The School Board tentatively adopted the budget for the 2012-2013 school
year. State law requires that the budget be voted on in public
twice. After the tentative passing of the budget, it must be made
available to the public for 30 days before it is voted on for a final time and
officially adopted. The budget must be adopted before July 1st. Currently
the tentative budget can be reviewed at the district offices or here. The
tentative budget can also be found on the district web site under "school
board". The School Board can decide to make adjustments to the
budget between the tentative adoption and the final adoption.The budget was built around three principles:
1.
How can the school district provide the best
instructional and curricular experience for our students? Students always come first.
2.
How can the budget reflect the movement toward reaching
the non-negotiable goals set forth by the School Board?
3.
The financial sustainability of the school district and
the obligation to be fiscally prudent.
The 2012-2013 budget includes a 2.71% increase in expenditures (the $750,000 that the State gave the district for the 2011-2012 budget is actually included in revenue for this budget year so that percentage does not reflect the real percentage for the 2012-2013 school year). The budget also includes the elimination of 19 employees from the previous budget. The breakdown of those positions is as follows:
- Eliminated 6 Teaching Positions Through Attrition
- Eliminated 4 Custodial Positions Through Attrition
- Eliminated 1 Central Office Administrator Through Attrition
- Eliminated 1 Clerical Position Through Attrition
- Eliminated 4 Cafeteria Aid Positions (Furlough)
- Eliminated 2 Classes Purchased from the Intermediate Unit
- Eliminated 1 Teacher Aid (Furlough)
All of those positions are self explanatory except the classes
purchased from the Intermediate Unit (IU).
The IU’s are a layer of bureaucracy between the State Department of Education
(PDE) and the school districts. There
are 29 IU’s throughout the State. In the
past, IU’s provided special education services for school districts, but now
their role has shifted to a role of helping the State institute initiatives. In the past, the school district “purchased”
some special education teachers through the Intermediate Unit #7. As the administration researched areas to save
money for the 2012-2013 budget, we realized that we could realize a savings by doing
something different with those classes. The
district eliminated one of those positions altogether and is funding the other
one through Federal money; thus taking the position out of our general
operating budget resulting in one less teacher that the school district has to
pay for.
These cuts are in addition to the 24 teaching positions
which have been eliminated since the 2007-2008 budget year. The district has eliminated 11% of our staff
in the last 5 years while the student population has decreased 7% over the same
amount of time.
The budget also reflects smaller cuts in programs, but the
Lion’s share of savings in this budget must come from eliminating salaries and
benefits which is about 75% of the budget.
This budget does include a significant increase in technology spending
(52%). The school district has done a
very good job in the past including “upfront” technology. Items such as interactive SMART Boards,
mobile computer labs, and Ipad carts are examples. However, the technology infrastructure
supporting these devices has not been upgraded in awhile. For Penn-Trafford to meet the School Board
goals of becoming a 21st Century learning environment the technology
infrastructure must work all of the time and it must be robust enough to handle
future workloads. The upgrade is an
essential component of continuing PT’s excellence in educational opportunities
for our students. Finally, this budget
reflects the start of the large increases in pension costs for the school
district. Over the next 4 years there
will be large increases in pension costs that will require further adjustments in the budget.
The tentative budget includes a 1.6 mill tax increase. This will equate to an increase of about
$39.90 a year for the average assessed household in the school district. One mill produces about $270,000 in revenue
for the school district. The budget
presentation that the school district’s Business Manager (Mr. Lago) put
together for the School Board can be found here. The presentation is very well
done and provides a transparent look into the school budgeting process.
Very interesting Dr. Butler but I thought you assured me a few articles back that the non-negotiable goals would be funded within the current budget.
ReplyDeleteCan you expand upon this and reference why you think this is a change in position? No more taxes.
DeleteWhy nickel-dime with a 1% tax increase. For now, the board should just look at the budgeted line items and come up recommendations for line item reductions as alternatives to a tax increase. Create a vision for where we should be, look at pension demands, and come back with a tax increase that gets the funds we need.
DeleteI did not realize that our technology infrastructure needed that much work at the time. The Board also listened to a presentation about the state of our buildings last Monday which may lead to some changes in how money is used. For example, the technology needs could come from the fund balance since it is a one time cost while having money for fixing the buildings is an on-going cost.
ReplyDeleteMy experience is technology infrastructure costs is not a one time cost but instead is a continuing cost that increases over time as required continually update as technology improves. My experieince running a business is the intial costs of any technology upgrade is similar to its lifetime maintenanc costs. So I'm not buying that one-time idea.
DeleteDefinitely not a one time cost. Ask any technology manager.
DeleteRob Peter to pay Paul is what my dad always said!
ReplyDeleteI believe in providing the best instruction to our children so much (and know that technology is an important tool for teachers to provide that instruction) that I would recommended the improvements in the technology infrastructure irrespective of anything else that occurs in the budget.
ReplyDeleteI like your preference.
DeleteHere are two ideas from my review of the budget.
Delete-Skill trades are in demand. Many PT students’ capabilities and interest are more inline with vocational training versus college prep. It appears this is not reflected in the budget except by a relatively small amount ($300,000) for vocational items. If the school district focusing on the historical college prep philosophy, perhaps it needs to be re-evaluated. If so, its not “technology infrastructure” but “technology and skill infrastructure” we need. I am not aware of specific vocational programs that exist, I’m only reacting to budget content and line items, and so I may be off base here.
- Wondering about efficiency, how about a line item for funding of efficiency and cost reduction programs that target an amount ($2M?) of cost reduction for next years 2013-2014 budget. That is, is some form of funding needed to identify cost reduction programs? Or is that the board’s job?
But financial demands by the public sector along with updating the technology infrastrucure and building renovations will surely put all of us in the poor house. I forsee yearly school tax increases which many can't afford.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the school boards difficulties, and the information you provide to keep taxpapyers informed. We know that one aspect of the budget is the teacher union "rights" as now defined by previous union contracts. These contracts have been annoying me for a few years. Given this history and the current budget issues, it just seems to me that the teachers unions are out of touch with reality. The movement in the USA is towards tax reduction and reduced governement budgets. The unions seem to live in the past. PA is in a budget crisis. Harrisburg is backrupt. The PA state umemployment rate is almost 8%. The teachers unions seem to not understand this environment. Many PT citizens have seen their employment in jeopardy, benefits reduced, and taxes increases for decades. Meanwhile, all three groups of PT teachers salaries increases, see few benefit reductions, and now refuse to discuss a pay freeze. This while the average teacher salary in the district is more than $55,000 for 180 days worked - a position that is very desirable from my PT citizens perspective. PT teachers get attactive state regulatated retirement benefits leading to teacher's pension funds being underfunded. PT unions say "no" to using pay increases to fund their own pensions. Almost all USA workers have been picking up more of the costs for benefits such as health care while the PT teachers union enjoys grandfathered employer funded benefits that are only a found memory to others. Perhaps if the PT school districts were stellar, the unions' positions could be understood? However, PT districts rankings are not stellar, perhaps good if you consider being in the top 15% good - a PT teacher would put that in the "B" category. So I am just frustrated watching my neighbors follow the USA in the current economic cycle of decline while the teachers unions dream on. Many of my neighbors and I believe the school board must take a position to get our situation in control which in all fairness has to include union concessions - now and later.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to where your stats come from. Where is PT ranked top 15%? And what is that a ranking from? According to schooldigger.com PT ranks 10th in the state out of 545 school districts. 1st in Westmoreland county and 3rd in Southwestern PA. So what do you consider a Stellar school district?
DeleteIf you look at the top 10 list, 3 of the top 10 are charter schools with less than 500 students and not actual school districts. So essentially they should be ranked as the 7th district in the state.
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/PA/districtrank.aspx
Data from google searches, wikepedia. School ranking are typically based on things like attendance rate, graduation rate, remedial requirements. I call a stellar public school district one that can and wants to be compared with the quality of any school, charter or otherwise; one whose employee's pay is a strongly based on pay for performance; one whose school board makes decisions without continually asking for tax increases.
DeleteCan you please state the links for the FACTS you supposedly found on google searches. Wikipedia is a great site, but there is also no way to know if all of the data is actually true.
Delete"Out of touch with reality" very well said!
ReplyDeleteBut let's put most of the blame where it really belongs, Shaun Rinier union president did not even take the request to the teachers. It is simply his desire to not accept the freeze and never put it to a vote. It very well may have been accepted had he done that, mabey that is what he is afraid of!
