Susan Morgans Wants To Know...

lebo latest

February 28, 2013

 

mtl readership survey time

Written by: Susan Fleming Morgans

 

Every couple of years we go to you, our readers, to ask questions about our magazine, how it fits into your life and what you read most. But in the last two years, we have added many additional outreach tools to complement our print version, from our new website at www.lebomag.com, to such social media as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube videos that also air on our cable TV stations.

The survey helps us do two things: 1) tailor our content to what you need–and want–to know and 2) identify emerging trends in use so we can be more reflective of the community’s needs.

It is 20 questions long and should take you no more than five minutes to complete. We are grateful for your time. Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B5HVMV5



http://lebomag.com/9981/mtl-readership-survey-time/

Drum roll...The Commissioners' 2013 Priorities Are...

I attended my first Commission retreat today, which was held at the Public Safety Building. Rob O'Donnell, from solutions 21, facilitated the retreat. I found it to be an interesting experience.  Rob spent the first hour and a half talking about team building. I wish this retreat was televised, just so that the public could see the group dynamics. Kristen Linfante was madder than hell, sat with her arms folded and facing away from Matt, Kelly and John. The rest of the commissioners were pleasant and open to the discussion.  The remainder of the time was spent identifying goals and priorities.

Let me try to explain the board. Each commissioner had to come up with three items which were most important to them.

Dave’s top 3 priorities

Sports Advisory Board
New revenue
Technology media outreach (to be transparent to the public)

Kristen’s top 3 priorities

TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Sports Advisory Board
Deer management program

John’s top 3 priorities

Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
Comprehensive Plan
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)

Kelly’s top 3 priorities

TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Drug task force
Implement traffic management program

Matt’s top 3 priorities

Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Public Private Partnership (new revenue)

Looking at the white board, there are dots next to the goals listed. Each commissioner was to vote by placing a blue dot next to what should be the top three priorities for Mt. Lebanon. The green dot represents which three are best for each commissioner's ward, while the red dot was to stand for the commissioners' top 3 priorities. Notice there is one blue dot, one green dot, and one red dot next to deer management. Kristen was the only commissioner to place a dot next to deer management. 

Last year's top rated goals were revenue generating and recreation. Tallying the dots, here are the commissioners' top priorities, along with goals for 2013.

Commission Goals and Priorities for 2013

2014 Budget (#2)
Comprehensive Plan
TOD
Drug Task Force
Traffic Management Program
Public Private Partnership (#1B)
Sports Advisory Board (#3)
Deer management
Tech/Media Outreach (#1A)

I recorded the retreat but have not posted it yet on Lebocitizens.com. When I do, please listen to Kristen explain how the Sports Advisory Board's purpose is to resolve the fields problem. Dave Brumfield looked down at the table when she said that. Kristen also felt that drugs are a problem everywhere so they really can't do anything about it. She did make mention how she asked for an additional increase of $1,000 for Outreach.

All in all, I found the retreat to be fascinating. I should mention that Steve Feller sat with the commissioners and Marcia Taylor, Chief Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda sat in the audience. The only other person there was yours truly.

Looking for fun this afternoon?

The Commission has scheduled a goal setting retreat this afternoon, which is open to the public. It is from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and will be held on the second floor of the Public Safety Building. From what I understand, it will be facilitated by an outside firm. Last year, the commissioners listed revenue generation as their number one goal. Stay tuned for this year's goals.

Sports Advisory Board Redux

It appears that adding two words to a sentence in an ordinance requires a super vote; four votes are required. Those two words in the Sports Advisory Board Ordinance are "up to."

§133.2 Membership and Term. The Sports Advisory Board shall consist of such members as are appointed by the Commission from time to time, each appointed for a three (3) year term. The term of the initial members shall be set by the Commission so as to be staggered in order to expire evenly. There shall be up to thirteen (13) voting members of the Board that will consist of: (i) eleven (11) members chosen from any sports organization recognized by the Commission and/or the Parks Board; and (ii) two (2) at large positions. The Municipality and School District will also be able to provide a liaison and staff members, all of whom shall be nonvoting members. Any Parks Board representative shall be nonvoting.

Recommended Action: Move to adopt Ordinance (Bill No. 5-13) by special procedure (roll call taken with four votes required).

