Parents beware: The Mt. Lebanon Police are now ticketing cars that stop on Lebanon Avenue in the morning during student drop-off. 2 officers ticketing 4 cars this morning has been witnessed. Brian McFeeley has stated that the high school is not driving this - the Police Department has gotten complaints from a resident that lives on Lebanon, forcing them into a position of enforcing the posted "No Stopping" signs. Please go to http://www.mtlsd.org/highschoolrenovation/hstrafficupdates.asp for the most up to date information. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
Mt. Lebanon High School PTSA
Mt. Lebanon High School
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Strategic Plan Survey
From: Dr. Tim Steinhauer [mailto:noreply@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 7:22 PM
Subject: MTLSD Strategic Plan Survey
[Attachments to this email can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom]
Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents,
The Mt. Lebanon School Board has initiated a District Strategic Planning process. A key component of this process is to receive input from a survey from students, parents, staff, and community members that will be used to set District priorities for the next six years.
The survey is short, taking about five minutes of your time. The survey asks for basic demographic information and then presents four multiple choice questions and two open-ended questions regarding priorities you believe to be important for the District to consider. The list of responses to each of these questions was developed by a Steering Committee made up of a cross-section of community members. Please complete the survey by May 1, 2012. Click the link at the bottom of this email to take the survey.
Thank you for your participation in this most important process. Your answers to this survey will be reviewed by Strategic Plan Steering Committee members, District administrators, and Board members.
Sincerely,
Timothy Steinhauer Ed.D.
Attachment: http://forms.mtlsd.org/StrategicPlanSurvey
MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.
According to the MTLSD Disclaimer at the bottom of Dr. Steinhauer's email, I guess I am doing another no-no since I am copying this communication and distributing it on this blog. My bad.
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 7:22 PM
Subject: MTLSD Strategic Plan Survey
[Attachments to this email can be found by clicking on the links at the bottom]
Dear Mt. Lebanon Parents,
The Mt. Lebanon School Board has initiated a District Strategic Planning process. A key component of this process is to receive input from a survey from students, parents, staff, and community members that will be used to set District priorities for the next six years.
The survey is short, taking about five minutes of your time. The survey asks for basic demographic information and then presents four multiple choice questions and two open-ended questions regarding priorities you believe to be important for the District to consider. The list of responses to each of these questions was developed by a Steering Committee made up of a cross-section of community members. Please complete the survey by May 1, 2012. Click the link at the bottom of this email to take the survey.
Thank you for your participation in this most important process. Your answers to this survey will be reviewed by Strategic Plan Steering Committee members, District administrators, and Board members.
Sincerely,
Timothy Steinhauer Ed.D.
Attachment: http://forms.mtlsd.org/StrategicPlanSurvey
MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.
According to the MTLSD Disclaimer at the bottom of Dr. Steinhauer's email, I guess I am doing another no-no since I am copying this communication and distributing it on this blog. My bad.
Above the line...below the line Part 2
Even though there wasn't a vote at last night's meeting, the big news is that the Board listened to the students' presentations last week and will be moving the community service coordinator's position to "Below the Line." (BTL)
Eliminating one elementary school teaching position has been added to "Above the Line" (ATL)
Is anyone keeping track of the different line items mentioned BTL?
The District website states that an updated list will be posted this week.
An additional comment by Josephine Posti at last night's meeting: She remarked about the community input regarding this year's budget is greater than any other year. You don't suppose this blog had anything to do with that or the fact that people are trying to save their houses, do you?
Eliminating one elementary school teaching position has been added to "Above the Line" (ATL)
Is anyone keeping track of the different line items mentioned BTL?
The District website states that an updated list will be posted this week.
An additional comment by Josephine Posti at last night's meeting: She remarked about the community input regarding this year's budget is greater than any other year. You don't suppose this blog had anything to do with that or the fact that people are trying to save their houses, do you?
Monday, April 2, 2012
All for online courses - say "Aye"
From Josephine Posti's Center Court blog, December 14, 2011
Lagging in Performance: Pennsylvania Online Schools
There's an interesting article in the New York Times this week about the performance of Pennsylvania's online charter schools along with a graphic of how they stack up individually and compared to public schools. The New York Times focused on K12 Inc., the largest online education provider and concluded, "a portrait emerges of a company that tries to squeeze profits from public school dollars by raising enrollment, increasing teacher workload and lowering standards."
