What About Vouchers?

What is the status of school vouchers here in Mt. Lebanon?  Would they be available for children who are attending St. Bernards? This question has been asked of me several times.

From 2005 - A Conflict of Interest?

 Paula Bongiorno, of Mt. Lebanon, told the school board that she believed Vice President Joseph Rodella is violating the just-adopted Board Member Code of Ethics policy because he also serves on the board of the municipality's Parents Athletic Council.

The ethics policy, adopted at Monday's board meeting, states that "board members should avoid any conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety." Bongiorno said that, because the athletic council raises money for sports groups, some of which come before the school board for support, Rodella's seat on the council is a conflict of interest.

Bongiorno cited the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club as benefiting from the athletic council and has been lobbying the school board to build a pool.

Rodella said he didn't believe his seats on the two boards presented a conflict, but that he would check with the State Ethics Commission and the other members of the school board. He said if either body suggests there is a conflict, he would give up his seat on the athletic council.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05230/555430.stm#ixzz1LrqxnWt5

Doomsday forecasts are a thing of the past

On Tuesday, I posted this thread on Lebo Citizens. Oh Budget...Where arrrre youuuuu? On Wednesday, this appeared on Jospehine Posti's Center Court blog:

We've learned that what makes a good sound byte: "Let's go through the budget line item by line item!" doesn't make strategic, long-term changes or systematic improvements.  Promoting rhetoric about Doomsday forecasts doesn't paint an accurate picture and doesn't develop trust among Board members necessary for the hard work ahead. 
Because it's election season, I've heard some rhetoric during the past couple of weeks about how the District's spending is "out of control" and am here to tell you that it's very much in control, less than last year's spending and well-managed as we tackle future challenges such as PSERS and the renovation project.  We've also improved budget communication this year, sending information to homes and to employees and provided better information on the District website.  

Am I to understand that we will no longer see forecasts - Doomsday or otherwise?  Have they gone down the same path as the Audit and Finance Committee? Does improving budget communication this year translate into showing no budget at all? And how is this about developing trust among Board members?  Is this another case of the new and improved transparent Board??

Storm Water Issues and Solutions

Experiencing three and four feet of water and sewage in our garage and basement after the 100 Year Storm, the 101 Year Storm, and Hurricane Ivan, I can relate to this issue first hand.  I know that many neighbors in Ward 3, as well as other wards in Mt. Lebanon can relate, as well.  The members of the Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board, in cooperation with Mt. Lebanon Public Library, are hosting a series of public meetings to discuss storm water issues.

Storm Water Issues and Solutions Calendar

Attention Candidates

A few of us have been recording meetings for lebocitizens.com, but have not always been able to attend every meeting.  Since this is an Election year and we have new School Board and Commission candidates, who aren't incumbents, how about volunteering to record some meetings?  Hopefully, you have been coming to meetings already, but if you haven't, this is a great way to learn more about what is going on.  It isn't hard to do.  Email me at egillen476@aol.com, and I can make arrangements to get a recorder to you. 

These recordings have been listened to in 35 countries across the world.  Having them on lebocitizens.com have given residents, who don't have cable or access to the broadcasts, a chance to listen to the meetings.

And the rest is history...

Cleaning out my mailbox, I found this classic.

-----Original Message-----
From: DRW <raja@ceiamerica.com>
To: egillen476@aol.com; jdeiuliis@mtlebanon.org
Sent: Sun, Jan 30, 2011 6:03 pm
Subject: RE: Advice

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for your interest and email. Joe is the Chair of the Committee in RCML that interfaces with local candidates => please contact him directly at (412) 953-7048. Please also discuss with Joe the topic of his running again. Thanks.

Raja

From: egillen476@aol.com [mailto:egillen476@aol.com?]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 12:02 PM
To: DRW; jdeiuliis@mtlebanon.org
Subject: Advice

Hi Raja and Joe,

As a registered Republican, I wanted to come to you for advice.  I live in the 3rd Ward as you know, but upon hearing Joe's decision to not run again, I am interested in running for Commission.  Can we get together at some point to discuss this?

Elaine

Oh Budget...Where arrrre youuuuu?

