From the Intelligencer
Effort mounts to stop teacher strikes
By RICH PIETRAS, The Intelligencer
Jill Basile is determined to get teacher strikes struck down. And it appears she has found a brother in arms for her battle, and perhaps a small army.
Basile, a 42-year-old resident of Harleysville, hosted a town hall meeting Monday night for more than two hours at the Indian Crest Public Library in Telford to discuss teacher strikes, and teachers unions — a hot topic considering current labor unrest in the Souderton Area School District.
“I suffered through a school strike when I was at Neshaminy (High School) that lasted two-and-half months when I was a freshman,” Basile said. “I swore after that, I would never let my children go through something like that ... it was horrible.”
And she seems to be sticking to her promise, because Basile has a first-grade daughter in the Souderton Area School District who was forced out of school early in September. And although the strike ended after 13 days, it appears the determined mother of two is just getting started.
The guest speaker for the event was Simon Campbell, a grass roots activist opposed to teachers' right to strike in Pennsylvania.
He is also the president of StopTeacherStrikes Inc., whose Web site provides information on everything from how many school districts are at immediate risk of a strike, to the commonwealth's constitution, which Simon believes makes teacher strikes illegal.
Expecting only 30 people to show up, Basile was surprised to see 60 people fill the meeting room of the library. She was also thrilled to have Campbell come on board. Campbell, 41, who hails from England, settled in Pennsylvania in 2004 and has three children in the Pennsbury School District. It was Simon's exposure to a teachers strike there in the fall of 2005 that inspired him to form StopTeacherStrikes in March 2006. The unpaid volunteer has championed the cause of strike-free education and voluntary unionism ever since.
“I'd never even heard of a teachers strike until I moved to the states,” Simon said in front of a mixed crowd of parents and students as well as a couple of school board members. “I couldn't believe such a thing was allowed.”
A big part of the evening was devoted to the discussion of the Strike Free Education Act, House Bill 1369, which Simon and Basile wholeheartedly support.
Although the bill will not be signed into law this year, Simon, who turned the meeting into a mini civics lesson, urged the audience to do whatever it could to ensure the bill will pass and add Pennsylvania to the other 37 states that ban teacher strikes.
Basile said she believes that every side has been heard in the Souderton dispute but the residents.
“Where are the children's rights?” Basile asked. “The unions are running our education system, not us.”
Ernie Rosato, 46, Upper Salford, who has a child attending Souderton Area High School, also felt empowered after the meeting and hoped others felt the same way.
“We have a choice as a community to make a stand,” Rosato said. “It's time the community takes back what's really ours by telling the school board that strike should not be allowed and ask them to put their thoughts together on House Bill 1369.”
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Safety at the Schools
I received several emails regarding a possible incident outside of Grandview School yesterday. Does anyone have any information?
Here is a snip from one of the emails.
Maybe the board can authorize something tonight to address this issue. This seems like a safety issue to me.
A student was hit by a car yesterday at her safety post at Grandview Elementary. I do not know all the details, but word is, thankfully, the girl is fine.
If this is a not a wake up call, then what will it take?
Many of us have seen close calls with cars in the school zones, repeatedly. My own daughter was nearly hit at the same spot last year. The issue of traffic safety around our schools remains unresolved, despite the efforts of staff, Mr. May and Mr. Seward.
The borough has not been willing to spend money on flashing lights outside each school zone. We fought just to get minimal signage around the schools. Plastering the smallest, least expensive 15 mile an hour signs along the streets is better than what we had before, but it is inadequate. We need flashing 15 mph signs in front of ALL schools. There is a reason most municipalities do this- people are more likely to notice the lights and will more likely take it seriously. Flashing lights will get the attention of motorists, but this alone will not be sufficient. We need the enforcement of police officers to back it up.
This will cost. But I'm willing to wager that this is one issue this town can agree on. Nobody wants to wait for a tragedy. The weight of losing a child when we could have acted will be much heavier than the weight of a few more tax dollars.
Please urge your borough council representative to take action - install flashing lights and provide police enforcement in our school zones on a regular basis. We don't need to wait for another study or more meetings that hash out the same issues. The issues are clear.
Just do what is standard practice everywhere else. Protect our children's safety.
Here is a snip from one of the emails.
Maybe the board can authorize something tonight to address this issue. This seems like a safety issue to me.
A student was hit by a car yesterday at her safety post at Grandview Elementary. I do not know all the details, but word is, thankfully, the girl is fine.
If this is a not a wake up call, then what will it take?
Many of us have seen close calls with cars in the school zones, repeatedly. My own daughter was nearly hit at the same spot last year. The issue of traffic safety around our schools remains unresolved, despite the efforts of staff, Mr. May and Mr. Seward.
The borough has not been willing to spend money on flashing lights outside each school zone. We fought just to get minimal signage around the schools. Plastering the smallest, least expensive 15 mile an hour signs along the streets is better than what we had before, but it is inadequate. We need flashing 15 mph signs in front of ALL schools. There is a reason most municipalities do this- people are more likely to notice the lights and will more likely take it seriously. Flashing lights will get the attention of motorists, but this alone will not be sufficient. We need the enforcement of police officers to back it up.
This will cost. But I'm willing to wager that this is one issue this town can agree on. Nobody wants to wait for a tragedy. The weight of losing a child when we could have acted will be much heavier than the weight of a few more tax dollars.
Please urge your borough council representative to take action - install flashing lights and provide police enforcement in our school zones on a regular basis. We don't need to wait for another study or more meetings that hash out the same issues. The issues are clear.
Just do what is standard practice everywhere else. Protect our children's safety.
Sneaker Update
ORIGINAL POST OCTOBER 8: Do you remember the sneaker collection campaign being conducted by the Morrisville High School National Honor Society students? NBC10 stopped back to see how they did.
They reached their goal of 600 pairs of sneakers. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Congratulations to everyone.
UPDATED OCTOBER 15: Now with video link from WBIR in Knoxville, TN.
Students Collect Sneakers For Needy Overseas
Shoes Will Be Refurbished, Sold To Help Family In Ghana
POSTED: 4:22 pm EDT October 7, 2008
UPDATED: 4:47 pm EDT October 7, 2008
Those old sneakers stuffed in the back of the closet may seem worthless, but students at a Bucks County high school recently asked people not to simply throw the shoes in the trash.
Instead, the students collected the shoes, and shipped them overseas to Ghana, where the sneakers will help a needy family.
During the past month, students at Morrisville High School gathered hundreds of pairs of sneakers from donors, all while learning about Ghana, located in West Africa.
"We got a lot more than we expected," junior Amanda Graf said, standing amidt trash bags stuffed with sneakers.
The shoes will be refurbished and sold in villages, said Elizabeth Glaum-Lathbury, a teacher at Morrisville.
"The money from the sneakers provides funding for … a pretty large family," Glaum-Lathbury said, "and provides them with bikes, bees, rabbits, trees, a water pump, everything they need to become self-sustaining and sufficient."
It takes about 600 pairs of shoes to raise enough money to start a family farm, the teacher said.
It's like pretty much all of us helping just one family rather than everybody else," said senior Chad Demi. "We actually know who the stuff is going to instead of just random people."
Henry Cox picked up the shoe the students had collected and will ship them to Ghana.
"I think it's really great that the youth of our time is not only looking out for themselves," Cox said, "but they're looking out for other people in different countries."
They reached their goal of 600 pairs of sneakers. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Congratulations to everyone.
UPDATED OCTOBER 15: Now with video link from WBIR in Knoxville, TN.
Students Collect Sneakers For Needy Overseas
Shoes Will Be Refurbished, Sold To Help Family In Ghana
POSTED: 4:22 pm EDT October 7, 2008
UPDATED: 4:47 pm EDT October 7, 2008
Those old sneakers stuffed in the back of the closet may seem worthless, but students at a Bucks County high school recently asked people not to simply throw the shoes in the trash.
Instead, the students collected the shoes, and shipped them overseas to Ghana, where the sneakers will help a needy family.
During the past month, students at Morrisville High School gathered hundreds of pairs of sneakers from donors, all while learning about Ghana, located in West Africa.
"We got a lot more than we expected," junior Amanda Graf said, standing amidt trash bags stuffed with sneakers.
The shoes will be refurbished and sold in villages, said Elizabeth Glaum-Lathbury, a teacher at Morrisville.
"The money from the sneakers provides funding for … a pretty large family," Glaum-Lathbury said, "and provides them with bikes, bees, rabbits, trees, a water pump, everything they need to become self-sustaining and sufficient."
It takes about 600 pairs of shoes to raise enough money to start a family farm, the teacher said.
It's like pretty much all of us helping just one family rather than everybody else," said senior Chad Demi. "We actually know who the stuff is going to instead of just random people."
Henry Cox picked up the shoe the students had collected and will ship them to Ghana.
"I think it's really great that the youth of our time is not only looking out for themselves," Cox said, "but they're looking out for other people in different countries."
Wishful Thinking
From the BCCT. Wouldn't this be nice in Morrisville?
School board meeting canceled
Posted in Community on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm by Joan Hellyer
The Bristol school board meeting scheduled for Thursday has been canceled because of a lack of agenda items, district officials said.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the district’s administration building off Farragut Avenue in the borough. Call 215-781-1010 for more information.
School board meeting canceled
Posted in Community on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm by Joan Hellyer
The Bristol school board meeting scheduled for Thursday has been canceled because of a lack of agenda items, district officials said.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the district’s administration building off Farragut Avenue in the borough. Call 215-781-1010 for more information.
Meeting Reminder
The Policy committee meeting at 6:30 is CANCELLED.
The agenda meeting is at 7:30
EDUCATION
Morrisville School Board: 7:30 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: Agreement with engineering firm for upgrade services to the high school and surveys of elementary schools, acceptance of grants and donations. 215-736-2681
The agenda meeting is at 7:30
EDUCATION
Morrisville School Board: 7:30 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: Agreement with engineering firm for upgrade services to the high school and surveys of elementary schools, acceptance of grants and donations. 215-736-2681
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Campaign 2008: Education
From the Inquirer
Karen Heller: Health, education foremost for voters
By Karen Heller Inquirer Columnist
In an economy that resembles a natural disaster - except that it was man-made and avoidable - Americans are concerned about health care and higher education, and how they're going to pay for them.
These are universal concerns. Without health or education, we can't go forward. We can't even tread water. Education is the great equalizer and the biggest key to financial advancement and independence, far more than race, ethnicity, country of birth, or your parents' financial situation.
Educated citizens land better jobs, ones with health insurance. A healthy, educated country is a more prosperous one. If that's elite, we should all be for it.
When Americans are uninsured and sick, they drain the entire system. We all end up paying for it. And the nation suffers.
During the Republican National Convention, education came up maybe twice. You can't have the "best workers in the world," as both candidates claim, without educating them well.
Otherwise, you don't simply leave a child behind, you leave a nation.
The McCain campaign rarely mentions education. On health care, it applies the same marvelous free-market applications that got us into this fiscal disaster. The campaign is too busy fighting community organizers and former domestic terrorists, who often amount to the same thing. Who knows, they could be anywhere. I attended the same school as Bill Ayers' wife, in the neighborhood where they live. Possibly some errant terrorist dust rubbed off on me.
Karen Heller: Health, education foremost for voters
By Karen Heller Inquirer Columnist
In an economy that resembles a natural disaster - except that it was man-made and avoidable - Americans are concerned about health care and higher education, and how they're going to pay for them.
These are universal concerns. Without health or education, we can't go forward. We can't even tread water. Education is the great equalizer and the biggest key to financial advancement and independence, far more than race, ethnicity, country of birth, or your parents' financial situation.
Educated citizens land better jobs, ones with health insurance. A healthy, educated country is a more prosperous one. If that's elite, we should all be for it.
When Americans are uninsured and sick, they drain the entire system. We all end up paying for it. And the nation suffers.
During the Republican National Convention, education came up maybe twice. You can't have the "best workers in the world," as both candidates claim, without educating them well.
Otherwise, you don't simply leave a child behind, you leave a nation.
The McCain campaign rarely mentions education. On health care, it applies the same marvelous free-market applications that got us into this fiscal disaster. The campaign is too busy fighting community organizers and former domestic terrorists, who often amount to the same thing. Who knows, they could be anywhere. I attended the same school as Bill Ayers' wife, in the neighborhood where they live. Possibly some errant terrorist dust rubbed off on me.
Philly Is Hiring Teachers
From the Inquirer.
Phila. district lags in filling teacher vacancies
By Kristen A. Graham Posted on Tue, Oct. 14, 2008
Inquirer Staff Writer
New York City, Chicago and Boston all opened school this fall with no teacher vacancies.
But a month into the new school year, Philadelphia's public schools had 144 unfilled teaching jobs - down from a seven-year high a few weeks ago - and officials warn that about 70 positions will go unfilled all year, with those classrooms staffed by substitute teachers.
Officials say the current spike in vacancies is due to turnover in district brass and a resulting slowdown in this year's hiring process. They also blame national shortages in some subjects.
But teacher-recruitment experts point to other, systemic problems, saying Philadelphia's hiring process is outdated and overly complex.
The 144 vacancies represent a little more than 1 percent of the district's 10,000 teaching jobs. But the impact is significant, said Sheila Simmons, education director for Public Citizens for Children and Youth, a nonprofit advocacy group.
"One percent may not look bad at an administrative level, but if you're a parent or a child and the vacancy is at your school, it's huge," Simmons said. "I think 1 percent is still too much."
The 70 permanent vacancies would mean that at a minimum, 2,300 students would spend the year without a permanent teacher.
That other districts have fixed the problem and Philadelphia has not is particularly frustrating, advocates say.
Superintendent Arlene Ackerman is not pleased, either, but she said the problem was not entirely district-made.
"We're handicapped in our ability to hire teachers," Ackerman said. The current teacher contract, she said, sets up a system where some teaching candidates cannot be interviewed until two weeks before school starts.
Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, rejected the notion that the contract hurts hiring.
"After all these years, the district should be able to project the number of teachers they're going to need," Jordan said. "There's no reason they can't pre-hire teachers. I don't see the contract as prohibiting them from hiring."
Michael Masch, the district's chief business officer and temporary head of human resources, and Dina Hollingsworth, the new head of recruitment and retention, said the district was improving its hiring practices.
Officials have begun a campaign to recruit more aggressively, including internationally; hire earlier; and reach out to more partners.
Historically, the number of city classrooms without a permanent teacher in September has fluctuated, from a low of 62 two years ago to 169 a month ago, the highest in seven years. The vacancies are concentrated in hard-to-staff subjects like math, science and vocal music, and at the city's neighborhood high schools.
Cecilia Cummings, a district spokeswoman, said that the 70 unfilled jobs were typical for the district and that she could not say when they would be filled.
"In a workforce so large, you're always going to have vacancies," Cummings said. "In most cases, we have qualified, long-term subs who are certified to teach the courses."
Substitute teachers are not all state-certified, though 37 percent of Philadelphia's do have state credentials, officials say. In many cases, though, their areas of certification do not match those needed for open jobs.
The teacher shortage really hits home for Candace Carter and Isiah Enoch, both 17.
Carter and Enoch, seniors at Sayre High in West Philadelphia, spent the first three weeks of school without a permanent English teacher. Last week, their third teacher arrived.
Initially, "we weren't doing anything," Carter said. "We were just sitting there, doing nothing."
Work was assigned and ignored. Students were confused and acted up.
"We're really behind," Enoch said. "It's a shame."
Success elsewhere
Unlike suburban districts around the region, where earlier hiring timetables, higher salaries, and fewer classroom challenges mean a smoother hiring process, big-city schools have long wrestled with vacancies.
But in the last five years, other urban districts have ramped up their efforts, said Allan Odden, a University of Wisconsin professor and codirector of Strategic Management of Human Capital, a nonprofit that works with the nation's largest districts.
"Unless a district mounts and maintains a comprehensive hiring strategy, they're going to open with vacancies," Odden said. "But if New York, Chicago and Boston can do it, anybody can do it."
In the past, city districts in general did little recruiting, and rarely looked at applications before August, when most of the top talent had already been snapped up by suburban districts.
Now, successful districts have revamped and automated cumbersome hiring processes, Odden said. They have begun recruiting at better universities, partnered with "talent organizations" such as Teach for America, negotiated changes in seniority with powerful teachers unions, and moved up hiring schedules with the goal of filling every vacancy by the beginning of summer.
Philadelphia has taken some of those steps, but has been hampered by uncertainty in a contract year, the teachers union says - its current pact expires at the end of this month. Researchers also point to a hiring process that's "mind-numbingly complex and slow," according to a 2007 report by Research for Action.
