Congratulations to

Mike Riemer, school board president, and Sarah Olbrich, school board vice president! I think last year was one of the school board's best years in a very long time.

No drama this year. Remember the disgraceful comment session from residents last year? Glad it was peaceful this year.

Congrats to our school board! Did you ever think I would say that? 😉

YAY! 2nd page is included!

We're making some progress! The TWO page campaign financial report YTD ending 1/31/18 has been posted on the school district website here.

https://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/Century_of_Excllence/Capital_Campaign_Financial_Rpt_013118.pdf

Thank you, Mike Riemer! One less Right To Know to file every month.

Yes! Timmy has new goals! UPDATED 121417

Mike Riemer has been president for two weeks now and already, the board has set Timmy's goals for 2017-2018. This should have been done months and months ago under Mary Birks' administration. Timmy has been working with no goals even though he received a 5.5% increase effective July 1.

During his Board President's Report, Mike Riemer spoke from the heart and talked about respect and meeting decorum. He also brought up academic excellence and announced that the Superintendent's Goals for 2017-2018 were going to be posted on the District's website today. I think that Mike's report was one of the best I have ever heard. To see the meeting, please watch the meeting here.

Update December 12, 2017 10:58 PM It was during Mary Birks' last days in office when I emailed the school board about the November Century of Excellence Capital Campaign. I never got an answer as to when the November Financial Report was going to be posted. Not only did Mike get Timmy's goals on the website, I see that the November Financial Report for the Capital Campaign has been posted. It is available here.

Update December 14, 2017 10:23 AM This is what was posted on the District website during the December 11, 2017 school board meeting. Superintendent Goals 2016-2017 

Financea. Conduct Negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with our Clerical Union (Contract expires June 2017.)

During the meeting, Timmy had no idea what the Clerical Union Collective Bargaining Agreement start date or expiration date was when it was approved at the December 11, 2017 school board meeting. That is pathetic. He had these goals for almost a year and a half.

Republicans for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond

Statement from Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond concerning the Candidates Forum

From Facebook:

Friends of Mt. Lebanon Education

19 hrs · 

It is unfortunate, but Mike Riemer, Stephen Strotmeyer and Aviva Diamond will not be able to attend the candidate forum scheduled for October 26th. Earlier this month, when initially contacted through email by the PTA Council Secretary to schedule this event, we were told that there were three possible dates on which it may be held. When we received the emailed invitation from the League of Women Voters a few days later, we were only given one date and was told no alternate date was available.

As many of you know, Mr. Riemer serves in a leadership role with the Salvation Army. With the recovery efforts still taking place in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, their resources are stretched incredibly thin and, after serving in Texas for two weeks in September and October, Mr. Riemer is once again scheduled to be sent to other locations in the weeks to come. Unfortunately, on the date of this event, Mr. Riemer will be in New York working on distribution efforts related to the recovery in Puerto Rico. Drs. Strotmeyer and Diamond are similarly limited in that Dr. Strotmeyer has evening teaching commitments and Dr. Diamond a family commitment that both conflict with this event.

We believe that these events, when planned with care and input from all sides, play an important role and represent a wonderful opportunity for the community to engage with all of the candidates. However, in this instance, the short notice and the lack of alternatives provided prevents such a forum from going forward. We do not feel a forum consisting solely of members of one slate will serve the public good.

If you have questions about the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Education slate, we urge you to visit friendsofmtlebanoneducation.com, Facebook page or reach out to us directly via Facebook.

Most importantly, no matter which candidates you support, remember to vote on Tuesday, November 7th. If you do choose to support our slate of candidates, please vote for Mr. Riemer, Dr. Strotmeyer and Dr. Diamond for the four year terms and Mr. Riemer for the two year term.

Add it up

The yard signs for November's election are starting to pop up. In my opinion, the school board race is the most critical.

 

Consider who is asking for more transparency in the Post-Gazette's Debate continues over Mt. Lebanon schools' capital campaign. Mike Riemer and Stephen Strotmeyer

Who have been to known to make personal attacks, roll their eyes, and be disrespectful toward their colleagues and inquiring residents? Birks, Cappucci, and Remely

Who is under investigation with the PA Ethics Commission? Birks

Who had to resign because of the nepotism policy and for the hiring of her son, a Mt. Lebanon School District teacher? Cappucci

Who is running to replace herself on the school board? Cappucci

Who hired Timmy? Cappucci and Remely

Who was part of the team that negotiated the current Act 93 agreement for our District administrators (Jan Klein)?  Cappucci

Who is a Century of Excellence Capital Campaign chair who originally claimed that $1.5 million were raised, but then back peddled when we learned that the campaign had more expenditures than revenue and pledges combined. Her bio now claims that "the Campaign has raised nearly $1 million." Caste

Which candidates are endorsed by their political committees? Riemer, Strotmeyer, Diamond

Which incumbents were excluded from the Timmy Ticket? Mike Riemer and Stephen Strotmeyer

Whose yard sign is going in my yard?

Aaugh!!! UPDATED

I can't get on any sites for election results. I received a text that Bob Lee lost, but I haven't been able to confirm that.

