We brought noodles from China. Gunpowder too.
The French provided their wines and cheeses.
The Germans sent over their schnitzles, Schwartzwalder kirschtorte, and beers.
Now Morrisville can lay claim to exporting something: A bullying and dysfunctional school board.
I know it's not a local phenomenon. I've profiled a number of school boards where the village idiots, the chronically uncooperative, the obviously veracity-challenged, and even the downright stupid, run the local education train.
We'd like to welcome Neshaminy to the party. It's a dark day when the school board cannot find the time to watch a school football game, visit a class, read on Dr. Seuss day, or even, for God's sake, attend graduation in June. When the school board views the administration as corrupt, the teachers as inept, the aides as superfluous, and the students as stupid, it's a sad way to run a school system. Some contemplative time in front of the mirror might be in order.
Flowers for the seniors at the sports ball are scrutinized and disapproved as wasteful and extravagant spending of $35.00. Yet these same people attend the prom on the district's dime, spending well over that amount---each. We cannot afford to buy batteries for the calculators in the schools, but we can afford to perform major repairs without Plan Con reimbursement.
Wake up people. Get involved. Get active. Bring real leadership to the table. Vote out the bozos.
From the BCCT.
Power struggle: Fewer accusations and more solutions
Linda Brookshaw Middletown
As a parent in the Neshaminy School District, I acknowledge there are numerous issues that need to be addressed. I believe Superintendent Paul Kadri can lead the district in the right direction if the school board stops its power struggle.
The Aug. 26 school board meeting started with Kadri celebrating student performance. While the audience cheered, board President Rick Eccles sat with scowl on his face, setting a negative tone for the entire meeting. How terrible for those high school students to believe the board did not feel proud of their accomplishments.
It is obvious that Eccles’ goal is to make Kadri look unprofessional. Of course, a bully has no power on his own, so he needs board members Koziol and Webb to join in on the campaign.
For Eccles to say, “This is the darkest day in Neshaminy’s history,” shows his lack of knowledge. Does he not want to educate himself on state and federal policies? Kadri patiently explained PSSA results to the board with a detailed power point presentation.
Now that the board has the results, I urge members to create a strategic action plan to improve the education of each Neshaminy student. Instead of coming to meetings with accusations, come to the meetings with solutions! The Neshaminy board needs to understand that those who fail to plan — plan to fail. The board is failing our children.
I urge the public to become involved. Parents need to be aware of Eccles’, Koziol’s and Webb’s agenda to push Kadri out of the district. This is setting a course to destroy public education.
I applaud board member Cummings for standing up to Eccles, and I ask the rest of the school board to stop this cycle of embarrassing, nonproductive school board meetings. Parents need to vote this board out of office. Our children’s best interests are not being served.
Monday, September 8, 2008
2004: "Morrisville brimming with potential"
Almost four years later, other than Cloverleaf, where are any of these items?
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Sunday, September 7, 2008
School Nurses
From the Pittsburgh Tribune. Here's a look at one of the unsung heroes of the educational system: The school nurse.
PA state laws on school nurses are not tightly defined. That's probably not the best response, but with so many other fish to fry, like equitable funding of school systems, I could see how the nurse could be an afterthought. After all, who really needs the nurse anyway? A teacher or someone can slap bandages on the skinned knees. It's all about the money.
Just wait until you need the nurse.
School nurse plays vital role
By Carol Hackenbracht
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Not long ago, a school nurse was called away from her Montgomery County elementary school to give medication to a student in a school a few miles down the road. Not wanting to leave her building because of the number of children with medical problems, she delayed her departure for a few minutes.
As she prepared to leave, a young student entered her office, scratching his stomach. Aware that the student had a food allergy, she instinctively checked him for hives while asking him if he had eaten anything he shouldn't have. He shook his head no. Within a matter of 30 seconds, he grabbed for his throat, and the nurse again asked him if he had eaten anything he shouldn't have. This time he nodded his head yes.
Taking the epinephrine out of the medication closet, she injected the youngster with the life-saving medication. She felt chilled by the realization that she could have been en route to the other school during the child's anaphylactic reaction instead of being there to save his life.
This true story brings up some very important questions. Do you know if there is a school nurse in your child's school? Is the nurse there every day? For how many students is the nurse responsible? Is it a reasonable number? Will the nurse be there for your child, should he or she need emergency medical help?
There are no laws in Pennsylvania that require a school nurse to be in your child's building on a daily basis. The current mandate, established in 1964, states that a school nurse may serve up to 1,500 students. Realize that if your school district has three elementary schools with fewer than 500 students each, your district could potentially direct the school nurse to be responsible for all three buildings. Or your district could assign just one nurse to care for all 1,500 students in a single school.
Every day, more and more students with special health-care needs and chronic illnesses enter the school population. School nurses, who provide specialized care for students dependent on medication and medical technology, develop, implement and monitor health care plans for these students. In Pennsylvania many school nurses regularly provide technical medical procedures, including nebulizer treatments, blood sugar testing, insulin-pump management and bladder catheterization.
Children with special needs often require additional services, including tracheotomy care, intravenous therapy, tube feedings, suctioning, rectal Valium administration and oxygen therapy.
School nurses serve a unique role in the school setting. They assist children and their families in obtaining needed medical and social services. They also address the physical and emotional needs of students suffering from cancer, infectious diseases, anxiety, eating disorders, physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, mental health problems, teen pregnancy and substance abuse.
The National Association of School Nurses and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend a maximum school nurse-to-student ratio of 1 to 750 students, with a decreasing ratio as the population of children with special health needs increases. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American School Health Association and the American Nurses Association also support a maximum ratio of one school nurse for every 750 students.
Will there be a school nurse for your child, should he or she need emergency medical help? Does your child's school nurse have a safe, reasonable assignment? If you have any questions about your school's nursing services, don't hesitate to contact your school district.
PA state laws on school nurses are not tightly defined. That's probably not the best response, but with so many other fish to fry, like equitable funding of school systems, I could see how the nurse could be an afterthought. After all, who really needs the nurse anyway? A teacher or someone can slap bandages on the skinned knees. It's all about the money.
Just wait until you need the nurse.
School nurse plays vital role
By Carol Hackenbracht
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Not long ago, a school nurse was called away from her Montgomery County elementary school to give medication to a student in a school a few miles down the road. Not wanting to leave her building because of the number of children with medical problems, she delayed her departure for a few minutes.
As she prepared to leave, a young student entered her office, scratching his stomach. Aware that the student had a food allergy, she instinctively checked him for hives while asking him if he had eaten anything he shouldn't have. He shook his head no. Within a matter of 30 seconds, he grabbed for his throat, and the nurse again asked him if he had eaten anything he shouldn't have. This time he nodded his head yes.
Taking the epinephrine out of the medication closet, she injected the youngster with the life-saving medication. She felt chilled by the realization that she could have been en route to the other school during the child's anaphylactic reaction instead of being there to save his life.
This true story brings up some very important questions. Do you know if there is a school nurse in your child's school? Is the nurse there every day? For how many students is the nurse responsible? Is it a reasonable number? Will the nurse be there for your child, should he or she need emergency medical help?
There are no laws in Pennsylvania that require a school nurse to be in your child's building on a daily basis. The current mandate, established in 1964, states that a school nurse may serve up to 1,500 students. Realize that if your school district has three elementary schools with fewer than 500 students each, your district could potentially direct the school nurse to be responsible for all three buildings. Or your district could assign just one nurse to care for all 1,500 students in a single school.
Every day, more and more students with special health-care needs and chronic illnesses enter the school population. School nurses, who provide specialized care for students dependent on medication and medical technology, develop, implement and monitor health care plans for these students. In Pennsylvania many school nurses regularly provide technical medical procedures, including nebulizer treatments, blood sugar testing, insulin-pump management and bladder catheterization.
Children with special needs often require additional services, including tracheotomy care, intravenous therapy, tube feedings, suctioning, rectal Valium administration and oxygen therapy.
School nurses serve a unique role in the school setting. They assist children and their families in obtaining needed medical and social services. They also address the physical and emotional needs of students suffering from cancer, infectious diseases, anxiety, eating disorders, physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, mental health problems, teen pregnancy and substance abuse.
The National Association of School Nurses and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend a maximum school nurse-to-student ratio of 1 to 750 students, with a decreasing ratio as the population of children with special health needs increases. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American School Health Association and the American Nurses Association also support a maximum ratio of one school nurse for every 750 students.
Will there be a school nurse for your child, should he or she need emergency medical help? Does your child's school nurse have a safe, reasonable assignment? If you have any questions about your school's nursing services, don't hesitate to contact your school district.
Community Growth and School Funding
From the BCCT. The graphics from the story are pretty compelling. Take a look at the Bucks districts vs. the Montgomery districts.
Growth at issue in talks
At the heart of Souderton’s contract dispute is whether its growth is helping or hurting its ability to pay teachers more.
By RICH PIETRAS
When weighing the salary issue that remains a big part of the Souderton school strike, the district and the teachers union are telling taxpayers to look at two different things.
The teachers point out that Souderton is growing, and its residential tax base is growing with it. The district argues that while more people are moving in, the school district does not have the commercial tax base that other school districts in Montgomery County enjoy.
That disagreement lies at the heart of the salary dispute that has kept teachers and students out of school for a week. A fruitless negotiating session held Friday lasted only an hour and no new talks are scheduled.
“We acknowledge the school district is growing,” Jeffrey Sultanik, the district’s solicitor and chief negotiator said. “But in comparison to the other districts, we don’t receive the same commercial taxes as others.”
To bolster its case, the district points to the state’s “aid ratio,” a number that combines the number of students in a district, the amount of taxable real estate it has and how much income its residents report and puts it through a formula to help determine how much state aid it will get.
Michael Race, of the state department of education, said that while the aid ratio isn’t the sole factor for determining funding, it is a number that is useful in determining the rank of a district’s residential and commercial wealth.
According to the state, the aid ratio for the Souderton Area School District puts it 16th out of 21 Montgomery County school districts.
Gary Smith, who is representing the teachers union, said solely looking at the aid ratio today does not take into account incoming growth.
“There are certainly a lot of people moving in, but there’s a huge amount of commercial growth occurring right now along the 309 corridor. Souderton is going to be one of the busiest places.”
Smith also contends that the district pleading the case that it is a poorer district is simply not true.
While Souderton ranks 16th in the taxable real estate portion of the aid-ratio formula, it ranks 13th in the personal income category.
While the district says it can’t afford the teachers’ 8.2 percent average salary increase proposal over the next four years, Smith contends the total taxes collected in the district rank seventhhighest in Montgomery County.
The union also contends the school board, which has offered the teachers 2.5 percent over three years, has refused to dip into a nearly $17 million reserve fund to help with new teacher contracts.
“What we’ve found out is Souderton has somewhere between $17 [million] and $20 million in reserved funds, which is around 20 percent of their expenditure. But the Pennsylvania Department of Education advises school districts to hold between 5 and 7 percent of their expenditure in a rainy day fund.”
Sultanik agreed Souderton has a large reserve fund and said the district was willing to spend “some” of that money on new contracts.
“This money is allocated for specific purposes,” Sultanik said. “When you have 7,000 students housed in many buildings that need money for upkeep, and you are also building a new high school, all districts need a fund balance to deal with.
“The fact that we have a savings account, does not mean we spend it all on teachers.”
And if all the statistics, reserve funds and salary demands seem high, the stakes might be higher.
“We have three contracts up, not just one,” Smith said addressing the situation with the teachers, secretaries and aides that have been without contracts since June. “If any of those contracts are not settled, they won’t be opening that new high school next year.”
Growth at issue in talks
At the heart of Souderton’s contract dispute is whether its growth is helping or hurting its ability to pay teachers more.
By RICH PIETRAS
When weighing the salary issue that remains a big part of the Souderton school strike, the district and the teachers union are telling taxpayers to look at two different things.
The teachers point out that Souderton is growing, and its residential tax base is growing with it. The district argues that while more people are moving in, the school district does not have the commercial tax base that other school districts in Montgomery County enjoy.
That disagreement lies at the heart of the salary dispute that has kept teachers and students out of school for a week. A fruitless negotiating session held Friday lasted only an hour and no new talks are scheduled.
“We acknowledge the school district is growing,” Jeffrey Sultanik, the district’s solicitor and chief negotiator said. “But in comparison to the other districts, we don’t receive the same commercial taxes as others.”
To bolster its case, the district points to the state’s “aid ratio,” a number that combines the number of students in a district, the amount of taxable real estate it has and how much income its residents report and puts it through a formula to help determine how much state aid it will get.
Michael Race, of the state department of education, said that while the aid ratio isn’t the sole factor for determining funding, it is a number that is useful in determining the rank of a district’s residential and commercial wealth.
According to the state, the aid ratio for the Souderton Area School District puts it 16th out of 21 Montgomery County school districts.
Gary Smith, who is representing the teachers union, said solely looking at the aid ratio today does not take into account incoming growth.
“There are certainly a lot of people moving in, but there’s a huge amount of commercial growth occurring right now along the 309 corridor. Souderton is going to be one of the busiest places.”
Smith also contends that the district pleading the case that it is a poorer district is simply not true.
While Souderton ranks 16th in the taxable real estate portion of the aid-ratio formula, it ranks 13th in the personal income category.
While the district says it can’t afford the teachers’ 8.2 percent average salary increase proposal over the next four years, Smith contends the total taxes collected in the district rank seventhhighest in Montgomery County.
The union also contends the school board, which has offered the teachers 2.5 percent over three years, has refused to dip into a nearly $17 million reserve fund to help with new teacher contracts.
“What we’ve found out is Souderton has somewhere between $17 [million] and $20 million in reserved funds, which is around 20 percent of their expenditure. But the Pennsylvania Department of Education advises school districts to hold between 5 and 7 percent of their expenditure in a rainy day fund.”
Sultanik agreed Souderton has a large reserve fund and said the district was willing to spend “some” of that money on new contracts.
“This money is allocated for specific purposes,” Sultanik said. “When you have 7,000 students housed in many buildings that need money for upkeep, and you are also building a new high school, all districts need a fund balance to deal with.
“The fact that we have a savings account, does not mean we spend it all on teachers.”
And if all the statistics, reserve funds and salary demands seem high, the stakes might be higher.
“We have three contracts up, not just one,” Smith said addressing the situation with the teachers, secretaries and aides that have been without contracts since June. “If any of those contracts are not settled, they won’t be opening that new high school next year.”
Punishment over Negotiations?
From the Inquirer. It looks like a long series of meetings ahead in Souderton.
But wait. Why should they have all the rancor and angst? There's a second story from the BCCT, and it looks like Morrisville can witness some of the Souderton tough love negotiations right here in our backyard. The Souderton solicitor is going to be representing the Pennsbury school board during this year's contract negotiations.
One of the comments left on the BCCT article provided some food for thought: "How is $77,000 a year, with a master's degree & 15 years of experience, making too much?" It's too much only to the people who wasted their own opportunity at gaining an education and now know it's too late. Bringing others down to their level of knowledge makes then feel better about their own poor choices.
Talks break down in Phila. area school strike
By Dan Hardy, Inquirer Staff Writer Posted on Sat, Sep. 6, 2008
Talks between striking Souderton Area School District teachers and the school board broke down yesterday morning after one hour, with no progress reported.
Negotiations likely will resume next week, said Bill Lukridge, president of the Souderton Area Education Association, but no date has been set. The strike began Tuesday.
The sides are far apart; the main issues in the 5,900-student district are wages and health-care benefits.
Each side blamed the other for the stalemate.
School board attorney and negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik said that because the strike is in progress, the school board brought up proposals at the session on how many teacher days would be made up, salary retroactivity, and health care payments.
"We had also requested that the union counter our salary proposal that we made on Labor Day, which they had never countered," Sultanik said. After state mediator Jill Leeds Rivera told the board that the union was not countering the salary proposal and not responding to the new strike-related proposals, "she suspended the talks," Sultanik said.
