They are insatiable.

On the Sports Advisory Board Agenda for tomorrow:

Entire Feasibility Study posted - hopefully MTLSD got it right this time! UPDATED 092017

The entire feasibility study has now been posted.

http://www.mtlsd.org/uploaded/District/Century_of_Excllence/Pursuant_Ketchum_Feasibility_Study_0812.pdf

Updated September 20, 2017 12:02 PM The podcast to the Sept. 17, 2012 meeting for the Special Pursuant Ketchum Feasibility Study Report is available here.

Good catch!

The following email was sent to the school board directors this evening.

From: Nicholas Meduho Jr

To: Bill Cooper ; Bill Moorhead ; Dan Remely ; Hugh Beal ; Larry Lebowitz ; Mary Birks ; Mike Riemer ; Sarah Olbrich ; Stephen Strotmeyer 

Cc: Tim Steinhauer 

Date: Sun, Sep 17, 2017 8:09 pm

Subject: feasibility study 

For as much as I appreciate the Pursuant Ketchum feasibility study (saved in Google Docs) being posted online for the public to view, there seems to be quite a few pages missing.

It appears that only odd number pages were supplied, quite a few of the recommendation steps are missing and there are references to information that is not being shown.

Can we please get the entire feasibility study posted?

Thank you,

Nicholas Meduho
Mt. Lebanon, PA


Subsequent email:

I wanted to mention too, some of the appendices are missing as well.

Thanks again.

"Let the sunshine in." UPDATED 2X

Well, what do you know. The Capital Campaign website has been updated with the Feasibility Study, a fund breakdown 08-31-17, and a gift update. The brochure is gone.

Thank you to all who requested this during Monday's meeting.

Update September 13, 2017 5:54 PM Why did it take FIVE years for the Feasibility Study to show up? This should be called The Million Dollar Cover Up!

Feasibility Study
This study was conducted by Pursuant Ketchum to assess the feasibility of a capital fundraising campaign by the Mt. Lebanon School District. The study was conducted in May and June of 2012.
A Special Study and Report on the Fundraising Potential of the Mt. Lebanon School District.

Update September 13, 2017 6:45 PM How things changed drastically since Monday's meeting.

Capital Campaign Financial Report for 7-17 Loan from General Fund $910,930.02

Capital Campaign Financial Report for 8-17 Reserve from General Fund $910,930.02

Where is the paper trail? The school board directors never approved the loan or the "reserve." Finance Director Jan Klein calls this an investment, not a loan!

There was no paper trail as to why Andrew Cappucci's job posting was "altered" nine months after he was hired either. There is never a paper trail.

Mary Birks is under investigation with the PA Ethics Commission for a conflict of interest.

Elaine Cappucci is on the Capital Campaign and is running to replace herself on the school board.

Dan Remely fired off a personal attack toward Mike Riemer. Mike was asking too many questions on Monday night. Both are running for re-election.

Katie Caste is on the Capital Campaign and just changed her "About Me" reference to the Capital Campaign to now say "Nearly a million dollars has been raised." The claim originally was $1.2 million dollars has been raised. Katie Caste is running for school board on the Timmy Ticket with Mary Birks, Elaine Cappucci, and Dan Remely.

School Board meeting update

I have not had time to listen to the podcasts which I uploaded on www.lebocitizens.com, but I did get a quick recap of the meeting.

Construction update included a visit from Tom Celli. Scott Goldman questioned Tom Berkabile about the contingency fund and how it seems like we will run out of money.

During the school board meeting, Ms. Deluca requested that we spend $30,000 and hire a firm to reduce the large list of alumni (2,500?) to the top 100 contacts. Wasn't PK supposed to do that with the feasibility study? I would be willing to do that for $25,000.  In listening to the meeting, at 23:20 Timmy requests to hire Richard A Kettle (sp?), a "freelance prospect research professional," at $30/hour not to exceed $6,000.

A resident asked why the railing in the pool spectator area has not been fixed. I believe that was reported last October. He never got a response from the school board.

SOS

Monday's school board meeting agenda has been posted. Same old... "Typical for this time of year."

Oct. 8, 2012 School Board Discussion Meeting agenda


The shell game continues.

