From the BCCT.
Board members won't be allowed to call in votes
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
A motion to allow school board directors to cast their votes by phone narrowly failed.
A policy that would've allowed Neshaminy school board members to participate in meetings by phone was disconnected Tuesday night.
The vote failed 4-5 with only board members William O'Connor, William Spitz, Susan Cummings and Joseph Blasch voting yes.
The process would've let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would have been able to make such a request only once a year through the board president or superintendent, according to the policy.
O'Connor, who works in sales and marketing, requested the guideline so he wouldn't have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips. He wanted the rule to allow two directors per meeting to vote by phone twice a year since his job takes him a few times a year to places like South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Germany. O'Connor said he missed two or three meetings in the last year.
Board member Richard Eccles expressed concerns that board members would miss too many meetings. But district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III said it wouldn't count as an absence if a board member participated via phone.
The policy would've given the board the ability to increase those numbers in the future, administrators said.
Profy also said the board member participating remotely could not have been used to reach a quorum. At least five other board members must be present to hold a meeting, said Profy.
Board member William Spitz favored the remote participation, which he believed could be monitored and adjusted to avoid abuse.
The concept already is used in some districts, including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said.
And Neshaminy allowed board member Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said 35 school districts across the state have adopted similar protocols.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But Neshaminy board member Frank Koziol argued the policy isn't necessary. By his calculations, only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director's absence.
Board President Ritchie Webb said he could see why the policy might be beneficial, but he voted against the policy, too, because voting over the phone doesn't allow directors to look residents in the eyes. Webb was also concerned about members hearing public comment.
Showing posts with label Neshaminy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neshaminy. Show all posts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Neshaminy: Layoffs Coming
From the BCCT.
Business administrator recommends layoffs
About 65 positions would be eliminated under the potential budget changes.
By RACHEL CANELLI
With a somber tone, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night forecasted Neshaminy School District’s financial future: layoffs.
After months of trying to find ways to cut the projected $14 million deficit and avoid a $500 tax hike, Paradise recommended many budget changes to the Neshaminy school board, which included eliminating about 65 positions.
Paradise said the administration’s suggestions are made “with great sadness … but little choice.”
“Many of these cuts reduce … spending to their bare minimum,” Paradise read from a prepared statement. “It will not be business as usual next year in Neshaminy … there will be few dollars to do anything other than what’s legally required.”
To fill the holes between an estimated $167 million spending plan and $153 in projected revenues, Paradise described how officials found more than $10 million mostly through employee jobs.
That would reduce the average tax increase from 12.5 percent to 3.6 percent, which is under the Act 1 4.1 percent limit, administrators said.
If approved, at least two cabinet-level spots, including one in human resources, won’t be filled, saving roughly $300,000. By moving the ninth grade to the renovated high school next year, more than 27 positions would be eliminated, said Paradise.
And, so far, about 25 support staff jobs could be lost, officials said.
Administrators recommended saving $637,000 of the $10.6 million transportation budget by eliminating the mid-day kindergarten bus run, as well as reducing late day transportation routes and consolidating pick-up and drop-off spots.
Paradise strongly suggested that the board seriously consider establishing a committee to close an elementary school next year.
Travel and support staff ’s overtime would be reduced by 50 percent, officials said. Administrators said they can more efficiently schedule music, art, and languages.
Officials also recommended increasing facilities usage fees, gather $250,000 through establishing to-be-determined fees for extra-curricular activities to cover a portion of the $1.6 million activities budget, saving $114,000 by canceling the summer work program and eliminating the long term service awards ceremony.
While some residents continued petitioning the board for no tax and budget increase, others, including senior citizens, said they supported Paradise’s recommendations. They also suggested forging business partnerships, being more energy efficient, creating a budget committee and seeking corporate sponsorships, specifically for sports.
Since officials used $8.8 million of the district’s savings in the last two years — more than Neshaminy’s history — administrators suggested avoiding what’s left of the dwindling $1.2 million fund balance to bridge the gap.
Officials said they’d continue to review the budget.
“It’s with heavy heart that we have to have this conversation tonight,” said Superintendent Lou Muenker. “Every number comes with a story, a face and a family. But these recommendations don’t come without a lot of sleepless nights.”
Business administrator recommends layoffs
About 65 positions would be eliminated under the potential budget changes.
By RACHEL CANELLI
With a somber tone, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night forecasted Neshaminy School District’s financial future: layoffs.
After months of trying to find ways to cut the projected $14 million deficit and avoid a $500 tax hike, Paradise recommended many budget changes to the Neshaminy school board, which included eliminating about 65 positions.
Paradise said the administration’s suggestions are made “with great sadness … but little choice.”
“Many of these cuts reduce … spending to their bare minimum,” Paradise read from a prepared statement. “It will not be business as usual next year in Neshaminy … there will be few dollars to do anything other than what’s legally required.”
To fill the holes between an estimated $167 million spending plan and $153 in projected revenues, Paradise described how officials found more than $10 million mostly through employee jobs.
That would reduce the average tax increase from 12.5 percent to 3.6 percent, which is under the Act 1 4.1 percent limit, administrators said.
If approved, at least two cabinet-level spots, including one in human resources, won’t be filled, saving roughly $300,000. By moving the ninth grade to the renovated high school next year, more than 27 positions would be eliminated, said Paradise.
And, so far, about 25 support staff jobs could be lost, officials said.
Administrators recommended saving $637,000 of the $10.6 million transportation budget by eliminating the mid-day kindergarten bus run, as well as reducing late day transportation routes and consolidating pick-up and drop-off spots.
Paradise strongly suggested that the board seriously consider establishing a committee to close an elementary school next year.
Travel and support staff ’s overtime would be reduced by 50 percent, officials said. Administrators said they can more efficiently schedule music, art, and languages.
Officials also recommended increasing facilities usage fees, gather $250,000 through establishing to-be-determined fees for extra-curricular activities to cover a portion of the $1.6 million activities budget, saving $114,000 by canceling the summer work program and eliminating the long term service awards ceremony.
While some residents continued petitioning the board for no tax and budget increase, others, including senior citizens, said they supported Paradise’s recommendations. They also suggested forging business partnerships, being more energy efficient, creating a budget committee and seeking corporate sponsorships, specifically for sports.
Since officials used $8.8 million of the district’s savings in the last two years — more than Neshaminy’s history — administrators suggested avoiding what’s left of the dwindling $1.2 million fund balance to bridge the gap.
Officials said they’d continue to review the budget.
“It’s with heavy heart that we have to have this conversation tonight,” said Superintendent Lou Muenker. “Every number comes with a story, a face and a family. But these recommendations don’t come without a lot of sleepless nights.”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Neshaminy: Now WE Want a School Board Just Like Morrisville
From the BCCT.
First Pennsbury, now Neshaminy...
"Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers." What ever happened to the children in this equation? Take this fight to Harrisburg. Stop making the children pay alongside the rest of us. Call your state senator and representative.
Contracts made when times were better are going to look lavish when compared to today. Similarly, they would look shabby against a healthy economy.
Personnel costs are an immense cost in every business, not just teaching. But teaching is a very high "face time" profession, requiring 1 on 25 group interaction (pick your teacher to class ratio as you will), and the necessary 1 on 1 interactions. No computer program in existence today can replace the teacher-student time.
Teachers are well educated people and they deserve a real salary based on their past experience, their current workload, and the night education they are receiving to become better at their job. Do not read that to mean I stand for unlimited and excessive pay. I've signed payrolls in the past. Fair pay for fair work, but remember that one man's fair is another's foul.
Another local school board, another local taxpayer riot. Been there, done that. Our wreckage is still bouncing from the collapse, and the occasional heater explosion.
Are you sure you want to go down this extremist road?
Tell irresponsible unions, school boards our pockets are empty
The moment of truth is approaching. This was announced at the Neshaminy board meeting when Joe Paradise, the school district’s business manager, stated, “The preliminary budget will be out April 28 and there will be something for everyone to hate in this budget.” As the guardian of spending no one understands the tyranny of the numbers better.
When he says “everyone,” I have more than a suspicion that he means every one of us taxpayers will yet again shoulder the pain caused by past and current failures in fiscal responsibility.
However, taxpayers need to understand the reason our budget is so painful. Escalating personnel costs in our district now comprise nearly 80 percent of the expense. This is predominately unionized personnel, aka teachers and staff. Their excessive past contracts, including rich benefits, have put us in a $14 million deficit and this will likely be severely exasperated by the outrageous demands in the next contract.
Read every page of the last collective bargaining agreement (an extension of the 1998 contract) from 2002 and you will see contracted pay, benefits and perks that will absolutely drive you crazy — especially now. Amazingly, in the ongoing renegotiation, the most highly compensated teachers and staff in Bucks County (top 10 in Pennsylvania), now are demanding much more.
When he says “something,” we ALL will hate, it is code for the draconian cuts the board will be forced to make to close the budget gaps resulting from the elephant in the room — out of control employee costs. The teachers rejected a perfectly decent offer the board made last year and one the administrators recently accepted. This included a generous 3 percent annual increase and a diminished yet still rich benefits package. They should have grabbed it since now, given the deteriorating economy, this package is now even more unaffordable for the district.
The National Federation of Teachers and its members didn’t compromise, but instead insisted on demanding a 4 percent increase plus steps totaling 6 percent annually, zero employee contribution to the exponentially increasing budget health care costs, continued defined benefit retirement plan, including full non-participatory health care in retirement, retirement bonuses of $30,000 vs. the current $27,000 (who gets this in the real world?), a longevity bonus (WHAT? You have to be kidding?) and many other benefits that no other Pennsylvania district still provides.
Just think, if the offer the board made is unaffordable, what if they now get a compromised middle ground deal or worse, their demands? You won’t be able to cut enough elsewhere and we will be in deeper deficit spending and escalating annual tax increases as far as the eye can see.
A petition circulating in the district on behalf of taxpayers for a Fair Neshaminy Budget, so far signed by several hundred taxpayers and growing, has demanded the board withdraw its offer and make a significantly reduced one with much lower long-term cost to taxpayers. Many more are speaking up at school board meetings.
When the board recommends cuts in programs that will negatively impact the children of the district (remember them?), don’t direct all your displeasure at board members. Their hands have been tied by unions and lawmakers so they do what state laws permit. Instead, focus blame on the teachers and union leaders. The possible reduction in educational quality will now rest with them as they make their needs preeminent to ours.
Many are uncomfortable that these facts are being called out publicly, but unfortunately this powerful group has brought it on themselves as they simply have no defense of the demands. Please know that if the union wins, everyone else loses. It will lead not only to continued massive tax increases, but also to potentially major reductions in very popular programs. Ironically, to secure their demands, union leadership will throw some teachers over the side due to program elimination.
I don’t know about you, but I have had it with irresponsible unions, school boards and politicians who assume our pockets are deep enough to pay all the bills they sign up for? People continue to fatten up at the public trough when the rest of us can now least afford it. Fair compensation in line with current private sector offerings is acceptable but communities should no longer have to subsidize the excessive packages that teachers and other public workers demand through their powerful unions. If the madness doesn’t stop, our children and grandchildren will be left with the increasingly noncompetitive public education system we have now — and taxes that make Europe look like a bargain.
Join the fight. Speak at tonight’s board meeting. Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers.
First Pennsbury, now Neshaminy...
"Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers." What ever happened to the children in this equation? Take this fight to Harrisburg. Stop making the children pay alongside the rest of us. Call your state senator and representative.
Contracts made when times were better are going to look lavish when compared to today. Similarly, they would look shabby against a healthy economy.
Personnel costs are an immense cost in every business, not just teaching. But teaching is a very high "face time" profession, requiring 1 on 25 group interaction (pick your teacher to class ratio as you will), and the necessary 1 on 1 interactions. No computer program in existence today can replace the teacher-student time.
Teachers are well educated people and they deserve a real salary based on their past experience, their current workload, and the night education they are receiving to become better at their job. Do not read that to mean I stand for unlimited and excessive pay. I've signed payrolls in the past. Fair pay for fair work, but remember that one man's fair is another's foul.