Elizabeth Useem, a researcher who has studied Philadelphia teacher recruitment and retention for years and coauthor of several reports on the subject, said that recruitment and retention must be a top priority for the district's new superintendent and her human-resources team.
"HR needs to be leading reform," said Useem, senior research consultant for Research for Action. "It's a crucial issue, and I don't know why it's slipped."
A multi-level system
Philadelphia made some progress in streamlining and decentralizing hiring in the Paul Vallas era, but still grapples with a teacher contract that sets up a multi-level system of hiring.
Some jobs are filled by "site selection," in which members of a school community pick the teachers themselves. Others are staffed by seniority. In some cases, hiring begins the May before a new school year. In others, it doesn't happen until August or later.
The process makes it tough to hire top candidates in a timely way, critics said.
Ackerman has said moving up the timeline was a priority for a new teacher contract.
Officials said the district was tackling the problem by attending more recruiting events, advertising more nationally and internationally, cold-calling universities to identify job-hunting graduates, and using online recruiting tools - clearinghouse sites such as Pa-Educator.net.
The district is also looking into programs such as Math Immersion, which trains college graduates with good math aptitude to teach arithmetic.
And Masch said the district must automate its hiring.
"My first day on the job, I filled out my name and Social Security number on 20 different pieces of paper," said Masch, who started in July. "I am determined that in the future, no hire should have to do that."
Ackerman has other proposals to pay teacher specialists - such as those who work in hard-to-staff jobs or schools - more money, and to require teachers to give more notice when they retire or resign.
In September alone, more than 50 teachers departed the district, some with little warning.
Phila. district lags in filling teacher vacancies
By Kristen A. Graham Posted on Tue, Oct. 14, 2008
Inquirer Staff Writer
New York City, Chicago and Boston all opened school this fall with no teacher vacancies.
But a month into the new school year, Philadelphia's public schools had 144 unfilled teaching jobs - down from a seven-year high a few weeks ago - and officials warn that about 70 positions will go unfilled all year, with those classrooms staffed by substitute teachers.
Officials say the current spike in vacancies is due to turnover in district brass and a resulting slowdown in this year's hiring process. They also blame national shortages in some subjects.
But teacher-recruitment experts point to other, systemic problems, saying Philadelphia's hiring process is outdated and overly complex.
The 144 vacancies represent a little more than 1 percent of the district's 10,000 teaching jobs. But the impact is significant, said Sheila Simmons, education director for Public Citizens for Children and Youth, a nonprofit advocacy group.
"One percent may not look bad at an administrative level, but if you're a parent or a child and the vacancy is at your school, it's huge," Simmons said. "I think 1 percent is still too much."
The 70 permanent vacancies would mean that at a minimum, 2,300 students would spend the year without a permanent teacher.
That other districts have fixed the problem and Philadelphia has not is particularly frustrating, advocates say.
Superintendent Arlene Ackerman is not pleased, either, but she said the problem was not entirely district-made.
"We're handicapped in our ability to hire teachers," Ackerman said. The current teacher contract, she said, sets up a system where some teaching candidates cannot be interviewed until two weeks before school starts.
Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, rejected the notion that the contract hurts hiring.
"After all these years, the district should be able to project the number of teachers they're going to need," Jordan said. "There's no reason they can't pre-hire teachers. I don't see the contract as prohibiting them from hiring."
Michael Masch, the district's chief business officer and temporary head of human resources, and Dina Hollingsworth, the new head of recruitment and retention, said the district was improving its hiring practices.
Officials have begun a campaign to recruit more aggressively, including internationally; hire earlier; and reach out to more partners.
Historically, the number of city classrooms without a permanent teacher in September has fluctuated, from a low of 62 two years ago to 169 a month ago, the highest in seven years. The vacancies are concentrated in hard-to-staff subjects like math, science and vocal music, and at the city's neighborhood high schools.
Cecilia Cummings, a district spokeswoman, said that the 70 unfilled jobs were typical for the district and that she could not say when they would be filled.
"In a workforce so large, you're always going to have vacancies," Cummings said. "In most cases, we have qualified, long-term subs who are certified to teach the courses."
Substitute teachers are not all state-certified, though 37 percent of Philadelphia's do have state credentials, officials say. In many cases, though, their areas of certification do not match those needed for open jobs.
The teacher shortage really hits home for Candace Carter and Isiah Enoch, both 17.
Carter and Enoch, seniors at Sayre High in West Philadelphia, spent the first three weeks of school without a permanent English teacher. Last week, their third teacher arrived.
Initially, "we weren't doing anything," Carter said. "We were just sitting there, doing nothing."
Work was assigned and ignored. Students were confused and acted up.
"We're really behind," Enoch said. "It's a shame."
Success elsewhere
Unlike suburban districts around the region, where earlier hiring timetables, higher salaries, and fewer classroom challenges mean a smoother hiring process, big-city schools have long wrestled with vacancies.
But in the last five years, other urban districts have ramped up their efforts, said Allan Odden, a University of Wisconsin professor and codirector of Strategic Management of Human Capital, a nonprofit that works with the nation's largest districts.
"Unless a district mounts and maintains a comprehensive hiring strategy, they're going to open with vacancies," Odden said. "But if New York, Chicago and Boston can do it, anybody can do it."
In the past, city districts in general did little recruiting, and rarely looked at applications before August, when most of the top talent had already been snapped up by suburban districts.
Now, successful districts have revamped and automated cumbersome hiring processes, Odden said. They have begun recruiting at better universities, partnered with "talent organizations" such as Teach for America, negotiated changes in seniority with powerful teachers unions, and moved up hiring schedules with the goal of filling every vacancy by the beginning of summer.
Philadelphia has taken some of those steps, but has been hampered by uncertainty in a contract year, the teachers union says - its current pact expires at the end of this month. Researchers also point to a hiring process that's "mind-numbingly complex and slow," according to a 2007 report by Research for Action.
Elizabeth Useem, a researcher who has studied Philadelphia teacher recruitment and retention for years and coauthor of several reports on the subject, said that recruitment and retention must be a top priority for the district's new superintendent and her human-resources team.
"HR needs to be leading reform," said Useem, senior research consultant for Research for Action. "It's a crucial issue, and I don't know why it's slipped."
A multi-level system
Philadelphia made some progress in streamlining and decentralizing hiring in the Paul Vallas era, but still grapples with a teacher contract that sets up a multi-level system of hiring.
Some jobs are filled by "site selection," in which members of a school community pick the teachers themselves. Others are staffed by seniority. In some cases, hiring begins the May before a new school year. In others, it doesn't happen until August or later.
The process makes it tough to hire top candidates in a timely way, critics said.
Ackerman has said moving up the timeline was a priority for a new teacher contract.
Officials said the district was tackling the problem by attending more recruiting events, advertising more nationally and internationally, cold-calling universities to identify job-hunting graduates, and using online recruiting tools - clearinghouse sites such as Pa-Educator.net.
The district is also looking into programs such as Math Immersion, which trains college graduates with good math aptitude to teach arithmetic.
And Masch said the district must automate its hiring.
"My first day on the job, I filled out my name and Social Security number on 20 different pieces of paper," said Masch, who started in July. "I am determined that in the future, no hire should have to do that."
Ackerman has other proposals to pay teacher specialists - such as those who work in hard-to-staff jobs or schools - more money, and to require teachers to give more notice when they retire or resign.
In September alone, more than 50 teachers departed the district, some with little warning.
Show Me the Signs
Here's a short story from the BCCT about McCain signs being removed from a Morrisville homeowner's property.
Respect for the other person's political viewpoint and rational discussion of that viewpoint is at a premium in general, but in Morrisville, it's an ancient art that is almost extinct.
Vote for McCain. Vote for Obama. Vote third party if you want. Just make sure to VOTE.
And leave the signs alone.
Joe Hurchick of Morrisville shows where someone came onto his property at Jefferson Ave and stole his McClain for President signs. Signs were stolen all along Jefferson Ave down to Pennsylvania Ave.
“People can vote for whoever they want to,” Hurchick says,”but I don’t like people coming onto my property and stealing my signs.
Respect for the other person's political viewpoint and rational discussion of that viewpoint is at a premium in general, but in Morrisville, it's an ancient art that is almost extinct.
Vote for McCain. Vote for Obama. Vote third party if you want. Just make sure to VOTE.
And leave the signs alone.
Joe Hurchick of Morrisville shows where someone came onto his property at Jefferson Ave and stole his McClain for President signs. Signs were stolen all along Jefferson Ave down to Pennsylvania Ave.
“People can vote for whoever they want to,” Hurchick says,”but I don’t like people coming onto my property and stealing my signs.
Peers influence students
Another dispatch from the front lines in the education wars from Captain Obvious, as printed by the BCCT.
Study: Peers influence students
Overall, students were nearly as likely after three years of college to call themselves “conservative” or “far-right.”
By JUSTIN POPE
On issues such as abortion, gay marriage and religion, college students shift noticeably to the left from the time they arrive on campus through their junior year, new research shows.
The reason, according to UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute, isn’t indoctrination by left-leaning faculty but rather the more powerful influence of fellow students. And at most colleges, left-leaning peer groups are more common than conservative ones.
After college, students — particularly women — move somewhat back to the right politically.
The research is the latest of several efforts by academics to lend analytical rigor to an emotional debate. Overall, college faculty lean left politically, but there’s sharp disagreement on whether they impose their views on students. The UCLA researchers are among several social scientists who have tried to undermine the argument that students respond strongly to their teachers’ opinions.
Overall, students were nearly as likely after three years of college to call themselves “conservative” or “far-right,” according to findings, and only somewhat more likely to call themselves “liberal” or “far left.”
On specific policy questions, they moved to more liberal positions.
Sixty percent of the college juniors said they support legalized abortion, up from 52 percent who said so as freshmen. The percentage supporting “legal marital status” for gay couples rose from 54 to 66. The percentage supporting increased defense spending fell from 34 to 25.
“People are moving out of the center to the left during college,” said one of the researchers, Alexander Astin.
Studies dating back decades have noted the trend of college students moving to the left during their college careers. But finding a representative snapshot of overall college opinion is difficult, because colleges have such varying student bodies.
The new figures from UCLA — which has been tracking attitudes of freshmen for more than 40 years — give a fresher and, the authors contend, more valid portrait. Based on a sample of nearly 15,000 students who entered 136 colleges in 2004, the results are carefully weighted to represent the full college population. Unlike some other such surveys, UCLA was able to pose its questions to the same students when they started college and after junior year.
Among other findings:
The percentage of students who support laws prohibiting homosexual relationships fell 10 points, from 31.5 percent to 21.5 percent after three years of college.
The percentage who never attend religious services nearly doubled to 37.5 percent.
There were exceptions to the leftward trend. A majority continued to support the death penalty, though the percentage saying it should be abolished rose 5 points to about 37 percent. On taxes, the percentage strongly agreeing the wealthy should pay a larger share rose slightly, but there was otherwise little change.
Study: Peers influence students
Overall, students were nearly as likely after three years of college to call themselves “conservative” or “far-right.”
By JUSTIN POPE
On issues such as abortion, gay marriage and religion, college students shift noticeably to the left from the time they arrive on campus through their junior year, new research shows.
The reason, according to UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute, isn’t indoctrination by left-leaning faculty but rather the more powerful influence of fellow students. And at most colleges, left-leaning peer groups are more common than conservative ones.
After college, students — particularly women — move somewhat back to the right politically.
The research is the latest of several efforts by academics to lend analytical rigor to an emotional debate. Overall, college faculty lean left politically, but there’s sharp disagreement on whether they impose their views on students. The UCLA researchers are among several social scientists who have tried to undermine the argument that students respond strongly to their teachers’ opinions.
Overall, students were nearly as likely after three years of college to call themselves “conservative” or “far-right,” according to findings, and only somewhat more likely to call themselves “liberal” or “far left.”
On specific policy questions, they moved to more liberal positions.
Sixty percent of the college juniors said they support legalized abortion, up from 52 percent who said so as freshmen. The percentage supporting “legal marital status” for gay couples rose from 54 to 66. The percentage supporting increased defense spending fell from 34 to 25.
“People are moving out of the center to the left during college,” said one of the researchers, Alexander Astin.
Studies dating back decades have noted the trend of college students moving to the left during their college careers. But finding a representative snapshot of overall college opinion is difficult, because colleges have such varying student bodies.
The new figures from UCLA — which has been tracking attitudes of freshmen for more than 40 years — give a fresher and, the authors contend, more valid portrait. Based on a sample of nearly 15,000 students who entered 136 colleges in 2004, the results are carefully weighted to represent the full college population. Unlike some other such surveys, UCLA was able to pose its questions to the same students when they started college and after junior year.
Among other findings:
The percentage of students who support laws prohibiting homosexual relationships fell 10 points, from 31.5 percent to 21.5 percent after three years of college.
The percentage who never attend religious services nearly doubled to 37.5 percent.
There were exceptions to the leftward trend. A majority continued to support the death penalty, though the percentage saying it should be abolished rose 5 points to about 37 percent. On taxes, the percentage strongly agreeing the wealthy should pay a larger share rose slightly, but there was otherwise little change.
Bristol Twp Updating Report Cards
From the BCCT.
District to make improvements to secondary students’ report cards
The revisions for secondary students could take effect next school year.
By JOAN HELLYER
Bristol Township secondary students may soon take home clearer, concise and more upbeat report cards, according to district officials.
The school board is considering whether to make numerous changes to the current secondary report card. The changes would take effect in 2009-10, district officials said.
At the urging of Bristol Township teachers, district staff worked on the proposed changes for about a year to create “a more positive line of communication with parents about the students,” Assistant Superintendent Parthenia Moore said. The changes include:
The student’s school will be more readily identifiable. Right now all four of the district’s secondary schools are listed on every report card with no clear indicator of which school a student attends.
The demographic information of the student and his or her parents will be clearly visible at the top of the report card. Currently, the student’s name is buried between grade descriptions and achievement information.
The district will move from listing just letter grades to also showing students’ numerical grades in an effort to be more precise with grade point averages and class ranking, Moore said.
Comments about student achievement listed on the evaluation will be positive in nature compared to the generally negative comments on the existing report cards, the assistant superintendent said.
Students attendance will be tracked not only on a daily basis but also for each individual class he or she is scheduled to attend.
Internet links will be included for parents to access the state standards for which their child is being evaluated.
The proposed changes were listed on the agenda reviewed by the board during its planning session Monday night. The board is expected to decide during its Oct. 20 meeting whether to move forward with the suggested changes.
District to make improvements to secondary students’ report cards
The revisions for secondary students could take effect next school year.
By JOAN HELLYER
Bristol Township secondary students may soon take home clearer, concise and more upbeat report cards, according to district officials.
The school board is considering whether to make numerous changes to the current secondary report card. The changes would take effect in 2009-10, district officials said.
At the urging of Bristol Township teachers, district staff worked on the proposed changes for about a year to create “a more positive line of communication with parents about the students,” Assistant Superintendent Parthenia Moore said. The changes include:
The student’s school will be more readily identifiable. Right now all four of the district’s secondary schools are listed on every report card with no clear indicator of which school a student attends.
The demographic information of the student and his or her parents will be clearly visible at the top of the report card. Currently, the student’s name is buried between grade descriptions and achievement information.
The district will move from listing just letter grades to also showing students’ numerical grades in an effort to be more precise with grade point averages and class ranking, Moore said.
Comments about student achievement listed on the evaluation will be positive in nature compared to the generally negative comments on the existing report cards, the assistant superintendent said.
Students attendance will be tracked not only on a daily basis but also for each individual class he or she is scheduled to attend.
Internet links will be included for parents to access the state standards for which their child is being evaluated.
The proposed changes were listed on the agenda reviewed by the board during its planning session Monday night. The board is expected to decide during its Oct. 20 meeting whether to move forward with the suggested changes.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Holiday Monday
It's apparently a quiet day. There's a quasi-holiday depending on your school district or work location. [Morrisville does have school today.] There's not a lot in the blogosphere or in the BCCT this morning, either.
Here's a shout out to Oregon and Lebanon for Truth and Reconciliation.
Here's what LT says in their short bio: About Me
"I am a citizen concerned about the morality and ethics of my town, Lebanon. I am concerned about the process that is being used by members of the Lebanon Community Schools board of directors to make decisions. Is Lebanon a town where truth and justice are feared or is it a place where bullying and cover up are the main decision-making tools? There are people who are concerned, but don't get accurate information and/or are afraid to speak. This is designed to be a forum where people can get accurate information and share ways to encourage the practice of respect, thoughtful decision-making, truth-telling."
