When is the focus going to be about education?

I started following the School District in late 2009, after my last child graduated from MTL. It seems as it has always been about construction. It was about turfing the high school stadium. "Staff spent almost two months establishing what our true school blue is," Jo Posti wrote in her Center Court post, "Go Blue!" In fact, read her post Board Approves Retaining Stadium Turf Consultant, and you will see names of folks who were brought back last night to speak about the new turf project.

After the color of the turf was carefully selected, then it was on to the high school renovation. Year after year, school board meetings were all about change orders, construction updates, pics of Timmy in his hard hat looking like Bob the Builder, shiny water fountains...

Here is a link to last night's school board meeting. Is it on TV yet? I can't seem to find it.



Last night's school board meeting was well attended by former school board presidents, band members and parents, sports parents and kids, all supporting the "Century of Excellence Capital Campaign." They heard that the turf at the stadium is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. They heard about turfing the Rockpile. They heard about turfing Mellon and Jefferson fields. Four turf projects that need to be repeated every eight years or so.

We all heard about $70,000 trophy cases in the past. Currently, Timmy tweets about cool t-shirts.

Timmy's Tweets about focus are comical. What was he waiting to see on August 30th? His following Tweet was about focus. Hilarious and tragic at the same time.

What has happened to our school district? Smaller classes? Gifted program? Special needs program?

It is all about construction.  How about bringing school board meetings back to education?

Tweets from our super Super

As we wait for the December pizza pics to show up on Dr. Steinhauer's blog, we can see a unique perspective of the construction, this time from the fifth floor.  I didn't want anyone to miss the tweets from our super Super. He also shared photos of two (one, two) concert programs and one concert. Throw in the picture of our new school board president and vice president, and now everyone is caught up from the November pizza lunch. Oh, so powerful! It is always inspiring to hear from the professionals. Dr. Steinhauer is in his element. Let's see...$157,000 a year...six photos per month...Yes, we are getting our money's worth.

While Dr. Steinhauer is documenting his attendance at extracurricular activities, Josephine Posti updated her Center Court blog with Math FAQs. Josephine provided a link to Lincoln Elementary School's math webpage. I thought it would nice to list the other elementary schools' math webpages.

Foster Elementary School
Hoover Elementary School
Howe Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
Markham Elementary School
Washington Elementary School

I have gotten emails and phone calls from some very frustrated parents concerning the math program. Is it getting better? Was Family Math Night helpful? Any advice from one parent to another?

Josephine Reflects on the State Budget

Over on Center Court blog, Josephine Posti writes:

An editorial that ran in the Post-Gazette on Tuesday that describes the frustrating closed-door state budget process that included "deals" ranging from new teacher evaluations to a Marcellus Shale drilling ban in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. 

The governor's plan links public school teacher performance reviews to student achievement. Is that a bad thing? Is she disappointed that public schools must be accountable?

I don't understand her drilling ban comment. Drillers are PA American Water's largest customers. If she starts railing against drilling, she'll be unemployed quickly.

Josephine continues.

In regards to the teacher evaluation language that was approved, this new evaluation process does not apply to charter schools, further expanding the gap between the accountability and transparency public schools must adhere to while using tax dollars to fund schools without financial or academic oversight by local elected officials or taxpayers.

Oops, there it is. Accountability and transparency that public schools must adhere to. Accountability and transparency. As opposed to the closed-door meetings Posti lobbied for with the commissioners, the stealthy accounting practices with the YSA, and the "let's make sure we don't have a quorum Steinhauer Panera coffee klatches which were revealed in a Right To Know about the feasibility study. The same woman who tells her constituents to file Right To Know requests and when we do, they require 30 day extensions for legal reviews?  I have to check my records to see how much longer I have to wait for my two outstanding RTK requests concerning YSA payments.

