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Thursday, February 21, 2019

PA Ed Policy Roundup Feb. 21: While kids in underfunded districts have to wait 20 years to see the resources promised in the legislature’s funding formula, SB299 could automatically divert an additional $50+ million in tax dollars to private and religious schools annually.


Started in November 2010, 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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While kids in underfunded districts have to wait 20 years to see the resources promised in the legislature’s funding formula, SB299 could automatically divert an additional $50+ million in tax dollars to private and religious schools annually.



“The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.” Pa. Const. art. 3, § 14.

“No money raised for the support of the public schools of the Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school.” Pa. Const. art. 3, § 15.



“Under the recently introduced proposal, the amount available in each tax credit program would increase 25 percent annually if donors claimed at least 90 percent of the available credits in the prior year. Supporters call this an “escalator” clause, meaning the amount would go up automatically.”
Boon or ‘black hole’? Pa. private school scholarship program considered for major expansion
WHYY By Avi Wolfman-Arent February 21, 2019
A tax-break program that routes millions to Pennsylvania private schools could grow much larger if a new bill becomes law. The proposal has powerful support in the State Senate, but Governor Tom Wolf’s spokesman calls it an “unfunded mandate.” At issue is one of the state’s signature school choice programs, one that already provides nearly 50,000 students with scholarships to attend private schools. Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program, Pennsylvania offers a maximum of $210 million in tax credits. The recipients of these credits — which include businesses and individuals — donate to organizations that dole out scholarships or run educational “improvement” programs. The donors can then deduct between 75 and 90 percent of that amount from their state tax bills. So someone could donate $1000 to a scholarship organization, and then pay between $750 and $900 less in state taxes as a result. The value of available tax credits has increased sevenfold since Pennsylvania started its first tax-credit program in 2001. But some say the demand for these credits — and the scholarships they provide — still exceeds supply. “The problem is the program isn’t growing fast enough,” said Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation, a think tank that supports the tax credit. “We need more than just incremental increases year after year.” That’s where Senate Bill 299 comes in.

Blogger note: Here are the sponsors for SB299: REGAN, BARTOLOTTA, DiSANTO, PHILLIPS-HILL, FOLMER, MARTIN, SCARNATI, SCAVELLO, WHITE, KILLION and J. WARD
SB299 Automatic Escalator for EITC and OSTC Programs
PA General Assembly Bill Information Website

Did you catch yesterday’s “snow day” postings?
PA House Ed Cmte Chairman Sonney introduces bipartisan cyber charter funding reform bill HB526
Keystone State Education Coalition PA Ed Policy Roundup Feb. 20, 2019

Blogger note: Total cyber charter tuition paid by PA taxpayers from 500 school districts for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 was over $1.6 billion; $393.5 million, $398.8 million, $436.1 million and $454.7 million respectively.
Over the next several days we will continue rolling out cyber charter tuition expenses for taxpayers in education committee members and legislative leadership districts.
In 2016-17, taxpayers in Senate Ed Committee member .@SenatorBrewster’s districts had to send over $13.4 million to chronically underperforming cybers that locally elected school boards never authorized. SB34 (Schwank) or HB526 (Sonney) could change that.
Data source: PDE via @PSBA


Baldwin-Whitehall SD
$633,842.90
Brentwood Borough SD
$525,238.41
Burrell SD
$420,430.22
Clairton City SD
$293,141.00
Duquesne City SD
$0.00
East Allegheny SD
$765,632.90
Elizabeth Forward SD
$343,876.78
Gateway SD
$912,431.83
Kiski Area SD
$1,063,086.40
Leechburg Area SD
$320,215.01
McKeesport Area SD
$1,086,719.00
New Kensington-Arnold SD
$704,658.67
Norwin SD
$0.00
Penn-Trafford SD
$1,633,146.97
Plum Borough SD
$1,141,487.21
South Allegheny SD
$195,586.92
West Jefferson Hills SD
$472,637.67
West Mifflin Area SD
$485,511.50
Woodland Hills SD
$2,408,333.34

$13,405,976.73


How much could your school district and taxpayers save if there were statewide flat tuition rates of $5000 for regular ed students and $8865 for special ed.? See the estimated savings by school district here.
Education Voters PA Website February 14, 2019

