The Morrisville Schools housing crisis, as seen by a sixth grader. Mr. Emperor President? Any Chosen Accomplices? What say you?
This sixth grader compiled a list of pros and cons of elementary students "visiting" the high school this week. And let's hope it is just a visit. The high school space as it exists now is not conducive to a permanent solution. A sixth grader could tell you that, and here's just a few examples why:
Problems:
*Bathroom time cut off for sixth grade (you read that correctly - reduced access to bathrooms in order to accommodate younger children)
*Missing 15 minutes of art (last period class due to 2:15 dismissal)
*Routes to classrooms changed
*No Library
*Gym space cut in half
*Little kids eating in hallways
*Clubs canceled
*No homework zone
Good things:
*out 15 minutes early
*little kids get education
*nobody got hurt or died
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Fiddling in Morrisville: An Editorial
From the BCCT.
Dear Voters: If you're not disgusted by now with the way things are being run in this town, what will it take?
We were lucky. We dodged the proverbial bullet on this one big time. No students or repair crews were caught in the blast.
We fought over the money. As the tax funding dried up, we squabbled over what was left rather than frugally using what we had and making the hard choices. For years over successive school boards, maintenance items were routinely deferred and delayed just because we didn't have the money.
We fought over "illegal students", thinking the way to solvency was to exorcise and exclude those who didn't belong. We even had school board members camped out like bridge trolls waiting for an out of state licence plate as a badge of shame and as an excuse to pounce. That thinking persists even to this day.
Then we fought over the "gold plated Taj Mahal." Finally! Finally, when someone stepped up to the plate, swallowed hard, and made the hard choice to build anew to replace three crumbling structures, the nattering nay-sayers arose from their slumbers and nit picked the plan to death. All because it was "new" and it cost "money".
Investment in the future is never without cost. The reward, however, is incalculable.
What was the cost to build the Robert Morris High School the first time? What was the cost to renovate it into M. R. Reiter the second time? Yet this building has provided housing for our students for some eighty years. Expenditure: Large. Payback: Even larger.
I still think the idea of the new school was demonized unfairly, along with the high school students themselves, but that's water under the bridge. I hear the negative comments about the administration, the students, the staff, and all I can think of is that it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Yet here we are, groping vainly in the night for a solution.
This isn't about the "new school" versus the "old school." That would be like saying the new school offered a K-12 campus: The demise of Reiter and current enrollment stats makes this a great opportunity to cram everyone into the high school and call it a day. However, that's such a great example of the short-sighted thinking of our "leaders", I fully expect it to be the new reality.
What this is about is leadership and forward thinking. The mere act of producing a new building or renovating an old one doesn't make anything better in and of itself. You can take a positive action and mow the grass. The lot looks great for now, but it needs constant attention, so you make the commitment to keep at it. Your neighbor see what you're doing and joins in. Now there's two better kept yards. Soon there's a third. And so on, and so on... That example is pure corn, I know. But think about what Morrisville COULD be like if that style of thinking was the prevailing view.
It's about looking at today and instead of seeing the long dead past, or even the reality of today, seeing the future. Vision. Leaders have it. Others don't. President Reagan offered his can do optimism. President Carter offered us "malaise". Who won that election?
I know there's a pony in here somewhere. Let's look for it together.
Fiddling in Morrisville
The boiler explosion at the M.R. Reiter School is a warning that must not be ignored.
Like Nero’s legendary playing of his fiddle while Rome burned, Morrisville School Board members continue to fiddle with renovation plans while a school building nearly burned.
More accurately, the boiler at M.R. Reiter Elementary School exploded over the weekend, keeping students home from school Monday and administrators scrambling to find space for affected students in other district buildings.
Officials say damage at the school was limited to the boiler room, where windows were blown out. We’re glad to hear that the damage was confined. We are further relieved that classes were not in session when the boiler blew. School board members, who have delayed needed renovations at all three district schools, should feel fortunate indeed. Call it a warning, one board members cannot — must not — ignore. Delay no longer is acceptable.
This board has done little but fret over the future since the current majority took control nearly a year ago. Voted in to stop a $30 million plan to build a new K-12 school, members moved quickly to get that done. They have since been unable to move ahead on desperately needed renovations some of which clearly threaten the health and safety of district children.
School board President Bill Hellmann bears the most responsibility since he has taken it upon himself to make decisions without the full board’s input. Among his unitary decisions was removing M.R. Reiter from the renovation equation after companies had submitted repair proposals in June for all three buildings.
That done Hellmann and his friends on the board have a dire responsibility to do something — and do it now!
We’re not engineers, but our common sense perspective is that children should not be returned to that school. We don’t doubt parents would agree.
Maybe board members can make that decision without delay.
Dear Voters: If you're not disgusted by now with the way things are being run in this town, what will it take?
We were lucky. We dodged the proverbial bullet on this one big time. No students or repair crews were caught in the blast.
We fought over the money. As the tax funding dried up, we squabbled over what was left rather than frugally using what we had and making the hard choices. For years over successive school boards, maintenance items were routinely deferred and delayed just because we didn't have the money.
We fought over "illegal students", thinking the way to solvency was to exorcise and exclude those who didn't belong. We even had school board members camped out like bridge trolls waiting for an out of state licence plate as a badge of shame and as an excuse to pounce. That thinking persists even to this day.
Then we fought over the "gold plated Taj Mahal." Finally! Finally, when someone stepped up to the plate, swallowed hard, and made the hard choice to build anew to replace three crumbling structures, the nattering nay-sayers arose from their slumbers and nit picked the plan to death. All because it was "new" and it cost "money".
Investment in the future is never without cost. The reward, however, is incalculable.
What was the cost to build the Robert Morris High School the first time? What was the cost to renovate it into M. R. Reiter the second time? Yet this building has provided housing for our students for some eighty years. Expenditure: Large. Payback: Even larger.
I still think the idea of the new school was demonized unfairly, along with the high school students themselves, but that's water under the bridge. I hear the negative comments about the administration, the students, the staff, and all I can think of is that it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Yet here we are, groping vainly in the night for a solution.
This isn't about the "new school" versus the "old school." That would be like saying the new school offered a K-12 campus: The demise of Reiter and current enrollment stats makes this a great opportunity to cram everyone into the high school and call it a day. However, that's such a great example of the short-sighted thinking of our "leaders", I fully expect it to be the new reality.
What this is about is leadership and forward thinking. The mere act of producing a new building or renovating an old one doesn't make anything better in and of itself. You can take a positive action and mow the grass. The lot looks great for now, but it needs constant attention, so you make the commitment to keep at it. Your neighbor see what you're doing and joins in. Now there's two better kept yards. Soon there's a third. And so on, and so on... That example is pure corn, I know. But think about what Morrisville COULD be like if that style of thinking was the prevailing view.
It's about looking at today and instead of seeing the long dead past, or even the reality of today, seeing the future. Vision. Leaders have it. Others don't. President Reagan offered his can do optimism. President Carter offered us "malaise". Who won that election?
I know there's a pony in here somewhere. Let's look for it together.
Fiddling in Morrisville
The boiler explosion at the M.R. Reiter School is a warning that must not be ignored.
Like Nero’s legendary playing of his fiddle while Rome burned, Morrisville School Board members continue to fiddle with renovation plans while a school building nearly burned.
More accurately, the boiler at M.R. Reiter Elementary School exploded over the weekend, keeping students home from school Monday and administrators scrambling to find space for affected students in other district buildings.
Officials say damage at the school was limited to the boiler room, where windows were blown out. We’re glad to hear that the damage was confined. We are further relieved that classes were not in session when the boiler blew. School board members, who have delayed needed renovations at all three district schools, should feel fortunate indeed. Call it a warning, one board members cannot — must not — ignore. Delay no longer is acceptable.
This board has done little but fret over the future since the current majority took control nearly a year ago. Voted in to stop a $30 million plan to build a new K-12 school, members moved quickly to get that done. They have since been unable to move ahead on desperately needed renovations some of which clearly threaten the health and safety of district children.
School board President Bill Hellmann bears the most responsibility since he has taken it upon himself to make decisions without the full board’s input. Among his unitary decisions was removing M.R. Reiter from the renovation equation after companies had submitted repair proposals in June for all three buildings.
That done Hellmann and his friends on the board have a dire responsibility to do something — and do it now!
We’re not engineers, but our common sense perspective is that children should not be returned to that school. We don’t doubt parents would agree.
Maybe board members can make that decision without delay.
Reiter: A timeline
From the BCCT.
Be sure to note the July entry below. The school board clearly and with premeditation ignored Reiter and its problems.
Events leading up to furnace explosion at Reiter
January 2008: New Morrisville school board takes office and largely opposes building a new, $30-million pre-K through 12 th - grade consolidated school to replace the district’s three ailing schools — Morrisville Middle/Senior High School and Grandview and M. R. Reiter elementary schools.
July: The school board votes to start preliminary work to replace the boilers at the high school and Grandview. Twelve companies submit proposals for work on all three buildings, but board President Bill Hellmann removes Reiter from the equation. “Reiter’s so bad, I think it should be bulldozed. I wouldn’t spend money on it,” says Tim Lastichen, district facilities director.
Dec. 10: In the afternoon, an oily odor from the furnace spreads through Reiter. After-school activities end and children and staff go home. Later that day, Hellmann announces he wants to hold a public hearing on possibly closing one of the district’s elementary schools to save money.
Dec. 11: Students are sent home when the odor returns.
Dec. 12: Reiter is closed as workers repair a pump in the school’s furnace room.
Dec. 13: A late night explosion in the furnace room blows out windows.
Dec. 14: The school board holds an emergency meeting to discuss the explosion. Officials announce the school is closed until the school is deemed safe — at the earliest Jan. 5.
Monday: Reiter students don’t have class. The administration works to finalize a plan for students to attend Grandview and the high school.
Today: Reiter remains closed. Students are expected to resume instruction Wednesday, but not in Reiter.
Be sure to note the July entry below. The school board clearly and with premeditation ignored Reiter and its problems.
Events leading up to furnace explosion at Reiter
January 2008: New Morrisville school board takes office and largely opposes building a new, $30-million pre-K through 12 th - grade consolidated school to replace the district’s three ailing schools — Morrisville Middle/Senior High School and Grandview and M. R. Reiter elementary schools.
July: The school board votes to start preliminary work to replace the boilers at the high school and Grandview. Twelve companies submit proposals for work on all three buildings, but board President Bill Hellmann removes Reiter from the equation. “Reiter’s so bad, I think it should be bulldozed. I wouldn’t spend money on it,” says Tim Lastichen, district facilities director.
Dec. 10: In the afternoon, an oily odor from the furnace spreads through Reiter. After-school activities end and children and staff go home. Later that day, Hellmann announces he wants to hold a public hearing on possibly closing one of the district’s elementary schools to save money.
Dec. 11: Students are sent home when the odor returns.
Dec. 12: Reiter is closed as workers repair a pump in the school’s furnace room.
Dec. 13: A late night explosion in the furnace room blows out windows.
Dec. 14: The school board holds an emergency meeting to discuss the explosion. Officials announce the school is closed until the school is deemed safe — at the earliest Jan. 5.
Monday: Reiter students don’t have class. The administration works to finalize a plan for students to attend Grandview and the high school.
Today: Reiter remains closed. Students are expected to resume instruction Wednesday, but not in Reiter.
Reiter: The Aftermath
From the BCCT.
Uh huh. Anyone remember the story about the barn door and the missing horse?
While there are a lot of good people who work for the borough and the school district who do the right thing day in and day out, try to imagine what this investigation would be looking like if pictures of a small white casket were accompanying the story rather than workers repairing broken glass and twisted aluminum.
Students reassigned; blast investigated
Morrisville’s mayor said Monday night that the borough will not allow M.R. Reiter to reopen until “our engineer tells us that the building is absolutely safe.”
By RACHEL CANELLI and DANNY ADLER
There’s once again no school today for M.R. Reiter Elementary School students, following a weekend furnace explosion that’s still under investigation, officials said Monday.
Administrators said pupils are expected to return to class Wednesday, when more than 250 children will temporarily report to the following facilities: pre-kindergartners to the Morrisville YMCA on Pennsylvania Avenue; kindergartners to Grandview Elementary School on Grandview Avenue; and first- and second-graders to Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on West Palmer Street.
Officials said they’ll hold an open house tonight at the Middle/Senior High to show Reiter parents where their children will be learning until the winter break, which starts Dec. 24.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said she wants to ensure parents of elementary school kids that the younger children, who will arrive and depart after the teens, will be isolated from the older students and have their own bathrooms, eating area and gym area.
Meanwhile, after a recommendation from air quality testers Environmental Connections, Remediation Specialists Inc. spent Monday cleaning teachers’ books and other materials at Reiter, said Yonson. Although the explosion was contained to the furnace room, a thin layer of residue filtered through the heating vents and into other areas, including classrooms, Yonson said.
“We don’t believe there’s any hazardous material,” Yonson said. “We’re just being on the safe side.”
A preliminary investigation into the blast found that a new pump installed Friday didn’t cause the explosion, which will close the Morrisville school until at least Jan. 5 so it can be cleaned and is deemed safe, administrators said Monday afternoon.
Fire Marshal Robert Seward said the blast may have occurred because a malfunctioning part was allowing too much fuel into the furnace’s firebox. Officials are waiting for insurance company investigators before dismantling the furnace in search of a cause to Saturday’s explosion. That should happen within the next few days, officials said.
Officials said the furnace is decades old. “This is something, unfortunately, we’ve had problems with over the years,” the fire marshal said.
School district facilities director Tim Lastichen warned: “It will explode again if we let it run.”
Following several troublesome days with the furnace, the blast blew out the furnace room windows and spread soot throughout the building. An odor of oil started spreading through the school Wednesday afternoon. The smell returned Thursday morning and students were sent home. The school was closed Friday, so a new pump could be installed.
Lastichen said at an emergency meeting Sunday night that the new pump was putting out fuel at a higher pressure than the faulty pump it replaced. That may have contributed to the blast, he said.
On Monday, Lastichen said officials inspected the furnace after the new pump was installed.
“When we replaced the pump, it was working well for two days,” he said. When he went to check on the heater Saturday morning, he said, “Everything was fine.”
Lastichen said engineers are expected to report to the school district today on what repairs are needed at Reiter, including a cost estimate for a new heating system. It will be up to the school board to decide whether it wants to replace the system or “Band-Aid” this one, he said.
“It’s had many Band-Aids,” Lastichen said of the furnace.
At Monday night’s borough council meeting, Mayor Thomas Wisnosky signaled that the borough will decide when the school can reopen.
Ordinarily, school facilities are handled separately from the borough because they are two individual authorities, “however, this is a different situation,” the mayor said.
“This is an emergency situation. We have a school building that, well, it had an explosion, there’s significant damage, and that changes the rules dramatically for the Borough of Morrisville,” he said. Under borough code, Wisnosky said, the borough is “required” to inspect with its own engineer. The borough engineer is expected to be at the site this afternoon.
“The Borough of Morrisville will not allow that school to reopen until our engineer tells us that that building is absolutely safe for children no matter what,” Wisnosky said. “We have the authority, according to the code and according to our ordinance, to keep that building closed until such time that we are satisfied. We are in charge of public safety.”
Uh huh. Anyone remember the story about the barn door and the missing horse?
While there are a lot of good people who work for the borough and the school district who do the right thing day in and day out, try to imagine what this investigation would be looking like if pictures of a small white casket were accompanying the story rather than workers repairing broken glass and twisted aluminum.
Students reassigned; blast investigated
Morrisville’s mayor said Monday night that the borough will not allow M.R. Reiter to reopen until “our engineer tells us that the building is absolutely safe.”
By RACHEL CANELLI and DANNY ADLER
There’s once again no school today for M.R. Reiter Elementary School students, following a weekend furnace explosion that’s still under investigation, officials said Monday.
