This month, it is all about hallways. Below are two photos. One is the new high school hallway and the other one is a prison. Can you guess which is which?
Why do I bring this up? On July 28, 2009, Dirk A. Taylor, P.E., reviewed the MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS Schematic Plans Dated June 1, 2009. Read his comments on the inefficiencies of one-sided corridors.
Maybe I will call this series of posts, "We told you so!" or "Dirk knows his stuff!"
55 comments:
Dirk Taylor was volunteer with extensive qualifications and a number of clueless board members sought to destroy his credibility in their quest to erect this boondoggle.
And yet they still proclaim they desire public input and participation... Pure BS.
How about-- "You Do Know, Dirk!"
Dirk Taylor was the District's "go to" structural engineer for some 15 years until he began to ask some very intelligent questions about the high school project that the District could not handle. They dropped him like a rock and attempted to discredit him.
Hey Elaine, how about the dirty tricks the District tried to pull off before a resident blew their cover in 2009 or so ? Remember "the bunker", the unfinished 10,000 sq. ft. in a lower level of the new athletic building the MDT secretly planned to eventually finish and assign to UMPC for a rehab facility, or to the sports groups as a meeting/equipment storage room if UMPC did not want it.
Also, the Field House at the Stadium site that the District secretly intended to remodel into the District Facilities Management offices since they were designed out of office space in the Fine Arts building renovation, or space in Bldg. G. Problem there was that Field House building is both a preexisting non-conforming building with a non-conforming use according to the Zoning Ordinance, which prohibited such a change. MDT meeting minutes obtained only via RTK disclosed such intent. The District proceeded to construct an 8-space parking lot opposite the Field House just inside the Stadium fence intended for Facilities Maintenance staff. Belief is the Field House remodel will likely commence in open violation of the Zoning Ordinance immediately after the high school project is completed. The District admitted that there was no other office provision for Facility Maintenance staff in the final plans for the high school renovation. Question is, will the Municipality enforce the Ordinance and stop such a violation ? And would the District risk another lawsuit against the Municipality if they did ?
I doubt that the Municipality would do anything since two commissioners were associated with BOSN. A third commissioner wants to revisit turf for the school district and claims that the Sports Advisory Board recommends turf (even though that never came up at a SAB meeting.)
Posti dissed Dirk in a 10-20-10 Almanac letter to the editor here.
Then Dirk came back with this. Note how Mr. Taylor said that we would be building poor with no money for teachers, books, etc. "21 Century learning standards" does not mean white boards and black boards as we are seeing in the District video posted last week.
Elaine
Now building poor has been compounded by a teacher grievance.
The district is always open to losing a lawsuit, 8:16.
The conclusion of Mr. Taylor's letter says:
"Thus, a renovation of only 480,000 square feet of the existing High School would reduce the total project cost by $28.8 million, applying unbiased mathematics to the DD Total Cost Estimate Numbers presented by P. J. Dick. This would reduce the total project cost from the currently projected $115, 597 down to $86,729,558."
If the Board had taken Mr. Taylor's idea we would have eliminated the need for a Fund Raising Effort, costing $870,000, as well as most of the borrowing in the second bond float, and we would have the money to invest in real technology improvements,
Unfortunately, Mr. Remely was unable to convince four other board members to achieve a $28.8 million cost savings. Dan you need to withdraw from the school board election.
11:06 Since when did Remely ever attempt to convince other board members to achieve a $28.8 million cost savings on the Celli design?
He did rev up the overhead transparency equipment and pull out a brown dry erase marker and handwrite "What $75 Million won't buy" in the way of a renovation to chide those who asked for a $75 million project.
11:45 PM, ah yes, Remely's infamous R2D2 presentation. I remember it well. He tried to show us that there was no $75 million renovation. As it turned out, some of what wasn't covered in the $75 million list, didn't make the $113 million list either!
Elaine
Yeah, he sure gave the stakeholders a verbal spanking that evening. I think of old Dan every time I drive by that fetching Sassy Sensations industrial sign on Mt. Lebanon blvd. Most likely so will everyone else when they pass the eyesore on Horsman. Although, some other folks will also come to mind!
I'm no fam of Dan Remely's, but there's another incumbent director on the ballot come November.
If I remember correctly she endorsed Rob Gardner when he ran partnered with Jo Posti.
Wasn't Rob a spokesperson for the BOSN group that pushed for a $150 million high school?
