| Board Update 1-17-00 Last night's Board Meeting began with an Act 34 Hearing for the Har-Mer Elementary. This hearing is required by law to allow the public to make comments on the proposed renovations to the building. The Architect, Alan Cuteri, presented a summary of the project and Chris Gibbons, a financial consultant, presented a review of the financial information relating to the bond costs, method of fiancing, and impact on millage. One citizen expressed their concerns that the new additions may not be adequate to meet future enrollment needs should more people move into the Harrisville area. There was not much comment except that there may be one extra classroom available to meet growth. Another citizen asked questions concerning the water contamination problems at the Har-Mer building. He asked if there had been a report issued concerning these problems and was told yes. The renovation plans include the digging of a new well in addition to the replacement of the pipes in the building. The pipes need to be replaced because they may be the source of the high levels of lead in the water. NOW WAIT!! Maybe I've just been misinformed or totally out of it on this one, but I have never heard that the well water at Har-Mer contained contaminates. I have always been under the impression that the water was bad from lead in the pipes! Hmmm. What kind of contaminates? The citizen who asked about this last night asked specifically if PCB's had been found in the well water, he was told that they didn't think so. Has anyone seen this "report"? What the heck have these students been washing their hands and faces with anyway? Citizens have until 12:00 noon Febuary 21, 2000 to submit written comments regarding the Har-Mer project to the secretary of the Board of School Directors. In other matters........ The board had their regular committee meeting immediately following the Act 34 Hearing. Dr. Sharon Sykora addressed the proposed Middle School field trip plans to the board. The students will be going to Williamsburg Va.. Since no teachers or other district employees will be going on the trip, the board did not have to approve it, thus the usual "gifted bashing" by some board members didn't occur! YES! In other business...... Last meeting Bill Adams requested that the attorney find out if board members could review the state assesment (PSSA). Mr. Adams and Dr. Christmann both want to get a look at this test because it is now a requirement of Chapter 4 and will assess how well our students are meeting the new state mandated standards. As many of ya'll know, Chapter 4 is very controversial and the more politically conservative in the state have real problems with these mandates. So...Adams wants to look at this test, not as a parent or a member of the public, but as an elected official. Well.....our attorney, Mr. Breth, had a phone conference with the state people and reported that Chapter Four allows not only parents to review the test ( two weeks prior to its administration) but that the general public also has this right. So, if the "public" has this right, so does a board member. This is a curious thing. Chapter Four states that only parents have the right to review this test. So this "new" interpretation on the part of the state, that the "public" also has this right to review the test, even if they don't have a child taking it, is interesting. The bottom line is that- no, a board member does not have the right to review the test anytime they want as a BOARD MEMBER, they can only review it as a member of the public, and only 2 weeks before it as given like the rest of us. Some members of the board will be taking a field trip to Lancaster, Ohio to a Core Knowledge school on 1-20 and 21. Dr. Christmann and others have been pushing this school reform movement as a "fix" to our "lack of basics" woes. I guess they want to see it in action. Well....we will see if Dr. Christmann and Mr. Adams REALLY have the courage of their convictions and make this trip. There will be a Athletic Committee meeting on 1-25-00 at 5:30pm in the MS library to discuss Mr. Adams' pet peeve- children "heading" soccer balls. Man! Should be lively! There will be a Crisis Management Meeting on 1-27-00 at 7:30 pm in the MS large group instruction room. One last observation. Last night's meeting was one of the most easy going, non-hostile, productive meetings I have attended in years. Why, you ask? Because Adams and Christmann were absent! As usual, my opinion. But, others in attendance made this same observation. Go figure! Update Jan 24 2000 Serious "Situation" at Area Elementary School In a letter (click here to view letter) to parents of 4th and 5th grade students, the principal explained the details of a "situation" that took place on Friday, January 21 at the Area Elementary school. The letter reads, in part: "...a set of custodian's keys for equipment was left in the upstairs girls' restroom. When he returned a few minutes later to get them the keys were gone...the 4th and 5th grade teachers decided later in the day to check the desks, backpacks, and pockets of all the girls. While the district has the authority to do this..." Well, do they? Now I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me that students do have a constitutional right to privacy under the 4th amendment (related to unreasonable search and seizure). Of course lockers and desks are school property, and students shouldn't expect those areas to be private. However, there is a high expectation for privacy one's possessions - backpacks, purses, coats, and certainly their person. Without an individual suspect, can a District decide to search everyone? If there is a compelling state interest, maybe so. When weapons or drugs are brought into a school, an immediate danger may exist. But when a set of equipment keys are negligently left in a public place and then stolen, I'm not sure that anyone's safety or well-being is threatened. At last night's meeting, a citizen asked under what authority this search was conducted. Mr. King, the District's solicitor, said he had never heard of this before, so the letter to parents only contained the legal opinion from our elementary school principal. It's too bad the elementary principal was out last Friday. Her attempt to recover the keys (have the secretary ask the students to please return them) seems quite reasonable. So what went wrong? Why were so many innocent children searched? Does the District have the authority to conduct such sweeping searches? I don't think so - it's probably not legal and it's certainly not right. And if something ain't right, what is it????? Click here to read about the many other privacy violations in our district! Core Knowledge - Alive and Well Director of Curriculum and Staff Development, Dennis Spinella, reported on the recent fieldtrip to a Core Knowledge School in Lancaster, Ohio. Spinella, Jean Allen (Moraine principal) and 5 teachers (no names were given) visited the school in order to find out more about how Core Knowledge works. You may recall that this attempt at school reform was the brainchild of Adams and Christmann - but I guess they know all they need to about Core Knowledge - (Did we ever find out who the Directors of the Foundation are?)- and didn't really need to see it in action. Anyway. Spinella said it was "fascinating" and said the teachers were eager to talk with the Board about what they saw. According to Spinella, the teachers want a private meeting with the Board. They did not want to come to "an evening meeting like this where it is a public forum", but instead wanted a "roundtable discussion to share their candid thoughts". A private meeting? Candid thoughts? I don't know, but it seems to me that this is an issue that does involve the public. Whose children will be affected by this curriculum? Whose tax dollars paid for the trip? Why would a group of professionals be anything less than candid in public? But hey, Core Knowledge is just sound eduction. This ain't political, is it?!! Mr. King, though, said they had to do it in public. In March, 8 teachers (again nameless) will be going to the National Core Knowledge conference in California (Any community members asked to participate?). Once again, Adams and Christmann are too busy to go (where have they gotten all their information about Core Knowledge anyway? Investor's Business Daily?) Never fear! The Board nominated Angerett to represent the Board at the conference. Goodness knows, it always helps to learn about something from an expert and not just rely on personal feellings.... And finally.... This just in. Har-Mer parents and children, middle school parents and children, you've been screwed. Those plans for renovations - (the ones developed by the architect and approved by the state) forget it. Everyone knew Adams, Christmann, and Youngman would vote no when it came to approving the bond issue - and they did. But so did Angerett. When asked why, he said it was too much money. Pressed by Mr. Smith to explain the basis for thinking like that, Angerett said it was his "own personal feeling is that's too much". Based on what? Smith queried. "Based on my own personal feelings". Has Angerett ever renovated a school? What about the opinions of our consultant who found that the costs as presented by our architect to be acurate? What about the opinions of the staff and community members whose comments were taken into account by the architect? Oh no, Angerett knows better......based on his "personal feelings". Man. Ain't local control great!! Funny this vote came up on the night Surgenor officially resigned. Ah. The wonders of local control. Delay, delay, delay, and politics will out. And it's the politics of personal power. In my opinion (and ya'll know I have one); after watching this renovation thing go down for the last several months, is is apparent that the board knew Surgenor (and his vote) was going to resign, and Adams delayed this project just so it would come to a 4 to 4 vote and kill the project. Why did the board president Duryea allow these delays to continue? As president he should have seen Adams' political game and put an end to his thinly veiled attempt to have this come to a vote when there were only 8 board members. I'd sure sleep better at night if I knew that I could save money by compelling children to attend school in a substandard building with tainted water. But those are just my personal feelings..... Board Update 1-28-00 As they say, "If You Don't Vote, You Can't Complain" Seems like the public either abandoned the construction projects at Har-Mer and the Middle School, or else they are content to let the Board alone make educational decisions that will affect the lives of their children and every child in the District for years to come. Two very significant Building and Grounds committee meetings were held (Dec. 4 and Dec. 8), but only one lone community member showed up. Yes, the meetings were advertised, but it seems that the no public hoodwink worked. As you know (well, maybe you don't), the bids for renovations at Har-Mer were more than the Board wanted to spend, so the buzz word for the last month or so has been cut, cut, cut. Former acting superintendent Ahlum (is he now the 10th Board member? The one who works behind the scenes but doesn't appear in public?) has been giving advice to Board members about where cuts can happen. Newly hired principal Ron Cokain has also been telling Board members what can get the ax. Board members themselves have official and "secret" lists of items to go. And parents' input? It's been conspicuously absent, much to the Board's delight. In Friday's 4:00 meeting in the Middle School library, the Building and Grounds Committee made decisions that are going to the full Board on Monday for a vote. Will there be any further discussion? It's doubtful. Giesler, Adams, Youngman and Smith pretty well hashed it out, and voted on each item on the architect's list of changes for Har-Mer. All cosmetic changes are gone. That fancy library roof? Forget it. Plaster walls? Gypsum is cheaper. A sprinkler system? Not if the code doesn't require it. Brick for the multi-purpose room? Nah. Block construction is good enough for those Harrisville folks. A screen to hide the dumpster? No need for our tax dollars to go there. Gielser says the PTO can pay for it. Same for the shrubs. If you Har-Mer folks are lucky, you might get bleachers. That's good, because the wood in the gym is out. Which will make the gym a lot louder, but at least there will be somewhere to sit. No display case (might cause too much school "spirit"). But you will, thanks to Dr. Beaton, get a partition wall between the library and computer room (Cokain wanted to cut that). It just makes me think about the renovations to the Area Elementary. At least that school wasn't done in the cheapest way possible, without regard to aesthetics or academics. The library is a pleasant place. The front facade isn't too bad. All of the old classrooms were even renovated as part of the project. Adams was almost gleeful when he explained how it was liberal parents and liberal Board members who had all of those ideas for Har-Mer, ideas that will never see the light of day. I never thought I'd say this, but where's Jim Roberts when you need him? (I know Jim Roberts, and Randy Giesler is no Jim Roberts when it comes to supporting Har-Mer). According to Adams, the school shouldn't even be there, but since it is, all that's really needed at Har-Mer are two modular buildings. I'd like to thank the taxpayers from the Harrisville area for helping to fund Moraine and the Area Elementary. It's too bad that their children are being treated as second class citizens (they don't need clean drinking water, do they???). No one has objected, though, so I guess the Board must really be representing the will of the people. The changes will be voted on Monday night, and the rebidding process will begin. Onto the Middle School. Just two words. Metal Building. Well, ok, maybe more than two words....Bids for Value Reengineering and Constructability Analysis have come in (translation, how can they cut costs? Even though the project came in under bid, hey, maybe it can be done even cheaper). A firm will be hired Monday night to not only cut costs but also to find out how much it would cost to build a steel building in between the High School and the Middle School (since enrollment is increasing, maybe more space will be needed, according to Mr. Adams). Independent expert witness and clerk of the works Roger Weaver was there to help give advice. And guess what? It turns out he just finished building a freestanding metal (it has a brick facade) school building for the Mars Home for Youth (what a coincidence!!!). It has 8 classrooms, an office, sinks, a parking lot, heat and air conditioning (and even a lab, added Mr. Youngman) and only cost $153 per square foot. According to architect Cuteri, the Middle School new construction (according to the bids which the Board has rejected) will cost $145.33 per square foot, and $50.51 per square foot for the renovations. Ah, but the cold feel of steel. Something so, I don't know, rigid about it... And if there was a new metal building, then we wouldn't need that Taj Mahal District office. I know it isn't handicapped accessible, but hey, how many people in wheelchairs need to get in there anyway? If we just got rid of a few soccer fields, we could build a ramp to the building, steep though it might be (or so the Board argued). Well how did we get into this mess anyway? According to Giesler, mistakes were made. Someone, the liberal board or the liberal parents, told the architect to do this. Thank goodness for this Board. The children at Har-Mer - second class citizens. The middle school - metal building. And the community? They must support this Board. They elected them, and I haven't heard any objections to what is being proposed. Have you??? Maybe it's time for another town meeting, this time to discuss the proposed changes. Would the Board dare?? I strongly urge anyone who cares about what happens to Har-Mer and the Middle School to show up Monday night. Let your voices be heard. Or else let the Board alone decide the future of the District. |