A beautiful presentation about the budget is available at http://www.mtlsd.org/district/budget/stuff/budgethandout5.2.11.pdf  


FAQ about the budget are available at http://www.mtlsd.org/district/budget/budgetfaq.asp


I just can't find a copy of the 2011-2012 budget.  Would someone be able to provide link?

Correction: What I meant to ask for, was a link to the forecast. Has anyone seen it? Maybe Dr. Steinhauer can provide the link to Tom Moertel and Tom can list it here after he fixes it.

Upper St. Clair budget slashes middle school sports

While our superintendent and school board are desperately trying to spend $113+ million, Upper St. Clair's superintendent and school board are cutting programs and positions.  Included are cuts in staffing, reduced technology spending, and reductions in middle school sports programs. Is this when someone brings up Mellon turf?
http://postgazette.com/pg/11144/1148727-100.stm

Raja resigns

By now, you have probably heard that Raja resigned at the Commission meeting last night.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend and messed up getting it recorded.  Raja always responded to my emails.  In the beginning of his term, he was one of my adopted commissioners.  As he got more involved, his replies were brief, but always responded.  Thank you, Raja.

http://postgazette.com/pg/11144/1148740-100.stm

Are open classrooms such a good idea?

Someone sent this article to me this morning.  It raises an interesting question.  Are open classrooms a fireman's nightmare?  Maybe someone from the fire department can comment on this article.
After ruinous fire, school's mission restored

21st century classroom

For those of you who did not see the video made by the School District, you can see what a 21st century classroom looks like here. Of course, I have lots of questions about this.  Who paid for this?  How much did it cost? Did we get it from the same company that sold us the RTK hardware?

"It was moved by Remely and seconded by Cappucci that the Board awards the Email Archiving Bid to Ideal Integrations in the amount of $49,682 as the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications. (Copy in official minutes.)"

Why was it built in the building that is being torn down? Isn't this proof that we can make 21st century classrooms out of 1972 buildings? Isn't this a little premature since this sort of thing becomes obsolete the very next day you buy it, let alone something that will be used fifteen years into the 21st century? Why didn't we buy a spell check program for the District website? Ideal Integrations has checked this blog 108 times since April 23, 2011.  Is this equipment being used to follow this blog or does Ideal Integrations have a vested interest in Mt. Lebanon?

Here in La-La Land, we forge ahead

Due to lower enrollment, Upper St. Clair is not replacing ten educators who either retired or resigned.

To balance the budget, administrators may reduce its support staff through furloughs, reduce the athletics and activities budgets, reduce curriculum-related purchases and reduce transportation expenses, they said.

Upper St. Clair School District Narrows Budget Gap

It’s a problem that will also affect educational programming in the Upper St. Clair School District, administrators said.
The numbers are “staggering,” said Sharon Suritsky, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction/supervisor of special education.
Projections show:
--Athletics, arts and academics will face significant changes in programming and staff, according to district projections.
--Elective offerings will be reduced, eliminated and/or changed.
--Transportation would be affected, with increased student travel time and reduced or eliminated field trips.
--Class sizes would significantly increase.
--Instructional support and enrichment opportunities would be reduced, eliminated and/or see a significant change.
--Foreign language/international learning opportunities would be reduced, eliminated and/or significantly changed.
--Professional development and staff may also be reduced, eliminated and/or significantly changed.

Upper St. Clair Projections Show Long-Term Challenges

I guess since people move to Mt. Lebanon "for the schools," we don't have this problem.  Wake up, School Board!  We're talking Upper St. Clair!  They have been number one for six years in a row!!!!

Business Storage Solutions

These are now regulated in Mt. Lebanon.

These are not.  Pods are regulated.  Campers are not permitted.  This equipment has been sitting here for over two years.  This eyesore was the number one complaint when I was canvassing neighborhoods.  Calls have been made to the Municipality.  Complaints were made to the commissioner, but alas, he is the owner of this equipment.  I promised to do something about this.  Let's see if this works, Folks.

