Morrisville School Board president addresses Pennsbury School Board on proposed merger talks
PENNSBURY - In an unusual appearance, Damon Miller, president of the Morrisville School Board, addressed the Pennsbury School Board during public comment on March 7 regarding proposed merger talks between the two school districts.
Miller, who is requesting a meeting with Pennsbury officials on the issue, said he would not want to pursue the talks only with Allan Weisel, the Pennsbury School Board president. He also would like other Pennsbury officials involved.
Weisel said during the meeting that he is willing to meet with Miller, but emphasized that no meeting has been scheduled.
Weisel had been contacted by State Senator Chuck McIlhinney's office regarding a possible meeting between the two board presidents.
Board member Simon Campbell, who opposes the idea of a merger, attempted to block any future meeting from taking place by making a motion that would have barred "any representative of the Pennsbury School District from entering into discussions relating to a possible merger between the Pennsbury School District and the Morrisville School District."
Campbell's motion failed to receive a second.
Miller said to date that there have been no discussions between Weisel and himself.
The Morrisville School Board's Education Committee, he said, is in the process of looking at options for the future of the Morrisville School District. "One of the options that was discussed was a merge," he said.
As part of that discussion, the committee reached out to State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney's office to discuss options and to see if the senator would be open to faciliating a meeting between the board presidents on the merger issue.
But Miller emphasized that there “is nothing going on at this time between anybody.
“I would expect Mr. Weisel will do the same diligence that I have been doing in getting information and reporting back to the school board,” he said.
Miller said Morrisville is "not looking to be rescued. We’re not at that stage. Possibly, down the road -- who knows what happens with mandates and such, but we’re not at that stage. “
He also said that Morrisville is not asking for a merger to be done next year.
“This may be a long-term project that we could possibly work out together," he said.
Miller said he is surprised when he hears people talking about the economic disadvantages of such a jointure.
“Morrisville residents would be able to contribute over $9.3 million yearly,” he said, stressing that this would “not just be a one-time injection of money.”
Miller brought up the Pennsbury School Board’s discussion about potential renovations and the cost involved with the Pennwood Middle School.
“All I can say is we have a newly renovated middle school/high school that has brand new boilers and brand new windows,” he noted. “It could hold about 1500 students.”
Academically, Miller said that Morrisville has basically met Average Yearly Progress (AYP) since 2006 much like Pennsbury.
He said he would “certainly hope and welcome the opportunity” for the Morrisville School District to meet with the Pennsbury School District.
Miller said Morrisville is "not looking to be rescued. We’re not at that stage. Possibly, down the road -- who knows what happens with mandates and such, but we’re not at that stage. “
He also said that Morrisville is not asking for a merger to be done next year.
“This may be a long-term project that we could possibly work out together," he said.
Miller said he is surprised when he hears people talking about the economic disadvantages of such a jointure.
“Morrisville residents would be able to contribute over $9.3 million yearly,” he said, stressing that this would “not just be a one-time injection of money.”
Miller brought up the Pennsbury School Board’s discussion about potential renovations and the cost involved with the Pennwood Middle School.
“All I can say is we have a newly renovated middle school/high school that has brand new boilers and brand new windows,” he noted. “It could hold about 1500 students.”
Academically, Miller said that Morrisville has basically met Average Yearly Progress (AYP) since 2006 much like Pennsbury.
He said he would “certainly hope and welcome the opportunity” for the Morrisville School District to meet with the Pennsbury School District.
Campbell asked if Miller had been authorized by the Morrisville School Board to meet with Weisel.
Miller said his board and the Morrisville residents are aware of what the education committee is doing.
“Mr. Weisel or anybody can meet with me as well as representatives of our board and administration anytime,” Miller said. “I would welcome the opportunity if you have an education committee or a merge or finance committee -- whatever committee you want to form, I would be more than happy to have equal representation from Morrisville School District as well as the Pennsbury School District to meet.”
Pennsbury School Board member Dr. Stephan Kosmorsky said the discussion about Morrisville is “a little off track. If the state senator sends a letter regarding speaking to the Morrisville School Board, that information should go to the entire board.
“I have no problem meeting with anybody,” he said, noting that matters like this “should be shared with everyone.”
An e-mail from the state senator’s office to the board president was part of a string of e-mails about a potential meeting between the two school districts.
Miller said his board and the Morrisville residents are aware of what the education committee is doing.
“Mr. Weisel or anybody can meet with me as well as representatives of our board and administration anytime,” Miller said. “I would welcome the opportunity if you have an education committee or a merge or finance committee -- whatever committee you want to form, I would be more than happy to have equal representation from Morrisville School District as well as the Pennsbury School District to meet.”
Pennsbury School Board member Dr. Stephan Kosmorsky said the discussion about Morrisville is “a little off track. If the state senator sends a letter regarding speaking to the Morrisville School Board, that information should go to the entire board.
“I have no problem meeting with anybody,” he said, noting that matters like this “should be shared with everyone.”
An e-mail from the state senator’s office to the board president was part of a string of e-mails about a potential meeting between the two school districts.
8 comments:
Kudos on a wise approach going to Pennsbury and addressing their entire board directly.
Just heard that Morrisville School Board President Damon Miller will be on "Speak Your Peace" with Pat Wandling tomorrow (Tuesday) on WBCB 1490 AM talking about merge and education committee.
What time?
Speak Your Piece is on from noon to 1 and can be streamed online.
http://tunein.com/radio/WBCB-1490-s27366/
Will WBCB or The Morrisville School District be paying her Salary for this PUBLIC RELATIONS event?
Merrill Reese will pay her with petty cash.
I liked hearing Damon on the radio today. What a change! Instead of the snarling anger of the previous president there was a thoughtful intelligent discussion.
On his part yes, Pat Wandling is as bas a host as she is with public relations.
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