| Board Update 2-14-00 Last night our board appointed Randy Giesler to the Board. Mr. Giesler is a self-confessed conservative, pro-second amendment, anti-abortion, life-long resident of Butler Co. Other then stating he wa againt State mandates, little else could be determined from his 8 minute presentation. The vote went like this: Adams- Giesler Angrette- Giesler Duryea- Roberts Smith- Roberts Thompson- Giesler Watson- Giesler Youngman- Giesler Christmann was absent!....HMMMMM Why, out of a field of 12 canididates did they chose Giesler? Well, in my opinion, first, he is not female and second, he is a "good ole' boy" conservative who will promote the status quo parochialism that seems to be the back bone of Western Pa political power. Otherwise known as local control. In other news...... The board had a long discussion about whether they need to update any policies so as to prevent Communist fundraising in the district. Apparently there is some concern that these Communists may be trying to get a foothold in the area of fundraising. The superintendent agreed that they should consider the policy review. No, I'm not kidding! It Ain't Just Bill Adams Anymore- like it ever was They're all a bunch of hypocrites. By a unanimous vote, the Board passed a resolution to ask the state to rescind all of Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment). Led by an ambitious solicitor's pursuasive political diatribe, board members swelled with pride as they voted against standards for our children. And what a political decision it was. There is no doubt now where this Board stands. Opposition to Chapter 4 took over where OBE left off (we all know the standards are just OBE in sheep's clothing), but it was more organized. A right wing conservative movement - against anything "progressive". Our Board has bought into this hook, line and sinker. The most fundamental belief of that movement is parents' rights - the inalienable right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. The Board's words and actions consistently contradict that belief. I'm glad that everyone showed their true colors at Monday's meeting - and taught us a great deal about the political beliefs of all our elected officials. Vandalism on the Rise! Bill Barnett, Director of Environmental Services, set the tone for the meeting with an impassioned report that 18% of the District's work orders are to clean up vandalism (could be up to 20%, the national average is 12%). Parents aren't supportive when their children are caught. Sentencing offenders to community service to clean up the mess isn't too effective either (too many regulation/mandates). Bad parents? Bad mandates? Coming Soon to YOUR Kitchen Table A committee of 15-20 teachers, counselors, and administrators (parents were conspicuously absent) under the fine leadership of the Curriculum Director, Dennis Spinella, has completed the mandatory homework guidelines. According to Spinella, homework is not a suggestion, it's required. The issue is "enforcement" - making sure the teachers will follow the guidelines. Why would he think the teachers wouldn't? It's a mandate, isn't it? Times (per night) (Grades 1-3) 30 minutes (Grades 4-5) 45-60 minutes (Grades 6-8) 60-90 minutes (Grades 9-12) 90-120 minutes And parents, you're part of this, too. One of your responsibilities is "to maintain a balance between school and family or outside events". Let's see. The District would like to mandate what our children will do outside of school - a decision made without any parental input. Nothing like a little governmental intrusion into my family life. The joys of local control.... Just Say No to Standards Standards - who needs them? Deborah Wells spoke to the Board asking members to make sure they had all the facts before they voted to pass a resolution against Chapter 4: Academic Standards and Assessment. She asked the Board to recognize that passing a resolution against Chapter 4 is more than a legal issue - it is clearly political. The Commonwealth Education Organization (CEO) has been very active in lobbying against Chapter 4. (Did you see District Solicitor King testifying before the House Education Committee along with representatives from the CEO? Is an elected office in someone's future? Heck, they all look alike). If you follow the CEO's website's links, it reveals an organization with ties to all of our Board's favorite right wing issues. The links are anti-OBE, anti-paganism, anti-environmentalism/eco-despair, anti-teachers' unions, anti-bilingual, anti-standards, anti school-to-work, and anti-government in schools. They seem to favor vouchers, homeschooling, charter schools, Core Knowledge, English only and abstinence education. Wells asked the Board to have a town meeting before passing any resolution. Parents were supposed to receive a "tabloid" from the State explaining Chapter 4, but it was never distributed in this District. If parents received this information, they could have informed opinions to share with the Board. Right. More parents to listen to. The plea for community input fell on deaf ears. King agreed that the resolution was both legal and political. His legal argument was a fear of religious profiling of students who had religious objections to the PSSA (A concern Wells introduced to the Board last month). But then the politicking began. Solicitor King had lots of reasons for opposing Chapter 4. I guess he's an expert on standards and the PSSA. He certainly knows that performance incentives are bad. But his greatest area of expertise is guarding against the loss of local control. It's the Quiet Ones Ya Gotta Watch The most interesting comments came from SR Borough representative Brad Smith - he wanted to challenge Chapter 4 in court (And just how much would THAT cost the taxpayers?). Would we have to comply with Chapter 4 during the legal challenge, he asked (King's advice - follow the law). Smith would not be dissuaded, and asked how this would compare with the Grove City College case and Title IX? King replied that the District was not in the position to stop taking federal and state monies. Bill Adams agreed wholeheartedly with Smith's legal challenge idea, so this should tell you where Smith is coming from. You may recall that Title IX bans sex discrimination in all programs receiving federal funds. In 1976, Grove City College refused to sign a Title IX compliance form and does not receive federal funds. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex. This includes access to academic and athletic programs and facilities. It includes discrimination against married or pregnant students. And it includes sexual harassment as a form of discrimination. Now I know that mandates are unpopular with our Board, but would they really consider giving up state and federal money just to have local control? What mandates would they like to avoid? The ones that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, religion or ethnic background? Or how about the Constitutional manadates against unreasonable search and seizure? Or maybe the mandates for due process in employment matters? Due process rights for students? We certainly could get rid of the Special Education mandate. And hey - that Sunshine Act is pretty cumbersome. I'll bet that Board could get a lot more done without all those pesky citizens. Maybe one of the anti-public education financial wizards on the Board could do the math for us and find out exactly how much would taxes have to be raised to make the District self-supporting. The ultimate in local control. Anyway. The resolution asking that all of Chapter 4 be rescinded (not just the "illegal" part) passed, with a UNANIMOUS vote. After it was over, Mr. Adams summed it up,"We have a weenie-free Board". (Translation - well, you fill in the blank....) The Bussing Saga Continues Mr. Youngman gave a report on the recent transportation committee meeting with, as he put it, the "lady" who made the request and her "colleagues out of the trailer park". You may recall that a parent spoke to the Board earlier this month, sharing her exasperation that no District administrators had been responsive to her concerns. She was strongly discouraged from taking her concerns to the Board - it's been reported that her name was removed from the agenda the night she was scheduled to speak. During the transportation committee meeting, parents asked that a new driver be assigned to their route. They asked for audio to be added to the present videotaping on the bus (King said there was a problem about consent and whether or not parents could give consent for children. Well, it seems like parents give consent for most everything else when a child is a minor - I guess an audio tape of a bus ride is somehow different....). And they asked whether or not a bus driver had the authority to create punishment for a child (Bonfield said some did, but it wasn't "universally" used). Apparently the Board ain't too happy about this situation. Bob Watson began his lecture - Some forget that riding a bus is a privilege (True. Districts don't have to provide bussing at all. But if they do, the mandate says they have to provide it for everyone within a certain distance of the school.They even have to provide bussing for kids to a private or religious school. Yep, it has to be provided for all - except of course kindergarten children who are only bussed one way. And yes, it even has to be provided to children "out of the trailer park"). That wasn't the real issue though. Watson sounded almost angry at the "special process" afforded to these parents. The board can't look at every issue that comes forward in the mind of parents, he said. Apparently Watson believed this was an administrative issue, and even if the parents weren't satisfied with the administrators' responses, a Board meeting and special transportation committee meeting was not the place for these issues. Ok. Let's review here. With local control, we're supposed to call our Board members, right? That's why we don't need parents on any committees. So calling a Board member privately is all right - but be advised - if you bring up an issue at a public meeting, you do so at your own peril. But that wasn't all. Adams and Duryea have a solution. Adams suggested that if there was a problem on a bus, we should get a list of all the students who are on Ritalin that ride that bus. Guess he wants a look into their medical records. Board President Dr. David Duryea wanted to know how many of the children on that bus eat breakfast at school. Guess he wants a look into the parents' financial records to see if it's a free breakfast. (If I remember correctly, some our current Board members were on the Board when the issue of offering breakfast at school first came up - and there was a strong sentiment against it). But I'm sure the Board will find a solution that satisfies everyone - well everyone except those who come "out of a trailer park", exercise their right to speak to the Board, take Ritalin, or eat breakfast at school. Buddhist Monks - Gone But Not Forgotten Adams had Dr. Bonfield scurrying back to his office to get Board members copies of an advertisement sent to Adams (I'm sure that produced a "warm and fuzzy feeling") from a friend in Florida (Where's Jim Roberts, anyway?). Adams thinks they might be the same monks who were here in March 1999 and performed their sacred dances (the deer dance and the bunny hop according to Adams) at SRU. He explained that the group is charging $18 for a ticket to the performance - quite a lucrative operation for a group that says they want to spread their culture for the good of the audience. Executive Session An executive session was held for: Labor negotiations (hey, teachers, doesn't mandatory homework increase your workload?) Personnel (Still no new English teacher)-delay, delay,delay A Complaint filed with the PA Labor Relations Board by a part time payroll clerk Other matters exempt from public discussion (after watching Adams' lengthy sidebar with King, I'll bet it's about that Ritalin list) Oh, I almost forgot, Dr. Edwin P. Christmann never took the Oath of Office. Huh. One last note. Last time I told ya'll that Mr. Breth, Board Solicitor, revealed that there was an ongoing "computer investigation" . Through the magic of the Right to Know Act ( the district sure isn't going to tell ya'll