Another local school board, another local taxpayer riot. Been there, done that. Our wreckage is still bouncing from the collapse, and the occasional heater explosion.
Are you sure you want to go down this extremist road?
Tell irresponsible unions, school boards our pockets are empty
The moment of truth is approaching. This was announced at the Neshaminy board meeting when Joe Paradise, the school district’s business manager, stated, “The preliminary budget will be out April 28 and there will be something for everyone to hate in this budget.” As the guardian of spending no one understands the tyranny of the numbers better.
When he says “everyone,” I have more than a suspicion that he means every one of us taxpayers will yet again shoulder the pain caused by past and current failures in fiscal responsibility.
However, taxpayers need to understand the reason our budget is so painful. Escalating personnel costs in our district now comprise nearly 80 percent of the expense. This is predominately unionized personnel, aka teachers and staff. Their excessive past contracts, including rich benefits, have put us in a $14 million deficit and this will likely be severely exasperated by the outrageous demands in the next contract.
Read every page of the last collective bargaining agreement (an extension of the 1998 contract) from 2002 and you will see contracted pay, benefits and perks that will absolutely drive you crazy — especially now. Amazingly, in the ongoing renegotiation, the most highly compensated teachers and staff in Bucks County (top 10 in Pennsylvania), now are demanding much more.
When he says “something,” we ALL will hate, it is code for the draconian cuts the board will be forced to make to close the budget gaps resulting from the elephant in the room — out of control employee costs. The teachers rejected a perfectly decent offer the board made last year and one the administrators recently accepted. This included a generous 3 percent annual increase and a diminished yet still rich benefits package. They should have grabbed it since now, given the deteriorating economy, this package is now even more unaffordable for the district.
The National Federation of Teachers and its members didn’t compromise, but instead insisted on demanding a 4 percent increase plus steps totaling 6 percent annually, zero employee contribution to the exponentially increasing budget health care costs, continued defined benefit retirement plan, including full non-participatory health care in retirement, retirement bonuses of $30,000 vs. the current $27,000 (who gets this in the real world?), a longevity bonus (WHAT? You have to be kidding?) and many other benefits that no other Pennsylvania district still provides.
Just think, if the offer the board made is unaffordable, what if they now get a compromised middle ground deal or worse, their demands? You won’t be able to cut enough elsewhere and we will be in deeper deficit spending and escalating annual tax increases as far as the eye can see.
A petition circulating in the district on behalf of taxpayers for a Fair Neshaminy Budget, so far signed by several hundred taxpayers and growing, has demanded the board withdraw its offer and make a significantly reduced one with much lower long-term cost to taxpayers. Many more are speaking up at school board meetings.
When the board recommends cuts in programs that will negatively impact the children of the district (remember them?), don’t direct all your displeasure at board members. Their hands have been tied by unions and lawmakers so they do what state laws permit. Instead, focus blame on the teachers and union leaders. The possible reduction in educational quality will now rest with them as they make their needs preeminent to ours.
Many are uncomfortable that these facts are being called out publicly, but unfortunately this powerful group has brought it on themselves as they simply have no defense of the demands. Please know that if the union wins, everyone else loses. It will lead not only to continued massive tax increases, but also to potentially major reductions in very popular programs. Ironically, to secure their demands, union leadership will throw some teachers over the side due to program elimination.
I don’t know about you, but I have had it with irresponsible unions, school boards and politicians who assume our pockets are deep enough to pay all the bills they sign up for? People continue to fatten up at the public trough when the rest of us can now least afford it. Fair compensation in line with current private sector offerings is acceptable but communities should no longer have to subsidize the excessive packages that teachers and other public workers demand through their powerful unions. If the madness doesn’t stop, our children and grandchildren will be left with the increasingly noncompetitive public education system we have now — and taxes that make Europe look like a bargain.
Join the fight. Speak at tonight’s board meeting. Vote on May 19 for candidates who support taxpayers.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Board to vote on allowing members to phone it in
From the BCCT.
Board to vote on allowing members to phone it in
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
Other districts, including Council Rock, have allowed board members to participate in meetings via phone.
When it comes to a policy letting board members remotely participate in meetings, Neshaminy officials hung up and are trying again.
After debating the rule's language last month, the school board expects to vote on it during the April 28 meeting.
The process would let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would be able to make such a request only once a year through the board president or superintendent, according to the policy.
Board member William O'Connor requested the guideline so he wouldn't have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips. O'Connor wanted the rule to allow two directors per meeting to vote by phone twice a year.
The policy gives the board the ability to increase those numbers in the future, administrators said.
Board member Richard Eccles expressed concerns that board members would miss too many meetings. But district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III said it wouldn't count as an absence if a board member participated via phone.
Profy also said the board member participating remotely cannot be used to reach a quorum. At least five other board members must be present to hold the meeting, said Profy.
Board member William Spitz said he favors remote participation, which he believes could be monitored and adjusted to avoid abuse.
The concept already is used in some districts, including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said.
And Neshaminy allowed board member Joseph Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said 35 school districts across the state have adopted similar protocols.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But Neshaminy board member Frank Koziol argued the policy isn't necessary. By his calculations, only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director's absence.
Board President Ritchie Webb said he could see why the policy might be beneficial, but he'll be voting against the policy, too, because voting over the phone doesn't allow directors to look residents in the eyes.
Board to vote on allowing members to phone it in
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
Other districts, including Council Rock, have allowed board members to participate in meetings via phone.
When it comes to a policy letting board members remotely participate in meetings, Neshaminy officials hung up and are trying again.
After debating the rule's language last month, the school board expects to vote on it during the April 28 meeting.
The process would let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would be able to make such a request only once a year through the board president or superintendent, according to the policy.
Board member William O'Connor requested the guideline so he wouldn't have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips. O'Connor wanted the rule to allow two directors per meeting to vote by phone twice a year.
The policy gives the board the ability to increase those numbers in the future, administrators said.
Board member Richard Eccles expressed concerns that board members would miss too many meetings. But district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III said it wouldn't count as an absence if a board member participated via phone.
Profy also said the board member participating remotely cannot be used to reach a quorum. At least five other board members must be present to hold the meeting, said Profy.
Board member William Spitz said he favors remote participation, which he believes could be monitored and adjusted to avoid abuse.
The concept already is used in some districts, including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said.
And Neshaminy allowed board member Joseph Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said 35 school districts across the state have adopted similar protocols.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But Neshaminy board member Frank Koziol argued the policy isn't necessary. By his calculations, only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director's absence.
Board President Ritchie Webb said he could see why the policy might be beneficial, but he'll be voting against the policy, too, because voting over the phone doesn't allow directors to look residents in the eyes.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Neshaminy Budget: Good News and Bad News
From the BCCT.
Board facing tough budget decisions
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Burlington County Times
Good news! Neshaminy’s budget should fall within the Act 1 tax spending limit. The bad news: Everybody won’t like something about it. That’s what business administrator Joseph Paradise told the Neshaminy school board this week about the district’s previously projected $167 million spending plan. To meet the tax law’s allowable 4.1 percent increase, which equals 6 mills or $4.6 million in Neshaminy, officials said they need to shrink a $14 million deficit to $4.5 million.
It’s unclear who, or what, will suffer the most. But administrators said the cuts will involve program changes and elimination and service reductions from the cabinet to the custodians, including teachers.
“We’re not sure how we’re going to do that yet,” said Paradise. “It’s still a work in progress. Every part of the district will be affected. But there’s no other way to do it. There’s no magic bullet.”
Revenues, including property and business taxes, are down almost $3 million to about $153 million, Paradise reported last month. Since officials don’t want to use any more of the dwindling $1.2 million savings account, taxpayers would see an average $500 increase to help fill that gap, administrators said.
For that reason, some homeowners, many senior citizens, have been petitioning the board for a zero percent budget/tax increase.
To ease the burden, board members and administrators have discussed sharing elementary art, music and gym teachers, advertising at sporting events, reducing the pre-first program, going paperless, increasing class size, charging community groups to use facilities, eliminating lead teachers, decreasing bus routes and charging for extra-curricular activities.
Neshaminy qualifies, though, for about $3.3 million in exceptions, including for special education. So, that could bump the district’s allowable total increase to 7 percent, or 10.32 mills. But the board members previously voted to try their best not to use those.
Paradise is expected to present the updated budget to the board during its April 28 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., in Maple Point Middle School’s board room.
Board facing tough budget decisions
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Burlington County Times
Good news! Neshaminy’s budget should fall within the Act 1 tax spending limit. The bad news: Everybody won’t like something about it. That’s what business administrator Joseph Paradise told the Neshaminy school board this week about the district’s previously projected $167 million spending plan. To meet the tax law’s allowable 4.1 percent increase, which equals 6 mills or $4.6 million in Neshaminy, officials said they need to shrink a $14 million deficit to $4.5 million.
It’s unclear who, or what, will suffer the most. But administrators said the cuts will involve program changes and elimination and service reductions from the cabinet to the custodians, including teachers.
“We’re not sure how we’re going to do that yet,” said Paradise. “It’s still a work in progress. Every part of the district will be affected. But there’s no other way to do it. There’s no magic bullet.”
Revenues, including property and business taxes, are down almost $3 million to about $153 million, Paradise reported last month. Since officials don’t want to use any more of the dwindling $1.2 million savings account, taxpayers would see an average $500 increase to help fill that gap, administrators said.
For that reason, some homeowners, many senior citizens, have been petitioning the board for a zero percent budget/tax increase.
To ease the burden, board members and administrators have discussed sharing elementary art, music and gym teachers, advertising at sporting events, reducing the pre-first program, going paperless, increasing class size, charging community groups to use facilities, eliminating lead teachers, decreasing bus routes and charging for extra-curricular activities.
Neshaminy qualifies, though, for about $3.3 million in exceptions, including for special education. So, that could bump the district’s allowable total increase to 7 percent, or 10.32 mills. But the board members previously voted to try their best not to use those.
Paradise is expected to present the updated budget to the board during its April 28 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., in Maple Point Middle School’s board room.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Neshaminy Turns into Morrisville
From the BCCT
Dear Sam: Come on over to Morrisville. Much to our shame, fire all the teachers and replace them, and a state takeover of the district are the stated goals of the Emperor's minions.
Find middle ground
I recently attended a senior meeting regarding the current situation in Neshaminy School District at the Lower Southampton Library. Mostly everyone there was quite concerned how things are going. Many had suggestions on how to fix the problems.
Jim Barrett (chairman of the Democratic committee in Lower Southampton) said, “We should cut the administrators’ pay by say 20 percent. Sue Barrett (an ex-school board member) said, “We should fire all of them and start new from scratch. Or we could declare the school district bankrupt and let the state take it over.”
For two prominent community leaders to make these kinds of suggestions is, in my view, outrageous. I’m sure most members of the community do not want the state to run our schools.
A school board member, Joe Blasch, started reading a list of programs they can cut such as music, art, school bus routes, have part-time library, etc. I felt this too is a bit much and stated, “You want to cut things from our kids and not our teachers.”
Our kids are our most important and precious asset. We have many great teachers in our schools who care a great deal about our kids. I know, I have a boy in third grade and he loves school. That’s because of our teachers.
What we need is for the union and the school board to go back to the table and find some middle ground where everyone will be dealt with fairly. Our children should not suffer for an unreasonable union leader or an unreasonable community leader.
Sam Pozzuolo Feasterville
Dear Sam: Come on over to Morrisville. Much to our shame, fire all the teachers and replace them, and a state takeover of the district are the stated goals of the Emperor's minions.
Find middle ground
I recently attended a senior meeting regarding the current situation in Neshaminy School District at the Lower Southampton Library. Mostly everyone there was quite concerned how things are going. Many had suggestions on how to fix the problems.
Jim Barrett (chairman of the Democratic committee in Lower Southampton) said, “We should cut the administrators’ pay by say 20 percent. Sue Barrett (an ex-school board member) said, “We should fire all of them and start new from scratch. Or we could declare the school district bankrupt and let the state take it over.”