In addition, there will be a new appointment to the Sports Advisory Board, replacing the Upper St. Clair resident.

On February 12, 2013, the Commission appointed 13 members to the recently created Sports Advisory Board. The appointee from the Mt. Lebanon Hockey Association cannot serve because he resides in another community. Section 125 of the Administrative Code requires that "members of any board or authority shall be residents of the Municipality." Tonight’s action will appoint the alternate nominee of the Hockey Association to replace the initial appointee.

Recommended Action: Move to appoint Dave Klasnick of 1021 Martin Avenue to fill an unexpired term ending March 31, 2014.

Thank you Readers and Commissioners, for working together to make things right. Take note, School Board Directors.

Our kids are dying

Recently during Citizen Comments, I made an observation about Commission meetings.  Month after month, I sit through discussions about turf and deer. People have come up to the podium and would exclaim, "Our kids have no place to play toddler soccer.  We must have turf." or "Will it take a death to get you people to do something about these deer?" How many deaths does it take for Mt. Lebanon to do something about the drug problem here?

Mt. Lebanon has a heroin problem. We live in a community where all the fundraisers for Outreach revolve around alcohol. We had discussions here about how some parents think it is perfectly acceptable to bring alcohol to ball games. Parents encourage their children to go to Under 21 Clubs instead of supporting the School District's decision to enforce Snowball guidelines. We have Blaise's infamous "21 Club."  In the Municipal budget, $12,000 has been set aside to count deer, yet how much has been allocated to drug enforcement?

One "anonymous" commenter here announced that we need to eradicate the deer. Every single one. I believe we need to eradicate the drug dealers. They have moved into Mt. Lebanon and our kids are dying. Yes, folks, drug dealers are right here in this Norman Rockwell painting.

Upon news of recent drug overdoses, I called my children just to hear their voices. When I told my son about the bad heroin that has hit Mt. Lebanon, he said that there is no such thing as good heroin. It is heroin.  My daughter reminded me of classmates who died from drug overdoses.  This has been going on for years.

I continued at the podium to say that the commissioners have ongoing discussions about Sports Advisory Boards and Joint Maintenance Agreements. I asked them when they were going to take off their blinders and look around. When will we have a Drug Advisory Board? I asked if we could take Kristen Linfante's $12,000 budgeted deer survey and put it towards drug enforcement.

Whatever Mt. Lebanon has been doing, it isn't working. Our kids are dying. Thankfully, Kelly Fraasch has stepped up (again) to take on this mission. As the newly appointed school board liaison, Kelly met with Josephine Posti, the commission liaison, to discuss the drug problem in Mt. Lebanon. In her latest post, The concerns about drug use in Mt. Lebanon, Kelly shares how the Municipality and School District will join forces to form a drug task force to "send a message to the street that Mt. Lebanon is no longer open for business" as Josephine mentioned in her report last night to the school board.

I want to thank Kelly for taking on this serious issue and bringing it to the School District.  Finally, the discussion is getting away from sports, turf, and deer. I also want to thank the School District for working with the Commission.  In my mind, this is the number one issue in Mt. Lebanon.

Independents can vote too!

I had a panic attack this morning. I was worried that I would only be able to see Dan Remely's name on my Republican ballot for the House seat.  No worries! There will be no D or R ballot for that race. Since it is a special election, there is only one ballot. Good news - not only can Democrats and Republicans vote for either Dan Miller or Dan Remely, but Independents can actually come to the polls and vote for the State House race. Typically they are not allowed to vote in primaries.

Keep that in mind and take a minute to cast your vote in the latest, unofficial poll here on  Lebo Citizens.

Additionally, someone sent me Dan Remely's campaign brochure.  I will wait until I hear from Mr. Remely before I post it. Dan, you know how to reach me.

Pittsburgh-Area Librarian Receives National Award

Mount Lebanon Library Director Cynthia K. Richey in the Childen's Room
of the Mount Lebanon Public Library (Photo Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Cynthia K. Richey, director of the Mt. Lebanon Library for 17 years, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Library Service to Children.

The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to library service to children.

In 2011, Ms. Richey was appointed chair of the Newbery Award Committee. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for what is deemed to be the "most distinguished American children's book published the previous year," according to the association website.

