From the BCCT. Now it begins to make sense why the Emperor wants to merge with Pennsbury.
He would feel right at home.
Free pass: Pennsbury officials answer to no one
By JONATHAN SHAIN
The Pennsbury school board recently held its first regular meeting of the new 2008-09 school year. As usual, the meeting was held at 8 p.m. in the gym of the Fallsington Elementary School. And, sadly, as usual, I was surrounded by a sea of empty folding chairs. In fact, the five or so residents who bothered to attend were easily outnumbered by members of the school board and the administration.
True, there were no major controversies on the agenda for last Thursday’s board meeting; no teacher strikes, no elimination of full-day kindergarten, and nothing else to arouse the community. But, do not be fooled into thinking that the actions taken by our school board only matter when a strike is in progress or a cherished educational program is at risk.
For example, at last week’s board meeting, the administration presented its goals for the coming school year. Among the goals was the negotiation of a new contract next year with the Pennsbury Education Association, the teachers union. How does the administration plan to conduct the negotiations? How will they work to avoid another strike? What are the financial limitations that will inform their bargaining with the PEA? Who will represent the district in the negotiations and how much will he be paid?
These are all questions that could and should have been put to the board and the administration, but without public attendance at the board meeting, the board and the administration were left to their own devices. I, for one, do not want to get the answers to these questions after a strike starts.
Similarly, with virtually no community members in attendance, the board held a last-minute “special” meeting in August and decided to spend more than $20,000 on a “public opinion survey.” This is the same board that consistently claims Pennsbury cannot afford the equipment needed to broadcast board meetings on cable TV, but yet somehow managed to find enough money to fund an opinion survey.
No doubt some members of the community might have challenged the wisdom of spending money on a survey when there are so many other pressing priorities — if anyone had shown up either that night, or at the recent board meeting.
A final example: Pennsbury spends tens of thousands of dollars a year (if not more) on tuition payments for special needs and other children who are educated at taxpayer expense at private schools in the area. These payments are routinely approved at almost every board meeting. These payments are not publicized, and are only listed in the agenda packets handed out at board meetings. Yes, students and parents have a right to confidentiality, but the community has a right to receive considerably more information about where and why these payments are made, and the standards that are utilized to evaluate the propriety of these payments in a manner that will not violate the privacy or confidentiality rights of students.
Yet again, without community participation at board meetings, the hard questions are never put to the board or the administration, and the payments are always approved without comment.
The unresponsiveness of the Pennsbury school board and the administration have, unfortunately, led most folks simply to throw up their hands and give up, believing that nothing they can say or do at a board meeting will make a difference. I understand that feeling, and I share the frustration.
But, I know that change can only occur if more people get involved, come to board meetings, fill up those empty folding chairs and force the decisions of the board and the administration out into the sunlight.
Friday, September 19, 2008
School Starts Today in Souderton
From the Inquirer.
School reopens Friday in Souderton
By Dan Hardy, Posted on Thu, Sep. 18, 2008
Striking teachers in Montgomery County's Souderton Area School District will be back in their classrooms tomorrow, with the two sides agreeing to enter into non-binding arbitration.
The Schools will reopen at their regular times.
State law mandates that the teachers would have had to go back to work next Wednesday, in order to get in 180 days of instruction by June 15. The strike began Sept. 2.
But with negotiations between the teachers and the board in the 6,900-student district at a virtual standstill on wages and healthcare, the main issues, the two sides reached an agreement last night for the teachers to return to work a few days early. The union membership voted this afternoon to end the strike while the arbitration process plays out.
The arbitration process which is dictated by state law, works like this: a three-member panel will be established, with each side appointing one member and a neutral member selected from a list. The panel will receive each side's proposals, which will be made public, and will hold hearings. Then it will issue a proposed agreement, based on the two sides' positions. The process normally takes several months.
Either side can reject the arbitration board's proposed settlement; the district's 512 teachers could then go back on strike but would have to return to work in time for students to get in 180 days of classes by June 30.
The two sides remain far apart on wage and benefit issues.
The school board estimates that the two sides are about $1.5 million apart on the cost of their health care proposals and about $10 million apart on the combined costs of health care and salaries. The union leadership says it is willing to reduce its salary demands, but only if the school board improves its healthcare offer.
The teachers' last wage proposal was for a four-year contract with average payroll increases of 5.98 percent in the first year, 9.4 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third, and 6.9 percent in the fourth. The school board is proposing a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year.
On health care, the district now offers three insurance plans, with teachers contributing 10 percent of the premium for the most comprehensive one, 5 percent for one that has fewer benefits and more co-payments, and no premium contribution for a bare-bones plan. The board wants to eliminate the most comprehensive plan, to charge teachers a 4 percent premium contribution for the plan that used to have no contribution, and to charge a 12 percent premium contribution for the other plan.
The school district is now self-insured; the union wants to switch to a Blue Cross / Blue Shield plan, leave the percentages of premium contributions the same and add some improvements.
School reopens Friday in Souderton
By Dan Hardy, Posted on Thu, Sep. 18, 2008
Striking teachers in Montgomery County's Souderton Area School District will be back in their classrooms tomorrow, with the two sides agreeing to enter into non-binding arbitration.
The Schools will reopen at their regular times.
State law mandates that the teachers would have had to go back to work next Wednesday, in order to get in 180 days of instruction by June 15. The strike began Sept. 2.
But with negotiations between the teachers and the board in the 6,900-student district at a virtual standstill on wages and healthcare, the main issues, the two sides reached an agreement last night for the teachers to return to work a few days early. The union membership voted this afternoon to end the strike while the arbitration process plays out.
The arbitration process which is dictated by state law, works like this: a three-member panel will be established, with each side appointing one member and a neutral member selected from a list. The panel will receive each side's proposals, which will be made public, and will hold hearings. Then it will issue a proposed agreement, based on the two sides' positions. The process normally takes several months.
Either side can reject the arbitration board's proposed settlement; the district's 512 teachers could then go back on strike but would have to return to work in time for students to get in 180 days of classes by June 30.
The two sides remain far apart on wage and benefit issues.
The school board estimates that the two sides are about $1.5 million apart on the cost of their health care proposals and about $10 million apart on the combined costs of health care and salaries. The union leadership says it is willing to reduce its salary demands, but only if the school board improves its healthcare offer.
The teachers' last wage proposal was for a four-year contract with average payroll increases of 5.98 percent in the first year, 9.4 percent in the second year, 7.14 percent in the third, and 6.9 percent in the fourth. The school board is proposing a three-year contract with increases of 2.5 percent each year.
On health care, the district now offers three insurance plans, with teachers contributing 10 percent of the premium for the most comprehensive one, 5 percent for one that has fewer benefits and more co-payments, and no premium contribution for a bare-bones plan. The board wants to eliminate the most comprehensive plan, to charge teachers a 4 percent premium contribution for the plan that used to have no contribution, and to charge a 12 percent premium contribution for the other plan.
The school district is now self-insured; the union wants to switch to a Blue Cross / Blue Shield plan, leave the percentages of premium contributions the same and add some improvements.
Buns and Rolls
Strip clubs, bakeries, and church schools. What a great mix. From Long Island Newsday.
Here in Morrisville, didn't our plan call for a bakery to accompany the strip club?
Strip club blows top off charter school plan
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND | September 18, 2008
An establishment with a Web site advertising the "absolute best" in topless entertainment, Taste of Honey bar in downtown Hempstead would hardly rate as an ideal neighbor for grade-schoolers.
So state officials were scrambling to explain their policies yesterday, after a Hempstead school board member pointed out that the state had approved an independent charter school to open with a listed address next to a local strip club.
State officials added they hadn't visited the site but would, and would never let a school operate in such a location.
"We're always working to better our practices. That's something we take great pride in," said Cynthia M. Proctor, spokeswoman for a state university institute that handles charter school applications.
For example, she added, the institute might in the future ask applicants for more details regarding planned school locations, such as nearby businesses.
Proctor stressed, however, that the institute is already cautious in approving new charter schools, through a process that lasts for months and includes painstaking checks of applicants' academic and financial records.
Tuesday, state university trustees approved the creation of seven new charter schools - out of 19 applications. Among those approved was Academy Charter School in Hempstead, which is to open next fall with 168 students in grades K-2.
Typically, charter schools are not inspected until a month or two before they open, to give operators time to obtain required building permits.
The school lists its future address as 253A Fulton Ave., next to Taste of Honey. Hempstead school district authorities, who worry that the charter school will draw away students and property tax revenues, quickly criticized the location.
"I definitely wouldn't want to see anyone's children next to the Taste of Honey," said board president Charles Renfroe.
Not to worry, say charter school sponsors, who include leaders of Calvary Tabernacle, a local evangelical church. They note other sites are available, including a three-story building at 80 N. Franklin St., which houses the church's Sunday-school classrooms.
"We have plenty of space that's not next to a topless bar," said Robert Stewart, the church's chief operating officer.
Sponsors say they originally listed the Fulton Avenue site after an architect said the building, which the church owns and once served as its youth center, could be easily converted to an elementary school. Sponsors now concede the site is unacceptable from a political standpoint, and an attorney for the bar owner said the site was also inappropriate because of heavy vehicle traffic.
Still, sponsors regard all the furor as a bit silly, considering that Taste of Honey is in an area where bars are common. It doesn't open until 5 p.m. and its stucco exterior reveals nothing about its activities.
Said Stewart, "Many of the kids thought it was a bakery."
Here in Morrisville, didn't our plan call for a bakery to accompany the strip club?
Strip club blows top off charter school plan
BY JOHN HILDEBRAND | September 18, 2008
An establishment with a Web site advertising the "absolute best" in topless entertainment, Taste of Honey bar in downtown Hempstead would hardly rate as an ideal neighbor for grade-schoolers.
So state officials were scrambling to explain their policies yesterday, after a Hempstead school board member pointed out that the state had approved an independent charter school to open with a listed address next to a local strip club.
State officials added they hadn't visited the site but would, and would never let a school operate in such a location.
"We're always working to better our practices. That's something we take great pride in," said Cynthia M. Proctor, spokeswoman for a state university institute that handles charter school applications.
For example, she added, the institute might in the future ask applicants for more details regarding planned school locations, such as nearby businesses.
Proctor stressed, however, that the institute is already cautious in approving new charter schools, through a process that lasts for months and includes painstaking checks of applicants' academic and financial records.
Tuesday, state university trustees approved the creation of seven new charter schools - out of 19 applications. Among those approved was Academy Charter School in Hempstead, which is to open next fall with 168 students in grades K-2.
