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.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

PA Ed Policy Roundup March 31: About those "backpacks of money": North End Palm Beach mansion listed at $84.5M

Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 3525 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, Wolf education transition team members, Superintendents, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, 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, Twitter and LinkedIn

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?

The Keystone State Education Coalition is an endorsing member of The Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 31, 2015:

About those "backpacks of money": North End Palm Beach mansion listed at $84.5M

Education Voters of PA will hold a forum about public school funding in Cumberland County: Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 pm at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center, 340 North 21st Street, Camp Hill.
More info/registration: http://www.educationvoterspa.org/index.php/site/news/2015-events/

"Smucker noted that in 2013, Pennsylvania's eighth graders ranked 7^th in the nation on reading and math tests, and fourth graders ranked 19^th in math and 11^th in reading . Meanwhile, when it comes to graduation rates, Pennsylvania ranked fifth highest. At town hall meetings, he said constituents seem to have the perception that Pennsylvania is doing poorly in terms of school performance. "The data shows that is not the case."

Budget hearing covers proposed school funding flap, graduation tests and more

Penn Live By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 30, 2015 at 4:24 PM

It took nearly three hours into Monday's Senate budget hearing before Acting Education Secretary Pedro Rivera was asked to answer for a letter he sent to school superintendents two weeks ago that riled Republican lawmakers in both legislative chambers. Rivera's letter asked district officials to submit a plan by May 15 explaining which of 14 programs they would employ with their share of the $400 million increase in direct support to school districts that Gov. Tom Wolf proposed in his budget to improve student learning and how they would measure the results.

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/03/budget_hearing_covers_proposed.html

Facebook chat: Gov. Tom Wolf will hold virtual town hall to discuss budget

Lancaster Online By KAREN SHUEY | Staff Writer Posted: Monday, March 30, 2015 1:15 pm | Updated: 1:59 pm, Mon Mar 30, 2015.

Gov. Tom Wolf will log onto Facebook Tuesday to answer questions about his state budget proposal. The virtual town hall event will get started at 1:30 p.m. The York County Democrat invites visitors to his official Facebook page to submit questions about the $33 billion state spending plan he unveiled earlier this month. He then asks that viewers return to watch a live stream of him answering the questions. Wolf has proposed to increase sales and personal income taxes to support a huge infusion of money into schools and property tax cuts.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/facebook-chat-gov-tom-wolf-will-hold-virtual-town-hall/article_4f34ca6c-d700-11e4-92a3-1bfd0c9fe88d.html

Former Pa. Gov. Corbett: From pension critic to collector

Trib Live By Brad Bumsted Monday, March 30, 2015, 11:30 p.m.
HARRISBURG — Former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, a vocal advocate for pension reform, is collecting a $38,765 state pension, retirement system records show. He withdrew a $118,378 lump-sum payment based on his contributions with 4 percent interest earned, records reflect. Corbett's pension is based on a final average salary of $186,204, an amount that reflects annual cost-of-living raises Corbett declined as salary. He kept his salary at $174,914 for four years. Corbett took office in 2011 and was defeated in November by Democrat Tom Wolf, who has declined a state salary. With the governor's pay set by statute, it's unclear whether Wolf would get a pension. Corbett declined raises, “but he will more than make up for it through a lifetime pension bounce,” said Eric Epstein, co-founder of Rock the Capital, a government watchdog group.

Senate GOP eyes current workers as source of pension savings

Centre Daily Times BY PETER JACKSON Associated Press March 27, 2015

HARRISBURG, PA. — Pennsylvania's cold war over public pensions is heating up as state Senate Republicans consider resurrecting a plan to reduce future benefits for current state and school employees. Such a move would affect hundreds of thousands of workers.

Majority Leader Jake Corman said this week that savings could free up money for other programs. Former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett advanced a similar plan in 2013 but the GOP-controlled Legislature rejected it. Corman is threatening to hold up the state budget if unspecified reforms are not approved. Public employee unions have said any such cutback would be illegal. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf also opposes any benefits reduction. He is proposing a $3 billion bond issue to refinance school employee pension debt, and says other measures could also help prop up the system.

"Four other school districts are on the state's financial watch list: Aliquippa in Beaver County; Reading in Berks County; Steelton-Highspire in Dauphin County; and Wilkinsburg Borough in Allegheny County."

For schools on the brink, Pa. mulling more ways to help

WHYY Newsworks BY MARY WILSON MARCH 31, 2015

The Wolf administration is reconsidering the way Pennsylvania helps school districts with rocky finances. Four of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts – including Chester-Upland in Delaware County -- have such severe problems that the state has put them on financial recovery status, appointing an outside officer to balance the books. Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-Dauphin, said Harrisburg City School District, in financial recovery since late 2012, had seen uneven progress -- greater financial stability but not the same pace when it comes to student learning.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/80177-for-schools-on-the-brink-pa-mulling-more-ways-to-help?linktype=featured_articlepage

Katie McGinty: Tom Wolf’s Chief of Staff on Philly schools and surviving the boy’s club of Harrisburg (Q&A)

Billy Penn By Anna Orso March 30, 2015 at 11:15 am

At this time two years ago, Kate McGinty was considering running for governor of Pennsylvania. The former Secretary of Environmental Protection would eventually lose to Tom Wolf in the Democratic primary. Since then, she’s been named Wolf’s chief of staff and has become arguably the most powerful woman in Harrisburg. McGinty has Philly roots, and has spent the last several weeks traveling around the state touting Wolf’s ambitious budget proposal. Billy Penn sat down with McGinty while she was in Philadelphia last week to talk about the city’s relationship with Harrisburg, education and what it’s like in the boys’ club that is the state capital. Here’s what we talked about:

http://billypenn.com/2015/03/30/katie-mcginty-tom-wolfs-chief-of-staff-on-philly-schools-and-surviving-the-boys-club-of-harrisburg-qa/

Blogger's note: Originally detailed in an article by Dan Hardy in the Inquirer in June of 2009 now posted on this ACSE website, the legal wrangling over this right to know request has apparently quietly gone away over time.

