section of the steam pipe heating system that was marked with numerous rusted holes.
If the board were to do everything listed in the initial proposal of work to modernize the three buildings and bring them into compliance with state codes it would be spending approximately $21 million to $23 million. The board tentatively examined the possibility of making some cuts to the project and whittling down the price but noted most of what the project contains is necessary to the safe and functional operation of the building.
One of the options noted in the report is to close the Penn-Grampian Elementary School and build additions to the Curwensville Area Elementary School.
Paul Carr, business manager, presented a number of financial details to the board including the repayment of its current bond issues, millage options under Act 1 and possible reimbursement from the state for the building project.
The board made no decisions last night. Members said they would be looking at the report to determine whether they have additional questions for the architect and would revisit the matter at a future meeting, possibly the Aug. 14 work session.
Several members asked about a timeline for the project. Mr. Hatten said the first step is to determine the extent of the project to be done then the details, including a schedule and financing, could be determined.
Other board members said they would like information on a geo-thermal system to be presented as a possible addition to the project, saying they believe it would be a cost effective method for heating and cooling the buildings.
Ken Veihdeffer, board president, said members would need to make a decision soon on what they want to do. "The longer we wait (the more expensive the project will be). Prices are not going to go down," he said.
Solving Pennsylvania's problems
From the Pottstown Mercury
Solving Pennsylvania's problems
Rob Wonderling has the answers. Really, he does. It's all right there in his book.
"Talking Pennsylvania: 21 Conversations for the 21st Century" offers practical solutions to most of the major problems facing the Keystone State.
From health care to education to open space preservation to economic opportunity, the goal of the book and its companion Web site is to "help the people of Pennsylvania build a better 21st Century."
That may sound like a tall order, but it can be done, Wonderling argues.
Instead of telling people how government can solve all their problems, Wonderling took a different approach.
The two-term state senator went to the people of Pennsylvania and asked them to offer solutions. Real Pennsylvanians — 21 in all — who have the daily challenge of running their homes, farms and businesses.
If you want to address about farmland preservation, sit at the kitchen table with a farm couple trying to save the family dairy farm for their children.
How to keep young people from leaving Pennsylvania after they graduate from college? Talk to a recent graduate who says she will probably need at least a decade to pay off her student loans.
Welfare reform? Talk to a 21-year-old single mother of two who is trying to move off welfare by earning an associate's degree from a community college.
How to improve public education in Pennsylvania? Talk to the principal of a charter school about why the educational establishment is still trying to undermine Pennsylvania's charter school movement despite a decade of success.
Wonderling collected the conversations he had with everyday Pennsylvanians into a slim, 147-page book available free of charge through his offices or online at the companion Web site, www.talkingpa.com
Before you start complaining about how your tax dollars are being spent, the project was paid for by Friends of Rob Wonderling, which funded the senator's successful 2002 and 2006 election campaigns.
Wonderling spent a year traveling to all parts of Pennsylvania. He listened to people. He took notes. He recounts what he learned in 21 short (5-7 pages long) chapters in the book.
The best hope of building a brighter future for Pennsylvania lies not politicians but with the people of Pennsylvania, Wonderling says.
"While they are not politicians in any sense of the word, their lives are intersect with matters of public concern in Harrisburg," Wonderling writes. "In a very real sense, their stories can serve as a road map for our collective future as citizens of this Commonwealth."
What did Wonderling learn during his journey? The solutions to many of the state's most pressing problems are here already.
The problem is that state government doesn't listen. It's a one-way street with "ideas" coming from Harrisburg instead of the other way around. In the end, politicians need to talk less and listen more. And most importantly, they have to stop talking down to the rest of us. What are the chances of that happening?
Visit the TalkingPA Web site for more information.
Solving Pennsylvania's problems
Rob Wonderling has the answers. Really, he does. It's all right there in his book.
"Talking Pennsylvania: 21 Conversations for the 21st Century" offers practical solutions to most of the major problems facing the Keystone State.
From health care to education to open space preservation to economic opportunity, the goal of the book and its companion Web site is to "help the people of Pennsylvania build a better 21st Century."
That may sound like a tall order, but it can be done, Wonderling argues.
Instead of telling people how government can solve all their problems, Wonderling took a different approach.
The two-term state senator went to the people of Pennsylvania and asked them to offer solutions. Real Pennsylvanians — 21 in all — who have the daily challenge of running their homes, farms and businesses.
If you want to address about farmland preservation, sit at the kitchen table with a farm couple trying to save the family dairy farm for their children.
How to keep young people from leaving Pennsylvania after they graduate from college? Talk to a recent graduate who says she will probably need at least a decade to pay off her student loans.
Welfare reform? Talk to a 21-year-old single mother of two who is trying to move off welfare by earning an associate's degree from a community college.
How to improve public education in Pennsylvania? Talk to the principal of a charter school about why the educational establishment is still trying to undermine Pennsylvania's charter school movement despite a decade of success.
Wonderling collected the conversations he had with everyday Pennsylvanians into a slim, 147-page book available free of charge through his offices or online at the companion Web site, www.talkingpa.com
Before you start complaining about how your tax dollars are being spent, the project was paid for by Friends of Rob Wonderling, which funded the senator's successful 2002 and 2006 election campaigns.
Wonderling spent a year traveling to all parts of Pennsylvania. He listened to people. He took notes. He recounts what he learned in 21 short (5-7 pages long) chapters in the book.
The best hope of building a brighter future for Pennsylvania lies not politicians but with the people of Pennsylvania, Wonderling says.
"While they are not politicians in any sense of the word, their lives are intersect with matters of public concern in Harrisburg," Wonderling writes. "In a very real sense, their stories can serve as a road map for our collective future as citizens of this Commonwealth."
What did Wonderling learn during his journey? The solutions to many of the state's most pressing problems are here already.
The problem is that state government doesn't listen. It's a one-way street with "ideas" coming from Harrisburg instead of the other way around. In the end, politicians need to talk less and listen more. And most importantly, they have to stop talking down to the rest of us. What are the chances of that happening?
Visit the TalkingPA Web site for more information.
Meet the Czar
From the Inquirer.
This is the place where requests for state records will be handled. I wonder if local records requests will be arbitrated through here as well.
Chief begins work on Pa.'s new open records office
Posted on Fri, Aug. 8, 2008 By Matthew Spolar
Inquirer Staff Writer
HARRISBURG - Inside a temporary cubicle in a state office building, Terry Mutchler is for the moment less concerned with prying open long-sealed government documents than she is with opening for business.
The state's new open public records czar is picking out chair colors and analyzing floor blueprints. She is combing resumes and conducting interviews.
"I feel like I'm getting married to something," she said, "but I'm not sure what."
For Mutchler, life these days is about building a state agency from scratch.
Since Gov. Rendell approved a new law in February to increase public access to government documents, Mutchler, 42, has been tasked with bringing the effort to fruition by Jan. 1 with the launch of the state's first Office of Open Records.
The office will act as the middleman between government and the people, mediating in disputes over which documents are public domain. And Mutchler, a reporter-turned-lawyer who will run the office for the next six years, will have to do so in a state that used to have one of the worst open-records laws in the nation.
So far, it hasn't been easy.
"My colleagues in the government don't trust me because I've been with the press, and the people in the press don't trust me because I'm with the government," said Mutchler, whose salary is $120,000. "I'm in this unique, weird bubble."
In some ways, the Poconos native finds herself in a familiar quagmire. The post she left earlier this year to come to Pennsylvania was as Illinois' public access counselor.
But Mutchler's new office in Pennsylvania is more than a governmental appointment. It is mandated by a new law propelled by independent reform advocates buzzing around the Capitol. And now their eyes are trained on her.
"What she does with that law over the next six months will determine how it is respected and interpreted by public officials from the Capitol to township supervisors," said Tim Potts, founder of Democracy Rising PA, one of the reform groups.
"It's that old saying: You don't get a second chance at a first impression."
Mutchler is trying to plant the seeds for that impression by crisscrossing the state to meet with government officials and media outlets.
So far, she says, she has found she has a long way to go to ensure that local governments - which must name a right-to-know officer under the new law - are ready to embrace the new brand of openness she represents.
"If I make a mistake, it's going to be on the side of openness," Mutchler said.
The state's new open records law essentially flips the burden of proof onto governmental agencies: Where reporters and citizens once had to make a case for obtaining government documents, government agencies now have to prove why records should be shielded from public view.
An aggressive training program that teaches public officials and citizens what the law means will be critical in cultivating an open government culture, said Bill Chamberlin, former director of the University of Florida's Citizen Access Project.
Additionally, he said, if Mutchler doesn't establish her political weight and get strong judicial backing in cases in which decisions are appealed, the law will lose its firmness.
Her background, at least, puts her in a good position to walk that tightrope.
By the time she was 10, all within earshot knew that Mutchler wanted to be a lawyer. But that changed when she arrived at Penn State in 1983.
"I got bit by the journalism bug," she said. She joined the college newspaper, and within a month had switched from pre-law to journalism.
After college, her professional career became a whirlwind of locations and occupations. She worked for the Allentown Morning Call, and as a cub reporter, she once went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend her right to a leaked police report. She arrived at the Associated Press's Harrisburg bureau in 1989, moved to Atlantic City with the organization in 1992, and later wound up as the AP's state Capitol bureau chief in Springfield, Ill.