Typically, charter schools are not inspected until a month or two before they open, to give operators time to obtain required building permits.
The school lists its future address as 253A Fulton Ave., next to Taste of Honey. Hempstead school district authorities, who worry that the charter school will draw away students and property tax revenues, quickly criticized the location.
"I definitely wouldn't want to see anyone's children next to the Taste of Honey," said board president Charles Renfroe.
Not to worry, say charter school sponsors, who include leaders of Calvary Tabernacle, a local evangelical church. They note other sites are available, including a three-story building at 80 N. Franklin St., which houses the church's Sunday-school classrooms.
"We have plenty of space that's not next to a topless bar," said Robert Stewart, the church's chief operating officer.
Sponsors say they originally listed the Fulton Avenue site after an architect said the building, which the church owns and once served as its youth center, could be easily converted to an elementary school. Sponsors now concede the site is unacceptable from a political standpoint, and an attorney for the bar owner said the site was also inappropriate because of heavy vehicle traffic.
Still, sponsors regard all the furor as a bit silly, considering that Taste of Honey is in an area where bars are common. It doesn't open until 5 p.m. and its stucco exterior reveals nothing about its activities.
Said Stewart, "Many of the kids thought it was a bakery."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tech School Funding: Motion to Dissemble, Discuss, and Delay
From the BCCT.
My cracked and dusty crystal ball sees two future articles. One starts out like this: "Business managers of school districts served by Bucks County Technical High School agreed today to delay the revision of the school’s funding formula until the 2010-2011 budget.
" 'We've been examining this for over a year', said XXX. 'Taking the time to do this right will best serve all of our districts: student and taxpayer alike. The holidays are upon us, and the first budget drafts are due in January. Before you know it, it's June and we're starting all over again.' "
The other article? Miracle upon miracles, unanimity reigns and they actually agree upon a new plan. I didn't bother to write a draft of that article. That's the unlikely outcome.
Save the emails: This isn't bashing Neshaminy because they are mentioned. This isn't even bashing the Emperor and his board of chosen accomplices from Morrisville. It's a recognition that these six suburban districts have many similarities and several deep differences. The only course here is whether or not they can find a way to unite like the 13 colonies of 1776, or splinter apart like the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia of today.
I have four simple steps to fix this:
Put them back in the meeting room.
Serve lots of water and coffee.
Lock the bathrooms.
Agree on the plan.
See what a little motivation can accomplish?
Back to the drawing board for tech school funding formula
Posted in News on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm by Joan Hellyer
Business managers of school districts served by Bucks County Technical High School agreed today to take another stab at revising the school’s funding formula.
At issue is whether some costs should be separated from the overall contributions of the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts. Right now, the costs are split among the six districts based on a formula involving fixed and variable costs.
The business managers suggested in 2007 to separate costs associated with special needs students from the formula because special education expenses are potentially more expensive than basic education costs.
However, one of the sending school districts did not support the proposed formula change because its school system could potentially face additional expenses. Neshaminy was the lone hold out to the change after projections suggested the district would have had to pay about $450,000 more in 2007-2008 had the new formula been in place for the comprehensive technical high school.
Any change to the school’s Articles of Agreement, including a funding formula revision, has to be unanimously approved before it can be implemented, school officials said.
Representatives of all six sending districts got together with tech school officials today to decide if something else could be done.
The managers agreed to meet within the next few weeks with Sharon Rendeiro, the tech school’s business administrator, to further break down the special education costs.
In addition, they also will break down the costs of each of the more than 30 trades offered at the school. Those costs vary depending on staff salaries, which are based on years of experience and level of education, and equipment, textbooks and supplies used in each trade, officials said.
The business administrators also agreed to take a look at how other comprehensive technical high schools in the state are funded.
They will then decide if any changes should be made to the current formula and suggest them to the tech school’s joint board committee. The committee, made up of school board members from each of the sending districts, will have to agree unanimously to make the changes before they can be implemented.
Attendees at today’s funding formula summit agreed the changes must be made by late November in order to be incorporated into the 2009-2010 budget.
My cracked and dusty crystal ball sees two future articles. One starts out like this: "Business managers of school districts served by Bucks County Technical High School agreed today to delay the revision of the school’s funding formula until the 2010-2011 budget.
" 'We've been examining this for over a year', said XXX. 'Taking the time to do this right will best serve all of our districts: student and taxpayer alike. The holidays are upon us, and the first budget drafts are due in January. Before you know it, it's June and we're starting all over again.' "
The other article? Miracle upon miracles, unanimity reigns and they actually agree upon a new plan. I didn't bother to write a draft of that article. That's the unlikely outcome.
Save the emails: This isn't bashing Neshaminy because they are mentioned. This isn't even bashing the Emperor and his board of chosen accomplices from Morrisville. It's a recognition that these six suburban districts have many similarities and several deep differences. The only course here is whether or not they can find a way to unite like the 13 colonies of 1776, or splinter apart like the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia of today.
I have four simple steps to fix this:
Put them back in the meeting room.
Serve lots of water and coffee.
Lock the bathrooms.
Agree on the plan.
See what a little motivation can accomplish?
Back to the drawing board for tech school funding formula
Posted in News on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm by Joan Hellyer
Business managers of school districts served by Bucks County Technical High School agreed today to take another stab at revising the school’s funding formula.
At issue is whether some costs should be separated from the overall contributions of the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts. Right now, the costs are split among the six districts based on a formula involving fixed and variable costs.
The business managers suggested in 2007 to separate costs associated with special needs students from the formula because special education expenses are potentially more expensive than basic education costs.
However, one of the sending school districts did not support the proposed formula change because its school system could potentially face additional expenses. Neshaminy was the lone hold out to the change after projections suggested the district would have had to pay about $450,000 more in 2007-2008 had the new formula been in place for the comprehensive technical high school.
Any change to the school’s Articles of Agreement, including a funding formula revision, has to be unanimously approved before it can be implemented, school officials said.
Representatives of all six sending districts got together with tech school officials today to decide if something else could be done.
The managers agreed to meet within the next few weeks with Sharon Rendeiro, the tech school’s business administrator, to further break down the special education costs.
In addition, they also will break down the costs of each of the more than 30 trades offered at the school. Those costs vary depending on staff salaries, which are based on years of experience and level of education, and equipment, textbooks and supplies used in each trade, officials said.
The business administrators also agreed to take a look at how other comprehensive technical high schools in the state are funded.
They will then decide if any changes should be made to the current formula and suggest them to the tech school’s joint board committee. The committee, made up of school board members from each of the sending districts, will have to agree unanimously to make the changes before they can be implemented.
Attendees at today’s funding formula summit agreed the changes must be made by late November in order to be incorporated into the 2009-2010 budget.
Souderton: “There’s a price to be paid"
From the BCCT
Strike proves costly for many
By RICH PIETRAS
It’s hard to predict the outcome of the Souderton Area School District strike. But it goes without saying, before the teachers decide to put their picket signs down, the price tag is going up.
Parents and students are taking a hit. Children have nowhere to spend afternoons once occupied in the classroom. The cost of childcare, plus the gas to get them there, is a burden.
While teachers are somewhat insulated from lost wages because 180 school days will have to be fulfilled, the average teacher could lose $3,000 in pay because of the strike.
According to Bill Lukridge, president of the teachers union, teachers stand to lose 5 percent of their salary. Based on the average salary in the district ($61,630 for the 2005-06 school year) that comes to about $3,000.
School board solicitor Jeffrey Sultanik sounded surprised that it took the union so long to realize there was salary at stake.
“There’s a price to be paid for going on strike,” Sultanik said.
Teachers, who have been on strike since Sept. 2, do not get a paycheck during the strike, but will receive checks after they are forced to return to work on Wednesday as the sides move into nonbinding arbitration. If no deal is reached, teachers could strike again in the spring, but would have to return after about a week to guarantee students will get 180 days of schooling.
What the teachers will lose is the in-service days in their contracts. The teachers worked three of those days in August, but nine remain.
Sultanik said the district does not intend to make up the nine in-service days.
“They already lost the days of the strike,” Sultanik said. “And in our opinion, it’s not our intention to make up those days.”
The union estimates the district would save nearly $1.5 million from the work stoppage by not having to pay teachers for those nine days. And, it argues, that $1.5 million is enough to close nearly the entire gap between the school board and union’s health plan proposals.
“If the union is willing to give up those makeup days, we are willing to talk about that in terms of the overall context of the bargaining,” Sultanik said.
Keep up on the latest in the Souderton strike at www.intelligencernow.com/category/souderton-school-strike. For updates on negotiations, visit www.soudertonsd.org and www.saea.info/.
Strike proves costly for many
By RICH PIETRAS
It’s hard to predict the outcome of the Souderton Area School District strike. But it goes without saying, before the teachers decide to put their picket signs down, the price tag is going up.
Parents and students are taking a hit. Children have nowhere to spend afternoons once occupied in the classroom. The cost of childcare, plus the gas to get them there, is a burden.
While teachers are somewhat insulated from lost wages because 180 school days will have to be fulfilled, the average teacher could lose $3,000 in pay because of the strike.
According to Bill Lukridge, president of the teachers union, teachers stand to lose 5 percent of their salary. Based on the average salary in the district ($61,630 for the 2005-06 school year) that comes to about $3,000.
School board solicitor Jeffrey Sultanik sounded surprised that it took the union so long to realize there was salary at stake.
“There’s a price to be paid for going on strike,” Sultanik said.
Teachers, who have been on strike since Sept. 2, do not get a paycheck during the strike, but will receive checks after they are forced to return to work on Wednesday as the sides move into nonbinding arbitration. If no deal is reached, teachers could strike again in the spring, but would have to return after about a week to guarantee students will get 180 days of schooling.
What the teachers will lose is the in-service days in their contracts. The teachers worked three of those days in August, but nine remain.
Sultanik said the district does not intend to make up the nine in-service days.
“They already lost the days of the strike,” Sultanik said. “And in our opinion, it’s not our intention to make up those days.”
The union estimates the district would save nearly $1.5 million from the work stoppage by not having to pay teachers for those nine days. And, it argues, that $1.5 million is enough to close nearly the entire gap between the school board and union’s health plan proposals.
“If the union is willing to give up those makeup days, we are willing to talk about that in terms of the overall context of the bargaining,” Sultanik said.
Keep up on the latest in the Souderton strike at www.intelligencernow.com/category/souderton-school-strike. For updates on negotiations, visit www.soudertonsd.org and www.saea.info/.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tech School Funding: Still Discussing
From the BCCT. Still. No. Budget. Formula. Decision.