Blogger note: your ”marketing” tax dollars sent to PA Cyber…..
Kids Eat Free Sundays Returns in '19
Washington Wild Things Website February 18, 2019
The Washington Wild Things are proud to announce the return of Kids Eat Free Sundays for the 2019 season. All children ages 12 and under are welcome to register for this free program, offering a free ticket and a free Kids Meal for all 9 Sunday games courtesy of our new partner, The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.  For the 2019 season The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will team up with the Wild Things as the presenting sponsor of the Kids Eat Free program. PA Cyber is one of the largest, most experienced and most successful online public schools in the nation. The tuition-free school is charted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, offering a deeply personalized learning experience through their curriculum guided by accredited educators.  "We couldn't be happier to have such an engaging partner to present our Sunday program. PA Cyber is so deeply committed to our youth and the families in the Commonwealth, and their core values lined up so perfectly with this initiative.

Integration without more equitable funding will not fix schools | Opinion
Sharif el-Mekki and Zachary Wright, For the Inquirer Updated: February 20, 2019 - 8:04 AM
Every February, to honor Black History Month, students around the country are taught about America’s glorious victory in Brown v. Board of Education, the seminal moment that undid Plessy v. Ferguson’s separate but equal racial segregation. Desegregation is touted as a gold standard of equality and progress. But ending segregation is different from creating integration, let alone justice and equity, especially considering that as of 2011, according to PBS, the percentage of black students in majority white southern schools was “just below where it stood in 1968.” This lack of progress since Brown has led to calls for integration measures, notably in New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a measure that would expand the admissions process for the city’s specialized public high schools, in order to claim more spots for black and Hispanic students at institutions dominated by Asian and white children.

Preliminary Boyertown schools budget raises property taxes
Pottstown Mercury By Laura Catalano For MediaNews Group February 20, 2019
BOYERTOWN — The Boyertown Area School Board voted 5-2 on Feb. 19 to approve a preliminary budget for the 2019-20 school year that would raise property taxes in the district if it is granted final approval in June. If given final approval, the millage rate would increase from 26.37 mills to 27.33 mills, or 3.6 percent, for district homeowners living in both Berks and Montgomery counties. The proposed tax increase is higher than the state’s Act 1 index of 2.8 percent. The index, calculated separately for each of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts every year, is the percentage by which a school board can raise taxes without going to the voters for approval in the spring primary. However, districts can apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Educations for exceptions allowing for a tax increase above the Act 1 index, as long as certain criteria are met. Those exceptions include financing for excessive special education costs. Board member and finance committee Chairwoman Donna Usavage said the board was applying for a special education exception, which it could use if the final budget continues to require a tax hike over the Act 1 index.

Gun control bills, many marking Parkland anniversary, proliferate in Congress
Inquirer by Justine McDaniel, Updated: February 20, 2019- 12:23 PM
Efforts by advocates to push gun-control legislation in statehouses and Congress have led to a flurry of bills that sponsors say are aimed at reducing shootings, suicides, and domestic violence, along with other proposals that call for expanding gun rights. Several gun-control bills were introduced in Congress last week to mark the one-year anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in which a former student killed 17 people. “We are now at the point where at least one house can move these measures,” Sen. Bob Casey(D., Pa.) said at a telephone town hall meeting with CeaseFirePA last Thursday. “We’ve got to work like hell to get the U.S. Senate to do more work on the issue.” While it is likely the House will be able to pass gun control bills with its Democratic majority, there are very low chances that the Senate’s Republican leadership will give any a vote; likewise, House Democrats would likely shoot down any gun-rights expansions.

