Why are we spending $113 million on a high school renovation?

From the Mt. Lebanon School District website:

Mt. Lebanon High School will now offer online courses to students for the 2nd semester of the 2010-2011 school year due to a grant funded partnership with the National Network of Digital Schools. High School parents were emailed information about the program and course offerings. Read more…

Read about Distance Learning on page 20 of the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the MTLSD and the MLEA.  Collective Bargaining Agreement

Read this four-part series about the new charter and cyber-charter schools and how they affect local education.
· Charter, cyber-charter schools provide options
· Cyber-charter funding draws controversy
· Northern Lebanon offers alternative to traditional schooling
· Senator vouches for vouchers

Welcome to 21st century education, folks.

Updated January 2, 2011: The latest Mt. Lebanon High School PTSA newsletter includes this letter from Dr. Davis, Principal.

Dear parents and students,
 
In our effort "To Provide the Best Education Possible for Each and Every Student", I am proud to announce an opportunity for our students and staff to explore the world of online instruction.   In the coming months, a grant will allow us to partner with the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS), which designs, develops, and delivers online Lincoln Interactive© courses.  Through this partnership, the high school will be given the following opportunities:
 
1.      During the 2nd semester of the 2010-2011 school year, a limited number of students will be offered the chance to take an online course through Lincoln Interactive© to enrich and extend their academic experience.  These courses will be academic offerings that currently do not exist at the high school, and will be taken in addition to students' current classes.  A mailing has been sent to each high school student for him/her to apply for the opportunity of participating in an online course.  Please remember that the deadline to submit the application to the Principal's Office is January 10, 2011.
2.      Staff members will explore the curricular offerings of Lincoln Interactive© and then provide input into the potential development of an online, asynchronous financial literacy course. 
3.      After "observing" other online courses provided by Lincoln Interactive©, staff members will also begin discussing the development and delivery of our curriculum into our own online courses. These courses may be provided to our students or to students in other school districts where the quality and/or variety of course selection is not comparable to our high school.
4.      Since successful completion of our state standardized tests are now a requirement for our students to graduate, staff members will also be given an opportunity to discuss the development of online, asynchronous Keystone Exam remediation modules/courses.  
 
The discussions regarding the use of online instruction are in the early stages, but I believe it is important to introduce you to the topics being discussed.  These discussions could result in numerous opportunities for our students and staff, and we need to begin examining and evaluating our options.  As additional information becomes available, I will share it with you.
 
Ronald P. Davis, EdD
Principal

Time change

On the School District's website:
Public Notice Announcing Application Process to Fill Board Vacancy
December 16, 2010

PUBLIC NOTICE

December 15, 2010

The Mt. Lebanon School District is seeking residents interested in applying for a vacant position on the Board of School Directors.  Residents 18 years old and older who have been residents of Mt. Lebanon for a least one year are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to the Office of the Superintendent, Mt. Lebanon School District, 7 Horsman Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15228  or email the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Jeanine Szalinski, at jszalinski@mtlsd.net. Applicant information will be accepted through December 24, 2010. Interviews will be held at a Special Board meeting on January 3 and 4, 2011, at 6 p.m. both evenings, in the High School Library. (Updated 12.30.10)

We can dream...

Top stories in the Almanac for 2010:
Number 9.  School projects in Mt. Lebanon/South Fayette
Mt. Lebanon School District is in the midst of designing renovations and additions to the existing high school. The project is capped at $13 million and has not been without controversy. Some proclaim the dire need for a new facility while others speak of their fears of increased school taxes.
A recent resolution of two issues, for which the municipality's zoning board denied variances and the Allegheny Courts upheld, have permitted the design process to proceed. The district entered into an agreement with the municipality to incorporate additional parking spaces, and decision on what constitutes impermeable and permeable paving, had allowed the architects to continue.
Read more: 12-29-2010 Year in Review Top10

But can they spell?

Fairfax County Schools, in Falls Church, VA, has had a freeze on salaries for two years.  Jack D. Dale, superintendent of Fairfax County public schools, has announced a plan to introduce significant pay raises for school employees in next year's budget - a proposal that drew immediate criticism from the county's Board of Supervisors.

