Larry Lebowitz made no mention of any funds being transferred in his May 20, 2013 Revenue Generation report.
Revenue Generation – Mr. Lebowitz reported that candidates for the campaign manager position will be interviewed this week. A candidate will be presented to the Board for final approval in June.Larry Lebowitz made no mention of any funds transferred on May 31, 2013 in his June 17, 2013 Revenue Generation report.
Revenue Generation – Mr. Lebowitz reported that the search for a capital campaign manager continues.At that same June 17, 2013 meeting,
It was moved by Lebowitz and seconded by Birks that the Board approves, ratifies and accepts the following financial reports: (Copies of official minutes.)Approved by Birks, Cappucci, Cooper, Goldman, Kubit, Lebowitz, Ostergaard, Posti, and Remely.
a. Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2013,
Vote at the 26:25 time stamp here. Or on my Lebo Citizens website June 17, 2013 School Board Business Meeting
During comments from residents,
Commented that there is lack of trust of the Board from the community; Board is out of touch with the community
Questioned what happened to the budget reportAt the June 10, 2013 Discussion Meeting, Jan Klein explains the transfer of funds to be paid back in full to the General Fund here. Or on my Lebo Citizens website June 10, 2013 School Board Discussion Meeting No dollar amount was ever mentioned.
Update October 20, 2017 10:48 PM Mt. Lebanon schools fund to pay for mural, maker spaces, student group
Since Mary Birks refused to answer Nick Meduho's questions, he wrote to the school board's Capital Campaign liaison, Dr. Stephen Strotmeyer, looking to get some answers about the Capital Campaign.
From: Stephen Strotmeyer [mailto:sstrotmeyer@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2017 8:50 AM
To: Nicholas Meduho
Subject: Re: cc questions
Mr. Meduho,
My sincere apologies that the information you (and I) have requested is not being updated to the Century of Excellence reports online. My best estimates from the limited information we have been provided from the Campaign would be that after the disbursements the past 2 months was that the General Fund account balance was $418,000 minus $26,750 disbursed in Sept and another $98,800 disbursed this past Monday. So ballpark is $292,000. In this quarter, revenue was $33,320 and fundraising expenditures $27,352, plus the $35,000 disbursed. So that's a loss of $30,000. I hope this helps answer some of your questions. Thank you for your questions and concerns.
Cordially,
Stephen
*******
In an email to me, Nick makes some excellent points.
So what happens when the $292,000 runs out…then what?
Who pays the bills/administrative fees then?
Who pays the bills/administrative fees then?
*******
My guess is that the school board will just take from the General Fund again.
- Elaine
35 comments:
I wonder if there is any kind of return on that $923,520.02 loan/investment.
So far after three years there doesn’t seem to be anything in the financial statements that suggest there will be.
If that $923,520.02 has been deposited in a simple savings account at the bank at 1% interest they would have earned $9,235/year.
So no discussion, no public disclosure and no vote?
So let me get this straight, while the Board President is presenting (see link above) “The School District budget, to be acted on at this meeting, includes a 1.9% increase in real estate taxes over last year.” the district is depositing $923,520.02 in a fundraiser that eventually will be bleeding red ink!!!!!
Why do we taxpayers accept any of this, especially considering they’ve kept the financial records hidden and even now can’t seem to pull together an accurate statement.
Brought to you by...The Timmy Ticket!
Elaine
Funny how I can have podcasts available on my website from seven years ago, but the district removes everything before August of this year. My website and blog are at no expense to the taxpayers.
Elaine
Also interesting is how Analytics shows that "someone" from the district keeps checking my website and blog. The municipality continues to view both sites, as well.
I love how taxpayers are paying for these public servants to read both sites. Of course, none of them will admit to reading either.
Elaine
I'd like to highlight one point: Birks and Cappucci are the only people on the November ballot who both approved the capital campaign, continue to support it and create barriers to transparency. Caste didn't approve it, but she certainly wants to see it continue; I doubt she'd want to open the books to a real audit.
Not listed: Riemer, Strotmeyer and Diamond (and Beal and Olbrich).
Elections are important and a huge shift in power, transparency and accountability is possible on November 7th. Vote wisely.
Hold on, 10:42 AM. Remely is just as guilty.
Elaine
You're right. Not sure how I missed that. They're all complicit to one degree or another.
