Keystone State Education Coalition

Established in 2006, the Keystone State Education Coalition is a growing grass roots, non-partisan public education advocacy group of several hundred locally elected, volunteer school board members and administrators from school districts throughout Pennsylvania. Our mission is to evaluate, discuss and inform our boards, district constituents and legislators on legislative issues of common interest and to facilitate active engagement in public education advocacy.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for April 30, 2014: Norristown School Board passes resolution opposing charter school bill

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3250 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook and Twitter

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education. Are you a member?

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for April 30, 2014:

Norristown School Board passes resolution opposing charter school bill

PSBA members - Come hear former Assistant US Secretary of Education, author and education historian Diane Ravitch.

PSBA Buxmont Region 11 and Penns Grant Region 15 Combined Region/Legislative Meeting -- Thursday, May 15, at William Tennent High School

- Buffet dinner/registration, 6 p.m. ($8 charge for dinner) - Program, 7:30 p.m. -- Minority Senate Education Committee Chair Hon. Andy Dinniman will introduce guest speaker Diane Ravitch, author and education historian, and former Assistant Secretary of Education. Retiring House Education Committee Chairman Paul Clymer will also be honored for his long time (1981) public service.

PSBA Members Register Online here

Norristown School Board passes resolution opposing charter school bill

By Brendan Wills bwills@21st-centurymedia.com Published: Monday, April 28, 2014

The Norristown School Board approved two resolutions at April 28’s school board meeting, one opposing a piece of charter school legislation and one supporting the Pre-K for PA coalition. Senate Bill 1085, if passed, would amend the language of the Public School Code of 1949. The new language would change the code’s regulations for charter school funding and allow university or college officials to authorize the creation of charter schools, a function currently reserved for local school boards. Other school districts across the state have adopted similar resolutions in opposition of the bill citing the loss of local control over the creation of charter schools that currently has public oversight through school boards’ adherence to Pennsylvania’s sunshine laws. Locally, Colonial School District recently adopted such a resolution.
The full resolution, and reasons for opposition, can be found on Norristown’s website,

www.nasd.k12.pa.us

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2014/04/28/montgomery_life/news/doc535f0bbd97d50923320059.txt

Property tax burden should be eased but not with proposed legislation

PSBA website 4/29/2014

No one likes property taxes -- or any tax for that matter. No superintendent or school business official enjoys the time spent crunching the numbers to balance the budgets, and no school director enjoys the task of taxing his or her neighbors. However, no matter how unpleasant they may seem, we can't forget that taxes do a lot of good by providing resources to build and maintain our transportation system, make public parks available, defend our country through the military, keep us safe with police and fire service, and yes, educate our children in our locally governed public schools.

Few will disagree that in Pennsylvania we rely too heavily on school property taxes to fund our children's education. However, Senate Bill 76, which would eliminate this tax, is not the answer for either schools or the taxpayers who foot the bill. The legislation would eliminate school property taxes by shifting the burden of funding public education to individual taxpayers in the form of increased state personal income and sales and use taxes. While some may be heartened by this move, the reality is such a shift would leave an already underfunded public education system in a worse situation, while actually increasing costs for many taxpayers.

- See more at: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=7638#sthash.BFmRSQp4.dpuf

Pennsylvania gets more bad budget news in April

Pennlive by The Associated Press on April 29, 2014 at 9:12 PM

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's tax collections during the all-important month of April were badly lagging projections Tuesday, and House and Senate Appropriations Committee officials said the only question was how much deeper the state government's shortfall will plunge.

The poor performance is a sobering development for Gov. Tom Corbett and lawmakers as they try to craft a budget during an election year. Based on estimates by House and Senate Appropriations Committee officials, the shortfall is expected to be big enough to knock Corbett's $29.4 billion budget proposal out of balance by $1 billion or more.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/pennsylvania_gets_more_bad_bud.html

S&P warns: Time running out for Pa. budget gimmicks

Joseph N. DiStefano POSTED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 3:49 PM

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services says it is ready to "lower (Pennsylvania's credit) rating in the next few months" unless state officials replace Gov. Tom Corbett's and legislative leaders' proposed "one-time" budget gimmicks, such as the plan to defer payments to the state's underfunded pension systems, and instead make "a concerted effort to bring revenues and expenditures into alignment," rebuild cash reserves, and pass "meaningful pension reform," S&P analyst John Sugden warns today in a report to investors. The agency wants state leaders to make tough choices even as they face re-election this fall.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/SP-May-cut-Pa-credit-rating-on-pension-inaction-budget-gimmicks.html#Yww6Z1O2jyAmuWTj.99

Corbett, briefly, on revenue shortfalls, open records, pensions and more

By Jeff Frantz | jfrantz@pennlive.com on April 29, 2014 at 5:26 PM, updated April 29, 2014 at 8:43 PM

After an awards ceremony recognizing state agencies for saving $650 million since he came into office, Gov. Tom Corbett took a few questions Tuesday.

