Let's hear it for Directors Ostergaard and Goldman!

Last night, the school board directors voted and approved raises for head custodians, administrative assistants, supervisors, specialists, custodial/maintenance employees and administrators (3%). June 18, 2012 School Board Meeting Agenda  Scott Goldman explained why he was going to vote no. Dale Ostergaard also explained why he was voting no. Watch the meeting or listen to the podcast and hear Josephine Posti publicly scold Dale for his reasons. Larry Lebowitz also chimed in and supported Josephine. We knew it was going to go that way since Josephine included in her monthly report how Dr. Steinhauer deserved his raise. Here is the best part. Scott Goldman asked Tom Peterson if the vote was 9-0 against the raises, would the staff still get the raises.  Peterson said, "Yes." Then Goldman asked why even vote if it is guaranteed. Peterson said that's the way it's always been done.
It's on the podcast.
Remember what USC's superintendent did? Is Steinhauer in this for the money? Evidently.

What's good for the gander, is good for the goose

Word on the street is that Dr. Steinhauer is looking at cutting salaries. I sure hope he starts with hmself. Just do a search for all the posts I have made regarding Steinhauer & Co. receiving salary increases. Also, search the words "fiscal responsibility" and one gets eight pages of articles.  What about the strategic plan facilitator hired to assist Dr. Tim, the Owner's Liaison to assist Dr. Tim, and the ever popular feasibility study for fundraising suggested by Dr. Tim? I am not a math wiz, but I do see the common denominator.

But can they spell?

Fairfax County Schools, in Falls Church, VA, has had a freeze on salaries for two years.  Jack D. Dale, superintendent of Fairfax County public schools, has announced a plan to introduce significant pay raises for school employees in next year's budget - a proposal that drew immediate criticism from the county's Board of Supervisors.

Dale has long promised to prioritize employees' salaries - which have been frozen for two years - in this year's tense budgetary process, which begins next month. He will ask the county this spring for a 2 percent cost-of-living increase and a 2 percent step increase, which would cost about $70 million.
Read more: The Washington Post: Fairfax schools chief seeks raises for employees; supervisors critical

Mt. Lebanon School District, on the other hand, had “approved an average salary increase of 3 percent for administrators; 2.5 percent for administrative assistants and supervisors, specialists and head custodians; 3.86 percent for custodial and maintenance employees; and 4.55 percent for secretarial and clerical employees. School Director Dale Ostergaard cast the only vote against approval of the 3 percent salary increase for administrators, so the motion passed 6 to 1, with directors James Fraasch and Elaine Cappucci absent from the meeting.”  Read more: Post Gazette Mt. Lebanon school administrators, other employees getting raises

In my on-going efforts of getting the Mt. Lebanon School District website up to par, you may remember this letter to the editors of Blog-Lebo. School District Website Reflects Poorly on the District and Community.  My latest find is School Board President Reports Only four reports were posted in 2010.  The September report linked to September 20, 2010 (Swine Flu Tips)  I am not sure that Mr. Kubit reported about the Swine Flu at that meeting, but I could be wrong.  It was also pointed out to them that the spring break (April 6-9) wasn't three days as reported on the home page of the District website. 

Why do administrators get increases in Mt. Lebanon when they can't get things right?  Even our Superintendent didn't meet his goals in 2009-2010 and got a nice increase.  Other school districts have salary freezes.  Why is our School Board so free with our money?