I believe, perhaps that you should go live in the great state of Wisconsin. The last few posts seem like they've been written by Scott Walker himself. Maybe you should drive to Wisconsin and become a member of Walker's fascist regime. How's the economy going in Wisconsin? This blog is a very divisive tool sometimes...it's a shame.
DeleteLove questions that can be answered by facts. Walker is supported by a majority of Wisconsin taxpayers. As of today, Gov. Scott Walker leads Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett 50-42 among those likely to vote in Wisconsin's June 5 recall election. Regarding economy - PA GDP per capita is $45,323, Wisconsin $44,105; 25th and 29th of states respectively. Wisconsin umemployment 6.7%; PA 7.4%. Neither state is in a Stellar category. The average teachers salary in Wisconsis is $46,390, and PA is 54,027. Wisconsin is broke, PA is close.
DeleteI went to the PT Teachers Association website and did some other websearches. I'm surprised how the union's site content is so self centered. The countdown clock to the next contract shows where the focus is, and its not on kids or taxpayers. I saw no talk about the issues in context of solutions. I'm betting most taxpayers are convinced that the unions' rhetoric and internal focus is in nobody's interest. We have to fix the budget without giving away the bank - every global entity is in a budget mess - we can't expect anybody to drop loads of money on our doorstep. The pay freeze is one idea that doesn't even come close to fixing what may be overwhelming long term budget shortages. The union must recoginize that without movement in this economic environment, the future looks bleak for both sides. Maybe I should start a taxpayer referendum.
ReplyDeleteYou would have very much support for that referendum. Many of the teachers simpley feel they are better than the general taxpayer. We need to remind them that they work for us and we pay their salary.
ReplyDelete"Better" than the general taxpayer? And so it begins......Teachers VS. The Public......Round 2! What a shallow, uneducated statement. Two words: Scott Walker.
ReplyDeleteAnd hooray for Scott Walker!! Teachers need to take an economics course and learn about supply and demand. When there is a glut of state certified teachers (supply) with a limited amount of jobs (demand), then salaries must go DOWN until supply equals demand.
DeleteThe board needs to stand its ground come the next contract. CONCESSIONS are required. The board foolishly gave an annual 5% raise with the last contract in the face of the greatest recession in our lifetimes. The teachers greedily stated "no" to a pay freeze while many PT residents were losign thier jobs. Here's hoping the PT taxpayers and School Board remember that fact when the next contract is negotiated.
I got to chip in here with what my neighbors and friends say who are concerned PT taxpayers. These comments are so overwhelmingly consistent that I beleive they are a good representation of what most PT taxpayes are thinking. Taxpayers recognize that the majority of PT school district employees are good performers and deserve our respect for their contributions to our children’s education. However, the Association’s demands exceed our financial capability and are out-of-line with taxpayers’ values. Many see decades of Association pay increases as enough and out-of-line with taxpayers’ capabilities. Taxpayers are upset by the Associations continued pay increases while retaining low benefit contributions, while we see our employer’s freezing our pay levels and demanding more contributions for our benefits. That why taxpayers might think the Association is out-of-touch with reality. Thats why taxpayers can be expected to support increased school district employee participation in pension funding and health benefits. Most PT taxpayers have been forced in this direction for decades and the Association needs to accept this reality. Another issue is performance. Through our experiences with our children, we know there are a few very poor performing employees who get basically the same pay and benefits as the good ones. Taxpayers have seen their job positions, pay and promotions be evaluted by increasing critical factors of their job performance. Taxpayers are frustrated with the existing tenure and benefit processes and want changes put in place so continued employment and pay increases are firmly based on performance beyond the token methods now in place. We want strong methods in place to reduce the pay of poor performers, and increase the pay of good performers. Taxpayers are also critical of the School Board. Taxpayer question the Board's continued request for tax increaes, they want more attention on efficiency improvements and new ideas, they want formal objectives and long term processes addressing the key issues identified above.
ReplyDeleteCan we please refrain from accusations and anme calling and stick to opinions or facts that establish a common knowledge of the situation. Otherwise we are just going to polarize the undercided in the direction that may not be in anyone's interest. Signed by two - a teacher not better than a taxpayer, a taxpayer not better than a teacher, not under-educated, and hopefully not shallow.
ReplyDeleteWhen they stand out by the road with signs in hand it is them that makes it "us vs' them"
ReplyDeleteThe best is to ignore incendiary remarks and discuss fact based comments. Just my experience.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know where I can see a copy of the Association's contract?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean the contract between the association and the district? If so you can probably request one at the administration building. I would assume it must be a public document.
DeleteLets say one definition of better is income. Per district data 60% to 90% of students come from economically disadvantaged taxpayer families. What is the school board and the association doing to help these kids beyond state mandated and contractual demands? That would be one measure of better.
ReplyDeleteOn the district report card, 100% of teachers are "highly qualified"? Does anybody know if that data is sub-divided into categories like less than standard, average, and above average performance?
ReplyDeleteI think there is some way that allow spay increases to be based on input from various sources. But my teacher friend says most teachers get the same amount of money no matter and cost-of-living raises no matter. Perhaps somebody has the formular or basis, but I heard its fairly low key effect.
DeleteHere is some data on the budget that is not mentioned. The School Board increased the budget by $820,000 in the April Teachers Association contract for increasing Teachers salaries. "I don't think this is going to put a stress on the community," the Teachers Association representative said. Teachers pay a token 6% of benefit costs or $80/month. PT citizen pay hundreds of dollars for heath insurance if they are lucky enough to have job that offers it. The board points out that an impending catastrophe looms for funding pension benefits and the Association refuses to consider ideas from the Board. The Board tries to reduce spending by leveraging teacher substitutes; the Association calls a foul with a lawsuit. The board proposes a budget with an increase in taxes of $420,000 after stating no intent for more taxes. The board wants a $1,250,000 increase in annual expenditures. The board eliminates 19 jobs (one good idea). The board wants a significant increase in technology spending. The minimum Teachers salary will be $42,000, the highest $93,000. The average PT household income is $25,000. The state unemployment rate is almost 8%. The state is in a budget crisis and we can’t expect a bailout. PT citizens are feed up. The Board needs to nurture some respect and trust. Live within our means. Cut, efficiency, no more dream solutions. NO MORE TAXES.
ReplyDeleteCan you please post where your "facts" are coming from? I'm sure some of these numbers are accurate, but I'm also sure others are not.
DeleteFrom above "After the School Board approved the budget last year, the State (through the hard work of our State representative George Dunbar among others) restored about $750,000 in funding for the school district." Thanks George Dunbar. Lisa Zaucha of his office is a great help to the community.
ReplyDeletePlease give me the source that says the average PT household income makes 25,000. Please give facts here. Recently this website: http://www.schooldigger.com/go/PA/district/18660/search.aspx rated Penn Trafford #10 out of 545 districts in Pennsylvania. Secondly, this website: http://www.teachersalaryinfo.com/pennsylvania/teacher-salary-in-penn-trafford-school-district/ shows the average median family income is just over 55,000 dollars. Go ask residents in North Allegheny, Upper St. Clair, and Mt. Lebanon if they enjoy their taxes. No one does, but taxes are a necessary means to build successful infrastructure and yes.....school systems. How often have our taxes here been raised by the school district recently? Not very often by my count.
ReplyDeleteI agree on that income question, seems to me your questining is logial and inline with what I first thought. But here is what I did. Per board comments above, averge cost to household $39.90. Proposed tax increase 1.6mil. $39.90/.0016 = $24937.50 average PT household tax base. Not sure where the disconnect is. FYI, My Mt. Lebonon friend likes his school system and doesn't complain about taxes more than the other stuff he complains about. In any event, my vote remains no more tax increases.
DeleteDoes anyone have a reference or good data for the history of PT school board requested or implemented tax increases?
DeleteThe tax rate is based on assessed property value not family income.
DeleteSo amend the above summary to say the average PT family lives in a $25,000 house. Per PSSA data, 60% to 95% of school children are from economically disadvantaged families. The average PT citizen does not need a tax increase.
DeleteThat is the ASSESSED value of the home, it is only a percentage of actual real estate value for tax purposes. I do not know what percentage that is or why they figure taxes this way but the average PT home value is much higher that $25K. Maybe someone else on here knows the percentage used.
Delete"Highly qualified" just means that the teacher is teaching in the area of their certification. So if a teacher is teaching English, they are certified in English. It is not an indication - in any way - of their performance.
ReplyDeleteTeachers are paid according to the pay scale that's in the contract. It is based solely on what "step" they are, meaning how many years of service. In no way does performance affect teacher pay.