Administrators said pupils are expected to return to class Wednesday, when more than 250 children will temporarily report to the following facilities: pre-kindergartners to the Morrisville YMCA on Pennsylvania Avenue; kindergartners to Grandview Elementary School on Grandview Avenue; and first- and second-graders to Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on West Palmer Street.
Officials said they’ll hold an open house tonight at the Middle/Senior High to show Reiter parents where their children will be learning until the winter break, which starts Dec. 24.
Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said she wants to ensure parents of elementary school kids that the younger children, who will arrive and depart after the teens, will be isolated from the older students and have their own bathrooms, eating area and gym area.
Meanwhile, after a recommendation from air quality testers Environmental Connections, Remediation Specialists Inc. spent Monday cleaning teachers’ books and other materials at Reiter, said Yonson. Although the explosion was contained to the furnace room, a thin layer of residue filtered through the heating vents and into other areas, including classrooms, Yonson said.
“We don’t believe there’s any hazardous material,” Yonson said. “We’re just being on the safe side.”
A preliminary investigation into the blast found that a new pump installed Friday didn’t cause the explosion, which will close the Morrisville school until at least Jan. 5 so it can be cleaned and is deemed safe, administrators said Monday afternoon.
Fire Marshal Robert Seward said the blast may have occurred because a malfunctioning part was allowing too much fuel into the furnace’s firebox. Officials are waiting for insurance company investigators before dismantling the furnace in search of a cause to Saturday’s explosion. That should happen within the next few days, officials said.
Officials said the furnace is decades old. “This is something, unfortunately, we’ve had problems with over the years,” the fire marshal said.
School district facilities director Tim Lastichen warned: “It will explode again if we let it run.”
Following several troublesome days with the furnace, the blast blew out the furnace room windows and spread soot throughout the building. An odor of oil started spreading through the school Wednesday afternoon. The smell returned Thursday morning and students were sent home. The school was closed Friday, so a new pump could be installed.
Lastichen said at an emergency meeting Sunday night that the new pump was putting out fuel at a higher pressure than the faulty pump it replaced. That may have contributed to the blast, he said.
On Monday, Lastichen said officials inspected the furnace after the new pump was installed.
“When we replaced the pump, it was working well for two days,” he said. When he went to check on the heater Saturday morning, he said, “Everything was fine.”
Lastichen said engineers are expected to report to the school district today on what repairs are needed at Reiter, including a cost estimate for a new heating system. It will be up to the school board to decide whether it wants to replace the system or “Band-Aid” this one, he said.
“It’s had many Band-Aids,” Lastichen said of the furnace.
At Monday night’s borough council meeting, Mayor Thomas Wisnosky signaled that the borough will decide when the school can reopen.
Ordinarily, school facilities are handled separately from the borough because they are two individual authorities, “however, this is a different situation,” the mayor said.
“This is an emergency situation. We have a school building that, well, it had an explosion, there’s significant damage, and that changes the rules dramatically for the Borough of Morrisville,” he said. Under borough code, Wisnosky said, the borough is “required” to inspect with its own engineer. The borough engineer is expected to be at the site this afternoon.
“The Borough of Morrisville will not allow that school to reopen until our engineer tells us that that building is absolutely safe for children no matter what,” Wisnosky said. “We have the authority, according to the code and according to our ordinance, to keep that building closed until such time that we are satisfied. We are in charge of public safety.”
Pension Fund Increases Hitting Budget in 2012
From the Inquirer.
The article says "planning could lessen the impact".
We all know what the Emperor thinks about planning.
Pa. teacher pension agency says outlook worsens
The Associated Press, Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's public school pension fund says school districts should try to start saving for an expected increase in costs starting in 2012.
The Public School Employees Retirement System announced Friday that the amount of payroll that school districts and the state will have to contribute that year is now expected to be more than 16 percent, up from earlier projections of about 11 percent.
The system's board of trustees says next year's employer contribution rate will be just under 5 percent, fractionally higher than the current year's.
Pension system officials say planning could lessen the impact of the dramatic increase expected to hit in four years.
The pension fund's investment portfolio was $55 billion at the end of September.
-------------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 12, 2008
PA school pension subsidy will nearly quadruple to $2.3B by 2012-13
New data from the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System projects taxpayers' "employer contribution" to school teacher and administrator pension and retiree health care will nearly quadruple by 2012-13, to $3.2 billion, from $595 million this year.
Pensions for retired teachers and administrators are paid partly by investment profits, and partly by teacher payroll deductions; the rest is funded by state and school district taxpayers. Under the current subsidy formula, which takes into account investment profits and losses for the past several years, next year's contribution rate will go up only slightly, to 4.78 percent next year, from the current 4.76 percent, but the rate will make a "dramatic" increase in 2012-13, more than tripling to 16.40 percent, executive director Jeffrey B. Clay warned.
The actual cost will go up even faster than the rate, because the state expects teacher payroll to zoom to $14.1 billion, from $12.5 billion. Clay urged Pennsylvania school boards to set aside money for the increase now, despite the weak economy, because the state is losing money on its pension fund investments as values fall.
The article says "planning could lessen the impact".
We all know what the Emperor thinks about planning.
Pa. teacher pension agency says outlook worsens
The Associated Press, Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's public school pension fund says school districts should try to start saving for an expected increase in costs starting in 2012.
The Public School Employees Retirement System announced Friday that the amount of payroll that school districts and the state will have to contribute that year is now expected to be more than 16 percent, up from earlier projections of about 11 percent.
The system's board of trustees says next year's employer contribution rate will be just under 5 percent, fractionally higher than the current year's.
Pension system officials say planning could lessen the impact of the dramatic increase expected to hit in four years.
The pension fund's investment portfolio was $55 billion at the end of September.
-------------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 12, 2008
PA school pension subsidy will nearly quadruple to $2.3B by 2012-13
New data from the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System projects taxpayers' "employer contribution" to school teacher and administrator pension and retiree health care will nearly quadruple by 2012-13, to $3.2 billion, from $595 million this year.
Pensions for retired teachers and administrators are paid partly by investment profits, and partly by teacher payroll deductions; the rest is funded by state and school district taxpayers. Under the current subsidy formula, which takes into account investment profits and losses for the past several years, next year's contribution rate will go up only slightly, to 4.78 percent next year, from the current 4.76 percent, but the rate will make a "dramatic" increase in 2012-13, more than tripling to 16.40 percent, executive director Jeffrey B. Clay warned.
The actual cost will go up even faster than the rate, because the state expects teacher payroll to zoom to $14.1 billion, from $12.5 billion. Clay urged Pennsylvania school boards to set aside money for the increase now, despite the weak economy, because the state is losing money on its pension fund investments as values fall.
State Health Insurance?
From the BCCT.
Pa. school boards resist state health insurance
By MARTHA RAFFAELE
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - The spiraling cost of health care is a constant lament of Pennsylvania school boards whenever they draw up their annual budgets.
Their consternation, however, wasn't enough to overcome their skepticism during the 2007-08 legislative session about a proposal that Gov. Ed Rendell said could reduce those expenses , and rein in property-tax increases.
With great fanfare, Rendell in September 2007 advocated legislation to create a special benefits board to look into establishing a statewide health insurance plan for all of the state's school districts. A handful of other states have adopted similar approaches.
A bill was introduced in the House, but it stalled in committee and died when the General Assembly's session concluded last month.
A statewide plan would help control school employee health benefit costs by spreading the risk more widely, managing benefits better and lowering school administrative costs, Rendell said. In a trade-off, employee unions would give up the right to bargain for better health insurance benefits during contract negotiations.
Rendell has said school districts spend about $1.5 billion annually on medical and prescription drug insurance, or $1 out of every $6 in school property taxes collected. A 2004 legislative study said school districts could save up to $585 million a year, and more in later years, under a statewide insurance plan.
Many districts now buy individual group policies, while some districts have formed regional insurance-buying consortiums and others buy separate policies for professional and service employees.
House Democrats, who control the flow of legislation in that chamber, didn't advance the measure because of resistance from their home school districts, said Bob Caton, a caucus spokesman.
"Members heard from their districts that they were already participating in a regional group insurance program and were afraid their costs would increase and benefits lessen," Caton said.
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo called that argument a "stalling tactic."
"From a business perspective, the opposite makes far more sense: If we aggregate our purchasing power, we can buy more for less money," he said. "The truth is that we won't know for sure until we get the data, and that's why the bill makes it possible to determine whether it's feasible to run a statewide system and , if it is , launch it."
Although Rendell has said the state would pay up to half of the year-to-year increase in health insurance premiums, the bill imposes certain limits, said Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.
"When you look at the details, the state's share is capped," Himes said. "So, if in a year there gets to be extraordinary rate increases, then school districts are left holding the financial bag."
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association saw problems with the benefits board's composition, lobbyist Tim Allwein said.
The House bill initially called for a 12-member board, drawing four members each from unionized school employees and school boards. But later versions of the bill expanded the board's membership to 20 and gave school employees 10 seats.
"If you essentially have a plan where you've got employees calling the shots regarding their benefits, you're not going to get a plan that saves the most money," Allwein said.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, supported the legislation. Association president James Testerman said his group did not push for expanding union membership on the board.
Testerman also disputed PSBA's contention that the union would hold sway over the board. Testerman noted that the state also has a role as a school employer, and the board would include legislative members.
Additionally, any decision to implement either a statewide plan or an alternative plan to reduce health-care costs would require at least 15 votes under the bill.
"Even if all of labor sticks together, they still need to go and find five other votes," Testerman said.
Ardo said the administration expects to renew its push in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January.
"Particularly when the economy is as bad as it is today, it's more important than ever that we figure out ways to save money for taxpayers while making government work smarter," he said.
,,,
Martha Raffaele covers education and health care for The Associated Press in Harrisburg. She can be reached at mraffaele(at)ap.org.
Pa. school boards resist state health insurance
By MARTHA RAFFAELE
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - The spiraling cost of health care is a constant lament of Pennsylvania school boards whenever they draw up their annual budgets.
Their consternation, however, wasn't enough to overcome their skepticism during the 2007-08 legislative session about a proposal that Gov. Ed Rendell said could reduce those expenses , and rein in property-tax increases.
With great fanfare, Rendell in September 2007 advocated legislation to create a special benefits board to look into establishing a statewide health insurance plan for all of the state's school districts. A handful of other states have adopted similar approaches.
A bill was introduced in the House, but it stalled in committee and died when the General Assembly's session concluded last month.
A statewide plan would help control school employee health benefit costs by spreading the risk more widely, managing benefits better and lowering school administrative costs, Rendell said. In a trade-off, employee unions would give up the right to bargain for better health insurance benefits during contract negotiations.
Rendell has said school districts spend about $1.5 billion annually on medical and prescription drug insurance, or $1 out of every $6 in school property taxes collected. A 2004 legislative study said school districts could save up to $585 million a year, and more in later years, under a statewide insurance plan.
Many districts now buy individual group policies, while some districts have formed regional insurance-buying consortiums and others buy separate policies for professional and service employees.
House Democrats, who control the flow of legislation in that chamber, didn't advance the measure because of resistance from their home school districts, said Bob Caton, a caucus spokesman.
"Members heard from their districts that they were already participating in a regional group insurance program and were afraid their costs would increase and benefits lessen," Caton said.
Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo called that argument a "stalling tactic."
"From a business perspective, the opposite makes far more sense: If we aggregate our purchasing power, we can buy more for less money," he said. "The truth is that we won't know for sure until we get the data, and that's why the bill makes it possible to determine whether it's feasible to run a statewide system and , if it is , launch it."
Although Rendell has said the state would pay up to half of the year-to-year increase in health insurance premiums, the bill imposes certain limits, said Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.
"When you look at the details, the state's share is capped," Himes said. "So, if in a year there gets to be extraordinary rate increases, then school districts are left holding the financial bag."
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association saw problems with the benefits board's composition, lobbyist Tim Allwein said.
The House bill initially called for a 12-member board, drawing four members each from unionized school employees and school boards. But later versions of the bill expanded the board's membership to 20 and gave school employees 10 seats.
"If you essentially have a plan where you've got employees calling the shots regarding their benefits, you're not going to get a plan that saves the most money," Allwein said.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, supported the legislation. Association president James Testerman said his group did not push for expanding union membership on the board.
Testerman also disputed PSBA's contention that the union would hold sway over the board. Testerman noted that the state also has a role as a school employer, and the board would include legislative members.
Additionally, any decision to implement either a statewide plan or an alternative plan to reduce health-care costs would require at least 15 votes under the bill.
"Even if all of labor sticks together, they still need to go and find five other votes," Testerman said.
Ardo said the administration expects to renew its push in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January.
"Particularly when the economy is as bad as it is today, it's more important than ever that we figure out ways to save money for taxpayers while making government work smarter," he said.
,,,
Martha Raffaele covers education and health care for The Associated Press in Harrisburg. She can be reached at mraffaele(at)ap.org.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Reiter Update: Cleanup and plans
NO SCHOOL FOR M.R. REITER STUDENTS 12/16
UPDATE M.R.Reiter
There will be no school for the students of M.R. Reiter Elementary tomorrow, December 16. As of this update, the M.R. Reiter school students will return to classes on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.
Today the district brought in Environmental Connections, who conducts the air quality testing in our schools, to analyze the situation at Reiter. They recommended we bring in a professional company to conduct the clean-up. Even though the explosion was contained in the furnace room, the residue went through the vents and deposited a fine layer of particles on anything that was exposed.
The district has hired Remediation Specialist Inc., who specializes in cleaning the aftermaths of fires and other disasters. There are 15 individuals who are conducting the clean-up. They will be working all day and through the evening so that our teachers can retrieve the resources they utilize during instruction.
The following outlines our plans to temporarily house the students. The starting and ending time has not changed, start time: 8:30 a.m.; end time 3:00 p.m.
The Pre-K students will be housed at the YMCA at 200 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. The phone number of the Y is 215 736-8077. Parents will take the students directly to the YMCA in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day at the Y.
Kindergarten students will be housed at Grandview.
1st and 2nd grade students will be housed at the Middle/Senior High School. Students should be dropped off in the back of the school where they will enter through the doors next to the gym. Teachers and paraprofessionals will be there to escort the students to the classrooms.
The shuttle will continue to pick up students at Manor Park and M.R. Reiter. Students will be taken to Grandview and the Middle/Senior High School. Our paraprofessionals will be present to assist the students at M.R. Reiter. All M.R. Reiter students may take the shuttle during this emergency.
There will be an open house Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00PM for the parents of students in grades one and two at the Middle/Senior High School. Please park in the back lot and enter through the doors next to the gym. The meeting will begin in the gym. Teachers will then take parents to the classrooms were the students will be housed.
UPDATE M.R.Reiter
There will be no school for the students of M.R. Reiter Elementary tomorrow, December 16. As of this update, the M.R. Reiter school students will return to classes on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.
Today the district brought in Environmental Connections, who conducts the air quality testing in our schools, to analyze the situation at Reiter. They recommended we bring in a professional company to conduct the clean-up. Even though the explosion was contained in the furnace room, the residue went through the vents and deposited a fine layer of particles on anything that was exposed.
The district has hired Remediation Specialist Inc., who specializes in cleaning the aftermaths of fires and other disasters. There are 15 individuals who are conducting the clean-up. They will be working all day and through the evening so that our teachers can retrieve the resources they utilize during instruction.
The following outlines our plans to temporarily house the students. The starting and ending time has not changed, start time: 8:30 a.m.; end time 3:00 p.m.
The Pre-K students will be housed at the YMCA at 200 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. The phone number of the Y is 215 736-8077. Parents will take the students directly to the YMCA in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day at the Y.
Kindergarten students will be housed at Grandview.
1st and 2nd grade students will be housed at the Middle/Senior High School. Students should be dropped off in the back of the school where they will enter through the doors next to the gym. Teachers and paraprofessionals will be there to escort the students to the classrooms.
