Oh, and by the way, your school board may be considering a property tax hike (which, as of this writing, holds true for Mt. Lebanon, Pine-Richland and North Allegheny, to name just a few of the districts that are keeping that option on the table).And...
Think you're immune? Think again. Pine-Richland saw 11.4 percent of its state funding disappear in the last round of cuts; Fox Chapel Area, 10.8 percent; North Allegheny, 8.2 percent; Bethel Park 7.9 percent; and Mt. Lebanon, 7.4 percent. Each of these cuts amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars per district.As a certified, card-carrying fear monger/whiner (so I've been told), this is why we haven't supported the high school renovation project plans - if we're ever allowed to see them.
Bottom line: How many teachers, aides and classes can your school get by without -- who can be let go? That's the conversation.
Ms. Wertheimer, we're paying attention. It is just that the school board isn't listening.
20 comments:
Starting off, I totally agree with Ms. Werthheimer's observation that it's wiser to pay for education than to pay much, much more for prisons later.
The only problems with her call to get active and demand that Harrisburg send more money to the districts, is that Harrisburg IS BROKE! it doesn't have any money to send. And, Ms. W. doesn't offer any suggestions on where they should get more $$$$$!
The obvious answer- is from us. Through income tax, sales tax, user fees and corporate taxes. The problem with taxing corporation Is they don't pay taxes. They just raise what they charge -- ta da -- US!
Before we rush out and beat our Harrisburg representatives to raise our state taxes so they send the money BACK to our local districts, maybe we should exam the escalation in local school district spending!
Like why is it staffs grow while student populations fall? Why is, for all the spending on buildings and administrators, test scores are basically at the same or in some districts lower levels than 20- 30 years ago?
Why is it, according to the Pennsylvania Dept. Of Ed. something like 25% of MTL grads require remedial class help with reading and math as college freshman?
Andy Bradford
Elaine, the school board is listening. They heard us just fine. It's just that the majority of them believe that we're wrong. And that they're right.
And that's okay. Sometimes we are wrong.
But, sometimes, so are they.
And, when they are, they have a hard time seeing it. And that's the real problem: They cling to their beliefs when presented with credible evidence that those beliefs are false.
For example, they were informed by P.J. Dick, repeatedly, that the "recession discount" on construction was already incorporated into the original $113-million estimate. (I was at two school board meetings where they were told so.) And yet they continued to tell the community (and themselves) that the estimate “does not take into account that bids on recent school construction projects came in at 17% to 25% below their original estimates.”
The problem with clinging to beliefs that are likely to be false is that you'll base decisions upon those beliefs and make mistakes. Sometimes with disastrous consequences. Continuing our example:
Based on the false belief that they were going to get another 17–25% discount off the project's already-discounted estimate, the school board "moved forward" with their original design and, ultimately, took it to bid. The result was nearly disastrous for the project. When the bids had to be rejected, the project was set back three quarters of a year. Some of the celebrated features of the original design had to be scrapped. And the community and the school district were made to look foolish and out of touch with reality.
No, the problem isn't that the school board isn't listening. The problem is that are listening and don't know what to believe. As a result, they end up believing the things they hope are true. (Even when those things aren't.)
Cheers,
Tom
How about employing a little common sense? All the school directors had to do is look around and see signs that this is not a good time to be incurring massive debt and saddling taxpayers in the process.
Mt. Lebanon is no longer the education mecca that it once was, and---sadly---the entire community will pay dearly for the school board's poor decision.
My job regularly takes me into other communities, where I often hear comments like, "And how about those poor SOBs in Mt. Lebanon?" I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!
The fact is that a developed community like Mt. Lebanon does not have the same unrestrained ability to undertake expensive projects as those areas with vacant land.
Carole Brown
Why don't local school districts learn to live within their means before demanding the state pony up? And forgive me because maybe I missed it but how can local school boards decry the "cuts" from Harrisburg while insisting full local control of education? You can't have it both ways. The public school system is broken, whether you're in Mission Viejo or Mt. Lebanon. We, the electorate, have allowed it to get this far. We, the electorate, must fix it.