Rob Broderick, a staffer with the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said in a statement that "the school board came in and instead of negotiating what was on the table, threw new items onto the table related to what happens after the strike." He added: "The board is obviously more interested in punishing teachers than in negotiating."
The 512-member union's last wage proposal was for a 5.98 percent wage increase in the first year of a four-year agreement, 9.40 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third and 6.90 percent in the fourth. The school board has proposed a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year.
The school board wants to eliminate the teachers' highest-tier health plan, and to institute higher premium contributions and more co-pays for the remaining two plans. The union wants to leave all three plans in place with the same percentages of premium contributions that are now in effect, and wants improvements.
Even if no agreement is reached, under Pennsylvania law the teachers must return to work by Sept. 24, in time for students to receive 180 days of instruction by June 15, 2009.
The Souderton strike is the only one in the Philadelphia area this fall, but on Wednesday, teachers in Delaware County's Springfield School District authorized their leadership to call a strike if necessary. No strike deadline has been set; a bargaining session Thursday night did not result in an agreement. No further talks have been scheduled.
----------------------------------------------
Souderton solicitor tapped for negotiations
By MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Jeffrey Sultanik, the solicitor involved in Souderton's tense contract negotiations, will represent Pennsbury's school board during this year's teacher contract negotiations.
The district's previous contract negotiation in 2005 resulted in a 21-day teacher strike over a salary and benefits dispute.
Contract negotiations in Souderton, where Sultanik is representing the school board, have likewise come to a standstill.
Teachers there are on strike in part because their starting salaries are lower than those of other Montgomery County school districts. The strike has forced schools to remain closed.
The Souderton school board is concerned that teachers in the top tiers of the salary schedule will be overpaid if the union's proposal wins.
According to the union proposal, teachers with a master's degree at step 14 of a 15-step pay scale will receive a $17,280 pay increase.
The board proposed adding further steps to the salary schedule to prevent large differences in pay from one year to the next.
About 40 percent of district teachers are at the highest step.
If a resolution is not reached by Sept. 23, teachers will have to go back to work while arbitration proceedings begin.
At $77,524, Pennsbury's average teacher salary ranks within the top 10 of 727 school districts in the state.
In Souderton, the average teacher salary was $63,158, ranking at 55th in the state in 2006-07, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The district hired Sultanik in late spring after interviewing three attorneys. He is a labor relations lawyer for municipal and school organizations.
“We were very impressed with him when we interviewed him. He seemed to be very well versed in contract negotiations and had a good reputation,” said Gregory Lucidi, Pennsbury's school board president.
Lower Makefield resident Simon Campbell, who closely follows teachers union activities, is pleased with Pennsbury's choice.
“I know a lot of the lawyers that negotiate these contracts, and he has a reputation for being a tough negotiator, which is a good thing. The local school boards are the last line of defense for taxpayers,” he said.
Campbell is president and founder of Stop Teacher Strikes Inc., a group that advocates making teacher strikes illegal in Pennsylvania, one of the 13 states that allow them.
He argues that teachers get paid too much and that union proposals for higher pay are a drain on taxpayers.
Lucidi anticipates starting some negotiation sessions with the Pennsbury Education Association in January so both sides can present their proposals. “We might even start with just a sit-down session to throw ideas around,” he said.
The Courier Times was unsuccessful in reaching union representatives after several attempts Friday afternoon.
But wait. Why should they have all the rancor and angst? There's a second story from the BCCT, and it looks like Morrisville can witness some of the Souderton tough love negotiations right here in our backyard. The Souderton solicitor is going to be representing the Pennsbury school board during this year's contract negotiations.
One of the comments left on the BCCT article provided some food for thought: "How is $77,000 a year, with a master's degree & 15 years of experience, making too much?" It's too much only to the people who wasted their own opportunity at gaining an education and now know it's too late. Bringing others down to their level of knowledge makes then feel better about their own poor choices.
Talks break down in Phila. area school strike
By Dan Hardy, Inquirer Staff Writer Posted on Sat, Sep. 6, 2008
Talks between striking Souderton Area School District teachers and the school board broke down yesterday morning after one hour, with no progress reported.
Negotiations likely will resume next week, said Bill Lukridge, president of the Souderton Area Education Association, but no date has been set. The strike began Tuesday.
The sides are far apart; the main issues in the 5,900-student district are wages and health-care benefits.
Each side blamed the other for the stalemate.
School board attorney and negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik said that because the strike is in progress, the school board brought up proposals at the session on how many teacher days would be made up, salary retroactivity, and health care payments.
"We had also requested that the union counter our salary proposal that we made on Labor Day, which they had never countered," Sultanik said. After state mediator Jill Leeds Rivera told the board that the union was not countering the salary proposal and not responding to the new strike-related proposals, "she suspended the talks," Sultanik said.
Rob Broderick, a staffer with the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said in a statement that "the school board came in and instead of negotiating what was on the table, threw new items onto the table related to what happens after the strike." He added: "The board is obviously more interested in punishing teachers than in negotiating."
The 512-member union's last wage proposal was for a 5.98 percent wage increase in the first year of a four-year agreement, 9.40 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third and 6.90 percent in the fourth. The school board has proposed a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year.
The school board wants to eliminate the teachers' highest-tier health plan, and to institute higher premium contributions and more co-pays for the remaining two plans. The union wants to leave all three plans in place with the same percentages of premium contributions that are now in effect, and wants improvements.
Even if no agreement is reached, under Pennsylvania law the teachers must return to work by Sept. 24, in time for students to receive 180 days of instruction by June 15, 2009.
The Souderton strike is the only one in the Philadelphia area this fall, but on Wednesday, teachers in Delaware County's Springfield School District authorized their leadership to call a strike if necessary. No strike deadline has been set; a bargaining session Thursday night did not result in an agreement. No further talks have been scheduled.
----------------------------------------------
Souderton solicitor tapped for negotiations
By MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Jeffrey Sultanik, the solicitor involved in Souderton's tense contract negotiations, will represent Pennsbury's school board during this year's teacher contract negotiations.
The district's previous contract negotiation in 2005 resulted in a 21-day teacher strike over a salary and benefits dispute.
Contract negotiations in Souderton, where Sultanik is representing the school board, have likewise come to a standstill.
Teachers there are on strike in part because their starting salaries are lower than those of other Montgomery County school districts. The strike has forced schools to remain closed.
The Souderton school board is concerned that teachers in the top tiers of the salary schedule will be overpaid if the union's proposal wins.
According to the union proposal, teachers with a master's degree at step 14 of a 15-step pay scale will receive a $17,280 pay increase.
The board proposed adding further steps to the salary schedule to prevent large differences in pay from one year to the next.
About 40 percent of district teachers are at the highest step.
If a resolution is not reached by Sept. 23, teachers will have to go back to work while arbitration proceedings begin.
At $77,524, Pennsbury's average teacher salary ranks within the top 10 of 727 school districts in the state.
In Souderton, the average teacher salary was $63,158, ranking at 55th in the state in 2006-07, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The district hired Sultanik in late spring after interviewing three attorneys. He is a labor relations lawyer for municipal and school organizations.
“We were very impressed with him when we interviewed him. He seemed to be very well versed in contract negotiations and had a good reputation,” said Gregory Lucidi, Pennsbury's school board president.
Lower Makefield resident Simon Campbell, who closely follows teachers union activities, is pleased with Pennsbury's choice.
“I know a lot of the lawyers that negotiate these contracts, and he has a reputation for being a tough negotiator, which is a good thing. The local school boards are the last line of defense for taxpayers,” he said.
Campbell is president and founder of Stop Teacher Strikes Inc., a group that advocates making teacher strikes illegal in Pennsylvania, one of the 13 states that allow them.
He argues that teachers get paid too much and that union proposals for higher pay are a drain on taxpayers.
Lucidi anticipates starting some negotiation sessions with the Pennsbury Education Association in January so both sides can present their proposals. “We might even start with just a sit-down session to throw ideas around,” he said.
The Courier Times was unsuccessful in reaching union representatives after several attempts Friday afternoon.
Anyone Have Ed Rendell's Phone Number?
From WSB TV, Atlanta
Judge Recommends Governor Remove 4 Clayton School Board Members
POSTED: 3:09 pm EDT August 27, 2008
UPDATED: 1:48 pm EDT August 28, 2008
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A state judge recommended Wednesday that Gov. Sonny Perdue remove four members of the Clayton County school board.
Judge Michael M. Malihi said, "It is the recommendation of this court that Sandra Scott, Lois Baines-Hunter, A. Michelle Strong, and Yolanda Everett be removed from their positions as members of the Clayton County Board of Education."
# PDF: Recommended Decision To Governor
Malihi said they should be removed for violating the state's open meetings act and the ethics code.
The judge's recommendation comes just a day before the National Accreditation Commission reveals if Clayton County's schools will stay accredited. The commission will vote Wednesday night and the results will be announced Thursday. Losing accreditation could put students in jeopardy of not gaining admission to many colleges and not getting scholarships.
Judge Recommends Governor Remove 4 Clayton School Board Members
POSTED: 3:09 pm EDT August 27, 2008
UPDATED: 1:48 pm EDT August 28, 2008
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A state judge recommended Wednesday that Gov. Sonny Perdue remove four members of the Clayton County school board.
Judge Michael M. Malihi said, "It is the recommendation of this court that Sandra Scott, Lois Baines-Hunter, A. Michelle Strong, and Yolanda Everett be removed from their positions as members of the Clayton County Board of Education."
# PDF: Recommended Decision To Governor
Malihi said they should be removed for violating the state's open meetings act and the ethics code.
The judge's recommendation comes just a day before the National Accreditation Commission reveals if Clayton County's schools will stay accredited. The commission will vote Wednesday night and the results will be announced Thursday. Losing accreditation could put students in jeopardy of not gaining admission to many colleges and not getting scholarships.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Fundraising Tips
Dear Dr. Yonson,
The board approves your travel money. Bring back the million.
William I, Rex Educationalis
School Chief Kathy Cox Wins $1 Million On Game Show
Cox Won 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?'
POSTED: 6:26 am EDT September 6, 2008
Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox proved she is smarter than a 5th grader, winning a million for her school system on a popular game show on Friday night.
Cox appeared on the third season premiere of Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" She answered 10 questions correctly before getting the final million dollar one who was the longest reigning British monarch.
Cox competed against two others on the show, which was filmed last month with host Jeff Foxworthy.
The Republican superintendent drew criticism for appearing on the show from some who said she had better things to do.
Cox said she accepted the invitation because the show is family-friendly and promotes education
The board approves your travel money. Bring back the million.
William I, Rex Educationalis
School Chief Kathy Cox Wins $1 Million On Game Show
Cox Won 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?'
POSTED: 6:26 am EDT September 6, 2008
Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox proved she is smarter than a 5th grader, winning a million for her school system on a popular game show on Friday night.
Cox appeared on the third season premiere of Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" She answered 10 questions correctly before getting the final million dollar one who was the longest reigning British monarch.
Cox competed against two others on the show, which was filmed last month with host Jeff Foxworthy.
The Republican superintendent drew criticism for appearing on the show from some who said she had better things to do.
Cox said she accepted the invitation because the show is family-friendly and promotes education
Another RFP For the Emperor to Ignore
Caveat bidder.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
MORRISVILLE BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Morrisville Board of School Directors are requesting sealed bids for electrical work to be performed at the Morrisville High School. Specifications are available at an approximate cost of $20.00. If interested, please respond by September 22, 2008 (215-736-5933). A mandatory walk-thru will be September 30, 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room F-10 of the High School. Sealed bids must be received no later than Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m. at which time they will be opened publicly in Conference Room F-10 of the Morrisville High School.
Description of Work:
* Rebuild and recalibrate existing 5000 volt main service circuit breaker.
* Disconnect and replace existing 1600A secondary service board with new 3000A service board at the same location.Provide temporary 1600A panel board to temporarily feed existing building loads during replacement of existing service board.
* Provided new branch panel boards, branch circuits and wiring devices in
selected existing classrooms.
* All work shall be performed after normal working hours (3:00 pm - 11 pm with the exception of the switchboard. All power shutdowns at the switchboard shall be performed in weekend hours.
The contractors shall be responsible for securing and furnishing all necessary permits,labor, materials and supervision as well as adherence to building requirements and timely completion of all work.
Marlys Mihok
Secretary
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
MORRISVILLE BOROUGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Morrisville Board of School Directors are requesting sealed bids for electrical work to be performed at the Morrisville High School. Specifications are available at an approximate cost of $20.00. If interested, please respond by September 22, 2008 (215-736-5933). A mandatory walk-thru will be September 30, 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room F-10 of the High School. Sealed bids must be received no later than Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m. at which time they will be opened publicly in Conference Room F-10 of the Morrisville High School.
Description of Work:
* Rebuild and recalibrate existing 5000 volt main service circuit breaker.
* Disconnect and replace existing 1600A secondary service board with new 3000A service board at the same location.Provide temporary 1600A panel board to temporarily feed existing building loads during replacement of existing service board.
* Provided new branch panel boards, branch circuits and wiring devices in
selected existing classrooms.
* All work shall be performed after normal working hours (3:00 pm - 11 pm with the exception of the switchboard. All power shutdowns at the switchboard shall be performed in weekend hours.
The contractors shall be responsible for securing and furnishing all necessary permits,labor, materials and supervision as well as adherence to building requirements and timely completion of all work.
Marlys Mihok
Secretary
Morrisville Comprehensive Plan
Thanks to the emailer who sent this in.
There is a Morrisville Comprehensive Plan posted on the borough web site http://morrisville-boro-gov.com/CompPlan.asp - it's over 150 pages plus appendices. According to Jane Burger there will be a meeting Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30 to vote on approval of this plan - or to at least discuss it. Public comment will be accepted. Legal notices have been posted.
There is a Morrisville Comprehensive Plan posted on the borough web site http://morrisville-boro-gov.com/CompPlan.asp - it's over 150 pages plus appendices. According to Jane Burger there will be a meeting Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30 to vote on approval of this plan - or to at least discuss it. Public comment will be accepted. Legal notices have been posted.
Thumbs Up
From the BCCT
To Morrisville resident Mark Coassolo, who suggested a way that the perpetually cash-strapped Morrisville School District could produce some much-needed additional funding. Coassolo is now heading a steering committee charged by the school board with implementing his proposal.
Coassolo’s idea of establishing a nonprofit education foundation isn’t new; other districts have similar foundations and business partnerships. But it’s among the few positive developments from the school board in recent years.
The goal of the fledgling foundation is to solicit donations from businesses and individuals to help improve the district. And much help is needed what with buildings that are in varying stages of disrepair. Encouragingly, interested donors already have surfaced.
Kudos to Coassolo on his enterprising idea and his willingness to lead the effort.
To Morrisville resident Mark Coassolo, who suggested a way that the perpetually cash-strapped Morrisville School District could produce some much-needed additional funding. Coassolo is now heading a steering committee charged by the school board with implementing his proposal.
Coassolo’s idea of establishing a nonprofit education foundation isn’t new; other districts have similar foundations and business partnerships. But it’s among the few positive developments from the school board in recent years.
The goal of the fledgling foundation is to solicit donations from businesses and individuals to help improve the district. And much help is needed what with buildings that are in varying stages of disrepair. Encouragingly, interested donors already have surfaced.
Kudos to Coassolo on his enterprising idea and his willingness to lead the effort.
Cell Phones: No / Cell Towers: Maybe
Here's a story about erecting a cell phone tower in Upper Southampton from the BCCT. There's a no cell phone rule inside the schools, but what if the school board were to explore this option for land it uses in Morrisville?
Cell tower could be built on township land
But first it will have to be determined that the location on Second Street Pike isn’t a wetland.
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
A proposed 150-foot cell phone tower might not make it to Tamanend Park after all.
Verizon Wireless representative Sue Manchel asked the Upper Southampton supervisors to amend a lease agreement signed in July, so the company can instead erect a tower on township property at 1555 Second Street Pike, on the southeast corner of Second Street Pike and Bristol Road.