This should be setting the Emperor's famously short fuse for time wasting to "Warp Core Breach" levels.
Who is representing Morrisville now? Reba Dunford is an excellent representative, but she's nearly out the door.
Funding formula review set for Wednesday
Posted in News on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 4:21 pm by Joan Hellyer
Representatives of six area school districts will meet with Bucks County Technical High School staff Wednesday to examine costs associated with educating each of the school’s estimated 1,500 students.
The goal will be to determine if changes should be made to the funding formula at the comprehensive technical high school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township, said BCTHS Administrative Director Scott Parks.
The school serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
“The group would have to come up with a funding formula that appears to be fair to all six [sending] districts. That’s what I’m shooting for,” Parks said.
The noon meeting will be held in the board room near the administrative offices. Call 215-949-1700 for more information.
This should be setting the Emperor's famously short fuse for time wasting to "Warp Core Breach" levels.
Who is representing Morrisville now? Reba Dunford is an excellent representative, but she's nearly out the door.
Funding formula review set for Wednesday
Posted in News on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 4:21 pm by Joan Hellyer
Representatives of six area school districts will meet with Bucks County Technical High School staff Wednesday to examine costs associated with educating each of the school’s estimated 1,500 students.
The goal will be to determine if changes should be made to the funding formula at the comprehensive technical high school off Wistar Road in Bristol Township, said BCTHS Administrative Director Scott Parks.
The school serves the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
“The group would have to come up with a funding formula that appears to be fair to all six [sending] districts. That’s what I’m shooting for,” Parks said.
The noon meeting will be held in the board room near the administrative offices. Call 215-949-1700 for more information.
Souderton strike talks break down
From the Doylestown Intelligencer. Things are getting uglier.
Souderton strike talks break down
By RICH PIETRAS
The Intelligencer
Seven hours of talks versus 15 days of picketing.
That's all you need to know about the three negotiating sessions in the Souderton Area School strike to know how it's going. And after both sides met for only an hour on Monday to no avail, it appears short sessions will be the norm until the teachers are forced back on Sept. 24. At which point the negotiations go to another level.
Gary Smith, representative of the teachers union, characterized recent negotiation sessions as holdouts until both sides are forced to go before an arbitrator. While the three sessions have been held with a state mediator, who has tried to “aid the talks,” an arbitrator's job will be aimed at forcing both sides to change their positions.
“I feel both sides are waiting to go before arbitration because they don't want to hurt themselves,” Smith said. “And I disagree that the teachers association has not negotiated in good faith. A mediator has been working hard hearing both sides, and some compromises have been made.
“However, I don't see that there is enough movement from any party to warrant changing position,” Smith said.
Once state law brings the teachers back Sept. 24, the arbitration process begins as both sides move toward a “final best offer.”
After both parties release their offers, a neutral third party arbitrator is brought in, chosen by each side or by the Labor Board if the sides can't agree. This is followed by a public scrutiny period, where the public can see both proposals.
Then, 10 days later, the arbitrator presents a proposed contract. Each party gets a chance to accept it and if they can't agree, the teachers could vote to strike again in the spring.
But Jeffrey Sultanik, school board's solicitor and main negotiator, said the board is not merely content to wait for an arbitrator.
Sultanik said that although the board made concessions on its proposal for in-service days and parent conference days, it paled in comparison to the union's insistence that the board agree to a health insurance plan that will cost the district $1.9 million more than the offer they have on the table.
And with another mediated negotiation session set for Friday, the real talks may not start until next week.
The teachers union was reportedly seeking an average annual salary increase of 8.2 percent over four years, partly in an effort to raise starting salaries that rank last in Montgomery County at just over $36,000. The school board has countered with a 2.5 percent raise in each of three years.
Souderton teachers did get some company on the strike line Monday when the Saucon Valley Education Association in Lehigh County went on strike. According to the Souderton union, the teachers there have been offered raises that range from 4.7 percent to 6.5 percent.
Keep up on the latest in the Souderton strike at www.intelligencernow.com/category/souderton-school-strike. Also, for updates on negotiations, visit www.soudertonsd.org and www.saea.info/.
“Despite what the union leadership has been communicating to the public, the union negotiator has not made a single counterproposal to the salary plan the board submitted on Sept. 1,” school board president Bernie Currie said in a statement. “Half of the month has passed since then. It is more than disheartening for us and for the families within this school district.”
Bill Lukridge, president of the teachers union said the board once again avoided the issues of salary and benefits, stating that, “The school board knows that for movement on salary we require the condition that the school board moves on medical.
“We have tied medical care with salary because the two are interrelated. They know we don't want to deal with their salary proposal until we know what they are thinking in relations to co-pays, deductibles and premium shares.”
When asked if he though both sides were “entrenched in their positions,” Lukridge answered, “Yes we are, on both sides.”
Souderton strike talks break down
By RICH PIETRAS
The Intelligencer
Seven hours of talks versus 15 days of picketing.
That's all you need to know about the three negotiating sessions in the Souderton Area School strike to know how it's going. And after both sides met for only an hour on Monday to no avail, it appears short sessions will be the norm until the teachers are forced back on Sept. 24. At which point the negotiations go to another level.
Gary Smith, representative of the teachers union, characterized recent negotiation sessions as holdouts until both sides are forced to go before an arbitrator. While the three sessions have been held with a state mediator, who has tried to “aid the talks,” an arbitrator's job will be aimed at forcing both sides to change their positions.
“I feel both sides are waiting to go before arbitration because they don't want to hurt themselves,” Smith said. “And I disagree that the teachers association has not negotiated in good faith. A mediator has been working hard hearing both sides, and some compromises have been made.
“However, I don't see that there is enough movement from any party to warrant changing position,” Smith said.
Once state law brings the teachers back Sept. 24, the arbitration process begins as both sides move toward a “final best offer.”
After both parties release their offers, a neutral third party arbitrator is brought in, chosen by each side or by the Labor Board if the sides can't agree. This is followed by a public scrutiny period, where the public can see both proposals.
Then, 10 days later, the arbitrator presents a proposed contract. Each party gets a chance to accept it and if they can't agree, the teachers could vote to strike again in the spring.
But Jeffrey Sultanik, school board's solicitor and main negotiator, said the board is not merely content to wait for an arbitrator.
Sultanik said that although the board made concessions on its proposal for in-service days and parent conference days, it paled in comparison to the union's insistence that the board agree to a health insurance plan that will cost the district $1.9 million more than the offer they have on the table.
And with another mediated negotiation session set for Friday, the real talks may not start until next week.
The teachers union was reportedly seeking an average annual salary increase of 8.2 percent over four years, partly in an effort to raise starting salaries that rank last in Montgomery County at just over $36,000. The school board has countered with a 2.5 percent raise in each of three years.
Souderton teachers did get some company on the strike line Monday when the Saucon Valley Education Association in Lehigh County went on strike. According to the Souderton union, the teachers there have been offered raises that range from 4.7 percent to 6.5 percent.
Keep up on the latest in the Souderton strike at www.intelligencernow.com/category/souderton-school-strike. Also, for updates on negotiations, visit www.soudertonsd.org and www.saea.info/.
“Despite what the union leadership has been communicating to the public, the union negotiator has not made a single counterproposal to the salary plan the board submitted on Sept. 1,” school board president Bernie Currie said in a statement. “Half of the month has passed since then. It is more than disheartening for us and for the families within this school district.”
Bill Lukridge, president of the teachers union said the board once again avoided the issues of salary and benefits, stating that, “The school board knows that for movement on salary we require the condition that the school board moves on medical.
“We have tied medical care with salary because the two are interrelated. They know we don't want to deal with their salary proposal until we know what they are thinking in relations to co-pays, deductibles and premium shares.”
When asked if he though both sides were “entrenched in their positions,” Lukridge answered, “Yes we are, on both sides.”
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A Few Bad Apples. How Much Applesauce Can They Make?
An editorial from the Santa Fe New Mexican. (No, not that Mexico...the American one. It's one of those square states at the bottom of the map, below the other square and box states.)
Kids share plenty of blame for our schools' failings-
Editorial | The New Mexican
9/12/2008 - 9/14/08
For the past few weeks, Mallard Fillmore, the conservative comic strip at the bottom of the Opinions page Monday through Saturday, has gone after our nation's schools — especially teachers, whom cartoonist Bruce Tinsley portrays as muddle-headed softies, and, by implication, the people to blame for the sad state of public education. [Moderator Note: Several of the cartoons follow at the end of the post.]
The silliness cited by Tinsley might match a few teachers — the kind John McCain rightly says should be faced with finding a new line of work. But there are far too many excellent educators out there, doing excellent work, to hang all the blame on the entire profession, or even the teachers' unions.
We've long felt that negligent parents have much more to do with poorly educated kids. Those who kiss off their kids' progress, of course, have their own excuses: Both of us have to work, or I'm a single parent, and the school systems don't do enough to baby-sit our little darlings after the last bell, so how can we supplement their schooling — especially after they've spent so many after-school hours fomenting rebellion or fermenting apathy before we/I get home from work ...
Anything but take responsibility, Mom, Dad ...
However, it's been a long time since the editorial "we" put a chunk of responsibility where it belongs: on the kids. Yes, kids; those budding people portrayed so often as victims of this failure and that.
So many of them are good students, reliable in attendance, busy with extracurricular activities and budding good students that even this leg of the public-education triangle can't be daubed with the same paint. But there are just enough louts and loutesses out there to make a mess of the process that they need to be called down.
These are the ones who cut classes; who mouth off to teachers and principals; who, when they do go to school, sit sullenly and refuse to take part in class; who treat school like a joke, and want everyone in on it.
In just a few years, they discover themselves as the butt of their joke: Job opportunities are, to put it mildly, limited. Colleges don't exactly welcome them with open arms. Even the armed services, or certain of them, say they aren't interested. So that leaves what — crime?
But try telling that to the thin layer of low-level teens impervious to urgings, warnings or matter-of-fact advice; those kids know it all ...
And that's what we grudgingly like about Gov. Bill Richardson's radical proposal of last spring: To be eligible for a driver's license, you've got to go to school — and knock down decent grades.
Ouch — right in the steering wheel!
Once the governor's program is in place, driver's-license eligibility for teens would be pegged to "near-proficient" scores on tests, and 90-percent attendance rates, or at least according to his original pitch. We'll be curious to see how it reaches the rule-books, and what kind of civil-liberties challenges it raises.
