I was a little late, but when I got there, the topic was the pros and cons of cyber classes. Next was the pros and cons of merger, in particular with Pennsbury.
Then library and the HS English teacher going to 3rd grade were discussed. I still don't feel qualified to report on this. I'll give it a shot, but if anyone else who was there wants to clock in, please feel free.
The long and short of it is that due to budget constraints, several teacher furloughs had to happen, and there are complex rules about how to go about doing this - they involve seniority, teacher certifications, etc.
Between that and the Administration's desire to bolster reading resources at the elementary level, we are losing a librarian, and Mrs. Deliman is becoming a reading specialist that will serve Grades 3-8.
Back to teacher furloughs, how does the number of students stand relative to the number of teachers being let go?
Is there any correlation? Or is it strictly money?
Regarding cyber classes, I think for some these might be great, allowing more content and more opportunity for learning, but for others, the guiding hand of a live instructor who is able to tailor the curriculum and style to fit the needs of the students is essential. We can't just replace teachers with web content. This is a sure fire way to fail too many who need more than this.
...and this leads to the merger with Pennsbury, IMHO the best possible thing that could happen short of a very wealthy benefactor emerging. I know it is not realistic at this time, but there are so many reasons why this makes sense, not the least of which is the geography. Morrisville SD is like Lesotho or Swaziland in the RSA, completely surrounded and suffering from decades of bad leadership. A merger would help offset the drops in enrollment for Pennsbury and provide a multitude of opportunities for the students of Morrisville that we can never expect under the current structure.
Unfortunately, there are too many on both sides who won't see these seemingly obvious benefits as outweighing some misguided value in maintaining autonomy and a small district, even as it slowly bleeds to death.
"Will this be an added responsibility for Mrs. Deliman?"
My understanding is that Mrs. Deliman won't be teaching HS English any more, although I think Mr. Ferrara said last night that she may help out with HS students who are not reading at level.
The problem with the education committe meeting is that some decisions are made and you have to live with those decisions, never once did the library or staff switching issues ever come up. The meeting is just another way to show the community they have no say or power in decisions. Frustrating isn't it.
"Back to teacher furloughs, how does the number of students stand relative to the number of teachers being let go? Is there any correlation? Or is it strictly money?"
Some numbers were mentioned by Mr. Ferrara last night, like shedding 4.6 FTEs and a 21% secondary enrollment drop since 2006. But I must admit that sometimes Mr. Ferrara's explanations leave me with more questions than answers.
I don't think it's directly correlated to student enrollment, and I don't think it's strictly money. If I had to list the reasons I heard for the changes, I'd say it's a blend of the following (in no particular order):
1. Budget Constraints (i.e. Money); 2. Class Size Policy; 3. Enrollment Figures; 4. Admin. Recommendations on Redeployment of Educational Resources to achieve Admin. Educational Objectives; 5. Lifting of prior no furlough/maximum student-teacher ratios in the new teachers contract; 6. Strict, complex rules about how to conduct furloughs and move teachers around.
It shows the limits a School Board has in controlling all the moving parts and constraints; they can push back and ask questions but have to rely heavily on the administration who are supposed to be the experts in education and business.
"The meeting is just another way to show the community they have no say or power in decisions."
That's why you elect a school board. Imagine what this town would be like if the community had a say in every decision. There are a lot of squeaky wheels in this town and they don't have the best interest of the students in mind. No thank you. If you don't like what the board is doing, vote them out. I'm not thrilled with every decision this board makes but it's a lot better than the old one. At least there are committee meetings where you can get answers. The last board never had them.
IMO, the benefits of a merger outweigh the drawbacks. Though I don't feel it will happen becauae a majority of Pennsbury's Board won't go for it. Ergo, I'm not getting my hopes up.