The shuttle will continue to pick up students at Manor Park and M.R. Reiter. Students will be taken to Grandview and the Middle/Senior High School. Our paraprofessionals will be present to assist the students at M.R. Reiter. All M.R. Reiter students may take the shuttle during this emergency.
There will be an open house Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00PM for the parents of students in grades one and two at the Middle/Senior High School. Please park in the back lot and enter through the doors next to the gym. The meeting will begin in the gym. Teachers will then take parents to the classrooms were the students will be housed.
1st & 2nd Grade Open House, 6:00 P.M. Dec 16
M.R. Reiter
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
1st & 2nd Grade Open House
There will be an open house Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00PM for the parents of students in grades one and two at the Middle/Senior High School. Please park in the back lot and enter through the doors next to the gym. The meeting will begin in the gym. Teachers will then take parents to the classrooms were the students will be housed.
Site: HS
Time: 6:00PM
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
1st & 2nd Grade Open House
There will be an open house Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00PM for the parents of students in grades one and two at the Middle/Senior High School. Please park in the back lot and enter through the doors next to the gym. The meeting will begin in the gym. Teachers will then take parents to the classrooms were the students will be housed.
Site: HS
Time: 6:00PM
NO SCHOOL FOR REITER STUDENTS 12/16
NO SCHOOL FOR M.R. REITER STUDENTS 12/16
THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL FOR M.R. REITER STUDENTS ON TUESDAY 12/16/2008. DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE, CABLE STATION AND PHONE BLAST SHORTLY.
THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL FOR M.R. REITER STUDENTS ON TUESDAY 12/16/2008. DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE, CABLE STATION AND PHONE BLAST SHORTLY.
Special Board Meeting on Reiter
Any news from the special board meeting?
The BCCT has a front page above-the-fold story.
Boiler room blast closes school
“It was pretty bad. It blew out the windows,” a school official said.
By DANNY ADLER
M.R. Reiter Elementary students in Morrisville have off today and the school building is closed until at least Jan. 5 after a weekend explosion in the school’s furnace room, according to district officials. Officials hope to have all students back in class at other schools and alternative sites Tuesday.
The late Saturday night explosion, damaging only the furnace room, followed several troublesome days dealing with the faulty furnace. No one was hurt in the blast.
An oil odor first spread through the school Wednesday afternoon. The odor recurred Thursday morning, students were sent home and the school remained closed on Friday. A new pump was installed but the hot-air furnace exploded after 10 p.m. Saturday.
“It was pretty bad. It blew out the windows,” said Tim Lastichen, district facilities director.
Morrisville School District’s administration will work today to finalize plans to put kids in other schools, it was announced at an emergency school board meeting Sunday night.
Morrisville schools Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said she wants a “smooth transition” in getting the kids back in the classroom.
A tentative plan proposed by Yonson at Sunday’s meeting inside the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School called for pre-kindergarten classes to be held at the Morrisville YMCA. First graders could resume their classes in the Middle/Senior High School’s library and H hall with second graders in the D hall. (First and second graders will not move through the school’s halls between periods, officials said.) M.R. Reiter’s kindergarten classes could go to Grandview Elementary, according to the plan.
Yonson said the administration still has to talk to teachers. Officials hope all the details can be sorted out today. When they are, the alternative school sites will be posted on the district’s Web site, www.mv.org and cable access channel 26. A phone blast will also go out to all families with M.R. Reiter students, officials said.
According to the district’s Web site, “The school will be closed until it has been determined that it is safe for students and staff to return.”
Dozens of parents and residents attended the meeting Sunday night. Some said these problems have existed for years, even decades.
“You have no regard for the safety of our children” Ann Perry told the board.
The BCCT has a front page above-the-fold story.
Boiler room blast closes school
“It was pretty bad. It blew out the windows,” a school official said.
By DANNY ADLER
M.R. Reiter Elementary students in Morrisville have off today and the school building is closed until at least Jan. 5 after a weekend explosion in the school’s furnace room, according to district officials. Officials hope to have all students back in class at other schools and alternative sites Tuesday.
The late Saturday night explosion, damaging only the furnace room, followed several troublesome days dealing with the faulty furnace. No one was hurt in the blast.
An oil odor first spread through the school Wednesday afternoon. The odor recurred Thursday morning, students were sent home and the school remained closed on Friday. A new pump was installed but the hot-air furnace exploded after 10 p.m. Saturday.
“It was pretty bad. It blew out the windows,” said Tim Lastichen, district facilities director.
Morrisville School District’s administration will work today to finalize plans to put kids in other schools, it was announced at an emergency school board meeting Sunday night.
Morrisville schools Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said she wants a “smooth transition” in getting the kids back in the classroom.
A tentative plan proposed by Yonson at Sunday’s meeting inside the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School called for pre-kindergarten classes to be held at the Morrisville YMCA. First graders could resume their classes in the Middle/Senior High School’s library and H hall with second graders in the D hall. (First and second graders will not move through the school’s halls between periods, officials said.) M.R. Reiter’s kindergarten classes could go to Grandview Elementary, according to the plan.
Yonson said the administration still has to talk to teachers. Officials hope all the details can be sorted out today. When they are, the alternative school sites will be posted on the district’s Web site, www.mv.org and cable access channel 26. A phone blast will also go out to all families with M.R. Reiter students, officials said.
According to the district’s Web site, “The school will be closed until it has been determined that it is safe for students and staff to return.”
Dozens of parents and residents attended the meeting Sunday night. Some said these problems have existed for years, even decades.
“You have no regard for the safety of our children” Ann Perry told the board.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Reiter Review
This was one of my first entries, comparing the failure of the Minnesota bridge to the failure of this community to adequately fund our own infrastructure.
"At the risk of being taken to task for comparing an actual tragedy to a potential tragedy, if you do not support the building of a new school to replace the old ones, how would you answer the Time Magazine or CNN reporters, or even Matt Drudge, covering the catastrophic failure of a component of a Morrisville school without resorting to blame shifting hyperbole and hypocrisy? The same set of conditions from Minneapolis exist right here in Morrisville. Money that we're unable or unwilling to spend to invest in infrastructure turns to disaster."
I'm very sorry to see my prediction come true. I hope the Emperor and all his chosen accomplices can sleep well knowing that just a day or two earlier, there would have been kindergarteners, first, and second graders in that school.
"At the risk of being taken to task for comparing an actual tragedy to a potential tragedy, if you do not support the building of a new school to replace the old ones, how would you answer the Time Magazine or CNN reporters, or even Matt Drudge, covering the catastrophic failure of a component of a Morrisville school without resorting to blame shifting hyperbole and hypocrisy? The same set of conditions from Minneapolis exist right here in Morrisville. Money that we're unable or unwilling to spend to invest in infrastructure turns to disaster."
I'm very sorry to see my prediction come true. I hope the Emperor and all his chosen accomplices can sleep well knowing that just a day or two earlier, there would have been kindergarteners, first, and second graders in that school.
Reiter Boiler Mishap CONFIRMED
The rumor mill is running fast and furious about a boiler mishap at Reiter yesterday. I took a drive by before and there's a lot of broken windows in the boiler room.
The first priority is to take care of the students and families that are affected by this.
The next priority is to find out why the school board didn't take care of the obviously aged equipment in the schools. They sat around and traded the safety of our students to save tax dollars.
How much is YOUR child's life worth? Tell the school board TONIGHT at 7:30 in the LGI. Bring your neighbors.
CONFIRMED: Late Saturday evening, December 13, there was an explosion in the furnace room at M.R. Reiter Elementary School. The damage was contained to the furnace room. The school will be closed until it has been determined that it is safe for students and staff to return. Repairs will begin Monday, December 15. The earliest the building will be open is January 5, 2009
The administration is developing a plan to place the children in other locations. There will be no school for the students of M.R. Reiter on Monday, December 15. The alternative sites will be posted on the district’s website and Public Access Cable channel 26 by Monday afternoon. A phone blast will be sent to all families with students in M.R. Reiter.
There will be an emergency meeting this evening of the School Board in the Large Group Instruction room (LGI) of the Middle/Senior High School at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sunday, December 14, 2008. The public is invited to attend.
The first priority is to take care of the students and families that are affected by this.
The next priority is to find out why the school board didn't take care of the obviously aged equipment in the schools. They sat around and traded the safety of our students to save tax dollars.
How much is YOUR child's life worth? Tell the school board TONIGHT at 7:30 in the LGI. Bring your neighbors.
CONFIRMED: Late Saturday evening, December 13, there was an explosion in the furnace room at M.R. Reiter Elementary School. The damage was contained to the furnace room. The school will be closed until it has been determined that it is safe for students and staff to return. Repairs will begin Monday, December 15. The earliest the building will be open is January 5, 2009
The administration is developing a plan to place the children in other locations. There will be no school for the students of M.R. Reiter on Monday, December 15. The alternative sites will be posted on the district’s website and Public Access Cable channel 26 by Monday afternoon. A phone blast will be sent to all families with students in M.R. Reiter.
There will be an emergency meeting this evening of the School Board in the Large Group Instruction room (LGI) of the Middle/Senior High School at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sunday, December 14, 2008. The public is invited to attend.
Borough Council Meeting Monday
Maybe they can explain how they allow Reiter to be occupied by students and staff while it it is so unsafe.
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: regular business items. 215-295-8181
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: regular business items. 215-295-8181
Pennsbury: Wallets to be Open and Lighter
From the BCCT.
Low revenues, high costs will have impact
The only way to keep school services at a high level may be to increase taxes, said board President Gregory Lucidi.
By MANASEE WAGH
Pennsbury schools can expect to see lower revenues and higher expenses next year. Taxes likely will rise to cover the shortfall, though it’s too early to predict those numbers since the administration is still shaping the preliminary budget. The district projects a $178.3 million budget for 2009-10. However, some estimates in the current budget calculation probably will change in the near future, said Isabel Miller, the district’s business administrator. The first draft of the 2009-10 budget will be presented to the board budget committee on Jan. 15.
On Thursday night, Miller and Joanne Godzieba, Pennsbury’s director of financial services, told the school board the district likely will be affected by the financial crisis sweeping the country.
All districts have been paying more in fuel costs, and the crashing housing market means many people probably won’t pay their real estate taxes on time, Godzieba said, adding Pennsbury anticipates not collecting transfer taxes on house sales, either. District investments probably won’t yield much because of dropping interest rates, she said.
Staff salaries and benefits total $87 million, comprising about half the current budget. Based on teacher contract estimates, next year’s budget may see a salary and benefit increase of $4.1 million, according to the district. Overall, financial administrators predict the district may spend about $2 million more than it makes next year. That amount would have to be covered by the fund balance, a district savings account that continues from year to year.
However, savings may shrink further, administrators said, because revenues from federal, state and local sources likely will be flat or even decrease.
“If we want to keep services at the current level, the only option is an increase in property taxes. That is something the board is very sensitive about, and we will work very hard to keep those increases to a minimum,” wrote school board President Gregory Lucidi in an e-mail exchange Friday.
The maximum amount the board could raise taxes is 4.1 percent without seeking voter approval, according to the state’s Act 1 mandate.
“Continuing to raise taxes is just not an option,” said board member Linda Palsky at Thursday’s meeting.
The district files an annual financial report and outlook every year as a state Department of Education budgetary process requirement. The board and the administration began talking about this year’s budget in July and needs to adopt a preliminary budget in February.
Low revenues, high costs will have impact
The only way to keep school services at a high level may be to increase taxes, said board President Gregory Lucidi.
By MANASEE WAGH
Pennsbury schools can expect to see lower revenues and higher expenses next year. Taxes likely will rise to cover the shortfall, though it’s too early to predict those numbers since the administration is still shaping the preliminary budget. The district projects a $178.3 million budget for 2009-10. However, some estimates in the current budget calculation probably will change in the near future, said Isabel Miller, the district’s business administrator. The first draft of the 2009-10 budget will be presented to the board budget committee on Jan. 15.
On Thursday night, Miller and Joanne Godzieba, Pennsbury’s director of financial services, told the school board the district likely will be affected by the financial crisis sweeping the country.
All districts have been paying more in fuel costs, and the crashing housing market means many people probably won’t pay their real estate taxes on time, Godzieba said, adding Pennsbury anticipates not collecting transfer taxes on house sales, either. District investments probably won’t yield much because of dropping interest rates, she said.
Staff salaries and benefits total $87 million, comprising about half the current budget. Based on teacher contract estimates, next year’s budget may see a salary and benefit increase of $4.1 million, according to the district. Overall, financial administrators predict the district may spend about $2 million more than it makes next year. That amount would have to be covered by the fund balance, a district savings account that continues from year to year.
However, savings may shrink further, administrators said, because revenues from federal, state and local sources likely will be flat or even decrease.
“If we want to keep services at the current level, the only option is an increase in property taxes. That is something the board is very sensitive about, and we will work very hard to keep those increases to a minimum,” wrote school board President Gregory Lucidi in an e-mail exchange Friday.
The maximum amount the board could raise taxes is 4.1 percent without seeking voter approval, according to the state’s Act 1 mandate.
“Continuing to raise taxes is just not an option,” said board member Linda Palsky at Thursday’s meeting.
The district files an annual financial report and outlook every year as a state Department of Education budgetary process requirement. The board and the administration began talking about this year’s budget in July and needs to adopt a preliminary budget in February.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
The BCCT reports that Santa has traded in the reindeer powered sleigh for diesel power fire apparatus in a large number of towns.
He made a list and Morrisville is on it! Watch for St. Nick later today.
Santa trades sleigh for fire engines
Santa Claus will be visiting several Lower Bucks communities via fire engine between now and Christmas:
MORRISVILLE FIRE CO.
Today starting at 3 p.m.
He made a list and Morrisville is on it! Watch for St. Nick later today.
Santa trades sleigh for fire engines
Santa Claus will be visiting several Lower Bucks communities via fire engine between now and Christmas:
MORRISVILLE FIRE CO.
Today starting at 3 p.m.
Reiter Air Quality Testing Monday Morning
From the BCCT.
How early in the morning is this testing on Monday? Before or after the students arrive?
What was wrong with testing on Saturday or Sunday so that if a cancellation of classes on Monday was needed, there was time to fix the problem to allow for Monday classes or to effectively plan a shutdown.
Oops. Sorry. I used that word again...PLAN!
Students to return to school after inspection
An air quality inspection will be conducted early Monday morning to look for any harmful air particles before allowing students to re-enter M.R. Reiter Elementary School on Monday.
The school was closed for a day and a half after a faulty fuel pump in an old boiler caused oily fumes throughout the building.
While there was no danger to students or staff, the odor was very unpleasant, said Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson. She ordered the school to be evacuated Wednesday afternoon when the odor first started. Despite a temporary fix, school was closed early Thursday when the odor reappeared.
It remained closed Friday while a new fuel pump was installed and the building was aired out, said Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities.
“The inspection is an extra precaution to let the teachers and parents know we’re doing all we can,” he said.
School board members are waiting for engineering and architectural firm Vitetta to deliver a detailed engineering report about needed renovations in the district’s two elementary schools.
How early in the morning is this testing on Monday? Before or after the students arrive?
What was wrong with testing on Saturday or Sunday so that if a cancellation of classes on Monday was needed, there was time to fix the problem to allow for Monday classes or to effectively plan a shutdown.
Oops. Sorry. I used that word again...PLAN!
Students to return to school after inspection
An air quality inspection will be conducted early Monday morning to look for any harmful air particles before allowing students to re-enter M.R. Reiter Elementary School on Monday.
The school was closed for a day and a half after a faulty fuel pump in an old boiler caused oily fumes throughout the building.
While there was no danger to students or staff, the odor was very unpleasant, said Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson. She ordered the school to be evacuated Wednesday afternoon when the odor first started. Despite a temporary fix, school was closed early Thursday when the odor reappeared.