After hearing residents’ concerns, the board voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the change. Supervisor Marguerite Genesio wasn’t at the meeting.
But before any tower can go up there, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to determine that the new location isn’t a wetland. If it is, Verizon officials said the company will go with its initial plan and build the tower in a wooded area of the park along Second Street Pike near the Maple Avenue intersection.
If it’s built on township property, the tower would be 15 feet away from a gas pipe and near a designated 100-year flood plain.
The company has exhausted existing antennas so it needs to raise a new one for the seamless coverage required by the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon Wireless officials have said. The tower will be used by multiple carriers and the township will control the use of it when negotiating with those carriers.
Supervisor Stephen Ullrich said building on township land would be a “win-win” for the township and Verizon, since Upper Southampton initially purchased the land for cell tower purposes.
Supervisor Chairman Keith Froggatt, who voted against the tower in the park back in July, said he prefers the new location as well. The request for the change followed talks between Verizon and residents who don’t want a tower in the park.
Since July, the company has looked at three other possible sites suggested by the Friends of Tamanend Park. “We are trying to accommodate the township,” Manchel said.
But the company is finding out some residents want the tower in the park.
Gretchen Haertsch said a tree-disguised tower would fit best tucked in the park for less visibility. She added that a tower at the latest proposed location would surround three historic properties, ruining the area’s historical value.
Elizabeth Finnegan said she’s worried about safety during construction on the latest proposed site, which is close to schools.
She said she fears that the nearby gas pipe will be hit or moved during digging.
“I’m really concerned about the gas pipe and the children,” she said.
Resident Ron Thoma said he tried to purchase the township property a few year ago, but couldn’t because the “government said it was designated wetlands. You can’t build on wetlands.”
Verizon Wireless didn’t conduct wetlands studies before proposing the location, company officials said.
Verizon isn’t the only wireless company dealing with the supervisors. The board voted 4-0 to send the township solicitor to Wednesday’s zoning hearing board to say that the supervisors don’t recommend giving TMobile several variances to build a cell tower to close a reported gap in coverage for its customers.
T-Mobile wants to erect a 120-foot tower on land that it would lease from the Churchville Inn on Bristol Road and Bustleton Pike. The variances requested have to do with the tower’s proposed height and distance from the inn’s property line.
In the proposal presented in August, T-Mobile said the tower would be 3 feet from the side yard property line of the inn, as opposed to the 15 feet required by the township ordinance. It would be 3 feet from the rear property line, but the township requires 35 feet. Since the tower would be in a residential zone, the maximum allowed height is 25 feet, not the 120 feet requested.
On Tuesday, the company presented a slightly revised plan that would still require buffer and set-back variances.
T-Mobile has another possible location, representatives said, but they won’t know if the property owner will lease the land to them until this Tuesday. If that deals go through, Ullrich said, TMobile wouldn’t need the variances.
Cell tower could be built on township land
But first it will have to be determined that the location on Second Street Pike isn’t a wetland.
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
A proposed 150-foot cell phone tower might not make it to Tamanend Park after all.
Verizon Wireless representative Sue Manchel asked the Upper Southampton supervisors to amend a lease agreement signed in July, so the company can instead erect a tower on township property at 1555 Second Street Pike, on the southeast corner of Second Street Pike and Bristol Road.
After hearing residents’ concerns, the board voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the change. Supervisor Marguerite Genesio wasn’t at the meeting.
But before any tower can go up there, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to determine that the new location isn’t a wetland. If it is, Verizon officials said the company will go with its initial plan and build the tower in a wooded area of the park along Second Street Pike near the Maple Avenue intersection.
If it’s built on township property, the tower would be 15 feet away from a gas pipe and near a designated 100-year flood plain.
The company has exhausted existing antennas so it needs to raise a new one for the seamless coverage required by the Federal Communications Commission, Verizon Wireless officials have said. The tower will be used by multiple carriers and the township will control the use of it when negotiating with those carriers.
Supervisor Stephen Ullrich said building on township land would be a “win-win” for the township and Verizon, since Upper Southampton initially purchased the land for cell tower purposes.
Supervisor Chairman Keith Froggatt, who voted against the tower in the park back in July, said he prefers the new location as well. The request for the change followed talks between Verizon and residents who don’t want a tower in the park.
Since July, the company has looked at three other possible sites suggested by the Friends of Tamanend Park. “We are trying to accommodate the township,” Manchel said.
But the company is finding out some residents want the tower in the park.
Gretchen Haertsch said a tree-disguised tower would fit best tucked in the park for less visibility. She added that a tower at the latest proposed location would surround three historic properties, ruining the area’s historical value.
Elizabeth Finnegan said she’s worried about safety during construction on the latest proposed site, which is close to schools.
She said she fears that the nearby gas pipe will be hit or moved during digging.
“I’m really concerned about the gas pipe and the children,” she said.
Resident Ron Thoma said he tried to purchase the township property a few year ago, but couldn’t because the “government said it was designated wetlands. You can’t build on wetlands.”
Verizon Wireless didn’t conduct wetlands studies before proposing the location, company officials said.
Verizon isn’t the only wireless company dealing with the supervisors. The board voted 4-0 to send the township solicitor to Wednesday’s zoning hearing board to say that the supervisors don’t recommend giving TMobile several variances to build a cell tower to close a reported gap in coverage for its customers.
T-Mobile wants to erect a 120-foot tower on land that it would lease from the Churchville Inn on Bristol Road and Bustleton Pike. The variances requested have to do with the tower’s proposed height and distance from the inn’s property line.
In the proposal presented in August, T-Mobile said the tower would be 3 feet from the side yard property line of the inn, as opposed to the 15 feet required by the township ordinance. It would be 3 feet from the rear property line, but the township requires 35 feet. Since the tower would be in a residential zone, the maximum allowed height is 25 feet, not the 120 feet requested.
On Tuesday, the company presented a slightly revised plan that would still require buffer and set-back variances.
T-Mobile has another possible location, representatives said, but they won’t know if the property owner will lease the land to them until this Tuesday. If that deals go through, Ullrich said, TMobile wouldn’t need the variances.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Re-registration update
An update on the re-registration campaign from BucksLocalNews.com
Does anyone know how many were found and "purged" this time around?
Board wants Trenton kids out of schools
By Petra Chesner Schlatter Posted on Wed, Sep 3, 2008
The crackdown to find youths from outside the Morrisville school district, who attend school here, started in early August.
Morrisville School Board Member Jack Buckman said the school district has been conducting a re-registration program to try to find those students. The results of re-registration are not in yet.
"They're looking for anybody who doesn't belong there," Buckman said.
"We believe there is a problem," he said. "People are leaving students off in Morrisville with out-of-state plates I've witnessed it Cars leave students off at the bus stop."
Buckman said, "If they catch them, there is a tuition fee. They have to pay $12,500."
The re-registration is being done for elementary, middle and high school levels. Every student in the entire district has to re-register.
"It's important to the people in Morrisville," Buckman said. Taxpayers don't want to pay for a student's tuition if they do not live in Morrisville, he noted.
Buckman said re-registration, which is not done every year, should be conducted every three years.
Volunteers have been manning the re-registration tables at the Middle/Senior High School. A school district staffer taught a class to volunteers about the re-registration process. Staff members have been overseeing the re-registration.
PROVING RESIDENCY
The bottom line is residency must be proven in order to attend Morrisville schools.
Dr. Beth Yonson, superintendent of Morrisville school district, sent a letter to parents and posted the letter on the Web site.
All students, who will attend school in the district in the fall and were in kindergarten to 11th grade during the 2007-2008 school years, were required to re-register. New students were not included in the re-registration.
Class schedules and assignments will not be sent until students are re-registered, Yonson said.
Parents were required to bring identification in the form of a PA state-issued I.D. card or a valid PA driver's license, passport or military I.D.
Four proofs of residency had to be shown and had to have the same address information. One of the following items was required: a moving permit, deed, 2008 tax bill, mortgage payment bill/booklet, or lease.
Accepted for proof of residency were: a deed or agreement of sale, per capita tax bill or paid receipt, moving permit, bank statement, automobile registration, lease-verified by apartment superintendent, welfare identification, current cable or other utility statement, property tax bill or paid tax receipt, W-2 state-ment/IRS statement or tax return, automobile/tenant insurance statement.
Parents were required to provide the name of each of the children, the grade they would enter in September 2008 and the school they would be attending.
PREVIOUSLY PURGED
School Board Member Buckman said re-registration was previously done in the school district. "Ten years back, they did one and purged a lot of students," he said.
Three years ago, another re-registration took place, but the school district "didn't purge many," according to Buckman.
"You have to state you're supporting a child in your household if you are out of state," Buckman noted.
In the past, some parents were not able to prove residency after the tax season.
Last year, Morrisville school district employees found students who did not have the right paperwork. "They're always looking at residency records and requirements," Buckman noted.
Morrisville school district does not conduct re-registration every year.
There are an estimated 950 students who attend Morrisville schools. Buck-man said Morrisville has to deal with a small number compared to a school district like Pennsbury.
Buckman said Bensalem Township and Pennsbury school districts have had problems with students, who do not live in the school district.
He noted he has seen people driving cars with New Jersey license plates dropping off students at the Park 'N Ride near I-95 in Lower Makefield Township.
"It could be a case of joint custody. They could be company cars - you don't know," Buckman said.
Superintendent Yonson said, "When someone moves, they may start showing up late for school on a consistent basis. That gives us a red flag. There were three students last year."
If the school district finds out someone has moved, that person has to register in their own school district.
"If we find out that parents are sending children to our district, we tell them they have to leave," she said. "We will send them a bill. We're basically saying you have to take your child out."
Yonson said she does not expect too many students will be found to be non-residents.
"I know the last time we did this, we really didn't find anyone who didn't belong here," she said. "There really was not much of a difference."
Yonson said, "There's a big controversy" about the re-registration. A lot of parents are very angry about this. A number of them have lived here a long time."
Yonson said the "rationale of the board is they're trying to listen to the people. "It is quite costly to educate students," she said. "If we're educating them, they should be the children of Morrisville and not from somewhere else."
For more information, call the Morrisville school district at 215-736-5930 or visit www.mv.org.
Does anyone know how many were found and "purged" this time around?
Board wants Trenton kids out of schools
By Petra Chesner Schlatter Posted on Wed, Sep 3, 2008
The crackdown to find youths from outside the Morrisville school district, who attend school here, started in early August.
Morrisville School Board Member Jack Buckman said the school district has been conducting a re-registration program to try to find those students. The results of re-registration are not in yet.
"They're looking for anybody who doesn't belong there," Buckman said.
"We believe there is a problem," he said. "People are leaving students off in Morrisville with out-of-state plates I've witnessed it Cars leave students off at the bus stop."
Buckman said, "If they catch them, there is a tuition fee. They have to pay $12,500."
The re-registration is being done for elementary, middle and high school levels. Every student in the entire district has to re-register.
"It's important to the people in Morrisville," Buckman said. Taxpayers don't want to pay for a student's tuition if they do not live in Morrisville, he noted.
Buckman said re-registration, which is not done every year, should be conducted every three years.
Volunteers have been manning the re-registration tables at the Middle/Senior High School. A school district staffer taught a class to volunteers about the re-registration process. Staff members have been overseeing the re-registration.
PROVING RESIDENCY
The bottom line is residency must be proven in order to attend Morrisville schools.
Dr. Beth Yonson, superintendent of Morrisville school district, sent a letter to parents and posted the letter on the Web site.
All students, who will attend school in the district in the fall and were in kindergarten to 11th grade during the 2007-2008 school years, were required to re-register. New students were not included in the re-registration.
Class schedules and assignments will not be sent until students are re-registered, Yonson said.
Parents were required to bring identification in the form of a PA state-issued I.D. card or a valid PA driver's license, passport or military I.D.
Four proofs of residency had to be shown and had to have the same address information. One of the following items was required: a moving permit, deed, 2008 tax bill, mortgage payment bill/booklet, or lease.
Accepted for proof of residency were: a deed or agreement of sale, per capita tax bill or paid receipt, moving permit, bank statement, automobile registration, lease-verified by apartment superintendent, welfare identification, current cable or other utility statement, property tax bill or paid tax receipt, W-2 state-ment/IRS statement or tax return, automobile/tenant insurance statement.
Parents were required to provide the name of each of the children, the grade they would enter in September 2008 and the school they would be attending.
PREVIOUSLY PURGED
School Board Member Buckman said re-registration was previously done in the school district. "Ten years back, they did one and purged a lot of students," he said.
Three years ago, another re-registration took place, but the school district "didn't purge many," according to Buckman.
"You have to state you're supporting a child in your household if you are out of state," Buckman noted.
In the past, some parents were not able to prove residency after the tax season.
Last year, Morrisville school district employees found students who did not have the right paperwork. "They're always looking at residency records and requirements," Buckman noted.
Morrisville school district does not conduct re-registration every year.
There are an estimated 950 students who attend Morrisville schools. Buck-man said Morrisville has to deal with a small number compared to a school district like Pennsbury.
Buckman said Bensalem Township and Pennsbury school districts have had problems with students, who do not live in the school district.
He noted he has seen people driving cars with New Jersey license plates dropping off students at the Park 'N Ride near I-95 in Lower Makefield Township.
"It could be a case of joint custody. They could be company cars - you don't know," Buckman said.
Superintendent Yonson said, "When someone moves, they may start showing up late for school on a consistent basis. That gives us a red flag. There were three students last year."
If the school district finds out someone has moved, that person has to register in their own school district.
"If we find out that parents are sending children to our district, we tell them they have to leave," she said. "We will send them a bill. We're basically saying you have to take your child out."
Yonson said she does not expect too many students will be found to be non-residents.
"I know the last time we did this, we really didn't find anyone who didn't belong here," she said. "There really was not much of a difference."
Yonson said, "There's a big controversy" about the re-registration. A lot of parents are very angry about this. A number of them have lived here a long time."
Yonson said the "rationale of the board is they're trying to listen to the people. "It is quite costly to educate students," she said. "If we're educating them, they should be the children of Morrisville and not from somewhere else."
For more information, call the Morrisville school district at 215-736-5930 or visit www.mv.org.
Souderton Strike Update
From the Inquirer
Souderton teachers, board to talk Friday
By Dan Hardy
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Posted on Thu, Sep. 4, 2008
Striking teachers and the Souderton Area School Board will hold their first negotiating session tomorrow since the teachers started walking picket lines Tuesday, the first day of school.
The two sides are far apart; the main issues in the 5,900-student district are wages and healthcare benefits.
The 512-member union's latest proposal was for a 5.98 percent wage increase in the first year of a four-year agreement, 9.4 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third, and 6.9 percent in the fourth. The school board is proposing a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year. The school board is seeking to eliminate its highest-tier health plan and wants higher premium contributions and more copays for the remaining two. The union wants to leave all three plans in place with the same percentages of premium contributions that are now in effect, and wants to add improvements to the plan.
Even if no settlement is reached, the teachers must return to work on Sept. 24, state education officials have told the union and the district.
Under Pennsylvania law, the teachers must go back in time for students to receive 180 days of instruction by June 15 of next year. The Sept. 24 date would allow that, counting in state-set holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and including five district-designated holidays.
If the strike lasts until Sept. 24, the two sides would enter a state-mandated final best-offer arbitration process that could take several months. A three-member panel would issue recommendation after holding hearings. If either of the two sides reject the proposed settlement, the teachers could strike again, but would have to return to work in time for students to receive 180 days of classes by June 30.
The Souderton strike is the only one in the Philadelphia suburbs this fall, but yesterday teachers in Delaware County's Springfield school district authorized their leadership authorization to call a strike if necessary. No deadline has been set; bargaining is scheduled for tonight.
Souderton teachers, board to talk Friday
By Dan Hardy
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Posted on Thu, Sep. 4, 2008
Striking teachers and the Souderton Area School Board will hold their first negotiating session tomorrow since the teachers started walking picket lines Tuesday, the first day of school.
The two sides are far apart; the main issues in the 5,900-student district are wages and healthcare benefits.