The Small Admistrative team led by Bill Ferrara has to much power, he lacked Superintendant experience when hired by Bill Hellman, he was FAST TRACKED to the position with no other candidates interviewed and the BS story given that Yonson retired, well if she retired we gave her a nice bit of cash. Funny thing, the retired Yonson is a Superintendant again at Upper Perkiomen School District, and by the way doing an excellent job. Open the Superintendant position to see what else is out there, and if Bill Ferrara wants to stay here interview him and see what his plan is for Morrisville. Has he ever told the public what it is or is it Hellmans 5 year plan???? While they are at that interview for a Business Manager, A good business manager would not let this mess happen, he was also a Hellman puppet. New Administration better future, this School Board is too intelligent not to see that.
"The new Board chose well with the new solicitor. He is way more engaged and on the ball than the last guy."
The last guy was our own congressman, Mike Fitzpatrick, a patriot and a great guy who has the well being of all Bucks county people first in his mind. Mike deserves to be President one day.
Not quite. The last guy was Thomas Profy IV, who replaced Mike Fitzpatrick when he stopped coming to Morrisville School District board meetings, went to Lower Southampton Township meetings instead, and then ran for Congress instead.
Those who are impressed by Patriot Mike need to work on building a statue or monument to him somewhere in town. For example, at Summerseat or in front of one of our public schools.
RE: Those who are impressed by Patriot Mike need to work on building a statue or monument to him somewhere in town. For example, at Summerseat or in front of one of our public schools.
Manor Park. Vacant with a $300,000+ lawsuit looming. Taxpayers left holding the bag. Nice work, Stay on Crack school board members and Profy. I recommend a group statue of them in front of Manor Park with their heads up their a$$e$.
there will be a search for a new super and yes Ferrara will have to interview again just to be fair. But I think there is a real good chance we will end up with a new super.
Great Job at Graduation last night by Damon Miller. Very inspiring words about Morrisville and his daughter. You should be proud Damon. You truely care about the community.
Two robberies in Morrisville, but few police details
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:30 pm | Updated: 6:13 pm, Mon Jun 17, 2013.
By Jo Ciavaglia Staff writer
Two people were robbed by armed suspects last week in Morrisville, though police released little information about either crime.
The first incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, when police say two suspects in a dark red Honda committed a gunpoint robbery of a person who was walking home. The robbery occurred at Dorset Drive and Arbor Road. Police didn't release any other information about the incident, though a similar robbery was committed earlier this month in that area.
The second Morrisville robbery happened at midnight Friday, when a suspect with a knife stole $20 from someone using the ATM machine at the Bank of America in the first unit block of East Trenton Avenue at N. Pennsylvania Avenue, according to a police news release.
I heard that the Head of Maintenance position is being cut, who will be in charge of maintaining the buildings now? I assume this was another cost cutting move?
The above question/rumor about the Head of Maintenance position being cut did not come up for discussion at last night's meeting, at least as far as I can recall.
However, Item 4.6 of the agenda was for "Approval, Elimination of Facilities Position". This will presumably be voted on at the June 26 Business Meeting. This sounds like it might be what the above poster is referring to. As far as what it means or why, I don't know.
OK. I'll try, at least for one topic of her unhappiness at the 6/19 board agenda meeting.
She (Marlys Mihok) is unhappy that she is (actually WAS, but why let a little thing like that get in the way of political theatrics?) being sued for something she and her school board pals did in 2010 when they terminated Bucks County Head Start's lease of the Manor Park School.
Anyway, she and her SB friends apparently couldn't see fit to read and interpret a fairly short (17 pages) lease to realize what financial strings were attached when they terminated the lease early. Or they realized full well what financial strings were attached and, in their typical fashion, decided they didn't give a crap, and refused to pay.
Head Start sued to the tune of $325,000 to recoup what they feel they're entitled to under the lease. I'm no lawyer, but unfortunately, I think they have a very good case, at least for a big chunk of it. My understanding is that Head Start's original lawsuit named not only the district, but individual board members.
Despite assurances from current Solicitor David Truelove that the names of individual board members have subsequently been removed from the lawsuit, Marlys keeps dredging it up again and again.
