Bathroom Water Leak in MHS?

Does anyone have any information about a water leak today at the high school where a bathroom sink came off the wall and water was flowing out into the corridors?

More from the mailbag

Thanks to the emailer who sent me this in response to the Bristol budget shortfall posting.

From: bill hellmann
Date: Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM
To: bill hellmann
Cc: GLORIA HEATER , joe kemp , MARLYS MIHOK , ROBIN REITHMEYER , BRENDA WOROB


hi folks:

for the past two months i have been extensively studying the operations and finances of bristol boro school district. these two districts are similar in size and close in proximity. the differences between that school district and our school district on both the revenue side AND the expense side are staggering and substantial. they have us beat every which way i can think about.

i am putting together a six part plan that will make our school district much more efficient and more in line with the bristol borough school district and without materially affecting the educational quality of our school district. due to their efficiency they can afford to build a brand new school, we can not.

we have major business and apartment complex owners constantly trying to reduce their property tax assessments and they have been successful. perhaps, if these major taxpayers see us getting our operational, political and financial house in order, they will stop.

last year i wrote in the paper i would not invest one more nickle or one nickle of client money in this town unless and until this school district wakes up. that still holds today.

last year in the board conference room i told everybody that if we do not restructure, sell your house and get out of this town. that still holds today.

anybody get it yet?

bill

Chicken Alert, Revisited

For a long time, I've been pointing out the silence of the stop the school people. Here's an entry from where the former Gibson board was moving forward with the new school and Angry Al Radosti emerged as the voice of reason...with no comment.

While the Emperor was marking up old board minutes for his own purposes to show that he was interested in health and safety, let's look back even farther.

Let's set the wayback machine for August 10, 2007.

Board member Alfred Radosti, a Republican who won both the Democratic and GOP primary election in May, said, “this community has spoken more than once and they [school board members] don't listen to the community.”

Radosti, who opposes a new school, refused to comment further.

Gibson, in defending construction of the new school, said, “It's a life, safety and health issue to allow these buildings [the existing schools] to continue to deteriorate.”

Oops...it looks like the former board was worried about the same health and safety thing. It's just that William R. Hellmann CPA, Angry Al Radosti, Marlys Mihok, William Farrell, Gloria Heater, and Robin Reithmeyer ran on a platform to STOP THE SCHOOL and not one bit more. They were elected and with Brenda Worob, did just that. They stopped the school.

Last week's Reiter blast and the deteriorations since then fall squarely on these shoulders. Anyone who disputes that needs to re-read the stop the school campaign literature.

Reithmeyer took the school board job with open eyes. From the beginning she's recognized there's more to running a school system than being a taxpayer advocate. Very quickly, she joined the late Ed Frankenfield in asking "where's the plan?"

Just as quickly, the stop the school purists produced all sorts of fatwas and shunnings against Reithmeyer. She was defying the one true way: HELLMANN!

She doggedly kept on and is exposing Hellmann's shady and underhanded activities left and right. Now Heater has done a similar expose showing more of the Emperor's tacky tactics.

Perhaps Non Sequitur illustrates their leadership principle best:



From the beginning there was no plan, and there still is no plan. All they wanted was to stop the school and lower your taxes.

Your kids? Collateral damage.

Hellmann: Morrisville Can Be Just Like Bristol

First we "want to be like Pennsbury." Then, the model is that we should "be like Bristol."

When do we get to "be like Morrisville?"

Don't forget that Bristol is the model for the SIX POINT HELLMANN PLAN

District facing early $800,000 deficit

Bristol School District officials are looking for ways to trim an estimated $800,000 from the projected 2009-10 budget, said Joseph Roe, Bristol’s business manager during the school board meeting Thursday night.

Roe declined to say how much the total projected budget because several adjustments still need to be made to the financial plan.

The board can raise taxes 5.3 percent or 6.36 mills without asking for voter approval to help cover district expenses, according to a predetermined index established by the state.

But that additional revenue would not be enough cover the projected revenue shortfall, Roe said.

The board has scheduled 6 p.m. budget review sessions for Jan. 8, Jan. 22, and Jan. 29 to figure out how to proceed.

Board members have until Jan. 29 to decide if they want to increase the tax rate above the index to help cover the revenue shortfall.

If the board decides to go for the higher increase, it will need to ask for and receive voter approval during the May primary before it can proceed with the increase.

Thumbs down from the BCCT

Thumbs down from the BCCT

To Morrisville school board President William Hellman, who could use some sensitivity training. Make that a lot of sensitivity training

We couldn’t believe how he opened this week’s school board meeting, which drew over a hundred concerned, if not horrified, elementary school parents. The moms and dads were there in response to a weekend boiler explosion that has shut down the M.R. Reiter Elementary School — perhaps permanently.

Rather than expressing relief that nobody was injured and apologizing for the disruption in the children’s school schedule, Hellman opened the meeting by outlining how much the school board saved by cancelling last year’s planned construction of a new K-12 school. Also removed from the district’s agenda — solely by Hellman — were proposed renovations at Reiter. Or as Hellman calls it, the “rat trap.”

Lovely. No wonder parents are calling for the guy’s head.

MHS Winter Concert TONIGHT

Thank you to the emailer for this reminder. This is one of the last chances to see the Morrisville High School in concert. Once the Emperor has his way, . No more high school, no more concerts, no more football, no more...well, you get the idea.

7:30PM High School Winter Concert
The Winter Concert will be held on 12/18 in
the Middle Senior High School auditorium at 7:30PM.

Vitetta Report Available

Now not just for the select elect of the Emperor, the Vitetta Report is available at the district website.

Oddly enough...it reads pretty much like the 2005 report.

You can view the whole group of reports here.

From the Mailbag

Here's an entry from Santa's bulging bag o'email.

I appreciate the readership as well as the feedback.

savethemorrisvilleschool@yahoo.com is open 24/7.

Hello, I'm a relatively new resident to Morrisville, I moved here with my family about a year and a half ago. The idea of a small borough and a small school district where children have a name and are not just a number is what we thought we were getting into. I've been to board meetings, and have been reading your blog for some time now, trying to gain as much information as possible with regards to our current state of affairs in our schools. After last nights meeting, I am disgusted with the way this current board conducts itself!! From board members interrupting each other, and Mr. Hellmann appearing to fall asleep between 10 and 10:30 pm.(Some in the audience actually took a picture of this!)this is no way for a board of elected officials to conduct itself. This board is giving Morrisville a bad name. They should be ashamed of their actions and behavior. This district is small and manageable, but the current board cannot even get through a discussion on a motion without getting snippy and interrupting each other. Its no wonder nothing is getting done. Or perhaps that is the plan, to get nothing done. It seems the majority only wants to save taxes and close schools. It was great to see Mrs. Reithmeyer stand up to Mr. Hellmann, and Mrs. Heater reveal her alarming e-mail from Mr. Hellmann, more members need to see the light(ie:Worab,Mihok,Farrell). Perhaps then we can get back to fixing our schools, and educating our children.