Without fiscal transparency PA taxpayers have no way of knowing how their money is being spent.

Charter school appeals to block release of records

Alliance of Charter School Employees website

The Chester Community Charter School has filed a court appeal to a recent Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruling that gave The Inquirer access to a wide range of financial records from the management company that operates the school. The Chester Community Charter School has filed a court appeal to a recent Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruling that gave The Inquirer access to a wide range of financial records from the management company that operates the school. The Delaware County school, the state's largest charter, and Charter School Management Inc., a private, for-profit management company, have repeatedly denied requests by the newspaper for details about how millions of dollars in public money were spent and how much the company and its owner, Vahan H. Gureghian, were making. Because Charter School Management Inc. is a private business that hires all school employees and manages the school's finances, it has been able to keep many aspects of its financial operations secret, in contrast to most charters, which have to disclose more information in nonprofit reports.

http://phillyacse.org/charter-news/89-charter-school-appeals-to-block-release-of-records

"The owner is a trust linked to Philadelphia lawyer and charter-school entrepreneur Vahan Gureghian and his lawyer wife, Danielle. Three years ago, she told town officials the house was the couple’s dream home, but their plans appear to have changed."

North End Palm Beach mansion listed at $84.5M

Under-construction house has bowling alley, 242 feet of beachfront

Listed at $84.5 million, a mansion under construction at 1071 N. Ocean Blvd. has entered the market as the most expensive property for sale in Palm Beach, according to the local multiple listing service.

By Darrell Hofheinz Palm Beach Daily News Real Estate Writer March 30, 2015

Priced at $84.5 million, a direct-oceanfront mansion under construction on the North End has entered the market as the island’s most expensive property, according to the local multiple listing service. Sporting its own bowling alley, the French-style house is rising on the double lot – expansive even by Palm Beach standards – that measures about 2 acres with 242 feet of beachfront at 1071 N. Ocean Blvd. With about 35,000 square feet of living space, inside and out, the house should be ready for occupancy some time next season, according to listing broker Christian J. Angle of Christian Angle Real Estate.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/local/north-end-mansion-listed-at-845m/nkhyf/

Source of $125K donation to Rob McCord's Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign is revealed

Morning Call By Marc Levy Of The Associated Press FEBRUARY 10, 2015

Who gave Rob McCord $125,000? Now we know.

HARRISBURG — A political action committee that gave $125,000 to the failed gubernatorial campaign of former Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord has revealed the source of its money eight months after it blew through the deadline to report the information to the state.

A report by the Enterprise Fund appeared on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website Friday. The department, which administers state election and campaign finance reporting laws, fined the group $500 for missing a June deadline to file the report.

The Enterprise Fund's report shows that it received $100,000 from Ross Nese, president of a Pittsburgh-based nursing home services company, and an additional $25,000 that filtered through two other political action committees after being given by Vahan and Danielle Gureghian of Gladwyne, Montgomery County. Vahan Gureghian, the CEO of a Chester-based charter school management firm, is active in Montgomery County's Republican Party and gave more than $330,000 to former Gov. Tom Corbett's two campaigns for governor.

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-mccord-donation-source-revealed-20150209-story.html

"Among one of the lobby’s biggest donors is Vahan Gureghian, the CEO of CSMI, which manages the Chester Community Charter School in Delaware County. According to Follow The Money, Gureghian pumped $336,000 into the campaign coffers of former Gov. Tom Corbett — making him his second largest individual donor over his gubernatorial career. Gureghian has also donated close to a million to other Pennsylvania politicians and PACs.

Meanwhile, the American Federation for Children, a national organization that supports the growth of charter schools and “school voucher” legislation, has pumped in $3.7 million to Pennsylvania lawmakers. A trio of investors in Montgomery County— Joel Greenberg, Jeffrey Yass, and Arthur Dantchik — have donated about $4 million under a PAC dedicated to similar aims."

Pa. charter schools buy influence with $10M in donations to politicians

Pottstown Mercury By Daniel Simmons-Ritchie, For The Associated Press POSTED: 02/28/15, 1:39 PM EST |

HARRISBURG >> It’s no secret that Harrisburg is a hive of lobbyists, each representing industries and interests that spend millions to persuade state lawmakers to bend laws in their favor. But perhaps what makes the charter-school lobby unique among the pack, says State Rep. Bernie O’Neill, a Republican from Bucks County, is its ability to deploy children to its cause.

In 2014, O’Neill experienced that first hand after proposing changes to a funding formula that would affect charter schools. Parents and children stormed his office and barraged him with calls and emails. “They were calling me the anti-Christ of everything,” O’Neill said. “Everybody was coming after me.” In recent years, as charter schools have proliferated — particularly those run by for-profit management companies — so too has their influence on legislators. In few other places has that been more true than Pennsylvania, which is one of only 11 states that has no limits on campaign contributions from PACs or individuals.