Can you imagine the fix we'd be in now if they had gotten their way?
Remely to encourage other board members to understand the cost reductions. The DCML had the same chance to influence their board members to reduce the cost, but they didn’t care either. The Administration, led by Dr. Steinhauer, had the same chance. So both political parties and the Administration let down the children of our community and few residents came to vote.
The R2D2 presentation didn’t impress most people and Mr. Remely showed his true colors when he broke his promise to “help” the community with the High School Project. Then Dan decided to run for State office on the back of a miserable record. If he could not even convince four board members to listen to him, how could he convince a legislature to do anything?
Dan, you have been a great disappointment to many folks in our community and you showed your true disdain for our children when you accepted a distasteful ad for your billboard for Sassy Solutions. What a great breakdown of moral character for a Mount Lebanon School Board Member to encourage the decline of community standards on a large sign that kids could see and to do that to make a buck. The sooner you withdraw from the school board election, the better you will serve our community, Dan.
Sorry to disagree, there is nothing distasteful about the Sassy Sensations outdoor board. It doesn't show any thing X-rated, isn't vulgar or even slightly provocative.
It may concern a topic that most people are uncomfortablle with, but that's their issue not the signs.
He'll, the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine is more sexually oriented than that board.
What is distasteful is the whole idea of putting up a sign holder in that location, and you're right that falls on Dan.
What I don't get is this fixation with blaming Dan for everything while Birksc gets off scott free.
Mary, is the one who announce she was voting for the project PRIORr to the community's input in the Act 34 hearing. The hearing, that by law she was suppose to listen to her constiituents opinion!
We all know what Birks is, a "have-not" who always needs a handout.
Speaking of asking for hand-outs. Let's look at the primary elections results.
There are 4 democratic candidates, Birks, Hill, Moorhead and Reimer. Three of the four campaign that the state Is (specifically Gov. Corbett, not the state house or senate) cutting education funding and hurting our students.
One, the guy most able to read and UNDERSTAND a budget report breaks ranks with his party and the teachers union whining and says... NOT TRUE! And who comes in last.
How many times do taxpayers have to get fooled by the school district, that it's not looking out for the students or the community? It's about perpetuating the money train.
Look at all these PR photos about the school project. Are the new classrooms in the science wing significantly more "21st century" than the refurbished classrooms in B wing? The building that "couldn't possibly be brought up to 21st century education standards!
Somebody please point out what makes the classroom built today better than the classroom built in the 1920s?
Hey 8:16 - Forget the parking spaces. what about the fact that one of our faculty members (coach) has taken up residence at the current field house? Are teachers salaries that low? Is the district collecting rent? Maybe he doesn't want to pay the school taxes. What is the mailing address for this residence?
I will almost always believe a registered engineer (PE) over any lay person when it comes to construction/renovation. They have the skills and knowledge to understand the problems, but I'm biased as I am an engineer myself. He was completely right about the hallways and the look of it is actually quite eerie.
Damion, I'm not a registered engineer and I'd solicit the advice the advice of a registered engineer over any lay person.
Since you're new to community you might want to read the the letter to the Almanac that Elaine attached at 8:49. Or the comments to by the current board president to the CAC (12 experienced building experts) study of the proposed renovation.
Shocking.
The hallways are more than eerie, they are downright ugly!
And that bridge... when building comes down, its going to look rediculous.
11:45 AM, SAY WHAT? We have a coach living at the field house?
Damion, you are in for a real treat. You missed all the abuse that Dirk Taylor, and other members of the CAC received. Do a search on the Lebo Citizens blog for Dirk Taylor, CAC, and Dan Rothschild, for starters. Then head on over to http://lebocitizens.com/Lebo_Citizens/The_Facts.html for the CAC presentation. Continue reading that section to get a better picture of who ruined this community.
Elaine
Double what!!!
We charge students to park, but are now providing free living quarters to staff???? Can that possibly be true?
Damion, this is something you should see...
http://www.mtlsd.org/highschoolrenovation/stuff/CACReportRevised.12.14.09.pdf
I always favored the Lebo Plaza concept offered on page 20 of the pdf, but hey it didn't happened.
Studying that hallway photo- assuming the top one is the HS hallway- it looks like the wall on the right will be receiving lockers.
If that's true... That hallway is going to be even narrower than it appears in the photo.
