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Keystone State Education Coalition
PA Ed Policy Roundup November 7, 2015:
What Local Control? Voter Referendum for Any & All School Tax
Increases in the Mix with Budget Deal in the Works
Register for PSBA Budget Action Day on Monday, Nov. 16
— Join us!
"The Governor and
legislators are seriously discussing mandating referendum as part of a property
tax package. This concept is gaining traction and is being discussed as a
possible part of a budget agreement."
PSBA: As Budget Discussions Continue - Tax Referendum a Serious Consideration
Last month the Senate Finance Committee reported out Senate Bill 909 (Sen. White, R-Indiana) that requires school districts to place a referendum question on the ballot for any and all property tax increases. It amends Act 1 of 2006 to eliminate the index and the remaining allowed exceptions for pension obligations, special education and school construction. The Governor and legislators are seriously discussing mandating referendum as part of a property tax package. This concept is gaining traction and is being discussed as a possible part of a budget agreement. Referendum ties the hands of locally elected school boards by eliminating their ability to build a budget, pay for mandated costs and make tax decisions based on their financial needs. School districts, already struggling to maintain their financial operations in light of the budget impasse, will face critical, long-term fiscal distress. PSBA is asking you to take action and contact the Governor and legislators now ... tell them “NO” to a voter referendum requirement. Click here to take action. If you need further information on the impacts of this proposal review these documents developed by PASBO: Impact of Eliminating the Act 1 Index and Impact of Eliminating the Act 1 Exceptions
PSBA: As Budget Discussions Continue - Tax Referendum a Serious Consideration
Last month the Senate Finance Committee reported out Senate Bill 909 (Sen. White, R-Indiana) that requires school districts to place a referendum question on the ballot for any and all property tax increases. It amends Act 1 of 2006 to eliminate the index and the remaining allowed exceptions for pension obligations, special education and school construction. The Governor and legislators are seriously discussing mandating referendum as part of a property tax package. This concept is gaining traction and is being discussed as a possible part of a budget agreement. Referendum ties the hands of locally elected school boards by eliminating their ability to build a budget, pay for mandated costs and make tax decisions based on their financial needs. School districts, already struggling to maintain their financial operations in light of the budget impasse, will face critical, long-term fiscal distress. PSBA is asking you to take action and contact the Governor and legislators now ... tell them “NO” to a voter referendum requirement. Click here to take action. If you need further information on the impacts of this proposal review these documents developed by PASBO: Impact of Eliminating the Act 1 Index and Impact of Eliminating the Act 1 Exceptions
PSBA Webinar Update on the budget crisis and
membership discussion
Monday NOV 9,
2015 • 7:30 am, noon or 6:00 pm
PSBA will be hosting
a special complimentary members-only webinar on the budget crisis and discuss
how your advocacy efforts can help push back on referendum and other issues
that are affecting public education in Pennsylvania .
During the webinar we will offer a Q&A where you will have the opportunity
to voice your local school directors’ concerns and find out what you can do to
help public education in your district and across the state. This complimentary
webinar will be held Monday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
Register online for
one of three times:
- 7:30 a.m.: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/902665331842139137
- Noon: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4324551126155483393
- 6 p.m.: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7301194084847413761
"One item that is of
significant concern is the fact that there are serious discussions at the
budget table about requiring a backend referendum for any and all property tax increases.
This issue is being discussed under the guise of ensuring “accountability” when
additional BEF dollars are driven out to school districts. "
PA Association of School Administrators Education Update November 2, 2015
State Budget Update – This week the Senate attempted a veto-override vote on SB 1000, the stopgap budget bill that was passed by the legislature and vetoed by the governor last month. The bill, brought up quickly and without much discussion, failed to get the 2/3 vote required to override the veto, with a 30-19 tally along party lines. Budget meetings between the House and Senate Republicans continue, as they work to get agreement within their caucus on a budget proposal. While there is a heightened push to attempt to finalize a budget by Thanksgiving, there is still a very long way to go, and only the most optimistic believe it can be done by the holiday. Discussions with the administration are set to resume as well.
http://www.pasa-net.org/currentupdate
State Budget Update – This week the Senate attempted a veto-override vote on SB 1000, the stopgap budget bill that was passed by the legislature and vetoed by the governor last month. The bill, brought up quickly and without much discussion, failed to get the 2/3 vote required to override the veto, with a 30-19 tally along party lines. Budget meetings between the House and Senate Republicans continue, as they work to get agreement within their caucus on a budget proposal. While there is a heightened push to attempt to finalize a budget by Thanksgiving, there is still a very long way to go, and only the most optimistic believe it can be done by the holiday. Discussions with the administration are set to resume as well.
http://www.pasa-net.org/currentupdate
State budget deal in the works?
