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Charter management companies spend public tax dollars
with virtually no transparency; not subject to Right-to-Know and ethics laws
Pa. lawmakers want to reform school construction program,
but funding remains a question
WHYY By Avi Wolfman-Arent May 23, 2018
Pennsylvania’s system for funding school construction projects is old. How old, you ask?
Current statute
requires school districts submit their proposals in microfiche format. “[Anything] that mentions microfiche is probably worth revisiting
and looking to update,” said Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania’s secretary of
education. Over the last two years, Rivera and a group of lawmakers from both
chambers and parties have done just that: revisit Pennsylvania’s reimbursement
protocol for school construction projects, known colloquially as PlanCon. The
PlanCon advisory committee released and adopted recommendations Tuesday that called for streamlining the reimbursement process and
creating a carveout for schools to make needed repairs. It did not, however,
call for new money to revive the program, which hasn’t been funded since it
became a casualty of the historically prolonged state budget battle of 2015.
Inquirer by Maddie Hanna & Wendy Ruderman - Staff Writers Updated: MAY 23, 2018 6:02 PM
Lawmakers want Pennsylvania to restart its reimbursement program for school construction projects, with money set aside not just for new buildings, but also for repairs to the state’s aging schools. A legislative committee’s report, released Wednesday, also calls for targeting money to projects to enhance school safety in the wake of shootings in Parkland, Fla., and elsewhere. The reimbursement program, known as PlanCon, has stalled in recent years. Although the state has paid districts for building projects already approved, Gov. Wolf’s budget for the coming year does not include money for new efforts. At a Harrisburg news conference, State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Phila.) used the report’s release to call on Philadelphia and its school district to begin a citywide emergency cleaning and repair program for school buildings, citing “unsafe and unsanitary conditions” detailed in the Inquirer and Daily News series “Toxic City.” Hughes on Wednesday sent Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and Mayor Kenney a letter calling for immediate action.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/lawmakers-call-for-restarting-pa-school-construction-program-20180523.html
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT May 23, 2018
http://www.pahouse.com/files/Documents/2018-05-23_013825__final%20report%205-18(2)-18.pdf
PSBA supports recommendations to modernize school construction reimbursement process
PSBA Website May 23, 2018
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is pleased to support the final report issued today by a state panel to improve the process for reimbursement of public school construction projects and calls on the General Assembly to act on the recommendations and to provide the necessary funding. The Public School Building Construction and Reconstruction Advisory Committee was created under Act 25 of 2016 to examine the decades-old process that was established in 1973. The committee held numerous public hearings and tours of school facilities to identify issues and concerns identified with the outdated procedures. The report released today addresses four critical areas: simplifying the administrative process, recognizing high-performance building standards, creating a program for smaller maintenance and modernization projects that include a special set-aside for school safety needs, and establishing a new reimbursement formula. “PSBA supports the work of the committee and is grateful for the opportunity to have had a seat at the table as these important discussions were being held across the state. We believe the state is long overdue in the need to address the problems that have led to significant delays in the approval of school construction projects and timely reimbursement,” said PSBA Chief Executive Officer Nathan G. Mains.
https://www.psba.org/2018/05/psba-supports-recommendations-to-modernize-school-construction-reimbursement-process/
“DePasquale found that the individual schools’ boards had essentially ceded their governance responsibility to the management company. Over three years, the company managed $150 million in taxpayer money, but none of the individual charters had their own CEO or business manager overseeing expenditures.”
DePasquale issues critical audit of Aspira Inc. and its charter schools
Dale Mezzacappa May 23 — 4:13 pm, 2018
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale issued a highly critical audit of Aspira Inc. charter schools on Wednesday, finding a ballooning debt, poor or nonexistent documentation of financial transactions, repeated violations of the Sunshine Act, money that is unaccounted for, and other irregularities. The Latino community organization manages five schools, including a cyber school, that enroll more than 4,000 students. Two, Olney High and Stetson Middle, are former District schools. The operating agreements for three of those schools have expired – two in 2015 and one in 2016 – and the remaining two are set to expire at the end of next month. The School Reform Commission voted in December 2017 to begin the process of nonrenewal for Olney’s and Stetson’s charters, but the schools remain open. Hearings that are required before a final vote can be taken have not been scheduled, and the schools’ ultimate fate is almost certain to be decided by the new Board of Education, which will be seated July 1. The cyber school is authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and although its charter expired in 2015, its renewal has not been acted on.
http://thenotebook.org/articles/2018/05/23/depasquale-issues-critical-audit-of-aspira-inc-and-its-charter-schools/
“Instead, he pointed the finger at Pennsylvania’s charter-school law, saying the law should require charter management companies to be subject to the state’s Right-to-Know and ethics laws. Because the superintendent and senior administrators of the Aspira-run schools, which enroll more than 4,000 students, were employees of the management organization, they were not bound by the charter law, DePasquale said.”