“The unions and teachers opposed provisions in the legislation that, among other things, would have created the state’s first charter schools and allow education savings accounts for parents to pay for private school. Proponents said the moves would have given parents more school choices.”
W.Va. teachers end strike after no action on doomed bill
Trib Live by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS  | Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:27 p.m
CHARLESTON — Unions for West Virginia teachers ended their two-day strike Wednesday night after lawmakers did not act on a doomed, broad-based education bill. Leaders of three unions representing teachers and school service personnel said at a news conference that classrooms would reopen statewide on Thursday. The House of Delegates made no mention of Tuesday’s passage of a motion that effectively killed the bill. According to legislative rules, a lawmaker who voted to table the bill had until Wednesday to ask to have the vote reconsidered. The House adjourned until Thursday without such a move being made. "Last year we were focusing more on getting the funding for our insurance. This year we're focusing more on trying to get rid of this education bill that we feel would hurt education," striking West Virginia teacher tells @PoloSandovalCNN https://t.co/TRrczoW6v2 pic.twitter.com/taHLKan2k9

“This year, though, the focus of the strikes in both red and blue states is expanding to include the impact on districts of charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately operated.”
Why Oakland teachers are striking: ‘Quite simply, you can’t feed the minds of our students by starving their schools.’
Washington Post Answer Sheet By Valerie Strauss February 21 at 6:00 AM
It’s only February and we’ve already seen in this new year teachers in Los Angeles, Denver and West Virginia go on strike, extending a wave of labor actions by educators that started in February 2018.  Now, it’s Oakland’s turn. Oakland teachers are going out on strike Thursday over largely the same issues that provoked the Los Angeles walkout: pay, large class size, too few nurses and counselors and other support staff, and the spread of charter schools where nearly 30 percent of the district’s students are now enrolled. It was teachers in West Virginia a year ago who walked out because of low pay and inadequate access to quality health care, prompting a wave of strikes in mostly Republican-led states, including Oklahoma and Arizona, in what became known as the “Red For Ed” movement. And though California is Democratic, teachers are finding some of the same problems as in GOP-led states.

Moratorium on new charter schools passes first hurdle in New Mexico
Education Week by Associated Press February 20, 2019
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — No new charter schools would be allowed to open in New Mexico until 2022 under a proposal that has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The bill has the support of Democrats and teacher unions. It passed the House Education Committee on a 10-3 vote Wednesday. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also has voiced support for imposing a moratorium on opening new charter schools until state leaders have time to review how those in place are performing. Some parents testified that putting the brakes on new charter schools would limit options for families in a state that has struggled for decades to boost success rates within the public school system. The bill's supporters argue that charter schools siphon money from traditional schools and that the state is facing costly court mandates for improving opportunities for minority and low-income students.

Keep them in school: Counseling is the right response to pot possession
Pittsburgh Public Schools has taken a step in the right direction
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Pittsburgh Post-Gazette FEB 20, 2019 7:00 AM
Pittsburgh Public Schools has taken a step in the right direction in dealing with students who bring marijuana into a school building. The district has revised its consequence for this violation of the school conduct code to more pointedly address the root of the problem. Beginning March 1, students caught for the first time with fewer than 5 grams of pot in his possession will have the option of attending drug counseling sessions in lieu of a 10-day out-of-school suspension. In exchange for participating in the counseling, which would be held on weeknights or Saturdays, the student will endure a shorter, five-day suspension. his is a more appropriate response to the problem but the district could do better. It makes no sense to boot from school for any length of time a student who has misbehaved, if the misbehavior is nonviolent. Any out-of-school suspension potentially complicates the situation, especially when the punishment is for a behavior that involves drug use. An out-of-school suspension, even for a day, let alone a full school week, places a problem student in circumstances where more problems are likely to occur or be created

$42 per ounce recreational marijuana tax set for New Jersey as legalization talks continue
Morning Call by Mike Catalini Of The Associated Press February 20, 2019
New Jersey's governor and legislative leaders reached an agreement over key sticking points in their effort to legalize recreational marijuana, though the measure is still being worked on, the legislator taking the lead on the issue said Wednesday. Democratic state Sen. Nicholas Scutari said the leaders agree on a $42 per ounce tax rate on recreational marijuana, along with the makeup of a commission to regulate the substance. “We're closer than we've ever been before,” Scutari said in a phone interview. “If I thought we were all done, I'd be the first person calling a press conference,” he added. The commission and tax rate were key sticking points. Murphy called for a 25 percent tax rate while Senate President Steve Sweeney sought a 12 percent levy. Under the proposal, the governor will appoint three members of the five-member commission. Scutari says the Senate president and speaker would likely appoint the other two. It's the latest development in the Democrat-led state government's effort to become the 11th state along with the District of Columbia to legalize cannabis for adults. Murphy, Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin all agree on legalization broadly, but negotiations have dragged into the governor's second year.

