A fresh one. Nice turnout at last night's Education Committee meeting, by the way.
54 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Education Committee: MaST Community Charter School appears to be looking to expand into our area...perhaps this could be looked into as an additional alternative for Morrisville?
NESHAMINY SCHOOLS MaST charter denied Tue Feb 12, 2013. By Christian Menno Staff writer In a 4-3 vote by the Neshaminy school board Monday, MaST Community Charter School’s bid to open a facility in the school district failed.
Board members Ritchie Webb, Irene Boyle, Mark Shubin and Scott Congdon voted against approving the application, while William Oettinger, Mike Morris and Anthony Sposato voted in favor of bringing MaST into the district. Board members Kim Koutsouradis and Susan Cummings were not present.
The hearing was a continuance of an initial proceeding that took place in November. Neshaminy officials, staff members and residents packed the district office board room. Some supported MaST’s entry into Neshaminy, while others spoke against it.
Despite the urging from several community members to grant the charter for the proposed K-12 school that would emphasize science and technology, the majority of the board felt MaST was lacking in some educational areas. They sided with district teachers and administrators who testified regarding diverse learning experiences offered in Neshaminy. Superintendent Robert Copeland said MaST officials failed to demonstrate that the school has the capability to serve as a unique model for other public schools — one of the criteria the school was required to meet in order to have its application approved.
The Bensalem School District also recently rejected a similar application from MaST.
Neshaminy officials testified that after a recent visit to MaST’s Philadelphia campus, they saw state-of-the-art technology. However, there were concerns about how much it was actually used in the everyday curriculum.
The testimony also stated that Neshaminy offers far more AP courses and extracurricular activities and clubs than does MaST.
MaST CEO John Swoyer said this difference in class offering should be expected as Neshaminy educates many more students district-wide than would MaST.
District officials also expressed concern of the school’s ability to open in time for the 2013-2014 school year as planned because the school has not yet found a location for its facility.
Monday’s hearing began with a lengthy video presentation produced by Neshaminy administrators and teachers showing the variety of educational opportunities — many involving technology-based lessons and materials — provided by the district.
Deb Harker, a Neshaminy parent and a parent member of the founding board of MaST-Neshaminy, said during public comment said that the competition that would arise from bringing MaST into the district will actually push Neshaminy schools to improve.
“A little competition is a really good thing,” Harker said, adding that Neshaminy children deserve school choice and the ability to attend MaST.
Parent Susan Gallagher said her children are thriving in Neshaminy schools and that the variety of the district’s curriculum sets it apart from what is offered by MaST.
Charles Alfonso, a Neshaminy parent and MaST supporter, said that education is suffering in Neshaminy and that the system is a “disgrace.” He also took issue with the district’s presentation Monday and said it was “based on lies.”
Parent Gail Thibideau said the longstanding contract dispute with district teachers continues to hurt the district and that children would benefit from the addition of MaST.
Matt Pileggi, another parent and founding member of MaST-Neshaminy, said children should not be robbed of what the school has to offer and encouraged the board to approve the application.
“It would be a beneficial relationship for the long-term future,” he added.
Parent Stephen Pirritano said his children have done well in Neshaminy schools and that the contract impasse has driven much of the support for MaST. He added that he is confident the district can improve on its own without the addition of another charter school.
“Rejecting MaST will help support all Neshaminy students,” Pirritano said.
Neshaminy last year granted a charter application from School Lane Charter School-Neshaminy to open a K-12 school in the district. SLCS officials hope to open initially as a K-5 facility by the 2014-2015 school year.
Swoyer read a rebuttal statement in response to a report submitted by Neshaminy administrators as evidence prior to the hearing.
He cited MaST’s full-day kindergarten program, attention paid to the latest educational trends and the multiple forms of technology used to support students across all subjects as reasons to grant the charter.
Interesting thought. MaST has approached and struck out with Bensalem and Neshaminy, much bigger districts than Morrisville. I'm wondering aloud if a bigger district is more appealing to MaST because it has a bigger pool of students to draw from?
