See the section entitled:
MAHONEY LEGISLATION AMENDS DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS - AUTHORITY TO HIRE?
We also made an update in the section concerning cyber and charter schools.
Rep. Mahoney spoke briefly on his plan in those specific areas, but faced no questions from the host of the radio program Bob Foltz, or after the comments from any radio callers. (There wasn't time for callers) We would have made a call to ask for clarification on his comments in general regarding "improving education"and items we've broached here, but 20 minutes into the program, host Bob Foltz said they were stopping discussion on the school district consolidation issue and moving on to Rep. Mahoney's proposal for a regional police force. (We found it odd they didn't talk about a regional fire department as this is among Rep. Mahoney's top priorities, apparently.)
On Thursdays, the Let's Talk program is only 45 minutes long vs 90-minutes, and at least 7-10 minutes are taken up with radio spot commercials.
We found the Let's Talk program thus limited listeners/callers feedback when Mr. Foltz announced an end to discussion on the school district consolidation plan.
As this school consolidation issue is not just a small little matter - the Mahoney legislation contains a section for setting a goal of "uniform curriculum" - and there has been no information forthcoming how this will be enacted in consolidated schools, we will contact the state representative for further information.
Note, we reference where we can as many resources as possible to highlight data, other criticisms of Governor Ed Rendell's school consolidation plan, and focus on Rep. Mahoney and his legislation because that legislation as currently written includes several sketchy areas not yet specifically addressed by the state legislator.
During the radio interview, Rep. Mahoney noted one thing we ALL expect from not only our school officials, but all of our elected officials and representatives in government, any government entity.
Accountability, Rep. Mahoney said we need accountability around here in education of our students. Nobody is being accountable.
That struck us as hypocritical when the state legislator seems to dismiss as political parlaying any questioning of his provisions as contained in his own legislation HB 351, his school district consolidation bill.
When will Rep. Mahoney be accountable for what is actually in the bill and explain it to the public, not merely speak in generalities?
We all want good education and quality education for the youth of our area. Each and every one of us wants our youth to succeed with the basics of as fine an education as one can get in this country.
How does consolidating school districts with one county-wide school Superintendent and only 7 (1 from each former school district) with new so-called "boundaries" and a "uniform curriculum" (across Fayette County) in the "grades" going to specifically improve local education?
Does it not seem the exact opposite will occur when one "uniform curriculum" might be applied - in fact - the lucky-for-many move is to try different methodology and one way of obtaining that is exactly the kinds of outside the box avenues such as cyber schools and charter schools.
Yet, the state representative's legislation would curtail private school choice in the consolidated county-wide school district by making provisions for only one cyber school and one charter school - and these would not be private-run, his plan is for these to be established and run by the same county-wide Superintendent and 7 (county) school board directors!
So where is the accountability from Rep. Tim Mahoney?
Plus, the legislation as caller Rob points out in his exchange with Rep. Mahoney underlines a portion under Duties of Superintendents which if anything will make an "appointed" "by the county board of commissoners" (it's still unclear who will actually appoint the superintendent) county Superintendent, one man, having an ability to hire each employee of the county consolidated school.
How will that individual Superintendent ever be held accountable for potential nepotism gone wild? The legislation doesn't address in any way that we can tell how a Superintendent would be removed from the position. Would the board of county commissioners who appoint the individual (if that's who appoints) have the exclusive authority to dismiss or reappoint? Who will the Superintendent have a contract with, and how hard or easy would it be to review and dismiss one person responsible for so many things?
The same would apply to the School Board Directors. How much power will they be able to weild, even if elected "at large" - in the representative smaller district?
As an example 1 each from 7 representative districts and those districts at least in Fayette are wholly a Democrat political party stronghold - isn't it more likely than not all Democrats will be chosen to serve on the one county-wide representative board?
At the least, why not have a 14-member board, or more, all without pay, some minimal stipend for expenses, who are elected, much like Allegheny County's Home Rule district representation?
Now we've thought of this as well. If we're going to move to such a "regional approach" in all of these areas, education delivery, albeit 'county' consolidation for the time being, and regional police force and fire departments, why not a move from "county" government to "regional" government?
Why not as already does happen with some pacts between counties such as Fayette and Washington county and the ferry-boat, and others with Greene County such as a financial bond/loan pool, why not merge counties?
At least, merge county-wide school districts into regional-wide school districts?
It isn't a stretch to believe if one or more areas of government can be consolidated for whatever purposes, cost savings, efficiency of public services, other areas can't be consolidated as well.
That is among the primary concerns we have with consolidation of schools, and particularly this one as it is apparently determined to edge out as best it can private education approaches. Rep. Mahoney's bill limits a county to one of each cyber and charter, and according to his remarks on the Foltz radio program, these would be "county-wide" and "public run."