We're not so sure it will work: Many families need their kids' income — some so badly that Mom and Dad urge junior to drop out of school. But the kid will likely need a car to get to jobs. Does the state penalize poverty?
Rather than the governor and the school system riding roughshod over the kids, the parents ought to be the ones doing it; so we're back to their role in the state of public education.
Back East, meanwhile, school districts are paying kids to do well in school. Bribery! you may gasp — but maybe it's merely an incentive to learn, and, as an introduction to our capitalistic society, the pay-for-grades experiments themselves might prove educational.
Negative and positive pressure both have drawbacks — yet it's encouraging to see our leaders remembering, amid their scapegoating of educational failure, that schools are about kids — and kids play a role in the learning process.
Kids share plenty of blame for our schools' failings-
Editorial | The New Mexican
9/12/2008 - 9/14/08
For the past few weeks, Mallard Fillmore, the conservative comic strip at the bottom of the Opinions page Monday through Saturday, has gone after our nation's schools — especially teachers, whom cartoonist Bruce Tinsley portrays as muddle-headed softies, and, by implication, the people to blame for the sad state of public education. [Moderator Note: Several of the cartoons follow at the end of the post.]
The silliness cited by Tinsley might match a few teachers — the kind John McCain rightly says should be faced with finding a new line of work. But there are far too many excellent educators out there, doing excellent work, to hang all the blame on the entire profession, or even the teachers' unions.
We've long felt that negligent parents have much more to do with poorly educated kids. Those who kiss off their kids' progress, of course, have their own excuses: Both of us have to work, or I'm a single parent, and the school systems don't do enough to baby-sit our little darlings after the last bell, so how can we supplement their schooling — especially after they've spent so many after-school hours fomenting rebellion or fermenting apathy before we/I get home from work ...
Anything but take responsibility, Mom, Dad ...
However, it's been a long time since the editorial "we" put a chunk of responsibility where it belongs: on the kids. Yes, kids; those budding people portrayed so often as victims of this failure and that.
So many of them are good students, reliable in attendance, busy with extracurricular activities and budding good students that even this leg of the public-education triangle can't be daubed with the same paint. But there are just enough louts and loutesses out there to make a mess of the process that they need to be called down.
These are the ones who cut classes; who mouth off to teachers and principals; who, when they do go to school, sit sullenly and refuse to take part in class; who treat school like a joke, and want everyone in on it.
In just a few years, they discover themselves as the butt of their joke: Job opportunities are, to put it mildly, limited. Colleges don't exactly welcome them with open arms. Even the armed services, or certain of them, say they aren't interested. So that leaves what — crime?
But try telling that to the thin layer of low-level teens impervious to urgings, warnings or matter-of-fact advice; those kids know it all ...
And that's what we grudgingly like about Gov. Bill Richardson's radical proposal of last spring: To be eligible for a driver's license, you've got to go to school — and knock down decent grades.
Ouch — right in the steering wheel!
Once the governor's program is in place, driver's-license eligibility for teens would be pegged to "near-proficient" scores on tests, and 90-percent attendance rates, or at least according to his original pitch. We'll be curious to see how it reaches the rule-books, and what kind of civil-liberties challenges it raises.
We're not so sure it will work: Many families need their kids' income — some so badly that Mom and Dad urge junior to drop out of school. But the kid will likely need a car to get to jobs. Does the state penalize poverty?
Rather than the governor and the school system riding roughshod over the kids, the parents ought to be the ones doing it; so we're back to their role in the state of public education.
Back East, meanwhile, school districts are paying kids to do well in school. Bribery! you may gasp — but maybe it's merely an incentive to learn, and, as an introduction to our capitalistic society, the pay-for-grades experiments themselves might prove educational.
Negative and positive pressure both have drawbacks — yet it's encouraging to see our leaders remembering, amid their scapegoating of educational failure, that schools are about kids — and kids play a role in the learning process.
October 21, 2008: Bolos Replacement Day
From the BCCT. Anyone have anything to say to George and family?
Bolos resigns from council
The council has 30 days from Saturday to fill the vacancy.
By DANNY ADLER
Councilman George Bolos is leaving Morrisville, along with his seat on the borough council.
His resignation is effective Saturday, and then the council has 30 days to fill the vacancy, officials said.
Bolos, a Third Ward Republican councilman who’s lived in the borough for about 15 years, is resigning because he’s moving to Virginia.
Bolos said he will miss the borough and hopes the borough can revitalize its downtown business district, calling economic development “the biggest issue” facing Morrisville.
“[Officials] need to do something in the way of economic development in the downtown area,” Bolos said in an interview before Monday’s council meeting.
Bolos also resigned from the Morrisville Municipal Authority Monday night. He has served on various council committees, is the former chairman of the Morrisville Economic Development Corporation and board member for the Morrisville Community Pool.
He first joined the council when he was appointed in January 2002 to fill a vacancy left by now-mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Bolos’ resignation leaves only two Republicans out of the remaining seven council members.
“I will miss the people of the borough. There’s a reason people stay for generations. It’s a unique town,” Bolos said.
Bolos resigns from council
The council has 30 days from Saturday to fill the vacancy.
By DANNY ADLER
Councilman George Bolos is leaving Morrisville, along with his seat on the borough council.
His resignation is effective Saturday, and then the council has 30 days to fill the vacancy, officials said.
Bolos, a Third Ward Republican councilman who’s lived in the borough for about 15 years, is resigning because he’s moving to Virginia.
Bolos said he will miss the borough and hopes the borough can revitalize its downtown business district, calling economic development “the biggest issue” facing Morrisville.
“[Officials] need to do something in the way of economic development in the downtown area,” Bolos said in an interview before Monday’s council meeting.
Bolos also resigned from the Morrisville Municipal Authority Monday night. He has served on various council committees, is the former chairman of the Morrisville Economic Development Corporation and board member for the Morrisville Community Pool.
He first joined the council when he was appointed in January 2002 to fill a vacancy left by now-mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Bolos’ resignation leaves only two Republicans out of the remaining seven council members.
“I will miss the people of the borough. There’s a reason people stay for generations. It’s a unique town,” Bolos said.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Borough Council Meeting tonight
From the BCCT.
We'll miss you George. Best of luck to you and your family in Virginia.
Morrisville council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider renewing membership with the Friends of the Delaware Canal for $100; consider payment for the Morrisville library boiler in the amount of $7,758; consider payment for West Bridge Street curb and sidewalk replacement in the amount of $266,107.17; consider resolution to apply to the Bucks County community development block grant program; consider appointments to the cable advisory board, economic development corporation and recreation advisory board; consider extending Williamson Park hours to accommodate the Morrisville Rotary carnival; consider planting project and support the TreeVitalize grant application; consider resolution to adopt FEMA’s National Incident Management System for emergency planning; consider authorizing borough personnel, engineer and solicitor to carry out enforcement procedures under the Dangerous Structures Ordinance; consider accepting Councilman George Bolos’ resignation from the borough council and the Morrisville Municipal Authority. 215-295-8181
We'll miss you George. Best of luck to you and your family in Virginia.
Morrisville council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider renewing membership with the Friends of the Delaware Canal for $100; consider payment for the Morrisville library boiler in the amount of $7,758; consider payment for West Bridge Street curb and sidewalk replacement in the amount of $266,107.17; consider resolution to apply to the Bucks County community development block grant program; consider appointments to the cable advisory board, economic development corporation and recreation advisory board; consider extending Williamson Park hours to accommodate the Morrisville Rotary carnival; consider planting project and support the TreeVitalize grant application; consider resolution to adopt FEMA’s National Incident Management System for emergency planning; consider authorizing borough personnel, engineer and solicitor to carry out enforcement procedures under the Dangerous Structures Ordinance; consider accepting Councilman George Bolos’ resignation from the borough council and the Morrisville Municipal Authority. 215-295-8181
Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others
Musings on leadership from the Leaders on Leadership blog.
Their masthead quote is a thought provoking quote from that often-quoted President, Theodore Roosevelt: "People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. . . . The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives."
Check out the entry titled "Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others. Exceptional leadership, therefore, is leadership that inspires people to give their best effort. Although, for a leader, being productive and having good time management skills are important and necessary, they are not sufficient. Having good judgment becomes increasingly important the higher in an organization we rise, however it too is insufficient for truly effective leadership. Exceptional leadership is about relating to people in such a way as to inspire them to give their best effort – for themselves, their organization, their community, their family, and/or their world."
Think about of board of education, our borough council, and our other leaders. How many of them are leaders, and how many of them are drivers?
Their masthead quote is a thought provoking quote from that often-quoted President, Theodore Roosevelt: "People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. . . . The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives."
Check out the entry titled "Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others. Exceptional leadership, therefore, is leadership that inspires people to give their best effort. Although, for a leader, being productive and having good time management skills are important and necessary, they are not sufficient. Having good judgment becomes increasingly important the higher in an organization we rise, however it too is insufficient for truly effective leadership. Exceptional leadership is about relating to people in such a way as to inspire them to give their best effort – for themselves, their organization, their community, their family, and/or their world."
Think about of board of education, our borough council, and our other leaders. How many of them are leaders, and how many of them are drivers?
Another District Merger?
He's an article from the Harrisburg Patriot-News covering the results of a merger between two Dauphin County school districts.
They're doing it wrong! There's been a year-long study on the feasibility of such a merger. Our current school board has shown us this is not the way to do it. Why spend money on feasibility and plans when "Just Do It!" ain't just for Nike anymore. Get it done and stop wasting time. Let's move on!
Merger decision to take time, 2 say
Sunday, September 14, 2008
BY PHYLLIS ZIMMERMAN
For The Patriot-News
Despite more than a year of speculation, the Halifax and Millersburg school districts won't soon decide about a possible consolidation, school officials say.
"Unfortunately, I cannot speculate on when such an action could take place," Halifax school board President Todd Hoover said. "This is a monumental decision and we want to take as much time as is necessary to make what we believe to be the decision that is best for the students, residents and taxpayers, faculty and staff of both districts."
Millersburg Superintendent Sheree-Lee Knorr echoed Hoover's assessment.
The Halifax and Millersburg school boards agreed in April 2007 to participate in a study done by the Pennsylvania Economy League to examine a possible consolidation. That study was completed about a year ago, providing three proposed options for a merger and a fourth option for the districts to share buildings but remain separate.
The districts would save money by eliminating duplicate services and buildings and offering more opportunities for students.
In early 2008, the districts commissioned EI Associates to conduct more studies of Millersburg and Halifax that projected the costs or savings for each district without consolidating.