I would like to get more involved and I would like to get our community more involved. Keep up the great work!!

Bucks Bucking Trend?

From the BCCT.

Bucks will not raise taxes in ’09
County officials used $3.2 million from a reserve fund, increased conservative revenue projections and cut vehicle costs.
By JENNA PORTNOY

For the third consecutive year, Bucks County will not raise taxes in 2009, instead opting to take a $3.2 million budget shortfall from the rainy day fund.

The county finance department cut an initial $7.1 million spending gap nearly in half mostly by increasing conservative revenue projections and reducing vehicle costs.

Poor performance on pension fund investments and a 12 percent increase in health care costs account for a $6.8 million budget hit.

The tax rate will remain at 21.9 mills next year. That means a resident owning property assessed at the county average of $35,942 will pay $789 in taxes next year, the same as in 2007 and 2008. A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of assessed value.

Commissioners approved the $467.6 million spending plan by a vote of 2-1, along party lines. All three commissioners praised the county financial team. Taking money from the rainy day fund will reduce the total to about $68 million.

Commissioner Diane Marseglia, the only Democrat on the three-member board, said she wanted commissioners to enforce 2 percent across-the-board cuts for all departments, eliminate a human resources position, drop benefits for row officers’ solicitors and reduce 3 percent cost of living raises for non-union workers. Marseglia also objected to the budget process, which she said discourages the public discussion of potential cuts and their implications.

No members of the public attended a public hearing on the budget.

Commissioner Jim Cawley, a Republican, has said if the county ever decided to reduce raises, the move would have to affect all employees, both union and non-union.

Brian Hessenthaler, director of finance and administration, said the county’s projections still reflect the global financial meltdown, but to a lesser extent than first anticipated. For example, the final budget anticipates fewer delinquent taxpayers — down from 4 percent to about 3 percent — which added $1.7 million to the spending plan.

He also found an additional $360,000 in gaming revenue; $175,000 in revenue from clerk of courts, prothonotary and sheriff ’s fees and $55,000 from a health department grant that will not expire next year as previously anticipated. The county plans to bring in $1 million from the sale of the Quakertown Annex on Route 309.

The county will not hire a public records officer at a salary of $61,800. Instead, the county will name an existing employee to fulfill duties mandated by the state Right to Know law.

Hessenthaler asked all county departments to slash 10 percent from their budgets in case the state makes drastic cuts that affect county spending. Although only about half of the departments responded, he said, the revised budgets helped him identify $100,000 in deferred vehicle purchases.

The other departments will be made to comply and if more savings can be identified, Hessenthaler will make additional cuts.

Corrections also wanted to spend $148,000 on vehicles next year. Instead the purchases were postponed or officials will use unassigned cars from the county fleet. Finally, he said, the county will save $16,000 by taking cars away from 18 employees assigned vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Commissioners plan to hold a special meeting 6 p.m. Dec. 29 to set the salary for two elected jury commissioners. Commissioner Charley Martin, also a Republican, suggested eliminating the jobs, which pay $19,600 each plus benefits, but that must be accomplished at the state level.

The state-mandated minimum salary is $10,500. Any changes would affect officials beginning four-year terms in 2010.

Budget Blues Continue: Bensalem

From the BCCT.

District faces estimated $7M shortfall in 2009-10
The school board can only raise taxes a certain amount to cover the shortfall, and it’s not enough to cover all the projected expenses.
By JOAN HELLYER

The Bensalem School District could face an estimated $7 million revenue shortfall in the coming school year, according to 2009-10 projections reviewed by the school board Wednesday night.

Preliminary projections suggest expenses will increase from about $109 million in the current school year to just over $114 million in 2009-10, said Jack Myers, the district’s director of business administration.

However, district officials anticipate revenues will be less than $107 million in the coming school year.

The board can raise taxes 4.1 percent over the current tax rate, or 5.33 mills, without asking for voter approval, according to an index determined by the state, said Jack Myers, the district’s director of business administration.

If taxes increase by that amount, the owner of the district’s average assessed property of $22,000 would pay just over $2,977 in taxes in 2009-10.

The additional taxes would bring in about $3 million in extra revenue, Myers said.

The rest of the shortfall could be covered with money from the district’s savings account, known as the fund balance. It’s expected to total about $11.3 million in the upcoming academic year, he said.

Myers did not say how much from the fund should be used to help cover the shortfall.

But he cautioned board members that if they used too much of the savings in the next two years, there would be nothing left to help cover any revenue shortfall in 2011-12.

As required by Act 1, the state’s property tax relief law, the board has to decide if it wants to raise the tax rate above its index to help cover expenses. The only way it can do that is to get voter approval in the May primary.

The board will have another budget work session Jan. 14 to decide how it plans to cover all the expenses in the projected 2009-10 budget.

Is the High School Safe?

The 2005 buildings report also addressed the Middle-Senior High School, the building where most of our children are now located.

We anxiously await the (drum roll please) VITETTA REPORT! Yes, the answer to all our problems, Vitetta will swoop in and tell us what to do.

Let's see if this report gets distributed.

UPDATED: The Vitetta Report is available at the district website.

3.0 Morrisville High School
Executive Summary
With the exception of the main sanitary, fire alarm, security, public address, data and clock systems, the mechanical and electrical systems have exceeded their expected service lives and require replacement. Depending on the new program, portions of the emergency lighting and electrical distribution systems can be retained.