Speaking of the feasibility study, how much longer do we have to wait for the Feasibility Study results? Will everything be revealed during the single School Board meeting being held in July. The School Board will hold a combined discussion/regular voting meeting on July 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Middle School Library. This is a first. Last year, there were two meetings in July. I am anxious to hear about the feasibility study. I understand that one of PK's clients, Washington National Cathedral has this want ad. http://www.nationalcathedral.org/jobs/JOB-5MQTL-76001E.shtml Didn't it work out with Pursuant Ketchum? Everything is written in past tense. http://www.pursuant.com/?s=Washington++national+cathedral As of March, they had only raised $2 million of the $20 million they needed to fix the earthquake damage. http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/3/13/repairs-funds-are-slow-going-quake-damaged-nationa/ Did this group take over? http://www.oai-usa.com/our-clients/community Sure wish we had that $41,000 plus travel expenses. On that same note, I saw this article in Pittsburgh Business Times where the State disagrees with Cal U over their $6 million fund which was used for things like a feasibility study.  http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2012/07/state-of-pennsylvania-and-cal-u.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search

Someone sent me this link. Everything You Need to Know About Public School Spending in Less Than 2 1/2 Minutes I hope our school board directors take the time to view the video. Here is a screen capture from the video. Consider it a preview of coming attractions.

Is the School Board President accusing County of mismanaging property assessments?

Josephine Posti updated her blog the other day with this post, Property Appeal Information. Posti writes:

The Board did decide, however, to send representatives to all commercial and residential appeal hearings, so that the appeal results would only be based upon valid evidence.

Is Posti accusing the County of basing appeal decisions on "invalid" information? According to her, is the County incompetent? Does she know that evidence other than "VALID evidence" is being considered?

Posti takes a shot at the Commission:

We need to better understand the Municipality's position on helping to pay for the current practice that the District has been fully funding on its own for six years.

Josephine continues about Commissioner Fraasch's ward:

How would homeowners in the other wards feel if they knew that a large number of homeowners in one ward are appealing their assessments and the Municipality and District aren't sending representation? 

Sounds like she is pitting one ward against another. Class warfare? The majority of Commissioner Fraasch's ward falls in the range as identified on Blog-Lebo and in James Fraasch's letter to Judge Wettick here.

Finally, Josephine's parting words:

I'm looking forward to hearing more discussion from the Commission on this issue as well as the issue of whether they would like to re-implement their practice of appealing recently sold residential properties that sell for substantially higher than their last assessment.

Nice try, Josephine. In a Commission meeting, Dave Brumfield said that you were going after the under assessed properties next year. It is rumored that you have no intention of doing that.  Which is it, are you or aren't you?

All for online courses - say "Aye"

From Josephine Posti's Center Court blog, December 14, 2011

Lagging in Performance: Pennsylvania Online Schools
There's an interesting article in the New York Times this week about the performance of Pennsylvania's online charter schools along with a graphic of how they stack up individually and compared to public schools. The New York Times focused on K12 Inc., the largest online education provider and concluded, "a portrait emerges of a company that tries to squeeze profits from public school dollars by raising enrollment, increasing teacher workload and lowering standards."
Posted 14th December 2011

 

So what's on tonight's agenda for a vote? You guessed it- an agreement with an online school! 

 2. Development Agreement - The Development Agreement and Statement of Work between the Mt. Lebanon School District and the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) for the development of (2) on-line Advanced Placement Courses is proposed for approval by the Board. The superintendent recommends approval of this action.

"The List"

No, not THAT list.  This list. The list that Molly Born refers to in today's PG. Staff cuts possible in Mt. Lebanon schools

From Center Court Blog, the March Board Report.

...we have started in-depth discussions concerning next year’s budget. Last month we discussed the possibility of using some of our undesignated fund balance in addition to reductions and a small millage increase in order to close a budget gap of about $2 million for next year in addition to possible exposure from a grievance filed by MLEA for about $900,000. Those reductions could include cuts that may mean possible reductions in payment for supplies and services, paid extra duty assignments and positions vacated by retirees. As we discuss these possibilities, along with any use of reserves or increasing millage, we would like your feedback. Dr. Steinhauer has prepared information about the possible reductions being discussed and it's available here. The next budget meeting will take place at 7PM March 26 in the JMS library.