According to a PennLive analysis of donations on Follow The Money, a campaign donation database, charter school advocates have donated more than $10 million to Pennsylvania politicians over the past nine years.

http://www.pottsmerc.com/social-affairs/20150228/pa-charter-schools-buy-influence-with-10m-in-donations-to-politicians

Charter Influence in PA

Curmuducation Blog by Peter Greene Monday, March 2, 2015

Charters have huge direct and indirect influence in Pennsylvania. Some of that is shown in a great Daniel Simmons-Ritchie piece at PennLive looking at how the big boys of charterdom play high stakes hardball in Pennsylvania. PennLive's analysis shows about $10 million going out to PA politicians over the last nine years. It is a measure of how accustomed we have become to the throwing around of money in the education biz that the amount doesn't seem all that huge.
State Rep Bernie O'Neill of Bucks County told PennLive that in addition to their ability to throw money at their problems, charters are also shameless about deploying children as lobbyists. Eva Moscowitz is only one of the more famous of these practitioners, closing her schools so that he students can be bused to the state capital to lobby for her interests.
O'Neill notes that it's an easy sell. Just tell small children and their parents that some mean guys in the capitol want to close their school, and they'll be making posters and phone calls and trips.
Pennsylvania charters have perfected the profitability dodge. PA schools must be non-profit, but that means nothing-- Gotrocks Ed, Inc simply sets up Nonprofit School Biz as a company to file the application and be the charter operator of record, but then NSB simply turns around and hires Gotrocks to run the school, an operation on which Gotrocks makes a handy bundle.

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2015/03/charter-influence-in-pa.html

Study cites strong performance of Philly charter schools

Philly Trib by Ayana Jones Tribune Staff Writer Posted: Friday, March 27, 2015 3:00 am

A new study from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) found students attending charter schools in Philadelphia are posting larger gains than their traditional public school peers. Released Wednesday, the study analyzed 41 urban areas in 22 states to create a matched student database containing data from charter schools and traditional public schools between the 2006-2007 and 2011-2012 school years.

http://www.phillytrib.com/news/study-cites-strong-performance-of-philly-charter-schools/article_ed16d4bb-8379-5615-b757-d7a17b7d469d.html#.VRk3mXkyn0U.twitter

Philly schools inform parents on testing 'opt-out'

SOLOMON LEACH, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER LEACHS@PHILLYNEWS.COM, 215-854-5903 POSTED: Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 12:16 AM

SPURRED BY a local push from parents and educators, the Philadelphia School District is giving parents new information about their right to excuse their children from standardized testing. The district earlier this month sent home information regarding the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, which students in third to eighth grade will take next month. The packet includes frequently asked questions, which districts are required to provide under state law, along with a letter signed by the school principal telling families where to find information on opting out.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150331_Philly_schools_inform_parents_on_testing__opt-out_.html#fd074yRD5Crd5WHD.99

Kenney releases plan to raise $105M for schools, bolster pre-K offerings citywide

By Brian Hickey for NewsWorks on Mar 30, 2015 04:58 PM

With a retired teacher at his side Monday in a University City pre-K, mayoral candidate Jim Kenney released an education-policy paper that aims to raise $105 million and fully fund early childhood education "for 3- and 4-year-old Philadelphians in need." The plan would raise money "by instituting zero-based budgeting, creating a reverse auctioning system [for city contract bids], selling marketable commercial tax liens, and revising the land value to collect a fairer share of taxes from abated properties." "This is the beginning of a generational change our city sorely needs," said Kenney, sitting in front of a wooden toyhouse, five tricycles, two toy lawnmowers and a mini trampoline inside Philadelphia Cathedral Early Learning Center. "It would be the hallmark of my administration."

http://thenotebook.org/blog/158422/kenney-releases-plan-raise-105m-schools-bolster-pre-k-offerings-citywide

The school's owner David Shulick was a member of Governor Corbett's education transition team

Bucks County school once tied to Fattah Jr. shutters

MARTHA WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 1:08 AM POSTED: Monday, March 30, 2015, 4:58 PM

Columbus Academy, a state-approved private school in Warminster run by a for-profit firm, abruptly closed last week amid bankruptcy proceedings. The shuttering of the Bucks County school is the latest development in a three-year saga that has included a federal probe of the company's operations and its relationship with Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr., who was once its chief operating officer. The school, which was previously known as Delaware Valley High School-Bucks, ceased operations Thursday. The school is owned by David T. Shulick, a Bala Cynwyd lawyer, who did not respond to e-mail or phone messages Monday seeking comment.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150331_Bucks_County_school_once_tied_to_Fattah_Jr__shutters.html#8FZ1TXEI4wcVWCPT.99

"Nearly half of all beginning teachers will leave their classrooms within five years, only to be replaced by another fresh-faced educator."

Revolving Door Of Teachers Costs Schools Billions Every Year

NPR.org by OWEN PHILLIPS MARCH 30, 2015 3:10 PM ET

Every year, thousands of fresh-faced teachers are handed the keys to a new classroom, given a pat on the back and told, "Good luck!" Over the next five years, though, nearly half of those teachers will transfer to a new school or leave the profession altogether — only to be replaced with similarly fresh-faced teachers. We've been reporting this month on the pipeline into teaching — and hearing from teachers themselves about why they stay. Richard Ingersoll, who has studied the issue for years, says there's a revolving door of teacher turnover that costs school districts upwards of $2.2 billion a year.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/03/30/395322012/the-hidden-costs-of-teacher-turnover

Who will be at the PSBA Advocacy Forum April 19-20 in Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg?

