PA Ed Policy Roundup Sept 25: Charter schools worry as Pa. school districts stop payment amid state budget impasse

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PA Ed Policy Roundup September 25, 2015:

Charter schools worry as Pa. school districts stop payment amid state budget impasse

Lawmakers, governor to resume talks Monday

The PLS Reporter Author: Mike Howells/Thursday, September 24, 2015

Following several hours behind closed doors this afternoon, legislative leaders reported minimal progress on a budget agreement with the governor, who separately confirmed to reporters that he does plan to veto the stopgap measure, SB 1000, passed by the House earlier in the day.  Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) acknowledged Republicans and the administration remain “a long way off,” on any sort of agreement, with the governor not having the votes to pass tax increases associated with his proposal, and Republicans not having the votes to overturn his veto.   Both sides advised they plan to meet again formally on Monday.

http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/913/Lawmakers-governor-to-resume-talks-Monday.aspx

Even with Wolf veto on stopgap funding bill likely, state budget talks resume

Penn Live By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on September 24, 2015 at 5:23 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 5:35 PM

Legislative leaders were back at the negotiating table on Thursday with Gov. Tom Wolf working on trying to finalize a state budget.  They plan to meet again on Monday.  The leaders met in Wolf's office for about an hour immediately after the House voted to approve an $11 billion Senate-passed stopgap budget bill to get dollars flowing to programs and agencies that rely on state funding through at least the end of October. Wolf has indicated he will veto that short-term funding plan.  Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, said the governor provided no indication in the meeting as to whether he would sign or veto, in whole or in part, the stopgap budget bill.  But Corman said in the above video the answer is "obvious" and added if Wolf wants to have schools close due to lack of funding, that is his decision.   Thursday's negotiating session was the first time the leaders met with Wolf since last Thursday when the governor put a new liquor and pension reform plan on the table.  House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, indicated that more details are needed 

http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/even_with_wolf_veto_on_stopgap.html#incart_river_home

Charter schools worry as Pa. school districts stop payment amid state budget impasse

Morning Call September 24, 2015 Associated Press

HARRISBURG (AP) — Some charter schools in Pennsylvania are facing difficult decisions as school districts cut off payments to them amid a nearly three-month-old state government budget stalemate.  Tim Eller, executive director of the Keystone Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said Thursday that nearly three dozen districts are withholding all or some of the money they owe to charter schools.  He says charter schools that have emptied reserves or maxed out lines of credit are contemplating closing in the near future.  Eller also says he worries that more school districts will cut off payments to charter schools as the state government's budget stalemate continues.  School districts are supposed to pay charter schools by the fifth day of each month. Eller says 160 charter schools educate about 100,000 students in Pennsylvania.

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-budget-impasse-charter-schools-20150924-story.html

Carbondale schools could shut down over PA budget impasse

Times Tribune by KYLE WIND, STAFF WRITER Published: September 25, 2015

Carbondale Area School District could be one of the first districts in the state to temporarily shut down due to the budget impasse in Harrisburg.  “We’re looking at one more pay period before we have to seriously consider shutting down (the) shop,” Superintendent Joseph Gorham said Thursday. “I’m at the point now where I feel within the next two weeks, our only option will be to follow the lead of the Erie schools, and I’m going to recommend that we shut down (the) school.”  Mr. Gorham was referring to the western Pennsylvania district, whose school board already authorized the superintendent to explore temporarily closing its doors if the school system runs out of money.  Carbondale Business Manager David Cerra has anticipated a lengthy budget standoff dating back to the summer. In July, the district took out a $900,000 tax anticipation notice to weather the impasse.  But the money will only go so far, and now Mr. Gorham wonders if it makes sense to continue to borrow and pile up interest payments to keep the lights on.  “Are we going to take on more debt to continue day-to-day operations?” Mr. Gorham asked. “Even if just symbolically we take those measures, (it will) send a clear and loud message to the state that this needs to be resolved immediately. The time is now. We are at critical mass. We cannot wait any longer.”  Carbondale is not alone in facing financial pressure from the stalemate.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/carbondale-schools-could-shut-down-over-pa-budget-impasse-1.1947881

"If the current House and Senate budget is adopted, 3,500 more children could be served.  While we appreciate the increase, at that rate it would take 57 years to meet the needs of all our state’s children. A much larger investment is needed. If the $120 million first pushed by the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign and proposed by the administration is adopted, 14,000 more children could be enrolled in high quality pre-K by next year."

