Just as our federal and state governments are making cuts to needed medical and educational programs, our local school boards have to make budget cuts also. The only problem is that they complain about those cuts but haven't learned a lesson themselves.
Cutting math, science, language and music programs seem to be less important than athletics. Where are their priorities? The percentage of students who will be able to make a living in the sports world is so miniscule that to preserve high school athletics in a tight budget crisis is inexcusable in these times of belt tightening. If some sort of athletic activity (football, basketball, baseball) is thought to be so important, then let those who participate raise the funds needed. These are activities that are extra curricular with the accent on extra.
The majority of students benefit from classes that prepare them for real life not the dreams of becoming a superstar in the world of sports, where the percentage of becoming a professional is lower than the percentage of finding today's honest politician. It's a sad day for our communities and school districts when academics have to take a back seat to appease those who can't make the right choice when it is right in front of them.
Remember, these are the future leaders who will be making choices for you when you are in need of elder care. They'll probably toss you a football and tell you to go out and exercise. Oh, by the way, you want fries with that.
LOU WEBER
West Mifflin
http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/opinion/open-letters/26788-school-boards-are-making-the-wrong-cuts
38 comments:
Elaine, do you concur with the writer? If elected, can we expect you to cut funding for the recreation department?
Dave Franklin
Dave,
I do concur with the writer. He writes, "Our local school boards have to make budget cuts also...Cutting math, science, language and music programs seem to be less important than athletics. Where are their priorities?"
Dave, the writer is writing about the school board. I am running for Commissioner. When Steve Feller prepares his recommended budget, he uses the technique known as Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB.) This means that everything begins at zero. Each area is ranked in order of overall priority of importance to municipal operations. The rankings vary in importance based on the goals for the coming year. Looking at what is on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting, there is flexibility in the capital budget.
"The Commission previously approved the purchase of a used 1998 electric Zamboni. The funds for this purchase will come from the elimination of the pool heater and cover from the capital budget and an increase in the budgeted amount for rink revenues."
The School District should have different priorities than the Municipality. The other thing is that the Recreation Department had revenues of $2,573,940 last year.
Elaine
I should also add that the elimination of the pool heater and cover from the capital budget is because the Mt.Lebanon Aqua Club had originally promised to fund half the expense, but they had to withdraw their offer due to budgetary reasons.
Elaine
Mr. Franklin:
You're always full of questions. I read the "timely letter" and concur with Elaine... the writer is discussing school budgets.
How did you arrive on the topic of municipal recreation budgets from the post?
And furthermore, why do you love to lambast those that at the very least want to discuss issues.
You knock ideas or comments, but to date we've not seen one solution on any topic from you.
Stick to the topic of the letter, and by all means ask Elaine questions. So far, its my contention she's been appoachable, honest, direct, and responsive on any topic. Worthy attributes in any civil servant.
In a depressed economy and a high school project far above the board's most pessimistic predictions what ideas are you offering, Mr. Franklin?
The author's ideas or Elaine's on the municipal side may or may not deserve a second look, but sometimes you need to brainstorm to discover a workable solution. We might all learn something.
- Giffen Good
I read the Letter to the Editor to suggest that since schools put out few professional athletes that spending money on athletics is a waste of money. To use his words, "to preserve high school athletics in a tight budget crisis is inexcusable in these times of belt tightening." I would hope that Ms. Gillen and the mysterious Mr. Good would agree that belt tightening applies to municipal budgets as well as school budgets. Therefore, I was curious to know if Ms. Gillen supports a similar elimination of "extras" on the municipal side. Personally, I don't see it as switching topics at all. The letter posted by Ms. Gillen has a very strong anti-sports theme. After all, it doesn't advocate cutting fine arts spending even though we produce few professional actors, artists and muscicians. I think many in Ms. Gillen's Ward would like to know if she shares the anti-sports sentiment. After all, I think we can all find someone who would rather apply the tax dollars that we spend on the pool, tennis courts, ball fields, ice rink and golf course fixing our sewers, streets and other infrastructure, especially in tough economic times.