He kept his answers brief.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/tom_corbett_revenue_pensions_b.html

Dem. candidates for governor to discuss views on education in Philly April 30th

the notebook by David Limm on Apr 29 2014 Posted in Latest news

Perhaps no issue polls more consistently with Philadelphia voters as the issue of greatest importance than the problem of its public schools.

On Wednesday, April 30, the four Democratic candidates vying to become Pennsylvania governor will be in the city for a forum dedicated to the topic of city and state education issues. "The goal of the forum is to enable the candidates to articulate deep and well-thought-out positions on the fiscal and academic challenges of public education in Philadelphia and the state," according to a media advisory release from the forum's sponsors. Those sponsors -- The Committee of Seventy, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and the Philadelphia Education Fund -- decided that a forum focused entirely on public education issues would force in-depth discussions from the candidates and make them more accountable for any promises if they win in November.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147184/dem-candidates-governor-discuss-views-education

More $ for education, but where to find it?

Lancaster Online Editorial Posted: Monday, April 28, 2014 9:36 am

A recent poll of Pennsylvania voters found that more than 70 percent want the state to provide more and fairer funding for public schools. And two-thirds of voters say high-poverty schools should get more state funding. Most of the poll’s education questions — paid for by groups representing school administrators, business managers and school board members — are interesting, as far as they go. With a governor’s race and 228 legislative races on the ballot this year —all 203 members of the state House and half of the 50-member Senate — a discussion of education funding is in order.

http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/more-for-education-but-where-to-find-it/article_28a8481c-ceda-11e3-9c4f-0017a43b2370.html

Deer Lakes School District considers allowing natural gas drilling on property

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review By Aaron Aupperlee Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 11:18 p.m.
Drilling for natural gas under Deer Lakes School District property may hinge on whether Allegheny County allows drilling under Deer Lakes Park. The cash-strapped district is waiting for Allegheny County Council to decide whether to allow energy companies Range Resources and Huntley & Huntley to drill under the 1,180-acre park in West Deer and Frazer before making its decision, school board members said Tuesday.

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6027997-74/huntley-district-park#ixzz30Mahyl9i

School report finds 'large inequities' in Pittsburgh Public Schools

By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette April 29, 2014 11:37 PM

In the more vulnerable public schools in Pittsburgh, students have fewer effective teachers, are treated with less respect and are less likely to feel their school is a safe and positive place than in schools with fewer needy students, according to an A+ Schools survey. “My question is how can students learn if that’s how they feel in school? And whose responsibility is it to see that students’ rights are upheld?” asked Amy Scott, director of research and data analysis for A+ Schools. Ms. Scott presented the results of the latest School Works report Tuesday to more than 200 educators, parents, students and community members at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

West Chester students to get computers

Philly.com by Tricia L. Nadolny LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 1:08 AM

WEST CHESTER The West Chester Area School District will purchase 5,000 computers over the next four years with the goal of giving a laptop to each student in eighth through 12th grades, officials said. The new computers - which students will be able to use at school and home - will cost about $3.8 million. But officials said the net cost will be closer to $1.2 million due to cost-sharing for extended warranties and damage insurance, and also the phasing out of shared computers currently used by the district.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20140429_West_Chester_students_to_get_computers.html#ToKDRZrm554LBkY5.99

Philly school district facing another bleak budget

SNIP, SNIP: Cuts are inevitable for Philadelphia schools next year.

By Maura Pennington | PA Independent April 28, 2014

PHILADELPHIA — The School District of Philadelphia is facing budget cuts.