Steve
Esack Contact ReporterCall Harrisburg Bureau
November 6, 2015
HARRISBURG — It is
November and as the leaves fall and Christmas decorations light up store
shelves, the state budget, which was supposed to be done during swimsuit
season, is not complete. But that could
change soon. A deal could be done by
Thanksgiving, House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, said in a memo he emailed Friday to
the Republican caucus. If so, expect more session
days in the Capitol, he said. "Our
goal is to work with our colleagues in the Senate to produce a budget deal that will bring
this budget impasse to an end and move Pennsylvania
forward," Reed wrote. The memo says
the possible deal would include key House GOP budget priorities concerning
changes to the state's Prohibition-era alcohol laws, moving future
public-sector employees into 401(k)-style pension plans, and offering local
property tax relief to homeowners. Reed's memo makes no overt references to any
tax increase Democratic Gov.Tom Wolf has requested and up until this point the
Legislature's Republican majority and some Democrats have refused to give him.
GOP leader predicts budget
deal; Wolf says, 'Close'
CHRIS PALMER, INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU LAST
UPDATED: Saturday, November 7, 2015, 1:07 AM POSTED: Friday, November
6, 2015, 3:14 PM
HARRISBURG - A key
House Republican said Friday that he hoped to have a budget deal finalized by
Thanksgiving, and Gov. Wolf said an agreement to end Pennsylvania's
five-month-old impasse could be "very close." In an email Friday afternoon to fellow
legislators, Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana) became the first elected
official to predict an end date to the stalemate. Without elaborating, he said
negotiators "are making progress toward the framework" of a final
deal that could include changes to the state's liquor and pension systems,
increased education funding, and offer property-tax relief. Around the same time, Wolf made an appearance
at a conference in Philadelphia
and said a deal was "very, very close." "I think we're almost there," he
told an interviewer at ThinkFest, hosted by Philadelphia Magazine.
Pa. Budget Stalemate Drags On; No Compromise In Sight
NPR Morning Edition NOVEMBER
06, 2015 5:08 AM ET Audio runtime 2:35
Help the Notebook as we
examine standardized testing in Pa.
the notebook By Paul
Socolar on Nov 6, 2015 05:16 PM
The debate about
standardized testing has taken center stage in recent weeks, with theObama
administration acknowledging that its policies have contributed to a
climate of overtesting in schools. The Notebook's December
print edition will take a deeper look at the role and impact of standardized
testing in Pennsylvania .
We've kicked off our coverage with online stories on recent national
developments, the latest
PSSA exam results, and the trends on the national NAEP
exam. And we need your help!
This is a hot-button
issue that affects everyone involved in schools. We will be exploring topics
like the requirement that students pass Keystone exams to graduate from high
school, the use of test scores in teacher evaluation, cheating on standardized
tests, teaching to the test, the opt-out movement, and the Black-White test
score gap. If you have information you
would like to share, or if you would like to be interviewed for this edition,
please let us know by filling out the attached, confidential form.
What does the changing Pa.
By Kevin McCorry for NewsWorks on Nov 4, 2015
06:29 PM
The results of
Tuesday's Pennsylvania Supreme Court election could have wide-ranging
implications for a number of high-profile cases related to education issues. Three Democrats swept the open seats on the
state's highest court – shifting the balance of power to 5-2 in the party's
favor when they assume the bench in January.
Superior Court Judge Christine Donohue, 62, of Pittsburgh ;
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Kevin Dougherty, 53; and Superior
Court Judge David Wecht, 55, of Pittsburgh
defeated their Republican opponents and one independent. Traditional public education advocates
closely followed the race, anticipating that a shake-up in favor of the
Democrats could mean rulings favorable to their interests. The biggest education-related case that the
new court is expected to hear will be one brought by the Education Law Center
and the Public Interest Law Center that asserts that the legislative and
executive branches of state government have failed to deliver "a thorough
and efficient" education to all children, as promised in Pennsylvania's
Constitution. In April, the Commonwealth Court
dismissed the case, arguing that education funding should be decided by the
legislature, not the judiciary. The two law centers appealed to the Supreme
Court in May. The plaintiffs contend that the state has skated on its
constitutional obligation by adopting content standards and performance
expectations without providing the funding needed to meet them.