3.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment
3.1.1 Unit Ventilators and Air Handling Units
General:
• The majority of the classrooms, both in the original 1958 Building and the 1972 Addition are served by unit ventilators with hot water heating coils and ventilation air provisions. Ventilation is obtained both through the roof and through louvers on the exterior walls.
• Larger spaces, such as the gym, kitchen and the Instructional Materials Center are served by ducted air handling units with a hot water heating coil and outdoor air louvers.
Age/Condition:
• The unit ventilators, air handling units and ductwork are over thirty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The unit ventilators, air handling units and ductwork systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

3.1.2 Boilers
General:
• Two oil-fired boilers, which serve HVAC equipment in the original 1968 Building, generate heating water for classroom and corridor heating. Refer to Photograph C1 in Appendix “C”.
• Two oil-fired boilers, which were installed during the 1972 Addition, generate steam to serve heat exchangers. The heat exchangers use the boiler steam to provide heating water for the classrooms, corridors, and office spaces. Refer to Photograph C2 in Appendix “C”.
• Two base-mounted pumps circulate the heating water throughout the 1968 Building.
Refer to Photograph C3 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The boilers and heat exchangers are all over thirty years old and at the end of their useful service lives.
• The base-mounted pumps appear to be approximately five years old, in fair condition, and can be expected to last another ten to fifteen years.
Code Issues:
• There are not apparent code issues related to the base-mounted pumps.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The boilers and heat exchangers, have exceeded their useful lives, are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.
• The pumps are not suited for new energy efficient HVAC systems required by a new program of space use, and must be replaced.

3.1.3 Cooling System
General:
• An existing air handling unit, which serves the Instructional Materials Center was retrofitted with a cooling coil and remote condensing unit in 1996. The dedicated condensing unit, rated for 30 tons cooling, is located in the open courtyard adjacent to the Instructional Materials Center.
• A 5-ton rooftop unit, installed in 1995, serves a conference room and the Business Manager’s Office Area.
• A 10-ton split system, installed in 1997, serves several offices on the west side of the open courtyard.
• Window air conditioners are incidental, have been added as piecemeal appliances at selective locations, and are not addressed further within this report.
Age/Condition:
• The existing air handling unit serving the Instructional Materials Center, as mentioned previously, is beyond it useful service life. Refer to Article 3.2.1 above.
• The 30-ton condensing unit, 5-ton rooftop unit and 10-ton split system are approximately ten years old and can be expected to last another five to eight years.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the cooling system equipment.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The 30-ton condensing unit, 5-ton rooftop unit and 10-ton split system, depending on the planned renovations and new program of space use at the existing unit locations, could be reused.

3.1.4 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• There are two 12,000 gallon underground oil tanks, one located adjacent to each boiler room. Refer to Photograph C4 in Appendix “C”.
• Oil pumps, located at each boiler, supplies oil from the underground tank to the boilers.
Refer to Photograph C5 in Appendix “C”.
• A 5,000 gallon underground oil tank, which originally served an emergency generator, has been abandoned in-place.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tanks and pumps are over forty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Any repair work resulting from leaks will subject the overall system to compliance with stringent, expensive Federal Environmental Requirements. Prudent evaluation of existing tank/piping system integrity and lead free performance is recommended.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The oil tanks and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.

3.1.5 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• Automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and served by multiple air compressors located in each Boiler Room.
Age/Condition:
• The control system appears to be over twenty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The control system is not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.
3.1.6 Exhaust Systems
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof mounted fans.
Age/Condition:
• The exhaust fans are over forty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are not meeting standard performance requirements.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The exhaust systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

3.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment
3.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, urinals, lavatories, showers, water coolers and hand sinks in various locations throughout the school. Refer to Photographs C6 and C7 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the plumbing fixtures appear to be at least thirty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, are in part faulty, and not capable of repair.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• A majority of the plumbing fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in an upgraded schoolhouse facility, and must be replaced.

3.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The piping is concealed in construction and was not directly observed. For the purposes of this report, it is assumed the piping is cast-iron and of original construction.
• There are no reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over thirty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.

3.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and the majority appears to be of original construction.
• A four-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the 1973 mechanical room on the south side of the building. There are no reported problems with the service entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping system is over thirty years old, has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.

3.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• Two propane-fired water heaters with storage tank, located in the 1973 Boiler Room, serve plumbing fixtures in the 1973 Addition. Refer to Photograph C8 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The propane-fired water heaters are approximately eight years old and are in fair condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the propane-fired water heaters.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The water heaters are suitable for reuse, depending on capacity to serve an expanded program of space use. The need for additional capacity must be determined.

3.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
3.3.1 Automatic Fire Suppression
General:
• There are no automatic fire suppression systems in the building. If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at $4.00 per square foot.
3.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment
3.4.1 Electric Service
General:
• Three-Phase underground 4160 VAC electric service conductors originate from PECO utility pole located next to Palmer Street. The service conductor conduits enter the building and into a 500 KVA unit substation with 120/208VAC secondary located off the old boiler room. Refer to Photograph C9 in Appendix “C”. The electric service is metered at the Utility Company Primary Distribution, “PD” rate.
Age/Condition:
• The original District owned, 1958 vintage Federal Pacific Main Dry Transformer failed within the past five years. Temporary emergency service expenses alone, including premium time, and a rental transformer over several months is reported to have cost more than $9,000.00. The permanent, new replacement is said to have cost more than
$30,000.00, again based on premium time, and tight space constraints in the electrical vault.
• Electrical service equipment, with the exception of the transformer which was just recently replaced, is more than thirty years old, in poor condition, and the manufacturer is no longer in business.
Code Issues:
• The transformer secondary is not protected by a main circuit breaker, as required by applicable life safety sections of the National Electric Code.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The Electric service equipment (Federal Pacific) lost UL Certification in 1981, the existing equipment is unsafe for continued use, much less future use.

3.4.2 Service Entrance Switchboard
General:
• The switchboard’s six (6) air circuit breakers supply the entire building. These breakers (Federal Pacific) are no longer manufactured and the company is out of business. Refer to Photograph C10 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service switchboard is more than thirty years old and in poor condition, manufacturer is no longer in business and parts are unavailable.
Code Issues:
• The switchboard does not meet current life safety codes.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Service entrance switchboard is not acceptable for present use, much less extended use for a new space program.

3.4.3 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• Breaker circuit panels throughout the building supply lighting and general power circuits. There is a lack of available spaces for additional branch circuit breakers in these panels. Refer to Photograph C11 in Appendix “C” for a typical branch circuit panelboard.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are more than thirty years old, and the manufacturer (Federal
Pacific) is no longer in business. Replacement circuit breakers are not available for these panels.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Panelboards throughout the building are not acceptable for present use, much less in a new space use program.

3.4.4 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of stem mounted, two lamp T-12, fluorescent direct/ indirect light fixtures. Refer to Photograph C12 in Appendix “C” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Office lighting is 2 x 4 lay-in with ½" parabolic louvers and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures throughout the building are between thirty and forty years old and are in fair condition, but are not energy efficient and contain “PCB” ballasts.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Interior light fixtures and exit signs, located throughout the building, are not suitable for reuse.