Acting Ed Sec'y Pedro Rivera
Senate Ed Committee Majority Chairman Lloyd Smucker
House Ed Committee Majority Chairman Stan Saylor
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Pat Browne
Diane Ravitch
House Majority Leader Dave Reed
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody
2014 PSBA Tim Allwein Advocacy Award winners Shauna D'Alessandro and Mark Miller

How about You?

Join PSBA for the second annual Advocacy Forum on April 19-20, 2015. Hear from legislative experts on hot topics and issues regarding public education on Sunday, April 19, at PSBA headquarters in Mechanicsburg. The next day you and fellow advocates will meet with legislators at the state capitol. This is your chance to learn how to successfully advocate on behalf of public education and make your voice heard on the Hill.

Details and Registration for PSBA members (only $25.00) https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-forum-day-hill-2015/

INVITATION: Join next Twitter chat on PA education March 31, 8:00 pm

PSBA's website March 23, 2015

The next monthly Twitter chat with Pennsylvania’s major education leadership organizations is set for Tuesday, March 31 at 8 p.m. Use hashtag #FairFundingPA to participate and follow the conversation.

https://www.psba.org/2015/03/invitation-join-next-twitter-chat-pennsylvania-education/

Join NPE in Chicago April 25-26

Curmuducation Blog Saturday, March 21, 2015

I don't get out much. I'm a high school English teacher in a small town, and kind of homebody by nature. When I leave town, it's for family or work. But in just over a month, on the weekend of April 25-26, I am taking a trip to Chicago for neither. The Network for Public Education is the closest thing to an actual formal organization of the many and varied people standing up for public education in this modern era of privatizing test-driven corporate education reform. NPE held a conference last year, and they're doing it again this year-- a gathering of many of the strongest voices for public education in America today. Last year I followed along on line-- this year I will be there.

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2015/03/join-npe-in-chicago.html

Register Now for EPLC Forum on the State Education Budget – Philadelphia on April 1

Education Policy and Leadership Center Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum

You are invited to attend one of EPLC’s Regional Education Policy Forums on Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2015-2016 Space is limited. There is no cost, but an RSVP is required. The program will include a state budget overview presented by Ron Cowell of EPLC and a representative of the PA Budget and Policy Center. The presentations are followed by comments from panelists representing statewide and regional education and advocacy organizations. Comments from those in the audience and a question and answer session will conclude the forum. Wednesday, April 1, 2015– EPLC Education Policy Forum on the Governor’s State Budget Proposal for Education – 10 a.m.-12 Noon – Penn Center for Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA –RSVP by clicking here.

Delaware County and West Philly Dentists to provide FREE dental care to children 0 – 18 years old during spring break the week of March 30 – April 3 for “Give Kids a Smile Day.”

For this event, sponsored by Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), local dentists will provide free screenings and cleanings for children. Give Kids a Smile Day is especially for children who do not have health insurance or who have not had a dental exam in the last six months. Appointments are necessary, so please call PCCY at 215-563-5848 x32 to schedule one starting Monday, March 16^th. Volunteers will be on hand to answer calls. Smile Day information can also be found on the school district website and on PCCY’s website - http://www.pccy.org/resource/give-kids-a-smile-day/.

Monday, March 30, 2015

PA Ed Policy Roundup March 30: The Haverford School ($500,500), Episcopal Academy ($498,750), Baldwin ($448,250), Shipley ($273,000), Agnes Irwin ($192,000) among elite main-line private schools receiving diverted tax $$$ under PA's OSTC tax credit program

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?

The Keystone State Education Coalition is an endorsing member of The Campaign for Fair Education Funding

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for March 30, 2015:

The Haverford School ($500,500), Episcopal Academy ($498,750), Baldwin ($448,250), Shipley ($273,000), Agnes Irwin ($192,000) among elite main-line private schools receiving diverted tax $$$ under PA's OSTC tax credit program

Basic principles of school funding

The Sentinel by David W. Patti GUEST COLUMN March 29, 2015

David W. Patti is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Business Council, which works to define policy strategies and solutions that it believes make the commonwealth more competitive and elect candidates who offer the best capacity to create and sustain a better Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Business Council believes the commonwealth’s public schools must be provided with funding adequate to educate our students to the level of proficiency required by our state academic standards and graduation requirements. All Pennsylvania students should graduate from high school prepared to be successful in post-secondary education and careers. Adequate, fair, predictable state funding of basic education is essential to Pennsylvania’s competitiveness. The Pennsylvania Business Council shares with many others several basic principles of school funding:

http://cumberlink.com/news/opinion/columnists/guest/patti-column-basic-principles-of-school-funding/article_81026347-d4e1-5a75-97fc-58be4ec71511.html

"Basic education funding is the top issue for policymakers in Harrisburg and it is an issue that affects every single Pennsylvanian," said Susan Spicka of Education Voters of Pa. and Education Matters in the Cumberland Valley, a co-sponsor of the forum. "The bottom line is that we have an obligation as a commonwealth to make sure that every student has access to a quality education no matter where they live."

State education funding focus of Wednesday community forum in Camp Hill

Penn Live By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on March 27, 2015 at 10:35 AM

Statewide education funding will be the topic of a community forum set for Wednesday in Camp Hill. The forum begins at 7 p.m. at the Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center at 340 N. 21^st St. Panelists will address the need for a student-driven, sustainable and predictable system for funding public schools that the state has lacked for more than two decades. Pennsylvania is one of only three states in the nation that lacks a formula, which some attribute to the reason school property taxes have risen. In a Franklin & Marshall College poll released this week, voters put increased school funding and reforming the state's tax system to lower property taxes as the top two priorities facing Pennsylvania.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/03/state_education_funding_focus.html

In 1975, 41% of the PA budget was public education compared to 33% today.