anything about this) I have acquired 'new" information. Click here for details Board Update 3-20-2000 "Police accuse SR teen of bomb threat" So read the headline in the March 17, 2000 Eagle. According to the paper, around 4:00 pm on March 14, police allege that a 16 year old student threatened to detonate a bomb at the high school during school hours. Searches were done at the school, and no bombs or bomb-making materials were found. Criminal charges against the boy are pending. Calls to Superintendent Reggie Bonfield were not returned. At last night's Board meeting at Moraine Elementary School, citizen Katherine Gardiner asked about the latest bomb threat, and asked why parents had not been told about it. An interesting, though convoluted, discussion followed. Dr. Bonfield stated, "I don't know what the police are referring to in that article." (Gee, that instills confidence). He continued, "I know of no bomb threat that was called in to the school about a bomb going to go off on the 14th." When Gardiner explained that neither she nor the paper said anything about a threat being called in, Dr. Bonfield assured her that "When we have any credible information we can give to parents, we will do that..." Hm... I guess the reporting was all wrong. I guess a police investigation with pending criminal charges isn't credible. And if the building was searched, I guess they weren't really looking for a bomb. Safety first. When parents were notified about the earlier e-mail bomb threat for Thursday, March 8, 60-70% of the students were absent from school. Bonfield said this was because of the District's good communication with parents. Now let's see. Good communication with parents. How many children were absent because of the latest threat? How many parents knew of the latest threat? Apparently Gardiner left messages at the District office on Friday and Monday and her calls were not returned, even though people were in the office. Gardiner summed it up well. "If a police report has been filed, and this type of situation exists, parents should be notified." Exactly. Still No High School English Teacher When High School English teacher Kimberly Robertson resigned in January, a search began for her replacement. Although a name was presented to the Board during last month's Business meeting (Scott Fritsche), no action was taken. In last night's meeting, action was taken, this time with a "no" vote for hiring Scott Fritsche as a High School English teacher, Step 1, $29,997. A motion was made to approve, but no second was made for a looooong time. Finally Youngman seconded, but wanted to hear what his colleagues problems were (I guess he meant problems with the motion...!). Adams railed against the high starting salary of a beginning teacher (so we all made a mistake by not going into education as young men, Youngman quipped), but then the truth was told. Apparently, the Board's personnel committee did not get to review all of the applications received by the District. Not enough time, everyone's in a big hurry, said Adams. In the past, this committee has saved the District some real problems, he said, and as Dr. Christmann pointed out (to Mr. Adams, I guess), look at the grade point averages here...that kind of thing would have come out in the personnel committee. Too little time, too little power - the remedy? The Board's usual response - delay, delay, delay. Bonfield reminded the Board that a sub was currently teaching the English classes. Adams and Christmann voted no, Angerett, Duryea and Youngman voted yes. A majority of 5 was needed. (Giesler showed up after the vote, Smith, Thompson and Watson were absent). I guess the Board knows best. Teachers and Sabbaticals CAD instructor Mel Price is asking for a sabbatical for "study" for the second semester of the 2000-2001 school year. Concerned about finding a replacement, Bonfield asked the Board to move on this quickly. Giesler expressed concern about sabbaticals and their purposes. Is it part of their contract, he asked? And if we can't find a replacement, do we have to approve it? Duryea suggested that Board members could talk to the solicitor before the next meeting if they had questions. I sure hope the teachers' contract is clear...because this Board doesn't seem too fond of sabbaticals. The vote should take place next week. Teachers and Advisory Committees SRAE teacher Kim Creasy and SRHS teacher Sid Snyder have been invited to become members of SRU's Teacher Education Advisory Committee. An honor, you would think. But then again...the Board isn't so sure. Just how were these particular teachers selected, Adams and Christmann want to know. Their names were "given" to the School (sic) of Education. Do these teachers have the highest SAT scores? Do they excell in anything? Do their students have higher achievement test scores? After all, everyone knows that teachers are only as good as their GPA or their students' test scores, right??? Well, our Board seems to think so. Just read The Bell Curve, Adams says. Let's look at their SAT scores, their PRAXIS test scores (Christmann's interest). Our Board sure knows how to tell if someone's a good teacher. I'm glad they're looking out for us. Miscellaneous Angerett would like the Board's Athletic Committee to get moving on an idea to re-organize Youth Soccer and Youth Football to include grades 7, 8 and 9 (9th grade is currently varsity). If there are no 13 year olds in football, then 120 young men will be left with nothing to do. 100 cheerleaders will be left out in the cold. And if the Board wants to hear from some mad mothers, just let that happen. The issue was sent to the Dr. Watson and the Athletic Committee. |
| Board Update 3-27-00 The Slippery Rock School Board has decided to form a committee to establish a Citizens Advisory Committee to advise board members on issues that involve parents! This move comes after 3 years, and over a half a dozen presentations to the Board by parent advocate Deborah Wells to do just that-establish such a group. Wells has been relentless in lobbying for a Citizens Advisory Committee and it appears that it will soon become a reality. Based on the belief that parents have a natural right to direct the education of their children, such a committee will allow parents to have meaningful input into the governance of our district. Until now, the Board has rejected Wells' proposal, based on the Board's desire to retain all control and relegate parents participation to helping with homework and fund raising activities. Deborah Wells and board member Watson should be thanked for leading this effort. A committee will be formed consisting of Watson, Angerett, Giesler and Thompson to establish this Parental Advisory Committee. In Another Moment of Clarity...... Through the had work and lobbying efforts of Katherine Gardner and other members of Citizens for Safe Schools, the Board has decided to finally act on their recommendations and hire a security consultant to assess security needs of all the schools in the district. This has been put off too long by our district - and the recommendation by Citizens for Safe Schools to have this type of assessment done was made long ago. Why has our Board finelly decided to make the security needs of our children a priority at this time? Simple. Last night Mr. King, our solicitor, informed the Board that they could be held legally responsible if there was a problem and they hadn't taken steps to provide a safe environment for our children. Even though Ms. Gardner and other parents have been concerned with building security for years, it took the Board thinking they could be sued to take their concerns seriously. Is there no shame? |
| Board Update 4-17-00 Is there a price on the security of our children while they are attending schools in our district? You bet there is...... and it is less then $3000! Our know it all Board has decided to not hire a security consultant to provide the district with a comprehensive security plan and risk assessment because the costs would range between $3000 and $18000 depending on which consultant they hired. Apparently our Board has decided to leave it in the hands of board members Youngman, a grumpy old man, Smith, a funeral director, and Geisler, someone who works out of his home with a fax and a computer. Geisler, suggested this brilliant idea based on his opinion that the consultants' findings would be too expensive and take too long. Yeah right! Like our board can do anything quickly, not to mention they know nothing about security risk assessment. The Board has, however, hired a consultant to do the security at Har-Mer and the Middle School as part of the upcoming renovations. Adams doesn't like this plan either. He claims that the consultants hired to do these two schools are liberals because of their views of the events at Columbine HS. But, despite his objections, Har-Mer and the Middle school will have professionals designing the security systems at these two schools. It's comforting to know that we have a Board who is so versatile and all knowing. They don't need professionals to design curriculum - after all, they are eager to throw out all the work the teachers have done and instead implement the conservative's darling "Core Knowledge". And does Chapter 4 have any educational benefits? Who cares? Everyone else in Western PA opposes it - that's good enough for our Board. And mandatory homework - once again, our Board knows best. We can all rest easy knowing that the security of our children is in good hands. |
| Board Update 6-27-00 As most of you know, our superintendent, Reggie Bonfield, has resigned. The way he tells it, he is leaving because he wants to be closer to his family. He has taken a job with the Northgate School District, just several miles from his home. Bonfield really resigned because our board is dysfunctional, and he was not allowed to do his job. Last night he told me he did the best he could with what he had. During the meeting he thanked the parents, students and community for allowing him to serve as superintendent. He didn't thank the board. Hmmmm. Wonder why? Well...He also commented last night that this last meeting will be memorable in several ways. I would like to thank Dr. Bonfield for putting up with our board for as long as he did. This was no small task. Sooooo....we are now looking to hire a superintendent. This will not be easy for several reasons. First, superintendents are as rare as hen's teeth. And second, anyone in their right mind couldn't work for our board. Like I said, we are all real lucky that Bonfield managed to stay here 3 years of his 5 year contract. Stay tuned! But don't hold your breath. Get that Cleavage out of my Face! According to Mr. Beil, HS Principal, he is "shocked" with the way many female students are dressing. According to Beil, females are showing a lot more cleavage, wearing pajamas to school, bras are being publicly displayed, and backless shirts are being worn. He stated that he is seeing more then he wants to see. What does he recommend to end this unseemly situation? Well, he and the Executive Student Council recommended the implementation of school uniforms! Yep, to avoid having their sensibilities offended, they think uniforms would bring about a more moral atmosphere (I guess parents' morals need some improvement, too, if they let their children go to school dressed like that.) Beil presented the board with changes to the HS Handbook, that included many outlawed items of clothing and also included a rule that requires females to wear bras. He said that the teachers would function as the "police officers" to enforce the new rules. When Mr. King saw the list, he got very animated, and informed Beil and the board that he would have to do a legal review before these suggestions could go into the handbook. Duh! (makes me wonder if King is the only reason our district is even still afloat) Now, don't get me wrong, I dislike seeing cleavage on females as much as the next guy, but do we really need to put our HS students in uniforms to avoid seeing it? Anyway, Adams jumped at the chance to make a motion for Beil to look into the uniform issue, Watson jumped even faster to second the motion, and the resulting vote was unanimous. Our board is now investigating implementing a uniform policy. This decision was made more easily because the HS students seem to think uniforms are a good idea too. Now I want ya'll to remember this. Our district is considering uniforms to put a stop to unseemly female attire, not for safety reasons. This is important because safety (gang clothing etc.) is the usual reason districts implement uniforms, not to police the wearing of morally acceptable garments. As this issue progresses and goes through legal review, I suspect the reasons for uniforms will change from moral reasons to safety ones. Of course, most of ya'll reading this are probably in favor of uniforms. It never ceases to amaze me how quick parents are in turning over their parental rights and obligations to the state. For those of you who may wonder how far the government can go in telling you how your children can dress, click here for the ACLU's interpretation of the law. What do you think? Do you favor uniforms? Click here to let your opinion be heard! What's this? Why haven't any of you told me that our district had a web site? Better question. Why hasen't the district told us they now have a web site???? I was surfing around, lookin at dis and dat and low and behold, there it was, complete with an email address. Click here to visit what I think is the Official Slippery Rock School District web site! |