Ms. Richey began her career as a children's librarian in 1971 and served as the president of the Pennsylvania Library Association in 1994.

"Cynthia has been active on the local, state and national levels, taking on more responsibility as she progressed to leadership levels," said Distinguished Service Award Committee Chair Carol Doll in a statement. "Her contributions to children and to ALSC are far reaching and long lasting in developing literacy in children and in moving ALSC forward in a positive, helpful way that brings out the best in all of us."

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-librarian-honored-by-national-group-675639/

Read more: http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/02/pittsburgh-area-librarian-receives.html

New change orders added UPDATED

These change orders were added to Monday's agenda and were never considered and discussed by the Board at its Discussion Meeting on February 11, 2013:

Change Orders for High School Project: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the following list of change orders for the High School Renovation Project:

a. GC-27-54 to Nello credit for -$485 as a final accounting for Change Order GC-08-21 issued in the amount of $36,229 with a final cost of $35,744,

b. GC-28-55 to Nello credit for -$6,204 as a final accounting for Change Order GC-09-22 issued in the amount of $22,945 with a final cost of $16,741,

c. GC-29-56 to Nello credit for -$1,287 as a final accounting for Change Order GC-10-23 issued in the amount of $25,658 with a final cost of $24,371,

d. GC-30-57 to Nello for time and materials in an amount not to exceed $55,000 for replacement of damaged corridor walls on the 6th floor of B Building which had to be demolished and rebuilt.

I adjusted the change order list to show the maximum of $55,000 for Change Order GC-30-57. Pretty funny how Mary Birks asked about the list of change orders at Monday's meeting.  She was surprised to hear that there is no list published on the School District website, not even under "High School Renovation." Mr. Marciniak said that they were waiting for a list from the architect. Meanwhile, a complete list is sitting in "The Book of Klein"  that is displayed at every meeting. Not only do "the blogs" have a running total of change orders in the sidebar, "the blogs" provide a photographed copy of Jan Klein's change order list. Shouldn't Mr. Marciniak know about Jan Klein's list? If the list exists in the book that is not allowed to leave the library, why can't that file be posted on the District website?

Update February 16, 2013 4:00 PM  From Dr. Steinhauer's blog:



This morning I took some High School students on a quick tour of the 6th floor
of the B Building. They are anxious to get into the renovated spaces.



With the School District in a quandary over the 2013-2014 budget and may require cutting programs, closing a school, laying off staff and raising taxes, plus a math program that some parents want to eliminate, our superintendent has time to act like a minimum wage tour guide.  If this is the stuff he likes to do, maybe he should get out of education and land a job at the new Fantasyland in Florida.  I hope the tour was before school and not during valuable class time. I am curious as to his methodology for choosing students. 

How much longer will parents tolerate his tweets and tours? Being transfixed by construction and pizza lunches are not in the job description.



Introducing Dave's New Sports Advisory Board UPDATED 4x

Thirteen people were appointed to Dave Brumfield's new Sports Advisory Board on February 12, 2013.  Kristen Linfante announced the following individuals in this order:
                                                                                                Term Ending

1. Chip Dalesandro - Hoodridge Drive Football Association   March 31, 2014
2. Dale Cable - Rocklynn Place Basketball Association           March 31, 2014
3. Stacey Franklin - Pinetree Road Field Hockey Association March 31, 2014
4. Jim Reed - Meteor Circle, Upper St. Clair Ice Hockey       March 31, 2014
5. Walt Henry - N. Meadowcroft  Indoor Tennis                      March 31, 2015
6. Tim White - Roycroft Avenue  Lacrosse                              March 31, 2015
7. Dave Franklin - Pinetree Road   Parks Advisory Board       March 31, 2015
8. Anna Murphy - Craigview Drive Skating Club                      March 31, 2015
9. Brian Auer - Old Farm Road Soccer Association                March 31, 2016
10. Scott Foor - Jonquil Place Softball Association                  March 31, 2016
11. Joy Pajak - Crystal Drive Women's Golf                              March 31, 2016
12. Christopher Curran - Broadmoor (At-Large)                       March 31, 2016
13. James Menegazzi - Lavina Avenue (At-Large)                     March 31, 2016

After the meeting, I questioned Dave Franklin's appointment. He is representing the Parks Advisory Board and will not be a voting member. The agenda provided this information:

On November 26, 2012, the Commission established a Sports Advisory Board.  The board will include 11 members chosen from sports organizations and two at- large positions. 

