So nobody on the Board could or would answer the question about Sloane's salary. This is your school board, Lebo. Congrats on getting the best and brightest.
As I am watching this whole thing go down, it looks like anyone who challenges the administrative portion of the campaign, is made out to be unappreciative of the donations, which is certainly not the case. Why is it that the spin always makes us out to be either crazy or bad guys? Elaine
Elaine, I just finished watching and first I think Preston McMurray should commended for his generous donation to the district and his enthusiasm for it is to be applauded.
I hope his prophesy of 2112's MTL's students and taxpayers appreciation of the campaign comes true. Unfortunately, if the recent history of its revenues vs. expenditures is any sign, that prophesy is going to be tough to reach.
One very minor point regarding Mr. McMurray's comments, I believe he was incorrect stating that this campaign is the first in PA for a school district. I believe that I read somewhere that Fox Chapel actually had one similar in place before us, though I don't believe that is even a first. At any rate it matters little if it's first or last.
Onto Paula Bonjourno's questions to the board, I really got confused listening to the exchange between her and Dr. Steinhauer. At first I thought Paula was asking for the board approval dates of the distribution of $900,000 (the "investment") INTO the fund. It then some how turned to a debate over the board's approvals of distributions FROM the fund. Did I miss something?
"Talk like a pirate," all except Birks who had to prove that she is looking at each line item.
Speaking of which in a roll call vote that includes several items in can one vote "aye" and make an exception on one individual item? It's either "aye" or "nay" according to the rules, not I'm OK with this item, not OK with that one and so forth. If Birks had an issue with any item she should have voted "nay" or asked to have the item deleted before the vote.
Tomorrow evening at Jefferson they are having a meeting to discuss fundraising efforts, not for the capital campaign, but for the MLFE. Which to me makes absolutely no sense. If the capital campaign is being billed as the latest and greatest thing to come along since sliced bread and they're still short $5.4 million of the $6 million goal, why are they focusing on the MLFE? Where are the massive fundraising efforts for the capital campaign? The past few years the amount of donations that have come in to the capital campaign is disgraceful...but I guess something is better than nothing. Selling Popsicle sticks and relying on some money to come in from the school libraries is not what I call a major fundraising campaign.
The reason that Sloane's salary is being questioned is that she was hired to oversee the campaign. So exactly what does she do for her salary if donations are dismal to say the least since she has come aboard in 2015? Emails were sent last week regarding her salary, no reply. You question them on the very same issue at a meeting and they tell you, "we'll get back to you on that" probably hoping that you go away.
2:40 PM, I just finished listening to the meeting and agree with you. Paula WAS asking for the date of the vote for the loan/investment/heist. There was no vote!!!!!!! The school district is a master at twisting things.
So I am asking very simply, "What is the date when the school board members voted to move $923,530.02 from the General Fund to the Capital Campaign? Elaine
Unfortunately, Dr. Steinhauer's and Birks' tapping dancing undermined Bonjourno's original question. It was pretty apparent Steinhauer had no dates or minutes on hand for when any disbursements TO the campaign were voted on and approved.
Speaking of not hearing back from, or getting stonewalled by, local government (and the District qualifies as one), Reason.com published this article a couple of hours ago:
It's too bad the local media does not dig into the Capital Campaign story, but the local media is a shell of its former self as I remember (and worked in) it in the 1970's. I dare say the quality has suffered as well. Also, local governments no longer "fear" the media as they once did. The adversarial relationship we had with governments back in the '70's has morphed into accepting their proclamations at face value, in a lot of cases anyway, and that's too bad. Free societies only exist when there is a free press willing to hold governments accountable.
Isn't it funny had citizens questions like Sloane's compensation or when an investment of over $900,000 was approved never get answered. It's not like they were out of the blue on a subject they weren't currently discussing. If I were the Super of a $100,000,000 business I sure as hell have a very good idea of when a 900,000 "investment" was made. Perhaps not the exact date, but at least in which quarter of what year. And if I didn't have the answer I'd defer to my Chief Financial Officer that should be able to pull it up on her laptop in minutes.
Thank you for your comment. I am (not) surprised that I haven't read anything in the local press about the Democratic candidate for ward 4 commissioner, Craig Grella, and his recent run-ins with the law. How is the public supposed to discover this news that, I think, is a deal-breaker for his election chances.