Students are already considered dollar signs in public school districts, what happens when they become profit margins in for profit private corporations?
HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that seven Pennsylvania schools will improve walking and biking safety through PennDOT's distribution of more than $58,000 in federal Safe Routes to School Program funds.
"A multi-modal transportation system brings many health and environmental benefits to our communities," Corbett said. "We must teach children how to take advantage of these transportation options safely. These investments will lay the foundation for safe walking and biking habits through their entire lives."
The investments will help the schools develop educational programs, purchase equipment and establish other safety measures to ensure students who walk or bike to school can do so safely.
The PennDOT-administered program provides guidance and funding to help schools develop safe walking and biking solutions in their communities. Established through federal legislation in 2005, the program was created, in part, to help reverse a nationwide increase in childhood obesity. The program also benefits communities by helping to reduce fuel consumption, alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Since 2008, nearly $20 million in federal funds have been awarded to 144 Pennsylvania schools to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities and enhance safety through education and encouragement strategies.
For more information on the program, visit PennDOT's Safe Routes to School Resource Center at www.SafeRoutesPA.org.
Media contact: Kelli Roberts , Governor's Office, 717-783-1116 Steve Chizmar , PennDOT, 717-783-8800
Editor's Note: Following is the list of federal Safe Routes to School grant recipients, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects:
Allegheny County: Community Day School, IU2 Mount Oliver -- $5,150 to hold a bicycle rodeo to learn bicycle safety; encourage students to walk or bike through themed days; implement a walk and bike club; and provide pedometers and reflective gear for club members.
Bucks County: Grandview Elementary and Morrisville Intermediate Schools, Morrisville School District -- $9,150 to develop lessons to teach students walking safety, implement a "walking school bus" program, and provide training and equipment to crossing guards.
Cumberland County: Mooreland Elementary School, Carlisle Area School District -- $4,238 to hold a family bicycle rodeo and to purchase promotional items as well as bicycle helmets and crossing guard equipment.
Philadelphia County, Philadelphia School District: Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Philadelphia School District -- $10,000 to promote safety in the school's walking and biking routes with educational programs and purchasing educational and safety equipment. Gen. George G. Meade School -- $10,000 to implement a bicycle repair, safety and riding program to encourage students to ride bicycles. Plans include holding a bicycle rodeo; sponsoring an after-school program that focuses on teaching bicycle safety, repair and maintenance, and rules of the road; and purchasing safety and educational materials. William Meredith Elementary School -- $10,000 to create a Walking and Biking Ambassador program in which student ambassadors would undergo safety training and leadership development to train their peers on safe walking and biking. Plans include purchasing educational and safety materials for students and tip sheets for parents. Southwark, Stephen Girard , E.M. Stanton and Frances E. Willard Elementary Schools -- $10,000 to implement a walking school bus program at each school and to purchase the participation materials and safety equipment necessary for the programs.
The Lady Bulldogs Basketball team will be competing in the 1st Round of the PIAA District #1 playoffs on Saturday February 23rd. The opponent will be Girard College. The game will be played at Girard College in Philadelphia, PA. Game time is 1:00. There is a $5.00 admission charge for both students and adults. Come out and support the Lady Bulldogs basketball team.
Congratulations to the Following Bulldog Bowlers for earning All-League Honors. Stewart Wilson earned Honorable Mention Honors for the Boys. On the Girls side Anna Smolinski earned 1st Team Honors Janine Schuster and Bria Brown earned 2nd team honors. Brittany Farmer earned Honorable Mention Honors. Anna Smolinski was named The Bicentennial Athletic League Girls Bowler of the Year. Congratulations to all the Bowlers.
Congratulations to The Boys Basketball team on making the P.I.A.A. District #1 Basketball playoffs. The boys will travel to Plumstead Christian on Tuesday February 19th for a 5:00 Tip-Off. Come out and support the boys on their District #1 Playoff run. Tickets are $5.00 for both students and adults.