"We felt that the Pennsylvania Economy League study didn't give us all the information that we needed to make a baseline comparison of both districts. We felt we really needed additional information -- would consolidating really bring us cost savings?" Halifax Superintendent Robert Hassinger said.
The second study examined three proposed scenarios for each district, such as upgrading buildings with no additional space and upgrading buildings while adding space "we feel we need," Hassinger said.
The study's third component examined adding "building space for additional programs that we felt we would be nice to have but not necessary," Hassinger said. "Now we're just looking at the studies to see what it's telling us. It's not a clear-cut decision."
A merger would turn Dauphin County's two smallest districts into a midsized one with about 2,100 students.
The proposed merger would be the first in the state in 30 years.
WHAT'S NEXT
The school boards plan to continue discussing the studies. WHEN AND WHERE
# The Halifax School Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the high school conference room, 3940 Peters Mountain Road.
# The Millersburg School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the district board room, 799 Center St.
PUBLIC COMMENT School officials said they would like to hold more public forums but have yet to set dates.
They're doing it wrong! There's been a year-long study on the feasibility of such a merger. Our current school board has shown us this is not the way to do it. Why spend money on feasibility and plans when "Just Do It!" ain't just for Nike anymore. Get it done and stop wasting time. Let's move on!
Merger decision to take time, 2 say
Sunday, September 14, 2008
BY PHYLLIS ZIMMERMAN
For The Patriot-News
Despite more than a year of speculation, the Halifax and Millersburg school districts won't soon decide about a possible consolidation, school officials say.
"Unfortunately, I cannot speculate on when such an action could take place," Halifax school board President Todd Hoover said. "This is a monumental decision and we want to take as much time as is necessary to make what we believe to be the decision that is best for the students, residents and taxpayers, faculty and staff of both districts."
Millersburg Superintendent Sheree-Lee Knorr echoed Hoover's assessment.
The Halifax and Millersburg school boards agreed in April 2007 to participate in a study done by the Pennsylvania Economy League to examine a possible consolidation. That study was completed about a year ago, providing three proposed options for a merger and a fourth option for the districts to share buildings but remain separate.
The districts would save money by eliminating duplicate services and buildings and offering more opportunities for students.
In early 2008, the districts commissioned EI Associates to conduct more studies of Millersburg and Halifax that projected the costs or savings for each district without consolidating.
"We felt that the Pennsylvania Economy League study didn't give us all the information that we needed to make a baseline comparison of both districts. We felt we really needed additional information -- would consolidating really bring us cost savings?" Halifax Superintendent Robert Hassinger said.
The second study examined three proposed scenarios for each district, such as upgrading buildings with no additional space and upgrading buildings while adding space "we feel we need," Hassinger said.
The study's third component examined adding "building space for additional programs that we felt we would be nice to have but not necessary," Hassinger said. "Now we're just looking at the studies to see what it's telling us. It's not a clear-cut decision."
A merger would turn Dauphin County's two smallest districts into a midsized one with about 2,100 students.
The proposed merger would be the first in the state in 30 years.
WHAT'S NEXT
The school boards plan to continue discussing the studies. WHEN AND WHERE
# The Halifax School Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the high school conference room, 3940 Peters Mountain Road.
# The Millersburg School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the district board room, 799 Center St.
PUBLIC COMMENT School officials said they would like to hold more public forums but have yet to set dates.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fewer students involved in fights
From the BCCT.
Fewer students involved in fights
The state reports less trouble with students at area high schools, but there still were almost 1,000 altercations.
By THERESA HEGEL
Fighting is still one of the most common offenses in Bucks County schools, according to data recently released by the state. Despite its continued prevalence, however, the incidents reported are significantly lower for the 2006-07 school year than for the previous year. In Bucks, there were 216 fights, down from 279 in 2005-06.
The highest number of offenses reported in the counties were minor infractions — such as profanity or using cell phones in class — that aren’t serious enough for a separate categorization. There were nearly 1,000 such incidents in the two counties.
Data from schools across the state is available online at the state Department of Education’s Web site. Less than 4 percent of students in Pennsylvania were involved in incidents of misconduct two years ago, according to the report.
“While we always will have to be diligent in ensuring that our schools are safe, the latest statistics show schools are, for the most part, doing a solid job of creating and maintaining a quality environment for learning,” said Gerald L. Zahorchak, state education secretary.
Though fighting was typical on a countywide level, the breakdown for specific school districts tells a slightly different story.
Another factor contributing to increased detection is the strong investigation skills of the district’s security force, many of whom are former police officers, Hassler said.
Disorderly conduct is more common at the vo-techs than in district schools. Bucks County Technical High School had 49 incidents, and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology had 39.
Kathryn Strouse, director of Middle Bucks, explained the school takes it very seriously when students refuse to cooperate with teachers or are disruptive.
Tech classrooms often are set up to resemble the workplace, and part of the grading is based on a student’s employability, she said. A lot of their equipment — such as nail guns, knives and welding torches — can be dangerous if used carelessly or incorrectly.
“We feel like we have to hold them very accountable for their actions to ensure safety,” she said.
Bensalem School District followed the trend of Bucks County, with 44 incidents of fighting in 2006-07.
Superintendent James Lombardo, who took his post in January of last year, had no insights about the relatively high number of fights, but he did note that fighting had declined significantly the following school year.
Last year, the district initiated a mission to “address the needs of the whole child” and promote a “safe and healthy environment” for learning, he said.
The move wasn’t in response to the data gathered by the state, but it has seemed to help with student behavior, Lombardo said.
Ultimately, the state’s data is a worthwhile tool, but its age makes it difficult to use in forming school policy, Hassler said.
Fewer students involved in fights
The state reports less trouble with students at area high schools, but there still were almost 1,000 altercations.
By THERESA HEGEL
Fighting is still one of the most common offenses in Bucks County schools, according to data recently released by the state. Despite its continued prevalence, however, the incidents reported are significantly lower for the 2006-07 school year than for the previous year. In Bucks, there were 216 fights, down from 279 in 2005-06.
The highest number of offenses reported in the counties were minor infractions — such as profanity or using cell phones in class — that aren’t serious enough for a separate categorization. There were nearly 1,000 such incidents in the two counties.
Data from schools across the state is available online at the state Department of Education’s Web site. Less than 4 percent of students in Pennsylvania were involved in incidents of misconduct two years ago, according to the report.
“While we always will have to be diligent in ensuring that our schools are safe, the latest statistics show schools are, for the most part, doing a solid job of creating and maintaining a quality environment for learning,” said Gerald L. Zahorchak, state education secretary.
Though fighting was typical on a countywide level, the breakdown for specific school districts tells a slightly different story.
Another factor contributing to increased detection is the strong investigation skills of the district’s security force, many of whom are former police officers, Hassler said.
Disorderly conduct is more common at the vo-techs than in district schools. Bucks County Technical High School had 49 incidents, and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology had 39.
Kathryn Strouse, director of Middle Bucks, explained the school takes it very seriously when students refuse to cooperate with teachers or are disruptive.
Tech classrooms often are set up to resemble the workplace, and part of the grading is based on a student’s employability, she said. A lot of their equipment — such as nail guns, knives and welding torches — can be dangerous if used carelessly or incorrectly.
“We feel like we have to hold them very accountable for their actions to ensure safety,” she said.
Bensalem School District followed the trend of Bucks County, with 44 incidents of fighting in 2006-07.
Superintendent James Lombardo, who took his post in January of last year, had no insights about the relatively high number of fights, but he did note that fighting had declined significantly the following school year.
Last year, the district initiated a mission to “address the needs of the whole child” and promote a “safe and healthy environment” for learning, he said.
The move wasn’t in response to the data gathered by the state, but it has seemed to help with student behavior, Lombardo said.
Ultimately, the state’s data is a worthwhile tool, but its age makes it difficult to use in forming school policy, Hassler said.
High School Re-Accredited
From the BCCT.
Morrisville Middle Senior High School and Solebury School in New Hope recently earned re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. The schools completed an intensive threeyear process. A volunteer validation team of educators appointed by Middle States completed the evaluations with a visit of three and a half days to each school.
To become accredited, a school must meet the Middle States Association’s standards in mission, beliefs, objectives, governance and leadership, organizational design and staff, educational programs, learning media services and technology, student services, student life and activities, facilities, health and safety, finances, assessment of student learning and planning.
To learn more, visit www.css-msa.org.
Morrisville Middle Senior High School and Solebury School in New Hope recently earned re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. The schools completed an intensive threeyear process. A volunteer validation team of educators appointed by Middle States completed the evaluations with a visit of three and a half days to each school.
To become accredited, a school must meet the Middle States Association’s standards in mission, beliefs, objectives, governance and leadership, organizational design and staff, educational programs, learning media services and technology, student services, student life and activities, facilities, health and safety, finances, assessment of student learning and planning.
To learn more, visit www.css-msa.org.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
School District Involvement
From the Philadelphia Daily News. A big urban district has problems that Morrisville will never experience. They do have the same mix of students, staff, school board members, and parents. The last few lines of this story caught my eye. It's good advice for the Emperor and the board of chosen accomplices.
"Parents have a right to be engaged in this process of educating their children and they should exercise it. But they can't exercise it if we turn them away," she said.
"So, the school district has a responsibility to say, 'We want you here.' "
While you're beating down $35.00 expenditures and running up charges on your own tabs, think about the people you'll need later on. The procurement card witch hunts are the most hilarious. Check out Channel 28 for the most recent installment.
Nutter: Parents, city have education roles
By MENSAH M. DEAN, Philadelphia Daily News, Posted on Thu, Sep. 11, 2008
Now that school is back in session, children should not be out after dark as so many often are, Mayor Nutter believes.
They should be at home getting help from their parents with homework, eating nutritious meals and going to bed early enough to be rested and ready for school.
Nutter, the father of a daughter in middle school, plans to say as much this evening during a back-to-basics education speech at South Philadelphia High School, Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.
"I believe that the most critical element to the success of young people in Philadelphia is what adults do," Nutter said yesterday in an interview. "Of course, their first, longest and most consistent teacher will be their parents.
"The schools - teachers, principals and administrators - have a tremendous impact. The business community as well, and certainly elected officials, all have roles to play," he added.
"So I'm going to talk to the citizens of Philadelphia about everyone's different but collective role in improving educational outcomes for kids."
Since taking office in January, Nutter has spoken frequently of two key education goals, and will stress them again this evening: to halve the 45 percent dropout rate within seven years, and to double the number of adults with college degrees over the next decade. Just 18 percent of adults in the city now have four-year degrees.