The 512-member union's latest proposal was for a 5.98 percent wage increase in the first year of a four-year agreement, 9.4 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third, and 6.9 percent in the fourth. The school board is proposing a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year. The school board is seeking to eliminate its highest-tier health plan and wants higher premium contributions and more copays for the remaining two. The union wants to leave all three plans in place with the same percentages of premium contributions that are now in effect, and wants to add improvements to the plan.
Even if no settlement is reached, the teachers must return to work on Sept. 24, state education officials have told the union and the district.
Under Pennsylvania law, the teachers must go back in time for students to receive 180 days of instruction by June 15 of next year. The Sept. 24 date would allow that, counting in state-set holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and including five district-designated holidays.
If the strike lasts until Sept. 24, the two sides would enter a state-mandated final best-offer arbitration process that could take several months. A three-member panel would issue recommendation after holding hearings. If either of the two sides reject the proposed settlement, the teachers could strike again, but would have to return to work in time for students to receive 180 days of classes by June 30.
The Souderton strike is the only one in the Philadelphia suburbs this fall, but yesterday teachers in Delaware County's Springfield school district authorized their leadership authorization to call a strike if necessary. No deadline has been set; bargaining is scheduled for tonight.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
Some back to school reminders on how to share the road with school buses from the Pottstown Mercury.
PennDOT reminds drivers of school bus laws
09/05/2008
With school now back in session, state officials are reminding motorists to obey laws related to school buses.
Pennsylvania's school bus stopping laws require motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop, unless they are stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway (separated by concrete barriers or grassy medians).
Motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, a loss of five points from their driving record and a 60-day license suspension.
In school zones, vehicles are required to drive at 15 mph or less. Failure to comply will result in a fine and three points off the driver's record.
PennDOT also reminds motorists to be cautious of walkers and bicyclists on or near roadways.
Said agency Secretary Allen Biehler, P.E., "Back to school is an exciting time for students, and we want to ensure everyone reaches their destination without incident. Motorists need to take the added precaution of watching for students boarding and exiting buses, respecting school crossing guards and obeying traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones."
PennDOT reminds drivers of school bus laws
09/05/2008
With school now back in session, state officials are reminding motorists to obey laws related to school buses.
Pennsylvania's school bus stopping laws require motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop, unless they are stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway (separated by concrete barriers or grassy medians).
Motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, a loss of five points from their driving record and a 60-day license suspension.
In school zones, vehicles are required to drive at 15 mph or less. Failure to comply will result in a fine and three points off the driver's record.
PennDOT also reminds motorists to be cautious of walkers and bicyclists on or near roadways.
Said agency Secretary Allen Biehler, P.E., "Back to school is an exciting time for students, and we want to ensure everyone reaches their destination without incident. Motorists need to take the added precaution of watching for students boarding and exiting buses, respecting school crossing guards and obeying traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
But Where's R2D2 and C3PO?
From the BCCT. Here's a quick definition of 501(c)3 courtesy of Wikipedia and the IRS.
This is a great idea. Morrisville certainly does need to seek out alternative streams of funding.
This is not a replacement for the funding required by the state and borough. There are defined limits on the purposes this money can be spent on. The taxpayers of Morrisville need to continue to fund the schools.
This is not a replacement for funding from the business-unfriendly borough council either. They need to get back to the hard work of attracting new business to Morrisville and expanding the commercial tax base, rather than chasing it away.
Residents building nonprofit education foundation
The steering committee is looking for members and donors who want to help improve the district.
By MANASEE WAGH
Several months ago, Morrisville resident Mark Coassolo implored his school district to start a nonprofit organization to take some of the burden off taxpayers.
He said former board members should have explored other funding sources when they pushed last year to replace the district’s three existing buildings — a secondary school and two elementary schools — with a new, combined $30-million structure.
The town was divided on the issue, and the new board canceled the plan.
“When they were trying to build a school, they didn’t try to do it by finding funding outside the tax base, through partnerships with corporations or something like that,” said Coassolo. “This is not a wealthy borough. It would have been a hardship for a lot of people.”
Now, Coassolo’s part of a steering committee whose members have begun constructing an education foundation that already has interested donors. The goal of the fledgling foundation is to get businesses and individuals to financially help the district improve its infrastructure and education programs.
Coassolo hopes that corporate sponsorship will assist the Morrisville School District and its nearly 1,000 students. “We’re looking for people who are doers, people who can find funding and put together funding opportunities,” he said.
Six or seven people are on the steering committee, including Coassolo and school board secretary Marlys Mihok. They said they want to find more members so the project can move forward quickly.
“We’re looking for corporate members to be part of the steering committee. We’re also going to be looking for people in education to join,” said Coassolo.
The group wants an education consortium to put the process on the right track. Someone is guiding the committee on the legal and practical aspects of forming the foundation, which the administration supports.
The rising cost of education in Morrisville has long been a thorny issue. Some taxpayers complain that teachers’ salaries and special education costs, coupled with the cost of renovating the old school buildings, form an overwhelming challenge, especially for the district’s large population of retired homeowners.
The average cost of educating a high school student in Morrisville is $14,214, as compared to $10,866 in Bristol, another small district, and $11,711 in the larger district of Bristol Township.
Area school districts already have similar foundations and business partnerships, including Pennsbury, Centennial, Neshaminy, Bristol, Bristol Township, Council Rock and Bensalem.
Coassolo said the group hopes to see the fruits of its first donations in about a year.
“We already have several people that have shown interest in donating. Hopefully it will lead to more help for the district,” Coassolo said.
This is a great idea. Morrisville certainly does need to seek out alternative streams of funding.
This is not a replacement for the funding required by the state and borough. There are defined limits on the purposes this money can be spent on. The taxpayers of Morrisville need to continue to fund the schools.
This is not a replacement for funding from the business-unfriendly borough council either. They need to get back to the hard work of attracting new business to Morrisville and expanding the commercial tax base, rather than chasing it away.
Residents building nonprofit education foundation
The steering committee is looking for members and donors who want to help improve the district.
By MANASEE WAGH
Several months ago, Morrisville resident Mark Coassolo implored his school district to start a nonprofit organization to take some of the burden off taxpayers.
He said former board members should have explored other funding sources when they pushed last year to replace the district’s three existing buildings — a secondary school and two elementary schools — with a new, combined $30-million structure.
The town was divided on the issue, and the new board canceled the plan.
“When they were trying to build a school, they didn’t try to do it by finding funding outside the tax base, through partnerships with corporations or something like that,” said Coassolo. “This is not a wealthy borough. It would have been a hardship for a lot of people.”
Now, Coassolo’s part of a steering committee whose members have begun constructing an education foundation that already has interested donors. The goal of the fledgling foundation is to get businesses and individuals to financially help the district improve its infrastructure and education programs.
Coassolo hopes that corporate sponsorship will assist the Morrisville School District and its nearly 1,000 students. “We’re looking for people who are doers, people who can find funding and put together funding opportunities,” he said.
Six or seven people are on the steering committee, including Coassolo and school board secretary Marlys Mihok. They said they want to find more members so the project can move forward quickly.
“We’re looking for corporate members to be part of the steering committee. We’re also going to be looking for people in education to join,” said Coassolo.
The group wants an education consortium to put the process on the right track. Someone is guiding the committee on the legal and practical aspects of forming the foundation, which the administration supports.
The rising cost of education in Morrisville has long been a thorny issue. Some taxpayers complain that teachers’ salaries and special education costs, coupled with the cost of renovating the old school buildings, form an overwhelming challenge, especially for the district’s large population of retired homeowners.
The average cost of educating a high school student in Morrisville is $14,214, as compared to $10,866 in Bristol, another small district, and $11,711 in the larger district of Bristol Township.
Area school districts already have similar foundations and business partnerships, including Pennsbury, Centennial, Neshaminy, Bristol, Bristol Township, Council Rock and Bensalem.
Coassolo said the group hopes to see the fruits of its first donations in about a year.
“We already have several people that have shown interest in donating. Hopefully it will lead to more help for the district,” Coassolo said.
I'm not going to answer that question. Let's move along.
From the Erie Times-News. As our school board's policy committee considers the district's bullying policy, as required under new Pennsylvania state law, we have to consider this question: If a school board president is the one of the worst bullies in the district, is he subject to the same provisions and punishments as the teachers, staff, and students?
Take that, big bully.
By LINDSEY POISSON
Published: September 04. 2008 12:01AM
They don't have to say a word. They don't even have to be in the same room.
Bullies can appear anytime, anywhere -- and do any number of hurtful things.
And when they do, it takes a toll.
"It's really hard. It lowers your self confidence," said Ian Pertz, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School in the Catholic Diocese of Erie. "Say you had a test that day; you might do worse just because of the mood you're in. You feel bad.
"You just don't want to do anything. You want to go home and stick your face in a pillow."
As students head back to class and get to know each other more, they might start to notice that some kids just don't get along -- both in and out of school. What seems like typical gossiping or mean behavior is actually bullying.
"Most kids inherently know what's right and wrong, but they might not know the fancy definition," said Mary Baird, president and chief executive of the Ophelia Project, an Erie-based organization that helps students who've experienced nonphysical forms of aggression.
The stereotypical idea of a thuglike bully beating up poor defenseless students for their lunch money really isn't the norm anymore. Bullies come in any gender, any race and in every size and shape.
And they can bully others in any number of ways.
"There are kids who are bullied that don't know they're bullied," said Danny Jones, student assistant programs coordinator for the Erie School District. "From the taunting, picking and choosing, to exclusion to cyberbullying -- it takes all forms."
Although some physical bullying still exists, most of what experts, school officials and students see are more subtle, mental and emotional methods of bullying.
Giving the silent treatment.
Spreading a rumor.
Laughing at someone, not with them.
Ignoring or excluding a single student.
Bullying, by definition, has three key aspects: Willful harm, repetition and a power imbalance. If bullying occurs on the Internet or through electronic means, it's known as cyberbullying.
Most often, students who are considered "bullies" aren't really horrible kids, Jones said. They just don't know how to handle certain situations any other way.
"None of this is a blame thing," he said. "It's not that your kid is bad because he's a bully -- it's (that) he's showing bullying behavior."
The goal, experts and school officials say, is to help those who bully and are bullied alike.
A new Pennsylvania state law, passed in July, requires all public schools to create or amend a student-conduct policy regarding bullying, and charges an individual within the school with taking complaints and reports of bullying incidents.
Most area schools, including Erie public schools and St. Luke, already have a policy in place and focus on awareness and prevention. The Ophelia Project, which deals with "relational aggression" involving bullying through peer and other relationships, helps local students in a number of ways, including mentor counseling. Its new pilot program will teach teachers and students about cyberbullying.
"Cyberbullying has skyrocketed in the last 10 years," Baird said. "It's incredible. There's just so much going (on) in the area of technology. It happens outside the school, but what happens is it walks in school with the kid the next day."
Schools might have little to no control over it -- especially when comments or messages on Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites are made beyond school grounds. But sometimes comments made through text messages and online chats lead to fights at school, Baird said.
Parry Aftab, a cyberbullying expert and director of the world's largest Internet safety group, WiredSafety, said mostly high school students use this method of bullying. It could mean harassment through Web sites or stealing passwords and posing as someone else.
Students might not even see it as "bullying," because of the frequency. People think "it's just something that happens, (it's) the price of using technology," Aftab said.
"Size doesn't matter, and they can hide behind fake identities," she said. "It's revolutionizing things because it's faster and everyone can play. The people who are doing it aren't the traditional bullies, they're the traditional victims."
Although it's important for schools to fight bullying, it's also up to parents to establish a dialogue with their children.
Becky Bargielski, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School, 425 E. 38th St., knows that some students might not feel comfortable telling an adult about bullying -- especially if they're afraid of possible retaliation from a bully.
Not saying anything, however, probably won't help.
"I could go to my parents and if it was that bad they would say something to the principal, if I couldn't," she said. "Some of the students aren't as close to their parents as I am. They might not tell anybody."
By talking with children about bullying and what it means, parents can start and build on that conversation, said Charisse Nixon, developmental psychologist at Penn State Behrend, who also works with the Ophelia Project.
"The more silent it remains, the longer it's going to build in that child," she said. "Don't minimize it. Give your kids the language to talk about it."
LINDSEY POISSON can be reached at 870-1871, or by e-mail.
What to do
Students: You have the right to not be bullied. Although it's difficult to remember when you're toe to toe with a bully, there are ways to get through the situation.
"You need to stand up for yourself. You really do," says Becky Bargielski, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School.
# Confide in a teacher, parent or trusted adult.
Perhaps the biggest fear students have is that if they tell, the situation will get worse for them. But not doing something could be just as bad. If bullying persists, it makes students miserable and things could even escalate. Adults can only help if they know what's happening, and most try to keep the names of those bullied out of it.
# Keep your cool.
"You have to try to ignore it and act like it's not affecting you," says Ian Pertz, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School. "You have to try to stand straight up and then go to a teacher and tell them. If you show that you're getting hurt by them, then they'll just keep doing it." But the key is to also do something about it: Be sure to tell an adult.
# Try a little kindness.
Pertz and Bargielski say kids who bully sometimes are going through problems at home or give in to peer pressure. If you show them a little understanding and kindness, they might realize they don't have to bully to get it.
# Tell a trusted friend.
"I have close friends that if something's bothering me, and I don't feel comfortable going to a teacher, maybe I can ask them and they can go to a teacher for me," Bargielski said. But beware. Sometimes, especially with younger children, friendships change and certain friends who've been trusted with personal information might end up becoming bullies, too, St. Luke School's guidance counselor Jessica Bengel said.
# If you see it happening to someone else, do something.
Talk to that person or tell a teacher. Sometimes innocent bystanders who've witnessed incidents can feel bullied themselves, said Mary Baird, president and chief executive of the Ophelia Project. But these same people have a lot of power to do something about the situation, Bengel said.
Take that, big bully.
By LINDSEY POISSON
Published: September 04. 2008 12:01AM
They don't have to say a word. They don't even have to be in the same room.
Bullies can appear anytime, anywhere -- and do any number of hurtful things.
And when they do, it takes a toll.
"It's really hard. It lowers your self confidence," said Ian Pertz, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School in the Catholic Diocese of Erie. "Say you had a test that day; you might do worse just because of the mood you're in. You feel bad.
"You just don't want to do anything. You want to go home and stick your face in a pillow."
As students head back to class and get to know each other more, they might start to notice that some kids just don't get along -- both in and out of school. What seems like typical gossiping or mean behavior is actually bullying.
"Most kids inherently know what's right and wrong, but they might not know the fancy definition," said Mary Baird, president and chief executive of the Ophelia Project, an Erie-based organization that helps students who've experienced nonphysical forms of aggression.
The stereotypical idea of a thuglike bully beating up poor defenseless students for their lunch money really isn't the norm anymore. Bullies come in any gender, any race and in every size and shape.
And they can bully others in any number of ways.
"There are kids who are bullied that don't know they're bullied," said Danny Jones, student assistant programs coordinator for the Erie School District. "From the taunting, picking and choosing, to exclusion to cyberbullying -- it takes all forms."
Although some physical bullying still exists, most of what experts, school officials and students see are more subtle, mental and emotional methods of bullying.
Giving the silent treatment.
Spreading a rumor.
Laughing at someone, not with them.
Ignoring or excluding a single student.
Bullying, by definition, has three key aspects: Willful harm, repetition and a power imbalance. If bullying occurs on the Internet or through electronic means, it's known as cyberbullying.
Most often, students who are considered "bullies" aren't really horrible kids, Jones said. They just don't know how to handle certain situations any other way.
"None of this is a blame thing," he said. "It's not that your kid is bad because he's a bully -- it's (that) he's showing bullying behavior."
The goal, experts and school officials say, is to help those who bully and are bullied alike.
A new Pennsylvania state law, passed in July, requires all public schools to create or amend a student-conduct policy regarding bullying, and charges an individual within the school with taking complaints and reports of bullying incidents.