Pack kids in their between classes, opening and closing lockers, socializing while doing so and this looks like on big bottle neck.
Check out page 3 of the CAC presentation. Bottle-necked and unclear internal circulation is the eighth issue listed.
Elaine
When Pooch got community input she didn't listen! Now she SAYS she wants community input and nobody cares.
its a hallway for godsake! All this bitchin will get you nowhere, its done!
Thats right 10:28, it is just a hallway. Keep repeating that every time your taxes go up.
Dirk Taylor mentioned concerns about traffic "pinch points" several times, but the board didn't care.
And for the record, the tax increase is ridiculous. What are we getting for the money? Compare our millage with USC - time to move!
Over Horsman is a million bucks hallway.
I was looking over the CAC presentation. The CAC recommended stacking the gyms for a smaller footprint. (And shorter hallways.) In Mt. Lebanon, there will be no stacking. No numbers, no gyms. The sign should say Building By TERC Investigations.
Elaine
You know 10:28 makes a very good point, and teaches a very important lesson. All this post-construction "bitchin" is getting us nowhere!
Lets keep that in mind when the SAB once to spend a couple of million dollars turfing athletic fields.
The time to say "its a field for godsake" is before the community signs on the dotted line-- not after.
After all Elaine could post pictures of the new gym vs the old gym... they're gyms for godsake. Anyone remember the movie "Hoosiers?"
Same for the classrooms. Bldg. B or the new Science wing, they're classrooms for godsakes. What counts is what your fill them with. Inspirational teachers (that should be paid well), quality lab equipment, great books and plenty of up-to-date learning tools.
So keep 10:28s comment in mind for future reference
So, when we get the next round of Superintendent tour photos from the new athletic wing -
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cdc13CU9Fc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
All together now-- "its just a gym!" With a great coach, involved parents the girls basketball team will still be champions if they want it bad enough.
11:33, Do you mean JERK Investigations?
The guy who put in that math program got a promotion and got out while the getting was good.
Now overpaid-whinny teachers are inviting you to get out so they can jack-up the price of their contract by a couple of million dollars (four Cooper pizzas).
I don't agree that you can call them over-paid whinney teachers.
Whinney teachers, yes!
Here's a question, these grieved teachers, did anyone twist their arm to take a full time position?
Had someone (union bosses?) not told them that they being cheated or under-compensated, would they have quit on their own accord?
Can you see the family dinner discussion... "you know honey, this school district that I worked so hard, and waited so long to get hired as a full time teacher... are using me... those summabitches!"
"Screw 'em... I'm going to take my talent and go work in a better, more appreciative district."
Yeah, that'll be the day that conversation will ever take place.
Instead of whining and suing us, maybe they should ask why the district needs two high-paid assistant superintendents, when historically we had only one. Especially when enrollments are down significantly.
Suing only reduces the district's coffers. Finding efficiencies opens up cash where it should be going.
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/productivity-and-costs-workers-do-more-for-less-in-first-quarter.html/?ref=YF
"Productivity and Costs: Workers Do More For Less In First Quarter"
Here's a tip for all those grieving, poorly treated, tenured, contract protected teachers.
Welcome to the real world! What are you going to do to make our school district more productive?
When they take their next strike, 10:57, which means never because this board, administration and the ohhh so busy-busy parents would wet their pants in fear and cave in to the union as they have since the mid 90's
When exactly did the teachers "sue us" 10:47? I believe they filed a "grievance" under the current contract.
Just curious....are you the same poster from 12:54 yesterday who is unable to correctly spell ridiculous?
The teacher settlement...another touchy topic.
I don't at all blame the teacher's union for filing the claim. They are owed what is owed to them under the terms of the contract. They legitimately got screwed out of some money. Does it suck for taxpayers? Yes, but if Klein/HR/Board/Counsel had done things right, we wouldn't have had a grievance in the first place.
They probably had a conversation like:
Klein/HR to Counsel: Can we get away with starting these teachers on the first step of the salary scale even when they have been replacement teachers for two years on the first step of the same salary scale?
Counsel: Yes, because that would result in me getting more billable hours down the road.
Think about how many times over the last five years we have had completely avoidable lawsuits but we have had to engage counsel. From parking spaces to permeable surfaces to teachers grievances, to special education...the list goes on. All of these issues were due to questionable legal advice.