For two prominent community leaders to make these kinds of suggestions is, in my view, outrageous. I’m sure most members of the community do not want the state to run our schools.
A school board member, Joe Blasch, started reading a list of programs they can cut such as music, art, school bus routes, have part-time library, etc. I felt this too is a bit much and stated, “You want to cut things from our kids and not our teachers.”
Our kids are our most important and precious asset. We have many great teachers in our schools who care a great deal about our kids. I know, I have a boy in third grade and he loves school. That’s because of our teachers.
What we need is for the union and the school board to go back to the table and find some middle ground where everyone will be dealt with fairly. Our children should not suffer for an unreasonable union leader or an unreasonable community leader.
Sam Pozzuolo Feasterville
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Neshaminy Administrators Say YES
From the BCCT.
Divide and conquer works.
Administrators OK offer rejected by teachers
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The teachers union president maintains that their counter-offer is not being reported accurately, but would not discuss details.
Neshaminy's almost three dozen administrators Tuesday afternoon ratified a new three-year agreement proposed by the district that the teachers rejected, officials said during Tuesday night's board meeting.
The 30-plus members of the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association unanimously approved the deal that will replace the one that expires June 30, according to that group's President Paul Minotti.
Mirroring the contract that the educators union turned down, the offer, which still has to be approved by the board in April, includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15, 16 and 17 percent toward health care premiums over three years.
"This new agreement is, in my opinion, an extremely responsible one that goes a long way toward helping the students of Neshaminy by controlling future costs," board President Ritchie Webb read from a statement. "If other bargaining groups in the district follow this example, it would go a long way to resolving our financial crisis, saving jobs and preventing program cuts. It's my hope that the (Neshaminy Federation of Teachers) will follow the administrators' lead so we can reach an agreement with them."
Union President Louise Boyd, who was at the meeting, said only that the district's claim that the teachers counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change to the medical insurance package is inaccurate. Boyd would not reveal the union's offer and declined to comment further.
While slight changes were made to the board's proposal to the administrators, officials did not disclose what those were.
The board's offer suggested changing the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The district's proposal recommended removing the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The board's deal also called for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the contract asked to eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000, officials said.
Although Middletown resident and businessman Larry Pastor admitted the board's agreement with administrators was significant progress, he also said he and many other taxpayers still have concerns about the overall budget. He encouraged the educators and the 500-member support staff to make reasonable offers, including concessions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Steve Rodos, a retired attorney and Langhorne resident, though, said bashing teachers isn't productive and doesn't recognize the staff's efforts. He asked why the non-salary part of the budget, such as special education and transportation, can increase unquestioned. Rodos also urged the union to adopt the same contract as the administrators.
March 25, 2009 02:11 AM
Divide and conquer works.
Administrators OK offer rejected by teachers
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The teachers union president maintains that their counter-offer is not being reported accurately, but would not discuss details.
Neshaminy's almost three dozen administrators Tuesday afternoon ratified a new three-year agreement proposed by the district that the teachers rejected, officials said during Tuesday night's board meeting.
The 30-plus members of the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association unanimously approved the deal that will replace the one that expires June 30, according to that group's President Paul Minotti.
Mirroring the contract that the educators union turned down, the offer, which still has to be approved by the board in April, includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15, 16 and 17 percent toward health care premiums over three years.
"This new agreement is, in my opinion, an extremely responsible one that goes a long way toward helping the students of Neshaminy by controlling future costs," board President Ritchie Webb read from a statement. "If other bargaining groups in the district follow this example, it would go a long way to resolving our financial crisis, saving jobs and preventing program cuts. It's my hope that the (Neshaminy Federation of Teachers) will follow the administrators' lead so we can reach an agreement with them."
Union President Louise Boyd, who was at the meeting, said only that the district's claim that the teachers counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change to the medical insurance package is inaccurate. Boyd would not reveal the union's offer and declined to comment further.
While slight changes were made to the board's proposal to the administrators, officials did not disclose what those were.
The board's offer suggested changing the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The district's proposal recommended removing the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The board's deal also called for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the contract asked to eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000, officials said.
Although Middletown resident and businessman Larry Pastor admitted the board's agreement with administrators was significant progress, he also said he and many other taxpayers still have concerns about the overall budget. He encouraged the educators and the 500-member support staff to make reasonable offers, including concessions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Steve Rodos, a retired attorney and Langhorne resident, though, said bashing teachers isn't productive and doesn't recognize the staff's efforts. He asked why the non-salary part of the budget, such as special education and transportation, can increase unquestioned. Rodos also urged the union to adopt the same contract as the administrators.
March 25, 2009 02:11 AM
Friday, March 20, 2009
Divide and Conquer?
From the BCCT.
Board offers administrators deal similar to teachers
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The school board is hoping a deal with the administrators will force the teachers to acquiesce as well.
The Neshaminy school board has offered the district's nearly three dozen administrators a deal identical to the package the teachers union rejected, officials said Wednesday.
Board members said they're hoping that if the proposal's accepted, the educators will follow suit.
That offer includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15 percent toward health care premiums the first year of the three-year deal, 16 percent the second year, and 17 percent the third year, board members said in a statement.
Like the teachers, administrators do not contribute to their insurance premiums. This contract would save taxpayers $250,000 next year, officials said.
"If the administrators take it, we'll expect the teachers to take it," said board President Ritchie Webb.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching teacher union President Louise Boyd Wednesday for comment. The board has been holding "meet-and-discuss" dialogues with the administrators' organization since February to negotiate a new agreement to replace the one that expires June 30.
Paul Minotti, director of facilities and president of the administrators' association, confirmed the preliminary proposal. He added that he'll be meeting with the 30-plus members of the group early next week to discuss the offer.
"We're making headway," Minotti said. "We should have something done shortly."
If approved, the contract would change the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The agreement would remove the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The proposal also calls for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the deal would eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
The district's 500-plus support staff contract is also scheduled to expire in June. Officials are working out the details for a new proposal, but they said support staff members, who tend to make less than teachers, also will be asked to contribute to their health care premiums.
While the support staff belongs to a union with striking power just like the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, the administrators' group does not, officials said.
And, although that organization - the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association - meets to discuss bargaining, it excludes cabinet members like the superintendent, business manager and directors of human resources and secondary education, said Webb.
Those administrators can negotiate their own deal, but the highlights often mimic the association's, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000. For example, an assistant principal at the high school could earn about $100,000 for a 10.5-month spot, or roughly $108,000 for 12 months, according to acting Superintendent Lou Muenker.
After three years, that same assistant could be making $120,000. An elementary school principal might begin at about $111,000, while a middle school principal could earn $112,000 to start and $124,000 after three years, Muenker said.
The teachers union counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change in the medical insurance package. No further bargaining sessions have been scheduled, administrators said.
Neshaminy, which operates 14 public schools in Middletown, Lower Southampton, Penndel, Langhorne Manor and Hulmeville, is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward health insurance premiums. Union members pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs through Personal Choice, the district's human resources department reported.
The district pays at least $22,000 per year to cover a family of four's health care. The average employer contribution for a similar package is roughly $12,700, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
District educator salaries start at an average of $51,976 and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher's salary is $76,000, administrators said. The salary and benefits for the district's staff, which includes more than 700 teachers, accounts for more than 80 percent of Neshaminy's budget, officials said.
District officials are still trying to figure out how to balance a potential $14 million deficit and avoid a possible $500 tax increase. And the teachers have been working without a contract since June, administrators said.
Board offers administrators deal similar to teachers
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
The school board is hoping a deal with the administrators will force the teachers to acquiesce as well.
The Neshaminy school board has offered the district's nearly three dozen administrators a deal identical to the package the teachers union rejected, officials said Wednesday.
Board members said they're hoping that if the proposal's accepted, the educators will follow suit.
That offer includes a 3 percent annual salary increase and a requirement that employees pay 15 percent toward health care premiums the first year of the three-year deal, 16 percent the second year, and 17 percent the third year, board members said in a statement.
Like the teachers, administrators do not contribute to their insurance premiums. This contract would save taxpayers $250,000 next year, officials said.
"If the administrators take it, we'll expect the teachers to take it," said board President Ritchie Webb.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching teacher union President Louise Boyd Wednesday for comment. The board has been holding "meet-and-discuss" dialogues with the administrators' organization since February to negotiate a new agreement to replace the one that expires June 30.
Paul Minotti, director of facilities and president of the administrators' association, confirmed the preliminary proposal. He added that he'll be meeting with the 30-plus members of the group early next week to discuss the offer.
"We're making headway," Minotti said. "We should have something done shortly."
If approved, the contract would change the medical plan from Blue Cross PC15 to a less expensive PC 20/30/70 and the drug plan from Rx 5/20 to a cheaper Rx 5/30. But administrators still would have the option of a Keystone HMO, according to the board's statement.
The agreement would remove the full benefits package and a $27,000 incentive upon retirement, as well as the single source item, which allows employees to pay a $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren't available, the same as proposed to the teachers union. The proposal also calls for reducing opt-out sharing from 37 percent to 25 percent; that's the amount of the premiums the district pays to employees who use their spouse's insurance, said Webb.
And, finally, the deal would eliminate any future annual, long-term service bonuses, which are $1,750 for employees with 20 to 24 years, $2,150 for 25 to 29 years, $2,550 for 30 to 34 years and $3,000 for 35 years or more, officials said.
The district's 500-plus support staff contract is also scheduled to expire in June. Officials are working out the details for a new proposal, but they said support staff members, who tend to make less than teachers, also will be asked to contribute to their health care premiums.
While the support staff belongs to a union with striking power just like the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, the administrators' group does not, officials said.
And, although that organization - the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association - meets to discuss bargaining, it excludes cabinet members like the superintendent, business manager and directors of human resources and secondary education, said Webb.
Those administrators can negotiate their own deal, but the highlights often mimic the association's, officials said.
Administrators' salaries, excluding cabinet members, can range from about $100,000 to $124,000. For example, an assistant principal at the high school could earn about $100,000 for a 10.5-month spot, or roughly $108,000 for 12 months, according to acting Superintendent Lou Muenker.
After three years, that same assistant could be making $120,000. An elementary school principal might begin at about $111,000, while a middle school principal could earn $112,000 to start and $124,000 after three years, Muenker said.
The teachers union counter-offered a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a requirement for no change in the medical insurance package. No further bargaining sessions have been scheduled, administrators said.
Neshaminy, which operates 14 public schools in Middletown, Lower Southampton, Penndel, Langhorne Manor and Hulmeville, is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward health insurance premiums. Union members pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs through Personal Choice, the district's human resources department reported.
The district pays at least $22,000 per year to cover a family of four's health care. The average employer contribution for a similar package is roughly $12,700, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
District educator salaries start at an average of $51,976 and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher's salary is $76,000, administrators said. The salary and benefits for the district's staff, which includes more than 700 teachers, accounts for more than 80 percent of Neshaminy's budget, officials said.
District officials are still trying to figure out how to balance a potential $14 million deficit and avoid a possible $500 tax increase. And the teachers have been working without a contract since June, administrators said.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Neshaminy budget gap
From the BCCT.
Sharing principals is a fine idea. No disrespect to the person, but when the Morrisville high school assistant principal, the principal, and the acting superintendent want to hold a meeting, there's no conference call charges required. Only one chair required too.
Maybe the job of the absent teacher or bus driver has to be done, but like the Emperor says, you gotta learn how to do more with less.
Board searching to trim $14M gap
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
As carefully as families are clipping coupons these days, the Neshaminy school board Monday night continued to comb through the rest of a 70-plus item list with suggestions from staff and residents on cutting spending to balance the budget.
Officials are trying to find ways to fill a $14 million gap and avoid a possible $500 average tax hike. The board asked administrators for more information on ideas ranging from limiting substitutes and going paperless, to increasing advertising at sporting events and sharing principals among schools.
One person recommended limiting substitutes for teacher training, which costs about $1.3 million a year, and improving staff attendance. But business administrator Joseph Paradise pointed out that if an educator or bus driver is absent, their job still needs to be done.
