The Oley Valley School Board continues its voracious appetite to spend our tax dollars.
The latest adventure concerns lights for the $1,400,000 synthetic track.
The Property and Transportation Committee member Christopher M. Hannum put forth the idea to spend up to $225,000 for lighting. He says the impetus for the proposal will be the convenience to attend athletic events at night rather than during the day.
When the board was asked how they plan to pay for this wish-list item, Finance Committee member Ralph C. Richard inferred that tax dollars would not be used, but he refused to explain his comment. In other words, the board has no idea how they will pay for the lights.
The track started with almost the same promise of outside financing. A group would raise half the cost and the district would cover the rest. The initial advertised price started at $450,000, then ballooned to over $1,400,000. The result was the track supporters did not meet their commitment, so the taxpayers, as usual, paid for the bulk of the boondoggle.
As is the case with a liberal socialist school board, they are talking about constructing a stadium, as well. The price would be $250 per seat.
The track, the lights, and the stadium are not state mandated, nor do they have anything to do with education. As they did with the track, the board will tell the public that the decision on the lights is not final. Yet, already, they plan to spend thousands for bids.
The board complains the state does not send enough money to the district and therefore the state is responsible for the high property taxes.
The reality of the situation is that we have a school board who acts no better than the politicians in Harrisburg who gave themselves midnight pay increases, both waste money, one for financial gain, the other for an agenda.
The next school board meeting is Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM in the Administration Boardroom. The community has the opportunity to voice their opinion about the board’s spending plans.
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384 comments:
1 – 200 of 384 Newer› Newest»Why do you sign emails with the tag line "Fiscal and Educational accountability in the Oley Valley School District"
That is the scariest statment I see on this site. I would think that those whom are truly concerned would want to see the more important of the two concerns listed first.
"Educational and fiscal accountability..."
Your statement scares me the same as when I hear politicians state the support the troops, but not the war. Hello, thats not possible.
Therefore, I respectfully request you consider putting the educational needs first, since it is much more important.
okay, we'll list education first....as soon as the board does the same.
1:24 is correct. 12:55 should go to meetings and see what this board does as far as educating our children. It is at the bottom of the list.
Sorry but true!
Let's all just ignore 12:55. Maybe they will go away.
Lights, camera, action! Just in time to buy votes in the primaries with the taxpayers money.
...Let's all just ignore 12:55. Maybe they will go away...
Yeah, who needs people around that care about the education that the kids get. Just lower taxes. I don't care about the future???
...Lights, camera, action! Just in time to buy votes in the primaries with the taxpayers money...
Buy votes? As opposed to the competitor getting the votes?
These comments are humorous.
4:28 you are not funny!!! You are one of the people that want to spend, spend, spend. We want education to come first, you are the ones that spend all our money on feel good items first! Did you ever graduate? You do not have the knowledge of what is really important in this world. Our children are our future and we must educate them to become great leaders of our fine country. God Bless the children and the USA! We all need blessings BAD!!!!!
Yea 4:28 you should join the circus! You are one funny clown! Oh that is right you already belong to the circus, it is called the Oley Valley School Board.
You know you're near the circus when there's way too many clowns.
And as usual, not only has the School Board not identified the source of money for the track lights, but the electric bills have not been considered either. Taxpayers should consider investing in First Energy to get some money back.
Oh George, you make too much sense. The School Board and its supporters will never comprehend
responsible spending and added expenses of these facilities. Keep talking. Lots of us like your viewpoint.
Just a few corrections for Al’s asserted ‘facts’. As mentioned previously, the track does not cost $1,400,000: the track AND field cost that much. The initial cost of a track alone was about $450,000 and the track supporters did offer to try to raise approximately half of that. The cost of the final track is higher because of modifications that were thought necessary and because there was a significant escalation in cost of materials. The supporters did raise more than half of the original estimate. The field was added for reasons that have been publicly discussed and debated. An area that Al refuses to get straight is the board’s original commitment to pay AT LEAST half the cost. This was never amended by the board as Al has repeatedly charged.
Mr. Richard did decline to answer the question as to how the lights would be financed, at this particular time, and for a reason that is unknown to Mr Jacobs. I remember Mr Richard also saying, or implying, that the reason would be forthcoming in the near future. He also did not “infer” anything-Al is the “great inferer”, and usually from insufficient information. Mr. Richard did state that it would not come from tax money. The board DOES know how they will pay for the lights IF the decision is made to procure them. This decision has not yet been made. The comments about a stadium were in reference to another schools’ costs and in answer to a comment or question about seating. There has been no discussion intending or planning for a stadium.
I am still curious as to what Al implies by referring to the boards’ “agenda”, as opposed to the stated one of the best interest of the students and district. He has previously referred to our “slush fund” which exists only in his own mind, so perhaps the agenda is sneaking around up there too.
Al was correct in one assertion, that none of this is state mandated. The state does not mandate everything that is needed for education. As to what is needed, including new books, computers, athletic facilities, etc, there are often differences of opinion. Because someone disagrees with his or your opinion does not make him/her evil.(If they disagree with my opinion it might be a different matter.)
As for "George", the subject of the cost of the lights did come up at the meeting and was stated as being less than $10 an hour, possibly $5-$7.
Dear RC:
How dare you try to debate a topic, using FACTS on this blog. This blog is here for gossip and opinion, to run wild.
We do not have time for all the facts to be presented in a timely manner and at the approriate time. We need to speculate NOW! That is a tradition. We enjoy jumping to conclusions based on AL.
So, then, do the two of you share one computer? (and one mind) Or do you have a blue one for yourself, and a cute little pink one for the Mrs.?
...So, then, do the two of you share one computer? (and one mind) Or do you have a blue one for yourself, and a cute little pink one for the Mrs.?...
I love stupid people. Primarily because the make stupid comments.
If the football issue is dead, how come "WE" are considering lights and a stadium????
Another interesting item has comt to my attention. An interesting article in the "New York Times" which was posted on their internet site.
Seems that the school issued laptop program is not going well, and there is a trend in which districts are going away from the program.
Oley, being on the cutting edge of technology, is just about to embark on the laptop program.
Obviously the "powers that be" have not done their homework or choose to ignore the study and statistics.
Lets kick this around a little.
By the way, the overworked legislature is out of session for the next week due to the election, and will re-convene on the 22nd.
Still nothing on the agenda concerning tax reform.
To finish my comments--I find it interesting that the oponents of Act I call it a tax shift. Any legislation to change the method of funding is a shift. Increasing the sales tax to fund the schools is a tax shift.
The "Legislature" does not print money. It all comes from the taxpayers.
11:03 and 11:25 are the same person, or do we have two Dr. Robert Cappa's running wild? Dr. Cappa you are making a fool of yourself again. The people on this board including you are the ones making up things as you go along.
The board has spent way to much money on non-educational items. You continue to make a fool of yourself by saying Al is wrong.
You are day dreaming at the board meetings. You are not listening to what your fellow members are saying.
You need to get something to keep you alert during the meetings.
You said that we did not need a new track as we have many roads to jog on!!! Your own words.
Now you are all for the track and lights and I am sure a stadium will be coming in the near future for the future football team that you say will never happened.
Your records speak for themselves.
It is not a pretty record.
Work on education and what is in the best interest for all the children not just a handful. You are on this board for ALL of us. Like it or not or better yet get off.
Let someone that really cares about all the people and children take over.
Work on the report cards of the HS which should have exactly what the grade of the class is. I mean put the weighted grade on the report card and in the childs GPA. This district is not reporting the correct grade on the report cards. If you take a weighted course you get the weighted grade how simple is that to figure out.
Now the district has another stupied committee to figure out what should be a no brainer. The childs earns the grade the child gets the grade.