Tom, you're a generous and good man. I agree with part of your statement, that beliefs are driving bad decisions on the school board. But I respectfully disagree with your assessment regarding their listening skills. The school board has not been listening. They have tuned out common sense, the community and the world in general based on their agenda and their collective board-centrist attitude. Someone needs to remind them they don't run this community. They are not in charge of anything. They have only as much power as outlined in writing. End of story. Unfortunately, I fear it will fall on deaf ears currently. A year from now, I pray we get some folks with drive and intelligence to run for office. Mt. Lebanon needs a major overhaul.
Actually, this is the perfect time to take on debt if you need to finance a project. Interest rates are very low and most likely will be higher in two-three years. It's cheaper for the tax payers of Lebo to do the high school project now than three years down the road.
Michael, that may be true, but we are still working with money that we borrowed almost 2.5 years ago. I believe the next time is 1.5 years from now.
Regardless, if we are wasting money, it is never a good time to borrow. That project should never have included tearing down a building that was built in 1972. Which reminds me, did Josephine Posti thank the CAC? I don't remember hearing anything about that wonderful group of volunteers.
Elaine
Sorry to change the subject, but I just gotta ask!
If Jo Posti uses video and photographs shot by a school district employee, say Cissy Bowman using school district equipment, in her personal Center Court blog... Is she infringing on the district's copyrights?
If not, why is it OK for private citizen Posti, but not OK for some other private citizen?
I think I get it though-- School Board President can grant Private Citizen Posti the right to use the material. Taxpayers of course need to heed the warnings!
Andy Bradford
Maybe it is OK to do it, Andy. I copied and pasted the High renovation rendering on this blog and also under "The Facts" on my website. I haven't been warned...yet. Maybe that will save us thousands of dollars by not having to mail out a full color glossy to the community again.
Elaine
Yeah, Elaine....and the full color glossy and Kubit's flawed FAQ mailings were of a project design & specification that did not go forward as advertised and promised did it ?
Bill Lewis
Mr. Lewis, we're not suppose to pay attention, nor remember that the project was to come in under $95 million dollars or only cost around $18/month.
So, it is probably wise that we watch every change order and alteration to see if the project stays under $113.4 million from here on out!
I'm betting no way!
Andy Bradford
Ahhhh yes, Andy....you are so very correct ! Watch for change orders very, very closely. The District, with little doubt, changed and absolutely contradicted their prior representations to the Commonwealth and we taxpayers in going to multiple prime bidding on the 2nd. bids from single prime on the initial over-budget bids in order to (a) obtain lower initial construction bids (which they did achieve with the aid of $16 million in design/specification reductions coupled with off-budgeting a number of items), and (b) open the doors wide for "change orders" galore.
Most in Lebo will not recall many details the infamous Elementary School renovations during the last decade...the multiyear, multiphase project that was supposed to cost $44.5 million but ended up costing $52 million, the difference almost entirely with change orders. The Super alone approved over $1 million in change orders, each one just a tad under the $10,000 limit he was restricted to by SB policy (the voluminous PA Public School Code does not seem to cover change orders, although it...conspicuous in its absence in what should be included in Section 751). This action by the then Super earned a special and noted rebuke from the State Auditor General in a subsequent audit....anyone remember that ?
What are the change order policy provisions the SB recently enacted that will apply to the HS project ?
Also, pay close attention to what just may occur at the existing Field House down at the Stadium and declared not part of the official HS project. Just be aware that it is a pre-existing, non-conforming structure with a non-conforming use under the Muni Zoning Ordinance. Accordinly. it cannot be modified or renovated into another non-conforming use like the District had planned behind the scenes using District labor...until a citizen watchdog, who recounts history from time to time, discovered it and *blew the whistle* in public meetings. Let me know if you would like a few more detail about this attempted dodge.