Superintendent William Hite previously issued a hopeful Action Plan 2.0 to transform schools at a cost of $320 million. But now that the budget for 2014-15 has been released, it’s looking as if the district will instead be coming up at least $96 million short. Reductions in staff and services are inevitable in the face of a gap that size.

http://paindependent.com/2014/04/philly-school-district-facing-another-bleak-budget/

DN Editorial: Just no funds

Philly Daily News Editorial POSTED: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 3:01 AM

NEARLY two weeks ago, we asked where the urgency was on the response to the School District of Philadelphia budget woes from the city and the state. That includes the budget woes for the current school year, which the district anticipates ending with a $29 million deficit. Last week, the district released its budget for next year, and the shortfall is now $216 million - and that's just to keep treading water. That doesn't include building the district with more programs that Superintendent William Hite wants to add to actually improve education. Without that money, Hite says the schools will be "empty shells," an even worse version of last year's crisis, when thousands of counselors, librarians and teachers were laid off.

http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20140430_DN_Editorial__Just_no_funds.html#IPfmTUhpXgrFh0LP.99

North Philly parents suspicious of postponed charter school election

WHYY Newsworks BY KEVIN MCCORRY APRIL 29, 2014

In meetings over the past four weeks, the Philadelphia School District has been making a case for why it chose Edward Steel elementary in Nicetown and Luis Muñoz-Marín elementary in Fairhill for charter school conversion. Parents were set to vote on Thursday, but on Monday night, they learned that the district was going to push the election back a month at Muñoz-Marín (but not at Steel), saying some have complained that the process was moving too quickly.

Some parents are suspicious the election is being delayed because voters would have rejected the charter. The school district and proposed charter operator say it's about not rushing the process.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/67420-north-philly-parents-suspicious-of-postponed-charter-school-election?linktype=hp_impact

School board leadership DOES matter

NSBA School Board News Today April 29th, 2014

An editorial by Robert Rader, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education:

The Fordham Institute, whose president, Chester Finn, has called the school board “an aberration, an anachronism, an educational sinkhole” that should be put “out of its misery,” recently published a report, “Does School Board Leadership Matter?

It definitely contradicts the spirit of Finn’s previous comments.

The document lists information that we have known ever since the original Iowa Lighthouse Initiative was released: School boards, particularly their attitudes on student learning, are an important element of student success. Other information points us to what we must do to ensure that boards are relevant, effective, and beneficial. The report comes at a critical time for executive directors from state school boards associations who have been involved in attempting to discern what the board of tomorrow will be like. It gives us an idea of what boards need to do to accomplish their primary goal: increasing student achievement and growth.

http://schoolboardnews.nsba.org/2014/04/school-board-leadership-does-matter/

Indiana: Common Core Replaced With State Standards

New York Times By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS APRIL 28, 2014

One of the first states to adopt Common Core education standards became the first state to formally abandon the national benchmarks, as Indiana’s State Board of Education voted overwhelmingly Monday for a replacement that will guide student learning for years. The board voted 10 to 1 to endorse the new benchmarks for math and English, which were created by a panel of faculty from Indiana universities and representatives from science and technology industries. Indiana adopted the Common Core in 2010; eventually, 44 other states did, too. But states’ rights advocates and Tea Party members later opposed the standards, saying they were created without adequate local input. In response, Indiana lawmakers passed legislation pausing the start of the Common Core and requiring a review to find a replacement. Gov. Mike Pence, a Republican, signed legislation in March making Indiana the first state to drop the standards, which are not federally required.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/us/indiana-common-core-replaced-with-state-standards.html?src=rechp&_r=0

Blogger comment: Here's a surprise - the folks spending over $150 million per year on privatizing democratically governed American public schools have created an organization and funded a study predicting increased demand for skilled labor in their privatized, parallel school system. I am not aware of the Waltons spending one thin dime to help train leaders for our public schools…(Where do you shop?)………

"The study was supported by the Bellwether Education Partners and the Walton Family Foundation, which also provided the startup funds for EdFuel."

(Walton) Study: Growth in K-12 Education Sector Creates Demand For New Leaders

Education Week District Dossier Blog By Denisa R. Superville on April 29, 2014 7:15 AM

Growth in the urban education reform movement, characterized largely by an exponential increase in charter schools, will create a need for at least 32,000 senior and mid-level workers over the next decade, according to a report to be released Tuesday by EdFuel. The study, "MAP the GAP," which also looked at transformation in urban education in the 50 largest urban cities where education reform is altering the landscape, found that continued growth outside of the traditional school district model, will create a "talent gap" for noninstructional staff, including for workers who are skilled in business, finance, operations, management, data analytics, and communications. "As demand for new and innovative schools begins to snowball, there is a real threat of a leadership talent gap," said Jimmy Henderson, the CEO of EdFuel, the Washington-based nonprofit that trains leaders in this sector and which also conducted the study. "MAP the GAP vividly shows that talent is the scarce resource that could define the success or failure of this inspiring movement."

