The forms show that the YSA paid the district $10,000 in 2010, $3,597 in 2008 and $26,000 in 2005 -- about $50,000 short of what it owed. But district Finance Manager Jan Klein said the forms don't reflect that YSA members did $4,000 worth of work in 2005 to the fields.[YSA Payments from 1998-present from today's RTK request] Then-school SuperintendentGeorge WilsonJohn Allison* dismissed the amount owed in 2008 because of the group's insufficient funds; [John Allison was hired in June 2007 and left in the summer of 2009.] and the organization paid the $20,000 balance for 2010 last year. [No payments are shown for 2011.]
"The payments weren't always made on exactly the dates in the agreements... but our records are very clear," Klein said. "We've confirmed every one of the payments in their records, and we're completely in agreement."[I don't think so.]YSA 990-2008 Line 28 shows $3597 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990-2009 Line 28 shows $30,000 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990-2010 Line 28 shows $10,000 contributed towards agreement
For 2011, which hasn't shown up yet in the online IRS records, the YSA paid $10,000, and will soon write a check for the other $20,000, Klein said. [Sorry, but that is not what is being shown on the RTK I received today.] The payment for 2012 will depend on renegotiation of the agreement. In all, the only outstanding payment is $20,000 for last year, Klein said. [I calculate over $100,000 according to the RTK.]For the record, I never did see the statements from Jan Klein that Chip Dalesandro was referring to in the post, I had a visitor today... How could George Wilson dismiss the amount owed when he wasn't even the superintendent? Who dismissed it? The School Board at that time? Or was it Jan Klein?
I think this needs to be investigated, Folks. Nothing is adding up.
*The article now reads, "John Allison."
30 comments:
Keep in mind, Elaine, the District has had the same auditor since the 1990's ; the same one that the Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority used.
Something seems to be amiss here and it should be up to the commissioners and school board members to find out what has happened.
I remind all elected officials that they took oaths of office when they assumed their seats. They also must keep in mind that they are bound by the state Ethics Act and answerable to the state Ethics Commission.
This is serious business and our reputation, as well as the welfare of our community, are at stake.
Maddie Miller
Ethics? Hahahahahahaha...with the school board? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...good one, Maddie.
From USC.
"At the same time that the Board will consider the Streams IB issue, taxpayers will present to the School Board their petition to stop a waiver for USC ACT 1 taxing limitations. The signers are asking that the proposed 1.68-mil tax increase be decided by voters in an April ballot referendum. Monday’s meeting is the best opportunity for taxpayers to present their case and the last chance to appeal for reason. The ACT 1 Petition now has over 500 signatures from concerned citizens. It has been hand carried to Education Secretary Tomalis in Harrisburg and copied to Governor Corbett, State Representative John Maher and State Senator John Pippy. The Pennsylvania Secretary of Education is required to make a decision regarding this issue by February 29.
Citizens who support this petition and are concerned about the future of Upper St. Clair schools are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting."
In Pennsylvania we are a flock of sheep when it comes to public education. Pippy isn't seeking reelection. Matt Smith our Representsive that claims he's working for us is still in office and has the influence to have this financial sham investigated. But he won't, don't want to PO the teacher's union!
The USCinformer.com is and interesting site. We have more than we think with our neighbor to the south.
Perhaps we should investigate forming a PAC with them to support candidates that will stand up against the PSBA and teacher's union.
Just curious...have you taken the time to contact Matt Smith?
Elaine
Let's remember that the one of the primary reasons that Marge Sable got a stiletto in her back was her investigation of missing funds and inapprpropriate transfers of monies among district accounts. Thre were a few admin, board members, and external persons (athletic boosters) directly affected by this.
This whole thing may have less to do with the field groups' missing payments, and more to do with bad influence (maybe illegal influence) from unelected persons and conflicted board members.
The bottom line is that Dr. Sable wanted to "clean out the barn."
Now we know one of her reasons.
Yes numerous times, usually get a very nice form email.
I believe that on Sable.
As to Smith you can bet come reelection if he's in trouble he'll show up with a WAM check to help pay for field turf, I'll bet.
Contacting these elected "representatives" including the governor, Gastgeb etc., is like spitting into the wind. They have very amicable staff that are adept at making you feel good for contacting them.
Take the reassessment fiasco, thousands appeal the numbers, Moertel shows an obvious skew, and what do we get, what does the county and state allow.
The school district to take $150 out of our tax check to fight against us, while ignoring obvious larger gains from underassessed properties.
Baaaaaasaa
If it wasn't George Wilson, as you claimed Ms. Klein, who was it ? Believe Wilson was not the Superintendent in 2008 and had *retired*. Therefore, he could not have "dismissed" the $30,000 YSA "legally bound" payment because the YSA allegedly did not have the money (the YSA 2008 tax return shows they in fact had $30,000 in available funds in 2008).
It certainly wasn't then Superintendent John Alison. Who was the SB President at the time ? Was it Joe Rodella ? Someone who knows old Joe should ask him. Maybe he can recall the facts.
Hate to bring this up. How come no word on the parking ticket scofflaws for instance?
Another issue that just goes away.
Hey Anonymous @ 9;48 AM,
How about you calling the Manager at his direct line 412-343-3620, find out and report back to us, OK ?