It was there that her life changed upon meeting state Sen. Penny Severns, who ran for Illinois lieutenant governor in 1994. Mutchler said she fell in love with Severns and, worried that her emotions were potentially creeping into her livelihood, relocated to Alaska and continued with the AP.
"We wanted to end that situation as soon as possible," she said.
In Alaska, she decided to realize her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. She returned to Illinois in 1995 to attend law school, and both work for and continue her relationship with Severns. Severns died of breast cancer in 1998. Mutchler finished law school the next year.
After practicing law privately and publicly, Mutchler was tapped by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2003 for the newly minted role of public access counselor.
Over time, Mutchler will leave her own mark in Pennsylvania, say those who know her.
Ann Spillane, chief of staff to the Illinois attorney general, said Mutchler's former office thrived on her stubborn forthrightness.
"There was a need for Terry and her staff to say, 'No, we're not going away,' " Spillane said.
Once Pennsylvania's office opens in January, Mutchler anticipates that the media will test the office with an initial wave of information requests. But after 18 months, she said she expects the vast majority of requests to be filed by citizens.
To help respond to those requests, she plans to assemble a staff of up to 10. She has already hired two.
"I want the best pool to do this, because I think we're going to be a very unpopular group," she said.
How the New Law Works
A resident requests a record from a government agency.
Within five days, although it may request a 30-day extension, the agency must respond with the record or an explanation as to why that record is not public.
If the agency denies the request, the citizen may contact the Office of Open Records, which then has 30 days to make a decision.
If the request is again denied, the citizen may appeal to a court within 30 days. The court will take into account the Office of Open Records' opinion.
If the court determines the document must be opened, the agency must comply or face a $500-per-day civil penalty until the records are opened.
If the court determines that the records were denied by the agency in bad faith, the court may fine the agency up to $1,500.
This is the place where requests for state records will be handled. I wonder if local records requests will be arbitrated through here as well.
Chief begins work on Pa.'s new open records office
Posted on Fri, Aug. 8, 2008 By Matthew Spolar
Inquirer Staff Writer
HARRISBURG - Inside a temporary cubicle in a state office building, Terry Mutchler is for the moment less concerned with prying open long-sealed government documents than she is with opening for business.
The state's new open public records czar is picking out chair colors and analyzing floor blueprints. She is combing resumes and conducting interviews.
"I feel like I'm getting married to something," she said, "but I'm not sure what."
For Mutchler, life these days is about building a state agency from scratch.
Since Gov. Rendell approved a new law in February to increase public access to government documents, Mutchler, 42, has been tasked with bringing the effort to fruition by Jan. 1 with the launch of the state's first Office of Open Records.
The office will act as the middleman between government and the people, mediating in disputes over which documents are public domain. And Mutchler, a reporter-turned-lawyer who will run the office for the next six years, will have to do so in a state that used to have one of the worst open-records laws in the nation.
So far, it hasn't been easy.
"My colleagues in the government don't trust me because I've been with the press, and the people in the press don't trust me because I'm with the government," said Mutchler, whose salary is $120,000. "I'm in this unique, weird bubble."
In some ways, the Poconos native finds herself in a familiar quagmire. The post she left earlier this year to come to Pennsylvania was as Illinois' public access counselor.
But Mutchler's new office in Pennsylvania is more than a governmental appointment. It is mandated by a new law propelled by independent reform advocates buzzing around the Capitol. And now their eyes are trained on her.
"What she does with that law over the next six months will determine how it is respected and interpreted by public officials from the Capitol to township supervisors," said Tim Potts, founder of Democracy Rising PA, one of the reform groups.
"It's that old saying: You don't get a second chance at a first impression."
Mutchler is trying to plant the seeds for that impression by crisscrossing the state to meet with government officials and media outlets.
So far, she says, she has found she has a long way to go to ensure that local governments - which must name a right-to-know officer under the new law - are ready to embrace the new brand of openness she represents.
"If I make a mistake, it's going to be on the side of openness," Mutchler said.
The state's new open records law essentially flips the burden of proof onto governmental agencies: Where reporters and citizens once had to make a case for obtaining government documents, government agencies now have to prove why records should be shielded from public view.
An aggressive training program that teaches public officials and citizens what the law means will be critical in cultivating an open government culture, said Bill Chamberlin, former director of the University of Florida's Citizen Access Project.
Additionally, he said, if Mutchler doesn't establish her political weight and get strong judicial backing in cases in which decisions are appealed, the law will lose its firmness.
Her background, at least, puts her in a good position to walk that tightrope.
By the time she was 10, all within earshot knew that Mutchler wanted to be a lawyer. But that changed when she arrived at Penn State in 1983.
"I got bit by the journalism bug," she said. She joined the college newspaper, and within a month had switched from pre-law to journalism.
After college, her professional career became a whirlwind of locations and occupations. She worked for the Allentown Morning Call, and as a cub reporter, she once went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend her right to a leaked police report. She arrived at the Associated Press's Harrisburg bureau in 1989, moved to Atlantic City with the organization in 1992, and later wound up as the AP's state Capitol bureau chief in Springfield, Ill.
It was there that her life changed upon meeting state Sen. Penny Severns, who ran for Illinois lieutenant governor in 1994. Mutchler said she fell in love with Severns and, worried that her emotions were potentially creeping into her livelihood, relocated to Alaska and continued with the AP.
"We wanted to end that situation as soon as possible," she said.
In Alaska, she decided to realize her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. She returned to Illinois in 1995 to attend law school, and both work for and continue her relationship with Severns. Severns died of breast cancer in 1998. Mutchler finished law school the next year.
After practicing law privately and publicly, Mutchler was tapped by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2003 for the newly minted role of public access counselor.
Over time, Mutchler will leave her own mark in Pennsylvania, say those who know her.
Ann Spillane, chief of staff to the Illinois attorney general, said Mutchler's former office thrived on her stubborn forthrightness.
"There was a need for Terry and her staff to say, 'No, we're not going away,' " Spillane said.
Once Pennsylvania's office opens in January, Mutchler anticipates that the media will test the office with an initial wave of information requests. But after 18 months, she said she expects the vast majority of requests to be filed by citizens.
To help respond to those requests, she plans to assemble a staff of up to 10. She has already hired two.
"I want the best pool to do this, because I think we're going to be a very unpopular group," she said.
How the New Law Works
A resident requests a record from a government agency.
Within five days, although it may request a 30-day extension, the agency must respond with the record or an explanation as to why that record is not public.
If the agency denies the request, the citizen may contact the Office of Open Records, which then has 30 days to make a decision.
If the request is again denied, the citizen may appeal to a court within 30 days. The court will take into account the Office of Open Records' opinion.
If the court determines the document must be opened, the agency must comply or face a $500-per-day civil penalty until the records are opened.
If the court determines that the records were denied by the agency in bad faith, the court may fine the agency up to $1,500.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Would you like to take a survey?
From the BCCT
Board may survey public about schools
The public opinion survey will ask about the quality of the district’s education as well as contract negotiations.
By MANASEE WAGH
In the coming school year, Pennsbury residents’ opinions may shape the district’s future when it comes to teachers’ contracts.
The school board is toying with the idea of doing a public opinion survey about upcoming contract negotiations, said Gregory Lucidi, the school board president.
“We haven’t formulated the questions yet, but we want to get a feel for where the community stands as far as thoughts and ideas. We’re also planning on working with the Pennsbury Education Association in developing this survey,” he said.
What residents think would give the district a direction and an idea of what the community thinks it can afford. It would also inform the district’s goals for contract negotiations, added Lucidi.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsbury had the fourth highest teacher salaries for 2006-07 among 727 public school districts, charter schools and vocational- districts, charter schools and vocational-technical schools.
The district employs about 800 teachers. At the start of the upcoming school year, their salaries will start at $45,176 for the least experienced teachers and rise to $98,222 for the most experienced teachers with the most education, said Lucidi.
The upcoming negotiation is the first since the volatile 2005 contract negotiation, which initiated a strike that shut down Pennsbury schools for 21 days.
Since then, Lower Makefield resident Simon Campbell, the father of three children in the district, has roused grassroots activity to make teacher strikes illegal in this state. A bill that would make Pennsylvania the 38th state in which teacher strikes are illegal is awaiting action in the Legislature.
Both Campbell and Lucidi said the Seneca Valley School District had a strike in October 2007. To get a better idea of what taxpayers were thinking, the district surveyed them.
“I suggested that Pennsbury consider it [a survey] months ago. I think it’s an outstanding idea and makes residents and taxpayers feel involved. It’s a great way to give taxpayers a voice in the process. Otherwise they’re shut out of the whole thing,” he said.
Preliminary plans for the survey are still being worked out. The board expects to hire a polling company at tonight’s board meeting.
The questionnaire should include other matters besides the teachers’ contract, Lucidi said. For instance, it may ask residents to rate Pennsbury’s educational quality and its teachers. He said the district hopes the survey will be done in October and the results will be ready in November.
“It’s looking at the district as a whole and where we want to go in the future,” he said.
The Pennsbury teachers contract expires June 30, 2009. By state law, the district has to start negotiations in January 2009.
“Having the community chip in is something the board wanted to do in advance of the negotiation. Then we thought we’d take it one step further and look at other things in the district,”
Board may survey public about schools
The public opinion survey will ask about the quality of the district’s education as well as contract negotiations.