I understand that Mary Birks is completely out. Mike Riemer finished first. So far, that's all I know.

Sorry that this post is in piecemeal.

Try this site for County results:
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Allegheny/68994/Web02/#/

It looks like Cappucci won the 2 year term on the R ballot, and Riemer won the 2 year term on the D ballot.

Total votes (adding both R & D)

Cappucci 2194

Riemer 2642

Diamond 2270

Strotmeyer 2423

Caste 2038

Remely 1588

DePlato was only on the R ballot with 328 votes.

On the Dem ballot for 4 years: 

Riemer 

Diamond

Strotmeyer

Cappucci

On the Rep ballot for 4 years:

Caste

Cappucci

Remely

Riemer

Here are the updated unofficial results. The County has to certify the absentee ballots in the next week or so.

I do know that Mt. Lebanon voted yes for the commissioners to raise taxes. Shaking my head.

Update May 17, 2017 5:04 PM The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission received additional information concerning my complaint against Elaine Cappucci this morning at 10:41.

Here is what you will see on Tuesday's ballot for school board

There are four open positions for a four year term and one open position for a two year term. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, you will see Mike Riemer, Stephen Strotmeyer, Aviva Diamond, and the Timmy ticket on the ballot. They all cross filed. Justin DePlato is only on the Republican ballot. Democrats will have to write in his name, if they wish to vote for him.

For the two year term, pick only one of those candidates. You will, most likely, be voting for one candidate twice for the Primary.

I hear the weather is going to be nice on Tuesday. Get out there and vote. Choose wisely. Please.

A first for me

Since the time we moved here in 1985, there has never been a political sign in my yard, except mine. I have never felt this strongly about a school board election E V E R.

For the first time, I placed a sign in my yard for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond.

It is going to be close. Every vote will count. If you need a yard sign for Riemer, Strotmeyer, and Diamond, and don't know where to get one, email me at EGillen476@aol.com. It would be especially fun for those who live on Sunset to display this yard sign.

This speaks volumes, Elaine and Mary.

Original publication date: 3/15/17 2:09 PM

Mt. Lebanon Democrats endorse School Board Directors

Last Wednesday, March 8, the Mt. Lebanon Democratic Committee endorsed the slate of Mike Riemer, Stephen Strotmeyer and Aviva Diamond for Mt. Lebanon School Directors.

We believe our candidates to be well educated, successful volunteers with a strong history of service to Mt. Lebanon, as well as, a desire to serve our District's students. This slate is composed of fresh thinkers who respect tradition, embrace accountability and innovation.

You can learn more about our endorsed candidates at

www.friendsofmtlebanoneducation.com

No need for a new photo

Meet the new president and vice president of the Mt. Lebanon School Board. No need for a new photograph.

Elaine Cappucci is president again with Larry Lebowitz serving again as vice-president. Dan Remely, Mary Birks, Mike Riemer, and Bill Moorhead were sworn in tonight. Dan never raised his right hand. Mike Riemer was the only one who used a Bible. Just some fun things to watch out for when watching the Reorganization meeting on TV.

Vote against bullying UPDATED

Election Day is November 5, 2013. There are four seats and four candidates running for School Board. Search for these names on Lebo Citizens and see if you agree with their philosophies.

Mary Birks (incumbent)
Dan Remely (incumbent)
Mike Riemer
Bill Moorhead

The incumbents raised student parking fees, charged activity fees, promised a renovation under $95 million, cut the budget to the bone, and then turned around and gave sizable increases to our superintendent, who presently makes more than the PA Superintendent of the Year, in addition to having zero experience as a superintendent prior to his contract with Mt. Lebanon.

The incumbents have voted yes on every issue, including change orders. The incumbents have taken it upon themselves to try and ratchet up sundry "zero tolerance" policies, with great fanfare to the public. Whether these policies (hazing, bullying, plagiarism, alcohol, drugs, etc.) were well-intentioned is of little concern; the fact is they sent strong signals to parents that the District wasn't going to allow certain behaviors.

Now along comes Mrs. Harouse who reads an article in "The Devil's Advocate" and takes umbridge at it. Whether the article is satire or not is a side-issue. She goes to the Board and lets 'em have it. The Board, in class Lebo fashion, circles the wagons and excuses the article on First Amendment grounds. Again, that's not the point. I think we all get it.

The point is that over the years, District officials have crowed about how they want to protect the children from harm - harm in all of its various forms - and now they have to deal with a parent that takes them seriously. However, given that various policies at the high school are routinely ignored or flouted, I am surprised that anyone takes the District seriously.

I had a record breaking week and want to thank all those who read, commented, and sent personal emails to me. Obviously, the Devil's Advocate article struck a chord. One of the over two hundred comments contained a list of bullying characteristics.

These are some overt and covert bullying behaviors that parents may experience when dealing with the administration. Each behavior may vary in its intensity, severity, duration, etc. Parents should not experience any of these behaviors when dealing the school district.  