Dear Anonymous, students involved in sports programs and other clubs is all part of a well rounded-educational system which benefits the district and community. I invite you to visit Mv.org and click on the newsletters as well as the Morrisville Messenger found under the Grandview link and read more on what is going on in our schools. This is just a small part of the Morrisville experience and sharing with everyone, even on the blog, brings good light to the kids who work so hard against the odds. Also, every month you can come out to the Board business meetings and witness other achievements highlighted within the Student Spotlight section. Keeping it positive Anonymous.
I'll second that. You guys are doing a great job. You have educational and student focus, the student spotlight is a regular part of the board meetings, the newsletters don't have a self-congratulating political bent to them, you're keeping open minds and listening to everyone at the board and committee meetings, you're asking good questions and demanding good answers, you're watching out for the taxpayers. In short, you're doing what good school board members and good community members should be doing. Keep up the good work. Don't let the perennial connivers and downers get you down. All right, back to vacuuming the house.
MAybe this was already posted, but I just noticed it. I kow, I am not on the cutting edge, but:
Pursuant to Act 1, The Pennsylvania Department of Education publishes an index % applicable to the School District. The School District real estate tax increase for the next fiscal year is limited to the index % unless the proposed tax rate is approved by voters pursuant to referendum or the School District qualifies for an Act 1 exception. As a result of special circumstances covered by an Act 1 referendum exception, a tax rate % increase above the index might be required to balance the School District budget for the next fiscal year. The tax to be levied is required to provide a quality education program as reflected in the School District Preliminary Budget.
The School District intends to seek approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education as required by Act 1 for an exception allowing an increase of real estate tax as reflected in the School District Preliminary Budget. On written request by any School District resident or taxpayer, the School District will provide a copy of the referendum exception application.
If Ivan is on the board and his wife is an employee, is there a conflict of interest?
Not that there seems to be too many issues with these when it suits the noisemakers to have them, but it also seems to create an easy target for undermining a board member if so desired. Just wondering
Re: that Act 1 notice, chalk it up to the SOC prior board cutting taxes and burning our reserves to balance budgets. The reserves were $3 million, now they're gone. That was no way to run a railroad or a school district. It was unsustainable. The chickens have come home to roost.
Apply tax cuts, start some costly wars (Tech, Head Start, Yonson), drain your reserves, get booted from office, complain about spending, act like arrogant know it alls the whole time, trash decent people who disagree with you. Where have I heard this before?
The final budget is due in June. A lot can, and usually does, happen between Feb. and June. This year, a lot does have to happen to close the deficit.
I'm sure no one wants to raise taxes, but the previous posters were right about the reserves drying up. That, along with 5 years or so of tax rates down then flat, increasing expenses like PSERS (pensions), and reduced state funding under the Corbett Administration, has left the district in an especially tough spot budget-wise.
The board can't dip into the piggy bank any more to balance the budget. It's tapped out. I think it's a sound approach for the board to keep its options open. Work to close the deficit with no tax increase, but don't take options off the table in February.
Let's hope so, he was a Total Waste of Taxpayers Money. He won't be missed, he did nothing. Maybe Pat Wandling could write a nice article about him in the newsletter.
Hey, remember this? Morrisville was thinking about joining but didn't, opting for a wait & see approach. We waited. What did we see?
CR mulls joining health care consortium By Chris English Staff Writer March 1, 2013
As Council Rock officials weigh a decision on whether to join the Bucks-Montgomery Health Care Consortium, the school district held an employee health care forum Thursday night to further educate school board members and the public.
The consortium is a group of 15 school districts or educational institutions from Bucks and Montgomery counties that have joined in an effort to save on employee health care costs. It started July 1 and is handling health insurance for 8,735 employees and, counting family members of employees, 22,692 people in all.