Dale has long promised to prioritize employees' salaries - which have been frozen for two years - in this year's tense budgetary process, which begins next month. He will ask the county this spring for a 2 percent cost-of-living increase and a 2 percent step increase, which would cost about $70 million.
Read more: The Washington Post: Fairfax schools chief seeks raises for employees; supervisors critical

Mt. Lebanon School District, on the other hand, had “approved an average salary increase of 3 percent for administrators; 2.5 percent for administrative assistants and supervisors, specialists and head custodians; 3.86 percent for custodial and maintenance employees; and 4.55 percent for secretarial and clerical employees. School Director Dale Ostergaard cast the only vote against approval of the 3 percent salary increase for administrators, so the motion passed 6 to 1, with directors James Fraasch and Elaine Cappucci absent from the meeting.”  Read more: Post Gazette Mt. Lebanon school administrators, other employees getting raises

In my on-going efforts of getting the Mt. Lebanon School District website up to par, you may remember this letter to the editors of Blog-Lebo. School District Website Reflects Poorly on the District and Community.  My latest find is School Board President Reports Only four reports were posted in 2010.  The September report linked to September 20, 2010 (Swine Flu Tips)  I am not sure that Mr. Kubit reported about the Swine Flu at that meeting, but I could be wrong.  It was also pointed out to them that the spring break (April 6-9) wasn't three days as reported on the home page of the District website. 

Why do administrators get increases in Mt. Lebanon when they can't get things right?  Even our Superintendent didn't meet his goals in 2009-2010 and got a nice increase.  Other school districts have salary freezes.  Why is our School Board so free with our money?

First Harrisburg...now Philadelphia?

School budget shortfall: $234M or $500M

With the loss of power of some of their biggest supporters in Harrisburg and the end of the cushion of federal stimulus money, the School District of Philadelphia is staring down a huge budget hole. District officials said last night that next fiscal year's shortfall will be $234 million, all from the loss of stimulus dollars, but district sources with knowledge of the budget have placed the gap at more than $400 million.
A worst-case scenario has it reaching above $500 million, sources say.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20101222_School_budget_shortfall___234M_or__500M.html#ixzz19MQb9Mo5

Is anyone else seeing a pattern here?  Or is it just me?

Need Save Our Residents signs

In today's Almanac:

Need Save Our Residents signs

Ride around Mt. Lebanon and you can't help but notice the signs that say, Save Our Schools, or SOS. Cute, but I and 75 percent of all of Mt. Lebanon residents would rather see signs that say - Save Our Residents, or SOR.
Yep, we're SOR(e) that we not only have to pay the exorbitant taxes for the teacher's salaries and benefits; but now they and their school board want us to pay for a new high school. That, after paying for all of the grade schools updates. Tis the season for giving, but "give" me a break! (from higher taxes)
So folks, put up those SOR signs when you put up those Christmas stockings, and let's see who gets coal in their stocking.
 
D. L. McMahon
 
Mt. Lebanon Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
http://www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/12-22-2010-letter-ML-McMahon

Note: Once and for all, the Concerned Citizens of Mt. Lebanon are not behind the S.O.S signs.  Yes, Save Our School sounds like "Don't Tear Down Buildings."  No, it doesn't make sense to have "Save Our School" translate to "Demolish Two Buildings," but none of this makes sense.  I questioned the need for the signs in the first place and all it got me was being accused of stealing their signs. 
Nice letter, D. L. McMahon.

School Board Applicants: Beware

Harrisburg is on the verge of bankruptcy.  Today’s Policy Brief from the Allegheny Institute asks,

Is the Capital City Headed for Bankruptcy?  

Will we be following Maryland’s footsteps?  Maryland Considering Cuts in Education Funding

Did you happen to catch 60 Minutes on Sunday?  State Budgets: The Day of Reckoning
Just got this in my mailbox: The PSEA Is Funding Its Fight Against Kids   Here is their website. Commonwealth Foundation - Fund the Fight

And we need to build spend $113.3 million on a high school renovation now?  Remember this when trying to fill James Fraasch’s shoes.  He was the only one with any fiscal responsibility.

Updated December 23, 2010: As mentioned on Blog-Lebo, the first draft of the Five-Year Forecast from the September 30, 2010 Audit and Finance Committee meeting is now public.  It may be viewed here. September 2010 First Draft of 5 Year Forecast I was denied a copy of a later draft at the October 28, 2010 Audit and Finance Committee meeting.  As I said above, School Board Applicants: Beware!