I'm not sure that her response even answers my question. It didn't ask for an explanation of the municipal budget process, it asked whether she supports cuts in recreation/athletic funding.
And Mr. Good, your response about "discussing issues" and "brainstorming" is indeed entertaining, particularly since you have repreatedly refused my personal invitation to do just that. My question was not a crticism of Ms. Gillen, but instead a question of a candidate running for public office. The letter's author was talking about school budgets, but I think the analysis is the same on the municpal side. We don't have enough meoney for everything, and I'm just curious to know where she stands on the issue of recreation/athletic funding. I'd be happy to discuss and brainstorm further over coffee.
Dave Franklin
Mr. Good, your response also raises another valid question. A quick review of this blog would demonstrate that Ms. Gillen spends the majority of this space to challenge the school board and the high school project. One might ask why she didn't run for school board? One might also ask whether she thinks the municipality has any challenges. The voters know how she feels about the school district, but they don't really know why she wants to be a commissioner. Further Mr. Good, if she's elected can she work in cooperation with the SB (something many have encouraged in recent months) when she has spent so much time lambasting them (to use your words)?
Dave Franklin
Dave,
Since this is Easter, I don't have a lot of time to respond, but here it goes.
The letter to the editor is not so much anti-sports, it is pro education. He also believes that the sports groups should raise the funds for these extra curricular activities. I don't want to encourage posts about deadbeat athletic supporters, and I don't think you do either.
I have this blog to "keep the community informed." I do spend a lot of time writing about the School District because the renovation project has been a hot topic in this community. The declining test scores are also in the news. Can we rely on the School District or Center Court to give an unbiased assessment? I don't think so. It is rather interesting that Josephine Posti has written nothing on her blog since April 12. Where is the post about the bids being too high?
As far as the Commission working with the SB, as soon as the School Board agrees to PUBLIC joint steering committee meetings, the Commission would agree to working with them once again. To answer your question about why I am not running for SChool Board, I can answer that in two words. James Fraasch.
Elaine
I lied. I guess I can answer that in more than two words. Notice how the Commissioners are voting on a used 1998 electric Zamboni tomorrow night? They aren't going for the 2011 model - brand new Taj Mahal model. They are acting responsibly with our tax dollars. They are also broadcasting the Discussion session for the first time. All the commissioners voted for that except for my opponent in the Ward 3 race, Joe DeIuliis. I am for transparency and fiscal responsibility, something that School District seems to resist.
Oh, and I am not moving away.
Elaine
Can we please get over this ridiculous myth that athletes and their families don't contribute or pay their way? Ask the parents of the girls varsity basketball team how much they contributed/raised this season to offset a shortage in funding. Ask the parents of the boys/girls lacrosse teams how much they contribute/raise each season for their respective programs. Ask the baseball team what they contribute so that they have a place to work out. Heck, I shutter at what I've contributed to support my daughter and the high school field hockey team. And I'm sure the Blue Devil Club can share with you the thousands of dollars they raise, which serve to benefit the varsity programs at the high school. So can we please stop suggesting that athletics are 100% taxpayer funded? I'm also certain that if the day should come when we need to raise additional monies for the erection or maintenance of new or existing athletic facilities that those funds could be raised through a community-wide effort. Yes, I'm that confident.
Dave Franklin
Dave,
The letter to the editor is pro education. The author suggested that the school boards have their priorities messed up. I agree with him. I just finished writing that the Municipality is approving a Zamboni tomorrow night. The Commissioners are using money that is partly from recreation revenues, and is not 100% taxpayer funded. I am trying to explain funding to the recreation department of the Municipality, but you are bringing it back to the School District. Who is really perpetuating the myth? Not me.
Elaine
Ms. Gillen, may nothing happen in your life and to your family like Joe and his family have experienced.
Dave Franklin
Thank you, Dave. I am not sure where that is coming from, but same to you. Happy Easter.