Bill Lewis
Mr. Lewis, I suspect that with Ms. Linfante representing the school board's interest on the commission and Commissioner Blumfield most likely playing the role of President Posti's marionette, the current Field House will be modified to whatever configuration the Sports Consortium so desires.
Andy Bradford
Andy, I certainly hope and expect your suspicions to be unfounded in fact.
However, in the interim, a person has asked me to elaborate on the Field House dodge by the District.
The District excluded the lower part of the entire 28 acre HS land parcel...the Stadium complex...from the legal definition of the HS project. No work was to be performed in the complex which included the Field House, stadium seating, vehicle repair/garage and athletic field. All of it was considered pre-existing (to current Zoning requirements) and some of it was also non-conforming in both structure and use terms as well.
Well, the District immediately proceeded with replacing the athletic field turf and made engineering and separate budget arrangements for the repair and resurfacing of the entire track...these were not deemed part of the official HS project, which seemed questionable.
The Master Design Team was at the same time creating, behind the scenes and without the knowledge of the public, the Muni or even the majority of the SB members, a separate plan for the Field House. This plan was to renovate and convert the Field House into office space for the Facilities Management Dept. and warehouse space for equipment & supplies and perhaps youth sports club storage.
While perhaps sounding ok on the surface, it definitely was not because (a) Zoning regulations absolutely prohibited it, but (b) the District was going to do it quietly anyway, (c) not including it as part of the public project and budget and not using project contractors, all open to public scrutiny, but rather (d) District maintenance personnel, which would further violate the PA School Code Section 751(b)if the total cost exceeded only $5,000 which undoubtedly it would, and (e) openly added a new 8-space parking lot near the public entrance to the Stadium for maintenance staff parking even though parking for maintenance staff is available and grandfathered at the other end of the home-side of stadium seats.
Caught at all this, the District denied all. I recount this to illustrate the lengths the District will go to to get their way, one way or another.
Will the Muni monitor this ?
Bill Lewis
Is there ANYTHING that sticks to this school board? When will the public say, "ENOUGH!"
Elaine
I have a good idea for revenue generation for the School District. They should try to sell the rights for the book on how NOT to build a high school when you don't have money to pay for it.
Just think, They could make millions. If they include the movie rights too? This project just my break even... or not.
Mr. Lewis, I have no facts or evidence to back my suspicions, it is all purely conjecture on what experience observing the board and administration in action suggest COULD transpire.
We all now know that despite the districts claims that bids should come in UNDER $95 million, and experienced contrary advice from residents that it would never happen, these people proceeded unhindered.
Andy Bradford
Jack, MTLSD could sell these kits as a fundraiser.
Stjosephstatue.com Could bring in big bucks.
Elaine
Bill, I doubt the muni will monitor this. They are a little intimidated by the flying monkeys.
Elaine
Elaine, further evidence of the Districts *monkey business* intent regarding the non-project Field House emerged when the 95% drawings for the initial bids did not provide accomodation for the Facilities Maintenance folks in project buildings, where earlier design versions had them in Building E, I believe. When confronted with this, the District response, after a pause because it apparently shocked them that a member of the public noticed, was "we haven't decided yet...they don't absolutely have to be located in these buildings". As soon as anyone observes any work going on at and in the Field House, please post it on the blog.
Andy, you don't need absolute proof when it comes to the School District. They are really an open book in behavior, and sometimes serve as a poster child for the definition of insanity...doing the same wrong thing over and over in the expectation that it will be right eventually...or something like that. They never seem to learn from historical mistakes so they tend to repeat them over and over. In other words, they tend to be predictible.
Bill Lewis
Mr. Lewis, the way their decisions "eventually right themselves" is that the district applies for Act 1 exceptions, kicks the budget crisis can down the road thru refinancing, new bonds or in the end higher taxes.
You will never hear them admit, maybe we spent too much!
Andy Bradford
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