Wednesday, September 23, 2020

PA Ed Policy Roundup for September 23, 2020 ‘Unfathomable’: U.S. death toll from coronavirus hits 200,000

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, 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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If any of your colleagues would like to be added to the email list please have them send their name, title and affiliation to KeystoneStateEdCoalition@gmail.com

 

Keystone State Education Coalition

PA Ed Policy Roundup for September 23, 2020

‘Unfathomable’: U.S. death toll from coronavirus hits 200,000

 

Why are cyber charter tuition rates the same as brick and mortar tuition?

Taxpayers in House Ed Committee Member Jason Ortitay’s school districts paid over $3.8 million in 2018-2019 cyber charter tuition. Statewide, PA taxpayers paid over $600 million for cyber charter tuition in 2018-2019.

 

Burgettstown Area SD

$672,658.72

Canon-McMillan SD

$639,483.73

Chartiers Valley SD

$546,152.59

Fort Cherry SD

$390,392.13

South Fayette Township SD

$314,888.17

Trinity Area SD

$857,742.04

West Allegheny SD

$436,627.98

 

$3,857,945.36

Source: PDE via PSBA

 

Judge declines to stay ruling on Pennsylvania crowd size

Inquirer by Associated Press, Updated: September 22, 2020- 3:46 PM

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A federal judge on Tuesday declined to stay his own ruling that Gov. Tom Wolf’s size limits on gatherings are unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV said the administration had failed to show “imminent and irreparable harm will occur” if the state can’t limit event crowds to 25 people inside and 250 people outside. State officials had asked Stickman, an appointee of President Donald Trump, to delay enforcement of his ruling while they appeal. Stickman’s ruling invalidated key parts of the Wolf administration’s early pandemic response, including his orders requiring people to stay at home and shuttering thousands of businesses deemed “non-life-sustaining.” Wolf, a Democrat, has since eased many of the restrictions, but Stickman also ruled against the state’s current size limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, saying they violate citizens' constitutional right to assemble. Stickman’s Sept. 14 ruling has already prompted some Pennsylvania school districts to greatly expand attendance at high school football games.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-crowd-size-ruling-tom-wolf-20200922.html

 

Federal judge denies Gov. Tom Wolf’s request for stay on pandemic restrictions ruling

Penn Live By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com Updated Sep 22, 2020; Posted Sep 22, 2020

A federal judge on Tuesday denied Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration’s request for a stay on a federal court decision that found some of the governor’s COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to be unconstitutional. The Wolf Administration sought the stay while appealing U.S. Western District Judge William Stickman IV’s order that was issued last week that ruled the governor’s closure of nonessential business, a stay-at-home order and an order to limit gathering sizes were unconstitutional. In denying the stay, Stickman said, “the public interest would be ill served if the court would grant the stay allowing the unconstitutional measures to remain in place.”

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/federal-judge-denies-gov-tom-wolfs-request-for-stay-on-pandemic-restrictions-ruling.html

 

Wolf vetoes sports spectator bill, could face override

Bucks County Courier Times by Tom Reisenweber treisenweber@timesnews.com Updated September 22, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday afternoon that he had vetoed House Bill 2787, which would allow schools to determine their own spectator policy for high school sports. HB 2787 was introduced by the house on Sept. 2 and passed by a 155-47 vote. It was sent to the Pennsylvania senate a few days later for debate and passed 39-11 on Sept. 9. The bill was sent to Wolf, who had 10 days to sign or veto the bill, and Monday was the 10th day since the bill hit his desk. Wolf’s veto means that the house and the senate can vote to override the veto and make the bill a law, but both the house and senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for the override. Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) said in news release Monday afternoon that the house will vote to override the veto.