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/2014/04/study_growth_in_k-12_education.html

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) will Host an Education Funding Forum in Delaware County on May 7^th

On May 7^th, PCCY will host a forum that discusses the state of school funding in Delaware County. As many of you all know, state budget cuts have impacted districts beyond Philadelphia. The event will be held at the Upper Darby Municipal Branch Library, 501 Bywood Avenue, Upper Darby PA 19082 from 6:30pm-8pm. Attendees will get a budget update from Sharon Ward of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, hear from School Board members representing Upper Darby, William Penn, and Haverford School Districts and learn how they can get involved. Contact Devon Miner at devonm@pccy.org for any questions or concerns.

Please RSVP by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OjFpJwTHnZwRqh0Q5Tdp0KHYaI1Jg0XNvGpmeYMmIyA/viewform

PSBA members in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties

PSBA Buxmont Region 11 and Penns Grant Region 15 Combined Region/Legislative Meeting -- Thursday, May 15, at William Tennent High School

PSBA Members Register Online here

Just added - Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq will be the after-dinner speaker on May 5.

PSBA Advocacy Forum and Day on the Hill May 5-6, Mechanicsburg & Harrisburg
Make an impact on the legislative process by attending PSBA’s Advocacy Forum and Day on the Hill, May 5-6. Day one will provide legislative insights on pensions, training on being an effective advocate, and media relations. Dr. G. Terry Madonna, leading Pennsylvania political analyst, will discuss the legislative landscape in his usual lively and informative style. How to Be an Effective Advocate -- Hear from former Allwein Advocacy Award winners Larry Feinberg, Roberta Marcus and Tina Viletto on how to successfully support your issues. At noon, Rep. Dave Reed, Majority Policy Chairman, will address participants. On day two, participants will start with a breakfast at the Harrisburg Hilton with Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley as guest speaker and then hit the ground running with visits to legislative offices in the State CapitolSpace is limited so register early. Click here for more details and to register online.

Registration fee of $50 includes lunch and dinner on May 5 and breakfast on May 6.

2014 PA Gubernatorial Candidate Plans for Education and Arts/Culture in PA

Education Policy and Leadership Center

Below is an alphabetical list of the 2014 Gubernatorial Candidates and links to information about their plans, if elected, for education and arts/culture in Pennsylvania. This list will be updated, as more information becomes available.

http://www.eplc.org/2014-gubernatorial-candidate-plans-for-education-and-artsculture-in-pa/

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

PA Ed Policy Roundup for April 29, 2014: Senator Erickson: A more equitable formula needed to fund education

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org

Visit us on Facebook at KeystoneStateEducationCoalition

Follow us on Twitter at @lfeinberg

The Keystone State Education Coalition is pleased to be listed among the friends and allies of The Network for Public Education. Are you a member?

Keystone State Education Coalition

Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for April 29, 2014:

Senator Erickson: A more equitable formula needed to fund education

PSBA members - Come hear former Assistant US Secretary of Education, author and education historian Diane Ravitch.

PSBA Buxmont Region 11 and Penns Grant Region 15 Combined Region/Legislative Meeting -- Thursday, May 15, at William Tennent High School

PSBA Members Register Online here

"The latest version of the property tax elimination plan will be the subject of a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday. Committee Chairman Mike Brubaker, R-Lancaster County, has promised a vote on the bill shortly after the hearing, Argall said. A floor vote in the Senate could follow soon after based on what leadership has told him, he said. Then it would go to the House. Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe, a longtime property tax opponent, said a similar plan garnered 91 votes in the House when it was considered last year, which is just 11 shy of the number needed to pass that chamber. "

School property tax elimination plan has enough support to pass the Pa. Senate, plan's sponsor says

By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com on April 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM

A revised plan to eliminate school property taxes now has enough support to pass the state Senate if it were put to a vote in that chamber, according to the bill's sponsor Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill County. That has Argall seeing a glimmer of hope of making history on an issue that has been the subject of countless campaign promises by state office candidates over the decades. The latest version of Senate Bill 76, which was not available on the General Assembly website as of Monday, would increase the state’s personal income tax to 4.34 percent, up from the 3.07 percent rate that has been in place since 2004. It also would raise the state sales tax by 1 percent, to 7 percent, as well as broaden the base to have the sales tax apply to more items but not food staples on the WIC food list.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/school_property_tax_eliminatio.html

Senate Bill Eliminating Property Taxes Largely Unchanged by Amendment

Posted by PA Budget and Policy Center on April 23, 2014

An amendment to Senate Bill 76 was proposed in April 2014. How would the proposed amendment impact SB 76?