West Mifflin to charge $50 activity-sports fee

In addition to eliminating 47 jobs, including 22 teaching positions, students will have to pay $50 in activity/sports fees.  French is being eliminated, as well as summer school.  Read about how West Mifflin is handling their budget shortfalls.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11141/1148189-55-0.stm

Now, here's an idea

Keystone Oaks is considering going to a four-day school week, in order to save money.

Keystone Oaks officials are considering going to a four-day school week to help save money, according to Superintendent Bill Urbanek.

The district has already sent a letter ask Gov. Tom Corbett about the possibility of getting the 180-day policy waived.

“Since he announced his budget, the governor has been quoted several times that he’d pretty much waive anything,” Urbanek said.

Keystone Oaks considers four-day week

High School Renovation and the Election

The following letter to the editor comes from Mt. Lebanon resident, Steve Diaz.

May 19 2011

To the Editor:

Re:  High School Renovation and the Election

The results of the election this week confirm that despite the continuing use of nasty personal attacks and gang mentality by the incumbents, an open, honest evaluation of the high school renovation fiasco necessarily reveals a sloppy, inadequate, and prejudged rush through a complex project with no regard for the facts or legitimate public concerns.  How embarrassing for the “officially” endorsed Republican candidates that an outsider, James Cannon, outpolled all of them, and the Democrat cross-filers as well.  He beat all comers, incumbent and newbies, by a significant statistical margin.  In the general election he has every opportunity to garner the top final vote, which should, by any fair and reasonable measure, make him the next president of the Mt. Lebanon school board.

The article in the Post-Gazette today underscores why James Cannon is so popular.  First, the incumbent “officially endorsed” candidates are scrambling to do a complete volte-face.  Mr. Kubit and Mr. Remely are quoted to the effect that many of the project elements as to which they articulated absolute support and commitment, such as renovations for the high school theatre and LEEDS certification, now are stated by these board members to be either not as economically viable or productive as they previously claimed without doubt (see the infamous flyer mailed to us by them at our own tax-paid expense).  In fact, if they addressed such matters as seats and sound system in the theatre and other items of deferred maintenance (such as wiring or wireless upgrades and disability access), they would not need to spend anywhere near the scope of their planned project budget.

Second, they omit to mention how throughout the Act 34 public hearing process, these two, and indeed all of the incumbent school board members (save Mr. Fraasch, whom they bullied unmercifully), opposed and ridiculed ANY criticism of the plan that produced the calamitous bid results.  Specifically, Mr. Kubit, Ms. Capucci and all the then incumbents who now seek re-election, loudly and consistently accused those who raised similar and other points of concern of “being against the children” and “not understanding” the needs they “had” to address.  Who doesn’t seem to understand now?

Third, in an unbelievable exercise of hubris, the school board members yet seek to salvage as much of their discredited approach to school maintenance as possible (see the Post-Gazette this morning).  Even now, after the petition of “The 4,000”, after the disastrous bidding, and after a primary election in which an outsider opposed to the program out-polled all the incumbents he opposed on the ballot, the board persists as if only some cutting and trimming will salvage their ill-conceived, vain, and wasteful project.  We are supposed to accept that the “irreducible minimum renovation” can now somehow be reformed by the same clueless gang-that-couldn’t-shoot-straight in the first place.  Pardon my candor, but I find it unlikely to be so.

Moreover, the school board persists in planning a high school renovation in a vacuum, pretending we do not also have a major, as yet unquantified, teacher pension funding obligation that will likely easily compete with or exceed the proposed cost of the White Elephant project the school board will not give up.  The school board has given no accounting of how we will pay for both their grandiose spending on unnecessarily monumental building schemes and for the promised labor benefits we offered to secure the best teaching faculty possible.  This from a school board that had done nothing to support the scholastic program even as our academic performance and standing has continuously and seriously deteriorated.