By MANASEE WAGH
In the coming school year, Pennsbury residents’ opinions may shape the district’s future when it comes to teachers’ contracts.
The school board is toying with the idea of doing a public opinion survey about upcoming contract negotiations, said Gregory Lucidi, the school board president.
“We haven’t formulated the questions yet, but we want to get a feel for where the community stands as far as thoughts and ideas. We’re also planning on working with the Pennsbury Education Association in developing this survey,” he said.
What residents think would give the district a direction and an idea of what the community thinks it can afford. It would also inform the district’s goals for contract negotiations, added Lucidi.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsbury had the fourth highest teacher salaries for 2006-07 among 727 public school districts, charter schools and vocational- districts, charter schools and vocational-technical schools.
The district employs about 800 teachers. At the start of the upcoming school year, their salaries will start at $45,176 for the least experienced teachers and rise to $98,222 for the most experienced teachers with the most education, said Lucidi.
The upcoming negotiation is the first since the volatile 2005 contract negotiation, which initiated a strike that shut down Pennsbury schools for 21 days.
Since then, Lower Makefield resident Simon Campbell, the father of three children in the district, has roused grassroots activity to make teacher strikes illegal in this state. A bill that would make Pennsylvania the 38th state in which teacher strikes are illegal is awaiting action in the Legislature.
Both Campbell and Lucidi said the Seneca Valley School District had a strike in October 2007. To get a better idea of what taxpayers were thinking, the district surveyed them.
“I suggested that Pennsbury consider it [a survey] months ago. I think it’s an outstanding idea and makes residents and taxpayers feel involved. It’s a great way to give taxpayers a voice in the process. Otherwise they’re shut out of the whole thing,” he said.
Preliminary plans for the survey are still being worked out. The board expects to hire a polling company at tonight’s board meeting.
The questionnaire should include other matters besides the teachers’ contract, Lucidi said. For instance, it may ask residents to rate Pennsbury’s educational quality and its teachers. He said the district hopes the survey will be done in October and the results will be ready in November.
“It’s looking at the district as a whole and where we want to go in the future,” he said.
The Pennsbury teachers contract expires June 30, 2009. By state law, the district has to start negotiations in January 2009.
“Having the community chip in is something the board wanted to do in advance of the negotiation. Then we thought we’d take it one step further and look at other things in the district,”
Study questions grading system
From the BCCT. This is an uncomfortable stance to take. If you can't score, change the way the scoring is counted. We'll only count "impact" now.
No need to know if the student knows the answer to the equation 2+2. All we need to measure is that the child can say, "That's an addition problem."
It's a tricky balancing act to draw that line between success and failure. Set the bar too low and the illusion of success covers the fact that no real learning is gained. Set it too high and the mass failure and frustration inhibit learning.
Here's the time honored formula for setting the benchmarks of success:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Study questions grading system
By RACHEL CANELLI
Without hacking into a computer or handing in extra-credit work, failing grades could be turned into passing grades — just by using a different grading system.
A new Ohio State University study recently found three-quarters of U.S. schools deemed to be failing by federal mandates based on state standardized test scores would receive passing grades by measuring the impact the schools have on learning instead.
While local experts agreed with some aspects of the study, they also said it’s flawed and raises questions.
The researchers said they developed a new method to measure school quality based on the impact districts have on learning and how much faster students learn during the school year than over the summer.
Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a national U.S. Department of Education survey, the analysis focused on more than 4,200 children in almost 300 schools across the nation, officials said.
It measured the kids’ math and reading scores at the beginning and end of the kindergarten school year, and the beginning and end of the first grade, administrators said.
“Our impact-measure more accurately gauges what is going on in the classroom, which is the way schools really should be evaluated if we’re trying to determine their effectiveness,” said Douglas Downey, study co-author and a sociology professor at Ohio State University.
Although some students scored low on achievement exams, the study found through its own testing before and after each school year that the kids were learning at a reasonable rate — and faster during the year than over summer vacation. Some area educators called the finding obvious because, during the school year, children are being taught by professionals whose job is to help them learn.
“It’s flawed and just leaves a lot more questions,” said Pennsylvania distinguished educator Karen Hessel. Working in Bristol Township for the past two years, she’s one of more than 40 consultants in the state trying to help turn around struggling schools.
“We can’t change students, and the standards remain the same. It takes some kids longer to master information than others. But if you give them time, and they’re taught well, they will learn,” Hessel said. “Let’s put the excuses aside and get about the business of doing our work.”
Research statistician Paul von Hippel, though, called most states’ current ranking system distorted because they compare children of different, and sometimes disadvantaged, backgrounds.
“[This new study] suggests that many schools serving disadvantaged kids are doing a good job with children who face a lot of challenges,” Downey said.
Holy Family University educators and administrators said there’s already an even better way to judge a student’s progress — the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System, which many school districts already use to compare a child’s growth from one year to another.
Still, Len Soroka, dean of Holy Family’s School of Education, and Grace O’Neill, associate professor of education, both agreed with the study’s suggestion that schools with the highest test scores aren’t necessarily where the most learning is taking place.
No need to know if the student knows the answer to the equation 2+2. All we need to measure is that the child can say, "That's an addition problem."
It's a tricky balancing act to draw that line between success and failure. Set the bar too low and the illusion of success covers the fact that no real learning is gained. Set it too high and the mass failure and frustration inhibit learning.
Here's the time honored formula for setting the benchmarks of success:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Study questions grading system
By RACHEL CANELLI
Without hacking into a computer or handing in extra-credit work, failing grades could be turned into passing grades — just by using a different grading system.
A new Ohio State University study recently found three-quarters of U.S. schools deemed to be failing by federal mandates based on state standardized test scores would receive passing grades by measuring the impact the schools have on learning instead.
While local experts agreed with some aspects of the study, they also said it’s flawed and raises questions.
The researchers said they developed a new method to measure school quality based on the impact districts have on learning and how much faster students learn during the school year than over the summer.
Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a national U.S. Department of Education survey, the analysis focused on more than 4,200 children in almost 300 schools across the nation, officials said.
It measured the kids’ math and reading scores at the beginning and end of the kindergarten school year, and the beginning and end of the first grade, administrators said.
“Our impact-measure more accurately gauges what is going on in the classroom, which is the way schools really should be evaluated if we’re trying to determine their effectiveness,” said Douglas Downey, study co-author and a sociology professor at Ohio State University.
Although some students scored low on achievement exams, the study found through its own testing before and after each school year that the kids were learning at a reasonable rate — and faster during the year than over summer vacation. Some area educators called the finding obvious because, during the school year, children are being taught by professionals whose job is to help them learn.
“It’s flawed and just leaves a lot more questions,” said Pennsylvania distinguished educator Karen Hessel. Working in Bristol Township for the past two years, she’s one of more than 40 consultants in the state trying to help turn around struggling schools.
“We can’t change students, and the standards remain the same. It takes some kids longer to master information than others. But if you give them time, and they’re taught well, they will learn,” Hessel said. “Let’s put the excuses aside and get about the business of doing our work.”
Research statistician Paul von Hippel, though, called most states’ current ranking system distorted because they compare children of different, and sometimes disadvantaged, backgrounds.
“[This new study] suggests that many schools serving disadvantaged kids are doing a good job with children who face a lot of challenges,” Downey said.
Holy Family University educators and administrators said there’s already an even better way to judge a student’s progress — the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System, which many school districts already use to compare a child’s growth from one year to another.
Still, Len Soroka, dean of Holy Family’s School of Education, and Grace O’Neill, associate professor of education, both agreed with the study’s suggestion that schools with the highest test scores aren’t necessarily where the most learning is taking place.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tutoring Funding for Struggling Districts and Students
News from the Governor's office yesterday. Local awards include:
Career and Technical Centers
Bucks County Technical HS, $53,836
Bucks County
Bensalem Township SD, $224,467
Bristol Borough SD, $45,104
Bristol Township SD, $725,452
Morrisville Borough SD, $101,511
Neshaminy SD, $290,514
GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES TUTORING FUNDING FOR STRUGGLING DISTRICTS, STUDENTS
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP 172,000 STUDENTS MEET MATH, READING PROFICIENCY GOALS
HARRISBURG – Tens of thousands of students in 175 academically challenged school districts and career and technical centers will benefit from tutoring programs in 2008-09 thanks to investments through the state’s Educational Assistance Program, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.
“Targeted tutoring is one of the most strategic, cost-effective ways to help those struggling students and schools that need it most,” Governor Rendell said. “Despite the notable academic gains we are making in Pennsylvania, we still have many students who lack the reading and math skills they need to reach proficiency and graduate with the skills they need for college or the work force.”
The 2008-09 education budget includes $65.1 million for the tutoring services targeted to eligible students enrolled in seventh through twelfth grades in 163 school districts and 12 career and technical schools. In all, the program will result this year in increased instructional time for more than 172,000 students who are not testing at grade level in math or reading on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.
Tutoring programs offered through the Educational Assistance Program provide additional learning time before, during and after school, as well as on weekends, to help accelerate learning for students whose academic performance lags significantly behind their peers. The tutoring services are conducted using an evidenced-based instructional model that is aligned with the state’s academic standards and the curriculum in the student’s classroom, while also ensuring it meets each student’s needs.
The program began in the 2003-04 school year to provide increased instructional support for almost 35,000 students in 82 of the state’s most academically challenged districts. In the second year, the program reached an additional 46,055 students.