40 years of state budgets: How spending priorities have shifted in Pennsylvania (interactive)

Penn Live By Nick Malawskey | nmalawskey@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 03, 2015 at 12:30 PM, updated March 03, 2015 at 3:31 PM

The following interactive graphic shows how Pennsylvania's budget priorities have shifted over the last 40 years. For desktop users, Click and drag the bar at the top of the graphic to change the year. For mobile users, click at different points along the bar to change the year.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/03/pa_budget_tom_wolf_state_fundi.html#incart_story_package

Gov. Wolf’s chief of staff touts tax relief package in upcoming budget proposal

By Vince Sullivan, Delaware County Daily Times POSTED: 03/29/15, 10:24 PM EDT |

UPPER DARBY >> Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff visited the Daily Times on Friday to tout the governor’s budget proposal, calling the plan the largest tax relief package in many years. Wolf introduced his first budget on March 3, more than three months before the end of the fiscal year on June 30, and it includes reductions in some taxes, but increases in others. “This package as a whole proposes the biggest tax relief for both individuals and businesses in a couple of generations,” Katie McGinty said. “It is absolutely an urgent package for where Pennsylvania finds itself.” Among the chief concerns addressed by Wolf’s plan are the unfunded pension liabilities for state employees and education funding. The governor’s proposal calls for a 5 percent gas extraction tax that would provide upwards of $2 billion for basic education funding over the next four years, including $1 billion in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

http://www.delcotimes.com/government-and-politics/20150329/gov-wolfs-chief-of-staff-touts-tax-relief-package-in-upcoming-budget-proposal

Weighing the Pennsylvania pension debt

Despite different political perspectives, experts can agree on some solutions

York Daily Record By Flint McColgan fmccolgan@ydr.com @flintmccolgan on Twitter UPDATED: 03/29/2015 10:48:41 PM EDT

Pension problems in Pennsylvania transcend the municipal borders and crises covered locally. The two Pennsylvania state pension programs — the State Employee Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System — combined are now $53 billion short of being funded. With such a large number, all political sides can agree there is a problem. That huge number comes straight from Mark Ryan, the deputy director of the state Legislature's Independent Fiscal Office. He presented the information as background ahead of a public forum at Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg. The forum featured speakers representing different perspectives and fixes for the issue, but each one agreed something needed to be done.

Here are some takeaways from the forum:

http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_27811308/weighing-pennsylvania-pension-debt

Did you catch our weekend postings?

Did you know that EITC/OSTC scholarship organizations get to keep up to 20% of the money as administrative fees under PA's tax credit programs?

PA Ed Policy Roundup March 29: PA HB752 would divert additional $100 million in tax dollars to unaccountable private and religious schools

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2015/03/pa-ed-policy-roundup-march-29-pa-hb752.html

PA Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarships Awarded Descending by Amount Received Fiscal Year 2013-2014
Source: PA Dept of Community & Economic Development

http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.blogspot.com/2015/03/fiscal-year-2013-2014-pa-opportunity.html

A school choice victory: Follow the child

Editorial By The Tribune-Review Sunday, March 29, 2015, 9:00 p.m.
Overturning a lower court's ruling, Alabama's Supreme Court has upheld that state's tax-credit scholarship program, premised on the understanding that children shouldn't be stuck in failing schools — regardless of teacher unions' insistence. Alabama teachers and their liberal allies filed a lawsuit against Alabama's Accountability Act of 2013, arguing that the scholarship program illegally used state money, which includes scholarships to religious schools. Au contraire, ruled Alabama's high court. The state's not picking the religious schools; funding recipients select the private schools of their choice. The money “follows the children.”

Pennsylvania: Legislators Want More Vouchers

Diane Ravitch's Blog By dianeravitch March 29, 2015 //

In Pennsylvania, both Republicans and Democrats want to expand the state’s “tax credit” (aka voucher) program, allowing public funds to pay for private and religious tuition. The tax credits drain funds from public school support, which is already inequitably funded and suffered deep budget cuts. The state’s public schools are in financial crisis, and the last thing they need is another stealth cut to their funding. Why don’t the legislators put vouchers to a vote of the people? Are they afraid to find out how the public will respond?

http://dianeravitch.net/2015/03/29/pennsylvania-legislators-want-more-vouchers/

Parents, teachers implore Allentown School Board to restore cut music, art gym and library programs

By Kevin Duffy Special to The Morning Call March 29, 2015

Parents, teachers implore Allentown School Board to restore cut programs

Included among the teachers and parents who pleaded Thursday to the Allentown School Board to restore programs lost due to budget cuts, the words of Gwen Mullen may have made the strongest case. "My mom always tells me, 'You won't know until you try it!'" the second-grader from Ritter Elementary School said, reading from a single sheet of paper while standing on tippy-toes at the podium, the microphone curled downward, as close to her face as possible. She was talking about bringing back music, art and gym classes and library time for elementary students, all of which have been cut significantly since 2011. She asked for them back because participating in them might someday make her "a music teacher, a singer, a gymnast, an art teacher, a librarian, or any of these things."

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-school-board-0326-20150326-story.html

“A proposed reinstatement of the moratorium is not viewed as good news for our member districts,” said Steve Robinson, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, which represents elected school board officials from nearly every one of the state’s 500 school districts. “Right now there are 300 public school construction projects that were in the pipeline … so it’s critical that the districts that have moved forward with those projects get that reimbursement.”