The perusal of a few posts reveals that there's quite a bit of Morrisville in our western neighbor. Or them in us.
Here's a shout out to Oregon and Lebanon for Truth and Reconciliation.
Here's what LT says in their short bio: About Me
"I am a citizen concerned about the morality and ethics of my town, Lebanon. I am concerned about the process that is being used by members of the Lebanon Community Schools board of directors to make decisions. Is Lebanon a town where truth and justice are feared or is it a place where bullying and cover up are the main decision-making tools? There are people who are concerned, but don't get accurate information and/or are afraid to speak. This is designed to be a forum where people can get accurate information and share ways to encourage the practice of respect, thoughtful decision-making, truth-telling."
The perusal of a few posts reveals that there's quite a bit of Morrisville in our western neighbor. Or them in us.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I Before E, Except if You're Failing
From the Seattle Times. Here's a real life example of Joe Stalin's famous observation about voting: It's not who votes, but who counts the votes. All we have to do is to count your GPA correctly, and your grading problems will go away.
Consider this quote: "A student with three A's and three E's would have a grade-point average of 2.0. A student with three A's and three N's would have a perfect grade-point of 4.0."
Morrisville's sports team have recently been feeling the pinch that academically ineligible players can inflict. It may mean an enhanced losing season, but it's the right thing to do. Resetting the goalposts doesn't help anyone. Helping the students reach the goalpost does.
Seattle high-schoolers can now get failing grades
Seattle Public Schools has changed its high-school grading policy to include E grades, a mark more commonly known as an F. In the past, students who did not pass a class earned an N, which did not affect their grade-point averages.
By Linda Shaw
Seattle Times education reporter
For the first time in seven years, Seattle public high-school students who do poorly can receive a failing grade on their report cards.
Since 2000, not a single student has received an E, a mark more commonly known as an F. High schools instead handed out N's for "no credit," which didn't affect a student's grade-point average and took much of the sting out of failure.
But the E is back — effective immediately.
The reason, the district says, is a technical one. In a larger review of high schools, a district committee recently realized that the exclusive use of N's violated School Board policy.
The change, however, has been welcomed by many principals and teachers who believe that students should face more consequences for failure.
At Ingraham High, for example, just one of the school's 14 department heads opposed the change, Principal Martin Floe said.
"I think it's the right step," Floe said. "It allows us to be consistent with the grading practices for the majority of schools in the area."
The return of the E could cause difficulties for some athletes because the school district requires students to have a C average to play. It also might affect some students' prospects as they apply to college, although area colleges are aware of what Seattle was doing.
But it will stop what many say was an unintended consequence: Some students decided it was better for their GPAs if they just gave up and lost credit for a class rather than earn a D or even a low C.
"For a number of years now, people have been feeling that the N policy is problematic," said Marni Campbell, principal at Nathan Hale High School.
An E counts as a zero
When students receive an E or an N, they don't get any credit toward graduation. The E, however, counts as a zero when calculating a student's grade-point average. An N does not. So a student with three A's and three E's would have a grade-point average of 2.0. A student with three A's and three N's would have a perfect grade-point of 4.0.
The district doesn't plan to change past N's to E's, but says schools should give the failing grade from now on.
District officials say former Chief Academic Officer June Rimmer banished the failing E grade seven years ago, in part to help some students meet the district's then-new requirement that students had to have a C average to graduate. The School Board also had voted that, for the purposes of graduation, failing grades can be left out of the GPA equation. The board did not, however, say schools could do away with E's altogether.
Rimmer's decision was a part of a larger effort to focus more on what students learn, and less on how long it takes them. She once proposed what she called an "at-your-pace" diploma, which students would earn in three to five years. The idea was to acknowledge that not all students learn at the same rate, and should be able to retake a class without being punished or discouraged by receiving a failing grade the first time.
Rimmer was quoted saying that N could stand for "not yet."
She wasn't alone in such sentiments. One example is the Federal Way School District, where students have to earn at least a C-minus in required classes or retake them. Teachers in many school districts incorporate similar ideas in how they grade assignments.
State law allows high-school students to retake a class and count only the higher grade in their GPA, although the failing grade still must be listed on transcripts. And Seattle allows students to take one class each semester for pass/no credit.
But Seattle appears to be the only district in the area that didn't use — or count — failing grades on report cards. Even nationally, it appears that it's one of just a handful. One national consultant who has written books about grading said he's come across several. Another says he's never heard of any.
Practice inflated GPAs
College admissions officers were aware that the practice inflates Seattle students' GPAs. Western Washington University and University of Washington officials said that's one reason they look at students' transcripts, not just their GPAs.
"Just because it's not counted in the GPA doesn't mean it doesn't matter," said Philip Ballinger, UW's admissions director. "We take a look at a GPA and then we place it in a great big pile of contextual salt. We want to place that GPA in context. The N is part of that."
Still, the fact that Seattle students could fail four classes, get two As and still have a perfect GPA "seemed a bit ridiculous," said Tim Ames, a social-studies teacher at Nathan Hale High School.
That didn't happen often, but it did happen, usually just for one semester or quarter, said Bruce Bivins, principal at West Seattle High.
Bivins, like many principals, is happy the E is back, saying he thinks it will lead students to work harder.
Board member Harium Martin-Morris said the N offered too much absolution for his taste.
"It might be the tough-love part of me," he said, "but there are times when you don't do well that it has to be made known to you in a very direct way."
Michael Tolley, the district's high-school director, said the exclusive use of "no credits" also may have unintentionally raised the district's dropout rate. If it's true that a lot of students opted for N's rather than D's, he said, they might have saved their GPAs in the short term, but they also missed out on earning credits. And lack of credits, he said, is one of the top reasons why students drop out.
Some teachers say they'll miss the flexibility that the N allowed, especially the ability to send students a message without putting a big dent into their GPAs.
And Garfield High School Principal Ted Howard II says the return to the E needs to be accompanied by intensive support for students who arrive in high school performing below grade level, so they have a chance to earn passing grades.
The E versus N issue came up as part of a larger discussion of grading practices. A subcommittee of the district's high-school steering committee already has made recommendations that its members hope will encourage students to work harder. Those recommendations include allowing teachers to give A-minuses and B-pluses rather than just straight letter grades, giving more weight in the GPA to tough college-level courses such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, and doing away with the requirement that students need a C average to graduate.
That subcommittee also endorsed bringing back the E.
Consider this quote: "A student with three A's and three E's would have a grade-point average of 2.0. A student with three A's and three N's would have a perfect grade-point of 4.0."
Morrisville's sports team have recently been feeling the pinch that academically ineligible players can inflict. It may mean an enhanced losing season, but it's the right thing to do. Resetting the goalposts doesn't help anyone. Helping the students reach the goalpost does.
Seattle high-schoolers can now get failing grades
Seattle Public Schools has changed its high-school grading policy to include E grades, a mark more commonly known as an F. In the past, students who did not pass a class earned an N, which did not affect their grade-point averages.
By Linda Shaw
Seattle Times education reporter
For the first time in seven years, Seattle public high-school students who do poorly can receive a failing grade on their report cards.
Since 2000, not a single student has received an E, a mark more commonly known as an F. High schools instead handed out N's for "no credit," which didn't affect a student's grade-point average and took much of the sting out of failure.
But the E is back — effective immediately.
The reason, the district says, is a technical one. In a larger review of high schools, a district committee recently realized that the exclusive use of N's violated School Board policy.
The change, however, has been welcomed by many principals and teachers who believe that students should face more consequences for failure.
At Ingraham High, for example, just one of the school's 14 department heads opposed the change, Principal Martin Floe said.
"I think it's the right step," Floe said. "It allows us to be consistent with the grading practices for the majority of schools in the area."
The return of the E could cause difficulties for some athletes because the school district requires students to have a C average to play. It also might affect some students' prospects as they apply to college, although area colleges are aware of what Seattle was doing.
But it will stop what many say was an unintended consequence: Some students decided it was better for their GPAs if they just gave up and lost credit for a class rather than earn a D or even a low C.
"For a number of years now, people have been feeling that the N policy is problematic," said Marni Campbell, principal at Nathan Hale High School.
An E counts as a zero
When students receive an E or an N, they don't get any credit toward graduation. The E, however, counts as a zero when calculating a student's grade-point average. An N does not. So a student with three A's and three E's would have a grade-point average of 2.0. A student with three A's and three N's would have a perfect grade-point of 4.0.
The district doesn't plan to change past N's to E's, but says schools should give the failing grade from now on.
District officials say former Chief Academic Officer June Rimmer banished the failing E grade seven years ago, in part to help some students meet the district's then-new requirement that students had to have a C average to graduate. The School Board also had voted that, for the purposes of graduation, failing grades can be left out of the GPA equation. The board did not, however, say schools could do away with E's altogether.
Rimmer's decision was a part of a larger effort to focus more on what students learn, and less on how long it takes them. She once proposed what she called an "at-your-pace" diploma, which students would earn in three to five years. The idea was to acknowledge that not all students learn at the same rate, and should be able to retake a class without being punished or discouraged by receiving a failing grade the first time.
Rimmer was quoted saying that N could stand for "not yet."
She wasn't alone in such sentiments. One example is the Federal Way School District, where students have to earn at least a C-minus in required classes or retake them. Teachers in many school districts incorporate similar ideas in how they grade assignments.
State law allows high-school students to retake a class and count only the higher grade in their GPA, although the failing grade still must be listed on transcripts. And Seattle allows students to take one class each semester for pass/no credit.
But Seattle appears to be the only district in the area that didn't use — or count — failing grades on report cards. Even nationally, it appears that it's one of just a handful. One national consultant who has written books about grading said he's come across several. Another says he's never heard of any.
Practice inflated GPAs
College admissions officers were aware that the practice inflates Seattle students' GPAs. Western Washington University and University of Washington officials said that's one reason they look at students' transcripts, not just their GPAs.
"Just because it's not counted in the GPA doesn't mean it doesn't matter," said Philip Ballinger, UW's admissions director. "We take a look at a GPA and then we place it in a great big pile of contextual salt. We want to place that GPA in context. The N is part of that."
Still, the fact that Seattle students could fail four classes, get two As and still have a perfect GPA "seemed a bit ridiculous," said Tim Ames, a social-studies teacher at Nathan Hale High School.
That didn't happen often, but it did happen, usually just for one semester or quarter, said Bruce Bivins, principal at West Seattle High.
Bivins, like many principals, is happy the E is back, saying he thinks it will lead students to work harder.
Board member Harium Martin-Morris said the N offered too much absolution for his taste.
"It might be the tough-love part of me," he said, "but there are times when you don't do well that it has to be made known to you in a very direct way."
Michael Tolley, the district's high-school director, said the exclusive use of "no credits" also may have unintentionally raised the district's dropout rate. If it's true that a lot of students opted for N's rather than D's, he said, they might have saved their GPAs in the short term, but they also missed out on earning credits. And lack of credits, he said, is one of the top reasons why students drop out.
Some teachers say they'll miss the flexibility that the N allowed, especially the ability to send students a message without putting a big dent into their GPAs.
And Garfield High School Principal Ted Howard II says the return to the E needs to be accompanied by intensive support for students who arrive in high school performing below grade level, so they have a chance to earn passing grades.
The E versus N issue came up as part of a larger discussion of grading practices. A subcommittee of the district's high-school steering committee already has made recommendations that its members hope will encourage students to work harder. Those recommendations include allowing teachers to give A-minuses and B-pluses rather than just straight letter grades, giving more weight in the GPA to tough college-level courses such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, and doing away with the requirement that students need a C average to graduate.
That subcommittee also endorsed bringing back the E.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Excellence in Zero Tolerance Education
Another one that is too good to pass up.
The Knuckleheads of the Day award
Posted by Bill Jempty
Published: September 12, 2008 - 3:15 PM
Today's winners are Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Principal Jill McAden, Asst. Principal Kim Bratt, and Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, Valerie Truesdale. They get the award for the following.
A 10-year-old Hilton Head Island boy has been suspended from school for having something most students carry in their supply boxes: a pencil sharpener.
The problem was his sharpener had broken, but he decided to use it anyway.
A teacher at Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Elementary School noticed the boy had what appeared to be a small razor blade during class on Tuesday, according to a Beaufort County sheriff's report.
It was obvious that the blade was the metal insert commonly found in a child's small, plastic pencil sharpener, the deputy noted.
The boy -- a fourth-grader described as a well-behaved and good student -- cried during the meeting with his mom, the deputy and the school's assistant principal.
He had no criminal intent in having the blade at school, the sheriff's report stated, but was suspended for at least two days and could face further disciplinary action.
District spokesman Randy Wall said school administrators are stuck in the precarious position between the district's zero tolerance policy against having weapons at school and common sense.
Zero tolerance in this case and others, is the mantra or justification for me who refuse to think. Part of a pencil sharpener is a weapon? Maybe, but so are pens, pencils, protractors and a long list of other items found in schools. How about paint and glue? A child may harm a classmate if they inject it into another's mouth. Any student bringing these should be suspended too. I mean school officials must have zero tolerance for any potential weapon.
A Beaufort County school spokesman said-
"We're always going to do something to make sure the child understands the seriousness of having something that could potentially harm another student, but we're going to be reasonable,"
Suspending a student over a broken pencil sharpener isn't a reasonable action except in the mind of idiots. Why are people like this educating students in South Carolina? Their brain matter is obviously more consistent with a person who digs ditches.
Steve Verdon at OTB wrote-
This policy is stupid in that a sliver of metal is probably far less lethal a weapon and a pencil or pen. The idea of preventing weapons on a school campus with young children is a laudable goal, but when you end up punishing a student for a silly mistake it is counter productive. The school district looks like a bunch of blithering morons and could undermine their authority (I'm sure the child has heard an earful from mom and dad about what a bunch of blithering morons the school officials are right on down to the teacher), undermine their credibility with the public, make them look incompetent and waste time on what amounts to literally a non-issue for the school, the parents and law enforcement.
*****
The reasonable thing is to say, "Have your mom buy another pencil sharpener, and throw that one out." Maybe having a meeting with the parents and the child and pointing out the concern. But for crying out loud a sliver of sharpened metal is nowhere near as deadly as a pencil, pen, a shod foot, a hard bound book, a chair, or a belt with a metal buckle. Hell, I bet a paper cut would be worse.
Being this stupid needs to hurt.
Its cases like this that show why schools in this country fail to educate. The principals and administrators are clueless idiots. One blogger called these school officials, 'retarded primates'. I think that's insulting to the real primates populating this planet.
The School Principal Jill McAden defended her, Kim Bratt(The person who called police to report the 'crime') and the school district's actions-
We regret that inaccuracies in a local news story created an impression that we do not use common sense in working with our children.
"The student was not suspended for having a pencil sharpener," McAden wrote. "He had an exposed blade which created a dangerous setting for the student and other children. The student was suspended for one day for inappropriate behavior in the classroom. The suspension was warranted."
The information in the story published in The Island Packet on Thursday was taken primarily from a Beaufort County sheriff's report. According to that report, the sheriff's office responded to the school after a teacher noticed the boy had what appeared to be a small razor blade.
"It was obvious the blade was the metal insert commonly found in a child's small plastic pencil sharpener," the deputy noted in his report.
The 10-year-old boy -- described in the report as"a very good student who has not been in any previous trouble" -- cried during the meeting with his mom, the deputy and the school's assistant principal, according to the report.
He had no criminal intent in having the blade at school, the sheriff's report stated, but was suspended.
Here's a link to the police report in question. Draw your own conclusions. McAden's defense looks to me like the desperate actions of a person who has been discovered to be an out of control idiot. Being labeled as an national embarassment to the education system in this country has to hurt.
Valerie Truesdale is the superintendent of schools in the county, and her failure to reign in McAden and Bratt makes her equally assinine looking. Valerie I see you have a doctorate, may I ask if it is in total stupidity?
Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Principal Jill McAden, Asst. Principal Kim Bratt, and Superintendant of Beaufort County Schools, Valerie Truesdale are today's Knuckleheads of the Day. Show this off to Beaufort County schoolchildren, Ladies.
The Knuckleheads of the Day award
Posted by Bill Jempty
Published: September 12, 2008 - 3:15 PM
Today's winners are Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Principal Jill McAden, Asst. Principal Kim Bratt, and Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, Valerie Truesdale. They get the award for the following.
A 10-year-old Hilton Head Island boy has been suspended from school for having something most students carry in their supply boxes: a pencil sharpener.
The problem was his sharpener had broken, but he decided to use it anyway.