Given the increases seen in student performance on statewide reading and math exams, the program was expanded for the 2005-06 school year to reach 163 school districts and 12 career and technical centers that continue to be served.
Districts participating in the Educational Assistance Program have reported notable results from the tutoring programs. Among the benefits:
• The Penn Cambria High School in Cambria County aided 180 students last year with its afterschool tutoring sessions, targeting students needing remediation in math and reading. Students have described the sessions as “a big help” and credited them for improved grades.
• Bradford County’s Troy Area School District reported improved math achievement due to the program and, more importantly, credited the tutoring with bringing about “a change in our school and community cultural beliefs regarding the importance of math skills.”
• The Upper Darby School District in Delaware County has credited the program with helping it expand and enhance its overall tutoring opportunities, enabling students and teachers to “take advantage of every available hour, before and after school and during the summer.”
Under the Educational Assistance Program, school districts have the flexibility of providing the tutoring, partnering with an approved community provider, or doing both as long as the tutoring is effective in helping students meet proficiency.
For more information on these efforts or the Governor’s 2008-09 education budget, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.
Career and Technical Centers
Bucks County Technical HS, $53,836
Bucks County
Bensalem Township SD, $224,467
Bristol Borough SD, $45,104
Bristol Township SD, $725,452
Morrisville Borough SD, $101,511
Neshaminy SD, $290,514
GOVERNOR RENDELL ANNOUNCES TUTORING FUNDING FOR STRUGGLING DISTRICTS, STUDENTS
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP 172,000 STUDENTS MEET MATH, READING PROFICIENCY GOALS
HARRISBURG – Tens of thousands of students in 175 academically challenged school districts and career and technical centers will benefit from tutoring programs in 2008-09 thanks to investments through the state’s Educational Assistance Program, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.
“Targeted tutoring is one of the most strategic, cost-effective ways to help those struggling students and schools that need it most,” Governor Rendell said. “Despite the notable academic gains we are making in Pennsylvania, we still have many students who lack the reading and math skills they need to reach proficiency and graduate with the skills they need for college or the work force.”
The 2008-09 education budget includes $65.1 million for the tutoring services targeted to eligible students enrolled in seventh through twelfth grades in 163 school districts and 12 career and technical schools. In all, the program will result this year in increased instructional time for more than 172,000 students who are not testing at grade level in math or reading on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.
Tutoring programs offered through the Educational Assistance Program provide additional learning time before, during and after school, as well as on weekends, to help accelerate learning for students whose academic performance lags significantly behind their peers. The tutoring services are conducted using an evidenced-based instructional model that is aligned with the state’s academic standards and the curriculum in the student’s classroom, while also ensuring it meets each student’s needs.
The program began in the 2003-04 school year to provide increased instructional support for almost 35,000 students in 82 of the state’s most academically challenged districts. In the second year, the program reached an additional 46,055 students.
Given the increases seen in student performance on statewide reading and math exams, the program was expanded for the 2005-06 school year to reach 163 school districts and 12 career and technical centers that continue to be served.
Districts participating in the Educational Assistance Program have reported notable results from the tutoring programs. Among the benefits:
• The Penn Cambria High School in Cambria County aided 180 students last year with its afterschool tutoring sessions, targeting students needing remediation in math and reading. Students have described the sessions as “a big help” and credited them for improved grades.
• Bradford County’s Troy Area School District reported improved math achievement due to the program and, more importantly, credited the tutoring with bringing about “a change in our school and community cultural beliefs regarding the importance of math skills.”
• The Upper Darby School District in Delaware County has credited the program with helping it expand and enhance its overall tutoring opportunities, enabling students and teachers to “take advantage of every available hour, before and after school and during the summer.”
Under the Educational Assistance Program, school districts have the flexibility of providing the tutoring, partnering with an approved community provider, or doing both as long as the tutoring is effective in helping students meet proficiency.
For more information on these efforts or the Governor’s 2008-09 education budget, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.
"The entertainment is at the expense of our children"
There's a growing number of couch potato meeting attendees out there. The Morrisville borough council broadcasts their meetings live. We also know that they tend to be snooze-fests that even some of the council members sleep through. The school board rebroadcasts recent meetings over a two week span, but not live. Let's hear from the living room crowd: Do you watch the meetings on TV rather than making the trip out to the LGI?
Here's an article about the Miami-Dade school board, which broadcasts their rather animated meetings live to a fairly devoted following. Imagine the mellifluous tones of longtime NBC announcer Don Pardo announcing..."It's Wednesday Night LIVE!" as he introduces our distinguished panel, guest host, and musical guest. (Perhaps singing the new hit single, "It's the end of the school as we know it"...?)
School drama: Board meeting spats lure viewers
The Miami-Dade School Board's monthly meetings are drawing a growing audience of fans who are watching the spectacle at home on TV.
BY KATHLEEN McGRORY kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com
School drama: Board meeting spats lure viewers
The Miami-Dade School Board's monthly meetings are drawing a growing audience of fans who are watching the spectacle at home on TV.
Posted on Sun, Aug. 03, 2008
Forget CSI: Miami or Burn Notice.
The hottest television show set in Miami may just be the monthly Miami-Dade County School Board meetings.
Drama. Rivalries. Insults.
It's reality television, brought to you by the taxpayers of Miami-Dade County. And the viewing public can't seem to get enough.
Consider: The number of people tuning in to the School Board meetings has doubled since February, skyrocketing to as many as 28,500 at any given hour, district officials say.
"The meetings are like a train wreck," said Mario Artecona, executive director of the Miami Business Forum and a regular viewer. "You know it's going to be a mess, but you can't look away."
Teacher Seth Patterson said he and his wife, Katie, have been watching, too.
"It's been a circus," he said.
The School Board has, in fact, been broadcasting its regular meetings on WLRN-PBS 17 since the early 1970s.
Over the years, the meetings have spurred a cult-like following of teachers, parents and others among cable viewers who refuse to reach for the remote.
The audience has been growing.
As many as 19,000 households tune in to the meetings during any given hour of the broadcast, district spokesman John Schuster said.
That number isn't quite as high as the number of children who watch Curious George every morning, Schuster said, but it still represents a spike.
Why so many viewers?
For one, the drama is intense and the stakes are high.
CALL FOR OUSTER
At least three board members are calling for Superintendent Rudy Crew's ouster.
Teachers are battling the district for their raises.
And district officials have cut thousands of jobs in the wake of a budget crisis.
What's more, the board is rife with rivalries.
Board Chairman AgustÃn Barrera and board member Ana Rivas Logan have sparred over Roberts Rules of Order.
And, of course, there is the constant exchange of insults.
Board members Renier Diaz de la Portilla and Solomon Stinson have had an especially strained relationship.
They recently had a spat over Diaz de la Portilla's proposal to change the district's nepotism rules.
A WALKOUT
In another meeting, this one not televised, Stinson adjourned it and walked out, leaving Diaz de la Portilla reading a memo about firing Crew.
And at each of the last few meetings, more than 100 people have addressed the board.
Children have played instruments and danced. One schools police officer sang. Some of the public speakers have been escorted away from the podium by security guards.
Charlotte Greenbarg, a local activist, said she first got hooked on the School Board meetings more than two decades ago.
She hasn't kicked the habit.
''You can't turn away from it,'' said Greenbarg, who watches the meetings on a 50-inch television screen.
"It's such high drama. And it's live."
TUNED-IN TEACHERS
Not surprisingly, teachers are among the most loyal viewers.
Paul Lobeck, a teacher at Miami Southridge Senior High, said he made it a point to watch last week's budget hearing on TV.
But a few minutes later, a thunderstorm rolled in, knocking out Lobeck's satellite.
"I was furious," he recalled.
"I started calling everyone, trying to find out what was going on."
Lobeck isn't alone. Several of his students have even gotten hooked on the meetings, he said.
"It makes for good television," Lobeck said. "It's almost surreal."
COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?
Others say the public spectacle does little to promote confidence in the School Board.
Former Surfside Mayor Paul Novack said he's been staying up late to see how the meetings end.
"Some people find it entertaining because it's comical," Novack said.
"But others find it tragic. What kind of example are we setting for our children?"
Justin Koren, a teacher at Southwood Middle, likened the meetings to "a soap opera on steroids."
"It can be addicting to watch scandal after scandal for 12 continuous hours without commercials,'' Koren said.
"That is, until you realize the entertainment is at the expense of our children."
Here's an article about the Miami-Dade school board, which broadcasts their rather animated meetings live to a fairly devoted following. Imagine the mellifluous tones of longtime NBC announcer Don Pardo announcing..."It's Wednesday Night LIVE!" as he introduces our distinguished panel, guest host, and musical guest. (Perhaps singing the new hit single, "It's the end of the school as we know it"...?)
School drama: Board meeting spats lure viewers
The Miami-Dade School Board's monthly meetings are drawing a growing audience of fans who are watching the spectacle at home on TV.
BY KATHLEEN McGRORY kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com
School drama: Board meeting spats lure viewers
The Miami-Dade School Board's monthly meetings are drawing a growing audience of fans who are watching the spectacle at home on TV.
Posted on Sun, Aug. 03, 2008
Forget CSI: Miami or Burn Notice.
The hottest television show set in Miami may just be the monthly Miami-Dade County School Board meetings.