It remained closed Friday while a new fuel pump was installed and the building was aired out, said Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities.
“The inspection is an extra precaution to let the teachers and parents know we’re doing all we can,” he said.
School board members are waiting for engineering and architectural firm Vitetta to deliver a detailed engineering report about needed renovations in the district’s two elementary schools.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Start From the Beginning: Reiter
In the wake of the noxious fumes closing of Reiter, maybe we should take another look at the 2005 buildings report to see how things looked almost four years ago.
This tells us why we needed to do something drastic. The school board then decided to build anew. The current school board stopped that.
The fault and responsibility, therefore, lies directly at the feet of not only the voters who placed them there, but the Emperor and each of his board of chosen accomplices. They stopped the solution without providing one of their own.
1.0 M.R. Reiter Elementary Executive Summary
With the exception of the: Main Sanitary; Fire Alarm; Security; Public Address; Clock and Program Systems; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC); Plumbing and Drainage (P&D); Fire Protection (FP); and Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution (EPT&D).
1.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems and Equipment
Air Handling Units
1.1.1 General:
• Two, oil-fired air handling units, located in the first floor mechanical room, distribute air throughout the building. Refer to Photograph A1 in Appendix “A”.
• Supply air to the occupied spaces is distributed through a combination of underground trenches and galvanized steel ductwork located above the ceilings.
• Combustion air for oil-fired HVAC equipment and fresh air for ventilation are obtained through exterior wall louvers. Refer to Photograph A2 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The air handling units and ductwork are over forty years old, are unreliable, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are, in part, unsafe for continued use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The air handling units and ductwork systems are not acceptable for reuse, or continued use, and must be removed.
1.1.2 Cooling System
General:
• Cooling systems consist of several ductless split systems in various locations.
• Window air conditioners are incidental, have been added as piecemeal appliances at
selective locations, and are not addressed further within this report.
Age/Condition:
• Ductless split system units do not provide code required outside fresh air of ventilation, and are not acceptable under applicable Pennsylvania State design guides.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
• The ductless split systems are not suitable for reuse and must be removed.
1.1.3 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• A 6,000 gallon underground oil tank, located on the northeast side of the building, serves the two air handling units.
• An oil pump set, located in the mechanical room, transfers oil from the underground
tanks to the oil-fired air handling units.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tank and pumps are over forty years old and have far exceeded their useful
service lives.
Code Issues:
• Any repair work resulting from leaks will subject the overall system to compliance with stringent, expensive Federal Environmental Requirements. Prudent evaluation of existing tank/piping system integrity and lead free performance is recommended.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The oil tank and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be
replaced.
1.1.4 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• The automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and served by an air compressor located in the first floor mechanical room. Refer to Photograph A4 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The control system appears to be over twenty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The control system is not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.
1.1.5 Exhaust Systems
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof and wall mounted fans.
Age/Condition:
• The exhaust fans are over forty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are not meeting standard performance requirements.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The exhaust systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.
1.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment
1.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, lavatories, water coolers and hand sinks located throughout the school. Refer to Photographs A5, A6, and A7 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the plumbing fixtures appear to be at least thirty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, are in part faulty, and not capable of repair.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• A majority of the plumbing fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in an upgraded schoolhouse facility, and must be replaced.
1.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The visible piping is cast-iron and appears to be of original construction. Refer to Photograph A8 in Appendix “A”.
• There are no reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over forty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The sanitary and vent piping is not suitable for reuse in an upgraded facility with modern space program, and must be replaced.
• Reuse of the existing main building sewer under a modernized program of space should be reviewed with the Municipal Sewer Authority.
1.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and appears to be of original construction.
• A 3-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the garage on the northeast side of the building. There are no reported problems with the Municipal service entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping is reported to be over forty years old and has exceeded its useful service life.
• The Municipal Water Service Entrance Piping System appears to be at least twenty years old, and is unreliable at best.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable. Water tests should be conducted to determine lead content and quality of potable water.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall
property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.
1.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• Three, 120 gallon electric water heaters, located in an attached garage, provide domestic hot water to the building. Refer to Photograph A9 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The water heaters appear to be less than 5 years old and are in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the water heaters.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The water heaters are suitable for reuse, depending on capacity to serve an expanded
program of space use. The need for additional capacity must be determined.
1.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
Automatic Fire Suppression
General:
• If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire
isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at
$4.00 per square foot.
1.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment
1.4.1 Electric Service Metering and Disconnects
General:
• An underground 4160 VAC Utility Company electrical service extends from a utility
pole on Clymer Avenue to a transformer and distribution equipment located on the north side of the building. The 120/208 VAC 3-phase secondary, low voltage line feeds a fusible distribution panel that serves panels throughout the building. Refer to Photographs A10 and A11 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service equipment, including the main transformer, is approximately forty years old and in poor condition, and a potential safety hazard. The transformer is assumed to contain “PCB’s”, and must be tested undercurrent, Federal Department of Environmental requirements.
Code Issues:
• A primary service disconnect switch required by applicable National Electrical Code
sections for the building service is not present.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Electrical service equipment is not suitable for continued use, much less extension or reuse in a modernized program of space use. Transformer must be disposed of as an environmental, hazardous material, to conform with Local, State, and Federal Regulations.
1.4.2 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• System includes recessed and surface mounted panelboards with branch circuit breakers
located on first and second floor for general lighting and power.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition.
The ability to safely interrupt fault current upon short circuit, or overload is highly suspect. Replacement circuit breakers are not available for these panels. The overall condition is unsafe for suture use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• All Electrical panelboard equipment throughout the building is not suitable for reuse, or continued use.
1.4.3 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of recessed 1x4 two lamp T-12, fluorescent light fixtures.
Morrisville School District Page 7 of 34 G&H No. 2005-224
2' x 4' recessed fixtures were added to increase light levels. Refer to Photograph A12 in Appendix “A” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Multi-purpose room lighting is 1 x 4 recessed with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition with the exception of several 2 x 4 fixtures recently added to each classroom. All original fixture ballasts contain PCB, and are classified as HAZMAT.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in a modern program of space use.
1.4.4 Emergency Lighting
General:
• Battery powered 32 volt incandescent emergency lights are used in the corridors and are supplemented by emergency lighting units. Refer to Photograph A13 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is approximately forty years old, in poor
condition, of limited capacity, and may not now be operational.
Code Issues:
• The 32 volt emergency-only circuits are no longer permitted by the National Electrical
Code and applicable Pennsylvania State Regulations.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is not suitable for reuse or continued use.
1.4.5 Exterior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Wall mounted, photocell controlled HID fixtures are positioned around the building
perimeter. Front entrance fixtures are recessed incandescent type with drop opal lens.
Age/Condition:
• HID exterior light fixtures are in good condition. The recessed front entrance lights are in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• HID exterior lights are suitable for reuse, depending on the new program of space use.
The incandescent entrance lights are not suitable for reuse.
1.4.6 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a zone coded system with pull stations and notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors and toilet rooms, but not in classrooms.
• Fire alarm control equipment is manufactured by Silent Night Company, and replacement parts are available. All alarms report to a central station. Refer to Photograph A14 in Appendix “A”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• Smoke detectors are located in all corridors and toilet rooms.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is approximately five years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• Classrooms must be equipped with audio/visual (AV) alarm units in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm and detection system is suitable for extension, and reuse. The system must be expanded for addition of code required A/V alarm units.
1.4.7 Public Address System
General:
• The Public Address (PA) and communication equipment was manufactured by Bogen
Company, and includes: control panel in the administration office; speakers in all
classrooms, corridors and offices; and handsets that provide intercommunication between classrooms and the main office.
Age/Condition:
• PA system equipment is in fair condition and approximately eight years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.
1.4.8 Computer Data Network System
General:
• There are individual computers in the classrooms. A centralized network system does not exist.
1.4.9 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• The original master clock has been replaced with a Lathom Corporation clock system.
Replacement parts are available for this system. The clock control panel is located in the administration office and clocks are located in all classrooms. Refer to Photograph A15 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Master clock is relatively new, but classroom clocks are forty years old and in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The overall system is not suitable for reuse.
1.4.10 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Classrooms and entry corridor are protected with motion detectors and an audio alarm output device. The motion detectors are wired back to a central control panel. The motion detection system equipment is manufactured by Ultraguard, replacement parts are available.
Age/Condition:
• The intrusion detection system equipment is approximately two years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the security system. Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system is suitable for reuse and expansion.
This tells us why we needed to do something drastic. The school board then decided to build anew. The current school board stopped that.
The fault and responsibility, therefore, lies directly at the feet of not only the voters who placed them there, but the Emperor and each of his board of chosen accomplices. They stopped the solution without providing one of their own.
1.0 M.R. Reiter Elementary Executive Summary
With the exception of the: Main Sanitary; Fire Alarm; Security; Public Address; Clock and Program Systems; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC); Plumbing and Drainage (P&D); Fire Protection (FP); and Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution (EPT&D).
1.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems and Equipment
Air Handling Units
1.1.1 General:
• Two, oil-fired air handling units, located in the first floor mechanical room, distribute air throughout the building. Refer to Photograph A1 in Appendix “A”.
• Supply air to the occupied spaces is distributed through a combination of underground trenches and galvanized steel ductwork located above the ceilings.
• Combustion air for oil-fired HVAC equipment and fresh air for ventilation are obtained through exterior wall louvers. Refer to Photograph A2 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The air handling units and ductwork are over forty years old, are unreliable, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are, in part, unsafe for continued use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The air handling units and ductwork systems are not acceptable for reuse, or continued use, and must be removed.
1.1.2 Cooling System
General:
• Cooling systems consist of several ductless split systems in various locations.
• Window air conditioners are incidental, have been added as piecemeal appliances at
selective locations, and are not addressed further within this report.
Age/Condition:
• Ductless split system units do not provide code required outside fresh air of ventilation, and are not acceptable under applicable Pennsylvania State design guides.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
• The ductless split systems are not suitable for reuse and must be removed.
1.1.3 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• A 6,000 gallon underground oil tank, located on the northeast side of the building, serves the two air handling units.
• An oil pump set, located in the mechanical room, transfers oil from the underground
tanks to the oil-fired air handling units.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tank and pumps are over forty years old and have far exceeded their useful
service lives.
Code Issues:
• Any repair work resulting from leaks will subject the overall system to compliance with stringent, expensive Federal Environmental Requirements. Prudent evaluation of existing tank/piping system integrity and lead free performance is recommended.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The oil tank and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be
replaced.
1.1.4 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• The automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and served by an air compressor located in the first floor mechanical room. Refer to Photograph A4 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The control system appears to be over twenty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The control system is not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.
1.1.5 Exhaust Systems
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof and wall mounted fans.
Age/Condition:
• The exhaust fans are over forty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are not meeting standard performance requirements.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The exhaust systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.
1.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment
1.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, lavatories, water coolers and hand sinks located throughout the school. Refer to Photographs A5, A6, and A7 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the plumbing fixtures appear to be at least thirty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, are in part faulty, and not capable of repair.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• A majority of the plumbing fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in an upgraded schoolhouse facility, and must be replaced.
1.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The visible piping is cast-iron and appears to be of original construction. Refer to Photograph A8 in Appendix “A”.
• There are no reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over forty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The sanitary and vent piping is not suitable for reuse in an upgraded facility with modern space program, and must be replaced.
• Reuse of the existing main building sewer under a modernized program of space should be reviewed with the Municipal Sewer Authority.
1.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and appears to be of original construction.
• A 3-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the garage on the northeast side of the building. There are no reported problems with the Municipal service entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping is reported to be over forty years old and has exceeded its useful service life.
• The Municipal Water Service Entrance Piping System appears to be at least twenty years old, and is unreliable at best.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable. Water tests should be conducted to determine lead content and quality of potable water.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall
property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.
1.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• Three, 120 gallon electric water heaters, located in an attached garage, provide domestic hot water to the building. Refer to Photograph A9 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The water heaters appear to be less than 5 years old and are in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the water heaters.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The water heaters are suitable for reuse, depending on capacity to serve an expanded
program of space use. The need for additional capacity must be determined.
1.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
Automatic Fire Suppression
General:
• If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire
isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at
$4.00 per square foot.
1.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment
1.4.1 Electric Service Metering and Disconnects
General:
• An underground 4160 VAC Utility Company electrical service extends from a utility
pole on Clymer Avenue to a transformer and distribution equipment located on the north side of the building. The 120/208 VAC 3-phase secondary, low voltage line feeds a fusible distribution panel that serves panels throughout the building. Refer to Photographs A10 and A11 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service equipment, including the main transformer, is approximately forty years old and in poor condition, and a potential safety hazard. The transformer is assumed to contain “PCB’s”, and must be tested undercurrent, Federal Department of Environmental requirements.
Code Issues:
• A primary service disconnect switch required by applicable National Electrical Code
sections for the building service is not present.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Electrical service equipment is not suitable for continued use, much less extension or reuse in a modernized program of space use. Transformer must be disposed of as an environmental, hazardous material, to conform with Local, State, and Federal Regulations.
1.4.2 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• System includes recessed and surface mounted panelboards with branch circuit breakers
located on first and second floor for general lighting and power.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition.
The ability to safely interrupt fault current upon short circuit, or overload is highly suspect. Replacement circuit breakers are not available for these panels. The overall condition is unsafe for suture use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• All Electrical panelboard equipment throughout the building is not suitable for reuse, or continued use.
1.4.3 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of recessed 1x4 two lamp T-12, fluorescent light fixtures.
Morrisville School District Page 7 of 34 G&H No. 2005-224
2' x 4' recessed fixtures were added to increase light levels. Refer to Photograph A12 in Appendix “A” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Multi-purpose room lighting is 1 x 4 recessed with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition with the exception of several 2 x 4 fixtures recently added to each classroom. All original fixture ballasts contain PCB, and are classified as HAZMAT.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in a modern program of space use.
1.4.4 Emergency Lighting
General:
• Battery powered 32 volt incandescent emergency lights are used in the corridors and are supplemented by emergency lighting units. Refer to Photograph A13 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is approximately forty years old, in poor
condition, of limited capacity, and may not now be operational.
Code Issues:
• The 32 volt emergency-only circuits are no longer permitted by the National Electrical
Code and applicable Pennsylvania State Regulations.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is not suitable for reuse or continued use.
1.4.5 Exterior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Wall mounted, photocell controlled HID fixtures are positioned around the building
perimeter. Front entrance fixtures are recessed incandescent type with drop opal lens.
Age/Condition:
• HID exterior light fixtures are in good condition. The recessed front entrance lights are in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• HID exterior lights are suitable for reuse, depending on the new program of space use.
The incandescent entrance lights are not suitable for reuse.
1.4.6 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a zone coded system with pull stations and notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors and toilet rooms, but not in classrooms.
• Fire alarm control equipment is manufactured by Silent Night Company, and replacement parts are available. All alarms report to a central station. Refer to Photograph A14 in Appendix “A”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• Smoke detectors are located in all corridors and toilet rooms.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is approximately five years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• Classrooms must be equipped with audio/visual (AV) alarm units in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm and detection system is suitable for extension, and reuse. The system must be expanded for addition of code required A/V alarm units.
1.4.7 Public Address System
General:
• The Public Address (PA) and communication equipment was manufactured by Bogen
Company, and includes: control panel in the administration office; speakers in all
classrooms, corridors and offices; and handsets that provide intercommunication between classrooms and the main office.
Age/Condition:
• PA system equipment is in fair condition and approximately eight years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.
1.4.8 Computer Data Network System
General:
• There are individual computers in the classrooms. A centralized network system does not exist.
1.4.9 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• The original master clock has been replaced with a Lathom Corporation clock system.