No way man! You got to be exagerating! Pay not based on performance? You're kidding me, right? But I've heard about some formula on increases that factors in various things into some kind of pay effect for performance. Local folk lore or real?
DeletePay based on contract, you show up do an average job move up the ladder next year. Then I hear there is something called jump steps where salary increases are doubled or more than average increase. No good reason other than a teacher has reached a certain year on the scale.
DeleteDoes anyone have the contract terms defining this sweet deal?
Delete*The contract is available via FOIA (freedom of information act). Yes - some contracts (including PT) have jump steps, which just means the salary increases more when you reach that level. Performance truly has no effect on pay (must be local folklore!). The only differences among teachers' pay is if they have a masters degree and how many years of service. Doesn't matter if you teach gym, kindergarten, or AP physics.
ReplyDelete*Every teacher is observed and evaluated every year, but something crazy like 99.5% of the teachers in the state are rated as "satisfactory". That's the highest ranking.
*PT's percentage of free/reduced lunch students is less than 10%.
And while teachers may choose to continue their educaton while teaching within our area, we citizens end up paying for that also. And, upon completion of their courses, they receive a higher salary because of their advancement. That's a double whammy.
ReplyDeleteYou guys continue to complain about your TAXES....and BLAMING educators! These are the townships/areas that have a lower millage rate (school tax) than PT. Here you go: Adamsburg, Arnold, Bolivar, Hunker, Irwin (part of PT), Laurel Mt., Manor (part of PT), Monessen, New Florence, North Irwin, Scottdale, Seward, and Youngwood. Mainly areas of the Hempfield School District (huge tax base), Monessen and Southmoreland. The website is:http://www.anytimeestimate.com/PA_REAL_ESTATE_TAX/westmoreland-school-district-tax-rate.htm. Those are 2012 statistics. ANYWHERE YOU GO THERE ARE TAXES! EVERYONE NEEDS TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR FAIR SHARE.....it makes our entire community better. Teachers and educators are certainly not the problem. Hey maybe you'd be happier if the teachers worked 300 days a year instead. Lets see what the parents say when kids go to school for 300 days a year. I'd bet that board meeting would be PACKED!
DeleteSo educators see no limits to the amount taxpayers should be willing to pay. You think the fact that taxes are everywhere means we should open our wallets. PT is uniquely positioned for taxpayers to lead the charge and show how taxpayers can reward blameless educators. Beware, because taxpayers would revolt if educators were asked to worked the hours taxpayers work. On the other hand, arguments exists that educators should work on efficiency and commitment to living within budgets. Taxpayers could think educators, the good ones, should beg for pay for performance. Taxpayers would have no problem if teachers worked similar hours we the taxpayers. For example, I have a BS/MS, graduated at the top of my class. I work 52 weeks a year, minus 10 days vacation, and 10 holidays. I am pressured to work overtime for no increase in pay. Would the board meeting be packed by teachers if we requested you to live up to the hours, and pay that compare to those of taxpayers. Hyperboles abound on both sides and the real answers should be evident to those who wish to give thoughful consideration. As we work through these issues, the point is many frustrated taxypayers who have been under pressure for decades to improve their efficiency and performance want no tax increases without efficiencies and budget cuts first. In our household, we do that. We want educators pay for performance first. I do not agree with what many say but here it is: Wihtout a union to force contracts on the taxpayers,without a school board that gives raises before getting taxes to support them, taxpayers would be more sympathetic to your views. Educators made the rules. Taxpayers pay the cost. If taxpayers don't like rules, all we can do is addres the cost.
DeleteTotally agree with the above post. IF educators want to be viewed as the professionals that they are, they should be willing to go the extra mile that the rest of us in a professional job must also do.
DeletePT does not have the commercial tax base that Hempfield, Gateway, Norwin etc. has. We are a bedroom community with only Lucci's, Janet's and the gas station to soak for taxes. Every increase given to teachers mainly comes directly out of our wallets. Think about that the next time a teacher (making an AVERAGE of $55K) demands to be further overpaid.
*Good teachers already work many more hours than required by the contract. They are grading and planning and re-planning so your child gets the best learning in their classroom.
ReplyDelete*The problem is NOT the amount of hours that teachers work - the problem is the overly generous compensation package. Specifically, the incredibly generous pension plan.
*There is a "multiplier" of 2.5. To calculate how much pension pay a teacher will get FOREVER once they retire, multiply # of years of service (say 30) by 2.5 and then multiply by the average of their last 3 years' pay. The max at PT is about $84,000. 30*2.5*84,000 = $63,000 A YEAR, EVERY YEAR. (Note the salary can be inflated by coaching, etc.)
*It doesn't matter if the stock market crashes, this is a guaranteed pension plan for life. Teachers can retire much earlier than workers outside of education, and they don't have to worry about retirement at all.
*This retirement pay is more than many people earn WHILE they are working.
*Here's the rub: this is the state teachers' retirement plan (PSERS) - it's NOT a local issue. PTSD can't do anything about it, but pay into it.
*The drastic increase in the district's portion of this crazy pension plan is what is killing all of the school districts' budgets. (As Dr. Butler wrote about in an earlier post.)
*I think years ago, teachers' pay was low, but the big plus to the job was the generous pension and healthcare plans. Now the pay is comparable to industry pay, but the pension and healthcare plans are not in line with reality.
*At the state level, teachers' pension plan (for new hires) should be eliminated and replaced with a 401k like everyone else.
You failed to mention that once a teacher retires at a young age, the district PAYS for their healthcare until they reach medicare eligibility.
DeleteAnd don't ask them to work year round because they will want compensated more for working year round. Think about it, if you take a teachers salary at the higher end and calculate they are paid per day they would be making as much as the superintendant and more than most administrators.
Thanks. Good summary. Your forgot to mention they pay almost nothing ($80/month) for benefits. Arguments can be make for pay comparable, but I'll le that go for now. So if pay is now comparable, and if benefits are extreme; the total package exceeds where most taxpayers stand and what future taxpayers can afford. Your post seems so overwhelming I fee there is nothing I can do. Other people's post here talk about pay for performance. Is that at all possible in the next contract? What about co-pays increases in the next contract? Does anybody have any ideas on how to support these ideas?
ReplyDeleteAttend monthly board meetings (bring as many of your neighbors as you can) and let the district know what the general public thinks. The teachers union is under the impression that the community is behind them and their requests.
DeletePlease advise means. Work, kids are killing me. Something that can make a difference. Meetings are OK but not representative of the mainstream. Went once. Kinda boring with too much self centered speeches. I'll advise my neighbors.
ReplyDeleteBeware about your kids. Parents with kids in school may not want to go to a board meeting and say any negative things about the school district because of concerns about retaliation on their kids People without kids and older folks with empty nest don’t care enough to attend board meetings. The board and the association must should consider the likelihood there is a majority of people that want teachers to have pay-for-performance and higher co-pays. The old silent majority issue.
DeleteNot true. I have attended and addressed the board on its spending and actions. My child recieved no reprecussions. The board recieves instant feedback on thier decisions and discussions.
DeleteThe issues of pay for performance and co-pays goes to the very basic issues of budget, motivating employees, the board’s commitment to do it, and it is in conflict with the teachers’ association’s values. There is no alternative to the teachers association in this monopoly. So lets hypothesize that citizens want the Board to be in a position to have an established commitment and stay focused. What can citizens do to show the board we want this? According to the election board, the school board is responsible for conducting taxpayer referendums. The referendum would state something like: as a taxpayer I want pay for performance and increased co-pays and I support the board to get it”. Then the board would go into the negotiations and have a basis for not backing down.
ReplyDeleteWould the community still stand strong even when the teachers go on strike? They have the ability to bring the community to a stand-still over any proposed increases in contribution.
ReplyDeleteI agree about not speaking out at school board meetings. This is also why parents are afraid of talking to principals about poor teachers.
The district has a right to continue to function in the event of a work stoppage. The district should be preparing for ANY work stoppage (whether due to strike, flu outbreak, etc). Teachers, even good ones are a dime a dozen and PT's teachers are easily replaceable tomorrow. Bring in replacements and offer the striking teachers the availability to cross in a given amount of time (let's say 2 days). Those that do will continue under the new terms, those that don't should be deemed to have job abandonment and permanently replaced. It happens all the time in the real world.