Letter to the Editor: We need a state budget now to fund our pre-K programs

Delco Times Letter POSTED: 09/24/15, 10:03 PM EDT

Superintendent Bernadette C. Reiley, Interboro School District; Superintendent Gregory G. Shannon, Chester Upland School District; Superintendent Kathleen M. Sherman, Chichester School District; Ms. Veronica Crisp, Step by Step Learning Centers, Drexel Hill and multiple locations; Ms. Pat Rhoda, Today’s Child Learning Center, Darby and multiple locations.

To the Times:

This is an open letters to state lawmakers representing Delaware County.

As providers of high-quality pre-K programs, we urge you to move quickly to settle the state budget impasse in a way that significantly expands investments in children and our state’s future.  Only about one in six Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds has access to a high-quality pre-K program. More than 200,000 3- and 4-year-olds statewide are excluded from this important opportunity to get ready for school and life. State leaders can shrink the number of children left out by boosting Pennsylvania’s pre-K investments now. If the current House and Senate budget is adopted, 3,500 more children could be served.  While we appreciate the increase, at that rate it would take 57 years to meet the needs of all our state’s children. A much larger investment is needed. If the $120 million first pushed by the statewide Pre-K for PA campaign and proposed by the administration is adopted, 14,000 more children could be enrolled in high quality pre-K by next year. This level of funding will double the number of children afforded publicly funded pre-k next year.

http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20150924/letter-to-the-editor-we-need-a-state-budget-now-to-fund-our-pre-k-programs

A look at the differences in what Republicans, Wolf want

Delco Times by The Associated Press POSTED: 09/24/15, 1:41 PM EDT

The budget stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the House and Senate Republican majorities in the Pennsylvania Legislature has hit 86 days. Here is a summary of their key objectives and what they have made public about their compromise offers:

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150924/a-look-at-the-differences-in-what-republicans-wolf-want

Pennsylvania House sends short-term spending plan to veto

Delco Times By Marc Levy, The Associated Press POSTED: 09/24/15, 4:03 PM EDT

HARRISBURG >> After more than two hours of angry debate Thursday, the state House of Representatives passed a short-term spending plan that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto without broader agreement on a plan to end a nearly three-month budget stalemate.  The 117-83 vote on the Republican majority’s $11 billion spending plan was along party lines as Democrats stood by Wolf.  Pennsylvania is just one of two states — along with Illinois — whose deep partisan divide in state government has stymied the passage of a budget since the fiscal year began July 1. Intermittent closed-door negotiations held since then have produced little, if any, progress.  The bill is intended to cover four months of funding, retroactive to the start of the fiscal year through Oct. 31, and would release $24 billion in federal funds.  During the debate, both sides sought to shift blame to the other for the stalemate and the resulting damage from billions of dollars in aid for schools and social services that has been held up.

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150924/pennsylvania-house-sends-short-term-spending-plan-to-veto

House approves stopgap budget; Wolf plans veto

ANGELA COULOUMBIS, INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU LAST UPDATED: Thursday, September 24, 2015, 3:07 PM POSTED: Thursday, September 24, 2015, 11:32 AM

HARRISBURG - The Republican-controlled state legislature on Thursday sent Gov. Wolf a temporary budget to offset the impact of the now nearly three-month-long impasse on a final spending plan.  Voting 117 to 83, the House of Representatives gave final approval Thursday to the so-called stopgap budget, which would allow money to begin flowing again to schools, counties and providers of social services that rely on state aid.  The Senate passed the measure last week.  It now heads to Wolf, where it is likely to die on arrival. The Democratic governor has pledged to veto it, calling it a "very cynical, hypocritical" attempt to solve the problems the two sides are having in reaching a deal.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150925_House_plans_budget_vote__Wolf_plans_veto.html#j7VLp6zu5s57rISC.99

“I’ve heard more about social services and human services in three months than I have in my whole time in this legislature,” said Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia. “I know about the domestic violence programs, I know the foster care programs ... they are not just programs that I talk about now that it is politically expedient.”

