A Work in Progress

For the second time in a month, the Century of Excellence Presentation was promised, but was removed from the November 13, 2017 agenda. It appears that we have entered a new Quiet Phase.

On October 16, 2017, Nick Meduho had asked about the Jo Posti reset presentation. His questions were not answered, so Nick had fifteen open Right To Knows with the School District when he passed away. I had to refile them in my name, as I had explained in an earlier post. The RTKs, all related to the Century of Excellence Capital Campaign or the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) are starting to come in.

I'm not sure how to go about this, so these will be in no particular order. I will continue to update with RTKs as I receive them.

1. MLFE 990's 2013-2015
2. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: the most recent detailed statement by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait.
3. A comprehensive financial report for the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2017.
4. Copies of all invoices pertaining to the purchase of stadium blankets which are being sold to benefit the MLFE.
5. Payroll records for Sloane Astorino from when she began employment in 2015 to present.
6. An absolute complete/comprehensive and accurate income/expense report for the Century of Excellence Capital Campaign for dates January 1, 2012 thru October 15, 2017 which will include all the following; #1 All revenues itemized including but not limited to dates, amount and source of each transaction being as specific as possible, I understand that specific donor names must be redacted. #2 All expenditures itemized including but not limited to date, amount, payee and category of each transaction being as specific as possible. #3 All balance of money whether they be in a bank account, the Pittsburgh Foundation, etc. as of September 15, 2017. #4 All itemized transfers of money with specific dates and amounts transferred back to and from the school district general account for the capital campaign account.                    The District has located, with respect to the Capital Campaign Fund, documents setting forth “Revenue Accounts” and “Expenditure Accounts” for the 2012-2013 school year, the 2013-2014 school year, the 2014-2015 school year, the 2015-2016 school year, the 2016-2017 school year and the 2017-2018 school year as of November 3, 2017. In addition, the District had located a document entitled “Mt. Lebanon School District Fund 27 Capital Campaign.” These documents provide you with your requested information. 
7. The agreement between the Capital Campaign and the Pittsburgh Foundation that was approved on November 17, 2014.
8. "Any/all documents in the form of contracts, agreements, disclosure forms, terms, etc. that each donor was either made aware of, agreed to and/or signed either when they donated any money to the Century of Excellence Campaign or have pledged." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
9. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2012 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
10. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2013 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
11. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2014 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
12. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: The detailed statement for fiscal year 2015 by the Mt. Lebanon school board directors of any/all devises, bequests, grants, endowments, gifts, and donations, held and possessed by such school district (Mt. Lebanon), the proceeds thereof, the investments which have been made therewith, the income arising there from, the expenses of administration, and the purposes to which the income arising there from have been applied., Such statement shall be audited as hereinafter provided for the auditing of school finances." Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
13. "On November 8, 2017, the Mt. Lebanon School District (the “District") received your Public Records Request (“Request”), made pursuant to the Right to Know Law ("RTKL"), seeking: An absolute complete/comprehensive and accurate income/expense report for the MLFE for dates January 1, 2014 thru October 15, 2017 which will include all the following: 1) All revenues itemized including but not limited to dates, amount and source of each transaction being as specific as possible. Donor names to be omitted. 2) All expenditures itemized including but not limited to date, amount, payee and category of each transaction being as specific as possible. 3) All balance of money as of October 15, 2017."  Another thirty days, on top of what Nick had to wait. 
14. District treasurer's reports from June 2013-December 2013
District treasurer's reports June 2013
District treasurer's reports July 2013
District treasurer's reports August 2013
District treasurer's reports September 2013
District treasurer's reports October 2013
District treasurer's reports November 2013
District treasurer's reports December 2013
15. The last RTK was combined with Number 13.

Keep the information coming!

So much has come in today. I am not complaining. Keep it coming!

Through a Right To know, here are Astorino's engagement letters for her full time and now part time position as Director of Advancement for the upside down Century of Excellence Capital Campaign.

Even though Mt. Lebanon taxpayers are paying her salary for her job with the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education and her position with the capital campaign, we do not have access to anything related to the MLFE. It is a private not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.  We can't attend their meetings either. They are not subject to any Right To Knows either. Nothing shady there!