As we've noted on the site for a long time, we are a proponent of private education approaches. We haven't joined any state or national organizations but we are tempted to begin inquiries, especially if this legislation passes the state House and Senate in the near future.
Uniform curriculum - run by the 'state' - the only choice availabe in a county-wide school district - just does not sit well for a host of reasons. The main reason being - it can only lead to one way of thinking, or else.
Net the Truth Online (Friday March 27, 2009)
HARRISBURG, Feb.10 – State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette, has again introduced legislation that would provide taxpayer savings by allowing residents to approve the consolidation of smaller school districts in the state into countywide school districts.Mahoney's legislation (H.B. 351) would allow county commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they support consolidating small school districts into a single, countywide school district for the purposes of administration and taxation. The consolidation process would begin if at least two-thirds of voters approve the referendum.
The Fayette County lawmaker said he agrees with Gov. Ed Rendell's 2009-10 state budget proposal calling for the consolidation of school districts in Pennsylvania.
"We need to review school district consolidation in Pennsylvania to see if we can provide taxpayers with expanded real estate tax savings," Mahoney said.
Mahoney said the process would create a countywide school district for administrative purposes, not necessarily fewer or larger schools within the district. Individual school buildings, facilities, sports teams and mascots would not be impacted, and could remain in place.
Under the measure, a county school board would be formed to govern the new consolidated district. The county board would be composed of seven members and elected from regions within the county divided equally by population.
The state Department of Education would develop regulations and approve the application process for the countywide school consolidation plan.
The legislation is awaiting action in the House Education Committee.
http://www.pahouse.com/PR/051021009.asp
NOTE: HB 351 may be taken up by the Pennsylvania State House Education Committee anytime - if not this session - in the next session - after the May 2009 Primary Election. Watch for it.
UNMENTIONED IN FEB. PRESS RELEASE - UNIFORM CURRICULUM - BUT IT'S IN THE LEGISLATION HB 351
When is an agenda for "uniform curriculum" among several school systems not an agenda for "uniform curriculum" among several school systems in Pennsylvania?
When state Representative Timothy Mahoney (D-51st) says so.
Nobody has yet directly questioned the basic reason Rep. Mahoney actually touts as the reason for his school district consolidation plan during the representative's meeting with the Editorial Board of the Herald Standard.
A video of the meeting can be found at the Herald-Standard site
Note, the Press Release announcing reintroduction of the bill does not specify the reason Rep. Mahoney touted during the editorial board meeting.
Mahoney reintroduces bill to consolidate school districts for local tax reform
HARRISBURG, Feb.10 – State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette, has again introduced legislation that would provide taxpayer savings by allowing residents to approve the consolidation of smaller school districts in the state into countywide school districts.
Mahoney's legislation (H.B. 351) would allow county commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they support consolidating small school districts into a single, countywide school district for the purposes of administration and taxation. The consolidation process would begin if at least two-thirds of voters approve the referendum.
The Fayette County lawmaker said he agrees with Gov. Ed Rendell's 2009-10 state budget proposal calling for the consolidation of school districts in Pennsylvania.
http://www.pahouse.com/PR/051021009.asp
Who all sits on the Herald-Standard Editorial Board might be of interest as a few years back the newspaper undertook a unique program to offer spots to regular citizens who were interested in serving on the board for a specified period of time. While the program sounds interesting, and the citizens appear to be 'vetted,' (some opinion writing capability) who can say the selections might not be based slightly more on political bent than neutrality?
But before we delve into Rep. Mahoney's expressed primary reason for his school consolidation bill - "education that would be consistent across Fayette County," and "a uniform curriculum" we must point out not even those present at the Editorial Board meeting asked Rep. Mahoney a single thing about what his plan does not deal with.
What would one think is central to a bill stated (in the Feb. Press Release) to attempt to "provide taxpayers with expanded real estate tax savings"?
The school district's entire budget.
And everybody knows the basics without lifting a finger to do any research.
The largest chunk of taxpayers' money goes to funding teachers' salaries, pensions, and health care.
According to Pennsylvania statistics, the largest chunk (of taxpayers' monies) of the school district's budget goes to those costs alone.
School district costs
...Education is labor-intensive, so personnel costs (salaries and benefits) account for approximately 70% of most school district budgets. Debt service on bond issues (for building construction) are likely to account for another 10% (more or less). Other costs account for the remaining 20% of a typical budget. These includes transportation, utilities, instructional materials (books, computers) and consumable supplies.
http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Pennsylvania_public_school_overview
Ed Rendell, Man In Black? By Nathan A. Benefield & Fred D. Baldwin, For The Bulletin Tuesday, February 17, 2009
...The single largest school cost item (about half of every district’s budget) is teacher salaries and benefits. These would become standardized over the newly merged districts. Does anyone believe that salaries will be standardized at any level lower than the highest prevailing in the county?