DeletePlease visit the prototype Facebook site "Support the PT School Board". This is a prototype site soliciting PT citizens comments on its usefulness to provide feedback to the PT school board and the Teachers Association. You can see what typical concerns could be addressed, commment, practive liking a comment, send a message via facebook, or send an email to SupportPTSchoolBoard@comcast.net. The last two methods are confidential communication methods that will not be released to anyone. Facebook comments follow normal facebook guidelines for confidentiality. This site will be managed by a groupd of concerned PT citizens. This site or its adminstrators are not affiliated with the school board, the teachers association, or any other group related to topics presented. However we are looking for comments from these organizations on its value. Our group of concerned citizens is looking for a way to quantify how citizens feel about issues by "like" hits. Please excuse any typos or other stupid errors since we are only soliciting support to continue at this time.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the Facebook page and I like it a lot, HOWEVER I do not think you will get a lot of traffic simply because of the fact that it is not anonymous. I know people like to talk but when it is in a public forum (like this one) they tend to shy away from revealing their true self.
DeleteDon't get discouraged, you have started something that could turn out strong.
Agreed. We have experience doing this on a PA state program. After 6 months of pushing, begging people on faceboook, begging friends to ask friends, posting on various websites, contacting state reps, and a lot of information gathering to provide to visitors, we got 200 "likes" and 5 anonymous anti-comments. We provided this to the appropriate state rep saying it as small sampling that we though was representative. They said "thanks" and went ahead and did the what they wanted which was the opposite of our "likes".
DeleteThis is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThe PTEA needs to know that the public's wallets are not wide open for them to reach in and take what they want. The majority are not happy or behind them as they portray.
Thank you to whoever started this!
People who want performance based pay:
ReplyDelete1) How many teachers would teach at Wilkinsburg, the city, Jeanette, etc? Based on what you're saying these districts should have teachers making $5,000 a year. Do you perhaps think that family life, upbringing, and other factors might play a role in student performance? How about attendance? How does a teacher make a chronically absent student perform?
2) I don't teach at PT. I don't even know teachers at PT, but I know that this is an outstanding district and moved my family here to be a part of this school district. The taxes paid here are nothing compared to other areas.
3) With low taxes comes low service---for instance---it is obscene that Penn Twp will not allow homes to tie into storm lines, and our roads aren't plowed frequently. The Public Works dept works hard--don't take that wrong, but their resources and manpower aren't there.
4) Why do we continue to bash teachers without looking at politicians? They vote to give themselves raises and BETTER pension packages than educators. In addition, their perks blow away other public sector perks.
5) The real killer of public education and why districts have spent so much money lately....no one wants to admit it because it's politically incorrect.....special education. Yes, much of the spending is needed, but there is A LOT that can/should be cut. It has become a nationwide epidemic. To blame teachers/pensions without looking at that is turning a blind eye. Take a look at when budgets really started booming--the Special Ed era.
The sewage board will not allow new homes or areas to tie into sewage lines when storm/drainage lines are mixed with sewage in that process. Tests are conducted on new construction and local areas periodically using cameras inserted into the line as confirmation. The sewage board has not raised rates, they keep in the budget, they plan ahead. For example they are now expanding their building using reserve funds and no new taxes. The school board will respond to taxpayer special request. They are pretty smart guys who know how to make inexpensive changes to sewage issues bothering a local individual. Board members work at no pay unless you consider $200 a month to cover personal expenses. The sewage board has implemented automated ways to predict cost increases for hypothetical changes or projects. They use planning to forecast and stay within budget. There are issues of separation of overflow of a treatment plant into an adjacent stream during very heavy storms. They are now planning ahead to address these issues as new regulations are on the horizon that might require this faster than they can set funds aside from existing taxes. In my opinion, the school board should contact the sewage board and see if there are can get any lessons learned on budget planning.
ReplyDeleteItem 1 - Pay for performance should be in every school district. I must be missing something.
ReplyDeleteItem 2 - Local township rates are between 92.64 and 119.5. PT is 107.95. http://www.anytimeestimate.com/PA_REAL_ESTATE_TAX/westmoreland-municipal-tax-rate.htm
Item 3 - sombody ansewed that above
Item 4 - OK, so we also focus on political action champaigns.
Item 5 - If the School Baord or the Association are doing no more than what the laws and regulation define for the disadvantaged, then I don't see how that issue fits into this discussion either. Action is required, or not required, beyond this forum's capability.
Question on procedures. You say State law requires that the budget be voted on in public twice. I could not find that anywhere by searches, but I assume you know that is true. The current Penn Trafford school mileage rate is 73.25. Per Act 1, it appears school taxes cannot be increased more than 1.7% in 2012 without a taxpayer referendum. So I get a mileage increase above 1.24 mils requires a referendum. A 1.6mil increase is tentatively requested. So a taxpayer referendum is required?
ReplyDelete1.6 mil IS the maximum mount taxes cn be raised without going to referendum per ACT 1. Trying to get a referendum for a tax increase passed would probably be just as hard as getting the union to accept a wage freeze.
ReplyDeleteThanks. MBA and I still can't figure out act 1 math.
DeleteSlightly curious tax payer question here. Did our school board attend the recent National School Board conference in Boston, Mass. this past April? If so, which ones went and what was the cost? Also, I hear the next conference in a year or two is in Las Vegas, Nevada. Does anyone know if this is true or not or have facts?
ReplyDeleteNo Board member attended any national conference last year. I do not anticipate that any Board member will go to any national conference in the upcoming year.
DeleteHave not heard of any board members attending any of these national confeences for quite a few years now.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that people are constantly digging for bits and pieces to use to nail the board and administration to the cross. I would never want to be on that board and live under the microscope of the few "all knowing" public. I say "few" because I would hope that not all feel this way.
The board is doing a good job. The silent majority knows it. Don't get discouraged. Some look for facts to support their opinion. Ignore them. Others look for facts to form an opinion. Nurture them. Pay more attention to blog maintenance. Characterization.
Delete1) It does seem you're missing something. The caliber of student. How would you set up your pay scale? Based on your theory, PT teachers should be paid 10th highest out of over 150 western PA districts, right? If that's where the test scores are..... That would be a raise in taxes. To prove the pay for performance theory wrong, I'd like to see #1 Upper St. Clair staff swap spots with the Wilkinsburg staff for a year. Results would be interesting. Do you think that Wilkinsburg would jump drastically up the ladder or that USC would start failing the test? So, pay for performance gurus---show us how to pay teachers.
ReplyDelete2)Surely you understand that the amount of business in a town is a major factor to taxes right? Lets take 2 comparable schools to PT---Hempfield and Norwin...... each has far more resources than PT, schools all updated, facilities improved....yet similar tax rates....why? Due to each having major business areas and they pay taxes. So, although tax rates are similar---tax dollars are far from it.
3) Tell your answer to all of the people who live at the bottom of hills in town. And have the "pretty smart" guys, who budget so well, pay for their landscaping that gets devastated each big rainfall (Like last night).
4) Start a facebook page
5) You're probably right, but this doesn't change the fact that its still the #1 budget killer all over the place. Start a facebook page.
1 - district rates competitive. Pay for individual performance in it. A fair number of school systems have figured it out.
ReplyDelete2 - sorry. I thought we were focusing on tax for typical home owners. The composite total tax income is much more complicated as Mr Butler points out.
3 - I'll talk to the sewage board about this. Need a location.
4/5 - like us people just want to complain and are too chicken to sa anything or "like" on Facebook because its not anonymous and shows one-vote/one person instead of forums like like where who knows who or how many are the "anonymous " posters.
I don't know why I can't reply to individual comments, but in regards to "the board is doing a good job":
ReplyDelete-I agree, the board runs an outstanding district
-The teachers do a good job as well, we have great kids here and they are led in the right direction
-The principals do a good job as well--there is vision and organization--2 key components
-Administration does a good job as well--innovation is obvious and all parts of the puzzle fit well.
Basically, its a great district from top to bottom---so what's all the complaining about?
Its a selling point---it brings people to the district--people want their kids to be a part of it. Usually, these are quality people with good jobs who care about where their kids go. This is a good thing. Not sure why there is so much dissension.
Quality people with good jobs bring their kids to be educated but they do not pay for their children's education in full so it's the people who have lived here all their lives who are still being asked to foot the bill. Guess what? I for one am tired of paying increased taxes to educate those kids when the parents make a lot more money than me and the kids wear designer everything and have all the hand held gadgets.
DeleteTotally agree with you. But blog did help me to put out some bad perceptions I had and replies got me straight. I guess that is dissenting? I started out one view on tax increase and changed. Same for a couple other issues. So I like the dissenting aspects.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, hate the anonymous posting. It allows for dissemination of incorrect information, name calling, slanderous comments and whining; however, I guess no one would post unless it were anonymous. I would have posted my name, but I am not sure what the URL is??? Is it the one in my toolbar now or some other one? I don't have any of the other accounts listed, so I suspect anonymous is the easiest way to post.