Auditor general blasts Aspira and Pa. charter-school law
Inquirer by Maddie Hanna, Staff Writer @maddiehanna | mhanna@phillynews.com Updated: MAY 23, 2018 — 3:29 PM EDT
Pennsylvania’s auditor general on Wednesday blasted Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania’s management of four Philadelphia charter schools and a cyber charter, likening the organization to a “fox guarding the henhouse” as he called for changes in the state law governing charter schools. Under Aspira’s management, the combined fund balance of the five schools — two of which are facing nonrenewal — dropped from $7.7 million in fiscal year 2014 to minus-$419,000 in fiscal year 2016, according to an audit released Wednesday by Eugene DePasquale that began last year. Charter schools are publicly funded but privately run. Meanwhile, the schools’ management-services payments to Aspira, a nonprofit entity, shot up from $7 million, in 2015, to $13 million the following year. “We saw no justification for why that happened,” DePasquale said at a news conference at Philadelphia City Hall. Ken Trujillo, a lawyer for Aspira, disputed DePasquale’s characterization of soaring management fees, the bulk of which Trujillo said went to salaries for maintenance and educational support workers.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/auditor-general-blasts-aspira-pa-charter-school-law-20180523.html
This Senate school vouchers bill is bad for kids, parents | Opinion
Penn Live Guest Editorial By Julie Gallagher and Karen Beck Pooley Updated 8:02 AM; Posted 8:00 AM May 23, 2018
We are deeply disappointed to learn that the state Senate's Education Committee is again has advanced legislation sponsored by Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin, that would create "education savings accounts." The bill (SB2) would, in reality, create vouchers that will drain essential resources from public school districts across the state and transfer those dollars to private schools. The bill explicitly states that a district's basic education funding and other state subsidies "shall be reduced by the grant amount calculated for [each] student" receiving a voucher. This could mean a significant loss of funds for public schools. Adding insult to injury, the bill proposes that private contractors be hired to manage the voucher program, and, even worse, stipulates that state and local school boards will have no right to regulate the private schools teaching students supported by public tax dollars. As engaged citizens, as property-owning taxpayers, and, most importantly, as proud parents of children in the Bethlehem Area School District, we strongly oppose this bill.
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/05/this_senate_school_vouchers_bi.html
PSBA disappointed in Senate committee vote to move ESA voucher legislation
PSBA Website May 23, 2018
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is disappointed in today’s vote by the Senate Education Committee to approve Senate Bill 2, legislation to create Education Savings Accounts, or vouchers, that take state tax money out of neighborhood public schools for use at private schools. Under Senate Bill 2, money is taken away from a school district’s state subsidy to provide ESA vouchers to students in the attendance boundaries of public schools ranking in the bottom 15% based on state standardized test scores, to attend private schools and pay for other approved expenses. Students can continue to use vouchers even if the school improves or the student moves out of the district. ESA voucher proposals are being pushed in other states as foot-in-the-door schemes to create taxpayer-funded government subsidies for private schools and vendors. More than 240 school districts across the state have adopted resolutions opposing the ESA voucher plan that is estimated to siphon more than $500 million dollars away from Pennsylvania school districts, many that are already under-resourced.
https://www.psba.org/2018/05/psba-response-esa-sb2/
After Years Of False Starts, Gun Regulation Advocates Lean Into Compromise
A number of lawmakers from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia spoke with students from those cities about the areas' unique firearm-related issues.
WESA May 22, 2018 By KATIE MEYER
Crowds of students and activists flooded Harrisburg Tuesday, calling for changes to help halt school shootings. It's not the first time there's been a push like this in the Capitol. In fact, it's not even the first time this year. Similar efforts have happened behind a range of bills over the last several legislative sessions--usually after mass shootings, like the one in a Texas school last week that killed ten. Almost none of the measures, however, have been signed into law. This time around, lawmakers and advocates have identified at least a few areas that might have enough support to pass the legislature. A proposal that would make it harder for convicted domestic abusers to possess weapons passed the Senate unanimously and is on-track for House consideration in the near-future. It also has the blessing of Democratic Governor Tom Wolf. Plus, there's a so-called "red flag" bill with bipartisan support that would let police or family members request a court temporarily seize guns from a person in crisis. Shira Goodman, with CeaseFire PA, said while she'd like to make major changes to assault weapon and ammunition sales, she'll settle for proposals that can actually pass. "We're not talking about bans. We're not talking about licensing and registration--which also work," she said. "We're talking about, can we get something done?" A measure expanding background checks to include gun show purchases also has some bipartisan support, but may not have enough to pass the Republican-controlled legislature.