Replacement parts are available for this system. The clock control panel is located in the administration office and clocks are located in all classrooms. Refer to Photograph A15 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Master clock is relatively new, but classroom clocks are forty years old and in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The overall system is not suitable for reuse.
1.4.10 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Classrooms and entry corridor are protected with motion detectors and an audio alarm output device. The motion detectors are wired back to a central control panel. The motion detection system equipment is manufactured by Ultraguard, replacement parts are available.
Age/Condition:
• The intrusion detection system equipment is approximately two years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the security system. Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system is suitable for reuse and expansion.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Some of the Reiter parents are ticked off...
Here's an email I received:
The phone blast from the school district about M.R. Reiter tonight was a pathetic, offensive attempt to spin the story of the indoor air issues at M.R. Reiter. It's disappointing, to say the least, that someone crafted such a script. We have documented calls to the Department of Health from October and any staff person can tell you the fumes have been happening for years. So why does the phone blast attempt to spin it as an issue that suddenly cropped up December 10th from maintenance work?
This is disrespectful to parents and I am disgusted. What an arrogant assumption- that we would buy this - that we haven't noticed this before? One might conclude that the EPA or the Department of Health did find something wrong, and someone is worried about what our children might have been breathing. Wait, scratch that. They are worried that we will find out what our children have been breathing.
We've witnessed a few outrages in our years here. This is about the worst. I want the truth. Let's demand some real answers.
The phone blast from the school district about M.R. Reiter tonight was a pathetic, offensive attempt to spin the story of the indoor air issues at M.R. Reiter. It's disappointing, to say the least, that someone crafted such a script. We have documented calls to the Department of Health from October and any staff person can tell you the fumes have been happening for years. So why does the phone blast attempt to spin it as an issue that suddenly cropped up December 10th from maintenance work?
This is disrespectful to parents and I am disgusted. What an arrogant assumption- that we would buy this - that we haven't noticed this before? One might conclude that the EPA or the Department of Health did find something wrong, and someone is worried about what our children might have been breathing. Wait, scratch that. They are worried that we will find out what our children have been breathing.
We've witnessed a few outrages in our years here. This is about the worst. I want the truth. Let's demand some real answers.
President considers closing school
From the BCCT.
President considers closing school
By MANASEE WAGH
The president of the Morrisville school board is thinking about closing an elementary school and wants to hold a public hearing on the idea.
The district will save money by closing either M. R. Reiter Elementary or Grandview Elementary, Bill Hellmann said. He contends Morrisville doesn’t need three school buildings for about 870 students.
“I am not sure at this time what the school board will do with the school building that is closed, if that is what the board decides. We do have a budget crisis and closing one of the schools will make us much more efficient. I also do not believe the educational quality will suffer as the result of closing one of the buildings,” Hellmann wrote in an e-mail.
“If any building or land is sold, the funds would be put in the capital reserve fund for future renovations, if needed. Of course, the entire board would have to make this choice,” he wrote.
Rumors have been circulating about the board closing one elementary school, but Wednesday’s board meeting was the first time many board members heard of concrete steps being taken toward closing a building.
“It seems premature. We should have discussed it and decided which one and then started the process. How are we going to have a hearing and how are we going to answer the public’s questions?” said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
Both the elementary buildings and the middle/high school need frequent fixes. A mechanical malfunction in a boiler caused an oily odor throughout Reiter and sent kids home Thursday morning.
“This problem goes back years and years,” said board member Marlys Mihok, blaming the previous board for not putting money into renovations.
The former school board wanted to build a new $30 million consolidated building for grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Morrisville residents’ opinions clashed on that decision. A majority voted in several new board members who stopped the new construction and returned much of the money borrowed for that project.
The board awaits a final report about the state of the elementary schools by Vitetta, an architectural and engineering firm. It will aid in deciding which school, if any, can be closed, said Mihok.
“Does this mean that, now that we have no money, we can fix up the schools? We are living on borrowed time,” said Johanny Manning, a school district parent and a former board member who wanted to build the new school.
In October, the district Citizens Action Plan Committee made several suggestions, including asking the board to create a master renovation plan. Borough residents and some representatives from the school board and administration are part of the group.
Member Damon Miller, a district parent, said the committee never recommended closing a school.
According to school code, the board needs to advertise for a public hearing to discuss a closing. Board members need to wait 90 days after that meeting to make a decision. If a school is closed, the entire process would probably take about four to five months, said district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
President considers closing school
By MANASEE WAGH
The president of the Morrisville school board is thinking about closing an elementary school and wants to hold a public hearing on the idea.
The district will save money by closing either M. R. Reiter Elementary or Grandview Elementary, Bill Hellmann said. He contends Morrisville doesn’t need three school buildings for about 870 students.
“I am not sure at this time what the school board will do with the school building that is closed, if that is what the board decides. We do have a budget crisis and closing one of the schools will make us much more efficient. I also do not believe the educational quality will suffer as the result of closing one of the buildings,” Hellmann wrote in an e-mail.
“If any building or land is sold, the funds would be put in the capital reserve fund for future renovations, if needed. Of course, the entire board would have to make this choice,” he wrote.
Rumors have been circulating about the board closing one elementary school, but Wednesday’s board meeting was the first time many board members heard of concrete steps being taken toward closing a building.
“It seems premature. We should have discussed it and decided which one and then started the process. How are we going to have a hearing and how are we going to answer the public’s questions?” said board member Robin Reithmeyer.
Both the elementary buildings and the middle/high school need frequent fixes. A mechanical malfunction in a boiler caused an oily odor throughout Reiter and sent kids home Thursday morning.
“This problem goes back years and years,” said board member Marlys Mihok, blaming the previous board for not putting money into renovations.
The former school board wanted to build a new $30 million consolidated building for grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Morrisville residents’ opinions clashed on that decision. A majority voted in several new board members who stopped the new construction and returned much of the money borrowed for that project.
The board awaits a final report about the state of the elementary schools by Vitetta, an architectural and engineering firm. It will aid in deciding which school, if any, can be closed, said Mihok.
“Does this mean that, now that we have no money, we can fix up the schools? We are living on borrowed time,” said Johanny Manning, a school district parent and a former board member who wanted to build the new school.
In October, the district Citizens Action Plan Committee made several suggestions, including asking the board to create a master renovation plan. Borough residents and some representatives from the school board and administration are part of the group.
Member Damon Miller, a district parent, said the committee never recommended closing a school.
According to school code, the board needs to advertise for a public hearing to discuss a closing. Board members need to wait 90 days after that meeting to make a decision. If a school is closed, the entire process would probably take about four to five months, said district solicitor Michael Fitzpatrick.
Boiler fumes close Reiter
From the BCCT and the Inquirer.
Boiler fumes close Reiter
Students were sent home early Thursday. The school should reopen Monday after the boiler is repaired and tested over the weekend.
By MANASEE WAGH
Kids went home from school early Thursday because of oily fumes and will not return until Monday.
A faulty fuel pump in an M.R. Reiter Elementary School boiler caused the odor of oil to permeate the building.
When the odor first started spreading Wednesday afternoon, after-school activities ended and children and staff went home. Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities, had expected the boiler to be working properly when school opened Thursday.
However, after a recurrence of the odor Thursday morning, an inspection revealed the faulty pump, said Elizabeth Yonson, the Morrisville district superintendent.
“It’s not dangerous, but it doesn’t smell good. Especially for people with asthma and allergies who could have problems,” said Yonson. Nobody was taken ill by the fumes, she added.
The borough inspector toured the building and the county health department came in because a parent called, said Yonson.
School personnel opened windows and doors to dissipate the smell. The district has ordered a new pump for about $200 to $300 that it expects to install today and test before the weekend is over, Lastichen said.
The boilers in the district are at least 50 to 60 years old and have exhibited problems before, he said. “The Band-Aids are getting bigger,” he added.
Yonson said school should resume as usual on Monday.
Johanny Manning, a parent of a kindergarten student and a former school board member, is unhappy that her child is missing one and a half days of school.
“We knew it was going to happen,” she said. “We knew the boilers were way past life expectancy. Now what’s going to happen?”
------------------------------------------------------
Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
Bucks elementary school closes due to oil fumes
The M.R. Reiter Elementary School in Morrisville school closed early yesterday after a faulty pump on a boiler sent oil fumes spewing into the building.
Morrisville Borough schools superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said classes ended at 10:30 a.m. for the 250 pupils and 28 teachers and aides at Reiter, located at Harper and Hillcrest Avenues. Yonson said students' parents were notified of the closing by phone and all the pre-kindergarten through second graders were picked up by noon.
There were no injuries, she said. School will be closed today while the defective part is replaced.
Officials from the Bucks County Health Department, a local fire marshal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitored the situation, Yonson said. No citations were issued, she said. The school is expected to reopen Monday, after officials check the air quality, Yonson said.
- Bonnie L. Cook
Boiler fumes close Reiter
Students were sent home early Thursday. The school should reopen Monday after the boiler is repaired and tested over the weekend.
By MANASEE WAGH
Kids went home from school early Thursday because of oily fumes and will not return until Monday.
A faulty fuel pump in an M.R. Reiter Elementary School boiler caused the odor of oil to permeate the building.
When the odor first started spreading Wednesday afternoon, after-school activities ended and children and staff went home. Tim Lastichen, the district’s director of facilities, had expected the boiler to be working properly when school opened Thursday.
However, after a recurrence of the odor Thursday morning, an inspection revealed the faulty pump, said Elizabeth Yonson, the Morrisville district superintendent.
“It’s not dangerous, but it doesn’t smell good. Especially for people with asthma and allergies who could have problems,” said Yonson. Nobody was taken ill by the fumes, she added.
The borough inspector toured the building and the county health department came in because a parent called, said Yonson.
School personnel opened windows and doors to dissipate the smell. The district has ordered a new pump for about $200 to $300 that it expects to install today and test before the weekend is over, Lastichen said.
The boilers in the district are at least 50 to 60 years old and have exhibited problems before, he said. “The Band-Aids are getting bigger,” he added.
Yonson said school should resume as usual on Monday.
Johanny Manning, a parent of a kindergarten student and a former school board member, is unhappy that her child is missing one and a half days of school.
“We knew it was going to happen,” she said. “We knew the boilers were way past life expectancy. Now what’s going to happen?”
------------------------------------------------------
Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2008
Bucks elementary school closes due to oil fumes
The M.R. Reiter Elementary School in Morrisville school closed early yesterday after a faulty pump on a boiler sent oil fumes spewing into the building.
Morrisville Borough schools superintendent Elizabeth Yonson said classes ended at 10:30 a.m. for the 250 pupils and 28 teachers and aides at Reiter, located at Harper and Hillcrest Avenues. Yonson said students' parents were notified of the closing by phone and all the pre-kindergarten through second graders were picked up by noon.
There were no injuries, she said. School will be closed today while the defective part is replaced.
Officials from the Bucks County Health Department, a local fire marshal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitored the situation, Yonson said. No citations were issued, she said. The school is expected to reopen Monday, after officials check the air quality, Yonson said.
- Bonnie L. Cook
Information on the Reiter closing
From the district website.
Office of the Superintendent Morrisville School District
December 11, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, December 10, the maintenance crew was working on one of the boilers at M. R. Reiter. The boiler backfired and smoke and the smell of oil filtered into the school. This occurred after school hours. However, there were children still at school for Homework Zone. The district contacted parents and asked them to pick up their children.
The maintenance supervisor checked the building early Thursday morning and determined that it was safe for the children to attend school. Right before school was to open the boiler backfired again. There was no smoke in the building but the smell of oil again was present. Windows were open and the smell dissipated. Around 11 a.m. I was notified that sporadically the smell of oil was detected whenever the heat came on. At that time, I felt it was in the best interest of the children and staff that the building be closed until the boiler could be repaired.
The boiler needs a new pump, which has been ordered and will arrive on Friday. Students in M.R. Reiter will not return to school until Monday, December 15. Once the boiler is repaired, we will have someone come into the school to test the air quality.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson Superintendent of Schools
Office of the Superintendent Morrisville School District
December 11, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, December 10, the maintenance crew was working on one of the boilers at M. R. Reiter. The boiler backfired and smoke and the smell of oil filtered into the school. This occurred after school hours. However, there were children still at school for Homework Zone. The district contacted parents and asked them to pick up their children.
The maintenance supervisor checked the building early Thursday morning and determined that it was safe for the children to attend school. Right before school was to open the boiler backfired again. There was no smoke in the building but the smell of oil again was present. Windows were open and the smell dissipated. Around 11 a.m. I was notified that sporadically the smell of oil was detected whenever the heat came on. At that time, I felt it was in the best interest of the children and staff that the building be closed until the boiler could be repaired.
The boiler needs a new pump, which has been ordered and will arrive on Friday. Students in M.R. Reiter will not return to school until Monday, December 15. Once the boiler is repaired, we will have someone come into the school to test the air quality.
I am very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Hammond Yonson Superintendent of Schools
News from the Joint Meeting?
Anyone have anything to contribute from last night's meeting? Was Reiter discussed?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Reiter Oil Furnace Update
Here's an email I received.
Absolutely correct. This is not a "new" problem, but an ongoing one for several years.
Who has been asleep at the switch? The borough for allowing occupancy in an inferior building? The stop the school board who knew of the problem but recklessly plunged ahead with uncoordinated random repairs "FOR THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS" (as thundered repeatedly by the Emperor) without a plan?
Or the voters who put both groups in power?
Let's hope no one thinks to do this Google search.
According to the note sent home from M.R. Reiter today, there has been a problem with the oil burners for the past “few days”. However, those of us who have children in the building, or work there, know full well that the fumes that caused today’s closing have been present in ever increasing frequency for years.
Some of us might recall that an engineering report conducted as part of the Feasibility Study back in 2005 looked at M.R. Reiter’s electrical and heating systems. Essentially, it concluded that while those systems were functional, they were outdated and decayed, embedded in the walls, and renovations would be extensive, and costly. Further, the heating system had already presented problems, such as fumes (yes, fumes, back then), and the engineers expressed concern that if this system broke down, it would be difficult if not impossible to adequately repair it while the building was occupied.
The stench has been present over the years, and seems to have been especially pervasive since October. Yesterday, in the late afternoon, staff noticed not only the familiar, oily smell, but also a black smoke forming at the ceiling. They evacuated the building at 3:20 p.m. This morning parents arriving to drop off children found the doors flung wide, classroom windows open, gritty, dirty air wafting into the rain and wind outside. Staff quietly reported they were experiencing sore throats, irritated eyes, and were concerned about children with asthma. Parents contacted the fire marshal, the health department, and the EPA. By 12:15, the school was closed.
What was once an intermittent problem is now pervasive. Do we know what our children and our staff are breathing? Do we know what they will be breathing after the problem is once again “fixed”? Personally, I would like reassurance that the air quality is safe before children and the staff who care for them every day have to return, and by that I mean a true study, not just word that “the parts are in.” Unfortunately, this will cause us significant disruption and inconvenience, but the health of our children should come first.
Absolutely correct. This is not a "new" problem, but an ongoing one for several years.
Who has been asleep at the switch? The borough for allowing occupancy in an inferior building? The stop the school board who knew of the problem but recklessly plunged ahead with uncoordinated random repairs "FOR THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS" (as thundered repeatedly by the Emperor) without a plan?
Or the voters who put both groups in power?
Let's hope no one thinks to do this Google search.
According to the note sent home from M.R. Reiter today, there has been a problem with the oil burners for the past “few days”. However, those of us who have children in the building, or work there, know full well that the fumes that caused today’s closing have been present in ever increasing frequency for years.
Some of us might recall that an engineering report conducted as part of the Feasibility Study back in 2005 looked at M.R. Reiter’s electrical and heating systems. Essentially, it concluded that while those systems were functional, they were outdated and decayed, embedded in the walls, and renovations would be extensive, and costly. Further, the heating system had already presented problems, such as fumes (yes, fumes, back then), and the engineers expressed concern that if this system broke down, it would be difficult if not impossible to adequately repair it while the building was occupied.