Toward the dropout goal, Nutter will announce that the school district and the city are preparing to implement an "early-warning system" to stem dropping out among 6th-graders - identified by research as a vulnerable year.
To fund that program and others for at-risk youth, the city will realign more than $200 million now used for after-school, summer and prevention programs, according to a draft of the speech provided by the mayor's office.
On the college front, Nutter will announce the creation of CollegeReady Philadelphia, which will link high-school students to college-preparation programs. Foundation funding is being sought for the program, according to the speech.
To institutions of higher learning, Nutter will propose, as he has previously, that they commit to providing 1,000 scholarships each year to graduating city high-school students.
"If we can get it together and work on our respective tasks, a decade from now, people will be talking about the Philadelphia Miracle, and we'll be more than happy to tell anyone how we did it," according to Nutter's draft.
Education-watchers said the mayor's words are admirable, but he and other city officials must continue working to get more funding for the 165,000-student district.
"He's on the right track," said Greg Wade, president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council, the largest parent group in the city. "Parents need to get involved and get their kids to school on time. But when they get there we need to make sure they are safe and they have books on those desks. That takes an investment."
Gerald Wright, a founding member of Parents United for Public Education, said:
"For what I've heard him say, and the fact that he has appointed people to an education office, it appears that he is serious about education.
"But I'm still waiting for the concrete plan as to how we get more more money to the educational system."
Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who will introduce Nutter tonight, said parental involvement at schools is welcomed and necessary.
"Parents have a right to be engaged in this process of educating their children and they should exercise it. But they can't exercise it if we turn them away," she said.
"So, the school district has a responsibility to say, 'We want you here.' "
"Parents have a right to be engaged in this process of educating their children and they should exercise it. But they can't exercise it if we turn them away," she said.
"So, the school district has a responsibility to say, 'We want you here.' "
While you're beating down $35.00 expenditures and running up charges on your own tabs, think about the people you'll need later on. The procurement card witch hunts are the most hilarious. Check out Channel 28 for the most recent installment.
Nutter: Parents, city have education roles
By MENSAH M. DEAN, Philadelphia Daily News, Posted on Thu, Sep. 11, 2008
Now that school is back in session, children should not be out after dark as so many often are, Mayor Nutter believes.
They should be at home getting help from their parents with homework, eating nutritious meals and going to bed early enough to be rested and ready for school.
Nutter, the father of a daughter in middle school, plans to say as much this evening during a back-to-basics education speech at South Philadelphia High School, Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.
"I believe that the most critical element to the success of young people in Philadelphia is what adults do," Nutter said yesterday in an interview. "Of course, their first, longest and most consistent teacher will be their parents.
"The schools - teachers, principals and administrators - have a tremendous impact. The business community as well, and certainly elected officials, all have roles to play," he added.
"So I'm going to talk to the citizens of Philadelphia about everyone's different but collective role in improving educational outcomes for kids."
Since taking office in January, Nutter has spoken frequently of two key education goals, and will stress them again this evening: to halve the 45 percent dropout rate within seven years, and to double the number of adults with college degrees over the next decade. Just 18 percent of adults in the city now have four-year degrees.
Toward the dropout goal, Nutter will announce that the school district and the city are preparing to implement an "early-warning system" to stem dropping out among 6th-graders - identified by research as a vulnerable year.
To fund that program and others for at-risk youth, the city will realign more than $200 million now used for after-school, summer and prevention programs, according to a draft of the speech provided by the mayor's office.
On the college front, Nutter will announce the creation of CollegeReady Philadelphia, which will link high-school students to college-preparation programs. Foundation funding is being sought for the program, according to the speech.
To institutions of higher learning, Nutter will propose, as he has previously, that they commit to providing 1,000 scholarships each year to graduating city high-school students.
"If we can get it together and work on our respective tasks, a decade from now, people will be talking about the Philadelphia Miracle, and we'll be more than happy to tell anyone how we did it," according to Nutter's draft.
Education-watchers said the mayor's words are admirable, but he and other city officials must continue working to get more funding for the 165,000-student district.
"He's on the right track," said Greg Wade, president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council, the largest parent group in the city. "Parents need to get involved and get their kids to school on time. But when they get there we need to make sure they are safe and they have books on those desks. That takes an investment."
Gerald Wright, a founding member of Parents United for Public Education, said:
"For what I've heard him say, and the fact that he has appointed people to an education office, it appears that he is serious about education.
"But I'm still waiting for the concrete plan as to how we get more more money to the educational system."
Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who will introduce Nutter tonight, said parental involvement at schools is welcomed and necessary.
"Parents have a right to be engaged in this process of educating their children and they should exercise it. But they can't exercise it if we turn them away," she said.
"So, the school district has a responsibility to say, 'We want you here.' "
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
A Good School Can Revitalize a Downtown
Wall Street Journal By KANE WEBB
Fifth and sixth grades are in the newsroom, middle school dominates the Clinton campaign's War Room, and seventh-graders have the run of the sports department.
Get Pad and Pen: The School Supply List Is Long
New York Times By LISA W. FODERARO
Many schools both poor and prosperous are asking parents to purchase more, and more particular, school supplies.
Students and Schools in Double Blow
New York Times
By SAM DILLON
While school districts struggle with financial problems, record numbers of students turning up for classes this fall are homeless or poor enough to qualify for free meals.
Charter Grade School Documents Its Success
New York Times
By WINNIE HU
One of New Jersey's first charter schools went looking for some of its first students to see if their early experience at a charter school made a difference.
Add It Up: Math Matters
Washington Post
From arithmetic to algebra and beyond, mathematics absorbs a huge amount of class time, and students are pushed to learn more math than ever -- and sooner.
Raising the Bar: How Parents Can Fix Education
The Wall Street Journal
At the start of yet another school year, it's time for some radical change in your local schools -- a specific change that only parents can bring about. What is this miracle that lies within the reach of nearly every family? It's simple. All you have to do is to start insisting that your children fully apply themselves to their studies -- and commit yourself to doing your part. That means making sure they do all the work expected of them as well as their abilities allow. It also means making sure everything at home stands behind these principles and supports the idea of learning.
Wall Street Journal By KANE WEBB
Fifth and sixth grades are in the newsroom, middle school dominates the Clinton campaign's War Room, and seventh-graders have the run of the sports department.
Get Pad and Pen: The School Supply List Is Long
New York Times By LISA W. FODERARO
Many schools both poor and prosperous are asking parents to purchase more, and more particular, school supplies.
Students and Schools in Double Blow
New York Times
By SAM DILLON
While school districts struggle with financial problems, record numbers of students turning up for classes this fall are homeless or poor enough to qualify for free meals.
Charter Grade School Documents Its Success
New York Times
By WINNIE HU
One of New Jersey's first charter schools went looking for some of its first students to see if their early experience at a charter school made a difference.
Add It Up: Math Matters
Washington Post
From arithmetic to algebra and beyond, mathematics absorbs a huge amount of class time, and students are pushed to learn more math than ever -- and sooner.
Raising the Bar: How Parents Can Fix Education
The Wall Street Journal
At the start of yet another school year, it's time for some radical change in your local schools -- a specific change that only parents can bring about. What is this miracle that lies within the reach of nearly every family? It's simple. All you have to do is to start insisting that your children fully apply themselves to their studies -- and commit yourself to doing your part. That means making sure they do all the work expected of them as well as their abilities allow. It also means making sure everything at home stands behind these principles and supports the idea of learning.
10 Coolest Small Towns
Courtesy of msnbc.com
Imagine if we had a borough council with vision AND the concerned citizenry to support any of these objectives.
Here's the top five. Check out the link to see the next five. This is what Morrisville COULD be like. Instead, we settle for less than even second best.
10 coolest small towns
updated 9:58 a.m. ET, Fri., Sept. 12, 2008
These towns all have fewer than 10,000 people—but they can rival larger cities when it comes to good food, culture, and quality of life.
1. Port Jervis, N.Y.
By Karen Tina Harrison
Population: 9,161
Nearest city: New York, 93 miles
Priced out of New York City by rising rents, many artists and shopkeepers are moving to this old railroad and canal hub on the Delaware River. "You can own a house with real character at a price that's unheard of downstate," says Mark Washburn, who opened an arts and crafts furniture store, Bungalow Antiques & Unusuals, with his partner, Billy Stephens, last year (80 Front St., 845/858-8021).
Cheap commercial real estate also attracted Gordon Graff and Debbie Raia. They started a gallery, UpFront Exhibition Space, four months ago to showcase the works of emerging artists and to host poetry and short-story readings (31 Jersey Ave., 845/856-2666, upfrontexhibitionspace.blogspot.com). The couple also owns Twenty Seven Gallery, an antiques store up the street (27 Front St., 845/856-2727).
Visitors can stay at the 1880s Erie Hotel, which has nine single rooms (9 Jersey Ave., 845/858-4100, $70). The best dining option is Restaurant at 20 Front, housed in a neoclassical former bank. Chef Daniel Weber cooks American dishes like chorizo-stuffed pork chops and butternut squash risotto (20 Front St., 845/856-8955, twentyfront.com, pork chops $24).
2. Manitou Springs, Colo.
By Sharlene Johnson
Population: 5,038
Nearest city: Colorado Springs, 6 miles
One of the things Fred Mutter loves most about Manitou Springs, where he relocated three years ago, is that its residents come from all walks of life. "There's a huge range of people who live here, from scientists and businessmen to new-age hippies," he says. "It's really an eclectic group." His store fits right in: Kinfolks Mountain Shop sells outdoor gear, but it's also a bar and live-music venue (950 Manitou Ave., 719/685-4433, kinfolksmanitou.com). In fact, you won't find any chain stores in the Victorian-era buildings crammed into the narrow valley at the foot of Pikes Peak.
WeUsOur Artists Market has unusual art on display, such as giant pottery teapots and portraits painted with coffee (10 Ruxton Ave., 719/685-9702), while Cripple Creek Dulcimers & Guitars is run by a tie-dye-wearing former mayor, Bud Ford, who bears a striking resemblance to the late Jerry Garcia (740 Manitou Ave., 719/685-9655, dulcimer.net).
At The Maté Factor café, wraps of hormone-free turkey share the menu with maté, a beverage popular in South America (966 Manitou Ave., 719/685-3235, matefactor.com, wrap $5). Last year, the town's 19th-century former bathhouse was renovated into lofts and a restaurant, Adam's Mountain Café, which offers a hodgepodge of cuisines, including African, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian (934 Manitou Ave., 719/685-1430, adamsmountain.com, jerked chicken $19).