More questions

At the December 20, 2010 School Board Meeting, a resident asked the School Board the following questions.  The School Board attempted to answer some of them.  12/20/2010 School Board Business Meeting  Looking at the photo of Hoover School, the questions are asked just under the lamp post on the podcast.  Are you satisfied with their answers?  What about the unanswered questions?

  

1. Mr. Ostergaard, do you think our reputable architect who was born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, attended K thru twelve, have an advantage in knowing the community’s wants, needs, and affordabilities?  Were you surprised that they didn’t use one suggestion that the Community Advisory Committee made?  Was the CAC only an exercise in pacifying the community?
2. Ms. Posti, you didn’t think, we as a community had the right to vote on a huge project that will be financially life-altering for our residents.  Do you think it is morally right to tax families and seniors out of their homes?  These seniors have paid their dues for years building this community.  Collectively, you have taken their rights away.  Do you have any regrets?
3. Ms. Birks, has our football team gone undefeated this year?  Did the girls’ basketball and softball teams win the WPIALs?   Bricks and mortar didn’t win the WPIALs.  Talent, hard work, and excellent coaching did.  Our kids just proved that we don’t need the state of the arts sports center.  Yes, we do need the gym, locker, and shower rooms to be safe, clean, and healthy for them.  This is without question.
4. Mrs. Rose, a family living in a $150,000 home earning $50,000 will not be able to remain here in Mt. Lebanon.  Are you willing to cut the extra amenities out of the school project so they may continue to remain in their home and community that they love?  You know it is never too late to do the right thing. 
5. Mr. Peterson, is it true that you wrote a memo proving that a discussion took place in a meeting with some of our present board members about keeping this project under referendum to keep the community from voting? Is this ethical?
6. Mr. Kubit, do you know that according to our tax collector, there are a good number of residents that are a year behind in paying their taxes? If you haven’t noticed, the homes in Mt. Lebanon aren’t selling quickly as the past due to the sky rocketing taxes.  The exodus of Mt. Lebanon has already begun with 244 homes for sale.  Upper St. Clair 121.
7. Ms. Cappucci, I am not here to argue.  I just want to know the truth. My curiosity was peaked at the November 15^th meeting.  The fact that Mr. Kubit stopped everyone from answering Mrs. Stephenson’s question about the budget for the school relating to the referendum limit or not having a certain figure in your mind for the cost of the school.  Mr. Remely volunteered his answer. It was no.  I would like to know if you were present during the discussion regarding keeping the cost of the school under the referendum.  Yes or No?

So let me summarize what has been going on.

Fact: You intentionally kept this project from referendum.

Fact: The majority of the residents was not once to keep the renovation of the school not to exceed the $75 million already borrowed.

Fact: Four thousand signatures on that petition were ignored.

Fact: The Community Advisory Committee was an exercise in appeasement.

Fact: You have ignored the facts presented to you not only from professionals in their field but from our community. The news screams how bad the economy is.  The whole country has been tightening their belts.  Why aren’t we?

Fact: According to our tax collector, I said the residents are behind in paying their taxes.

Fact: You are building this school knowingly that residents living here at present, making $50,000 a year, will not be able to stay in their homes.  This is called profiling. This is called discrimination and that’s illegal.

Is there something more sinister going on?  It seems to me that you are planning to get rid of many more residents that aren’t up to your standards financially. I guess having more revenue from an elitist community will get you anything your heart desires.  I personally prefer a well diverse community like we have now.

Also, President Posti asks the resident for the copy of the document.  Mr. Peterson was already aware of it.  Didn't President Posti see it in her packet?  Why did everyone know about except her?

This is what we're talkin' about

As you all know by now, I still can't get over the discussion in at least two Master Design Team meeting minutes about an eight million dollar donation that never materialized.  At several school board meetings and on local blogs, residents - including yours truly, have brought up fund raising and donations for the high school renovation project. Instead, the School Board goes for the low hanging fruit and raises our taxes 10.5%, which includes the first bond for the high school renovation.  Instead of Christmas cards, our mortgage companies are sending us notices about shortages in our escrow accounts and what our new monthly payment will be next year to cover the first wave of tax increases by the School District.  James Fraasch posted an email on his blog that he had sent to his School Board colleagues before the December 13 School Board meeting.  Email to School Board

In addition, we ARE insulted by the way we are being treated.  I was at an Audit and Finance committee meeting where Jan Klein had only four copies (enough for the committee members attending) of the preliminary 5 year forecasted budget and none were shared with the three residents who tried to follow along in the discussion.  Compare this to the Municipality's approach to their proposed budget.  Public hearings were held.  These meetings were televised.  The proposed budget was on the Municipal website.  The amendment to the Manager's 2011 Recommended  Budget was posted on their website.  Why is this?