The district is taking away what is owed to the child.
Do something useful and fix this mess.
can't fool you guys, you just are sooo smart and soooo tricky. Except that 11:25 wasn't who you think it was.I guess that means there are 2 people in the valley who aren't impressed by your 3rd grade level reasoning.
hello 2:56 p.m.
..."I love stupid people. Primarily because the make stupid comments."
So sorry your proof reader was on vacation this week.
I don't see RC saying what he does and doesn't support in his arguements. I see him stating facts as oposed to Al's twisted fairytales. Maybe people should try going to the meetings and THEN reading this site and figuring out what is the truth. It's not hard to see that Al takes everything out of context. Any type of speculation, example, or train of thought mentioned at a meeting he reports as the school board's future plans, because as we all know, they too love to pay taxes.
Lies, Lies, Lies.
...and although it wouldn't bother me much to be calles so(except for the constant badgering that goes along with the title), I am neither a school board member or a teacher...I guess that makes me a proboarder then, or whatever other kind names you people use on this site.
7:34 is wrong. The board has told us many times in the past that something was not going to happen or that they are not going to buy something or change something and what do they do time and time again, they go back of everything they say.
Why don't you go to a meeting and really listen.
We have the meeting from last week on a tape that the secretary of the board records, why not ask her for a copy or to listen to it.
The facts are on that tape unless it is erased.
Dr. Cappa:
Why do the minutes state that the Board approved the motion to pay for 1/2 of the track?
" It's not hard to see that Al takes everything out of context. "
For twenty years, the board has raised our taxes for many frivilous programs -- one after another. In context, our taxes have doubled every 10 years.
How's that for historical fact?
Non essential programs create unnecessary tax increases. One of the laws of relativity paraphrased -- every action has a reaction. We see the board's actions and then we pay for the reaction =increased taxes.
Stick to the basics and keep your twisted rhetoric to yourself.
Still waiting for an answer.
I think the doc went out for dinner.
Wouldn't it be nice if we all could go out to dinner!
Cappa and facts is like trying to mix oil and water.
Heard there are three new Toyota's in town, and one out of town.
Is $10 per hour cheap electricity for lighting a field? Are these lighting rigs on pulleys? Will the custodians be changing light bulbs and adjusting the light direction onto the field?
"Cappa and facts is like trying to mix oil and water."
He and his other co-conspirators.
What's next U-tube???
Rob,Bob,Rob,Bob
Bob,Rob,Bob,Rob
It just does not sound good mixing these two names up!
Maybe it should be Rob and Bob rob the taxpayers!!!
you-tube not U-tube
"T" is for Toyota
Another name we're told not to trust.
Truth in advertising...
Investing in a foreign car is alot like investing in a new track. After a while, one doesn't run, and the other one runs you.
Hello to all the mothers out there in blog land. I hope you all enjoyed your day!
Hello to Dr. Cappa. We are waiting for your reply on some facts we wrote a few days ago!
They are true so for you it is hard to figure out what to write next. Oh well!
low votes for the current board members that are running again will send a clear message to them that they better get their act together and work for all of us in this district not just a select few feel gooders.
Let us all hope that the new 3 members will work hard for the good of ALL!!!
Voting for Act 1 is the only choice for the majority of homeowners in Oley Valley.
Why??
The reading eagle yesterday said that Oley Homeowners will see an estimated $450 property tax relief this year if we vote yes. Therefore, any family working to pay the bills with a total earned income of less than $45,000 should vote yes. Any working family with an earned income of $45,000 or more should vote NO.
Unfortuately the great legislators and the governor did not tie any relief to a millage factor that would properly allocate the relief base on millage, but they pushed the issue in a manner that puts one generation against other generations. Vote NO and send a clear message that we want true reform.
I told my parents that it is in their best interest to vote yes, but in my best interest to vote no. Therefore, my parents and I my family will cancel each other out.
The state congress and the governor s/b ashamed of themselves. They could of done far better like passing the sales tax funding, cookie cutter school design, eliminat prevailing wage requirements, and put out a state wide or county wide teacher contract initiative. But instead, they decided to pit family members against one another!
What a sham!
God bless, and see you at the polls.
According to the study that was done, 75% of the taxpayers in the OVSD will see a net tax increase if the ballot proposal is approved. Also, it will not prevent property taxes from continuing to rise in future years.
That being the case, how can voting for Act 1 be the only choice for the majority of homeowners in the Oley valley, as stated by the 11:38am blogger? In my opinion the only choice for 75% of the taxpayers is to vote NO (unless they enjoy paying higher taxes)
This is not true reform. The only true reform would be Sam R's tax package. Harrisburg would not even look at it. They should be ashamed and the Oley School Board should be ashamed for increasing our taxes the past 6 or more years when they have money available year after year for a no tax increase. They blame the state I blame them and the state. This is a terrible nasty state.
One day I hope to be far away from this place.
Even if the taxes are a little better in some other state I can almost guarantee the people will be alot nicer to live with.
This state has to wake up!!
This school board is a true circus. The people on this board do not care at all about the people that pay the bills.
They spend $1.4 million on a track for under 100 kids when we have another 2100 kids needing education.
Now here comes the lights at whatever else they come up with.
Didn't you see RC's comments? The 1.4 million is for the track and FIELD. Somehow that's supposed to make us all feel better about it.
"Voting for Act 1 is the only choice for the majority of homeowners in Oley Valley."
I agree.
The leaches in this community and their henchmen on the board will suck us dry unless we vote yes on Act 1.
Remember to vote. Vote early and vote often and most importantly --
VOTE NO!
In our household, we are voting against ALL incumbents. We are voting for only "2" school board members -- that's the only way to make a difference. It's called "bullet voting." Only vote for the one or ones who "we think" will represent the people. Of course, we did that before and got a lot of turn coats.
As for Act 1 -- this turkey needs to be sent back into the laps of the state legislature. This was nothing more than a sham orchestrated to get Rendell's gambling cartel in business at everyone else's expense.
Whatever anybody's opinion -- we MUST vote. People died for our right to express our selves and have a voice in government. Because many complain and don't vote, the one's they're complaining about continue to hold office.
God have mercy on America.
To the writer at 7:02am:
How is voting in favor of Act 1 going to prevent the board from "sucking us dry"? It isn't going to prevent future property tax increases. It will mean higher taxes for those who are trying to feed, clothe and house a family. If this ballot initiative isn't defeated today, those who vote in favor of it will be in for a rude awakening in a couple years.
8:08 am:
I agree with your opinions about voting for those you are in favor of as well as you thoughts about Act 1. (I will be voting for three).
I just wish our state would change some of this idiotic voting rules. Eliminate the dem's and the repub's from the primary, and just allow the top overall vote getters make it to the general. Eliminate the straight slate voting at the general election so that it encourages individuals to be educated on whom they vote for. Not just voting for a party affiliation.
What is consistently astounding is the notion that the citizens must continually pay more, receive less, and somehow be thrilled with the equation.
Wake up people! We need candidates who promise (and then keep the promise) to do more with less; to downsize bloated government and actually "represent" the people.
The government is supposed to be in fear of the people. When the people are in fear of the government, we have lost our freedom.
Hopefully, it is not too late to turn it all around.
AND THE WINNER IS:
to be continued...
Pike Township votes are in. Just got a call. Results apparently taped to the church's door.
Al Jacobs got 6 write ins. Almost enough!
Act 1: A drum roll please...
Yes: 62 Votes
No: 147 Votes
The truly sad commentary here is that out of 1100 voters in the township, this primary only got 271 or 272 voters to the polls today. That is less than 25%, and is a disgrace. Young and old alike should be ashame of a turn out like that.
How did a new person running for school board get more votes than the Dr.?