Being a Mt. Lebanon graduate who was transfixed with the 1972 high school construction, my numbers don't add up.

Update 3:55 PM Bill No. 20-12 does not stipulate voting members. The meeting minutes do not make mention of voting members. Matt Kluck provided the organizations associated with the above representatives. He is checking with the solicitor on how add the section about voting members. Matt also pointed out that there are organizations who are not being represented such as Platform Tennis, Baseball Association, Women's Softball League, Wrestling, High School Hockey, Aqua Club, Men's Golf League, Softball Fast Pitch and Tennis Players Association.  Thanks, Matt, for the update.

Update 4:08 PM Minutes from the 11-26-12 Public Hearing for this board.

Update 4:45 PM Bill No. 20-12 was amended to reflect voting vs. nonvoting members, but was never published on the municipal site. I have emailed Steve Feller asking for the amended bill to be published online. Again, thanks for your follow up, Matt.

Update 5:09 PM Wow! Steve Feller emailed the amended bill eighteen minutes later!  Thanks, Steve! Here is the amended bill. Amended Bill No. 20-12

Revisiting closing a school

Remember how Elaine Cappucci said that they will not revisit saving Building C?  Remember how nearly 4,000 residents felt that we should scale back the high school project since projections indicated a drop in student population, rising pension costs, a possible need to close a school or cut programming, and a decrease in state funding? Well, guess what?  WE WERE RIGHT! In today's Almanac (saved in Google Docs), Nick Lewandowski recapped Monday's meeting. The School District has realized they are in a quandary over the 2013-2014 budget.

Elaine Cappucci admitted that, “Closing a school is an option we should at least look at.”  Nuh uh.  Did you just realize that, Elaine?  We have been saying this for more than three years now. We were vilified by the VOICE people. (Gee, where are they now? Oh yeah, they are our elected officials.) We were trashed by local bloggers. (Huh...another elected official.) We hated kids. We were anti education. A school board director was humiliated. We were told to cut back on our lattes. Twenty five percent into the project and Elaine will now revisit closing a school.

Last year at this time, our illustrious school board decided to come up with a list of cost reductions.  We were never permitted to see the entire list.  Students were faced with parking fees, but the administrators all received nice raises. We were also told about a $30 million fundraising campaign to offset the second bond issue. The board has decided to stay with Pursuant Ketchum to raise $6 million.

We have two school board directors who will be running again, Mary Birks and
Dan Remely. Is Mt. Lebanon going to re-elect them just as we re-elected Elaine Cappucci, Ed Kubit, and Larry Lebowitz? Can we come up with some new blood?  Where is the RCML?

The Book of Klein

The following photos were taken of the financial book that is left on the table at School Board meetings. This book is never to leave the library. Is this where we get the expression, "Getting everything out on the table?" The point to this post is that the numbers are available, just not shared openly.

I don't really understand budgets since I am not a numbers person, so these are the two take aways for me.

Contrary to Elaine Cappucci's response to Dan Remely, there is an itemized list of change orders. Why it isn't on the District website is beyond me. The community must rely on "the blogs" for this information.

Another little bit of information that I found interesting is that Terrance Kushner, the Owner's Liaison, earned $3185. I wonder what happened to him. High School Renovation Summary

The following Google Docs are for the "pundits whose analysis of anything is so tedious that eyes glaze over." God bless the pundits who explain everything to the school board directors.

Capital Projects Accounts
High School Renovation Project Costs
High School Renovation Summary
Estimated Fund Balance, Revenues, and Other Financing Sources Available for Appropriation
2013-2014 Preliminary General Fund Budget (Proposed Version)

It's Your Turn

In Mt. Lebanon, candidates are needed for Wards 2 and 4 on the Commission side while four seats for School Board are opening up.  The first day to obtain signatures for candidates' nomination petitions is February 19, 2013.   In addition, the GOP is looking to fill Vince Gastgeb's seat.

I received this timely letter to the editor from a former elected official who would like to remain anonymous.

It's Your Turn

In local politics everything is personal. All decisions at this level of government affect our children's education, our traffic patterns, our First Friday's, the quality of the streets on which we drive. Local officials also determine the levels of income and property tax we pay to our school district and municipality.