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/21/wolf-says-he-will-veto-spectator-bill-monday/5855100002/

 

Empty veto

THE EDITORIAL BOARD Pittsburgh Post-Gazette SEP 23, 2020 5:27 AM

What’s in a veto? Sometimes, it’s nothing other than a principled stand, as on Monday when Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a state House bill that would have allowed individual schools to decide how many spectators could attend sports games this fall. Because the bill passed both the House and Senate with a two-thirds majority, the veto is likely a temporary block only. If it passes with such a strong majority a second time, it’ll become law, and legislators are champing at the bit to hold an override vote quickly. Mr. Wolf is continuing to insist that the 250-person cap on outdoor gatherings provides a measure of safety against catching COVID-19, even after a federal judge ruled that such broad limitations are unconstitutional, no matter how well intentioned. (The governor is appealing that decision.) No one is arguing that congregating doesn’t increase people’s chances of catching the virus — this is obvious — but the double standard between sporting events and, say, continued protests is infuriating.

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/23/Empty-veto/stories/202009220052

 

State legislators mull override vote on Wolf’s veto on fan bill

GoErie By Tom Reisenweber @etnreisenweber Posted Sep 22, 2020 at 5:51 PM

Pa. house of representatives calls special session for Wednesday; federal judge refuses to stay his own ruling

Each time Ryan Bizzarro receives a phone call or email at his offices in Erie or Harrisburg, he has a pretty good idea what the topic will be. The state representative’s offices have been flooded with questions and comments about House Bill 2787, which allows school districts to decide on their own spectator policy for high school sports instead of the limits of 25 people indoors and 250 outdoors set by Gov. Tom Wolf in a mitigation order. The calls and emails might stop this week as the Pennsylvania house of representatives has been called into session on Wednesday at 1 p.m. for an emergency vote. It is unclear what the vote will be on, but it is likely the vote will be to decide whether to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of HB 2787. The house was set to meet next week, but the session was called Tuesday after a federal judge declined to stay his own ruling that Wolf’s size limits on gatherings are unconstitutional.

https://www.goerie.com/sports/20200922/state-legislators-mull-override-vote-on-wolfrsquos-veto-on-fan-bill

 

More Pa. school districts opt to exceed state limits on gatherings for sports events

York Dispatch by STEVE HEISER 717-505-5446/@ydsports September 22, 2020

The number of Pennsylvania school districts willing to exceed the state’s limits on outdoor and indoor gatherings is growing. Monday night, LNP reported that the Eastern Lancaster County School District unanimously voted to increase its spectator limits at extracurricular events to 33% capacity, which translates roughly to 148 people indoors and 990 people outdoors. The New Castle News, meanwhile, is reporting that Ellwood City School District will allow up to 1,000 people to its homecoming football game on Friday against Beaver Falls. Ellwood City is located in Lawrence County in western Pennsylvania. Additionally, the (Greensburg) Tribune-Review is reporting that Hempfield school leaders are permitting between 175 and 200 people at girls' volleyball events and between 1,000 and 1,100 at football events. Hempfield is located in Westmoreland County.

https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/22/more-pa-school-districts-opt-exceed-state-limits-gatherings/5864136002/

 

More than 100 protest after Central board sinks race curriculum

York Dispatch by Lindsay C VanAsdalan York Dispatch September 22, 2020

A group of more than 100 people protested outside the Central York School District administration building Monday following the school board's failure to approve a social studies curriculum dealing with diversity and racism. The board last month tabled a decision on a pilot curriculum after two members took issue with a resource list provided by the district's diversity committee and its depictions of race relations, white privilege and police. Superintendent Michael Snell had clarified that this list was not part of the curriculum itself. The curriculum was completed before the diversity committee compiled its list of other reading materials. Monday's protest occurred before the board's September meeting. Ben Hodge — a Central high school theater teacher who helped organize the gathering of teachers, staff, students, alumni and residents — said the community loves, respects and values the district. "It is because of this love that we feel we have the right and the duty to criticize and question our leadership on the issues of diversity," he said.

https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/09/21/more-than-100-rally-against-central-york-school-board-diversity/5857050002/

 

Carlisle School District shuts down in-person classes and sports for a week over positive COVID tests

Penn Live By Edward Sutelan | esutelan@pennlive.com Updated Sep 23, 2020; Posted Sep 22, 2020