Most area schools, including Erie public schools and St. Luke, already have a policy in place and focus on awareness and prevention. The Ophelia Project, which deals with "relational aggression" involving bullying through peer and other relationships, helps local students in a number of ways, including mentor counseling. Its new pilot program will teach teachers and students about cyberbullying.
"Cyberbullying has skyrocketed in the last 10 years," Baird said. "It's incredible. There's just so much going (on) in the area of technology. It happens outside the school, but what happens is it walks in school with the kid the next day."
Schools might have little to no control over it -- especially when comments or messages on Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites are made beyond school grounds. But sometimes comments made through text messages and online chats lead to fights at school, Baird said.
Parry Aftab, a cyberbullying expert and director of the world's largest Internet safety group, WiredSafety, said mostly high school students use this method of bullying. It could mean harassment through Web sites or stealing passwords and posing as someone else.
Students might not even see it as "bullying," because of the frequency. People think "it's just something that happens, (it's) the price of using technology," Aftab said.
"Size doesn't matter, and they can hide behind fake identities," she said. "It's revolutionizing things because it's faster and everyone can play. The people who are doing it aren't the traditional bullies, they're the traditional victims."
Although it's important for schools to fight bullying, it's also up to parents to establish a dialogue with their children.
Becky Bargielski, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School, 425 E. 38th St., knows that some students might not feel comfortable telling an adult about bullying -- especially if they're afraid of possible retaliation from a bully.
Not saying anything, however, probably won't help.
"I could go to my parents and if it was that bad they would say something to the principal, if I couldn't," she said. "Some of the students aren't as close to their parents as I am. They might not tell anybody."
By talking with children about bullying and what it means, parents can start and build on that conversation, said Charisse Nixon, developmental psychologist at Penn State Behrend, who also works with the Ophelia Project.
"The more silent it remains, the longer it's going to build in that child," she said. "Don't minimize it. Give your kids the language to talk about it."
LINDSEY POISSON can be reached at 870-1871, or by e-mail.
What to do
Students: You have the right to not be bullied. Although it's difficult to remember when you're toe to toe with a bully, there are ways to get through the situation.
"You need to stand up for yourself. You really do," says Becky Bargielski, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School.
# Confide in a teacher, parent or trusted adult.
Perhaps the biggest fear students have is that if they tell, the situation will get worse for them. But not doing something could be just as bad. If bullying persists, it makes students miserable and things could even escalate. Adults can only help if they know what's happening, and most try to keep the names of those bullied out of it.
# Keep your cool.
"You have to try to ignore it and act like it's not affecting you," says Ian Pertz, an eighth-grader at St. Luke School. "You have to try to stand straight up and then go to a teacher and tell them. If you show that you're getting hurt by them, then they'll just keep doing it." But the key is to also do something about it: Be sure to tell an adult.
# Try a little kindness.
Pertz and Bargielski say kids who bully sometimes are going through problems at home or give in to peer pressure. If you show them a little understanding and kindness, they might realize they don't have to bully to get it.
# Tell a trusted friend.
"I have close friends that if something's bothering me, and I don't feel comfortable going to a teacher, maybe I can ask them and they can go to a teacher for me," Bargielski said. But beware. Sometimes, especially with younger children, friendships change and certain friends who've been trusted with personal information might end up becoming bullies, too, St. Luke School's guidance counselor Jessica Bengel said.
# If you see it happening to someone else, do something.
Talk to that person or tell a teacher. Sometimes innocent bystanders who've witnessed incidents can feel bullied themselves, said Mary Baird, president and chief executive of the Ophelia Project. But these same people have a lot of power to do something about the situation, Bengel said.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What's a Swaption?
From the Erie Times News
Suit: Swap cost district $1M
Erie school system claims excessive fees, fraud in financial deal
BY ED PALATTELLA Published: September 03. 2008 12:50AM
The Erie School District is claiming that a huge investment bank, an Erie broker and a Philadelphia-area investment adviser colluded to defraud the district of more than $1 million in a financial transaction in 2003.
The disputed deal is known as an interest-rate swap. The district is suing to try to force JPMorgan Chase & Co. and others to repay what the district believes are excessive fees that JPMorgan collected.
The other defendants are David DiCarlo, JPMorgan's local broker at the time; and Investment Management Advisory Group Inc., or I.M.A.G.E., which the school district paid $60,000 to provide independent advice on the swap, or "swaption."
The district is alleging in the suit that JPMorgan, through DiCarlo, recommended that the school district retain I.M.A.G.E., and that JPMorgan and I.M.A.G.E. "were involved in a collusive arrangement in the market for Swaptions" at the time of the district's deal. The district claims collusion and "anti-competitive conduct" allowed JPMorgan to procure "excessive transaction fees."
"I.M.A.G.E. and the individual Defendants had knowledge of the ... anti-competitive collusive conduct and participated in it," the district claims in the suit.
As part of the swap -- a form of bond refinancing -- the district received $755,000, which the district plugged into its budget in 2003. Based on its calculations, the district said in the suit, JPMorgan should have received no more than $128,000 in fees for handling the swap. The district claimed JPMorgan instead received $1,227,415 in fees.
The Erie School District, according to the suit, "has been damaged in the amount of $1,099,415, representing the difference between what it should have received under a properly structured swap transaction ... and what was received as a result of the School District being fraudulently induced to enter into the transaction."
The suit does not itemize how much DiCarlo might have collected in fees or commissions.
A spokeswoman for the New York-based JPMorgan said the bank would have no comment on the suit, though the bank previously said the swap was handled properly. A representative from I.M.A.G.E., which is based in Pottstown, did not immediately return a phone call on Tuesday, though that firm has previously defended the handling of the swap.
DiCarlo, reached Tuesday, said JPMorgan has advised him not to comment on the school district's claims.
DiCarlo said he stopped working for JPMorgan as of July 31. He said he retired from JPMorgan because the Erie office was closed.
A spokesman for the bank, Brian Marchiony, confirmed DiCarlo's departure and declined, through an e-mail, to comment on the reasons DiCarlo left.
A national issue
The Erie School District's suit, docketed in U.S. District Court in Erie on Tuesday, culminates months of research that the school district conducted on the swap. The district said in the suit that school officials in October learned through Bloomberg Markets, a national magazine, that the fees might have been excessive.
The suit also represents the Erie School District's legal plunge into the nationwide dispute over swaps, which are unregulated by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, and which the school district claims were not legal in Pennsylvania until September 2003. The Erie School Board approved the swap with JPMorgan on Sept. 4, 2003.
Other municipalities across the United States are also claiming they were victimized in swap deals, and in March, they filed a class-action suit against JPMorgan and others in federal court in Washington. The case has been moved to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which includes Wall Street.
In addition, the FBI, SEC and Internal Revenue Service are investigating swaps and similar transactions nationwide. No one has been charged, though a federal grand jury in New York City has been empaneled in the probe, according to public records.
Erie schools Superintendent James Barker, the head of the district for 15 years, has said the district will aggressively pursue any money it believes it is owed in the swap deal. The district hired a Harrisburg law firm, McNees, Wallace & Nurick, to handle the suit, and the lawyers on the case, James DeAngelo and Delano Lantz, commented through a brief statement Tuesday.
The lawyers said the district is seeking to recover damages from the conduct of the defendants.
The eight-count suit claims securities fraud, two other types of fraud and civil conspiracy against all the defendants; breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing against JPMorgan and I.M.A.G.E.; and breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence against I.M.A.G.E.
Claims against DiCarlo
As the local broker for the 2003 swap, David DiCarlo is the subject of claims throughout the suit. The suit claims DiCarlo, then an Erie-based vice president for JPMorgan Securities, used his years of experience as a local broker to help persuade the Erie School District to agree to a swap that, unbeknownst to the district, would lead to the large fees for JPMorgan. The suit said DiCarlo never disclosed the size of the fees to the Erie School Board, and that I.M.A.G.E. never raised concerns about the fees.
DiCarlo, a former state representative and currently a member of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, worked with the Erie School District and other local municipalities for decades on bond refinancings and other large-scale financial transactions. DiCarlo was a registered broker with RRZ Public Markets, based in the Pittsburgh area, from 1983 to 2003, and a registered broker with JPMorgan Securities, a part of JPMorgan Chase, from May 2003 through August. JPMorgan acquired RRZ Public Markets in February 2003.
The Erie School District claims that, as part of the fraud, JPMorgan "exploited" its expertise on swaps and "the trust engendered by Defendant DiCarlo's history of dealings with the Erie School District."
DiCarlo, the district claims, "held himself out to be a trusted adviser to the Erie School District and had for 20 years represented the Erie School District on multiple refunding issues."
Details Of The Swap
Interest-rate swap deals are often called "swaptions."
In a swap, two parties agree to exchange payments at different rates. One party typically pays a fixed rate, and the other pays a rate tied to a commodity or security.
In the case of the Erie School District, the district in 2003 agreed to exchange payments with JPMorgan Chase & Co. in connection with $37.3 million in bonds the district issued in 2000 for building projects.
As part of the swap, the district received $755,000, which it plugged into its budget, according to the district's lawsuit, filed Tuesday. The district previously put the figure at $785,000.
JPMorgan, in turn, got an option to take over as the district's bond holder on the 2000 issue in 2011. If JPMorgan took the option, the district would have made its bond payments directly to JPMorgan and not the current investors.
JPMorgan in the swap deal also got money from fees -- the amount of money that is at the center of the school district's suit. JPMorgan has never publicly disclosed the fees. The district, in its suit, claims JPMorgan received $1,227,415 in fees, based on the district's calculations.
The district claims JPMorgan should have received no more than $128,000 in fees for handling the swap. The district wants JPMorgan to repay the difference -- $1,099,415. Bloomberg News, including Bloomberg Markets, which reported extensively on the Erie School District swap, had estimated the fees at $3.9 million.
The Erie School Board approved the swap in a 6-0 vote on Sept. 4, 2003. Three of the directors, including Richard Szychowski, a board member since November 2002, were not present. Of the six directors who voted for the swap, three are still on the board -- Jim Herdzik, Mary Frances Schenley and Eva Tucker Jr.
The swap with JP Morgan has since expired. The district restructured it with PNC Bank in 2006.
Nationwide Concerns
As the Erie School District goes to court over its interest-rate swap, similar financial transactions have raised concern nationwide from other municipalities, as well as law-enforcement officials.
The FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission and Internal Revenue Service are investigating swaps. No one has been charged, though a federal grand jury in New York City has been empaneled in the probe, according to public records.
The deals under scrutiny, according to public records, include those involving JPMorgan and the Investment Management Advisory Group, or I.M.A.G.E., the Philadelphia-area business that acted as the Erie School District's adviser in the district's disputed 2003 bond swap.
A class-action suit filed in federal court in Washington has also raised questions about the propriety of swaps and similar investment vehicles known as municipal derivatives.
The suit, filed March 12, claims JPMorgan Chase, I.M.A.G.E. and more than 30 other financial institutions conspired -- through kickbacks and other activities -- to fix prices and rig bids for swaps and similar municipal derivatives throughout the United States from Jan. 1, 1992, to the date the suit was filed.
The suit in June was transferred to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which includes Wall Street.
What's Next
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the other defendants have 20 days from the time they are served to respond to the lawsuit the Erie School District filed in U.S. District Court in Erie. The case has been assigned to Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
The school district filed the suit in federal court because it involves claims under federal antitrust and securities law, according to court records.
The district said it filed the suit within the five-year statute of limitations for claims involving the swap, which the Erie School Board approved Sept. 4, 2003.
Suit: Swap cost district $1M
Erie school system claims excessive fees, fraud in financial deal
BY ED PALATTELLA Published: September 03. 2008 12:50AM
The Erie School District is claiming that a huge investment bank, an Erie broker and a Philadelphia-area investment adviser colluded to defraud the district of more than $1 million in a financial transaction in 2003.
The disputed deal is known as an interest-rate swap. The district is suing to try to force JPMorgan Chase & Co. and others to repay what the district believes are excessive fees that JPMorgan collected.
The other defendants are David DiCarlo, JPMorgan's local broker at the time; and Investment Management Advisory Group Inc., or I.M.A.G.E., which the school district paid $60,000 to provide independent advice on the swap, or "swaption."
The district is alleging in the suit that JPMorgan, through DiCarlo, recommended that the school district retain I.M.A.G.E., and that JPMorgan and I.M.A.G.E. "were involved in a collusive arrangement in the market for Swaptions" at the time of the district's deal. The district claims collusion and "anti-competitive conduct" allowed JPMorgan to procure "excessive transaction fees."
"I.M.A.G.E. and the individual Defendants had knowledge of the ... anti-competitive collusive conduct and participated in it," the district claims in the suit.
As part of the swap -- a form of bond refinancing -- the district received $755,000, which the district plugged into its budget in 2003. Based on its calculations, the district said in the suit, JPMorgan should have received no more than $128,000 in fees for handling the swap. The district claimed JPMorgan instead received $1,227,415 in fees.
The Erie School District, according to the suit, "has been damaged in the amount of $1,099,415, representing the difference between what it should have received under a properly structured swap transaction ... and what was received as a result of the School District being fraudulently induced to enter into the transaction."
The suit does not itemize how much DiCarlo might have collected in fees or commissions.
A spokeswoman for the New York-based JPMorgan said the bank would have no comment on the suit, though the bank previously said the swap was handled properly. A representative from I.M.A.G.E., which is based in Pottstown, did not immediately return a phone call on Tuesday, though that firm has previously defended the handling of the swap.
DiCarlo, reached Tuesday, said JPMorgan has advised him not to comment on the school district's claims.
DiCarlo said he stopped working for JPMorgan as of July 31. He said he retired from JPMorgan because the Erie office was closed.
A spokesman for the bank, Brian Marchiony, confirmed DiCarlo's departure and declined, through an e-mail, to comment on the reasons DiCarlo left.
A national issue
The Erie School District's suit, docketed in U.S. District Court in Erie on Tuesday, culminates months of research that the school district conducted on the swap. The district said in the suit that school officials in October learned through Bloomberg Markets, a national magazine, that the fees might have been excessive.
The suit also represents the Erie School District's legal plunge into the nationwide dispute over swaps, which are unregulated by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, and which the school district claims were not legal in Pennsylvania until September 2003. The Erie School Board approved the swap with JPMorgan on Sept. 4, 2003.
Other municipalities across the United States are also claiming they were victimized in swap deals, and in March, they filed a class-action suit against JPMorgan and others in federal court in Washington. The case has been moved to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which includes Wall Street.
In addition, the FBI, SEC and Internal Revenue Service are investigating swaps and similar transactions nationwide. No one has been charged, though a federal grand jury in New York City has been empaneled in the probe, according to public records.
Erie schools Superintendent James Barker, the head of the district for 15 years, has said the district will aggressively pursue any money it believes it is owed in the swap deal. The district hired a Harrisburg law firm, McNees, Wallace & Nurick, to handle the suit, and the lawyers on the case, James DeAngelo and Delano Lantz, commented through a brief statement Tuesday.
The lawyers said the district is seeking to recover damages from the conduct of the defendants.
The eight-count suit claims securities fraud, two other types of fraud and civil conspiracy against all the defendants; breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing against JPMorgan and I.M.A.G.E.; and breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence against I.M.A.G.E.
Claims against DiCarlo
As the local broker for the 2003 swap, David DiCarlo is the subject of claims throughout the suit. The suit claims DiCarlo, then an Erie-based vice president for JPMorgan Securities, used his years of experience as a local broker to help persuade the Erie School District to agree to a swap that, unbeknownst to the district, would lead to the large fees for JPMorgan. The suit said DiCarlo never disclosed the size of the fees to the Erie School Board, and that I.M.A.G.E. never raised concerns about the fees.
DiCarlo, a former state representative and currently a member of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, worked with the Erie School District and other local municipalities for decades on bond refinancings and other large-scale financial transactions. DiCarlo was a registered broker with RRZ Public Markets, based in the Pittsburgh area, from 1983 to 2003, and a registered broker with JPMorgan Securities, a part of JPMorgan Chase, from May 2003 through August. JPMorgan acquired RRZ Public Markets in February 2003.