Capitolwire: PlanCon moratorium lift could be short-lived

PSBA's website By Christen Smith, Staff Reporter, Capitolwire

HARRISBURG (March 27) — The Legislature’s lift on the PlanCon moratorium last summer may continue only another few months if Gov. Tom Wolf gets his way. It’s a step backwards for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who’ve struggled with reforming the popular reimbursement program that, for decades, school districts have used to draw down reimbursement payments from the state for construction and renovation projects. The most recent PlanCon reform bill, House Bill 210, authored by York County Rep. Seth Grove, awaits a final vote in the House. Grove championed similar legislation last session that twice passed in the chamber before dying on the Senate floor..

https://www.psba.org/2015/03/capitolwire-plancon-moratorium-lift-could-be-short-lived/

Wolf has a vision for ending Philly's SRC, not a blueprint

WHYY Newsworks BY KEVIN MCCORRY MARCH 30, 2015

The Philadelphia School Reform Commission is here to stay, at least for a little while longer.

Gov. Tom Wolf campaigned on the idea that he'd like to replace the SRC with a locally elected body, but proponents of that plan shouldn't hold their breath.

There are two ways the SRC can end: either the state legislature would pass legislation to repeal the 2001 bill that created it in the first place. Or the five-member body can vote to self destruct. Wolf would prefer Philadelphia's schools to be overseen by a democratically elected governing board, but he says he's not going to put immediate pressure on either of those two options.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/80040-gov-wolf-has-a-vision-for-ending-phillys-src-not-a-blueprint?linktype=hp_impact

"There are five 55+ adult communities in the school district (Fox Hill Farms, Belmont, Concord Riviera, Foxfield, and Maris Grove). These five communities make up 40 percent of the tax base for the schools."

Letter to the Editor: Wondering what the teachers are really after

Delco Times LTE by Frank Kuders POSTED: 03/29/15, 2:04 PM EDT |

To the Times: The Garnet Valley School Board and the Garnet Galley Education Association have been in negotiations pertaining to a new contract for the teachers. When agreement couldn’t be reached, both parties agreed to enlist the aid of an unbiased mediator. The mediator was given all the information and facts. After reviewing everything, the mediator presented both parties with a resolution that was deemed fair and equitable to all parties. The teachers rejected the resolution, saying they want more. As a resident of the Garnet Valley School District for over 41 years I recognize and appreciate the skill and dedication that the teachers have exhibited both in the past and currently display. However, it was frustrating to watch and listen to the comments made by the teachers at the school board meetings. Their claim is, “It’s all about the children.” Let’s get real — “it’s all about the money.” Some residents have even bought into the teachers’ claim. They are willing to pay higher taxes to do so, but when do you say enough is enough. Let’s look at some of the sidelined facts.

http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20150329/letter-to-the-editor-wondering-what-the-teachers-are-really-after

The Charter School Quality Conundrum

Education Writer's Association Educated Reporter Blog MARCH 30, 2015 EWA STAFF

Charter schools increasingly are being scrutinized for the exact problem many advocates hoped they would help solve: poor student outcomes. How exactly to deal with those schools that do not meet academic expectations—or fail in other regards, such as employing questionable business practices or not being equitable in welcoming all students—have become key concerns. At a recent Education Writers Association seminar in Denver, experts discussed steps needed to ensure that charters uphold the original bargain of getting autonomy and flexibility in exchange for academic results. Many charter advocates lament that too many low-performing charters are permitted to operate year after year.

http://www.ewa.org/blog-educated-reporter/charter-school-quality-conundrum

Report: Big education firms spend millions lobbying for pro-testing policies

Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog By Valerie Strauss March 30 at 4:00 AM

The four corporations that dominate the U.S. standardized testing market spend millions of dollars lobbying state and federal officials — as well as sometimes hiring them — to persuade them to favor policies that include mandated student assessments, helping to fuel a nearly $2 billion annual testing business, a new analysis shows. The analysis, done by the Center for Media and Democracy, a nonprofit liberal watchdog and advocacy agency based in Wisconsin that tracks corporate influence on public policy, says that four companies — Pearson Education, ETS (Educational Testing Service), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and McGraw-Hill— collectively spent more than $20 million lobbying in states and on Capitol Hill from 2009 to 2014.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/03/30/report-big-education-firms-spend-millions-lobbying-for-pro-testing-policies/

Who will be at the PSBA Advocacy Forum April 19-20 in Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg?

Acting Ed Sec'y Pedro Rivera
Senate Ed Committee Majority Chairman Lloyd Smucker
House Ed Committee Majority Chairman Stan Saylor
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Pat Browne
Diane Ravitch
House Majority Leader Dave Reed
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody
2014 PSBA Tim Allwein Advocacy Award winners Shauna D'Alessandro and Mark Miller

How about You?

Details and Registration for PSBA members (only $25.00) https://www.psba.org/event/advocacy-forum-day-hill-2015/

INVITATION: Join next Twitter chat on PA education March 31, 8:00 pm

PSBA's website March 23, 2015

https://www.psba.org/2015/03/invitation-join-next-twitter-chat-pennsylvania-education/

Join NPE in Chicago April 25-26

Curmuducation Blog Saturday, March 21, 2015

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2015/03/join-npe-in-chicago.html

Register Now for EPLC Forum on the State Education Budget – Philadelphia on April 1

Education Policy and Leadership Center Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum

Delaware County and West Philly Dentists to provide FREE dental care to children 0 – 18 years old during spring break the week of March 30 – April 3 for “Give Kids a Smile Day.”