Finally, I object to the lack of accountability and responsibility.  Why do none of the incumbents apologize to the opponents they savaged during prior public debate as they now proceed to incorporate many of the very suggestions the opposition offered before the project was finalized?  Why do the incumbents, who were so strident in their “leadership” before, not accept any personal fault for the decisions they themselves made?  It’s all well and good to blame the consultants, but who hired them and who took their advice while refusing to consider any criticism?  The incumbent members of the school board had a clear field and made the policy choices that followed their own judgment, in the face of strong community opposition.  Why does the school board fail to meet the No.1 priority of arresting and turning around our slipping academic program and why do they fail to accept any responsibility for it ?  They don’t even talk about the academic record, let alone campaign on it.  Now that the numbers are in, it is time for the same power brokers who want to lord it over this community by raising our taxes to unsustainable levels, to take “credit” for what they have “achieved”. 

It is not good enough for failed decision makers to just posture a cosmetic change of direction.  They must admit their failures and take responsibility for them.  The members of the school board need to be adult enough to accept the failure of their policy and of their policy making process.  It is time to step aside and let new leadership clean up.  Not only those incumbents on the ballot, but the entire incumbent school board should resign to demonstrate good faith in their promise to look after the best interests of this community.  As things stand now, no one has gained anything under the guidance of this school board; the only responsible course of action for them now is to go, not to sit tight and make new promises they can’t keep (or if they do “keep” them by whatever means, only spend us into oblivion when the bill comes due on the teacher pension fund).

Respectfully,

Steve Diaz

Mt. Lebanon

Is outsourcing a good thing or a bad thing?

I came across this article that I saved from Pittsburgh Business Times last year.  Largest Pittsburgh-Area Minority-Owned Companies
Would someone explain to me if outsourcing is a good thing or a bad thing?  I did a search to find reviews from ex-employees, and I am thinking it isn't such a good thing.

You're joking, right?

I know that we don't have spell check for the District website, but now we show the whole South Hills how great we are at spelling.  I wonder how many impressions this sign gets in a day.

A class act

Jodi Weigand called me yesterday before she wrote her article, "Sibling rivalry possible on Mt. Lebanon board." [Jodi-that is not a picture of Josephine Posti!] She didn't call me because I was running for Commissioner. Instead, it was for my opinion about the results of the School Board candidates. (Moi? How did she know that I had an opinion about the school board candidates?)  I proceeded to tell her about James Cannon signs being ripped down at two polling places.  Volunteers heard Josephine Posti tell voters at Lincoln School not to vote for James Cannon because he was a relative.

"My brother and I have different points of view on certain issues," Posti said. "But no matter who is elected in November, they can expect to be treated in the same respectful, professional manner I've treated other board members whose opinions I disagree with." 

Oh, we are in for a treat.  Think "James Fraasch."  Think "Dirk Taylor." James Cannon is a class act.  He will not be bullied by anyone and will be representing residents, the will of the community, on that School Board. 


Read more: Sibling rivalry possible on Mt. Lebanon board - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_737885.html#ixzz1Mna5Hsuy

I'm tired.

Could it have rained any more yesterday?  I ended up using a second umbrella since my first umbrella was saturated.  I didn't know that was possible!  I learned a lot yesterday. 

I heard of stories of James Cannon's signs being ripped down at, at least, two different polling locations and sitting board members were retelling the stories with delight.  In fact, I witnessed a current school board director and candidate, relate the pathetic actions with a smile on her face to another candidate.  What an example for our kids. 

I also learned that the campaign boards outside Foster School belong to the School District.  James Cannon and I were told by the Republican Committee, that since we were not endorsed by the Committee, that we were not permitted to post our signs on that board.  Truth be told, we were misinformed.  Since they are owned by the School District, we had every right to have our signs on that board.  Note for the Fall, Jim!

Finally, I watched my opponent encroach the entrance throughout the day, (he couldn't stand out in the rain as I did) to the point, by the end of the day, he was standing in the middle of the inner steps leading to the hallway of Foster School.  Voters had to walk around him as they tried to enter the hallway.  In addition, I listened to him tell his supporters that he was looking at an area to relocate that is only 0.642 miles away from his current residence.  Didn't he report to the media that he and his family were moving far away?  I believe that was also under sworn testimony.  Also, it was interesting how he put a spin on his abandoned construction equipment on Terrace sitting idle for two years, when his constituents complained to him about it. 