2019 State of Education report now online
PSBA Website February 19, 2019
The 2019 State of Education report is now available on PSBA.org in PDF format. The report is a barometer of not only the key indicators of public school performance, but also the challenges schools face and how they are coping with them. Data reported comes from publicly available sources and from a survey to chief school administrators, which had a 66% response rate. Print copies of the report will be mailed to members soon.

The Game Plan: A Regional Strategy for Strengthening Pennsylvania's Workforce  Wed. Feb. 27th 8:30 am Bala Cynwyd
by Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) Wed, February 27, 2019 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM EST IHeartMedia, Inc, 111 Presidential Boulevard #100 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Do businesses leaders think they have the skilled workforce they need to keep Southeast PA growing? Is the Commonwealth providing students with a quality of education that will prepare them to meet the business needs of tomorrow?
Join our panel of experts, including Todd Carmichael, CEO of La Colombe; Mike Diaz, CEO of Semper Utilities; Philip Jaurigue, Chairman & CEO, Sabre Systems, Inc; Lin Thomas, Chairman and CEO, Supra Office Solutions, Inc.; Rachel M. Wilner, Senior VP and Regional VP, TD Bank and Tomea Sippio-Smith, Education Policy Director of PCCY. The event will coincide with the release of PCCY’s much anticipated report: A New Game Plan: A Regional Strategy for Strengthening Pennsylvania's Workforce.

Join PA Schools Work For a Webinar at Noon on Feb. 26!
Do you know how the Governor's proposed budget will impact your school? Do you know how you can effectively advocate for as much funding as possible? Grab a sandwich and join PA Schools Work on February 26 at noon as we unpack the Governor's budget and learn how to be an effective advocate for our schools and students.
What You Need to Know to be an Effective Advocate
During this hour, PA Schools Work's seasoned experts will walk you through the Governor's proposed budget allocation for education and what it means to you and your school. During this hour, we will also hone in on the tools and tips you need to ensure that you are making the biggest impact with your advocacy efforts. Join us to make sure you are equipped with all you need to know. Knowledge is power!

PSBA Members - Register for Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg Monday April 29, 2019
All PSBA-members are invited to attend Advocacy Day on Monday, April 29, 2019 at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. In addition, this year PSBA will be partnering with the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) and Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) to strengthen our advocacy impact. The focus for the day will be meetings with legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. There is no cost to attend, and PSBA will assist in scheduling appointments with legislators once your registration is received. The day will begin with a continental breakfast and issue briefings prior to the legislator visits. Registrants will receive talking points, materials and leave-behinds to use with their meetings. PSBA staff will be stationed at a table in the main Rotunda during the day to answer questions and provide assistance. The day’s agenda and other details will be available soon. If you have questions about Advocacy Day, legislative appointments or need additional information, contact Jamie.Zuvich@psba.org  Register for PSBA Advocacy Day now at http://www.mypsba.org/
PSBA members can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you need assistance logging in and registering contact Alysha Newingham, Member Data System Administrator at alysha.newingham@psba.org or call her at (717) 506-2450, ext. 3420

Board Presidents’ Panel
Learn, discuss, and practice problem solving with school leader peers facing similar or applicable challenges. Workshop-style discussions will be facilitated and guided by PSBA experts. With the enormous challenges facing schools today, effective and knowledgeable board leadership is essential to your productivity and performance as a team of ten.
Locations & Dates
Due to inclement weather, some dates have been rescheduled. The updated schedule is below.
Feb. 28, 2019 — St. Marys Area High School (Section 2)(Rescheduled from Jan. 31)
Mar. 28, 2019 — Crawford Cty CTC (Section 1)(Rescheduled from Jan. 30)

PSBA Sectional Meetings - Ten convenient locations in February and March
School safety and security is a complex, multi-perspective topic impacting school entities in dramatic ways. This complimentary PSBA member meeting featured in ten locations will offer essential updates and information on Safe2Say reporting, suicide awareness related to student safety, school climate, and emergency preparedness planning. Representatives from the Attorney General’s office, PEMA, and a top expert in behavioral health will be presenting. Updates on legislation impacting your schools will be presented by PSBA staff. Connect with the experts, have your questions answered, and network with other members.
Locations and Dates
·         Feb. 21, 2019 — St. Marys Area High School, St. Marys, PA Cancelled due to weather
Section Meetings are 6-8 p.m. (across all locations).
Register online by logging in to myPSBA.