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Fiscal Year 2013-2014 PA Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarships Awarded - Descending by Amount Received

Pennsylvania Constitution Article III Section § 15.

Public school money not available to sectarian schools.


        No money raised for the support of the public schools of the
     Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of
     any sectarian school.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiscal Year 2013-2014
PA Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarships Awarded
Descending by Amount Received
Source: PA Dept of Community & Economic Development

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program (OSTC - Previously Known As EITC 2.0)

Overview

For Parents, Students and Opportunity Scholarship OrganizationsThe program provides tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to an Opportunity Scholarship Organization. Business contributions are then used by Opportunity Scholarship Organizations to provide tuition assistance in the form of scholarships to eligible students residing within the boundaries of a low-achieving school to attend another public school outside of their district or nonpublic school. A low-achieving school is defined as a public elementary or secondary school ranking in the bottom 15 percent of their designation as an elementary or secondary school based upon combined math and reading Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores.

Students who live within the attendance boundaries of a low-achieving school, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, are eligible to receive a scholarship if their household’s annual income is no greater than $75,000 plus $15,000 for each dependent member of the household. For the 2014-15 school year, the maximum scholarship award available to non-special education students is $8,500 and the maximum for a special education student is $15,000.

http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/opportunity-scholarship-tax-credit-program

FY 13-14 Opportunity Scholarships Awarded
OSTC Organization	Contributions Received	County
Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS)	$ 6,005,093	Delaware
Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia	$ 3,105,276	Philadelphia
Foundation for Jewish Day Schools of Greater Philadelphia	$ 2,113,047	Philadelphia
Henkels Foundation	$ 1,144,446	Montgomery
Imani Christian Academy	$ 948,700	Allegheny
Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund	$ 858,288	Allegheny
Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation - Diocese of Allentown	$ 750,533	Lehigh
William Penn Charter School	$ 703,259	Philadelphia
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School	$ 667,000	Philadelphia
The Haverford School	$ 500,500	Montgomery
AAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.	$ 500,000	Dauphin
The Episcopal Academy	$ 498,750	Delaware
The Philadelphia School	$ 489,500	Philadelphia
Gesu School, Inc.	$ 489,389	Philadelphia
The Baldwin School	$ 448,250	Montgomery
Neumann Scholarship Foundation	$ 372,900	Dauphin
George School	$ 338,605	Bucks
ACSI Children's Tuition Fund	$ 320,737	Lancaster
Delaware Valley Friends School	$ 290,314	Chester
Community Partnership School	$ 283,000	Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Jewish Educational Improvement Foundation	$ 279,000	Allegheny
The Shipley School	$ 273,000	Montgomery
Erie Catholic Preparatory School d/b/a Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy Scholarship Fund	$ 272,500	Erie
Benchmark School	$ 267,500	Delaware
Academy in Manayunk d/b/a AIM Academy	$ 256,000	Montgomery
Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund	$ 248,667	Blair
Saint James School	$ 242,000	Philadelphia
Holy Family Foundation	$ 238,500	Allegheny
Bridge Educational Foundation	$ 230,000	Dauphin
Joey F. Casey Memorial Foundation	$ 230,000	Philadelphia
The Neighborhood Academy	$ 225,000	Allegheny
Hope Partnership for Education	$ 223,000	Philadelphia
Faith Builders Educational Programs, Inc.	$ 203,189	Crawford
The Village of Arts and Humanities, Inc.	$ 200,000	Philadelphia
Agnes Irwin School	$ 192,000	Delaware
The Hillside School	$ 190,000	Lehigh
Children's Scholarship Fund of Pennsylvania	$ 188,269	Clarion
La Salle Academy	$ 183,500	Philadelphia
Mennonite Foundation, Inc., The	$ 181,084	Out of State
Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation	$ 180,000	Delaware
Germantown Academy (Public School of Germantown)	$ 175,000	Montgomery
Wyoming Seminary	$ 174,500	Luzerne
Cornerstone Christian Academy	$ 164,250	Philadelphia
PJHS Scholarship Organization (St. Joe's Prep & Scranton Prep)	$ 163,250	Lackawanna
Children's Jubilee Fund	$ 154,100	Philadelphia
Drexel Neumann Academy	$ 147,500	Delaware
Moravian Academy	$ 147,000	Northampton
Lancaster Country Day School	$ 144,400	Lancaster
STAR Foundation	$ 139,667	Erie
Carnegie Mellon Children's School	$ 138,000	Allegheny
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart	$ 130,000	Delaware
ATG Learning Academy	$ 126,570	Bucks
Rosemont School of the Holy Child	$ 126,000	Montgomery
Family Choice Scholarship Fund of the PA Family Institute	$ 124,528	Dauphin
The Church Farm School	$ 121,750	Chester
Mercy Vocational High School	$ 120,000	Philadelphia