Sour grapes?  Heck no.  I gave the Republican Committee a run for their money.  In 2007, Ol' Joe got 505 votes. This year, he only got 318.  His future opponent in the 2011 General Election received 440 votes yesterday.  As an incumbent, I would be concerned.  Either way, Ward 3 is faced with another four long years ahead.

Thanks to all who braved the horrible weather yesterday and came out to vote - for me, and in general. The skies cleared up at 8 p.m.  I would also like to thank my VERY supportive committee and especially all the people who voted for me.  I have no regrets.  I enjoyed meeting so many new people and learned that the majority of my neighbors are just trying to survive, just like me. 

Thanks, folks.

Elaine

My taxes are paid.

How can a commissioner discuss the Budget when his own taxes are overdue?  A sitting commissioner receives $3500 annually from the Municipality. How can my commissioner answer the Commission President when asked what to do about the unbalanced budget - raises taxes or cut services, when he doesn't pay his own? 

5/10/11 Commission Discussion Session Part 2 Podcast

The Primary and Crossover Voting

Tuesday is almost here!  The Primary is the election where voters select candidates to run in the November or General Election.  Unopposed candidates have it made in the shade.  They are guaranteed to be on the ballot in November.  They have no need to have signs or even raise money for a campaign.  They already know they won the Primary.  When I am not out pounding the pavement, I have been on the computer learning more than I ever knew about voting, elections, and government in general.  I came across the term "Crossover Voting." 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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In open primary elections in the United States, crossover voting refers to a behavior in which voters who normally participate in the primary of one party instead vote in the primary of another party. The behavior typically happens when the nominee of the one party is a foregone conclusion or when a candidate in one party's primary has an appeal to the voters in another party
The motives for crossover voting are sometimes strategic. Thus crossover voting has been used by voters to cast votes in the party a voter is opposed to in order to nominate a candidate which can be more easily beaten by the candidate the voter actually supports.
Some consider crossover voting to be a form of electoral fraud.

Electoral fraud???  Yikes!!  That doesn't sound good.  I know that school board candidates can cross file, but that is something totally different.  Make sure your vote counts.  Be wary of unopposed candidates who are asking you to crossover vote.  Don't waste your vote.  See you at the Polls on Tuesday!!!

P.I.A.A. to Vote on Schedule Change

The PIAA is considering shortening each competitive sport season by 2 games to save districts money.
This begs this question---if sports are to be shortened, then why are we building this massive athletic complex?

In effort to ease the burden of strained school budgets, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is considering a move that would eliminate two games from all varsity schedules except football and spare district dollars on the cost of transportation and officials.
The 31-member state sports association will vote in less than two weeks—when the P.I.A.A. convenes on May 25 and 26 in conjunction with state track championships—whether or not to reduce athletic schedules for the impending school years.
“Knowing that many districts are facing financial strains due to (Gov. Tom) Corbett’s proposed budget, the association is looking for ways to help districts save on expenses,” said Melissa Mertz, assistant executive director of the PIAA.
Local district leaders have mixed feelings on the pending vote. Athletic directors say it’s a decision best left in-house, while school board members say it could be worth a look.

P.I.A.A. to Vote on Schedule Change
http://www.wpxi.com/news/27890731/detail.html

Ward 3 Issues

As I mentioned at the Candidates Forum, I have spent the past month walking and meeting my neighbors in Ward 3.  I have compiled a list of issues that are on your minds.  Here are some of your issues. 

1. Can anything be done about the abandoned construction vehicles on Terrace?  They have been an eyesore for two years.
2.The municipal park behind Vallimont has been forgotten.  It is not maintained by the municipality and is unsafe.
3.The storm water runoff is a problem on Speakman’s Alley.
4.Speakman’s Alley is in need of repair.
5.The large hole near the sidewalk on Mt. Lebanon Blvd. has been like that for ten years.  It is dangerous.
6.My commissioner has never responded to any of my phone calls or emails.  Will you?  (YES! GUARANTEED! He wouldn't respond to me either.)
7.Isn’t your opponent moving out of town?  ( I got that comment almost every time.)
8.Cars speed in front of Rockwood Park, both on Vallevista and Rockwood Avenues. 
9.Illegal activity in Rockwood Park.  Where are the police?
10.  I am being forced out of my home because of the high school taxes.  (I can’t fix that, although I sure have tried!)
11. Kingsberry Circle needs to be repaved.
12. Speeders on Brucewood.
13. No sidewalk on island at Washington Road and Park Entrance. 
14. Sidewalk does not empty out onto Beadling.  Intersection is still dangerous for people with strollers. 
15. We should hold the commissioner’s pay until he pays his back taxes.
16. People are not curbing their dogs when walking them.
17. Allegheny County Housing Authority is not maintaining their properties.
18. Slum landlords