Nathan A. Benefield is Director of Policy Research with the Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org), an independent, nonprofit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. Fred D. Baldwin, a member of the Carlisle Area School Board, is the project manager of SchoolBoardTansparency.org, a Commonwealth Foundation project dedicated to promoting greater transparency in school district labor negotiations.
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/02/17/commentary/editorials/doc4998eaecca7d1550046361.txt
However, the Mahoney school district consolidation plan reportedly applies to consolidating the Administrative ONLY end of the school districts. The plan as proposed by Rep. Mahoney won't touch the largest drain on the public - the public employees' salaries, pensions, and health care.
As presented by Rep. Mahoney, the legislator notes his consolidation plan will retain the identities of individual school districts.
Yes, the school/school district can keep its mascots and sports teams.
Yet, the bill is touted as consolidation for "taxation purposes."
HB 351
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0351
During the Herald-Standard Editorial Board interview, Rep. Mahoney makes it appear his bill is going to address the entirety of the public school system's obscene costs by highlighting some $250 million spent overall on running the several different school districts in Fayette County. The county has 7 such individual school districts.
Mahoney said (clip)
"We have the opportunity to change our course and we have to cross lines," Mahoney said. "We spend $250 million a year on education in this county and it's time to overhaul the system. There is so much waste we could absorb."
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20284711&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
But Mahoney doesn't address in his followup to that statement how on earth individual taxpayers are going to save some 25-30 percent on a school tax bill if his plan leaves out the largest chunk of costs: the largest percentage of the school district's budget spent on teachers salaries, pensions, and healthcare costs?
clip
Mahoney said he believes that homeowners could save 25 to 30 percent on their property tax bills if his bill were to become law and get implemented.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20284711&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
It simply is not believable an individual homeowner will save 25%-30% on an individual school tax bill when the bulk of the costs of a school (by some resources) nearly half the costs are off the table.
It isn't clear at all how combining or consolidating the school districts for taxation purposes will enable any cost savings of some 25%-30% on individual school tax bills, either.
The school districts will retain buildings, retain non-Administration employees and staff, and retain federal and state funding streams based on school district "population" and per pupil calculations.
That's how the system now operates in Pennsylvania.
None of that is likely to change much in the next ten years either in Fayette County, population of the school district, unless a manufacturing plant or some such locates in the county and increases the population and families move in to take advantage of the availability of new and well paying jobs.
Even then, there would simply be an increase in school population and that would necessitate an increase in teachers and assistant teachers and consultants that seem to always go along with any reorganization plans.
So there is no guarantee those per pupil costs would be reduced in fact it's a safer bet the costs would increase.
SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION FOR "TAXATION PURPOSES"
This area of Rep. Mahoney's bill is sketchy as well.
Note, the bill calls for eliminating individual school districts' governing board of directors. In PA, that's 9 members per district board. In Fayette, with 7 different districts, we're talking about 63 board members.
HB 351 calls for a reduction of school district directors to 1 from each of 7 districts. So 7 school board directors would either be appointed or elected to the county-wide board.
It sounds nice that a school district could keep its identity with school mascots, names, and sports teams. It sounds nice the consolidation would consolidate the bureacracy of 7 school superintendents and however many assistant superintendents and executive level employees on down.
Yet where are the answers to how will local 'autonomy' be retained with 7 school board members in powerful positions vs 63 school board members weighing and deliberating issues - and facing the public in school board elections every 4 years?
Power in the hands of a few is far more dangerous than power in the hands of many.
This is also a matter of accountability. Who will be held accountable when one of the 7 schools in the county-wide district needs a new building. As we have witnessed in the past, school construction is one of the hottest tax issues that captures the attention of taxpayers nearly every election cycle.
So the school keeps its identity, until the building crumbles to bits and rubble. And then what? The 7 board members will vote to build anew, or consolidate actual school buildings. And what will the new building/s be called?
There goes the local identity.
GUESS WHAT CONSOLIDATION FOR PURCHASING SAVINGS HEALTH TRUSTS CAN ALREADY BE DONE
CLIP
Ed Rendell, Man In Black?