The stench has been present over the years, and seems to have been especially pervasive since October. Yesterday, in the late afternoon, staff noticed not only the familiar, oily smell, but also a black smoke forming at the ceiling. They evacuated the building at 3:20 p.m. This morning parents arriving to drop off children found the doors flung wide, classroom windows open, gritty, dirty air wafting into the rain and wind outside. Staff quietly reported they were experiencing sore throats, irritated eyes, and were concerned about children with asthma. Parents contacted the fire marshal, the health department, and the EPA. By 12:15, the school was closed.
What was once an intermittent problem is now pervasive. Do we know what our children and our staff are breathing? Do we know what they will be breathing after the problem is once again “fixed”? Personally, I would like reassurance that the air quality is safe before children and the staff who care for them every day have to return, and by that I mean a true study, not just word that “the parts are in.” Unfortunately, this will cause us significant disruption and inconvenience, but the health of our children should come first.
School Safety at M.R. Reiter in Serious Question
If your child goes to M.R. Reiter, it looks like the school day might be over. There is nothing posted on the district website.
If any of this information is erroneous, please let me know and I will post the accurate information.
Don't forget the joint borough council-board of education meeting tonight at 8:00 P.M. at borough hall. Perhaps the attendees can answer the serious questions of student safety at Reiter.
I have emails reporting that yesterday "M.R. Reiter was evacuated after school yesterday due to the fumes and visible black smoke forming at the ceiling. Those of us who dropped off children today found the doors and windows wide open and pronounced oily/sooty odor. Concerned? Call the Philadelphia Office of the EPA 215 814 9016."
Then I have this email reporting "I just got word that M.R. Reiter is being closed today at 12:15 because of fumes and will remain closed again tomorrow. I was in the building the other night and it had a heavy smell of fuel oil."
"Heard MR Reiter elementary was evacuated @ 3:20 pm yesterday due to black smoke from decrepit heating system, and that the oil fumes were quite pungent this morning too, with the doors flung open in an attempt to improve ventilation.
Wonder how high the righteous indignation levels would be among Hellmann-Mihok-Radosti et al. if one of their own children were in this school?
Special thanks to Bill Hellmann for unilaterally chucking 9 of the 12 bids to fix the school boilers, and dropping MR Reiter from the mix entirely!"
If any of this information is erroneous, please let me know and I will post the accurate information.
Don't forget the joint borough council-board of education meeting tonight at 8:00 P.M. at borough hall. Perhaps the attendees can answer the serious questions of student safety at Reiter.
I have emails reporting that yesterday "M.R. Reiter was evacuated after school yesterday due to the fumes and visible black smoke forming at the ceiling. Those of us who dropped off children today found the doors and windows wide open and pronounced oily/sooty odor. Concerned? Call the Philadelphia Office of the EPA 215 814 9016."
Then I have this email reporting "I just got word that M.R. Reiter is being closed today at 12:15 because of fumes and will remain closed again tomorrow. I was in the building the other night and it had a heavy smell of fuel oil."
"Heard MR Reiter elementary was evacuated @ 3:20 pm yesterday due to black smoke from decrepit heating system, and that the oil fumes were quite pungent this morning too, with the doors flung open in an attempt to improve ventilation.
Wonder how high the righteous indignation levels would be among Hellmann-Mihok-Radosti et al. if one of their own children were in this school?
Special thanks to Bill Hellmann for unilaterally chucking 9 of the 12 bids to fix the school boilers, and dropping MR Reiter from the mix entirely!"
Joint Council-Board Meeting Reminder
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Joint School/Borough Committee Meeting
The Joint School/Borough Committee Meeting has been scheduled for this Thursday Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8 pm at Borough Hall.
Site: Off-Site Borough Hall
Time: 8:00PM
Joint School/Borough Committee Meeting
The Joint School/Borough Committee Meeting has been scheduled for this Thursday Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8 pm at Borough Hall.
Site: Off-Site Borough Hall
Time: 8:00PM
High-quality education for every child is achievable
From the Inquirer.
High-quality education for every child is achievable
Barack Obama will be well-positioned to guide efforts of dedicated educators.
Posted on Wed, Dec. 10, 2008 Mike Wang directs Teach For America in Greater Philadelphia/Camden
President-elect Barack Obama has assembled half of his cabinet in record time. I am impressed with his decisive appointments to head the State, Justice, Treasury and Defense Departments.
But I hope he will pay as much attention to another policy area that's also crucial to our economic and national security: high-quality education for every child.
We simply cannot compete effectively in the world market when only 10 percent of the children in our low-income communities can expect to graduate from college. The academic achievement gap that persists between children in low-income communities and their high-income peers has implications for our productivity, standard of living, and national security.
The good news is that we can solve this problem. As the executive director of the regional office of Teach For America, a nonprofit organization that recruits top college graduates to teach for at least two years in underserved schools, I see evidence every day that committed teachers and school leaders can raise student achievement in low-income communities.
More than 300 Teach For America teachers are working relentlessly to change educational outcomes in Philadelphia and Camden schools. And they are succeeding - in neighborhoods ranging from Germantown to Kensington, Point Breeze to West Philadelphia.
Their positive impact, along with my own experience as a Teach For America teacher in Louisiana, makes me optimistic about the future. I believe the president-elect can change the prevailing perceptions about what's possible in our public schools with a few key strategies.
First, build on the energy of young people as a force for change.
Here in Philadelphia, I have seen the impact of Teach For America teachers and alumni - most still in their 20s and 30s - in the classroom and beyond. Teach For America alumnus Marc Mannella, for example, is the founding principal of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School, one of the city's highest-performing charter schools serving low-income, minority students.
The president-elect rode to victory on a wave of optimism and activism, powered by a vibrant, young segment of our electorate. It will take committed young leaders like Mannella in every professional sector to end educational inequity, and Obama is uniquely positioned to galvanize those efforts.
Second, invest in alternative avenues of recruiting and training teachers.
To fulfill his campaign promise to recruit an "army of new teachers," the president-elect will need to expand the number of pathways into the teaching profession.
Programs such as the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows and Teach For America are proving that dedicated teachers with subject-matter expertise can help students in low-income communities succeed.
According to a recent Urban Institute study at the high-school level, Teach For America teachers are, on average, more effective than other teachers, including those who are fully certified in their subject areas.
What's more, alternative pathways can provide excellent teachers for the long term. A recent Harvard University study found that 61 percent of Teach For America teachers stay in teaching beyond their two-year commitment. That retention rate slightly exceeds the overall proportion of new teachers who remain in underserved schools for more than two years.
Finally, appoint a secretary of education who believes deeply that we can - and must - close the achievement gap.
Like Obama's other cabinet appointments, the education secretary must be a bold leader. More important, the appointee must understand that educational inequity is a solvable problem. And he or she should have the know-how to put this understanding into action.
We have ample evidence that all children can learn at the highest levels when they are given the right educational opportunities. I hope the president-elect will seize this opportunity and make education a priority for his administration.
The vitality of our economy, the health of our democracy, and the future of our children depend on it.
High-quality education for every child is achievable
Barack Obama will be well-positioned to guide efforts of dedicated educators.
Posted on Wed, Dec. 10, 2008 Mike Wang directs Teach For America in Greater Philadelphia/Camden
President-elect Barack Obama has assembled half of his cabinet in record time. I am impressed with his decisive appointments to head the State, Justice, Treasury and Defense Departments.
But I hope he will pay as much attention to another policy area that's also crucial to our economic and national security: high-quality education for every child.
We simply cannot compete effectively in the world market when only 10 percent of the children in our low-income communities can expect to graduate from college. The academic achievement gap that persists between children in low-income communities and their high-income peers has implications for our productivity, standard of living, and national security.
The good news is that we can solve this problem. As the executive director of the regional office of Teach For America, a nonprofit organization that recruits top college graduates to teach for at least two years in underserved schools, I see evidence every day that committed teachers and school leaders can raise student achievement in low-income communities.
More than 300 Teach For America teachers are working relentlessly to change educational outcomes in Philadelphia and Camden schools. And they are succeeding - in neighborhoods ranging from Germantown to Kensington, Point Breeze to West Philadelphia.
Their positive impact, along with my own experience as a Teach For America teacher in Louisiana, makes me optimistic about the future. I believe the president-elect can change the prevailing perceptions about what's possible in our public schools with a few key strategies.
First, build on the energy of young people as a force for change.
Here in Philadelphia, I have seen the impact of Teach For America teachers and alumni - most still in their 20s and 30s - in the classroom and beyond. Teach For America alumnus Marc Mannella, for example, is the founding principal of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School, one of the city's highest-performing charter schools serving low-income, minority students.
The president-elect rode to victory on a wave of optimism and activism, powered by a vibrant, young segment of our electorate. It will take committed young leaders like Mannella in every professional sector to end educational inequity, and Obama is uniquely positioned to galvanize those efforts.
Second, invest in alternative avenues of recruiting and training teachers.
To fulfill his campaign promise to recruit an "army of new teachers," the president-elect will need to expand the number of pathways into the teaching profession.
Programs such as the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows and Teach For America are proving that dedicated teachers with subject-matter expertise can help students in low-income communities succeed.
According to a recent Urban Institute study at the high-school level, Teach For America teachers are, on average, more effective than other teachers, including those who are fully certified in their subject areas.
What's more, alternative pathways can provide excellent teachers for the long term. A recent Harvard University study found that 61 percent of Teach For America teachers stay in teaching beyond their two-year commitment. That retention rate slightly exceeds the overall proportion of new teachers who remain in underserved schools for more than two years.
Finally, appoint a secretary of education who believes deeply that we can - and must - close the achievement gap.
Like Obama's other cabinet appointments, the education secretary must be a bold leader. More important, the appointee must understand that educational inequity is a solvable problem. And he or she should have the know-how to put this understanding into action.
We have ample evidence that all children can learn at the highest levels when they are given the right educational opportunities. I hope the president-elect will seize this opportunity and make education a priority for his administration.
The vitality of our economy, the health of our democracy, and the future of our children depend on it.
New Hope Solebury: School Tax Increase
From the BCCT.
School district gets first look at spending plan
By FREDA SAVANA
In a first look at the expenditure side of the New Hope-Solebury 2009-2010 budget, the school board's finance committee saw a 5.3 percent increase in spending.
While even a preliminary budget won't be out until January, and the board won't vote on a final budget until June, the committee began reviewing the spending side of the budget this week.
Among the most dramatic increases is health care, where the jump is nearly 20 percent. Its projected cost increase is from $2.8 million to $3.3 million, said Gregory Hogg, the district's business administrator.
Hogg said New Hope-Solebury teachers have the most expensive health care plan currently offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Although the increase is steep, committee member John Augenblick said, “The last thing we want is our teachers queuing up at the CVS quick clinic.”
The school district has little option with the vast majority of its spending due to teacher contracts and other mandated expenses that eat up the majority of the projected $34 million budget, but so-called discretionary spending, or about 4 percent of the budget, is open to cuts.
“We're looking at everything,” said district superintendent Raymond Boccuti. He noted that he expects to see a savings when the district's twice-a-year community mailings go from print to electronic.
“Small items add up,” said Boccuti.
Committee Chairman Christopher Nally said everyone in the district is being told to look for places to cut. “We need to think outside the box.”
School district gets first look at spending plan
By FREDA SAVANA
In a first look at the expenditure side of the New Hope-Solebury 2009-2010 budget, the school board's finance committee saw a 5.3 percent increase in spending.
While even a preliminary budget won't be out until January, and the board won't vote on a final budget until June, the committee began reviewing the spending side of the budget this week.
Among the most dramatic increases is health care, where the jump is nearly 20 percent. Its projected cost increase is from $2.8 million to $3.3 million, said Gregory Hogg, the district's business administrator.
Hogg said New Hope-Solebury teachers have the most expensive health care plan currently offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Although the increase is steep, committee member John Augenblick said, “The last thing we want is our teachers queuing up at the CVS quick clinic.”
The school district has little option with the vast majority of its spending due to teacher contracts and other mandated expenses that eat up the majority of the projected $34 million budget, but so-called discretionary spending, or about 4 percent of the budget, is open to cuts.
“We're looking at everything,” said district superintendent Raymond Boccuti. He noted that he expects to see a savings when the district's twice-a-year community mailings go from print to electronic.
“Small items add up,” said Boccuti.
Committee Chairman Christopher Nally said everyone in the district is being told to look for places to cut. “We need to think outside the box.”
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Policy Committee and Agenda Meetings Tonight
Meeting Reminders for tonight:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Policy Committee Meeting
The Policy Committee Meeting will be held in the G Hall Conference Room at 6:30PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 6:30PM
Board Agenda Meeting
The monthly Board Agenda Meeting will be held at 7:30PM in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer Street, Morrisville, PA.
Site: HS LGI
Time: 7:30PM
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Policy Committee Meeting
The Policy Committee Meeting will be held in the G Hall Conference Room at 6:30PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 6:30PM
Board Agenda Meeting
The monthly Board Agenda Meeting will be held at 7:30PM in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer Street, Morrisville, PA.
Site: HS LGI
Time: 7:30PM
Science and PA Students: Less Than Perfect Together
From the Hanover PA Evening Sun.
Most 11th-graders flunk new Pa. science test
The Associated Press
Posted: 12/09/2008 02:50:14 PM EST
HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania's 11th-graders failed the state's new science test during the 2007-08 school year, according to results released Tuesday by the state Education Department.
Only 36 percent of 11th-graders scored at grade level on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment science test, Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said.
The results show that Pennsylvania needs more rigorous statewide graduation standards, Zahorchak said.
"This is further evidence that local high school graduation requirements and local assessments, which are currently under the control of school boards, are not ensuring that our graduates are ready for college or careers," he said.
A plan pushed by Gov. Ed Rendell's administration to mandate new statewide graduation tests stalled this year amid opposition from lawmakers. Instead, the department is developing a voluntary testing program, starting in the 2009-10 school year.
The science test was given in the spring to students in grades four, eight and 11. The PSSA has tested students in math, reading and writing since 2002.
Eighty-two percent of fourth-graders and 53 percent of eighth-graders scored at grade level on the science test.
———
On the Net:
Information on this year’s PSSA science results can be found on the Department of Education’s Web site at http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=146079.
Most 11th-graders flunk new Pa. science test
The Associated Press
Posted: 12/09/2008 02:50:14 PM EST
HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania's 11th-graders failed the state's new science test during the 2007-08 school year, according to results released Tuesday by the state Education Department.
Only 36 percent of 11th-graders scored at grade level on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment science test, Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said.
The results show that Pennsylvania needs more rigorous statewide graduation standards, Zahorchak said.
"This is further evidence that local high school graduation requirements and local assessments, which are currently under the control of school boards, are not ensuring that our graduates are ready for college or careers," he said.
A plan pushed by Gov. Ed Rendell's administration to mandate new statewide graduation tests stalled this year amid opposition from lawmakers. Instead, the department is developing a voluntary testing program, starting in the 2009-10 school year.
The science test was given in the spring to students in grades four, eight and 11. The PSSA has tested students in math, reading and writing since 2002.
Eighty-two percent of fourth-graders and 53 percent of eighth-graders scored at grade level on the science test.
———
On the Net:
Information on this year’s PSSA science results can be found on the Department of Education’s Web site at http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=146079.
Rendell targets budget shortfall
From the BCCT.
Why is it sounding like the budget process is now akin to the RMS Titanic and we're all sitting in the 4th class steerage section waiting for the porter to return with some ice?
Rendell targets budget shortfall
A combination of spending cuts, federal money, funds from gas drilling leases and some reserves will be used to make up revenue losses.