http://wesa.fm/post/after-years-false-starts-gun-regulation-advocates-lean-compromise#stream/0
Pittsburgh-area students join call for gun control in Harrisburg
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by ELIZABETH BEHRMAN Lbehrman@post-gazette.com MAY 22, 2018 1:45 PM
Jonna Backers was just a year old when her 19-year-old brother was shot in the head. She never really got to know him, she said, but her own family’s exposure to gun violence spurred her to join other students in the area and across the country to call for stricter gun laws, especially after the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 people dead. Ten people were killed in a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas last week. “I personally think it's important to speak about what you believe in,” said Ms. Backers, a senior at Baldwin High School. “Even though I'm a youth, my voice should not be unheard.” She joined several other Pittsburgh-area students Tuesday at a “Day of Action” news conference in Harrisburg, organized by state Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Lincoln-Lemington, before lobbying state lawmakers on pending gun safety bills. Students from Pittsburgh Westinghouse, Woodland Hills High School and more were in attendance and also shared their personal experiences with gun violence in their communities.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/05/22/Pittsburgh-students-Harrisburg-gun-control-legislation-school-shootings-violence-Ed-Gainey/stories/201805220080
Let's face facts: School shootings are inextricably linked to white male privilege | Solomon Jones
Inquirer by Solomon Jones @SolomonJones1 | sj@solomonjones.com Updated: MAY 23, 2018 — 5:00 AM EDT
In the wake of yet another school shooting — this time in Sante Fe, Texas — it’s time for America to accept that this brand of gun violence is inextricably linked to white male privilege. In the 22 school shootings this year where deaths or injuries occurred and suspects have been identified, the majority of suspects have been white males. And with the exception of two school shootings — one of which took place outside Lincoln High School in Philadelphia — the incidents have taken place in suburban or rural environments. Until America is willing to confront these obvious truths, we won’t be able to solve the scourge of school shootings. Because acknowledging that white males in non-urban environments are most likely to commit school shootings would require America to abandon its most treasured stereotypes. That’s not something America is willing to do.
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/solomon_jones/lets-face-facts-school-shootings-are-inextricably-linked-to-white-male-privilege-solomon-jones-20180523.html
Blogger note: SB1078 would add security planning to the list of topics that school boards may discuss in private during executive session.
Lawmakers say SB 1078 will help protect schools
PA HomePage By: Crystal Cranmore Updated: May 23, 2018 12:56 AM EDT
EXETER, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) - Pennsylvania Senate bill 1078 aims to give school administrators permission to be more tight-lipped when it comes to how they are protecting your children. Leaders say executive sessions are generally reserved for personnel or budget matters or discussing litigation with the district solicitor. But school safety plans could soon be added to the list. "we are not able to reveal everything that we do because then it does not become a security measure any more," said Wyoming Area School District Superintendent Janet Serino. She says her school board is as transparent with the public as it can be when it comes to what security measures they have in place. Just within the last couple months, the district has every student going through metal detectors now every morning. The district has hired constables, and leaders received a grant to put more surveillance cameras throughout their buildings. "I don't think anyone knowing that is a problem. But I think everybody knowing where they are could be a problem," said Serino. Recent school shootings have prompted school districts across the state to update their security plans for students and staff. But Senator Gene Yaw, a sponsor of the bill, says if these plans are made public, it could actually put students at risk. "It makes no sense to have a security plan and then disclose all the details to the general public," said Yaw.
http://www.pahomepage.com/news/lawmakers-say-sb-1078-will-help-protect-schools/1193102713
Boyertown students' appeal of transgender bathroom policy goes to federal court Thursday
Peter Hall Of The Morning Call May 24, 2018
In a federal court in Philadelphia Thursday, Boyertown Area High School students are challenging a policy that allows their transgender classmates to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. Lawyers for the anonymous group of Boyertown Area High School students are asking the court to reverse a decision in August by U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith, who refused to suspend the policy while the students and the school district hashed out their differences in court. The students, who say they learned of the policy when they encountered students who appeared to be of the opposite sex using locker rooms and bathrooms, contend that the practice violates their constitutional right to bodily privacy and the federal law against sexual discrimination in schools. They argue the decision denying their request was an abuse of discretion by Smith. The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments from lawyers on both sides, including transgender students who contend that granting the injunction blocking the policy would violate their rights. They note that courts around the country have issued orders allowing students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.
