Speak your mind ...

By Dawn Keller
Staff writer
dkeller@observer-reporter.com
Fort Cherry School District changed its policy regarding public comment at Monday’s meeting.
Residents can comment about items on the board meeting agenda without putting those thoughts in writing. However, the board wants residents to put comments about items not on the agenda in writing seven days before the meeting.
It’s a change to the existing policy but not to the practice of the board. The board has allowed residents to speak about any issue even though its policy stated that comments must be put in writing seven days before a scheduled meeting.
The board changed the policy Monday after a few meetings discussing how public comments should be handled. It approved updates to two policies – one about public participation and one about conduct of meetings.
Fort Cherry will make meeting agendas available 72 hours before the meeting, both on the district’s Web site at www.fortcherry.org and at district administrative offices.
Asked how residents are supposed to put comments about non-agenda items in writing seven days in advance when they won’t know what’s on the agenda until three days before the meeting, board President Bruce Sharpnack said, “That’s a good question.”
He said the purpose of the seven-day requirement is so the board can be aware of any documentation residents want to provide about a topic. About five days before every board meeting, administrators mail members a packet detailing what is on the agenda, he said.
The updated policy does allow residents who haven’t given written comments to speak about non-agenda items at the end of each meeting with the permission of the presiding officer.
Sharpnack said there will be flexibility for issues that come up unexpectedly.
The policy also calls for questions to go through the chain of command before coming to the board.
Meeting minutes also will be available in the board secretary’s office and posted on the Web site within four business days of approval. The posts on the Web site are subject to the best effort of the staff, according to the policy.
Read the the two Fort Cherry policies at
www.observer-reporter.com/OR/sourcedoc/.

Join the Observer-Reporter’s conversation about education at our blog at http://orbehindthedesk.blogspot.com/

Supreme Court: Strip search of teen illegal

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Arizona school officials violated a girl's constitutional rights by strip-searching her for prescription-strength ibuprofen. The court ruled that educators should not force students to remove their clothing unless their safety is at risk. The court ruled 8-1 that the school’s search of the girl’s backpack and outer clothes was permissible, but officials went too far when they asked to search her underwear.
What do you think of the ruling?

Iraq talk helps open students eyes

Students from Western Pennsylvania who attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar at Washington & Jefferson College recently had a chance to talk with American troops stationed in Iraq. Technology allowed them to have a live, hourlong Q&A to find out more about what's happening in Iraq.

State Budget

As I indicated in previous articles you will see that various School Districts across Washington County will approve their 2009-10 budgets. Some budgets will increase taxes, while some others won't depending on their various financial situations.

The State Budget on the other hand continues to be a work in progress. Concerns range from the Governor's proposal to "temporarily" raise the State Tax Rate to 3.57%(currently 3.07%) and use Federal Stimulus Money to plug potential cuts in the Education Budget.

Also, I understand the Federal Government has not exactly endorsed the State's use of Stimulus Funds. This obviously leaves the State Government in a difficult spot to come to some type of budget agreement by June 30, 2009.

Against this backdrop I would anticipate the State Budget being passed, just not by June 30th. Hopefully the issues of the projected revenue short fall (3 billion) can be resolved with no increase in our current tax structure, but my guess is that will be unlikely.

So, as the School District's begin their fiscal 2009-10 operations we are still hopeful that the State Budget impasse can be resolved in a timely matter.

It should make for an interesting summer.

Dads too soon

Weeks ago, Jon Stevens and I wrote Observer-Reporter stories about teen pregnancy. We focused solely on teen moms then because the teen pregnancy rate in the United States was up for the first time in more than a decade. Since that report, research has shown teen pregnancy rates have risen again nationally.
I thought it would also give perspective to talk to teen dads. That story ran Sunday along with the above picture.

Obama administration receives arts petitions

The Washington Post is reporting that activists want the administration to ensure that arts and music programs don't fall victim to the bad economic climate.
Have any of your districts been cutting art or music? If not, do you fear that it might happen?

