Another anonymous letter has surfaced and made its way here on Lebo Citizens. As before, I scanned it as a pdf and is available in the hyperlink above, and as a .jpg below.
Doesn't seem to me we would have most of these issues if we had renovated "like new" the entire high school instead of building a Citadel of Athletic Arts and a wing of Advanced Scientific Discovery.
My family has taken to calling them the "Temple of Non-economic Science" and the "Cathedral of Collapsing PSAA Scores".
Diverting educational funds to the construction of these new wings made no economic sense and will take money away from preparing our students for a rigorous academic future.
2:38, then there is the grievance that nobody cares about. When the District starts laying off teachers because of the grievance, PSERS and OPEB, test scores will drop. But they say it's for the children, right?
The handwriting differs but the sources of the letters are seemingly people directly involved either in the construction or the operation of the high school. We have whistleblowers - next step is for the school board to activate their version of the NSA (Non Secure Administration) to monitor and collect all forms of community communications. Steinhauer will appoint frogs to monitor the construction site during off hours. Its a plan !
What do you expect from a project that the prime motivator was to build a temple to athletics. That was the original intent from the start and it was probably a good plan if they had unlimited financial resources.
But, the economy went south... PSERS problems arrived... and many residents believed academics trumped athletics. The powers that be said screw it... we want it and we will have it come hell or high water.
What is even more amazing this group is already plotting their next misadventure... after buying useless plots of land at far above market prices, constructing a crappy athletic facility, they have their eyes on not one turfed field, but two!
3:25 PM, I am going to bring both letters to the commission meeting tonight, in case anyone wants to see them. I believe they are from the same individual, someone who is in the construction business, not like Timmy, Cappucci, or Remely, construction for real.
They both came the weekends before the construction updates. I hope they continue, so that non-blog reader, Mary Birks can ask questions that pertain to the first anonymous letter, such as the floor tiles question she asked last night. Larry did the same thing. I love the little game the board members play. "We don't read the blog." Yet, they gather information that really helps everyone in the end. Stop being rock heads, guys. You could save the community a lot of money if you would only listen to what is said here and the community. Elaine
Managed to hit on ch 19 this afternoon and it looked like a building update or change order discussion was going on. Suddenly the screen switched to the event slides and ads.
Neither the bldg. update or the board meeting has replayed since. Even the usual Muzak during the slides is off.
- The roof area over building B, Cochran Road, recently had a leak?
- The roof and sixth floor area of the athletic complex roof over the pool area had a significant leak.
- The concrete on the lower level of the new fine arts area is cracked.
- They are grinding the concrete floor in the athletic complex to try and level it. You cannot lay a gym floor on uneven concrete.
- All the glass windows have been removed from the poolside of the athletic complex - will be brick. That facility looks more and more like a detention center.
- There are 148 water fountains proposed in the facility. None will have chiller so all water will be room temp.
- Has this construction company met, to date, any phasing time leads? No! Are there any penalties for that? If no,- Why?
At 7:17 this evening the school board meeting was ended by announcements flowing on the TV screen. The board meeting ended.
There were lies that came out during the resident's question and answer session and you will have to listen to the lebocitizens.com recording to see who at the school board table was caught lying . . .
We not only have an expensive project, we have people who don't want the truth in the community.
"Director of fiscal services Jan Klein said the district had budgeted for some increase in the cost of insurance, though not to this extent. She hopes to offset the difference by under spending in other budget categories."
Under spending in other areas? Like where?
Didn't Dan, Dale or one of the other directors recently tell us that all the fat had been trimmed from the budget already? That we were down to the muscle and any further cuts would impact the core mission of educating students!
So where is Jan going to under budget? Books? materials? programs? How about maintenance? You know sure as hell the administration isn't going to take a hit like the USC super and finance have.
I came home from the commission meeting tonight and watched the end of the school board meeting that just finished airing. A resident asked about any issues with the roof and Timmy said other than some flashing, there have been no roof issues. Is that what you mean, 7:24 PM? Elaine
#Elaine, Don't forget about Mrs. Birks remarks about the sixth-floor water coming down to the third floor. Her remarks sounded like more than a flashing problem.
Moreover, the end of the meeting was cut off so the Channel 19 TV didn't show the resident's remarks. Why would the District cut a 43-44 minute meeting unless they were hiding something in the close of the meeting?
The anonymous letter said, "The roof area over building B, Cochran Road, recently had a leak?
The roof and sixth floor area of the athletic complex roof over the pool area had a significant leak."
Flashing, Dr. Steinhauer? In two buildings?