http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-boyertown-transgender-bathroom-policy-appeal-20180523-story.html
“Pennsylvania is no stranger to the problem of ballooning benefits costs. For instance, the state increased school funding by $125 million this year, but all of the money went to pay for pensions rather than instructional material. Yet, Pennsylvania’s innovative and bipartisan 2017 pension legislation was only possible because public sector unions sat on the sidelines and neither supported nor opposed it.”
A 'bigger impact' in Pa. than most other states; what the Supreme Court's ruling in Janus v. AFSCME could mean | Opinion
by Daniel DiSalvo, For the Inquirer Updated: MAY 23, 2018 — 9:54 AM EDT
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule in Janus v. AFSCME, the most important government labor-relations case in nearly a half-century. At issue is whether public employee unions in 22 states, including Pennsylvania, can charge “agency fees” without violating the First Amendment rights of workers who don’t want to be union members. The plaintiff, Mark Janus, a child care specialist for the state of Illinois, argues that forcing him to pay into union coffers is a form of compelled speech. To keep his job he must subsidize a highly political, private organization. The court’s five conservative justices appear likely to agree this is unconstitutional. A ruling in favor of Janus will have a bigger impact in Pennsylvania than in most other states. Pennsylvania is one of six states that account for more than half of all unionized government workers in the country. Its permission of agency fees increases union membership. More members mean more money for unions. That’s why 52.5 percent of Pennsylvania’s state and local workers belong to unions and those unions collect millions of dollars annually.
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/janus-vs-afscme-government-labor-relations-scotus-supreme-court-what-it-means-for-pa-opinion-20180523.html
Pa. redistricting bill on its way to Senate
York Dispatch by Logan Hullinger, 717-505-5439/@LoganHullYD Published 11:10 a.m. ET May 23, 2018 | Updated 5:36 p.m. ET May 23, 2018
A Senate Bill that would update the current process of drawing congressional districts was headed to the Pennsylvania Senate floor for its first consideration Wednesday, May 23. Senate Bill 22, proposed by Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton County, was amended in the state government committee Tuesday, May 22, and passed unanimously. It will now be discussed in the Senate. The bill had been sitting in the state government committee since last February. Originally, the bill would have changed the state's current six-legislator commission to an 11-person citizens' commission and more strictly require bipartisan support. The committee, chaired by Republican Sen. Mike Folmer, representing parts of Lebanon, Dauphin and York counties, made small changes but received bipartisan support for its efforts. The amendment: Unlike Boscola's original plan for a citizens' commission, which received support from the York County Commissioners in a resolution last month, the redistricting process would be left up to legislators. The commission would consist of four Democrats, four Republicans and three independents. Eight would be chosen by a leader from each party in both chambers and three would be chosen by the governor.
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2018/05/23/pa-redistricting-bill-its-way-senate/636293002/
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe is roadblock to Pennsylvania redistricting reform
Bill White Contact Reporter Of The Morning Call May 23, 2018
Keep Pennsylvania gerrymandering bill out of Daryl Metcalfe's clutches
Before I once again bash state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, as he so richly deserves, I want to say something nice about some other state legislators. The Senate State Government Committee Tuesday unanimously approved an amended version of Senate Bill 22, which would create an 11-member independent citizens commission to draw up fair congressional and legislative maps. The bill goes now to the full Senate, where I hope it will pass soon and move on to the House. It must pass both houses in this 2017-2018 session and again in the next session, then go to statewide referendum, to go into effect in time for the next redistricting in 2021. Prime sponsors are Sen. Mario Scavello , R-Monroe, and Sen. Lisa Boscola , D-Northampton. What I found particularly encouraging about the Senate was the way it approached the bill. Committee Chair Mike Folmer , R-Lebanon, held two excellent hearings at which lawmakers heard testimony and aired their concerns, helping them fine-tune the bill they finally passed with bipartisan support and the support of Fair Districts PA, the prime mover in this reform effort. This is the way government is supposed to work — and almost never does anymore. Certainly it doesn't work that way when Metcalfe is involved, which is why I'm desperately hoping that if the bill passes the Senate, it doesn't end up back in Metcalfe's House State Government Committee.