SB 76 Remains Largely Unchanged by the Proposed Amendment

Generally, the amendment offers revisions to address technical concerns about the bill, specifying the products and services that would be subject to the expanded and increased state sales tax, clarifying which business-to-business services would be exempt, and updating the activation and implementation dates contained in the original legislation introduced on March 14, 2013. What Does SB 76 Do?

Senate change would give charter schools twice as long to adjust to special education funding change

By Jeff Frantz | jfrantz@pennlive.com on April 28, 2014 at 2:42 PM

An amendment passed Monday by the state Senate Appropriations Committee woulddouble the amount of time charter schools would have to adjust to a new special education funding formula. But the underlying bill would still change the special education formula for all public schools in Pennsylvania, so that schools would be reimbursed for the actual costs of providing special needs education. Under the current formula, all public schools are funded on the assumption that 16 percent of students have special needs. That blanket assumption, based on the state average, doesn't consider the severity of a child's special needs. So, a legislative commission found, some schools receive more than they need, while others receive less.

Charter schools complained that the bill would only cover new money the state spends on special needs students for traditional districts, not their allocation under the basic education formula. A hold harmless provision would also prevent school districts from losing special needs funding.

For charters and cyber charters, however, the new formula would cover all special needs funding, and there would be no hold harmless provision.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/04/special_education_funding_penn.html

"In final analysis, the Legislature needs to find a way to provide a more equitable education formula and to generate additional funding. Recently, interest has been expressed in a Marcellus Shale gas tax as a way to generate additional dollars for education. I among others have introduced a bill to do this, but even if we increase the level of funding, I firmly believe that we must take action to reach a more equitable funding formula for our schools."

Letter to the Editor: A more equitable formula needed to fund education

Delco Times by State Sen. EDWIN B. ERICKSON R-26 of Newtown 04/28/14, 9:57 PM EDT |

To the Times:

An editorial published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 20 suggested that the commonwealth of Pennsylvania use a formula that was developed in 2006 to allocate funds for education to the school districts across our commonwealth.

The editorial pointed out that the formula allocated basic-education funds based on each district’s enrollment (Average Daily Membership or ADM), poverty level, number of students learning to speak English (English as a Second Language) and local tax levy. This is an excellent approach especially as it applies to the school districts in Southeastern Pennsylvania, many of which are experiencing student population growth. This is not true in some others parts of the commonwealth that have seen decreases in the student population. In spite of these decreases, the shrinking districts are “held harmless” and continue to receive level funding plus an additional allocation in funding. This, in my opinion, is patently unfair to our southeastern districts and should be adjusted to reflect the ADM. The current situation is even more unfair when you consider that the southeast is a net exporter of the tax dollars that are generated in our region of the state. Using the ADM in a formula to distribute state education funds is a partial solution to reach an equitable distribution of funds.

http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20140428/letter-to-the-editor-a-more-equitable-formula-needed-to-fund-education

Dominic Pileggi: The Grown-Up

Dear Pennsylvania politicians: Dominic Pileggi is what a competent legislator looks like. Any questions?

Philadelphia Magazine BY PATRICK KERKSTRA | APRIL 25, 2014

At the Court Diner in Media, the rest of the table orders chipped beef, pancakes and omelets. Then the waitress asks Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi what he’d like to eat.

“Wheat toast. Dry.” Dominic Pileggi, 56 years old, is the straight man of Pennsylvania politics, a figure who at first blush is as dull as his breakfast in a statehouse overpopulated by the corrupt, the comical, and a large and growing cohort of ultra-conservatives.

By design, Pileggi rarely makes headlines. By nature, his thinking is nuanced and his politics are precise. He smiles and talks far less than most politicians. Actually, he smiles and talks less than most morticians. No matter. When Pileggi, whose district includes parts of Delaware and Chester counties, does speak, the entire capital listens — very closely. “He is the most powerful person in Harrisburg,” says Ed Rendell, within seconds of being asked about Pileggi. “He may have been the most influential person in Harrisburg when I was governor.”

http://www.phillymag.com/articles/dominic-pileggi-grown-up/

Bethlehem Area School Board approves 22 teacher cuts

That will save Bethlehem Area about $1.5 million, but district hopes to restore some of the jobs.

By Adam Clark, Of The Morning Call 11:00 p.m. EDT, April 28, 2014

Bethlehem Area School Board approved eliminating 22 teaching positions Monday, though Superintendent Joseph Roy remains confident the district can restore at least some of the jobs.