Also read the last 3 blogs in the below Act 1 title #58,59,and 60. They talk about yesterdays election results!!!
Go Al Go. I am glad to see that another person other than the ones running got votes.
And Al got those votes without trying.
Where is there a listing of actual votes cast compared to actual votes received by board members?
Good question. I am afraid that the people in this district voted for all 5 thinking they had to. Some people do not know that they do not have to vote for any of the 5, or 1 of the 5 or 2 of the 5 etc. The only way you can find out what you asked is calling the election office in Reading and maybe they would have the info.
God help us in Oley dealing with Heckman and Cappa another 4 years.
We will not stop asking important questions!
This district needs to be held accountable.
We need fiscal responsibility.!!
Good luck to all of us!!! Let us pray for major reforms in the state or federal gov't.
For election results, cut and paste the link below into your address link. Click on the 'results may 07.
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/elections/cwp/view.asp?a=1992&Q=482149
Act 1 Results - I heard that only 10 districts in the state approved it. The Lancaster news did not say which one. Besides Reading, who were the others and what was their question - EIT v. PIT
According to this mornings reading eagle, only 4 school districts passed Act 1. When Act 50 ran through a few years ago, didn't only 2 or 3 schools sign onto that mess.
When will the state government realize their schemes are going to work, and do the will of the people - Control the big item spending and collect the revenue via a sales tax.
Let the school boards handle the local and unique aspect of the school. Have new school designs pre-approved. One teacher contract with one health care and retirement contract, a comprehensive and effective special education program that crosses district boarders and a higher quality and unified course curriculumn.
"When will the state government realize their schemes are going to work, and do the will of the people - Control the big item spending.."
Why don't the complainers stop electing liberals to school boards. All the problems are not in Harrisburg.Low voter turnouts are a disgrace.
Meeting Update – 5/16/07
The Oley School Board voted to proceed with the plan to spend more money on the track project by adding lights to the complex. The estimate cost could reach $225,000 or more.
The majority approved a motion to spend an additional $16,850 to prepare bids for these lights.
Ralph C. Richard, Barbara M. Bieber, Scarlette Z. Gotwals, Christopher M. Hannum, Kerry Madeira, voted Yes, Mary Anne McCarthy, voted No.
The board approved a motion to spend an additional $16,056.70 for the revision of the storm water system due to the track.
Ralph C. Richard, Barbara M. Bieber, Scarlette Z. Gotwals, Christopher M. Hannum, Kerry Madeira, Mary Anne McCarthy, voted Yes.
The board approved a motion to spend an additional $7,950 for a new track discus facility.
Ralph C. Richard, Barbara M. Bieber, Scarlette Z. Gotwals, Christopher M. Hannum, Kerry Madeira, Mary Anne McCarthy, voted Yes.
Board members, Robert A. Heckman, and Robert J. Cappa were absent from the meeting.
The estimate cost of the track has risen from the original $450,000 to an estimated $1,665,856.70 and growing.
A math teacher gave a presentation on the math curriculum for the district. He wants new books. How many books, computers, supplies, etc. would $1,665,856.70 buy?
The state auditor had a conference with the district. There were two findings against OVSD.
The first is that the school violated section 609 of the school code by spending more money than they budgeted in three fiscal years.
Second, the district does not have proper controls on the student accounting software which tabulates attendance and membership data for state reimbursement purposes.
In June, the board will approve the final 2007-2008 budget. They estimate there will be over $5,500,000 of money sitting in surplus funds as they raise taxes for the seventh consecutive year.
$5,500,000 represents 8.46 mills of taxes. The escalating track cost of $1,665,856.70 is approximately 2.56 mills of taxes. 11.02 mills of school property taxes imposed in order to sit in surplus, or to fund a wish-list item.
11.02 mills means the property owner assessed at $100,000 is being overcharged $1,102 in school property taxes.
It would appear the votes cast for the incumbents was a mandate for continued spending, nomatter the consequences.
It also appears there are more spenders than financially responsible individuals in the Oley Valley School District.
One has to wonder what kind of treatment we'll get when retirees must rely on the generosity of the current spenders when it comes to caring for the elderly. As my husband says, "don't worry about being elderly and feeble, honey -- they're just going to give us the needle anyway and seize what assets we have left when they're done with us. Sadly, he's probably right.
The only justice might be when the children of the current crop of spenders see how their parents treated the less fortunate and elderly, they'll use that as the model for caring. What goes around comes around. Look out self-absorbed spenders -- your day is coming.
".........Don't worry about being elderly and feeble, honey...they're just going to give us the needle anyway, and seize what assets we have left when they're done with us....."
..."give" us the needle? Oh, that's almost correct. Except for the term GIVE. The needle won't be a gift. It will be deducted from that tiny lump of assets ....after local government, Harrisburg, and Washington have had their pickins'.
He doesn't mean as to "give" us anything. He means they will administer a needle to euthanize us (against our will). Is that clearer?
Property taxes going up and Oley administration eating well.
AGAIN.
On the bills presented to the board last night, there were two checks that I found interesting:
1. $300 - Red Lobster
2. $107.?? - M&M Shop.
Who were the lucky diners for these meals.
Certainly the taxpayers weren't invited.
AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These little bitty items have popped up in almost every check run. After 10 years, these little things add up.
How many other little things have Oley taxpayers been footing the bill for?
We also currently have $12,000,000+ sitting around in our funds with $9,000,000+ in the general fund!
LET'S GO SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We worked a long, hard day yesterday. We were very hungry by early evening, when we were both home from our jobs. We had soup and split a sandwich...in our kitchen, bought and paid for by the two of us. Prepared by ourselves.
Red Lobster would have been nice. The M&M would have been really convenient.
We try to be mindful of unnecessary expenses, and we wish the high rollers in the administration would do the same. Just for the Heck of it, man.
Despite the resounding defeat of the earned income tax referendum of Act 1, the indifferent response of the Governor and the casual reaction of Senator O'Pake to the thumping suggest Harrisburg is in no mood to help homeowners.
There may be lip service to a new day, but at this point, it is nothing more than politicians making more promises.
In the meantime, the Oley School Board approves offering 21 courses with 15 or less students.
FAA leadership - 11
Science Fiction & Fantasy - 10
AP European History-9
AP Calculus II AB-8
AP Calculus III-2
AP Biology-9
Latin II-11
Latin III-3
Latin IV-6
Database-13
Spreadsheet-14
Introduction to Business-13
Desktop Publishing-12
Accounting II-6
Architectural Drawing-6
Technology Education Lab-13 Children & Parenting-12
Studio Art-7
Studio Art II-4
Global Crafts-14
Craft Studio I-4
The district just added another ISP called Internet 2 which has the ability to have distant learning.
Right now, Internet2 is nothing more than a glorified toy so why not share the cost of these small classes with other school districts instead of paying full time teachers an average salary of $54,000 to teach undersize classes?
But, this IS the goal. To have tiny classes and lots of them to swell the PSEA/NEA ranks. The unions PROMISED THIS to their membership 20 years ago; and also that the AVERAGE teacher salary would be $100,000 a year by 2010. We're getting there.
That's why the NEA and PSEA pushed outcomes based education (which we now have). Because it fails. Their solution is to hire more teachers and have more one on one student time, which still doesn't make kids learn better because the methods are failed. They don't care -- as long as there are more union members and more political clout. This isn't about kids learning, it's about (what else?) money and power.
We know who controls the edurats and it's not the taxpayers.
...The unions PROMISED THIS to their membership 20 years ago...
Somebody was a asleep at the wheel.
The number 15 seems like to high of a threshhold to start the axe swinging.
The number of classes that are under 8 - 10 students is where my tolerance hits it peak.