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/white/mc-bw-daryl-metcalfe-20180523-story.html
Most Centre County residents' property taxes will increase next year. Here's why
Centre Daily Times BY KELSEY THOMASSON kthomasson@centredaily.com May 23, 2018 01:45 PM
Almost all of the local school districts are headed toward property tax increases in the next fiscal year. Here's a breakdown of each district's proposed budget:
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/article211597144.html
Upper Darby school board OKs proposed $209M budget
Delco Times By Kevin Tustin, ktustin@21st-centurymedia.com, @KevinTustin on Twitter POSTED: 05/23/18, 8:22 PM EDT | UPDATED: 17 SECS AGO
UPPER DARBY >> The Upper Darby school board Tuesday evening took the procedural step to adopt a proposed final $209.5 million budget with the largest tax increase since 2012 — but it doesn’t sound like that will hold for a final vote next month. An 8-0 vote on the proposed final budget occurred almost five hours into a marathon session of pre-scheduled meetings. The proposed final budget as adopted includes a 3.4 percent tax increase that will help alleviate a $12.4 million shortfall and add 44 positions throughout the district at a cost of $3.5 million. More than $9 million from the fund balance would be used to balance the budget. The tax increase would be split to have 2.9 percent used for general district operations and .5 percent to yield $500,000 for the capital reserve fund as the district prepares to undertake a number of projects for the next year. Director Heather Boyd was absent from Tuesday’s meeting. Before voting, board President Rachel Mitchell said she wants to see a final budget with the staffing requests scaled back and for a tax increase no more than 3 percent. Mitchell said seven elementary-level assistant principals may not be affordable at this time, but no official recommendation on what positions to cut back on were given to district Chief Financial Officer Patrick Grant.
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20180523/upper-darby-school-board-oks-proposed-209m-budget
Delaware Valley SD publishes a budget number
But what it will be paying for is another issue
River Reporter By DAVID HULSE Wed, 05/23/2018 - 1:49pm
WESTFALL, PA — By a 6-3 vote, the Delaware Valley School District Board of Education (DV) agreed to an $82 million budget that would not increase the district tax rate of 110.71 mills. That will be the published proposed budget for final approval in June; but while the board members agreed to avoid a tax increase for now, they were not agreed on what should be funded in the budget. The board will conduct a line-by-line review in June to sort out their differences. Board president Jack O’Leary had asked the administration to prepare three budget options with tax impacts, including increases of 3.2%, 1.6% and a zero-increase option. Board members debated the options. Favoring the first option, Brian Carso cited the improved economy, saying it made the increase appropriate, especially since legislative action to eliminate school property taxes in Harrisburg could eliminate or hamper the board’s ability to raise more money in future. “We don’t want ideological opposition to an increase as an excuse for bad planning… The future does not suggest a lot of ways to recover [new funds],” he said. Rosemary Walsh said DV as a border district must consider the possibility of an influx of New York and New Jersey families if property taxes are eliminated. The first option, nevertheless, failed by a 6-3 vote. A 1.6% increase was supported by a one-time $225,000 draw-down in the budget reserve, a $150,000 reduction in planned reserves next year, and spending reductions totaling $734,000. It was not discussed at length and failed by a 7-2 vote.
https://www.riverreporter.com/news-news-stories/dv-publishes-budget-number
East Norriton Supervisors hear school district budget presentation
Times Herald By A.LGrabenstein, For Digital First Media POSTED: 05/23/18, 8:34 PM EDT | UPDATED: 49 SECS AGO
EAST NORRITON >> The township’s Board of Supervisors began Tuesday night’s meeting with a budget presentation from the Norristown Area School District’s Chief Finical Advisor Anne Rohricht. Rohricht said the district’s finance committee started planning for the 2018-2019 budget way back in November with one overriding challenge: balancing the needs of Norristown area students with the purse strings of taxpayers in East Norriton, West Norriton and Norristown. After conducting a series of extended meetings with community stakeholders and realizing the budget was at a $2.5 million shortfall, a moderate tax increase of 2.69 percent was supported to prevent “significant staff/program reduction that would be needed to develop a budget without a tax increase,” Rohricht said. The expenses for the 2018-2019 proposed final budget would total $154.54 million, a 1.5 percent increase over the 2017-2018 school year’s projected expenses of $152.31 million. According to Rohricht, 70 percent of spending is driven by staffing and the proposed budget included the reduction of 10 teaching positions, the addition of a community liaison, the reduction of a staff nurse, a delay in hiring a counselor and custodial restructuring.