Drama. Rivalries. Insults.
It's reality television, brought to you by the taxpayers of Miami-Dade County. And the viewing public can't seem to get enough.
Consider: The number of people tuning in to the School Board meetings has doubled since February, skyrocketing to as many as 28,500 at any given hour, district officials say.
"The meetings are like a train wreck," said Mario Artecona, executive director of the Miami Business Forum and a regular viewer. "You know it's going to be a mess, but you can't look away."
Teacher Seth Patterson said he and his wife, Katie, have been watching, too.
"It's been a circus," he said.
The School Board has, in fact, been broadcasting its regular meetings on WLRN-PBS 17 since the early 1970s.
Over the years, the meetings have spurred a cult-like following of teachers, parents and others among cable viewers who refuse to reach for the remote.
The audience has been growing.
As many as 19,000 households tune in to the meetings during any given hour of the broadcast, district spokesman John Schuster said.
That number isn't quite as high as the number of children who watch Curious George every morning, Schuster said, but it still represents a spike.
Why so many viewers?
For one, the drama is intense and the stakes are high.
CALL FOR OUSTER
At least three board members are calling for Superintendent Rudy Crew's ouster.
Teachers are battling the district for their raises.
And district officials have cut thousands of jobs in the wake of a budget crisis.
What's more, the board is rife with rivalries.
Board Chairman AgustÃn Barrera and board member Ana Rivas Logan have sparred over Roberts Rules of Order.
And, of course, there is the constant exchange of insults.
Board members Renier Diaz de la Portilla and Solomon Stinson have had an especially strained relationship.
They recently had a spat over Diaz de la Portilla's proposal to change the district's nepotism rules.
A WALKOUT
In another meeting, this one not televised, Stinson adjourned it and walked out, leaving Diaz de la Portilla reading a memo about firing Crew.
And at each of the last few meetings, more than 100 people have addressed the board.
Children have played instruments and danced. One schools police officer sang. Some of the public speakers have been escorted away from the podium by security guards.
Charlotte Greenbarg, a local activist, said she first got hooked on the School Board meetings more than two decades ago.
She hasn't kicked the habit.
''You can't turn away from it,'' said Greenbarg, who watches the meetings on a 50-inch television screen.
"It's such high drama. And it's live."
TUNED-IN TEACHERS
Not surprisingly, teachers are among the most loyal viewers.
Paul Lobeck, a teacher at Miami Southridge Senior High, said he made it a point to watch last week's budget hearing on TV.
But a few minutes later, a thunderstorm rolled in, knocking out Lobeck's satellite.
"I was furious," he recalled.
"I started calling everyone, trying to find out what was going on."
Lobeck isn't alone. Several of his students have even gotten hooked on the meetings, he said.
"It makes for good television," Lobeck said. "It's almost surreal."
COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?
Others say the public spectacle does little to promote confidence in the School Board.
Former Surfside Mayor Paul Novack said he's been staying up late to see how the meetings end.
"Some people find it entertaining because it's comical," Novack said.
"But others find it tragic. What kind of example are we setting for our children?"
Justin Koren, a teacher at Southwood Middle, likened the meetings to "a soap opera on steroids."
"It can be addicting to watch scandal after scandal for 12 continuous hours without commercials,'' Koren said.
"That is, until you realize the entertainment is at the expense of our children."
Waterboarding is Optional
From CBS4 in Broward County, Florida.
Broward May Crackdown On Dishonest Parents
Using A Fake Address For School Could Mean Jail Time
Palm Beach County Enacted Similar Policy Last Year
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― In an effort to crack down on parents who use fake addresses to get their kids in better schools the Broward County School Board is considering tougher penalties which could include jail time.
While the practice has always been against district policy, and a criminal second degree misdemeanor, on Tuesday school board members will vote on whether it should be made a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and thousands in fines.
If board members approve the change, it would take effect immediately. Some parents say the board is going too far.
"I think it's kinda silly," said Glenn Lipnick, "in Broward County certain schools have used it to manipulate athletes, but to prosecute somebody for a felony for what I would consider to be a minor indiscretion, I think all they should do is make them go to the proper school."
Last year, the Palm Beach County School District enacted a similar policy.
Broward May Crackdown On Dishonest Parents
Using A Fake Address For School Could Mean Jail Time
Palm Beach County Enacted Similar Policy Last Year
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― In an effort to crack down on parents who use fake addresses to get their kids in better schools the Broward County School Board is considering tougher penalties which could include jail time.
While the practice has always been against district policy, and a criminal second degree misdemeanor, on Tuesday school board members will vote on whether it should be made a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and thousands in fines.
If board members approve the change, it would take effect immediately. Some parents say the board is going too far.
"I think it's kinda silly," said Glenn Lipnick, "in Broward County certain schools have used it to manipulate athletes, but to prosecute somebody for a felony for what I would consider to be a minor indiscretion, I think all they should do is make them go to the proper school."
Last year, the Palm Beach County School District enacted a similar policy.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Radioactive Dump
From the Trentonian.
Tullytown fights to keep radioactive waste out of landfill
By PAUL MICKLE, Staff Writer 08/04/2008
TULLYTOWN, Pa. - Borough leaders want "Trash Mountain" to grow green, not glow green. That's why they're fighting a plan to bring radioactive sludge to the Tullytown Landfill.
Ten stories high, the greening mound of buried rubbish casts a literal and figurative shadow over Tullytown Cove and this town of 2,100, where taxpayers get annual home improvement "gifts" of $5,000 funded by fees from the state-of-the-art dump.
The situation is the result of an agreement a past generation of leaders made in 1988 with the owner of the dump, Waste Management Inc., America's leading disposer of trash and the operator of two other landfills and an incinerator within a mile of the Tullytown mountain.
Borough council and other local leaders meet tomorrow evening at 7 to discuss the Waste Management appeal, already approved by state and federal regulators, to bring in more than 50 truckloads of sludge laced with traces of radioactive material from the uniforms of nuclear plant workers for burial in the Tullytown mountain.
Officials aren't as worried about the mountain glowing green as they are about radioactivity reaching the nearby Delaware River and the intake for the water piped from there to homes and businesses in Tullytown and neighboring Bristol Township.
"Radioactive material that might leach out into the river right where the intake for drinking water is. That's too close for comfort for me,'' said Council President Ed Armstrong, whose top ally in the fight is Councilman Joe Shellenberger, the Iraq War vet.
Borough Clerk Beth Pirolli is also concerned: "I think it's asking too much of the river, putting it under too much stress." She also said Tullytown's might be the first dump in the state being asked to take so-called "low-level'' radioactive waste.
"The state and federal government have been trying to find a way to dispose of this stuff and it looks like we're supposed to be the test case,'' Pirolli said.
She, the councilmen and Borough Manager Andrew Warren also agree that Tullytown could face disposal questions like these long into the future. Said Shellenberger, who brought his 11-year-old son to a photo shoot: "We've got to be vigilant - and diligent about it.''
Which is not easy under the current system for alerting the public and local authorities about plans like Waste Management's to bring in truckloads of "super sack'' polyethylene bags holding sludge from the Royersford sewage treatment plant that services the cleaner which launders the uniforms of workers at Montgomery County's Limerick and other nuclear plants in the region.
Trucks were slated to start delivery in mid July when a newspaper report put the kibosh on it, at least temporarily. It turns out someone tipped off a reporter to the official notice of the radioactive dumping plan after it appeared in an obscure legislative newspaper published in Harrisburg.
Once the radioactive story broke, Warren explained, "we realized their technical notification was in one of those many volumes of information Waste Management sends into us every month.''
As she displayed the four-foot stack of binders and booklets and notices and permits and technical data sent in so far this year by Waste Management, Pirolli said "you could look at it and maybe guess what it all means. But we'd have to hire three scientists and keep them reading full time to keep track of it all.''
Even with its $54 million surplus, the Tullytown government is unlikely to spring for the scientists. But it was able to buy an outdoor shed for storage of all the paperwork Waste Management has sent it over the years. It's 18 feet deep, 15 feet high and 10 feet across.
Notification is another problem Shellenberger wants to tackle in its discussions with Waste Management. But first they'll have to tackle fear of radioactive waste, which Waste Management contends is wildly overblown in this case.
Its dumping plan exposes no one to radiation at any time, National Waste said in a statement that noted everyone is exposed to a harmless amount of radiation flying an airliner or getting an x-rays or CAT scan.
National Waste said its landfill liners and other environmental protections made a radiation leak impossible. In a "worst-case'' accident scenario ordered by federal regulators it said people in Lower Bucks County would be exposed to 0.0000000053 of one millirem, or nothing compared with the 350 a year everyone takes in from the sun, household appliances and medical sources.
Still, Shellenberger and the others are wary of the waste: "They say it has a half life of 30 years, meaning it loses half its potency every 30 years. Well, what about all those years it is potent? And if it somehow leaks out and gets in the river, everyone's going to end up drinking it.''
It might be trace, Shellenberger said, but there was enough radioactive waste for federal regulators to be able to track it from the uniforms, through the Royersford cleaners and on to the municipal treatment plant and its sludge bins.
And the councilman noted that local sewage authorities and National Waste, for all its expertise in disposal, still haven't come up an operational plan for getting rid of all the rainwater that has trickled through the dump over the years and been siphoned out of the bottom as a foul slurry called leachate.