Carlisle School District will be shutting down in-person learning and all extra-curricular activities for the week. According to a press release, obtained by Jake Adams of the Carlisle Sentinel and confirmed by Carlisle athletic director George Null, the school had three positive tests and two more presumed positive cases of the coronavirus within the school. The Thundering Herd had several athletic events planned for the week, including its season-opener for football against Exeter Township. “Our school is going to be shut down from Wednesday through Sunday and everything will be postponed extra-curricular-wise,” Null told PennLive.

https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/09/carlisle-announces-positive-covid-tests-in-school-district-in-person-learning-athletics-shut-down-for-week.html

 

COVID-19 case closes Gov. Mifflin HS for rest of week

Classes to be held online; athletics suspended

WFMZ 69 News Sep 22, 2020 Updated 12 hrs ago

SHILLINGTON, Pa. - A positive case of COVID-19 is impacting the academic schedule at another one of Berks County's 18 school districts. Governor Mifflin High School will be off limits to all students and staff for the rest of the week due to a case of the coronavirus. Officials said they were made aware of the positive test late Tuesday afternoon. As a precaution, they said the high school will be closed for a deep cleaning. In the meantime, all classes will be held online, and all athletic practices and competitions and extracurricular activities will be suspended. As of now, the plan is to reopen the high school next Monday, Sept. 28, officials said.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/covid-19-case-closes-gov-mifflin-hs-for-rest-of-week/article_78b5c76e-fd1b-11ea-9dc0-5787605260e0.html

 

Third Conrad Weiser elementary school staff member tests positive for coronavirus

Reading Eagle By David Mekeel dmekeel@readingeagle.com @dmekeel on Twitter September 22, 2020

A third staff member at Conrad Weiser East Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19, district officials said Tuesday. District officials did not identify the employee, but said the employee had been working in close contact with the previous staff members to test positive and had already been self-quarantining. It was announced last week that East Elementary would be closed this week due to the second positive test in less than two weeks. Students in the district have been learning virtually since the start of the school year Sept. 8. While the district has been fully virtual, some staff and students have been using school buildings. The school board voted last week to have students at the district's two elementary schools return to in-person classes Monday. Earlier that day district officials announced the first positive COVID-19 test of an East Elementary staff member. Conrad Weiser West Elementary moved forward with the plan have students return to in-person learning on Monday. East Elementary is now expected to welcome back students on Sept. 28.

https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/third-conrad-weiser-elementary-school-staff-member-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/article_8a2f60f8-fd08-11ea-b6b0-57d224202df6.html

 

Millcreek School District staff member tests positive for COVID-19

GoErie Posted Sep 22, 2020 at 6:33 PM

The staff member is following Erie County Department of Health guidelines and will isolate at home.

Millcreek Township School District officials announced on Tuesday that a district staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. Officials said the staff member is following Erie County Department of Health guidelines and will isolate at home for the appropriate number of days. Officials did not list the age, gender or occupation of the staff member who tested positive for the new coronavirus. All close contacts of the staff member determined through contract tracing are being notified and will follow quarantine guidelines, officials said. The district has mitigation efforts in place, including cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting any affected areas. The district will continue to follow CDC, state Health Department and state Education Department guidelines.

https://www.goerie.com/news/20200922/millcreek-school-district-staff-member-tests-positive-for-covid-19

 

Coughlin, Mackin schools closed after positive COVID test

Citizens Voice By JIM REESER CITY EDITOR Sep 22, 2020 Updated 18 hrs ago

The Wilkes-Barre Area School District closed Coughlin High School and Mackin on Tuesday after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, superintendent Brian Costello said. Students and teachers are working remotely Tuesday. All other schools in the district are open, according to a message on the districts website. Costello said the district has been in contact with the state department of health and will begin contract tracing. The district will conduct a deep clean of Coughlin and Mackin. There is no word at this time when in-person learning will resume at the schools.

https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/coughlin-mackin-schools-closed-after-positive-covid-test/article_88841665-f6a5-50e9-b820-206f66a7968a.html