These decisions impact each and every one of us every day. That's why I am hoping that more of us take these issues personally.

It's personal when my home appraisal goes up 50% but my neighbor who bought their house at the same price as mine is underassessed by 30%. It's personal for some people when a Commission decides to let high powered rifles be fired literally feet from our homes. It's personal for parents when their children are being taught a math curriculum with which they disagree.

So here is my challenge to the everyday residents of Mt. Lebanon. If you get the sense that things are a bit off kilter and that you might have some ideas on how to change local government for the better, then consider a run for school board or commission.

Run if you think math needs to change,
Or if it makes you feel deranged.

Run if you want to shoot deer with high powered rifle
Run if you want deer over for after-dinner trifle

If you think the school board is competent
Or if you think the board is incontinent
RUN!

If you want to fill our fields full of plastic
or if you think that kind of money is too drastic,
RUN!

Whether you want things to be the same
Or you just want someone else to blame
RUN!

Don't sit down and let people question
"Why only these same people up for election?"

Ten signatures gets you on the primary ballot
At times you may feel as if struck by a mallet

But the rewards of lifelong friendships are great
The people you meet and affect will appreciate

That you spend all your spare time
Trying to save them that dime.

February 19th comes quick
Give me somebody new to pick!

Go to the County Elections Page
And just maybe you will become all the rage!

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/elect/cal.aspx

Superintendent recommends approval of fake budget

The February 11, 2013 Agenda has been posted. We still don't know what the exceptions are, but rest assured, they are high enough. Don't you just love Jan Klein's transparency?

Preliminary Budget – Act 1 of 2006 requires us to prepare and the Board to approve a preliminary budget in order to be able to apply for exceptions to the Index limitation on real estate tax rates for the 2013-14 school year budget. As discussed at prior meetings, this budget is not the detailed budget which will be available for Board and community review in the spring once additional information is known on both revenue and expenditure accounts. This budget totals $84,469,784, which is high enough to enable us to apply for all applicable exceptions. Approval of this preliminary budget does not require the Board to approve this millage amount when the final budget is adopted in May. The superintendent recommends approval of this legally required budget.

Here is Dan Remely's take on the fake budget:

From: DRemely@mtlsd.net
To: Concerned Resident

Subject: RE: fake budget
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2013 18:51:17 +0000

I think the final budget should be much lower. There are too many unknowns to establish a final budget at this time. Dan


From: Concerned Resident
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 10:11 AM
To: Daniel Remely
Subject: fake budget

Dan,
What do you think of the $84.5 million fake budget?
Don't you think it's too high?
Concerned Resident

MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Change Orders

13 more change orders on this Monday's agenda:

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – This month’s list of change orders proposes 13 changes for Board consideration. They are as follows:

a. EL-09-36 to Farfield for $7,718 to add power to elevator sump pumps in Buildings H and G,

b. PL-04-37 to Vrabel for $6,100 to add sump pumps in elevator shafts in Buildings H and G,

c. GC-22-43 to Nello for $6,537 to add chase walls in athletic building restrooms for plumbing rough in,

d. EL-10-44 to Farfield for a credit of ($49,987) to change CAT 6 to CAT 5e at IT department’s request,

e. GC-23-45 to Nello for $5,105 for wood furring at 6th floor window jambs,

f. GC-24-46 to Nello for $4,984 to add supports to existing compromised plaster bulkheads,

g. GC-25-47 to Nello for $15,461 to laminate corridor side of classrooms in B building,

h. GC-26-48 to Nello for $3,786 to provide floor infill for a chase in B-building near restroom B610,

i. EL-11-49 to Farfield for $3,929 to modify light fixtures in room D108,

j. EL-12-50 to Farfield for a credit of ($7,774) to eliminate a light fixture in Room D108,

k. ME-03-51 to McKamish for $23,192 to demolish and replace ductwork in conflict with elevator in F-building,,

l. FP-02-52 to Simplex Grinnell for $1,581 to provide 6 sprinkler heads to create water curtain around glass at library entrance, and

m. EL-13-53 to Farfield for $17,351 to provide raceway between server room in F building through new athletic building for MLSD to replace fiber and phone feed to football field.