3.4.5 Emergency Lighting and Power Distribution
General:
• A diesel fueled 35Kw Onan Emergency generator and automatic transfer switch is located in the new boiler room and supplies power to life safety systems, emergency lighting, and one boiler and pump.
Age/Condition:
• The generator and transfer switch is less than two years old and in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the generator and transfer switch.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The generator and transfer switch are suitable for reuse.

3.4.6 Exterior Lighting Fixture
General:
• Pole mounted HID lighting fixtures are used in the parking lot using photocells for control. HID lights are mounted around perimeter of building for security lighting.
Age/Condition:
• Exterior HID light fixtures are in acceptable condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the exterior lighting fixtures.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Exterior Light fixtures are suitable for reuse.

3.4.7 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a non-coded addressable system with pull stations and notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors and toilet rooms.
• Fire alarm control equipment is manufactured by Silent Night Company, and replacement parts are available. All alarms report to a central station. Refer to Photograph C13 in Appendix “C”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• Only a few smoke and heat detectors were observed.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm detection system equipment is less than two years old and in good condition.
Code Issues:
• Audio/Visual alarm units are not located in each classroom and office space, which fails to meet regulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is suitable for reuse. The system must be expanded for addition of code required smoke detectors and audio/visual alarm units.

3.4.8 Public Address System
General:
• The Public Address (PA) and communication equipment was manufactured by Bogen Company, and includes: control panel in the administration office; speakers in all classrooms, corridors and offices; and handsets that provide intercommunication between classrooms and the main office.
Age/Condition:
• PA system equipment is approximately ten years old and in fair condition. Replacement parts are available for this system.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.

3.4.9 Computer Data Network System
General:
• Minimal data network outlets are located in each classroom. The data outlets are wired to a central data network patch panel. The data network system components are Category 5 rated.
Age/Condition:
• Data network system equipment is in good condition and is approximately seven years old. The data network file server equipment is approximately five years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the data network system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Data network system equipment is suitable for continued use. Extensions will be required to suite the new program of use.

3.4.10 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• Lathom Corporation manufactured the clock system. Replacement parts are available for this system. The clock control panel is located in the administration office and clocks are located in all classrooms. Refer to Photograph C14 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• Clock control panel and all clocks are between five and ten years old and in good
condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the clock system equipment.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Clock system equipment is suitable for reuse and expansion.

3.4.11 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Building intrusion detection system equipment includes motion detectors in corridors and selected classrooms wired to control equipment in the first floor Small Group Instruction Room. Audio alarms are located on each floor in the corridor. Napco manufactured the motion detection system equipment and replacement parts are available.
Age/Condition:
• Intrusion detection system equipment is two to three years old and is in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the intrusion detection system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system equipment is suitable for reuse and expansion.

3.4.12 Auditorium Lighting and Dimming System
General:
• Lighting in the auditorium is recessed incandescent fixtures connected to the dimming system. Lighting level is generally poor and lamps are continually being replaced at significant expense.
• The dimming panel and remote control unit are forty years old, substantially inoperative, no longer in production, and parts are unavailable. The sound system is also of the same vintage. Both Sound and Stage Lighting Control Systems are not suitable for present use, much less extended use in an upgraded facility with modern space program.
• The stage lighting appears to be adequate, but the stage spotlights are forty years old and not energy efficient.
Age/Condition:
• The lighting and dimming system is approximately forty years old, and in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• There is insufficient working space around the dimming rack.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The lighting and dimming system are not suitable for reuse.

3.4.13 Gymnasium Lighting
General:
• Lighting fixtures are twin hi-bay lighting fixtures with one mercury vapor lamp and one incandescent lamp on separate circuits.
• The mercury vapor lamp is inefficient compared to the newer HID light source.
Age/Condition:
• The lighting fixtures are approximately forty years old, and no longer made. Spare parts are not available.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The lighting system is not suitable for reuse.

Hellmann'$ Chri$tmas Pre$ent

From the BCCT.

Doe$ $crooge ever receive the the me$$age from the three gho$t$? Or were the dream$ $imply returned to $ender, addre$$ unknown?

The children of Morri$ville are only dollar $ign$ to the Emperor Pre$ident. They are $imply another commodity to be traded, bought, and $old.

The Emperor'$ opening $tatement recounting all the $aving$ he ha$ $upplied $howed much more that dollar$ and cent$ It $howed u$ an empty void. How $ad.

Voter$: We got what we paid for. Enjoy the $aving$.

Board plans hearing to close Reiter
Angry parents packed the meeting room to oppose the move. “Our community’s children are not numbers,” said one.
By MANASEE WAGH

After a 25-minute-late start and much heated finger-pointing, the Morrisville School Board voted Wednesday night to advertise for a public hearing to close M.R. Reiter Elementary School.

The hearing would be set for Wednesday, Jan. 14. Board members Robin Reithmeyer, Gloria Heater and Joseph Kemp voted against the advertisement. Board member Al Radosti was absent.

At least 150 residents packed the meeting room, many of them parents of elementary schoolchildren.

Prior to the vote, the board heard public comment from nearly 20 different borough residents, the majority of whom were angry and emotional about the move toward closing the school without determining where to place its more than 250 students safely.

“If these were your children, would you even consider this option?” elementary PTO President Robin Tohm asked the board.

She broke down in tears as she thanked the district staff and administrators for smoothly transitioning Reiter students to alternative locations temporarily after a late night explosion in Reiter’s furnace room blew out windows in the building on Dec. 13.

From Dec. 17 until at least Jan. 5, Reiter students are to attend class at alternative district locations, including the Morrisville YMCA, the Middle/Senior High School and Grandview Elementary School.

Parents expressed anger over board President William Hellmann’s statement at the start of the meeting outlining how much the current board is saving the borough in tax money through canceling last year’s planned construction of a new, $30 million consolidated school for all grades.

They were also upset about Hellmann’s recent e-mail exchanges with other board members in which he called the deteriorating Reiter a “rat trap” that is consuming borough funds for continued maintenance. Hellmann’s e-mail suggested putting all 400-plus elementary school students from Reiter and Grandview into the middle/senior high school.

“Our community’s children are not numbers,” said parent Damon Miller. “You can’t just shuffle them around.”

Putting all grades into the high school would be extremely difficult, since that building caters to older students’ needs, the administration has said.

In case students cannot return to Reiter during the rest of this school year because of safety concerns, they would be set up in modular units at Grandview, said Elizabeth Yonson, district superintendent. The estimated cost of those units could be $108,000, said administrators.