The Erie School District claims that, as part of the fraud, JPMorgan "exploited" its expertise on swaps and "the trust engendered by Defendant DiCarlo's history of dealings with the Erie School District."
DiCarlo, the district claims, "held himself out to be a trusted adviser to the Erie School District and had for 20 years represented the Erie School District on multiple refunding issues."
Details Of The Swap
Interest-rate swap deals are often called "swaptions."
In a swap, two parties agree to exchange payments at different rates. One party typically pays a fixed rate, and the other pays a rate tied to a commodity or security.
In the case of the Erie School District, the district in 2003 agreed to exchange payments with JPMorgan Chase & Co. in connection with $37.3 million in bonds the district issued in 2000 for building projects.
As part of the swap, the district received $755,000, which it plugged into its budget, according to the district's lawsuit, filed Tuesday. The district previously put the figure at $785,000.
JPMorgan, in turn, got an option to take over as the district's bond holder on the 2000 issue in 2011. If JPMorgan took the option, the district would have made its bond payments directly to JPMorgan and not the current investors.
JPMorgan in the swap deal also got money from fees -- the amount of money that is at the center of the school district's suit. JPMorgan has never publicly disclosed the fees. The district, in its suit, claims JPMorgan received $1,227,415 in fees, based on the district's calculations.
The district claims JPMorgan should have received no more than $128,000 in fees for handling the swap. The district wants JPMorgan to repay the difference -- $1,099,415. Bloomberg News, including Bloomberg Markets, which reported extensively on the Erie School District swap, had estimated the fees at $3.9 million.
The Erie School Board approved the swap in a 6-0 vote on Sept. 4, 2003. Three of the directors, including Richard Szychowski, a board member since November 2002, were not present. Of the six directors who voted for the swap, three are still on the board -- Jim Herdzik, Mary Frances Schenley and Eva Tucker Jr.
The swap with JP Morgan has since expired. The district restructured it with PNC Bank in 2006.
Nationwide Concerns
As the Erie School District goes to court over its interest-rate swap, similar financial transactions have raised concern nationwide from other municipalities, as well as law-enforcement officials.
The FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission and Internal Revenue Service are investigating swaps. No one has been charged, though a federal grand jury in New York City has been empaneled in the probe, according to public records.
The deals under scrutiny, according to public records, include those involving JPMorgan and the Investment Management Advisory Group, or I.M.A.G.E., the Philadelphia-area business that acted as the Erie School District's adviser in the district's disputed 2003 bond swap.
A class-action suit filed in federal court in Washington has also raised questions about the propriety of swaps and similar investment vehicles known as municipal derivatives.
The suit, filed March 12, claims JPMorgan Chase, I.M.A.G.E. and more than 30 other financial institutions conspired -- through kickbacks and other activities -- to fix prices and rig bids for swaps and similar municipal derivatives throughout the United States from Jan. 1, 1992, to the date the suit was filed.
The suit in June was transferred to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which includes Wall Street.
What's Next
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the other defendants have 20 days from the time they are served to respond to the lawsuit the Erie School District filed in U.S. District Court in Erie. The case has been assigned to Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
The school district filed the suit in federal court because it involves claims under federal antitrust and securities law, according to court records.
The district said it filed the suit within the five-year statute of limitations for claims involving the swap, which the Erie School Board approved Sept. 4, 2003.
Strike shuts down classes at Duquesne
From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Strike shuts down classes at Duquesne
By Daveen Rae Kurutz
TRIBUNE-REVIEW, Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Teachers in the Duquesne City School District will put down picket signs and return to work if school officials begin negotiating toward a higher raise, union officials said Tuesday. But district officials believe the union is looking for money the district doesn't have.
The district's 49 teachers went on strike yesterday after one week of school, delaying a return for students after the Labor Day weekend. Duquesne is one of three districts in the state where teachers are striking and the first in Western Pennsylvania.
Tom Sturm, communication coordinator for the Duquesne Education Association, said teachers want to get back into classrooms but are tired of being paid lower wages than any other district in Allegheny County.
"We have to have hope," said Sturm, a school counselor in the district for 36 years and a class of 1967 alumnus. "Our teachers don't want to be on that picket line. They want to be in there teaching. We're willing to negotiate."
According to state Education Department records, teachers in Duquesne are the lowest paid in the county and a 19 percent raise requested by the union would make the average teaching salary there equal to the average in Clairton, which has the second-lowest paid teachers.
Duquesne has seen a lot of changes since being put under state control in 2000 for financial troubles, including a one-year stint under Pittsburgh Public Schools' control. Sturm said the district had 10 different superintendents and 34 elementary school principals in the past 30 years.
With an average salary of about $40,000, Duquesne teachers make in excess of $14,000 more than the average family in the city. The district tax office reports that the average household income in the distressed city is $25,898.
"I just don't know how a district such as Duquesne can do this," district Solicitor Bill Andrews said. The district, with 520 students, has a $15 million annual budget.
Sturm contends a 19 percent increase for teachers would cost the district about $400,000. The district proposed a 3 percent increase for the second consecutive year after a two-year wage freeze.
The strike means a state mediator must step in to restart negotiations.
One point of contention is the amount of money available in the distressed district. Sturm said the district's subsidy from the Pennsylvania Department of Education increased by $700,000 this year, but Andrews said the subsidy went up just $398,000.
Michael Race, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of State, could not verify either number. Race said the district's basic subsidy was increased by $298,000 this school year, but other programs have different increases. Each increase can be used only for certain programs and not necessarily teacher salaries, Race said.
The money is split among charter school reimbursements, special education programs, a 3 percent salary increase totaling $72,000 and the addition of extracurricular activities. Andrews said this year brought the reintroduction of instrumental music programs and middle school athletics.
"It doesn't even scratch what students in other districts have," Andrews said. "If this district is ever going to turn around to compete with other districts in the county, we've got to start introducing other things."
Lisa Collins moved to Duquesne about five years ago and enrolled her daughter, Tracey, in the district. She's not satisfied with the district's offerings and is considering sending her eighth-grader to a charter school.
"My daughter needs to be in school," Collins said from the porch of her Fourth Street home while watching 38 teachers picket just down the street. "They've got all these hurdles to get over, and they keep changing things. They need to shut it down."
Strike shuts down classes at Duquesne
By Daveen Rae Kurutz
TRIBUNE-REVIEW, Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Teachers in the Duquesne City School District will put down picket signs and return to work if school officials begin negotiating toward a higher raise, union officials said Tuesday. But district officials believe the union is looking for money the district doesn't have.
The district's 49 teachers went on strike yesterday after one week of school, delaying a return for students after the Labor Day weekend. Duquesne is one of three districts in the state where teachers are striking and the first in Western Pennsylvania.
Tom Sturm, communication coordinator for the Duquesne Education Association, said teachers want to get back into classrooms but are tired of being paid lower wages than any other district in Allegheny County.
"We have to have hope," said Sturm, a school counselor in the district for 36 years and a class of 1967 alumnus. "Our teachers don't want to be on that picket line. They want to be in there teaching. We're willing to negotiate."
According to state Education Department records, teachers in Duquesne are the lowest paid in the county and a 19 percent raise requested by the union would make the average teaching salary there equal to the average in Clairton, which has the second-lowest paid teachers.
Duquesne has seen a lot of changes since being put under state control in 2000 for financial troubles, including a one-year stint under Pittsburgh Public Schools' control. Sturm said the district had 10 different superintendents and 34 elementary school principals in the past 30 years.
With an average salary of about $40,000, Duquesne teachers make in excess of $14,000 more than the average family in the city. The district tax office reports that the average household income in the distressed city is $25,898.
"I just don't know how a district such as Duquesne can do this," district Solicitor Bill Andrews said. The district, with 520 students, has a $15 million annual budget.
Sturm contends a 19 percent increase for teachers would cost the district about $400,000. The district proposed a 3 percent increase for the second consecutive year after a two-year wage freeze.
The strike means a state mediator must step in to restart negotiations.
One point of contention is the amount of money available in the distressed district. Sturm said the district's subsidy from the Pennsylvania Department of Education increased by $700,000 this year, but Andrews said the subsidy went up just $398,000.
Michael Race, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of State, could not verify either number. Race said the district's basic subsidy was increased by $298,000 this school year, but other programs have different increases. Each increase can be used only for certain programs and not necessarily teacher salaries, Race said.
The money is split among charter school reimbursements, special education programs, a 3 percent salary increase totaling $72,000 and the addition of extracurricular activities. Andrews said this year brought the reintroduction of instrumental music programs and middle school athletics.
"It doesn't even scratch what students in other districts have," Andrews said. "If this district is ever going to turn around to compete with other districts in the county, we've got to start introducing other things."
Lisa Collins moved to Duquesne about five years ago and enrolled her daughter, Tracey, in the district. She's not satisfied with the district's offerings and is considering sending her eighth-grader to a charter school.
"My daughter needs to be in school," Collins said from the porch of her Fourth Street home while watching 38 teachers picket just down the street. "They've got all these hurdles to get over, and they keep changing things. They need to shut it down."
Non-union teachers still have to pay dues
From the BCCT.
Non-union teachers still have to pay dues
By MANASEE WAGH
Some non-union members of Pennsbury's teaching staff have just been absorbed into the union's collective bargaining agreement.
If a collective bargaining agreement with teachers exists in a Pennsylvania district, then teachers have to join the bargaining unit, according to the state collective bargaining law for school employees.
In a district of more than 800 teachers, roughly 30 or so Title I and Pupil Achievement teachers were apparently overlooked until now, said George Miller, president of the Pennsbury Education Association, the district's teachers union.
“We weren't aware that they weren't in the bargaining unit,” he said.
The district and the union will be negotiating teacher contracts this year. That's why it's important to put all teachers together under one contract system as soon as possible, said Miller.
Under the umbrella of the union's bargaining power, those teachers won't be left floundering when it comes time for negotiations of their contracts, he said.
The benefit of having their salaries and benefits linked to the education association contract doesn't come free.
Though an individual can choose whether to belong to a union and pay union dues, everyone under the collective bargaining agreement has to pay the union's “fair share” fees.
The fees amount to roughly 75 percent of union membership dues, which range from about $500 to $1,000 annually, said Miller.
The amount varies from individual to individual, depending on the number of hours worked, the pay scale, benefits and job title.
“Because non-union members benefit from the bargaining of the unit, they are charged for the representation,” said Miller.
While that amount is less than the fees that union members pay, Pupil Achievement and Title I teachers did not volunteer to take advantage of the union's collective bargaining. They generally provide extra educational services part time, said Gregory Lucidi, president of the Pennsbury School Board.
However, the state labor relations board determined that the teachers had to join the bargaining unit, so the district had to agree to it, said Lucidi.
“Back in early spring, the board and the PEA agreed that these people had to come in to a bargaining agreement. It cleans up the situation of who these people are represented by,” said Miller.
As part of the agreement, the teachers also get an insurance policy against any sort of malpractice, he added.
“This first minor round of negotiations has turned out positively for the PEA and the district. It's a good sign going in to full-fledged negotiations,” he said.
The union and the district have to meet by Jan. 10 as they enter contract negotiations this year. The education association is already prepared to meet with the district, said Miller.
Non-union teachers still have to pay dues
By MANASEE WAGH
Some non-union members of Pennsbury's teaching staff have just been absorbed into the union's collective bargaining agreement.
If a collective bargaining agreement with teachers exists in a Pennsylvania district, then teachers have to join the bargaining unit, according to the state collective bargaining law for school employees.
In a district of more than 800 teachers, roughly 30 or so Title I and Pupil Achievement teachers were apparently overlooked until now, said George Miller, president of the Pennsbury Education Association, the district's teachers union.
“We weren't aware that they weren't in the bargaining unit,” he said.
The district and the union will be negotiating teacher contracts this year. That's why it's important to put all teachers together under one contract system as soon as possible, said Miller.
Under the umbrella of the union's bargaining power, those teachers won't be left floundering when it comes time for negotiations of their contracts, he said.
The benefit of having their salaries and benefits linked to the education association contract doesn't come free.
Though an individual can choose whether to belong to a union and pay union dues, everyone under the collective bargaining agreement has to pay the union's “fair share” fees.
The fees amount to roughly 75 percent of union membership dues, which range from about $500 to $1,000 annually, said Miller.
The amount varies from individual to individual, depending on the number of hours worked, the pay scale, benefits and job title.
“Because non-union members benefit from the bargaining of the unit, they are charged for the representation,” said Miller.
While that amount is less than the fees that union members pay, Pupil Achievement and Title I teachers did not volunteer to take advantage of the union's collective bargaining. They generally provide extra educational services part time, said Gregory Lucidi, president of the Pennsbury School Board.
However, the state labor relations board determined that the teachers had to join the bargaining unit, so the district had to agree to it, said Lucidi.
“Back in early spring, the board and the PEA agreed that these people had to come in to a bargaining agreement. It cleans up the situation of who these people are represented by,” said Miller.
As part of the agreement, the teachers also get an insurance policy against any sort of malpractice, he added.
“This first minor round of negotiations has turned out positively for the PEA and the district. It's a good sign going in to full-fledged negotiations,” he said.
The union and the district have to meet by Jan. 10 as they enter contract negotiations this year. The education association is already prepared to meet with the district, said Miller.
180 Days and Increasing
An article from the Inquirer on how the school year is getting longer in Pennsylvania.
Some school years go beyond state-required 180 days
By Dan Hardy
Inquirer Staff Writer Posted on Mon, Sep. 1, 2008
By tradition, Labor Day marks the great divide between an 11-week summer vacation and the start of school for most students.
For a small but growing number of children in the Philadelphia area and around the country, however, it's just another three-day holiday weekend.
Students at the KIPP Philadelphia Charter School have been in class since Aug. 11. The school's 340 students, in grades five to eight, get 193 days of instruction, far more than the state-required 180 days. It also has a longer school day and students come in on Saturdays for extracurricular activities.
School CEO Marc Mannella said the added time was needed because many students were years behind academically when they enter fifth grade. "As far as I know, there's no pixie dust that I can sprinkle over a child's head to make up for years of wasted educational opportunity. It simply takes more time to catch them up," he said.
Students buy into the idea. "The long hours are so they can actually teach you and help you achieve your goals and do good in class," said fifth grader Alissa Smith. "They want to help us learn and help us get a better education so we can go to a good high school and college."
Others say all American students need more time in class to compete with students from other countries who often get more instructional time and score higher on standardized tests.
The United States ties at 28th out of 29 countries in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development at 22.2 hours of instruction per week. South Korea ranks first at 30.2 hours.
"We believe that the extra time in school in other countries has had a significant impact" on their achievement, said Jennifer Davis, who heads the National Center on Time and Learning in Boston, which advocates more time in school.
Strong American Schools, an education reform group, advocates more school time to increase America's ability to compete in the global economy. Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and other nations have school days that are on average as much as 25 percent longer than in the United States, the group said.
Though the attention being paid to the issue is growing, the topic is not new: 25 years ago, the Nation at Risk study of American education called for seven hours of classroom instruction each day and 200 to 220 days in school.
In most schools, not much has changed. A recent survey by the National Center on Time and Learning had 28 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, requiring 180 days of instruction, 12 with fewer days and only four - Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio - with more. Six states set only total hours of instruction or leave it to school boards to decide.
Still, an increasing number of states, districts and charters have extended-time programs. In Massachusetts, 26 schools, most of them low-performing, will begin this year with students spending at least 30 percent more time in school. The state pays $1,300 more per student.
That initiative inspired Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy to introduce the Time for Innovation Matters in Education (TIME) Act in August; it calls for $350 million in federal funding to set up similar programs.
In New Orleans, former Philadelphia schools CEO Paul Vallas extended the school day until 4:30 p.m. for the 12,500 students in the Recovery School District. He seeks to extend the school year by 20 days.
In Florida's Miami-Dade district, students in 39 struggling schools have an hour a day more in school and five more school days a year.
