Two Views: PTRIB:Tomalis and NYT: Herbert/ PPG: Shaler Budget /MCALL:Allentown and Easton/ Towanda Freeze/ PSBA Freeze List [TLG LC/SB/BCC]

BUDGET CUTS: TAKE ACTION

Click here for links to take action on the budget

 

Education nominee plans to reshape system

By Amy Crawford. TRIBUNE-REVIEW, Saturday, March 26, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's administration will attempt to reshape public education during the next four years, enacting an aggressive agenda that focuses on school choice and competition, according to Ronald Tomalis, the governor's nominee for secretary of Education.

Read more: Education nominee plans to reshape system - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_729299.html#ixzz1HhUzvH7q

NEW YORK TIMES: OP-ED COLUMNIST

Separate and Unequal

By BOB HERBERT, Published: March 21, 2011

One of the most powerful tools for improving the educational achievement of poor black and Hispanic public school students is, regrettably, seldom even considered. It has become a political no-no.  Educators know that it is very difficult to get consistently good results in schools characterized by high concentrations of poverty. The best teachers tend to avoid such schools. Expectations regarding student achievement are frequently much lower, and there are lower levels of parental involvement. These, of course, are the very schools in which so many black and Hispanic children are enrolled.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22herbert.html?ref=bobherbert

This is Governor Corbett’s School District and High School

Shaler Area educator describes $2 million shortfall

Thursday, March 24, 2011

By Rita Michel, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Shaler Area School District is bracing for a $2 million cut in state funding next year, and departing superintendent Donald Lee tried to prepare residents for some of the potential sacrifices that he believes will need to be made in an eight-page statement released to the school board March 16 and posted on the district's website.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11083/1134261-54.stm#ixzz1HhYie8W0

Tension grows in Allentown School District

Furloughs and overhaul of academics fuel concerns among teachers, parents.

By Arlene Martínez, OF THE MORNING CALL

8:37 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2011

Displeasure with a plan to overhaul the Allentown School District's curriculum took a back seat Thursday night as teachers union members urged the board to consider all options before laying off as many as 300 employees.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-program-studies-20110325,0,4425492.story

Easton teachers union spurns 'no layoff' offer

District would cut salaries to 2009-10 levels to save $20 million over two years.

By Samantha Marcus, OF THE MORNING CALL

7:58 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2011

The Easton Area teachers union on Friday said it won't even entertain an assemblage of concessions the district has proposed to save about $20 million over the next two years.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-school-district-proposed-cu20110325,0,7138853.story

Towanda School District administrators forgo their pay increase for the coming year

By James Loewenstein (Staff Writer)

Published: March 25, 2011

TOWANDA - Due to a large anticipated loss of federal and state funding, the administrators of the Towanda Area School District have decided to not accept a pay increase during the coming year, Towanda school officials said.

http://thedailyreview.com/news/towanda-school-district-administrators-forgo-their-pay-increase-for-the-coming-year-1.1123516#

PSBA's List: Pa. schools adopting a wage freeze

3/25/2011

Below is a link to a list of school entities known to have adopted a wage freeze for 2011-12 budget. If your entity is not listed but has adopted a freeze, send updates to webmaster@psba.org

http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=1767