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Wednesday, February 27, 2019

PA Ed Policy Roundup Feb. 27: Pa. charter appeals board overturns Pittsburgh Public Schools, approves new charter school


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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Pa. charter appeals board overturns Pittsburgh Public Schools, approves new charter school


Report finds $23 billion racial funding gap for schools
Washington Post By Laura Meckler February 26 at 12:01 AM
Overwhelmingly white school districts received $23 billion more than predominantly nonwhite school districts in state and local funding in 2016, despite serving roughly the same number of children, a new report finds. The funding gap is largely the result of the reliance on property taxes as a primary source of funding for schools. Communities in overwhelmingly white areas tend to be wealthier, and school districts’ ability to raise money depends on the value of local property and the ability of residents to pay higher taxes. And while state budgets gave heavily nonwhite districts slightly more money per student than they gave overwhelmingly white districts, in many states it was not enough to erase the local gaps. “States have largely failed to keep up with the growing wealth disparities across their communities,” concludes the report released Tuesday by EdBuild, a New Jersey-based research and advocacy group that focuses on school funding. The gap reflects a long-standing view that local schools should be both controlled and funded locally.
The funding disparities that result have been challenged in many states, frequently in court. Many states have worked to make formulas more equitable, with varying success. “While we have made some progress on the issue of economic inequality in our schools, we still have a terribly inequitable system,” the report said

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by ELIZABETH BEHRMAN Lbehrman@post-gazette.com FEB 26, 2019 5:30 PM
The Pennsylvania Charter Appeals Board voted Tuesday to overturn a decision of the Pittsburgh school board and approve a new charter school in the city. Catalyst Academy, a proposed kindergarten through eighth grade charter school, won its appeal to the state by a 3-2 vote, after the board of Pittsburgh Public Schools denied the school’s charter application in a unanimous vote in February 2018. In a news release, leaders for Catalyst Academy argued that it had the strongest charter application of any considered in recent years by the city school board. “We developed a detailed, innovative school plan that has now been recognized by both Pittsburgh school district experts and the (Pennsylvania) Charter Appeals Board as having met the rigorous criteria,” said Brian Smith, Catalyst’s founder and CEO, in a statement. “We are excited that today’s decision enables us to put our plan into action and provide a high-quality school that prepares our future students for college, career and life.”Ira Weiss, school district solicitor, said his office will review the appeal board’s decision and likely recommend to the school board that members authorize an appeal to Commonwealth Court.  “We believe there were compelling reasons to deny this charter and we’re disappointed with the CAB decision,” Mr. Weiss said. 

“The case marks the latest example of the clash between traditional public school districts and charter schools, with financially struggling districts across Western Pennsylvania risking losing thousands of dollars per student in their boundaries who enroll in a charter school. Charter schools are not supposed to be denied based on the financial impact to a particular district. State law does not place a cap on the number of charter schools. “Obviously there needs to be rigorous review of applications, and not anyone should just be opening a school, but the process can be so onerous such that the state’s charter school law is rendered moot,” Smith said. “We believe there needs to be an objective process.” Legislative attempts at designating university or statewide charter school authorizers have repeatedly fizzled in Harrisburg in recent years amid pleas from school boards to retain local control.”
Proposed charter school in East Liberty wins appeal fight against Pittsburgh Public Schools
Trib Live by NATASHA LINDSTROM   | Tuesday, February 26, 2019 11:47 p.m
The Pittsburgh Public Schools board should not have nixed a proposed charter school in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood, a state oversight board ruled Tuesday. On a split vote, the Pennsylvania Charter School Appeal Board determined that the application for the planned Catalyst Academy Charter School fully meets the requirements of the state’s charter school law and granted its right to open — overturning the local school board’s denial last year, Catalyst Academy founder and CEO Brian Smith said. The Pittsburgh Public Schools board has 10 days to either grant the charter application as ordered or appeal the decision to Commonwealth Court. Board members did not return requests for comment late Tuesday on their next steps. At least two state lawmakers who represent East End communities took issue with the state board’s decision, state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, and state Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Lincoln-Lemington. “Simply put, the (Charter School Appeal Board) should not be overruling our local school boards in this manner,” Williams said in a statement. Rep. Gainey described the ruling as making for “a very disappointing day.” But with Tuesday’s vote, Smith said that he his team are excited to “put our plan into action and provide a high-quality school that prepares our future students for college, career and life” into what he described as “underserved neighborhoods of the East End.”