Hostility
Dirty looks/gestures
Invasion of personal space
Curt tones of voice
Social exclusion/isolation
“Silent treatment”
Making light of bullying
Calling the parent “crazy”
Referring the parent to counselors
Harassment
Excessively critical
Repeated reminders of errors and mistakes
Intolerance
Impatience
Intimidation
False/exaggerated reports against the parent
Shouting/yelling/ swearing at the parent
Throwing objects
Failure to maintain hostile-free communication
Insulting or threatening phone messages/emails
Theft
Attempting to turn others against the parent
Unfair treatment
Gossip/rumor-mongering
Threats
Humiliation
Condescending
Deception/lying
Vindictive
Punishing
Hinting that the parent should move
Verbally attacking the parent in public/private
Excluding the parent/family from important meetings or activities
Withholding pertinent information from the parent
Blocking opportunities for engagement with the school
Unjust use of authority
Excessive monitoring
Unreasonable demands
Ignoring/undervaluing belittling the parent’s concerns
Defamation: false attacks against the parent’s reputation
Excessive teasing or cruelty
Questioning the parent’s competence
Excessive sarcasm
Destruction of property

Sounds like a typical school board meeting, doesn't it? I guess eye rolling would fall under "dirty looks/gestures." One person wrote, "Residents may want to carry a "Bully" sign to raise each time they observe one of these behaviors in the Commission or School Board meetings." Ask and you shall receive, my friend.

Stop the bullying sign
Stop the bullying bumper sticker

Unfortunately, the four candidates will still win. We know it. They know it. Have you seen any yard signs? No. Perhaps it is because three of them lost the best candidate on their slate. The fourth candidate only had State Rep signs.

I am still voting for Moe Howard, Curly Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard*, the Four Stooges. Don't sit home on Election Day. Get out and vote. Let the school board members know that you are saying, "No to bullying."

*Last names added for voting purposes. ;)

Update October 27, 2013 7:45 PM Mt. Lebanon boy gets suspended for class assignment.

"Thank you for your interest in our community schools."

Even though these comments were submitted under another post, I believe they deserve their own space on this blog. The following comments were submitted by Richard Gideon under Primary and Special Election News UPDATED:

Blog Readers:
In regards to the question of whether I asked the other candidates the same 14 questions I posed to Mr. Hill, the answer is that I sent the questions to Mr. Riemer recently and received the following reply:

"Council PTA has compiled a list of questions for the school board candidates. Please visit the website and review the responses.

Thank you for your interest in our community schools."

Replies from Mr. Moorehead are still pending. I did not ask these questions of Ms. Birks or Mr. Remely, as their positions are well known.

Although Mr. Hill answered only four of my 14 questions for reasons that he has delineated in an earlier post in this thread, I give him high marks for being willing to address the remaining questions in a face-to-face meeting (I forgot to ask him if he has Skype! - that would solve the face-to-face issue).

Addendum:
The list of PTA questions and candidates' responses referenced by Mr. Riemer may be found here: http://www.mtlsd.org/district/districtpta/schoolboardcandidatesqanda.asp

How disappointing.  Mike Riemer will be a perfect fit on the school board. Don't answer our questions. Instead, give the Cappucci response.  "Check the district website for answers." Nice.

OK, so I read the responses to the PTA's questions in the link provided by Richard Gideon. What a joke. Mary Birks forgot to include how she rolls her eyes at Scott Goldman whenever he expresses his opinion.  Riemer thinks we have a very lean budget already. It is not clear to me what he means by reviewing the drug and alcohol policy. Does he want to change that? The PTA question was, "Do you have any specific changes you want to make to school district policies..."

So who are the officers on PTA Council?   


2012-2013 Officers

President
Sheryl Cohen
skccreations@aol.com

1st Vice President
Julie Maselko
themaselkos@gmail.com

2nd Vice President
Sara Dougherty
tjdsjd@verizon.net

3rd Vice President/Superintendent
Dr. Timothy Steinhauer
tsteinhauer@mtlsd.net

Treasurer
Jennie Bhojwani
jenniebhoj@hotmail.com

Recording Secretary
Teresa Saxton
4saxtons@comcast.net

Corresponding Secretary
Julie Daubner
geo.mom@verizon.net

Historian
Hannah Vaughn
hvaughan@mac.com


2013-2014 Elected Officers

President
Julie Daubner
geo.mom@verizon.net

1st Vice President
Sara Dougherty
tjdsjd@verizon.net

2nd Vice President
Julie Maselko
themaselkos@gmail.com

3rd Vice President/Superintendent
Dr. Timothy Steinhauer
tsteinhauer@mtlsd.net

Treasurer
Jennie Bhojwani
jenniebhoj@hotmail.com

Recording Secretary
Teresa Saxton
4saxtons@comcast.net

Corresponding Secretary
Julie Smith
juliejsmith23@hotmail.com

Historian
Hannah Vaughn
hvaughan@mac.com


Just an FYI, President Sheryl Cohen was Josephine Posti's campaign treasurer when Jo ran with Rob Gardner. President Elect Julie Daubner is Elaine Cappucci's sister. Ms. Daubner went from 2012-13 Corresponding Secretary to 2013-14 President.  Interesting.