The real deal breaker for Grella for many people is his comment on his web site that we should be embarrassed for our riches. First, most Mt. Lebonites probably don't consider themselves rich and those that might surely aren't embarrassed by what they've acquired through hard work and prudent planning. Furthermore, I think that most if not all have the attitude that they don't need some democrat/socialist telling them they should give away their money.
Actually, 8:16am, a lot of MTL's riches are generational. The "hard work and prudent planning" argument holds up in probably less than half the cases in my view. You will actually find more "upwardly mobile" wealth, obtained through hard work and prudent planning, in more of the lower-middle classes that surround MTL to the north and west.
I'm not sure how it happened, but the conversation has switched from the school district million dollar heist to Craig Grella. Jason, as you know, we are miles apart on our opinions of Craig Grella. I would like to see a BtB on your findings of a lot of MTL's riches being generational.
So let's get back on topic and discuss how the school board is pissing away our "riches" from hard work and prudent planning. Elaine
One second Elaine please, before we jump back. Yes, Jason you may, maybe, have a point that many of MTL's riches are generation, but that doesn't negate the fact that someone somewhere along the lineage worked hard or was prudent in their financial planning to pass those riches along. Honestly, I hope to be able to do that for my kids and hope they continue by passing even more onto their children. I thought that was the American Dream? It's why the the tired, the poor, the dreamers to be free came here. Why they toiled long hours in the mills, the mines. Now we're supposed to be embarrassed about that? There's is no way I'm ever going to be embarrassed for my or the community's successes, sorry.
Basically, isn't that exactly what the school district is attempting to do, Jason, with Excellent in Education fund raiser? Asking the rich to pass their wealth down for the continuing funding of an "embarrassing rich" school district for future generations.
A job they're not doing so well if one looks closely at the financial records.
I'm curious how Jason reached his conclusion that more than half of Mt. Lebanon residents acquired their wealth through inheritance. Lots of rigorous research, I'm sure.
Basically isn't that exactly what the school district is attempting to do, Jason, with Century of Excellence fundraiser? Seems they are neither too embarrassed asking the rich to pass their wealth down for the continuing funding or for being an "embarrassingly rich" school district.
The district is so embarrassingly rich that they had almost a million dollars just lying around to be loaned out.
There are Pennsylvania school district's that struggle to provide their students with the basics like books or competent teachers and MTLSD whines that they need more money from a financially broke state government.
"Wealth" is not only financial, of course... capital is not only economic, it is social. Social capital would be using connections to, say, ensure that your relative gets the contract or gets the job. I believe we have seen that in MTL, especially if many of Elaine's stories of nepotism reported on this blog are true.
I never claimed rigorous research, however. I said "in my view" - which is based on a good deal of qualitative data and informal artifact analysis. And I didn't even charge you $50K for this non-rigorous research!
About $113,000 in annual household income puts a family in the Top 10% in the US. Roughly $350,000, puts your household in the elite Top 1%. Professors in Pittsburgh (Pitt, Duquesne, CMU) average about $130,000, which puts them well in the Top 10%. A household with two professors puts them darn close to the Top 3% and . . . . . in the eyes of many that makes them RICH!! Did they work hard and earn it or inherit it?
Now to get back on topic! One would think a school district that just spent over $109 million on a high school, just air conditioned 7 schools and is thinking about millions of dollars on turfing projects and also claimed it was in desperate need to raise taxes, wouldn't have $900,000+ laying around to invest in anything. Somehow they did and none of the directors seem to worried that the investment is losing money. 🤷🏼♀️
How is the Capital Campaign related or unrelated to the operations of the board and district? Is it a separate entity or just another committee under the current structure with a checking account?
Campaign Co-Chair Larry Lebowitz (Current Board Member)
Dale Cable Dione Cahillane Elaine Cappucci (former Board president, running for 2 seats in election) Katie Caste (Treasurer and running for School Board election) Beth Evans Robert Mallery Preston McMurry, Jr. (Major gift) Lisa Sullivan
District Representatives
Timothy Steinhauer Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
So nobody on the Board could or would answer the question about Sloane's salary.
ReplyDeleteThis is your school board, Lebo. Congrats on getting the best and brightest.
As I am watching this whole thing go down, it looks like anyone who challenges the administrative portion of the campaign, is made out to be unappreciative of the donations, which is certainly not the case. Why is it that the spin always makes us out to be either crazy or bad guys?