In Pittsburgh, eight low-achieving schools added 45 minutes to the school day and 10 days to the school year.
Charter schools around the country often feature longer school days and years. "There are no shortcuts for success. If we want our students' scores to grow academically, we have to put in a lot more time and effort," said Jeremy Esposito, the head of Freedom Academy Charter in Camden, a KIPP school in session since Aug. 11.
In Pennsylvania, 254 districts reported an average school year of 181 days, up one day from four years ago. New Jersey does not keep student year statistics, but Department of Education spokesman Richard Vespucci said that most have 180-day schedules.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey require students to spend less than six hours per day in class: five hours and 53 minutes in New Jersey and five and a half hours a day in Pennsylvania.
Central Bucks Superintendent Robert Laws favors a shorter summer vacation and increasing the school calendar to around 200 days. His district now has 184. "If education is to be valued in this country, we should look at the calendar," Laws said. "I don't think it's an urban issue, and I don't think it's just for the low-achieving. If we compare ourselves with other countries, we've got fewer days."
The cost of extending school time works against change, because teachers unions say they want their members to be paid for more school time.
In Pennsylvania, 31 out of 501 districts have gotten state funding to expand school time, including Unionville Chadds Ford in Chester County and Jenkintown in Montgomery County. Jenkintown added 15 minutes to the school day, eliminated some half-days and plans to add two days, going from from 183 to 185, during the next two years.
"It's simple: Kids learn more when we have more time to teach them," said Tim Wade, superintendent.
Arlene Ackerman, Philadelphia's new superintendent, says lagging students in particular need more time. "We have to give them more time if they need more time," Ackerman said. She's put the issue on her wish list for teacher negotiations.
Unions say they are not opposed to longer days but caution that more time in school is not the only solution to low achievement. "Everyone wants to find one silver bullet to close the achievement gap. There isn't one," said James Testerman, head of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Nicholas Ignatuk, Ridley superintendent, says extending the school year is not possible without federal funding.
"If it means raising local taxes, it is not going to happen," he said.
Ignatuk said districts already extend the day and year with after-school tutoring and summer school. "The question is: do all students need it? If the vast majority of our seniors are graduating, getting good jobs and going on to good colleges, it may not be necessary for everybody."
Some school years go beyond state-required 180 days
By Dan Hardy
Inquirer Staff Writer Posted on Mon, Sep. 1, 2008
By tradition, Labor Day marks the great divide between an 11-week summer vacation and the start of school for most students.
For a small but growing number of children in the Philadelphia area and around the country, however, it's just another three-day holiday weekend.
Students at the KIPP Philadelphia Charter School have been in class since Aug. 11. The school's 340 students, in grades five to eight, get 193 days of instruction, far more than the state-required 180 days. It also has a longer school day and students come in on Saturdays for extracurricular activities.
School CEO Marc Mannella said the added time was needed because many students were years behind academically when they enter fifth grade. "As far as I know, there's no pixie dust that I can sprinkle over a child's head to make up for years of wasted educational opportunity. It simply takes more time to catch them up," he said.
Students buy into the idea. "The long hours are so they can actually teach you and help you achieve your goals and do good in class," said fifth grader Alissa Smith. "They want to help us learn and help us get a better education so we can go to a good high school and college."
Others say all American students need more time in class to compete with students from other countries who often get more instructional time and score higher on standardized tests.
The United States ties at 28th out of 29 countries in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development at 22.2 hours of instruction per week. South Korea ranks first at 30.2 hours.
"We believe that the extra time in school in other countries has had a significant impact" on their achievement, said Jennifer Davis, who heads the National Center on Time and Learning in Boston, which advocates more time in school.
Strong American Schools, an education reform group, advocates more school time to increase America's ability to compete in the global economy. Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and other nations have school days that are on average as much as 25 percent longer than in the United States, the group said.
Though the attention being paid to the issue is growing, the topic is not new: 25 years ago, the Nation at Risk study of American education called for seven hours of classroom instruction each day and 200 to 220 days in school.
In most schools, not much has changed. A recent survey by the National Center on Time and Learning had 28 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, requiring 180 days of instruction, 12 with fewer days and only four - Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio - with more. Six states set only total hours of instruction or leave it to school boards to decide.
Still, an increasing number of states, districts and charters have extended-time programs. In Massachusetts, 26 schools, most of them low-performing, will begin this year with students spending at least 30 percent more time in school. The state pays $1,300 more per student.
That initiative inspired Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy to introduce the Time for Innovation Matters in Education (TIME) Act in August; it calls for $350 million in federal funding to set up similar programs.
In New Orleans, former Philadelphia schools CEO Paul Vallas extended the school day until 4:30 p.m. for the 12,500 students in the Recovery School District. He seeks to extend the school year by 20 days.
In Florida's Miami-Dade district, students in 39 struggling schools have an hour a day more in school and five more school days a year.
In Pittsburgh, eight low-achieving schools added 45 minutes to the school day and 10 days to the school year.
Charter schools around the country often feature longer school days and years. "There are no shortcuts for success. If we want our students' scores to grow academically, we have to put in a lot more time and effort," said Jeremy Esposito, the head of Freedom Academy Charter in Camden, a KIPP school in session since Aug. 11.
In Pennsylvania, 254 districts reported an average school year of 181 days, up one day from four years ago. New Jersey does not keep student year statistics, but Department of Education spokesman Richard Vespucci said that most have 180-day schedules.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey require students to spend less than six hours per day in class: five hours and 53 minutes in New Jersey and five and a half hours a day in Pennsylvania.
Central Bucks Superintendent Robert Laws favors a shorter summer vacation and increasing the school calendar to around 200 days. His district now has 184. "If education is to be valued in this country, we should look at the calendar," Laws said. "I don't think it's an urban issue, and I don't think it's just for the low-achieving. If we compare ourselves with other countries, we've got fewer days."
The cost of extending school time works against change, because teachers unions say they want their members to be paid for more school time.
In Pennsylvania, 31 out of 501 districts have gotten state funding to expand school time, including Unionville Chadds Ford in Chester County and Jenkintown in Montgomery County. Jenkintown added 15 minutes to the school day, eliminated some half-days and plans to add two days, going from from 183 to 185, during the next two years.
"It's simple: Kids learn more when we have more time to teach them," said Tim Wade, superintendent.
Arlene Ackerman, Philadelphia's new superintendent, says lagging students in particular need more time. "We have to give them more time if they need more time," Ackerman said. She's put the issue on her wish list for teacher negotiations.
Unions say they are not opposed to longer days but caution that more time in school is not the only solution to low achievement. "Everyone wants to find one silver bullet to close the achievement gap. There isn't one," said James Testerman, head of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Nicholas Ignatuk, Ridley superintendent, says extending the school year is not possible without federal funding.
"If it means raising local taxes, it is not going to happen," he said.
Ignatuk said districts already extend the day and year with after-school tutoring and summer school. "The question is: do all students need it? If the vast majority of our seniors are graduating, getting good jobs and going on to good colleges, it may not be necessary for everybody."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day in Morrisville
Yesterday was Labor Day. Morrisville undertakes quite a number of activities on Labor Day.
First was the 10K race, sponsored by the Morrisville Fire Company. The race wound its way through the borough streets to the finish at Williamson Park. Congratulations to all the participants.
Then there were the festivities in Williamson Park, including the some of the local service organizations, churches, and community groups. There was the inevitable mix of Boy Scouts, fire fighters, borough politicians, and kids in sack races, along with the beautiful weather.
Let's not forget the car show along the downtown section of Bridge Street. I remember some of those older cars from when they were the "New! Improved! Better!" model fresh from the factory.
It was pure small-town corn, and it was great. This is the type of thing that Morrisville excels in. If you missed it, you missed a great show. This was the time to meet your neighbors (you know, the ones you sort of nod toward as you drive by...yeah, them) and say hello in person. It's civic events like these that renew the fraying fabric of community.
This is why Morrisville is a good place to raise a family. While we try to salvage our school system from the ravages of the Stop the Schoolers, let's not lose focus on what makes Morrisville.
Does anyone want to share their stories? What local officeholders or celebrities did you spot? Who was conspicuous by their absence?
First was the 10K race, sponsored by the Morrisville Fire Company. The race wound its way through the borough streets to the finish at Williamson Park. Congratulations to all the participants.
Then there were the festivities in Williamson Park, including the some of the local service organizations, churches, and community groups. There was the inevitable mix of Boy Scouts, fire fighters, borough politicians, and kids in sack races, along with the beautiful weather.
Let's not forget the car show along the downtown section of Bridge Street. I remember some of those older cars from when they were the "New! Improved! Better!" model fresh from the factory.
It was pure small-town corn, and it was great. This is the type of thing that Morrisville excels in. If you missed it, you missed a great show. This was the time to meet your neighbors (you know, the ones you sort of nod toward as you drive by...yeah, them) and say hello in person. It's civic events like these that renew the fraying fabric of community.
This is why Morrisville is a good place to raise a family. While we try to salvage our school system from the ravages of the Stop the Schoolers, let's not lose focus on what makes Morrisville.
Does anyone want to share their stories? What local officeholders or celebrities did you spot? Who was conspicuous by their absence?
Budget woes spark school district merger talks
An update on the Center Area-Monaca merger from the Lebanon Daily News
Budget woes spark school district merger talks
By MARTHA RAFFAELE and RAMESH SANTANAM Associated Press Writers
MONACA, Pa.—Pennsylvania will be shedding a school district by the end of this school year—a significant development even after years of nationwide efforts to nudge and sometimes force school systems to share services or merge.
The merger unfolding between two western Pennsylvania public school systems with sharply declining enrollments is the state's first district consolidation in at least 20 years, and most notably, its first voluntary one.
Officials say the move will save money and improve educational offerings, yet parents in both districts worry that some losses will accompany any gains. In any case, the consolidation is expected to be closely watched.
The willingness of two school districts to dissolve boundary lines is rare in states where local school board control is sacrosanct and school traditions that define a community are deeply ingrained. In recent years, at least a few states have tried to force mergers, with mixed results.
Yet the marriage of the Center Area and Monaca school districts northwest of Pittsburgh is part of a gradual, ongoing national progression toward fewer districts educating public school students.
Over roughly the last two decades, the number of school districts nationwide has declined 10 percent, from 15,714 in 1985-86 to 14,166 in 2005-06, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
With local school boards facing spiraling prices for fuel, employee health insurance and
Advertisement
other operating costs—and opposition to increases in property taxes that largely pay for them—the idea of consolidating to save money is becoming an increasingly common discussion topic.
"These conversations are going to be inevitable," said Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak, who has been gently encouraging Pennsylvania's smallest rural school districts to at least consider merging or sharing services. "School districts are realizing that the cost of doing business won't get any cheaper."
Proponents say small district mergers can streamline administrative costs and achieve economies of scale. But even in the most difficult economic times, resistance can be strong.
The arguments against consolidation aren't just rooted in nostalgia for the old alma mater or skepticism about any promised savings. Critics also question whether educational quality will improve under larger school enrollments that mergers inevitably produce.
"It's not that consolidation is bad, but big schools are bad, and the notion that you can make education better by making schools bigger is just plumb wrong," said Marty Strange, policy director of the Rural School and Community Trust, based in Arlington, Va.
Enrollments in Monaca, a borough of about 6,000 people along the Ohio River, and in Center Area, which consists of two neighboring townships, have dropped steadily along with the region's population following the steel industry's decline.
Monaca superintendent Michael Thomas has seen his district's enrollment decrease from 900 to 672 students during his 11-year tenure, while Center Area has lost 175 students during the five years Daniel J. Matsook has been superintendent.
With fewer students, the menu of academic choices becomes limited. Monaca does not offer Advanced Placement classes, no mathematics beyond calculus and no science beyond physics, and Center Area cannot afford to continue offering courses that typically have 10 or fewer students. The merger is expected to produce about $1.5 million a year in combined savings for the districts.
"It is not financially responsible to offer courses that have three, four, five students in them," Matsook said.
Some states have forced the issue by mandating the consolidation of all districts, or ones that fall below a certain enrollment threshold.
In Maine, Gov. John Baldacci's administration is overseeing a plan to consolidate the state's 290 school districts into 80.
A 2007 Maine state law ordered the reorganizations, and although local voters get the final say, a "no" vote will reduce state aid.
Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said the state had to take a hard line after its earlier efforts to ease the local property-tax burden with a greater infusion of state money failed. The plan is expected to save the state more than $36 million in the first year, she said.
"Districts were incentivized to do business differently, and they chose not to," Gendron said.
Opposition to the mandate has fueled a petition drive to overturn the law.
"There has been zero ... discussion about the impact on education quality throughout this whole debate," said Skip Greenlaw, a former state lawmaker leading the petition drive.
In Nebraska, a federal lawsuit was filed over a 2005 state law that forced elementary-only school districts, located mostly in rural areas, to combine with K-12 districts.
A federal appeals panel in April upheld a lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit, but it has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Mike Nolles, who leads a group dedicated to preserving the small schools and whose wife is one of the plaintiffs.
The one-room school that Nolles' 12-year-old daughter attends in north-central Nebraska is still operating, but the loss of local control has discouraged parental involvement, he said. Before consolidation, parents used to help with tasks such as maintaining playground equipment and ordering supplies.
"The teacher told my wife last evening, 'Parents don't even come to the school building anymore,'" Nolles said.
Arkansas lawmakers passed legislation in 2004 requiring the mergers of school districts with fewer than 350 students as part of a broader reform effort. That effort was prompted by a state Supreme Court ruling that declared the state's school funding system unconstitutional.
The law has reduced the number of districts from 311 to 245. In most cases, districts made the transition successfully, said Dan Farley, executive director of the Arkansas School Boards Association.
One downfall, however, was a decline in the numbers of black school board members and administrators due to changes in racial demographics, Farley said.
"I don't think it was a deliberate thing, but it was an unforeseen consequence," Farley said.
The last major state-ordered consolidation of Pennsylvania school districts occurred in the 1960s, when the state had more than 2,000 districts. By the 1980s, the number was reduced to 501.
With the consolidation under way in Monaca, the number will edge down to 500.
Zahorchak, Pennsylvania's education secretary, says his philosophy emphasizes encouraging small districts to pool resources in some way to spend their money efficiently, but to keep their enrollments manageable.
"Let's buy big, and deliver small," he said.
The merger plan for Center Area and Monaca calls for grades K-5 to consolidate in the 2009-10, with grades 6-12 following in 2010-11. The combined district will enroll about 2,600 students.
Residents are eyeing the change with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
Estee Cron, 31, who has three children in Monaca's elementary schools, worries that her community's student athletes won't have a chance to compete on teams in a larger district.
"We'll lose our football team," said Cron, a municipal parking officer.
Monaca homemaker Laura Gray favors the merger, even though her children don't. Gray's daughter, a sophomore, would be affected by the consolidation; her son will graduate in the spring.
"If they had told me when I was going to high school (the districts were going to merge), I would have said, 'No way. I am staying right here,'" Gray said. "But I think it's a good thing. I think it'll be better for both schools."
Even though the merger is voluntary, Thomas, the Monaca superintendent, concedes many challenges lie ahead on the way to creating a new school district. Several committees have been formed to sort out issues such as picking a new school mascot, school colors and a new district name.
"There are a lot of traditions tied to schools and dealing with that is difficult," Thomas said. "There has never been a voluntary merger in Pennsylvania. There is no blueprint for us to follow."
———
On the Net:
Center Area School District: http://www.casd.k12.pa.us
Monaca School District: http://www.monaca.k12.pa.us
Rural School and Community Trust: http://www.ruraledu.org
Budget woes spark school district merger talks
By MARTHA RAFFAELE and RAMESH SANTANAM Associated Press Writers
MONACA, Pa.—Pennsylvania will be shedding a school district by the end of this school year—a significant development even after years of nationwide efforts to nudge and sometimes force school systems to share services or merge.
The merger unfolding between two western Pennsylvania public school systems with sharply declining enrollments is the state's first district consolidation in at least 20 years, and most notably, its first voluntary one.