http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20180523/east-norriton-supervisors-hear-school-district-budget-presentation
Unified tack and field opens doors for athletes with disabilities
Lancaster Online Editorial by THE LNP EDITORIAL BOARD May 24, 2018
THE ISSUE - Lancaster’s first regional Unified track and field meet was held May 14 at Hempfield High School. Governed by the Special Olympics and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Unified track and field features teams comprised of both athletes (students with intellectual disabilities) and partners (those without intellectual disabilities). It’s the first year for the Unified program in Lancaster County and its four participating high schools — Hempfield, McCaskey, Penn Manor and Warwick. The regional meet also included teams from York Tech and Red Lion. The idea behind Unified sports “was inspired by a simple principle: Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding,” states the Special Olympics website. It may be a simple principle, but it’s a worthy and valuable one. We applaud Hempfield, McCaskey, Penn Manor and Warwick for bringing Unified track and field to Lancaster County and making the inaugural season such a success. “It’s rewarding to see how far the kids have come along from the first practice to competing at an all-day event like this,” Jess Cunningham, a Penn Manor coach, told LNP’s Tim Gross, who covered the regional meet. The local quartet of schools is among more than 4,500 in the United States to have Unified sports programs, ranging from the elementary to high school level, according to Special Olympics. Worldwide, about 1.4 million people take part in more than 30 Unified sports.
https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/unified-tack-and-field-opens-doors-for-athletes-with-disabilities/article_0460b81c-5eb0-11e8-98c0-6fac84e6abae.html
Charter school staffer suspended after bringing gun to school
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Staff Writer @newskag | kgraham@phillynews.com Updated: MAY 23, 2018 — 4:23 PM EDT
A staffer at Russell Byers Charter School has been suspended after bringing a gun to the Center City school. Principal Kareem Goodwin detailed the Wednesday incident in a letter to parents. After school staff became aware that the employee, who was not named, brought the gun to school, “we immediately called the Philadelphia police,” Goodwin wrote. “The police came to school and peacefully escorted the staff member out of the building for questioning. The staff member was placed on indefinite suspension. We are thankful that at no time was the safety of our students in jeopardy.” Police said no arrests were made, but that the matter is still under investigation. Some students saw the weapon; they all spoke with the school counselor, said Goodwin, who invited any child who felt unsafe to speak with the counselor. “As a parent myself, I know this incident can cause alarm, but please rest assure[d] that your child’s safety is our first and top priority,” Goodwin wrote. A spokesman for Russell Byers, at 19th and Arch, said he could not answer further questions, including why the staffer brought the gun to school and whether he would return to class.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/russell-byers-charter-staffer-brings-gun-school-suspended-20180523.html
Kentucky Math Teacher, Riding Wave of Public Anger, Defeats State House Majority Leader
New York Times By Matthew Haag May 23, 2018
For the past six years, Travis Brenda voted like nearly everyone else in his part of rural central Kentucky. In 2012, 2014 and 2016, he helped send Jonathan Shell to the State House of Representatives, re-electing him again and again as he eventually rose to House majority leader. He watched as Mr. Shell and other politicians failed to add meaningful dollars to public education, embraced charter schools and cut state services. Then over a few hours on March 29, Mr. Shell helped introduce and pass a surprise 291-page plan to significantly overhaul the state’s struggling pension system that the governor later signed into law. Suddenly, years of bubbling anger among state employees and teachers in Kentucky erupted in protests and chants at the Capitol, fueling a sustained backlash that helped lift Mr. Brenda to an unlikely victory on Tuesday night. Mr. Brenda, a first-time candidate and a math teacher, knocked off Mr. Shell, who had both name recognition and fund-raising prowess, by 123 votes in the Republican primary for House District 71.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/us/politics/travis-brenda-kentucky-teacher.html
Betsy DeVos: Schools Can Choose to Report Students to ICE. Advocates: She's Wrong.