For an hour before the vote to hold a public hearing, board members argued loudly among themselves about what they did or did not do toward fixing the districts’ three schools this past year. Shouts and comments against the board majority and applause for those who spoke against the board president punctuated their arguments.

Board member Gloria Heater accused Hellmann of trying to get some board members to come to a vote about the future of the schools behind other board members’ backs.

At that, some residents yelled at Hellmann, “Resign now!”

A representative from Vitetta, the engineering and architectural firm the school board hired to analyze district schools, also spoke at the meeting to say that his firm had released its report today about the state of the two elementary schools’ boilers, electrical systems, windows and ventilators. The report includes estimations for renovation costs.

It will be posted on the district Web site at www.mv.org.

The board has to hold a public hearing at least 90 days before making any decision to close a school, according to school code.

Business Meeting Recap

Any news?

Borough Council Sez: Open Your Wallets Wider, Please

From the BCCT.

Kudos to Hizzoner. I'm not all that happy that the current condition of our police department is posted for public consumption. However, Tom Wisnosky's generosity is a genuine piece of good news coming from a rather grim week of news featuring the 'Ville.

Council approves budget with $70 tax hike
The mayor is donating his 2009 salary for new guns for police officers.
By DANNY ADLER
STAFF WRITER

Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more next year in municipal property taxes, according to a final budget approved unanimously this week by the council.

On Monday it approved a $5.77 million spending plan — up about $500,000 from this year’s budget — with increased expenses for public works, emergency services and rising sanitation charges.

The millage will increase 3.5 mills to 39.43 mills next year and a homeowner with a property assessed at the borough average of $20,000 will pay about $788 in borough taxes, about $70 more than this year.

One mill, or about $60,000, of the tax hike is allocated for public works trucks and equipment. Another mill will go to the Morrisville Fire Co. for new fire equipment. One and a half mills of the increase, roughly $90,000, are set for the Morrisville Ambulance Squad after being approved by voter referendum.

The residential sanitation charges are set at $357, a $15 increase. The commercial charge will increase $26 to $606. The sanitation increases make up for rising costs by the borough’s trash hauler, Allied Waste Services.

The largest expense for the borough continues to be its police department, accounting for $1.53 million of borough spending.

With a $60,000 increase for the police department budget over this year’s, the borough will fork out money for higher department salaries, as well as office and equipment improvements.

Mayor Thomas Wisnosky said Monday night that he will donate his $2,900 salary next year to the police department so it can purchase new guns for its officers.

Wisnosky said the department uses weapons that are “20-some years old.” “That’s way too old,” the mayor said.

So What's Grandview's Condition?

Let's take a look at the the 2005 buildings report to see how things looked almost four years ago at Grandview, where our kindergarteners are now temporarily housed. Keep in mind, every single person on the current board has seen this report. Angry Al Radosti, Brenda Worob, and Gloria Heater were members of the previous board who refused to believe this report was accurate and helped to bring conditions to where we are today.

2.0 Grandview Elementary
Executive Summary
Original 1954 Building: With the exception of the recently replaced clock system, the HVAC, P&D, FP, and EPT&D must be replaced.

1968 Addition: With the exception of the electrical service, wiring, main sanitary, fire alarm, public address, security and clock systems, HVAC, P&D, FP, and EPT&D.

2.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment
2.1.1 Air Handling Units
General:
• Two air handling units, with electric cooling and hot water heating, were installed in 1968. The air handling units, each dedicated to one large classroom in the 1968 Addition, have been abandoned in-place.
• An oil-fired air handling unit, located in the first floor mechanical room, serves offices and classroom in the original 1956 Building. Refer to Photograph B1 in Appendix “B”.
• Air is distributed through a combination of galvanized steel ductwork and underground asbestos cement pipe. The asbestos cement pipe is limited to the original 1956 Building.
Refer to Photograph B2 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The air handling units and ductwork are approximately forty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The air handling units and ductwork systems are not acceptable for reuse or continued use, and must be removed.

2.1.2 Boilers
General:
• Two oil-fired boilers, which generate space heating hot water for classroom and corridor
heating, serve the HVAC equipment in the 1968 Addition. Refer to Photograph B4 in
Appendix “B”.
• Two base-mounted pumps circulate heating water throughout the 1968 Addition. Refer to Photograph B5 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The boilers are approximately thirty-seven years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives;
• The base-mounted pumps appear to be approximately five years old and can be expected to last another ten to fifteen years. The space heating hot water system may not be thebest system choice to serve an upgraded facility with modern space program.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the base-mounted pumps.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The boilers are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.
• The pumps are not suited for the new HVAC systems and must be replaced.

2.1.3 Cooling System
General:
• Classrooms in the 1968 Addition are equipped with through-wall units with direct expansion cooling coils, hot water heating coils and ventilation air provisions. Refer to
Photograph B6 in Appendix “B”.
• Supplemental cooling systems consist of several ductless split systems in various offices and classrooms. Refer to Photograph B7 in Appendix “B”.
• Window air conditions are not addressed within this report.
Age/Condition:
• The through-wall air conditioning units are over thirty years old and beyond their useful service lives.
• Ductless split system units do not provide code required ventilation air and are not suitable for a schoolhouse occupancy.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The through-wall air conditioning units and ductless split systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

2.1.4 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• A 10,000 gallon underground oil tank, located on the west side of the 1968 mechanical room, serves the two hot water boilers. Refer to Photograph B8 in Appendix “B”.
• An oil pump set, located in the first floor mechanical room, supplies oil from the underground tank to the boilers. Refer to Photograph B9 in Appendix “B”.
• A 6,000 gallon underground oil tank, located on the south side of the 1956 mechanical room, serves the oil-fired air handling unit.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tanks and pumps are over forty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Any repair work resulting from leaks will subject the overall system to compliance with stringent, expensive Federal Environmental Requirements. Prudent evaluation of existing tank/piping system integrity and lead free performance is recommended. Suitability for General Reuse:
• The oil tank and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.

2.1.5 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• Automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and is served by an air compressor located in the 1968 Boiler Room. Refer to Photograph B10 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The control system appears to be over twenty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The control system is not suitable for reuse, continued use, and must be replaced.

2.1.6 Exhaust System
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof mounted fans.
Age/Condition:
• The exhaust fans are over thirty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The exhaust systems are not suitable for reuse and must be removed.