Elaine
Dave,
One more thing about your last comment. You obviously don't know my family background. We have had our share of tragedies in this family, including three family members and the dog dying from carbon monoxide poisoning. I don't wish bad things on anyone. I am glad to see you don't either.
Now, I am going to try to enjoy what is left of this holiday and hope you do too. I think you went too far.
Elaine
I'm still waiting for some creative ideas or contributions Mr. Franklin!
- Giffen Good
Giffen,
I wouldn't hold my breath. I took time to research and answer his questions thoughtfully. I wish he would be as sincere as I am.
Is this from the same person who wrote on Blog-Lebo...
"Almost immediately thereafter I decided not to run . . . not because I'm afraid of the obnoxious minority, but as Ms. Stephenson noted, I simply would prefer to spend my energy focusing on something positive. It is indeed unfortunate because deep down it annoys the hell out of me to think that a few irrelevant voices have ruined the process and perhaps even the potential for improvement in our community.
However, in the end, running for office is a personal choice and my decision was based entirely on my desire to focus my time and attention (and my family’s time and attention) on those activities and causes that involve fewer malcontents and offer more positive outcomes. Dave Franklin"
Elaine
Sincere? Really? You use Mr. Deiulius's planned move as a rallying cry for your own campaign, and you question my sincerity?
Dave Franklin
Why does Mr. Good need to have coffee with you Mr. Franklin, you are neither a candidate or office holder?
Dick Saunders
Dave,
Please explain to me how Mr. DeIuliis's planned move out of Mt. Lebanon fits with his plan to run for Commissioner?
Please explain how this has anything to do with the School Board having their priorities out of whack.
Elaine
One more thing, Dave. I hope you spend this much energy tomorrow evening and go to one of the VERY important meetings. You have a choice. Go to the Commission Meeting and listen to the ad hoc land use committee give their findings such as developing the golf course as well as the public hearing on signs, of which you have a strong opinion. Or you can go to the School Board and let them know how they should handle the high bids situation. Either place, you could ask questions and hopefully get better answers than what I have been able to give to you. And while you are there, maybe you can offer some suggestions or share your ideas as Mr. Good has been asking you to do.
Elaine
Mr. Franklin is the Funding Director of the Youth Football Association and their goal is to get the Municipality to pay for TURF and LIGHTS field at Mellon School - a School District property.
Why should the Municipality pay to TURF and LIGHT the District property? Because Mr. Franklin is too lazy to get off his backside and raise the million dollars by his own efforts. It appears to me he would rather elect a less responsible commission candidate to pay for the Mellon TURF and LIGHTS because he is too lazy do the work needed to get the funding himself.
John, if you had accepted my invitation to attend one of our meetings you would known that in my capacity as funding director, I am responsible for raising funds (from corporate and private donors) in an effort to offset the cost of participation for our youth participants. Since we buy insurance, pay for field space, and do all of the other things that uninfomred people think we get for free, we raise money from gracious donors to lower the cost for those kids who want to play football. I don't think we've ever had the turfing of Mellon as one of our agenda items.
Dave Franklin
Did you folks catch this morning's PG headlines?
"More schools assess fee to play sports
Levies on students due to tight budgets"
Read more: http://postgazette.com/pg/11115/1141730-455.stm#ixzz1KXVCylVl
I don't make this stuff up.
Elaine
I read the article. Provided that it does not create a barrier to entry for those who want to participate, an appropriate fee structure makes sense. As I've already noted, any such fee would be in addition to the family contribution or fundraising requirement that many of our high school athletic programs already impose on their players.
Dave Franklin
Dave, I guess it is just by chance that if you had run for commissioner then the Funding Director (you) and the Field Director (Mr. Brumfield) of the Youth Football Association would both sit on the Commission. If you could snare another lazy deadbeat athletic supporter to run for Commissioner then you would be in a position to pick your neighbors pockets once again.
Sorry, Dave, your arguments are unconvincing, but be sure to take care of your own interests at your neighbor’s expense you cheapskate!