Another suggested that elementary schools share specialist teachers for art, music and gym. Herbert Hoover and Albert Schweitzer elementary schools are already doing so, and administrators are looking at consolidating even further, said Jacqueline Rattigan, director of elementary and secondary education.
Officials will also be finding out more on increasing advertising at sporting events. One item that administrators and board members wanted to push to a back burner was splitting principals among schools.
Acting Superintendent Lou Muenker pointed out that a different level of support is needed at each school level, especially the alternative program. A few board members, including President Ritchie Webb, said that they're sure principal swapping can be done, but they'd rather use that option as a last resort.
The board also discussed reducing the pre-first program, which costs $80,000 per course, and eliminating three safety aides at the high school for almost $140,000 since that facility will have an updated security system.
Answering the suggestion of reducing the work week to four days, Paradise explained that while other districts have done so, Neshaminy hasn't because of the way attendance is kept.
Responding to another concept, administrators said they're already working on going paperless by soliciting e-mail addresses from parents. Officials will also be using Global Connect, an automatic call alert system that costs roughly $2 per child for Neshaminy's almost 9,000 students.
Board members also asked for principals' recommendations on having students either bring supplies to school, or purchase kits from PTOs.
One person suggested that elementary schools share specialist teachers for art, music and gym. However, sharing principals wasn't a popular idea.
Sharing principals is a fine idea. No disrespect to the person, but when the Morrisville high school assistant principal, the principal, and the acting superintendent want to hold a meeting, there's no conference call charges required. Only one chair required too.
Maybe the job of the absent teacher or bus driver has to be done, but like the Emperor says, you gotta learn how to do more with less.
Board searching to trim $14M gap
By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
As carefully as families are clipping coupons these days, the Neshaminy school board Monday night continued to comb through the rest of a 70-plus item list with suggestions from staff and residents on cutting spending to balance the budget.
Officials are trying to find ways to fill a $14 million gap and avoid a possible $500 average tax hike. The board asked administrators for more information on ideas ranging from limiting substitutes and going paperless, to increasing advertising at sporting events and sharing principals among schools.
One person recommended limiting substitutes for teacher training, which costs about $1.3 million a year, and improving staff attendance. But business administrator Joseph Paradise pointed out that if an educator or bus driver is absent, their job still needs to be done.
Another suggested that elementary schools share specialist teachers for art, music and gym. Herbert Hoover and Albert Schweitzer elementary schools are already doing so, and administrators are looking at consolidating even further, said Jacqueline Rattigan, director of elementary and secondary education.
Officials will also be finding out more on increasing advertising at sporting events. One item that administrators and board members wanted to push to a back burner was splitting principals among schools.
Acting Superintendent Lou Muenker pointed out that a different level of support is needed at each school level, especially the alternative program. A few board members, including President Ritchie Webb, said that they're sure principal swapping can be done, but they'd rather use that option as a last resort.
The board also discussed reducing the pre-first program, which costs $80,000 per course, and eliminating three safety aides at the high school for almost $140,000 since that facility will have an updated security system.
Answering the suggestion of reducing the work week to four days, Paradise explained that while other districts have done so, Neshaminy hasn't because of the way attendance is kept.
Responding to another concept, administrators said they're already working on going paperless by soliciting e-mail addresses from parents. Officials will also be using Global Connect, an automatic call alert system that costs roughly $2 per child for Neshaminy's almost 9,000 students.
Board members also asked for principals' recommendations on having students either bring supplies to school, or purchase kits from PTOs.
One person suggested that elementary schools share specialist teachers for art, music and gym. However, sharing principals wasn't a popular idea.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Board members to phone it in
From the BCCT.
Panel to review phone policy again
Posted in News on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 9:11 am by Education Reporter Rachel Canelli
A proposed policy that would allow directors to participate in meetings by phone got a busy signal Tuesday night when officials debated the rule’s language.
So, instead of voting on the procedure, Neshaminy school board members agreed to let the policy committee review and revise it again.
As written, the process would let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would be able to make such a request only once a year and at the board president’s discretion.
But board member William O’Connor, who requested the policy so that he wouldn’t have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips, disagreed with the wording. The original draft permitted two people each meeting twice per year, and did not require the president’s permission, administrators said.
“This is to allow a person to participate,” said O’Connor. “It’s not meant as a convenience to phone in from home. And none of us needs permission from the board president to come here. It’s our ability based on the people who elected us.”
Jacqueline Rattigan, director of elementary and secondary education, said the committee made those changes so people wouldn’t abuse the policy.
Board member Irene Boyle said she didn’t understand the big deal.
“When you start something new, you go slow,” she said.
The wording was supposed to mean that directors should request to participate in a meeting via phone, not ask the president’s consent, said board member Susan Cummings.
Board members Kim Koutsouradis and Ritchie Webb said they’re concerned that the rule would encourage people not to come to meetings, or meetings could be moved to the auditorium, where it’s hard to hear on a phone.
“I have no idea why we’re trying to make this so hard,” said board member William Spitz. “What’s the harm in allowing it? If abuse happens, we could change the policy.”
The concept already is used in some districts including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said. Neshaminy also allowed board member Joseph Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But board member Frank Koziol argued that he’s against it because if only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director’s absence, the procedure’s not necessary.
“When you run for office, you know if you’re elected you’re accepting the responsibility of attending meetings to represent people,” said Koziol. “It’s impossible to feel the passion of a speaker, or the mood of an audience over the telephone. Attendance is not mandatory, it’s expected.”
Panel to review phone policy again
Posted in News on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 9:11 am by Education Reporter Rachel Canelli
A proposed policy that would allow directors to participate in meetings by phone got a busy signal Tuesday night when officials debated the rule’s language.
So, instead of voting on the procedure, Neshaminy school board members agreed to let the policy committee review and revise it again.
As written, the process would let no more than one director per meeting call into a public board meeting and vote via phone. And each board member would be able to make such a request only once a year and at the board president’s discretion.
But board member William O’Connor, who requested the policy so that he wouldn’t have to miss too many board meetings for unexpected business trips, disagreed with the wording. The original draft permitted two people each meeting twice per year, and did not require the president’s permission, administrators said.
“This is to allow a person to participate,” said O’Connor. “It’s not meant as a convenience to phone in from home. And none of us needs permission from the board president to come here. It’s our ability based on the people who elected us.”
Jacqueline Rattigan, director of elementary and secondary education, said the committee made those changes so people wouldn’t abuse the policy.
Board member Irene Boyle said she didn’t understand the big deal.
“When you start something new, you go slow,” she said.
The wording was supposed to mean that directors should request to participate in a meeting via phone, not ask the president’s consent, said board member Susan Cummings.
Board members Kim Koutsouradis and Ritchie Webb said they’re concerned that the rule would encourage people not to come to meetings, or meetings could be moved to the auditorium, where it’s hard to hear on a phone.
“I have no idea why we’re trying to make this so hard,” said board member William Spitz. “What’s the harm in allowing it? If abuse happens, we could change the policy.”
The concept already is used in some districts including Council Rock, where a board member recently participated by phone for more than one meeting after having surgery, officials said. Neshaminy also allowed board member Joseph Blasch to attend an executive session by phone, Blasch said.
After not allowing a councilman who was on military duty overseas to vote from his post, the Tullytown council later agreed to let members on active military duty vote by phone early last year.
But board member Frank Koziol argued that he’s against it because if only five votes out of more than 200 in the past few years failed due to a director’s absence, the procedure’s not necessary.
“When you run for office, you know if you’re elected you’re accepting the responsibility of attending meetings to represent people,” said Koziol. “It’s impossible to feel the passion of a speaker, or the mood of an audience over the telephone. Attendance is not mandatory, it’s expected.”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Neshaminy taxpayers continue to revolt
From the BCCT.
I don't know all the ins and outs of the Neshaminy issues, but when I read this, there's a stream of consciousness flow of thoughts that occur to me.
* Who's in charge? It's not the parents of the students to be educated.
* Why are the teachers and the teacher's union always automatically evil?
* Why are the taxpayers always automatically good?
* Why wouldn't you want to pay the teachers well when it comes to educating the next generation? (Remember, they educate the same people who will pick and/or staff your nursing home in decades to come.)
* Why would Neshaminy want to follow previous bad examples of class warfare?
* Why would the teachers not bargain in good faith?
* Why would the board not bargain in good faith?
Will teachers stand with us as members of the community?
By LARRY PASTOR JR.
Bucks County Courier Times
I know many of you are pleased that the Neshaminy school board is standing up to the outrageous contract proposal from the teachers. It's a relief for you to read articles, letters to the editor and guest opinions that express shared anger over teachers' avaricious demands.
You've likely been upset for years about the ridiculously high taxes you've been paying for teachers' excessive pay and benefits. And, of course, you know that, by rejecting the most recent board offer, teachers have once again confirmed that they are not in any way concerned about your family's financial stress.
If you've had the opportunity to attend board meetings, you probably have noticed the abundance of teachers present. You can't miss the T-shirts signifying their commitment to digging even deeper into your pockets. You may have also noticed teachers have yet to defend their demands.
Do they continue to stand with the union against their neighbors? Or, do they now step up and support their community? How can they, through this arrogant sense of entitlement, disregard the financial hardships that everyone now faces? How can they ask more of financially strapped retired and elderly, struggling families, many with single parents trying to make ends meet and all those who have lost pay and jobs?
Can they ask their neighbors to pay more so they can continue benefits and raises nearly non-existent in other professions? Are they willing to be the cause of extreme cutbacks in important programs for all of our children, just to get more for their own families?
As the country braces for the days to come, are the teachers not in this with us? After a generation of rebuilding the reputation of the teaching profession, do they really want to flush all of the goodwill away due to their inflexible greed? Will any of them have the courage and moral conviction to stand up against what is so obviously wrong?
Each one, as an individual, not as a union member, will have to answer these questions.
Tax increases over two decades have resulted in our teachers being among the highest paid in the state and enjoying one of the richest contracts in the country. Beyond a point of fair compensation, which our teachers contract exceeded years ago, it is proven that money has diminishing returns on improving teacher quality.
Now that contract negotiations are at a crucial point, taxpayers need to speak in "unison" that teachers have to adapt to our changing world. Unfortunately, the board and district residents are at a significant disadvantage to the union due to the following:
1) By law the district collects union dues through payroll deduction then sends a check to the union.
2) Non-union teachers are required to pay fair share (80 percent) dues as a condition of employment.
3) The union has secured exclusive bargaining rights.
4) Pennsylvania is one of only 13 states still permitting teacher strikes.
Why are these things important? Money from forced dues fuels union power over the board. The well-paid union leadership uses the money to prevent the election of fiscally responsible board members and politicians who will stand up for the taxpayer. Vast amounts of money are used to ensure the laws are written to give them maximum advantage over boards and taxpayers. Finally, dues support strikes when their demands are not met. The union wields a very big club against its own teachers and taxpayers alike. Now through legalized extortion, every few years we allow them to beat the school board and all of us into submission.
In the meantime what can taxpayers do?
* Get mad as hell and tell them you won't take it anymore!
* Organize any size group you can and contact the board
* Come to board meetings, www.neshaminyinfo.blogspot.com.
* Demand the board withdraw the contract offer teachers rejected.
* Support a much reduced counteroffer and dismissal if they strike.
* Tell the board you want district collection of union dues to stop.
* Demand future negotiations are visible to the public and any contract is presented at a public hearing before anybody approves it.
* Vote in the May 19 primary for board candidates who support taxpayers.
If each taxpayer gets engaged, in any small way possible, we can make a difference. With enough of our voices, we will be heard and together we can make a stand.
March 12, 2009 01:10 AM
I don't know all the ins and outs of the Neshaminy issues, but when I read this, there's a stream of consciousness flow of thoughts that occur to me.
* Who's in charge? It's not the parents of the students to be educated.
* Why are the teachers and the teacher's union always automatically evil?
* Why are the taxpayers always automatically good?
* Why wouldn't you want to pay the teachers well when it comes to educating the next generation? (Remember, they educate the same people who will pick and/or staff your nursing home in decades to come.)
* Why would Neshaminy want to follow previous bad examples of class warfare?