Ratification of June 30, 2012 List of Budgetary Transfers – The list of budgetary transfers to close the books on June 30, 2012 is required by law. It is a lengthy list totaling $2,435,420 and reflects transfers from and to budgetary accounts which have or need additional funding. Last year the list totaled $1,685,433. The superintendent recommends approval of this list.

Audit Report for Year Ending June 30, 2012 – Annually, the independent audit firm, Maher Duessel, CPAs, completes a financial audit of the District financial records. A draft of the audit report will be presented and reviewed by Amy Lewis, CPA and Dave Duessel, CPA. The final audit report will be complete for Board action at the October 15, 2012 meeting. The superintendent recommends approval and acceptance of the report.

More change orders, of course.

Change Orders for High School Project – This month there are a number of change orders for the Board to consider.

a. #PL-02-11 for $2,189 to Vrabel Plumbing for temporary water to B building for asbestos abatement when water lines were offline during construction.

b. #PL-03-12 for ($19,776) to Vrabel Plumbing to credit the District for reusing rain conductors rather than replacing them since the current ones are in good condition.

c. #AB-01-13 for $12,828 to Precision for Asbestos abatement to an unforeseen area hidden in the wall in a shaft. 

d. #FP-01-14 for $3,593 to Simplex Grinnell for temporary work required for Fire Department regulations to keep building B open while we are occupied during phasing.

e. #IN-01-02 for $5,866 to Farfield Electric for the balance of the cost of the temporary generators as part of the large insurance claim. This will be covered by insurance and will be a deduct change order once the final accounting for the claim is complete.

The total cost of all these change orders is $4,700. These have been reviewed by the architect, construction manager, Rick Marciniak and Jan Klein. The superintendent recommends them for approval.

I hope they did the math correctly this time.

And finally, for discussion:

1. Feasibility Study – The Board will discuss the Feasibility Study that was presented by Pursuant Ketchum.

2. Strategic Plan – The Board will hear a presentation regarding the District’s Strategic Planning efforts.

Obviously, the Board will be sharing all the topics that were discussed at their three coffees. The feasibility study has been a hot topic here. "Direct and supervise the completion of the District’s Strategic plan", Tim Steinhauer's Number Two goal, was delegated to a facilitator and committee.  Our tax dollars at work.

PK has quite a racket going

Greater Latrobe School District had hired Pursuant Ketchum in 2011 to do a feasibility study to raise $15 million.  Sound familiar?

Through a Right To Know (I didn't realize this could be done), the results and contract follow.
Greater Latrobe Fundraising Study
Of Counsel Philanthropy

What I find interesting is how thorough PK was with Greater Latrobe. The first link is 42 pages. Either our school board is holding back or PK didn't put as much effort into our study as they had with Greater Latrobe. The second link is the 8 page consulting agreement.  I guess this is what we are in for...

Spin Class 101

The Feasibility Study Presentation has been pitched. The results are in, but what were we studying? There seems to be some confusion as to the purpose of the Feasibility Study. Was the purpose to determine the amount of money we could successfully raise? Or was it a feasibility study on whether or not a capital campaign could raise $30 million?

I found some links which may shed some light on the matter.  

March 15, 2012 Mt. Lebanon School District considering funding study 

Pursuant Ketchum first must determine if the district can create a "compelling case" for people to give. The district is discussing donations to reduce the amount it must borrow to complete the $109 million project.
The board would need to hire at least one person to help coordinate the efforts and the money, leaving some directors hesitant when the district already is facing a budget shortfall even with a potential half-mill tax increase.
Administrative costs for a fund-raising campaign would be about 7 percent of what was raised, Oshry said.

March 22, 2012 Feasibility study on Mt. Lebanon fundraiser approved 

Two consultants will spend the next few weeks interviewing some of the district's biggest potential donors and likely volunteer fundraisers. They will use the interviews to determine whether the district can make a compelling case for people to donate; whether there are enough potential donors and volunteers; and whether the timing is right to conduct such a campaign.
The consultants will then present the board with their recommendations in the form of a "red light," "yellow light" or "green light," officials said last week.
"Even if we got a red light ... there's still a tremendous amount of information for us that could be very useful," said board president Josephine Posti.

Paving the way to establish an endowment:

Though the campaign was pitched as a way to reduce the amount of borrowing for the high school -- and thus limit any future tax increases for debt payments -- board members amended the motion to remove language specifying that the study be limited to the high school project.