Senator Lindsey Williams and Representative Ed Gainey Respond to Charter Appeal Board Decision
Senator Williams website February 26, 2019
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 26, 2019 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams and Representative Ed Gainey expressed disappointment that the Corbet-appointed Charter Appeal Board overruled the Pittsburgh Public School Board’s unanimous decision to deny a charter to Catalyst Academy today. “While I am thankful that Secretary Rivera made a motion to uphold Pittsburgh Public School Board’s unanimous decision to deny Catalyst Academy’s charter, I cannot understand how the majority of the CAB was able to ignore the mountains of evidence considered by the local school board when issuing their denial,” said Senator Williams. “Simply put, the CAB should not be overruling our local school boards in this manner.”  “I am in support of local School Boards to have the right to determine what is best for our school district,” said Representative Gainey. “It is very disappointing to see on appeal that the Catalyst Charter School was given approval to operate a Charter School. Our elected school Board district knows what is best for our school district. Today is a very disappointing day.” The Pittsburgh Public School Board cited a lack of curriculum for students with disabilities and an extreme proposed discipline policy, as well as a significant duplication of services in its denial of Catalyst Academy’s application.

Commentary: Philly school board should reject new charter applications
Evaluation reports by the District’s Charter Schools Office on all three applicants cite numerous concerns.
The notebook Commentary by Deborah Grill February 26 — 3:09 pm, 2019
The Philadelphia Board of Education will vote Thursday on whether to approve applications for three new charter schools: People for People’s Frederick Douglass Charter High School, String Theory’s Joan Myers Brown Academy, and American Paradigm’s Tacony Academy Charter at St. Vincent’s. The District cannot afford any more charter schools. Payments to charters represent the single biggest line item in the District’s budget — nearly one-third of its annual spending. According to these new charter schools’ proposed budgets, they would cost an additional $119 million just for the first five-year term. That does not take into account the stranded costs that the District would incur. A recent report by Research for Action found that over five years, projected charter expansion from a minimum of 0.5 percent to a possible 4 percent could cost the District between $22 million and more than $154 million. To balance this financially, the District would have to close 22 to 47 neighborhood schools and lay off up to 1,200 teachers and 500 administrators. A vote for more charters, then, is a vote to close neighborhood schools. This year’s applicants have attempted to make the case that their existing schools are models for replication, but the District’s data clearly show otherwise.

“Roberto Clemente was the Lehigh Valley’s first charter school when it opened in 2000 with the Hispanic American Organization as its sponsor. The nonprofit and charter school were intertwined at one point. Pearce previously ran both. That caught the attention of state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who issued a report in 2013 on the charter school. By law, charter schools are allowed to receive lease reimbursements from the state if they do not own their building. Roberto Clemente was receiving lease reimbursements, but DePasquale said it was improper for them to do so because Pearce was leading both agencies.”
Allentown’s Roberto Clemente Charter School withholds rent, sues landlord over building conditions
Jacqueline Palochko Contact Reporter Of The Morning Call February 26, 2019
Roberto Clemente Charter School is suing its landlord and founding agency for what the charter school alleges are poor conditions at its school buildings, including leaky roofs, sidewalks that are not handicapped-accessible and obsolete lights. The Allentown charter school filed a lawsuit last week against the Hispanic American Organization, which owns its elementary school at 501-509 W. Cedar St., and its high school at 136 Fourth St. The charter school pays $52,124 a month in rent for the two buildings, but the lawsuit says it has withheld its February rent payment to pay for the repairs. Among the elementary school problems identified in the lawsuit: 14 roof leaks, leaking windows, water needing to be diverted away from the emergency exit at the library, steps needing repairs at the student entrance and a parking lot fence needing to be repaired.

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 Majority Caucus Secretary .@SenRichAlloway’s districts had to send over $10.7 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


Bermudian Springs SD
$388,511.25
Chambersburg Area SD
$2,783,602.00
Conewago Valley SD
$843,843.84
Fairfield Area SD
$470,054.89
Gettysburg Area SD
$1,075,635.55
Hanover Public SD
$1,043,511.00
Littlestown Area SD
$820,456.40
Shippensburg Area SD
$1,089,022.28
South Western SD
$736,219.02
Upper Adams SD
$391,289.64
Waynesboro Area SD
$1,141,640.83

$10,783,786.70


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


Has your state representative cosponsored HB526?

West Chester Area School District seeks to intervene in Sunoco pipeline complaint
Delco Times MediaNews Group Feb 26, 2019
WEST CHESTER — The West Chester Area School District is taking another step regarding the ongoing concerns over safety protocols surrounding Sunoco's Mariner 2 East Pipeline. At Monday's school board meeting, the board of directors approved a resolution authorizing the district's solicitor to intervene in a complaint filed against Sunoco before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Nov. 19, 2018, by Meghan Flynn. The suit essentially requests an order directing Sunoco to cease all pipeline installation. Three other school districts - Downingtown Area, Rose Tree Media, Twin Valley - and three municipalities - East Goshen, Uwchlan, West Whiteland and Middletown - have also intervened in the Flynn litigation. Delaware County has authorized its solicitor also to file motions to intervene in the case.  Not all of the interveners in the suit are focusing on the complete shutdown of the pipeline, but rather the implementation of more safety measures. The claim by pipeline foes that Sunoco has not yet adequately addressed safety and response plans in the event of an incident along the pipeline is a primary area of concern for the West Chester Area School District. "The board has concerns about safety precautions which have not been addressed by the developer of the Mariner II East Pipeline," said West Chester Area School District Board President Chris McCune. "For three years, our administration has written letters communicating our concerns. It's now time to escalate our engagement.