It is very important to her that WE (MORRISVILLE TAXPAYERS) PAY, and she NOT pay, if the district loses a lawsuit that she helped bring on.
Marlys also seems to think that not disclosing her address at board meetings, an address which she has disclosed in the past and is widely known, will somehow prevent anyone from finding her or collecting money from her in the event the district loses the lawsuit that ... wait for it ... she's really NOT named in anymore.
Makes perfect sense, right? Suuuuuuure.
You have to admit it takes major league cojones to keep bringing this up in public over and over again as if she were a victim, looking for sympathy and wanting others to foot the bill, when she was right in the thick of bringing this on.
You know the expression "the best defense is a good offense"? Textbook case here. It sure is offensive.
Stating your address is part of the same rules she gleefully enforced. Tell her to STFU. Her three minutes are up.
Bankrupt her and all the rest of the Stuck on Morons. They did the same to the district. Let them pay. I have zero sympathy for her thanks to the hate and intolerance she has been spewing for 30 years. My pity reservoir for her is bone dry.
Not only did they have to vote to terminate, they had to decide to stiff Head Start for anything they were owed under the lease. Mastermind or tagalong. Atrocious either way.
Here's an interesting question for Mr. Truelove: Can the school district sue those six people for any damages realized by the district? After all, the taxpayers should be protected at all costs, right?
3rd Annual Morrisville High School ALL YEARS Reunion. October 5, 2013, Williamson Park, 1pm-dusk, FREE event, Bring your chair, your cooler and your yearbook. Music, Food, Chinese Auction. RSVP or Email the committee for information at allyearsreunion@yahoo.com
"Here's an interesting question for Mr. Truelove: Can the school district sue those six people for any damages realized by the district? After all, the taxpayers should be protected at all costs, right?"
Very good question worth asking. District could lose over $300K on this debacle. Building is vacant and not up to code, correct? It would take lots of money to bring it up to code for anyone to use, correct?
Mihok and her cohorts gave up over $200K per year in rent money from Head Start by booting them out.
Nothing will happen. No current board member will push the issue because they don't want to be the former board member of the future in the same situation. It will quietly be swept under the rug and the irresponsibility of these six will never come to light.
I don't have the answers but is legal expense worth it to go after these deadbeats who wouldn't pay anyway?How personally liable is an elected official for their money losing screwups?
65 comments:
Did anyone go to the education committee meeting and want to report on what happened?
I was a little late, but when I got there, the topic was the pros and cons of cyber classes. Next was the pros and cons of merger, in particular with Pennsbury.
Then library and the HS English teacher going to 3rd grade were discussed. I still don't feel qualified to report on this. I'll give it a shot, but if anyone else who was there wants to clock in, please feel free.
The long and short of it is that due to budget constraints, several teacher furloughs had to happen, and there are complex rules about how to go about doing this - they involve seniority, teacher certifications, etc.
Between that and the Administration's desire to bolster reading resources at the elementary level, we are losing a librarian, and Mrs. Deliman is becoming a reading specialist that will serve Grades 3-8.
Will this be an added responsibility for Mrs. Deliman?
Off topic, but was 111 a magic number?
Back to teacher furloughs, how does the number of students stand relative to the number of teachers being let go?
Is there any correlation? Or is it strictly money?
Regarding cyber classes, I think for some these might be great, allowing more content and more opportunity for learning, but for others, the guiding hand of a live instructor who is able to tailor the curriculum and style to fit the needs of the students is essential. We can't just replace teachers with web content. This is a sure fire way to fail too many who need more than this.
...and this leads to the merger with Pennsbury, IMHO the best possible thing that could happen short of a very wealthy benefactor emerging. I know it is not realistic at this time, but there are so many reasons why this makes sense, not the least of which is the geography. Morrisville SD is like Lesotho or Swaziland in the RSA, completely surrounded and suffering from decades of bad leadership. A merger would help offset the drops in enrollment for Pennsbury and provide a multitude of opportunities for the students of Morrisville that we can never expect under the current structure.