The governor and legislative leaders have been negotiating since the veto, but an agreement on a state spending plan appears far off. There are wide differences between the two sides, with Mr. Wolf advocating for more money for education, a severance tax on natural gas drillers, and property-tax cuts with increases to sales and personal income taxes. Republicans have shown no enthusiasm for any broad-based tax increases and have said their priorities are privatizing the state system of liquor stores and making changes to public-sector pensions."

Pa. House passes $11 billion stopgap budget

Despite Wolf’s planned veto

By Kate Giammarise and Karen Langley / Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau September 24, 2015 11:58 PM

HARRISBURG — As the state’s budget impasse approached the end of its third month, the state House on Thursday passed an $11 billion stopgap budget, even though Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he intends to veto the measure.  “I’m going to veto it, probably Monday,” he said, following a meeting with Republican leaders.  The state Senate had passed the measure last week in a 30-19 party-line vote, with all Republicans supporting the stopgap, and Democrats saying the focus should be on working toward a final spending plan agreed to by all sides.  The stopgap would have enacted $11 billion worth of state spending — essentially a four-month partial budget based on the budget passed by the Republican-majority legislature in June; it would also release some federal funds that have been held up by the impasse.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/09/24/Pennsylania-House-passes-11-billion-stopgap-budget/stories/201509240188

PBPC: Why the Budget Matters: Count the Ways

Posted by PA Budget and Policy Center on September 16, 2015

 (HARRISBURG, Pa.) -- Sept. 16, 2015 -- Harrisburg has become preoccupied with budget process and tactics in recent weeks. But what Pennsylvanians need is a good budget outcome – a budget that reinvests in education, jobs and communities using revenues from a severance tax, provides property tax relief and puts the state’s fiscal house in order.  To refocus attention on the key budget choices that legislators and Gov. Wolf must make, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center launched “Why the Budget Matters – Let’s Count the Ways.”  These regular communications highlight specific differences between the priorities in – and values expressed by – the budget Gov. Wolf unveiled in March and HB 1192, the budget passed by House and Senate Republicans in late June. (HB1192 is also the budget the legislative majority is using as the basis for a Senate stopgap funding bill). This series will let Pennsylvanians count for themselves the many ways that a sustainable investment budget will positively impact real people.

https://pennbpc.org/budgetmatters

With Wolf veto looming, a #PaBudget only a French philosopher could love: Analysis

By John L. Micek | jmicek@pennlive.com  Email the author | Follow on Twitter  on September 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 4:26 PM

The French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre is famously believed to have once written that "Hell is other people."  Whether he wrote it or not (and that's a matter of some dispute) it is true thatSartre never had to watch the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in action.  Because, with a party-line vote on a roughly $11 billion stop-gap funding plan on Thursday, the Republican-controlled chamber played its part in an ongoing piece of absurdist theater only an Existentialist could love.

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/09/pabudget_gov_tom_wolf_expected.html#incart_river

State budget agreement will require more courage

THE MORNING CALL by Bill White   bill.white​@mcall.com @whitebil September 24, 2015

What constitutes a mandate?  Tom Wolf swamped his Democratic opponents and an incumbent Republican governor behind a message that was pretty unequivocal:  Tom Corbett's policies and priorities have made it much more difficult for our public schools to succeed, and that needs to change — for starters, by imposing a severance tax on natural gas companies, as every other state does.  So was Wolf's victory a mandate?  Well, sort of. The election results and polling suggest people responded to Wolf's message. But you could argue that many of Wolf's votes were just anti-Corbett protests, particularly from Penn State alumni.  When you tell legislative Republicans that the people have spoken and they should support Wolf's agenda, they're likely to counter that the tax increases in his budget go far beyond what he talked about on the campaign trail and that they have a mandate not to raise taxes.  So as this budget impasse drags into its fourth month, there's not much cause for optimism. The two sides have drastically different spins on what's been happening.