Council Rock officials said they already are saving money since going to a self insurance system for health care about four years ago. Self insuring means the district collects premiums and pays out claims instead of doing that through an insurance company, though Council Rock still incurs some administrative fees from Independence Blue Cross.
“I know there are very good things about the consortium, but we’ve been on such a good path and I’m concerned that I don’t see the long term benefits of joining the consortium,” said school board president Wendi Thomas at Thursday night’s forum.
“We’ve been studying this for about a year and struggling with what we know are the benefits and detriments and working our way through that,” added Superintendent Mark Klein.
The deadline for making a decision is April 1, he said. The school is scheduled to take a vote on whether to join at its March 21 meeting, Klein said, and added that he and other administrators would make a recommendation to the school board before then.
This school year, Council Rock is paying $17 million to $18 million to insure 1,364 employees and, counting family members of employees, 3,694 people in all, said Director of Business Administration Robert Reinhart.
The district would save 0.72 percent on next year’s projected insurance bill by joining the consortium, said Director of Human Resources Christine Trioli. Estimated savings beyond that aren’t known, she said.
Some of the disadvantages of joining would be possibly relinquishing some control over fashioning health insurance unique to the needs of Council Rock, she said.
Bob Russell, a consultant for the consortium, said its 15 members this school year collectively are saving about $4.7 million compared to what their health insurance costs would have been had they not joined.
Consortium members are Bucks County Intermediate Unit, Bucks County Technical High School, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, Upper Bucks Technical High School and the school districts of Bristol, Bristol Township, Central Bucks, Lower Moreland, Neshaminy, New Hope-Solebury, Norristown, Perkiomen Valley, Quakertown, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland.
I literally can't name names because I don't know. I don't mean it as a gotcha moment. I recall it was on the recommendation of Mr. Ferrara and Mr. DeAngelo that MSD sit it out 1 year and see how it panned out. That was about 1 year ago. We may have paid some initial fee ($5,000?) to preserve a future seat at the table.
Meanwhile, I think MSD pursued its own health care arrangement for this current school year, and that it may have saved money over the prior arrangement.
I'm simply saying about 1 year has elapsed, so what have we learned? It's really more a question for Mr. Ferrara and Mr. DeAngelo. I'm just floating it out there in the blogosphere for now because I saw the BCCT article about Council Rock.
At the 2/27 board meeting, it was mentioned that the deficit may be down to about $500k, but I don't know specifically what steps have been (or need to be) taken to accomplish this.
54 comments:
Education Committee:
MaST Community Charter School appears to be looking to expand into our area...perhaps this could be looked into as an additional alternative for Morrisville?
NESHAMINY SCHOOLS MaST charter denied
Tue Feb 12, 2013.
By Christian Menno Staff writer
In a 4-3 vote by the Neshaminy school board Monday, MaST Community Charter School’s bid to open a facility in the school district failed.
Board members Ritchie Webb, Irene Boyle, Mark Shubin and Scott Congdon voted against approving the application, while William Oettinger, Mike Morris and Anthony Sposato voted in favor of bringing MaST into the district. Board members Kim Koutsouradis and Susan Cummings were not present.
The hearing was a continuance of an initial proceeding that took place in November. Neshaminy officials, staff members and residents packed the district office board room. Some supported MaST’s entry into Neshaminy, while others spoke against it.
Despite the urging from several community members to grant the charter for the proposed K-12 school that would emphasize science and technology, the majority of the board felt MaST was lacking in some educational areas. They sided with district teachers and administrators who testified regarding diverse learning experiences offered in Neshaminy. Superintendent Robert Copeland said MaST officials failed to demonstrate that the school has the capability to serve as a unique model for other public schools — one of the criteria the school was required to meet in order to have its application approved.
The Bensalem School District also recently rejected a similar application from MaST.
Neshaminy officials testified that after a recent visit to MaST’s Philadelphia campus, they saw state-of-the-art technology. However, there were concerns about how much it was actually used in the everyday curriculum.