 

No change in Neshaminy reopening plan despite second COVID-19 case

Chris English Bucks County Courier Times September 22, 2020

The Neshaminy School District is still scheduled to start limited in-person instruction Oct. 5 despite a second COVID-19 case in less than a week, district spokesman Chris Stanley said Tuesday. A staff member at Pearl S. Buck Elementary School in Middletown tested presumptive positive for the virus Monday after being involved in orientation sessions at the school last week, school Principal Brian Kern wrote in a letter emailed to school parents. This comes less than a week after a student at Maple Point Middle School, also in Middletown, tested positive late last week after attending an orientation.

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/22/covid-19-neshaminy-reopening-plan/5864730002/

 

Valley View, Carbondale to delay hybrid openings

Times Tribune BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL STAFF WRITER Sep 22, 2020 Updated 18 min ago

Students in two Lackawanna County school districts will wait at least a month longer to return to their classrooms. The Valley View and Carbondale Area school districts had considered reopening with a hybrid model in the next two weeks, but officials have decided to remain virtual through the end of the first grading period. That means Valley View students could go back Nov. 2, while Carbondale students will stay virtual until at least Nov. 10. Five Lackawanna County school districts — Abington Heights, Carbondale, Lakeland, Scranton and Valley View — opted to start the school year virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. The remaining districts opened with hybrid models, meaning most students learn in person two days a week and from home the other days. All districts also offer virtual-only options for families that feel unsafe with their children returning to school. Abington Heights will start hybrid instruction on Oct. 5, with students attending either Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday, Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., said. “We’re working very hard to make it safe,” he said.

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/valley-view-carbondale-to-delay-hybrid-openings/article_35115e1d-7ffa-5900-bb67-fdd1b9baf6e9.html

 

Bill freezing pay for Pa.’s legislators, judges, top executive branch officials heading to Gov. Wolf’s desk

Trib Live by PENNLIVE.COM | Tuesday, September 22, 2020 12:41 p.m.

Pennsylvania lawmakers this year likely will be spared the grief that often accompanies the annual automatic pay raise that state law authorizes them to receive. Legislation is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk that would not only freeze lawmakers’ salaries at their current level through 2021 but judges and top executive branch officials as well. Wolf has signaled that he will sign it into law, his spokeswoman Lyndsay Kensinger said. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Frank Ryan, R-Lebanon County, was offered in recognition of the economic hardships that the covid-19 has had on the commonwealth as well as its citizens and businesses, causing massive amounts of job losses and forcing some businesses and restaurants to close permanently. “When Pennsylvania residents are making sacrifices and struggling just to put food on their table, it is no time for public officials to be taking a raise,” Ryan has said. The bill passed the Senate on Monday by a 48-0 vote. It passed the House in May by a 202-0 vote.

https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/bill-freezing-pay-for-pa-s-legislators-judges-top-executive-branch-officials-heading-to-gov-wolfs-desk/

 

‘Unfathomable’: U.S. death toll from coronavirus hits 200,000

ASSOCIATED PRESS  | Tuesday, September 22, 2020 1:30 p.m.

The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus topped 200,000 Tuesday, a figure unimaginable eight months ago when the scourge first reached the world’s richest nation with its state-of-the-art laboratories, top-flight scientists and stockpiles of medicines and emergency supplies. “It is completely unfathomable that we’ve reached this point,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Johns Hopkins University public health researcher. The bleak milestone, by far the highest confirmed death toll from the virus in the world, was reported by Johns Hopkins, based on figures supplied by state health authorities. But the real toll is thought to be much higher, in part because many COVID-19 deaths were probably ascribed to other causes, especially early on, before widespread testing. The number of dead in the U.S. is equivalent to a 9/11 attack every day for 67 days. It is roughly equal to the population of Salt Lake City or Huntsville, Alabama. And it is still climbing. Deaths are running at close to 770 a day on average, and a widely cited model from the University of Washington predicts the U.S. toll will double to 400,000 by the end of the year as schools and colleges reopen and cold weather sets in. A vaccine is unlikely to become widely available until 2021.