ReplyDeleteSome comments posted here caused me to wonder about the history of teacher tenure and its current status. Here is an interesting article.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1859505,00.html
Here is an article that is pro teacher tenure.
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.timesunion.com/steck/in-defense-of-teacher-tenure/75/
Why is tenure related to the budget?
3 - talked to sewage board friend. took a ride to look at the two locations that have complained about that. yours looks like more of alandscaping issue to me. try again contacting the sewage board.
ReplyDeleteAfter having read through the comment section, it appears that a number of people are interested in factual information regarding where they live. If one goes to zipskinny.com, there is an abundance of data that allows one to look at a number of critical areas, including demographics in one's zip code. While PT does have a number of zip codes comprising the school district, the data is interesting.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone see the large article in the PT Star about the pension crisis? Kudos to PT School Board for building up a sizable fund balance to help us get through this. We seem to be in much better shape than other districts.
ReplyDeleteIf you read the article, however, the future looks bleak for public education. The districts' contribution to the pension fund is currently about 8% of the total payroll we have, but this will QUADRUPLE over the next 3 years. And then STAY there forever. This isn't a 1-yr budget issue, but a forever budget issue.
This level of pension contribution just isn't sustainable, especially since 75% of PT's budget goes to salary and pension already. This means there just isn't that much in the way of non-personnel cuts (like programs, etc.).
It is so eerily similar to the auto industry before they went bankrupt and were finally able to renegotiate with the unions.
I'm sure the school board and administration has a longer term view and plan, but maybe it's too ugly to share.
The board's forward thinking is part of he reason they asked the teachers and staff to accept a pay freeze next year. The monies from the freeze would have all gone directly to that dedicated pension fund balance. In essence the teachers would not be losing the money but putting it into their own pension system to keep it solvent. This action would have bought the district another year or two to get things better in alignment for this pension spike. Unfortunately the union president, Shaun Rinier, did not think it was important enough to ask his members to vote on. He made the decision on his own that they would not do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for above information. If teachers are listening please replace Rinier. Get someone who can see the light. Show taxpayers you are part of the community team. Otherwise you will turn us against you and that will hurt you big time. A whole lot more than a pay/pension swap.
ReplyDeleteJust completed research on the pension system crisis. It was originally designed as a three part system back in the 50s. The state, school district and employees each contributed 6 percent. That was true as late as 1994. Beginning at that time, and culminating in 2002, the state and school districts systematically reduced their contributions from 6% to 1/2 of 1 percent each, and remained that way until somebody discovered that there was going to be a crisis beginning in 2009. It seems that the state's share beginning in 2000-2001-2002 was diverted to pay for professional sports STADIUMS for football, baseball and hockey throughout the Commonwealth. If the contributions had remained consistent at 6% (ala 1994 and before) there would be no pension crisis. One other point, and perhaps a reason teachers appear reluctant to take a pay freeze, is that when the state and school districts reduced their share from 6% to 1/2 of 1%, the employee (teachers)contribution rates increased from 6% to 7.5%.
ReplyDeleteDig a little deeper in your research and you will find the school districts did not reduce their share on their own. The state made the decsion that they would only charge the distrct's 1% as their share. Even if the schools wanted to maintain a 6% contribution rate the state would not have allowed it. It was the Wall Street crash that brought the pension fund to it's knees not the lack of contribution funding.
ReplyDeleteA point well made. The state does indeed dictate the rate of the school district, and it (the state) irresponsibly reduced its own rate as well as the districts because Wall Street was flourishing and the retirement system was flush with funding. However, had the state and districts maintained the same contribution rate as the employees beginning in the mid 90s, the Wall Street crash of 2008 would have had minimal impact on the pension fund balance as it exists in 2012.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, but again the state dictates what the district is to contribute.
ReplyDeleteAlso if you take the time to dig a little deeper you will find that when the state reduced the contribution levels they felt it necessary to increase state employees pension benefits by 50%. To keep things fair and probably keep them quiet, they also increased teacher's pension benefits by 25%. These are the kind of things the union does not want you to see.
Hence the reason why public pensions need to be eliminated and go to a 401K/403B type of program. This will limit the long term liability for the district and taxpayer. Also, start increasing the amount of money paid by retirees for thier health care/benefits.
DeleteI realize that it is a moot point, but a worthy academic exercise. Imagine if the contribution rates had not changed, if the pension benefits had not increased, and the state (oops, taxpayers) had not paid for stadiums. But then again, we wouldn't have been able to have this conversation, and the state and district would not be facing a deficit. Although, the architects of GASB 43 & 45 ought to revisit the consequence of 100% funding of pensions and all that it entails. That is a discussion our politicos may wish to consider. I appreciate the exchange. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCan you two provide questions/issues the district and its taxpayers will need to answer for this pension situation? Focus on district internal decisions.
ReplyDeleteEach issue is multifaceted, however, the one non-negotiable goal should be the very survival of the school district. Its quality and sustainability have a direct bearing on our children as well as the value of our homes. The first issue should be an examination of every position in the district, and whether it is needed, and or, how it can be improved upon or replaced, if necessary. The second issue relates to any extraordinary expenditure, both short and long term, and if the district needs it to survive. The third is political pressure on our federal and state officials to revisit GASB 43 & 45 to consider a more realistic amortization schedule relating to pensions. While the foregoing is an oversimplification of a very complex problem, it appears that school district officials are committed to a responsible course of action that will yield positive benefits regarding the sustainability of the district. And, that is a very good thing for our children, schools and community.
ReplyDeleteAre you planning to run for school board? You got my vote already.
DeleteThere are those of us who have been fully aware of the financial problems that were coming but Harrisburg caused them and Harrisburg will have to fix them. The School Board must be diligent in future spending, in addition to what has been accomplished so far but those showing concern need to contact your state representatives to get some action.
DeleteThank you very much. I was beginning to accept the budget and the tax increase. Now after understanding the mess I'm for forcing the issues - no tax increase - money or lack of it talks. Stupid?
DeleteStill have to pay the bills. If the pension costs are not paid to the state they will just withhold it from their subsidy payment to the district.
DeleteI think Pennsylvania will need to have a different vision of public education. Look at California. Their class sizes in high school are upwards of 40 students. We will need to do the things that Hempfield discussed but didn't do (cut sports way back, drastically reduce course offerings, streamline, look at # of elem schools). Other schools are cutting music or gym completely. This is just to ensure district SURVIVAL. If secondary class sizes averaged 40 kids instead of what it is now (25, 30?), that would eliminate a lot of salaried positions.
DeleteNOT THAT THIS IS OPTIMAL, but given these budget numbers, "nibbling around the margins" by not replacing a retiring teacher here and there just is not going to come close. Given that 75% of the budget is salary/benefits, the cuts will need to come from reducing salary/benefits.
PA has laws on laying off teachers though - districts can't lay off just because they have budget shortfalls. District has to either have had declining enrollment for so many years or they have to be eliminating a program completely. Why are the districts' hands tied so much by Harrisburg??
Maybe PA needs to think about consolidating school districts to save administrative costs? NC only has 200 school districts, FL has 75, PA has >500. Wouldn't close any schools -- just reduce administrative overhead. Instead of 500+ contracts with bus lines and teachers and food service contractors and grass cutters, cut that back to even half, 250. Instead of 500 HR directors and 500 business managers and 500 assistants and 500 superintendents, half...
I guess the point is, we in PA need to start thinking outside the box. Way outside.
I think the question we need to ask the school board is what is the longer term plan - they have a budget to get us through this year, what's their vision for 4 years from now?
Join in the conversation.
ReplyDeletehttp://ptspeaks.forumotion.net/
What happened at the board meeting last night on the budget?
ReplyDeleteIf you had gone to the meeting you would know.
DeleteDont expect others to do your research.
Out of town on business this week.
DeleteWisconsin has shown us the way. Wake up call for the teacher's association. Time to get in touch with reality. You have a chance to reconsider the freeze/pension offer and show taxpayers you're listening.
ReplyDeleteAs a former resident of Wisconsin, I can assure you that Wisconsin (all of it) is a cesspool and there is absolutely NO WAY anyone there knows what REALITY is. You like it so much, you should go live there in the land of Joe McCarthy.
DeleteYou're experience must be from the Milwaukee area home of bleedy heart liberals, Univ of Wisconsin, and the state's teacher's union. The rest of the state makes up for that pool.
DeleteWrong, wrong, and wrong. Stick to what you know, which is clearly not a thing.