Posted 14th December 2011
Lagging in Performance: Pennsylvania Online Schools
There's an interesting article in the New York Times this week about the performance of Pennsylvania's online charter schools along with a graphic of how they stack up individually and compared to public schools. The New York Times focused on K12 Inc., the largest online education provider and concluded, "a portrait emerges of a company that tries to squeeze profits from public school dollars by raising enrollment, increasing teacher workload and lowering standards."
Posted 14th December 2011
So what's on tonight's agenda for a vote? You guessed it- an agreement with an online school!
2. Development Agreement - The Development Agreement and Statement of Work between the Mt. Lebanon School District and the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) for the development of (2) on-line Advanced Placement Courses is proposed for approval by the Board. The superintendent recommends approval of this action.
Unbelievable
Tonight the board will discuss books for classes. One for an AP course is The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. New York: Crown Publishers.
Here's a brief review:
MTL students, whose parents are hiring an expensive national PR firm to raise $30 million in donations, are going to get an unbiased education in the disparities in affluent and poor districts.
Unbelievable.
Here's a brief review:
"In the book, Kozol attacks the disparity in expenditures on education between central cities and well-to-do suburbs, and the system of property taxes which most school systems and states rely on for funding.[3] He expresses outrage at inequities in expenditure, pointing out that New York City in 2002-3 spent $11,627 on the education of each child, while in Nassau County, the town of Manhasset spent $22,311, and Great Neck $19,705. He found that there are comparable disparities in other metropolitan areas, since most funding is locally based.[1] Kozol describes schools that are separated by a 15-minute drive but that offer vastly different educational opportunities. In one example, a primarily white school offers drama club and AP classes, and the nearby primarily black school requires classes like hairdressing.[4]"
MTL students, whose parents are hiring an expensive national PR firm to raise $30 million in donations, are going to get an unbiased education in the disparities in affluent and poor districts.
Unbelievable.
Need help with your property appeal?
From Lebo Alert:
Need help as you prepare your Allegheny County Property Appeal case? Come to a free seminar at 7pm on Monday, April 9 at Mt Lebanon Public Library.
****
I understand the last seminar was standing room only, so come early to get a seat.
Need help as you prepare your Allegheny County Property Appeal case? Come to a free seminar at 7pm on Monday, April 9 at Mt Lebanon Public Library.
****
I understand the last seminar was standing room only, so come early to get a seat.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Exclusive!
The School Board has realized they caused the $1.9 million budget gap. The letter of apology from the school board president Josephine Posti, for the Board, can be found here.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Building Use Fees
The following eblast went out today to close to 100 people. If you did not receive this email from Josephine Posti, perhaps you can contact her with your feedback.
From: joposti@yahoo.com
Subject: Building use fees
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:35:35 -0400
From: joposti@yahoo.com
Subject: Building use fees
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:35:35 -0400
All,
This year, the school board is considering a number of budget reductions as well as revenue generators to help close the budget gap created by reduced State and local revenue. The 2012-13 budget is currently about $1.9 million out of balance. In addition the teachers union has filed a grievance that could result in approximately $900,000 of exposure for the district. In addition to the reductions being considered, the board is also considering a millage increase and use of a portion of our fund balance in order to close this gap.
This morning Mr. Goldman, Mr. Ostergaard and I hosted the first of several community coffees the board plans to have in order to get additional feedback about these difficult decisions. Because one of the revenue generators we are considering is charging fees to groups such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts for use of school buildings I wanted to get your feedback.
If we were to start charging fees for use of the buildings how would this impact your troop? The board has not yet discussed what such a fee would look like and whether it would be something nominal such as $10 per hour or whether it would be the actual cost of the electricity and custodial services provided. Would your troop be willing to pay a fee to use the school buildings for troop meetings and activities or would you need to find another location? Are you involved with other activities such as Odyssey of the Mind that could also be impacted if we were to implement this practice?
Our next budget discussion is Monday night and we will have several more board meetings before adopting a final budget in day. I would love to hear your feedback between now and then on this and other reductions being considered. Please take a look at the most recent reduction list the board is considering:
http://www.mtlsd.org/district/budget/budgetmeetingdocuments.asp
We will continue to update this list as discussions develop during the next two months.
We will continue to update this list as discussions develop during the next two months.
Thanks for your feedback,
Jo Posti
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 30, 2012
Getting ready for the first coffee?
Tomorrow morning, the first community coffee will be from 9-11 a.m. at the Uptown Coffee on Washington Road. Residents will be able to sit down with Josephine Posti, Dale Ostergaard and Scott Goldman in an informal setting. Ask questions. Share your concerns.
