Thursday, May 3, 2018

PA Ed Policy Roundup May 3: Majority Leader Reed Seeks Reforms


Daily postings from the Keystone State Education Coalition now reach more than 4050 Pennsylvania education policymakers – school directors, administrators, legislators, legislative and congressional staffers, Governor's staff, current/former PA Secretaries of Education, Wolf education transition team members, superintendents, school solicitors, principals, charter school leaders, PTO/PTA officers, parent advocates, teacher leaders, business leaders, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, education professors, members of the press and a broad array of P-16 regulatory agencies, professional associations and education advocacy organizations via emails, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

These daily emails are archived and searchable at http://keystonestateeducationcoalition.org
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Majority Leader Reed Seeks Reforms



Don't Take Federal Funding from Military Families' Public Schools to Fund a Private School Voucher Program
Network for Public Education
Please take action today - your legislators need to hear from YOU! Fight to prevent your federal tax dollars being taken from public schools in order to support private and religious schools.



Pa. House GOP leader wants to open up primaries to independent voters, make other government reforms
Penn Live By Jan Murphy jmurphy@pennlive.com Updated May 2, 6:11 PM
A top leader in the House of Representatives wants to give independent and third-party voters a reason to go to the polls on primary election days, change the way the redistricting process is done, and put term limits on House committee chairmanships. House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana County, began on Wednesday circulating a memo among his legislative colleagues seeking support for those three government reforms. Reed, who is not seeking re-election, indicated that he sees these changes as part of an ongoing long-term effort to restore faith in government. A Franklin & Marshall College Poll conducted in March identified government and politicians as the most important problem that voters see facing the state.
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/05/pa_house_gop_leader_wants_to_o.html#incart_2box_politics

Gov. Wolf sets Nov. 6 as date for U.S. House special elections
Penn Live By The Associated Press Updated May 2, 2:58 PM; Posted May 2, 11:50 AM
HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania will fill the empty seat of resigned U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan in a special election on Nov. 6, the day of the general election. Wednesday's announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf also will apply to the expected resignation of U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent. That would leave a special election winner just two months in office before a successor picked in the general election takes over for a full two-year term in Congress. The Pa. GOP said Wednesday afternoon that Wolf's decision will maximize voter confusion. "Having seen fit to sow the deeds of voter confusion by pushing for an unconstitutional process that prematurely developed a new Congressional map, Gov. Wolf now seeks to fertilize that same ground by holding this special election at the most confusing time possible and aligning it with the General Election.
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/05/gov_wolf_sets_nov_6_as_date_fo.html#incart_2box_politics

Pennsylvania Rep. Daryl Metcalfe's action on redistricting proves he's shameless
Bill White Contact Reporter Of The Morning Call May 2, 2018
Daryl Metcalfe launches another sneak attack on good government
Monday was Game of Thrones Night at the IronPigs. The most striking and persistent nod to the show was the repeated ringing bell and chants of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" over the public address system, usually after an opposing player made an out. As a "Game of Thrones" fan, I got a kick out of it. But I wondered how many fans were mystified. Not everyone has HBO or saw the episode where a mortified Cersei Lannister marched through the streets of King's Landing, naked, while jeering citizens pelted her with filth as a stern nun rang a bell and chanted: "Shame! Shame! Shame!" I have no desire to see state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, walking naked through the halls of the Capitol. In fact, the idea is horrifying. But as far as I'm concerned, after a second outrageous gut and replace assault on democracy this week, someone should be ringing a bell and chanting "Shame!" every time he shows his face. If you've been following the redistricting reform saga over the last several months and particularly this spring, you know that Metcalfe launched a successful sneak attack on the cause and House Bill 722 a few weeks ago.
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/white/mc-bw-daryl-metcalfe-20180502-story.html

'Ignore the haters,' Michelle Obama tells 8,000 Philly students
Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham, Staff Writer  @newskag |  kgraham@phillynews.com Updated: MAY 2, 2018 — 5:53 PM EDT
Michelle Obama has a lot in common with many of the 8,000 Philadelphia students who packed the Liacouras Center Wednesday. Once, she was a kid of modest means, a first-generation college student with a college counselor who told her that her dreams of an Ivy League education were perhaps a little out of reach. “There are all these people out there telling you what you can’t do,” the former first lady said. “I am so proud of you all. You did just what I did. You ignored the haters.” Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at College Signing Day, an event honoring Philadelphia students for their pursuit of a college education. A massive shout of appreciation from the crowd at National College Signing Day went up from an audience full of students with firm plans to enter college, trade school or the military. The annual event, started by Obama in 2014, is designed to celebrate students headed to college, and this year, Philadelphia was chosen to host the main event. Nationwide, 600,000 students were registered to participate, with events happening in 2,000  locations.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/michelle-obama-questlove-national-college-signing-day-temple-university-20180502.html