Here is the introduction of an endowment: 

April 25, 2012 Mt. Lebanon School District Announces Grant Awards for Capital Campaign Feasibility Study 

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.

April 26, 2012 Pledges for feasibility study 

The school board voted last month to hire fundraising consultants Pursuant Ketchum to conduct the professional analysis that will determine whether they have enough support to raise $30 million for the high school renovation project.
The study costs $41,000 plus travel expenses.
"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," said John Federico, president of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education in a statement.

April 26, 2012 Two $10,000 Grants to Help Fund Feasibility Study Posti writes on Center Court:

This $20,000 will cover approximately half of the cost of the $41,000 feasibility study that the Board engaged in last month in order to assess readiness for a capital campaign.

 May 15, 2012 Press Release Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment awards $10,000 grant to Mt. Lebanon School District

The School District feasibility study will assess the viability of a capital campaign, and appropriate strategies for conducting it. Contributions to the campaign would be used to offset existing costs of the Mt. Lebanon Senior High School renovation, as well as build a permanent endowment to support curriculum and other educational needs of the district.
“The Mt. Lebanon School District’s expressed its 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, especially our most vulnerable citizens” said Joseph King, President of MLCE’s Board of Directors.

Here is the switcheroo: 

July 12, 2012 District awaits word on campaign for Mt. Lebanon High School renovations 

Ms. Bowman said this feasibility study wasn't about identifying donors but about soliciting advice and feedback.
The interviews are based on the idea that the district would try a $15 million capital campaign, though other sums have been considered. Those interviewed -- "a cross section of the community" -- are told funds raised could go toward a program endowment or bricks-and-mortar development at the high school, Ms. Bowman said.

School directors feel that alumni and residents could be ideal donors:

Capital campaigns of this size usually occur at universities or civic organizations, but school directors have said that Mt. Lebanon's alumni network and residents could be ideal future donors.

Oshry guarantees:

He also told the board the study comes with a few guarantees -- whether it signals possibility for a campaign or not, the study could identify and gauge community interest, he said.

At Monday's meeting, PK announces the number to be $6 million, not $30 million.  I guess that is a green light.

In March, we're told about 7% for a $30 million campaign. 

On September 17, we're told 14% for a $6 million campaign.

So which is it?  Was it a feasibility study on whether or not a capital campaign could raise $30 million? Or was the purpose to determine the amount of money we could successfully raise? 

This concludes Spin Class 101.

Pursuant Ketchum Summary

Someone was nice enough to summarize the PK presentation for Blog Readers.

Oshry talks and notes that PK was invited to test feasability of $15 million capital and endowment campaign for high school and creation of endowment.

Conducted:

27 confidential interviews

16 parents or alumnni

9 current or former board members

11 suggested by someone else in study

1 recommended to make lead gift in campaign

70% had positive view of district

School board does not make decisions that are always popular

78% rate project as high or reasonably high

67% think capital and endowment plan is the right plan

74% think campaign is best way to raise money

5 people think it is not and should share cost via tax

81% advocated proceeding with campaign

Caution about proceeding because there was confusion of where funds would go- pay down debt or endowment

Some people only interested in capital

Some only interested in endowment

Possibility of $15 million

67% felt 15 million attainable

People did not have answer to "who" would come up with the money.

Higher degree of confidence by those who have done major gift giving before

Did not uncover first hand evidence of top ten gifts they were looking for

1/3 felt they could find $3 million gift

When asked for who six of the 30 named $50,000 was largest gift identified

Some did not indicate if they would give money...needed more info

24 of 30 were not interviewed

37 people suggested named people with 11 people suggested multiple time

interviewed 12 of the 37. 9 of 12 indicated they would take a leadership role in fundraising

85% said they would serve in some capacity.

89% said they would be willing to give something

These were good results

Board is untested in its ability to lead a campaign

Recommendations:

1st is to proceed with campaign with $6 million capital and endowment as goal.

Campaign would move community to be positively influence (cultural change)

Address structure to do campaign-small task force to define scope of responsiblity...mlfe/mt lebanon endowment

School district must define its scope of campaign

Enlist steering committee- focus on campaign chair, participating in expanded case for support, prospect cultivation, etc

Update expand existing policies with regards to endowment

Plan and implement a targeted awareness program. 