In addition to public meetings, we’ve scheduled a couple of community coffees during the next few weeks. These are opportunities for you to sit down with a small group of Board members in an informal setting, ask questions, share your concerns and enjoy some time together. The first two coffees will be Saturday, March 31 from 9-11AM at Coffee Tree on Washington Road and Wednesday, April 25 from 7-9AM at Orbis Caffe (formerly Aldo's). I’ll be at the March 31 coffee with Mr. Goldman and Mr. Ostergaard and Mrs. Cappucci will be at the April 25 coffee with Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Birks. No appointment is necessary and we hope to see you there.

Of course, none of this is found on the District website.  You have to go to the unofficial blog to get official information. (Why do we have Cissy Bowman again? I forget.)

Preparing for asbestos abatement?

The Feb. 10 CM Update on Monday on Posti's Center Court Blog includes:

This week, the contractor began cut and fill work, demolished the tennis courts and developed the site layout of caissons and utilities.  Next week, we anticipate installing a separation wall in the Gold Gym, preparing for asbestos abatement in the wrestling room, mobilizing the demolition contractor and continuing placement of site fencing.  If you have questions and can't make our meetings, PLEASE contact High School Principal Brian McFeeley for answers. He is the primary point of contact for questions, rumors and concerns related to the project and is doing a great job communicating with parents, students, neighbors and the Municipality about the construction schedule and associated changes to parking and traffic.

The EPA requires schools to appoint an asbestos management coordinator, called the "AHERA designated person" to be responsible for a number of asbestos-related activities, including the implementation of the plan for managing asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) in the school buildings and compliance with the federal asbestos regulations.

The School District is required to provide notification about asbestos activities to workers, students, parents, teachers, and short-term workers. To my knowledge, the District has not provided the required notice.  Our children are in class, folks. Or am I just being petty?

Update February 12, 2012 1:30 PM Here are a few more government links that have asbestos abatement information.
Asbestos in Schools
PA Department of Environmental Protection Asbestos Information

Can we disagree without being disagreeable?

I was blind copied on the email that went out to many Mt. Lebanon residents announcing a public forum that is also posted on the Center Court Blog.

In the media, on the playing field, in the halls of government and in our neighborhoods, conflict has increased and public dialogue is often hostile, causing many of us to wonder….can we disagree without being disagreeable?

I hope the School Board Directors attend the forum. If there is one thing that has divided our community, we all know that it is the high school renovation. The Concerned Citizens of Mt. Lebanon joined together trying to be heard, but ended up being bullied, accused of fear mongering, denied Right To Know information, sued, ignored, cut off at School Board meetings, being the target of Almanac letters written by School Board Directors, had unanswered emails and phone calls, and on and on.

One way to prevent people from being disagreeable is to be willing to have two way conversation.  I remember hearing one review team meeting podcast where dialogue was discouraged. Announce on the agenda that you will be discussing single vs. prime.  Print "THE LIST" well before the Architect's Update, not minutes before the meeting.  Perhaps sending "THE LIST" directly to the resident/architect/blogger requesting "THE LIST" would have been appropriate.

Even the School Board Members cannot disagree without the risk of being ostracized.  How sad.

There is a lot written about this topic. From Disagree Without Being Disagreeable:

It Starts At The Top
It is the leader's job to provide the vision for the group. A good executive must have a dream and the ability to get the company to support that dream. But it is not enough to merely have the dream. The leader must also provide the framework by which the people in the organization can help achieve the dream. This is called company culture.
When your company culture allows people to challenge ideas, suggestions, and plans, you create an organization of thinking, committed people capable of producing the kind of innovation and productivity required to succeed today. However, if your company culture does not allowed dissent, if people who suggest alternatives are castigated for not being "team players", you produce an environment of fear, stagnation, and antipathy. Not allowing appropriate dissent will kill your company [or school district].

 and

Foster a culture in your company where differing opinions are encouraged. Avoid the temptation to surround yourself with individuals who are so similar to you that they can't offer a different perspective. Don't surround yourself with people who are so afraid that they won't dissent. Reward creativity and original thought in your decision-making process. Hang on to those people who have mastered the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable. Maybe then you can avoid being blindsided by events.

 The Board can't say they were blindsided by the chain of events that have occurred.  They have been warned time and again.  The Posti Postulate is alive and well.

I started a new poll and hope that people vote.  It is a way to agree or disagree without being disagreeable.