More than 8,000 students get encouragement at star-studded College Signing Day
The notebook by Greg Windle May 2, 2018 — 5:07pm
Dozens of celebrities, along with former first lady Michelle Obama, helped an ebullient crowd of more than 8,000 Philadelphia high school seniors celebrate getting accepted to college on Wednesday. The massive Liacouras Center at Temple University was filled with school pride of various kinds — some students wore shirts touting their high schools, and others wore shirts representing the college or university where they were accepted. Representatives from universities in the region were scattered throughout to welcome students and offer opportunities to learn more about a particular university. Several local mascots showed up to cheer the students on. The crowd went wild as Obama walked onto the stage, smiling and waving as the students jumped out of their seats. “There is nothing more important than your education,” Obama said. “It’s more important than celebrating the NBA draft. I’m sorry, but you are all the stars.
http://thenotebook.org/articles/2018/05/02/more-than-8-000-cheering-students-get-encouragement-at-star-studded-college-signing-day

Commentary: To gain better schools, 10-year Philly tax abatement must end
The notebook Commentary by Ron Whitehorne May 2, 2018 — 3:45pm
As the Our City, Our Schools coalition mobilizes for the May 8 budget hearings, we are calling for Philadelphia's City Council to secure more money for our schools through equitable tax policies that make corporations, mega-nonprofits, and the rich pay their fair share. In particular, we're focusing on the repeal of the 10-year tax abatement, which could add $386 million to the District over the next 10 years. We’re all familiar with the argument for the abatement: It has been a boon to development, turned around the decades-long decline in the city's population, and attracted more affluent and middle-class professionals to reside here. But in response, we have to ask, “What kind of development and at what expense?” Downtown condos and gentrification are the main products of the abatement. Our already under-resourced schools are the main victims. And the middle-class families who move here to take advantage of the abatement are, all too often, the families who leave for the suburbs a few years later because of their frustrations with the schools.
http://thenotebook.org/articles/2018/05/02/commentary-better-schools-means-ten-year-tax-abatement-must-end

“As part of its “Toxic City” series, the Inquirer and Daily News investigated the physical conditions at district-run schools. Reporters examined five years of internal maintenance logs and building records, and interviewed 120teachers, nurses, parents, students, and experts. When the newspapers analyzed the district records, they identified more than 9,000 environmental problems since September 2015. They reveal filthy schools and unsafe conditions — mold, deteriorated asbestos, and acres of flaking and peeling paint likely containing lead — that put children at risk.”
TOXIC CITY SICK SCHOOLS
DANGER: LEARN AT YOUR OWN RISK
Inquirer By Barbara Laker, Wendy Ruderman, and Dylan Purcell / Staff Writers
Photos and video by Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Many Philadelphia schools are incubators for illness, with environmental hazards that endanger students and hinder learning.
Day after day last September, toxic lead paint chips fluttered from the ceiling of a first-grade classroom and landed on the desk of 6-year-old Dean Pagan. Dean didn’t want his desk to look messy. But he feared that if he got up to toss the paint slivers in the trash, he’d get in trouble. So he put them in his mouth. And swallowed them. It wasn’t until Dean was hospitalized last November for severe lead poisoning that the School District of Philadelphia grew alarmed enough to finally fix the chipping and peeling paint in Room 202 at Watson Comly Elementary in Northeast Philadelphia. It came too late. Dean lost his ability to do simple math, such as adding three plus three in his head, calculations that once came easily to him, his parents said. “When you send your child to school, you think he’s going to be safe and you don’t have to worry,” his father, David Pagan, said. Every school day in Philadelphia, children are exposed to a stew of environmental hazards, both visible and invisible, that can rob them of a healthy place to learn and thrive. Too often, the district knows of the perils but downplays them to parents.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/lead-paint-poison-children-asbestos-mold-schools-philadelphia-toxic-city.html