By MARC LEVY
HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell plans to offset an estimated $1.6 billion hole in Pennsylvania’s budget this year with spending cuts and money from reserves, gas-drilling leases in state forests and an anticipated federal aid package.
Rendell revealed his plans, and the gaping shortfall projection, Tuesday at a traditional midyear budget briefing for state legislators, who generally reacted positively to what they heard.
The rapidly deteriorating economy has left Pennsylvania and dozens of other states with a shortfall this year, Rendell said. For now, Rendell said his goal is to weather the volatile economy in the next year-and-a-half without a broad-based tax increase or layoffs, or any further budget cuts, until the new fiscal year begins in July.
Cuts announced so far have hit a broad array of programs, from highway and local road improvements to help for the poor, handicapped and neglected. Thousands of nonunion state employees also will go without a costof-living salary increase.
“It’s a good first step, but the numbers are bleak,” said Republican state Rep. Marguerite Quinn of the 143rd District, which includes parts of Central and Upper Bucks. “More cuts need to be made. It’s not an easy position to be in but the job has to be done. We just have to make sure we’re making necessary cuts and live within our means.”
State Rep. Rick Taylor, a Democrat from the 151st District, which includes parts of Horsham and Montgomery Township, said, “The fact that both the governor and the leadership believe we should raise taxes only as a last resort is good news for all of us, especially in this tough economy when people are losing their jobs.”
The Democratic governor pledged to work cooperatively on the plan with lawmakers, whose approval of some aspects of the plan will be necessary, and he appealed for understanding from people and organizations that are hurting from a loss of state money and services.
“We’re going to try to make the cuts we have to make in a way that still preserves our ability to grow and still preserves the services you need,” Rendell said at the briefing at the State Museum auditorium in Harrisburg. “We’re going to do it in a responsible way, because this is a crisis. Hopefully it will be a short-lived crisis.”
State Sen. Rob Wonderling, a Republican whose 24th District includes parts of Upper Bucks and Montgomery County, said, “There are no sacred cows. All facets and assets of government should be subject to scrutiny. But I’d be very careful about cutting help and support for those at the greatest disadvantage who are the most vulnerable.”
In July, Rendell signed a $28.3 billion budget, an increase of about 4 percent over last year’s budget. But through the end of November, state tax collections ran nearly 7 percent behind expectations. If the shortfall continues at that rate, the state will face a nearly $2 billion deficit when the fiscal year ends in June.
Rendell said Tuesday that his administration is projecting a $1.6 billion shortfall, a number that he cautioned could change as the nation’s unpredictable economic future unfolds.
“There’s no surety to that $1.6 billion figure,” Rendell said. “We think $1.6 billion is a conservative estimate. It could be better, and obviously it could be worse, so this will be a work in progress.”
The plan to offset it includes $500 million in cuts that Rendell has already requested from across state government and its independent agencies, including the courts and Legislature.
Rendell wants to take half the state’s budgetary reserve — or $375 million — plus another $101 million sitting idle in various program accounts that was committed in past years but never spent.
He also plans to divert $174 million from leases that allow five exploration companies to drill for natural gas on publicly owned state forest land in northern Pennsylvania. The money was slated for the state’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund, which is reserved for improvements to the state parks and forests.
In addition, Rendell said he is estimating that the federal government will approve an aid package for state governments.
“I fully expect that the commonwealth will receive the federal stimulus funding that President-elect Barack Obama spoke of last week,” Rendell said. “We anticipate receiving $450 million this fiscal year. Those funds will allow us to preserve the remainder of the Rainy Day Fund until 2009-10.”
Asked if that meant the stimulus would not be used to create jobs, Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said, “No, it means we will not have to dip as deeply into the rainy day fund as we might if no help from Washington were forthcoming.”
House Minority Leader Sam Smith of Jefferson County said he generally approved of Rendell’s handling of the deficit, and suggested that House Republicans are willing to contribute some of the estimated $240 million legislative reserve to the deficit plan.
However, Smith warned that the real challenge will be handling the increasing pressure on the state’s finances in the 2009-10 fiscal year. The woeful outlook on tax collections virtually assures that state government will be unable to increase spending, he said.
Why is it sounding like the budget process is now akin to the RMS Titanic and we're all sitting in the 4th class steerage section waiting for the porter to return with some ice?
Rendell targets budget shortfall
A combination of spending cuts, federal money, funds from gas drilling leases and some reserves will be used to make up revenue losses.
By MARC LEVY
HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell plans to offset an estimated $1.6 billion hole in Pennsylvania’s budget this year with spending cuts and money from reserves, gas-drilling leases in state forests and an anticipated federal aid package.
Rendell revealed his plans, and the gaping shortfall projection, Tuesday at a traditional midyear budget briefing for state legislators, who generally reacted positively to what they heard.
The rapidly deteriorating economy has left Pennsylvania and dozens of other states with a shortfall this year, Rendell said. For now, Rendell said his goal is to weather the volatile economy in the next year-and-a-half without a broad-based tax increase or layoffs, or any further budget cuts, until the new fiscal year begins in July.
Cuts announced so far have hit a broad array of programs, from highway and local road improvements to help for the poor, handicapped and neglected. Thousands of nonunion state employees also will go without a costof-living salary increase.
“It’s a good first step, but the numbers are bleak,” said Republican state Rep. Marguerite Quinn of the 143rd District, which includes parts of Central and Upper Bucks. “More cuts need to be made. It’s not an easy position to be in but the job has to be done. We just have to make sure we’re making necessary cuts and live within our means.”
State Rep. Rick Taylor, a Democrat from the 151st District, which includes parts of Horsham and Montgomery Township, said, “The fact that both the governor and the leadership believe we should raise taxes only as a last resort is good news for all of us, especially in this tough economy when people are losing their jobs.”
The Democratic governor pledged to work cooperatively on the plan with lawmakers, whose approval of some aspects of the plan will be necessary, and he appealed for understanding from people and organizations that are hurting from a loss of state money and services.
“We’re going to try to make the cuts we have to make in a way that still preserves our ability to grow and still preserves the services you need,” Rendell said at the briefing at the State Museum auditorium in Harrisburg. “We’re going to do it in a responsible way, because this is a crisis. Hopefully it will be a short-lived crisis.”
State Sen. Rob Wonderling, a Republican whose 24th District includes parts of Upper Bucks and Montgomery County, said, “There are no sacred cows. All facets and assets of government should be subject to scrutiny. But I’d be very careful about cutting help and support for those at the greatest disadvantage who are the most vulnerable.”
In July, Rendell signed a $28.3 billion budget, an increase of about 4 percent over last year’s budget. But through the end of November, state tax collections ran nearly 7 percent behind expectations. If the shortfall continues at that rate, the state will face a nearly $2 billion deficit when the fiscal year ends in June.
Rendell said Tuesday that his administration is projecting a $1.6 billion shortfall, a number that he cautioned could change as the nation’s unpredictable economic future unfolds.
“There’s no surety to that $1.6 billion figure,” Rendell said. “We think $1.6 billion is a conservative estimate. It could be better, and obviously it could be worse, so this will be a work in progress.”
The plan to offset it includes $500 million in cuts that Rendell has already requested from across state government and its independent agencies, including the courts and Legislature.
Rendell wants to take half the state’s budgetary reserve — or $375 million — plus another $101 million sitting idle in various program accounts that was committed in past years but never spent.
He also plans to divert $174 million from leases that allow five exploration companies to drill for natural gas on publicly owned state forest land in northern Pennsylvania. The money was slated for the state’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund, which is reserved for improvements to the state parks and forests.
In addition, Rendell said he is estimating that the federal government will approve an aid package for state governments.
“I fully expect that the commonwealth will receive the federal stimulus funding that President-elect Barack Obama spoke of last week,” Rendell said. “We anticipate receiving $450 million this fiscal year. Those funds will allow us to preserve the remainder of the Rainy Day Fund until 2009-10.”
Asked if that meant the stimulus would not be used to create jobs, Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said, “No, it means we will not have to dip as deeply into the rainy day fund as we might if no help from Washington were forthcoming.”
House Minority Leader Sam Smith of Jefferson County said he generally approved of Rendell’s handling of the deficit, and suggested that House Republicans are willing to contribute some of the estimated $240 million legislative reserve to the deficit plan.
However, Smith warned that the real challenge will be handling the increasing pressure on the state’s finances in the 2009-10 fiscal year. The woeful outlook on tax collections virtually assures that state government will be unable to increase spending, he said.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bucks County Taxes Probably Rising Too...
From the BCCT.
Commissioners trade barbs on budget cuts
Diane Marseglia’s suggestion to cut 2 percent was called “arbitrary” and “haphazard” by the other commissioners.
By JENNA PORTNOY
Increased pension and health care costs make up most of Bucks County’s $7.1 million budget shortfall.
The county expects to spend $6.6 million for pension costs next year, which is more than twice the $2.8 million spent this year, said Brian Hessenthaler, director of finance and administration. Health care increases represent another $3 million hit.
“Everyone knows what’s going on with the economy,” he said. “It’s affecting every area of the budget.”
No members of the public attended a budget hearing Monday, but commissioners traded barbs on ways to cut costs in the $465.6 million spending plan anyway.
Commissioner Diane Marseglia said the county could slash $3.6 million if commissioners mandated departments cut 2 percent in all areas, excluding salaries and contractual obligations. She cited “paper use, education costs, conference attendance and consultants” as examples of places to save.
“Within that 2 percent, you might hit walls,” she said before the meeting. “But everyone can find 2 percent. It’s only two cents out of every dollar.”
During the discussion, Commissioner Cawley quizzed Marseglia on her basis for coming up with the figure, calling the suggestion “haphazard.”
“You really believe we’re going to save $3.6 million in pencils?” he asked Marseglia.
Commissioner Charley Martin called Marsgelia’s cost-cutting strategy “arbitrary.”
At a Dec. 3 commissioners meeting, Martin suggested eliminating two elected jury commissioners, who each earn about $18,000 a year plus benefits. Commissioners directed solicitor Glenn Haines to research the issue by Dec. 17. If possible, the earliest the change could affect the budget is 2010.
Asked for other ideas, Martin said, “I’ll share my ideas with the finance director.”
Among Marseglia’s remaining $400,000 in cost-cutting measures, she said the county should cut $61,800 for a public records officer, $160,000 for two newsletters as well as benefits to assistant solicitors and solicitors who serve row officers. She wants pay raises for non-union employees to drop from 3 percent to about 2.8 percent.
Cawley said any reduction or elimination of raises should occur across the board.
“If we are truly in this together,” she said, “what’s good for the non-represented employees should be good for the represented employees as well.”
Cawley said row officers rely heavily on their solicitors and suggested it would cost more to pay them per hour than it does to pay them a flat salary plus benefits. On hiring a full-time employee to comply with the state’s new Right to Know law, he said, it doesn’t look like the position is necessary.
Cawley said the county will put into a general pool some cars assigned to employees 24/7 and realize long-term savings with structured maintenance. He declined to name specific employees or reveal how much the moves would save.
If commissioners were to fill the entire budget gap with a tax increase, a resident owning property assessed at the county average of $35,942 would pay $33 more this year for a total county tax bill of $882.
Hessenthaler said departments will continue to try to save money and the county could dip into its $71.3 million rainy day fund. Typically, rating agencies frown upon such a move, but the financial crisis could change their outlook.
The budget must also account for an estimated $4.6 million in delinquent taxes, a $400,000 decrease in recorder of deeds fees, a $600,000 reduction in health department revenue, a $900,000 loss in interest earned on the rainy day fund and $1.2 million in unforeseen union contract obligations.
Marseglia said the county should only tap the rainy day fund for pension costs and state funding cuts, which county officials expect Gov. Ed Rendell to announce this week.
The tax rate remained at 21.9 mills in 2007 and 2008 and would increase by less than 1 mill in 2009 if the preliminary budget were to pass as is. A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.
“In this economic climate, it would be extremely wrong-headed to raise taxes on people who are already suffering,” Cawley said after the meeting.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a final budget Dec. 17.
Commissioners trade barbs on budget cuts
Diane Marseglia’s suggestion to cut 2 percent was called “arbitrary” and “haphazard” by the other commissioners.
By JENNA PORTNOY
Increased pension and health care costs make up most of Bucks County’s $7.1 million budget shortfall.
The county expects to spend $6.6 million for pension costs next year, which is more than twice the $2.8 million spent this year, said Brian Hessenthaler, director of finance and administration. Health care increases represent another $3 million hit.
“Everyone knows what’s going on with the economy,” he said. “It’s affecting every area of the budget.”
No members of the public attended a budget hearing Monday, but commissioners traded barbs on ways to cut costs in the $465.6 million spending plan anyway.
Commissioner Diane Marseglia said the county could slash $3.6 million if commissioners mandated departments cut 2 percent in all areas, excluding salaries and contractual obligations. She cited “paper use, education costs, conference attendance and consultants” as examples of places to save.
“Within that 2 percent, you might hit walls,” she said before the meeting. “But everyone can find 2 percent. It’s only two cents out of every dollar.”
During the discussion, Commissioner Cawley quizzed Marseglia on her basis for coming up with the figure, calling the suggestion “haphazard.”
“You really believe we’re going to save $3.6 million in pencils?” he asked Marseglia.
Commissioner Charley Martin called Marsgelia’s cost-cutting strategy “arbitrary.”
At a Dec. 3 commissioners meeting, Martin suggested eliminating two elected jury commissioners, who each earn about $18,000 a year plus benefits. Commissioners directed solicitor Glenn Haines to research the issue by Dec. 17. If possible, the earliest the change could affect the budget is 2010.
Asked for other ideas, Martin said, “I’ll share my ideas with the finance director.”
Among Marseglia’s remaining $400,000 in cost-cutting measures, she said the county should cut $61,800 for a public records officer, $160,000 for two newsletters as well as benefits to assistant solicitors and solicitors who serve row officers. She wants pay raises for non-union employees to drop from 3 percent to about 2.8 percent.
Cawley said any reduction or elimination of raises should occur across the board.
“If we are truly in this together,” she said, “what’s good for the non-represented employees should be good for the represented employees as well.”
Cawley said row officers rely heavily on their solicitors and suggested it would cost more to pay them per hour than it does to pay them a flat salary plus benefits. On hiring a full-time employee to comply with the state’s new Right to Know law, he said, it doesn’t look like the position is necessary.
Cawley said the county will put into a general pool some cars assigned to employees 24/7 and realize long-term savings with structured maintenance. He declined to name specific employees or reveal how much the moves would save.
If commissioners were to fill the entire budget gap with a tax increase, a resident owning property assessed at the county average of $35,942 would pay $33 more this year for a total county tax bill of $882.
Hessenthaler said departments will continue to try to save money and the county could dip into its $71.3 million rainy day fund. Typically, rating agencies frown upon such a move, but the financial crisis could change their outlook.
The budget must also account for an estimated $4.6 million in delinquent taxes, a $400,000 decrease in recorder of deeds fees, a $600,000 reduction in health department revenue, a $900,000 loss in interest earned on the rainy day fund and $1.2 million in unforeseen union contract obligations.
Marseglia said the county should only tap the rainy day fund for pension costs and state funding cuts, which county officials expect Gov. Ed Rendell to announce this week.
The tax rate remained at 21.9 mills in 2007 and 2008 and would increase by less than 1 mill in 2009 if the preliminary budget were to pass as is. A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.
“In this economic climate, it would be extremely wrong-headed to raise taxes on people who are already suffering,” Cawley said after the meeting.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a final budget Dec. 17.
Neshaminy: Tax hike ‘inevitable’
From the BCCT.
What's the Morrisville budget like?
District official: Tax hike ‘inevitable’
By REGIS D’ANGIOLINI
The financial outlook for the Neshaminy School District is bleak.
That was the picture business administrator Joseph Paradise painted at Monday night’s board strategic action committee meeting — a meeting that also saw presentations on the proposed fullday kindergarten program and the relocation of the Tawanka Learning Center.