"He said the main
problem was the responsibility of the local districts to pay into the
retirement funds of teachers called PSERS (Pennsylvania State
State Rep. Lawrence
By Chris Barber,
Daily Local News POSTED: 11/06/15,
3:36 PM EST |
Oxford >> It
was clear from the conversations on Monday afternoon that state Rep. John
Lawrence was just as frustrated about property taxes as the senior citizens he
was speaking to, Lawrence, R-13, of
West Grove paid a visit to the Oxford Senior Center, where about 30 members
gathered to find out what could be done about the soaring school taxes that
were crippling them financially. The taxes, typically ranging in the thousands
of dollars annually, are particularly difficult for retired people who are
living on fixed incomes and are billed based on the value of houses they own. “It makes no sense to push out elderly into
subsidized housing or the Pocopson Home because they can’t afford taxes. And
property tax does not take into account your ability to pay,” Lawrence said.
Blogger note: PA Cyber CS SPP scores for 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 59.4, 55.5 and 65.3
Pa. Auditor General
Launches Comprehensive Audit Into Pa.
Cyber Charter School
November 6, 2015
6:30 PM By Andy Sheehan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) —
There are serious new concerns about the current spending practices at Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. The school’s founder, Nick Trombetta, is
charged with fraud, accused of stealing millions in tax dollars from the school
and spending it on himself. But while Trombetta awaits trial, Pennsylvania tax dollars are still being
poured into the education empire he built.
In the coming months, prosecutors will try to prove that Trombetta
funneled millions in tax dollars into non-profit and for-profit companies he
founded with the ultimate aim of enriching himself. But while Trombetta is now gone from PA Cyber
Charter, questions about the school’s spending remain. In particular, some question the amount of
money being spent on curriculum. For
years, PA Cyber Charter paid $50 million a year for online curriculum to The
National Network of Digital Schools, now called Lincoln Learning Solutions.
Blogger note: Education Plus Academy
Education Plus Academy
Cyber Charter shutters two centers, citing state budget impasse
MARTHA
WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER LAST
UPDATED: Saturday, November 7, 2015, 1:07 AM POSTED: Friday, November
6, 2015, 4:59 PM
More than 20
children enrolled at a cyber charter school are scrambling to make other
arrangements after the school abruptly shuttered two tutoring centers Friday. Officials at the Education
Plus Academy
Cyber Charter
School said financial problems caused
by Pennsylvania 's budget stalemate prompted
them to close the Brandywine Achievement Center
in Exton and the Bridgeville Partner Tutoring
Center in Allegheny County
Dover trial experts,
teachers talk evolution
York Daily Record by Angie Mason,
amason@ydr.com5:32 p.m. EST November 6, 2015
Ten years after a
federal trial put a spotlight on evolution and science class, there are still
lessons to be learned in how teachers address that subject, and others, in
their classrooms. December marks a
decade since the Kitzmiller v. Dover
Area School
District York
College to talk with York County
science teachers about addressing the subject of evolution and lessons
learned from the Dover trial. A couple dozen educators attended the
workshop, arranged by Dover
teachers Robert Eshbach and Jen Miller, and
York Suburban science teacher Leigh Foy.
Stargazing: Andromeda Galaxy
Post Gazette By Dan
Malerbo, Buhl Planetarium and Observatory November 3, 2015 12:00 AM
This autumn, try and
locate M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. Andromeda is the most distant object in the
universe visible to the unaided eye. When you observe Andromeda, you are
looking at the light of billions of stars more than 2 million light-years
distant. Away from the bright lights of the city, Andromeda will appear as a
hazy patch of light. If you aim your binoculars or telescope at it, you should
see the galaxy’s oval shape. However, don’t be disappointed if you can’t see
its spiral arms. Very large telescopes produce the stunning images of Andromeda
you see on television and online. To
locate Andromeda, first find the “Great
Square ” of Pegasus. The star in the upper left
corner of the square is Alpheratz. This star is also part of the Andromeda
constellation, which is made up of two long rows of stars. Move two stars over
on the top row then up, and you will see a smudge of light. That hazy smudge is
the Andromeda Galaxy.
"According to The New York Times, in
the 2012-13 school year, Success
Academy
Survival of the fittest at
Success Academy
The Hill Congress Blog By Judith Browne Dianis November 04, 2015,
05:00 pm
Is a child disposable? Do adults
get to decide which children are worthy of education paid for by tax dollars? Depending on whom you ask at Eva Moskowitz’s
Success Academy Charter Schools, the answers may be a resounding, “yes!”
A bombshell discovery at Moskowitz’s network of charters recently revealed the privately run, publicly funded school system maintains a list of students they no longer wish to serve.