Scoop on Sloane

Sloane Astorino, the Director of Advancement for the "Century of Excellence Capital Campaign," is pulling in $85,305 in salary and $51,279.21 in benefits,  according to the Capital Campaign Financial Records. Fear not. Jan Klein, Director of Finance, said those numbers include Sloane's salary for her Executive Director's position with the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education.

According to the MLFE website, Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is an "independent, nonprofit organization(s) dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for children in their communities."

On to Guidestar for MLFE's 990s.

2011 990
2012 990
2013 990

That's it. So where are the most current ones? According to the IRS, they haven’t filed the 990-N postcard either.

Also, Jan Klein says that the loan to the Century of Excellence Capital Campaign isn't a "loan," but an "investment." I see it as a scam with the executive director being the sole benefactor.

The consumer flu that won't go away

"It seems like there is no effort to reduce the debt, reduce expenses, sacrifice a little... just increased taxes and incessant fundraisers in every direction -- pretzel sales, KONA ice trucks, the uptown taste fest, sports team shakedowns from the Blue Devils Club (6 months after the raffle you better pay us $25 for your unsold ticket) yada, yada. I feel like I am under constant pressure to buy something. It's like a consumer flu/plague that won't go away."

When this comment came through last night, I thought it deserved its own post. I don't know much about pretzel sales, ice trucks, or the Blue Devils Club. [Why am I thinking of this song as I type?]

But I do know about the Taste of Lebo: Battle of the Appetizers. Today, Mt. Lebanon Foundation of Education is hosting the first annual Taste of Lebo. 

From the School District website:

Local Lebo restaurants will be offering special appetizers for participants to enjoy as they stroll up and down Washington Road while listening to the best of our student music ensembles. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for Seniors Citizens and students. Throughout the afternoon, students in the 5th grade chorus, the Jefferson Middle School jazz ensemble, the elementary strings group, the double quartet, and a number of percussion ensembles will entertainment our savvy tasters. 

This event is sponsered by the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education. The foundation provides funding for extraordinary and innovative learning opportunites while expanding the boundaries of learning by supporting teacher-driven projects. Visit our site atwww.mtlsd.org/MLFE. 

To order tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-lebo-battle-of-the-appetizers-tickets-15528605477 

For more information, contact Alyssa DeLuca at adeluca@mtlsd.net or 412-325-8201.

I am curious about the "sports team shakedowns," if anyone has more information about that.

Mt. Lebanon School District Teams Up With Pittsburgh Foundation

First, we had the Feasibility Study with Pursuant Ketchum for the $30 million $15 million $6 million fundraising campaign.

Next, PK was hired as counsel for the $6 million capital and endowment campaign. (March 2013)

The School District Hired DeLuca as Capital Campaign Director and Executive Director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) with a $82,000 a year salary. (August 2013)

The Mt. Lebanon School Board unanimously approved Alyssa DeLuca as the Director of the Mt. Lebanon School District Capital Campaign and Executive Director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE). Ms. DeLuca will work with the Superintendent, MLFE Board Chair and campaign leadership to raise $6 million in capital and endowment funds. She will serve as the primary staff support for a volunteer campaign committee and the MLFE Board in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors. Ms. DeLuca will lead campaign logistics and prospect management activities while establishing a long term development program for the District. She is expected to join the District on August 30.

In addition, MTLSD has been buying fundraising software on more than one occasion. I would love to know how much has been spent so far toward fundraising efforts. If a reader could do that research for me, I would appreciate it.

The Trib's Matt Santoni has an article in today's paper announcing that the Mt. Lebanon School District is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Foundation. I am trying to get a link to his article and will share it here as soon as I can. Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh Foundation team

Last I heard, we were in the "Quiet Phase," the longest quiet phase in the history of fundraising. In the article, I understand that our super Super Timmy would not disclose how much has been raised so far.