https://triblive.com/news/world/unfathomable-u-s-death-toll-from-coronavirus-hits-200000/

 

For student teachers in Lehigh Valley schools, the coronavirus adds a hurdle to certification

By JACQUELINE PALOCHKO THE MORNING CALL |SEP 23, 2020 AT 5:22 AM

Every morning when they’re in school, Stephanie McKinnon’s kindergarten students at Marvine Elementary turn to the large screen at the front of the classroom and say in sing-song unison, “Good morning, Ms. Granitz.” To the 5- and 6-year-olds at the Bethlehem school, Granitz is the “teacher in the cloud,” as they’ve nicknamed her. Zooming in from her home in Moore Township, Granitz appears on a large overhead screen under which the students are sitting in their desks. From her perch, Granitz, a Moravian College student teacher studying early childhood education observes the way McKinnon teaches and manages the classroom. She leaves the big screen and turns up on the little screen of a child’s laptop to help students individually with lessons. She and other soon-to-be college graduates are doing what’s necessary to get their teaching certifications. “I don’t think any of us expected to be student teaching in a pandemic or working from home,” Granitz said. While educators navigate uncharted water such as making sure children wear masks while still learning their ABCs, college students like Granitz still need to fulfill the hands-on student-teaching requirement, which typically lasts 12 weeks. This year, it looks a much different than it has in the past. And how each district handles its student teachers varies.

https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-student-teaching-coronavirus-20200923-ayuukdy3afegdhbdk2noyblv5q-story.html

 

“Pennsylvania has enacted a “fair funding” formula for distributing state aid that takes into account a district’s needs relating to poverty, English language learners, and other factors. But it does not use the formula to distribute most of the money. And the amount of funds it contributes to education has not kept up with need. On average, states contribute about half of state aid to education; in Pennsylvania, the figure is closer to a third, which increases districts’ reliance on property wealth.”

Penn profs push university to pay PILOTS to help Philadelphia schools

Chalkbeat Philly By Dale Mezzacappa  Sep 22, 2020, 8:42pm EDT

With the Philadelphia School District facing a potential annual shortfall of $800 million in five years, some faculty members at the University of Pennsylvania are pushing their employer to pay up to $40 million to the city. The money, known as payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOTS, represents a portion of what Penn would owe in taxes if not for its nonprofit status. Other universities in the Ivy League pay them. “Penn is the largest private landowner in Philadelphia,” said Gerald Campano, a professor in the university’s graduate school of education. “It is one of the city’s largest employers. It is a wealthy nonprofit and it doesn’t pay property taxes, and property taxes are the main local source of money for the Philadelphia schools.” A longstanding campaign to force the city’s biggest nonprofits to make voluntary payments to the city has taken on new urgency this year as the school district faces a steep drop in revenue largely due to shrinking state and local tax collection caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2020/9/22/21451762/penn-profs-push-university-to-pay-to-help-philadelphia-schools

 

Philadelphia school board reverses itself and approves Hilco tax break

Inquirer by Kristen A. Graham and Andrew Maykuth, Updated: September 22, 2020- 10:31 AM

In a reversal of its earlier stand, the Philadelphia school board late Thursday voted to approve a tax break for the city’s largest development project, a former South Philadelphia refinery site that is to be rebuilt into a massive logistics hub. The board voted, 7-0 with one abstention, to approve a 10-year extension of the site’s Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) designation, a proposal backed by Mayor Jim Kenney. Hilco Redevelopment Partners, which bought the 1,300-acre property out of bankruptcy in June, has said the tax break is important to its project, which will require hundreds of millions of dollars for environmental cleanup before the property can be redeveloped. The school board in August rejected the proposal when three progressive board members, Ameen Akbar, Mallory Fix Lopez, and Angela McIver, voted no. They switched course Thursday, they said, after the city detailed more information about the money the district would see and the safeguards that would be put in place to make sure Hilco fulfilled its promises.

https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-school-board-reversal-approves-hilco-koz-tax-break-20200918.html

 

Internet trauma: Watching police brutality online may be triggering for some Philadelphia students

Chalkbeat Philly By Johann Calhoun  Sep 22, 2020, 2:19pm EDT

Something was wrong with Tonya Bah’s son.