The positions eliminated by the board's 8-1 vote are the full-time equivalent of 10 high school teachers, six elementary teachers, four middle school and two technology integration specialists. The cuts save the district about $1.5 million, helping trim what was once a $16.9 million deficit.

Though a cost-saving move, the job cuts are officially attributed to change in educational programs, because Pennsylvania school districts cannot legally reduce the teaching staff for financial reasons. The school board had to pass a resolution approving the cuts now because all potential teacher staff reductions must be authorized by the state.

Southern Lehigh School Board approves budget with no tax hike

But school district's business director says there's nothing more to cut.

By Margie Peterson, Special to The Morning Call 11:45 p.m. EDT, April 28, 2014

Southern Lehigh School Board approved a preliminary 2014-15 budget with no tax increase, but the business director warned that next year the district might face staff or program cuts.

"We've cut pretty much as far as we can cut," Jeremy Melber, director of business services, told the school board at Monday night's meeting. Under the preliminary budget, the real estate tax millage would remain at 15.37 mills. At that rate, a homeowner with a property assessed at $200,000 would pay $3,074. The district plans to use about $2 million of its fund balance to balance the budget. That would leave the district with an estimated $13.6 million fund balance by June 2015. Driving the cost increases are pensions and health insurance. Melber estimated that over the next five years, the Public School Employees' Retirement System will cost the district about $35.5 million and employee health insurance will cost another $35.5 million.

Nazareth Area School Board gives final nod to 2.3 percent tax hike

By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | The Express-Times on April 28, 2014 at 9:41 PM

At least one Nazareth Area School Board member thought tonight that more could be done to save taxpayers from a 2.3 percent hike in the final 2014-15 school budget.

Board member Linda Stubits was the lone member to vote against the $73.9 million spending plan in a 7-1 vote this evening. Stubits said after the meeting that more "creative ways" could be considered to offset the tax burden, such as grants, partnerships with businesses and consistent bidding of purchases across all areas. "Rather than just increasing taxes for the taxpayers," Stubits said. "Just to make sure we stay financially sound in the future." The final budget is a 3.5 percent increase over last year's $71.4 million budget. The 1.13-mill increase equals about 2.3 percent. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2014/04/nazareth_area_school_board_giv.html#incart_river

"Every minute we spend planning how to cope with insufficient funding is time we aren't spending with teachers, planning instruction, or working directly with kids - the things that move us forward."
Principals seek full funding By Jessica Brown, Otis Hackney, and Marjorie Neff POSTED: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 1:08 AM

Jessica Brown is the principal of the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Otis Hackney is the principal of South Philadelphia High School, and Marjorie Neff is the principal of Julia R. Masterman. A total of 100 principals in the School District of Philadelphia have signed on to this statement.
Recently, about 70 principals from the School District of Philadelphia went to City Hall to ask City Council to approve additional funding for schools and to talk about how the budget crisis continues to profoundly affect the learning environment. We went there to stand together to make a statement, at the end of a full day of managing buildings full of children without enough staff or materials. Earlier that day, many of us administered state standardized tests that will tell us what we already know - our children aren't getting the opportunities to learn what they should.

Quietly, West Chester Area revokes Sankofa Academy's charter

TRICIA L. NADOLNY, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 1:08 AM POSTED: Monday, April 28, 2014, 10:01 PM

In 2005, the founders of Sankofa Academy convinced a skeptical school board of the need for an African-centered charter in West Chester. Nearly a decade later, that charter was revoked Monday night without a word of protest from Sankofa's director, board members, teachers, or students. As the West Chester Area school board voted unanimously to close the school at the end of the academic year, only two members of Sankofa's community sat in the audience.

Standardized testing forum looks for ideas

Centre Daily Times BY MATT MORGAN mmorgan@centredaily.com April 25, 2014

STATE COLLEGE — Scott Fozard would classify a bad teacher as one who takes a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education. So when the states use a “one-size-fits-all” standardized test, it’s not doing the best service for students, he said. “If I’m a teacher that takes the standardized testing approach in my class, I’m probably a bad teacher,” he said. But he added that the testing system is a double-edged sword, because feedback for students and locating need areas to further their education are important. He and about 100 others packed the community room Thursday evening at Schlow Library for a public forum on the state of standardized testing and ways to further or change the experience for students.

"Every dollar Pennsylvania invests in quality pre-kindergarten programs generates $1.79 in new spending in the commonwealth, helping local businesses and creating jobs, according to a new economic impact study from a national business leaders’ organization."