I think this board got caught in conflicting statements and tried to cover it up by cutting the remarks at the end of the meeting. The Board got caught because the meeting was recorded and can be heard in its entirety at, lebocitizens.com - click on Podcasts and find the June 10 school board meeting.
11:51 PM, I think Channel 19 was having technical difficulties when you were watching it because when I saw the broadcast tonight, it aired to the end of the meeting with no problems. Elaine
Techicalc difficulties are a possibility, but it wouldn't be the first time the board has manipulated the recording to avoid showing something. Luney conspiracy theory perhaps, perhaps not too.
Going backwards, when they were looking for cuts to get the bids under the threshold, didn't Celli say the B wing roof was good for another 10 years? Better not be another change order in the works.
With the recent news on higher insurance premiums, the grievance, change orders can we expect that the tennis courts and rifle range won't be back at the high school anytime soon? All these salary discussions are for the kids doncha know.
I showed both anonymous letters to the building inspector last night when I was at the commission meeting. Nothing listed is against building codes. I guess that means that we are getting poor workmanship.
If you want to talk conspiracy theories, I had been on the municipality to videotape the Sports Advisory Board meeting that took place last Thursday evening. David Donnellan was not going to have it videotaped, but I sent an email to the commission requesting that it be videotaped. The video tape at not been uploaded, so I followed up with the commissioners. John Bendel asked Steve Feller to follow up. The tape was supposed to be uploaded yesterday. At the meeting last night, during Citizens Comments, I noted that the video was still not posted. Steve Feller said that they had technical difficulties and had video, but no audio. Good thing David Huston recorded it for me. This is the meeting in which certain SAB members will say that a vote was taken to turf fields, when there actually wasn't. If you want to talk conspiracy theories... Elaine
Perhaps we will wake up some morning to a newspaper story like this one: "Floor collapses at convention center February 5, 2007 12:00 am" "A steel beam and a high lift fell from the ceiling above the walkway under the convention center. A tractor trailer in the convention center could be seen straddling a hole left in the floor of the convention center, just above where the beam fell." http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/floor-collapses-at-convention-center-470795/
Thought it was interesting in the board discussion the years donations were mentioned, I think the total was $88,000 from various groups. I pretty sure this is a pretty average amount year after raised by parents, PTAs, sports groups, students, etc. Non-professional fund raisers, working for no money, little or no recognition and doing it all for the children. If that amount is typical that means these amateurs will raise about half a million dollars over 6 years. On the other hand we have the PK professionals that charged the district $48,000 to find out they may... may... raise $6 million in 6 years. Of which they'll take $800,000 and we'll also have to pay a full-time staffer $200,000+ benefits for two years. Of course neither the amateurs or the PK professionals are guaranteeing their nets to the district.
So what you are saying is that Pursuing Ketchup will have to mustard all its strength to beat what the community does on its own... and cover all the token costs
... Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king And then became one Well, except for the names and a few other changes If you talk about him, the story's the same one
OPPS!! Here we are at 3:17 on Thursday and the school board meeting just flipped to banners again before residents' comments. This is the second time this week I have tried to watch the citizen's comments and they have not appeared again. Could those Channel 19 gremlins be haunting us again or is someone protecting the public from Timmy's misstatement?
Pooch did you instruct the staff to block Timmy's embarrassing comment, or did he do that himself?
I can't answer any of the question except the last.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, the community is getting the bill!
Doesn't seem to me we would have most of these issues if we had renovated "like new" the entire high school instead of building a Citadel of Athletic Arts and a wing of Advanced Scientific Discovery.
ReplyDeleteMy family has taken to calling them the "Temple of Non-economic Science" and the "Cathedral of Collapsing PSAA Scores".
ReplyDeleteDiverting educational funds to the construction of these new wings made no economic sense and will take money away from preparing our students for a rigorous academic future.
Someone will have to take the fall for this debacle and it won't be the 4,000 residents who signed a petition to stop it.
ReplyDeleteJust wait till the blame game starts.
2:38, then there is the grievance that nobody cares about.
ReplyDeleteWhen the District starts laying off teachers because of the grievance, PSERS and OPEB, test scores will drop.
But they say it's for the children, right?
The handwriting differs but the sources of the letters are seemingly people directly involved either in the construction or the operation of the high school. We have whistleblowers - next step is for the school board to activate their version of the NSA (Non Secure Administration) to monitor and collect all forms of community communications. Steinhauer will appoint frogs to monitor the construction site during off hours. Its a plan !
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect from a project that the prime motivator was to build a temple to athletics.