| Board Update 8-9-00 The Freefall Continues.... Dennis Spinella, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development, will be looking for a new job as of Aug. 15, 2000. The district has elected to eliminate his position and create a "new" position- Asst. Superintendent. A search is underway. This is the third administrator to leave the district in the last 3 months. Spinella joins the ranks of our superintendent and the SRAE/Har-Mer principal. Ron Cokain will work as interim principal at the Area Elem. and Har-Mer until a permanent principal can be found. Mr. Cokain is currently the Head Teacher at Har-Mer. He will be paid his regular teacher's salary + 25 dollars a day and start Aug. 16, 2000. In related personnel matters...... Mr. King, the district's attorney, related to the public that negotiations between our teachers and board are not going well, but has no reason to believe that school won't start on time. He says that the district has not heard from the union of any plans for a work stoppage. It's time to call a board member in support of our teachers! As our administrators drop like flies, mostly due to our board's doings, it appears that the teachers are being targeted next. Our board's obsession with TOTAL control may well lead to a strike. IN THE LET'S NOT STOP WITH THE STAFF-WE WANT TOTAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT..... After a lengthy diatribe by Bill Adams about the Constitution, free speech and how our fathers fought for, died for and bled for these things, our board passed a portion of the new district-wide proposed dress code. Adams was concerned that the new dress code, as written, was in violation of our students' rights to free expression. Adams was also concerned that there would be problems with interpretation of the new code of dress. And I agree. Board member Christmann suggested that, in "partial response to what Bill's saying", the board should consider uniforms. What is wrong with Christmann? Let's see here. Adams is concerned with the right of the student to freely express themselves and Christmann wants to take away all self expression by putting our students in uniforms. Wonder if Christmann wants uniforms for teachers, too? I think that when a government mandates uniforms, it is an attempt to do away with individual freedom. Just take a look at any child who attends school in Cuba or China. Not much individual freedom there, but they sure are well behaved. Anyway, they did vote for a portion of the new dress code. Any attire or grooming disruptive to the instructional process which includes but not limited to: Sheer see-through clothing Bare midriffs/backs Shorts or skirts must reach below the fingertips when the arms are fully extended at one's sides Shorts must be designed as walking shorts or culottes Swimsuits, cutoffs, gym shorts, and shorts with frayed or slit bottoms are not acceptable Apparel that reveals or exposes the midriff, lower back, chest, sides of the body and/or undergarments Painted faces Bare feet or rubber thongs Hats, headgear, or bandannas Chains Ripped or torn clothing Droopy pants/ low riders Sleepwear Board Update 8-21-00 Anybody Got a Band-Aid? Well, it doesn't look like there will be any new Math books when school begins (for one thing, the warehouses are empty...), but there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. If the Board does indeed vote next week to approve the new textbooks, they could arrive by the end of September. Of course, the Board still won't have a policy that tells how books are to be adopted. But then, why should there be a policy to direct our board's actions? And of course, the math curriculum hasn't been approved either. But hey, why do we need a curriculum when we have the books? Makes you wonder why teachers had to spend all that time writing curriculum when all that is really needed is a book...Were all those sub days just a waste of taxpayer dollars? Christmann, sees a flaw in ordering textbooks before a curriculum is adopted. You can't order books if they don't go with the curriculum, he claims. Youngman and Ahlum, though, feel math is math. The Board seems to forget that the teachers chose these books to go with the new math curricula. Is Christmann hinting that the Board has already rejected the new curricula? Stay tuned... Giesler perhaps showed the most insight, calling the board's failure to have books "irresponsible". Begin the Adams tirade: It's not irrresponsible since it gives the Board "a chance to put forward a better program". After all, he continued, "we keep hearing the teachers approved this, they recommend this and la di da di da...American students score next to last on international math tests...and they (the teachers) are not giving us good advice here. We are doing whatever they say, and their profesional judgement has had 4 decades of continuous accelerated failure." Begin the deconstruction: Ah the low math scores of American students. Must be the teachers' fault, right? It doesn't have anything to do with who takes those international tests, does it? And those same bad teachers - forty years of bad professional advice has led to the demise of American education. Thank goodness for the Board's expertise. They will save Slippery Rock and find us a better program. So all you teachers out there, all you amateur curriculum writers, thanks but no thanks. The Board knows best. But I'm sure they'll remember your efforts during contract negotiations.... Board Update 8-28-2000 Penny Wise and Pound Foolish? "I have a problem with..." So said Christmann, as the math textbook debate raged on. Giesler, too, had a problem "with kids starting school with no books" (Hm. A voice of reason? How refreshing.) The first vote to approve new mathematics textbooks for the High School and Middle School was a tie (Smith was out), with Christmann, Adams, Angerett and Youngman voting no. A tie means the motion doesn't carry, so no new textbooks were approved. Last school year, the Board approved 5 new math courses: Consumer Mathematics, Statistics, Integrated Algebra and Geometry Parts A and B, Fundamentals of Algebra, and Computer Programming. There are students currently enrolled in these classes, but they have no textbooks. Students enrolled in the other math classes are currently using books that are about 7 years old and have been re-bound once ($6.00 a book for re-binding - takes about 3 months). There aren't enough books for everyone - all the high school classes need additional books, with 40 books at $45 apiece needed for geometry alone. The Middle School principal estimates that about 30-40% of the books they do have won't last through the school year. Christmann, though, wants to be sure that the new books the teachers recommended conform to the new NCTM standards for mathematics. Can't fault him for that. It's too bad, though, that he wasn't concerned about this last spring when the curricula and textbooks were presented to the Board. Then was the time to object - not the day that school began. Anyway, the Board had a change of heart. After a quick call to Mr. Beil to see which courses have no textbooks, the Board voted again. This time, books were approved for the new courses. As far as the old courses go? Well, new copies of the old books will be ordered. Ahlum estimates it will cost about the same as ordering the new books... What's going on here? Let's see. The Board paid teachers to revise curricula and recommend textbooks - then ignored, and basically rejected, all of the work that was done. Why the delay? Something about the curricula and textbooks not meeting current standards. The solution? Spend thousands of dollars on out of date textbooks, books that definitely don't meet current math standards. Puzzling. I guess we should be grateful to the Board, though. After all, they are just volunteers who are doing the best they can... Middle School Soccer or Creeping Socialism? In the fine spirit of us against them, Angerett lead the charge to stop the formation of a Middle School soccer team. Angerett began the discussion by claiming that "the community" already has soccer programs, so a program at the middle school would only be a burden to taxpayers. "Would you call it creeping socialism?" asked Adams. "This is getting there," was Angerett's reply. Enough said. A vote was taken and the Board voted not to approve the position of Junior Varsity Coach or Middle School Soccer coach (Angerett, Adams, Christmann and Youngman voted no).. Ok, says Ahlum. I'll cancel those programs... But wait. Did they really mean to eliminate the JV coach? I guess not, because they reopened the motion and decided to keep him. So what's up with Middle School soccer? Is it really the fear of socialism? Or is it something else? Turns out Angerett has some past history with community sports leagues. He went on (and on) about Freeport and how the formation of school football programs took players from the community "midget" league. As a result, Freeport has a losing football team. Enter Duryea. Parents he's talked to like the idea of their children playing for the school district. Because it's free, Angerett interrupted. No, Duryea continued. Because they would rather represent their school district. But according to Angerett, "We are two communities...We like our community pride and the people of Slippery Rock like theirs...basically we're trying to cut it so there's only one." So all you parents of Middle School soccer players, listen up. Don't try to create a team that would have members from across the District - that's socialism. Stay in your own community and pay to play. If you're poor and can't afford the fees or travel expenses, too bad. After all, it's not how you play the game. It's whether you win or lose. And once again, it's our children who are the losers. Dis and Dat Did you know that the only power expressly granted to a school superintendent is the power to recommend textbooks for adoption? Last night, though, our all powerful Board chose to eliminate that wording from the proposed policy for adopting textbooks. No big deal, you say, they still have to follow the law. True. But it just goes to show you how much power our Board wants. Kind of makes you wonder what kind of superintendent will be willing to work for them... Bids are going out for renovations at Har-Mer and the Middle School. How far behind are we, someone asked. "About three years," quipped Thompson. Two months, though, was the official answer. An executive session was held for personnel and litigation not yet filed. Wonder what's up with that? |
| Board Update 9-25-2000 We the People... Remember the search last January at the Area Elementary School? All of the 4th and 5th grade girls were searched in an effort to find a set of keys that fit the toilet paper holder in the bathroom. The District said the search may have been inappropriate but claimed they had the authority to conduct such searches, "although it is usually reserved for more serious incidents such as suspected weapons or drugs". The authority to conduct suspicionless mass searches? I don't think so. Well, it turns out that the ACLU has gotten involved and sent a letter to the District that said the searches "violated the girls' right of privacy under both the United States and the Pennsylvania Constitutions". The letter continued, "apparently the District has resisted a move to adopt a District-wide search policy. The absence of a policy increases not only the chances of more violations of students' privacy rights, but also makes it more likely that the District will be held financially liable for improper searches that may occur in the future.Without written guidelines on how and when to proceed, mistakes are bound to occur." Last night a parent, Deborah Wells, discussed that letter with the Board and urged them to adopt a search policy, a policy which might help prevent any future violations of students' Constitutional rights. You'd think that Adams would be the first to go along with that. The history of the absent search policy is predictable, interesting and ironic. In September 1998, the policies for student searches, locker searches and motor vehicle searches were on the agenda. Adams railed against the curtailment of individual freedoms in the name of school safety. This, of course, brings us periously close to a police state. Youngman and Christmann, not to be outdone, didn't like the idea that student searches were based on reasonable suspicion instead of probable cause. The policy, they argued, should define what reasonable suspicion is. Solicitor King informed them that the Courts themselves couldn't and didn't define reasonable suspicion, since it depends on the circumstances. The second reading occurred in October 1998. That night, Adams passed out a copy of the Bill of Rights to the Board members and declared that he would vote no for the search policies, saying he looked at it as treason. The vote to adopt the policies was taken, with Adams, Christmann, Youngman and Courtney voting no. So no student search policy was ever approved. After reviewing the history, Wells asked the Board to provide guidance for teachers and adminstrators in the form of a policy. She said that while Adams might see a policy as the first step in tyranny, she saw the lack of a policy as an open door for the violation of children's Constitutional rights, and that, she said, was a first step in tyranny. What lessons do the children learn when those in charge do not respect the Constitution? At that point, Duryea told her time was up and to please summarize whatever she had left to say. This isn't the first time Wells has been told to sit down and shut up when her message was not to his liking, so she was prepared and had signed up to speak during the audience participation time. Would you like me to wait til' then? she asked. No, go ahead and finish... My Head don't Hurt and my Feet don't Stink..... And it was a good thing she did, because challenges to our children's Constitutional rights seem to be alive and well in our beloved district. You may know that last week was the annual "See you at the pole" event where students voluntarily go to the flagpole before school to pray. Teachers can join them, as long as it it before school and they are on their own time. It's good to see people exercising their Constitutional rights, Wells said, but she understood that at one of the District's schools, about ten minutes before school began, a parent was permitted to go to each classroom to recruit students to go to the pole to pray. Teachers also left their classrooms to join the students. If it is true, this would be a violation of the First Amendment. I've heard this rumor, too, from several different sources. Now let's see. Don't I remember something about Tibetan monks, a cultural program, and children with permission slips who couldn't attend because of the separation of church and state? There's a pagan under every rock... Student representative, Mourad Ismail, shared a list of proposed clubs that High School students would like to see. One of the clubs was the "Spirit" club. Adams and Christmann had their heads together, pointing to the list Ismail provided. In an accusatory tone Adams asked, "What is this Spirit club?" Silence, then chuckles. "It's school spirit, Bill." Construction woes just beginning... Bids aren't due until October 5 but the politicking continues. On the agenda was an easement agreement to move a sewer line at Har-mer. Apparently it wouldn't be a good thing to have a sewer line under the new addition. King advised the Board to vote for the easement even if they weren't in favor of the renovations because he said he understands politics and he understands common sense. Adams, Christmann and Youngman voted against the easement. Enough said. Is there anybody out there? Step back. Take a good look at all this. No new curriculum, despite thousands spent. No new textbooks. Illegal searches. Possible violations of the First Amendment-Establishment Clause. No Superintendent, No Director of Curriculum, No new Principal at the SRAE, a possible strike by our teachers. You might want to check out the new election page |