There's so much ammonia in the leachate, Waste Management is able to siphon that off in commercial amounts. Until only recent times, when the Morrisville sewage plant started taking it in, the leachate was stored in giant containers or was simply poured back over the dump to trickle down again, Shellenberger said.
"All kinds of things trickle down in the water, basically everything you throw out. God only knows what goes in there,'' said Pirolli. And it's much more than water laced with wasted milk and soda or squished foodstuffs. Household cleaners and chemicals and roadway oils and greases also end up in the trash stream in violation of recycling laws.
Warren, an old political hand who was a Bucks County supervisor and the regional state transportation commissioner, said the radioactive dispute might come down to the what the lawyers for both sides work out and tell their clients to do - based on the language in the inch-thick agreement Tullytown made with Waste Management two decades ago.
"To me it's pretty clear, right there on page two of the agreement,'' said Warren. "There shall be no radioactive material. But we'll see what the lawyers say about that and what else they're reading in there.''
A National Waste spokeswoman, Geri Rush, said the agreement permits the company to bring in household waste, including sludge from municipal waste treatment plants, and that the trace amounts of radioactive material in the Royersford sludge slated for disposal in Tullytown were deemed safe by state and federal regulators.
So tomorrow's council discussion of Tullytown's 20-year-old deal with Waste Management is high stakes: Does the town want peace of mind? Or the $25 million it's in for over the next three years while the company completes the project dumping on the opposite side of the mound overlooking Tullytown Cove today?
Tullytown fights to keep radioactive waste out of landfill
By PAUL MICKLE, Staff Writer 08/04/2008
TULLYTOWN, Pa. - Borough leaders want "Trash Mountain" to grow green, not glow green. That's why they're fighting a plan to bring radioactive sludge to the Tullytown Landfill.
Ten stories high, the greening mound of buried rubbish casts a literal and figurative shadow over Tullytown Cove and this town of 2,100, where taxpayers get annual home improvement "gifts" of $5,000 funded by fees from the state-of-the-art dump.
The situation is the result of an agreement a past generation of leaders made in 1988 with the owner of the dump, Waste Management Inc., America's leading disposer of trash and the operator of two other landfills and an incinerator within a mile of the Tullytown mountain.
Borough council and other local leaders meet tomorrow evening at 7 to discuss the Waste Management appeal, already approved by state and federal regulators, to bring in more than 50 truckloads of sludge laced with traces of radioactive material from the uniforms of nuclear plant workers for burial in the Tullytown mountain.
Officials aren't as worried about the mountain glowing green as they are about radioactivity reaching the nearby Delaware River and the intake for the water piped from there to homes and businesses in Tullytown and neighboring Bristol Township.
"Radioactive material that might leach out into the river right where the intake for drinking water is. That's too close for comfort for me,'' said Council President Ed Armstrong, whose top ally in the fight is Councilman Joe Shellenberger, the Iraq War vet.
Borough Clerk Beth Pirolli is also concerned: "I think it's asking too much of the river, putting it under too much stress." She also said Tullytown's might be the first dump in the state being asked to take so-called "low-level'' radioactive waste.
"The state and federal government have been trying to find a way to dispose of this stuff and it looks like we're supposed to be the test case,'' Pirolli said.
She, the councilmen and Borough Manager Andrew Warren also agree that Tullytown could face disposal questions like these long into the future. Said Shellenberger, who brought his 11-year-old son to a photo shoot: "We've got to be vigilant - and diligent about it.''
Which is not easy under the current system for alerting the public and local authorities about plans like Waste Management's to bring in truckloads of "super sack'' polyethylene bags holding sludge from the Royersford sewage treatment plant that services the cleaner which launders the uniforms of workers at Montgomery County's Limerick and other nuclear plants in the region.
Trucks were slated to start delivery in mid July when a newspaper report put the kibosh on it, at least temporarily. It turns out someone tipped off a reporter to the official notice of the radioactive dumping plan after it appeared in an obscure legislative newspaper published in Harrisburg.
Once the radioactive story broke, Warren explained, "we realized their technical notification was in one of those many volumes of information Waste Management sends into us every month.''
As she displayed the four-foot stack of binders and booklets and notices and permits and technical data sent in so far this year by Waste Management, Pirolli said "you could look at it and maybe guess what it all means. But we'd have to hire three scientists and keep them reading full time to keep track of it all.''
Even with its $54 million surplus, the Tullytown government is unlikely to spring for the scientists. But it was able to buy an outdoor shed for storage of all the paperwork Waste Management has sent it over the years. It's 18 feet deep, 15 feet high and 10 feet across.
Notification is another problem Shellenberger wants to tackle in its discussions with Waste Management. But first they'll have to tackle fear of radioactive waste, which Waste Management contends is wildly overblown in this case.
Its dumping plan exposes no one to radiation at any time, National Waste said in a statement that noted everyone is exposed to a harmless amount of radiation flying an airliner or getting an x-rays or CAT scan.
National Waste said its landfill liners and other environmental protections made a radiation leak impossible. In a "worst-case'' accident scenario ordered by federal regulators it said people in Lower Bucks County would be exposed to 0.0000000053 of one millirem, or nothing compared with the 350 a year everyone takes in from the sun, household appliances and medical sources.
Still, Shellenberger and the others are wary of the waste: "They say it has a half life of 30 years, meaning it loses half its potency every 30 years. Well, what about all those years it is potent? And if it somehow leaks out and gets in the river, everyone's going to end up drinking it.''
It might be trace, Shellenberger said, but there was enough radioactive waste for federal regulators to be able to track it from the uniforms, through the Royersford cleaners and on to the municipal treatment plant and its sludge bins.
And the councilman noted that local sewage authorities and National Waste, for all its expertise in disposal, still haven't come up an operational plan for getting rid of all the rainwater that has trickled through the dump over the years and been siphoned out of the bottom as a foul slurry called leachate.
There's so much ammonia in the leachate, Waste Management is able to siphon that off in commercial amounts. Until only recent times, when the Morrisville sewage plant started taking it in, the leachate was stored in giant containers or was simply poured back over the dump to trickle down again, Shellenberger said.
"All kinds of things trickle down in the water, basically everything you throw out. God only knows what goes in there,'' said Pirolli. And it's much more than water laced with wasted milk and soda or squished foodstuffs. Household cleaners and chemicals and roadway oils and greases also end up in the trash stream in violation of recycling laws.
Warren, an old political hand who was a Bucks County supervisor and the regional state transportation commissioner, said the radioactive dispute might come down to the what the lawyers for both sides work out and tell their clients to do - based on the language in the inch-thick agreement Tullytown made with Waste Management two decades ago.
"To me it's pretty clear, right there on page two of the agreement,'' said Warren. "There shall be no radioactive material. But we'll see what the lawyers say about that and what else they're reading in there.''
A National Waste spokeswoman, Geri Rush, said the agreement permits the company to bring in household waste, including sludge from municipal waste treatment plants, and that the trace amounts of radioactive material in the Royersford sludge slated for disposal in Tullytown were deemed safe by state and federal regulators.
So tomorrow's council discussion of Tullytown's 20-year-old deal with Waste Management is high stakes: Does the town want peace of mind? Or the $25 million it's in for over the next three years while the company completes the project dumping on the opposite side of the mound overlooking Tullytown Cove today?
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
While not exactly "education related", I think we can all recollect watching Mr. Rogers on PBS. There's very good resources out there today, but if you would like future students to experience Mr. Rogers, check this out.
Campaign underway to save Mister Rogers
By Henry Freedland posted August 1, 2008 6:00 PM
In response to a recent decision by PBS to cut Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from its weekday syndication, one of Rogers' biggest fans has started a campaign to save the show.
With a firebrand ferocity matched only by a certain red sweater, one Brian Linder has launched SaveMisterRogers.com to fight PBS's plans to change the once-a-day airing the Mister Rogers has seen for decades into a format that would distribute a single episode per weekend to member stations.
"It's something I feel strongly about," Linder explained in an e-mail. "Not because of my own nostalgic feelings for the program, but because I feel it is still such a special nurturing voice in the lives of children."
The show, which began in 1962 on Canadian television as a 15-minute program called Misterogers, moved to PBS and was re-annointed with its three-word title in the late '60s. Fred Rogers, the cardigan-enswathed namesake and figurehead, gently taught viewers about the world in all its facets—emotional, physical, spiritual—and was not afraid to deal with difficult issues like divorce and death. Rogers also penned Neighborhood's iconic theme, "It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood," which played in episode introductions from 1968 to the show's finale in 2001. Generations of fans mourned his passing two years later, at the age of 74.
Linder extols Neighborhood's centrality to childhood development. “I was a highly-sensitive child,” he writes at SaveMisterRogers.com. “It was Mister Rogers who taught me how to begin to deal with my feelings. I think he taught my parents a lot, too. I know I’m still learning from him.”
Mrs. Rogers (Fred's wife, Joanne) recently blessed Linder's efforts, which include imploring kindred spirits to contact PBS at its headquarters or local affiliates, but no word has come back about plans for a policy shift. For the moment, it seems, the swelling grassroots of Mr. Rogers's neighborhood will continue to call out for just a few more beautiful days.
Campaign underway to save Mister Rogers
By Henry Freedland posted August 1, 2008 6:00 PM
In response to a recent decision by PBS to cut Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from its weekday syndication, one of Rogers' biggest fans has started a campaign to save the show.