I don't blame the teachers at all on this one and I do think they are genuinely overpaid when you include benefits. You have to pay them what the contract says. It's as simple as that. If you pay a teacher at Step 1 for two years when they are a "temporary" teacher and in year 3 you say, ok now you can start on step 1 now that you are a "regular" teacher, well, that there is a questionable practice. I'm surprised they aren't also arguing for tenure based on those two years.
Yes, you got me 1:27, it is a - "www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/G/Grievance.aspx
The legal definition of Grievance is A claim by a union or a unionized employee that a collective bargaining agreement has been breached." and not a lawsuit. It was more expedient to tap out "sue" on a tiny screen keyboard than grievance and I mistakenly assumed everyone would comprehend the reference.
But, to keep sticklers to detail like you happy, I will attempt to do better.
I have a question for you. My faux pas didn't cost anyone a dime though yes, it could mislead those not following the blog.
Could you explain why you don't jump all over Celli, PJDick or Nello when their errors or omissions cost substantial money in change orders that could be applied to educating our kids?
Mine cost nada, missing boiler water feeds in the bid drawings resulted in a $70,000 change order. How come you didn't point that out.
Oh yes... It was me and I can spell ridiculous. Auto correct and I aren't getting along well. So "sue" me.
1:58 good point.
Couple of questions. When you sign or join in a contract, do you not read it to see what he terms are and if all parties are upholding their obligations? Then do you wait 13 years to get issues resolved?
Second: Jan and company have been in this game long enough that they should have a grasp on teacher contract obligations. If not they're certainly not exceeding expectations! But somehow they manage to get paid like they do.
You know what 1:27, I'm not sure using "sue" was entirely improper. I'm not a linguist or lawyer but according to: http://i.word.com/idictionary/sue.
"transitive verb
1 obsolete : to make petition to or for 2 archaic : to pay court or suit to : woo 3 a : to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process ;specifically : to bring an action against b : to proceed with and follow up (a legal action) to proper termination"
Isn't a grievance bringing an action against the district for breaking a union contract or PA School Code of 1949. If I am misunderstanding the definition I apologize.
How many of you commenting on the teachers union grievance have read and comprehend the Positions of the parties? How many have read and comprehend the Opinion, etc. of the Arbitrator? How many of you have read and comprehend the very recent District filing in the Court of Common Pleas?
How many of you would be surprised to learn the often referred to potential financial settlement of an alleged $900,000 per year for some say up to 15 years has absolutely no basis in fact? It is way off the mark and grossly, grossly overstated.
Point is, far too many of you hip shooters and star gazers have no facts, but are all too quick to offer up your vacuous opinions. Why not take a deep breath, get off your duffs, do some real homework, assemble some real facts and then share them with us on this blog?
rEdiculous is, as rEdiculous does.
F. Gump
3:38 PM, I would love to know more about the grievance, but I am having no luck on the UJS Portal for Court of Common Pleas. Give me a hint on locating the docket recently filed by the District. Tom Peterson was quoted back in April 2012 as saying
the district could pay more than $800,000 every year for the teachers' salaries and accumulated sick days.Union urges upgrade in salary for substitute teachers in Mt. Lebanon schools
Elaine
3:38 many of us put information here that we've spent a great deal of time researching and we share it freely.
Where it's open to discussion, critique, debate or debunking, that is what the blog is about.
Why the Easter Egg hunt? Why don't you tell us? You apparently are way smarter than we hip shooters and star gazers. Educate us!
Apparently, our paid Solicitor is even having trouble understanding the Opinion of the Arbutrator and he's a legal pro. So, guess it is up to you Einstein to fill us in.
Sincerely, a hip shooting, star gazer
Thanks Elaine.
So 3:38 did Mr. Peterson make a "vacuous" statement in the Board meeting?
3:38, The $900,000 is not overstated; it is totally understated. The cost for two years of the current contract is in excess of $1,100,000, the cost of the remaining two years has not yet been revealed. However, if the grievance is upheld the costs will be ongoing because a very large number of teachers will be placed on a higher Salary Step and will end the Contract on a higher Salary Step. The higher Salary Step at the end of this contract will continue into the next contract and the one after that etc.
The cost of hiring a permanent substitute will be higher than hiring a well qualified college graduate, so those teachers who benefit from the higher step placement will put the current substitutes at a cost disadvantage when applying for a job with the District, and they are doing that in a tough job market.