Form a planned giving program (Estate planning with school district in mind)

Staffing and budget for the campaign...currently no staff and no budget for campaign

March 2015 finished with implementation and possibly finished with first fundraising efforts...long after second bond

Questions from Board:

Dale thanks Oshry and says he appreciates the blueprint given to the Board. Asks if the 27 interviews were statistically significant.  Oshry says that it is. They are NOT looking for a sample of the community but instead for a sample that represents the right portion of the community. Asks about how arrived at $6 million while recognizing only one gift of any substance.  Oshry says two ways, looking at what was heard or not heard when people had the $15 number in front of them. Good to hear about support in community.  Need to establish a culture of philantropy in Mt. Lebanon and the culure would grow.  Has Oshry seen that culutre grow in other of his jobs...Oshry says National Rehabilitation Hosptial in DC was case study given to say that it can be done. Started at $3 million, then moved to $5 million, then more.

Need to do major gift first to get the smaller gifts later...not the other way around.

Cappucci- Concern with spending money on staffing before money comes in. Do you have a record of how successful you have been...how close have you come to the amount that is expected to be raised.  Oshry says campaigns reach or exceed the goal with 87% of the cases.  The ones that fail, fail badly.  Often the engagement is either redefined or scoped changed.  Budget proposed is 14% budget.  Within industry standards. With relatively modest goal with no experience the 14% is at the high/safe range of what should be expected.  Cappucci says money would not come in for several years.  Years 2 and 3 would expect major committments.  But other gifts wouldnt be until 2019 and 2020.  When we set up to do report it was to offset the bonds.  Now that he says this can no longer be the goal, should we shift the focus/campaign.  He says no.

Kubit-Thanks for the report. Were there indications on what donors were doing for the endowment...arts, sports, etc? A lot of people said arts and athletics, their favorite program saved by the endowment.

Remely- Likes the report. Doesn't see anything for the small donation for the small family that wants to buy a brick.  Establish a endowment is important. It may be the endowment or lack of endowment but monies to capital campaign will be more important to the campaign because it saves interest.  Asks Oshry if he will meet the goal and come in on budget.  Oshry says yes.  Can't pay down bond. Not a lot of options if money is not raised for second bond for high school.

Posti- Asks about the DC Hospital. Asks if naming rights came up at all.  It was not a major focus of this study.

Dan asks question about money not coming in for 6 or 7 years....if in first year and a half they have to pay him the $800,000 how does that happen.  Consultants are not paid on how much is raised, they are paid on time...in 30 months will you have paid for yourself.  Will the district be upside down on this?  Yes, we will be in the negative.  Good, insightful question by Dan and the answer is worrisome. Dan's question at the end about whether the district will need to pay money and be out of pocket while all this fundraising goes on is a good one. Basically the district will need to find the almost $900,000 to pay PK to do the fundraising and that has to be budgeted for....and I don't believe that includes a school staff person to direct fundraising.

 

Not $30 million...not $15 million...

The new number that Pursuant Ketchum presented tonight is... Drumroll, please... $6 million. For the low, low price of $840,000 which is 14% of $6 million, PK can raise $3 million in endowment and $3 million in capital. I hear that Dan Remely actually gets it. Dan said that if we pursue this, after PK gets their cut plus whatever we spend, plus the money won't arrive for five or six years, it's a wash. This was after we spent $44,000 ($10,000 from MLFE and $10,000 MLCE.) Don't forget, we have to create a full-time position dedicated solely to fundraising, only to raise $6 million that won't come in until three years after the high school project is complete and won't be applied to its original intent which was to prevent floating another bond. No colors were mentioned- no green light, yellow light, or red light.

On another note, Peterson has instructed the Board to litigate $63,148 (cost of repaving Morgan Drive) with the Municipality after the project is completed.

It was nice to hear that more people were in attendance this evening.

Did we pass the Ketchup?

Pursuant Ketchum was scheduled to present the results of the Feasibility Study at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2012. There is no mention of the presentation on the District website. The agenda and two policy revisions have been posted.