Lebo Appoints Capital Campaign Director UPDATED 3X

Mt. Lebanon School Board Appoints Capital Campaign Director 
August 12, 2013

Alyssa DeLuca-New Capital Campaign Director and MLFE Executive Director

The Mt. Lebanon School Board unanimously approved Alyssa DeLuca as the Director of the Mt. Lebanon School District Capital Campaign and Executive Director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE). Ms. DeLuca will work with the Superintendent, MLFE Board Chair and campaign leadership to raise $6 million in capital and endowment funds. She will serve as the primary staff support for a volunteer campaign committee and the MLFE Board in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors. Ms. DeLuca will lead campaign logistics and prospect management activities while establishing a long term development program for the District. She is expected to join the District on August 30.

Ms. DeLuca has been the Director of Development at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Communications and Marketing Consultant for Deloitte Services LP and the Director of Development and Communications for Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. She is a graduate of Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

“We are very pleased to welcome Alyssa DeLuca to the District as our capital campaign director,” stated Superintendent Timothy Steinhauer. “She has a strong background in development and fundraising and will be a capable, enthusiastic leader for our capital campaign.”

Update August 13, 2013 3:19 PM According to last night's Personnel Report, Ms. Deluca will be paid $82,500 a year and will begin on Friday, August 30 (Labor Day weekend).

Update August 14, 2013 2:11 PM I added the link to the personnel report.

Update August 18, 2013 7:45 PM A Lebo Citizens reader submitted the following article, Stocks can't fix Pittsburgh's pension system fiscal woes, experts warn With Larry Lebowitz inquiring when they can borrow again, the board needs to keep this article in mind. Change it from the city to Mt Lebanon and the story could be the same.

I hope it isn't too late to apply

The School District posted the job description for Campaign Manager & Executive Director, Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) on April 12, 2013.  There is no posting deadline on the Job Postings page.  The complete job description is available here.

Jackie Foor is listed as the current executive director on the MLFE website. Next year's PTA Council President, Julie Daubner is the current director. Ms. Daubner is also Elaine Cappucci's sister[-in-law].

I see that travel is in the job description.  Does this position include travel expenses? If so, there are 23 Mt. Lebanon alumni in Hawaii.  In fact, there are Mt. Lebanon grads in 24 countries, in addition to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  Not a bad gig.

The REST of the story

Pennsylvania American Water announced two of twenty recipients, each receiving $2500 in special grants. Amazingly enough, Josephine Posti presented checks to Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania and Mt. Lebanon Foundation of Education (MLFE). Does MLFE sound familiar? It should. MLFE helped to fund Josephine's pet project, a feasibility study done by Pursuant Ketchum.  Did our water bills help to fund this? Here is the article from the Almanac.

Josephine Posti's Girl Scout Troop led the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent school board meeting.

Nice picture of Matt Smith with Josephine. Doesn't he realize there is a conflict of interest?  I know...

Who is the MLFE?

Since a reader was curious about the organizations that donated $20,000 towards the Pursuant Ketchum Feasibility Study, I have some information about one of the organizations, the Mt. Lebanon Foundation For Education. (MLFE)
MLFE's website, which is linked on the School District website, is located here. Their Form 990 is here. MLFE's mission is to raise money on behalf of the Mt. Lebanon School District for innovative educational programs for all students. I am not sure donating $10,000 to a feasibility study or showing $10,000 in salaries would be considered innovative educational programs, but for those who do, here is how you can be an Education Booster. For Giving Opportunities, visit http://www.mtlsd.org/mlfe/givingopportunities.asp

The donors for the feasibility study are...