U.S. Education Secretary: States could lose out on stimulus cash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration warned states Thursday it may withhold millions of dollars if they use stimulus money to plug budget holes instead of boosting aid for schools.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the threat in a letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, but his words could have implications for Texas, Arizona and other states.
And they raise the stakes for the White House, which will come under intense pressure from Congress if Duncan does hold back some money.
In the letter, Duncan wrote he is displeased at a plan by Pennsylvania’s Republican-led Senate to reduce the share of the state budget for education while leaving its rainy-day surplus untouched. To do so “is a disservice to our children,” Duncan wrote.
“Each state has an obligation to play its part in spurring today’s economy and protecting our children’s education,” he wrote.
Duncan said the plan may hurt Pennsylvania’s chance to compete for a $5 billion competitive grant fund created by the stimulus law to reward states and school districts that adopt innovations Obama supports.
Rendell, a fellow Democrat, asked Duncan to weigh in.
The education secretary applied similar pressure to Tennessee lawmakers last month after Democrats there blocked a bill to let more kids into charter schools, even though President Barack Obama supports charter schools.
Duncan warned the state could lose out on extra stimulus dollars, and it appears to have worked: This week, lawmakers revived the bill and put it on a fast track toward passage.
In Pennsylvania, the issue is over school spending, which takes up a huge share of state budgets.
State Senate Republicans argue the economy is forcing states across the country to make up for budget cuts with federal stimulus dollars.
“We can only spend what we have, and the state should not increase taxes when so many hardworking families are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi.
Rendell disagrees.
“The state must make sure we do not simply use stimulus funds to cut state funding for schools,” Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said.
In Texas, Arizona and many other states, state lawmakers are still arguing over school spending cuts and the use of stimulus dollars.
Obama did not intend for state lawmakers to simply cut state education spending and replace it with stimulus dollars.
Congress made that tough to enforce; the stimulus law generally does not prohibit states from using some of the money to replace precious state aid for schools. The result is that school districts could wind up with no additional state aid even as local tax revenues plummet.
But Duncan does have leverage; he alone has control over the $5 billion incentive fund. And in some cases, he may be able to withhold some stimulus dollars that have been allocated for a particular state.
© 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Western Pennsylvania cyber school unionizes

Teachers at a Pennsylvania cyber school have voted to be represented by a teacher’s union.
Teachers at the PA Learners Online, which has facilities in Homestead, voted for Pennsylvania State Education Association representation in a June 15 election conducted by the state Labor Relations Board.
PSEA President James P. Testerman said in a news release that the election marks the first time in the nation that a public cyber charter school faculty has voted to unionize.
PA Learners Online serves students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade and is managed by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Any student who is between the ages of 5 and 21 and is a resident of Pennsylvania may apply for enrollment to PALO.
The school is chartered by several western Pennsylvania school districts, including: Allegheny Valley; Baldwin Whitehall; Bethel Park; Chartiers Valley; Deer Lakes; Moon Area; Shaler Area; South Allegheny; West Allegheny; and Woodland Hills.

It's official - seventh and eighth graders are moving to Washington High School

The Washington School Board voted 7-2 Monday night to move seventh and eighth graders to the high school. It's a decision opposed by virtually all community members who spoke during public hearings. However, Superintendent Roberta DiLorenzo said it's the most efficient and effective use of district resources for a system the size of Washington.
The plan also calls for a $16 million renovation to the high school. The school administration says the building project will mean a three mill increase in property taxes.
What do you think of the decision?

Year End Wrap Up

I wanted to say it has been fun doing these blogs for the Observer-Reporter. I was flattered to be asked to participate.

I hope information that I have provided has been useful and given some understanding to the financial operations of a Public School District.