Agenda

Revisions to Policy DJA, Purchasing Authority

Revisions to Policy FEG, Construction Contracts

I do hope this is an oversight, as the Feasibility Study results would make for good conversation at the Community Coffee scheduled for September 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at The Coffee Tree Roasters on Beverly Road.  Scott Goldman, Bill Cooper, Dale Ostergaard and Jo Posti will be present to have an informal conversation about issues such as spending $41,000 plus travel expenses to fund the study. A little background information: PK was hired to give us a green light, yellow light, or red light to predict the success of raising $30 million $15 million to reduce the need for a second bond issue for the high school renovation to set up an endowment.

Anticipation...

Anticipation - Pursuing Ketchup

PG's Molly Born did a story today about the feasibility study and Pursuant Ketchum.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/district-awaits-word-on-campaign-for-mt-lebanon-high-school-renovations-644282/

Ms. Bowman said this feasibility study wasn't about identifying donors but about soliciting advice and feedback.

Then what good is it?

The interviews are based on the idea that the district would try a $15 million capital campaign, though other sums have been considered.

Say what? $15 million?  What happened to the $30 million? We were told that a feasibility study costing $41,000 plus travel expenses was for a $30 million fundraising campaign. 

The school board chose the people to be interviewed, "a cross section of the community" Hmm, I didn't seem to get a call. Probably all the people on MLFE got a call.

Capital campaigns of this size usually occur at universities or civic organizations, but school directors have said that Mt. Lebanon's alumni network and residents could be ideal future donors.

 Excuse me? Residents? Aren't we "donating" already?

Also note that the District has now changed the possible outcome of the study. It used to be for the High School project. Now they are saying it could instead be for a program endowment. Problem is, the MLFE only funds NEW programs. It doesn't pay teacher salaries and the like.

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.

The problem begins with all of us.

This letter to the editor comes from reader and frequent commenter, Charlotte Stephenson.

Elaine,

Since I originally composed this letter to the editor a few days ago, there have been numerous comments posted that may make this seem a bit redundant. Nonetheless, I am willing to post it anyway. Here is goes:

We really do have a problem in Mt. Lebanon and the problem begins with all of us. It’s true that we should feel angry and upset over the way our elected officials choose to spend our money without demonstrating an understanding of the impact of their decisions.

Money for turf may satisfy some families here, but the cost will impair others because the money will come from the taxpayers and the ongoing cost of this project does not appear to be fully understood. How can we be paying for turf when we don’t have enough money for our entire road repair or other infrastructure needs? The uncollected sum of $800,000.00 in parking violations among other chunks of dough that have fallen through the cracks according to Dave Egler demonstrate completely irresponsible fiscal management by someone and yet we do not really know much loss there has been or exactly how it happened. We have seen that the decision to overspend on a high school renovation project has already cost more to the taxpayers due to a recent change order and a fundraising feasibility study and at the same time we are cutting service to our students. Oh, and did or didn’t the YSA live up to their end of the bargain? The school district claims they have, but the IRS tell us differently. So if the payments weren’t made, who has been paying for all of the field maintenance? You know who has! How about the perpetual audits, we all know that a change in players from time to time is a good idea, but why hasn’t that happened?

What about the basic Sunshine Law? When I became frustrated for not getting information about the School District’s decision to conduct a feasibility study relative to the donor as we were promised by Board President Josephine Posti, I eventually filed a RTK. I am including the documentation here, but what is disturbing to me is the obviously blatant effort being made to keep our residents out of the loop as the directors and administration conduct business that we pay for.  Go ahead and read it, see what you think.

The situations discussed on this blog are concerning and frustrating, but venting our frustrations is not going to make any difference because anyone who has approached these authorities with their logical concerns has seen first hand that the sitting elected majorities (not everyone) are entrenched, inflexible and frankly incapable of changing their minds on these and other highly controversial issues. It’s politics at best, or worst around here depending on where one sits in the fiscally conservative department. So, what can we do?

If people really want to make a difference, it’s time to start recruiting potential candidates for the next election cycle for the open Commissioner and School Board seats. (Make sure they understand that a sitting official will stop at nothing to impair their campaign including authoring a slanderous letter under a fictitious name for illegal distribution throughout the community). Form an election committee and start soliciting donations NOW. Finally, keep a list of the egregious actions we continue to observe of those who will be running next time. The only way anything will change will be when new and motivated candidates who really want to serve the community and not their own agendas are sworn into office. Be sure to add some time in to motivate voters to actually go to the polls!