Report: Economic Impact of Pre-K in PA

Pre-K for PA Apr 24, 2014

On April 24, Pre-K for PA released a report, Strengthening Pennsylvania Businesses through Investments in Pre-Kindergarten, issued by ReadyNation/ America’s Edge on its behalf. The report examines the economic benefits of pre-k investments in eight regions across the commonwealth and concludes “few investments make as much sense for Pennsylvania businesses’ balance sheets as do investments in high-quality early education.”

http://www.prekforpa.org/economicimpact/

Cutting PE

Yinzercation Blog April 28, 2014

OK, I’ll admit it. If there was one class in high school that I was tempted to cut, it was PE (no, mom, I never skipped class – I was way too much of a rule follower to do that). I was no athlete, though I did play on the volleyball team, and Phys Ed was generally torture for me. I think I still have dodge ball nightmares. But my own kids have had two terrific PE teachers who have demonstrated to me just how important a quality gym program can be for students. And now instead of cutting PE, I’m worried about proposed cuts to PE. Tonight at the Pittsburgh school board’s public hearing, a number of people are speaking out about proposed changes to the district’s PE requirements. The changes are part of a package of new high school graduation requirements, which would halve the number of required PE credits, reducing them from 2 to 1 (each course is a .5 credit). Effectively that means that Freshmen and Sophomores would take gym, but it would be optional for Juniors and Seniors.

http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/cutting-pe/

District delays one school's Renaissance charter vote

the notebook by Bill Hangley Jr. on Apr 28 2014 Posted in Latest news

In a surprise move, District officials announced today that they will delay the vote scheduled for Thursday to determine the future of Muñoz-Marín Elementary in Kensington and are considering whether to postpone the vote at Edward T. Steel Elementary in Nicetown. Spokesperson Raven Hill said the consideration was "due to the number of requests from parents." No new date has been set for the Muñoz-Marín vote. Hill did not offer any details on those requests or on parents' specific concerns. She said the District can't say today exactly when it will make a final decision on the voting process or how long the delay might be. When parents do vote, they’ll be asked to either approve their school’s match with a charter provider or opt to stay under direct District management.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/147182/renaissance-charter-votes-may-be-delayed

"While a locally elected or appointed board won't solve our schools' money woes, it would give Philadelphia's citizens more of a voice in education decisions. More importantly, school board officials from our own neighborhoods would give communities a needed ally in the fight for sustainable funding. That's far preferable to what we have now - a rubber stamp for Gov. Corbett's anti-public-school agenda."
Letters: Local school rule is a must

Philly Daily News LTE by Jerry Jordan, President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

POSTED: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 3:01 AM

YOUR April 23 editorial ("Is local better?") echoes the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' ongoing message about the main crisis facing our public schools: a dire lack of education funding from Harrisburg. The need to establish a statewide funding formula for public education should be the No. 1 priority for every voter, parent and elected official in Pennsylvania. Because of our school district's funding crisis, Philadelphia parents have spent several years witnessing the elimination of our children's nurses, counselors, librarians, programs and services.

Clearly the lack of resources in our schools is the biggest threat to our children's future.

"The teachers met as part of a Teacher Voter Forum hosted by Teachers Lead Philly, a group of practicing teachers in Philadelphia. The mission of Teachers Lead Philly is to transform the teaching profession by engaging teachers in leadership at all levels."

Teachers Prepare to Vote

Teachers Lead Philly Press Release 04/27/2014

Philadelphia, PA, April 27 — Philadelphia teachers from both traditional public and charter schools gathered on Thursday evening to prepare for the upcoming primary election for Pennsylvania governor. Fair funding, local control of the school board, and teacher control over curriculum ranked high on teachers’ list of priorities as they considered the candidates’ education platforms. After one billion dollars in cuts to the state education budget under Governor Corbett, Philadelphia teachers hope that Pennsylvania’s next governor will restore much-needed funding. “We’re stretched way too thin,” said one elementary school teacher. “We have to wear too many hats. We’re the teachers, the counselors, the nurses, the librarians, and now we have to be advocates for our students as well. We have to be the ones to speak up to get the resources they need.”

http://teachersleadphilly.org/1/post/2014/04/teachers-prepare-to-vote.html

Education Voters PA April Update: People agree with you.

Education Voters PA website Friday, April 25, 2014

Spring is here and public education is the top issue for Pennsylvanian voters. A survey released yesterday lays out the public’s view. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “A statewide survey released today shows most registered voters believe public schools have an impact on economic development and should get more state money, using a fair funding formula.”