Former Philly Schools CEO Paul Vallas running for mayor of Chicago
By WHYY Staff May 2, 2018
Former Philadelphia Schools chief executive officer Paul Vallas is running for mayor in Chicago. Vallas is no stranger to Chicago, he served as the city’s budget director and was also once the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. Vallas on Wednesday blasted Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as a “bully” and said “people don’t like the mayor.” He said he’ll bring change and experienced leadership to a city that’s “in deep trouble.” Emanuel campaign spokesman Pete Giangreco says Vallas has a record of “fiscal disaster” and wherever Vallas goes “he leaves a mess behind him.” The 64-year-old, Vallas, ran unsuccessfully for Illinois governor in 2002 and lieutenant governor in 2014. He led CPS from 1995 to 2001 and later was superintendent in Philadelphia, New Orleans and Bridgeport, Connecticut.
https://whyy.org/articles/former-philly-schools-ceo-paul-vallas-running-for-mayor-of-chicago/

“The event is intended for families who may have considered transitioning out of a charter or faith-based school but wondered if CASD was the right fit for their student.”
Rediscover Coatesville Charter School summit set May 12
Daily Local By Digital First Media POSTED: 05/02/18, 1:48 PM EDT
Coatesville >> The Coatesville Area School District will host the Rediscover Coatesville 2018 Charter School Summit May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coatesville Area Senior High School. The free program, open to the public, will showcase the wonderful educational opportunities offered in the Coatesville Area School District (CASD), and provide an interactive experience for all those who attend. The event is intended for families who may have considered transitioning out of a charter or faith-based school but wondered if CASD was the right fit for their student. Those interested in attending the event can register at http://bit.ly/2D4d0fG.
Following a brief welcome inside the high school auditorium, the program will include over 20 breakout sessions featuring clubs, sports, activities and organizations for families of students in elementary, middle and high school. Among the breakout sessions include a football clinic with the varsity football team, Air Force JROTC, woodshop, National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society, elementary school clubs, theater, Parent Teacher Organization and Booster Club, musical performance, demonstrations of solar cars, the computer science program, sports teams at the middle and high school and much more. Full details of the event can be viewed via the official 2018 Charter School Summit electronic flip book here: https://bit.ly/2K0hvfI.
http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20180502/rediscover-coatesville-charter-school-summit-set-may-12

Erie students reach ‘a good first step’ with Congressman Kelly
GoErie By Ed Palattella Posted May 2, 2018 at 12:01 AM Updated May 2, 2018 at 8:28 AM
High school group, congressman discuss gun violence, ideas in hourlong private session. Kelly ready to schedule public town hall meeting with students later this year.
Mike Kelly asked for solutions. “I want you to tell me what you are concerned about, why you are concerned and how it can be fixed,” the Republican congressman from Butler County, who now represents the 3rd District, told a group of high school students in Erie on Tuesday. “The what, the why and the how is incredibly important.” The students took Kelly up on his offer. For about an hour, the six students — from high schools throughout Erie County — asked Kelly questions and made suggestions on how Congress and the federal government can improve school safety and reduce gun violence. The meeting, held in a conference room at the Intermodal Transportation Center on Erie’s bayfront, where Kelly’s Erie office is located, was filled with give-and-take, and the students and Kelly clearly disagreed on many issues.
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180502/erie-students-reach-a-good-first-step-with-kelly

Upper St. Clair schools proposed budget includes tax increase
Post-Gazette by MARGARET SMYKLA MAY 3, 2018 12:00 AM
The Upper St. Clair school board is set to vote May 21 on a proposed budget of $83.3 million for the 2018-19 school year that calls for a 2.8 percent tax increase. The new real estate tax rate would be 25.8603 mills, an increase of 0.7043 mills.   The proposed tax increase includes 0.3853 mills for an increase in operating expenditures and 0.3190 mills for increased debt service for capital projects. Each mill is valued at $2.13 million. Adoption of a final budget is scheduled June 20.  The school board in March awarded construction contracts totaling $22.65 million for a new aquatics center, completion of Boyce Middle School field facilities and a new stadium complex. The stadium complex will also house the district’s administrative offices. Superintendent Patrick O’Toole said the tax increase was needed to help cover the cost of a $404,000 increase in the district’s state-mandated pension contribution and for the capital projects.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2018/05/03/Upper-St-Clair-school-district-tax-increase/stories/201804260019?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1525321329