Additionally this same grievance was settled by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Dr. Smartschan and the former union President. The terms of the Memorandum, the 2000 Contract, the 2004 Contract Extension, and the 2010 Contract are all the same and have been agreed to by the Union four times.
The expense involved would be above the 4.54% agreed to for the 2013-2014 contract year, and the 4.59% agreed to for the 2014-2015 contract.
Is it really too much for you, 3:38, to think teachers should set an example for students by living up to their agreed-upon word?
Tell us more, 6:18 PM, because you seem to have the facts in hand. Why, according to the District Solicitor, don't either the Association or the District understand the opinion and award of the Arbitrator, Michelle Miller-Kotula ? Doesn't the so-called award period cover only the current contract years, and not prior or subsequent years ?
10:55, Ask the solicitor and the Association or identify yourself and tell us what you know.
I wanted to take pause and think that there might be some kind of settlement...but why would the Union settle if they already won the ruling?
The $800,000 number was not thrown out by a "shoot-from-the-hip" blogger. It was a quote from a "real" newspaper which was said on the record by the person who is actually dealing with the grievance.
Is it possible that the award was less than the quoted number? Sure. But how they hell can anyone find out for sure?
Even if it is half that, you are still talking about a massive funding problem for years to come.
6:52 AM, i don't need them to identify themselves. Why do you?
7:03 AM, absolutely! It is still something that wasn't budgeted. Next year's taxes will be outta sight. We'll have the second bond, the grievance, Timmy's raise, the teachers' increases, and paying the fundraiser on top of more fees. God knows I tried, as well as 3,999 others tried to stop the bleeding. This is where I write my checks to Mt. Lebanon and get to say, "I told you so."
Elaine
Many recent college graduates from all but the top schools find themselves with huge student debts, high delinquencies, and low pay if they can find jobs. About half of recent graduates have jobs that don’t require a college education, and those who are unemployed or underemployed never catch up income wise with those who got well paying jobs initially. With stringent cost-cutting by American businesses, unnecessary employees of the boom days are no longer employed.
Students of financially strapped families who strained for an education degree, and have high student debts, may find Step one of the Mount Lebanon School District pay scales attractive, especially considering the steady pay increases and generous benefits that go with the job.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective July 1, 2010 includes:
A work year of 197.5 days, Eight hours four days a week, 7.5 hours on the fifth day. Only seven days per year will last 8 hours and 45 minutes
Eight hours of flex-time may be required without being paid compensatory time. Daily preparation time is defined in” minutes per week.”
Class size is constrained by Article 33 of the CBA.
Benefits include: 10-day sick or disability leave allowance per year for each contract teacher and full-time permanent substitute (Article 51)
All fringe benefits are continued for sick and disability leave
Leave for extended illness or disability
Three personal business days
Bereavement leave of 2-5 days
Childcare, with continuance of hospitalization, Dental, and Vision Care purchased through the district for qualifying contract teachers.
Jury Duty pay at full-time employee compensation
Sabbatical Leave
Family and Medical Leave Pay
Sick Leave Bank Benefit
Health Insurance premiums paid at up to 10% of District premium by 2014-2015 school year. – not to exceed $150 per month.
Paid Medical Exams if required by the District
$60,000 of District Paid Term Life Insurance
Dental Insurance Paid
Vision Insurance Paid
Retirement Benefits include:
Health Insurance District paid for 10 years after retirement
Guaranteed State Pension at age 55 with 25 years of service
Accumulated Sick Leave payment of up to $13,000 after retirement
Academic Study Reimbursement
Mileage Reimbursement for movement between buildings using personal car.
Grievance Procedure
No Discipline, reprimand, reduction in rank, or detrimental treatment without just cause.
Gee, what graduating student would not prefer this contract to:
No Job or underemployment
Outstanding student loans with no means of payment
Living at home with family
Threat of corporate cost-cutting
What family, who strained to pay college tuition would not want their child to have a competitive opportunity for employment in a district that frequently hires possibly less qualified permanent substitutes?
Few of you realize that PA teachers colleges graduate about 10,000 new teachers every year. However, only some 3,000 are hired by PA public and private schools. The remainder are not attracted by better offers in other states, yet the unions and school districts like MTLSD say there is a teachers shortage ! This lie is in an attempt to justify the outrageous salaries and benefits, including tenure, provided on the pretense that we must be "competitive".
9:02 write a letter to the Governor and tell him to stop delivering pizza to our state teachers colleges.
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