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/white/mc-bw-pennsylvania-budget-20150923-column.html

Study: Pennsylvania hides $53 billion in debt

By Andrew Staub | PA Independent September 23, 2015

Pennsylvania fails to list $53 billion in debt on its balance sheet, giving it the third-most hidden debt among 10 Northeast states.  Maybe it’s no surprise then that state lawmakers have all but ignored Pennsylvania’s monstrous unfunded pension liability.  Pension reform remains one of the biggest political hot potatoes for policymakers, and Chicago-based Truth in Accounting’s annual Financial State of the States report debts again highlights problem facing lawmakers .  The think tank found, despite any rhetoric that lawmakers passed a balanced budget, Pennsylvania actually has a $66 billion shortfall. Each taxpayer’s share of the state debt amounts to $15,600, giving Pennsylvania the 11th-highest taxpayer burden in the country.

http://paindependent.com/2015/09/study-pennsylvania-hides-53-billion-in-debt/

CASD director: Stop paying state until budget is passed

Public Opinion Online By Dale Heberlig dheberlig@publicopinionnews.com @DaleHeberligPO on Twitter UPDATED:   09/24/2015 04:37:18 PM EDT

CHAMBERSBURG >> School director Dana Baker argues that it's time for school officials, in Chambersburg and statewide, to take the fight to Pennsylvania's elected officials when it comes to state failure to put a budget in place.  In Wednesday's Chambersburg Area School District board meeting, Baker urged Board President Phillip Miracle to include discussion in the next board meeting to consider action to withhold district payment to the state until the budget impasse is resolved.  Baker suggested the district begin withholding payments to the state for items like pension fund payments, Social Security payments and charter school payments.  Miracle agreed to discuss the prospect with Baker prior to next month's meeting.  In an email message Thursday, Miracle wrote, "I have publicly stated that the district must assure that it meets payroll and pays its bills for services rendered. I personally believe that it would be unethical to entertain withholding payment of bills for services rendered. Although I cannot predict the future, I would not expect any action taken until the district would reach the point where it would run out of money. Mr. Dart (Business Manager Steven) gave an example in the public board meeting of what that would have looked like if it occurred last year given those numbers."

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/local/ci_28872396/casd-director-stop-paying-state-until-budget-is

State lawmakers say state ready to help Erie district with funding

By John Guerriero  814-870-1690 Erie Times-News September 23, 2015 07:22 AM

ERIE, Pa. -- The state has worked with 31 other school districts so they can keep operating during the three-month state budget impasse, two state lawmakers from the Erie area said. 

The Erie School District could be the 32nd, but the district hasn't closed the door on other options that would include closing schools or asking employees to work without pay.  State Reps. Patrick Harkins, of Erie, D-1st Dist., and Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek Township, D-3rd Dist., said they don't think it should reach that point.  The Erie School Board on Monday gave Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams the authority to close schools, if needed, as the impasse between the GOP-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf drags on.  Badams stressed that a shutdown affecting nearly 12,000 students would be a last resort and the district is still exploring other options, including borrowing money to allow the district to keep operating beyond Oct. 2 -- the day it would run out of money unless it gets additional tax revenue.

http://www.goerie.com/state-lawmakers-say-state-ready-to-help-erie-district-with-funding#

Scranton board to union: wait until state passes budget

Scranton Times Tribune BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL Published: September 24, 2015

For Scranton teachers to strike before the state passes a budget is unreasonable, the president of the Scranton School Board said Wednesday.  As the state nears three months without a budget, districts do not yet know how much funding they will receive. The budget impasse, coupled with the district’s financial problems, make negotiations a struggle, board President Cy Douaihy said.  “Without a state budget, we are really in a handcuffed position,” he said. “We are just asking for time. That’s all we are asking.”  Teachers will be on strike starting Friday at 3:30 p.m., unless an agreement is reached before then. Rosemary Boland, president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers, said the district knew the contract was expiring and has had time to set money aside.  “This is not an unusual circumstance,” she said.  If the strike happens, the district’s 10,000 students will be out of school Monday, and could be out for the next three weeks. Teachers have worked under an expired contract since Sept. 1.

http://m.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-board-to-union-wait-until-state-passes-budget-1.1947561#.VgPotLPcLFI.twitter

Chaos breaks out at Allentown School Board meeting

By Jacqueline Palochko and Emily OpiloOf The Morning Call September 24, 2015

Chaos broke out as protesters swarmed an Allentown School Board meeting Thursday evening.  Protesters pounded on the door and windows of the Allentown School District administration building, demanding to be let in. The district locked the doors after around 100 people came in, but about 50 people gathered outside.  "They don't care," they shouted, banging on the windows as security officers held the doors shut.  "He must go," they yelled, in reference to Superintendent Russ Mayo.  Two groups came to protest at Thursday's meeting. Teachers showed up because their contract expired Aug. 31 and they have not reached a deal with the district. The other protesters were students, parents and community leaders who have a list of demands, including Mayo's resignation.  That group, organized by Medical Academy Charter School teacher Michael Frassetto, is planning student walkouts next week. In addition to demanding Mayo leave, Frassetto said the group is calling for a summer employment program and for the school board student representatives to have voting power.

