"Because he lives only a stone's throw away from the high school, Donati doesn't dread working in the community in which he resides. He wants to give back, he says. He wants to see the program return to the days when the Blue Devils dominated the waters, winning 12 WPIAL titles, nine for the boys and three for the girls."
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Lebo has a new swimming coach
According to The Almanac, Mt. Lebanon has a new swimming coach. Breaking up hard to do for swimming guru Donati (Saved in Google Docs). Tom Donati left Upper St. Clair to coach the high school teams as well as direct the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club.
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This twitter tweet
http://twitter.com/SHAlmanacSports/statuses/223188790129344513
indicates the Almanac reported the personnel change on 11-JUL-2012 at 3:55PM.
Why wasn't this personnel change mentioned at the 16-JUL-2012 triple header meeting?
Who made the decision?
David Huston
It appears that he abandoned kids who had a connection with him and also faith in him. One can only hope that if his daughter decides that swimming for LEBO is not her passion he will respect it, but based on the statements he made it's doubtful. Too bad, but given the state of the economy, unemployment and wreckless spending by the Mt. Lebanon Board of School Directors, who really cares about this?
The article says: "Excited and happy about his new opportunity, Donati doesn't deny his decision was met with disappointment from his former charges, many of whom attend his morning workouts at the Mt. Lebanon Swim Center. USC, Bethel Park and Lebo swimmers all train together from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m."
I thought the swim center was a dilapidated cesspool. USC, and Bethel swimmers travel HERE to train with the Lebo swimmers every morning. USC doesn't have a pool? Bethel just finished construction of a new HS pool?
I'm not questioning that the three practice together, just why would they pick such a lousy place to train?
Or is the supposedly terrible condition of the pool one more special interest con job to create a taj mahal athletic facility?
The other obvious question, as big and affluent and growing as USC is, why wouldn't they have a newer glorious swim center?
Something doesn't jibe.
Watch--the rec people are already ignoring maintenance needs of the pool and ice rink. they're using the same method the school board used: ignore it, make sure it's in horrible condition, then use that condition to justify a brand new facility. Here we freaking go again. This town is out of its collective mind.
"He wants to give back, he says." Does one give back when compensated for services? The District web site illustrates the coaching change. http://www.mtlsd.org/district/athletics/highschoolcoaches.asp
YOU obviously cared about it enough to post an ignorant comment 11:54. Tell us please, what exact statement did the coach make that lead you to believe that he would not respect his daughter's passion? Was it the one that stated that he took a new job to be able to see his daughter compete? Just curious....
Give the guy a break. Don't we know why the old guy left? I think we do. Now we get a guy who lives in Mt. Lebanon and seems to have numerous reasons to be invested in the community and its swim program.
I, for one, would like to welcome him to his official position as swim coach. Congrats and good luck!
If you don't like the pool and think it is being ignored, then please read the rec plan that is floating around. People know things need done and it seems like they will get done. If you want something done, write a letter to your commissioner.
Is it me or does there seem to be a fixation in Lebo with recreation and athletics.
I'm guesstimating about $35-45 million of the high school project is earmarked for the the new athletic building. We spent $2.5 million on land for sports.
We're discussing spending $3.5 million on a new pool. Another $1.5 on artificial turf and s host of other incidentals all aimed at recreation.
Somehow though, money for street paving and sewer upgrades just wasn't considered in the muni. operating budgets. We had to borrow for those or create a new fee to do the things we should be expecting to come out of our tax dollars.
Where's the money going that is collected in taxes every year? It's certainly not maintenance. Must be going to salaries and pensions!
Oh forgot, a lot of money is going to the solicitors of the the SB and muni so they can fight over parking spaces.
With just a few more bonds and construction projects we'll just about have everything in place to bid for 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
And with Franklin thinking about snow making machines in July, perhaps we'll be better for the Winter Games too!
12:58 PM, very nice to welcome the new coach. The district forgot to do that. Here is the scoop on his position.
The High School Swim coach position is an Extra Duty Responsibility (EDR). Candidates for an EDR are selected by the relevant building principal.
Timothy J. Steinhauer
Superintendent of Schools
Mt. Lebanon School District
7 Horsman Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412-344-2076
What did you do today to improve the life of a child?
Elaine
I would like to take his tag line and...
Oops, tagline is one word.
Elaine
Dr. Steinhauer's responsibility is to know EDR means Extra Duty Remuneration, as per Article 86 on page 39 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
David Huston
"What did you do today to improve the life of a child?"
"we cut supply and materials budgets, eliminated a counselor, implemented $50 student parking fee AND gave ourselves some pretty hefty payraises and 28 hour summer work weeks (short hours aren't a problem since we also hired a strategic plan 'facilitator' to do the heavy lifting).
We do it all for the kiddies doncha know.
The first three comments to this thread made my blood boil. Has everyone in this town lost any sense of community and become a bunch of crotchety naysayers, always looking for the conspiracy hiding around the corner? Some of these threads are like the kids game 'dogpile.'
That being said, welcome Coach Donati. You are clearly regarded by the swimming community as one of the best coaches in this area and I wish you success in both the high school and MLAC roles. Your leadership is needed and we're excited and pleased that you've chosen to make your move.
A couple of specific responses to my fellow bloggers.