Just remember--if people from the school district and the municipality are reading this blog, if they are ever deposed as part of a criminal proceeding, they cannot claim they were unaware of the missteps and obfuscation going on. That would put them in legal trouble themselves. So save your analytics, Elaine.
I'm aware, 11:43 AM. I have used Analytics for seven years. The district and the municipality are my most loyal readers, except when I made the blog by invitation only. Rumor has it that productivity sky rocketed in Leboland. And you know what they say about rumors, right Mary? But I can prove all my claims.
Elaine
The authorities get my full cooperation whenever they have asked me. I have nothing to hide.
Elaine
If the district having nearly a million dollars just laying around that they can fritter away on an unprofitable fund raising campaign upset you, chomp on this for awhile.
“Times Must Be Tough on Horsman Drive”.... but how can they be if Financial Operations and Reserves are expected to remain stable according to Moody’s.
Actually better than stable! In fiscal 2016 General Fund Reserves were $10.1 Million. Moody’s projects General Fund Reserves to grow to $13.1 million in 2018.
If the future of school financing is so bleak that they’re panhandling, how can it be projected that Fund Reserves will grow by $2 million?
And why is the district poor-mouthing and begging for donations? Why are they bad-mouthing Harrisburg when state-aid grew by $3 million?
According to Moody’s - “For fiscal 2017, the district is approximately $5.4 million over its budgeted revenues of $93.9 million...”
“https://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/Budget/2017-18_Budget/MoodysFinal_Report_2017.pdf
Hey school board quit working so hard trying to find extravagances to throw money at .... like $20,000 murals, turfed fields, $70,000 trophy cases, and well-paid fundraising staff.
Probably thousands and thousands of students have graduate from MTLSD with a smaller than regulation natural grass practice field at the Rock Pile and it is pretty safe bet that thousands more will perform just as good athletically and academically well into the future if we return the Rock Pile to its old size and grass surface.
Boy, sure hopes this passes in Harrisburg.
“MANDATORY TRAINING FOR SCHOOL BOARDS
Newly elected or appointed school board members would have to undergo free training provided by the state Department of Education.
No such statewide requirement exists, though some school districts have developed local policies or allocated money for board member education programs.
The proposed statewide school director training program — based on a proposal by state Rep. Stan Saylor , R-York County — would start in the 2018-19 school year and apply to traditional school boards as well as charter schools.
Re-elected board members would have to undergo advanced training in their fifth year and again once every four years.” — Pgh Tribune Review
From the board’s liaison - “My best estimates from the limited information we have been provided from the Campaign...”.
Why isn’t Dr. Strotmeyer being provided with UNLIMITED information about the campaign.
It needs to be shut down now.
Why is Mrs. Cappucci permitted to politick during Comments? She made a plug for her running mate Mrs. Caste. The Forum for the Candidates may expose them to 20 or 30 voters but a school board meeting reaches 100's.
About Katie Caste.
In response to the Mt. Lebanon Council PTA “SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE”
http://www.mtlsd.org/page.cfm?p=563
Katie Caste offers: “As a committee chair of the Century for Excellence campaign, I have also dedicated my time to raise money and promote educational enhancements outside of the approved school budget. Collectively, the “Campaign” has raised $1.9 million, which has been used to establish and support Mt. Lebanon educational opportunities that otherwise would not be available because of our budget limitations.”
Hun????????
From the Financial Statement issued 9/31/17 it clearly states: “Total Revenue with pledges: $993,092.27”
That’s a long, long way from $1.9 million! Can we be sure she’s up to overseeing a school district with nearly a $100,000,000 Budget.
10:17 AM, because the meeting is run by a person who lacks in scruples. Actually, that defines the board majority and administration.
Remember how Riemer said that he was not receiving information relating to the latest turf projects, yet he is on the building committee with Remely? Strotmeyer, the Capital Campaign liaison, is going through the same thing. Meeting videos are being removed from the district website. Spread sheets change as frequently as the weather.
I hope that anyone who knows someone with a CCRB sign in their yard, please direct them to this blog. Please mention this blog in your conversations with neighbors and friends. The evidence is overwhelmingly against the Timmy Ticket. Corruption is at an all time high at 7 Horsman Drive.