By Nathan A. Benefield & Fred D. Baldwin, For The Bulletin
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
...Why would consolidation fail to achieve the cost savings Gov. Rendell hopes for? While measures such as bulk purchasing and cross-district health trusts are sensible cost-savings measures, these can already occur without consolidation. It’s possible that some administrative savings might materialize, but it won’t help that some superintendents will become “assistant superintendents” and others will expect large raises. The notion that larger districts have fewer administrators per pupil runs counter to experience...
http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/02/17/commentary/editorials/doc4998eaecca7d1550046361.txt
Limits of District Consolidation
Filed under: School District Consolidation — kansaseducation @ 9:17 am
My friends at the Commonwealth Foundation point out the limits of school district consolidation. They cite yet another author on the subject, who offers some wise counsel:
“the notion that creating larger administrative units will significantly reduce the actual number of administrators runs counter to experience. It won’t help that some superintendents becomes “assistant superintendents” if everybody involved expects raises.”
http://kansaseducation.wordpress.com/category/school-district-consolidation/
CONSOLIDATION EQUALS RETRACTION OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTAL CHOICE (Cyber and charter schools)
Nearly missed in the presentation Rep. Mahoney makes to the Herald-Standard Editorial Board is the reference to the legislation's impact on the county by limiting to one only:
Cyber School
Charter School
Alternative School
Vo-Technical School
He added that the county could have one cyber school, one charter school, one vocational technical school and one alternative learning school.
If all goes as planned, Mahoney said he would like to get have the proposal ready for a vote next year and hopefully do a "pilot program" in Fayette County. He said he is now seeking support from fellow legislators, but some aren't too keen on the idea...
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20284711&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
As part of the consolidation of the 7 districts in Fayette, then, the county-wide district would enable only one of each.
Isn't choice a big part of the reason for the availability of charter schools and cyber charter schools?
Is this a back-end run on diminishing the availability of such choices so there are fewer private choices?
ONE OF EACH CYBER AND CHARTER SCHOOL PER COUNTY AND PUBLICLY HELD
During his radio appearance Thursday March 26 on WMBS 590 Let's Talk, state Rep. Mahoney highlighted features of his school district consolidation legislation with regard to establishing 1 cyber school, 1 charter school, 1 alternative school and 1 vo-tech school.
What was astonishing about his remarks were regarding the cyber and charter school for the county.
Rep. Mahoney offered that these would be county schools, in other words, these would not be private schools as is currently enabled under Harrisburg law.
Yet, the language in the bill is wholly unclear on that point.
HB 531
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0351&pn=0382
MAHONEY LEGISLATION AMENDS DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS - AUTHORITY TO HIRE?
During his Thursday (March 26) radio appearance on Uniontown WMBS 590 Let's Talk with host Bob Foltz, state Rep. Tim Mahoney took comment and questions from caller "Rob" who cited Rep. Mahoney's legislation pertaining to the "duties of the Superintendent/s."
Rob noted the legislation references a duty of the Superintendent shall be, and he stressed, shall be, among others, to hire professional, temporary professional, or nonprofessional employees. Rob appeared to have been reading word for word from the legislation (we've inserted the section clipping out the identified duties coming before "to hire).
The caller commented the power to hire anybody - as needed - in the school district - the county-wide district - that's a lot of power - and that's a lot of power for one person. He - if memory serves - asked who would be a check on that?
Rep. Mahoney said we need accountability. He claimed the legislation didn't say the Superintendent would be the person to hire everybody. He was emphatic that the School Board Directors, limited to 7 members, would do the actual hiring and the Superintendent would only sign on to each hiring.
He repeated, somebody has to have the accountability. The Superintendent would have "accountability," Mahoney said.
Rob said the legislation doesn't say the section applies to duties of School Board Directors, but to the duties of Superintendents... he said he was reading right from the bill itself, the word employee was spelled with one "e" when it's normally spelled with two. Check the spelling, and the legislation - the bill says duties of the Superintendent shall be ... to hire... and it's underlined. It's new from your last bill.
What was puzzling, Rep. Mahoney didn't seem to possess a copy of the bill in front of him, or he would have possibly allowed the caller the valid point the language is first contained under the section entitled "Duties of Superintendents."
Section 1081. Duties of Superintendents.--The duties of district superintendents shall be...
to hire professional, temporary professional or nonprofessional employes and such other duties as may be required by the board of school directors.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0351&pn=0382
Then, with the bill in front of the legislator, Rep. Mahoney might have noticed the section after duties "shall be" specifies "to hire..." was underlined, and he could have addressed that fact, more specifically as to its meaning and intent.
Rob pointed out if Representative Mahoney wanted the bill to specify the School Board Directors shall hire... employe(e)s, etc. the Representative should make those changes in the language to the bill.