Suddenly, Keiba Bah, 19, had become agitated, sensitive, and emotional, his mother noticed. These were unusual signs coming from a teenager known by many as upbeat. “He was overwhelmed and didn’t know how to unwind,” Bah said. “If you have ever spent time with my family everyone knows that my son never cries. He never cries.” She later attributed the change in her son’s attitude to his increased time on social media and seeing images of Black people beaten and killed by police. The disturbing videos of the police killings of George Floyd, Philando Castille, Eric Garner, and others are easily accessible online by young people like Bah’s son. The images, according to medical experts, can cause a form of post-traumatic stress disorder called internet trauma — and young Black students are even more at risk now that they are tethered to laptops for remote learning during the pandemic. Like thousands of students across the city, Keiba, a senior at the Widener Memorial School in Olney, was forced by the coronavirus pandemic to be inside for remote learning. His mother said that’s where he repeatedly saw images of violent interactions between police and people who looked like him.

https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2020/9/22/21451184/internet-trauma-watching-police-brutality-online-triggering-for-some-philadelphia-students

 

‘Invested in democracy’: Pa. high schools compete to register the most voters

WHYY By Maria Pulcinella September 22, 2020

Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day — and to mark the occasion, Pennsylvania officials are encouraging students to get involved in the electoral process early. The fourth annual Governor’s Civic Engagement Award (GCEA) Program, currently underway, aims to highlight student-led voter registration efforts. The nonpartisan program intends to teach young people civics and cultivate a lifelong habit of voting, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said in a press release. “By inspiring their peers to register, vote and serve as poll workers, they become invested in our democracy,” Boockvar said. A presidential election year, Boockvar added, presents an ideal teaching moment. Schools that register at least 85% of eligible students earn a Gold Level Award, while schools that register 65% or more earn a Silver Level Award. Boockvar urged educators to enroll their schools ahead of the general election. Schools may also participate as part of the May 2021 primary.

https://whyy.org/articles/invested-in-democracy-pa-high-schools-compete-to-register-the-most-voters/

 

Government Watchdog Finds Fault With Trump's School Reopening Push

Education Week By Evie Blad on September 22, 2020 3:55 PM

President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos talked out of both sides of their mouths on school reopening, a new government watchdog report finds. On the one hand, DeVos stressed that plans on how to reopen school buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic were "state and local decisions." On the other hand, Trump and DeVos suggested schools' federal funding may be at risk if they don't allow students to return for in-person learning. In addition, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how schools should minimize the spread of the virus has been unclear and, at times, contradictory, concluded the Government Accountability Office, an independent investigative agency that reports to Congress. And when the U.S. Department of Education summarized that guidance on its website, it left out details about wearing masks and social distancing, the report says.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/09/government-watchdog-trump-school-reopening-push.html

 

DeVos to Be Investigated for Potential Violation of Ethics Law

A watchdog filed a complaint over the Education Department distributing a Fox News clip of Secretary Betsy DeVos criticizing Joe Biden, potentially in violation of the Hatch Act.

New York Times By Hailey Fuchs Sept. 22, 2020

WASHINGTON — An independent government agency will investigate whether Education Secretary Betsy DeVos breached a law forbidding federal employees from engaging in political activities on the job after her department distributed a clip of Ms. DeVos criticizing the Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., through government channels. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which has jurisdiction to investigate violations of the law, known as the Hatch Act, will conduct the inquiry, according to the investigative watchdog blog that filed the complaint. The revelation is the latest in a string of Trump administration officials to face accusations of breaching the government ethics law. But the power to levy penalties on officials like Ms. DeVos falls to President Trump, and he has shown little inclination to mete out punishment or follow the office’s recommendations.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/us/politics/betsy-devos-hatch-act-investigation.html

 

 

PSBA Fall Virtual Advocacy Day: OCT 8, 2020 • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sign up now for PSBA’s Virtual Advocacy Day this fall!

