The haters will come out of the woodwork for this one. And I don't care.

The first responders are heroes in my book. Thank you, Mr. President and First Lady for coming to Pittsburgh and thanking them. They deserved it.

This is what USC is doing.UPDATED

We live in a school district where the superintendent laughed when he heard about swastikas drawn in Washington Elementary playground mulch. This is what Upper St. Clair is doing.

From: Upper St. Clair School District <tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us>
Date: Sun, Oct 28, 2018, 4:06 PM
Subject: USCSD: School counselors available
To: Upper St. Clair Families

Dear Upper St. Clair Families:

Our region, our nation, and the world are stunned by the horrific event that occurred Saturday morning at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. For our families that have been affected directly or indirectly, please know we are here for you.

As adults, it is challenging to find the right words in the face of such adversity. Imagine how difficult it can be for our children. Below please find several resources for talking with children about tragic events.

• Talking with Children about Tragic Events, The National Center for Grieving Children & Families
• Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events, American Academy of Pediatrics
• How to talk to children about difficult news, American Psychological Association

I hope these are helpful to you as we try to move forward together, while supporting our Jewish community and those who have been impacted by this senseless and unimaginable violence. Please know that our school counselors are here to help if your child shows any signs of distress.

Tomorrow and Tuesday are scheduled professional development days for district staff, with no school scheduled for students. However, school counselors will be in the buildings and available if your child needs them prior to returning to school on Wednesday. A full listing of the district’s school counselors, including contact information, is provided below. If you are unable to reach your child’s counselor directly, please contact the main office for assistance. 

We offer our deepest sympathy to those who have been affected by this tragic event. As always, our district staff will be there to support our students.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. John T. Rozzo
Superintendent of Schools

---

School Counselors

Baker Elementary
Kristin Rose: 412-833-1600, ext. 4010  |  krose@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Eisenhower Elementary
Amy Miller: 412-833-1600, ext. 8010  | amiller@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Streams Elementary
Leslie Smirniw: 412-833-1600, ext. 6010  |  lsmirniw@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Boyce Middle School
Amy Antonio, 5th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 5011  |  aantonio@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Tonia Autieri, 6th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 5010  |  tautieri@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Fort Couch Middle School
Jace Palmer, 8th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 3011  |  jpalmer@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Lauren Madia, 7th Grade Counselor:  412-833-1600, ext. 3010  |  lmadia@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Upper St. Clair High School 
(click here for counselor assignments)
Jennifer Kirk: 412-833-1600, ext. 2403  |  jkirk@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Jerry Malarkey: 412-833-1600, ext. 2401  |  jmalarkey@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Thomas Marquis:  412-833-1600, ext. 2406  |  tmarquis@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Gordon Mathews:  412-833-1600, ext. 2402  |  gmathews@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Kristin Pardini:  412-833-1600, ext. 2404  |  kpardini@uscsd.k12.pa.us
William Rullo:  412-833-1600, ext. 2400  |  brullo@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Update October 29, 2018 3:40 PM

In Response to the Tree of Life Shooting: Community Resources

Letter to Parents from Dr. Timothy Steinhauer

Susan Morgans and John Hayes, you disgust me.

Susan Morgans and John Hayes, you disgust me. In your article, New regulation expands the role of ‘public’ hunting for suburban deer 

Municipal spokeswoman Susan Morgans said the community kerfuffle has calmed since the deer-reduction policy was enacted, and deer numbers seem to be dropping in parts of Mt. Lebanon. There have been no hunting-related shooting incidents related to the program, she said.

"Community kerfuffle," Susan? You beat us into submission. We have given up. We filed Right To Knows. You cited us. You took us to court. We have shared photographs of hunting-related incidents. We have had protests. We were harassed for walking through parks. We have gone to court. We tried to use facts. We tried to be logical. We feared for our lives and you call it kerfuffle? Despicable.

John Hayes, you call yourself "Outdoors Editor." Please. Why don't you just admit that you are the mouthpiece for the PA Game Commission? You write:

The municipality won a court challenge that attempted to force its commissioners and controlled-hunt organizer to reveal the names of participating hunters and property owners.

For your information, what I was challenging was the right to know WHERE lethal weapons were being discharged, so that people like me with PTSD, could avoid those areas. But evidently, $7,000 later, we don't have that right. Parks remain open during hunting season as well as culling . And now, as you so gleefully like to bring up Mt. Lebanon every chance you can, the public will be shooting in our parks. Thanks, John. You are a real piece of work.

Deer blood and fur on Safe Walking Route

These photos were taken this morning around 8:00 AM. Lots of blood on Washington Road, heading north, just before the light at Castle Shannon Blvd. Definitely the result of bow killing. This is horrible on so many levels!

Deer blood and fur in library parking lot.

Close up of blood on sidewalk on Mellon’s safe walking route.

From opposite direction. Note that all this blood is within the school zone.

Deer blood and fur in library parking lot.

Blood on Washington Road—from the parking lot steps, dwindling down just before the traffic light at Castle Shannon Blvd.

Announcements currently on the School District website

MTLSD appeals PA Office of Open Records' Final Determination

On April 17, 2018, Josephine Posti submitted a Right To Know to the school district, asking for "all electronic communications, including text messages, between and among school directors between December 2017 and March 2018 regarding support for or against the District's capital campaign or its rebranded effort titled "Lebo Gives."

The District partially denied Josephine Posti's request, so Josephine appealed to the PA Office of Open Records.

On August 24, 2018, the OOR issued a Final Determination. Posti's appeal was denied in part and granted in part.

MTLSD wants the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas to reverse the OOR Final Determination for the following reason:

Electronic communications sent among less than a quorum of the District's school board members on their personal devices and accounts are not records of the District.