Officials say the move will save money and improve educational offerings, yet parents in both districts worry that some losses will accompany any gains. In any case, the consolidation is expected to be closely watched.
The willingness of two school districts to dissolve boundary lines is rare in states where local school board control is sacrosanct and school traditions that define a community are deeply ingrained. In recent years, at least a few states have tried to force mergers, with mixed results.
Yet the marriage of the Center Area and Monaca school districts northwest of Pittsburgh is part of a gradual, ongoing national progression toward fewer districts educating public school students.
Over roughly the last two decades, the number of school districts nationwide has declined 10 percent, from 15,714 in 1985-86 to 14,166 in 2005-06, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
With local school boards facing spiraling prices for fuel, employee health insurance and
Advertisement
other operating costs—and opposition to increases in property taxes that largely pay for them—the idea of consolidating to save money is becoming an increasingly common discussion topic.
"These conversations are going to be inevitable," said Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak, who has been gently encouraging Pennsylvania's smallest rural school districts to at least consider merging or sharing services. "School districts are realizing that the cost of doing business won't get any cheaper."
Proponents say small district mergers can streamline administrative costs and achieve economies of scale. But even in the most difficult economic times, resistance can be strong.
The arguments against consolidation aren't just rooted in nostalgia for the old alma mater or skepticism about any promised savings. Critics also question whether educational quality will improve under larger school enrollments that mergers inevitably produce.
"It's not that consolidation is bad, but big schools are bad, and the notion that you can make education better by making schools bigger is just plumb wrong," said Marty Strange, policy director of the Rural School and Community Trust, based in Arlington, Va.
Enrollments in Monaca, a borough of about 6,000 people along the Ohio River, and in Center Area, which consists of two neighboring townships, have dropped steadily along with the region's population following the steel industry's decline.
Monaca superintendent Michael Thomas has seen his district's enrollment decrease from 900 to 672 students during his 11-year tenure, while Center Area has lost 175 students during the five years Daniel J. Matsook has been superintendent.
With fewer students, the menu of academic choices becomes limited. Monaca does not offer Advanced Placement classes, no mathematics beyond calculus and no science beyond physics, and Center Area cannot afford to continue offering courses that typically have 10 or fewer students. The merger is expected to produce about $1.5 million a year in combined savings for the districts.
"It is not financially responsible to offer courses that have three, four, five students in them," Matsook said.
Some states have forced the issue by mandating the consolidation of all districts, or ones that fall below a certain enrollment threshold.
In Maine, Gov. John Baldacci's administration is overseeing a plan to consolidate the state's 290 school districts into 80.
A 2007 Maine state law ordered the reorganizations, and although local voters get the final say, a "no" vote will reduce state aid.
Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said the state had to take a hard line after its earlier efforts to ease the local property-tax burden with a greater infusion of state money failed. The plan is expected to save the state more than $36 million in the first year, she said.
"Districts were incentivized to do business differently, and they chose not to," Gendron said.
Opposition to the mandate has fueled a petition drive to overturn the law.
"There has been zero ... discussion about the impact on education quality throughout this whole debate," said Skip Greenlaw, a former state lawmaker leading the petition drive.
In Nebraska, a federal lawsuit was filed over a 2005 state law that forced elementary-only school districts, located mostly in rural areas, to combine with K-12 districts.
A federal appeals panel in April upheld a lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit, but it has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Mike Nolles, who leads a group dedicated to preserving the small schools and whose wife is one of the plaintiffs.
The one-room school that Nolles' 12-year-old daughter attends in north-central Nebraska is still operating, but the loss of local control has discouraged parental involvement, he said. Before consolidation, parents used to help with tasks such as maintaining playground equipment and ordering supplies.
"The teacher told my wife last evening, 'Parents don't even come to the school building anymore,'" Nolles said.
Arkansas lawmakers passed legislation in 2004 requiring the mergers of school districts with fewer than 350 students as part of a broader reform effort. That effort was prompted by a state Supreme Court ruling that declared the state's school funding system unconstitutional.
The law has reduced the number of districts from 311 to 245. In most cases, districts made the transition successfully, said Dan Farley, executive director of the Arkansas School Boards Association.
One downfall, however, was a decline in the numbers of black school board members and administrators due to changes in racial demographics, Farley said.
"I don't think it was a deliberate thing, but it was an unforeseen consequence," Farley said.
The last major state-ordered consolidation of Pennsylvania school districts occurred in the 1960s, when the state had more than 2,000 districts. By the 1980s, the number was reduced to 501.
With the consolidation under way in Monaca, the number will edge down to 500.
Zahorchak, Pennsylvania's education secretary, says his philosophy emphasizes encouraging small districts to pool resources in some way to spend their money efficiently, but to keep their enrollments manageable.
"Let's buy big, and deliver small," he said.
The merger plan for Center Area and Monaca calls for grades K-5 to consolidate in the 2009-10, with grades 6-12 following in 2010-11. The combined district will enroll about 2,600 students.
Residents are eyeing the change with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
Estee Cron, 31, who has three children in Monaca's elementary schools, worries that her community's student athletes won't have a chance to compete on teams in a larger district.
"We'll lose our football team," said Cron, a municipal parking officer.
Monaca homemaker Laura Gray favors the merger, even though her children don't. Gray's daughter, a sophomore, would be affected by the consolidation; her son will graduate in the spring.
"If they had told me when I was going to high school (the districts were going to merge), I would have said, 'No way. I am staying right here,'" Gray said. "But I think it's a good thing. I think it'll be better for both schools."
Even though the merger is voluntary, Thomas, the Monaca superintendent, concedes many challenges lie ahead on the way to creating a new school district. Several committees have been formed to sort out issues such as picking a new school mascot, school colors and a new district name.
"There are a lot of traditions tied to schools and dealing with that is difficult," Thomas said. "There has never been a voluntary merger in Pennsylvania. There is no blueprint for us to follow."
———
On the Net:
Center Area School District: http://www.casd.k12.pa.us
Monaca School District: http://www.monaca.k12.pa.us
Rural School and Community Trust: http://www.ruraledu.org
I'm From The Government and I'm Here To Help
This story from the Omaha World-Herald has nothing to do with education, and it has nothing to do with Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and the help received then (or with Gustav now). This is just a prime example of why people dislike and distrust government.
Ordeal becomes test of man's will
BY MATTHEW HANSEN, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Monday, September 1, 2008
Imagine the worst bureaucratic nightmare you've ever endured - a customer service rep that speaks robot, hours spent on the phone trying to fix the cable, an audit performed by the friendly folks at the Internal Revenue Service.
Sure, it's just $350, but Ted Johnson is now pressing his fight on principle. He has been making calls and filling out forms for six months, trying to recoup a $350 money order that was stolen.
Now, imagine this repeated every Tuesday for six months, an endless loop of frustrating phone calls and strongly worded letters set to a soundtrack of the jazzy music they pipe into your phone while you hold. And hold. And hold.
Welcome to Ted Johnson's life.
Every Tuesday, his day off, the Omaha man sets out to recover $350 he sent the federal government in February, money that never reached its intended recipient. Every Tuesday, he comes up $350 short.
At first, the 40-year-old maintenance man just wanted his money back. Then he decided he'd fight on out of principle.
And now it's an all-consuming quest whose players include the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation - pretty much everyone but the friendly folks down at the Internal Revenue Service.
Ted can't win. He also can't stop.
"They've been jabber-jawing and jacking me around every which way," Johnson said. "They cover each others' behinds like molasses."
Johnson's problems started, as many problems do, the day he fell in love.
Her name was Maria, and they met through friends and went on their first date just before Valentine's Day last year.
Ted couldn't believe how easy it was. They went to church together, grilled out all summer and rarely argued. Maria's 6-year-old son and Ted's 17-year-old son snapped snugly into the new family puzzle.
Only two problems. One, Ted doesn't like Mexican food. And two, Maria entered the country illegally 18 years ago and had never applied for U.S. citizenship.
Ted proposed anyway. Maria agreed.
And then, after they married, the newlyweds decided they should do the right thing.
On a freezing February day, they entered the Ralston Post Office and mailed off a $350 money order to start Maria's immigration process.
Maria made her new husband save the receipt, just in case. On the back of that receipt, there's a guarantee: If your mail order is lost or stolen, it says, you get your money back.
A month later, a letter arrived from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The office had received Maria Johnson's application, it said, but the Johnsons had failed to send the $350 check.
Ted stalked back into the post office.
"The money order must've been stolen," he said. "I want my money back."
Can't do that, the postal employee said. You need to prove the money order was stolen.
So Ted paid $5 to trace the money order.
The search turned up a name: Rick Nelson, who lives at 4800 S. 65th St. in Omaha. Except there is no 4800 S. 65th St. - that address is between a mobile home dealership and a car lot. There's no Rick Nelson, either.
But the search also turned up a bank account, and after a fair amount of sleuthing, Ted had another name and address, this one a real man living in Lincoln.
Turned out this guy had been busted for stealing other money orders from a government office - Marilu Cabrera, a spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, confirmed that the mail processing employee had been fired, though not yet charged.
Ted and Maria Johnson's money order had been deposited in this man's account two days after they sent it at the Ralston Post Office, the trace of the mail order said. Ted called a postal inspector he'd been dealing with.
I figured out who did this, Ted told the inspector. I want my money back.
Can't do that, said the postal inspector on the other end of the line. You need to fill out some forms.
So Ted Johnson filled out the forms. A postal inspection office in Sioux Falls, S.D., sent them back.
He filled out the forms again. They returned to sender again with a note saying the information on the form was incomplete.
To Ted, it looked fully completed.
He filled out yet another form. He demanded his money back.
Can't do that, he was told - the criminal would pay restitution after he was charged and found guilty. Then, and only then, would Ted see his $350.
"It just didn't make any sense," Ted said.
Ted got desperate. He filed a case with the Omaha Police Department. It went nowhere. He filed a lawsuit seeking the only amount of money he could think of - $1,234.56. The suit was quickly dismissed.
He scribbled countless phone numbers for governmental offices onto the rejection letters and receipts he keeps inside a dirty Manila envelope. Nothing. He called the FBI .
"It got a little bit crazy," he admits.
At one point, Ted, who looks like he knows how to handle himself in a bar fight, decided to drive to Lincoln and find the guy who stole his money. His cooler head prevailed, he said, only after he realized he needed to fill his tank with gasoline to make it down Interstate 80.
On a recent Tuesday, the Johnsons at last did get some good news.
A local immigration official assured Ted that the six-month delay won't slow his new wife's immigration process.
And employees of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have hinted to Ted that they might waive the government's demand that Ted and Maria repay the fee, though that isn't yet confirmed.
"I can't talk about specific cases, but I can tell you that we are closely looking at this particular case," said Cabrera, the spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "We will do everything possible to help them."
But Ted says he isn't done. He wants to make sure that $350 gets back into his wallet.
And he wants somebody, anybody, to apologize, to say they are sorry for the six months' worth of Tuesdays he's spent listening to jazzy elevator music while holding. And holding. And holding.
"I used to go fishing on Tuesdays," Ted says.
Now, on Tuesdays, "I just get angry."
Ordeal becomes test of man's will
BY MATTHEW HANSEN, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Monday, September 1, 2008
Imagine the worst bureaucratic nightmare you've ever endured - a customer service rep that speaks robot, hours spent on the phone trying to fix the cable, an audit performed by the friendly folks at the Internal Revenue Service.
Sure, it's just $350, but Ted Johnson is now pressing his fight on principle. He has been making calls and filling out forms for six months, trying to recoup a $350 money order that was stolen.
Now, imagine this repeated every Tuesday for six months, an endless loop of frustrating phone calls and strongly worded letters set to a soundtrack of the jazzy music they pipe into your phone while you hold. And hold. And hold.
Welcome to Ted Johnson's life.
Every Tuesday, his day off, the Omaha man sets out to recover $350 he sent the federal government in February, money that never reached its intended recipient. Every Tuesday, he comes up $350 short.
At first, the 40-year-old maintenance man just wanted his money back. Then he decided he'd fight on out of principle.
And now it's an all-consuming quest whose players include the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation - pretty much everyone but the friendly folks down at the Internal Revenue Service.
Ted can't win. He also can't stop.
"They've been jabber-jawing and jacking me around every which way," Johnson said. "They cover each others' behinds like molasses."
Johnson's problems started, as many problems do, the day he fell in love.
Her name was Maria, and they met through friends and went on their first date just before Valentine's Day last year.
Ted couldn't believe how easy it was. They went to church together, grilled out all summer and rarely argued. Maria's 6-year-old son and Ted's 17-year-old son snapped snugly into the new family puzzle.
Only two problems. One, Ted doesn't like Mexican food. And two, Maria entered the country illegally 18 years ago and had never applied for U.S. citizenship.
Ted proposed anyway. Maria agreed.
And then, after they married, the newlyweds decided they should do the right thing.
On a freezing February day, they entered the Ralston Post Office and mailed off a $350 money order to start Maria's immigration process.
Maria made her new husband save the receipt, just in case. On the back of that receipt, there's a guarantee: If your mail order is lost or stolen, it says, you get your money back.
A month later, a letter arrived from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The office had received Maria Johnson's application, it said, but the Johnsons had failed to send the $350 check.
Ted stalked back into the post office.
"The money order must've been stolen," he said. "I want my money back."
Can't do that, the postal employee said. You need to prove the money order was stolen.
So Ted paid $5 to trace the money order.
The search turned up a name: Rick Nelson, who lives at 4800 S. 65th St. in Omaha. Except there is no 4800 S. 65th St. - that address is between a mobile home dealership and a car lot. There's no Rick Nelson, either.
But the search also turned up a bank account, and after a fair amount of sleuthing, Ted had another name and address, this one a real man living in Lincoln.
Turned out this guy had been busted for stealing other money orders from a government office - Marilu Cabrera, a spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, confirmed that the mail processing employee had been fired, though not yet charged.
Ted and Maria Johnson's money order had been deposited in this man's account two days after they sent it at the Ralston Post Office, the trace of the mail order said. Ted called a postal inspector he'd been dealing with.
I figured out who did this, Ted told the inspector. I want my money back.
Can't do that, said the postal inspector on the other end of the line. You need to fill out some forms.
So Ted Johnson filled out the forms. A postal inspection office in Sioux Falls, S.D., sent them back.
He filled out the forms again. They returned to sender again with a note saying the information on the form was incomplete.
To Ted, it looked fully completed.
He filled out yet another form. He demanded his money back.
Can't do that, he was told - the criminal would pay restitution after he was charged and found guilty. Then, and only then, would Ted see his $350.
"It just didn't make any sense," Ted said.
Ted got desperate. He filed a case with the Omaha Police Department. It went nowhere. He filed a lawsuit seeking the only amount of money he could think of - $1,234.56. The suit was quickly dismissed.
He scribbled countless phone numbers for governmental offices onto the rejection letters and receipts he keeps inside a dirty Manila envelope. Nothing. He called the FBI .
"It got a little bit crazy," he admits.
At one point, Ted, who looks like he knows how to handle himself in a bar fight, decided to drive to Lincoln and find the guy who stole his money. His cooler head prevailed, he said, only after he realized he needed to fill his tank with gasoline to make it down Interstate 80.
On a recent Tuesday, the Johnsons at last did get some good news.
A local immigration official assured Ted that the six-month delay won't slow his new wife's immigration process.
And employees of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have hinted to Ted that they might waive the government's demand that Ted and Maria repay the fee, though that isn't yet confirmed.
"I can't talk about specific cases, but I can tell you that we are closely looking at this particular case," said Cabrera, the spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "We will do everything possible to help them."
But Ted says he isn't done. He wants to make sure that $350 gets back into his wallet.
And he wants somebody, anybody, to apologize, to say they are sorry for the six months' worth of Tuesdays he's spent listening to jazzy elevator music while holding. And holding. And holding.
"I used to go fishing on Tuesdays," Ted says.
Now, on Tuesdays, "I just get angry."
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