Contract for Chief Negotiator – The Board will consider the appointment of special counsel for contract negotiations.Is this for the Teachers' Contract?
The annual contract for FindWealth software is up for renewal. Are we still in the Quiet Phase? Or have we bailed from fundraising efforts? Did we see anything in the budget in regard to fundraising?
Renewal of Wealth Engine Agreement –This is a renewal of an annual contract with Wealth Engine for Mt. Lebanon School District to use FindWealth software for donor qualification purposes. The cost will be $3,300 for the year. The Superintendent recommends approval of this agreement.Also on the Agenda is the list of change orders for September:
The list of change orders for September totals $81,911 for the following contractors:
a. GC-105-244 to Nello for $74,210 for wall patching and fireworking, door revisions and concrete work,
b. EL-66-245 to Farfield for $4,501 for concrete pad removal and light replacement, and
c. ME-27-246 to McKamish for $3,200 for ductwork.
Come on a change order for removal of a concrete pad!
ReplyDeleteThey didn't know this pad existed in the bidding phase?
I wonder if item #4 list of unusable equipment/books includes the Michael Mann's and Al Gore's propaganda textbooks on global warming?
ReplyDeletehttp://m.townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2014/02/18/5-scientific-reasons-that-global-warming-isnt-happening-n1796423/page/full
"How did global warming discussions end up hinging on what's happening with polar bears, unverifiable predictions of what will happen in a hundred years, and whether people are "climate deniers" or "global warming cultists?" If this is a scientific topic, why aren't we spending more time discussing the science involved? Why aren't we talking about the evidence and the actual data involved? Why aren't we looking at the predictions that were made and seeing if they match up to the results? If this is such an open and shut case, why are so many people who care about science skeptical? Many Americans have long since thought that the best scientific evidence available suggested that man wasn't causing any sort of global warming. However, now, we can go even further and suggest that the planet isn't warming at all."
Why aren't our teachers, teaching good scientific investigation and analysis rather than liberal, progressive propaganda?
10:52 AM Because they themselves are mostly liberal, progressives, their unions (MLEA, PSEA, NEA) certainly are, as is the school board and PDE.
ReplyDeleteIt's all a grand, coordinated conspiracy perpetrated on us to the detriment of our children and grandchildren ! And our pocketbooks.
Yes, 11:47 these liberal, progressives other big agenda - breaking the glass ceiling, womens' equality, etc., etc. is another big joke.
ReplyDeleteWe saw what they did to a women - Marge Sable - that didn't embrace their agenda.
Drove her out of town and were willing to spend $500,000 of taxpayers' money to do it.
The constant change orders just confirm that in selling the high school project, the school board deceived the public. They should all be criminally charged for abusing their offices. Barking Birks, Pooch, Ed "Shave and a haircut" Kubit, Plagiarizing Posti, Larry the Loveable Loser, Oh Danny Boy, andthe rest of the gang that couldnt speak straight. Blatant corruption. I'm wondering if there is someone making a little extra scratch on the side from this project.
ReplyDeleteBlatant corruption is a pretty serious charge, 12:21.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that it appears fairly obvious that deception was employed to bring the renovation in under the referendum cap, how do we prove it?
And prove it we must if we are to call it blatant corruption.
Then once that is done, you have to find an authority willing to prosecute it.
Do you really think anyone is going to bite the hand that feeds them?
ReplyDeleteYou had me upset with the change orders...until the rash of seemingly random hate on the opposite ideaology...again.
ReplyDeleteEllen does a fine job at advertising truths in the community. The angry rabble that picks up the pitchforks spewing (seemingly random) hate at whoever opposes their views keeps many people away from here. If you have a problem with the "left" start a blog and complain there. This was about change orders, not global warming or gender equality.
If anything, I would at least hope you'd be happy with the idea that they are being a TINY bit fiscally responsible by trying to sell equipment and supplies that aren't being used?
And then there is the $400,000+ to improve cell service in the district------
ReplyDeleteDistrict Wide Distributing Antenna System Bid
The District opened bids on the District Wide Distributed Antenna System on August 27th. Three bids were received. The low bid was from Vision Technologies, Inc. of Glen Burnie, Maryland with a bid of $418,681.39.
After evaluating the bids and references, the Superintendant recommends the bid award to Vision Technologies, Inc. ....
According to Vision Technologies:
DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems), in-building
cellular refers to the technology that enables the distribution and rebroadcasting of cellular, PCS, LTE, AWS and other RF frequencies within a building.
Additional note to Superintendent, Superintendant is spelled with an "e"
According to Answers.com:
Q. What is the difference between Superintendent and Superintendant?
A. Unfortunately, there's no such word as superintendant, so I couldn't not describe it to you. But a superintendent is like a supervisor, someone higher than a normal person.
No one said they weren't happy that the district is being a "TINY bit fiscally responsible" 1:59.
ReplyDeleteThe comment on the global warming books was an inquiry about whether they were being responsible about teaching students to be inquisitive and looking at both sides of an issue. Something that was argued by two directors when the "global warming" textbooks were bought.
But apparent tiny fiscal responsibilty is your only concern, the big picture escapes you.
1:59 it's about providing the best education possible for each and every student.
ReplyDeleteThat includes change orders, textbooks, turf maintenance, and yes- agendas, liberal, progessive, conservative, religious, union, etc., etc.