DeleteDon't forget about California. Liberal San Jose and San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved measures to revise state employee's union defined pension programs to save millions in future budgets.
ReplyDeleteOn pay-for-performance, Florida is a pioneer in the effort to base teacher salaries on student performance and give those teachers with the best results the highest raises. This is a link to information on the issues. I had the opportunity to discuss Florida's situation with a few Florida teachers and surprisely found they are optomistic about it. There are concerns about performance meansurement on standardized tests but most felt it would "average out" to the good teachers benefit over time. One example of creativity in school districts addresses low-income and student motivation by allowing a teacher to issue bi-weekly reports to parents stating their child's status on such things as homework, class attendance, etc. For poorly focused students, if the parent does not respond in a satisfactory manner, that child's standardarized test scores used for merit pay would be removed from the teacher's merit pay calculation. http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/tag/merit-pay/
ReplyDeleteWho can be so naive to believe the tax increase is for building and pensions when the board just gave the union 3 times that in pay increases?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of naive, here is another example. Who is so naive as to believe this years tax increase will not be followed in the next years by increases just below the Act 1 limits? The board intends to side step the purpose of Act 1 which is to give taxpayers the right of a taxpayer referendum for major school board tax increase by spreading the incrases out. And on tagging things for building/pensions, its old-style PA cronyism. First, the unions get what they want - a pay increase. Then elected officials get what they want - a tax increase under the cover of a cause - old school buildings. And last, the taxpayers have no say and bend over – a tax increase just below Act 1 limits requiring a referendum. The tax increase will not be tagged for anything other than paying the bills for whatever the board approves in its regular board meetings. Somebody should go the June 11 school board meeting, by 7PM to sign up as a speaker, then poll the audience on who wants a tax increase. I can’t because I got kids in the schools who’ll suddenly be from problems parents.
ReplyDeleteSomebody from the School Board, maybe Dr. Bulter, please confirm these as rumor or fact. Questions in messages we recieved on our Facebook site:
ReplyDelete- The 1.6mil increase is the maximum allowed by ACT 1.
- The board implemented a 2 mill tax increase two years ago. The tax collector's office says no, the PT Star says yes a 2 mil increase was "proposed".
- The 1% tax increase portion now associated with building now also includes technology infrastructure funding.
- The PT School board has trimed the budget well compared to other district in terms of budget deficent ($251,077 which is the lowest except for 2 that have $0). From PT Star. The proposed tax increase of $470,000 leaves some reserve beyond the budget's $271k deficit but not enough to "tag" the tax increase. Therefore "tagging" of 1% for building and .6% pension can not happen this year, nor does the dynamics of state funding allow reasonable assurances of "tagging" in the future. The idea is good but "tagging" is questioned. The common comment is about union pay increases and tagging.
- The PT School board has positioned as best as could be done for the pension funding situation by establishing a reserve of $2.06 million in the Fund PSERS balance. Also from the PT Star, PT and Quaker Valley are the only districts listed with a PSERS fund balance greater than the 2012-2013 funding requirements. So the PT Board did well. Considering this reserve, assuming the proposed 1.6 mil increases is implemented, and considering projected future pension funding deficits as defined in Mr. Lago's presentation implies serious budget cuts in the future, or more tax increases, to fund PSERS.
The milleage history is slide 39 in Lago's presentation. There will be 4 since 2003 for a total of 7.85 mils or about 14% increse since 2003.
ReplyDeletePT had a two mill school tax increase in 2010. At that time the millage became 73.25 from 71.25. Check records here: http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/westmoreland/cwp/view.asp?a=1457&Q=635029&PM=1
ReplyDeleteI wss trying to find when we had a 5 mill increase but Wmd. Cnty. Courthouse millage records only go back to 2007. Can anyone help out on this? It wasn't too many years prior to 2007 for that 5 mill hike.
I have a couple of questions: Why are we hiring 17 classroom aides? Why are we contemplating building revisions/additions? All this spending when the teachers' retirement funding is escalating and they're not willing to take a one year salary freeze. How about the Administrators? Are you willing to take a one year salary freeze? Other districts have asked for and received a wage freeze from the teachers. I imagine we will see yearly school tax increases from now on unless some form of HB1776 becomes law. It's being negotiated.
And then on the township end, the PT commissioners are negotiating a new contract with the township police. Althugh the commissioners have done a great job in the past on holding the line on spending, I have concerns on this, too.
Here is my take. See slide 39 in the link to Lago pitch way on top above. Classroom aides are way cheaper than hiring teachers, at least $20K per year and it appear many of the ideas in the this sites innovation blog are from them. So thats a good idea for the budget. However, it is the subject of a Teacher's Union grip called "long term substitutes" which shows how the union can "help". The Teachers Union was asked to accept a pay freeze this year so that money could be used for thier own pension funding but their astute leader, Reiner, wouldn't even take it for a union vote. Our school district and its unions are spoiled and out-of-touch with reality.
DeleteMy next question pertains to class size. Have the number of pupils in a classroom increased that much to require an additional aide? In earlier years it was common pratice to have many students in each classroom without any dire learning consequences. What's the maximum class size now..26? I have another matter that I'd like for someone to address. If teachers do not want to cooperate with their employer, the school district, during hard financial times, why is the district collecting their union dues and forwarding that money to unions? Isn't that like biting the hand that feeds you?
DeleteOn class sizes,see this: http://www.trulia.com/school-district/PA-Westmoreland_County/Penn_-_Trafford_School_District/
DeleteBe aware that PT is ranked 10th out of over 500 school districts. Beware that data is based on standardized test scores and not a direct measurement of teacher quality.
On the latter, consider doing what we did in Wisconsin limiting teacher's unions bargaining rights. Otherwise they'll drive you to the poor house. Fell free to ask any questions, but for now I have to go to a conference call with Governor Rendell of PA. Apparrantly, he's looking for ideas. The phone just won't stop ringing since we won the referendum.
This isn't even a funny joke... although, if you think Rendell is still the governor of PA, you MUST be the idiot you're claiming to be
DeleteTo zero out PSERS balance each year starting out with current $2M balance, using Lago's slide 41 for PSERS contributions, PT's share as half contribution, I get a 1 mil increase in 2014-2015 followed by 5 mil increases each year. I'm sure Mr. Lago has the real answer which may, or may not, agree with my simple calcs.
ReplyDeleteThe allowable ACT tax increase percentages are here: http://www.ptcc.us/pdf/pa_act_1_2012-2013_adjusted_index_10-11.pdf
ReplyDeletePenn Trafford's max is 2.2%. The current mileage rate is 73.25. 2.2% of 73.25 is 1.611 miles. The board proposes a 1.6 mil increase, just below the maximum that would require a taxpayer referendum. What do you think of this school board move? Good to get a quick budjet boost for PSERS and buildings? Or bad since it is circumventing the intent of ACT 21 by spreading out tax increases over years?
Here is a site explaining House Bill 1776 and Senate Bill 1400. http://www.ptcc.us/solution.htm
ReplyDeleteHere is a site where you can express your support and comment on HB 1776 and SB 1400. Others exist.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=205607432796469&story_fbid=297133710372010
In addition, local representatives George Dunbar and Senator Kim Ward have facebook sites on which you an comment.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/State-Senator-Kim-Ward/263100790361
https://www.facebook.com/RepDunbar/timeline?filter=2
Neither legislation is perfect. Neither addresses the a root issue of union collective bargaining.
If PA SB1400 and HB1776 are flawed, then the true answer must be to stop government collection of union dues. That's what Gov. Walker of Wiscnsin did and as a result, the unions fell apart.
DeleteDo you really want to do something, or just talk? You can make a difference by showing support for the only active PA legislation limiting collective bargaining rights. The bill is House Bill 1307. It allows the state to declare school districts financially distressed and subsequently appoint an overseer to approve plans made by the school board and give the receiver the power to null and void any collective bargaining contracts. The last bill status is: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, May 23, 2012. This bill is in the right direction, but more is needed. What can you do? One thing is send the following letter to as many senators as you can. It is formated for Senator Ward in our district 39. You can send it to Sen. Ward or any senator by replacing the senator’s name, the 2030XX, and XX district number per the following link on list of senators. Its only 2 minites to copy/paste and the cost of a stamp. What the heck, why not show leadership and send a letter to all 26 republican senators? Why not copy and paste this text into an email to all your friends? Why not copy and paste on your facebook page? It could be a revolution.
ReplyDeleteList of Senators:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/mbrList.cfm?body=S&sort=district
Here a a link to the bill:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?sind=0&syear=2011&body=H&type=B&bn=1307
Here is a letter to copy/paste. Thats all we can do for now. More opportunities will follow and our Governor and Congressional Reps see what we want.