However, we're looking at the bill online and notice exactly what precedes the Duties of Superintendents for some direction and the section is preceded with the wording:
Section 4. Section 1081 of the act, amended January 14, 1970 (1969 P.L.468, No.192), is amended to read:
Section 1081. Duties of Superintendents.--The duties of district superintendents shall be
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0351&pn=0382
It really is not clear what the Duties of the School Board Directors are in the Mahoney bill, and would hope such would be clarified more in line with what Rep. Mahoney said the bill encompasses.
EDUCATION THAT WOULD BE CONSISTENT ACROSS THE COUNTY UNIFORM CURRICULUM
During the Herald-Standard Editorial Board interview with Rep. Mahoney nobody asked state Rep. Mahoney about in his words his non-agenda, when he states the "most important reason" for the consolidation of school districts "is that education would be consistent across Fayette County."
clip
In promoting his bill for consolidation of services for school districts, state Rep. Timothy Mahoney said the most important reason for it is that education would be consistent across Fayette County.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20284711&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Half-an-hour or so later, Mahoney must have forgetten again how he should suppress his "non-agenda" agenda which anybody with a brain could recognize:
'a uniform curriculum."
As clear as a bell to anybody who hears what state Rep. Mahoney is saying the reason for the consolidation plan is for "uniform curriculum" - the most important reason to consolidate is "education" that WOULD BE consistent in Fayette County.
And elsewhere - eventually - by logical reasoning - and Rep. Mahoney's comment "Fayette County would be a 'pilot program.'
However long the Herald Standard Editorial Board listened to Rep. Mahoney, nobody asks: gee Tim, what do you mean by "uniform curriculum"? That's not just consolidating for administrative efficiency or taxation purposes.
Not one question about who will actually propose and adopt 'a uniform curriculum."
The 7 appointed/elected school directors for the consolidated schools?
Ah no. There's the answer right in the legislation.
The Superintendent...
WHY STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM MAHONEY'S UNIFORM CURRICULUM IS SCARY
First and foremost. The reason for the consolidation plan Rep. Mahoney imparts to the Herald-Standard Editorial Board has yet to be subjected to intense questioning and scrutiny.
The bill as summarized in the Feb. Press Release says absolutely nothing about education that would be consistent, nor is uniform curriculum mentioned as a reason for the school consolidations.
What this plan boils down however to is not just contained to consolidating in this case 7 local districts down to one for purposes of having 1 Administrative Superintendent instead of 7 and for savings for taxation purposes.
One cyber school per consolidated county wide school district. One charter school. One vo-tech school. One alternative school.
And one 'uniform curriculum' per one consolidated or rather unified countywide school district.
That's what this is about. Yet not one question why the uniform curriculum as able to be determined by the one county Superintendent with board approval? Or won't the board be able to vote otherwise than mandated in the bill?
Take a look at the re-introduced bill's section regarding the duties of the county superintendent.
Text of Mahoney Legislation HB 351
Section 1081. Duties of Superintendents.--
Section 1081. Duties of Superintendents.--The duties of district superintendents shall be to visit personally as often as practicable the several schools under his supervision, to note the courses and methods of instruction and branches taught, to give such directions in the art and methods of teaching in each school as he deems expedient and necessary, [and] to report to the board of school directors any insufficiency found, so that each school shall be equal to the grade for which it was established and that there may be, as far as practicable, uniformity in the courses of study in the schools of the several grades, to hire professional, temporary professional or nonprofessional employes and such other duties as may be required by the board of school directors.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0351&pn=0382
Notice the use of the word SHALL. So each school (which retains its unique name, mascot, football team) shall be equal to the grade for which it was established and that there may be, as far as practicable, uniformity in the courses of study in the schools of the several grades?
In other words. If in the county school district Brownsville Grade 1 is determined by the Superintendent to be not equal to Uniontown Grade 1, and so on, this bill makes not only offers the ability to make them equal, but insists on such.
Why is that a scary situation? One superintendent for the entire consolidated school district makes this decision and recommendation.
And how will Brownsville Grade 1 and Uniontown Grade 1, and each of the other 5 become equal?
In course of study - curriculum. In other words, the same uniform curriculum, the same textbooks, the same tests, the same everything will be utilized in Brownsville grade 1 and Uniontown grade 1, etc.
Make no mistake about it. This is a throwback to Outcome Based Education, Goals 2000 and an open door to implementing whatever new mandated State and Federal Standards come along. Don't forget No Child Left Behind and its controversial measures.
7 School Board Directors and 1 county Superintendent implementing a 'uniform curriculum' for all students in Fayette County.
How in the world is this retaining local identity or local independence?
We had previously said worse even than that, but this really is as bad, not worse.
Rep. Mahoney has the absolute gall to say he doesn't have an agenda and don't anybody dare claim he has an agenda.