2.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment
2.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, urinals, lavatories, water coolers and hand sinks located throughout the school. Refer to Photographs B11 and B12 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the plumbing fixtures appear to be at least thirty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, are in part faulty, and not capable of repair.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• A majority of the plumbing fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in an upgraded schoolhouse facility, and must be replaced.

2.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The piping is concealed in the construction and was not directly observed. For the purposes of this report, it is assumed the piping is cast-iron and of original construction.
• There are not reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over forty years old and has far exceeded its useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The sanitary and vent piping is not suitable for reuse in an upgraded facility with modern space program, and must be replaced.
• Reuse of the existing main building sewer under a modernized program of space should be reviewed with the Municipal Sewer Authority.

2.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and the majority appears to be of original construction.
• A two-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the mechanical
room on the south side of the building. There are no reported problems with the service
entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping is reported to be over forty years old and has exceeded its useful service life.
• The Municipal Water Service Entrance Piping System appears to be at least twenty years old, and is unreliable at best.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.

2.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• One small electric water heater, located in the 1956 mechanical room, provides domestic
hot water to the plumbing fixtures in the original building. Refer to Photograph B13 in
Appendix “B”.
• A propane-fired water heater, located in the Boiler Room, serves plumbing fixtures in the 1968 Addition. Refer to Photograph B14 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The electric water heater appears to be less than five years old and in good condition.
• The propane-fired water heater appears to be over twenty years old and beyond its useful service life. The system may be unsafe in view of the age of the existing system, and original safety devices now required of equipment manufacturers.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the electric water heaters.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The electric water heaters are suitable for reuse. The need for additional capacity must be determined.
• The propane-fired water heater is not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

2.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
2.3.1 Automatic Fire Suppression. If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at $4.00 per square foot.
General:
• There are no automatic fire suppression systems in the building. If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at $4.00 per square foot.

2.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment
2.4.1 Electric Service
General:
• An underground 4160 VAC electrical service runs from a PECO utility pole on Grandview Avenue to a 150 KVA unit substation with 120/208 VAC secondary located off the new boiler room. The electric service is metered “PD” rate. Refer to Photograph B15 in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service equipment is approximately thirty-five years old, and is in fair condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the electric service.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The electrical service equipment is suitable for reuse, assuming that electrical load resulting from an expanded program of space use, does not exceed existing capacity.

2.4.2 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• Branch circuit panels throughout the building supply lighting and general power circuits.
The majority of the panels are circuit breaker type except for the original fuse equipped
main distribution panel.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are approximately thirty-five years old, are in poor condition, and have far exceeded their useful life. Spare breakers are not available.
Code Issues:
• Panels in the main electric room have insufficient clearance, thereby failing to meet the National Electrical Code.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Panelboards are not suitable for reuse, or continued use.

2.4.3 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of stem mounted, two lamp T-12, fluorescent direct/indirect light fixtures. Refer to Photograph B16 in Appendix “B” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Office lighting is 2 x 4 stem mounted with wrap around lens and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are thirty-five years old, are in poor conditions, are not energy efficient and contain “PCB” (HAZMAT) ballasts.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Light fixtures are not suitable for reuse, or continued use.

2.4.4 Emergency Lighting
General:
• Battery powered emergency light units are used in the corridors and lobby in the original building. The newer building has a 15 Kw emergency generator with automatic transfer switch, plug fuse panel, and incandescent lights.
Age/Condition:
• Emergency lighting units are in fair condition. The 15Kw emergency generator is about
forty years old, and parts are unavailable.
Code Issues:
• The emergency-only circuits are no longer acceptable under applicable life safety code. Suitability for General Reuse:
• The entire emergency lighting system and generator are not suitable for reuse, or continued use.

2.4.5 Exterior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• External lighting fixtures are generally wall mounted incandescent floodlights and lights
over exit doors.
Age/Condition:
• Exterior light fixtures are in poor condition and are not energy efficient.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Exterior lights are not suitable for reuse.

2.4.6 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a non-coded addressable system with pull stations and
notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors but do not serve toilet rooms or
classrooms.
• Fire alarm control equipment is manufactured by Silent Night Company, and replacement
parts are available. All alarms report to a central station. Refer to Photograph B17 in
Appendix “B”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• None of the areas were equipped with heat or smoke detectors.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is approximately two years old and is in good
condition.
Code Issues:
• Classrooms and toilet rooms do not have audio/visual alarm units, which does not comply in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Smoke detectors must be added to comply with latest codes.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm system equipment is suitable for reuse. The system must be expanded for
addition of code required smoke detectors and audio/visual alarm units.

2.4.7 Public Address System
General:
• The Public Address (PA) and communication equipment was manufactured by Bogen
Company, and includes: control panel in the administration office; speakers in all
classrooms, corridors and offices; and handsets that provide intercommunication between classrooms and the main office.
Age/Condition:
• The PA system is in good condition and is eight years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.

2.4.8 Computer Data Network System
General:
• There are individual computers in the classrooms. A centralized network system does not exist.

2.4.9 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• The original master clock has been replaced with a Lathom Corporation clock system. Replacement parts are available for this system. The clock control panel is located in the administration office and clocks are located in all classrooms. Refer to Photograph B18
in Appendix “B”.
Age/Condition:
• The master clock is approximately three years old and is in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the clock system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The overall system is suitable for reuse.

2.4.10 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Classrooms and entry corridor are protected with motion detectors with an audio alarm output device. Ultraguard manufactured the equipment, replacement parts are available for this system.
Age/Condition:
• The intrusion detection system equipment is approximately three years old and is in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the security system
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system is suitable for reuse and expansion.

Fratti: One school down. Two to go.

Kate Fratti in the BCCT.

Come see the Emperor and the Board of Chosen Accomplices in concert TONIGHT, 7:30 P.M. in the LGI.

Please make them move the meeting to the auditorium. Bring a friend. Bring a neighbor. Bring your kids. Show the kids what democracy is all about and show the board members that the students of Morrisville are worth fighting for.

Morrisville going down?

If you think Morrisville school board members are wringing their hands after learning the borough will block the reopening of M.R. Reiter Elementary School until engineers deem it “safe,” you’ve been had.

While grade-schoolers are displaced, staff is scrambling, the maintenance guy is explaining and parents are up in arms, the mood of the board leadership following the boiler room explosion at Reiter is celebratory. Dollar signs everywhere. The explosion was a Christmas gift.

In an e-mail written to the rest of the board fewer than 24 hours after the boiler blew, board President Bill Hellmann indicated a shuttered M.R. Reiter is just what he’d hoped for. The emphasis is all his.