A teacher at Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Elementary School noticed the boy had what appeared to be a small razor blade during class on Tuesday, according to a Beaufort County sheriff's report.
It was obvious that the blade was the metal insert commonly found in a child's small, plastic pencil sharpener, the deputy noted.
The boy -- a fourth-grader described as a well-behaved and good student -- cried during the meeting with his mom, the deputy and the school's assistant principal.
He had no criminal intent in having the blade at school, the sheriff's report stated, but was suspended for at least two days and could face further disciplinary action.
District spokesman Randy Wall said school administrators are stuck in the precarious position between the district's zero tolerance policy against having weapons at school and common sense.
Zero tolerance in this case and others, is the mantra or justification for me who refuse to think. Part of a pencil sharpener is a weapon? Maybe, but so are pens, pencils, protractors and a long list of other items found in schools. How about paint and glue? A child may harm a classmate if they inject it into another's mouth. Any student bringing these should be suspended too. I mean school officials must have zero tolerance for any potential weapon.
A Beaufort County school spokesman said-
"We're always going to do something to make sure the child understands the seriousness of having something that could potentially harm another student, but we're going to be reasonable,"
Suspending a student over a broken pencil sharpener isn't a reasonable action except in the mind of idiots. Why are people like this educating students in South Carolina? Their brain matter is obviously more consistent with a person who digs ditches.
Steve Verdon at OTB wrote-
This policy is stupid in that a sliver of metal is probably far less lethal a weapon and a pencil or pen. The idea of preventing weapons on a school campus with young children is a laudable goal, but when you end up punishing a student for a silly mistake it is counter productive. The school district looks like a bunch of blithering morons and could undermine their authority (I'm sure the child has heard an earful from mom and dad about what a bunch of blithering morons the school officials are right on down to the teacher), undermine their credibility with the public, make them look incompetent and waste time on what amounts to literally a non-issue for the school, the parents and law enforcement.
*****
The reasonable thing is to say, "Have your mom buy another pencil sharpener, and throw that one out." Maybe having a meeting with the parents and the child and pointing out the concern. But for crying out loud a sliver of sharpened metal is nowhere near as deadly as a pencil, pen, a shod foot, a hard bound book, a chair, or a belt with a metal buckle. Hell, I bet a paper cut would be worse.
Being this stupid needs to hurt.
Its cases like this that show why schools in this country fail to educate. The principals and administrators are clueless idiots. One blogger called these school officials, 'retarded primates'. I think that's insulting to the real primates populating this planet.
The School Principal Jill McAden defended her, Kim Bratt(The person who called police to report the 'crime') and the school district's actions-
We regret that inaccuracies in a local news story created an impression that we do not use common sense in working with our children.
"The student was not suspended for having a pencil sharpener," McAden wrote. "He had an exposed blade which created a dangerous setting for the student and other children. The student was suspended for one day for inappropriate behavior in the classroom. The suspension was warranted."
The information in the story published in The Island Packet on Thursday was taken primarily from a Beaufort County sheriff's report. According to that report, the sheriff's office responded to the school after a teacher noticed the boy had what appeared to be a small razor blade.
"It was obvious the blade was the metal insert commonly found in a child's small plastic pencil sharpener," the deputy noted in his report.
The 10-year-old boy -- described in the report as"a very good student who has not been in any previous trouble" -- cried during the meeting with his mom, the deputy and the school's assistant principal, according to the report.
He had no criminal intent in having the blade at school, the sheriff's report stated, but was suspended.
Here's a link to the police report in question. Draw your own conclusions. McAden's defense looks to me like the desperate actions of a person who has been discovered to be an out of control idiot. Being labeled as an national embarassment to the education system in this country has to hurt.
Valerie Truesdale is the superintendent of schools in the county, and her failure to reign in McAden and Bratt makes her equally assinine looking. Valerie I see you have a doctorate, may I ask if it is in total stupidity?
Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Principal Jill McAden, Asst. Principal Kim Bratt, and Superintendant of Beaufort County Schools, Valerie Truesdale are today's Knuckleheads of the Day. Show this off to Beaufort County schoolchildren, Ladies.
Candidates defend right to be stupid
Once a right reserved to the public only, now, new! And improved!
It has nothing to do with education or Morrisville. The headline was too good to pass up.
Enjoy your weekend.
It has nothing to do with education or Morrisville. The headline was too good to pass up.
Enjoy your weekend.
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
The Human Factor in Education
by Dorothy Rich
Education is a messy business. I am not talking about the educational "mess" rhetoric that is much in the news. I am talking about the messy quality of even good education. Education is not a sleek, mechanistic enterprise of "I teach and you learn. Instead, education is an emotional set of experiences. That's what makes it so messy
An F School? Depends on How It's Judged
New York Times
By ROBERT GEBELOFF
Grades for New York City schools are determined, in part, by a series of subjective decisions about which factors to use and how to weigh them.
A diploma for every student
Boston Globe
THERE ARE conflicting reports about the state of the public education system in Massachusetts. National data indicate that students are achieving at the highest levels in the country, yet the state Department of Education says that one out of every two public schools in the Commonwealth "needs improvement," and 75 percent of the middle schools and 277 public schools need yet-undefined "restructuring" to meet state MCAS standards.
It's a rough road to a diploma that means something
Providence Journal
Julia Steiny
The best thing about Rhode Island's rigorous new diploma system is its child-friendly spirit. Not that everyone feels that spirit. A newly organized group of parents sees the system becoming outright oppressive to kids, but more on those parents in a moment
Audit gives Detroit PS failing grade
Detroit News
An audit of Detroit Public Schools found serious systemic problems across many facets of the district, including lack of a strategy for raising academic performance, financial systems teetering on the edge of a breakdown and a nonexistent facilities management plan.
Primary school axes spelling tests because they are too 'distressing' for pupils
Daily Mail
Pupils in a Gloucestershire school will no longer be tested because staff believe it leaves them feeling like failures nationwide.
by Dorothy Rich
Education is a messy business. I am not talking about the educational "mess" rhetoric that is much in the news. I am talking about the messy quality of even good education. Education is not a sleek, mechanistic enterprise of "I teach and you learn. Instead, education is an emotional set of experiences. That's what makes it so messy
An F School? Depends on How It's Judged
New York Times
By ROBERT GEBELOFF
Grades for New York City schools are determined, in part, by a series of subjective decisions about which factors to use and how to weigh them.
A diploma for every student
Boston Globe
THERE ARE conflicting reports about the state of the public education system in Massachusetts. National data indicate that students are achieving at the highest levels in the country, yet the state Department of Education says that one out of every two public schools in the Commonwealth "needs improvement," and 75 percent of the middle schools and 277 public schools need yet-undefined "restructuring" to meet state MCAS standards.
It's a rough road to a diploma that means something
Providence Journal
Julia Steiny
The best thing about Rhode Island's rigorous new diploma system is its child-friendly spirit. Not that everyone feels that spirit. A newly organized group of parents sees the system becoming outright oppressive to kids, but more on those parents in a moment
Audit gives Detroit PS failing grade
Detroit News
An audit of Detroit Public Schools found serious systemic problems across many facets of the district, including lack of a strategy for raising academic performance, financial systems teetering on the edge of a breakdown and a nonexistent facilities management plan.
Primary school axes spelling tests because they are too 'distressing' for pupils
Daily Mail
Pupils in a Gloucestershire school will no longer be tested because staff believe it leaves them feeling like failures nationwide.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Neshaminy Superintendent Resigns
From the BCCT.
Kadri to resign as superintendent
School board members said they haven’t met to select an interim superintendent or possible replacement.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Neshaminy Superintendent Paul Kadri submitted his 90-day resignation Thursday after the Groton Public School District in Groton, Conn. agreed to hire him as its new superintendent, Kadri confirmed Thursday.
Groton school board members Wednesday night approved a three-year, roughly $165,000-a-year contract with Kadri. He’ll replace a longtime administrator in the Groton district. That salary is about $10,000 less than he’s making in Neshaminy, he said.
With 5,200 students, Groton is roughly half the size of the Neshaminy district, officials said.
“Obviously, this is a very bittersweet emotion that I have right now,” Kadri said from his cell phone as he visited the Connecticut district’s 11 schools to meet students and staff.
“I genuinely love the Neshaminy system and community,” he said. “I will miss working with them. But I’m very excited about this community and I look forward to building the same type of relationships. This just seems like a fantastic fit up here in terms of my skills and philosophy.”
Kadri, 43, came to Neshaminy from the Moorestown School District in Burlington County in 2006. He signed a four-year contract with Neshaminy. Earlier this year, he was a finalist for a similar spot in Michigan, administrators said.
“I, along with many in the Neshaminy community, am very disappointed to see Mr. Kadri leave,” said Neshaminy board member Joseph Blasch. “I wish him well and I think his ‘footprint’ will be here for a long time. I can only hope that his vision for the district will somehow be carried on.”
With a background in finance, technology and assessment, Kadri was described by parents and residents as studentfocused. Some have credited him and his administration with recently reaching budget goals and improving the high school’s standardized test scores.
Blasch said he understood Kadri’s decision to leave, since “there hasn’t always been harmony between some of the board members and Mr. Kadri.”
That discord was evident at board meetings. A few board members, including board President Richard Eccles, have disagreed with Kadri over hiring processes, the budget and recent state exam results.
“I want to wish Mr. Kadri the best in his new endeavor,” Eccles said.
“The Neshaminy School District is presently involved and facing a great many educational and financial challenges in the coming year. The Neshaminy community is very fortunate to have a number of highly-qualified educational professionals that are more than ready for the challenges that will face our new superintendent,” Eccles added. “It is very important that whoever is chosen that he or she can hit the ground running and make the decisions that will propel this district to the prominence that this district, the children and community deserve.”
Regarding his job hunt, Kadri previously had said he and the Neshaminy school board lacked similar expectations and priorities and it was in the board’s best interest for him to move on.
Neshaminy school board members said they have yet to meet to pick an interim superintendent or possible replacement. Before Kadri was hired, Assistant Superintendent Lou Muenker served on an interim basis, but officials didn’t specify who would be considered.
Kadri to resign as superintendent
School board members said they haven’t met to select an interim superintendent or possible replacement.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Neshaminy Superintendent Paul Kadri submitted his 90-day resignation Thursday after the Groton Public School District in Groton, Conn. agreed to hire him as its new superintendent, Kadri confirmed Thursday.
Groton school board members Wednesday night approved a three-year, roughly $165,000-a-year contract with Kadri. He’ll replace a longtime administrator in the Groton district. That salary is about $10,000 less than he’s making in Neshaminy, he said.
With 5,200 students, Groton is roughly half the size of the Neshaminy district, officials said.
“Obviously, this is a very bittersweet emotion that I have right now,” Kadri said from his cell phone as he visited the Connecticut district’s 11 schools to meet students and staff.
“I genuinely love the Neshaminy system and community,” he said. “I will miss working with them. But I’m very excited about this community and I look forward to building the same type of relationships. This just seems like a fantastic fit up here in terms of my skills and philosophy.”
Kadri, 43, came to Neshaminy from the Moorestown School District in Burlington County in 2006. He signed a four-year contract with Neshaminy. Earlier this year, he was a finalist for a similar spot in Michigan, administrators said.
“I, along with many in the Neshaminy community, am very disappointed to see Mr. Kadri leave,” said Neshaminy board member Joseph Blasch. “I wish him well and I think his ‘footprint’ will be here for a long time. I can only hope that his vision for the district will somehow be carried on.”
With a background in finance, technology and assessment, Kadri was described by parents and residents as studentfocused. Some have credited him and his administration with recently reaching budget goals and improving the high school’s standardized test scores.
Blasch said he understood Kadri’s decision to leave, since “there hasn’t always been harmony between some of the board members and Mr. Kadri.”
That discord was evident at board meetings. A few board members, including board President Richard Eccles, have disagreed with Kadri over hiring processes, the budget and recent state exam results.
“I want to wish Mr. Kadri the best in his new endeavor,” Eccles said.
“The Neshaminy School District is presently involved and facing a great many educational and financial challenges in the coming year. The Neshaminy community is very fortunate to have a number of highly-qualified educational professionals that are more than ready for the challenges that will face our new superintendent,” Eccles added. “It is very important that whoever is chosen that he or she can hit the ground running and make the decisions that will propel this district to the prominence that this district, the children and community deserve.”
Regarding his job hunt, Kadri previously had said he and the Neshaminy school board lacked similar expectations and priorities and it was in the board’s best interest for him to move on.
Neshaminy school board members said they have yet to meet to pick an interim superintendent or possible replacement. Before Kadri was hired, Assistant Superintendent Lou Muenker served on an interim basis, but officials didn’t specify who would be considered.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Pennsylvania's '2009 Teacher Of The Year'
Education Secretary Zahorchak Announces Pennsylvania's '2009 Teacher Of The Year'
Greater Latrobe Language Arts Teacher Will Represent Commonwealth in National Event
HARRISBURG – A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.
A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.
"Rebecca Snyder is inspiring her students with her enthusiasm and her creative methods for instilling students with a love of language, literature and the arts," Zahorchak said. "As our teacher of the year, she also will serve as an inspiration to her fellow educators."
Snyder was chosen from among 12 finalists to represent Pennsylvania in the National Teacher of the Year presentation, scheduled for the spring.
She will serve as spokesperson for teachers across the state for the coming year, giving her the unique opportunity to represent the best in the education field.
"I look forward to an exciting year representing all the dedicated teachers across the commonwealth," Snyder said after receiving the Golden Apple award during a ceremony this morning.
"This event has validated the reasons we all have come to teaching," she told her colleagues. "I am truly honored to be in the same class with all of you."
Snyder chairs the language arts department at Greater Latrobe Senior High School and teaches a range of literature and writing courses, from advanced placement English to mythology.
Each teacher of the year finalist was introduced at the awards ceremony by a former student who related how the teacher positively impacted his or her life. Snyder was introduced by Bree Larkin, now a college freshman, who likened her former high school English teacher to a superhero.
"Mrs. Snyder rescued me from the vicious grip of grades and carried me into a world of passionate learning," Larkin said. "She opened my eyes to the bigger picture of learning by encouraging me to pursue knowledge, not the assignment. She has not forgotten that the people in her classroom have souls that are ready to be awakened and minds just waiting to learn."
Pennsylvania has participated in the teacher of the year program since 1965. The program is co-sponsored by the state Department of Education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year.
For more information on Pennsylvania's teacher of the year, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list of the 12 nominees for Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year:
Linda Barthmaier - 2nd grade - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Linda Baughman - reading specialist - Mechanicsburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Robert Hankes - literature & film - Big Spring SD, Cumberland Co.
Diane Heitzenrater - technology education - Hatsboro-Horsham SD, Montgomery Co.
Gail Rosenberry - 5th grade - Shippensburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Marilyn Rothberg - library science - Great Valley SD, Chester Co.
Stephanie Ruby - special education - Gateway SD, Allegheny Co.
Ronald Shealer - technology education - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Rebecca Snyder - language arts - Greater Latrobe SD, Westmoreland Co.
Timothy Spuck - science - Oil City Area SD, Venango Co.
Gary Vetre - mathematics - Upper Darby SD, Delaware Co.
Charles Youngs - English & communications - Bethel Park SD, Allegheny Co.
Greater Latrobe Language Arts Teacher Will Represent Commonwealth in National Event
HARRISBURG – A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.
A language arts teacher at Greater Latrobe Senior High School is Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.
"Rebecca Snyder is inspiring her students with her enthusiasm and her creative methods for instilling students with a love of language, literature and the arts," Zahorchak said. "As our teacher of the year, she also will serve as an inspiration to her fellow educators."
Snyder was chosen from among 12 finalists to represent Pennsylvania in the National Teacher of the Year presentation, scheduled for the spring.
She will serve as spokesperson for teachers across the state for the coming year, giving her the unique opportunity to represent the best in the education field.
"I look forward to an exciting year representing all the dedicated teachers across the commonwealth," Snyder said after receiving the Golden Apple award during a ceremony this morning.
"This event has validated the reasons we all have come to teaching," she told her colleagues. "I am truly honored to be in the same class with all of you."
Snyder chairs the language arts department at Greater Latrobe Senior High School and teaches a range of literature and writing courses, from advanced placement English to mythology.
Each teacher of the year finalist was introduced at the awards ceremony by a former student who related how the teacher positively impacted his or her life. Snyder was introduced by Bree Larkin, now a college freshman, who likened her former high school English teacher to a superhero.
