It's heeere...

Timmy and company still get their raises every year. Some are lucky enough to get bonuses on top of their raises. We have a capital campaign director who is earning $82,500 and her second day on the job is a holiday. The median expected salary for a typical fundraising coordinator in the US is $60,440.
It is costing students more to park their cars, while administration and staff park for free. Students pay to cross busy Washington and Cochran Roads and walk greater distances through rain and snow. Parents seem to put up with it. Boy, am I glad my kids are done with Mt. Lebanon Schools. It doesn't seem right to me.

Pay to Participate for Athletics and Band Begins this Year 

The Mt. Lebanon School District is implementing a “pay to participate” program for grades 6-12 beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. There will be a “pay to participate” fee for those involved in middle school and high school athletics, marching band and its auxiliary programs, and high school intramurals. To register your child for these activities, please click on the links below. The links can be found under Fine Arts or Athletics at www.mtlsd.org.

Athletics Registration

Fine Arts Registration

The fee structure is:

• High School Athletics – An annual $40 flat fee allowing a student to participate in each and/or every sports season;
• High School Marching Band & Auxiliary Programs - An annual $40 flat fee allowing a student to participate in the marching band/auxiliary program(s);
• Middle School Athletics - An annual $20 flat fee allowing a student to participate in each and/or every sports season; and
• High School Intramurals - A $5/person/event fee to participate in the high school intramural program.

Fee payment can be made through an online system, “FamilyID”, with the link soon to be available on the Athletic Department and/or respective middle/high schools’ websites. Please be advised that students will not be eligible for participation until this requirement is met. If a family is experiencing economic hardship and is unable to pay the fee, this can be indicated in the online system for the administration to review. Also, the fee will be capped at $80/family; this cap, however, will not include participating in the high school intramural program.

As a general principle, fees will not be refunded for students who quit a team, program, or activity; minimally attend practices, events, or games; become ineligible for any reason; or issues related to playing time. Should a student be cut from the program prior to participation, have a severe illness, injury, or unexpected family situation arise during participation that makes further participation unlikely, discussion can occur with the respective building administrator asking for consideration of a refund.

Additionally, the online system, “FamilyID”, will permit each student to complete participation forms which will be available online beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, using an electronic signature feature. Physicals, which require a doctor’s signature, will continue to be submitted in paper form.

From 2005 - A Conflict of Interest?

 Paula Bongiorno, of Mt. Lebanon, told the school board that she believed Vice President Joseph Rodella is violating the just-adopted Board Member Code of Ethics policy because he also serves on the board of the municipality's Parents Athletic Council.

The ethics policy, adopted at Monday's board meeting, states that "board members should avoid any conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety." Bongiorno said that, because the athletic council raises money for sports groups, some of which come before the school board for support, Rodella's seat on the council is a conflict of interest.

Bongiorno cited the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club as benefiting from the athletic council and has been lobbying the school board to build a pool.

Rodella said he didn't believe his seats on the two boards presented a conflict, but that he would check with the State Ethics Commission and the other members of the school board. He said if either body suggests there is a conflict, he would give up his seat on the athletic council.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05230/555430.stm#ixzz1LrqxnWt5

Timely letter to the editor

Just as our federal and state governments are making cuts to needed medical and educational programs, our local school boards have to make budget cuts also. The only problem is that they complain about those cuts but haven't learned a lesson themselves.
Cutting math, science, language and music programs seem to be less important than athletics. Where are their priorities? The percentage of students who will be able to make a living in the sports world is so miniscule that to preserve high school athletics in a tight budget crisis is inexcusable in these times of belt tightening. If some sort of athletic activity (football, basketball, baseball) is thought to be so important, then let those who participate raise the funds needed. These are activities that are extra curricular with the accent on extra.
The majority of students benefit from classes that prepare them for real life not the dreams of becoming a superstar in the world of sports, where the percentage of becoming a professional is lower than the percentage of finding today's honest politician. It's a sad day for our communities and school districts when academics have to take a back seat to appease those who can't make the right choice when it is right in front of them.
Remember, these are the future leaders who will be making choices for you when you are in need of elder care. They'll probably toss you a football and tell you to go out and exercise. Oh, by the way, you want fries with that.
LOU WEBER
West Mifflin

http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/opinion/open-letters/26788-school-boards-are-making-the-wrong-cuts