This community is learning the hard way why being an informed active voter makes a difference. If anyone can appeal to the Commissioners as to why spending a huge amount of money for artificial turf is irresponsible, good luck. It's about special interest politics plain and simple. The decisions the School Board made to spend too much on the high school, among other items and those that the Commissioners are making on turf will have far-reaching impact for a long time to come. These people may feel they are serving the next generation, but what they are really doing is ensuring that the next generation won't be able to afford to live here, one poor financial decision at a time. Everyone should be careful what he or she wishes for!

Finally, where have our other local representatives and senators been? Quite honestly, Elvis has left our building. How many times have any of them reached out to those of you who have made your concerns known? When I was featured as “A Newsmaker You Should Know” regarding the petition effort, I received a note and copy of the article from Matt Smith, but he never offered to talk further and see what he could do to help. Tim Murphy’s office has been an impenetrable fortress. They always ask for my donation and vote when the time comes, but there is obviously little interest in trying to deal with our local situation. Sure, local votes and local money matters, but beyond that these issues appear too hot to handle. It’s time for change all the way around, so who is willing to get started? We must remember, if we always do what we always did we'll always get what we always got!

-Charlotte Stephenson

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

Green light for feasibility study

Molly Born, from the PG, writes this morning about last night's unanimous vote to proceed with the feasibility study with Pursuant Ketchum. Mt. Lebanon district to get fundraising study for new high school
Travel expenses were estimated at $3000.  The board discussed capping the travel expenses at $5000. I watched the meeting this morning and thought I heard at one point that the donor, "a community partner,"was going to donate 25% of the study fee, and at a different point in the meeting, the donation was going to be $10,000. Whatever the total donation amounts to, thank you for stepping forward.
As Scott Goldman said at the meeting, "Be careful what you wish for." I bet that comes from experience, right, Scott?  Did you ever think you would be knocking on doors asking for money when you decided to run for director? That is one of the reasons I decided to run for commissioner instead of school board director.  I could not support the project.  Although I would consider a donation if Josephine Posti would resign.

What to do, what to do

In today's PG, Molly Born writes:

Still undecided on how they will close a nearly $2 million gap, Mt. Lebanon school board directors will hold further talks on the 2012-13 budget later this month.
The board has to decide whether it will vote to increase the property tax rate, dip into reserve funds or cut programs -- and staff -- by its April 16 voting meeting. Most members have called for a combination of two or more of those avenues.

Later in the PG article, the feasibility study is mentioned.

Campaigns of this size usually occur at universities and large organizations, Mr. Steinhauer said last month, but a network of wealthy alumni and engaged residents could be key donors.

Look out, Mark Cuban and Andrew Mason. Something tells me that you will be getting a call.

Mt. Lebanon school board continues to wrestle with $2 million budget gap

Do we need a feasibility study?

According to Wikipedia,  PA Department of Education January 2009 enrollment was 5223. Enrollment is projected by PA Department of Education to decline to 4600 by 2019. Remember Ed Kubit's FAQ from two years ago? He had provided 20 year enrollment projections. He also said that the board was fiscally frugal.  It is a case of laryngitis

I posed this question in that thread:

I have reprinted letters to the editor, comments from Real Lebo, a link to the April 19, 2010 School Board meeting podcast, and the now MIA FAQ from Ed Kubit. Where are these proponents to the high school renovation now?

The answer is that they attend the Joint Discussion sessions. They are on the Review Teams. Look at the presentation made by the Revenue Generating Team. I don't see any feasibility studies considered.  How about the Staff Planning Team?  Nope. Don't see any feasibility studies listed there either. In fact, closing schools and wage freezes comes to mind.

I hope the School Board keeps this in mind during their special meeting concerning the feasibility study and when they vote to move forward with the study.

Feasibility study, naming rights, donations, budget, assessments...

As you might have read the legal notice in Thursday's paper, there will be a special meeting on Monday at 6:30 to discuss a feasibility study for a capital fundraising campaign at Jefferson Middle School concerning the high school renovation.

Monday's School Board meeting agenda is packed with items.  The Board will discuss revisions to three policies:

Revisions to Policy FF, Naming Rights
Revisions to Policy KCD, Donations to the School District
Revisions to Policy JLI, School Violence, Terroristic Threats and Terroristic Acts

Also very important topics up for discussion are the 2012-2013 Budget, property assessments, the feasibility study discussed previously, and community field use.