Well, we dare.
And here is why.
REMEMBER OUTCOME BASED EDUCATION GOALS 2000 AND PEG LUKSIK?
While this is not an endorsement of Peg Luksik's candidacy for the Senate seat Senator Arlen Specter now holds, we would be remiss if we did not reference her candidacy at this point.
Peg Luksik Will Challenge Specter In Primary
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/10/peg-luksik-will-challenge_n_173502.html
Conservative Peg Luksik to challenge Arlen Specter
AP March 10, 2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2203407/posts
People who read us would likely agree we don't balk at being lumped in with the so-called "fringe," it's like a badge of honor. You're not for one-size-fits-all education? You're for basing state and federal legislative actions on the tenets of the state Constitution and the Constitution of the United States and the expressed provisions of those Founding documents?
You must be the "fringe."
According to the American Spectator writer, Luksik is a "fringe activist."
Can Peg Luksik Save Arlen Specter?
By W. James Antle, III on 3.11.09
The Luksik run could create space for Specter, or it could allow Toomey to portray himself as the pragmatic conservative in between a moderate and a fringe activist.
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/03/11/can-peg-luksik-save-arlen-spec
We cite Peg Luksik to point out Luksik wrote the absolutely and astonishing eye-opening book (with a co-writer) on the real intentions of such uniform curriculum proposals.
Outcome Based Education and Goals 2000 were actually stopped as presented at the time by such fringe activists as Peg Luksik, and many others.
Read the interview from back when, but still pertinent.
The OBE language has been replaced in current education trends and programs, but the mission is still prevalent in the 3 circles Luksik specifically identifies...
http://www.heartland.org/publications/school%20reform/article/12713/OutcomeBased_Education_Remaking_Society_One_Child_at_a_Time.html
Don't think "uniform curriculum" in a one county-wide educational school system is worrisome? Don't think round-table discussions and debates about what all that means are necessary around the county and Pennsylvania where the push is on for the bill's support?
Then sit back and watch as a mere 8 individuals make every single decision for you without your express consent.
GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION 501 TO 100
http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24980_2985_368304_43/http%3B/pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_general_government_operations/pagov/media/latest_news/09_10_fs_schoolconsolidation_final.pdf
CONCERNS EXPRESSED QUESTIONS ARISE RENDELL SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION
Last Update: 3/9/2009 6:04:00 PM
Rendell's plan to combine school districts not so elementary, Berks educators say
By Greta Cuyler Reading Eagle
LISTEN: Audio of the interview
Gov. Ed Rendell's plan to cut the number of Pennsylvania school districts from 501 to about 100 has some Berks County educators clamoring for details and debating if the plan could actually work.
The governor thinks it would.
Larger districts could operate with fewer employees, and that would save money, he said.
"If you consolidated three districts, you could save two-thirds of the administrative costs and either save that money and use it for property-tax reduction or put the money into the classroom, where it continues to be needed," Rendell said. "People say property taxes are too high, and this will be a great control mechanism."
It sounds great. Who doesn't like to save money?
At this stage, there are few details about how the consolidation would occur, but Berks educators already have plenty of concerns...
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=126560
SOMETHING MORE TO CONSIDER FEDERAL STANDARDS STIMULUS MONEY, ETC. COMING SOON (?)
This section is a work-in-progress until MORE details can be obtained about a local Fayette County request for federal stimulus monies to help in the plan to build and operate a Vo-Tech school and center for post-secondary education.
Currently, rather than desire to refurbish, renovate, or rebuild on its current North Union location, the Fayette Vocational Technical School has been seeking to build a new building. The proposal includes site selection of acreage designated as Keystone Opportunity Innovatiion Zone.
That publicly recommended location is at the Eberly Campus Penn State University.
(article citation)
Since Representative Mahoney's bill references there would be only one cyber school, one charter school, one alternative school and one vocational-technical school per consolidated county-wide district, it is not a stretch to wonder whether the current plan to house more than a high-school vo-tech at the proposed property is in the works to meet just such a stipulation in the Mahoney bill.
Likewise, Governor Rendell's budget proposals may include just such funding to be directed to such and undertaking.
More to be added.
FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY FOR EDUCATION PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR ED RENDELL BUDGET
Stimulus spells relief for schools
By Brad Bumsted and Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The stimulus package earmarks $2.9 billion over two years to Pennsylvania. Of that, $1.9 billion could be used to avert layoffs, renovate or build schools. The remaining $1 billion would go to programs for disadvantaged students, special education, school lunches, vocational rehabilitation and educational technology.