If there is something that should be added to this list, please email me with your concerns.  elaine@elainegillenward3.com 

Ward 3 Issues

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

Blogger sure messed things up!

Blogger promised to restore all threads that were posted after Wednesday, but I don't see that happening.  If you submitted a comment, and it was posted, but now MIA, please resubmit it so I can try to piece everything back together again.  Grrr

Update from Blogger: http://buzz.blogger.com/2011/05/blogger-is-back.html

Note to School Board: A 21st century education isn't necessarily better than a 20th century education!

Plunking

Don’t worry, I just heard about “plunking” this year.  Plunking is also known as bullet voting (not around here.) 

For those in the dark as to the concept of plunking,” it is a voting strategy. You select only the candidate you truly want to see in office and no others who might beat them, in part because you voted for them.  Although you can vote for up to five for School Board, that does not mean that you must vote for five. 

It was explained to me like this: “It’s like taking a pitcher of water and rather than pouring it into five small glasses, you are pouring it into one tall glass. In essence, you are giving that person five votes.”

So when Joe Wertheim said in a previous comment, “James Cannon is the only candidate who makes any sense, and this primary is a perfect example of when "plunking" should be the orders of the day. Vote only for James and none of the other school board candidates so that we can make sure he is on the ballot in November,” that is what he meant. 

And to be clear, Joe was referring to James Cannon as the only SCHOOL BOARD candidate who makes any sense.  B>)

Candidates Forum

From Mt. Lebanon's website:

CANDIDATES NIGHT VIDEO

The Video of the League of Women Voters Mt. Lebanon Candidates Night will run at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily on channels Verizon 35 and Comcast 7 until next Tuesday’s election.

http://mtlebanon.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=443

This is BIG

Through a Right to Know Request, PlanCon F Attachment C can be found here.  PlanCon F Attachment C

In this document, Janice Klein answered Question 7 with "To be determined" even though Tom Celli specifically said at the April 25 meeting that a second Act 34 hearing or referendum is not required.

In Question 8, the School District plans to rebid, yet the Board is divided on this.  Or is the Board not the decision maker here?

Added: March 23 PlanCon F Architectural Review
            PlanCon F

Renovation Redux

The following email exchange comes from Mt. Lebanon resident, Steve Diaz and was sent to the School Board on May 5, 2011 at 8:22 a.m.

Members of the School Board:  Even with the benefit of hindsight, your chosen consultants give the appearance of being confused and ineffective (see, for example, yesterday's edition of The Almanac).  Mr. Celli, who vaguely and without much specification suggests that there are scores of "deducts" that the board should consider while he ponders the scope, necessity and even the desirability of many elements of the plan he designed and recommended to you.  Such responses to your inquiries as to why the project bids were so out of line with expectation, in themselves, however, strongly suggest either that the thoroughness and care needed to make the recommendations in the first place may not have been taken, or that saying "yes" to whatever he perceived the customer - you - wanted, was more important than any other value, simply to get and keep the work (that is, the fee).  This is not helpful to anyone, no matter what one's views may be on the general scope of the project or the tax situation.  In this case the problem may truly be with the choice of consultant.  In two meetings now, Mr. Celli seems not to have provided clear and convincing answers to reasonable questions to anyone's satisfaction.  What gives you confidence he can remedy a situation as to which he played such a large role in creating?  How much confidence to you have in the manner in which he has conducted his responsibilities as your consultant and advisor?  I would suggest that the most important thing now is not avoiding a public vote, as several members of the board have publicly acknowledged that there is NO support in this community for the scale of costs which are clearly associated with the present iteration of the project.  The board now has a duty to heed the urgent request of the 4,000 petitioners and change course by seeking a proper, and appropriately limited, renovation rather than a disguised construction of an essentially new high school.  The board also serves both the public and itself best by acting on the evident collapse of confidence in Mr. Celli.