ReplyDeleteThat was the original intent from the start and it was probably a good plan if they had unlimited financial resources.
But, the economy went south... PSERS problems arrived... and many residents believed academics trumped athletics. The powers that be said screw it... we want it and we will have it come hell or high water.
What is even more amazing this group is already plotting their next misadventure... after buying useless plots of land at far above market prices, constructing a crappy athletic facility, they have their eyes on not one turfed field, but two!
And you know what-- they'll get it.
3:25 PM, I am going to bring both letters to the commission meeting tonight, in case anyone wants to see them. I believe they are from the same individual, someone who is in the construction business, not like Timmy, Cappucci, or Remely, construction for real.
ReplyDeleteThey both came the weekends before the construction updates. I hope they continue, so that non-blog reader, Mary Birks can ask questions that pertain to the first anonymous letter, such as the floor tiles question she asked last night. Larry did the same thing. I love the little game the board members play. "We don't read the blog." Yet, they gather information that really helps everyone in the end. Stop being rock heads, guys. You could save the community a lot of money if you would only listen to what is said here and the community.
Elaine
Managed to hit on ch 19 this afternoon and it looked like a building update or change order discussion was going on.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly the screen switched to the event slides and ads.
Neither the bldg. update or the board meeting has replayed since. Even the usual Muzak during the slides is off.
What gives? Nello wipe out another transformer?0
Ch 19 seems to OK at now. (6:15)
ReplyDeleteHere is a copy of the anonymous June letter
ReplyDeleteDear Resident and Taxpayer
Concerning the renovation Flop, did you know:
- The roof area over building B, Cochran Road, recently had a leak?
- The roof and sixth floor area of the athletic complex roof over the pool area had a significant leak.
- The concrete on the lower level of the new fine arts area is cracked.
- They are grinding the concrete floor in the athletic complex to try and level it. You cannot lay a gym floor on uneven concrete.
- All the glass windows have been removed from the poolside of the athletic complex - will be brick. That facility looks more and more like a detention center.
- There are 148 water fountains proposed in the facility. None will have chiller so all water will be room temp.
- Has this construction company met, to date, any phasing time leads? No! Are there any penalties for that? If no,- Why?
At 7:17 this evening the school board meeting was ended by announcements flowing on the TV screen. The board meeting ended.
ReplyDeleteThere were lies that came out during the resident's question and answer session and you will have to listen to the lebocitizens.com recording to see who at the school board table was caught lying . . .
We not only have an expensive project, we have people who don't want the truth in the community.
7:24 PM, can you give us a hint?
ReplyDeleteElaine
Listen to the citizen's comments on lebocitizens.com
ReplyDeleteThe Almanac reports today--
ReplyDelete"Lebo schools facing significant insurance price hike"
http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20130611/NEWS/130619972#.Ubexiid5mc0
"Director of fiscal services Jan Klein said the district had budgeted for some increase in the cost of insurance, though not to this extent. She hopes to offset the difference by under spending in other budget categories."
Under spending in other areas? Like where?
Didn't Dan, Dale or one of the other directors recently tell us that all the fat had been trimmed from the budget already? That we were down to the muscle and any further cuts would impact the core mission of educating students!
So where is Jan going to under budget? Books? materials? programs? How about maintenance? You know sure as hell the administration isn't going to take a hit like the USC super and finance have.
Hint, This Fox Chapel School District employee was allowed to resign at the end of the school year because she received her Ed.D. from a diploma mill.
ReplyDeleteIs that all you can mustard?
ReplyDeleteNo, we'll keep jumping and jumping and one day we'll leap right out of this pit the board and administration pushed us into. :-p
ReplyDeleteI came home from the commission meeting tonight and watched the end of the school board meeting that just finished airing.
ReplyDeleteA resident asked about any issues with the roof and Timmy said other than some flashing, there have been no roof issues. Is that what you mean, 7:24 PM?
Elaine
#Elaine,
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about Mrs. Birks remarks about the sixth-floor water coming down to the third floor. Her remarks sounded like more than a flashing problem.
Moreover, the end of the meeting was cut off so the Channel 19 TV didn't show the resident's remarks. Why would the District cut a 43-44 minute meeting unless they were hiding something in the close of the meeting?
The anonymous letter said, "The roof area over building B, Cochran Road, recently had a leak?
The roof and sixth floor area of the athletic complex roof over the pool area had a significant leak."
Flashing, Dr. Steinhauer? In two buildings?