All public school leaders are invited to join us for our fall Virtual Advocacy Day on Thursday, October 8, 2020, via Zoom. We need all of you to help strengthen our advocacy impact. The day will center around contacting legislators to discuss critical issues affecting public education. Registrants will receive the meeting invitation with a link to our fall Virtual Advocacy Day website that contains talking points, a link to locate contact information for your legislator and additional information to help you have a successful day.

Cost: As a membership benefit, there is no cost to register.

Registration: School directors can register online now by logging in to myPSBA. If you have questions about Virtual Advocacy Day, or need additional information, contact Jamie.Zuvich@psba.org.

https://www.psba.org/event/psba-fall-virtual-advocacy-day/

 

Save The Date: The PSBA 2020 Equity Summit is happening virtually on October 13th.

Discover how to build a foundation for equity in practice and policy.

Learn more: https://t.co/KQviB4TTOj

 

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference October 14-15 Virtual

Registration is now open for the first ever virtual School Leadership Conference! Join us for all-new educational sessions, dynamic speakers, exhibitors, and more! Visit the website for registration information: https://t.co/QfinpBL69u #PASLC20 https://t.co/JYeRhJLUmZ

 

What to expect at this year’s School Leadership Conference

POSTED ON AUGUST 31, 2020 IN PSBA NEWS

At the 2020 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference on October 14-15, you'll encounter the same high-quality experience you've come to expect, via new virtual platform. Hear world-class speakers and relevant educational sessions, and network with exhibitors and attendees — from the comfort of your home or office on any internet-enabled device.

The virtual conference platform is accessible via a unique link provided to each registrant about a week before conference. No additional app downloads are required. The intuitive 3D interface is easy to use and immersive — you'll feel like you're on location. Registrants will be able to explore the space a day before conference starts. Highlights include: 

  • Virtual exhibit hall 
  • Interactive lobby area and information desk 
  • Virtual auditorium 
  • Digital swag bag 
  • Scavenger hunt 

This year, conference is completely free to attend! Be among the first 125 to register, and receive a special pre-conference swag bag, sent to your home. Click here for more information about how to register.

https://www.psba.org/2020/08/what-to-expect-at-this-years-school-leadership-conference/

 

Adopt the resolution against racial inequity!

School boards are asked to adopt this resolution supporting the development of an anti-racist climate. Once adopted, share your resolution with your local community and submit a copy to PSBA. Learn more: http://ow.ly/yJWA50B2R72

 

Adopt the 2020 PSBA resolution for charter school funding reform

In this legislative session, PSBA has been leading the charge with the Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s Administration to push for positive charter reform. We’re now asking you to join the campaign: Adopt the resolution: We’re asking all school boards to adopt the 2020 resolution for charter school funding reform at your next board meeting and submit it to your legislators and to PSBA.

Resolution for charter funding reform (pdf)

Link to submit your adopted resolution to PSBA

 

296 PA school boards have adopted charter reform resolutions

Charter school funding reform continues to be a concern as over 290 school boards across the state have adopted a resolution calling for legislators to enact significant reforms to the Charter School Law to provide funding relief and ensure all schools are held to the same quality and ethics standards. Now more than ever, there is a growing momentum from school officials across the state to call for charter school funding reform. Legislators are hearing loud and clear that school districts need relief from the unfair funding system that results in school districts overpaying millions of dollars to charter schools.

The school boards from the following districts have adopted resolutions calling for charter funding reform. 

https://www.psba.org/2020/03/adopted-charter-reform-resolutions/

 

Know Your Facts on Funding and Charter Performance. Then Call for Charter Change!

PSBA Charter Change Website:

https://www.pacharterchange.org/

 

The Network for Public Education Action Conference has been rescheduled to April 24-25, 2021 at the Philadelphia Doubletree Hotel

 

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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