Respectfully.  Steve Diaz

Josephine Posti's response to Mr. Diaz, May 5, 2011 11:29 a.m.

Mr. Diaz,

I'd be happy to talk to you about this.  Freel free to call any time.

 

For the Board,

Josephine Posti
President
Mt. Lebanon School Board
412.667.1479

Mission: To provide the best education possible for each and every student

To which Mr. Diaz responded with on May 6, 2011 at 8:47 a.m.:

Ms. Posti:  Thank you for your reply, although I am not sure what purpose my calling you might serve.  I am not interested in a "he said, she said" "conversation." I am interested in an honest reprise of the stewardship of the renovation process, from the picking of advisers forward.  Those in opposition to the manner in which the school board has proceeded are uniformly, falsely, and unfairly painted by the board and its few supporters as against a variety of generally positive things:  we are putatively and variously alleged to be against the athletics program (you do realize that my son is a stalwart both of our highly successful LaCrosse team and our Varsity Football Team); against fine arts and music programming (an accusation that comes out of thin air based on nothing); "the children" (a general all-purpose allegation of misanthropy, indicating the nastiness of the project proponents); and other such make-weight inventions offered as a substitute for any response on the serious questions that now, after bidding, even the board (which, as you will recall, on several occasions publicly ridiculed those who have questioned your process--we all remember Mr. Remely and his paper napkin fumbling with an overhead projector to snidely criticize the notion that the financial analysis of the board could be in any doubt, joined that night by several others--see the tape) acknowledges.  None of this addresses the additional abuses the board committed in the Act 34 process.  You yourself have been nasty to me personally, even to the point of reporting an "I don't know this person" when I extended to you a professional connection on LinkedIn.  Frankly, "private discussions" or phone consultations with you are not to be trusted to result in anything other than a "set up."  I also remind you how, against formal school board policy, my emails to you (those before I started copying "outsiders" to protect myself) were leaked by board members and used to incite unlawful invasions of my property, including the photographing of my license plates), while, in response to my complaint, every member of the board denied being the source of the "leak" (therefore, some member or members did not tell the truth).  I find your credibility to be dubious and your methods to be odious.  I am amazed that you have the cheek to start any communication to me without an acknowledgement, let alone an apology, of the seriously unnecessary past rudeness and abuse I have experienced from the school board and its supporters.

If you are serious about changing tone and now reaching out to those who have been merely critical of policies now demonstrated to be flawed, then you will have to show some good faith.  I suggest a face-to-face meeting, not alone, but with a small delegation (perhaps me and two or three others on my side), and including the superintendent, as well as any willing member of the town council (with whom you have no compunctions of meeting in private out of public view), on neutral ground (perhaps the Mt. Lebanon Library), would be a first step on the road to redemption and reconciliation.  If you are truly extending an opening to move past the uncivil situation the school board has created and nurtured, I will sit down with you and seek to explore such community-based reforms as my like-minded fellow citizens and I believe would be efficacious and beneficial.  No one would be more pleased, or more surprised, to have your affirmative response to this offer.

Respectfully.  Steve Diaz

Candidates Forum recap

Last night, I was one of the fourteen candidates on the Mellon Middle School Stage.  The last time I was on that stage, I was playing violin in a Mt. Lebanon junior high orchestra concert - let's just say it was before Mt. Lebanon got the air rights over the transit system. 