I wish I could download the document. Here is the link to the petition.
https://dcr.alleghenycounty.us/Civil/CaseSearchByCaseNumber.aspx?CasID=SA-18-000773

So cool, Mike!

If the name Mike Suley sounds familiar, it is because he spoke many times before the Mt. Lebanon commission concerning the "Newcomers Tax." Mike, a former Mt. Lebanon resident, was the former manager of Allegheny County's Office of Property Assessments and wrote letters to the editor about the unfair practice. But his impactful letter writing began as early as 1969, when he wrote to President Richard Nixon, then-U.S. Sens. Richard Schweiker and Hugh Scott, and Astronaut Neil Armstrong. Suley felt that the Apollo 11 crew should plant an American flag on the moon. Neil Armstrong agreed and the rest is history! 

Scott resident part of first Lunar Landing history

MLRC, how many do you have lined up?

Next year is an important year for electing school board directors. There are five seats (the majority) opening up in the next MLSD school board election. The only Republican (Al Frioni) on the school board was appointed, not elected. The Republicans, however, did vote for Elaine Cappucci, a Democrat whose ticket included two Republicans.

Mt. Lebanon Democrats have five, solid candidates lined up for next year's Primary. Already. Mt. Lebanon Republicans, how many do you have lined up? Do you have any? You might want to start thinking about that. No rush.

Meanwhile,
Predictions getting better for Lamb as House Democrats poised to make gains in PA

School Safety & Security Conversation-October 24

From: "Dr. Timothy Steinhauer" <noreply@mtlsd.net>
Date: October 17, 2018 at 4:25:39 PM EDT
To: Mt. Lebanon Parents
Subject: School Safety & Security Conversation-October 24

Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents,

I would like to invite you to a School Community Conversation on School Safety and Security on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. I will be joined by MLPD Chief Aaron Lauth to continue the conversation we began last spring. Since then, we have taken additional steps to improve safety and security in our schools.

The Mt. Lebanon School Board recently dedicated $1M to address additional infrastructure needs identified through MLPD’s Safety Audit of our schools. Those recommendations will be used as a guide to prioritize safety and security upgrades throughout the District. I will share an overview of those plans.

I will also share the District's multi-layered approach to support the mental health and well-being of our students. I know that supportive and caring schools where children feel emotionally connected are ultimately safer schools.

Evidence-based strategies that support safe and secure school environments combined with a clear focus on student mental health and well-being guides our work. As a critical partner in our efforts, I invite you to be part of this ongoing conversation on October 24. The event will be recorded and available for view on the District’s website and Channels 19/33.

Sincerely,


Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

No more 6% increases for Timmy

Last night, the school board unanimously approved a five year contract for Timmy.

Here is his new contract.
https://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/Contracts/District_Superintendent_Contract_101518.pdf

ARTICLE IV. COMPENSATION

 4.0 Salary. The Superintendent's salary shall be increased by 3% to $224,357 per annum commencing July 1, 2019. In the second year of the contract and each year thereafter the Superintendent's compensation, if adjusted, will be adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof. Salary shall be payable pursuant to the School District's standard payroll schedule and procedures including any required withholding. 

4.1 Fringe Benefits. In addition to the foregoing salary, the Superintendent shall receive all of the benefits, including postretirement benefits, set forth in Exhibit "A" hereto, which is made a part hereof. 

4.2 Salary Adjustments. Any adjustments in the Superintendent's salary during the term of this Contract shall be deemed an amendment to this Contract provided, however, that such adjustments shall not be construed as either creating a new contract between the School District and the Superintendent, or in any manner extending the anticipated termination date of this Contract. At no time shall the annual salary of the Superintendent be decreased during the term of this contract. Additional compensation or increase in the Superintendent's annual salary shall be determined by the Board pursuant to performance evaluations conducted each year. If the Board determines that the Superintendent has met the mutually agreed to performance criteria described in Section 3 above, 8 then the Superintendent's salary shall be increased by three (3%) percent effective as of the first day of the contract year following the year reviewed. 

In addition to any increase in base salary, the Board may, in its discretion, award additional compensation in the form of a bonus if it determines that such bonus is appropriate in light of all factors deemed relevant by the Board including the Superintendent's performance with regard to student academic performance, or other Board identified goals or focus areas.


For comparison: Current contract and Amendment to current contract

If only...

Referendum for County Children's Fund on ballot

Source: Allegheny County Children's Fund Initiative

Ballot Question

“Shall the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter be amended to establish the Allegheny County Children’s Fund, funded by Allegheny County levying and collecting an additional 0.25 mills, the equivalent of $25 on each $100,000 of assessed value, on all taxable real estate, beginning Jan. 1, 2019, and thereafter, to be used to improve the well-being of children through the provision of services throughout the county including early childhood learning, afterschool programs and nutritious meals?”

Test Emergency Alert Today at 2:18 PM

http://time.com/5400574/presidential-alert-donald-trump-fema/

Galleria Art Show

Petras to be next MLPD Deputy Chief of Police Operations Division

From Administrative Report No. 39:

I remember speaking with Paul Petras four years ago at the June 12, 2014 informational turf meeting that was held at Mellon Middle School. In an email from Susan Morgans to Andrew McNitt, Petras was assigned to the meeting. In case there was to be any shouting at the meeting, he was to escort them out of the building.

It is sad how Mt. Lebanon wastes the talents of our MLPD. Coleman McDonough was asked to patrol corn before becoming Police Superintendent of Allegheny County.

Duane Fisher was riding a bike issuing friendly warnings to jaywalkers before leaving to serve as police chief of Allegheny Township, and Petras was charged with ushering out shouting residents.