Mt. Lebanon hiring firm to count deer

Harry Funk has an article in today's PG, Mt. Lebanon hiring firm to count deer.

"It is something that came to light while I was campaigning," said Kristen Linfante, who was elected as Ward 3 commissioner in 2011. "Deer management and deer problems were by far the biggest issue that people brought to me. Of all of the things that a municipality has to address, the No. 1 topic that repeatedly came up was, 'What are you going to do about the deer problem?' "

What I find fascinating is that I walked the same streets Kristen did when I was canvassing neighborhoods and not one person asked me about deer.  Turkeys? Yes, but no deer. We talked about parks, sidewalks, roads, taxes, the high school renovation - even though that had nothing to do with the municipality side of government, and the number one complaint? Business Storage Solutions
I blogged about Ward 3 issues here. 

Another tidbit that I find troublesome in this article is:

"I am adamant in my belief that the risk of anyone being injured in a cull is far, far less than anyone being injured in a conflict with the deer," Ms. Linfante said. "Not that I believe nothing could possibly happen, but the benefits certainly outweigh the risks."

Oh, that is comforting. We get 150 calls about deer every year. So we lose a person or two in the cull. The benefits certainly outweigh the risks. Not a word of thanks to the commissioners or even to the constituents who were treated rudely by her.

Fortunately, Kelly Fraasch was also interviewed and saved the day by providing a logical perspective. You can read about it in an earlier Lebo Citizens post, Aerial survey coming this month. 

A comment submitted to the PG story online sums it up:

"Between the library/breast story and this one, Mt. Lebo is certainly getting some press today..."

 

Are the National Geographics next to go? UPDATED

In today's Post Gazette, our Mt. Lebanon Library is making the news. It seems that a photograph, that is part of an exhibit of architectural photographs, is making some people nervous.



                                                            Photo by John Flatz

"Innocence," a historic painting hanging in the Mercer County Courthouse.

The problem is the exposed breast in the photograph of the mural and the close proximity to Mellon Middle School. The library asked the photographer to replace the photo with a different one and photographer John Flatz refused.

So he covered up the offending breast on Monday with a picture of a bra and an arrow pointing to it saying "Censored by the Mt. Lebanon Public Library."

Are the National Geographics next to go? Maybe the library should talk to our school board director, whose billboard says that even good girls go there.  We have truly lost it here in Mt. Lebanon.

Read more: Mt. Lebanon library says partially nude woman in photo exhibit breaks rules

Update February 9, 2013 1:30 PM As of 1:15 PM (only fifteen minutes ago), this is what is hanging in the hallway at Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

Nothing has been censored. There are no photographs of bras or statements of censorship. 

Had enough with PSSA testing? UPDATED

Perhaps it is because I don't have any kids in school, but I was not aware that parents and children have the right to opt out of PSSA testing. There is so much emphasis on PSSAs, that teachers seem to be teaching to the test. Our school board doesn't want to listen to parents who have concerns over the TERC Investigations math program.  Based on some reports that parents have shared with me, the school board won't even consider changing anything unless the PSSA math scores go down.  It seems as though that is all MTLSD cares about.

I found some websites that may be helpful to parents who are not aware of their rights. Here is a How-to on Opting Out in Pennsylvania.

So before March Madness (PSSA testing) begins please take some time to seriously consider the future of your child’s education. Remember, our children only get one chance at a quality education. The PSSAs and the culture of high stakes testing have denied a generation of children a quality education. It is time to put an end to this punitive system. It’s time to allow our teachers to get back to what they do best—teach. It’s time to demand that our public schools be given back to us. It’s time to make sure our children receive the education they deserve. It’s time to OPT OUT!

Sample Letter

         To: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net        

         Dear Dr. Steinhauer,

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(5) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child excused from any State standardized testing because of religious and philosophical beliefs.

Are there any repercussions for Opting Out?  Quite the contrary according to Timothy Slekar. Timothy D. Slekar is an Associate Professor of teacher education and Head of the Division of Education, Human Development, and Family Studies at Penn State Altoona.