From Josephine Posti's Center Court blog,
Also from her blog,
Here is my contribution:
I never got a response from Josephine. She might be praying for me, but she is not emailing me. Thankfully, I did get a response from one board director, Bill Cooper. Thanks, Bill.
MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.
From Josephine Posti's Center Court blog,
Finally, a grievance filed by the Mt. Lebanon Education Association could cost our community an additional $900,000. While we do not agree with their position, we must reduce costs to account for that potential liability. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved prior to arbitration but a hearing and award may not be known until after the 2012-13 budget is adopted.Why isn't it being disclosed that the grievance is a recurring cost? I know I heard the solicitor say that it is recurring, but I have yet to see that anywhere in print. Not on the "unofficial blog of Mt. Lebanon School Director Josephine Posti" or in any newspaper. That might be a question for tomorrow's coffee.
Also from her blog,
We've gotten some great feedback about those reductions from members of the community, including students. We hope to hear more between now and May when we adopt a final budget.
Here is my contribution:
From: egillen476@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:16 AM
To: School Board Email list
Subject: parking fees
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:16 AM
To: School Board Email list
Subject: parking fees
Board directors,
I am still watching the special budget meeting, but I do have a suggestion for charging student parking fees fairly. When a child is on the free or reduced lunch program, the guidance department is able to waive SAT and ACT testing fees, as well as some application fees for colleges. If you are concerned about some students' families going through hard times, perhaps you would consider waiving the parking fees for those financially disadvantaged students. It can be done quietly and without embarrassment to those families.
Elaine Gillen
I never got a response from Josephine. She might be praying for me, but she is not emailing me. Thankfully, I did get a response from one board director, Bill Cooper. Thanks, Bill.
From: William Cooper <WCooper@mtlsd.net>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 27, 2012 12:16 pm
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 27, 2012 12:16 pm
MTLSD DISCLAIMER: THIS TRANSMISSION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, RETENTION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY.
Did you buy your Mega Millions ticket?
I just came back from getting a lesson on how to play. For those of you out there like me who have never played before, it is a buck. For a multiplier, it is another buck. Don't ask me what that means.
Here is what I plan to do, if I win. Before PK contacts me, I would want certain people to resign from the board and administration. I would want an apology from the VOICE people. I would want an apology from board members, past and present. I would want the community service coordinator's job protected. Heck, I would want all the jobs protected. I would want an apology from the sports bullies. I would want the District to pay for their own *#!@ fields and let the Municipality use their funds for Municipal assets.
For all that, I would give a million dollars of my $540 million jackpot (provided nobody else wins!)
Here is what I plan to do, if I win. Before PK contacts me, I would want certain people to resign from the board and administration. I would want an apology from the VOICE people. I would want an apology from board members, past and present. I would want the community service coordinator's job protected. Heck, I would want all the jobs protected. I would want an apology from the sports bullies. I would want the District to pay for their own *#!@ fields and let the Municipality use their funds for Municipal assets.
For all that, I would give a million dollars of my $540 million jackpot (provided nobody else wins!)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Country's Oldest Amateur Photography Club - is right here in Lebo!
The Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh is 127 years old and many of the members are residents of Mt. Lebanon. The country's oldest amateur photography club meets three Tuesdays a month, right here at the Mt. Lebanon Rec Center. During the summer, they meet informally outside of Panera's.
In today's PG, Molly Born had a nice article about the camera club. More than a century of life through their lenses
In today's PG, Molly Born had a nice article about the camera club. More than a century of life through their lenses
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Saving money USC style
While our school board was debating about eliminating towels at the athletic facility at the stadium (#29), Upper St. Clair was exploring increased class sizes.
Another hot topic in USC was athletics. Superintendent O'Toole said there has been no decrease in athletic participation since the pay-to-play fees were introduced at the beginning of the school year. The district received $60,000 in fees.
Don't miss this in the USC Patch:
New Baker Elementary Principal
Patrick McClintock-Comeaux will become the new Baker Elementary principal on April 9...
McClintock-Comeaux is currently the principal of Stephen C. Foster Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.
He is an Upper St. Clair High School graduate and was a teacher and curriculum leader in the Upper St. Clair School District from 1995 to 2001
Read more: USC school board explores increasing class sizes
The USC School District is researching what—if any—classrooms it can increase in size to save money on staffing.In addition, the USC superintendent and finance director were receptive to pay freezes. I didn't hear what number Steinhauer's and Klein's pay freeze was on "the list." Maybe they were number 39 and 40. It is a shame that the rest of the list is confidential.
Administrators presented information to the school board Monday night.
"We're not talking about increasing class size because we want to, but because we might need to," said Rebecca Stern, school board president.