With a firebrand ferocity matched only by a certain red sweater, one Brian Linder has launched SaveMisterRogers.com to fight PBS's plans to change the once-a-day airing the Mister Rogers has seen for decades into a format that would distribute a single episode per weekend to member stations.
"It's something I feel strongly about," Linder explained in an e-mail. "Not because of my own nostalgic feelings for the program, but because I feel it is still such a special nurturing voice in the lives of children."
The show, which began in 1962 on Canadian television as a 15-minute program called Misterogers, moved to PBS and was re-annointed with its three-word title in the late '60s. Fred Rogers, the cardigan-enswathed namesake and figurehead, gently taught viewers about the world in all its facets—emotional, physical, spiritual—and was not afraid to deal with difficult issues like divorce and death. Rogers also penned Neighborhood's iconic theme, "It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood," which played in episode introductions from 1968 to the show's finale in 2001. Generations of fans mourned his passing two years later, at the age of 74.
Linder extols Neighborhood's centrality to childhood development. “I was a highly-sensitive child,” he writes at SaveMisterRogers.com. “It was Mister Rogers who taught me how to begin to deal with my feelings. I think he taught my parents a lot, too. I know I’m still learning from him.”
Mrs. Rogers (Fred's wife, Joanne) recently blessed Linder's efforts, which include imploring kindred spirits to contact PBS at its headquarters or local affiliates, but no word has come back about plans for a policy shift. For the moment, it seems, the swelling grassroots of Mr. Rogers's neighborhood will continue to call out for just a few more beautiful days.
Monday, August 4, 2008
School Taxes and Seniors
From the Pittsburgh Daily Courier
Taxing situations
By Judy Kroeger, DAILY COURIER Saturday, August 2, 2008
Republican state Rep. John Perzel has introduced legislation to eliminate school property taxes for eligible senior citizens while Democratic Rep. David Levdansky has offered a proposal that would freeze millage rates set by school districts in January 2009 and eliminate them in 2010.
Perzel's legislation, House Bill 1600 and House Bill 1951 would apply slots income to eliminate school property taxes for homeowners 65 and older with annual incomes of $40,000 or less.
As written, Perzel's bill states that qualifying senior citizens would send their school property tax bill to the State Department of Revenue within 45 days of receipt. The revenue department would send a check to the school district for the amount of property tax owed.
Perzel said the legislation would help 600,000 homeowners throughout the state. The program would cost $1 billion of the state's estimated $1.1 billion slots money.
story continues below
Currently, all property owners who qualify for homestead or farmstead exclusions divide slots money under Act 1. The money will, for the first time this year, reduce property taxes by amounts varying by district, regardless of the property owners' age. A constitutional amendment would be necessary to take the rebates and apply it only to the elderly.
"When gambling came to Pennsylvania, it was with the promise that the revenue would be used to provide property tax relief," Perzel said. "My bill does exactly that."
The legislation has been voted out of the House Finance Committee, and may come to a full House vote when the body reconvenes after Labor Day.
"This legislation will keep a long-overdue promise to Pennsylvania's seniors," Perzel said. "No senior should ever have to choose between buying food or medicine and paying their property tax bill."
Levandsky's proposal is broader. "My bill provides the ultimate in property tax relief -- it eliminates the tax entirely -- freezing millage rates next year will halt any tax increases before school property taxes would be eliminated in 2010. My legislation gives the General Assembly until 2010 to decide how to provide adequate and stable funding for our public schools that is fair and does not unduly burden senior citizens and working families." The House Finance Committee has approved the amendments.
He said that once rates are frozen, the bill would give lawmakers 15 months to implement a permanent method to eliminate school property taxes. In the meantime, the Legislature would transfer funds from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, also called the Rainy Day Fund, to cover any allowable increases approved by school boards in 2009.
Levdansky also has proposed a constitutional amendment (House Bill 1947) to eliminate school property taxes for homeowners only, which passed the House unanimously last January. The Senate has taken no action.
A constitutional amendment must pass in two successive legislative sessions and receive voter approval. Levdansky said the time lag is why he proposed an amendment to Perzel's House Bill 1600 "to completely eliminate school property taxes in 2010."
Rep. Jess Stairs (R-Fayette/Westmoreland), said his first choice for gambling money "would be to give it to everybody. Not far behind is to give it to seniors."
Stairs has come to that conclusion because Act 1 is "unfortunately, not widely accepted. In poorer districts, it's accepted. If you get a $200 reduction on a $700 tax bill, you might be for that, but if you can only give a little to everybody, give it all to seniors."
Stairs said property tax relief will remain a big issue when lawmakers return after the summer recess. "There was some relief under Act 1 with gaming, but it was minimal."
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette) called Perzel's bill "a political statement," but voted for it. "We need to do something." He acknowledged that the bill, allowing senior school property taxes to be eliminated at the expense of younger taxpayers is "against the constitution to let one group get it and not another, but I voted for Perzel's bill. I vote for anything that would benefit seniors. I would vote for a constitutional amendment. We need change. There is no question that we need change or we'll be left behind."
Mahoney said he has seen seniors in homes they cannot afford any longer due to school taxes. He said the first billion of gambling money would provide real relief to senior homeowners and any more "would be divided down to others."
Rep. Deberah Kula (D-Fayette) also voted for Perzel's original bill. "That legislation came through so quickly. How do you ever vote against eliminating property taxes for seniors?"
In the time since the vote, she said she has spoken to seniors who have expressed concern for their children and their grandchildren who also suffer under high school property taxes.
Kula said several options exist for eliminating school property taxes, including a 0.5 percent increase in sales tax for items currently taxed. She does not favor taxing food and medicine. Kula said she would support taxing clothing, which currently is exempt. "I am not in favor of expanding it to everything," she said.
A small increase in the earned income tax would also be needed to eliminate school taxes, but Kula did not specify how much.
She said a combination of slight tax increases combined with gambling revenue would "provide more relief to more people. I lean to that from the feedback I've received. The sales tax, everyone would pay a share based on purchasing habits."
Taxing situations
By Judy Kroeger, DAILY COURIER Saturday, August 2, 2008
Republican state Rep. John Perzel has introduced legislation to eliminate school property taxes for eligible senior citizens while Democratic Rep. David Levdansky has offered a proposal that would freeze millage rates set by school districts in January 2009 and eliminate them in 2010.
Perzel's legislation, House Bill 1600 and House Bill 1951 would apply slots income to eliminate school property taxes for homeowners 65 and older with annual incomes of $40,000 or less.
As written, Perzel's bill states that qualifying senior citizens would send their school property tax bill to the State Department of Revenue within 45 days of receipt. The revenue department would send a check to the school district for the amount of property tax owed.
Perzel said the legislation would help 600,000 homeowners throughout the state. The program would cost $1 billion of the state's estimated $1.1 billion slots money.
story continues below
Currently, all property owners who qualify for homestead or farmstead exclusions divide slots money under Act 1. The money will, for the first time this year, reduce property taxes by amounts varying by district, regardless of the property owners' age. A constitutional amendment would be necessary to take the rebates and apply it only to the elderly.
"When gambling came to Pennsylvania, it was with the promise that the revenue would be used to provide property tax relief," Perzel said. "My bill does exactly that."
The legislation has been voted out of the House Finance Committee, and may come to a full House vote when the body reconvenes after Labor Day.
"This legislation will keep a long-overdue promise to Pennsylvania's seniors," Perzel said. "No senior should ever have to choose between buying food or medicine and paying their property tax bill."
Levandsky's proposal is broader. "My bill provides the ultimate in property tax relief -- it eliminates the tax entirely -- freezing millage rates next year will halt any tax increases before school property taxes would be eliminated in 2010. My legislation gives the General Assembly until 2010 to decide how to provide adequate and stable funding for our public schools that is fair and does not unduly burden senior citizens and working families." The House Finance Committee has approved the amendments.
He said that once rates are frozen, the bill would give lawmakers 15 months to implement a permanent method to eliminate school property taxes. In the meantime, the Legislature would transfer funds from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, also called the Rainy Day Fund, to cover any allowable increases approved by school boards in 2009.
Levdansky also has proposed a constitutional amendment (House Bill 1947) to eliminate school property taxes for homeowners only, which passed the House unanimously last January. The Senate has taken no action.
A constitutional amendment must pass in two successive legislative sessions and receive voter approval. Levdansky said the time lag is why he proposed an amendment to Perzel's House Bill 1600 "to completely eliminate school property taxes in 2010."
Rep. Jess Stairs (R-Fayette/Westmoreland), said his first choice for gambling money "would be to give it to everybody. Not far behind is to give it to seniors."
Stairs has come to that conclusion because Act 1 is "unfortunately, not widely accepted. In poorer districts, it's accepted. If you get a $200 reduction on a $700 tax bill, you might be for that, but if you can only give a little to everybody, give it all to seniors."
Stairs said property tax relief will remain a big issue when lawmakers return after the summer recess. "There was some relief under Act 1 with gaming, but it was minimal."
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette) called Perzel's bill "a political statement," but voted for it. "We need to do something." He acknowledged that the bill, allowing senior school property taxes to be eliminated at the expense of younger taxpayers is "against the constitution to let one group get it and not another, but I voted for Perzel's bill. I vote for anything that would benefit seniors. I would vote for a constitutional amendment. We need change. There is no question that we need change or we'll be left behind."