"However, in the end, running for office is a personal choice and my decision was based entirely on my desire to focus my time and attention (and my family’s time and attention) on those activities and causes that involve fewer malcontents and offer more positive outcomes. Dave Franklin"
Dave, SInce you seem to be really unhappy with Elaine-- These events have occurred in MTL. The commissioners borrowed $2,000,000 to pave streets, granted tax breaks to the Washington/Bower Hill Road property developer and allowed the library to reduce hours and staff, and raised golf fees.
Elaine gave a decent response to your obviously loaded question.
Surely, you've had coffee with her opponents, Joe D. and Kristen Linfante?
SInce Joe doesn't say or write anything and Kristen doesn't have an open forum to receive and answer voters question, you've obviously asked them for us (over coffee). What were their responses to the same question?
And since YOU brought up the Joe's family issue .... what is the procedure if Joe wins again and he moves out of Ward 3?
If he moves to Virginia Manor do you get two commissioners representing you and Ward 3 residents none?
- Giffen Good
John is that really necessary?
- Giffen Good
Mr Franklin and all other people involved in this debate… I have a question for you.
Is the charter of the School and the School board:
To win athletic championships?
To provide activities for students?
To provide the best education possible for students?
It’s my belief that the School and the School Board have a responsibility of providing the best education possible to students. To that goal, if there are times of financial hardship, I would say you would cut athletics and activities so that you can still achieve the goal of the best education possible for the children.
It doesn’t matter how fast a child can run or how well they can play an instrument or act if they cannot read at an age appropriate level and cannot understand mathematics and cannot perform critical thinking. I believe that everyone has the goal of having a better life for their child than their parents had (I doubt anyone would disagree with that). But if you do not give your child a solid education, you are cheating them out of a future that they can control. Without a solid education, your children won’t be living in Mt Lebanon because they won’t be able to afford it.
Ask any immigrant from the former Soviet Union what they feel about the math education that’s provided in the United States? They’ll laugh at you because their math education is far more advanced than what is done here. They excel at math, not because they are super-humans but because they have a focus on education. They don’t have “Taj-Mahal” schools. In fact, their school infrastructure is crumbling but they are still able to beat the US test scores consistently. I’m willing to bet Chinese and Indian immigrants would have similar stories.
In all of the discussions of the new facility, I have not heard the discussions of how each point is going to improve academics. You would think, with having the charter of providing the best education possible, the School Board would be able to quantify the academic improvements that the expenditure would lead to. They have not though. They instead of have let their existing building go into disrepair. They have let their wants lead them to neglect their needs. It’s because of this, I believe the school board should be replaced.
Jack I agree with your basic point that the district's goal is to provide the best education.
To that end there are countless studies showing that music, arts, and athletics play fundamental roles in child development. So lets not be hasty throwing the baby out with he bath water!
You may or may not be right on the Soviets beating our students in math though on the otherhand I don't know of anyone longing to immigrate to the Soviet Union.
Take a walk around CMU, sometimes I get the impression its all foreign students. Why are they coming here for their advanced degrees.
Perhaps we don't need to travel half a world away for direction on a school building when it might be just down the road.
I'm willing to listen to CMU professor, Dan Rothchild and the CAC experts. On athletics, the arts and so forth there are few districts that have as vast a pool of "leaders" than Mt. Lebanon to draw on for advice.
Unfortunately, I think we've become to reliant on, the for lack of a better descriptor "PTA moms (and Dads)". They're active, certainly work hard and do great things and by no means am I trying to diminish the contributions they make. They are essential to the district success and reputation.
On the other hand might they possibly have tunnel vision when it comes to designing a Lebo education.
- Giffen Good
Jack, first and foremost, I have never argued athletics over education. In fact, anyone who really know me (vs. those in the blogosphere who only think they know me) can confirm that for you. However, I firmly believe that athletics and the arts play a critical role in the education process. Just as you suggest that without a good education, you can't grow up to live in Mt. Lebanon, I would offer that any student who does not actively participate in some extracurricular activity is not getting a good (or complete) education.