| Board Update Oct. 4, 2000 HI HO, HI HO......... In the midst of a massive show of solidarity, the Slippery Rock School Board, looked into the eyes of over 100 district teachers and voted NO to the Fact Finding Report. That's right. Over 100 teachers crowded the meeting awaiting the Board's vote. Before voting, four board members made the following comments. Adams- "A lot of people are struggling, facing a lot of higher heating bills, and taxes, across the board...." Youngman- "I have a problem with having an excellent business manager who does a prudent job, and we are penalized because of his ability to manage the money properly, and I do think it is a very expensive ordeal that we are being asked to undertake". Watson- "One of the questions and concerns I have about the fact finding report is that it compares SRASD with school districts predominately and only in Butler Co. Especially districts in the southern part of the Co., which we differ from a great deal and a good number of our demographics. There is no information that would compare us with districts that may be more like us, just across another Co. line, whether it would be a Grove City school district or a Mercer or school district in Lawrence Co. So, the information provided in the fact finding report is not as approprate to provide us with information to make the decision". Geisler- "I also believe it's not only important to compare other school districts, but to whatever other occupations...., what other people in the district are making, and use that as a comparison basis with what's customary and what's approprate at this time" There were 28 issues addresed in this report. But judging from the above comments, it appears that the Board's problem, which may lead to a strike, revolves around one- wages and salary provisions. The fact finding report recommended that the teachers receive an $1850 a year raise during a five year contract. The teachers wanted on average around $2500 a year, the district wanted to give only $1000 a year. The report looked at the district's ability to fund an increase compared with other Butler Co. school districts as a basis for this recommendation. The report noted that taxes have gone down in our district while the value of property has gone up 7.9%. The report also noted that actual expenditures have been less than bugeted expenditures to the tune of $335,827 a year on average! The report also pointed out that last year the district had a fund balance of almost $1.5 million. To further demonstrate that the $1850 a year raise is reasonable, they compared our district with Karns City. The fact finder concluded that the teachers in that district got a $1750 raise, noting that Karns City is comparably placed with Slippery Rock, although Karns City is somewhat less wealthy than Slippery Rock regarding ability to pay. So, it appears that our Board, despite the fact we have the ability to pay our teachers $1850 more a year, has no intention to show them the respect they deserve through a fair pay increase! Are any of you surprised? In the past members of our board have called our teachers amateurs, declined to approve the curricula they have developed etc., etc.! The teachers will vote on this report on Thursday. You should know that currently, our teachers are the lowest paid in the County. It's time to treat our teachers as the professionals they are! I fear a work stoppage! Call a Board member. Let them know you support our teachers! I think the recommendations from the fact finder are fair to both sides! |
| Board Update Oct. 13, 2000 Last night, the PTO at Moraine Elementary School held an informational meeting regarding contract negotiations, and the Core Knowledge curriculum. Over 100 parents and teachers filled the lunchroom. Tony Consbruck spoke on behalf of the teachers. Representing the Board were Lee Ahlum (Acting Superintendent), Paul Cessar (Business Manager), and Michael Hnath (Attorney). The members of the Board's negotiating team (Gregg Angerett and John Youngman) were invited but chose not to attend. Consbruck began with the history of the current negotiations and a review of the fact finding process. Since the initial 10 day period had passed, copies of the Fact Finders report were distributed. We need your input, Consbruk told the audience. Teachers, according to Consbruck, are frustrated. Discussions have stalled, leaving teachers with no real options short of a work stoppage - a work stoppage that no one wants. Ask yourself what you would do in the same situation, he challenged the audience. Then the fun began, as members of the audience submitted written questions. Some of the questions, though, were a little hard to answer since no board members were there. And where were they? What is the Board afraid of? Why are they unwilling to explain their votes to the public? We really want to know. It bordered on the absurd as Hnath spoke for the Board. He hasn't been involved in the negotiating process and has no idea why our Board really voted as they did. Why did the Board reject the Fact Finders report? Why is the Board was unwilling to bring teachers' salaries up to the county average? Why were no Board members present? Hnath just had to repeat the lines he had memorized. I can't speak for the entire board. They had their reasons. Not all Board members have time to participate in negotiations. They have a firm position and are entitled to adhere to it. They used the Business manager and the census to come up with the $1000 raise offer. This is the extent of the money they will agree to... Hnath, though, did assure everyone that the Board will vote again on Monday on the Fact Finders report, and we should speak to the Board then. Maybe get on the agenda. Tell them if you disagree on how they spend your money. After all, the Board values your input (And I've got some swamp land in Florida if you're interested...). Why doesn't the Board use the surplus to fund the salary increases recommended by the Fact Finder? Business manager Cessar explained. Turns out, that surplus doesn't really exist. I mean, the money's there, but...it isn't surplus. After all, we have construction costs with two building projects. And the curriculum, well that costs $300,00 a year (and we know that's been money well spent). Oh yeah. And we need a million for technology. Heck, we're still trying to wire some of the buildings (now how was that Link to Learn grant spent?). Let's review. The Har-Mer PTO had to cancel their meeting between parents and teachers because no Board members had been invited. But last night at Moraine, the Board members didn't show up. Instead, they sent an attorney (who has not been involved in negotiations), an acting Superintendent (who has not been involved in negotiations), and a Business Manager (who has not been involved in negotiations) to explain the Board's position on contract negotiations. Right. But we, as good citizens, can attend their meeting Monday night (7:30 at Har-Mer). A meeting that will be held in a place that is too small to accommodate a very large crowd. A meeting where public participation can be limited to 30 minutes (I guess with a five minute limit per speaker, that's a total of 6 speakers.). A meeting where the Board doesn't really have to answer any questions (As the Board and their attorney have often reminded us, the Sunshine Act requires the Board to allow citizens to speak. It doesn't require the Board to answer). A meeting the Board, and the Board alone, controls. Core Knowledge- Heads' Up Teachers Wonder why tonight's Butler Eagle didn't cover the last night's presentation concerning Core Knowledge? Because they like Core Knowledge. In an editorial on Sept. 22, 1999, the editor went on and on about how great it is. Main point being something about the "internet culture" and a lack of "shared culture". Sometime last year, I was in the local Eagle office and our local reporter Ms. Miller had a copy of Everything your 2nd, or 5th, or something Grader open on her desk. When I asked her what she thought, she said she liked Core Knowledge. So, forget any coverage concerning this very, very, important issue. What is next? Speculation: The Board, next Monday night, will have Duryea read a general statement, individual members might have a statement, then they will vote NO once again. Adams is already showing his cards. In a letter to the editor in tonight's SR Eagle, he is already talking about the high cost of renovations and the manipulated, weak board members who voted for the renovations. Now, what did I tell you? Don't forget to read the Message Board! People are talking! Do you think our teachers should get a $1850 raise even if it may mean a tax increase? Take the poll! |
Board Update - October 16, 2000 First, I have heard several people have had problems getting to my site. I have "tweaked" it and hope this helps. Spread the word. Well, it's happened. Last night, SRASD PSEA President, Lavonne Gilliand, hand-delivered The Notice to Drs. Ahlum and Duryea, informing the District of a work stoppage to begin on Tuesday, October 24. And so the meeting ended, with the Board holding an executive session for personnel and contract negotiations. The evening began with a PTCC meeting at the Area Elementary School. Tony Consbruck spoke on behalf of the teachers' association. Acting Superintendent Ahlum, Attorney Michael Hnath, and Bussiness Manager Paul Cessar represented the District - and lo and behold - three Board members were there to speak for themselves. Remember that after refusing "early bird" negotiations, the Board began negotiations in January. The last negotiating meeting was in August, and the Fact Finders report came out in October. But last night, Board President Duryea told parents and the teachers association, It's time to say knock it off...Let's get together and negotiate...We don't have to go through a strike...It's all up to the teachers. Tony Consbruck, though disagreed and said that indeed, there is something the Board can do... So the tone was set. The message from the Board? Aw, come on teachers. You know we aren't going to budge. Last week we were unhappy about the comparison with Karns City - we're poorer than they are. We're more like Grove City. This week we've decided that we didn't vote for the Fact Finders report because it was all or nothing. Well, yes, we did know that was the process when we agreed to go into fact finding, but um, er, well... And on to Har-Mer for the big meeting. And I mean big. Over 250 people filled the gymnasium, and 10 citizens were granted to privilege of addressing the Board (the Board didn't answer, with Dr. Duryea saying he had a statement he would read later...). All of the speakers supported the teachers, and many were critical of the Board's lack of respect for citizens and teachers. One of the highlights came from a local realtor who figured out that any tax increase needed to fund the raise recommended by the Fact Finder just came down to not buying an extra bag of potato chips a month. Even Adams appreciated that analogy, but said that if we invested that money, why we'd have - heck, I don't know, something like a billion dollars over a 100 year period. I'm not sure, but I think most of us would be buying those potato chips... Duryea's statement repeated the party line on the Fact Finders report. Giesler said we should all sit down as adults and hash it out. And for a second time, there was a unanimous vote from the Board to reject the Fact Finders report (Thompson abstained, Watson was absent). Gee, Dad. It's time to "knock it off"? It's time to "sit down as adults"? Thanks for the advice. Ain't it funny how the Board is going to blame the teachers for a work stoppage? It couldn't be the Board's fault. Don't forget, the Board knows best (about curriculum, parent involvement, contract negotiations, the Constitution, the economy, world religions, etc...). They have made their decision (no raises, inferior insurance, a longer school year for teachers), but they'll be glad to "negotiate" - in good faith, too! In Other News Dr. Mariane "Lee" Beaton has been hired as the new Superintendent.Chosen from 22 candidates, she comes by way of the York City School District and is their resident "Core Knowledge" expert. And continuing with the Board's comparison that we are just like Grove City, Beaton received a four year contract, and will be paid an annual salary of $101,700 (the audience moaned). She's losing benefits by coming here (awww, said the audience) So I guess Dr. Post, the Superintendent in Grove City makes that much. Oops. His salary is $91,569. Let's see. We want to pay our teachers like Grove City does, but not our administrators....When asked how much Bonfield made the last year of his contract, there were lots of hems and haws and downcast eyes. No answer was given. Ron Cokain was hired as principal for SRAE and Har-Mer at a salary of 58,500 per year. The audience applauded. Core Knowledge- School Reform or Cult? cult (kult) n devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc. Click on the