Pennsylvania faces a two-year, $6.3 billion budget deficit that Rendell proposes to balance with stimulus money, tax hikes, spending cuts and money from the state's rainy day fund.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_614359.html
FAYETTE COUNTY VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL NEW CENTER PROPOSAL
Board supports new vo-tech
Buzz up!By Judy Kroeger, DAILY COURIER
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Uniontown Area School District approved supporting a new Fayette Area Vocational-Technical School, but with several contingencies.
By a vote of 7-2 Monday evening, directors agreed to a financial viability plan and potential architectural design for the Fayette Area Vo-Tech contingent upon the vo-tech receiving at least $10 million in federal, state, local and philanthropic funding for the project. Directors did not name a location for the new facility and added a provision that they could choose not to participate, even if the $10 million becomes available.
Solicitor Michael Brungo said directors may have some objections to the project, which was why they added the nonparticipation clause. Directors Kenneth Meadows and Alan George voted against the project. George said he does not object to a new facility, but the district is undertaking its own building project, which he estimates will require $18 million in new bonds and leave the district $78 million to $80 million in debt. George said the vo-tech will cost $28 million to $30 million total, which will be divided among districts that use the facility.
In order for the project to move forward, Albert Gallatin and Brownsville Area must approve it. Laurel Highlands has already passed a motion similar to Uniontown.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/s_616451.html
Net the Truth Online (Wednesday March 26 and Thursday March 27)
Mahoney meets with H-S editorial board
By Amy Revak, Herald-Standard
03/22/2009
Updated 03/23/2009 12:06:06 AM EDT
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In promoting his bill for consolidation of services for school districts, state Rep. Timothy Mahoney said the most important reason for it is that education would be consistent across Fayette County.
"A lot of people think I have a hidden agenda, but the only agenda I have is that I want to make Fayette County better," said Mahoney, D-South Union Township. Mahoney reintroduced a bill this year that would establish countywide school districts to be run by one seven-member board elected by population. He said the plan isn't like the proposal introduced by Gov. Ed Rendell, which recommends reducing the number of school districts statewide from 501 to 100, and Mahoney said is a much harder sell across the state.
Mahoney's legislation (House Bill 351) would allow county commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they support consolidating school districts into a single, countywide school district for the purposes of administration and taxation. The process would begin if at least two-thirds of voters approve the referendum.
Mahoney is also interested in forming a countywide police force, a proposal that doesn't need legislative action.
Mahoney said while meeting with the Herald-Standard Editorial Board that Fayette County has traditionally had the highest rates of poverty, unemployment and crime across the state. He said people don't want to discuss consolidation because of "imaginary lines." He added that U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, won't always be in office, calling Murtha a " job-creating machine."
"We have the opportunity to change our course and we have to cross lines," Mahoney said. "We spend $250 million a year on education in this county and it's time to overhaul the system. There is so much waste we could absorb."
Mahoney said he believes that homeowners could save 25 to 30 percent on their property tax bills if his bill were to become law and get implemented.
Mahoney said he would like to do a two-month, state-funded study after the state budget is adopted later this year that he could use as a selling point to get the county commissioners to put it on a referendum. He said he is looking at consolidation for purposes of transportation contracts, and reducing administration and operation costs.
He clarified that he has no plans to eliminate the identities of individual school districts.
"I foresee one superintendent who takes responsibility for everything and a principal in charge of each school, a transportation person and a buying consultant," Mahoney said.
The bill would allow the referendum to be placed on the ballot for fourth- to eighth-class counties.
Mahoney said he has received some resistance from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, but he hasn't heard much from the state teachers union. He added that he has gotten good feedback from the members of the public.
"The most important thing is education. Across the county, education would be equal," Mahoney said.
He added that the county could have one cyber school, one charter school, one vocational technical school and one alternative learning school.
If all goes as planned, Mahoney said he would like to get have the proposal ready for a vote next year and hopefully do a "pilot program" in Fayette County. He said he is now seeking support from fellow legislators, but some aren't too keen on the idea...
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20284711&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Text of Mahoney Legislation HB 351
Section 1081. Duties of Superintendents.--The duties of district superintendents shall be to visit personally as often as practicable the several schools under his supervision, to note the courses and methods of instruction and branches taught, to give such directions in the art and methods of teaching in each school as he deems expedient and necessary, [and] to report to the board of school directors any insufficiency found, so that each school shall be equal to the grade for which it was established and that there may be, as far as practicable, uniformity in the courses of study in the schools of the several grades, to hire professional, temporary professional or nonprofessional employes and such other duties as may be required by the board of school directors.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2009&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0351&pn=0382
Let’s look at a few facts regarding Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools:
The current year enrollment survey of the PA Coalition of Charter Schools found there are over 64,000 students in 126 charter schools, with over 21,000 in 11 cyber charter schools (almost 1/3, with this percentage increasing each year over the last few years). The cyber charter students are less than 1.2% of the students in Pennsylvania.
