Yes, I realize this is the Fourth of July weekend. Yes, I realize people go on vacation this time of year. Yes, I realize that the Central Office Administration is off on Fridays during summer hours, but...
There has been no update on Dr. Steinhauer's blog since March 25, 2011. Josephine Posti's Center Court blog's last post was June 21, 2011. No interviews with the Post Gazette or Trib. Nothing on the School District website. Surely, the School Board knew this was coming. Any thoughts on the State Budget? Is this what you meant by a 21st century education- something within our means which concentrates on academics? Are we going to get that $75 million plan now? Almost 4,000 people would like to know.
Update July 3, 2011 6:15 p.m. Josephine Posti has updated her blog with this post. General Assembly Completes Budget Work, Includes Restrictions on Act 1 Exceptions It is interesting that Ms. Posti brings up the storm water fee (not the sewer fee, as she said) in her post. The Commission has been operating on a tight budget and has been moving money around, in order to have a balanced budget. Their hands have been tied since the School Board raised taxes 10.5% last year. They don't run and raise taxes like the School District does, when money gets tight. I would still like to know if the School Board plans to proceed with the current renovation plans.
What is the justification for the Admin. full time and 12-month staff not working on Fridays during part or most of the summer ? Do you think they work four 10-hour weekdays to make up for the time ? Several years ago when this practice began, the explanation was "energy savings" presented without any proof, as usual....how many of you honestly believe they turn off all utilities on Fridays, or even turn off the A/C and fans ?
ReplyDeleteIf they do not make up the extra time off they have too many full time employees, something Dale Ostergaard should add to his list of possible cost savings.
Bill Lewis
Bill,
ReplyDeleteThe summer hours, as posted on the District website, are:
"During the summer, all District buildings are open Monday through Thursday from June 13-August 5, 2011.
Summer hours:
Central Office Administration and elementary schools: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Jefferson and Mellon middle schools: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mt. Lebanon High School: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; all offices closed noon-1:00 p.m."
At the last School Board meeting:
(2) Approval of Annual Salaries for 12-Month Secretaries: RESOLVED, That the Board
approves the 2011-2012 list of annual contracted salaries for 12-month
secretarial/clerical employees effective July 1, 2011, reflecting an average increase of
4.55%.
(3) Approval of List of Annual Salaries for Administrative Assistants/Supervisors,
Specialists, and Head Custodians: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the 2011-
2012 list of annual salary adjustments for administrative assistants/supervisors,
specialists, and head custodians effective July 1, 2011, reflecting an average increase
of 2.8%.
(4) Approval of Administrative Salaries: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the 2011-
2012 list of annual salary adjustments for administrators effective July 1, 2011,
reflecting an average increase of 2.8%.
Bill, do you have any idea how exhausting and stressful it is selling and defending the way over promoted and over budget high school project!
ReplyDeleteIts not easy getting out those "factual" glossy FAQ mailings.
I'm thinking the administration is diligently putting in full 32 hour work weeks preparing the next one.
- Giffen Good
Request for Strategic Plan Facilitator
ReplyDeleteThe Mt. Lebanon School District will begin a major strategic planning initiative in the Fall of 2011 since the current strategic plan is scheduled to be updated in 2012. The Mt. Lebanon School District intends to retain the services of a strategic planner to lead this process.
Never occurred to anyone to hold the planning meetings on Fridays (NOT AT FRIDAYS) this summer rather than hiring an EXTRA staffer and waiting for the fall, I suppose.
There's a cost savings suggestion for you Mr. Ostergaard. That eliminated payroll expense can be used to purchase art materials or sheet music for the fine arts dept. Which have been asked to cut supply budgets for years.
- Giffen Good
From Mr. Ostergaard's reply to Mr. Diaz's request for "FULL DISCLOSURE"
ReplyDelete"These are very difficult times; unparalleled in recent history. School districts are making massive cuts, some may fold. We are doing our best to preserve this District that has been entrusted to us as Board members.
Regards,
Dale Ostergaard"
So what does our district do in these difficult times - why yes of course - start a search for another employee, a strategic plan facilitator!
Am I crazy, isn't that a normal responsibility of administrators to design and IMPLEMENT a district's strategic plan?
From Webster online dictionary: "Related to ADMINISTRATE
Synonyms: administer, conduct, carry on, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend"
Maybe if they weren't so involved with nonsense like bike racks they could focus on strategic plans. Suggestion: there's about 100 yards of chain link fence enclosing the rock pile facing the parking lot that makes a dandy secure place to lock bikes on.
Put up a simple $18 sign designating it bike parking... problem solved!
Lets quit wasting time on nonsense and put the $19,982 savings towards EDUCATING our kids.
- Giffen Good
All in due time, Giffen. The Board spent almost two months figuring out what shade of blue makes up our school colors, remember? http://jposti.blogspot.com/2010/07/go-blue.html
ReplyDeleteAs far as the need for a strategic plan facilitator, someone has to help Dr. Steinhauer achieve his fourth goal for the 2010-2011 year:
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.
http://www.mtlsd.org/superintendent/goals.asp
Elaine
Elaine, does that mean we can look forward to job postings for a student achievement (goal #5) facilitator and a technology (goal #6) facilitator soon?
ReplyDelete- Giffen Good
Yes, Giffen, I think we just might. Dr. Steinhauer is in the process of eliminating the supervisors' positions. A few supervisors were appointed to new positions, so the remaining supervisors can apply for:
ReplyDeleteFiscal management facilitator (Goal 1)
High School Project facilitator (Goal 2)
CBA facilitator (Goal 3)
Strategic Plan facilitator (Goal 4)
Student Achievement facilitator (Goal 5)
Technology facilitator (Goal 6)
These new job openings will allow the Board to publish Dr. Steinhauer's goals for the 2011-2012 School Year by December 2011.
http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2010/12/ta-da.html
Elaine, lets not forget the 3 incumbents or the 3 new candidates running for school board.
ReplyDeleteNot one has posted an opinion or proposed solution to the over budget high school project, sticking instead with their canned "We for excellence in education" primary messages. Nor has any offered their views on the ramifications of the budget/bills passed in Harrisburg.
No wonder voter turn out is so abysmal.
- Giffen Good