following link and scroll about half- way down to "York City: Core Knowledge" Let the "conversion" begin! Board Update Oct. 24, 2000 I may make you feel, but I can't make you think... There was a good turnout of citizens last night, with lots of comments during our precious public participation time. Lee Beaton, the new superintendent was there, and the Board members were on their best behavior. A wide range of community concerns were discussed (well, citizens spoke but the Board didn't discuss, following their "the less said the better" rule...!) One parent spoke passionately about the dangerous situation on middle school buses, and described how a high schooler had smashed her son's head into a bus window, shattering the glass. The penalty for misbehavior should be increased, the speaker said, with more cameras and bus monitors added. In Sept. there were 54 incidents on middle school buses, but the parent wondered how many incidents were not reported. Remember, students become the school's responsibility the minute they enter the bus. The transportation director agreed to look into the situation. Parent Deborah Wells spoke, asking the Board to create a Citizens' Advisory Committee to be part of the district's decision making process. We'll see...A Har-Mer parent asked about renovations and a MS parent questioned the District's plan to begin the conversion to Core Knowledge. A senior citizen on a fixed income spoke out against taxes and against foreign languages in schools, saying that we need to stick to the 3 rs, since students today can't even fill out a job application (now where have I heard that before?? Something about Adams manufacturing and a presentation complete with overheads...) One well prepared citizen spoke quite knowledgeably about the private contract negotiations. First he took a swing at the teacher's association. And no wonder Board members were talking about resigning, he continued, given the lack of community support they got in the recent public meetings. Then, filled with dates, facts and figures, he told us exactly how many issues had been settled and exactly how much money had offered. Quite interesting, since this isn't public information. Now who would be talking? The wise men don't know how it feels to be as thick as a brick...... This speaker also had something to say about me and my homepage. He took issue with me correcting the record at the HarMer meeting concerning how Board members can be removed from office. The energy I spent raising how to impeach the Board would have been better spent helping the Board, he said. Help the Board? Seems to me that any attorney hired by the the Board should have recognized that there is a process for removing ANY elected official from office. A democracy, you know. But then again, maybe having an attorney who didn't speak directly to this issue is a good thing for a school board beseiged by angry cries for their removal. I appreciate the constructive criticism, though. Let's see. What could someone like me do to help this Board?!!. Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth... In the why don't you ever report the good news category...The issue was raised by the same knowledgeable speaker regarding my seemingly biased coverage of the board. Not enough good news. Take for example, he continued, "the algebra textbook presented by the past curriculum director.Upon research by one or more Board members"...(it was ranked poorly by the) "American Association for the Advancement of Science. Therefore, the Board opposed their order and reverted to the old books at a savings of $100,000." (Gee, who ya been talking to? Bill Adams?) Flashback to Board meeting on September 18. Moraine Elementary School. Board member Christmann demurely brushes aside Mr. Adams' heartfelt congratulations. Seems that Christmann had "ironically" found a report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science that ranked one of the proposed algebra textbooks as "having little potential for helping students learn algebra". And as luck would have it, the Board didn't approve purchasing those texts (now wasn't that decision made the day school began? Nevertheless...) And even though Christmann admitted "the study actually came out after we voted", ( they voted on not ordering the textbooks on Aug. 28 and Christmann told the Board about the report on Sept. 18.) Adams couldn't contain his jubilation. At least we can "trust Edwin's intuition", he said. I like that - let's select all of our textbooks based on intuition. Funny. I'd have thought that was too mystical for Adams..... I hate to disagree with the speaker, but the Board did not base its decision to reject the textbook on the AAAS report - or if they did, it was based purely on intuition. And we were saved $100,000? I guess everyone's forgotten all of the time and effort the teachers put into developing curriculum and selecting and evaluating textbooks just to have it all rejected by the Board. I guess all those sub days were free. Biased though my reporting is (and in no way represents the ideas or opinions of the officials of the SRASD), the facts are the facts. When will people realize that they need to get off the phone with Board members and attend every board meeting to know the "whole" truth! This guy was obviously being "played like a fiddle". It's funny the difference between going to a Board meeting and hearing about it second hand. It was good to see a full house at this meeting. And next week's meeting should be crowded...I wonder how long it will take until it's just the Board playing to an empty house???? The Moral Melee In other business (here's the good news)...swimming was approved as a varsity sport. A part time learning support teacher will be hired at SRAE (so the District will be in compliance with state and federal laws), a pep band was formed, etc.. Duryea thanked Dr. Ahlum for being a good acting superintendent and gave dates when Ahlum or Beaton would be here. Near as I can tell, there's a week in November when we'll have no superintendent (so the Nov. 13 committee meeting is cancelled). Beaton should be here for good on November 21 (the day before Thanksgiving). No mention was made of a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 30, but I think it's still the plan for the Board to vote on the contract at that time. |
| Board Update Oct. 31, 2000 Before the vote was taken on the teachers contract two citizens spoke. The first wanted to know about Core Knowledge. Is there a problem with the exisiting curriculum? Are test scores down? Isn't it the teachers' job to develop curriculum? Why are we going to do Core Knowledge? she asks. Adams, of course, spoke up, continuing to manufacture an educational crisis in our district. Our children aren't being taught the basics and the current curriculum is repetitive ( at least I think that's what he said, you could barely hear him- an interesting strategy). And test scores, Adams continued, well they go up and down depending on who takes the test (more pearls of wisdom...) Duryea responded that the speaker should hold her questions until the 20th (presumably when the new Super is here) or maybe Dec. He also said that the district will be preparing something about Core Knowledge for the public. But the decision about Core Knowledge seems to have been made - without any parental input and despite opposition from the teachers. After all, Adams rules and the rest of the Board lets him! Next, in an unusual twist, Greg Angerett, had signed up to speak as a citizen. He started by saying that for the last 18 yrs. of his adult life he has been a union member. He agreed that there were a lot of quality teachers in the district and congratulated Mr. Makarevich for the fine job his staff did in teaching the three r's (As reflected in the fine 6th grade writing scores on the PSSA ....NOT). He then went on to say that he wished his other 2 children (1 in elem. and the other in the HS) had had the same. Hmmm. He then thanked the union for getting the public involved and congratulated the PTO's for their strong participation in getting the parents involvement. He then thanked the Union for showing restraint, and stated that he was disappointed in the strength of 170 and the weakness of 9. It wasn't fair, we were tricked Before the vote was taken on the new contract, an irate Bill Adams had a lot to say. He claimed that at the last negoitition session that he, Christmann and Youngman were hoodwinked by the mediator, Watson, Smith and Duryea into thinking the meeting was over. Apparently, Adams, Christmann and Youngman left the bargaining table, while the others continued to meet. Adams claimed that it was a trick by the union to keep those most sympathetic to the teachers at the table and to make those who weren't sympathetic think the meeting was over and leave. Duryea, Smith and Watson said that they knew the meeting wasn't over and that he should have known this also. Watson went so far to say that "Mr. Adams" was just too eager to "find the door" and have the teachers strike. In the end, (as expected) Adams, Christmann, Youngman and Angerett voted no to the new contract. So we have a new five year contract, and probably five years of hard feelings too. If you thought Adams wanted to destroy public education before, just wait and see. Core Knowledge, mandatory homework, and grade inflation were just a start. Adams, along with Christmann and Youngman are no friends of the teachers. Keep an eye on Investor's Business Daily to see what their next scheme will be.... Just My Opinion Ok, let's see. Adams voted no because he thinks teachers are incompetent. Christmann voted no because he just plain doesn't have respect for teachers. I have no idea why Youngman and Angerett voted no. Duryea and Smith voted yes because they were afraid they would lose business if there was a strike. Watson and Thompson voted yes because it was the right thing to do. Geisler voted yes because his biggest fear is being linked with the gruesome foursome. See ya at the voting booth this spring! Update 11-20-00 SPEAKING UP FOR THE CHILDREN Two speakers, in the "Public to Be Heard" category, addressed the issue of school-owned instruments. The condition of the French horns is pitiful and virtually unplayable, and something must be done. A dented and bent horn was passed around for the Board's perusal. One of the speakers was Rebecca Sopher, music teacher at Moraine (I guess she counts as a member of the Public to Be Heard...) She explained that her annual budget of $840 just doesn't go far enough. She itemized how most of that money had been spent (a Music stand carrier - $350, Piano tuning - $150, Choral music - $150) and informed the board that the books and records (78s or lps???) she has to use have a 1980 copyright date. New French horns are urgently needed, and they aren't cheap. It's good to see a teacher standing up for the children, especially when they know they are setting themselves up for the inevitable abuse heaped on them by certain members of the Board (And just why are these French horns in such bad shape? was the inevitable accusatory question. Uh, maybe 'coz they're high school hand-me-downs???). Ms. Sopher made her case well. Any reasonable Board would immediately look into how to provide the teachers and students with the needed equipment. Want to lay odds on what this Board will do? DELAY, DELAY, DELAY Cuteri Architects were there to answer questions about the supposed renovations at Har-Mer and the Middle School. Yes, the District has already sold bonds on the project. Yes, bids have already come in for Har-Mer (over budget) and the Middle School. Yes, this project has been before the Board for years. (See Updates, 10-25-00, 1-17-00, 2-24-00,2-21-00) And just when will renovations get underway? Well, Har-Mer has to be be re-bid, with revised plans and another Act 34 public hearing. After all, the Har-Mer project is just full of unnecessary fluff (should hve seen Angerett's face when he heard the shrubs were cut from the budget :) ) Remember back in Oct of 1999 the board assured us Har-Mer wouldn't be short-changed!!! You know architects. They want to stick the district with all manner of things that won't bring up test scores. Heck, Cuteri put in a fire sprinker system for Har-Mer. What was he thinking??? Doesn't he know that Harrisville doesn't follow the BOCA code? Har-Mer? Sprinklers? Consultant and former acting superintendent Ahlum assured the Board that all buildings in the District can be evacuated in a matter of minutes (well, that's it for the sprinkler system...). How much the District's insurance rates would go down with a sprinkler system? How much money might be saved? And what if a fire did happen? Wouldn't sprinklers help save the building itself? When there was a small fire at the Middle School a few years back, they were lucky to be able to hold some classes at the university across the street. Where could Har-Mer students go to attend classes? But I forget. This is Slippery Rock. Architects bad. Board good. Local board control determines the future of our schools (Remember when the architects asked for parent input on what the remodeled schools should look like? What were they thinking?) But on to the Middle School. Last night, the Board was supposed to vote to award the contracts to the low bidders for the Middle School Project. The Board's renowned architectural experts (Adams and Youngman) decided that if the fat could be cut at Har-Mer, why not cut the fat at the Middle School, too? After all, the hundreds of thousands we've already spent, well that doesn't amount to anything really, Adams said. Why if we put up a steel frame insulated building.....Or maybe if we hire a new architect...And so the scintillating debate continued. Brad Smith made a motion to table the whole issue, a motion that was quickly (and gleefully) seconded by the esteemed Mr. Adams. What's going on here? No, I don't think Smith has become a member of the slash and burn, anti-public education coalition on the Board. Duryea was out last night (and why would he miss an important vote like this?), so any vote taken about construction would have led to a predictable 4-4 tie, and no motion would have passed. When in doubt, do nothing. So Har-Mer's fate is undecided. No