Pottstown's goal: A computer for every student
POTTSTOWN — Every Pottstown School District student will have a mobile computer to use within the next two years under a plan endorsed by the school board. By using less-expensive Google Chromebook computers, instead of more expensive PCs; as well as savings earned through a state electronics rebate process, the One-to-One initiative can be implemented in a budget-neutral way, said Gail Kennedy. Kennedy is the director of the office of technology services for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and has been helping the district with technology issues while it is without a technology administrator. During the Feb. 21 school board meeting, she said the district's computers and other technical equipment are aging and has outlined a plan to make the best of what is still usable, and how to replace it at a lower cost. As she reported to the finance and facilities committee on Feb. 7, the proposed plan calls for reallocating department budget funds for new Chromebook devices beginning at the high school level and re-purpose any good devices first to the middle school and then to elementary level. A new PC laptop for a student, with licensing, costs $1,122, while a Chromebook with licensing costs just $343, Kennedy said. Similarly, a PC laptop with licensing for a teacher costs $1,727, whereas a similarly licensed Chromebook is just $453.

Reaction mixed on arming officers at Pennridge High School
Bucks County Courier Times By Chris English Posted Feb 26, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Most who spoke at Monday night’s school board meeting opposed the idea, but some supported it. Reaction to a proposal to place two armed school police officers at Pennridge High School dominated Monday night’s school board meeting. More than a dozen people, including students, parents, a teacher and residents, spoke on the topic during two public comment sessions. Most who spoke opposed the idea, but some supported it. The district has three full-time and two part-time security guards, all assigned to the high school and none of whom carry guns. District administrators have recommended turning two of the full-time positions into school police officers, who would be armed. One of the school police officers would also have the title of security director and would be in charge of the security staff, Superintendent David Bolton said. The recommendation also includes adding another part-time unarmed security guard. The moves would cost an additional $83,000. Many at Monday’s meeting urged district officials to reconsider and study other alternatives for further improving security.

Rep. Frank Ryan: What is wrong with a property tax?
Pottstown Mercury Opinion By Rep. Frank Ryan Guest columnist February 26, 2019
Frank Ryan, CPA, USMCR (Ret) represents the 101st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
The right to personal property sets the United States apart from other nations. Outside the United States, the rights to property have long been subject to the realm of kings and queens — a feudal society of sorts. There is a tremendous anger surfacing due to the relentless loss of property and our government’s explosive spending binge. Ravenous government spending mortgages ourselves, our children, and our property to an unrelenting assault by a government which is out of control. The major negatives with property taxes relates to these very issues:
• Property taxes are fixed expense with no regard to the person’s ability to pay.
• One’s property serves as collateral for potential unlimited government spending.
• Taxes on property value reduce the incentive to maintain property
• The regressive nature of the property tax makes home ownership that much more elusive for much of the population.
Taxes on property have been debated incessantly for decades. What started out as an “innocent” means of raising taxes has blossomed into a perceived unlimited source of funds by which government can make promises of future benefits to a select few to the detriment of the remainder of us. Property owners have the choice of either paying the taxes dictated for them by politicians or risk losing their property through foreclosure and tax sale.


“BACKPACK FULL OF CASH” DOCUMENTARY You Are Invited to A Free Screening presented by BASD Proud Parents and the Bethlehem Area School District MARCH 21, 6:30pm – 8:00pm  NITSCHMANN MIDDLE SCHOOL Discussion to Follow
“BACKPACK FULL OF CASH” DOCUMENTARY – Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor, Matt Damon, BACKPACK explores the real cost of privatizing America’s public schools. Before the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the appointment of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, filmmakers Sarah Mondale and Vera Aronow couldn’t have known that the new administration would dramatically shift the national debate about education to the very issues at the heart of their film: charter schools, vouchers and privatization. Now, this timely new documentary takes viewers into the world of market-based education “reform”.
BACKPACK FULL OF CASH follows the tumultuous 2013-14 school year in Philadelphia and other cities where public education – starved of resources and undermined by privatization – is at risk. The documentary also showcases a model for improving schools – a well-resourced public school system in Union City, New Jersey, where poor kids are getting a high-quality education without charters or vouchers. BACKPACK FULL OF CASH makes the case for public education as a basic civil right. The film features genuine heroes like the principals, teachers, activists, parents and most hearteningly, students who are fighting for their education. Former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch, writer David Kirp and policy expert Linda Darling Hammond are among the national thought leaders who provide analysis in the film.

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.

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
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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