This summer like others before it will be busy. We must pass our final budget, including Act 1 language in the form of resolution providing property tax relief to the qualified Homestead/Farmstead homes in Fort Cherry community.

Once the budget is passed by the School Board I will be required to file the budget (PDE-2028) with the Department of Education within 10 days of the budget's approval.

Our District like most others will begin the summer months closing the finacial books for 2008-09 and begin the operation of the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Part of this process requires that we will begin gettting organized for our local audit and filling out other forms of state financial reporting such as the PDE-2057 and PDE-363.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to provide you with this information, have a nice and enjoyable summer.

Don't forget

The Washington School Board is expected to vote Monday night about whether to move seventh and eighth graders to the high school and whether to renovate the building. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the administrative offices.

Western Pa school board president resigns before completion of merger

Monaca board President Mike Halama says he won't be a part of political subterfuge in the merging of Monanca and Center Area school districts. I have no idea if there is political subterfuge, but thought it would be interesting to post since Gov. Rendell has suggested consolidating districts across the state to save money.

No more Carroll Middle School

The Ringgold School Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to close Carroll and send those students to Finley Middle School until a new middle school is built. Even though a number of parents are opposed, school officials say it's best for students educationally and that it will save the district about $500,000 a year.

Trinity superintendent accepts Bucks County post

Trinity Superintendent Thomas Turnbaugh has accepted the top job in the Centennial School District in Bucks County. Centennial hopes Turnbaugh will be there by Aug. 1.

Peters Township: Be on time or no graduation ceremony for you

About 50 Peters Township students may not participate in graduation exercises Friday unless they participate in a make-up practice. They weren't on time for the regular practice. Peters Township says being on time is important.

Moving seventh and eighth graders to the high school

The Washington School Board held a public hearing Monday night about whether to move seventh and eighth graders to the high school and whether to renovate the high school. There was information presented at the meeting that I didn't have room for in the paper so I thought I would post it here. If you think there's other information that people need to know about the potential move, please post it here. The board is scheduled to vote on the issue Monday night.
Teen pregnancy
One issue that parents have asked about is teen pregnancy rates at schools for seventh through 12th graders. Are they higher? Mary Jo Podgurski, who runs Teen Outreach in Washington and works around the world with teen sexuality issues, said no studies have been done about that particular issue. However, she said, studies do show what issues, such as poverty and a history of abuse, can lead girls to get pregnant at a young age. None of those studies cite having seventh through 12th grade students in the same building as one of the issues that impact teen pregnancy rates, she said.
What about the Park School?
The discussion seems to focus on what will happen at the high school. Someone asked me last night about what would happen at the Park School. I've written about it before but thought I would post it again. Superintendent Roberta DiLorenzo originally proposed putting an alternative school at the Park School. However, in the past few months, she said the community reaction has been so negative that she has decided not to do that. Instead, pre-kindergarten classrooms could be expanded and day care may be offered. Also, the rooms on the lowest floors (without windows) could be turned into a centralized general supply warehouse for the district. DiLorenzo said that could save money by having one staff person responsible for ordering supplies.
When did the process start?
The board had reorganization discussions on May 21, 2007. There, members talked about a 7-9 middle school, 10-12 high school and a separate primary building. On April 14, 2008, DiLorenzo made the K-6, 7-12 recommendation after a year of analysis and response to public concerns. On April 21, 2008, the board approved the feasibility study of the high school and bought 3111 Allison Ave. for administrative offices. On May 19, the board voted to reconfigure the elementary school to kindergarten through sixth grade. In July 2008, DiLorenzo began public and small group presentations.
High school Principal Frank Rotunda and Middle School Principal Cyril Walther said they met with architects to determine how the renovation could work. They wanted to figure out how to keep the kids in different grades separated. They decided the best way to separate them was to keep the younger kids on the lowest floor, Rotunda said. They will also add a lunch period to keep them separated, he said. The design also includes separate junior high and high school dressing rooms for boys and girls, he said. The plan also reverts to the former circulation plan, which was in place before the last renovation. That allows for a continuous loop.
Finances
The bond counsel and business manager agreed that now would be the cheapest time to build because the construction costs are lower and interest rates are low. Washington can wait to renovate, but the consensus was the district would pay more.
Business Manager Rick Mancini said the district has $6 million in its capital reserve fund. He recommended that money be used for upgrades to the Park School and that the district borrow money to renovate the high school.
Board member Linda Clemons asked for a breakdown of the options the board could do and what the dollar figures could be. For example, the board could vote to move the seventh and eighth graders and renovate the high school, which is estimated to cost between $16 million and $20 million. It could just renovate the high school, which would cost $14 million, unless the board decides to add something because it removed the work necessary to renovate the space for the seventh and eighth graders.
Public comment
As I wrote in my story, there was some disagreement about whether to renovate the high school now. However, with the exception of one person who was undecided about moving seventh and eighth graders to the high school, everyone else said don't do it.
Mother and Community Advisory Committee member Michelle Hertig-Sperl, presented a petition opposing the move. She said it was signed by 28 seventh and eighth grade teachers.