I would direct you to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, 1:59.
ReplyDelete"Study raises red flags for the economy"
Google it and you should have access to the complete article. It reads in part: "Can the U.S. compete internationally? Its companies can. Its workers cannot."
A study by Harvard alumni examines where the nation thrives and where it falters in business. They suggest that business leaders see an uncompetive K-12 education system, a poor tax code and a broken political system.
If your only focus is on change orders and not on educational material spending and teaching programs, it is my opinion you are off track.
I, of course, could be wrong and isn't that the real purpose of this blog?
To share information, debate and arrive at some sort of solution to our community and school issues.
You see 1:59, when the global warming books were being purchased, two directors questioned if equal time would be given to the "other side" of the global warming debate. It wasn't about locking out Michael Mann or Al Gore, but rather about teaching students to question, to explore, to examine rather than just being a depository for someone's information.
1:59, There is no such thing as a TINY bit fiscally responsible in our schools.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/columbia-students-build-green-roof-elementary-school.html
ReplyDelete"
Starting Steps
Around 2009, the school’s Garden Committee, made up of parents and teachers, renovated three ground level areas around the school building. The largest, called the Interactive Classroom Garden and designed pro bono by horticulturalist Paige Keck, is now an outdoor classroom and play area for the youngest students. All the plants they grow are native species, including several types of blueberries.
The two other gardens are narrow and run the along the school’s walls. They provide a space for students to plant different species and see how they grow, and make the school grounds a considerably more pleasant place to spend time.
The food the children grow in their gardens is served in the cafeteria, as authorized by a program called “Garden to School Café" that encourages schools to connect the act of eating to the process of food production. (There are various regulations, such as bans on the use of pesticides.) PS 84 even has a salad bar that Sundick called “extremely popular;” it serves homemade salad dressing made with olive oil donated by the local Whole Foods store."
What does our district do... send home flyers promoting artificial turf!
How's that whole Michael Mann thing working out now that it's been debunked? Yeah. Really fiscally responsible. Let's not forget the nonsensical LEED "certification".
ReplyDeletehttp://triblive.com/mobile/6724100-96/library-update-greensburg
ReplyDelete"The Greensburg Salem High School library is getting an update, with new equipment and a new focus on science and technology education.
The school has received $25,000 in grants for the first phase of the project, $15,000 of which came from Alcoa. The remaining $10,000 came from Monsanto.
The money will be spent within the next few months on laptops, tablets, furniture and a 3-D printer to turn part of the library into a STEM design center.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
Wonder how many years it'll take MTLSD to get a 3D printer?
It was stated at the last MLSB meeting that the following change order, GC-105-244 to Nello for $74,210 for wall patching and fireworking, door revisions and concrete work, was actually $62,921.
ReplyDeleteThe contingency fund is, with the September figures included but not yet approved by the Board, down to approximately $493,222* from its original value of $4,276,000. With nine months left (officially) to go on this project the average CO monthly total cannot exceed $54,802.*
RG
------------
*Pending approvals. The August list of change orders isn't official until the Board votes to approve the Treasurer's Report for August at the business meeting this Monday (15 September 2014). The September list of change orders becomes official when the Treasurer's Report is voted on at the Board's October business meeting....etc. This is why Elaine's CO listing must sometimes be revised, because it's possible for a particular CO to be revised or moved to another account between the time it's announced at a construction update meeting and the vote to approve the Treasurer's Report.
I would imagine the change order figures you present Richard, DO NOT INCLUDE the items moved over to Capital Improvements like the auditorum sound system - $265,000, cafeteria tables and chairs - $82,000, auditorium stage curtains - $55,000.
ReplyDeleteYeah right, these are legitimate "improvements" because what dunderhead expected our kids to eat lunch on the floor or standing up!
Remember those glossy renderings of the cathedral-ceilinged cafeteria?
I don't remember any disclaimers attached to those renderings like the ones you often see in new car literature that state - "some features or accessories shown may be only available options."
Job Available to help create/foster a culture of philanthropy in Mt Lebanon School District.
ReplyDeletehttp://jobs.nonprofittalent.com/job/assistant-manager-of-capital-campaign/
Sorta bad news: Mt Lebo didn't make it into Newsweek's top 500 high schools for 2014.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-schools-2014
I thought this was a joke. It's not!
ReplyDelete"The Assistant Manager of Capital Campaign will work closely with the Director of Capital Campaign to raise $6 million in capital and endowment support as the first step toward creating the Mt. Lebanon School District’s culture of philanthropy. The Assistant Manager of Capital Campaign will serve as staff support for a volunteer campaign committee in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors. The Assistant Manager of Capital Campaign will also work with the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education as needed."
The District keeps buying fundraising software and now the campaign director has an assistant manager for the $6 million capital campaign. I would love to know ( or do I?) what the pay will be for this full time position.
Elaine
Darn! I missed the deadline of August 29. I would have been assisting the Director of Communications. She is so overworked as it is, since the PIO seems to do much of MTLSD communications and Timmy does all the Twittering and is the District photographer.
ReplyDeleteElaine
The contract negotiation don't need to begin until mid January 2015. Why hire an attorney to negotiate it now? EARLY CONTRACT!
ReplyDelete