contracts have been awarded for Middle School renovations. Just keep repeating the same mantra...delay, delay, delay. This works for adopting new policies, new curricula, teacher contracts, hirings and firings...I guess we can delay everything except death, taxes, and hearing those damn quotes about camels, tents, and hands in neighbor's pockets. When IS the next election????? COMMUNISTS IN THE ROCK???? Turns out that the poster on the message board might be right about a communist right here in the Slippery Rock Area School District. According to Adams, people have suggested that Adams Manufacturing move to China, so the illustrious industrialist on the Board decided to do a little bit of research. Those wiley Chinese - they'll build a building and dormitory for the company - for free. Workers make 35 cents an hour (slightly more then his workers make now?). The catch is that a 'Commie' leader has to be paid $10,000 per year, but they'll shoot anybody who gives the Manufacturing business a hard time. And did you know that the Red Chinese can educate a child for a mere $250 a year? And, according to Adams, their students end up speaking better English than children in the US (plus they wear such cute uniforms...). There was a general consensus from Board members that Adams Manufacturing should take this golden opportunity and relocate as soon as possible. DEAD BRAIN CELLS IS DEAD BRAIN CELLS Also, according to Adams, he has been in contact with a doctor who is bopping rats in the head with the same force as a soccer ball to the head of little children. Turns out that this doctor has learned from all these rat whacking tests that these rats' brains stop growing. Adams is convinced that this proves that heading a soccer ball is "eating away at children's intellectual abilites". Adams then went on to say he would rather have his kid drinking beer than playing soccer. The Board stopped short of implementing sports called Varsity Beer Drinking and Junior Varsity Beer Drinking (drinking lite beer I guess). Must have been too expensive. BEATON BAFFLED? Poker-Face of the Year Award goes to the District's new superintendent, Lee Beaton. Rat brains, Communist China, construction delays, vehement objections to outside funding through grants...what is going through her mind? It was hard to tell, but she sure got a taste of the partisan politics that are the Slippery Rock School Board. I've seen the Superintendents come and go, each aging way before their time. For Dr. Beaton's sake, I sure hope she had sense enough just to rent. I don't know, but there was something in her eyes that made me think maybe she knows just what she's in for.... Board Update 12-4-00 Well, the board has a new president, but he dosen't know it yet. Last night our board elected Dr. Watson as the new president. Dr. Watson however was absent. Eddie Christmann was elected vice president. If Watson choses to not accept, Christmann will become president. Last year Watson declined to be president, let's hope he sees the problems of a Christmann presidency and accepts. Where is Duryea? Has he quit? Lets hope so. He was absent once again last night. Word has it that he has resigned, although he hasn't officially given the board his resignation. Regular readers of this page know that I feel that it has been his lack of leadership that has hendered this district. I know, ya'll thought it was Adams. Hopefully he is gone and Watson will provide the measured guidance we have been lacking. Speaking of lack of leadership, renovations at both the MS and Har-Mer are on hold (duh! the board has been bumbling with this since 1997). Both projects will now have to be rebid because of our boards ineptness. Our children will suffer. But as most of us know this is not about the children, it's about personal political agendas. Stay tuned. In the where does the new superintendant think she is department Dr. Beaton announced that she is accepting applications from parents, business persons and community people to serve on the Act 48 Commitee. This commitee is required by law and involves how our district will implement staff development. The recommendations were due to the state Sept. 30.. We are a little late. We are late because our board dosn't want to give this kind of power to anyone but themselves- you know- local control. Remember, they haven't formed a stratigic planning commitee either. Although required by law, our board chose to ignore the law to prevent parents from being involved. Dr. Beaton also informed the board that she will be presenting to the board, this summer, a plan to work more with the University. Very funny. Seems she thinks this is a good idea. Of course she dosn't know the history of resentment by our board/community toward SRU. We will see. |
| Board Update 12-8-00 Where has everybody gone? It seems like the public either abandoned the construction projects at Har-Mer and the Middle School, or else they are content to let the Board alone make educational decisions that will affect the lives of their children and every child in the District for years to come. Two very significant Building and Grounds committee meetings were held (Dec. 4 and Dec. 8), but only one lone community member showed up. Or maybe the Board has just tried to keep the public from commenting too much on the construction issues. And anyway, the public already gave comments when the architect did his preliminary work years ago. Yes, the committee meetings were advertised, but it seems that the no-public hoodwink worked. As you know (well, maybe you don't), the bids for renovations at Har-Mer were more than the Board wanted to spend, so the buzz word for the last month or so has been cut, cut, cut. Former acting superintendent Ahlum (is he now the 10th Board member? The one who works behind the scenes but doesn't appear in public?) has been giving advice to Board members about where cuts can happen. Newly hired principal Ron Cokain has also been telling Board members what can get the axe. Board members themselves have official and "secret" lists of items to go. And parents' input? It's been conspicuously absent, much to the Board's delight. In Friday's 4:00 meeting in the Middle Schol library, the Building and Grounds Committee made decisions that are going to the full Board on Monday for a vote. Will there be any further discussion? It's doubtful. Giesler, Adams, Youngman and Smith pretty well hashed it out, and voted on each item on the architect's list of changes for Har-Mer. All cosmetic changes are gone. That fancy library roof? Forget it. Plaster walls? Gypsum is cheaper. A sprinkler system? Not if the code doesn't require it. Brick for the multi-purpose room? Nah. Block construction is good enough for those Harrisville folks. A screen to hide the dumpster? No need for our tax dollars to go there. Gielser says the PTO can pay for it. Same for the shrubs. If you Har-Mer folks are lucky, you might get bleachers. That's good, because the wood in the gym is out. Which will make the gym a lot louder, but at least there will be somewhere to sit. No display case (might cause too much school "spirit"). But you will, thanks to Dr. Beaton, get a partition wll between the library and computer room (Cokain wanted to cut that). It just makes me think about the renovations to the Area Elementary. At least that school wasn't done in the cheapest way possible, without regard to aesthetics or academics. The library is a pleasant place. The front facade isn't too bad. All of the old classrooms were even renovated as part of the project. Adams was almost gleeful when he explained how it was liberal parents and liberal Board members who had all of those ideas for Har-Mer, ideas that will never see the light of day. I never thought I'd say this, but where's Jim Roberts when you need him? ( I know Jim Roberts, and Randy Giesler is no Jim Roberts when it comes to supporting Har-Mer). According to Adams, the school shouldn't even be there, but since it is, all that's really needed at Har-Mer are two modular buildings. I'd like to thank the taxpayers from the Harrisville area for helping to fund Moraine and the Area Elementary. It's too bad that their children are being treated as second class citizens (they don't need clean drinking water, do they???). No one has objected, though, so I guess the Board must really be representing the will of the people. The changes will be voted on Monday night, and the rebidding process will begin. Onto the Middle School. Just two words. Metal Building. Well, ok, maybe more than two words....Bids for Value Reingineering and Constructability Analysis have come in (translation, how can they cut costs? Even though the project came in under bid, hey, maybe it can be done even cheaper). A firm will be hired Monday night to not only cut costs but also to find out how much it would cost to build a steel building in between the High School and the Middle School (since enrollment is increasing, maybe more space will be needed, according to Mr. Adams). Independent expert witness and clerk of the works Roger Weaver was there to help give advice. And guess what? It turns out he just finished building a freestanding metal (it has a brick facade) school building for the Mars Home for Youth (what a coincidence!!!). It has 8 classrooms, an office, sinks, a parking lot, heat and air conditioning (and even a lab, added Mr. Youngman) and only cost $153 per square foot. According to architect Cuteri, the Middle School new construction (according to the bids which the Board has rejected) will cost $145.33 per square foot, and $50.51 per square foot for the renovations. Ah, but the cold feel of steel. Something so, I don't know, rigid about it... And if there was a new metal building, then we wouldn't need that Taj Mahal District office. I know it isn't handicapped accessible, but hey, how many people in wheelchairs need to get in there anyway? If we just got rid of a few soccer fields, we could build a ramp to the building, steep though it might be (or so the Board argued). Well how did we get into this mess anyway? According to Giesler, mistakes were made. Someone, the liberal board or the liberal parents, told the architect to do this. Thank goodness for this Board. The children at Har-Mer - second class citizens. The middle school - metal building. And the community? They must support this Board. They elected them, and I haven't heard any objections to what is being proposed. Have you??? Maybe it's time for another town meeting, this time to discuss the proposed changes. Would the Board dare?? I strongly urge anyone who cares about what happens to Har-Mer and the Middle School to show up Monday night. Let your voices be heard. Or else let the Board alone decide the future of the District. |
| BOARD UPDATE 12-11-00 Dr. Duryea's not gone -yet-... NRA coming soon to a local elementary school near you... Har-Mer parents want parity... gender equity on hold...Monday's meeting brought to a screeching halt... Meeting Ends Sooner Than Expected As some of you know, the Sunshine Act requires that the first meeting of a new year be advertised at least 3 days before the scheduled meeting takes place. The notice for last night's meeting showed up in the Saturday/Sunday Butler Eagle - and no matter how you count the days - that isn't 72 hours notice. Any citizen has a right at any time to object to a perceived violation of the Sunshine Act, so acting upon my citizenly duty, I made the objection. A technicality? No big deal, you say? Well, it is a big deal, especially when you look at the agenda items that were up for a vote last night. Attorney Hnath decided to err on the side of caution, so no action was taken on the following items (it'll be quite a meeting next week!! Maybe Adams and Christmann will be able to show up next time..It's kind of funny for them to have missed a meeting with so many construction issues on the agenda...hmmm...) Items Delayed Until Dec. 18 The first were two contracts being given to the URS Corporation/O'Brein Kreitzberg for a value engineering study of the Middle School project ($6,105.00) and a constructability review for the Middle School project ($6,670.00). Sounds like the URS Corporation/O'Brein Kreitzberg will be getting about $12,775.00 of the money we could spend actually renovating the under budget Middle School renovations. Now I think that any project over $10,000 has to go out for bids, but hey, if you separate the projects out, then we aren't technically spending over $10,000, are we?? And I still don't understand why the Board would want to get locked into a constructablilty review contract before they even see if they want to have the work performed...Just remember those two words from the last update... The next item was to approve the changes to the Har-Mer Additions and Renovations project as recommended by the Building and Grounds Committee. A reprieve for all the Har-Mer parents or teachers who would like to share their opinions with the Board... And finally, to accept the resignation of Dr. David Duryea, effective December 11, 2000. Applications accepted through noon, January 2, 2001 with interviews on Thursday, January 4, 2001. Oops. I guess Dr. Duryea can't go yet...Another week's service to the Board.... Speakers Galore Harrisville resident, Sharon Sykora, informed the Board that an Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program, funded through an NRA grant, will be offered to children at Har-Mer in the near future. A district parent will present the program, and Principal Cokain will follow him to each presentation (I guess to be sure that everything is on the up and up). Sykora expressed concern that the NRA, a political group, was given access to the schools when a similar program by the Butler County Sheriff's office was available, free of charge. A sheriff's presentation would be more professional and perhaps carry more clout than a parent's presentation She also wondered what responsibilities Mr. Cokain would have to neglect in order to follow the speaker throughout the day. Would the District allow other political groups the same access??? Newly elected President Watson, ignoring the 5 minutes and you're through rule, allowed Sykora to address a second area of concern - the Har-Mer renovations. She asked only for