Mt. Lebanon School District Announces Grant Awards for Capital Campaign Feasibility Study
April 25, 2012
The Mt. Lebanon School Board is pleased to announce that the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment (MLCE) and the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) have each generously awarded a $10,000 grant to the Mt. Lebanon School District to fund nearly half of the feasibility study the District is conducting for a possible capital campaign.  The Board retained the services of the consulting firm Pursuant Ketchum to conduct the study at a cost of $41,000.   The District is undertaking the study to assess the viability of a capital campaign to reduce the amount of the second bond required for the $109.7 million high school project currently under construction and to establish an endowment to sustain and grow academic and fine arts programs in the District. 
“We are humbled by the tremendous amount of support these gifts represent from the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment and the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education,” said Josephine Posti, President, Mt. Lebanon School Board.  “The success of a capital campaign depends not only on a comprehensive feasibility study but on the enthusiasm and expertise of these two key community partners.”  
The feasibility study will be conducted over the next several months and will include interviews with members of the Mt. Lebanon community and high school alumni to determine the factors for success.  A final report to the Board is expected by the end of August.
“The Board of Directors of Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education is pleased to support the school district’s capital campaign feasibility study,” said John Federico, President of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education. “We view the study as a necessary investment in preparing for a successful capital campaign to finance a portion for the renovation of Mt. Lebanon High School. We look forward to working with the administration and school board to inspire and encourage our neighbors in Mt. Lebanon and the alumni of the district to help us rejuvenate this valuable community asset.”
  “The Mt. Lebanon School District expressed the desire to conduct a successful capital campaign in order to reduce the tax burden associated with the high school renovation and benefit all residents of Mt. Lebanon,” said Joseph King, President of MLCE’s Board of Directors.  “At Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment, we strive to support the priorities of the community and its residents and support projects that will give current, past, and future residents a meaningful and long-lasting sense of pride in the distinctive qualities of this wonderful community.”   The MLCE grant is from the Mt. Lebanon Community Impact Fund. 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 About Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment
http://www.mtlebanonendowment.org/
Through contributions from individuals, families and organizations, Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment works to build a permanent fund to support programs and services for the Mt. Lebanon community and its residents, and preserve its unique character.   As an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, MLCE focuses upon three areas:
Families and Children—providing them with the help they need to be strong and functional, and supporting Youth to develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Senior Citizens—providing them with opportunities to employ their energy and creativity, and addressing their social and physical needs so that none lack access to services and activities of their choosing.
Community Life—sustaining and enhancing the amenities that make Mt. Lebanon a good place to live; supporting cultural, artistic, aesthetic and recreational programs and institution; and funding efforts that promote community and civility.
About the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education
www.mtlsd.org/mlfe
The mission of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education (MLFE) is to provide a permanent source of financial support to enable the Mt. Lebanon School District to expand and enhance learning opportunities for its students.  MLFE is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that raises money on behalf of the Mt. Lebanon School District for innovative educational programs for all students.
The MLFE was founded in 1999 to fulfill a goal of the school district’s strategic plan. Since that time, MLFE has raised thousands of dollars for extraordinary educational programs for all students in every grade and every school of the district. These projects span the entire curriculum and all 10 Mt. Lebanon Schools.  Every student has participated in at least one project started with MLFE’s support.
http://www.mtlsd.org/district/HeadlineArticle.asp?HLP_ID=1342&HL_ID=1158&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#1158

Letter to the Board

The following letter to the Mt. Lebanon School Board was sent by blog reader and write in school board candidate, Joe Wertheim.  It is being reprinted with his permission.

To: schoolboard <schoolboard@mtlsd.net>
Sent: Wed, Mar 21, 2012 7:12 pm
Subject: SNAFU

"K-12 education foundations like MLFE are independent, nonprofit organizations..." (MLFE website)

"Regardless of whether or not we get a green light for a campaign we will gain a wealth of information," said board president Jo Posti. "This would be valuable for the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education's annual fundraising efforts." (front page, The Almanac 3-21-12)

So you are willing to roll the dice with $41,000 because "regardless of whether or not we get a green light for a campaign" (highly unlikely) "this would be valuable for the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education" which is an independent, nonprofit organization, says board president Jo Posti.

You were not elected to benefit independent organizations! You were elected to represent the taxpayers of Mt. Lebanon. Of course, you have completely abandonedthe latter, so why would anyone think that you would have second thoughts about the former?

Just when it appears that this board could not be any more out of touch with reality you again prove us wrong. While USC is considering cutting classes and activities, and asking teachers for concessions, you continue to spend money like you actually have it.

Joe Wertheim

http://alleghenyinstitute.org/component/content/article/916-school-district-seeks-answers-.html

What will it take to make you understand reality?