* Why would the teachers not bargain in good faith?
* Why would the board not bargain in good faith?
Will teachers stand with us as members of the community?
By LARRY PASTOR JR.
Bucks County Courier Times
I know many of you are pleased that the Neshaminy school board is standing up to the outrageous contract proposal from the teachers. It's a relief for you to read articles, letters to the editor and guest opinions that express shared anger over teachers' avaricious demands.
You've likely been upset for years about the ridiculously high taxes you've been paying for teachers' excessive pay and benefits. And, of course, you know that, by rejecting the most recent board offer, teachers have once again confirmed that they are not in any way concerned about your family's financial stress.
If you've had the opportunity to attend board meetings, you probably have noticed the abundance of teachers present. You can't miss the T-shirts signifying their commitment to digging even deeper into your pockets. You may have also noticed teachers have yet to defend their demands.
Do they continue to stand with the union against their neighbors? Or, do they now step up and support their community? How can they, through this arrogant sense of entitlement, disregard the financial hardships that everyone now faces? How can they ask more of financially strapped retired and elderly, struggling families, many with single parents trying to make ends meet and all those who have lost pay and jobs?
Can they ask their neighbors to pay more so they can continue benefits and raises nearly non-existent in other professions? Are they willing to be the cause of extreme cutbacks in important programs for all of our children, just to get more for their own families?
As the country braces for the days to come, are the teachers not in this with us? After a generation of rebuilding the reputation of the teaching profession, do they really want to flush all of the goodwill away due to their inflexible greed? Will any of them have the courage and moral conviction to stand up against what is so obviously wrong?
Each one, as an individual, not as a union member, will have to answer these questions.
Tax increases over two decades have resulted in our teachers being among the highest paid in the state and enjoying one of the richest contracts in the country. Beyond a point of fair compensation, which our teachers contract exceeded years ago, it is proven that money has diminishing returns on improving teacher quality.
Now that contract negotiations are at a crucial point, taxpayers need to speak in "unison" that teachers have to adapt to our changing world. Unfortunately, the board and district residents are at a significant disadvantage to the union due to the following:
1) By law the district collects union dues through payroll deduction then sends a check to the union.
2) Non-union teachers are required to pay fair share (80 percent) dues as a condition of employment.
3) The union has secured exclusive bargaining rights.
4) Pennsylvania is one of only 13 states still permitting teacher strikes.
Why are these things important? Money from forced dues fuels union power over the board. The well-paid union leadership uses the money to prevent the election of fiscally responsible board members and politicians who will stand up for the taxpayer. Vast amounts of money are used to ensure the laws are written to give them maximum advantage over boards and taxpayers. Finally, dues support strikes when their demands are not met. The union wields a very big club against its own teachers and taxpayers alike. Now through legalized extortion, every few years we allow them to beat the school board and all of us into submission.
In the meantime what can taxpayers do?
* Get mad as hell and tell them you won't take it anymore!
* Organize any size group you can and contact the board
* Come to board meetings, www.neshaminyinfo.blogspot.com.
* Demand the board withdraw the contract offer teachers rejected.
* Support a much reduced counteroffer and dismissal if they strike.
* Tell the board you want district collection of union dues to stop.
* Demand future negotiations are visible to the public and any contract is presented at a public hearing before anybody approves it.
* Vote in the May 19 primary for board candidates who support taxpayers.
If each taxpayer gets engaged, in any small way possible, we can make a difference. With enough of our voices, we will be heard and together we can make a stand.
March 12, 2009 01:10 AM
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Neshaminy: Full-day kindergarten nixed
From the BCCT.
But Morrisville still has it...
Full-day kindergarten nixed
By RACHEL CANELLI
High school administrators also talked about how they're saving money.
The vote's finally in and it's no way for full-day K - at least not next year.
During a strategic action committee meeting attended by more than 60 people that focused on the budget Monday night, the Neshaminy school board voted 6-3 that with a possible $14 million deficit, the district simply cannot afford to implement a full-day kindergarten program.
Board President Ritchie Webb recommended kicking the concept, which could cost several hundred thousand dollars, back to the administration for future reconsideration.
Board members Kim Koutsouradis, Richard Eccles and Frank Koziol, though, voted against the motion and for pursuing a plan.
Eccles said Neshaminy's students need early childhood intervention to help boost standardized test scores, and Koziol said he believes grants could fund the program.
"The conversation (about full-day K) cannot go away," said acting Superintendent Lou Muenker. "It's something our community will value and needs."
Meanwhile, the Neshaminy high school administrators said they're doing their part to help trim the fat.
Principal Alex Menio said faculty members are using electronic versus paper memos, and using white instead of colored paper.
Administrators said moving the ninth grade from the middle schools up to the high school next year could save about $100,000 by condensing athletic teams. That transition will also save the 34 cents per mile Neshaminy pays teachers who need to go to more than one building during the school day.
Officials are also looking at extending the life of uniforms, moving competitions within the district and putting course selection, newsletters, handbooks and policies online.
"We need your help," Webb told the high school staff. "Look at positions. We hope you'll continue to try to help us out."
The board also combed through some of the more than 70 suggestions from the public to cut expenses.
Some residents said they support the board looking at every dollar, and making hard decisions to help families struggling to pay their taxes. While other parents, and board members said the district needs to negotiate a new teacher's contract, or ask the certified staff to come up with concessions, before hurting the kids.
Although the board members said they're working on making a deal, district officials still need to find other ways to decrease costs.
But Morrisville still has it...
Full-day kindergarten nixed
By RACHEL CANELLI
High school administrators also talked about how they're saving money.
The vote's finally in and it's no way for full-day K - at least not next year.
During a strategic action committee meeting attended by more than 60 people that focused on the budget Monday night, the Neshaminy school board voted 6-3 that with a possible $14 million deficit, the district simply cannot afford to implement a full-day kindergarten program.
Board President Ritchie Webb recommended kicking the concept, which could cost several hundred thousand dollars, back to the administration for future reconsideration.
Board members Kim Koutsouradis, Richard Eccles and Frank Koziol, though, voted against the motion and for pursuing a plan.
Eccles said Neshaminy's students need early childhood intervention to help boost standardized test scores, and Koziol said he believes grants could fund the program.
"The conversation (about full-day K) cannot go away," said acting Superintendent Lou Muenker. "It's something our community will value and needs."
Meanwhile, the Neshaminy high school administrators said they're doing their part to help trim the fat.
Principal Alex Menio said faculty members are using electronic versus paper memos, and using white instead of colored paper.
Administrators said moving the ninth grade from the middle schools up to the high school next year could save about $100,000 by condensing athletic teams. That transition will also save the 34 cents per mile Neshaminy pays teachers who need to go to more than one building during the school day.
Officials are also looking at extending the life of uniforms, moving competitions within the district and putting course selection, newsletters, handbooks and policies online.
"We need your help," Webb told the high school staff. "Look at positions. We hope you'll continue to try to help us out."
The board also combed through some of the more than 70 suggestions from the public to cut expenses.
Some residents said they support the board looking at every dollar, and making hard decisions to help families struggling to pay their taxes. While other parents, and board members said the district needs to negotiate a new teacher's contract, or ask the certified staff to come up with concessions, before hurting the kids.
Although the board members said they're working on making a deal, district officials still need to find other ways to decrease costs.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Seniors want say in contract talks
From the BCCT.
Seniors can and should have a say. It's when the seniors have the complete and final say that there's a problem. The needs of the students and the parents need to be part of the balanced equation.
It's just not as simple as "Don't raise my taxes."
Seniors want say in contract talks
By RACHEL CANELLI
Residents can question their school board representatives.
Lower Southampton hopes to give senior citizens a voice in the ongoing Neshaminy teacher labor contract talks.
The township's Senior Task Force Board is hosting a public meeting in the Lower Southampton Library's community room this afternoon to let residents express concerns and seek answers to their questions from school board representatives Joseph Blasch and Kim Koutsouradis.
The teachers have been working without a contract since June and district administrators are projecting a $14 million deficit and a potential average tax increase of $500.
The gathering, which will also address the contract's effect on property taxes, is open to the public, according to former Neshaminy school board member Sue Barrett.
"We know that the school board's listening, but nobody's negotiating for us," said 68-year-old Cynthia Zengolewicz, chairwoman of the task force board. "We don't really feel that we're being heard as a people."
The goal of the informal session is to create a committee that will recommend solutions to the school board, Zengolewicz said.
The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers recently turned down the school board's proposed 3 percent salary increase, which includes step pay increases for longevity and education, and a requirement that teachers pay 15, 16 and 17 percent for health care premiums over a three-year contract, officials said.
The union countered with an offer seeking a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a continuation of the current health care package, with teachers not contributing anything to their premiums, administrators said.
Neshaminy, which operates 14 public schools in Middletown, Lower Southampton, Penndel, Langhorne Manor and Hulmeville, is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward insurance premiums. Union members do pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs, respectively, through Personal Choice, the district's human resources department reported.
District educator salaries start at an average of $51,976 after experience and education and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher's salary is $76,000, administrators said.
The salary and benefits for the district's staff, which includes more than 700 teachers, accounts for more than 80 percent of Neshaminy's budget, officials said.
Seniors can and should have a say. It's when the seniors have the complete and final say that there's a problem. The needs of the students and the parents need to be part of the balanced equation.
It's just not as simple as "Don't raise my taxes."
Seniors want say in contract talks
By RACHEL CANELLI
Residents can question their school board representatives.
Lower Southampton hopes to give senior citizens a voice in the ongoing Neshaminy teacher labor contract talks.
The township's Senior Task Force Board is hosting a public meeting in the Lower Southampton Library's community room this afternoon to let residents express concerns and seek answers to their questions from school board representatives Joseph Blasch and Kim Koutsouradis.
The teachers have been working without a contract since June and district administrators are projecting a $14 million deficit and a potential average tax increase of $500.
The gathering, which will also address the contract's effect on property taxes, is open to the public, according to former Neshaminy school board member Sue Barrett.
"We know that the school board's listening, but nobody's negotiating for us," said 68-year-old Cynthia Zengolewicz, chairwoman of the task force board. "We don't really feel that we're being heard as a people."
The goal of the informal session is to create a committee that will recommend solutions to the school board, Zengolewicz said.
The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers recently turned down the school board's proposed 3 percent salary increase, which includes step pay increases for longevity and education, and a requirement that teachers pay 15, 16 and 17 percent for health care premiums over a three-year contract, officials said.
The union countered with an offer seeking a 6 percent annual salary increase, including steps, and a continuation of the current health care package, with teachers not contributing anything to their premiums, administrators said.
Neshaminy, which operates 14 public schools in Middletown, Lower Southampton, Penndel, Langhorne Manor and Hulmeville, is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward insurance premiums. Union members do pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs, respectively, through Personal Choice, the district's human resources department reported.
District educator salaries start at an average of $51,976 after experience and education and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher's salary is $76,000, administrators said.
The salary and benefits for the district's staff, which includes more than 700 teachers, accounts for more than 80 percent of Neshaminy's budget, officials said.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Neshaminy Opinions
From the BCCT.
New learning experience: Fire striking teachers
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Neshaminy District Teachers and Neshaminy teachers union for giving their students another valuable learning opportunity, i.e., that greed and self enrichment are worthy goals.
The recent Page 1 story made me more convinced that the teachers and their union are not aware of or do not care about the realities of the economic conditions that are affecting the lives of the people who are paying their salaries. If they are unaware, they do not deserve to be teaching; if they are unconcerned, they do not deserve to be influencing our children.
I work for a company that recently announced that 7,000 positions will be eliminated and merit increases will not be offered during 2009. Now, I wait to hear whether I will remain employed, and consequently be able to pay my mortgage and property taxes. I imagine that many other taxpayers in the Neshaminy School District are facing similar worries.
The union is demanding a scandalously large increase in salaries and is rejecting any reasonable proposal that teachers pay anything similar to the amount that the average taxpayer pays toward health insurance coverage. The union president says she will work with the district and the members, but not the media. In other words, she and the teachers will not allow the taxpayers to be a part of the process.