5:02 - you clearly know nothing about swimming, and as such you should refrain from commenting on things that you know not about and which make you look stupid. These clubs train together in the summer as a positive experience to build skills, teamwork, and life skills. To have three very strong competitive teams train together is unusual and a positive. Why at our pool? If you knew anything about swimming, you would know that our pool is one of a very small number of long course pools (50 meter) in Pittsburgh. Pitt and CV are indoors, the Olympic Club makes our pool look like the London Aquatic Center, and JCC in Monroeville. Our pool is an asset, not a cesspool. It needs some updating and care, but it is a fine pool.
1:56 - If I read Kelly's proposal, as well as others floated, we're not getting a new pool. We're getting some much needed repairs and upgrades. Consider buying a new car and not doing any service for 10 or 20 years. Do you honestly think that the $29 Jiffy Lube oil change will suffice? This is what happens when maintenance is ignored, although some capital items will be required for any facility, not only a pool.
Again, welcome Coach Donati. Please understand that not all of us are represented by opinions in this thread. Most of us are civil and wouldn't resort to personal attacks when none is warranted. You people who do, should be ashamed of yourselves. I'm ashamed for you.
6:51PM, sorry to say but the first comment is absolutely right. Personnel changes are mentioned and voted at school board meetings. It was not in the personnel report. Nor does our superintendent understand that EDR is for teachers as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. Those are not personal attacks and there is nothing to be ashamed of in those statements. As far as welcoming Coach Donati, the same thing happened when Coach Melnyk was hired. The District failed to welcome him too. I am ashamed of the district.
Elaine
Sorry Elaine, I'm with 6:51. It's the tone. We know David has a perpetual chip on his shoulder. Watch him scowl at any meeting and it's clear. He's pissed and knows there is no way he could be elected to serve. (It's this tone that disenfranchises the moderates and keeps the status quo) As for this example, I'm sure I know who is behind it - The people on the grassy knoll approved it or maybe the Trilateral commission.
The July meeting minutes are not even up, but still, are personnel decisions not conducted in Exec Session? So they failed to mention it, is it catastrophic? The building principal and AD have the authority for hiring coaches. Yes, they should do a release when they hire a coach, but come on. You can't find fault with everything. I've got a call into a board member - I think the Supt is correct on this one.
I have the personnel report. It mentions all the library furloughs. No mention of a coach being hired. They are publicly approved at every meeting.
Funny you know how David Huston looks at school board meetings. Many times, he and Paula are the only ones in attendance. I know that David Huston has no desire to run either.
Yes, I am aware that the AD can hire swimming coaches. His track record of hires hasn't been stellar. You can just check the newspaper's archives for proof. Hopefully, he finally got it right.
Elaine
Are these the same newspapers regularly attacked in this blog that are the 'proof' of things. The swimming community is small and as an outsider, you really don't know what you are talking about but what the heck, that really doesn't make any difference. As the parent of a swimmer, I'll say the last two coaches were great coaches, the former was chased out by vindictive individuals who simply didn't like him. The most recent coaches coach made some choices that got him on the wrong side of a few who stopped at nothing to divest the swimming community of him. Judge, jury, executioner. Please, let's give Mr. Donati a fair shake and stop these shameless attacks and stirring things up just because there is a forum to do so.
Yes, same newspapers. I could go into the police blotter too, if you wish. That is nice that you found the last two coaches to be great. However I'd do know what I am talking about when it come to school board policies and procedures. I have not made any shameless attacks. In fact, I defended Mr. Huston, announced that we have a new coach which the school district couldn't do, and congratulated him as well, which again the school district hasn't done.nSomehow, I always become the issue when it involves the school district. Ever notice that?
Elaine
6:51 the third comment had nothing to say regarding the coach. It was a comment on the pool and the 3 teams using it.
And yes I know all to well the difference between a 25 yard pool and a 25 meter pool having done a little racing myself. In a 100 yard medley or any event the approx. 7' diffence can really throw off a swimmer.
I'm with you, maintenance whether cars, pools or schools is the secret to getting the most bang for the buck. In fact this mpnth's consumer reports has an interesting comparison how much one can save by keeping and maintaining a car long term vs. Buying a new one every few years. See page 49 of the sept issue.
I wish the coach and edpecially his Swimmers much future success. I find the article s little over the top as many men and women make career changes or sacrifices for their kids and nobody makes or expects a newspaper article. He's a swim coach, don't make him out a saint. If he were offered a coaching position at the USA training center he and his family would probably be out of here in a flash
To 6:51 PM:
How do you define a sense of community?
Does it mean just lying down and let the taxing bodies and their elected officials just walk all over everyone?
Or does it mean being aware that there are people of all ages and interests here and that their needs must be met, too?
Or how about this: maybe every school or municipal project over a certain amount should require a referendum vote?
The era of free spending has gone on way too long.
But President Posti and hEr cohort Ms. Birks think Harrisburg should send them ever bigger buckets of cash.
And you can pretty much rest assured that Matt Smith will do all he can to keep the spigots open.
Unfortunately his opponent won't bemuch better.
Elaine,
Suppose Mr. Donati is treated unfairly in the workplace as head swim coach, heaven forbid. Would he file a grievance with the MLEA, or does he deal with Seneca Valley's education association? Does he pay union dues to the MLEA?
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