Is year-round school a good idea?

The Washington Post had a story about year-round schooling in its Outlook section this weekend. Everyone once in a while, that question pops into my head: Is year-round school a good idea? The Post had a Q&A today with the reporter who wrote the story.
I haven't heard much discussion locally about converting to year-round schools. What do you think? Is it something schools should consider?

Think twice before sending that e-mail

If you are an elected official, e-mails can be a violation of the Sunshine Law. If a quorum, or majority, of board members are discussing an issue, it must be done publicly, with the exception of a few issues. That can be a problem when board members start e-mailing each other and copying the rest of the board those e-mails, says Ken Baker, a solicitor for several area districts. He said it's OK to send facts to other board members or to suggest a question for the board meeting. But he says it's best for the e-mails to stop there. Other attorneys, both at the local and state level, agree with his advice.

Do you like European history?

Then check out this European history rap on youtube by Washington High School AP students...

Graduation cancelled

The Washington Post reports the interesting way an Ohio school district handled cheating students. Do you think that's how it should have been handled? What about the students who didn't cheat? What about the parents planning their own graduation ceremony?

It's that time of year ...

Congratulations and good luck to all of those graduating from high school and college. In honor of their achievements, I thought I would throw a question out to readers on the blog. What's your greatest memory about graduation? Is it a funny memory? Is it an inspirational speaker? Please share ...

Reading High School withholds all diplomas

Reading High School students didn't get diplomas during their commencement ceremony. Find out why.

States don't use third grade failure rates or reading scores to determine prison space

For years now, I've heard the idea that states use reading scores and failure rates of third graders to determine prison space. The idea recently came up on the Education Writers Association listserv as reporters were trying to find out who first came up with the idea and whether it's true.
Turns out, it's not.
The Washington Post looked into it since several of Virginia's candidates for governor have made the claim.

What can students post online about their principals?

A federal appeals court must decide whether a student has the to create a lewd myspace page about her principal. One one side, the student says she is doing this outside of class, but the district says it's reverberating inside school.
Should there be a line? Should schools have the right to discipline students for what they put online?

South Fayette student has swine flu

MCDONALD (AP) – Allegheny County Health Department officials say a Pittsburgh-area high school student has been diagnosed with the swine flu. Health officials say the student at South Fayette High School was not hospitalized and there are no other known swine flu cases in the district, about 10 miles south of Pittsburgh. South Fayette Superintendent Linda Hippert says the student is recovering at home. Cleaning staff will disinfect those areas of the school where students have a greater risk of exposure to the virus.

Washington parents say no to seventh and eighth grade move

Once again, Washington residents told the school board not to move seventh and eighth graders to the high school. The conversation came up at Washington's school board meeting Monday night.
The board will have a public hearing about the matter Monday at 7 p.m. at Washington Park School.
The following Monday, June 15, the board is expected to vote on the proposal during its business meeting.