The Honorable Sen. Kim L. Ward
Senate Box 203039
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3039
39 Senatorial District
Dear Senator Ward:
I urge you to support House Bill 1307 as amended by the Senate Education Committee. This bill will improve local control of schools districts and alleviate a distressed district's financial crisis. This bill is the right answer for solving the funding problems that many school districts are facing. The number of school districts in financial distress will decrease and that will ultimately significantly help keep my school district healthy and prosperous.
The bill is a step in the right direction to reform the state’s collective bargaining process. But more needs to be done so our school districts can focus on our students and not continue to be dominated by out-of-control and excessive union contracts.
Therefore I am requesting you to do more than support House Bill 1307. I am asking you to introduce and/or support legislation replicating Wisconsin’s ACT 10 for Pennsylvania application.
Please support House Bill 1307 replication of Wisconsin ACT 10 so we have real solutions to the problems our school districts face.
Sincerely,
We will investigate this concept and support it if justified. The purpose of our Facebook site has changed from conducting surveys. Based on user feedback the revised purpose of the site is to provide information and resources to make it easier for taxpayers to address issues of importance to the Penn Trafford School Disctrict. An example of making it easier is, if appropriate, we will take your letter and provide a word document containing separate letters addressed to every PA legislator. That word document would be mailed to anyone who asks for it via email to supportptschoolboard@comcast.net. Recievers would not have to do anything except print and mail. Comments?
DeleteAs far as the above mentioned bill, another overseer? Isn't that what we deal with in the township when the police don't get what they want from the township and it goes to an arbitrator? The police union always wins.
ReplyDeleteI support legislation to get things done, as in Wisconsin. I suggest that our School Board draft a letter to request replication of ACT10 and then submitting their request to township residents for back up signatures before submitting to all legislative representatives. That way, it would show the School Board is truly representing the residents' desires and they are also in favor of not being dictated to by the constant demands of the union. It would take some courage on their part for this and the question is, "Will they do it?"
There's another teacher strike going on right now in the Neshaminy School District in PA. If you go on this site: Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (www.empowerpa.org)the Alliance lists what those teachers are currently making while demanding more. Enough is enough.
It is not clear the school or Dr. Butler pays any attention at all to this blog. If you want to be heard, there is an opportunity to say something today. The school board meeting is today, June 11, High School Library, 7 PM. To say something you must sign in before 7PM. If this school board is listening, there could be meeting agenda items related to the discussions on this blog, legislative items like HB 1307, SB1400 and HB1776, or perhaps their opinion of Wisconsin. I don't think they are listening.
DeleteFrom this website you can find what every adminstrator and teacher in the PT School District made in the 2009/2010 school year. Add about $6K average for about two years of raises (?). Multiple by about 30% to get a full 12 months versus the pay for 9 monhts. Add about $6000 to $1200 for not paying for any benefits versus the typical taxpayers. Have a few beers first.
Deletehttp://www.openpagov.org/k12_payroll.asp
Marian - If you want to draft a letter to the school board, send it to supportptschoolboard@comcast.net. We will use it on our facebook site. That is, finish it up, make an endorsement statement, and create a word document that we'll send to whoever asks for a letter. We'll make it as easy as possible for a taxpayer to print, sign, and mail a letter to the school board.
Deletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-the-PT-School-Board/198888410233231
Board Meeting:
ReplyDeleteSuperintendant T.B. - Average PA Superintendent Salary $140,000
Business Manager B.L. - Salary in 1999 - $99,199
Principals - Average salary more than $100,000 for 9 months
LC Teacher Speaking - around $90,000 for 9 months
Combined annual income of 20 taxpayer employees at table - $2.5M
Combined annual income of 20 taxpayers in audience - $750,000
Esimated income of lady requesting tax relief - less than $20,000 in social security
Minites speaking about budget - 0
Minutes speaking about pipes and bleachers - 30
Seconds required to vote on budget - 10
This is Marian Szmyd (for some reason the URL wouldn't identify me so I had to enter my name this way.)
ReplyDeleteI attended the June 11 School Board meeting and spoke re not wanting to pay anymore taxes to benefit teachers who make far more than me in their salaries and benefits. Speech over with, Budget voted on and passed. Who listens? While I don't post on Facebook, I thought this blog might be watched by the School Board so that they could get a concensus of residents' viewpoints. Dream on... I might add that an army of one can't accomplish anything.
Oh, and Mr. Petrucci...no one and I mean no one understood anything you were reading.
Marion, you should have kept the money thrown at you. And yes, the district's G&A is WAY too high. No one in a public school district is worth 6 figures in compensation.
DeleteThe School Board policies are on the district's website. http://www.penntrafford.org/site_res_view_template.aspx?id=4c44722f-6f53-4e75-8074-0121b7d88883
ReplyDeleteA case may be made the budget was adopted without following various processes defined by the board's own policies. As such, the board's policy also includes a
Section 621 Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights. In this section are means to resolve an appeals request. If sufficient examples of misconduct can be collected, a local tax board appeals board would need to be established. The appeals process does allow the board to resolve the appeal in executive session. So here is a message to the School Board that if enough taxpayers agree sending an email or letter to the school board justice could be done:
Please send any revelations on your review of the procedures, or other ideas on lack of following proper procedures: supportptschoolboard@comcast.net
Mr. Thomas Butler, Superintendent -- butlert@penntrafford.org
The administrative process to approve the 2012-2013 budget appears it was not conducted per various board procedures. This includes the procedures for notification of meetings, lack of discussion of the budget in the two approval meetings, lack of clarity in speaker voices for the audience to understand the process, and various other procedures that can be provided upon request. Therefore I am appealing the budget approval process and requesting the budget be tabled until resolution. The option of the board resolving this issue in executive session is not appropriate for breach of procedures.
If email, add this:
Since the budget must be approved by June 30th, please consider this email equivalent to written correspondence in the interest of expediting resolution.
Correspondence should include the name and address of the sendor.
DeleteYes, I agree with this comment so why did you not include yours when posting?
DeleteVisit "PT Taxpayer Alliance" on Facebook. "Support the PT School Board" on Facebook has been de-activated due to the flawed logic of trying to work with the board or school administators.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PT-Taxpayer-Coalition/317461651672459
On the basis for an appeal for the budget approval: the Adminstration and the School Board are not following Section 910 "Community Engagement" as defined under its Authority, Delegation of Authority, and Guidelines.
The names of persons identified for administering the community engagement program are not well published, if they exist, nor is the community referenced to that team. If such a team exists, the team is not following the Purpose and Definition of Section 910.
The Board and the Admistration are not actively soliciting community feedback, in fact, its activities indicate it does the opposite.
The Penn Trafford Report blog with its budget topic is a primary tool to engate the community. It is not being monitored. Replies to community concerns are not provided on the blog and questions are not being addressed elsewhere such as board meetings.
The above violates the Board's procedures defined in Section 910. Therefore the Board's approval to the budget is in violation of Pennsylvania School Board Association quidelines and State Law requiring school boards to establish and follow procedures.
What rock did you people crawl out from under?
ReplyDeleteYou live in one of the top performing school districts in the state with one of the lowest cost per pupil ratings in the state as well. All you want to do is dig dirt and try to crucify te board and administration. The only thing I can figure is that your child got a bad grade or reprimanded for something they did and got caught at.
Visit the PT Taxpayer Coalition on Facebook.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PT-Taxpayer-Coalition/317461651672459
The teachers and their union are what is bankrupting the district. The board and administration are simply doing what they can to keep the district above water. Buildings are getting run down and are in need of repair but the money that could be spent on those repairs is going to fulfill the contract and pay the pension costs for the teachers. If you want to place blame, place it on the unions.
ReplyDeleteThe board and its adminstration are doing a good job in all areas except following their procedures to obtain community feedback. Now all their email addresses are shut-down in continuation of that direction. We are not "blaming" anyone but our facebook site does suggest some other websites with ceratin missions, promotion of legislation, and we suggest actions that are not favaorable to legislation for unions. We are not against teachers either. If the administration thinks we are heading for an impending crisis, they would go back to the union and say the board and its administrators will accept twice the pay freeze, and pension funding, accepted by the union.
ReplyDeleteUntil the adminstration fixes it email process, this blog which is ignored by the board and admistratin is just a waste of time.
Marian - we could not get the name/URL function to work when we posted above.
We crawled out from under a rock in Wisconsin, tried to work with the board under the name Support the PT School Board but got rejected, then moved on.