ReplyDeleteElaine
Elaine, I just finished watching and first I think Preston McMurray should commended for his generous donation to the district and his enthusiasm for it is to be applauded.
ReplyDeleteI hope his prophesy of 2112's MTL's students and taxpayers appreciation of the campaign comes true.
Unfortunately, if the recent history of its revenues vs. expenditures is any sign, that prophesy is going to be tough to reach.
One very minor point regarding Mr. McMurray's comments, I believe he was incorrect stating that this campaign is the first in PA for a school district. I believe that I read somewhere that Fox Chapel actually had one similar in place before us, though I don't believe that is even a first. At any rate it matters little if it's first or last.
Onto Paula Bonjourno's questions to the board, I really got confused listening to the exchange between her and Dr. Steinhauer. At first I thought Paula was asking for the board approval dates of the distribution of $900,000 (the "investment") INTO the fund. It then some how turned to a debate over the board's approvals of distributions FROM the fund. Did I miss something?
Watching the video, I see the board has their "talk like a pirate" down pat.
ReplyDeleteAye!
"Talk like a pirate," all except Birks who had to prove that she is looking at each line item.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which in a roll call vote that includes several items in can one vote "aye" and make an exception on one individual item?
It's either "aye" or "nay" according to the rules, not I'm OK with this item, not OK with that one and so forth.
If Birks had an issue with any item she should have voted "nay" or asked to have the item deleted before the vote.
Tomorrow evening at Jefferson they are having a meeting to discuss fundraising efforts, not for the capital campaign, but for the MLFE. Which to me makes absolutely no sense. If the capital campaign is being billed as the latest and greatest thing to come along since sliced bread and they're still short $5.4 million of the $6 million goal, why are they focusing on the MLFE? Where are the massive fundraising efforts for the capital campaign? The past few years the amount of donations that have come in to the capital campaign is disgraceful...but I guess something is better than nothing. Selling Popsicle sticks and relying on some money to come in from the school libraries is not what I call a major fundraising campaign.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that Sloane's salary is being questioned is that she was hired to oversee the campaign. So exactly what does she do for her salary if donations are dismal to say the least since she has come aboard in 2015? Emails were sent last week regarding her salary, no reply. You question them on the very same issue at a meeting and they tell you, "we'll get back to you on that" probably hoping that you go away.
Nick M.
2:40 PM, I just finished listening to the meeting and agree with you. Paula WAS asking for the date of the vote for the loan/investment/heist. There was no vote!!!!!!! The school district is a master at twisting things.
ReplyDeleteSo I am asking very simply, "What is the date when the school board members voted to move $923,530.02 from the General Fund to the Capital Campaign?
Elaine
A special shout out to Nick M. for mentioning my blog during the school board meeting. Thanks, Nick. :)
ReplyDeleteElaine
Unfortunately, Dr. Steinhauer's and Birks' tapping dancing undermined Bonjourno's original question.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty apparent Steinhauer had no dates or minutes on hand for when any disbursements TO the campaign were voted on and approved.
Speaking of not hearing back from, or getting stonewalled by, local government (and the District qualifies as one), Reason.com published this article a couple of hours ago:
ReplyDeleteFile a FOIA, Get Sued - Government agencies forget they work for the public.
It's too bad the local media does not dig into the Capital Campaign story, but the local media is a shell of its former self as I remember (and worked in) it in the 1970's. I dare say the quality has suffered as well. Also, local governments no longer "fear" the media as they once did. The adversarial relationship we had with governments back in the '70's has morphed into accepting their proclamations at face value, in a lot of cases anyway, and that's too bad. Free societies only exist when there is a free press willing to hold governments accountable.
Isn't it funny had citizens questions like Sloane's compensation or when an investment of over $900,000 was approved never get answered.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like they were out of the blue on a subject they weren't currently discussing. If I were the Super of a $100,000,000 business I sure as hell have a very good idea of when a 900,000 "investment" was made.
Perhaps not the exact date, but at least in which quarter of what year.
And if I didn't have the answer I'd defer to my Chief Financial Officer that should be able to pull it up on her laptop in minutes.
Mr. Gideon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I am (not) surprised that I haven't read anything in the local press about the Democratic candidate for ward 4 commissioner, Craig Grella, and his recent run-ins with the law. How is the public supposed to discover this news that, I think, is a deal-breaker for his election chances.
