HB 2364, Charter/Cyber School reform bill which addresses funding, transparency and accountability to be introduced on Monday June 4

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School Directors, I strongly urge you to read the details of this bill, which directly addresses funding, transparency and accountability -  and come show your support at the Capitol on Monday…..LAF

Stand in Support of Charter School Reform on Monday June 4

PSBA Website May 31, 2012

Join Rep. Fleck at 11:00 am on Monday, June 4 in the Capitol Rotunda to Introduce Charter School Reform Bill HB2364

School officials are welcomed and encouraged to join Rep. Mike Fleck (R-Huntingdon/Blair/Mifflin) on Monday, June 4, by gathering on the Capitol steps as he conducts a news conference to announce the introduction of HB 2364, legislation supported by PSBA that ensures greater taxpayer protection and accountability of charter and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania.

Speaking at the news conference in addition to Fleck will be other legislators who are co-sponsors of the bill as well as PSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel, and representatives from the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and Pennsylvania Association for Rural and Small Schools (PARSS), and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).  The news conference will be held at 11 a.m. in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol.  School officials who attend will be invited to stand behind the speakers to show support of HB 2364.  Those who cannot attend can view the event through live webstreaming at RepFleck.com.

Details on HB 2364: http://capwiz.com/psba/issues/alert/?alertid=61400476&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

Pa. House and Senate Nearing Budget Agreement

PoliticsPA Written by Angela Vertucci, Contributing Writer Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester) and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Bradford Woods) said they are engaged with other Republican leaders in ongoing negotiations to finalize the state budget proposal for fiscal year 2013.  They aim to present the budget to Gov. Corbett as early as next week, well in advance of the June 30 deadline.

http://www.politicspa.com/pa-house-and-senate-nearing-budget-agreement/36172/

State Budget Negotiations Heating Up

Yinzercation Blog — MAY 31, 2012

Boy, it’s getting intense as the state budget negotiations heat up. Senate majority leader Dominic Pileggi and House majority leader Mike Turzai are trying to get the two Republican caucuses into alignment. Senator Pileggi said they “are working through the details” on public education funding, among other issues, and Rep. Turzai praised his colleague’s budget plan, calling it “fiscally responsible while still balancing the needs of Pennsylvania citizens.” [Post-Gazette, 5-31-12]   What Turzai is calling “fiscally responsible” is actually another $50 million in proposed cuts to public education. That’s on top of the staggering cuts Governor Corbett made last year. Far from being “fiscally responsible,” these cuts have put tremendous negative pressure on local communities across the state.

http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/heating-up/

Corbett outlines state’s finances

Published: Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Delco Times By EVAN BRANDT Journal Register News Service

NORRISTOWN — Gov. Tom Corbett likes to describe Pennsylvania’s $27.1 billion budget as a shrinking pizza.  “In prior years,” he said, “we had an 8-inch pizza and now we’re down to a 6-inch pie, but we have the same demands. In fact, we have an increase in demands.”
This observation was among many made during an hourlong meeting Wednesday afternoon with editors and reporters from Journal Register News Company, the company that owns the Delaware County Daily Times and other local newspapers in the region.
Hosted at The Times Herald in Norristown, questions targeted the state budget, property taxes, education funding and transportation needs.

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/05/30/news/doc4fc6e33218873895410535.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Posted: Fri, Jun. 1, 2012, 3:01 AM

Amid protests, Philly SRC adopts $2.5 billion school budget at wild meeting

By Kristen A. Graham Inquirer Staff Writer

Over the objections of hundreds, the School Reform Commission adopted a $2.5 billion 2012-13 budget at a wild Thursday meeting interrupted frequently by chanting angry audience members.

No one - activists or officials - likes the spending plan, which leaves many schools without full-time nurses or police officers and which banks on extra city money that may not come through.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20120601_Amid_protests__Philly_SRC_adopts__2_5_billion_school_budget_at_wild_meeting.html

Texas Friends of Public Education

US Students vs The World in Student Performance:

Video runtime 2:31 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSf63qdI4xg&feature=youtu.be

SAVE UPPER DARBY ARTS 2012

Published on May 21, 2012 by SaveUDArts

Sign the Petition http://ow.ly/b3rR2
This isn't just about the Upper Darby School District. All over Pennsylvania and in many other states as well, WAR has been declared on Public Education, on children.  Our children deserve the very best that we can give them, no matter what test scores say. Help us take a stand and stop school districts from being forced to cut programs which cultivate who our children become.
We will be in Harrisburg on June 6th, 2012 to gather support for the proper funding of education. All are welcome to join us!
Please visit www.saveudarts.org to learn more and join the fight.

Youtube video (runtime 7:32) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh8RNhMo4Ks&feature=plcp

STATEWIDE PRESS COVERAGE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS

Here are more than 700 articles since January 23^rd detailing budget cuts, program cuts, staffing cuts and tax increases being discussed by local school districts

The PA House Democratic Caucus has been tracking daily press coverage on school district budgets statewide:

http://www.pahouse.com/school_funding_2011cuts.asp?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pahouse.com%2fschool_funding_2011cuts.asp&utm_campaign=Crisis+in+Public+Education