3. Yellow Springs, Ohio
By Peter Mandel
Population: 3,675
Nearest city: Dayton, 21 miles
Yellow Springs has been a beacon for artists, activists, and creative thinkers since progressive Antioch College opened in 1852. "You can breathe here and feel very comfortable expressing yourself," says Kim Korkan, co-owner of The Winds Cafe & Bakery, which serves dishes using ingredients mostly from local farms (215 Xenia Ave., 937/767-1144, windscafe.com, rhubarb halibut $24).
Although the college was forced to close this summer because of financial problems, Yellow Springs is thriving: The main drag, Xenia Avenue, is lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and galleries. No Common Scents sells more than 250 varieties of herbs and spices from across the globe (1525 Xenia Ave., 937/767-4261, nocommonscents.com), and Clemente Ullmer's shop, La Llama Place, is stocked with crafts from South America (224 Xenia Ave., 937/767-8650, lallamaplace.com).
Across town, the Yellow Springs Dharma Center, a Buddhist retreat draped in Tibetan prayer flags, holds meditation and chanting sessions (502 Livermore St., 937/767-9919, ysdharma.org). Public art has taken on a new meaning in the town, as well. One day, knitting appeared wrapped around a tree downtown, and soon passersby were bringing yarn to add to it. Now, the signposts up and down Xenia Avenue are covered with knitted "graffiti."
4. Mazomanie, Wis.
By Erik Torkells
Population: 1,522
Nearest city: Madison, 24 miles
"I got tired of driving through a ghost town," says Bob Brumley when asked why he founded his artists' co-op, the Iron Horse Gallery (18 E. Hudson St., 608/795-2789, ironhorsegallery.org). The co-op began in 2006 with five artists and now has 18—as well as a café, A Better Buzz. Mazo (may-zoh) is chockablock with artists, many of whom were drawn here by the historic downtown and cheap real estate. "You can't swing a stick in these hills without hitting an artist," says Brumley.
Along with galleries, Mazo boasts the Mazomanie Historic Arts Center (103 Crescent St., 608/575-9390, mazoart.com) and Mazomanie Movement Arts Center, a dance studio with a circus camp (2 Brodhead St., 608/795-0014, mazomac.com). Even the Wall Street Gallery & Bistro exhibits artwork (14 Brodhead St., 608/576-6694, wallstreetgallery.com, pastas from $15). But there's more to life than art.
You can buy Wisconsin-made souvenirs at Walter's General Store (34 Brodhead St., 608/795-4455); stay at the Walking Iron B&B, an 1865 Italianate house (21 State St., 877/572-9877, walkingiron.com, from $90); and rent bicycles at ProCycle (30 Brodhead St., 608/795-0019, procyclebikes.com). Ask politely and the staff might tell you how to get to the clothing-optional Mazo Beach—or Bare-Ass Beach, as it's known among some in town.
5. Point Reyes Station, Calif.
By Scott Hutchins
Population: 818
Nearest city: San Francisco, 39 miles
The dilemma in Point Reyes Station is what to do first: explore Point Reyes National Seashore (415/464-5100, nps.gov/pore) or just wander around and eat. At Toby's Feed Barn, second-generation owner Christian Giacomini runs a farmers market, gallery, and yoga studio, while still selling hay and salt licks. Also inside, the baristas at Toby's CoffeeBar pour cappuccinos with rippled hearts in the foam (11250 Hwy. 1, 415/663-1223, tobysfeedbarn.com).
Nearby, Cowgirl Creamery produces excellent soft-ripened cheeses, such as the Pierce Point, which is made from organic whole milk, washed in organic Riesling, and rolled in herbs (80 Fourth St., 415/663-9335, cowgirlcreamery.com). When you're ready to experience some nature, Chicago native Laurie Manarik leads hiking trips to see seal pups and conducts nighttime kayaking excursions to check out bioluminescence in nearby Tomales Bay (Point Reyes Outdoors, 11401 Hwy. 1, 415/663-8192, pointreyesoutdoors.com).
The bay's oysters, it must be said, are the best around. Eat them where locals do—up the road at The Marshall Store (19225 Hwy. 1, 415/663-1339, themarshallstore.com). The beautiful scenery may make you want to put down roots. "After my first visit after college, I spent the rest of my life figuring out how to live here," Manarik says.
Imagine if we had a borough council with vision AND the concerned citizenry to support any of these objectives.
Here's the top five. Check out the link to see the next five. This is what Morrisville COULD be like. Instead, we settle for less than even second best.
10 coolest small towns
updated 9:58 a.m. ET, Fri., Sept. 12, 2008
These towns all have fewer than 10,000 people—but they can rival larger cities when it comes to good food, culture, and quality of life.
1. Port Jervis, N.Y.
By Karen Tina Harrison
Population: 9,161
Nearest city: New York, 93 miles
Priced out of New York City by rising rents, many artists and shopkeepers are moving to this old railroad and canal hub on the Delaware River. "You can own a house with real character at a price that's unheard of downstate," says Mark Washburn, who opened an arts and crafts furniture store, Bungalow Antiques & Unusuals, with his partner, Billy Stephens, last year (80 Front St., 845/858-8021).
Cheap commercial real estate also attracted Gordon Graff and Debbie Raia. They started a gallery, UpFront Exhibition Space, four months ago to showcase the works of emerging artists and to host poetry and short-story readings (31 Jersey Ave., 845/856-2666, upfrontexhibitionspace.blogspot.com). The couple also owns Twenty Seven Gallery, an antiques store up the street (27 Front St., 845/856-2727).
Visitors can stay at the 1880s Erie Hotel, which has nine single rooms (9 Jersey Ave., 845/858-4100, $70). The best dining option is Restaurant at 20 Front, housed in a neoclassical former bank. Chef Daniel Weber cooks American dishes like chorizo-stuffed pork chops and butternut squash risotto (20 Front St., 845/856-8955, twentyfront.com, pork chops $24).
2. Manitou Springs, Colo.
By Sharlene Johnson
Population: 5,038
Nearest city: Colorado Springs, 6 miles
One of the things Fred Mutter loves most about Manitou Springs, where he relocated three years ago, is that its residents come from all walks of life. "There's a huge range of people who live here, from scientists and businessmen to new-age hippies," he says. "It's really an eclectic group." His store fits right in: Kinfolks Mountain Shop sells outdoor gear, but it's also a bar and live-music venue (950 Manitou Ave., 719/685-4433, kinfolksmanitou.com). In fact, you won't find any chain stores in the Victorian-era buildings crammed into the narrow valley at the foot of Pikes Peak.
WeUsOur Artists Market has unusual art on display, such as giant pottery teapots and portraits painted with coffee (10 Ruxton Ave., 719/685-9702), while Cripple Creek Dulcimers & Guitars is run by a tie-dye-wearing former mayor, Bud Ford, who bears a striking resemblance to the late Jerry Garcia (740 Manitou Ave., 719/685-9655, dulcimer.net).
At The Maté Factor café, wraps of hormone-free turkey share the menu with maté, a beverage popular in South America (966 Manitou Ave., 719/685-3235, matefactor.com, wrap $5). Last year, the town's 19th-century former bathhouse was renovated into lofts and a restaurant, Adam's Mountain Café, which offers a hodgepodge of cuisines, including African, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian (934 Manitou Ave., 719/685-1430, adamsmountain.com, jerked chicken $19).
3. Yellow Springs, Ohio
By Peter Mandel
Population: 3,675
Nearest city: Dayton, 21 miles
Yellow Springs has been a beacon for artists, activists, and creative thinkers since progressive Antioch College opened in 1852. "You can breathe here and feel very comfortable expressing yourself," says Kim Korkan, co-owner of The Winds Cafe & Bakery, which serves dishes using ingredients mostly from local farms (215 Xenia Ave., 937/767-1144, windscafe.com, rhubarb halibut $24).
Although the college was forced to close this summer because of financial problems, Yellow Springs is thriving: The main drag, Xenia Avenue, is lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and galleries. No Common Scents sells more than 250 varieties of herbs and spices from across the globe (1525 Xenia Ave., 937/767-4261, nocommonscents.com), and Clemente Ullmer's shop, La Llama Place, is stocked with crafts from South America (224 Xenia Ave., 937/767-8650, lallamaplace.com).
Across town, the Yellow Springs Dharma Center, a Buddhist retreat draped in Tibetan prayer flags, holds meditation and chanting sessions (502 Livermore St., 937/767-9919, ysdharma.org). Public art has taken on a new meaning in the town, as well. One day, knitting appeared wrapped around a tree downtown, and soon passersby were bringing yarn to add to it. Now, the signposts up and down Xenia Avenue are covered with knitted "graffiti."
4. Mazomanie, Wis.
By Erik Torkells
Population: 1,522
Nearest city: Madison, 24 miles
"I got tired of driving through a ghost town," says Bob Brumley when asked why he founded his artists' co-op, the Iron Horse Gallery (18 E. Hudson St., 608/795-2789, ironhorsegallery.org). The co-op began in 2006 with five artists and now has 18—as well as a café, A Better Buzz. Mazo (may-zoh) is chockablock with artists, many of whom were drawn here by the historic downtown and cheap real estate. "You can't swing a stick in these hills without hitting an artist," says Brumley.
Along with galleries, Mazo boasts the Mazomanie Historic Arts Center (103 Crescent St., 608/575-9390, mazoart.com) and Mazomanie Movement Arts Center, a dance studio with a circus camp (2 Brodhead St., 608/795-0014, mazomac.com). Even the Wall Street Gallery & Bistro exhibits artwork (14 Brodhead St., 608/576-6694, wallstreetgallery.com, pastas from $15). But there's more to life than art.
You can buy Wisconsin-made souvenirs at Walter's General Store (34 Brodhead St., 608/795-4455); stay at the Walking Iron B&B, an 1865 Italianate house (21 State St., 877/572-9877, walkingiron.com, from $90); and rent bicycles at ProCycle (30 Brodhead St., 608/795-0019, procyclebikes.com). Ask politely and the staff might tell you how to get to the clothing-optional Mazo Beach—or Bare-Ass Beach, as it's known among some in town.
5. Point Reyes Station, Calif.
By Scott Hutchins
Population: 818
Nearest city: San Francisco, 39 miles
The dilemma in Point Reyes Station is what to do first: explore Point Reyes National Seashore (415/464-5100, nps.gov/pore) or just wander around and eat. At Toby's Feed Barn, second-generation owner Christian Giacomini runs a farmers market, gallery, and yoga studio, while still selling hay and salt licks. Also inside, the baristas at Toby's CoffeeBar pour cappuccinos with rippled hearts in the foam (11250 Hwy. 1, 415/663-1223, tobysfeedbarn.com).