Dr. Slekar began his career in education as a 2nd grade teacher in Williamsburg, VA. He also taught 5th grade in York, PA. Dr. Slekar attended the University of Maryland at College Park where he earned his Ph. D. in social studies education. During his studies Dr. Slekar worked with 7th and 8th grade teachers in the city of Baltimore. Dr. Slekar has published research in some of the top educational research journals (Teacher Education Quarterly, Theory and Research in Social Education, Journal of Thought). Dr. Slekar also co-hosts a local talk radio show in central PA (Tuesdays at 11:00 am eastern on WRTA 1240 am). The show is devoted to teachers and teaching in public schools. Dr Slekar and Dr. Shaun Johnson also host At The Chalk Face (BlogTalkRadio) Progressive Education Talk. Contact Tim at tds12@psu.edu or 412-735-9720.

Dr. Slekar is one of the administrators of unitedoptout.com.

ABOUT US

Members of this site are parents, educators, students and social activists who are dedicated to the elimination of high stakes testing in public education. We use this site to collaborate, exchange ideas, support one another, share information and initiate collective local and national actions to end the reign of fear and terror promoted by the high stakes testing agenda.

Pine-Richland School District offers Frequently Asked Questions about the PSSA on their website and may be helpful to the concerned Mt. Lebanon parents who don't want their children's scores that their $$ and extra work with tutoring might have influenced.  If the School District won't work with you, consider opting out of the PSSA. It is your right.

Update February 6, 2013 3:15 PM  There is a Rally For Public Education this weekend featuring Dr. Tim Slekar.  Find out WHY you would opt out and what these high stakes tests are doing to public education.

Rally for Public Education! by YinzerThing One year ago over 250 people Rallied for Public Education in the middle of a February snowstorm. This year we will do it again -- even bigger, but inside where it's warmer. Remember these fabulous students who spoke about the effects of budget cuts on their schools? They helped spark an entire grassroots movement. Tia Torres speaks at the 2012 Rally for Public Education Students from the Arts Greenhouse program speak at the 2012 Rally for Public Education. Our public schools are still staggering under massive state budget cuts. Students in Pennsylvania have lost almost 20,000 of their teachers in the past two years. Our kids have lost music, art, library, languages, tutoring programs, full-day Kindergarten and more. Here in Southwest PA, our children are sitting in classes with 35 and even 39 students. And this year they will take even more high-stakes, standardized tests, spending several months of the school year on nothing but test prep and test taking. Enough is enough! Come RALLY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION on Sunday, February 10, 2013. 3PM at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty (5941 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206). This is about equity, social justice, and a great public education for all our children. Join hundreds of other volunteer parents, students, teachers, and concerned community members who have been making a real difference in the grassroots movement for our public schools as we: Celebrate what we've achieved this past year working together Respond to Gov. Corbett's new budget proposal (which he will announce on Feb. 5th) Issue an urgent Call to Action for our public schools Featuring: Performances by student groups, Anne Feeney, the Squirrel Hillbillies, and more! Community conversation with Dr. Tim Slekar (head of the education department at Penn State Altoona, host of the education radio program At the Chalkface, and a national leader of United Opt Out) Special free showing of the new pro-public education documentary, "Brooklyn Castle," under special arrangement with the producers We already have confirmation from local legislators who are planning to come as well as key community leaders. For example, we are honored to learn that civil rights leader Carl Redwood will be joining us. The media is invited and this is going to be big. Please mark your calendars now and help us spread the word: go to our Facebook event page to RSVP and use the “invite friends” button to reach out to your networks. Let’s see if we can make our invitation list grow to over 1,000. We can do it! And I can’t wait to Rally with you. YinzerThing | January 28, 2013 at 12:23 pm | Categories: advocacy event: Take Action!, Pennsylvania State Budget, Public Education | URL: http://wp.me/p288Ox-ox Comment    See all comments

 

Radon gas testing in schools

This article appeared in a Montgomery County newspaper last Monday. Briggs wants testing for radon gas in schools

State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, is reintroducing legislation that would require radon testing in schools, as well as educate and inform parents and guardians of the levels of radon gas in their child’s classroom.

According to Briggs,

More than five years ago, Howe Elementary School in Mt. Lebanon had radon levels three times the EPA limits: about 15.6 picocuries per liter in the cafeteria. However, some parents said the school district never told them about it.

