Friday, September 14, 2012
Did we pass the Ketchup?
Pursuant Ketchum was scheduled to present the results of the Feasibility Study at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2012. There is no mention of the presentation on the District website. The agenda and two policy revisions have been posted.
I do hope this is an oversight, as the Feasibility Study results would make for good conversation at the Community Coffee scheduled for September 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at The Coffee Tree Roasters on Beverly Road. Scott Goldman, Bill Cooper, Dale Ostergaard and Jo Posti will be present to have an informal conversation about issues such as spending $41,000 plus travel expenses to fund the study. A little background information: PK was hired to give us a green light, yellow light, or red light to predict the success of raising $30 million $15 million to reduce the need for a second bond issue for the high school renovation to set up an endowment.
Their spin machines must be kaput from overuse and abuse, and they're awaiting delayed delivery of new improved models to handle the Ketchup news.
ReplyDeleteIf not possible to raise $30,000,000 - ooops, make that a reduced without explanation $15,000,000 not to originally substitute for a bond issue, but now for an endowment to fund more programs, teachers and staff - how about prospects for raising $41,000 from suck-up doners to pay for the Ketchup mess ?
ReplyDeleteHey, the endowment money would likely be assigned to the Mt. Lebanon Foundation For Education, a supposed independent, arms length nonprofit entity controlled by District appointed and elected officials, who would use it for an employment mill for hiring more folks. This might "excite" Larry Lebo who could advise the District on how legally not to employ American citizens !
ReplyDeleteAll is well in the bubble.
I'd rather spend my time raising money for the Hollywood theater. At least it willbe open to the public unlike whatever nonsense the school board is doing.
ReplyDeleteThe Hollywood Theater is already open for business:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thehollywooddormont.org/
Thanks for signing your names, guys!
ReplyDeleteAccording to an email someone sent to Scott Goldman, the presentation is still set for Monday at 7 PM. Certainly, the School District website makes no mention of it. No Lebo Alert. Sorry, I guess I am the only one who thinks it is a big deal.
ReplyDeleteElaine
EG:
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a big deal, and you definitely are not the only one of that opinion. I hope the community packs the Jefferson Middle School Library, and the press is well represented.
RG, this is a presentation that I will definitely be sad to miss. There is still nothing on the MTLSD home page, nor is anything listed here. http://www.mtlsd.org/district/schoolboardmeetingannouncements.asp
ReplyDeleteThe only announcement that I see online is http://jposti.blogspot.com/2012/09/upcoming-presentations.html posted September 7. Of course her blog is not affiliated with Mt. Lebanon School District and does not reflect the official position of the Mt. Lebanon School Board.
School Board President Reports stop at March 2012, while the Superintendent Reports aren't much better. They stop at April 2012.
Elaine
Apparently the District does not consider this "Ketchup" presentation to be a public meeting, or have to qualify for public notice in terms of an Agenda item, website notice or cable posting under the Open Meetings law because it will supposedly not be a "deliberative" meeting, only an "information" meeting ?
ReplyDeleteIs that the explanation of the District, or has there been no explanation under their increased transparency promise ?
This has to be one of the most important meetings of the year. Wonder if it will be recorded and presented unedited on cable ?
It will be definitely recorded on this end, thanks to David Huston. No pressure there, huh David?
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone dropped the ball in the Public Information Office. We didn't even get a misspelled Lebo Alert. Remember "Lebo Bue Devil Band" from the other day?
Elaine
It is odd that the SB has not publicized this; unless the board has received advanced word that P-K thinks the whole idea is a bust. If that's the case then going "low key" may be a way for the board to effect damage control.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, given the fact that project is a done-deal, I hope the District does find a way to corral some high-rollers into helping them fund the edifice, and thus lessen the load on the taxpayer (assuming they use the money for that purpose). But I think the odds favor a negative report from P-K. Maybe I should check the line on this out in Vegas.
I am reasonable sure that the presentation was vetted by Mrs. Posti. Shoot, she is making the Commission jump through hoops for a joint discussion session. They were required to submit an agenda, which she primarily rejected.
ReplyDeleteThe word "shoot" is being used as a substitute for sh*t.
Elaine
Reasonably sure, not reasonable sure. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Finally! The announcement is on the District home page.
ReplyDelete"The Board will hear a presentation on September 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Jefferson Middle School Library from a consultant from Pursuant Ketchum on the outcome of the feasibility study conducted over the summer for a potential capital campaign."
Elaine
Don't ever say you don't make a difference, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elaine, for the update. I have been wondering what the outcome of the study is, especially sine I have donated to and served on the MLFE in the past.
ReplyDelete-Charlotte Stephenson
This has been a pretty embarrassing week for the SB Directors. Will their streak continue tomorrow night?
ReplyDelete*since*
ReplyDelete-Charlotte Stephenson
I'd be curious to know how much each SB director has agreed to contribute. This whole scheme was their idea.
ReplyDelete