Nearby, Cowgirl Creamery produces excellent soft-ripened cheeses, such as the Pierce Point, which is made from organic whole milk, washed in organic Riesling, and rolled in herbs (80 Fourth St., 415/663-9335, cowgirlcreamery.com). When you're ready to experience some nature, Chicago native Laurie Manarik leads hiking trips to see seal pups and conducts nighttime kayaking excursions to check out bioluminescence in nearby Tomales Bay (Point Reyes Outdoors, 11401 Hwy. 1, 415/663-8192, pointreyesoutdoors.com).
The bay's oysters, it must be said, are the best around. Eat them where locals do—up the road at The Marshall Store (19225 Hwy. 1, 415/663-1339, themarshallstore.com). The beautiful scenery may make you want to put down roots. "After my first visit after college, I spent the rest of my life figuring out how to live here," Manarik says.
“But that’s politics in this area.”
From the BCCT today. I regretfully expect that in the not too far distant future, an article similar to this will use the words "Morrisville" and "Yonson".
Superintendent finalist for job
Neshaminy’s superintendent appears to be the lone finalist for an identical position in Connecticut, and he says he plans to continue his job hunt.
“It is important that both the superintendent and board share similar expectations and priorities, and lacking those similarities, it is in my and the board’s best interest that I move on to another school district,” Paul Kadri said in an e-mail Friday.
On Tuesday, Kadri, 43, notified the school board he is a superintendent finalist in the 5,200-student Groton Public School district, roughly half the size of Neshaminy.
No details were available Friday. Groton board members are planning to visit Neshaminy on Monday, according to a Connecticut newspaper.
Earlier this year, Kadri was a finalist for a superintendent position in Michigan.
The district hired Kadri in 2006 under a four-year contract. His salary last year was $170,000.
“I have tremendous respect for all who make up the Neshaminy community,” he wrote in the e-mail. “Over the past two-plus years, we have been able to achieve much success in helping to strengthen the present condition of the school system and position it for success in the future.
Recently, Kadri has expressed frustration with board members over what he described as a lack of direction and job expectations.
Kadri said he and the school board regret the process of his seeking a job in another district will become public. He assured his job hunt will not become a “detrimental distraction” to the district.
Board member William O’Connor said he’s saddened Kadri feels he must leave.
“Despite being successful in his job and having tremendous community support, Mr. Kadri has been undermined in his efforts for the past two years,” O’Connor said. “But that’s politics in this area.”
Superintendent finalist for job
Neshaminy’s superintendent appears to be the lone finalist for an identical position in Connecticut, and he says he plans to continue his job hunt.
“It is important that both the superintendent and board share similar expectations and priorities, and lacking those similarities, it is in my and the board’s best interest that I move on to another school district,” Paul Kadri said in an e-mail Friday.
On Tuesday, Kadri, 43, notified the school board he is a superintendent finalist in the 5,200-student Groton Public School district, roughly half the size of Neshaminy.
No details were available Friday. Groton board members are planning to visit Neshaminy on Monday, according to a Connecticut newspaper.
Earlier this year, Kadri was a finalist for a superintendent position in Michigan.
The district hired Kadri in 2006 under a four-year contract. His salary last year was $170,000.
“I have tremendous respect for all who make up the Neshaminy community,” he wrote in the e-mail. “Over the past two-plus years, we have been able to achieve much success in helping to strengthen the present condition of the school system and position it for success in the future.
Recently, Kadri has expressed frustration with board members over what he described as a lack of direction and job expectations.
Kadri said he and the school board regret the process of his seeking a job in another district will become public. He assured his job hunt will not become a “detrimental distraction” to the district.
Board member William O’Connor said he’s saddened Kadri feels he must leave.
“Despite being successful in his job and having tremendous community support, Mr. Kadri has been undermined in his efforts for the past two years,” O’Connor said. “But that’s politics in this area.”
Friday, September 12, 2008
Comic Relief
Thanks to the emailer who noticed this story. It explains the school board pretty well.
'Emperor' arrested in court
by The Associated Press
Friday September 12, 2008, 10:03 AM
The Trenton man who calls himself Emperor El Bey is not making diplomatic immunity claims to authorities after his latest arrest.
The emperor, known to authorities as William McRae, has been bickering with authorities who say he can't keep horses in his backyard. He says the laws don't apply to him because his home is an embassy of something called the Abannaki Aboriginal Nation.
Bey was arrested Wednesday while appearing in municipal court in Bordentown.
He is charged with driving without a license and other offenses. Authorities also say he also owes three women more than $50,000 in child support.
For now, he's in the Mercer County Jail.
'Emperor' arrested in court
by The Associated Press
Friday September 12, 2008, 10:03 AM
The Trenton man who calls himself Emperor El Bey is not making diplomatic immunity claims to authorities after his latest arrest.
The emperor, known to authorities as William McRae, has been bickering with authorities who say he can't keep horses in his backyard. He says the laws don't apply to him because his home is an embassy of something called the Abannaki Aboriginal Nation.
Bey was arrested Wednesday while appearing in municipal court in Bordentown.
He is charged with driving without a license and other offenses. Authorities also say he also owes three women more than $50,000 in child support.
For now, he's in the Mercer County Jail.
Neshaminy isn’t ‘flunking’
From the BCCT. How odd to see a school board member defending their district...
Neshaminy isn’t ‘flunking’; overall performance is strong
I was very disappointed to see the Courier Times headline on Aug 15 proclaiming that the Neshaminy School District “flunked” goals related to state PSSA exams and the No Child Left Behind Act. It is obvious from both the headline and the article itself that the newspaper was trying to generate controversy; but it reflected a deep misunderstanding of the meaning of the districtwide AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) designations.
If a District “makes AYP” in one year, but does not do so the following year, its AYP status is changed to “Warning”; this is what happened in Neshaminy. If you had taken the time to look on the Pennsylvania AYP Web site (www.paayp.com), you would have found that this is not meant to indicate “passing” or “failing” (or “flunking”), but is better thought of as a flag that tells the district to look more carefully at specific areas that may warrant attention.
In Neshaminy’s case, we had several individual schools where small groups of special education students did not pass at sufficient rates, particularly in the Reading area. Consequently, we are undertaking new initiatives this year across the District, including reorganization and expansion of our reading coach program, and implementation of a K-12 writing program.
To see how unrelated AYP status is to overall district performance, consider the following:
Based on our combined District Math and Reading scores, in 2007 Neshaminy would be ranked 142nd out of 500 districts statewide, and we “made AYP”. In 2008, Neshaminy raised its combined scores and would be ranked 10 spots higher (132nd), but we failed to make AYP.
In 2007, Neshaminy’s combined scores were lower than Pennsbury’s and Centennial’s; all three districts made AYP. In 2008, Neshaminy’s combined scores were higher than Pennsbury’s and Centennial’s, but both of those districts “made AYP” while Neshaminy did not.
Downingtown is one of the top performing school districts in the state, ranking 36th out of 500 (93rd percentile) based on its combined scores in 2008, but did not make AYP.
Bensalem School District’s combined scores are ranked 345th out of 500, and the district made AYP.
Bristol Township School District’s combined scores are ranked 431st out of 500, and the District made AYP.
The point is not to judge any individual district’s performance. Instead, what this all makes clear is that district AYP status often has very little to do with overall performance on the PSSA exams. Certainly Neshaminy can do better, and we will continue to strive to improve our test results. But maybe next time the Courier Times will take just a little bit of time to look at what’s really happening, rather than printing misleading headlines that are worthy of the National Enquirer. Such irresponsible journalism not only fails to educate the public, but it plays into the hands of those who look to further political agendas rather than support efforts to improve our schools.
WILLIAM SPITZ
Middletown, is a member of the Neshaminy school board
Editor’s note: Use of the word “flunked” in the headline accurately reflected the school district’s “failure” to meet AYP goals.
Neshaminy isn’t ‘flunking’; overall performance is strong
I was very disappointed to see the Courier Times headline on Aug 15 proclaiming that the Neshaminy School District “flunked” goals related to state PSSA exams and the No Child Left Behind Act. It is obvious from both the headline and the article itself that the newspaper was trying to generate controversy; but it reflected a deep misunderstanding of the meaning of the districtwide AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) designations.
If a District “makes AYP” in one year, but does not do so the following year, its AYP status is changed to “Warning”; this is what happened in Neshaminy. If you had taken the time to look on the Pennsylvania AYP Web site (www.paayp.com), you would have found that this is not meant to indicate “passing” or “failing” (or “flunking”), but is better thought of as a flag that tells the district to look more carefully at specific areas that may warrant attention.
In Neshaminy’s case, we had several individual schools where small groups of special education students did not pass at sufficient rates, particularly in the Reading area. Consequently, we are undertaking new initiatives this year across the District, including reorganization and expansion of our reading coach program, and implementation of a K-12 writing program.
To see how unrelated AYP status is to overall district performance, consider the following:
Based on our combined District Math and Reading scores, in 2007 Neshaminy would be ranked 142nd out of 500 districts statewide, and we “made AYP”. In 2008, Neshaminy raised its combined scores and would be ranked 10 spots higher (132nd), but we failed to make AYP.
In 2007, Neshaminy’s combined scores were lower than Pennsbury’s and Centennial’s; all three districts made AYP. In 2008, Neshaminy’s combined scores were higher than Pennsbury’s and Centennial’s, but both of those districts “made AYP” while Neshaminy did not.
Downingtown is one of the top performing school districts in the state, ranking 36th out of 500 (93rd percentile) based on its combined scores in 2008, but did not make AYP.
Bensalem School District’s combined scores are ranked 345th out of 500, and the district made AYP.
Bristol Township School District’s combined scores are ranked 431st out of 500, and the District made AYP.
The point is not to judge any individual district’s performance. Instead, what this all makes clear is that district AYP status often has very little to do with overall performance on the PSSA exams. Certainly Neshaminy can do better, and we will continue to strive to improve our test results. But maybe next time the Courier Times will take just a little bit of time to look at what’s really happening, rather than printing misleading headlines that are worthy of the National Enquirer. Such irresponsible journalism not only fails to educate the public, but it plays into the hands of those who look to further political agendas rather than support efforts to improve our schools.
WILLIAM SPITZ
Middletown, is a member of the Neshaminy school board
Editor’s note: Use of the word “flunked” in the headline accurately reflected the school district’s “failure” to meet AYP goals.
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