Briggs' legislation would require school districts to contact all parents in writing about radon testing, if there was testing, and if so, share the results by June 30, 2014.  If the legislation is passed, all school buildings would be required to complete a radon gas test. In addition,

...any newly constructed school buildings would have to be tested within 19 months of the date of occupancy, and any remodeled school buildings would be retested within 19 months of completion of the remodeling. In addition, the bill would require these tests to be completed every five years from the date of the initial test.

Through a Google search, I found that the School Board voted for radon mitigation for the high school in August 2010. Also, a letter from Dr. Steinhauer was posted by Mike Madison over on Blog Lebo, Parents Say School Failed To Warn Of Dangerous Gas. In his letter, Dr. Steinhauer indicated that he directed the Facilities Department to develop a testing and reporting protocol for radon in our schools.  I hope the testing and reporting protocol will be revised to include retesting of the high school within 19 months of completion of each building.

New blog coming next month

Steve Feller writes in his weekly report:

The public information office is working on a "Lebo Life" blog that will appear as a tab on lebomag.com and will complement the magazine and its various social media.  The aim of this blog, which should launch within the next month, will be to promote positive and constructive conversations about things that enhance quality of life in Mt. Lebanon. There are about 20 people who will initially post on the blog, with each posting at least twice a month in seven categories, including areas such as family fun, house and garden, travel and leisure, food and drink, etc.

I will be announcing the launch, as soon as I hear more.

Aerial survey coming this month

People have been asking me to blog about the deer survey that was passed on Monday night, but I have been hesitating since it is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.  Anytime I have brought up deer management, my commissioner would go into attack mode.

A group of us have been meeting with Commissioner Fraasch to find common ground concerning deer management.  Through many meetings, Kelly Fraasch was able to come up with an excellent plan for deer management, as well as a cost effective, yet quite accurate method to count deer in Mt. Lebanon. In her blog posting, Deer...Follow up! , Kelly writes:

The aerial survey has far less potential for human error. Pictures are taken from an airplane and a wildlife specialist is able to count our deer population, note where the herds are located and even tell us the gender of the deer.
Here’s more information about the aerial survey FLIR_surveys
wildlife professional. A recent estimated cost by Susan Bernatas suggests it will cost about $5,400 per survey which would come in less than our budgeted cost.

In the Post Gazette article, it was noted that Kristen Linfante is still pushing for a cull while others are striving for a safer alternative to manage the deer population.

Deer survey coming next month

A survey to estimate the number of deer in the community will be taken next month.

Commissioners voted Monday to authorize municipal officials to solicit proposals for a survey to be conducted in February.

A late addition to the 2013 budget expenditures allots $12,000 for surveys as part of the effort to mitigate safety hazards caused by deer.

Commissioners planned to authorize two such counts this year, with the second one targeted for November, but they revised their intentions prior to Monday's vote.

A second survey would take place in February 2014, if deemed necessary. More accurate comparisons can be drawn from counts done at the same time of year as opposed to different seasons.

The municipality last conducted a deer survey in 2007.

Commissioner Kristen Linfante questioned the need for a repeat survey next year, saying a formula is available to estimate future deer populations based on an initial count. She said that according to her conversations with the head of a research company that does surveys, conducting two in consecutive months might result in a more accurate count.

The municipality plans to install additional signs and conduct a public education campaign in an attempt to decrease the number of deer-related accidents.

While many residents agree on the need for action to improve safety, the method of how to do it has caused divisiveness. Some argue that a cull using high-powered rifles would be the most effective method; others oppose measures that involve firearms.

Kimberly Schevtchuk said she supports a proposal by Commissioner Kelly Fraasch that involves deer sterilization. Such a method has "proved effective in other communities. It keeps public safety a priority," Ms. Schevtchuk said.

Ms. Linfante, however, expressed concern about the short-term results of a sterilization program and said she would support it in conjunction with a cull.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/the-south-at-a-glance-672829/#ixzz2JZz5XSzF

Meanwhile on Facebook, mtl Magazine posted a photo of foxes that are in our community.


Photo by mtl - Mt. Lebanon Magazine


 I want to thank Kelly for working with us. By listening to any commission podcast regarding deer management, it is easy to pick out our committee. It consisted of every single person whom my commissioner attacked.  Through listening, collaborating, and communicating, Commissioner Fraasch was able to move the deer management program forward.