I think this board got caught in conflicting statements and tried to cover it up by cutting the remarks at the end of the meeting. The Board got caught because the meeting was recorded and can be heard in its entirety at, lebocitizens.com - click on Podcasts and find the June 10 school board meeting.
Those who hide the truth should move on.
11:51 PM, I think Channel 19 was having technical difficulties when you were watching it because when I saw the broadcast tonight, it aired to the end of the meeting with no problems.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Techicalc difficulties are a possibility, but it wouldn't be the first time the board has manipulated the recording to avoid showing something.
ReplyDeleteLuney conspiracy theory perhaps, perhaps not too.
Going backwards, when they were looking for cuts to get the bids under the threshold, didn't Celli say the B wing roof was good for another 10 years? Better not be another change order in the works.
With the recent news on higher insurance premiums, the grievance, change orders can we expect that the tennis courts and rifle range won't be back at the high school anytime soon? All these salary discussions are for the kids doncha know.
We will just have to mustard on.
ReplyDeleteI showed both anonymous letters to the building inspector last night when I was at the commission meeting. Nothing listed is against building codes.
ReplyDeleteI guess that means that we are getting poor workmanship.
If you want to talk conspiracy theories, I had been on the municipality to videotape the Sports Advisory Board meeting that took place last Thursday evening. David Donnellan was not going to have it videotaped, but I sent an email to the commission requesting that it be videotaped. The video tape at not been uploaded, so I followed up with the commissioners. John Bendel asked Steve Feller to follow up. The tape was supposed to be uploaded yesterday. At the meeting last night, during Citizens Comments, I noted that the video was still not posted. Steve Feller said that they had technical difficulties and had video, but no audio. Good thing David Huston recorded it for me. This is the meeting in which certain SAB members will say that a vote was taken to turf fields, when there actually wasn't. If you want to talk conspiracy theories...
Elaine
It must be "eminent", or is it "imminent" according to our all knowing Dr. Timmy ?
ReplyDeleteBring on the frogs !
Ribb-it
With the behind-the-scene planning to artificially turf two fields... Could the plastic grass be called mustard greens?
ReplyDeletePerhaps we will wake up some morning to a newspaper story like this one:
ReplyDelete"Floor collapses at convention center
February 5, 2007 12:00 am"
"A steel beam and a high lift fell from the ceiling above the walkway under the convention center. A tractor trailer in the convention center could be seen straddling a hole left in the floor of the convention center, just above where the beam fell."
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/floor-collapses-at-convention-center-470795/
Hope not!
With a little extra mustard, maybe PK can raise the bread for all our wims and wants
ReplyDeleteYou mean Pursuing Ketchup.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Thought it was interesting in the board discussion the years donations were mentioned, I think the total was $88,000 from various groups.
ReplyDeleteI pretty sure this is a pretty average amount year after raised by parents, PTAs, sports groups, students, etc. Non-professional fund raisers, working for no money, little or no recognition and doing it all for the children.
If that amount is typical that means these amateurs will raise about half a million dollars over 6 years.
On the other hand we have the PK professionals that charged the district $48,000 to find out they may... may... raise $6 million in 6 years. Of which they'll take $800,000 and we'll also have to pay a full-time staffer $200,000+ benefits for two years.
Of course neither the amateurs or the PK professionals are guaranteeing their nets to the district.
So what you are saying is that Pursuing Ketchup will have to mustard all its strength to beat what the community does on its own... and cover all the token costs
ReplyDelete... Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about him, the story's the same one
Apologies to Neil Diamond
In answer to the anonymous letter writer, it would appear that the community is getting ripped off!
ReplyDelete12:50 one would certainly hope PK will be able to rustle up more than $88,000/year in donations on their worst days.
ReplyDeleteStill, I wouldn't bet the farm on them.
"Adapt" or "adept", which is the most applicable, froggy ?
ReplyDeleteOPPS!! Here we are at 3:17 on Thursday and the school board meeting just flipped to banners again before residents' comments. This is the second time this week I have tried to watch the citizen's comments and they have not appeared again. Could those Channel 19 gremlins be haunting us again or is someone protecting the public from Timmy's misstatement?
ReplyDeletePooch did you instruct the staff to block Timmy's embarrassing comment, or did he do that himself?
I don't know what is going on for you. The school board meeting aired all the way to the end on Channel 19 about ten minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Gee, if you don't agree with Elaine you are slain!
ReplyDeleteIt did not show the end on THREE attempts to watch on my TV
10:08, slain? You were slain because she said she was able to watch it all the way through.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I watched it was cut, second time it played thru to the end. Take that as another attack if you want.