"Mrs. Snyder rescued me from the vicious grip of grades and carried me into a world of passionate learning," Larkin said. "She opened my eyes to the bigger picture of learning by encouraging me to pursue knowledge, not the assignment. She has not forgotten that the people in her classroom have souls that are ready to be awakened and minds just waiting to learn."
Pennsylvania has participated in the teacher of the year program since 1965. The program is co-sponsored by the state Department of Education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year.
For more information on Pennsylvania's teacher of the year, visit www.pde.state.pa.us.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list of the 12 nominees for Pennsylvania's 2009 Teacher of the Year:
Linda Barthmaier - 2nd grade - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Linda Baughman - reading specialist - Mechanicsburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Robert Hankes - literature & film - Big Spring SD, Cumberland Co.
Diane Heitzenrater - technology education - Hatsboro-Horsham SD, Montgomery Co.
Gail Rosenberry - 5th grade - Shippensburg Area SD, Cumberland Co.
Marilyn Rothberg - library science - Great Valley SD, Chester Co.
Stephanie Ruby - special education - Gateway SD, Allegheny Co.
Ronald Shealer - technology education - State College Area SD, Centre Co.
Rebecca Snyder - language arts - Greater Latrobe SD, Westmoreland Co.
Timothy Spuck - science - Oil City Area SD, Venango Co.
Gary Vetre - mathematics - Upper Darby SD, Delaware Co.
Charles Youngs - English & communications - Bethel Park SD, Allegheny Co.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Morrisville School Board: Out of touch
Updated October 10 with link to BCCT article and a comment from a "Steve".
From the BCCT.
What a surprise. This is the same group who couldn't be bothered to answer questions when they were running for the office and who steadfastly refuse to discuss their plans with the public. [Secret meetings are still OK.]
The meeting was on everyone's planner for weeks. The concerns of ordinary people are apparently beneath the Emperor's notice. Go on about your daily work, citizens.
Our condolences go out to Jack Buckman on his loss. We'll also place a repair order with Verizon for the phone at your house. It's apparently out of order.
Morrisville School Board: Out of touch with the real people.
Board misses citizens group meeting
The group made its recommendations. Now the board must reciprocate, committee members said.
By MANASEE WAGH
Morrisville’s Citizens Action Plan Committee has expressed disappointment that no school board representative showed up to the committee’s meeting Monday evening to discuss district finances.
The committee of community volunteers recently submitted to the board recommendations for improving the district’s quality of education, facilities and community involvement.
After three other committee meetings, this was the first that no board member attended. The seven group members present thought a discussion about finances should have attracted at least one board member.
John Buckman, who was planning to be there as the board’s liaison, said Tuesday morning that he was distracted by a death in his family and forgot to attend. He plans to reconnect with the committee soon.
The citizens group had encouraged William Hellmann, the board president, to attend because he is keenly interested in modifying the budget to keep taxes low. On Tuesday, he said he had been out of town.
“I’m making calls and trying to catch up on things now,” Hellmann said.
William Ferrara, principal of Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, was present as an administrative representative to answer questions about the schools.
Since the purpose of the organization is to allow the public to express its concerns and wishes, members wanted to see a larger and more consistent community presence at meetings.
Previous discussions in the past two months have attracted as many as 35 people and as few as 10.
Among other financial issues, most people were concerned about funding educational programs, staff salaries and building restorations next year.
This year, about $1 million of a roughly $30 million bond was allocated for capital expenses involving renovations for the district’s two elementary schools and one high school housing grades six through 12.
The loan was originally meant to fund the construction of a consolidated pre-K through 12th grade school, but the current board canceled that plan and is returning most of the $30 million.
Using some of the leftovers helped the board prevent a tax increase this year.
But who or what will pay for increased costs next year?
With the price of necessities such as fuel and food on the upswing, next year’s budget for more than 1,000 children is bound to go up, committee members said.
Damon Miller, a parent of a student in the district, and Kathryn Panzitta, who sits on the Morrisville borough council, fears that only a large tax increase will do the trick.
The sale of one of the elementary schools would bring in some funds, said Buckman. It’s an option the citizens committee is considering endorsing. Choosing to keep either Grandview or M.R. Reiter depends on which one is in better shape and cheaper to renovate.
The group suggested that the first item on the board’s agenda should be stabilizing finances. The board should call in specialists who can do in-depth analyses of the finances and facilities, said committee members.
“Finances affect facilities, education, everything,” Miller said.
Board members should be open about their ideas for education and for renovating the three problematic school buildings, said committee members.
“So far, we’ve gotten halfanswers, back-pedaling and stalling. It’s hard to know what’s in store for our property values and our children,” said Ann Perry, the mother of a student at M.R. Reiter Elementary School.
UPDATED October 10
Comments To This Article:
* Steve - Run for office
(10/08/2008 )
Come on citizens group...wanna do something? Run for school board. Being a school board member is a thankless, non-paying, time-consuming job. A lot more than just financial discussions is required by the school board members. You're just focusing in on one aspect of their job, and then taking aim. They also don't need another meeting to go to - they attend enough meetings. So here's the answer - have your meetings, come up with a consensus of your members, then have your spokesperson attend a school board meeting and present your ideas. This will get your points across, and not make the school board members leave their families at home another night.
From the BCCT.
What a surprise. This is the same group who couldn't be bothered to answer questions when they were running for the office and who steadfastly refuse to discuss their plans with the public. [Secret meetings are still OK.]
The meeting was on everyone's planner for weeks. The concerns of ordinary people are apparently beneath the Emperor's notice. Go on about your daily work, citizens.
Our condolences go out to Jack Buckman on his loss. We'll also place a repair order with Verizon for the phone at your house. It's apparently out of order.
Morrisville School Board: Out of touch with the real people.
Board misses citizens group meeting
The group made its recommendations. Now the board must reciprocate, committee members said.
By MANASEE WAGH
Morrisville’s Citizens Action Plan Committee has expressed disappointment that no school board representative showed up to the committee’s meeting Monday evening to discuss district finances.
The committee of community volunteers recently submitted to the board recommendations for improving the district’s quality of education, facilities and community involvement.
After three other committee meetings, this was the first that no board member attended. The seven group members present thought a discussion about finances should have attracted at least one board member.
John Buckman, who was planning to be there as the board’s liaison, said Tuesday morning that he was distracted by a death in his family and forgot to attend. He plans to reconnect with the committee soon.
The citizens group had encouraged William Hellmann, the board president, to attend because he is keenly interested in modifying the budget to keep taxes low. On Tuesday, he said he had been out of town.
“I’m making calls and trying to catch up on things now,” Hellmann said.
William Ferrara, principal of Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, was present as an administrative representative to answer questions about the schools.
Since the purpose of the organization is to allow the public to express its concerns and wishes, members wanted to see a larger and more consistent community presence at meetings.
Previous discussions in the past two months have attracted as many as 35 people and as few as 10.
Among other financial issues, most people were concerned about funding educational programs, staff salaries and building restorations next year.
This year, about $1 million of a roughly $30 million bond was allocated for capital expenses involving renovations for the district’s two elementary schools and one high school housing grades six through 12.
The loan was originally meant to fund the construction of a consolidated pre-K through 12th grade school, but the current board canceled that plan and is returning most of the $30 million.
Using some of the leftovers helped the board prevent a tax increase this year.
But who or what will pay for increased costs next year?
With the price of necessities such as fuel and food on the upswing, next year’s budget for more than 1,000 children is bound to go up, committee members said.
Damon Miller, a parent of a student in the district, and Kathryn Panzitta, who sits on the Morrisville borough council, fears that only a large tax increase will do the trick.
The sale of one of the elementary schools would bring in some funds, said Buckman. It’s an option the citizens committee is considering endorsing. Choosing to keep either Grandview or M.R. Reiter depends on which one is in better shape and cheaper to renovate.
The group suggested that the first item on the board’s agenda should be stabilizing finances. The board should call in specialists who can do in-depth analyses of the finances and facilities, said committee members.
“Finances affect facilities, education, everything,” Miller said.
Board members should be open about their ideas for education and for renovating the three problematic school buildings, said committee members.
“So far, we’ve gotten halfanswers, back-pedaling and stalling. It’s hard to know what’s in store for our property values and our children,” said Ann Perry, the mother of a student at M.R. Reiter Elementary School.
UPDATED October 10
Comments To This Article:
* Steve - Run for office
(10/08/2008 )
Come on citizens group...wanna do something? Run for school board. Being a school board member is a thankless, non-paying, time-consuming job. A lot more than just financial discussions is required by the school board members. You're just focusing in on one aspect of their job, and then taking aim. They also don't need another meeting to go to - they attend enough meetings. So here's the answer - have your meetings, come up with a consensus of your members, then have your spokesperson attend a school board meeting and present your ideas. This will get your points across, and not make the school board members leave their families at home another night.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Massive Pa. deficit projected
Two items from the BCCT, an article and an editorial. Perhaps we should be asking the Emperor for a special state of the school district's finances report at the next business meeting.
Massive Pa. deficit projected
Two senior legislators foresee a tax hike.
By MARC LEVY\ASSOCIATED PRESS
HARRISBURG — The deteriorating economy and rising costs for such bigticket items as health care and prisons is leading the state government on a path to a massive deficit that will require a tax increase to erase, two senior state legislators said Monday.
The two state senators, Democrat Vincent J. Fumo of Philadelphia and Republican Gibson E. Armstrong of Lancaster County, said the deficit they are projecting will be larger than any one in the past three decades.
They also said that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to make up the difference by cutting costs alone, either because legislators are unwilling to take money out of programs and services or because state government is already squeezed.
“I honestly don’t know where you cut,” Fumo told reporters after a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the state budget. “We’re down to the bone.”
Armstrong, the committee chairman, added: “I don’t know of any program up here that we can get going the other way.”
Legislative action will have to wait until next spring, after a new legislature is seated in January. The last scheduled voting days in the fall legislative session are this week, not nearly enough time to make substantial changes, they said.
In July, Gov. Ed Rendell signed the $28.3 billion budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year that ends June 30. Revenue collections through Sept. 30 were behind the official expectation by $281 million, or 4.7 percent, leaving the state with its biggest first-quarter shortfall in at least three decades.
That 4.7 percent shortfall projected over the entire July-June fiscal year would tear a $1.3 billion hole in the budget.
Worse, the economy is deteriorating far more than Fumo, Armstrong or the state’s economic forecasters anticipated just three months ago. Another problem is that the budget relies on at least $500 million in one-time cash freed up by postponing payments and tapping surpluses, putting that much more distance between rising costs and dropping revenues.
The free fall of the stock market also means the state treasury is losing money on its investments, instead of contributing hundreds of millions to the state’s bank account, Armstrong said. An expected spike in pension costs in 2012 could be much bigger, too, he said.
If spending is not cut and taxes not increased, the state will be left with a deficit of at least $2.5 billion when the next fiscal year ends in June 2010, Fumo said.
Armstrong said that assessment is optimistic.
Rendell’s top budget adviser, Mary Soderberg, appeared before the committee, but said it is too early to say how the governor will respond beyond the steps he already took, or how the wider economic malaise will continue to affect the state’s revenue collections.
Citing the weakening economy, Rendell last month said he would hold back $200 million in reserve by freezing hiring, banning out-of-state travel by employees and ordering state agency heads to find places to cut.
---------------------------------------------------
A crisis here, too
The state faces a serious budget shortfall and painful decisions are just ahead about taxes and spending.
While the federal government goes merrily on its way, continuing to spend money it doesn’t have, the state of Pennsylvania enjoys no such luxury. By law, the commonwealth’s budget must be balanced. The economy, however, so far is not cooperating in fiscal 2008-09.
For the first quarter, July-September, state revenue collection is short of official estimates by 4.7 percent, or some $281 million. Projected over the entire fiscal year, such a budget gap would total $1.3 billion. While accurately predicting deficits can be as much of a guessing game as predicting surpluses, it’s probably safe to assume there will be no economic up-tick in the immediate future that will bring the budget back into balance.
So state officials are faced with these choices: Dip into reserves; cut programs; raise taxes; or some combination of all three.
Pennsylvania is fortunate to be sitting on a substantial budget reserve. There’s more than $700 million in the so-called “rainy day” fund. As one lawmaker noted, it is raining, so prudent tapping of the reserves is appropriate. That’s what the fund is for.
But that’s only part of the solution. Raising taxes, never a popular option, would seem to be a nonstarter at this particular time of national financial crisis.
That leaves cutting programs. There’s no stomach for that, either, but Harrisburg may be forced to go in that direction. Cuts can be painful. Enforced fiscal discipline can be a good thing, however.
We’ve been talking to state House candidates over the past few weeks, and they seem to be of a single mind that budget cuts are possible, not only by scaling back programs but by trimming non-essential discretionary spending and eliminating waste. The cost of running the government itself might be a good place to start the chopping process.
Last month, Gov. Rendell froze hiring and banned out-of-state travel among other expense cuts. He probably can and should do more. For its part, the Legislature should resolve to run a tighter fiscal ship, with spending limited to essential functions and more accountability for what is spent.
Naturally, every program that receives state funding will plead its case for continued support and warn of dire consequences if cuts are implemented. Some programs, including those that involve public health and safety, have a legitimate argument. Every program is beneficial in some way to some constituent group. But not every program is necessary, and there are many that could get by with reduced funding, at least temporarily. Government likes to think it can be all things to all people, but it cannot — even in good economic times. And these certainly are not good economic times.
The silver lining in the present cloud could be that state government is forced to be more responsible when it comes to spending our money.
Massive Pa. deficit projected
Two senior legislators foresee a tax hike.
By MARC LEVY\ASSOCIATED PRESS
HARRISBURG — The deteriorating economy and rising costs for such bigticket items as health care and prisons is leading the state government on a path to a massive deficit that will require a tax increase to erase, two senior state legislators said Monday.
The two state senators, Democrat Vincent J. Fumo of Philadelphia and Republican Gibson E. Armstrong of Lancaster County, said the deficit they are projecting will be larger than any one in the past three decades.
They also said that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to make up the difference by cutting costs alone, either because legislators are unwilling to take money out of programs and services or because state government is already squeezed.
“I honestly don’t know where you cut,” Fumo told reporters after a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the state budget. “We’re down to the bone.”
Armstrong, the committee chairman, added: “I don’t know of any program up here that we can get going the other way.”
Legislative action will have to wait until next spring, after a new legislature is seated in January. The last scheduled voting days in the fall legislative session are this week, not nearly enough time to make substantial changes, they said.
In July, Gov. Ed Rendell signed the $28.3 billion budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year that ends June 30. Revenue collections through Sept. 30 were behind the official expectation by $281 million, or 4.7 percent, leaving the state with its biggest first-quarter shortfall in at least three decades.
That 4.7 percent shortfall projected over the entire July-June fiscal year would tear a $1.3 billion hole in the budget.
Worse, the economy is deteriorating far more than Fumo, Armstrong or the state’s economic forecasters anticipated just three months ago. Another problem is that the budget relies on at least $500 million in one-time cash freed up by postponing payments and tapping surpluses, putting that much more distance between rising costs and dropping revenues.
The free fall of the stock market also means the state treasury is losing money on its investments, instead of contributing hundreds of millions to the state’s bank account, Armstrong said. An expected spike in pension costs in 2012 could be much bigger, too, he said.
If spending is not cut and taxes not increased, the state will be left with a deficit of at least $2.5 billion when the next fiscal year ends in June 2010, Fumo said.
Armstrong said that assessment is optimistic.
Rendell’s top budget adviser, Mary Soderberg, appeared before the committee, but said it is too early to say how the governor will respond beyond the steps he already took, or how the wider economic malaise will continue to affect the state’s revenue collections.
Citing the weakening economy, Rendell last month said he would hold back $200 million in reserve by freezing hiring, banning out-of-state travel by employees and ordering state agency heads to find places to cut.
---------------------------------------------------
A crisis here, too
The state faces a serious budget shortfall and painful decisions are just ahead about taxes and spending.
While the federal government goes merrily on its way, continuing to spend money it doesn’t have, the state of Pennsylvania enjoys no such luxury. By law, the commonwealth’s budget must be balanced. The economy, however, so far is not cooperating in fiscal 2008-09.
For the first quarter, July-September, state revenue collection is short of official estimates by 4.7 percent, or some $281 million. Projected over the entire fiscal year, such a budget gap would total $1.3 billion. While accurately predicting deficits can be as much of a guessing game as predicting surpluses, it’s probably safe to assume there will be no economic up-tick in the immediate future that will bring the budget back into balance.
So state officials are faced with these choices: Dip into reserves; cut programs; raise taxes; or some combination of all three.