The real deal breaker for Grella for many people is his comment on his web site that we should be embarrassed for our riches.
ReplyDeleteFirst, most Mt. Lebonites probably don't consider themselves rich and those that might surely aren't embarrassed by what they've acquired through hard work and prudent planning.
Furthermore, I think that most if not all have the attitude that they don't need some democrat/socialist telling them they should give away their money.
Actually, 8:16am, a lot of MTL's riches are generational. The "hard work and prudent planning" argument holds up in probably less than half the cases in my view. You will actually find more "upwardly mobile" wealth, obtained through hard work and prudent planning, in more of the lower-middle classes that surround MTL to the north and west.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how it happened, but the conversation has switched from the school district million dollar heist to Craig Grella. Jason, as you know, we are miles apart on our opinions of Craig Grella. I would like to see a BtB on your findings of a lot of MTL's riches being generational.
ReplyDeleteSo let's get back on topic and discuss how the school board is pissing away our "riches" from hard work and prudent planning.
Elaine
One second Elaine please, before we jump back.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jason you may, maybe, have a point that many of MTL's riches are generation, but that doesn't negate the fact that someone somewhere along the lineage worked hard or was prudent in their financial planning to pass those riches along.
Honestly, I hope to be able to do that for my kids and hope they continue by passing even more onto their children. I thought that was the American Dream? It's why the the tired, the poor, the dreamers to be free came here. Why they toiled long hours in the mills, the mines.
Now we're supposed to be embarrassed about that?
There's is no way I'm ever going to be embarrassed for my or the community's successes, sorry.
Basically, isn't that exactly what the school district is attempting to do, Jason, with Excellent in Education fund raiser? Asking the rich to pass their wealth down for the continuing funding of an "embarrassing rich" school district for future generations.
A job they're not doing so well if one looks closely at the financial records.
I'm curious how Jason reached his conclusion that more than half of Mt. Lebanon residents acquired their wealth through inheritance. Lots of rigorous research, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteCorrection and revise @11 am
ReplyDeleteBasically isn't that exactly what the school district is attempting to do, Jason, with Century of Excellence fundraiser?
Seems they are neither too embarrassed asking the rich to pass their wealth down for the continuing funding or for being an "embarrassingly rich" school district.
The district is so embarrassingly rich that they had almost a million dollars just lying around to be loaned out.
There are Pennsylvania school district's that struggle to provide their students with the basics like books or competent teachers and MTLSD whines that they need more money from a financially broke state government.
Now that's really embarrassing!
"Wealth" is not only financial, of course... capital is not only economic, it is social. Social capital would be using connections to, say, ensure that your relative gets the contract or gets the job. I believe we have seen that in MTL, especially if many of Elaine's stories of nepotism reported on this blog are true.
ReplyDeleteI never claimed rigorous research, however. I said "in my view" - which is based on a good deal of qualitative data and informal artifact analysis. And I didn't even charge you $50K for this non-rigorous research!
About $113,000 in annual household income puts a family in the Top 10% in the US. Roughly $350,000, puts your household in the elite Top 1%. Professors in Pittsburgh (Pitt, Duquesne, CMU) average about $130,000, which puts them well in the Top 10%. A household with two professors puts them darn close to the Top 3% and . . . . . in the eyes of many that makes them RICH!! Did they work hard and earn it or inherit it?
ReplyDeleteNow to get back on topic!
ReplyDeleteOne would think a school district that just spent over $109 million on a high school, just air conditioned 7 schools and is thinking about millions of dollars on turfing projects and also claimed it was in desperate need to raise taxes, wouldn't have $900,000+ laying around to invest in anything.
Somehow they did and none of the directors seem to worried that the investment is losing money. 🤷🏼♀️
How is the Capital Campaign related or unrelated to the operations of the board and district? Is it a separate entity or just another committee under the current structure with a checking account?
ReplyDeleteCampaign Cabinet
ReplyDeleteJosephine Posti (former Board President)
Campaign Co-Chair
Larry Lebowitz (Current Board Member)
Dale Cable
Dione Cahillane
Elaine Cappucci (former Board president, running for 2 seats in election)
Katie Caste (Treasurer and running for School Board election)
Beth Evans
Robert Mallery
Preston McMurry, Jr. (Major gift)
Lisa Sullivan
District Representatives
Timothy Steinhauer Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Sloane Astorino
Director of Advancement
Cissy Bowman
Director of Communications