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-school-board-0924-20150924-story.html

Why I'm attending the Notebook's brunch with Paul

the notebook By Debra Weiner on Sep 24, 2015 11:25 AM

Honoring Paul Socolar is a no-brainer for anyone engaged in public education in Philadelphia from either inside or outside the school system. He has grown this journalistic "little engine that could" from a four-times-a-year broadsheet to a bimonthly print edition and daily news site.  The journalism industry has been contracting, at great peril to the future of democracy and its need for an informed and engaged citizenry. In contrast, theNotebook has not only expanded but been a nonprofit news pioneer in investigative reporting, breaking stories such as the cheating scandal in Philadelphia and the suspension and expulsion of kindergarten students.  It is entirely fitting that we honor Paul by creating an investigative reporting fund in his name to sustain and expand his pioneering work.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/159005/why-im-attending-brunch-paul

Philanthropy in Education: The Gifts that Keep Taking

Living in Dialogue Blog By Anthony Cody. September 24, 2015

This weekend a select group of philanthropists will gather at Stanford University for an “Innovation Summit,” where they will hear from Melinda Gates and Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, and other experts in giving money away. The event is hosted by the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, but no civilians will be present — it is by invitation only. Only those wealthy enough to give away millions may attend.  Over the past decade, philanthropic organizations have played an increasing role in public schools. Now is a good time to take stock on the impact philanthropies are having. Will this weekend include time for some sober reflection? If so, I would offer some food for thought, with a focus on the Gates Foundation. 

http://www.livingindialogue.com/philanthropy-in-education-the-gifts-that-keep-taking/

What is PISA?

Education Week Finding Common Ground Blog By Peter DeWitt on September 25, 2015 6:10 AM

Today's guest blog is written by Andreas Schleicher; Director for Education and Skills, and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. 

If you read or listen to news reports about education, you've probably noticed periodic surges of interest in which countries' students do best in reading or mathematics or science, and where your country fits into the grand scheme of things. You've probably also heard or read the word "PISA" in connection with these reports.

What is PISA?

PISA stands for the Programme for International Student Assessment. It's the brainchild of the OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The OECD brings together countries with the aim of developing better policies for better lives. In the late 1990s, countries came up with the idea to measure whether 15-year-olds around the world are well-prepared to participate in society. The OECD chose 15-year-olds, rather than 12- or 17-year-olds, because most 15-year-olds are about to complete their compulsory education.  Experts in the field of education from around the world worked together to create a two-hour test that focuses on core subjects like reading, mathematics and science. Participating countries decided to administer this test every three years, and to rotate the main focus of the test among the three core subjects.

There's nothing new about testing; so what's so special about PISA?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2015/09/what_is_pisa.html

PSBA launches an alumni network
Are you a former school director or in your final term? Stay connected through the PSBA Alumni Network. Your interest in public education continues beyond your term of service as a school director. And as a PSBA alumnus, you have years of experience and insight into the workings of public education and school boards. Legislators value your opinions as a former elected official. Take that knowledge and put it to work as a member of the PSBA Alumni Network.
For a nominal yearly fee of $25 a year or $100 for a lifetime membership, you will receive:

• Electronic access to the PSBA Bulletin, the leading public education magazine in Pennsylvania
• Access to legislative information pertaining to public education and periodic updates via email.

To join, complete the registration below. For more details or questions, contact Member Engagement Director Karen Devine at Karen.devine@psba.org or (800) 932-0588, ext. 3322.

https://www.psba.org/about/psba-alumni-network/

The John Stoops Lecture Series: Dr. Pasi Sahlberg "Education Around the World: Past, Present & Future" Lehigh University October 8, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Baker Hall | Zoellner Arts Center | 420 E. Packer Avenue | Bethlehem, PA 18015

Free and open to the public!  Ticketing is general admission - no preseating will be assigned. Arrive early for the best seats.  Please plan to stay post-lecture for an open reception where you will have an opportunity to meet with students from all of our programs to learn about the latest innovations in education and human services.