Report charges racism is rampant in Haverford and its schools
Delco Times By Pete Bannan, pbannan@21st-centurymedia.com, @petebannan on Twitter
POSTED: 05/01/18, 8:41 PM EDT | UPDATED: 18 HRS AGO
HAVERFORD >> At a recent school board meeting, members of the grassroots organization Havertown Community Action Network presented school officials with a report about racism in the Haverford community and its public schools. While acknowledging the school’s district’s academic success, the report points out that Haverford, a majority Caucasian community, can be non-welcoming toward families of color, biracial families, and families belonging to religious minorities. The network cited incidents reported to its Racial Action Group and to the Main Line NAACP by parents, students, and community leaders. The report states nationwide there has been an uptick in hate-based incidents and they document a number in the township and the region. In an email, Anna Deacon, spokeswoman for school district, said the report had been received and administrators were reviewing it. There are a number of clubs in the school district that promote diversity including the African-American Cultural Enrichment Club and No Place for Hate at Haverford High School, No Place for Hate at Haverford Middle School, and a diversity club at Chestnutwold Elementary.
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20180501/report-charges-racism-is-rampant-in-haverford-and-its-schools

Pennsylvania's darkest sky launches 2018 stargazing program schedule
Penn Live By Marcus Schneck mschneck@pennlive.com Updated May 2, 5:03 AM
The stargazing season gets under way Saturday, May 5, at Pennsylvania's darkest sky location, Cherry Springs State Park near Galeton. Also one of the darkest spots on the East Coast, Cherry Springs is the only International Dark Sky Park in Pennsylvania. It's a 48-acre state park in Potter County, surrounded by 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. In 2008, the International Dark-Sky Association named it the first Dark Sky Park in the eastern U.S. and the second in the world ranked as Gold Tier. A Night Sky Tour will lead off the astronomical season from 9-10:30 p.m. Participants will observe the constellations through a laser-guided tour led by park staff, who will recount the legends and myths surrounding the mysterious patterns in the sky. Following the program, the park will have telescopes available for an up-close look at celestial objects. Telescope availability is subject to time and crowd-size limitations. re-registration is required to attend the program and spaces are limited.
http://www.pennlive.com/wildaboutpa/2018/05/pennsylvanias_darkest_sky_laun.html


“A study commissioned by the state's legislature earlier this year predicted that Kansas would have to come up with between $1.7 billion and $2 billion over the next five years in order to provide an adequate education. “
With $80 Million Fix, Kansas School Funding Heads Back to Court
Education Week State Ed Watch By Daarel Burnette II on May 1, 2018 4:15 PM
Kansas' lawmakers Monday wrapped up a months-long, legally fraught debate over how much more money they should give to to the state's public school system.  A last-minute miscalculation left the state's legislature scrambling in recent weeks to figure out how to provide $80 million more to the public schools for a combined  $534 million over the next five years.  The state's supreme court will now be tasked with deciding whether that's enough money to provide students with an "adequate" education, as required under the Kansas constitution.  More than a quarter of the state's students don't meet the state's basic standards, according to the state's department of education. 
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2018/05/with_80_million_fix_kansas_school_funding_heads_back_to_court.html

Documents show ties between university, conservative donors
AP News By MATTHEW BARAKAT May. 01, 2018
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s largest public university granted the conservative Charles Koch Foundation a say in the hiring and firing of professors in exchange for millions of dollars in donations, according to newly released documents. The release of donor agreements between George Mason University and the foundation follows years of denials by university administrators that Koch foundation donations inhibit academic freedom. University President Angel Cabrera wrote a note to faculty Friday night saying the agreements “fall short of the standards of academic independence I expect any gift to meet.” The admission came three days after a judge scrutinized the university’s earlier refusal to release any documents. The newly released agreements spell out million-dollar deals in which the Koch Foundation endows a fund to pay the salary of one or more professors at the university’s Mercatus Center, a free-market think tank. The agreements require creation of five-member selection committees to choose the professors and grant the donors the right to name two of the committee members. The Koch Foundation enjoyed similar appointment rights to advisory boards that had the right under the agreements to recommend firing a professor who failed to live up to standards.
https://apnews.com/0c87e4318bcc4eb9b8e69f9f54c7b889


Tickets: PCCY Celebration of the 2018 Public Citizen of the Year
Elizabeth Murphy and Romona Riscoe Benson of PECO
Wednesday, May 16, 2018, The Franklin Institute, 6:00-8:30pm
On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, Elizabeth Murphy and Romona Riscoe Benson from PECO, will be honored by Public Citizens for Children and Youth as the2018 Public Citizens of the Year.  Join us at the celebration to thank these two amazing women and PECO for their longstanding and visionary commitment to improving the quailty of life for children in our region. 
Tickets are $150 per person.   Event will be held at the Frankin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19103 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
Questions: contact Steven Fynes at 215-563-5848 x11 or email:stevenf@pccy.org.
Corporate Sponsorships: click here. 
Thank you for your support!
https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51084/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=11643&_ga=2.220936472.1475321964.1522679885-268812658.1512147954

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.

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/


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.
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.

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