The amnesty deadline was yesterday.
Lebo School Board Reorganization
The Mt. Lebanon School Board reorganization meeting took place last night. I wasn't there, but a loyal correspondent sent this report:
At the school board reorganization meeting a new president and vice president were elected. Mrs. Rose nominated Mrs. Posti who has served as vp this last year. Mr. Kubit nominated Mr. Hart. Mrs. Rose called for a recess to give the board members certain non-public information. Mr. Peterson, the district lawyer said Mrs. Rose could read an email that Mr. Rodella (former board president) sent to all board members. The message detailed that the Auditor General's report to the board that will be published in January will note just one violation: one Board Member was non-compliant with the filing of financial information for the years 2005 & 2006. Apparently, the Board Member who was non-compliant was Mark Hart. The final vote for president - for Mrs. Posti: Mrs. Cappucci, Mrs. Rose, Mrs. Posti, - for Mr. Hart: Mr. Kubit, Mr. Fraasch, Mr. Remely, Mr. Silhol, Ms. Stipanovich, Mr. Hart. VP elected was Mr. Silhol.
Looks like Hart was elected prez in reorganization.
The post on the school board reorganization was picked up friom a post in 12/07 from bloglebo.
10:19, according to this the question has already been asked of the manager. Did he ever respond Elaine?
"Dear Elaine:
Please be advised that my office with the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon (the "Municipality") received your Right to Know request (the "Request") dated May 31, 2012. The Municipality is in the process of obtaining a legal review of the Request to determine whether the records you seek are "public records" subject to access under the Right to Know Act. The Municipality expects to be able to respond to the Request on or before June 29, 2012.
Thank you
Steve
Stephen M. Feller
Municipal Manager"
There is your answer. On or before June 29, 2012. No word yet.
Elaine
Let's try to stay on topic. Was that you, Jan? ;>)
Elaine
Anon 9:24, Here is a clip from the trib article:
But district Finance Manager Jan Klein said the forms don't reflect that YSA members did $4,000 worth of work in 2005 to the fields. Then-school Superintendent George Wilson dismissed the amount owed in 2008 because of the group's insufficient funds; and the organization paid the $20,000 balance for 2010 last year.
"The payments weren't always made on exactly the dates in the agreements... but our records are very clear," Klein said. "We've confirmed every one of the payments in their records, and we're completely in agreement."
The Wilson part was in between a Klein indirect quote and a Klein direct quote. We don't know who said the Wilson comment, or what Mr. Santoni's source was.
David Huston
Then maybe file a RTK specifying communication with Santoni and Jan Klein. Nothing rattles a reporter like someone turning the magnifying glass back toward them. Maybe then he'll actually start doing what I call "journalism" and ask some friggin questions of the local elected officials in this town.
Good point Mr. Houston. Another obvious question is that Klein states the YSA did $4,000 worth of work.
Did they invoice this, present time sheets or what?
Now having been a volunteer parent, I know for a fact some of the sports groups attempt to keep our fields in good shape. But if you delve deeply into field maintenance.articles untrained and improper grooming can actually be detrimental to natural grass fields.
If you look at some of the natural grass fields in the area, Duck's Cranberry, Scott, Dormont Park it is possible to have decent, playable, heavily used natural turfed fields. That might require hiring a turf specialist as they have in Cranberry- it might be worth it in the long run.
Worth investigating in my opinion.
Does anything like this exist here in Lebo?
"Cranberry Township Maintenance Manual
Rebecca Auchter, Cranberry Township Grounds Maintenance Manager, has created an Athletic Field Maintenance Manual to assist with field maintenance and care. In addition to care and maintenance tips it includes some basica guidelines for deciding if field conditions allow for play."
It makes for interesting reading. Before we spend hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars on turf, maybe a few dollars more on proper maintenance and care could improve all of our fields.
So we have four current school board directors who were around for 2008. Remely, Posti, Kubit, and Cappucci. Interesting.
Who was on the board in 2007? Who was president? According to Jan, ( yikes! What am I saying?) the YSA was always behind. So the 2008 payment would have been for 2007. The 2008 payment that would have been dismissed in 2009, could have been dismissed by, are you sitting down? Steinhauer. Isn't he the one who said that 2008 was paid in full?
I need to take a walk. I am on overload.
Elaine
"If who's on 1st., whats on 2nd. ?"
I don't care... of course is our short stop.
"I can't keep my story straight" is on third.
"I can't remember" is at bat.
And John Alison was not the *dismissive* umpire ! Perhaps an athletic supporting league official ?
It seems the Trib ran a correction on Tuesday, June 12, but the online edition had not been corrected until this afternoon. That explains why David Huston's RTK came back with nothing.
I've been able to find out who was school board president in 2007. It was Joe Rodella. I also believe some current school board members, who were on the board during that time should be able to shed some light as to the person who "dismissed" the payment. I submitted two RTK's yesterday, but as of yet, I have not received a confirmation from Mrs. Szalinski.
Elaine
And contrary to what I wrote previously, I believe the 2008 "dismissal" occured during then president Joe Rodella's term in 2007. Dr. Steinhauer's numbers, which he presented to the board, did not match what I received in my RTK. As I said, nothing is adding up.
Elaine
Why do the Board and the Superintendent employ an Administrator that can't add?
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