School District-State Budget

As you know all the School Districts in Pennsylvania will be passing their final budget in the upcoming weeks. The State requires that they do so by June 30th of each year.

You also may be seeing articles about the State Budget (in which the Education Budget is part of). In Harrisburg there is debate on whether to use the Federal Stimulus money to replace the State's portion of the Basic Education, Transportation and Special Education Subsidies as well as the various grant programs funded by the State.

According to PSBA (Pennsylvania School Boards Association) the stalemate is apparently over what year to roll back the funding amounts to.

The Republican minority wants to roll back the base numbers to 2007-08 Budgeted Education Subsidies, while the Governor is leaning towards the 2008-09 as a base year.

Depending on which version passes, the Commonwealth could save up to 800 million dollars in state funds (lowering their projected deficit to 2 Billion Dollars) while delivering the full amount of Governor's proposed Education Budget.

What will happen is that the School Districts will pass their budgets by June 30th. What may happen is that the State won't pass its budget by the same date.

If the State Legislative bodies and the Governor can resolve the impasse relatively quickly then there will be no significant impact on the School Districts for 2009-10.

If the impasse drags on into the summer there may be some concerns with the School's in terms of cash flow operations, since the first Subsidy payments are due to the School Districts in August 2009.

Hopefully the budgetary issues can be resolved quickly and we can have a rather uneventful summer.

Appeals court says: No Bible in kindergarten show and tell

Judges: No Bible at Pa. kindergarten show and tell

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A kindergartner’s mother cannot read Scripture during show and tell, even if the Bible is the boy’s favorite book, a U.S. appeals court said Monday.
The Marple Newtown School District in suburban Philadelphia told plaintiff Donna Kay Busch in October 2004 that she could not read the Bible passages during her son’s “All About Me” program. The school did permit the boy to discuss a poster that included references to his church as well as his family, pet and best friend.
“Parents of public school kindergarten students may reasonably expect their children will not become captive audiences to an adult’s reading of religious texts,” Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica wrote in the split 2-1 opinion, which upheld a lower court’s ruling.
Busch argued that the young students heard stories related to Passover, Christmas and other religious holidays, but the court concluded there was a “significant difference” between identifying such holidays and reading from Scripture.
Principal Thomas Cook of Culbertson Elementary School believed such a reading would “proselytize ... a specific religious point of view,” the opinion stated.
Busch, who describes herself as an evangelical Christian, is contemplating an appeal, according to lawyer Jason Gosselin. He said he took the case pro bono after a request from The Rutherford Institute, which focuses on First Amendment and religious freedom issues. Busch had contacted the group.
Gosselin argued that the school districts can restrict content but must remain “viewpoint neutral” once they invite parents in to celebrate their child.
“What Donna Busch wanted to do was well within that restriction. She wanted to come in and share something that was special to her son, something that they did every day,” Gosselin said.
A lawyer for the school district, Mark A. Sereni, declined to immediately comment. But in its brief, the district said the case was more about the mother’s interests and motives than her son’s. A family baby sitter described the children’s book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” as the boy’s favorite that year, according to the brief.
“This case is not at all about Wesley — it is all about Busch (and) Busch’s (religious) mission,” the district said in its brief.
School officials have to make similar decisions nearly every day in public schools across Pennsylvania and the U.S., a lawyer for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said.
This particular situation may not come up every day, but some version of it comes up often,” said Emily J. Leader, the association’s deputy chief counsel.
She believes the ruling strikes a balance between a student’s right to express religious beliefs, the need to maintain a church-state separation and the need for schools to control curriculum.
“It’s probably not inherently harmful for children to hear a passage from the Bible, but it is going to be inherently harmful for kids to hear other things, something violent perhaps, that would be extremely disturbing to a 5-year-old.”