The testimony also stated that Neshaminy offers far more AP courses and extracurricular activities and clubs than does MaST.
MaST CEO John Swoyer said this difference in class offering should be expected as Neshaminy educates many more students district-wide than would MaST.
District officials also expressed concern of the school’s ability to open in time for the 2013-2014 school year as planned because the school has not yet found a location for its facility.
Monday’s hearing began with a lengthy video presentation produced by Neshaminy administrators and teachers showing the variety of educational opportunities — many involving technology-based lessons and materials — provided by the district.
Deb Harker, a Neshaminy parent and a parent member of the founding board of MaST-Neshaminy, said during public comment said that the competition that would arise from bringing MaST into the district will actually push Neshaminy schools to improve.
“A little competition is a really good thing,” Harker said, adding that Neshaminy children deserve school choice and the ability to attend MaST.
Parent Susan Gallagher said her children are thriving in Neshaminy schools and that the variety of the district’s curriculum sets it apart from what is offered by MaST.
Charles Alfonso, a Neshaminy parent and MaST supporter, said that education is suffering in Neshaminy and that the system is a “disgrace.” He also took issue with the district’s presentation Monday and said it was “based on lies.”
Parent Gail Thibideau said the longstanding contract dispute with district teachers continues to hurt the district and that children would benefit from the addition of MaST.
Matt Pileggi, another parent and founding member of MaST-Neshaminy, said children should not be robbed of what the school has to offer and encouraged the board to approve the application.
“It would be a beneficial relationship for the long-term future,” he added.
Parent Stephen Pirritano said his children have done well in Neshaminy schools and that the contract impasse has driven much of the support for MaST. He added that he is confident the district can improve on its own without the addition of another charter school.
“Rejecting MaST will help support all Neshaminy students,” Pirritano said.
Neshaminy last year granted a charter application from School Lane Charter School-Neshaminy to open a K-12 school in the district. SLCS officials hope to open initially as a K-5 facility by the 2014-2015 school year.
Swoyer read a rebuttal statement in response to a report submitted by Neshaminy administrators as evidence prior to the hearing.
He cited MaST’s full-day kindergarten program, attention paid to the latest educational trends and the multiple forms of technology used to support students across all subjects as reasons to grant the charter.
Interesting thought. MaST has approached and struck out with Bensalem and Neshaminy, much bigger districts than Morrisville. I'm wondering aloud if a bigger district is more appealing to MaST because it has a bigger pool of students to draw from?
Students are already considered dollar signs in public school districts, what happens when they become profit margins in for profit private corporations?
Republicans rejoice?
Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces Investments to Improve Students' Walking, Biking Safety
HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that seven Pennsylvania schools will improve walking and biking safety through PennDOT's distribution of more than $58,000 in federal Safe Routes to School Program funds.
"A multi-modal transportation system brings many health and environmental benefits to our communities," Corbett said. "We must teach children how to take advantage of these transportation options safely. These investments will lay the foundation for safe walking and biking habits through their entire lives."
The investments will help the schools develop educational programs, purchase equipment and establish other safety measures to ensure students who walk or bike to school can do so safely.
The PennDOT-administered program provides guidance and funding to help schools develop safe walking and biking solutions in their communities. Established through federal legislation in 2005, the program was created, in part, to help reverse a nationwide increase in childhood obesity. The program also benefits communities by helping to reduce fuel consumption, alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Since 2008, nearly $20 million in federal funds have been awarded to 144 Pennsylvania schools to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities and enhance safety through education and encouragement strategies.
For more information on the program, visit PennDOT's Safe Routes to School Resource Center at www.SafeRoutesPA.org.
Media contact:
Kelli Roberts , Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Steve Chizmar , PennDOT, 717-783-8800
Editor's Note: Following is the list of federal Safe Routes to School grant recipients, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects:
Allegheny County: Community Day School, IU2 Mount Oliver -- $5,150 to hold a bicycle rodeo to learn bicycle safety; encourage students to walk or bike through themed days; implement a walk and bike club; and provide pedometers and reflective gear for club members.