Pennsylvania is fortunate to be sitting on a substantial budget reserve. There’s more than $700 million in the so-called “rainy day” fund. As one lawmaker noted, it is raining, so prudent tapping of the reserves is appropriate. That’s what the fund is for.
But that’s only part of the solution. Raising taxes, never a popular option, would seem to be a nonstarter at this particular time of national financial crisis.
That leaves cutting programs. There’s no stomach for that, either, but Harrisburg may be forced to go in that direction. Cuts can be painful. Enforced fiscal discipline can be a good thing, however.
We’ve been talking to state House candidates over the past few weeks, and they seem to be of a single mind that budget cuts are possible, not only by scaling back programs but by trimming non-essential discretionary spending and eliminating waste. The cost of running the government itself might be a good place to start the chopping process.
Last month, Gov. Rendell froze hiring and banned out-of-state travel among other expense cuts. He probably can and should do more. For its part, the Legislature should resolve to run a tighter fiscal ship, with spending limited to essential functions and more accountability for what is spent.
Naturally, every program that receives state funding will plead its case for continued support and warn of dire consequences if cuts are implemented. Some programs, including those that involve public health and safety, have a legitimate argument. Every program is beneficial in some way to some constituent group. But not every program is necessary, and there are many that could get by with reduced funding, at least temporarily. Government likes to think it can be all things to all people, but it cannot — even in good economic times. And these certainly are not good economic times.
The silver lining in the present cloud could be that state government is forced to be more responsible when it comes to spending our money.
Difficult choices
From the Pottstown Mercury.
Difficult choices 10/05/2008
The Pottstown School Board is feeling the pain — the pain of a downtrodden economy, diminished tax base, and a neighborhood school system in need of an overhaul.
That pain came into focus Thursday night when a consultant's analysis put a pricetag on plans for renovating the elementary school buildings.
Over the course of the next five years, the cost to the average property owner in the borough may add up to $1,460 in additional taxes.
The costs can vary, depending on whether the board decides to renovate all five school buildings or to renovate some and close others.
Another factor is whether the plan adds more classrooms — and more teachers — to keep class size below 21 students, as the board has previously discussed.
Those variables and others could bring the tax costs over five years down to $850 — a number that many in Pottstown will still find difficult.
The analysis offered Thursday was presented by Business Manager Linda Adams as prepared by a consultant who was basing calculations on a study by the architectural firm of Crabtree and Rohrbaugh.
The architect's study has its own variables, and at least one board member is asking for more information to better determine if the amount of new construction included in cost estimates is too high.
"In many of these estimates, what I put forward is a worst-case scenario that doesn't include any savings you might realize from economies of scale if, say, you decided to go to three schools," Adams told the board.
This board clearly has its work cut out.
The majority of members were elected last year on a platform of support for neighborhood schools, a mandate which they have taken seriously.
On the other hand, the same citizens who took that stand a year ago at the polls face school tax bills among the highest in Pennsylvania.
The board members are well aware of that burden, too, and know they can not make decisions that pile on more than people can bear.
The board on Thursday made a tentative decision to take a vote on which option to choose at the next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 16.
There are many factors to consider, and looming over every scenario is the cloud of economic uncertainty — a cloud that doesn't just hang over Pottstown.
In mapping their course, the board members can not ignore the costs of these options, and for every scenario, questions must be asked to peel away things that may be nice, but not necessary.
Are cafeteria additions built into these projections, and are they needed, or just desired? Are larger libraries or more classrooms going to have the benefit that is intended for children? Or, will the detrimental effect of the tax burden drive people from town and force a further downward spiral in property values?
Every projection must be analyzed and every notion challenged, not because the plans have been ill-prepared but because the outcomes are so important.
These are the most important decisions any area school board has had to make in recent years. They can not be postponed, brushed aside or ignored. Some aspects of decisions may require the courage to be unpopular and the strength to be wise.
The board has a leadership role, and the future of Pottstown depends on it.
Difficult choices 10/05/2008
The Pottstown School Board is feeling the pain — the pain of a downtrodden economy, diminished tax base, and a neighborhood school system in need of an overhaul.
That pain came into focus Thursday night when a consultant's analysis put a pricetag on plans for renovating the elementary school buildings.
Over the course of the next five years, the cost to the average property owner in the borough may add up to $1,460 in additional taxes.
The costs can vary, depending on whether the board decides to renovate all five school buildings or to renovate some and close others.
Another factor is whether the plan adds more classrooms — and more teachers — to keep class size below 21 students, as the board has previously discussed.
Those variables and others could bring the tax costs over five years down to $850 — a number that many in Pottstown will still find difficult.
The analysis offered Thursday was presented by Business Manager Linda Adams as prepared by a consultant who was basing calculations on a study by the architectural firm of Crabtree and Rohrbaugh.
The architect's study has its own variables, and at least one board member is asking for more information to better determine if the amount of new construction included in cost estimates is too high.
"In many of these estimates, what I put forward is a worst-case scenario that doesn't include any savings you might realize from economies of scale if, say, you decided to go to three schools," Adams told the board.
This board clearly has its work cut out.
The majority of members were elected last year on a platform of support for neighborhood schools, a mandate which they have taken seriously.
On the other hand, the same citizens who took that stand a year ago at the polls face school tax bills among the highest in Pennsylvania.
The board members are well aware of that burden, too, and know they can not make decisions that pile on more than people can bear.
The board on Thursday made a tentative decision to take a vote on which option to choose at the next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 16.
There are many factors to consider, and looming over every scenario is the cloud of economic uncertainty — a cloud that doesn't just hang over Pottstown.
In mapping their course, the board members can not ignore the costs of these options, and for every scenario, questions must be asked to peel away things that may be nice, but not necessary.
Are cafeteria additions built into these projections, and are they needed, or just desired? Are larger libraries or more classrooms going to have the benefit that is intended for children? Or, will the detrimental effect of the tax burden drive people from town and force a further downward spiral in property values?
Every projection must be analyzed and every notion challenged, not because the plans have been ill-prepared but because the outcomes are so important.
These are the most important decisions any area school board has had to make in recent years. They can not be postponed, brushed aside or ignored. Some aspects of decisions may require the courage to be unpopular and the strength to be wise.
The board has a leadership role, and the future of Pottstown depends on it.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Citizens Action Plan Committee TONIGHT
From the BCCT.
Remember, your voice cannot be heard if you do not attend.
Calendar of Bucks meetings today
EDUCATION
Morrisville Citizens Action Plan Committee: 7 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: To discuss finances of the district and make recommendations to the school board. 215-736-2681.
Remember, your voice cannot be heard if you do not attend.
Calendar of Bucks meetings today
EDUCATION
Morrisville Citizens Action Plan Committee: 7 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: To discuss finances of the district and make recommendations to the school board. 215-736-2681.
Bethlehem district losing on money deal
From the Allentown Morning Call
Bethlehem district losing on money deal
Bad bet? Interest rate swaps are costly, at least temporarily.
By Steve Esack | Of The Morning Call October 5, 2008
Several years ago, Bethlehem Area school officials knew they had to borrow money to renovate and expand the district's two high schools. They didn't know that decision would lead to a chain of events that would cost the district plenty and threaten its financial stability.
At the time, the board turned to business manager Stanley. J. Majewski Jr., about how to pay for the high school projects. Majewski then sought the advice of Les Bear, the district's longtime financial consultant, who was working at the time for the investment firm Arthurs LeStrange & Co.
In 2003, Bear suggested a bond swap, which the state Legislature had made legal that year. The swap is a risky, unconventional transaction that involves a partnership with the banking industry.
The district would swap the construction bonds' fixed-rate interest, which never changes, for investment banks' adjustable weekly rates, which fluctuate. That way, the district could pay less in interest over the life of the bonds because short-term rates historically perform better than fixed rates of about 5 percent or higher.
The school board listened as Bear explained in technical financial terms how a swap worked. Some members expressed confusion, but the board agreed to do the swap. This same scene would play out nine times between 2003 and 2007 as Bear sold the board on more swaps. The board seemed happy with the results, too. Liberty and Freedom were finished and the district was able to start constructing a new Broughal Middle school using the same financing.
But now the debt from those projects threatens to crush taxpayers and diminish educational services because the swaps have gone sour in the mortgage crisis. And while bond swapping has become popular among governments across the country, it also has become the focus of FBI, Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission probes and civil lawsuits and led to the recent default of more than $1 billion in bonds for Jefferson County, Alabama.
Skyrocketing short-term interest rates more than quadrupled last month, costing Bethlehem Area School District taxpayers an extra $1 million that month on the swap deals and solidifying that 2008 has become the worst short-term credit market in the history of the United States.
However, even before interest rates climbed from 1.9 percent to 8.5 percent in September, the swaps were not working as advertised, a Morning Call review of records shows.
''These [swaps] are very complicated and the board that accepted this made it fairly clear it did not understand all the mechanisms behind it,'' said School Board President Loretta Leeson. ''I feel the board, myself in particular, asked some meaningful questions like, is this a safe investment?''
The school board will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Education Center to discuss the swaps.
''We'd better be prepared to adjust very quickly to this dramatic increase in interest expense,'' School Director Gene McKeon said. ''The money has to come from some place.''
Hundreds of other school districts, municipalities and counties have entered into swaps since the financial transaction became legal in 2003, state records show.
In the Lehigh Valley region, at least seven school districts -- Allentown, Parkland, Easton, Bangor, Quakertown, Souderton and Nazareth -- took on these risky loans.
So did four counties -- Northampton, Berks, Bucks and Montgomery, according to Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development records.
But no other government agency in Pennsylvania -- except for the Philadelphia School District -- has more money tied into swap agreements than the Bethlehem Area School District.
And no other local government agency has entered into more swaps than Bethlehem, which accepted nine of the risky loans involving four existing bonds.
Northampton County Controller Stephen Barron said he does not understand how the school district could have done so many swaps.
Since he was elected last year, Barron said, he has come to realize the county's one swap was bad for taxpayers.
Barron said school officials should seek help from the federal government or outside legal experts to investigate the district's swaps to see if they got fair deals. Other school districts and municipalities have taken this step in recent months.
''They do need to be open and honest with the taxpayers,'' said Barron, who lives in Bethlehem Township. ''They owe it to the taxpayers, but most importantly they owe it to the children of Bethlehem.''
Majewski stands by the decision to use swaps and contends the district will save about $55 million over the 15-30-year terms of the bonds.
If he is wrong, Majewski said, then so is most of corporate America and other municipal finance leaders who entered into the same sort of short-term swap deals with good intentions.
''I know it will save taxpayers many millions of dollars,'' Majewski said.
The school district paid more than $2 million in fees before the new firm Bear was working for, Ferris Baker Watts, was purchased in July by RBC Capital Markets, which has offices in Philadelphia and Scranton.
Bear said last week the swaps were performing badly only because the country had entered a financial nightmare.
''There's good days and bad days,'' said Bear. ''Now we are in unusual times and it will be corrected.''
Lehigh University finance professor James A. Greenleaf said the district's debt structure is like most of corporate America, with more money hedged into short-term than into long term bond rates.
''It's a calculated risk,'' Greenleaf said.
A month after acquiring Bear's firm, RBC warned the district the risk wasn't working and that it may have to budget an additional $1 million a year to cover the swaps. Two RBC employees told the school board Finance Committee in August the swaps caused the district's debt to be out of whack. The district now had more than three quarters of its entire debt ($285.5 million) tied into adjustable rates.
Last month, interest rates spiked and by the end of September, the district had lost $1 million.
Now, several new school board members, including Benjamin M. Tenaglia III, an investment banker, are questioning the financing.
''The projection of our debt in these swap exposures is much too high,'' Tenaglia said.
In June, when interest rates were low, taxpayers paid about $1.2 million in interest to bond holders and the banks -- nearly 30 percent more than if the district had used a fixed-rate bond of 5 percent, district records show. The payment was high because that month the district was hit with a semi-annual payment of $317,000 on top of monthly payments.
In August, without the semi-annual payment in play, the deals saved taxpayers $387,426 in monthly interest costs. But to get that interest savings the district shelled out $539,678 to bond holders and investment banks, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, who handled the swaps.
A partial list of September's bills shows that when interest rates spiked on Sept. 25, the district paid $963,914 in interest costs -- or 78 percent more than in June.
Bethlehem is not alone, said Tom Doe, founder and CEO of Municipal Market Advisors, in Concord, Mass. Many other local and state governments across the country are discovering the same problems.
But that does not make the school district the victim, he said.
''Both parties are guilty,'' Doe said. ''They entered into something with certain assumptions and ... no one in the transaction effectively outlined the potential risk.''
Now, there are real consequences for taxpayers, he said.
Bethlehem district losing on money deal
Bad bet? Interest rate swaps are costly, at least temporarily.
By Steve Esack | Of The Morning Call October 5, 2008
Several years ago, Bethlehem Area school officials knew they had to borrow money to renovate and expand the district's two high schools. They didn't know that decision would lead to a chain of events that would cost the district plenty and threaten its financial stability.
At the time, the board turned to business manager Stanley. J. Majewski Jr., about how to pay for the high school projects. Majewski then sought the advice of Les Bear, the district's longtime financial consultant, who was working at the time for the investment firm Arthurs LeStrange & Co.
In 2003, Bear suggested a bond swap, which the state Legislature had made legal that year. The swap is a risky, unconventional transaction that involves a partnership with the banking industry.
The district would swap the construction bonds' fixed-rate interest, which never changes, for investment banks' adjustable weekly rates, which fluctuate. That way, the district could pay less in interest over the life of the bonds because short-term rates historically perform better than fixed rates of about 5 percent or higher.
The school board listened as Bear explained in technical financial terms how a swap worked. Some members expressed confusion, but the board agreed to do the swap. This same scene would play out nine times between 2003 and 2007 as Bear sold the board on more swaps. The board seemed happy with the results, too. Liberty and Freedom were finished and the district was able to start constructing a new Broughal Middle school using the same financing.
But now the debt from those projects threatens to crush taxpayers and diminish educational services because the swaps have gone sour in the mortgage crisis. And while bond swapping has become popular among governments across the country, it also has become the focus of FBI, Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission probes and civil lawsuits and led to the recent default of more than $1 billion in bonds for Jefferson County, Alabama.
Skyrocketing short-term interest rates more than quadrupled last month, costing Bethlehem Area School District taxpayers an extra $1 million that month on the swap deals and solidifying that 2008 has become the worst short-term credit market in the history of the United States.
However, even before interest rates climbed from 1.9 percent to 8.5 percent in September, the swaps were not working as advertised, a Morning Call review of records shows.
''These [swaps] are very complicated and the board that accepted this made it fairly clear it did not understand all the mechanisms behind it,'' said School Board President Loretta Leeson. ''I feel the board, myself in particular, asked some meaningful questions like, is this a safe investment?''
The school board will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Education Center to discuss the swaps.
''We'd better be prepared to adjust very quickly to this dramatic increase in interest expense,'' School Director Gene McKeon said. ''The money has to come from some place.''
Hundreds of other school districts, municipalities and counties have entered into swaps since the financial transaction became legal in 2003, state records show.
In the Lehigh Valley region, at least seven school districts -- Allentown, Parkland, Easton, Bangor, Quakertown, Souderton and Nazareth -- took on these risky loans.
So did four counties -- Northampton, Berks, Bucks and Montgomery, according to Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development records.
But no other government agency in Pennsylvania -- except for the Philadelphia School District -- has more money tied into swap agreements than the Bethlehem Area School District.
And no other local government agency has entered into more swaps than Bethlehem, which accepted nine of the risky loans involving four existing bonds.
Northampton County Controller Stephen Barron said he does not understand how the school district could have done so many swaps.
Since he was elected last year, Barron said, he has come to realize the county's one swap was bad for taxpayers.
Barron said school officials should seek help from the federal government or outside legal experts to investigate the district's swaps to see if they got fair deals. Other school districts and municipalities have taken this step in recent months.
''They do need to be open and honest with the taxpayers,'' said Barron, who lives in Bethlehem Township. ''They owe it to the taxpayers, but most importantly they owe it to the children of Bethlehem.''
Majewski stands by the decision to use swaps and contends the district will save about $55 million over the 15-30-year terms of the bonds.
If he is wrong, Majewski said, then so is most of corporate America and other municipal finance leaders who entered into the same sort of short-term swap deals with good intentions.
''I know it will save taxpayers many millions of dollars,'' Majewski said.
The school district paid more than $2 million in fees before the new firm Bear was working for, Ferris Baker Watts, was purchased in July by RBC Capital Markets, which has offices in Philadelphia and Scranton.