Anyone who has been involved in any sort of interviewing and/or hiring will attest to the fact that a candidate with good grades and no other interests or skills will probably lose out to a candidate with the same (or perhaps slightly lesser) grades and a variety of other activities or a proficiency in something other than studying. I don't view that as an unhealthy emphasis on sports or the arts. I view that as our society's desire to encourage well-rounded individuals.
Anyone who argues that the folks who support sports in Lebo are anti-education are simply nuts. Instead, my experience is that those parents who actively encourage, promote and participate in youth athletics are some of our biggest sticklers for education. It's no coincidence that most of our high school athletes are above average (and in many cases excellent) students.
I am also pretty certain that those folks who concern themselves with how we stack up against neighboring districts, will be even more upset at our ranking if we eliminate or unreasonably limit our students' access to such activities.
So you see, I'm not advocating extracurricular activities in place of education, but I firmly believe that those activities are a key component to any top notch education and certainly a leading school district. If we can't excel at both, we're not as good as we think we are. And personally, I think history demonstrates that the marriage between academics and athletics/arts in Mt. Lebanon has been a successful combination.
I also believe that same holds true for our municipality's willingness to invest in recreation and its related assets.
Dave Franklin
Well Mr. Franklin we didn't share coffee, but we do share views.
So we've arrived at the same place, now the hard work begins once again on the high school project.
Now that we agree how do we keep the priorities on track?
- Giffen Good
Mr. Franklin, now that the school problem is hopefully back on track, you haven't answered whether Elaine's opponents have positions or platforms on municipal recreation dept. budgets!
Elaine responded, did you ask Joe and Kristen?
What were their positions?
Nor have you answered the issue-- if a ward loses its elected commissioner "for any reason" what happens and how is a replacement picked?
Voters have a right to know if their vote could eventually be meaningless.
- Giffen Good
Mr Good,
My point wasn't about emigration from the former Soviet Union (something I'm pretty familiar with if you ever wanted to discuss). It's also not about why so many eastern and southern Asian students are in US universities (you could research the scarcity of higher education opportunities in Asia and the fact that immigrants have to re-prove their diplomas when they come to America if you want more information on that subject). My point is, if you need to make a sacrifice, you need to stick to your core charter and prioritize accordingly. I do agree with you that the right people aren't setting those priorities though. My problem is, I don't know exactly who the right people are to set the priorities.
Thanks to Ellen's website and efforts, I am going to work harder this year to see if I can find out which candidates are right to set that priority. (Ellen is not running for my district and I'm not part of her campaign. But,I do respect that she has worked hard to get involved and inform people on the issues).
Mr Franklin,
I don't assume to know you. I'm only responding to your comments here (If I'm misinterpreting them, then you are welcome to clarify). I would go so far as to say anyone who says that people who are against the high school plan as proposed are "anti-athletics" or "anti-activities" are nuts. Yes, a good balance is important but activities and athletics shouldn't come at the expense of academics.
The outrage that I feel is over a school board that seems to have a single goal - a new high school - at the expense of everything else. No other options are considered, despite the facts. And by spending so much time on that, they're mortgaging our children's future. Debt is going to be incurred and future expenses that will need to occur will be delayed because we'll be paying for a school that, if put to referendum, would have been rejected. You only have to look at Bethel Park to see what our future is going to be if we follow this path. Athletics, arts programs, music programs, language programs and all other activities will be cut at the expense of servicing debt.
I stated this at the end of my previous comment and neither of you had a retort. So I'll state it again:
They (the School Board)... have let their existing building go into disrepair. They have let their wants lead them to neglect their needs. It’s because of this, I believe the school board should be replaced.
Jack, if you've been a frequent reader of the Lebo Blogs for the past 2 years you will know that I am not a fan of the high school project (at its estimated or re-estimated cost), nor am I a fan of every decision made by this Board. However, I don't think they are evil people. I only know a couple of them personally, and those who I don't know (i.e. Mr Ostergaard for example) hardly strike me as people with bad priorities. The ones that I do speak to on occasion know my opinions of their work but we manage to remain cordial.