Elaine
http://www.partnersstudentsuccess.com/about_us/mary
“Open lines of communication with all community members is essential in building connections to the district. We should continue to educate our entire community about the critical role they play in the success of public education. We cannot provide innovative and creative opportunities without the buy-in of our taxpayers.”
Open lines of communication...🤣... that’s rich, Mary, considering your responses to citizens’ questions at the last couple of SB meetings.
I forgot about the PTA Questionnaire, 10:24 AM. How about the crap that Mary Birks is spewing? http://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/PTA_Council/Candidate_responses/Mary_Birks_PTACouncilQuestiionnaire2017.pdf
"By listening to, and working with, our superintendent; through open, honest
communication between board colleagues; by hearing from constituents and
parent groups. There are also legislative issues that come up quickly from time to
time, so having a relationship with our elected officials is also critical."
Elaine Cappucci answers http://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/PTA_Council/Candidate_responses/Elaine_Cappucci_PTA_Questions1.pdf
"The more means the Board and its members have for communication, the better. Open public meetings
are a cornerstone of our governing process – and are the best way for constituents to voice their
concerns in person to the Board. It is also the time for constituents to hear exactly what Board
members feel about the items they will be acting on, and to see how Board members interact with one
another to come to good decisions. Televising the meetings is intended to help the Board reach a
broader audience. Official positions of the Board are communicated to constituents by the Board
president, as the president is the only member who can speak for the Board as a whole."
Dan Remely responses
http://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/PTA_Council/Candidate_responses/Dan_Remely_PTA_survey_response1.pdf
"A school board can communicate with constituent groups through a current
and updated website, open board meetings, and a responsive email program.
Specific announcements and budget information should also be available on the
website or through specific publications as necessary. Board members can meet
with community groups to discuss current issues, thoughts and concerns,
however, only the Board President can represent the Board."
Open board meetings, responsive email program, transparency, communication, open, honest communication between board colleagues...WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Elaine
They certainly aren’t the people that show up at the school board meetings.
While Katie Caste is patting herself on the back for raising a fictitious $1.9 million (really raised only $993,093.27), she fails to mention the Campaign spent 4 years and
$693,001.93 doing it.
All that work (plus some unaccounted district employee time) and years to make around $300,000.
Which brings up the question how did they disburse $333,574.48.
Even Katie Caste, a Campaign Committee Chairperson isn’t exactly sure how much money the fundraiser has actually generated! In her Partners For Success statement she declares the campaign has raised nearly $1 million. Elsewhere she said it raised $1.9 million.
“As a committee chair of the Century for Excellence campaign, I have committed my time to help raise money and promote educational enhancements outside of the approved school budget. Collectively, the Campaign has raised nearly $1 million which has been used to establish and support Mt. Lebanon educational opportunities that otherwise would not be available due to our budget limitations.”
http://www.partnersstudentsuccess.com/about_us/katie
I have long called MTL an oligarchy due to the unsavory comingling on an elite group of residents and the majority of the elected and paid government officials - typified by the deer culls and the turf field projects.
But yesterday I was introduced to a term - "kleptocracy." Look it up. Anyone think it applies?
Yes, my opinion it does if you used the plural.
kleptocracies. 1. a government or state in which those in power exploit national resources and steal; rule by a thief or thieves.
And after the Campaign goes belly up Elaine, you suggest they’ll just borrow more money from the General Fund.
You know where the General Fund gets its money from.
“““In Allegheny County, 35 of the 43 school districts requested and were approved for an exception in the past 10 years. The Mt. Lebanon School District was approved for $17 million in exceptions, the most of any school district in the county. It was followed by the North Allegheny and Pine-Richland school districts. All three are among the state’s 40 wealthiest school districts.
However, those districts also demonstrate the differences between how often the exceptions are actually used.
Even though Pine-Richland was approved to raise property taxes above inflation six times in nine years, it increased its property tax rate three times. Mt. Lebanon increased property taxes at least six times and requested a hike above inflation every year.”
Thank you very much... Birks, Cappucci, and Remely!
Since this video has been removed from the MTLSD website, more RTKs have been filed.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aq7yK_oWz4yC4nXTvWo7HI8LBF4p
Elaine
Watching that video, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard more BS slung in one place regarding a fundraiser.
Right off the bat, “building a sustainable future for the district.” Like the future for MTLSD isn’t sustainable without the fundraiser.