United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties	$ 115,000	Lackawanna
York College of Pennsylvania	$ 114,661	York
Yeshiva Beth Moshe NEPA Jewish Educational Scholarship Fund	$ 114,000	Lackawanna
Mercyhurst Preparatory School	$ 113,840	Erie
The Woodlynde School Corporation	$ 113,250	Chester
Berks County Community Foundation	$ 112,000	Berks
Waldron Mercy Academy	$ 110,000	Montgomery
Merion Mercy Academy	$ 108,750	Montgomery
Shady Side Academy	$ 104,500	Allegheny
Greater Philadelphia Association for Recovery Education	$ 100,000	Philadelphia
Mastery Charter Schools Foundation	$ 100,000	Philadelphia
Hill School	$ 99,167	Montgomery
Poise Foundation	$ 99,000	Allegheny
The Janus School	$ 92,500	Lancaster
Second Century Scholarship Fund	$ 88,797	Blair
Dayspring Christian Academy	$ 88,300	Lancaster
Fund for the Advancement of Minorities through Education, Inc. (FAME)	$ 80,500	Allegheny
Abington Friends School	$ 80,200	Montgomery
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra	$ 80,000	Philadelphia
Abington Monthly Meeting	$ 77,700	Montgomery
Talk Institute and School a/k/a Talk, Inc.	$ 76,000	Delaware
Malvern Preparatory School	$ 75,500	Chester
Holy Child Academy	$ 73,283	Delaware
Community Country Day School	$ 71,000	Erie
Media-Providence Friends School, Inc.	$ 68,250	Delaware
Carson Long Military Academy	$ 65,000	Perry
Friends Select School	$ 64,500	Philadelphia
Gladwyne Montessori School	$ 63,750	Montgomery
MMI Preparatory School	$ 63,500	Luzerne
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur	$ 61,500	Delaware
Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, Inc.	$ 60,550	Allegheny
Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation	$ 57,000	Blair
Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation	$ 56,333	Lackawanna
Children First America Delaware County	$ 56,000	Delaware
Friends' Central School	$ 51,714	Montgomery
Erie Day School, Inc.	$ 43,000	Erie
Free Enterprise, Inc.	$ 43,000	Snyder
Scholarship Partners Foundation	$ 42,500	Westmoreland
Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH	$ 41,500	Mercer
Falk Laboratory School of the University of Pittsburgh	$ 40,500	Allegheny
Pen Ryn School	$ 39,662	Bucks
Germantown Friends School	$ 36,000	Philadelphia
Archbishop Carroll Fund for Catholic Education	$ 35,000	Delaware
Faith First Educational Assistance Corporation	$ 35,000	Out of State
Penngift Foundation, Inc.	$ 35,000	Chester
La Salle College High School Scholarship Fund	$ 32,250	Montgomery
The Joshua Group	$ 31,500	Dauphin
Mount Saint Joseph Academy	$ 31,000	Montgomery
The New School of Lancaster	$ 30,892	Lancaster
The Swain School, Inc.	$ 30,500	Lehigh
Crossroads Foundation	$ 29,000	Allegheny
Fox Chapel Country Day School	$ 28,625	Allegheny
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities	$ 28,000	Dauphin
The Learning Lamp, Inc.	$ 28,000	Cambria
Center School	$ 27,500	Montgomery
Delaware County Community Foundation	$ 25,000	Delaware
Yeshiva Academy of Harrisburg Foundation	$ 25,000	Dauphin
Calvary Christian Academy	$ 24,250	Philadelphia
Our Mother of Consolation Parish School	$ 24,250	Philadelphia
Villa Maria Academy (Malvern)	$ 22,500	Chester
Devon Preparatory School	$ 22,000	Chester
Best of the Batch Foundation	$ 21,000	Allegheny
Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg	$ 21,000	Dauphin
Lansdowne Friends School	$ 21,000	Delaware
The Miquon School	$ 20,000	Montgomery
Foundation for Catholic Education	$ 17,250	Chester
Washington County Community Foundation	$ 17,000	Washington
The Hill Top Preparatory School, Inc.	$ 16,000	Delaware
African Americans for Educational Opportunities, Inc.	$ 15,000	Philadelphia
BAEO Scholarship Program of Philadelphia	$ 15,000	Philadelphia
Capstone Legacy Foundation, Inc.	$ 15,000	Delaware
Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg, Inc.	$ 15,000	Dauphin
Discovery Time School	$ 15,000	Bedford
Redeemer Lutheran School	$ 15,000	Allegheny
Sky Community Partners, Inc.	$ 15,000	Philadelphia
The Better Way Christian Academy, Inc.	$ 15,000	Philadelphia
Christian School Association of York	$ 14,500	York
Jubilee School	$ 14,000	Philadelphia
Plymouth Meeting Friends School	$ 14,000	Montgomery
Logos Academy Opportunity Scholarship Organization	$ 13,000	York
Perkiomen School	$ 11,500	Montgomery
St. Edmund's Academy	$ 11,000	Allegheny
Greene Street Friends School	$ 8,200	Philadelphia
Quaker School at Horsham	$ 8,000	Montgomery
Indian Creek Valley Christian Family and Children's Center	$ 7,500	Fayette
Bryn Athyn Church of the New Jerusalem	$ 5,000	Montgomery
Carlow College	$ 5,000	Allegheny
Friends School Haverford	$ 5,000	Delaware
The Meadowbrook School	$ 5,000	Montgomery
The Walden School	$ 5,000	Delaware
The Wyndcroft School	$ 5,000	Montgomery
United Friends' School of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Inc.	$ 5,000	Bucks
West Branch School	$ 5,000	Lycoming
Waldorf School of Pittsburgh	$ 4,500	Allegheny
The Glen Montessori School	$ 4,000	Allegheny
French International School of Philadelphia	$ 2,500	Montgomery
Linden Hall School for Girls	$ 2,500	Lancaster
Jump Street, Inc.	$ 2,000	Dauphin
The Samuel School	$ 2,000	Dauphin
Junior Achievement of Western PA	$ 1,000	Allegheny
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School	$ 1,000	Allegheny
	$ 31,829,235