Unfortunately, there are too many on both sides who won't see these seemingly obvious benefits as outweighing some misguided value in maintaining autonomy and a small district, even as it slowly bleeds to death.
"Will this be an added responsibility for Mrs. Deliman?"
My understanding is that Mrs. Deliman won't be teaching HS English any more, although I think Mr. Ferrara said last night that she may help out with HS students who are not reading at level.
The problem with the education committe meeting is that some decisions are made and you have to live with those decisions, never once did the library or staff switching issues ever come up. The meeting is just another way to show the community they have no say or power in decisions. Frustrating isn't it.
"Off topic, but was 111 a magic number?"
Yes.
"Back to teacher furloughs, how does the number of students stand relative to the number of teachers being let go? Is there any correlation? Or is it strictly money?"
Some numbers were mentioned by Mr. Ferrara last night, like shedding 4.6 FTEs and a 21% secondary enrollment drop since 2006. But I must admit that sometimes Mr. Ferrara's explanations leave me with more questions than answers.
I don't think it's directly correlated to student enrollment, and I don't think it's strictly money. If I had to list the reasons I heard for the changes, I'd say it's a blend of the following (in no particular order):
1. Budget Constraints (i.e. Money);
2. Class Size Policy;
3. Enrollment Figures;
4. Admin. Recommendations on Redeployment of Educational Resources to achieve Admin. Educational Objectives;
5. Lifting of prior no furlough/maximum student-teacher ratios in the new teachers contract;
6. Strict, complex rules about how to conduct furloughs and move teachers around.
It shows the limits a School Board has in controlling all the moving parts and constraints; they can push back and ask questions but have to rely heavily on the administration who are supposed to be the experts in education and business.
"The meeting is just another way to show the community they have no say or power in decisions."
That's why you elect a school board. Imagine what this town would be like if the community had a say in every decision. There are a lot of squeaky wheels in this town and they don't have the best interest of the students in mind. No thank you. If you don't like what the board is doing, vote them out. I'm not thrilled with every decision this board makes but it's a lot better than the old one. At least there are committee meetings where you can get answers. The last board never had them.
Well put. I agree.
Actually who teaches what is more of a Human Resources issue than Education and that is a different night of the month.
Another hat Super and his Administrative Team wear. How well do you think they wear it?
IMO, the benefits of a merger outweigh the drawbacks. Though I don't feel it will happen becauae a majority of Pennsbury's Board won't go for it. Ergo, I'm not getting my hopes up.
The Small Admistrative team led by Bill Ferrara has to much power, he lacked Superintendant experience when hired by Bill Hellman, he was FAST TRACKED to the position with no other candidates interviewed and the BS story given that Yonson retired, well if she retired we gave her a nice bit of cash. Funny thing, the retired Yonson is a Superintendant again at Upper Perkiomen School District, and by the way doing an excellent job. Open the Superintendant position to see what else is out there, and if Bill Ferrara wants to stay here interview him and see what his plan is for Morrisville. Has he ever told the public what it is or is it Hellmans 5 year plan???? While they are at that interview for a Business Manager, A good business manager would not let this mess happen, he was also a Hellman puppet. New Administration better future, this School Board is too intelligent not to see that.
It would be willful ignorance not to open the Super + Bus Mgr positions to competition when the contracts end. Let the best candidates win.
The new Board chose well with the new solicitor. He is way more engaged and on the ball than the last guy.
I agree, lets see whats out there, you will never know unless you try.
Solicitor was an excellent choice.
"The new Board chose well with the new solicitor. He is way more engaged and on the ball than the last guy."
The last guy was our own congressman, Mike Fitzpatrick, a patriot and a great guy who has the well being of all Bucks county people first in his mind. Mike deserves to be President one day.
Not quite. The last guy was Thomas Profy IV, who replaced Mike Fitzpatrick when he stopped coming to Morrisville School District board meetings, went to Lower Southampton Township meetings instead, and then ran for Congress instead.