In 2005-06 School district expenditures for cyber charter schools were .52% of total district expenditures of $20.8 billion. The median percentage for school districts was .50%, with an average of .61% of total Expenditures. 443 districts (86.6%) spend less than 1% of their expenditures for cyber charter schools.
As these numbers reveal, the financial impact on school districts is minimal. Districts often fail to acknowledge the approximate 25% per pupil savings they receive under the charter school funding provisions and then they receive a 30 or 32.45% reimbursement for prior year expenditures for charter schools - costing the state $161 million in 2007-08, with the administration requesting an additional $36.3 million more for 2008-09. On average school districts receive almost 50% in savings and additional reimbursement for students attending charter schools -- how much more money do school districts need for students fleeing their programs?
Many students enrolling in cyber charter schools are one or more grade levels behind in their academic performance. Cyber charter schools have to make up this deficiency.
Cyber charter schools are spending over 80% of their funds on instruction because they do not need to support large facilities and have lean staffing arrangements. The average for instructional spending for PA school districts is 57.4%. Our school districts spend 45% more than the national average for administration with these expenses rising at almost twice the rate of inflation.
In 2006-07 the eleven cyber charter schools met 90% of their AYP targets. 802 traditional public schools did not make AYP – 156 more schools, a 6%increase; 138 more schools were in warning status, a 57% increase; 63 more schools fell to the lowest status (Corrective Action II), an 80% increase than in the prior year.
Public cyber schools are fiscally and academically accountable to the federal government, the state of Pennsylvania, the taxpayers and their families. They are as accountable as every public school, and in many cases, more so. PDE has established the PA system for cyber charter review and charters are renewed by the department. We have school districts that can not pass these reviews.
http://www.pacyber.org/news/improveed.aspx
Peg Luksik
link to book
Outcome Based Education: The State's Assault on Our Children's Values by Peg Luksik
http://www.ftrbooks.net/psych/education.htm
Updated inclusive of this find Thursday March 26, 2009
Northeast PA Business Journal home : news : news : education Guest Op-Ed: School district consolidation is a red herring
By: Nathan A. Benefield and Fred D. Baldwin 03/03/2009
Where school districts are concerned, the evidence suggests the opposite: consolidating small and medium-sized districts into larger districts would reduce efficiency and increase costs to taxpayers.
Why would consolidation fail to achieve the cost savings Gov. Rendell hopes for?
While measures such as bulk purchasing and cross-district health trusts are sensible cost-savings measures, these can already occur without consolidation.
It's possible that some administrative savings might materialize, but it won't help that some superintendents will become "assistant superintendents" and others will expect large raises.
The notion that larger districts have fewer administrators per pupil runs counter to experience.
The single largest school cost item (about half of every district's budget) is teacher salaries and benefits.
These would become standardized over the newly merged districts. Does anyone believe that salaries will be standardized at any level lower than the highest prevailing in the county?
As long as school board directors can negotiate contracts in secret and vote on them without any chance for public comment, it hardly matters whether the district represents a small area or a large county.
If cost savings is truly a goal for Pennsylvania schools, a good first step would be greater transparency.
The public should have access to greater information about how school districts spend tax dollars and adequate information as contracts are being negotiated. SchoolBoardTransparency.org was launched with just such a goal in mind.
Another good step is expanding school choice options, which cost far less than traditional public schools.
Charter and cyber schools typically cost taxpayers only about 70 percent of the cost of district-run schools, while Pennsylvania's Education Improvement Tax Credit sends students to the school of their choice with scholarships worth less than one-tenth the cost of traditional public schools.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20272562&BRD=2231&PAG=461&dept_id=447593&rfi=6
Related
Teacher salaries and benefits are by far the largest expenditure in every school district, averaging around 82 percent of the entire budget.99 Benefits packages by themselves take up roughly 25 to 30 percent of the compensation budget100, and health insurance is typically the second-largest item in the annual budgets of school districts, just behind salaries and wages.101
http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=1399
Connellsville signs on to cyber school
By Judy Kroeger
TRIBUNE-REVIEW NEWS SERVICE
Friday, March 13, 2009
To prevent students from dropping out of high school, Connellsville Area school directors agreed Thursday to provide cyber school services through Lincoln Interactive.
Tammy Stern, director of secondary curriculum, said the immediate focus of the program will be dropout recovery and that eight students at risk of dropping out are interested in completing their education through computer lessons.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_615867.html
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