10 Questions

In May 2006, Yankee Institute did a study called, "Stopping School Corruption -
A Manual For Taxpayers." Author Armand A. Fusco, Ed.D of "School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust" gives his synopsis: 

"Corruption in the administration of public education is an important but widely ignored subject. This paper outlines 10 questions that school boards ought to ask -- or ought to be prodded by taxpayers to ask -- to determine whether corrupt acts have been committed in local schools, are now being committed, or could be committed with relative ease."

In light of the recent resignation on the Board, it might be time to start asking some questions.  Here are ten for starters.

Stopping School Corruption - A Manual For Taxpayers

Where are Josephine's manners?

What?  No thank you from the School Board President for Mr. Fraasch's service on the School Board?


Straight from her blog:

Board Member Resignation

Yesterday, James Fraasch resigned from the Board, effective immediately.  He expressed what an honor it has been to serve the District and wishes the Board and Mt. Lebanon School District only the best.


According to the school code, we must appoint someone to fill his position within 30 days. We have advertised the vacancy and ask for applicants to respond by December 24. We will then conduct interviews during a special public meeting on January 3. We will take action on an appointment at the January 10 Discussion Meeting.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions about the application process.
I wish Mr. Fraasch and his family all the best in the new year.
Posted by Josephine Posti at 9:32 AM 

One of the last of the good guys

I read with great sadness, that School Board Director James Fraasch has resigned from the Mt. Lebanon School Board. His final post is on his blog, Lebo School Board Updates. James was the voice of reason on the Board.  In my opinion, this is Mt. Lebanon's greatest loss.  James has started a new blog, Politics, Policies, Government, and Economics.
James, if you are reading this, thank you for all your years of service. You are one of the last of the good guys.
Elaine

Surprise, surprise

Last night, the Mt.Lebanon Planning Board voted unanimously to approve all three items on their agenda. 

1.The Mount Lebanon School District had submitted an application for final approval of the renovation of the high school.
2. Request for a recommendation for Conditional Use approval by The Mount Lebanon School District.
3. Request for a recommendation for Conditional Use approval by The Mount Lebanon School District for an Alternate Parking Plan, accomplished by means of a Shared Parking Agreement.

Hold that thought.

Last night, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners approved a tax decrease.  Mt. Lebanon reverses tax increase During the Citizen Comments portion of the meeting, residents spoke about the need for increased services, which would not occur with a tax decrease. 
"At some point maybe a tax increase needs to be done, but right now is a tough time for a lot of people," Commissioner Joe DeIuliis said. "We've already had an increase in school taxes. Piling on at this point is not what's needed."
Yes, it is a tough time for a lot of people.  But our community is deteriorating as a result of the increase in school taxes.  Maybe the Commissioners will hold that thought when it comes time for the final vote for the High School renovation project. 

New School Board President - A Familiar Face on the News

Newly elected school board president, Josephine Posti is a familiar face on the news.  This was on WTAE-TV news recently.  I included the comments in the link.  I find comments most interesting when reading news articles online.  Watch the video to draw you own conclusions.
Water Company Defends Hydrants Used In Baldwin Firefight

UPMC Athletic Training and Physician Services Proposal

As mentioned in the previous post, "Can you spell UPMC?" here is the "revised" proposal from UPMC.  UPMC Athletic Training and Physician Services Proposal

Section A describes the services that UPMC would provide.  They will require designated parking.  Was that mentioned at the Zoning Hearing Board or the Planning Board?

Section C discusses MTLSD's responsibilities.  Besides paying UPMC $154,000, MTLSD will agree to serve as a regional center for UPMC by providing auditorium, gymnasium, classroom or fields to UPMC so that they may have sports medicine and/or sports performance programs up to four times per contracted year.  By the way, UPMC will have the right to charge a participation fee to attendees of these programs.
We also have to display four UPMC banners throughout the year at various MTLSD sports venues.