THANK GOD for Mike. He's looking out for all of us.
I think the last guy was Thomas Profy. Mike Fitzpatrick was before Profy.
Those who are impressed by Patriot Mike need to work on building a statue or monument to him somewhere in town. For example, at Summerseat or in front of one of our public schools.
"THANK GOD for Mike. He's looking out for all of us."
In what ways is he looking out for all of us? I need a good laugh today.
RE:
Those who are impressed by Patriot Mike need to work on building a statue or monument to him somewhere in town. For example, at Summerseat or in front of one of our public schools.
Yeah, right in front of MR Reiter!
Perfect!
And we can put one of Profy in Front of Manor Park.
Manor Park. Vacant with a $300,000+ lawsuit looming. Taxpayers left holding the bag. Nice work, Stay on Crack school board members and Profy. I recommend a group statue of them in front of Manor Park with their heads up their a$$e$.
Just sickening what the Hellman -Mihok "Asses of Evil", with foot soldiers like Stout, did to the school district.
Just Remember Ferrara and DeAngelo let them do it, add them to the list and statue.
Graduation for MHS has been moved to the gymnasium at 7 pm. seniors should report to the auditorium at 615 p
there will be a search for a new super and yes Ferrara will have to interview again just to be fair. But I think there is a real good chance we will end up with a new super.
Deli for super?
Have a open search and may the best candidate for Morrisville be chosen. If it is Ferrara then give him a new contract if not let him walk.
Stay on Crack won't like it if you don't hand him the job again.
Boy Scout car wash at Morrisville Presbyterian Church on Trenton Ave till noon today. Come out and support Troop 3.
Great Job at Graduation last night by Damon Miller. Very inspiring words about Morrisville and his daughter. You should be proud Damon. You truely care about the community.
Thank you for the kind words.
Be careful, and keep your eyes and ears open
Two robberies in Morrisville, but few police details
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:30 pm | Updated: 6:13 pm, Mon Jun 17, 2013.
By Jo Ciavaglia Staff writer
Two people were robbed by armed suspects last week in Morrisville, though police released little information about either crime.
The first incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, when police say two suspects in a dark red Honda committed a gunpoint robbery of a person who was walking home. The robbery occurred at Dorset Drive and Arbor Road. Police didn't release any other information about the incident, though a similar robbery was committed earlier this month in that area.
The second Morrisville robbery happened at midnight Friday, when a suspect with a knife stole $20 from someone using the ATM machine at the Bank of America in the first unit block of East Trenton Avenue at N. Pennsylvania Avenue, according to a police news release.
I heard that the Head of Maintenance position is being cut, who will be in charge of maintaining the buildings now? I assume this was another cost cutting move?
7:30pm tonight, Board Agenda meeting in the LGI
Hopefully the questions will be answered.
Highlights or lowlights from last nite's meeting? Were the questions answered?
Inquiring minds want to know.
A little cray cray was in the house last night.
what questions? did someone go to the meeting and ask questions. share with us on the blog too
"A little cray cray was in the house last night."
Last night? It always crazy up in this Biatch!
The above question/rumor about the Head of Maintenance position being cut did not come up for discussion at last night's meeting, at least as far as I can recall.
However, Item 4.6 of the agenda was for "Approval, Elimination of Facilities Position". This will presumably be voted on at the June 26 Business Meeting. This sounds like it might be what the above poster is referring to. As far as what it means or why, I don't know.
Can anyone tell us what the unhappy lady said at the meeting?
OK. I'll try, at least for one topic of her unhappiness at the 6/19 board agenda meeting.
She (Marlys Mihok) is unhappy that she is (actually WAS, but why let a little thing like that get in the way of political theatrics?) being sued for something she and her school board pals did in 2010 when they terminated Bucks County Head Start's lease of the Manor Park School.
Anyway, she and her SB friends apparently couldn't see fit to read and interpret a fairly short (17 pages) lease to realize what financial strings were attached when they terminated the lease early. Or they realized full well what financial strings were attached and, in their typical fashion, decided they didn't give a crap, and refused to pay.