Here are a few findings:

· 71 percent said the state needs to make "much larger" or "somewhat larger" investment in public schools.

· 67 percent said schools with higher numbers of impoverished students should "definitely" or "probably" receive more state funding.

· 72 percent said they "strongly favor" or "somewhat favor" using a fair school funding formula.

http://educationvoterspa.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-update-people-agree-with-you.html

Resistance to the Common Core Mounts

Critics span the political spectrum, from tea partyers to union leaders

Education Week By Andrew UjifusaApril 21, 2014

After more than a year of high-profile and contentious debate over the Common Core State Standards in Indiana, Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation last month to formally reverse the state's adoption of the standards. The legislation set the state on course to replace those standards with ones "written by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers," the Republican governor proclaimed.

The same month, the Democratic-controlled New York Assembly approved a measure that would require a two-year delay in using assessments aligned with the common core for teacher and principal evaluations. In some sense, the measures in Indiana and New York represent two dominant poles of the growing—and evolving—resistance to the standards. The common core has drawn criticism from both the political left and right, though much of it seems aimed not so much at what the standards say, but rather who drove their adoption or the tests and accountability policies connected with them.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/04/23/29cc-backlash.h33.html?intc=EW-CC0414-EWH

Louis C.K.: Common Core makes my kids cry

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog BY VALERIE STRAUSS April 28 at 1:24 pm

Here’s a series of tweets that Louis C.K. wrote on standardized testing and the Common Core.

(If you don’t know who Louis C.K. is, I can’t help you. Google him.)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/28/louis-c-k-common-core-makes-my-kids-cry/

INVITATION: Live Twitter chat with PA's major education leadership orgs Tuesday, April 29 at 8 p.m

PSBA Steve Robinson, Director of Communication 4/25/2014

The next live chat on Twitter with Pennsylvania's major education leadership organizations is set for Tuesday, April 29 at 8 p.m. The April chat will focus on public school funding and the Planning and Construction (PlanCon) process. Use hashtag #PAEdFunding to follow along.

On the last Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m., the following organizations go to Twitter to discuss timely topics, ask questions and listen to the public's responses:

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA);
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA);
The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO); and
The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS)

Join the conversation. Share your ideas, lurk, learn and let us know what you think about the state of support for public schools. It's a simple, free and fast-paced way to communicate and share information. If you've never tweeted before, here are directions and a few tips:

- See more at: http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/details.asp?id=7604#sthash.P7z9UOa6.dpuf

Deadline for PSBA officer nominations is April 30th
PSBA Leadership Development Committee seeks strong leaders for the association.
Members interested in becoming the next leaders of PSBA are encouraged to complete an Application for Nomination no later than April 30. As a member-driven association, the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is seeking nominees with strong skills in leadership and communication, and who have vision for PSBA. Complete details on the nomination process, links to the Application for Nomination form, and scheduled dates for nominee interviews can be found online by clicking here.

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) will Host an Education Funding Forum in Delaware County on May 7^th

Please RSVP by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OjFpJwTHnZwRqh0Q5Tdp0KHYaI1Jg0XNvGpmeYMmIyA/viewform

Educating the Voter: A Forum on Public Education featuring Democratic gubernatorial candidates - April 30th 6:00 pm Phila Central Library

Presented by Committee of Seventy, Congresso and Philadelphia Education Fund

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 6:00PM

Philadelphia Central Library 1901 Vine Street, 19103 215-686-5322
Join Democratic gubernatorial candidates Katie McGinty, Tom Wolf, Allyson Schwartz and Rob McCord for a discussion on public education. Montgomery Auditorium at 6:00 P.M.

Please click here to register.

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/calbydate.cfm?ID=44672&DiaryDate2=%7Bts%20%272014-04-30%2000%3A00%3A00%27%7D

PSBA members in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties

PSBA Buxmont Region 11 and Penns Grant Region 15 Combined Region/Legislative Meeting -- Thursday, May 15, at William Tennent High School

PSBA Members Register Online here

Just added - Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq will be the after-dinner speaker on May 5.

Registration fee of $50 includes lunch and dinner on May 5 and breakfast on May 6.

How the Business Community Can Lead on Early Education

Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

Join business and community leaders to learn about how you can help make sure every child arrives in kindergarten ready to succeed. On April 29th, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey will host a forum featuring business leaders from around the country talking about why they’re focused on early childhood education and how they have moved the needle on improving quality and access in their states.

Featured Speakers