Bear said last week the swaps were performing badly only because the country had entered a financial nightmare.
''There's good days and bad days,'' said Bear. ''Now we are in unusual times and it will be corrected.''
Lehigh University finance professor James A. Greenleaf said the district's debt structure is like most of corporate America, with more money hedged into short-term than into long term bond rates.
''It's a calculated risk,'' Greenleaf said.
A month after acquiring Bear's firm, RBC warned the district the risk wasn't working and that it may have to budget an additional $1 million a year to cover the swaps. Two RBC employees told the school board Finance Committee in August the swaps caused the district's debt to be out of whack. The district now had more than three quarters of its entire debt ($285.5 million) tied into adjustable rates.
Last month, interest rates spiked and by the end of September, the district had lost $1 million.
Now, several new school board members, including Benjamin M. Tenaglia III, an investment banker, are questioning the financing.
''The projection of our debt in these swap exposures is much too high,'' Tenaglia said.
In June, when interest rates were low, taxpayers paid about $1.2 million in interest to bond holders and the banks -- nearly 30 percent more than if the district had used a fixed-rate bond of 5 percent, district records show. The payment was high because that month the district was hit with a semi-annual payment of $317,000 on top of monthly payments.
In August, without the semi-annual payment in play, the deals saved taxpayers $387,426 in monthly interest costs. But to get that interest savings the district shelled out $539,678 to bond holders and investment banks, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, who handled the swaps.
A partial list of September's bills shows that when interest rates spiked on Sept. 25, the district paid $963,914 in interest costs -- or 78 percent more than in June.
Bethlehem is not alone, said Tom Doe, founder and CEO of Municipal Market Advisors, in Concord, Mass. Many other local and state governments across the country are discovering the same problems.
But that does not make the school district the victim, he said.
''Both parties are guilty,'' Doe said. ''They entered into something with certain assumptions and ... no one in the transaction effectively outlined the potential risk.''
Now, there are real consequences for taxpayers, he said.
Testimonies recommend special-needs legislation
From dailylocal.com
Testimonies recommend special-needs legislation
By DANIELLE LYNCH, Staff Writer 10/05/2008
WEST CHESTER — Lawmakers listened to testimony about two bills that would address special-education issues at a legislative hearing Thursday morning.
State House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, R-169th, of Philadelphia, the prime sponsor of the two bills, opened the hearing at West Chester University. House Bill 2438 would return the burden of proof to school districts in special-education disputes.
"Those who see our kids hold the cards," O'Brien said, referring to placing the burden of proof back on local education agencies, which include school districts, charter schools and intermediate units.
When parents of special-needs children and school districts cannot work out issues through mediation, the next step is generally due process. When due process is held pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the burden of proof is currently placed on the parents of special-needs children.
Previously, the burden of proof had been on the school district. But in the 2005 "Scaffer v Weast," the United States Supreme Court placed the burden of proof on parents.
In addition to House Bill 2438, state Rep.
Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-156th, of West Chester, introduced her own legislation, known as House Bill 2718, to turn the burden of proof back to the school districts. She said her bill mirrors a piece of New Jersey legislation and is not meant to be in competition with O'Brien's bill, which she also co-sponsors.
The second bill introduced by O'Brien that was discussed at the hearing was House Bill 2536, which, if approved, would create a Board of Dispute Resolution independent of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for special-education matters.
Special-education Attorney Dennis McAndrews, of McAndrews Law Offices, who represents families, testified he did not believe there was a logical basis to place the burden of proof upon families of special-needs children. He also recommended an independent oversight board for Office of Dispute Resolution.
Jerry Oleksiak, treasurer for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who is a special-education teacher, said in his testimony that PSEA's position is that it would be in opposition to legislation to place the burden of proof back on local education agencies.
Attorney Andria B. Saia of the Levin Legal Group, who represents school districts and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, said she's also against changing the burden of proof back to school districts. She said she was also not in favor of creating an independent Board of Dispute Resolution that would take the place of the current Office of Dispute Resolution.
Ken Oakes, chairman of early childhood and education committees for the Arc of Pennsylvania, said the Arc supported placing the burden of proof back on the local education agencies. He said that at this time, Arc officials have not made a position on the other bill.
Felicia Hurewitz, a developmental psychologist at Drexel University who was a representative of the government workgroup of the Autism Society of America's Pennsylvania Chapters, said she supported the efforts in both bills.
Testimonies recommend special-needs legislation
By DANIELLE LYNCH, Staff Writer 10/05/2008
WEST CHESTER — Lawmakers listened to testimony about two bills that would address special-education issues at a legislative hearing Thursday morning.
State House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, R-169th, of Philadelphia, the prime sponsor of the two bills, opened the hearing at West Chester University. House Bill 2438 would return the burden of proof to school districts in special-education disputes.
"Those who see our kids hold the cards," O'Brien said, referring to placing the burden of proof back on local education agencies, which include school districts, charter schools and intermediate units.
When parents of special-needs children and school districts cannot work out issues through mediation, the next step is generally due process. When due process is held pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the burden of proof is currently placed on the parents of special-needs children.
Previously, the burden of proof had been on the school district. But in the 2005 "Scaffer v Weast," the United States Supreme Court placed the burden of proof on parents.
In addition to House Bill 2438, state Rep.
Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-156th, of West Chester, introduced her own legislation, known as House Bill 2718, to turn the burden of proof back to the school districts. She said her bill mirrors a piece of New Jersey legislation and is not meant to be in competition with O'Brien's bill, which she also co-sponsors.
The second bill introduced by O'Brien that was discussed at the hearing was House Bill 2536, which, if approved, would create a Board of Dispute Resolution independent of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for special-education matters.
Special-education Attorney Dennis McAndrews, of McAndrews Law Offices, who represents families, testified he did not believe there was a logical basis to place the burden of proof upon families of special-needs children. He also recommended an independent oversight board for Office of Dispute Resolution.
Jerry Oleksiak, treasurer for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who is a special-education teacher, said in his testimony that PSEA's position is that it would be in opposition to legislation to place the burden of proof back on local education agencies.
Attorney Andria B. Saia of the Levin Legal Group, who represents school districts and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, said she's also against changing the burden of proof back to school districts. She said she was also not in favor of creating an independent Board of Dispute Resolution that would take the place of the current Office of Dispute Resolution.
Ken Oakes, chairman of early childhood and education committees for the Arc of Pennsylvania, said the Arc supported placing the burden of proof back on the local education agencies. He said that at this time, Arc officials have not made a position on the other bill.
Felicia Hurewitz, a developmental psychologist at Drexel University who was a representative of the government workgroup of the Autism Society of America's Pennsylvania Chapters, said she supported the efforts in both bills.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Shortfall at Corner of Main and Wall
From the BCCT. The place where Main Street and Wall Street meet runs right through the suburban kitchen and the familiar table strewn with bills that outpace the checkbook balance. It turns out that our elected officials are sitting around conference tables performing the same financial ballet.
You thought budgets were tight before? You'll fondly remember them as the good old days.
Towns anticipate budget shortfalls
By FREDA R. SAVANA
Bucks County Courier Times
The burst of the housing bubble hasn't just decimated the stock market — it's put a few holes in municipal budgets, too.
Several communities across the area are anticipating shortfalls they attribute to nearly nonexistent housing sales and an overall slowdown in development.
In Solebury, the $14.7 million budget has a deficit that could reach some $500,000, said Manager John Granger.
“It surprised me,” he said recently. Although aware the township was susceptible to the housing slump, Granger said he didn't anticipate the “depth of it.”
The real estate transfer tax, money generated when properties are bought and sold, brought in $800,000 in 2007. Anticipating some decline, this year the township had budgeted revenue from that tax at $700,000 but now expects to see closer to $500,000.
Solebury's earned income tax, which is based on each taxpayer's earnings, is off, too. Granger said he budgeted $3.2 million from that revenue source this year but as of July it had only reached $1.9 million. He expects to collect $2.8 million by the end of the year — $400,000 less than budget.
Solebury isn't alone.
Bristol Township Manager Jeff Bartlett said it will be a challenge to balance his municipality's 2009 budget, particularly since elected officials want to avoid a tax increase.
“Balancing the budget will require dipping into reserve accounts and generally watching expenses very closely and hoping for a mild winter,” Bartlett said.
Bristol Township businesses are showing lower profits, which affects mercantile tax collections, he said.
“The earned income tax is lower due to people losing jobs and not receiving pay raises. Property tax values are also lower in general due to the depressed housing market. We have seen a large drop-off in building-permit applications for home additions, etc.,” he said. “Again this is a sign that the economy in general is flat and people aren't spending as freely as usual.”
Perkasie, a small Upper Bucks borough with a $13.5 million budget, is finding itself swimming upstream, too.
Revenue from the real estate transfer tax is anticipated to come in some $65,000 short of the projected $145,000 for the year, said Borough Manger Dan Olpere. A self-imposed spending freeze is in place and borough staff has been told to keep a lid on all spending.
In 2007, before the economy began unraveling, the numbers told a different story. Officials had budgeted $169,500 but received $182,000 from the transfer tax.
Olpere said slow housing sales are the culprit; what few borough homes are on the market are staying there longer.
“The revenue just isn't there,” he said.
To make up the difference, Olpere said, residents can expect their electric rates to go up next year. Unlike many other communities, Perkasie has that funding stream to draw from since it buys electricity at a wholesale price and then distributes it to home and business owners.
Bucks County's seat is also facing a tax-revenue decline, said Doylestown Manager John Davis.
“The real estate transfer is the key,” he said.
According to the numbers, the tax earnings have been on a steady slide since 2006, when, with a large housing development going up, it generated $560,000. This year it's expected to bring in $290,000 of the borough's $4.9 million budget. Davis said he's budgeting $240,000 for 2009.
“The housing decline is driving our revenue loss,” he said. “There was close to a half million dollars in revenue that was there in 2006 that's not there today.”
Although Davis said the borough planned for the drop, it's been “enhanced and exacerbated” by today's dismal housing market.
On the plus side for Doylestown is a steady earned income tax stream — a fund that is enriched not just by more people moving into a community but also when the people who live in a town increase their earnings. Davis said revenue has gone from about $1.4 million to $1.475 million over the past two years and is budgeted for $1.5 million in 2009.
“That's helping cushion the blow a bit.”
Elam Herr, assistant executive director of Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, sympathizes with the marked revenue shortfalls. He said municipalities are limited in what they can do — and what they can tax.
“Anytime there's a downturn in the housing market — and in this case much more than a slowdown — municipalities do feel the pinch. It plays havoc with their budgets.”
With fixed costs such as salaries and utilities, all they can do, said Herr, is look for places to cut and “adjust their assumptions based on the economy.”
You thought budgets were tight before? You'll fondly remember them as the good old days.
Towns anticipate budget shortfalls
By FREDA R. SAVANA
Bucks County Courier Times
The burst of the housing bubble hasn't just decimated the stock market — it's put a few holes in municipal budgets, too.
Several communities across the area are anticipating shortfalls they attribute to nearly nonexistent housing sales and an overall slowdown in development.
In Solebury, the $14.7 million budget has a deficit that could reach some $500,000, said Manager John Granger.
“It surprised me,” he said recently. Although aware the township was susceptible to the housing slump, Granger said he didn't anticipate the “depth of it.”
The real estate transfer tax, money generated when properties are bought and sold, brought in $800,000 in 2007. Anticipating some decline, this year the township had budgeted revenue from that tax at $700,000 but now expects to see closer to $500,000.
Solebury's earned income tax, which is based on each taxpayer's earnings, is off, too. Granger said he budgeted $3.2 million from that revenue source this year but as of July it had only reached $1.9 million. He expects to collect $2.8 million by the end of the year — $400,000 less than budget.
Solebury isn't alone.
Bristol Township Manager Jeff Bartlett said it will be a challenge to balance his municipality's 2009 budget, particularly since elected officials want to avoid a tax increase.
“Balancing the budget will require dipping into reserve accounts and generally watching expenses very closely and hoping for a mild winter,” Bartlett said.
Bristol Township businesses are showing lower profits, which affects mercantile tax collections, he said.
“The earned income tax is lower due to people losing jobs and not receiving pay raises. Property tax values are also lower in general due to the depressed housing market. We have seen a large drop-off in building-permit applications for home additions, etc.,” he said. “Again this is a sign that the economy in general is flat and people aren't spending as freely as usual.”
Perkasie, a small Upper Bucks borough with a $13.5 million budget, is finding itself swimming upstream, too.
Revenue from the real estate transfer tax is anticipated to come in some $65,000 short of the projected $145,000 for the year, said Borough Manger Dan Olpere. A self-imposed spending freeze is in place and borough staff has been told to keep a lid on all spending.
In 2007, before the economy began unraveling, the numbers told a different story. Officials had budgeted $169,500 but received $182,000 from the transfer tax.
Olpere said slow housing sales are the culprit; what few borough homes are on the market are staying there longer.
“The revenue just isn't there,” he said.
To make up the difference, Olpere said, residents can expect their electric rates to go up next year. Unlike many other communities, Perkasie has that funding stream to draw from since it buys electricity at a wholesale price and then distributes it to home and business owners.
Bucks County's seat is also facing a tax-revenue decline, said Doylestown Manager John Davis.
“The real estate transfer is the key,” he said.
According to the numbers, the tax earnings have been on a steady slide since 2006, when, with a large housing development going up, it generated $560,000. This year it's expected to bring in $290,000 of the borough's $4.9 million budget. Davis said he's budgeting $240,000 for 2009.
“The housing decline is driving our revenue loss,” he said. “There was close to a half million dollars in revenue that was there in 2006 that's not there today.”
Although Davis said the borough planned for the drop, it's been “enhanced and exacerbated” by today's dismal housing market.
On the plus side for Doylestown is a steady earned income tax stream — a fund that is enriched not just by more people moving into a community but also when the people who live in a town increase their earnings. Davis said revenue has gone from about $1.4 million to $1.475 million over the past two years and is budgeted for $1.5 million in 2009.
“That's helping cushion the blow a bit.”
Elam Herr, assistant executive director of Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, sympathizes with the marked revenue shortfalls. He said municipalities are limited in what they can do — and what they can tax.
“Anytime there's a downturn in the housing market — and in this case much more than a slowdown — municipalities do feel the pinch. It plays havoc with their budgets.”
With fixed costs such as salaries and utilities, all they can do, said Herr, is look for places to cut and “adjust their assumptions based on the economy.”
Title IX Violation Alleged in Bristol Borough
From the BCCT. We do not really follow the Bristol schools here, so it's hard to say what the true back story is. If this were Morrisville, these lines would be laughable. "School board members voiced frustration during their last meeting that the people who lodged the complaint did not first go to them to discuss their concerns. 'Now it’s going to cost taxpayers money [to respond to the allegations] when it could have been resolved with dialogue.'"
The Emperor has made it clear that for Morrisville citizens, dialogue is irrelevant and resistance is futile. The only way they will listen to opposing points of view is for both sides to lawyer up.
Complaint alleges district violating Title IX
The federal education department has asked for information ranging from booster club financial records to an inventory of district athletic equipment in its inquiry.
By JOAN HELLYER
STAFF WRITER
The federal government is trying to determine if the Bristol Borough school district discriminated against high school female athletes, according to the United States Department of Education. The accusations stem from the recent establishment of a football boosters club, according to a letter of inquiry sent to Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis from the department’s Office of Civil Rights.
“The complaint alleges that the district is discriminating against high school female athletes on the basis of sex by using funds from booster clubs to provide male athletes with benefits that are greater than those the district provides to female athletes,” said David Blom, in the letter.
The fear, according to Blom, is that it would result in various inequities including equipment and supplies, game and practice schedules, locker rooms, and practice and competitive facilities.
The civil rights office is investigating whether the school district is in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Blom said in the letter. Title IX protects people from sexual discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Blom’s five-page letter includes requests for information about: all high school teams; 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 athletic budgets and schedules; booster club financial records; district athletic equipment; award ceremonies; 2007-2008 teams in post-season events; 2007-2008 team participation in exhibition or scrimmage games; high school coaching staff members; complaints received last school year about athletic program conditions; and various district policies.
Those policies include guidelines about booster clubs, publicity services for boys and girls athletic programs, locker rooms, competitive and practice schedules and facilities, and coaching staffs.
School board members voiced frustration during their last meeting that the people who lodged the complaint did not first go to them to discuss their concerns.
“Now it’s going to cost taxpayers money [to respond to the allegations] when it could have been resolved with dialogue,” Vice President John D’Angelo said.
Davis is working with board solicitor Anthony Mandio and district administrators to gather the requested information. They have until Friday to submit the responses to the department, the superintendent said.