The more important aspect to me is some of the useless classes being taught...
FAA leadership
Science Fiction & Fantasy
AP European History
Studio Art II
Global Crafts
Craft Studio
Children & Parenting
(ps: I hope is suppose to be FFA not FAA, unless we are now training future pilots and air traffic controllers)
The curriculm is out of whack!
Ask to see the number of American History classes vs. global perspectives. Talk about "out of whack." My niece is a teacher in Virginia. She HAS to teach 3rd graders about "African" countries and nothing about American History. She DOES teach what she MUST, but adds her own American History enrichment. The parents love it and have not complained.
"Somebody was a asleep at the wheel."
Lots of us WERE NOT asleep at the wheel. Look in archived newspapers from the late 80's and early 90's. More than a thousand concerned parents, educators and legislators filled the rotunda and went door to door with legislators more than once in protest of Outcome Based Education -- which we now have.
Sam Rohrer had a financial study vs. educational value done at that time. The Reading Eagle designated entire pages to the issue of outcome based education, costs and educational folly and photos of the rallys in the Capitol Rotunda. Of course, the tenor was that the people who were alarmed with the changes in education were idiots. HOWEVER, everything that was presented against the new methods -- from an educational value and huge financial burdens -- was inferred to be the rantings of lunatics. Over time, those who demonstrated against OBE and their objections, have been proven 100% correct. I'd love to see an expose' of THAT in the Reading papers. Of course, the editor in chief is married to a retired school teacher, so we shan't hold our breath about that one.
I still have a "Boyertown Times" article with a photo at a monthly school board meeting (at the then Alsace Elementary School), wherein Bob Heckman was quoted as saying, "Outcomes Based Education will never be used at Oley." Yet, he's voted for everything necessary to bring us to this position of educational dilemna and financial ruin.
People just didn't want to believe what fine statesmen like Sam Rohrer and many others throughout the state predicted -- based on longitudinal studies in Canada and Germany, and studies done by Johns Hopkins University. The one common denominator of ALL who rammed through the new education is that they accepted huge funding from the PSEA. Ones character can often be surmised by the company they keep.
God help us. He is the only one who can.
I thought small class size and individualized instruction was a good thing....I would think that most parents would be happy with that.
Now please don't try to twist the message, or try to take us down a rabbit trail.
I'm not saying small class sizes are bad. But if the curriculum and teaching methods are lousey, there is no benefit -- except to those living off of the system.
At the Hill School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Choate, etc., they have very small classes and use "classic" curriculum at an extremely high cost per student -- which is paid by the parents (with the exception of endowed scholarships available to extremely bright students).
On the other hand, many less expensive parochial schools have relatively large classes as compared to government schools. Nevertheless, the parochial schools by and large are achieving a much greater knowledge base per student and comprehension skills.
The problem with OBE is the curriculum doesn't teach children how to learn ... because the method is flawed and failed. This system was designed by behavorial scientists -- not educators, which explains a lot.
I want to know why this HS does not try to get more children to take these harder classes so the size of the class would be normal and more children would be learning and preparing themselves for college. There is nothing wrong with taking the higher math and working hard to do good in it. The children do not want to work hard they want to take the easy way out of HS. Take lower easier classes do good in them and have a better rank.
Many children that are in the National Honor Society go down to lower math to stay in the rank of 1 to 10.
I praise the children that do not take the easy way out and work hard for their grade and their future.
I know my child will be prepared for college.
The NHS needs to have higher standards for the children.
They should not be allowed to join if they are not on the honor roll all the time and are in the high challenging classes.
This is a joke.
Tell me I am wrong!
You cannot because this is what is going on in this HS.
The higher uppers know all about it and choose to do nothing.
Education does not come first in this school district.
Time will tell what happens with these students.
Heckman should be forced out of the board.
He has said many things that are wrong and hurtful to many children and to their families.
The children in this district need to be educated and prepared for the future.
God only knows that in this world today it is hard to get by, what is going to happen in 5,10 years from now????
A 4 year term is to long for Heckman. Now he is going on his 18+ or more years on this board. Wake up people he is no good for us. He raises our taxes every year even if the district has money to cover the expenses.
Read todays paper about our huge budget and that we are going to have another tax increase.
We have over $5 million in funds and they have the ----s to raise our taxes again, again and again.
Very nasty board we are dealing with.
No hearts at all.
Do you have a sick stomach yet. The truth can make you ill!!!
"I thought small class size and individualized instruction was a good thing....I would think that most parents would be happy with that."
2 students per class, $54,000 average pay means the cost per student could be $27,000 per student. No way!
Now that's REALLY fuzzy math.
2 students per class, $54,000 average pay means the cost per student could be $27,000 per student. No way!
They spend that on Special Education Student (due to federal mandates)..then why not pay it for the higher level student
Hey! Where's AP "AMERICAN" History?
The voters in the OVSD love Heckman. He received the second most votes on the Republican ticket and was tops on the Democrat side and overall. Since only 23% of the registered voters turned out, though, this is not a very ringing endrosement but you can be sure he will look at it as a mandate. And so, his dictatorship continues.
He can look at it all he wants. He is a pitiful man who thinks he is the King of the district. People laugh at him and his voting record is nothing to be pleased about.
He praises the music (stings) teacher, then I hear at the Tri-M Induction Cermony he made some of the actors and band people feel bad with his dry humor jokes.
He cannot even talk like he has any knowledge of anything.
He is a very sad individual.
He should stay home with his wife.
The district would be better off.
Anyone who thinks the turn out on Tuesday means people love them are pretty stupid.
I would call Tuesday vote turn out a loss for the citizens of this district.
Dealing with Heckman and Cappa another 4 years is a real shame.
Whoever voted these 2 in better start coming to meetings and seeing the real board in action.
Bring rolaids and a vomit bucket, you will need it.
Hey what is going on Cappa and Heckman did not even show up this past Wednesday to face the questions of the public.
What is going on here????
They want to be on the board they need to show up.
Sandals and all!!!
Living legends, like the two mentioned above, ingore the rules. It's clear that they make the rules, and the rest of us are expected to jump.
"Legends in their own minds" is more like it.
I love the past comments today. They are right again!!
It is just a shame that some folks votes them in anyway.
I guess they like having stomach aches and no money!!
They will run this town dry!!!
"They spend that on Special Education Student (due to federal mandates)..then why not pay it for the higher level student"
The point Mr. Jacobs is making is that you can pay less per student of any ability if they use resources like Internet2.
And let's see your documented figures on spending $27,000 per student on Special Education students.
"2 students per class, $54,000 average pay means the cost per student could be $27,000 per student. No way!"
Whoever wrote this is assuming a high school teacher is teaching 2 students per day...please give me a break. Every high school teacher has well over 100 students....Talk about fuzzy math.
Guess who is back? The pro-boarders!!! You should be telling yourself why the class only has 2 children in it. The HS has many students that should try a harder subject and get themselves ready for college.
I am not talking about learning support, I am talking about students that are in NHS and do not
even get on the Honor Roll list.
Students that go to lower math to get a higher rank.
There should be standards to be in NHS and then the class size would be larger.
Some teachers do not teach over 100 students.
The children are not getting prepared for college if they take the easy way out.
Parents and school need to do their job in preparing the children for the future.
Since we are talking about the cost of educating children.
I travel to Mexico occasionally and recently, I saw what appear to be Mexican workers waiting outside a pizza shop near Kings.
Does anyone know if we are paying to educate illegals in our district?
Hey folks, Did you see another 117 houses are going in Oley. Oh goodie, more kids to educate! What happened with the discussions our board had with the supervisors? I thought we wanted to have light industry and senior only developments -- to HELP with taxes, NOT add to them.