I urge the Neshaminy school board to tender a final offer: no increase in salary; and pay the state average of what taxpayers pay for health insurance. If the teachers go on strike, fire them all and put in people who are smart enough to understand that they are replaceable.
Wouldn’t that be an interesting learning experience for students?
Jack Bracken Middletown
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hard to believe
Bucks County Courier Times
Regarding the front page article, "Neshaminy teachers reject latest contract offer." First, let me preface this by saying that I have great respect for the teaching profession. However, it's hard to believe that the teachers are not willing to pay a percentage of their salaries toward health insurance and prescription coverage when everyone else pays a significant portion of their salary for coverage.
I stand to be corrected; everyone except the millions of people who have lost their jobs and are without coverage because they can't afford it. I am sure these people would be eager to pay for insurance if they had a job.
Shame on the Neshaminy teachers and double shame on the union that represents them. Too bad they can't be pink-slipped like the rest of the world.
Alberta Cherry
Newtown Township
---------------------------------------------------------------
Make do with less
Bucks County Courier Times
We're hearing that tired song again. The school teachers and the public servants have both invested their pensions on the stock market + and took a big hit. Now they're calling for tax hikes to make up for the losses.
Where are "we the people" going to come up with the money? We don't have money trees growing in our backyards. People everywhere are losing jobs, insurance coverage, pensions, or they are seeing their pay cut. As for investments and pensions, all of us are taking a big hit there too, in 401(k)s and other investments. We can't vote ourselves a raise, so we have to tighten our belts and make do with less.
It's well past time that the public employees and the school teachers come to terms with the fact that the world has changed. They, too, are going to have to make do with less, just like everybody else.
Face up to it, people! The days of champagne and prime rib are over. You're going to have to learn how to make do with pizza and beer, just like the rest of us.
Thomas Pallanta Jr.
Middletown
New learning experience: Fire striking teachers
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Neshaminy District Teachers and Neshaminy teachers union for giving their students another valuable learning opportunity, i.e., that greed and self enrichment are worthy goals.
The recent Page 1 story made me more convinced that the teachers and their union are not aware of or do not care about the realities of the economic conditions that are affecting the lives of the people who are paying their salaries. If they are unaware, they do not deserve to be teaching; if they are unconcerned, they do not deserve to be influencing our children.
I work for a company that recently announced that 7,000 positions will be eliminated and merit increases will not be offered during 2009. Now, I wait to hear whether I will remain employed, and consequently be able to pay my mortgage and property taxes. I imagine that many other taxpayers in the Neshaminy School District are facing similar worries.
The union is demanding a scandalously large increase in salaries and is rejecting any reasonable proposal that teachers pay anything similar to the amount that the average taxpayer pays toward health insurance coverage. The union president says she will work with the district and the members, but not the media. In other words, she and the teachers will not allow the taxpayers to be a part of the process.
I urge the Neshaminy school board to tender a final offer: no increase in salary; and pay the state average of what taxpayers pay for health insurance. If the teachers go on strike, fire them all and put in people who are smart enough to understand that they are replaceable.
Wouldn’t that be an interesting learning experience for students?
Jack Bracken Middletown
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hard to believe
Bucks County Courier Times
Regarding the front page article, "Neshaminy teachers reject latest contract offer." First, let me preface this by saying that I have great respect for the teaching profession. However, it's hard to believe that the teachers are not willing to pay a percentage of their salaries toward health insurance and prescription coverage when everyone else pays a significant portion of their salary for coverage.
I stand to be corrected; everyone except the millions of people who have lost their jobs and are without coverage because they can't afford it. I am sure these people would be eager to pay for insurance if they had a job.
Shame on the Neshaminy teachers and double shame on the union that represents them. Too bad they can't be pink-slipped like the rest of the world.
Alberta Cherry
Newtown Township
---------------------------------------------------------------
Make do with less
Bucks County Courier Times
We're hearing that tired song again. The school teachers and the public servants have both invested their pensions on the stock market + and took a big hit. Now they're calling for tax hikes to make up for the losses.
Where are "we the people" going to come up with the money? We don't have money trees growing in our backyards. People everywhere are losing jobs, insurance coverage, pensions, or they are seeing their pay cut. As for investments and pensions, all of us are taking a big hit there too, in 401(k)s and other investments. We can't vote ourselves a raise, so we have to tighten our belts and make do with less.
It's well past time that the public employees and the school teachers come to terms with the fact that the world has changed. They, too, are going to have to make do with less, just like everybody else.
Face up to it, people! The days of champagne and prime rib are over. You're going to have to learn how to make do with pizza and beer, just like the rest of us.
Thomas Pallanta Jr.
Middletown
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Neshaminy Fireworks
From the BCCT.
It’s not ‘about the kids’ — it’s about greed
Were the leaders of the Neshaminy Education Association out getting venti mocha lattes when President Obama spoke about making sacrifices in difficult times? Does NEA president Louise Boyd’s stated unwillingness to communicate through the papers extend to simply not reading the papers?
In case this happens to catch Ms. Boyd’s eye, here’s what’s going on in today’s economy. People are losing jobs, losing investment valuation, even losing their homes. Those who still have work are forgoing raises or even accepting pay cuts, but ultimately are simply grateful to be employed.
For the NEA to be holding fast to demands for 6 percent pay raises and the archaic notion of ZERO contributions to health care is not just unrealistic. It is an absolute insult to all the taxpayers in the district who are pinching pennies wherever they can to make it through the current crisis, and paying for healthcare out of their own pockets.
It would seem that when the NEA says their action “is about the kids,” what they mean is that it is about THEIR kids. There seems to be little concern for the youngsters in the district whose families might be forced to make difficult financial sacrifices, or even move, because they can’t afford the higher taxes that would be mandated by the NEA proposal.
Congratulations to the Neshaminy school board for sticking to its guns. The sound financial discipline the board has shown on this issue is needed by taxpayers now, more than ever.
Paul Schneider Langhorne
------------------------------------------------------
Let them go on strike
Neshaminy teachers — you have to hand it to them. At least that’s what they want us to do. They are not lacking in intestinal fortitude, are they? Six percent (raises) a year and no medical insurance premiums?
At a time when many people are having their salaries frozen and medical insurance is going through the roof? Maybe it’s time to have them work a full year like the rest of us (they’re getting paid to do it) or it’s time to replace all 700. I am sure there are plenty of qualified applicants who would kill for those jobs.
Maybe these teachers have been out of the real world for so long that they have no grip on reality. When is the last time you had a 6 percent raise or didn’t have your medical insurance cost go up?
The country is in a financial mess and the teachers union is in a rush to put us over the edge. Could it be because as the salary for teachers increases the union dues go up?
The union leadership should wear masks when they negotiate and the school board needs to stick to its guns. Make them hit the bricks! People are fed up.
At a time when companies are laying off, freezing salaries and in some cases cutting salaries, maybe it’s time for the taxpayers to do the same.
Jim Anderson Middletown
It’s not ‘about the kids’ — it’s about greed
Were the leaders of the Neshaminy Education Association out getting venti mocha lattes when President Obama spoke about making sacrifices in difficult times? Does NEA president Louise Boyd’s stated unwillingness to communicate through the papers extend to simply not reading the papers?
In case this happens to catch Ms. Boyd’s eye, here’s what’s going on in today’s economy. People are losing jobs, losing investment valuation, even losing their homes. Those who still have work are forgoing raises or even accepting pay cuts, but ultimately are simply grateful to be employed.
For the NEA to be holding fast to demands for 6 percent pay raises and the archaic notion of ZERO contributions to health care is not just unrealistic. It is an absolute insult to all the taxpayers in the district who are pinching pennies wherever they can to make it through the current crisis, and paying for healthcare out of their own pockets.
It would seem that when the NEA says their action “is about the kids,” what they mean is that it is about THEIR kids. There seems to be little concern for the youngsters in the district whose families might be forced to make difficult financial sacrifices, or even move, because they can’t afford the higher taxes that would be mandated by the NEA proposal.
Congratulations to the Neshaminy school board for sticking to its guns. The sound financial discipline the board has shown on this issue is needed by taxpayers now, more than ever.
Paul Schneider Langhorne
------------------------------------------------------
Let them go on strike
Neshaminy teachers — you have to hand it to them. At least that’s what they want us to do. They are not lacking in intestinal fortitude, are they? Six percent (raises) a year and no medical insurance premiums?
At a time when many people are having their salaries frozen and medical insurance is going through the roof? Maybe it’s time to have them work a full year like the rest of us (they’re getting paid to do it) or it’s time to replace all 700. I am sure there are plenty of qualified applicants who would kill for those jobs.
Maybe these teachers have been out of the real world for so long that they have no grip on reality. When is the last time you had a 6 percent raise or didn’t have your medical insurance cost go up?
The country is in a financial mess and the teachers union is in a rush to put us over the edge. Could it be because as the salary for teachers increases the union dues go up?
The union leadership should wear masks when they negotiate and the school board needs to stick to its guns. Make them hit the bricks! People are fed up.
At a time when companies are laying off, freezing salaries and in some cases cutting salaries, maybe it’s time for the taxpayers to do the same.
Jim Anderson Middletown
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Neshaminy Negotiations
From the BCCT.
I don't follow "As The Neshaminy Turns". It's hard enough keeping up with the plot twists on "One Morrisville to Destroy", but when the negotiations start out with "Go ahead, make my day" style pronouncements, it promises to be a less than cordial series of talks.
We should pay attention and watch this as it plays out. It's probably a preview of the Morrisville talks to come in a few years. Unless of course, by then it's the Pennsbury School District, but that's another story. And another soap opera to tune into. "All My Students" perhaps?
School board says it won’t budge
Neshaminy educators’ pay and benefits account for more than 80 percent of the district’s budget.
By RACHEL CANELLI
They’re not budging.
After the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers recently rejected the school board’s latest health care and salary offer and proposed a counter offer of their own, board President Ritchie Webb told the newspaper’s editorial board last week he believes there’s solid unity on the board to stick to its guns.
Webb’s fellow board members were quick to agree.
“The current contract … has drained the blood from taxpayers,” said Frank Koziol. “I have dug in my cleats and clamped down on my mouth piece. Reggie White couldn’t budge me. I think the only reason we only have nine votes is because [there aren’t] 10 people on the board.”
While union President Louise Boyd also was invited to meet with the newspaper’s editorial board, she declined, saying she meant no disrespect to the public, but it’s the 700-plus educators’ policy to negotiate directly with the district — not through the media.
“Unfortunately, the district has been unwilling to move this process forward in as timely a manner as the (NFT) has strived to achieve,” Boyd wrote via email. “Quite frankly, we’re disappointed that the district has chosen to be more proactive in communicating with the media than with the (union’s) negotiations team.”
Either way, board members said they’re not willing to move from a position of providing teachers with a 1 percent annual salary increase, plus about 2 percent for step increases for longevity and educational training, and asking them to contribute 15 percent to their health care premiums the first year of a proposed three-year deal, 16 percent the second year, and 17 percent in the last year.
Since Neshaminy is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward those insurance premiums, board officials said they won’t even consider the teachers’ counter-offer of keeping the medical and drug package status quo and giving 6 percent annual salary increases, including steps.
“This board has never been as unified as it is now,” said William O’Connor. “And since there will be no retro pay, I sincerely hope the NFT will return to the bargaining table with a renewed commitment towards compromise.”
Joseph Blasch, William Spitz and Susan Cummings all concurred.
The union members do pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs, respectively, through Personal Choice, the district’s human resources department reported.
Although Webb said he values the teachers as quality people, he claimed the district simply can’t afford their requests due to a looming $14 million budget deficit.
Webb added that’s why the board is trying to eliminate the $3 million cost of providing retirees with full benefits until age 65 and another $1 million to allow educators to pay the $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren’t available.
Boyd said the union’s negotiating team is ready and willing to keep talking.
“Our goal is to continue providing the students and the taxpayers of the Neshaminy School District with the highest levels of educational and professional standards possible,” said Boyd. “To that end, we will continue to make every effort on our part to negotiate directly with the district in an effort to secure a fair and equitable contract for our members.”