A bombshell discovery at Moskowitz’s network of charters recently revealed the privately run, publicly funded school system maintains a list of students they no longer wish to serve.
Moskowitz claimed several of her schools’ “Got to Go” lists were
anomalies, though cherry-picking at charter schools is nothing new. From the
Noble network of charter schools in Chicago to KIPP Academy
in Washington , D.C.
EPLC's FOCUS ON EDUCATION
on PCN Sunday at 3:00 pm.
Guests Dave Patti @PaBizCouncil and House Ed Comm
Chair Rep Stan Saylor @RepStanSaylor
PSBA New School Director
Training
School boards who will welcome new directors after the election should
plan to attend PSBA training to help everyone feel more confident right from
the start. This one-day event is targeted to help members learn the basics of
their new roles and responsibilities. Meet the friendly, knowledgeable PSBA
team and bring everyone on your “team of 10” to get on the same page fast.
- $150 per
registrant (No charge if your district has a LEARN Pass. Note: All-Access
members also have LEARN Pass.)
- One-hour lunch
on your own — bring your lunch, go to lunch, or we’ll bring a box lunch to
you; coffee/tea provided all day
- Course
materials available online or we’ll bring a printed copy to you for an
additional $25
- Registrants
receive one month of 100-level online courses for each registrant, after
the live class
Nine locations
for your convenience:
- South Central
PA and
- Central PA —
Jan. 30 Nittany Lion Inn,
- North Central
area —Feb. 13
Register here: https://www.psba.org/2015/09/new-school-director-training/
Register for PSBA Budget Action Day on Monday, Nov. 16
— Join us!
Capitol Building, Harrisburg NOV 16, 2015 • 9:00
AM - 1:00 PM
For more than four months Pennsylvanians have gone without a state
budget, and school districts are feeling the pain. As the budget stalemate continues, many school
districts across the state are depleting savings or borrowing to meet expenses.
In addition to loan interest payments and fees, schools are taking many other
steps to curtail spending and keep school doors open.
PSBA is asking you to join us at the Harrisburg Capitol on Monday, Nov.
16 to take action. Let our legislators know that a state budget is critical to
the education of our public school children in Pennsylvania. Budget Action Day, Capitol
Building , Harrisburg , PA
WESA Public Forum:
Equitable Education Funding Nov. 9, 7 pm
Pittsburgh
WESA By EBAISLEY • October
27, 2015
Governor Tom Wolfe
has proposed spending 6.1 billion dollars on basic education, yet Pennsylvania is one of
just three states that does not use a formula to distribute funding to local
school districts. What is the best and most equitable way to allocate state
education funding? How can educators and lawmakers ensure a fair education for
all students?
90.5 WESA will convene a "Life of
Learning" community forum November 9 at the Community Broadcast Center on
the south side. to discuss the Basic Education Funding Commission’s
proposed funding formula as well as strategies used in the state’s
history. Doors open at 6:30; forum starts at 7. It will be recorded for later broadcast. The
event is free, but space is limited; registration is recommended.Register online to attend.
Panelists include State Senator Jay Costa, member of the Basic Education Funding
Commission; Ron Cowell, President of the Education Policy and Leadership
Center; Linda Croushore, Executive Director of the Consortium for Public
Education; and Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst for the Allegheny
Institute for Public Policy; and Linda Lane, superintendent of Pittsburgh
Public Schools. 90.5 WESA’s Larkin Page-Jacobs will moderate.
WHAT: Community Forum on Equitable Education
Funding
WHEN: November 9, 2015, 7 PM
WHERE: Community Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh PA 15203
COST: Free. Register to attend.
WHEN: November 9, 2015, 7 PM
WHERE: Community Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh PA 15203
COST: Free. Register to attend.
Register now for the
2015 PASCD 65th 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/>
NSBA Advocacy
Institute 2016; January 24 - 26 in Washington ,
D.C.
Housing and meeting registration is open for Advocacy Institute 2016. The theme, “Election Year Politics & Public Schools,” celebrates the exciting year ahead for school board advocacy. Strong legislative programming will be paramount at this year’s conference in January. Visit www.nsba.org/advocacyinstitute for more information.
Housing and meeting registration is open for Advocacy Institute 2016. The theme, “Election Year Politics & Public Schools,” celebrates the exciting year ahead for school board advocacy. Strong legislative programming will be paramount at this year’s conference in January. Visit www.nsba.org/advocacyinstitute for more information.
PASBO 61st Annual
Conference and Exhibits March 8 - 11, 2016
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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
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
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