“If we close both elementary schools and put everybody in the high school, we will save a FORTUNE in operating costs. EVERY YEAR. The pro new-schoolers wanted a K-12 school. Well here it is. The other people who might not want a K-12 are a minority and when they see their reduced tax bill on July 1 of each year, they just may change their minds in these new tough economic times. We will save ANOTHER fortune by not repairing either of those two buildings. We will solve the M.R. Reiter problem. CLOSE THIS RAT TRAP NOW.”

Hellmann’s e-mail makes it clear why in June he eliminated Reiter from a list of buildings to be examined by engineers in preparation for eventual renovations that might have prevented the explosion. And, it’s clear, now, why the board’s been dragging its feet on fixes to Grandview Elementary School, too.

Rat traps.

Hellmann, Brenda Worob, Marlys Mihok, Al Radosti, Bill Farrell and Gloria Heater were voted into office by an electorate that desperately wanted to stop construction of a new K-12 building it could not afford. The winning slate promised voters they’d renovate existing buildings instead.

They lied. Some of them have said privately they’d like to rid the borough of the entire school system.

One school down. Two to go.

So what until then?

It’s rumored school board directors have spoken with council members about using county open space preservation funds to purchase the Reiter property and that county Commissioner Jim Cawley has offered to assist them with such a plan.

Cawley insists he has not had any such conversation with anyone from Morrisville — though the county’s always willing to help when it can, he added.

Which, I suppose, suggests the open space suggestion isn’t so farfetched. How else to unload rat trap real estate? Morrisville will need to spend its open space allotment or lose it, and what other open space is there?

The stumbling block to eliminating the whole district immediately? A teachers contract that blocks lay-offs and furloughs for the next few years. The Reiter boiler explosion blew open a path to save at least some “FORTUNE” now by eliminating operating costs.

It will mean cramming gradeschoolers into space at the high school and eventually reconfiguring high school classrooms to create a grade-school wing.

Learning in the midst of all that commotion? You never hear this board use the word. It’s not their concern.

They came into power with an agenda to be rid of schools entirely. They should have said so up front. They might very well have been elected, anyway.

Either way, stating their intention was the honorable thing to do. This sneaky approach is disruptive, chaotic and bad for the borough’s reputation as a place to live and work. It could have been dangerous.

“If this school district does not wake up, this town is going down,” Hellmann e-mailed the rest of the board as he urged consensus.

His critics argue the descent already has begun. The cart’s being driven by sneaks and bean counters.

UPDATE December 18, from the BCCT.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
Morrisville School Board member Brenda Worob was voted into office in 2005. Her term expires in 2009. Incorrect information appeared in Kate Fratti’s column Wednesday.
The Courier Times strives for accuracy. However, when we do make errors, we want to correct them as soon as possible in this space. To help us, please call 215-949-4161 (days) or 215-949-4211 (nights).

Moving students angers some parents

From the BCCT.

Moving students angers some parents
Reiter Elementary remains closed. Students are attending classes at three different sites, and that has parents concerned.
By MANASEE WAGH

M.R. Reiter Elementary School students have been uprooted from their classrooms.

And parents are angry.

A furnace explosion Saturday is keeping Reiter closed until at least Jan. 5. More than 250 students will have temporary classes in the middle/high school, the Morrisville YMCA and Grandview Elementary School. Nobody was hurt in the explosion, but the school remains closed while the borough and the district insurance company investigate the cause.

On Tuesday, district officials met with a large crowd of parents in the Morrisville Middle/High School gym to show them where their kids will learn for the next several days. Teachers took parents on tours of classrooms and spaces where their first- and second-graders will restart today. The young students will stay with teachers and aides at all times without mixing with higher grades, said administrators.

Families had many questions and complaints. They said they wished the school board, which has been in office a year, had fixed known facilities problems earlier.

“This is a nightmare,” said Tammi Bresen, the mother of a first-grader at Reiter. She didn’t like that three first-grade classes had to learn in makeshift classrooms in the library, with only a partial wall separating them.

“People aren’t happy, especially because the (furnace) was already having problems before,” said Jim Mahler, the father of a Reiter child. He said the board should fix the furnace immediately.

Oil odors began the afternoon of Dec. 10 in Reiter and then resumed Thursday morning, forcing students to leave while the district had a fuel pump replaced by an outside company. Later the furnace exploded, breaking a window in the boiler room.

One probable reason for the explosion is that the fuel valve to turn the fuel flow on and off got stuck in the open position, allowing fuel to continue pumping even after the burner shut off, said Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities.

The district’s insurance company will likely pay for cleanup and repairs, said Elizabeth Yonson, district superintendent, Tuesday.

Built in the 1920’s, Reiter is older and in worse shape than Grandview, even without counting the boiler explosion, Lastichen said. Vitetta, the engineering and architectural firm the school board hired to analyze district schools, will probably report higher renovation costs for Reiter, he added.

William Hellmann, the school board president, said he expects the completed Vitetta report this week.

Some parents questioned whether Reiter would be closed permanently. Tonight, the board plans to discuss having a public hearing to close one of its two elementary schools. If the county buys the land as preserved open space, said Hellmann, the remaining two schools would benefit from the money. It could be used for renovation, he said.

However, Nancy Sherlock, president of the borough council, said Tuesday that she doesn’t think the borough would buy the land. Nor would the borough plan to prevent the district from reopening Reiter, as current rumors of an injunction suggest.

“An injunction means usurping power. We aren’t doing that,” she said, adding, “I don’t think the borough needs any more open space. I can’t speak for other council members.”

Hellmann said he would be amenable to a single school building for all students, “if we could work it out that way, but I’m not sure the town wants a kindergarten through 12thgrade school. We’d always have to have at least one elementary school,” he said.

“I am not averse to spending money on the school district as long as the money is spent efficiently. I don’t have specific examples of how right now,” continued Hellmann.

One thing sticks in Hellmann’s mind: three buildings for less than 900 children are too many, he said.

“To me it’s just common sense,” he said.

Trying to integrate hundreds of additional students into the high school would be a logistical nightmare, especially without constructing new building additions to make sure upper and lower grades don’t mix, administration officials said. Different hallways in the high school have dedicated spaces like computer labs, science labs and the woodshop. Right now, the cafeteria and library cater to upper grades only.

If a public hearing to sell a building takes place, the school board would have to wait 90 days before making the decision to sell it or not, according to school code.

Robin Tohm, the elementary schools’ PTO president, urged parents to attend tonight’s school board meeting and make their voices heard.

Yonson told parents at Tuesday’s open house that she would not send students back to Reiter unless air quality experts and cleanup crews say the school is safe.