parity, reminding the Board that as taxpayers, we're all in this together. She was critical of what she called their "slash and burn strategy" for renovations. Suggesting that the Home and School Association pay for a $3000 dumpster screen would take their entire annual budget and it is just wrong and unfair to treat Har-Mer students as second class citizens.... I hope the Board was listening. Pink and Blue Rules/Walk In My Shoes Two representatives from VOICE, a victim's outreach program, spoke in response the the Board's recent decision to cancel two programs at Moraine. Pink and Blue Rules, a program for grades 2, 3, and 4 has children list pink and blue words (gender roles and gender stereotypes), then encourages children to break those rules and have more acceptance of everyone's differences. Giesler was concerned about parents' rights. He was concerned that what was said might contradict what children were being taught at home. Sir, was the response, permission slips were sent home, and there was a number parents could call if there were questions. Beaton was concerned that they were telling young children to break rules. Walk in My Shoes is designed to teach empathy to 5th and 6th graders. Youngman wondered what parents' responses to the program had been (There hasn't been any parental feedback). Beaton felt the situations described were too mature, and better suited to the Middle School. And yes, permission slips were sent home.. And they may be perfectly fine programs. But were parents given specific information about what the discussions would be? Were they invited to visit the classroom during the presentation? Were they invited to view the curriculum prior to giving permission? Did they help choose the curriculum? Or is it like every other curricular issue (Core Knowledge, senior projects, revised math, science, or reading curricula)? Parents, this isn't your job. We're the experts and we know best. When, oh when, will parents be seen as equal partners? Whose children are they, anyway???? $82,000 Food Service.Surplus Budget The auditors spoke about the annual audit. A big surplus for the food services. Anyone thought about using it to improve the quality of the food???? Readin', Writing' and 'Rithmetic - Slippery Rock Style Where has everybody gone? Has the public abandoned the construction projects at Har-Mer and the Middle School? Or is the Board trying to keep it's actions out of public view? Two very significant Building and Grounds committee meetings were held; one on Dec. 4 and the other on Dec. 8, both at 4:00 pm. Neither meeting was advertised much in advance. Even the newspaper reporters were absent (the Board knows the newspapers don't attend committee meeting) The Board has a plan, and decisions are being made. Could it be that the Board is trying to keep the public from commenting too much on the construction issues? After all, the public has already had the chance to give comments when the architect did his preliminary work years ago. But with so many cuts and changes, it's hard to recognize the original plan. It seems that the hoodwink is working. As you know (well, maybe you don't), the bids for renovations at Har-Mer were more than the Board wanted to spend, so the buzz word for the last month or so has been cut, cut, cut. Former acting superintendent Ahlum (is he now the 10th Board member? The one who works behind the scenes but doesn't appear in public?) has been giving advice to Board members about where cuts can happen. Newly hired principal Ron Cokain has also been telling Board members what can get the axe. Board members themselves have official and "private" lists of items to go. And parents' input? It's been conspicuously absent, much to the Board's delight. In Friday's 4:00 meeting in the Middle Schol library, the Building and Grounds Committee made decisions that are going to the full Board on Monday for a vote. Will there be any further discussion? It's doubtful. Giesler, Adams, Youngman and Smith pretty well hashed it out, and voted on each item on the architect's list of changes for Har-Mer. All cosmetic changes are gone. That fancy library roof? Forget it. Plaster walls? Gypsum is cheaper. A sprinkler system? Not if the code doesn't require it. Brick for the multi-purpose room? Nah. Block construction is good enough for those Harrisville folks. A screen to hide the dumpster? No need for our tax dollars to go there. Gielser says the PTO can pay for it. Same for the shrubs. If you Har-Mer folks are lucky, you might get bleachers. That's good, because the wood in the gym is out. Which will make the gym a lot louder, but at least there will be somewhere to sit. No display case (might cause too much school "spirit"). But you will, thanks to Dr. Beaton, get a partition wll between the library and computer room (Cokain wanted to cut that). It just makes me think about the renovations to the Area Elementary. At least that school wasn't done in the cheapest way possible, without regard to aesthetics or academics. The library is a pleasant place. The front facade isn't too bad. All of the old classrooms were even renovated as part of the project. Adams was almost gleeful when he explained how it was liberal parents and liberal Board members who had all of those ideas for Har-Mer, ideas that will never see the light of day. According to Adams, the school shouldn't even be there, but since it is, all that's really needed at Har-Mer are two modular buildings. I'd like to thank the taxpayers from the Harrisville area for helping to fund Moraine and the Area Elementary. It's too bad that their children are being treated as second class citizens (they don't need clean drinking water, do they???). No one has objected, though, so I guess the Board must really be representing the will of the people. The changes will be voted on Monday night, and the rebidding process will begin. Onto the Middle School. Just two words. Metal Building. Well, ok, maybe more than two words....Bids for Value Reingineering and Constructability Analysis have come in (translation, how can they cut costs? Even though the project came in under bid, hey, maybe it can be done even cheaper). A firm will be hired Monday night to not only cut costs but also to find out how much it would cost to build a steel building in between the High School and the Middle School (since enrollment is increasing, maybe more space will be needed, according to Mr. Adams). Independent expert witness and clerk of the works Roger Weaver was there to help give advice. And guess what? It turns out he just finished building a freestanding metal (it has a brick facade) school building for the Mars Home for Youth (what a coincidence!!!). It has 8 classrooms, an office, sinks, a parking lot, heat and air conditioning (and even a lab, added Mr. Youngman) and only cost $153 per square foot. According to architect Cuteri, the Middle School new construction (according to the bids which the Board has rejected) will cost $145.33 per square foot, and $50.51 per square foot for the renovations. Ah, but the cold feel of steel. Something so, I don't know, rigid about it... And if there was a new metal building, then we wouldn't need that Taj Mahal District office. I know it isn't handicapped accessible, but hey, how many people in wheelchairs need to get in there anyway? If we just got rid of a few soccer fields, we could build a ramp to the building, steep though it might be (or so the Board argued). Well how did we get into this mess anyway? According to Giesler, mistakes were made and someone, the liberal board or the liberal parents, told the architect to do this. Hmmm. Where is Jim Roberts when the people of Harrisville need him? Roberts might want to give Giesler a call. Roberts insisted on parity between the school buildings. It appears that Giesler dosen't feel the buildings should be equal in terms of quality of materials or functionality. Thank goodness for this Board. The children at Har-Mer - second class citizens. The middle school - metal building. And the community? They must support this Board. They elected them, and I haven't heard any objections to what is being proposed. Have you??? Maybe it's time for another town meeting, this time to discuss the proposed changes. Parents were involved in the original decisions. They should have input in the revisions to the plan. But obviously they are doing all they can to keep the public from even knowing that all of this is going on. They will vote on all this Monday night at 7:30 in the MS. Board Update 12-18-00 Will Every Vote Count? In the “what seems to be a done deal” department, it appears that the Board is heading to court to ask for changes in how Board members are elected. Currently there are three “regions” in the district, with three representatives from each region. Armed with population numbers for each region (Cessar had the handout already prepared), Adams claimed that the current arrangement deprived the south of their rightful representation. Census figures are due out in March, so changes are a-coming, but currently it looks like this: Region 1 (Mercer Township, Harrisville, etc). 8,714 residents (45.3%) Region II (Prospect, Portersville,etc.) 7,408 residents (38.5%) Region III (SR Boro) 3,110 residents (16.2%) Adams said that of course there are more liberals in SR borough than the rest of the District, and it just isn’t fair for them to have three representatives when they only represent 16% of the District. He asked attorney Hnath if they could appoint someone from outside the Boro to fill Duryea’s seat. The reply? Until we go to court and petition for a “different scheme”, the seat will have to be a Boro seat (Wonder how much that scheme will cost?). Cessar said any changes granted by the court probably wouldn’t affect the 2001 election, but would impact the election in 2003. Seems like a lot of discussion has been going on behind the scenes to change the make up of the board. It just doesn’t seem right to have our elected officials deciding on how they should be elected (It’s kind of like putting Katherine Harris in charge!!!). I guess I’m naïve, but I thought that was an issue for the voting public to decide. But what do I know? At least there will be an opportunity for the public to be heard once it goes to court. Only a couple of Districts in the county still elect school board representatives from regions. Everyone else elects members at-large. Board member Thompson seems to favor that, but I think others might have a hidden agenda. When have these discussions taken place? Hnath seems to think that going to court is a done deal. I don’t think this topic is one that requires an executive session, so when was Cessar asked to get the population figures? Have attorneys been paid to research this? And why would our Board want to avoid at-large elections? Why would they want to hold on to electing from regions? (I hear that the only way to combat the impending one world government and the black helicopters is to keep regionalism alive and well…) I’m sure, though, that anything our Board decides to do will be in the best interest of the voters, and not designed to benefit someone’s political agenda. Renovations, Additions and Second Class Citizens Deborah Wells spoke to the Board regarding the on-going construction plans for Har-Mer and the Middle School. After hearing superintendent Beaton ask when the construction began, Wells decided to look back at the history of the construction project to see just how long this had been going on. The single spaced double sided timeline she prepared was interesting. January 20, 1998 was the day that the Board directed the architect to begin the feasibility study (Wonder if the Board has any plans to celebrate the three year anniversary?) and the delays and changes that the Board has created are extensive. Wells reminded the Board that parents and teachers had been involved in planning the changes for Har-Mer and the Middle School (June 1999) and asked that these requests be included in the renovations/additions. She said that handicapped accessibility for the District offices is essential. While saving money is good, Wells continued, too many cuts and compromises will create second class schools, and that’s not what the people want. The Board then proceeded to hire URS Corporation/O’Brein Kreitzbert to perform a value engineering study ($6,105) and a constructability review ($6,670) of the middle school project (Remember the project came in underbid. URS is going to help them cut even more from the plan and the budget). The Board also approved, without discussion, all of the changes to Har-Mer that the Building and Grounds committee recommended (no fence, no sprinkler system, no canopy, no handicapped ramp to the playground, etc.….). Bids will go out soon. But wait. Adams made one last attempt to get rid of the Har-Mer project all together. We could save our neighbors lots of money, he said, if we just had those Har-Mer kids ride the bus a little longer, they could attend the area elementary school. That way, no renovations to Har-Mer would be needed at all… Assistant Superintendent Hired Buried in a list of 11 personnel items, a new assistant superintendent was hired. Her name is Kathleen Nogay and she’ll be making $80,000. Nothing was said, and no information was given. A quick search revealed her to be a High School principal in Hermitage with a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Youngstown State. Once again, no parents were involved in the hiring decision (what about that new policy, anyway?), and no information was given about who they hired. I guess it’s really none of our business… I bid $7, no make that $7.50 A bidding war seemed to be underway, as board members discussed a pay raise for the real estate tax collector. The initial raise of $7.00 per card didn’t seem like enough. According to Smith their rate was cut by 25% four years ago. The $7 rate was voted down. Adams seemed stunned as Angerett offered $8, which was also voted down. Giesler compromised, by offering $7.50 – which passed, with Adams and Christmann voting no. Varsity Soccer Coach Position There’s an opening for a varsity soccer coach, effective Fall 2001. An advertisement should be out soon. Hmmm. |
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