No answers, but a nice pay increase

The Almanac has an article in this week, ML superintendent gets increase in pay. (Saved in Google Docs.)

Mt. Lebanon School Board voted 8-1 to grant superintendent Dr. Tim Steinhauer a 4 percent pay raise on Oct. 15, bringing the superintendent's 2012-2013 salary to $157,477.

Board vice-president Elaine Cappucci said, "Dr. Steinhauer sets the bar high and is always looking for continuous improvement."

She summarized the board's goals for the superintendent over the coming year, which include operating the district in a fiscally responsible manner, continuing to manage the district's high school renovation and advancing learning through technology. Cappucci also highlighted the superintendent's key role in the district's upcoming capital campaign, through which the board hopes to raise $6 million.

Yes, Dr. Steinhauer is always looking for continuous improvement. His thought provoking Post It Note in a previous thread, What is his sentence? inspired a resident to seek the answers to Tim's two questions twice in separate meetings. Dr. Steinhauer has yet to answer those questions.  Here is his latest response.

From: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net
Subject: Question
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:42:05 +0000

Dear Mr. Huston – Last night you seemed to be referencing a posting on the Superintendent’s blog (August 31, 2012). As I noted below the posting the idea came from author Daniel Pink. Below are links to a couple of videos posted on his blog that may give you more insight into this idea. If you want a more detailed understanding, I would suggest that you read one of his books – Drive and/or A Whole New Mind.

http://www.danpink.com/2011/01/whats-your-sentence-the-video

http://www.danpink.com/2010/03/9th-graders-ask-themselves-whats-my-sentence

Best wishes -

Timothy J. Steinhauer

Superintendent of Schools

Mt. Lebanon School District

7 Horsman Drive

Pittsburgh, PA 15228

412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

The Almanac article continues to summarize Dr. Steinhauer's goals, which have finally been posted on the District website. I don't see how Dr. Steinhauer is very deserving.

Here are Steinhauer's goals since he has been with Mt. Lebanon.
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012

Posti, by phone said that Steinhauer is currently managing the second largest construction project in Allegheny County. What a scary thought. What happened to Terrence Kushner? http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/a-newsmaker-you-should-know-educator-will-manage-logistics-of-high-school-project-292399/

http://www.mtlsd.org/district/HeadlineArticle.asp?HLP_ID=1342&HL_ID=866

http://jposti.blogspot.com/2011/03/owners-liaison-hired.html

Is this the reason why we are not hearing about  him anymore?
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/fans-back-upper-st-clair-principal-in-courtside-conduct-controversy-468455/?print=1
Did Joe put his foot down? Why aren't we seeing Timmy's USC buddy in any RTKs?

No answers, but he is very deserving.

Daniel H. Pink's views on charter schools and homeschooling

According to Daniel H. Pink, charter schools and homeschooling are shaking up "big schoolhouse." In his article, "I'm a Saboteur" Pink writes:

The new economy is awash in contradictions, but few are more troubling than this one: At the very moment that brainpower is more important than ever, education seems more backward than ever. We have a new economy but outdated schools.
Out of this disconnect has emerged a quiet grassroots rebellion aimed at reinventing both the form and the function of American education. Charter schools – publicly funded startup schools that operate mostly free of regulation – have boomed. In 1992, there was one charter school in the United States. Today, there are more than 2,000. The fastest-growing education movement is homeschooling. Today, roughly 1.5 million children learn at home. Just as Internet startups and free agents rattled big business, charter schools and homeschooling are shaking up "big schoolhouse."

I bet we have some school board directors fainting over this one. I wonder when the office memo requesting the removal of all Daniel H. Pink Post It notes will be issued.

What is his sentence?

If you go on Tim Steinhauer's blog, you will see a Post-It note with two questions.


For an explanation to this thought provoking post, watch this short video by Daniel H. Pink.
http://vimeo.com/8480171
Dr. Tim's post is timely. It is the start of the new school year. I checked to see if Dr. Steinhauer's new goals have been posted.  They have not.  Here are his goals for last year:

Superintendent Performance Goals 2011-2012

1. Reorganization – The Superintendent will implement the revised administrative organizational structure. 2. Strategic Plan – The Superintendent will direct and supervise the completion of the District’s Strategic plan. 3. Student Success and Achievement – The Superintendent will implement measures to improve student achievement. 4. High School Project – The Superintendent will move forward the District’s efforts to build/renovate the High School. 5. Fiscal Responsibility – The Superintendent will operate the District in a fiscally responsible manner and identify and implement cost saving strategies. 6. Future of Education – The Superintendent will explore, identify, and implement innovative and effective educational programs. 7. Connection to the Community – The Superintendent will be a visible participant in school, community, and regional activities and events. So what is Tim's sentence? Would it be: Dr. Steinhauer was able to eliminate the supervisors and promote them to Dean of Students or principals, and give them raises even though his goal was "implementing the revised administrative organizational structure." Dr. Steinhauer was known for getting raises while other superintendents accepted pay freezes. Dr. Steinhauer never met all of his goals. Dr. Steinhauer lied while under oath during the zoning hearing. Dr. Steinhauer was to "operate the District in a fiscally responsible manner and identify and implement cost saving strategies." That translates to Dr. Steinhauer cut programs, reduced staff, and gave twenty administrators raises. Dr. Steinhauer convinced the Policy Committee to give him more purchasing power. This is the time of year when the Board reviews the Superintendent's goals, evaluates his performance, discusses if he is worthy of a raise, and determines his goals for the new school year. Was Tim better today than yesterday? Does it really matter?