http://coe.lehigh.edu/forms/john-stoops-lecture-series-dr-pasi-sahlberg-education-around-world-past-present-future

School Leadership Conference online registration closes Sept. 25

Register Now for PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference Oct. 14-16, 2015 Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

Save the date for the professional development event of the year. Be inspired at more than four exciting venues and invest in professional development for top administrators and school board members. Online registration is live at:

https://www.paschoolleaders.org/school-leadership-conference/register/

Register Now – PAESSP State Conference – Oct. 18-20 – State College, PA

Registration is now open for PAESSP's State Conference to be held October 18-20 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College, PA! This year's theme is @EVERYLEADER and features three nationally-known keynote speakers (Dr. James Stronge, Justin Baeder and Dr. Mike Schmoker), professional breakout sessions, a legal update, exhibits, Tech Learning Labs and many opportunities to network with your colleagues (Monday evening event with Jay Paterno).  Once again, in conjunction with its conference, PAESSP will offer two 30-hour Act 45 PIL-approved programs, Linking Student Learning to Teacher Supervision and Evaluation (pre-conference offering on 10/17/15); and Improving Student Learning Through Research-Based Practices: The Power of an Effective Principal (held during the conference, 10/18/15 -10/20/15). Register for either or both PIL programs when you register for the Full Conference!

REGISTER TODAY for the Conference and Act 45 PIL program/s at:

http://www.paessp.org/state-conference/register-now

Registration is open for the 19^th Annual Eastern Pennsylvania Special Education Administrators’ Conference on October 21-23^rd in Hershey. 

Educators in the field of special education from public, charter and nonpublic schools are invited to attend.  The conference offers rich professional development sessions and exceptional networking opportunities.  Keynote speakers are Shane Burcaw and Jodee Blanco.  Register at https://www.paiu.org/epaseac/conf_registration.php

Register Now for the Fifth Annual Arts and Education Symposium Oct. 29th Harrisburg

Thursday, October 29, 2015 Radisson Hotel Harrisburg Convention Center 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Act 48 Credit is available. The event will be a daylong convening of arts education policy leaders and practitioners for lively discussions about important policy issues and the latest news from the field. The symposium is hosted by EPLC and the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network, and supported by a generous grant from The Heinz Endowments.

http://www.artseducationpa.org/register-now-for-the-fifth-annual-arts-and-education-symposium/

Register now for the 2015 PASCD 65^th Annual Conference, Leading and Achieving in an Interconnected World, to be held November 15-17, 2015 at Pittsburgh Monroeville Convention Center.

The Conference will Feature Keynote Speakers: Meenoo Rami – Teacher and Author “Thrive: 5 Ways to (Re)Invigorate Your Teaching,”  Mr. Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, Heidi Hayes-Jacobs – Founder and President of Curriculum Design, Inc. and David Griffith – ASCD Senior Director of Public Policy.  This annual conference features small group sessions focused on: Curriculum and Supervision, Personalized and Individualized Learning, Innovation, and Blended and Online Learning. The PASCD Conference is a great opportunity to stay connected to the latest approaches for innovative change in your school or district.  Join us forPASCD 2015!  Online registration is available by visiting www.pascd.org <http://www.pascd.org/>

Slate of candidates for PSBA offices now available online
PSBA website July 31, 2015

The slate of candidates for 2016 PSBA officer and at-large representatives is now available online, including bios, photos and videos. According to recent PSBA Bylaws changes, each member school entity casts one vote per office. Voting will again take place online through a secure, third-party website -- Simply Voting. Voting will open Aug. 17 and closes Sept. 28. One person from the school entity (usually the board secretary) is authorized to register the vote on behalf of the member school entity and each board will need to put on its agenda discussion and voting at one of its meetings in August or September. Each person authorized to register the school entity's votes has received an email on July 16 to verify the email address and confirm they are the person to register the vote on behalf of their school entity. 

https://www.psba.org/about/governance/electing-psba-officers/psba-officer-elections-slate-of-candidates/

Interested in letting our elected leadership know your thoughts on education funding, a severance tax, property taxes and the budget?

Governor Tom Wolf, (717) 787-2500

Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Turzai, (717) 772-9943
House Majority Leader Rep. Dave Reed, (717) 705-7173
Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Joe Scarnati, (717) 787-7084
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jake Corman, (717) 787-1377