While real estate tax collection in the district remains high, according to Paradise, the amount of revenue generated from the real estate transfer tax, the business privilege tax and the mercantile tax are all down. As a result, anticipated revenue for tax collection in the district could be one half of one percent — or $500,000 — lower than what was anticipated as early as last spring.
“We [in the Neshaminy School District] are not isolated from the larger economic crisis involving our country,” Paradise said.
When asked whether this would result in a property tax increase in next year’s budget, Paradise responded that such an increase would be “inevitable.” He would not give a figure, but said that the amount would be determined in budget development meetings slated to begin in January, although the district has already been working on the budget.
A major concern of his at the present time, however, is the district’s depleted fund balance, which has been dipped into during the past few years, he said. Three years ago the fund balance was $13.6 million, but as of last June it had been reduced to $4.8 million, with another $3.5 million scheduled to be used in this year’s budget.
“These are scary numbers to me — when you start putting together declining savings and sliding revenue,” he said.
Money could be made up by selling the closed Eisenhower Elementary School, which hasn’t been used as an elementary school by the district in 32 years, Paradise said.
However, one of the proposals on the table for relocating the Tawanka Learning Center is to the Eisenhower Elementary School. That move would cost the district $116,000, while the proposal to move it to an unused wing of the high school would cost $62,000, Paradise said. Both proposals were presented to the board, which is expected to continue discussing the issue at its Jan. 13 work session.
January will also see the continuation of the full-day kindergarten proposal outlined Monday night by Jaqueline Rattigan, director of elementary education. Rattigan estimated the cost at $1.3 million and said it would require the hiring of 17 more teachers and the utilization of 17 additional classrooms to serve an estimated 532 students.
In order to reduce costs, Rattigan said she will investigate a possible pilot program at the suggestion of several board members.
Prior to the committee meeting, the board elected Kim Koutsouradis as its new vice president in a 5-4 vote at the continuation of it reorganization meeting.
What's the Morrisville budget like?
District official: Tax hike ‘inevitable’
By REGIS D’ANGIOLINI
The financial outlook for the Neshaminy School District is bleak.
That was the picture business administrator Joseph Paradise painted at Monday night’s board strategic action committee meeting — a meeting that also saw presentations on the proposed fullday kindergarten program and the relocation of the Tawanka Learning Center.
While real estate tax collection in the district remains high, according to Paradise, the amount of revenue generated from the real estate transfer tax, the business privilege tax and the mercantile tax are all down. As a result, anticipated revenue for tax collection in the district could be one half of one percent — or $500,000 — lower than what was anticipated as early as last spring.
“We [in the Neshaminy School District] are not isolated from the larger economic crisis involving our country,” Paradise said.
When asked whether this would result in a property tax increase in next year’s budget, Paradise responded that such an increase would be “inevitable.” He would not give a figure, but said that the amount would be determined in budget development meetings slated to begin in January, although the district has already been working on the budget.
A major concern of his at the present time, however, is the district’s depleted fund balance, which has been dipped into during the past few years, he said. Three years ago the fund balance was $13.6 million, but as of last June it had been reduced to $4.8 million, with another $3.5 million scheduled to be used in this year’s budget.
“These are scary numbers to me — when you start putting together declining savings and sliding revenue,” he said.
Money could be made up by selling the closed Eisenhower Elementary School, which hasn’t been used as an elementary school by the district in 32 years, Paradise said.
However, one of the proposals on the table for relocating the Tawanka Learning Center is to the Eisenhower Elementary School. That move would cost the district $116,000, while the proposal to move it to an unused wing of the high school would cost $62,000, Paradise said. Both proposals were presented to the board, which is expected to continue discussing the issue at its Jan. 13 work session.
January will also see the continuation of the full-day kindergarten proposal outlined Monday night by Jaqueline Rattigan, director of elementary education. Rattigan estimated the cost at $1.3 million and said it would require the hiring of 17 more teachers and the utilization of 17 additional classrooms to serve an estimated 532 students.
In order to reduce costs, Rattigan said she will investigate a possible pilot program at the suggestion of several board members.
Prior to the committee meeting, the board elected Kim Koutsouradis as its new vice president in a 5-4 vote at the continuation of it reorganization meeting.
Selecting the Next Secretary of Education
From the Inquirer.
Obama education pick sparks conflict
The Associated Press, Posted on Mon, Dec. 8, 2008
WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama has not signaled what he will do to fix the country's failing schools, but his choice of education secretary will say a lot about the policies he may pursue.
Debate is simmering among Democrats over whom Obama should name.
Teachers' unions, an influential segment of the party base, want an advocate for their members, someone like Obama adviser Linda Darling-Hammond, a Stanford University professor, or Inez Tenenbaum, the former state schools chief in South Carolina.
Reform advocates want someone like New York schools chancellor Joel Klein, who wants teachers and schools held accountable for the performance of students.
Thus far Obama has avoided taking sides, saying things that reassure the competing factions. Obama has said, for instance, that teacher pay should be tied to student achievement, which reformers like, but not solely based on test scores, which teachers like.
Unions, by the way, dislike the "reformer" label, pointing out they want reform, too. And the reform group says it cares about good teachers; it just wants bad ones out of the classroom.
"He's a wise man," said Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, chuckling. "He left himself some room to maneuver."
Bayh, a Democratic centrist who backed the No Child Left Behind law, thinks Obama will find a way to straddle the competing factions. "My strong impression of the president-elect is he is pragmatic. He won't pick an ideologue. He won't pick a side in this fight."
Even so, Bayh expects Obama to choose someone the unions can live with to carry out his education goals.
"You probably don't get there by having an overt, in-your-face fight with classroom teachers," Bayh said. "That's going to take a lot of political capital and divert energy from other things."
Can Obama make both sides happy? Not likely, said Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina.
"I think it's almost an impossible pick to make and somebody not be upset," Burr said. "I'm not sure there's a candidate that bridges both divides."
One candidate might fit the bill , Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan, who has spent seven years running the country's third-largest school district.
Duncan is friendly with the president-elect, playing pickup basketball as well as touring schools with the former Illinois senator and fellow Harvard alumnus. Duncan visited Washington last week, stopping for coffee with outgoing Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, but he said the visit was purely social and had nothing to do with the Obama transition.
Like Obama, Duncan has straddled both education factions, signing manifestos from each side earlier this year.
The reform group likes Duncan's work in Chicago, where he has focused on improving struggling schools, closing those that fail and getting better teachers.
And unlike Klein or Washington schools chief Michelle Rhee, Duncan has managed to avoid alienating the teachers' unions.
"Arne Duncan actually reaches out and tries to do things in a collaborative way," said Randi Weingarten, head of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers.
Weingarten also heads the New York teachers union, whose members felt demonized in their contract battles with Klein. The 3.2 million-member National Education Association shares their view.
"Joel Klein is not someone we would be happy with as secretary of education," NEA lobbyist Joel Packer said. "I don't think Obama is going to pick someone who's going to be really divisive."
Darling-Hammond, the Obama adviser who is heading his education transition team, is equally controversial. The reform group doesn't like her because of her criticism of No Child Left Behind and her early critique of Teach for America, which pairs college graduates with a school-in-need for two years, although she has since given the program credit for attracting talented teachers.
Both unions have said they like the idea of Obama choosing a governor or former governor. There are many to choose from, including former Gov. Roy Barnes of Georgia. Kansas' Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, whose name had been floated for several Cabinet posts, announced over the weekend that she had removed herself from consideration from a Cabinet job in the Obama administration, citing Kansas' budget problems that need her attention.
The names of former Mississippi Govs. Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove have also surfaced; several people said Musgrove has talked to Democratic senators about the job, but he did not return a call from The Associated Press.
AFT backed Obama's rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the primary, and NEA held off on an endorsement, but in the general election both endorsed Obama and spent millions of dollars supporting him.
In the education debate, the competing sides break down over the degree to which teachers and schools should be held accountable for how kids are learning, and the role test scores should play in making that determination.
At the heart of the dispute: No Child Left Behind, the law that has grown as unpopular as George W. Bush, the lame-duck president who championed it.
The reform group agrees with the law's general principle of penalties for schools if test scores fail to improve. Although nearly everyone agrees the law has problems that need fixing.
The union coalition says test scores aren't the only measure, and that factors far beyond the classroom affect how well kids learn.
Obama education pick sparks conflict
The Associated Press, Posted on Mon, Dec. 8, 2008
WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama has not signaled what he will do to fix the country's failing schools, but his choice of education secretary will say a lot about the policies he may pursue.
Debate is simmering among Democrats over whom Obama should name.
Teachers' unions, an influential segment of the party base, want an advocate for their members, someone like Obama adviser Linda Darling-Hammond, a Stanford University professor, or Inez Tenenbaum, the former state schools chief in South Carolina.
Reform advocates want someone like New York schools chancellor Joel Klein, who wants teachers and schools held accountable for the performance of students.
Thus far Obama has avoided taking sides, saying things that reassure the competing factions. Obama has said, for instance, that teacher pay should be tied to student achievement, which reformers like, but not solely based on test scores, which teachers like.
Unions, by the way, dislike the "reformer" label, pointing out they want reform, too. And the reform group says it cares about good teachers; it just wants bad ones out of the classroom.
"He's a wise man," said Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, chuckling. "He left himself some room to maneuver."
Bayh, a Democratic centrist who backed the No Child Left Behind law, thinks Obama will find a way to straddle the competing factions. "My strong impression of the president-elect is he is pragmatic. He won't pick an ideologue. He won't pick a side in this fight."
Even so, Bayh expects Obama to choose someone the unions can live with to carry out his education goals.
"You probably don't get there by having an overt, in-your-face fight with classroom teachers," Bayh said. "That's going to take a lot of political capital and divert energy from other things."
Can Obama make both sides happy? Not likely, said Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina.
"I think it's almost an impossible pick to make and somebody not be upset," Burr said. "I'm not sure there's a candidate that bridges both divides."
One candidate might fit the bill , Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan, who has spent seven years running the country's third-largest school district.
Duncan is friendly with the president-elect, playing pickup basketball as well as touring schools with the former Illinois senator and fellow Harvard alumnus. Duncan visited Washington last week, stopping for coffee with outgoing Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, but he said the visit was purely social and had nothing to do with the Obama transition.
Like Obama, Duncan has straddled both education factions, signing manifestos from each side earlier this year.
The reform group likes Duncan's work in Chicago, where he has focused on improving struggling schools, closing those that fail and getting better teachers.
And unlike Klein or Washington schools chief Michelle Rhee, Duncan has managed to avoid alienating the teachers' unions.
"Arne Duncan actually reaches out and tries to do things in a collaborative way," said Randi Weingarten, head of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers.
Weingarten also heads the New York teachers union, whose members felt demonized in their contract battles with Klein. The 3.2 million-member National Education Association shares their view.
"Joel Klein is not someone we would be happy with as secretary of education," NEA lobbyist Joel Packer said. "I don't think Obama is going to pick someone who's going to be really divisive."
Darling-Hammond, the Obama adviser who is heading his education transition team, is equally controversial. The reform group doesn't like her because of her criticism of No Child Left Behind and her early critique of Teach for America, which pairs college graduates with a school-in-need for two years, although she has since given the program credit for attracting talented teachers.
Both unions have said they like the idea of Obama choosing a governor or former governor. There are many to choose from, including former Gov. Roy Barnes of Georgia. Kansas' Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, whose name had been floated for several Cabinet posts, announced over the weekend that she had removed herself from consideration from a Cabinet job in the Obama administration, citing Kansas' budget problems that need her attention.
The names of former Mississippi Govs. Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove have also surfaced; several people said Musgrove has talked to Democratic senators about the job, but he did not return a call from The Associated Press.
AFT backed Obama's rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the primary, and NEA held off on an endorsement, but in the general election both endorsed Obama and spent millions of dollars supporting him.
In the education debate, the competing sides break down over the degree to which teachers and schools should be held accountable for how kids are learning, and the role test scores should play in making that determination.
At the heart of the dispute: No Child Left Behind, the law that has grown as unpopular as George W. Bush, the lame-duck president who championed it.
The reform group agrees with the law's general principle of penalties for schools if test scores fail to improve. Although nearly everyone agrees the law has problems that need fixing.
The union coalition says test scores aren't the only measure, and that factors far beyond the classroom affect how well kids learn.
Poverty and Children's Literacy
Bipartisan Celebration at PA Society to Benefit Children's Literacy Programs
All funds raised will go to First Book to purchase new books for children in Pennsylvania
Last update: 12:18 p.m. EST Dec. 8, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec 08, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A fundraiser to help bring the magic of a child's first book to thousands of Pennsylvania children is being held for the first time this year as part of the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend.
Sponsored by the non-partisan Pennsylvania Children's Foundation, the First Annual Holiday Celebration on December 12 will benefit First Book, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand children's access to books in order to improve their literacy skills and help them develop an interest in reading.
Governors Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge; U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey; Ambassador Marilyn Ware; and Mayors Michael Nutter and Luke Ravenstahl are chairing the First Annual Holiday Celebration. Other elected officials and state leaders are hosting the event.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 18% of Pennsylvania children under the age of six live in poverty and children in more than two-thirds of the state are at moderate or high risk of school failure. Studies show that children from low-income families enter school at a significant disadvantage because they have not been exposed to books at home and over 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income children have no age-appropriate books. As a result, the gap in reading comprehension scores between children from low- and high-income families is more than 40 points and 27% of Pennsylvania fourth graders are reading below grade-level.
The Pennsylvania Children's Foundation was created this year to benefit children's literacy programs throughout the Commonwealth. All funds raised at the December 12 Holiday Celebration in New York City will be dedicated to First Book programs in Pennsylvania. First Book works with local Advisory Boards who reach children through literacy programs at Head Start centers, libraries, soup kitchens, churches, housing projects and after-school initiatives.
The First Annual Holiday Celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. in the Empire Room of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Tickets are $250 each and tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to First Book. Contact Karen Walsh at 717-982-8194 or kwalsh@neimangroup.com for more information.
ABOUT FIRST BOOK -- First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy -- access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low-cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit http://www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Children's Foundation
All funds raised will go to First Book to purchase new books for children in Pennsylvania
Last update: 12:18 p.m. EST Dec. 8, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec 08, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A fundraiser to help bring the magic of a child's first book to thousands of Pennsylvania children is being held for the first time this year as part of the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend.
Sponsored by the non-partisan Pennsylvania Children's Foundation, the First Annual Holiday Celebration on December 12 will benefit First Book, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand children's access to books in order to improve their literacy skills and help them develop an interest in reading.
Governors Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge; U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey; Ambassador Marilyn Ware; and Mayors Michael Nutter and Luke Ravenstahl are chairing the First Annual Holiday Celebration. Other elected officials and state leaders are hosting the event.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 18% of Pennsylvania children under the age of six live in poverty and children in more than two-thirds of the state are at moderate or high risk of school failure. Studies show that children from low-income families enter school at a significant disadvantage because they have not been exposed to books at home and over 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income children have no age-appropriate books. As a result, the gap in reading comprehension scores between children from low- and high-income families is more than 40 points and 27% of Pennsylvania fourth graders are reading below grade-level.
The Pennsylvania Children's Foundation was created this year to benefit children's literacy programs throughout the Commonwealth. All funds raised at the December 12 Holiday Celebration in New York City will be dedicated to First Book programs in Pennsylvania. First Book works with local Advisory Boards who reach children through literacy programs at Head Start centers, libraries, soup kitchens, churches, housing projects and after-school initiatives.
The First Annual Holiday Celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. in the Empire Room of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Tickets are $250 each and tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to First Book. Contact Karen Walsh at 717-982-8194 or kwalsh@neimangroup.com for more information.
ABOUT FIRST BOOK -- First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy -- access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low-cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit http://www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Children's Foundation
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