Do any of you board members want to address this issue on here. There's just no end in sight for the middle class.
About the Spanish people at the store. I've heard the horse farm down route 662 hires some. Whether they are legal or not, I do not know.
If they have housing at the farm, it would be logical to think they might have children in our schools.
Is everyone aware that the new adult community being built by the middle school has homes that are required by the township to be 2-story homes? No ranch or 1-story homes can be built.
Wake up township supervisors!
People are looking to downsize to one floor homes due to a variety of reasons - debilitating arthritis or arthritis of any kind, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc., etc.,
Are we looking just for the elite elderly to move into this area, and to ???? with our own elderly.
This town is turning into a pathetic bunch of ELITISTS!
Hope you all do realize that in the end it doesn't matter how much money you have, and how many material items you have - the deciding factor is how you have lived your life and the good that you have done.
These actions are symptoms indicative of a self-centered, lost society. It would appear the younger members of our society (and apparently most Oley school board members) value flash, material possessions, status symbols, public accolades and self aggrandizement at the expense of their very souls -- and the well being of every one else they force to pay for their ill advised, over the top follies.
The way a society treats the least is a measure of character. I'd say there is an epidemic of loss of character these days.
Oley has a English as a second language teacher and I would like to know why? Do we have children in our schools that are not in this country legally and do not speak English?
I thought they must have a SS# in order to be a student in our district or is there a new rule on this?
Please respond now!!!
Hello Dr. What is going on??????
Rt. 662 or Oley Turnpike Road?
Do you get what I am asking?
I thought you pledge to be in the NHS? Is that true?
I heard you have to be and stay at a certain level and character to remain in NHS.
What about getting in trouble for drinking and fined?
Don't you think you would have the NHS telling you that you could no longer be in NHS?
You should be of good moral character and a very hard working student.
Am I wrong, please tell me!
The operative word is "honor." Not much of that around anymore.
Oley has a English as a second language teacher and I would like to know why? Do we have children in our schools that are not in this country legally and do not speak English?
Hey silly -- remember, you don't have to speak English to be an American citizen. Unfortunately it's true, but state and federal mandates make the district pay for an ESL teacher.
For several decades now, many U.S. citizens barely speak what was once known as English. Slang has reached an all time low in our country, and Berks County is no exception. This includes teachers, administration, parents, and students alike. Before we start criticizing those that are here as newcomers, or just have not taken the steps to learn English, maybe we should look in the mirror first. We're all bothered by the fact that aliens are here, and greatly abusing the system. The greater fault lies with those who willingly hire people that will work for far less money and no benefits. If we want to cast blame in a certain direction, blame those employers who expect an awful lot from their immigrant employees and show little respect for them, all the while gaining no respect from the rest of us.
I love America because it lets all kinds of people live in a free country.
I feel that if you live in America you should be living here legally.
You should try your hardest to speak the countries language.
You should work hard and not live off our hard earned tax dollars.
I have no problem living with all people no matter what or who they are as long as they have respect for this country and the laws of this country.
We have United States born and raised people that hurt us and they live right here.
We have our own school board that zaps us with high tax bills every year and they have money sitting in funds, our money I might add.
If a child is here not legally I was asking how they could go to our schools with no SS#. I do not know this to be the case just asking.
I did not think we needed a ESL teacher in Oley but if we do that is fine with me.
Sounds like one of the "good ole boys" is changing his tune. YEE HAH
I ain't no boy. I ain't old. But I am good.
Oley Turnpike Road moved. There is your clear answer.
AWAY IN A RAIN FOREST!!
WHO IS THE LUCKING BOARD MEMBER AWAY ON VACATION??
It must be nice!!
No, just to another school district.
...
Oley Turnpike Road moved. There is your clear answer.
WHO IS THE LUCKING BOARD MEMBER AWAY ON VACATION??
No, just to another school district.
...
I'm lost what is going on. Stop talking in riddles, and explain.
"I thought they must have a SS# in order to be a student in our district or is there a new rule on this?"
The Oley Valley School District Policy #200 - Student Enrollment
Adopted May 15,2005.
The school district shall not inquire about the immigration status of a student as part of the enrollment process
A United States citizen resident student,must comply with the following rule:
The school district shall not enroll the student unless the parent/guardian has supplied proof the student's age, residence,immunizations required by law. Upon receipt of the student's information, the Oley Valley School District will enroll the school age eligible student within five (5) business days.
This according the Policy on the OVSD web site.
I do not believe that a ssi # is required. If a parent is in the country on a green card, they are permitted to bring their minor children with them. The child is not a citizen, but is also not here illegally.
I believe that a rule at the federal government's level requires any school whom recieves any federal funding to accept all children.
Therefore, the school must verify that they live in the district, but not that they are legal immigrants. I believe that any attempt to make such inquiry would be illegal.
This would satisfy the policy that you cited...unless the parent/ guardian has supplied proof the student's age, residence, immunizations required by law. (It does not refer to citizenship. Residence refers to place of abode).
These are not facts I can readily prove, but merely my understanding. The sad part is that we can not force them to learn our language, but they can force us to learn theirs.
This policy was put in place to comply with Pa. state law.
Under the Pa. Dept. of Ed. statute Title 22, Chapter 11.11.D it states: "A child's right to be admitted to school may not be conditioned on the child's immigration status. A school may not inquire regarding the immigration status of a student as part of the admission process..."
"I believe that any attempt to make such inquiry would be illegal."
It is illegal to ask an illegal alien parent if they are here illegally as they attempt to register their child for us to educate them with American dollars!?
Why bother protecting our borders at all. The district must stand up and do what is right.
... The district must stand up and do what is right...
What is right? It sounds like you are stating that the school should break the law (because you, me and everyone else do not like it). What would that "teach" the children?
I think the public should do what is right, and set the example, not the school.
If the school district denied any child access, and it caused the district to be sued. I doubt the public, and the regulars on this blog would be supportive of these efforts. I would bet that the postings on this blog would tar and feather the board and administration for using taxpayer's money in legal proceedings. (Think of the on-going steel case for the middle school)
I only wish the employers and farmers that empower and encourage the illegals, and gainfully employ them would do the right thing, and fire their illegal employees, cutting off their money supply and in a round about way, get them out of our collective communities.
If anyone thinks it's not fair to "pick" on illegals, ask someone that has lost their job to an illegal who will work for far less. They're not all cleaning toilets or picking apples. Ask a construction worker how he or she feels about "fair." Oh, and make sure you're asking a construction worker that willingly speaks English.
"This policy was put in place to comply with Pa. state law...Under the Pa. Dept. of Ed. statute Title 22, Chapter 11.11.D it states: "
The PDE with their leftist Open Borders agenda and increasing enrollment to justify outrageous teacher pay.
The OVSD is a party to violating the Federal Law prohibiting aiding and abetting illegal immigration.
"What is right? It sounds like you are stating that the school should break the law (because you, me and everyone else do not like it). What would that "teach" the children?"
"What is right"..what is hard to understand about the word illegal.
The children are being taught a lesson from Bush and Congress that supports the idea an ethnic ethnic group can openly and defiantly break our laws.
Law biding, American citizens are being forced to subsidize this illegality.
The least a school board can do is have a policy that does not endorse the destruction of our nation.
That is of course if parents want their children to have a future.
It takes more than common sense to stand up for what is right. It takes guts. Sadly, many forgot how to stand their ground...while it was their ground.
Policy Committee
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 , at 5:30 p.m.
I think the Policy Committee consists of Cappa, Hannum, Gotwals
It sounds to me as if some of you are trying to blame the school board and, specifically, the policy ommittee, for not ignoring Title 22, Chap.11.11.d Most likely the courts made the PDE put that regulation (law) into effect and it would be useless and costly for a local school district to try to fight it or to go against it.