But board Vice President Kim Koutsouradis said Neshaminy School District needs to start taking care of its financial issues, beginning with the teachers.
Educators start in the district at about $51,976 and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher’s salary is $76,000, administrators said. The district pays at least $22,000 per year to cover a family of four’s health care. The average employer contribution for a similar package is roughly $12,700, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
Neshaminy educators’ pay and benefits account for more than 80 percent of the district’s budget, officials said.
“I … can’t see giving a cent more than what was already offered,” said Koutsouradis. “Enough is enough and it’s time the teachers wake up.”
I don't follow "As The Neshaminy Turns". It's hard enough keeping up with the plot twists on "One Morrisville to Destroy", but when the negotiations start out with "Go ahead, make my day" style pronouncements, it promises to be a less than cordial series of talks.
We should pay attention and watch this as it plays out. It's probably a preview of the Morrisville talks to come in a few years. Unless of course, by then it's the Pennsbury School District, but that's another story. And another soap opera to tune into. "All My Students" perhaps?
School board says it won’t budge
Neshaminy educators’ pay and benefits account for more than 80 percent of the district’s budget.
By RACHEL CANELLI
They’re not budging.
After the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers recently rejected the school board’s latest health care and salary offer and proposed a counter offer of their own, board President Ritchie Webb told the newspaper’s editorial board last week he believes there’s solid unity on the board to stick to its guns.
Webb’s fellow board members were quick to agree.
“The current contract … has drained the blood from taxpayers,” said Frank Koziol. “I have dug in my cleats and clamped down on my mouth piece. Reggie White couldn’t budge me. I think the only reason we only have nine votes is because [there aren’t] 10 people on the board.”
While union President Louise Boyd also was invited to meet with the newspaper’s editorial board, she declined, saying she meant no disrespect to the public, but it’s the 700-plus educators’ policy to negotiate directly with the district — not through the media.
“Unfortunately, the district has been unwilling to move this process forward in as timely a manner as the (NFT) has strived to achieve,” Boyd wrote via email. “Quite frankly, we’re disappointed that the district has chosen to be more proactive in communicating with the media than with the (union’s) negotiations team.”
Either way, board members said they’re not willing to move from a position of providing teachers with a 1 percent annual salary increase, plus about 2 percent for step increases for longevity and educational training, and asking them to contribute 15 percent to their health care premiums the first year of a proposed three-year deal, 16 percent the second year, and 17 percent in the last year.
Since Neshaminy is the only district in Bucks County where employees pay nothing toward those insurance premiums, board officials said they won’t even consider the teachers’ counter-offer of keeping the medical and drug package status quo and giving 6 percent annual salary increases, including steps.
“This board has never been as unified as it is now,” said William O’Connor. “And since there will be no retro pay, I sincerely hope the NFT will return to the bargaining table with a renewed commitment towards compromise.”
Joseph Blasch, William Spitz and Susan Cummings all concurred.
The union members do pay $15 for doctor visits and $5 and $20 for generic and brand-name drugs, respectively, through Personal Choice, the district’s human resources department reported.
Although Webb said he values the teachers as quality people, he claimed the district simply can’t afford their requests due to a looming $14 million budget deficit.
Webb added that’s why the board is trying to eliminate the $3 million cost of providing retirees with full benefits until age 65 and another $1 million to allow educators to pay the $5 generic fee for $20 brand name drugs when generics aren’t available.
Boyd said the union’s negotiating team is ready and willing to keep talking.
“Our goal is to continue providing the students and the taxpayers of the Neshaminy School District with the highest levels of educational and professional standards possible,” said Boyd. “To that end, we will continue to make every effort on our part to negotiate directly with the district in an effort to secure a fair and equitable contract for our members.”
But board Vice President Kim Koutsouradis said Neshaminy School District needs to start taking care of its financial issues, beginning with the teachers.
Educators start in the district at about $51,976 and top out at roughly $95,923. The average Neshaminy teacher’s salary is $76,000, administrators said. The district pays at least $22,000 per year to cover a family of four’s health care. The average employer contribution for a similar package is roughly $12,700, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.
Neshaminy educators’ pay and benefits account for more than 80 percent of the district’s budget, officials said.
“I … can’t see giving a cent more than what was already offered,” said Koutsouradis. “Enough is enough and it’s time the teachers wake up.”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Neshaminy looking for ways to cut costs
From the BCCT.
Neshaminy looking for ways to cut costs
Posted in News on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm by Education Reporter Rachel Canelli
Like many people and businesses in this recession, Neshaminy officials are going to have to get creative when it comes to the school district’s budget.
So, they’re open to suggestions-from anybody.
That’s why the focus of the next two strategic action committee meetings at 7 p.m. March 2 and 16 in Maple Point Middle School on Langhorne-Yardley Road will focus on ways to trim the fat of the $167 million 2009-2010 preliminary spending plan, administrators said.
Due to increasing health insurance costs, the next school year’s expenses are estimated to be up $4 million from the current $163 million working budget. Projected at $153 million, revenues, though, are down almost $3 million from last year, according to business administrator Joseph Paradise.
If they were to fill the current $14 million gap, that could mean a $500 tax increase for homeowners with an average $27,080 assessment. But officials said they expect to cut the deficit to at least $5 million by applying for exceptions and coming up with other ways to cut costs.
The current millage rate is 148.6 and the value of one mill in Neshaminy is $767,884, administrators said.
Neshaminy is allowed to raise taxes by 4.1 percent, according to state tax law Act 1. That equals 6 mills, or $4.6 million, officials said.
Administrators said they don’t want to rely on using some of the $1.2 million fund balance, as they have in years past because the savings account has been dwindling and they’re afraid it won’t replenish itself.
Neshaminy is applying for about $3.3 million (2.9 percent, or 4.32 mills) in exceptions. Those exemptions are: $595,558 (.52 percent, or .78 mills) for special education; and almost $2.7 million (2.38 percent, or 3.54 mills) for maintaining revenues, officials said.
If approved, those exceptions would give the district a total allowable increase of $7.9 million in taxation- 7 percent, or 10.32 mills, administrators said.
Even after using the exceptions officials would still need to come up with $5 million to balance the budget.
The district could see additional savings and revenue from renting the Tawanka Learning Center and Neshaminy Middle School this summer and moving the ninth grade up to the high school this fall.
Administrators are already reducing overtime, eliminating travel and freezing any unnecessary expenditures.
Neshaminy looking for ways to cut costs
Posted in News on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm by Education Reporter Rachel Canelli
Like many people and businesses in this recession, Neshaminy officials are going to have to get creative when it comes to the school district’s budget.
So, they’re open to suggestions-from anybody.
That’s why the focus of the next two strategic action committee meetings at 7 p.m. March 2 and 16 in Maple Point Middle School on Langhorne-Yardley Road will focus on ways to trim the fat of the $167 million 2009-2010 preliminary spending plan, administrators said.
Due to increasing health insurance costs, the next school year’s expenses are estimated to be up $4 million from the current $163 million working budget. Projected at $153 million, revenues, though, are down almost $3 million from last year, according to business administrator Joseph Paradise.
If they were to fill the current $14 million gap, that could mean a $500 tax increase for homeowners with an average $27,080 assessment. But officials said they expect to cut the deficit to at least $5 million by applying for exceptions and coming up with other ways to cut costs.
The current millage rate is 148.6 and the value of one mill in Neshaminy is $767,884, administrators said.
Neshaminy is allowed to raise taxes by 4.1 percent, according to state tax law Act 1. That equals 6 mills, or $4.6 million, officials said.
Administrators said they don’t want to rely on using some of the $1.2 million fund balance, as they have in years past because the savings account has been dwindling and they’re afraid it won’t replenish itself.
Neshaminy is applying for about $3.3 million (2.9 percent, or 4.32 mills) in exceptions. Those exemptions are: $595,558 (.52 percent, or .78 mills) for special education; and almost $2.7 million (2.38 percent, or 3.54 mills) for maintaining revenues, officials said.
If approved, those exceptions would give the district a total allowable increase of $7.9 million in taxation- 7 percent, or 10.32 mills, administrators said.
Even after using the exceptions officials would still need to come up with $5 million to balance the budget.
The district could see additional savings and revenue from renting the Tawanka Learning Center and Neshaminy Middle School this summer and moving the ninth grade up to the high school this fall.
Administrators are already reducing overtime, eliminating travel and freezing any unnecessary expenditures.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Voters won’t be asked about tax limits
From the BCCT.
Voters won’t be asked about tax limits
Five districts are hoping state-authorized exemptions will allow them to exceed the property tax increase limit.
By JOAN HELLYER
School boards in Lower Bucks County will, once again, avoid asking voters for approval to raise property taxes above a pre-determined state limit for the next school year, district officials said.
The boards had until Jan. 29 to decide if voters’ approval to go above the limit would be needed during the May primary, according to the state’s property tax relief law.
Most districts are allowed to raise taxes 4.1 percent above their current millage rate, according to the state. Bristol’s index is 5.3 percent, and Bristol Township can raise taxes 5.2 percent without voter approval. The amount of increase allowable for each district is calculated by averaging the statewide average weekly wage with employment cost index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, state officials said.
Local districts have not had to go to referendum since the tax relief law known as Act 1 went into effect in 2006. However, this year it was a close call for several districts struggling to cover projected expenses in the midst of the economic downturn.
To make ends meet, the Bensalem, Bristol, Centennial, Neshaminy and Pennsbury boards are considering a suggested tax increase that combines the district’s predetermined index rate with different exemptions.
The exemptions include expenses such as special education, health benefits and debt service costs incurred before Act 1 went into effect, officials said.
Bensalem, for instance, is asking the state for permission to claim exemptions for special education and health benefits. Those exemptions would push the district’s total tax increase to 6 percent of the current millage of 130.4 mills.
That equates to 7.77 mills and would mean the owner of the average property in the district would pay $170 more in taxes in 2009-10 should the board impose the maximum increase possible without voter approval.
As per Act 1, the five area districts looking to combine the index increase with exemptions have until mid February to adopt a preliminary budget specifying how they expect to cover 2009-10 costs.
The other three area boards, Bristol Township, Council Rock and Morrisville, have passed resolutions promising to keep any property tax increases for 2009-10 to the state-imposed limit.
Those school boards have until late May to adopt a preliminary budget. All districts have until June 30 to adopt their 2009-10 final budgets.
Voters won’t be asked about tax limits
Five districts are hoping state-authorized exemptions will allow them to exceed the property tax increase limit.
By JOAN HELLYER
School boards in Lower Bucks County will, once again, avoid asking voters for approval to raise property taxes above a pre-determined state limit for the next school year, district officials said.
The boards had until Jan. 29 to decide if voters’ approval to go above the limit would be needed during the May primary, according to the state’s property tax relief law.
Most districts are allowed to raise taxes 4.1 percent above their current millage rate, according to the state. Bristol’s index is 5.3 percent, and Bristol Township can raise taxes 5.2 percent without voter approval. The amount of increase allowable for each district is calculated by averaging the statewide average weekly wage with employment cost index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, state officials said.
Local districts have not had to go to referendum since the tax relief law known as Act 1 went into effect in 2006. However, this year it was a close call for several districts struggling to cover projected expenses in the midst of the economic downturn.
To make ends meet, the Bensalem, Bristol, Centennial, Neshaminy and Pennsbury boards are considering a suggested tax increase that combines the district’s predetermined index rate with different exemptions.
The exemptions include expenses such as special education, health benefits and debt service costs incurred before Act 1 went into effect, officials said.
Bensalem, for instance, is asking the state for permission to claim exemptions for special education and health benefits. Those exemptions would push the district’s total tax increase to 6 percent of the current millage of 130.4 mills.
That equates to 7.77 mills and would mean the owner of the average property in the district would pay $170 more in taxes in 2009-10 should the board impose the maximum increase possible without voter approval.
As per Act 1, the five area districts looking to combine the index increase with exemptions have until mid February to adopt a preliminary budget specifying how they expect to cover 2009-10 costs.