Bucks County: Grandview Elementary and Morrisville Intermediate Schools, Morrisville School District -- $9,150 to develop lessons to teach students walking safety, implement a "walking school bus" program, and provide training and equipment to crossing guards.
Cumberland County: Mooreland Elementary School, Carlisle Area School District -- $4,238 to hold a family bicycle rodeo and to purchase promotional items as well as bicycle helmets and crossing guard equipment.
Philadelphia County, Philadelphia School District:
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Philadelphia School District -- $10,000 to promote safety in the school's walking and biking routes with educational programs and purchasing educational and safety equipment.
Gen. George G. Meade School -- $10,000 to implement a bicycle repair, safety and riding program to encourage students to ride bicycles. Plans include holding a bicycle rodeo; sponsoring an after-school program that focuses on teaching bicycle safety, repair and maintenance, and rules of the road; and purchasing safety and educational materials.
William Meredith Elementary School -- $10,000 to create a Walking and Biking Ambassador program in which student ambassadors would undergo safety training and leadership development to train their peers on safe walking and biking. Plans include purchasing educational and safety materials for students and tip sheets for parents.
Southwark, Stephen Girard , E.M. Stanton and Frances E. Willard Elementary Schools -- $10,000 to implement a walking school bus program at each school and to purchase the participation materials and safety equipment necessary for the programs.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1zKCF)
Yeah Morrisville!
http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/bensalem/officials-bensalem-school-district-s-million-dollar-scandal-started-with/article_516f75a2-12ff-589e-9885-939124b959b2.html
Boo Bensalem! Any highlights from last night's Superintendent's meeting? Sorry, I couldn't make it.
From the Athletic Director:
The Lady Bulldogs Basketball team will be competing in the 1st Round of the PIAA District #1 playoffs on Saturday February 23rd. The opponent will be Girard College. The game will be played at Girard College in Philadelphia, PA. Game time is 1:00. There is a $5.00 admission charge for both students and adults. Come out and support the Lady Bulldogs basketball team.
From the Athletic Director:
Congratulations to the Following Bulldog Bowlers for earning All-League Honors. Stewart Wilson earned Honorable Mention Honors for the Boys. On the Girls side Anna Smolinski earned 1st Team Honors Janine Schuster and Bria Brown earned 2nd team honors. Brittany Farmer earned Honorable Mention Honors. Anna Smolinski was named The Bicentennial Athletic League Girls Bowler of the Year. Congratulations to all the Bowlers.
From the Athletic Director:
Congratulations to The Boys Basketball team on making the P.I.A.A. District #1 Basketball playoffs. The boys will travel to Plumstead Christian on Tuesday February 19th for a 5:00 Tip-Off. Come out and support the boys on their District #1 Playoff run. Tickets are $5.00 for both students and adults.
Dear Wanda,
How about reporting about some positive EDUCATION achievements!
Dear Anonymous, students involved in sports programs and other clubs is all part of a well rounded-educational system which benefits the district and community. I invite you to visit Mv.org and click on the newsletters as well as the Morrisville Messenger found under the Grandview link and read more on what is going on in our schools. This is just a small part of the Morrisville experience and sharing with everyone, even on the blog, brings good light to the kids who work so hard against the odds.
Also, every month you can come out to the Board business meetings and witness other achievements highlighted within the Student Spotlight section.
Keeping it positive Anonymous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXJefJOU5OE
Dear Wanda,
Thank you for all of your posts and for putting yourself out there to try to help the community.
- Janet
I'll second that. You guys are doing a great job. You have educational and student focus, the student spotlight is a regular part of the board meetings, the newsletters don't have a self-congratulating political bent to them, you're keeping open minds and listening to everyone at the board and committee meetings, you're asking good questions and demanding good answers, you're watching out for the taxpayers. In short, you're doing what good school board members and good community members should be doing. Keep up the good work. Don't let the perennial connivers and downers get you down. All right, back to vacuuming the house.