Instead of wasting time at a policy committee meeting over this why don't you call our new State Representative, Mr. Kessler and put some heat on him on this subject? Does anyone know where he stands on this issue? Does anyone know where he stands on ANY issue??
RS..
That's a great idea.
..We have room for but one flag, the American flag .....We have room for but one language here and that is the English language ....and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is a loyalty to the American people.
Theodore Roosevelt
"Instead of wasting time at a policy committee meeting over this why don't you call our new State Representative, Mr. Kessler and put some heat on him on this subject?"
It would be nice to know what all public officials think about illegal immigration.
Does the board specify in their construction contracts or with contractors that only American workers can be used on school property?
School board decisions set examples for our children.
More mushrooms on your pizza???
"The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."
Theodore Roosevelt
?Well, then, exactly who listened to Teddy?
Would it not save non mandated state spending if we encouraged use of cheap illegal labor?
"Would it not save non mandated state spending if we encouraged use of cheap illegal labor?"
We can start with the teachers and the administrators.
The issue isn't different nationalities in the schools or various nationalities working in construction and other jobs. This isn't bigotry. The issue is "legality." Illegals now have more rights than people who've waited years for citizenship because they played by the rules, and valued this country to the point of willingly becoming Americans the hard way. They got jobs and proved they would be productive Americans -- not leaches off the workers and the system.
We were in a hospital emergency room at 3 a.m. a few years ago, and my husband and I were ushered in past people who were waiting a very long time. They squawked when we went ahead of them. When the emergency physician was asked why people who didn't look sick without emergencies were there at this time of the morning? He said it was because they didn't want to wait for hours at the free clinic down the street during the day. They work the system and know the doctors cannot turn them away during the night.
So, there we are folks, taxpayers paying for emergency room visits charged to medicaid for colds and minor complaints. We don't resent the illegals because they are needy and want an opportunity, we resent them because they think they are ENTITLED to things taxpaying Americans and naturalized citizens cannot receive at all.
Just got an email from Rep. Kessler stating how he is supporting an expansion of rights for our healthcare workers, etc. It is patterned after California.
Nowhere did address cutting services for those illegals, to lower costs.
What is he thinking!
Bragging about wasting more resources and money.
Just got an email from Rep. Kessler stating how he is supporting an expansion of rights for our healthcare workers, etc. It is patterned after California.
Nowhere did address cutting services for those illegals, to lower costs.
What is he thinking!
Bragging about wasting more resources and money.
Public schools moan about the burden of bussing to private and church schools, BUT bring in the illegals so we can hire more teachers and make the budget bigger so the Superintendent and Administration need more money to manage the ever bigger hog. Students who go elsewhere actually cost the district LESS.
That's right. The public schools should be encouraging parents to home school or to send their children to private and parochial schools. It would mean lower enrollment and smaller classes. But we all know that the teachers union runs the schools and they want higher enrollment which means the need to hire more teachers and fatten the union's pockets. That's why both the union and the schoolboard association oppose vouchers. God forbid they give parents a choice.
Isn't it strange that the same liberals who run around bragging that they are "pro-choice" when a baby's life is at stake aren't "pro-choice" when a child's education is at stake...
These same liberals also preach "tolerance" for everyone except those with whom they disagree. This is the world view of secular humanism that has replaced the Judeo Christian foundation on which our nation was founded.
These same people will tell you about their good intentions. Well, as my wise old daddy used to say, ".... and the road to "h" is paved with good intentions."
To RS and LB: Hello, you are right!!!
One board, one super, one asst. super all for one county, this is what we need.
Then the children across the county would get the same education, sports and music program.
One system = for all the children!!!!
Let's do it!!! NOW
Yea --that's a great idea...the same program as Reading....where do you think all the money would go in a county school system...not Oley Valley. It would go to the same place all our federal, state, and county tax dollars go...the big cities
Are you kidding??? County systems are all over this country and they work great.
The kids would all get equal education. The money would not only go to Reading because the schools would be split up.
The county wide school systems in this country even have magnet schools for specialties like music, arts, gifted etc.
The whole system would change and yes your children would have other children from other areas of the county in their schools. No big deal to me.
You need to get along with everyone.
You need to prepare the children for the future.
Why not ask a county that has a county wide system.
Charlotte, NC is one
Nashville, TN is one
Ohaha, NE is one and my neices go to the schools in NE and they have alot to offer the kids.
Look at the test scores there, they are a heck of alot better then ours.
Why not do some homework before you react.
ALSO THE SALARIES WOULD BE LESS FOR US TO PAY BECAUSE WE WOULD NOT HAVE ALL OF THESE SUPERS AND ASST. SUPERS WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS OF THEIR SALARIES. IN CHARLOTTE, NC., THERE IS ONE SUPER AND HIS SALARY IS THAT OF MAYBE 2 SUPERS UP HERE AND HE DEALS WITH THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS.
That is how it was up here until the late 60's and early 70's, and everyone complained about that, so we changed the system. Prior to that, every town had a school and that didn't work.
A county wide curriculm and master plan, but every school district would have the ability to meet the needs of their community. Otherwise no consolidation.
If we had a single super throughout the county, it would be like the county commissioners. You see how well the needs of the rural communities are addressed by them three.
2 schools in Charlotte, NC are in the top 100 best in the nation out of 27,000. This weeks Newsweek.
Countywide schools are also in Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia.
You do not have very high expectations if you are willing to put your kids and grand kids into that group for comparison.
Oh my, what are the kids around here better than other children??? You are not nice at all.
This system in PA and in our school district is not working.
Our PSSA's scores are nothing to be pleased about.
We are a failed system.
PA needs changes now!!!
All we do is pay,pay,pay more and more taxes and we do not see anything getting better in this district.
Maybe some runners will do good but what about the rest of the kids??
Not all systems are good, but we need to make changes now for the sake of the children and their future..
Keep taxing good people out of their homes, and then tell us, again, that we don't have high expectations for our children and grandchildren. That IS a real mix you've got going there.
Face to face, try telling those parents, young and old alike, that it's far more important to make sure the teachers have superb health benefits, wonderful wages, an entire freaking summer to rest the Hell up, AND once again, tell us our taxes are going UP, UP, UP!.
Wake up and smell the STORE BRAND COFFEE. Get a grip! Many of your neighbors are very, very concerned for the well being of their children and grandchildren. WE'D ALSO LIKE TO KEEP OUR HOMES AND AFFORD THOSE LITTLE EXTRAS...LIKE FOOD AND UTILITIES, OH, AND MAYBE A FEW GRAINS OF NUTRITION TO FEED OUR HORSES...WHICH WILL DOUBLE AS OUR TRANSPORTATION.
...2 schools in Charlotte, NC are in the top 100 best in the nation out of 27,000...
Are the other 98 schools in the top 100 from systems similar to ours, or are they something completely different.
I guess what I am asking is not to compare the micro elements of the schools, but try to understand what the 'better' schools are doing.
Is it the leadership - Super, principals and teachers that are doing something different. Are they paid based on effort and performance. Do they concentrate on the masses of their children, or do they disproportiently allocate their resources to those with special needs (as we do). These types of questions and comparisons are needed to get a clear understanding. Did newsweek have a sound foundationin their survey, or was it political and lobbying?
Frankly, a countywide system would save a little bit of money, but not a heck of a lot. Especially when kids would end up being bused to different schools for a thousand different reasons. If the teaching methodology and quality does not change, the benefits of changing the system to save a few dollars on administration will not equate to a positive result.