The other three area boards, Bristol Township, Council Rock and Morrisville, have passed resolutions promising to keep any property tax increases for 2009-10 to the state-imposed limit.
Those school boards have until late May to adopt a preliminary budget. All districts have until June 30 to adopt their 2009-10 final budgets.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Dubious "Thumbs Up"
From the BCCT.
Now it's the BCCT who is using only the dollars and cents criteria to look at the Morrisville schools situation. After profiling the Emperor's self-serving fiscal statement and taking him to task for it, they now copy his example.
There's two big differences here: The first is simple transparency. Here we find that Solicitor Fitzpatrick has been conducting these secret negotiations for six months, yet nothing has been discussed in public at any board meetings. We have our former congressman conducting secret meetings for the secret meeting board.
That's a disappointing stain on the congressman's reputation that's going to be hard to dismiss, even if he is only performing duties at the request of the client.
[NOTE: It looks like a vote was held in June to authorize the solicitor to proceed with these inquiries, so our initial information was inaccurate. We may not like the secret meetings, but they were authorized, so the solicitor was acting properly. The above paragraph is inaccurate and we regret the error.]
The BCCT takes the Neshaminy school board to task for its secrecy, yet sanctions it in Morrisville. "Citizens ought to get periodic updates on negotiations that include more than no comment, and a series of hearings should be held before the board takes a vote. That would be the thoughtful thing to do for taxpayers, which is who board members represent." Why the inconsistency in the editorials? Why isn't that same line of reasoning being used for Morrisville?
It also shows that the entire series of community action plan meetings was a complete farce and a waste of time and money. Out front, the participants were yessed to death and a grand show was made of "community participation", while in the back room, Solicitor Fitzpatrick and the Emperor were already ignoring anything yet to come out of there and busily moving along on the Emperor's grand six point plan that STILL HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC!
The second difference is that even I'd be willing to look at Pennsbury and Morrisville "merging", which is completely different from "tuitioning out".
In merging, Morrisville gets seated on the board, (probably only one board member) and has somewhat of a say in policy and direction. In tuitioning out, we are at the mercy of their board to do what's right. As readers have pointed out, the tuitioning option removes any semblance of control from the parents and the Morrisville board. Pennsbury is free to set tuition as they want. They can even let the contract lapse following expiration. What do we do with the students then?
The problem is not that we might need to move the students. The parents are not fools. We know the schools themselves are in need of repair. We also pay the tax bills and know the burden there as well. The problem is that just about everything in this district is presented to the public as a surprise box of chocolates from Forrest Gump. We never know what we're going to get.
One final thing about the line "A few million dollars from Morrisville to take its high school kids..."? Why do you dismiss our children like that with such a disrespectful line of reasoning? Despite what is happening here, they are NOT cattle to be sent here and there. They are our children and our future. If you're a Morrisville parent and want to complain about this disrespect, here's a link to do that.
Thumbs Up
To a better education for students at Morrisville High School, where a dire financial situation has put the damper on opportunities available to kids in wealthier districts.
Unfortunately, more opportunities and better conditions for Morrisville High School students likely means attending another high school. To that end, the Morrisville school board has contacted other districts in hopes of striking a deal.
This is a very tough situation for students and their parents. Kids naturally have allegiance to their school and parents want their children close to home. But this school board was elected to nix a plan to build a new K-12 school and it wasted no time getting the deed done. The board also does not intend to renovate the district’s two elementary schools. In fact, one was shut down because of a boiler explosion.
Instead, members appear to favor renovating the high school as a K-8 school and paying another district to educate borough high school students. It might be the best alternative.
And the best choice among the alternatives is neighboring Pennsbury. Morrisville is surrounded by the Pennsbury School District, which could use an infusion of revenue.
Pennsbury is facing a budget shortfall of $12.6 million and a $457 tax hike for the average homeowner. A few million dollars from Morrisville to take its high school kids would help plug Pennsbury’s budgetary hole and reduce the gargantuan tax hike the board’s considering.
Pennsbury officials — and taxpayers — should seriously think about it. It also would be the neighborly thing to do.
Now it's the BCCT who is using only the dollars and cents criteria to look at the Morrisville schools situation. After profiling the Emperor's self-serving fiscal statement and taking him to task for it, they now copy his example.
There's two big differences here: The first is simple transparency. Here we find that Solicitor Fitzpatrick has been conducting these secret negotiations for six months, yet nothing has been discussed in public at any board meetings. We have our former congressman conducting secret meetings for the secret meeting board.
That's a disappointing stain on the congressman's reputation that's going to be hard to dismiss, even if he is only performing duties at the request of the client.
[NOTE: It looks like a vote was held in June to authorize the solicitor to proceed with these inquiries, so our initial information was inaccurate. We may not like the secret meetings, but they were authorized, so the solicitor was acting properly. The above paragraph is inaccurate and we regret the error.]
The BCCT takes the Neshaminy school board to task for its secrecy, yet sanctions it in Morrisville. "Citizens ought to get periodic updates on negotiations that include more than no comment, and a series of hearings should be held before the board takes a vote. That would be the thoughtful thing to do for taxpayers, which is who board members represent." Why the inconsistency in the editorials? Why isn't that same line of reasoning being used for Morrisville?
It also shows that the entire series of community action plan meetings was a complete farce and a waste of time and money. Out front, the participants were yessed to death and a grand show was made of "community participation", while in the back room, Solicitor Fitzpatrick and the Emperor were already ignoring anything yet to come out of there and busily moving along on the Emperor's grand six point plan that STILL HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC!
The second difference is that even I'd be willing to look at Pennsbury and Morrisville "merging", which is completely different from "tuitioning out".
In merging, Morrisville gets seated on the board, (probably only one board member) and has somewhat of a say in policy and direction. In tuitioning out, we are at the mercy of their board to do what's right. As readers have pointed out, the tuitioning option removes any semblance of control from the parents and the Morrisville board. Pennsbury is free to set tuition as they want. They can even let the contract lapse following expiration. What do we do with the students then?
The problem is not that we might need to move the students. The parents are not fools. We know the schools themselves are in need of repair. We also pay the tax bills and know the burden there as well. The problem is that just about everything in this district is presented to the public as a surprise box of chocolates from Forrest Gump. We never know what we're going to get.
One final thing about the line "A few million dollars from Morrisville to take its high school kids..."? Why do you dismiss our children like that with such a disrespectful line of reasoning? Despite what is happening here, they are NOT cattle to be sent here and there. They are our children and our future. If you're a Morrisville parent and want to complain about this disrespect, here's a link to do that.
Thumbs Up
To a better education for students at Morrisville High School, where a dire financial situation has put the damper on opportunities available to kids in wealthier districts.
Unfortunately, more opportunities and better conditions for Morrisville High School students likely means attending another high school. To that end, the Morrisville school board has contacted other districts in hopes of striking a deal.
This is a very tough situation for students and their parents. Kids naturally have allegiance to their school and parents want their children close to home. But this school board was elected to nix a plan to build a new K-12 school and it wasted no time getting the deed done. The board also does not intend to renovate the district’s two elementary schools. In fact, one was shut down because of a boiler explosion.
Instead, members appear to favor renovating the high school as a K-8 school and paying another district to educate borough high school students. It might be the best alternative.
And the best choice among the alternatives is neighboring Pennsbury. Morrisville is surrounded by the Pennsbury School District, which could use an infusion of revenue.
Pennsbury is facing a budget shortfall of $12.6 million and a $457 tax hike for the average homeowner. A few million dollars from Morrisville to take its high school kids would help plug Pennsbury’s budgetary hole and reduce the gargantuan tax hike the board’s considering.
Pennsbury officials — and taxpayers — should seriously think about it. It also would be the neighborly thing to do.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Neshaminy Financial Outlook "Bleak"
From the BCCT.
Business administrator gives bleak financial outlook
By RACHEL CANELLI
So far, the New Year has brought no new money to the Neshaminy School District.
A little more than a month after his first public budget report, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night once again emphasized a bleak forecast with no sign of relief.
Mirroring the dire financial state of the nation as well as businesses and families across the country, Paradise projected that while expenses continue to rise, revenues are flaccid.
Although he did not reveal specific dollar amounts, Paradise said the 2009-10 spending plan is expected to increase by roughly 4.9 percent over the current $163 million working budget. The jump is mostly due to growing health insurance costs and that’s without a new contract for the teachers, officials said.
Revenues, though, including property and business taxes, are down about $2.7 million, Paradise said.
“Revenues are weak to say the least,” he said. “[They’re]...falling through the floor...the faucet kind of stopped a month or two ago. I’m not saying it’s going to be challenging in July — it’s challenging now. We know we’re not going to get rescued in any way shape or form from the state.”
Last year, the board voted to use $3.5 million of the district’s fund balance, or savings account, to balance the budget. That would leave around $1.2 million — if that — to help this year’s so far estimated $14 million hole, according to Paradise.
Neshaminy could see monies from renting the Tawanka Learning Center to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit No. 22 and Neshaminy Middle School. Both of those possibilities will be discussed later this month.
The district could see potential savings when the ninth grade moves up to the high school this fall, but it’s too early to tell, said Paradise.
“It’s a work in progress,” Paradise said. “It’s messy at times. We’ve got a lot of work in front of us.”
So far, officials’ suggestions to fill the gap include possibly requiring students to pay for extra curricular activities, and eliminating lead teacher positions.
According to state tax law Act 1, Neshaminy is allowed to raise taxes by 4.1 percent, officials said.
Board member Frank Koziol asked for the public to provide feedback. Administrators will discuss ideas during a meeting next week. Board member Rick Eccles asked that the district implement a hiring freeze, consider an earned wage tax, and ask the bargaining units to voluntarily provide “give-backs.”
Louise Boyd, president of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, was present at the meeting, but declined to comment on Eccles’ request.
While the budget data currently remains confidential, the information must be made public on or before Jan. 29, administrators said.
Business administrator gives bleak financial outlook
By RACHEL CANELLI
So far, the New Year has brought no new money to the Neshaminy School District.
A little more than a month after his first public budget report, business administrator Joseph Paradise Tuesday night once again emphasized a bleak forecast with no sign of relief.
Mirroring the dire financial state of the nation as well as businesses and families across the country, Paradise projected that while expenses continue to rise, revenues are flaccid.
Although he did not reveal specific dollar amounts, Paradise said the 2009-10 spending plan is expected to increase by roughly 4.9 percent over the current $163 million working budget. The jump is mostly due to growing health insurance costs and that’s without a new contract for the teachers, officials said.
Revenues, though, including property and business taxes, are down about $2.7 million, Paradise said.
“Revenues are weak to say the least,” he said. “[They’re]...falling through the floor...the faucet kind of stopped a month or two ago. I’m not saying it’s going to be challenging in July — it’s challenging now. We know we’re not going to get rescued in any way shape or form from the state.”
Last year, the board voted to use $3.5 million of the district’s fund balance, or savings account, to balance the budget. That would leave around $1.2 million — if that — to help this year’s so far estimated $14 million hole, according to Paradise.
Neshaminy could see monies from renting the Tawanka Learning Center to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit No. 22 and Neshaminy Middle School. Both of those possibilities will be discussed later this month.
The district could see potential savings when the ninth grade moves up to the high school this fall, but it’s too early to tell, said Paradise.
“It’s a work in progress,” Paradise said. “It’s messy at times. We’ve got a lot of work in front of us.”
So far, officials’ suggestions to fill the gap include possibly requiring students to pay for extra curricular activities, and eliminating lead teacher positions.
According to state tax law Act 1, Neshaminy is allowed to raise taxes by 4.1 percent, officials said.
Board member Frank Koziol asked for the public to provide feedback. Administrators will discuss ideas during a meeting next week. Board member Rick Eccles asked that the district implement a hiring freeze, consider an earned wage tax, and ask the bargaining units to voluntarily provide “give-backs.”
Louise Boyd, president of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, was present at the meeting, but declined to comment on Eccles’ request.
While the budget data currently remains confidential, the information must be made public on or before Jan. 29, administrators said.
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