“Everyone has been wonderful and pitching in to make things as easy as possible to manage for the next (several) days. I’m very grateful for the flexibility of the staff,” Yonson said. “I’m very hopeful we will be able to get kids back to Reiter. But it’s up to the board,” she added.

The View From the Sixth Grade

The Morrisville Schools housing crisis, as seen by a sixth grader. Mr. Emperor President? Any Chosen Accomplices? What say you?

This sixth grader compiled a list of pros and cons of elementary students "visiting" the high school this week. And let's hope it is just a visit. The high school space as it exists now is not conducive to a permanent solution. A sixth grader could tell you that, and here's just a few examples why:

Problems:

*Bathroom time cut off for sixth grade (you read that correctly - reduced access to bathrooms in order to accommodate younger children)
*Missing 15 minutes of art (last period class due to 2:15 dismissal)
*Routes to classrooms changed
*No Library
*Gym space cut in half
*Little kids eating in hallways
*Clubs canceled
*No homework zone

Good things:
*out 15 minutes early
*little kids get education
*nobody got hurt or died

Fiddling in Morrisville: An Editorial

From the BCCT.

Dear Voters: If you're not disgusted by now with the way things are being run in this town, what will it take?

We were lucky. We dodged the proverbial bullet on this one big time. No students or repair crews were caught in the blast.

We fought over the money. As the tax funding dried up, we squabbled over what was left rather than frugally using what we had and making the hard choices. For years over successive school boards, maintenance items were routinely deferred and delayed just because we didn't have the money.

We fought over "illegal students", thinking the way to solvency was to exorcise and exclude those who didn't belong. We even had school board members camped out like bridge trolls waiting for an out of state licence plate as a badge of shame and as an excuse to pounce. That thinking persists even to this day.

Then we fought over the "gold plated Taj Mahal." Finally! Finally, when someone stepped up to the plate, swallowed hard, and made the hard choice to build anew to replace three crumbling structures, the nattering nay-sayers arose from their slumbers and nit picked the plan to death. All because it was "new" and it cost "money".

Investment in the future is never without cost. The reward, however, is incalculable.

What was the cost to build the Robert Morris High School the first time? What was the cost to renovate it into M. R. Reiter the second time? Yet this building has provided housing for our students for some eighty years. Expenditure: Large. Payback: Even larger.

I still think the idea of the new school was demonized unfairly, along with the high school students themselves, but that's water under the bridge. I hear the negative comments about the administration, the students, the staff, and all I can think of is that it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Yet here we are, groping vainly in the night for a solution.

This isn't about the "new school" versus the "old school." That would be like saying the new school offered a K-12 campus: The demise of Reiter and current enrollment stats makes this a great opportunity to cram everyone into the high school and call it a day. However, that's such a great example of the short-sighted thinking of our "leaders", I fully expect it to be the new reality.

What this is about is leadership and forward thinking. The mere act of producing a new building or renovating an old one doesn't make anything better in and of itself. You can take a positive action and mow the grass. The lot looks great for now, but it needs constant attention, so you make the commitment to keep at it. Your neighbor see what you're doing and joins in. Now there's two better kept yards. Soon there's a third. And so on, and so on... That example is pure corn, I know. But think about what Morrisville COULD be like if that style of thinking was the prevailing view.

It's about looking at today and instead of seeing the long dead past, or even the reality of today, seeing the future. Vision. Leaders have it. Others don't. President Reagan offered his can do optimism. President Carter offered us "malaise". Who won that election?

I know there's a pony in here somewhere. Let's look for it together.



Fiddling in Morrisville
The boiler explosion at the M.R. Reiter School is a warning that must not be ignored.

Like Nero’s legendary playing of his fiddle while Rome burned, Morrisville School Board members continue to fiddle with renovation plans while a school building nearly burned.

More accurately, the boiler at M.R. Reiter Elementary School exploded over the weekend, keeping students home from school Monday and administrators scrambling to find space for affected students in other district buildings.

Officials say damage at the school was limited to the boiler room, where windows were blown out. We’re glad to hear that the damage was confined. We are further relieved that classes were not in session when the boiler blew. School board members, who have delayed needed renovations at all three district schools, should feel fortunate indeed. Call it a warning, one board members cannot — must not — ignore. Delay no longer is acceptable.

This board has done little but fret over the future since the current majority took control nearly a year ago. Voted in to stop a $30 million plan to build a new K-12 school, members moved quickly to get that done. They have since been unable to move ahead on desperately needed renovations some of which clearly threaten the health and safety of district children.

School board President Bill Hellmann bears the most responsibility since he has taken it upon himself to make decisions without the full board’s input. Among his unitary decisions was removing M.R. Reiter from the renovation equation after companies had submitted repair proposals in June for all three buildings.

That done Hellmann and his friends on the board have a dire responsibility to do something — and do it now!

We’re not engineers, but our common sense perspective is that children should not be returned to that school. We don’t doubt parents would agree.

Maybe board members can make that decision without delay.

Reiter: A timeline

From the BCCT.

Be sure to note the July entry below. The school board clearly and with premeditation ignored Reiter and its problems.

Events leading up to furnace explosion at Reiter

January 2008: New Morrisville school board takes office and largely opposes building a new, $30-million pre-K through 12 th - grade consolidated school to replace the district’s three ailing schools — Morrisville Middle/Senior High School and Grandview and M. R. Reiter elementary schools.

July: The school board votes to start preliminary work to replace the boilers at the high school and Grandview. Twelve companies submit proposals for work on all three buildings, but board President Bill Hellmann removes Reiter from the equation. “Reiter’s so bad, I think it should be bulldozed. I wouldn’t spend money on it,” says Tim Lastichen, district facilities director.

Dec. 10: In the afternoon, an oily odor from the furnace spreads through Reiter. After-school activities end and children and staff go home. Later that day, Hellmann announces he wants to hold a public hearing on possibly closing one of the district’s elementary schools to save money.

Dec. 11: Students are sent home when the odor returns.

Dec. 12: Reiter is closed as workers repair a pump in the school’s furnace room.

Dec. 13: A late night explosion in the furnace room blows out windows.

Dec. 14: The school board holds an emergency meeting to discuss the explosion. Officials announce the school is closed until the school is deemed safe — at the earliest Jan. 5.

Monday: Reiter students don’t have class. The administration works to finalize a plan for students to attend Grandview and the high school.

Today: Reiter remains closed. Students are expected to resume instruction Wednesday, but not in Reiter.