Education Week Politics K12 Blog By Andrew Ujifusa on May 23, 2018 7:26 AM
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told the House education committee Tuesday that it's up to schools whether to report undocumented immigrant students to federal immigration authorities. That's created quite a stir, and some say her view is totally inaccurate. Let's go over some background. The topic came up when Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., asked DeVos whether she thought a teacher or principal who "finds out that a certain child is undocumented or his or her family is undocumented" has the responsibility to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement about that family. "Sir, I think that's a school decision, it's a local community decision," DeVos told Espaillat. "We have laws, and we also are compassionate. And I urge this body to do its job and address and clarify where there is confusion around this." Espaillat repeated the question and stressed that immigration law is federal law, but DeVos did not change her stance. He did not say under what circumstances he envisioned educators and schools learning about a student or family's immigration status.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2018/05/betsy_devos_undocumented_students_ICE_schools_report.html
Arizona's Draft Science Standards Minimize Evolution. Many Blame the State Superintendent
Education Week By Stephen Sawchuk on May 23, 2018 12:11 PM
A draft of Arizona's K-12 standards for science teaching significantly weakens the teaching of evolution—and many critics in the state attribute the new wording directly to Diane Douglas, the state superintendent of education. Late revisions made to a draft of the state's science standards portray evolution as less than settled fact and substitute other terms, like "biological diversity," in some language. Here are two representative examples, one from the draft's "core ideas" and another from the high school section of the draft. (Click to see the full size.) The draft also deletes an earlier standard directing students to analyze and interpret "supporting evidence for the Big Bang theory and the scale of the Universe" in favor of new language directing them to "critique ... theories related to the scale and expansion of the universe." Where the changes came from exactly is unclear. They first showed up in a redlined copy that emerged this spring from an internal review at the Arizona Department of Education. The current draft differs substantially from the one crafted by a team of more than 100 educators, curriculum specialists, and science experts last year, and also introduces some errors, the writers said.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2018/05/az_evolution_science_standards_diane_douglas.html
Join with EdVotersPA and PCCY for Capitol Caravan Days and fight for our public schools! When: 9:00-3:00 on June 12 or June 20 (your choice!)
Where: The Harrisburg Capitol
Why: To show state lawmakers that their constituents expect them to support public school students in the '18-19 budget
Education Voters of PA joining together with Pennsylvania Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) for a lobby day in Harrisburg. Join a team and meet with your state legislators and legislative leaders to talk about how the state can support K-12 students in the state budget.
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrk24gH61bp7Zjy_JFpIELPYcEvXx05Ld4-_CPltQYyqLSPw/viewform
POWER 100% SCHOOL FUNDING Day of Action Wednesday, June 20th at 1 PM at the PA Capitol
On Wednesday, June 20th at 1 PM, students, parents, community activists, and faith leaders from different traditions will gather on the steps of the State Capitol Main Rotunda for POWER’s 100% SCHOOL FUNDING Day of Action to demand support for legislation to put 100% of the Commonwealth's Basic Education Budget through PA's Fair Funding Formula. We ask you to join us as we stand in solidarity with one another and continue demanding fair and fully funded education for Pennsylvania’s public school students. In addition to a large rally, we will march to Governor Tom Wolfe's office to pray for his support for 100% through the Formula. Join us as we hold meetings that day with our legislators asking each one to speak out in favor of POWER's 100% plan.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/100-school-funding-day-of-action-tickets-46143414194?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=esfb&utm-source=fb&utm-term=listing
EquityFirst #CivilFundingWar Meeting on Education Funding
EquityFirst and The Citizens for Fair School Funding
Harrisburg, PA Monday, June 4, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)
PENNSYLVANIA KNOWINGLY UNDERFUNDS POOR, MINORITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY MILLIONS
Harrisburg School District is underfunded by $31.77 million $38 million! Every Year in Basic and Special Education Funding
JOIN US FOR A PUBLIC MEETING TO LEARN ABOUT HOW WE CAN FIX THIS!
Monday, June 4, 2018 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Meeting Light Refreshments will be served.
Living Water Community Church 206 Oakleigh Avenue, Harrisburg, PA
For more information contact: Shelly@SupportEquityFirst.org or 717.623.0909 or visit www.SupportEquityFirst.org.
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityfirst-civilfundingwar-meeting-on-education-funding-tickets-46197055637
Nominations for PSBA’s Allwein Advocacy Award
PSBA Website May 14, 2018
The Timothy M. Allwein Advocacy Award was established in 2011 by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and may be presented annually to the individual school director or entire school board to recognize outstanding leadership in legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of public education and students that are consistent with the positions in PSBA’s Legislative Platform. In addition to being a highly respected lobbyist, Timothy Allwein served to help our members be effective advocates in their own right. Many have said that Tim inspired them to become active in our Legislative Action Program and to develop personal working relationships with their legislators. The 2018 Allwein Award nomination process will begin on Monday, May 14, 2018. The application due date is July 16, 2018 in the honor of Tim’s birth date of July 16.