No pleasing you lol funny clip and so right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mr blogger please please please update us with something, this page is boring! lol
It has been stale lately. What's goin' on? I missed the agenda meeting last week. I watched some of it on video. Any highlights?
I too was beginning to wonder if this played out.
Someone generate a new scandal, or at least revive an old one! STAT!
OK, that was sarcasm for the ironically challenged.
Are here any new updates on what's happening with the plan for the future? Any of the five options gaining any traction?
Yawn!!!
Board meeting weds 7:30 LGI, surely to be interesting.
Don Harm is on Vacation again and Ivan Colon is running for a Seat on the School Board rumor has it.
Does Morrisville School District have an honor roll?
If so, is it publicized?
I see postings in the paper for surrounding school districts quite frequently.
Keeping it positive!
MAybe this was already posted, but I just noticed it. I kow, I am not on the cutting edge, but:
Pursuant to Act 1, The Pennsylvania Department of Education publishes an index % applicable to the School District. The School District real estate tax increase for the next fiscal year is limited to the index % unless the proposed tax rate is approved by voters pursuant to referendum or the School District qualifies for an Act 1 exception. As a result of special circumstances covered by an Act 1 referendum exception, a tax rate % increase above the index might be required to balance the School District budget for the next fiscal year. The tax to be levied is required to provide a quality education program as reflected in the School District Preliminary Budget.
The School District intends to seek approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education as required by Act 1 for an exception allowing an increase of real estate tax as reflected in the School District Preliminary Budget. On written request by any School District resident or taxpayer, the School District will provide a copy of the referendum exception application.
Wanda Kartal, School Board Secretary
If Ivan is on the board and his wife is an employee, is there a conflict of interest?
Not that there seems to be too many issues with these when it suits the noisemakers to have them, but it also seems to create an easy target for undermining a board member if so desired. Just wondering
Ivan's wife is a district employee? I may be wrong but I think your barking up the wrong Colon tree.
Hell hath no fury like a blocked Colon.
Re: that Act 1 notice, chalk it up to the SOC prior board cutting taxes and burning our reserves to balance budgets. The reserves were $3 million, now they're gone. That was no way to run a railroad or a school district. It was unsustainable. The chickens have come home to roost.
Apply tax cuts, start some costly wars (Tech, Head Start, Yonson), drain your reserves, get booted from office, complain about spending, act like arrogant know it alls the whole time, trash decent people who disagree with you. Where have I heard this before?
Is there a Mr. B? If so, I hate to think we couldn't have a Mr. B candidacy.
The final budget is due in June. A lot can, and usually does, happen between Feb. and June. This year, a lot does have to happen to close the deficit.
I'm sure no one wants to raise taxes, but the previous posters were right about the reserves drying up. That, along with 5 years or so of tax rates down then flat, increasing expenses like PSERS (pensions), and reduced state funding under the Corbett Administration, has left the district in an especially tough spot budget-wise.
The board can't dip into the piggy bank any more to balance the budget. It's tapped out. I think it's a sound approach for the board to keep its options open. Work to close the deficit with no tax increase, but don't take options off the table in February.
colons wife does not work in district.
I know I will vote for Ivan, he bleeds bulldog blood. And he saw all that was wrong at the school first hand.
"I know I will vote for Ivan, he bleeds bulldog blood. And he saw all that was wrong at the school first hand."
You forgot to add a little LOL or a smiley or something to let us know you were joking because at first I thought you were serious.
....wait WHAT? You WERE serious ?
Groan. The last thing we need is another loudmouth knucklehead.
Why not? There's only about 3 left out of 9.
Let me ask the obvious question: is Don Harm on vacation again?
Do Harm!
Ferrara farmed Harm out to another School District or he is doing Cyber Retirement all at the Morrisville Taxpayers expense.
did I hear right at the board meeting last night is Harm out at end of this school year
Let's hope so, he was a Total Waste of Taxpayers Money. He won't be missed, he did nothing. Maybe Pat Wandling could write a nice article about him in the newsletter.