Open Board Positions for 2019 PA Principals Association Election
Thursday, January 10, 2019 9:05 AM
Margaret S. (Peg) Foster, principal, academic affairs, in the Crestwood School District, has been appointed by President Michael Allison to serve as the chairperson of the 2019 PA Principals Association Nominations Committee to oversee the 2019 election. Her committee consists of the following members: Curtis Dimmick, principal in the Northampton Area School District; Jacqueline Clark-Havrilla, principal in the Spring-Ford School District; and Joseph Hanni, vice principal in the Scranton School District.   If you are interested in running for one of the open board positions (shown below) in the 2019 election, please contact Stephanie Kinner at kinner@paprincipals.org or (717) 732-4999 for an application. Applications must be received in the state office by Friday, February 22, 2019.

Pennsylvania schools work – for students, communities and the economy when adequate resources are available to give all students an equal opportunity to succeed.
Join A Movement that Supports our Schools & Communities
PA Schools Work website
Our students are in classrooms that are underfunded and overcrowded. Teachers are paying out of pocket and picking up the slack. And public education is suffering. Each child in Pennsylvania has a right to an excellent public education. Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to a full curriculum, art and music classes, technical opportunities and a safe, clean, stable environment. All children must be provided a level chance to succeed. PA Schools Work is fighting for equitable, adequate funding necessary to support educational excellence. Investing in public education excellence is the path to thriving communities, a stable economy and successful students.
http://paschoolswork.org/

Indiana Area School District Safety & Security Symposium March 15, 2019
Indiana Area School District Website
Background: It’s 2019, and school safety has catapulted as one of the top priorities for school districts around the country. With an eye toward providing educators with various resources and opportunities specific to Pennsylvania, the Indiana Area School District -- in collaboration with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA Representative Jim Struzzi, and as well as Indiana County Tourist Bureau-- is hosting a FREE safety and security symposium on March 15, 2019. This safety and security exchange will provide information that benefits all stakeholders in your education community: administrators, board members, and staff members alike. Presenters offer valuable resources to help prepare your organization to continue the discussion on safety and security in our schools.  Pre-registration is required, and you will be invited to choose the breakout sessions that you feel will have the most impact in your professional learning on these various topics, as well as overall impact on your District’s systems of operations. Please take time to review the various course breakout sessions and their descriptions.  Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn.
How to Register: Participants attending the Safety Symposium on March 15, 2019, will have the option to select a maximum of 4 breakout sessions to attend on this day.  Prior to the breakout sessions, attendees will hear opening remarks from former Secretary of Education - Dr. Gerald Zahorchak.  We want to empower the attendees to exercise their voice and choice in planning their day!  Please review the various break out session descriptions by clicking on the "Session Descriptions" on the right-hand side of this page.  On that page, you will be able to review the sessions offered that day and register for the symposium.  
https://www.iasd.cc/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1491839&type=d&pREC_ID=1637670

Annual PenSPRA Symposium set for March 28-29, 2019
Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association Website
Once again, PenSPRA will hold its annual symposium with nationally-recognized speakers on hot topics for school communicators. The symposium, held at the Conference Center at Shippensburg University, promises to provide time for collegial sharing and networking opportunities. Mark you calendars now!
We hope you can join us. Plans are underway, so check back for more information.
http://www.penspra.org/

2019 NSBA Annual Conference Philadelphia March 30 - April 1, 2019
Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
Registration Questions or Assistance: 1-800-950-6722
The NSBA Annual Conference & Exposition is the one national event that brings together education leaders at a time when domestic policies and global trends are combining to shape the future of the students. Join us in Philadelphia for a robust offering of over 250 educational programs, including three inspirational general sessions that will give you new ideas and tools to help drive your district forward.
https://www.nsba.org/conference

Save the Date:  PARSS Annual Conference May 1-3, 2019
Wyndham Garden Hotel, Mountainview Country Club
Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools
https://www.parss.org/Annual_Conference


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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