I also think it's a bit unfair to lay the condition of this building at their feet. What's crystal clear through all of this is that this building has been allowed to fall by the way side for a long. long time - certainly much longer than anyone's tenure on this Board. If we had spent a million here or a million there over the years, I'm sure there would have been just as many critics suggesting that those funds should have been spent on reading and math programs. Simply put, what's done is done. Time to move forward. It sounds like the board has finally come around and recognizes now that they can't always get what the want. Hopefully they'll realize that if you try some time, you just might find, you get what they need.
Mr. Good, I'm starting to think you're 2 or perhaps 3 different people. I haven't asked the other candidates anything. Don't intend to either unless the spirit moves me. Nor do I intend to research what happens in the event someone wins and then moves. That said, I'm sure the other candidates in the Ward have probably looked for the answer and could give it to you. However, if you (and anyone else posting under your fascinating name) want to grab a coffee I'll be sure to have an answer for you then.
Dave Franklin
Dave, I was starting to think the same thing about you.
I am curious as to why you only have the desire to ask me questions and not the other candidates in my ward. I am also curious as to why you are so concerned with Ward 3, when you could be asking the candidates in your own ward.
I get the feeling that you aren't looking for answers. Actually, I am offended that you only want to have coffee with Giffen Good. I would love to have coffee with you. Did you ever get together with Bill Lewis, when he offered to meet with you? How about coffee with other candidates? How about having coffee with Steve Feller? There is a coffee with the manager coming up on May 4. Maybe you can ask him questions about the budget and the recreation department since he is the one who works on the proposed budget. See? There are lots of people who are willing to have coffee with you. Just a thought.
Elaine
Mr. Franklin, I thought we had arrived at some common point then you write: "I haven't asked the other candidates anything. Don't intend to either unless the spirit moves me."
Whether I'm one person or three, black or white, male or female, gay or straight, why in the world would I or any of us want to waste time over a cup of coffee discussing anything with you?
You obviously have your own agenda and have no intention of seeing another side, thanks for the heads up.
Good day, Mr. Franklin.
- Giffen Good
I wasn't a frequent reader of that blog but thank you for the clarification.
I do want to clarify something though. I do not think anyone on the school board is evil. They are taking the time to do a job that's not easy. I believe they're acting in what they believe is the best path for Mt Lebanon. I just happen to disagree with that path. I can disagree with someone and not see them as evil.
I agree with you that the declining condition of the school goes back to previous school board administrations as well. But, the school board needs to make sure there are funds to make sure that the buildings are in good condition. While people might gripe, I don't think they're going to be up in arms because you replaced a leaking roof or upgraded broken equipment. Expenditures on that level are dwarfed by what they are proposing to spend now.
I'm glad that people are coming to their senses. Sadly, they've spent quite a bit of time to arrive at that point and when you're talking about debt, time = money.
From Rob Gardner's Hijacking post last month on bloglebo.
"This is by no means a call to limit Free Speech. It is, instead, a call to Speak Up. A call for the community to reject the nay-saying negativity of a few residents with the same vehemence with which they have foisted it upon us. Go to a meeting. Write to a blog. Write a letter. Demand that our candidates offer positions on issues so that we know what they stand for, not just what they are against. Most importantly…VOTE.
Sincerely
Rob Gardner"
Was that a warning about people that have no intention of asking candidates for their positions?
- Giffen Good
Jack:
Just reviewing some of the post and you wrote this: "I stated this at the end of my previous comment and neither of you had a retort. So I'll state it again:
They (the School Board)... have let their existing building go into disrepair. They have let their wants lead them to neglect their needs. It’s because of this, I believe the school board should be replaced."
I'm not sure if the two you are asking is Mr. Franklin and Elaine or I?
I'm seriously thinking about your last statement that the board needs to be replaced. Why, well they vowed to bring it in at $95 million or less for 2 years. Now they are vowing to lower the costs in a couple of months.
Lotta vowing going, but not a lot of construction and our kids are still in the building.
- Giffen Good
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