Mahoney said he has seen seniors in homes they cannot afford any longer due to school taxes. He said the first billion of gambling money would provide real relief to senior homeowners and any more "would be divided down to others."
Rep. Deberah Kula (D-Fayette) also voted for Perzel's original bill. "That legislation came through so quickly. How do you ever vote against eliminating property taxes for seniors?"
In the time since the vote, she said she has spoken to seniors who have expressed concern for their children and their grandchildren who also suffer under high school property taxes.
Kula said several options exist for eliminating school property taxes, including a 0.5 percent increase in sales tax for items currently taxed. She does not favor taxing food and medicine. Kula said she would support taxing clothing, which currently is exempt. "I am not in favor of expanding it to everything," she said.
A small increase in the earned income tax would also be needed to eliminate school taxes, but Kula did not specify how much.
She said a combination of slight tax increases combined with gambling revenue would "provide more relief to more people. I lean to that from the feedback I've received. The sales tax, everyone would pay a share based on purchasing habits."
Special education needs soar
From the Centre Daily Times
Special education needs soar
Dena Pauling Monday, Aug. 04, 2008
EDUCATION: Certification to help Pa. teachers with changing classrooms
Pennsylvania expects children with special needs to be taught in the same classrooms as their peers whenever possible — not segregated in special rooms for the entire school day.
This “least-restrictive environment” approach toward special education has been around for years. But with about 70,000 more children enrolled in special education statewide than just a decade ago, the State Board of Education has made sweeping changes to ensure that approach is being followed.
All newly certified teachers — regardless of whether they teach history, physics, art or elementary education — will be required to have extra training in special education. And those who do pursue special education certifications must have a second certification to achieve what is known as “highly qualified status” to be able to better assist other teachers.
Though the new requirements won’t begin to kick in for another three years, Kelly Watson hopes students such as her daughter, who has autism and bipolar disorder, can get help.
“We have struggled,” she said. “Our daughter has been in four different schools and home-schooled.”
Watson, who lives in the Philipsburg area, said schools just aren’t equipped to know how
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to handle children with special needs. Too often, children with Down syndrome and autism, for example, are just “lumped together” in the same special education classrooms for extended periods of time, she said.
“Nobody seems trained well enough to be able to handle her situation, and that’s very frustrating for us,” she said. “We just want to get her educated, and we can’t seem to do that.”
The push behind the changes in teacher certification initially came from “parents coming forward and saying our kids are not getting the services they need in general education classrooms,” said David McNaughton, an associate professor in Penn State’s department of educational and school psychology and special education.
Part of the reason could be traced to the sheer volume of children now being identified with special needs. Deneen Keller, a Penns Valley special education teacher, and Ellen Campbell, a State College English teacher and reading specialist, say they see more children with special circumstances each year.
Autism, in particular, Keller said, “has grown phenomenally.”
State Department of Education statistics prove those assumptions. While total enrollment has remained flat both statewide and locally, the number of children in special education has risen significantly during the past 10 to 15 years.
Excluding gifted and pre-school- aged children, there were 272,255 students enrolled in special education statewide in 2006-07, up from 208,421 in 1990-91. That’s a 30.6 percent increase.
In the Central Intermediate Unit 10, which includes school districts in Centre and Clearfield counties, there were 4,304 students enrolled in special education in 2006-07 — almost 1,000 more than in 1990-91.
In anticipation of the upcoming requirements, colleges and universities are revamping their educational programs to prepare students and retrain teachers.
“Things are just constantly changing,” said Keller, who has taught special education for 17 years. “And for me, it brings me up to speed on what is going on statewide.”
Keller is among those enrolled in Penn State’s new EPIC program, short for Evidence- Based Practices for Inclusive Classrooms and Differentiating Instruction. McNaughton is one of the instructors.
The courses are designed to help teachers learn strategies they can use to help children with all kinds of specific physical and behavioral issues including autism, blindness, attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental retardation.
Keller said she’s seen a “definite push” toward the strategy of co-teaching. Two teachers, one of whom could be certified in special education, work in the same classroom at the same time. The state, in developing the new Chapter 49 regulations, expects co-teaching to take place.
“To me, co-teaching was a thought, an idea. But it’s evolved into so much more all of these years,” Keller said. “I can see a lot of things coming through the state, one is a definite push for inclusion and for co-teaching to be more than just one teacher and one coach.”
Campbell has worked in several inclusive classrooms. She doesn’t have a social studies background, but she has taught alongside a history teacher to help improve the reading skills of the special education students in that class. In turn, she said, it helps all students.
But even with her experience, Campbell said she too enrolled in EPIC to make sure her strategies “were as up to date as possible” and to better learn how to teach students with very specific disabilities.
“We have to be very deliberate and very mindful of including kids and making accommodations for different kinds of learners,” she said. “... When you make those accommodations, it’s good for the general education learners as well.”
According to the state Department of Education, three of every 20 students have a disability or are still learning English. And 96 percent of students with a disability have at least some of their education provided by a regular education teacher.
“All teachers have interaction with students in special education,” Department of Education spokeswoman Leah Harris said. “And even though they are not certified in special education, regular teachers still need to know the unique characteristics of special education so they are better able to instruct those students.”
Special education needs soar
Dena Pauling Monday, Aug. 04, 2008
EDUCATION: Certification to help Pa. teachers with changing classrooms
Pennsylvania expects children with special needs to be taught in the same classrooms as their peers whenever possible — not segregated in special rooms for the entire school day.
This “least-restrictive environment” approach toward special education has been around for years. But with about 70,000 more children enrolled in special education statewide than just a decade ago, the State Board of Education has made sweeping changes to ensure that approach is being followed.
All newly certified teachers — regardless of whether they teach history, physics, art or elementary education — will be required to have extra training in special education. And those who do pursue special education certifications must have a second certification to achieve what is known as “highly qualified status” to be able to better assist other teachers.
Though the new requirements won’t begin to kick in for another three years, Kelly Watson hopes students such as her daughter, who has autism and bipolar disorder, can get help.
“We have struggled,” she said. “Our daughter has been in four different schools and home-schooled.”
Watson, who lives in the Philipsburg area, said schools just aren’t equipped to know how
Advertisement
to handle children with special needs. Too often, children with Down syndrome and autism, for example, are just “lumped together” in the same special education classrooms for extended periods of time, she said.
“Nobody seems trained well enough to be able to handle her situation, and that’s very frustrating for us,” she said. “We just want to get her educated, and we can’t seem to do that.”
The push behind the changes in teacher certification initially came from “parents coming forward and saying our kids are not getting the services they need in general education classrooms,” said David McNaughton, an associate professor in Penn State’s department of educational and school psychology and special education.
Part of the reason could be traced to the sheer volume of children now being identified with special needs. Deneen Keller, a Penns Valley special education teacher, and Ellen Campbell, a State College English teacher and reading specialist, say they see more children with special circumstances each year.
Autism, in particular, Keller said, “has grown phenomenally.”
State Department of Education statistics prove those assumptions. While total enrollment has remained flat both statewide and locally, the number of children in special education has risen significantly during the past 10 to 15 years.
Excluding gifted and pre-school- aged children, there were 272,255 students enrolled in special education statewide in 2006-07, up from 208,421 in 1990-91. That’s a 30.6 percent increase.
In the Central Intermediate Unit 10, which includes school districts in Centre and Clearfield counties, there were 4,304 students enrolled in special education in 2006-07 — almost 1,000 more than in 1990-91.
In anticipation of the upcoming requirements, colleges and universities are revamping their educational programs to prepare students and retrain teachers.
“Things are just constantly changing,” said Keller, who has taught special education for 17 years. “And for me, it brings me up to speed on what is going on statewide.”
Keller is among those enrolled in Penn State’s new EPIC program, short for Evidence- Based Practices for Inclusive Classrooms and Differentiating Instruction. McNaughton is one of the instructors.
The courses are designed to help teachers learn strategies they can use to help children with all kinds of specific physical and behavioral issues including autism, blindness, attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental retardation.
Keller said she’s seen a “definite push” toward the strategy of co-teaching. Two teachers, one of whom could be certified in special education, work in the same classroom at the same time. The state, in developing the new Chapter 49 regulations, expects co-teaching to take place.
“To me, co-teaching was a thought, an idea. But it’s evolved into so much more all of these years,” Keller said. “I can see a lot of things coming through the state, one is a definite push for inclusion and for co-teaching to be more than just one teacher and one coach.”
Campbell has worked in several inclusive classrooms. She doesn’t have a social studies background, but she has taught alongside a history teacher to help improve the reading skills of the special education students in that class. In turn, she said, it helps all students.
But even with her experience, Campbell said she too enrolled in EPIC to make sure her strategies “were as up to date as possible” and to better learn how to teach students with very specific disabilities.
“We have to be very deliberate and very mindful of including kids and making accommodations for different kinds of learners,” she said. “... When you make those accommodations, it’s good for the general education learners as well.”
According to the state Department of Education, three of every 20 students have a disability or are still learning English. And 96 percent of students with a disability have at least some of their education provided by a regular education teacher.
“All teachers have interaction with students in special education,” Department of Education spokeswoman Leah Harris said. “And even though they are not certified in special education, regular teachers still need to know the unique characteristics of special education so they are better able to instruct those students.”
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