Keeping it under the referendum

I have uploaded the June 8, 2009 school board business meeting on lebocitizens.com. Part 2 of the meeting can be heard at June 8, 2009 School Board Meeting, Part 2 As I wrote in the comments:
Discussion about adding a third gym, adding two lanes to the pool, and walkway while keeping it under the referendum/debt limit/borrowing limit.

Mrs. Cappucci apologizes for “a lack of communication or misunderstanding on the part of the public and even people within the building...we will, after taking this vote, step up that communication between the groups.”  (00:11:20)  and “whatever we can add in to our borrowing limit, I think we need to do.” (00:12:50)

Former Superintendent Allison speaks about how the architects need a budget.  Also, “it can more than adequately meet the instructional needs.” Mrs. Rose asks what his opinion is and Mr. Allison gives his parting comments about the high school renovation.  It begins at 00:19:15.

I suggest listening to both parts of the meeting.  Very revealing.

Overbuilding the high school and money

Schools and money

Regarding the Nov. 21 Forum piece "Start Cutting Here, Gov. Corbett": Thomas Hylton rightly takes aim at the Pennsylvania Department of Education's PlanCon process. In addition to potentially over-building the commonwealth with overdone facilities, the department's management of the program deserves a failing grade when putting into practice regulations designed to protect residents and taxpayers.

Looking at our experience in Mt. Lebanon, regulations require the Department of Education to consider the "annual cost of amortization" of a project when evaluating a community's local effort and affordability. For no good reason, the state education department used an annual amortization cost of zero in its PlanCon review of our $100 million-plus high school renovation.

Presumably because the department did it and approved it, school superintendent Timothy Steinhauer and our school board majority took no issue with the analysis, despite indications that the proper application of the regulations could call into question the community's ability to pay for the high school, let alone other cost increases to come.

We are very much in need of Gov.-elect Tom Corbett's refined moral compass, all across Pennsylvania.

BILL MATTHEWS
Mt. Lebanon

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10339/1108105-110.stm#ixzz17FyzqXfs

Can you spell UPMC?

According to Celli-Flynn Brennan drawing sheet #A1.L1J Lower Level 1 Floor Plan - Area J (solid letter)P, there is an area in the new athletic building that is 4,200 square feet.  This area, located next to the fitness center/training room and the free weights room in the lower level, might potentially be used by UPMC.  The November 9, 2009 Master Design Team minutes (item # 4) indicate the possibility of a partnership with UPMC for a community clinic at the high school.  Master Design Team minutes of Nov-09-09.  Also, in April of this year, the School Board approved a five year, $154,000 agreement with UPMC Sports Medicine.  MTL School Board Meeting Minutes of April 19, 2010  We will be paying UPMC for athletic training services and physician services.  It appears that we could possibly be building this area for UPMC's use with our tax dollars.

Ta Da!

Five months after the start of Year Two's contract and six weeks after the School Board voted on a salary increase, Dr. Steinhauer's 2010-2011 Goals have finally been posted on the MTLSD website. 

1. Fiscal Management - The Superintendent will operate the District in a fiscally responsible manner, identifying cost savings and revenue generating opportunities.
2. High School Project – The Superintendent will continue the District’s efforts to build/renovate the High School.
3. Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) – The Superintendent will implement the terms of the new teacher CBA.
4. Strategic Plan – The Superintendent will guide the District in making progress toward meeting or exceeding all goals established by the current Strategic Plan. In addition, the Superintendent will position the District to begin development of a new strategic plan during the 2011-2012 school year. 
5. Student Achievement – The Superintendent will implement measures to improve student achievement.
6. Technology – The Superintendent will direct an assessment of the District’s technological capabilities.
Superintendent Goals 2010-2011
The High School Renovation Project comes in at Number Two.  Oh yeah, Student Achievement is Number Five.  Does Number Six mean there is spell check in our future?  Not that a school district should need spell check...

Was it something they said?

A recent email to members of the High School PTSA showed that membership is down from 916 last year to 674 members this year.  That is a 26.4% drop in membership from last year.  In jest, the PTSA President asked, "Was it something we said?"  There is a message here somewhere.  WAS it something they said?  Are people cutting back because they don't have the money to pay the $8.00 membership?  That is the equivilent to two lattes, the new gold standard in Mt. Lebanon. Do they not agree with the High School renovation project as it stands?  Or are parents unhappy with the way the High School is being run in general?