This is an email we sent to Thomas Butler, Superintendent:
ReplyDeleteThe administrative process to approve the 2012-2013 budget appears it was not conducted per various board procedures. This includes the procedures for notification of meetings, lack of discussion of the budget in the two approval meetings, lack of clarity in speaker voices for the audience to understand the process, and various other proc...edures that can be provided upon request. Therefore we am appealing the budget approval process and requesting the budget be tabled until resolution. The option of the board resolving this issue in executive session is not appropriate for breach of procedures.
Since the budget must be approved by June 30th, please consider this email equivalent to written correspondence in the interest of expediting resolution.
Steering Committee
Penn Trafford Taxpayer Coalition
This is his reply:
ReplyDeletePT Taxpayer Coalition This is his reply: Penn-Trafford Taxpayer Coalition:
Thank you for your interest in the budget process for the school district. The budget process followed all regulations as set forth by the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law and reviewed by the... school district’s solicitor. The budget was preliminarily adopted on May 7th, 2012 and made available for public inspection for 30 days (as required by law). The final adoption was made on June 11th, 2012. State law requires that school districts approve the budget in two separate meetings to assure public input. All meetings were properly advertised in the newspaper. I can assure you that all applicable Sunshine Law regulations were met (or exceeded) by the school district. The Board did not vote or make final judgments (or have discussions) concerning the budget in any executive session.
State law requires that the school district adopt a final budget before June 30th. Since State law also requires that the budget be voted on twice and that there be a 30 day period for public inspection of the budget between the votes, the school district will not be able to reopen the budget at this time because the district would be in violation of the 30 day public inspection requirement.
This is the first time I have heard that the public has difficulty hearing the Board members when they talk during the meetings. If this problem persists we will certainly address it.
Again, thank you for your interest in the Penn-Trafford School District and it’s children.
This is our reply to the above, however all emails to the school board are being rejected. How's that for Community Engagement.
ReplyDeleteYour response is without merit. We are appealing the 2012-2013 budget process since it did not follow your procedures. The board’s policies to respond to an appeal are defined in your procedures. Your response doe...s not follow those procedures.
Your response is without merit since it simply states that procedures were followed without stating specifically how that was done. Please provide the review by school district’s solicitor that confirms procedures were followed.
Your response states that board meeting were not concluded in a manner such that attendees could understand statements, questions, and votes by the board or its administrators. That is also our experience. That fact by itself is a basis for appeal.
We also appealing since procedures defined in your Section 910 "Community Engagement" may not have been administered and the community had no reasonable means to provide input into the process. Please define the admistrative process for Section 910. A process is necessary for public comment that is not limited by Roberts Rules of Order.
If you really think we have an impending crisis, go back to the union and say the board and its administrators will accept twice the pay freeze, and pension funding, accepted by the union.
Please be advised that Butler's email address is not working "failed to deliver".
Translation (not in email): go back to the unions and we'll forget about our appeal on the 2012-2013 budget process.
This is an email that we sent to some administrators email addresses requesting it be forwarded to the board members. That was rejected by their email server.
ReplyDeleteWe are concerned that you are being unduly influenced by the district’s administrators and not representing our interests.
We have made an appeal for the 2012-203 budget process to Thomas Butler as allowed under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights section of your procedures. He has replied in a manner that we believe is without merit and inconsistent with our rights defined in your procedures including the required endorsement of a response to our appeal.
Our issue is communication. No one from the administration answers question on this blog. We are interested in a way to provide input that is a little more friendly that Roberts Rules of Order in board meetings. We are interested in how the board implements section 900 of your procedures especially section 910 Communication Engagement The blog doesn't work since no responses are provided to taxpayer comments.
If you really think we have an impending crisis, go back to the union and say the board and its administrators will accept twice the pay freeze, and pension funding, accepted by the union.
The school district apologizes for any email problems that occurred over the weekend and into Monday morning. The email server was being updated and it took longer than anticipated to fix the issues. While the issues were being corrected, no one in the district could receive or send email. In my case, that time period only ended late yesterday morning.
DeleteThis is a posting from our facebook site. You can add any comment showing how our board and its administrators are doing a good job. If you do not wish to make a posting under your name, send us an email and we'll post it for you. If you want us to delete that comment and post another one more glamorous, send us and email. pttaxpayercoalition@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteThe PT School board has trimmed the budget well compared to other district in terms of budget deficient ($251,077 which is the lowest except for 2 that have $0) from PT Star. The PT School board has positioned as best as could be done for the pension-funding situation by establishing a reserve of $2.06 million in the Fund PSERS balance. So the PT Board and our administrators are doing a lot better... than most. However some work may needs to be done in are area of community engagement, answering questions posted by residents on the Penn Trafford Report blog, establishing a means for the community to provide input other than School Board meetings under Roberts Rules of Order, and defining how Section 910 “Community Engagement” is administered. We are wondering why the board does not make another offer to the union for the swap out of pay increases for pension funding. For example, the administrators could offer to accept a higher swap-out percentage for the administration than it requests from the union. If it doen't work, then the unions look worse. If it works, the board has another million bucks in it excellent efforts to improve our school system which we support.
Isn't this your real goal? "If it doen't work, then the unions look worse."
DeleteFYI the administrators and maintenance staff both rejected to accept the pay freeze so how could they (the board) go back to the union and offer to double their freeze? Oh and BTW, the board does not get paid for all the BS they have to put up with, it is a non compensated position.
ReplyDeleteAnswer on our Facebook page.
DeleteThis blog does OK to post things like budgets and innovation. It has defects to address Section 910’s objective for community engagement in some major areas: no answer to questions, anonymous postings, and wasting board time instead of focusing on district improvements. So here is an idea. The school board requests volunteers to act as administrators of a site. We do the same. The site admins collect questions from the blog, questions from emails received, and postings on their site. The admins do a little research, and provide answers. We have done some work to create such a site. We will turn this site over to the admins, and provide some advice to get started. Activity on the site, under the title of community engagement presented by the site admins, would be a regular board meeting topic. We will NOT administer this site.
ReplyDeletePT is rated 10th best out of over 500 PA school districts. Many of our PT teachers are at the top of their field. A method is needed to acknowledge and reward our excellent teachers for their performance. We have established a site PT citizens supporting teacher excellence. We are looking for volunteers to administer this site so we can do other things. We will turnover the site including preliminary postings and provide startup advice. We will provide some ideas on actions. If interested, send an email to PTTaxpayerCoalition@comcast.net. We will NOT administer this site.
ReplyDeleteIf the board wants to pass-off of some BS, next time a group calling themselves anything like “Support the PT School Board” comes knocking at your door, answer it. The group of 5 tried to get messages to you through an administrator that sets at the table during board meetings. That administrator said they would “get that information to the superintendent”. Not wanting to get involved in your politics, the group hoped that meant the board too. The group would have done just about any grunt work or BS the board desired. The group advised much more attention to blog maintenance in an email when it became evident the blog postings were leading to an explosion you would not like. The group received 68 emails including ideas on what to do, and volunteers to do them. Not one was from a board member or an administrator. These emails led to volunteers creating the PT Taxpayer Coalition separate from Support the PT School Board group. Without any (zero) encouragement from the board, the Support the PT School Board de-activated their facebook site and eliminated their email address. Now you are stuck with a group more interested in no taxes and legislation that supporting the board.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Isn't this your real goal? "If it doen't work, then the unions look worse." Answer on facebook.
ReplyDeleteWhy not here?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI removed a comment that I considered solicitation. I do not want this blog to be a forum for people wishing to raise money for a cause.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Mr. Butler and we were wrong. In any event, one of our sister organizations (Tinkerbel now involved in a nasty teachers strike) advised us to not pursue that avenue due to "grey" areas in rules for groups like us to raise money. But someone bought the item before we could delete it. Actaully we are happy that you are maintaining your blog.
ReplyDeleteTo PT Taxpayer Coalition - you should send the email you sent out on your plan for the appeal and other updates to Dr. Butler (and yes it is Dr. not Mr.) or I will post it here soon.
ReplyDeleteThe Penn-Trafford School District received $17,629,310, an increase of $716,304. These totals include Basic Education Funding, Accountability Block Grants, student transportation and charter school student transportation, school employees’ Social Security, and the state’s portion of pension obligations for school employees. This is an increase of $716K above what the administration and school board knew about when it approved a $470K tax increase. Two questions for the administration and school board are as follows. Since the board approved a tax increase of $470K before the increase in state funding of $716K, what is the basis for a tax increase? Can we now expect a tax decrease of $346K proposed as a consistent approach for the 2012-2013 budget?
ReplyDelete