Moody’s doesn’t seem to have a problem with its future.
In fiscal 2016 General Fund Reserves were $10.1 Million. Moody’s projects General Fund Reserves to grow to $13.1 million in 2018.
According to Moody’s - “For fiscal 2017, the district is approximately $5.4 million over its budgeted revenues of $93.9 million...”
They say state aid grew by $3 million. Plus the district ALWAYS has the ability to raise taxes beyond the rate of inflation.
“https://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/Budget/2017-18_Budget/MoodysFinal_Report_2017.pdf
The Remely claims this fundraising has never been tried before by a district. Trouble is Fox Chapel has a similar effort that started before MTL.
Finally, Moorhead claims that every dollar raised takes the burden off taxpayers... BS! Over $923,000 of taxpayer money is keeping this train wreck afloat, Director!
Sorry to correct you, 10:44 AM. It was Greater Latrobe, not Fox Chapel. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9r_1biKte_bRGFDT084YjNDczg They were first.
Elaine
That’s OK, Elaine, I didn’t mean to suggest Fox Chapel was the first. Besides Greater Latrobe, I think there are a number of districts in PA and across the country that initiated fundraising campaigns with similar goals as MTL.
My biggest gripe is with Moorhead’s comment that every dollar raised reduces the burden on taxpayers.
If that is true Mr. Moorhead, get the taxpayers money ( what is it now $910,000+) out of the campaign and put it in a legitimate interest-earning account.
Let the fundraising campaign stand on its own two feet.
Dr. Steinhauer, your campaign isn’t the first by a long shot! Please try to be accurate when you’re speaking to the public.
http://www.wasd.k12.pa.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_440887/File/WABEC%20Capital%20Campaign.pdf
“ What is the organization?
The Waynesboro Area Business, Education, and Community (WABEC) Foundation seeks to establish and promote activities to build partnerships among schools, businesses, and the community-at-large in the Waynesboro area. Our goal is to increase community involvement in education for all students. In an era of significantly reduced state budget support, the WABEC Foundation was incor- porated to provide a means for donors to contribute resources to support student learning and achievement. The sole intent is to enhance student and community life in the Waynesboro Area School District.
When was it formed and why?
Waynesboro Area Business and Education Consortium Board voted on January 7, 1999 to become a Foundation and changed its name to the Waynesboro Area Business, Education, and Community Foundation. The Foundation held its first Board meeting on May 6, 1999. The Foundation is organized for charitable and educational purposes as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The WABEC philosophy is to support our students, school district, and the community and to continue to excel scholastically, culturally, and socially. The ultimate goal of the WABEC Foundation is to sustain ongoing educational youth programming and lay the groundwork for the future program funding to meet the needs of the 21st century.
• Encourage student achievement
• Promote the importance of graduating
• Encourage innovative classroom programs
• Support district and teacher efforts to deliver effective career education
• Provide a forum for educators and business leaders to share concerns and ideas
about education
• Develop public awareness of educational needs”
“Reasons for the Capital Campaign”
“We want to create well-rounded students who are intellectually and physically fit. A new track and synthetic turf field creates increased opportunities for students to participate in team sports and activities, build leadership skills and improve our physical education course offerings.”
If one visits the Waynesboro website you’ll find a rather large steering committee which is interesting compared to MTL’s rather closed group.
Also not that the brochure design is noted as Courtesy of a printing company. That suggest they did it as a donation again compared to ours that costs what $2,500 in design alone.
Hey here’s an idea, maybe our cheerleading municipal PIO employees could do the design work off the clock as a thank you to the community.
11:19...how are you going to get back $910,000 of taxpayer money when there's only a little more than $200,000 of taxpayer money left?
I do share your frustration with Mr. Moorhead's comment, surely his comment was based on spin and deception. Kind of like "fake news."
Nick M.
We taxpayers won’t be getting it back anytime soon, that’s for sure Nick.
That’s what makes Moorhead’s statement so rediculous.
Why is it that private citizens and private corporations are hit up for contributions, how about the municipal employees or the teachers union, the administrators and the coaches giving out of their hard-earned dollars— it’s for the kids and their wages are just as green as those in the private sectors.
The teachers union has millions of dollars to send to political campaigns to advance their agendas, maybe a few bucks towards kids education might be a good investment.
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