Download the Application
https://www.psba.org/2018/05/nominations-allwein-advocacy-award/
Electing PSBA Officers: Applications Due by June 1st
Do you have strong communication and leadership skills and a vision for PSBA? Members interested in becoming the next leaders of PSBA are encouraged to submit an Application for Nomination no later than June 1, 11:59 p.m., to PSBA's Leadership Development Committee (LDC). The nomination process
All persons seeking nomination for elected positions of the Association shall send applications to the attention of the chair of the Leadership Development Committee, during the months of April and May an Application for Nomination to be provided by the Association expressing interest in the office sought. “The Application for nomination shall be marked received at PSBA Headquarters or mailed first class and postmarked by June 1 to be considered and timely filed.” (PSBA Bylaws, Article IV, Section 5.E.).
Open positions are:
In addition to the application form, PSBA Governing Board Policy 302 asks that all candidates furnish with their application a recent, print quality photograph and letters of application. The application form specifies no less than three letters of recommendation and no more than four, and are specifically requested as follows:
https://www.psba.org/2018/03/electing-psba-officers/
the notebook Annual Celebration - June 5, 2018 - New Location!
Please join us on June 5, 2018, at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia! Please note the new location!
Buy your tickets today!
Every June, 400 public school supporters gather in celebration at the end of the school year. This festive event features awards for outstanding high school journalism, talented local musicians, a silent auction, and the opportunity to speak with the most influential voices in the local education community. This year, the Notebook staff and board of directors would like to honor public education advocates who are committed to our mission of advancing quality and equity in our city’s schools.
Our Honorees:
Debra Weiner - A longtime advocate for public education at a variety of nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions, and a member of the Notebook’s editorial advisory board
Mary Goldman - Former 27th Ward Leader and advocate for children and public schools
Our City Our Schools - A coalition of local grassroots organizations that campaigned to return the school board to local control
The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
http://thenotebook.org/annual-fundraiser
BRIEFING: PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING IN PENNSYLVANIA
IN PHILLY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018, 8:30-10:00 A.M.
Join Law Center attorneys Michael Churchill, Jennifer Clarke, and Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg for a free briefing on the state of education funding in Pennsylvania. They’ll cover the basics of education funding, our fair school funding lawsuit, the property tax elimination bill, the 2018-2019 state budget, and more! RSVP online here. The briefing will be held on Wednesday, June 13th at 8:30 a.m. at 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Download a flyer for this event.
https://www.pubintlaw.org/events/briefing-public-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-2/
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Join the PA Principals Association,
the PA Association of School Administrators and the PA Association of Rural and
Small Schools for PA Education Leaders Advocacy Day at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June
19, 2018, at the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA.
A rally in support of public education and important
education issues will be held on the Main Rotunda Steps from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Visits with legislators will be conducted earlier in the day. More information will be sent via email, shared in our publications and posted on our website closer to the event.
Visits with legislators will be conducted earlier in the day. More information will be sent via email, shared in our publications and posted on our website closer to the event.
To register, send an email to Dr. Joseph Clapper at clapper@paprincipals.org before Friday, June 8,
2018.
Click here to view the PA Education
Leaders Advocacy Day 2018 Save The Date Flyer (INCLUDES EVENT SCHEDULE AND
IMPORTANT ISSUES.)
SAVE THE DATE for the 2018
PA Educational Leadership Summit - July 29-31 - State College, PA sponsored by
the PA Principals Association, PASA, PAMLE and PASCD.
This year's Summit will be held from July 29-31, 2018 at the Penn Stater
Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA.
Save the Dates PASA/PSBA School Leadership Conference – Hershey, Oct. 17-19,
2018
Mark your calendar! The Delegate Assembly will take place Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m.
Housing now open!
Housing now open!
Our Public Schools Our Democracy: Our Fight for the Future
NPE / NPE Action 5th Annual National Conference
October 20th - 21st, 2018 Indianapolis, Indiana
We are delighted to let you know that you can purchase your discounted Early Bird ticket to register for our annual conference starting today. Purchase your ticket here.
Early Bird tickets will be on sale until May 30 or until all are sold out, so don't wait. These tickets are a great price--$135. Not only do they offer conference admission, they also include breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Please don't forget to register for your hotel room. We have secured discounted rates on a limited basis. You can find that link here. Finally, if you require additional financial support to attend, we do offer some scholarships based on need. Go here and fill in an application. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Please join us in Indianapolis as we fight for the public schools that our children and communities deserve. Don't forget to get your Early Bird ticket here. We can't wait to see you.
Any comments contained herein are my comments, alone, and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other person or organization
that I may be affiliated with.
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