The blog and the school district keep pointing to pssa test scores, which most of agree are meaningless. If a school is going to be held accountable to silly scores, then they will logically be motivated to teach to the test. (and yes I realize that OVSD is not doing that incredibly well either). This is only logical and is in every other aspect of our lives. (If a business leader is graded on profit, he is not going to be generous in regards to employee benefits and environmental issues, or even community involvement. He will meet his mandatory level of compliance, and nothing more, because he is graded based on profit).
So, what changes are truly needed. To start, the state needs to hold teachers, admin and the entire professional education community accountable to uniform and sound educational principals.
As for board members, term limits sound great, but will only happen if the lawmakers impose such restriction on themselves, so don't hold your breath. For that to happen, we need a minimum of 2 candidates for every position. ("Put up or Shut up" could be considered a valid statement).
Competition is key: Competition for the honor of serving as a board member. Competition amongst the school administrators, competition amongst the teachers, and ultimately a sense of competition amongst the students will generate the results we as a society desire.
Competition ='s striving for excellence.
According to the Reading Eagle this morning Wilson School District is going to solicit corporate sponsors to raise money by naming facilities after them. This could be a windfall for the Oley SD. They could name the Middle School after the Oley Legion Diner and the Administration Building could be named the Oley Valley Feed Administration Building. They could even get a corporate sponsor to fund the football team. How about Oley Medical Associates? Something to think about...
Hello RS, I like your blog!!
I thought we already went that route for the track.
Where's the corporate money for that?
ZERO - ZERO - ZERO!
We could name it the ZERO TRACK.
We could also name it THE MONEY PIT.
Hey 9:05 right on!!! You made me laugh!! What you wrote is funny but true!!
How about this:
THE CAPPA FLIP-FLOP TRACK
"We don't need a new track in Oley...there are plenty of roads to run on ...here in (and around) Oley..."
And, we can change the name of the new track...as many times as they changed THE PRICE.
"To start, the state needs to hold teachers, admin and the entire professional education community accountable to uniform and sound educational principals."
What does this mean..nothing. Measurable standards are the only way to evaluate the progress or the lack thereof of school districts.
Holding teachers and the administration accountable to uniform and sound educational principles is, first, the responsibility of the local school board and the superintendent they hired to oversee the education system. To say the state should be responsible is just passing the buck.
It's been my experience that the local board and superintendent are always ready and willing to take the credit if test scores are good or for other good things that happen but seldom do they stand up and take the blame for things that are sub-standard. We, as taxpayers and parents, are usually too willing to let them off the hook and join them in blaming the state or federal government.
RS I agree and I hold the local school board and the administration responsible for the mess in this educational system. Tax us to the max and what do we see, not better test scores, not better drop out rates, not more children going off to college. Children not reading and understanding basic math in 11th grade.
I hear that a HS teacher next year that teaches science will have to teach the lowest math out there to children that do not understand it. 11th grade is tooooooo late to be trying to teach basic math.
What happen to these children the past years in this school system.
They kept getting passed year after year.
God bless the children in our district and in this country.
Public Education is pitiful.
How come Heckman has not been able to fix the educational mess in this district.
After 18+ years on this board and look, the children are still not being taught to the basic standards of this state.
The standards are not good to begin with.
To all branches of the military, God Bless you always and thanks for keeping America free.
You all are the best!
Freedom is not free! After 9/11 nothing should ever be taken for granted.
God continue to bless this nation and all that serve in the military.
What happened to the Dr.? Is he still on vacation?
Maybe he's off in some foreign land, helping the less fortunate. Again.
Good for him! I admire him for that!
It is wonderful to help people away from your own Main St., but we right here in Oley could use some help. We have our own people that could use extra help in shopping for them, cutting the grass, picking up their meds etc.
I heard the Dr. was on a real big vacation with his family.
Oh, yes, we admire him, too. But who said the "vacationing doctor" was a man? There's more than one doctor on the board. If we're tossing around compliments, let's make sure we're sending them in the right direction. Don't want anyone to feel left out!
You people are so bitter....now it's a crime to go on vacation. Get over yourselves and your miserable lives.
How on earth do you get "bitter" out of people commenting on folks who help out others or go on vacation? I think YOU'VE got a problem! Why don't YOU get over it?
;)
Bitter you got to be kidding? We are mentioning it because he is a board member and should be at board meetings. Take vacation during other times of the month. Also he is on vacation with our money that his wife gets for working in our district and now is retired. Have a great day!!
:)
B9 in todays paper, letter to the editor saying school boards and administrators need to be fiduciary responsible with how they manage and spend the taxpayers money. All school boards are responsible for 80% of the budget. They decide what to spend our money on then they cry that the state does not give them enough money. Does the children and their education come first or what?
We at Oley just witnessed the spending of $1.4+ million on a track and I know children in this district that are in need of help in basic math and reading.
The board will say they do not have enough money for more aides and I say that is nonsense.
The children in this district all of them must come first.
The letter to the editor also says they in the corporate world, officers and directors who do not perform to stockholders expectations are terminated. The public should not expect lesser performance from school administrators and directors.
Remember what Heckman always says: Quote: We are a $20+ million business. They are not performing to the expectations of the public, so public what should we do with these directors and administrators?
What should we do? I think we answered that question a couple weeks ago. We re-elect them.
Hypothetical Question: A board member is approached by 10 residents while shopping at King's. 6 state they would support the track initiative and 4 state they oppose the track initiative. (Feel free to substitute the track with laptops, additional busing, football, new band equipment, or building renovations, etc).
How should a responsible board member vote? How should the board member vote if he is approached in equal numbers (5 and 5)?
In theory, a publically elected official is elected by his peers, to represent them, and to utilize his beliefs, ethics and morals. If a majority of the public does not agree with those characteristics of the candidate, it is their obligation to see that he or her is not elected to represent them. This appears to be a difficult task when so many of our peers are unwilling to volunteer to serve.
As for the comments about a board members taking a vacation -- They are entitled to a vacation whenever they please and can schedule it. They should try to attend meetings, but they are not indebted to the community as if the are employed. Maybe it s/b mandatory that the public attend all meetings or face public critiscm.
We have many positions in each township that are elected, where individuals volunteer to serve, for either no compensation, or a minimal compensation. For anyone who claims to be to busy (aka - lazy) to serve and complain of anothers dedication is just wrong!
It's quite clear. Board members should shop elsewhere. Like in Exeter. Or, further away. After all, they don't really vote for what the taxpayers want, do they?
I saw Heckman at the Giant in Exeter. He has been heard saying that he cannot get his shopping done at Kings because toooo many people stop him. Why is he on the board if he does not want to hear from the public? I heard Gotwals complaining about the same thing!!!! Oh well, toooooooo bad. You get on this board you should talk to the public during food shopping or whenever. That is your responsibility as a board member is to LISTEN to the public and hear their concerns and complaints!!! And a Kings you get more than 3 minutes.
A school board politician who votes for his spouse's salary increase will also increase his household retirement benefits at taxpayer expense. Oley deserves what it gets.
You're right. Any town that allows a family member of a teacher from this school district to be on the board, is about as blind as can be. All we've done on that count is help feed the board member's family, and his ego. Both were already well taken care of.
When a loud, whooshing sound is heard in the vicinity of Main Street, it is coming from the giant gust of air being expelled as that whole family laughs it's guts out...at the stupid taxpayers.
Doesn't the husband of the teacher pay the same taxes you do?
Sure he does. But her benefit package is sort of "special" compared to other local employers. And that's coming directly out of my wallet, and yours. It's not really sour grapes. Grapes are expensive, and most retired folks can't afford the extras on the food bill, thanks to their extremely high taxes. Wake up folks. Fair is fair, and a board member voting his spouse a nice raise and benefits package is..NOT FAIR.
"Doesn't the husband of the teacher pay the same taxes you do?"