The education department did not name the people who lodged the allegations against the district in its inquiry letter.
Department officials did not respond to the paper’s request to identify the people who complained. However, a spokesman said opening an investigation does not mean the district is guilty as charged.
The civil rights office generally completes its investigations within six months time, said Jim Bradshaw, the education department spokesman.
If investigators determine the district has not complied with civil rights laws, it will be asked to negotiate a voluntary resolution agreement, according to the department’s Web site. If the district does not voluntarily try to resolve the concerns, the agency can take various steps to ensure an agreement is implemented.
The Emperor has made it clear that for Morrisville citizens, dialogue is irrelevant and resistance is futile. The only way they will listen to opposing points of view is for both sides to lawyer up.
Complaint alleges district violating Title IX
The federal education department has asked for information ranging from booster club financial records to an inventory of district athletic equipment in its inquiry.
By JOAN HELLYER
STAFF WRITER
The federal government is trying to determine if the Bristol Borough school district discriminated against high school female athletes, according to the United States Department of Education. The accusations stem from the recent establishment of a football boosters club, according to a letter of inquiry sent to Bristol Superintendent Broadus Davis from the department’s Office of Civil Rights.
“The complaint alleges that the district is discriminating against high school female athletes on the basis of sex by using funds from booster clubs to provide male athletes with benefits that are greater than those the district provides to female athletes,” said David Blom, in the letter.
The fear, according to Blom, is that it would result in various inequities including equipment and supplies, game and practice schedules, locker rooms, and practice and competitive facilities.
The civil rights office is investigating whether the school district is in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Blom said in the letter. Title IX protects people from sexual discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Blom’s five-page letter includes requests for information about: all high school teams; 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 athletic budgets and schedules; booster club financial records; district athletic equipment; award ceremonies; 2007-2008 teams in post-season events; 2007-2008 team participation in exhibition or scrimmage games; high school coaching staff members; complaints received last school year about athletic program conditions; and various district policies.
Those policies include guidelines about booster clubs, publicity services for boys and girls athletic programs, locker rooms, competitive and practice schedules and facilities, and coaching staffs.
School board members voiced frustration during their last meeting that the people who lodged the complaint did not first go to them to discuss their concerns.
“Now it’s going to cost taxpayers money [to respond to the allegations] when it could have been resolved with dialogue,” Vice President John D’Angelo said.
Davis is working with board solicitor Anthony Mandio and district administrators to gather the requested information. They have until Friday to submit the responses to the department, the superintendent said.
The education department did not name the people who lodged the allegations against the district in its inquiry letter.
Department officials did not respond to the paper’s request to identify the people who complained. However, a spokesman said opening an investigation does not mean the district is guilty as charged.
The civil rights office generally completes its investigations within six months time, said Jim Bradshaw, the education department spokesman.
If investigators determine the district has not complied with civil rights laws, it will be asked to negotiate a voluntary resolution agreement, according to the department’s Web site. If the district does not voluntarily try to resolve the concerns, the agency can take various steps to ensure an agreement is implemented.
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
Bush Official Seeks Renewed Support for 'No Child'
By Washington Post Published Today Daily EdNews , K-12 , No Child Left Behind Rating:
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings today sought to reinvigorate support for the No Child Left Behind law even as the two major-party presidential candidates have distanced themselves from it. She contended the law has helped improve public education and should be strengthened.
On Obama: Why the Democratic Candidate Is Right About Education
New York Times
By BRUCE FULLER
Barack Obama understands that top-down government regulation is strangling innovation inside schools.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/on-obama-why-the-democratic-candidate-is-wrong-to-blindly-throw-money-into-schools/index.html?ref=opinion
New York Times
By LANCE T. IZUMI
Common wisdom is that technology in the classroom improves student learning and achievement. But the evidence is far from clear.
District spent $1,116,000 on attorney fees!
School Board Settles Lawsuit Brought by Family of Autistic Student
The Ledger
For the past four years, Bill and Janie Sammons have fought the Polk County School District, contending that their autistic son, Drew, was never given a proper education
New Effort Aims to Test Theories of Education
New York Times
By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ
A $44 million program called the Educational Innovation Laboratory is intended to infuse education with the data-driven approach that is common in science and business
Denver PS takes hit on bond refinance
Denver Post
Denver Public Schools' pension plan was pulled into the financial crisis on Wall Street this week when a dearth of buyers at a bond sale cost the fund "hundreds of thousands" of dollars in increased interest payments. The DPS fund has reserves to cover the increased interest and neither taxpayers nor pensioners are likely to notice. But the fund's inability to find investors for a week is just one example of how the tightening of credit markets could impact local governments should it continue or worsen
By Washington Post Published Today Daily EdNews , K-12 , No Child Left Behind Rating:
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings today sought to reinvigorate support for the No Child Left Behind law even as the two major-party presidential candidates have distanced themselves from it. She contended the law has helped improve public education and should be strengthened.
On Obama: Why the Democratic Candidate Is Right About Education
New York Times
By BRUCE FULLER
Barack Obama understands that top-down government regulation is strangling innovation inside schools.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/on-obama-why-the-democratic-candidate-is-wrong-to-blindly-throw-money-into-schools/index.html?ref=opinion
New York Times
By LANCE T. IZUMI
Common wisdom is that technology in the classroom improves student learning and achievement. But the evidence is far from clear.
District spent $1,116,000 on attorney fees!
School Board Settles Lawsuit Brought by Family of Autistic Student
The Ledger
For the past four years, Bill and Janie Sammons have fought the Polk County School District, contending that their autistic son, Drew, was never given a proper education
New Effort Aims to Test Theories of Education
New York Times
By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ
A $44 million program called the Educational Innovation Laboratory is intended to infuse education with the data-driven approach that is common in science and business
Denver PS takes hit on bond refinance
Denver Post
Denver Public Schools' pension plan was pulled into the financial crisis on Wall Street this week when a dearth of buyers at a bond sale cost the fund "hundreds of thousands" of dollars in increased interest payments. The DPS fund has reserves to cover the increased interest and neither taxpayers nor pensioners are likely to notice. But the fund's inability to find investors for a week is just one example of how the tightening of credit markets could impact local governments should it continue or worsen
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Don't forget Octoberfest
From the Trentonian. Don't forget Octoberfest, now through Sunday at Williamson Park.
Octoberfest in Mo'ville
By STAFF REPORT
10/03/2008
MORRISVILLE, Pa. - Morrisville's four day Octoberfest and Carnival, which started yesterday, is open to everyone, not just borough residents, a key organizer said yesterday.
Kimberly Kane, the Morrisville YMCA events director and an Octoberfest coordinator, said any talk about non-residents being banned is wrong.
The world is welcome, including Trentonians.
"As we handed out flyers at the local shopping center near the Calhoun Street Bridge several people said things along the line of 'oh, I heard about this, but I live in Trenton. I heard we aren't allowed to go.'
"I'm not sure why people would think that or who might have told them that, but several people said things along the same lines,'' Kane said. "It just baffles me and I am concerned.
"We would never exclude anyone. It is a community event that is open to the entire public. I would like to officially invite your New Jersey customers and all New Jersey residents to please, join us at the carnival over the next 4 days.''
The events are set for Williamson Park, just on the other side of the "Trenton Makes'' bridge.
Octoberfest in Mo'ville
By STAFF REPORT
10/03/2008
MORRISVILLE, Pa. - Morrisville's four day Octoberfest and Carnival, which started yesterday, is open to everyone, not just borough residents, a key organizer said yesterday.
Kimberly Kane, the Morrisville YMCA events director and an Octoberfest coordinator, said any talk about non-residents being banned is wrong.
The world is welcome, including Trentonians.
"As we handed out flyers at the local shopping center near the Calhoun Street Bridge several people said things along the line of 'oh, I heard about this, but I live in Trenton. I heard we aren't allowed to go.'
"I'm not sure why people would think that or who might have told them that, but several people said things along the same lines,'' Kane said. "It just baffles me and I am concerned.
"We would never exclude anyone. It is a community event that is open to the entire public. I would like to officially invite your New Jersey customers and all New Jersey residents to please, join us at the carnival over the next 4 days.''
The events are set for Williamson Park, just on the other side of the "Trenton Makes'' bridge.
The Principle Police
From North Dakota's in-forum.com.
If you ever want to figure out why regular people get so ticked off with the behavior of elected officials, here's the perfect example.
It's all about a non-issue: Writing a letter of support from one governmental body to another. It just wasn't listed on the agenda as an action item for the meeting, so a community gadfly files an open meetings violation suit.
Now the state attorney general will begin a 17- to 23-week review process. Here's the kicker: Even if board members are found to have violated the open meetings laws, it doesn’t change, overrule or void any action.
There's absolutely no oversight provided. And no matter how anyone feels about the letter, yes, there are openness and fairness principles involved. That's why people get ticked off with unadvertised meetings and decisions shrouded in secrecy.
What a waste of time all around.
Open meetings laws at issue in investigation
Kelly Smith, The Forum
Published Friday, October 03, 2008
A week after the state attorney general decided that the Grand Forks School Board violated open meetings laws, the Fargo School Board is under review for a similar issue.
Fargo School Board members say their approval last week to draft a letter isn’t a big deal. But Fargo resident Dave Engebretson – who filed the complaint with the state – disagrees, arguing it’s more about the principle of government transparency.
“They do things without public input,” he said. “I’m hoping it stops; bottom line.”
School Board member Jim Johnson told other board members Sept. 23 that the city wanted the board’s support for the city’s Southside Flood Control Project.
Johnson made a motion during board reports directing administrators to draft a letter of support.
“We have at least four (school) buildings in the flood plain, so it makes sense for us to support the flood plan,” board President Dan Fremling said this week.
Board member John Strand expressed concern about taking action on an issue not listed on the board’s agenda.
“And that’s a big issue,” he said. “It’s a taxpayer issue, it’s a policy issue.”
A motion failed 5-3 to table the discussion.
Johnson clarified that the motion was for Superintendent Rick Buresh to draft a letter that could be approved at the Oct. 14 meeting. All eight board members present then approved the motion.
“We didn’t take any action to do anything,” Fremling said. Whether the board did anything wrong, he added: “Not a thing.”
“In this situation, you’re talking about drafting a letter,” Fremling said. “It’s ridiculous.”
For Engebretson, though, the issue is about principle. “It’s a poor excuse,” he said. “It’s not just a letter of support.”
He filed the complaint with the North Dakota attorney general Sept. 24, and contacted the Cass County attorney this week.
Engebretson, 50, has been a longtime vocal critic of Fargo public entities and is a frequent writer of letters to the editor in The Forum, advocating lower property taxes and special assessments. The insurance loss-prevention consultant has also twice run unsuccessfully for City Commission.
Engebretson worked on Strand’s School Board campaign this year and considers him a friend. He added, though, that he didn’t contact Strand until after he filed the complaint with the state – which Strand reaffirmed.
“I don’t go back and get somebody to write a letter to the editor,” Strand said in response to his connection with Engebretson.
Bismarck attorney Jack McDonald, who represents the North Dakota Newspaper Association, said it’s not illegal for public entities to add issues to their agendas to discuss or take action on. He said they aren’t required to publish agendas – just minutes.
Just months ago, though, a similar incident happened in Grand Forks when a complaint was filed against the School Board for discussing and acting on an issue – the reassignment of a principal – not listed in the agenda.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem wrote on Sept. 19 that the Grand Forks agenda “did not sufficiently describe the staff change contemplated and was, therefore, not in substantial compliance with (open meeting laws).”
As for the Fargo School Board, Liz Brocker of the state attorney general’s office said the assistant attorney general is in the beginning of what is typically a 17- to 23-week review process to examine information provided by the board.
Even if board members are found to have violated the open meetings laws, she said, it doesn’t change, overrule or void any action taken last week.
Strand said he hopes it shows transparency is necessary.
“I’m not criticizing my own board,” he said. “I hope we all are held vigil to doing our public business in the public day.”
If you ever want to figure out why regular people get so ticked off with the behavior of elected officials, here's the perfect example.
It's all about a non-issue: Writing a letter of support from one governmental body to another. It just wasn't listed on the agenda as an action item for the meeting, so a community gadfly files an open meetings violation suit.
Now the state attorney general will begin a 17- to 23-week review process. Here's the kicker: Even if board members are found to have violated the open meetings laws, it doesn’t change, overrule or void any action.
There's absolutely no oversight provided. And no matter how anyone feels about the letter, yes, there are openness and fairness principles involved. That's why people get ticked off with unadvertised meetings and decisions shrouded in secrecy.
What a waste of time all around.
Open meetings laws at issue in investigation
Kelly Smith, The Forum
Published Friday, October 03, 2008
A week after the state attorney general decided that the Grand Forks School Board violated open meetings laws, the Fargo School Board is under review for a similar issue.
Fargo School Board members say their approval last week to draft a letter isn’t a big deal. But Fargo resident Dave Engebretson – who filed the complaint with the state – disagrees, arguing it’s more about the principle of government transparency.
“They do things without public input,” he said. “I’m hoping it stops; bottom line.”
School Board member Jim Johnson told other board members Sept. 23 that the city wanted the board’s support for the city’s Southside Flood Control Project.
Johnson made a motion during board reports directing administrators to draft a letter of support.
“We have at least four (school) buildings in the flood plain, so it makes sense for us to support the flood plan,” board President Dan Fremling said this week.
Board member John Strand expressed concern about taking action on an issue not listed on the board’s agenda.
“And that’s a big issue,” he said. “It’s a taxpayer issue, it’s a policy issue.”
A motion failed 5-3 to table the discussion.
Johnson clarified that the motion was for Superintendent Rick Buresh to draft a letter that could be approved at the Oct. 14 meeting. All eight board members present then approved the motion.
“We didn’t take any action to do anything,” Fremling said. Whether the board did anything wrong, he added: “Not a thing.”
“In this situation, you’re talking about drafting a letter,” Fremling said. “It’s ridiculous.”
For Engebretson, though, the issue is about principle. “It’s a poor excuse,” he said. “It’s not just a letter of support.”
He filed the complaint with the North Dakota attorney general Sept. 24, and contacted the Cass County attorney this week.
Engebretson, 50, has been a longtime vocal critic of Fargo public entities and is a frequent writer of letters to the editor in The Forum, advocating lower property taxes and special assessments. The insurance loss-prevention consultant has also twice run unsuccessfully for City Commission.
Engebretson worked on Strand’s School Board campaign this year and considers him a friend. He added, though, that he didn’t contact Strand until after he filed the complaint with the state – which Strand reaffirmed.
“I don’t go back and get somebody to write a letter to the editor,” Strand said in response to his connection with Engebretson.
Bismarck attorney Jack McDonald, who represents the North Dakota Newspaper Association, said it’s not illegal for public entities to add issues to their agendas to discuss or take action on. He said they aren’t required to publish agendas – just minutes.
Just months ago, though, a similar incident happened in Grand Forks when a complaint was filed against the School Board for discussing and acting on an issue – the reassignment of a principal – not listed in the agenda.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem wrote on Sept. 19 that the Grand Forks agenda “did not sufficiently describe the staff change contemplated and was, therefore, not in substantial compliance with (open meeting laws).”
As for the Fargo School Board, Liz Brocker of the state attorney general’s office said the assistant attorney general is in the beginning of what is typically a 17- to 23-week review process to examine information provided by the board.
Even if board members are found to have violated the open meetings laws, she said, it doesn’t change, overrule or void any action taken last week.
Strand said he hopes it shows transparency is necessary.
“I’m not criticizing my own board,” he said. “I hope we all are held vigil to doing our public business in the public day.”
Mentors needed for Morrisville schools
From the BCCT.
Mentors needed for Morrisville schools
Posted in News on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
Morrisville School District 21st Century Community Learning Centers is looking for people to volunteer as mentors for an in-school program called Generations Educating Morrisville, or GEM. Mentors would need to volunteer for just one hour a week for third and fourth grade students in Morrisville schools.
Currently, the district is looking for people to give their time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Grandview Elementary School.
Training for volunteers will be provided.
For more information please contact Kathy at 215-428-0500 ext. 204.
Mentors needed for Morrisville schools
Posted in News on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
Morrisville School District 21st Century Community Learning Centers is looking for people to volunteer as mentors for an in-school program called Generations Educating Morrisville, or GEM. Mentors would need to volunteer for just one hour a week for third and fourth grade students in Morrisville schools.
Currently, the district is looking for people to give their time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Grandview Elementary School.
Training for volunteers will be provided.
For more information please contact Kathy at 215-428-0500 ext. 204.
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