Another hot topic in USC was athletics. Superintendent O'Toole said there has been no decrease in athletic participation since the pay-to-play fees were introduced at the beginning of the school year. The district received $60,000 in fees.
Don't miss this in the USC Patch:
New Baker Elementary Principal
Patrick McClintock-Comeaux will become the new Baker Elementary principal on April 9...
McClintock-Comeaux is currently the principal of Stephen C. Foster Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.
He is an Upper St. Clair High School graduate and was a teacher and curriculum leader in the Upper St. Clair School District from 1995 to 2001
Read more: USC school board explores increasing class sizes
Above the line...below the line
Josephine Posti explained that entire "list" is confidential out of respect to the staff cuts below the line. I guess there is no respect for the 13 staff cuts above the line. I did hear that one elementary school only has 239 students, while another school has over 400 students.
It seems as though that $900,000 grievance is not a one time thing. If the MLEA wins the grievance, it will be a recurring cost, until all 16+ steps are covered. The board was hoodwinked. Dan Remely, as other board members, was under the impression that the grievance was a one time cost. Mr. Peterson had to explain that the grievance includes long-term subs who started at Step 1. The District's exposure to this grievance includes 100 teachers. It could be a recurring cost for 14 or 15 years.
I am still watching the meeting, but I understand that Jennifer Kline, as well as the other students who spoke, did an excellent job. These comments can be heard towards the end of Part 2 of the podcast. I hope the school board understands how important the role of the community service coordinator is to the students.
Update March 28, 2012 1:04 P.M. Almanac article, "Mt. Lebanon eyes staff cuts" (saved in Google Docs)
It seems as though that $900,000 grievance is not a one time thing. If the MLEA wins the grievance, it will be a recurring cost, until all 16+ steps are covered. The board was hoodwinked. Dan Remely, as other board members, was under the impression that the grievance was a one time cost. Mr. Peterson had to explain that the grievance includes long-term subs who started at Step 1. The District's exposure to this grievance includes 100 teachers. It could be a recurring cost for 14 or 15 years.
I am still watching the meeting, but I understand that Jennifer Kline, as well as the other students who spoke, did an excellent job. These comments can be heard towards the end of Part 2 of the podcast. I hope the school board understands how important the role of the community service coordinator is to the students.
Update March 28, 2012 1:04 P.M. Almanac article, "Mt. Lebanon eyes staff cuts" (saved in Google Docs)
A group of about a dozen students also turned out in defense of high school community service coordinator Judith Kolko, presenting a petition with more than 800 signatures.The audio clip of high school student Jennifer Kline's comments can be heard here. Yes, Jennifer, the school board priorities need to be reexamined! Bravo on getting signatures from half the student body for your petition!!!
"Her contributions to the school and all of Mt. Lebanon are immeasurable," explained high school student Jennifer Kline. "Many students were visibly confused and outraged that this option is even on the table."
Monday, March 26, 2012
mtl Magazine mystery solved!
Susan Morgans stopped me at the commission meeting this evening to say that the problem has been resolved concerning the missing mtl Magazines. It turns out that 700 residents, including yours truly, were not receiving mtl Magazine. The problem was with the homes that shared the same mail route as Castle Shannon residents. The next issue should be coming out the first week in April. If you do not receive the next issue, contact the Public Information Office.
Thanks, Susan for getting to the bottom of this.
Thanks, Susan for getting to the bottom of this.
New High School Football Coach Hired
The Mt. Lebanon School Board unanimously approved the appointment of Michael J. Melnyk as the new head coach of the Mt. Lebanon High School Football Team and full-time Social Studies teacher at the high school. Mr. Melnyk is currently a social studies teacher and head football coach at Manheim Township School District in Lancaster, PA, having served there since 1999.
P.P.S. I had copied the announcement from the website with the last phrase, "having served their since 1999." I know. Wrong "their." It has since been corrected on the District website. I just made the correction on the blog. Anyway, welcome to Mt. Lebanon, Coach Melnyk!
Read more including comments: New coach for Mt. Lebanon High School football team
http://www.mtlsd.org/district/HeadlineArticle.asp?HLP_ID=1342&HL_ID=1134#1134
P.S. It's Kutztown, not Kuntztown. Unbelievable...P.P.S. I had copied the announcement from the website with the last phrase, "having served their since 1999." I know. Wrong "their." It has since been corrected on the District website. I just made the correction on the blog. Anyway, welcome to Mt. Lebanon, Coach Melnyk!
Read more including comments: New coach for Mt. Lebanon High School football team
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