I understand that members of the audience had a difficult time hearing the questions.  The Forum will be aired on Comcast Channel 7 and Verizon Channel 35 on May 6-17 and will run Sun/Mon/Wed/Fri at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Just putting it out there.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_735394.html

A couple of things

Tonight, the Candidates Forum will be held from 7-9:30 p.m. in the Mellon Middle School Auditorium.  Hope to see you all there.  Unfortunately, Coffee with Manager Steve Feller, Planner Keith McGill, and Commercial Districts manager Eric Milliron will be taking place from 7-8:30 p.m. at Uptown Coffee

Also, at the end of yesterday's Policy Committee meeting, I asked about the new 4:30 start time.  Larry Lebowitz was kind enough to explain the reasoning behind the new start time.  Listen to the last five minutes of the podcast for his explanation.  5/4/2011 Policy Committee meeting podcast

Secrets (and Lies)

I have been asked to start a new topic here called, "Secrets (and Lies.)"  This is in response to Monday night's School Board meeting where Dan Remely said there will be no more secrets.  Elaine Cappucci disagreed with Dan's statement since she felt there have been no secrets all along.

OK, Folks.  Here it is.  I'll start with:

What happened to the Harris mail survey conducted last December community-wide?  What were the results?  What is this current Harris survey intended to do? Or is this another example of the rebidding mentality?

No More Secrets

Highlights from last night's School Board meeting:

No more secrets.
Redesign.  No, rebid.  Board is divided.
Revisit Building C.  No, don't revisit Building C.  Board is divided.
Issues identified as to what went wrong.  No details as to what went wrong.  Still don't know.
Nothing decided.  Nothing voted on.
Usual abuse to CAC members.
Public apology from Dan Remely.

Podcast available here. 2011/5/2 Reconvened School Board Meeting

Do we have a shot at this?

Legislators seek to cap school realty tax increases

 

Momentum is growing in the General Assembly for legislation that would prevent your local school district from significantly increasing your property taxes without your say.

Wouldn't it be terrific if this was retroactive?  Maybe some For Sale signs would come down.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11122/1143483-454-0.stm

Hooray For May

May is finally here.  Lots of things happening this month.  On May 4, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM, the League of Women Voters and Mt. Lebanon Council PTA are again co-sponsoring the Candidates Forum of Mt. Lebanon School Board and Commission candidates.  It will be held in the Mellon Middle School Auditorium.  Part One, from 7 to 8:15, will be for the School Board Candidates, while Part Two, from 8:15 to 9:30 PM, will be for the Commissioner Candidates.


For those of you unfamiliar with the format, questions are submitted in written form by the audience.  Index cards are handed out to people as they arrive and are submitted during the forum. 


We will not be recording the forum since the PTA is working on arrangements for Mt. Lebanon High School students to tape the event.  It will be aired on the Municipal cable channel, but times and dates have not been established.  No other taping will be permitted.


On May 17, Mt. Lebanon voters will be able to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.  This is your opportunity to vote for up to five School Board Directors and Commissioners for Wards 1, 3, or 5.  Don't forget your right to write in candidates' names, if necessary.

Non-Collusion Affidavits for the High School Project

Another example of School District ineptness...
The School District released the Non-Collusion Affidavits through a Right To Know Request.  Non-Collusion Affidavits
They accepted an affidavit for West Mifflin High School.  I can't stop laughing.

Remember the School District Policy Committee meeting conflict?

While I was making a pdf (why isn't the School District doing that?) of the May 3 Policy Committee meeting agenda for lebocitizens.com, I noticed this:


Policy Committee meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room B, Mt. Lebanon High School, unless otherwise noted.


Remember how I have been asking for volunteers to record the 4:30 meeting since it conflicts with residents' work schedules?  The Policy Committee meetings have been officially changed to 4:30 p.m.  Great.  These meetings are very important.  They represent the reason for the School Board's existence. 
One of the School Board Operating Principles is to 


Establish the parameters under which the district operates by creating policy consistent with law, community expectations and educational excellence to achieve goals represented by the strategic plan.


How can the School Board create policies consistent of community expectations, when the community can't take time off from work to comment?
They advocate transparency and encourage citizen participation, but schedule the most important committee meetings during standard work hours. The Commission just started to broadcast the Discussion sessions (Commissioner DeIuliis was the only commissioner to vote against this) and now, the School District has the Policy meetings scheduled for 4:30 every month.  How about moving them to the High School Library, Folks?  Broadcast those meetings for the community.  You did away with the Audit and Finance Committee meetings, and now you are making it virtually impossible to attend Policy Committee meetings.

Update 3:49 p.m.: PSBA Board Standards & Code