Head Start sued to the tune of $325,000 to recoup what they feel they're entitled to under the lease. I'm no lawyer, but unfortunately, I think they have a very good case, at least for a big chunk of it. My understanding is that Head Start's original lawsuit named not only the district, but individual board members.
Despite assurances from current Solicitor David Truelove that the names of individual board members have subsequently been removed from the lawsuit, Marlys keeps dredging it up again and again.
It is very important to her that WE (MORRISVILLE TAXPAYERS) PAY, and she NOT pay, if the district loses a lawsuit that she helped bring on.
Marlys also seems to think that not disclosing her address at board meetings, an address which she has disclosed in the past and is widely known, will somehow prevent anyone from finding her or collecting money from her in the event the district loses the lawsuit that ... wait for it ... she's really NOT named in anymore.
Makes perfect sense, right? Suuuuuuure.
You have to admit it takes major league cojones to keep bringing this up in public over and over again as if she were a victim, looking for sympathy and wanting others to foot the bill, when she was right in the thick of bringing this on.
You know the expression "the best defense is a good offense"? Textbook case here. It sure is offensive.
Manor Park sits vacant and we get no rent?
How much rent was Head Start paying?
According to the lease, Head Start was paying $27,632/yr in rent (about $2,300/month). But that stopped in 2010 when the Board terminated the lease.
Stating your address is part of the same rules she gleefully enforced. Tell her to STFU. Her three minutes are up.
Bankrupt her and all the rest of the Stuck on Morons. They did the same to the district. Let them pay. I have zero sympathy for her thanks to the hate and intolerance she has been spewing for 30 years. My pity reservoir for her is bone dry.
I hear you and agree. Who went along with this Manor Park lunacy?
I can tell you who voted to terminate Head Start's lease of Manor Park.
It was at the 3/24/2010 Board Business Meeting. Item 3.8 was "Approval, Head Start Lease Option".
The board vote was 6-0 to terminate the lease.
Brenda Worob, Robin Reithmeyer, and Gloria Heater were absent.
The 6 yes votes were:
Bill Hellmann (C.P.A.)
Marlys Mihok
Al Radosti
Jack Buckman
Ron Stout
John DeWilde
Trivia Question: who is the only one listed above who hasn't already been voted out or is not running for re-election?
A: RON STOUT.
Not only did they have to vote to terminate, they had to decide to stiff Head Start for anything they were owed under the lease.
Mastermind or tagalong. Atrocious either way.
Here's an interesting question for Mr. Truelove: Can the school district sue those six people for any damages realized by the district? After all, the taxpayers should be protected at all costs, right?
3rd Annual Morrisville High School ALL YEARS Reunion. October 5, 2013, Williamson Park, 1pm-dusk, FREE event, Bring your chair, your cooler and your yearbook. Music, Food, Chinese Auction. RSVP or Email the committee for information at allyearsreunion@yahoo.com
"Here's an interesting question for Mr. Truelove: Can the school district sue those six people for any damages realized by the district? After all, the taxpayers should be protected at all costs, right?"
Very good question worth asking. District could lose over $300K on this debacle. Building is vacant and not up to code, correct? It would take lots of money to bring it up to code for anyone to use, correct?
Mihok and her cohorts gave up over $200K per year in rent money from Head Start by booting them out.
They should have to split the bill.
Nothing will happen. No current board member will push the issue because they don't want to be the former board member of the future in the same situation. It will quietly be swept under the rug and the irresponsibility of these six will never come to light.
I don't have the answers but is legal expense worth it to go after these deadbeats who wouldn't pay anyway?How personally liable is an elected official for their money losing screwups?
Marlis would do well to lay low over the epic fail she and her cronies perpetrated. She has no shame or sense.
"the irresponsibility of these six will never come to light."
Anyone who reads this blog will know. That's something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybhujdA4gQ
This is what we get for electing people with undeniable mental illness.
Sad but true.
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