Pat Wandling?!!!!!
Seriously, why am I still paying for this person to be on the payroll?!
Good question. There is a $1 Million budget deficit, and she is a nonessential expense.
Harm And Wandling = $100,000 a year. 10% of deficit solved.
To what did we owe THAT generosity, Mihok?
Hey, remember this? Morrisville was thinking about joining but didn't, opting for a wait & see approach. We waited. What did we see?
CR mulls joining health care consortium
By Chris English Staff Writer
March 1, 2013
As Council Rock officials weigh a decision on whether to join the Bucks-Montgomery Health Care Consortium, the school district held an employee health care forum Thursday night to further educate school board members and the public.
The consortium is a group of 15 school districts or educational institutions from Bucks and Montgomery counties that have joined in an effort to save on employee health care costs. It started July 1 and is handling health insurance for 8,735 employees and, counting family members of employees, 22,692 people in all.
Council Rock officials said they already are saving money since going to a self insurance system for health care about four years ago. Self insuring means the district collects premiums and pays out claims instead of doing that through an insurance company, though Council Rock still incurs some administrative fees from Independence Blue Cross.
“I know there are very good things about the consortium, but we’ve been on such a good path and I’m concerned that I don’t see the long term benefits of joining the consortium,” said school board president Wendi Thomas at Thursday night’s forum.
“We’ve been studying this for about a year and struggling with what we know are the benefits and detriments and working our way through that,” added Superintendent Mark Klein.
The deadline for making a decision is April 1, he said. The school is scheduled to take a vote on whether to join at its March 21 meeting, Klein said, and added that he and other administrators would make a recommendation to the school board before then.
This school year, Council Rock is paying $17 million to $18 million to insure 1,364 employees and, counting family members of employees, 3,694 people in all, said Director of Business Administration Robert Reinhart.
The district would save 0.72 percent on next year’s projected insurance bill by joining the consortium, said Director of Human Resources Christine Trioli. Estimated savings beyond that aren’t known, she said.
Some of the disadvantages of joining would be possibly relinquishing some control over fashioning health insurance unique to the needs of Council Rock, she said.
Bob Russell, a consultant for the consortium, said its 15 members this school year collectively are saving about $4.7 million compared to what their health insurance costs would have been had they not joined.
Consortium members are Bucks County Intermediate Unit, Bucks County Technical High School, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, Upper Bucks Technical High School and the school districts of Bristol, Bristol Township, Central Bucks, Lower Moreland, Neshaminy, New Hope-Solebury, Norristown, Perkiomen Valley, Quakertown, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland.
Who didn't want to join?
I literally can't name names because I don't know. I don't mean it as a gotcha moment. I recall it was on the recommendation of Mr. Ferrara and Mr. DeAngelo that MSD sit it out 1 year and see how it panned out. That was about 1 year ago. We may have paid some initial fee ($5,000?) to preserve a future seat at the table.
Meanwhile, I think MSD pursued its own health care arrangement for this current school year, and that it may have saved money over the prior arrangement.
I'm simply saying about 1 year has elapsed, so what have we learned? It's really more a question for Mr. Ferrara and Mr. DeAngelo. I'm just floating it out there in the blogosphere for now because I saw the BCCT article about Council Rock.
Case in point. Link to Feb. 29, 2012 thread below. That's like March 1 in a non-leap year. Or March 1 is like Feb. 29 in a leap year. Take your pick.
http://mvbulldogbanter.blogspot.com/2012/02/health-insurance-consortium-cost.html
I see your point, $1 Million deficit, if we can save more on healthcare, take another look.
At the 2/27 board meeting, it was mentioned that the deficit may be down to about $500k, but I don't know specifically what steps have been (or need to be) taken to accomplish this.
Somebody should ask super and bm why district isn't in consortium.
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