Every time the husband on the board raised his wife's teacher salary his household income goes up, ours goes down paying higher school taxes. Now, we are paying again for his greed, with her platinum retirement package.
I believe the board member you are referring to only voted on one contract since he got on the board. Although it would have been better for him to abstain, his vote had no affect on the outcome of the contract or his wife's salary. It would have passed with or without his vote.
Thanks for the information, RS. However the vote measured...you CAN bet on one thing. He's still an arrogant weirdo. Is there a vote for that?
And don't forget everybody....teachers pay taxes too!
Yes, they pay taxes from a far greater earning base than many of the rest of the taxpayers. Quit whipping a dead horse. Teachers work PART of the year, get more holidays off than ANYONE else we know, have top quality health care, low co=pays, and you don't see many of them driving into the parking lot in cheap cars. They work part time, collect full time wages and benefits, and still find room for complaining.
Actually they get paid for 180 days..get your facts straight..and they would be making a lot more in the private sector with a masters degree. So in reality, they are sacrificing to do the job they love.
Hello:
180 days of less than 7 hours a day of work, when you include free periods, passing classes, lunch, prep time, ETC., ETC.
WOW!
9:09 you are on drugs!!! We do have very good devoted teachers, but some of our teachers could care less about teaching our children. I have heard teachers complaining loud and clear. They say they cannot wait for the summer! I do not see them staying after school to tutor the children that need help.
Then in the summer they ask parents who already pay high taxes to pay more for their children to get summer tutoring. If they were taught in the first place during the 180 days they would not need summer school.
Teachers should have the children that need extra help stay after school for FREE tutoring during the school year.
When the bell rings everyone including the teachers run to the front door to leave.
They work the hours of their contract and nothing more.
Not all of them but tooooooo many of them.
since when do the teachers get paid for only 180 days a year?
Bottom line with the Dr. being on board, he should not vote at all when it comes to salary,benefits, etc. when his wife was working and now is retired on our money.
He looks at you makes a face then votes yes.
He has no guts to do the right thing.
He should be off the board for behavior problems.
Do they give detention? This might not be what is going on at this moment, but he has had some very bad past years on this board with his mouth and actions.
He has not been around for a while so when he comes back he will be all geared up to attack the people that pay for his retirement and benefits.
"...and they would be making a lot more in the private sector with a masters degree"
This is an old defense of over paying teachers. If they thought they could get a better paying job with a taxpayer funded masters degree in the private sector, they would be jumping at the chance. Leaving the "gravy train" to work a full year, paying for most of their benefits, forgoing the golden pension plan,..not even a teacher is that dumb!
Recently, the Reading Eagle had an editorial lecturing and a beat reporter berating the Governor Mifflin School District for changing the music class schedule to a before or after school activity.
The reason for the change was to spend more time trying to improve Reading and Math test scores. In other words, the district wanted to do something for the benefit of the student.
A case can be made that music does have a positive influence on the educational process.
Yet, not too long ago, Governor Mifflin poured millions into an athletic facility. But not a peep from those who posture about the concerns such an action would have on education.
And for good reason. Brick and mortar have no correlation to improving education.
The Oley School District suffers from the same hypocrisy. The school board claims they are concerned about the quality of education, yet they overspend on today's cost of the track, $1,600,000.
This “do as I say not as I do” policy sells nicely at election time to those who are impressed with appearances.
...This “do as I say not as I do” policy sells nicely at election time to those who are impressed with appearances...
Sells at election time. What the 'heck' are you talking about?
There has to be a competitive election to have a need to buy votes. The board could have spent zero or twice as much, and they were still guaranteed reelected.
For me the Gov. Mifflin situation is puzzling. I think the idea of cutting back on music programs is insane. Most of the other schools in the county can meet the PSSA standards without cutting Music. I think the problem is not so much the amount of teaching but the teachers. A good teacher can teach the students much more information in a short time then a bad teacher can in a long time.
The teacher's union is no different that Tony Soprano and his TV gang/family.
THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT.
Big town.
Small town.
Doesn't matter at all...
The sad part is that way too many teachers actually think they are worth what the union say's they are worth. The union could not care less about the teacher's qualities, nor how the students make out. It's all about the money, and nothing else.
The above comment is sad but true. The I do not care attitude must stop. You are recking the childrens future with your smart --- votes that do not help but a handful of feel good parents and children. With over 2000 children in our district it is the responsibility of the administrators to work for all the children. We pay your salaries and benefits you must take control of the education progress in this district.
The Oley student that wrote is wrong. Our school has not done good on the pssa's. Over 1/2 of the juniors tested below basic.
The basic knowledge that this state requires is toooooooooo low to begin with.
For our students to score below basic, some heads should roll.
Good-bye, we need term limits and major changes in this ever changing world we live in.
Hey 8:50....compare Oley's PSSA scores with others that are similar....They do pretty well, and our taxes are lower then most... There are ZERO schools that do not have students which are below basic...so don't make it seem like Oley is substandard. They meet AYP every year, and were actually close to the top two years ago....not bad for being in the middle of the pack for taxes....I call that a bargain
I read the pssa test scores for oley. They hand out a little report at the board meetings (on the table), and I personal thought that Oley (a small rural subburb) scored average at best. One would think, in comparing us to Philly, reading and all the other big city schools that we would be off the charts in ALL catagories. To my disappointment, we were merely average. It seems to be a Oley tradition in everything (except field hockey) - settling for o.k., average, getting bye, etc.
Somethings never change!
"They meet AYP every year, and were actually close to the top two years ago....not bad for being in the middle of the pack for taxes....I call that a bargain"
Settling for average test scores on a dumbed down test is the same logic as "close enough is good enough" that brought down the automobile industry.This reasoning is why Oley re-elects losers and why special interest groups elect tax and spenders.When people want better than mediocrity, then we will have a board representing all.
The above comment is right on the money. Back in the 70s, steel workers could not focus on anything besides their union wage, and how little they could get away with doing to "earn" it. What do we have now? $40,000 cars that fall apart. $50,000 plastic cars that use enough fuel for 3 or 4 vehicles.
Nothing like living for the moment.
It's not just the board. Look at the mediocrity we have in the administrative positions. People with no vision, no imagination and no initiative. If they worked in management positions in the private sector they would have been fired years ago. I believe many of the teachers would agree.
...This reasoning is why Oley re-elects losers and why special interest groups elect tax and spenders...
You must be sooo busy that you can't volunteer your time! It amazes me you have the time to complain with rude comments, but don't have the time to put your negative energies into action.
Check the WGAL website for an interesting look at the PSSA scores.
Oley does it again.
Times Research – PSSA rankings out of the 498 school in PA required to take the silly exams. Now let the ‘spin’ begin. 8 out of 18 in Berks; Top 33% out of the state, Merely average? Pick your poison.
53 Wyomissing Area School District (Berks)
92 Wilson School District (Berks)
100 Twin Valley School District (Berks)
121 Boyertown Area School District (Berks)
124 Exeter Township School District (Berks)
132 Kutztown Area School District (Berks)
134 Schuylkill Valley School District (Berks)
165 Oley Valley School District (Berks)
181 Fleetwood Area School District (Berks)
185 Brandywine Heights Area School District (Berks)
209 Daniel Boone Area School District (Berks)
229 Governor Mifflin School District (Berks)
255 Muhlenberg School District (Berks)
277 Conrad Weiser Area School District (Berks)
306 Tulpehocken Area School District (Berks)
324 Hamburg Area School District (Berks)
401 Antietam School District (Berks)
486 Reading School District (Berks)
First of all, if you came to any meetings, Zackon and Heckman say that they do not compare us to any other schools. They have said this time and time again.
When it is convenient for them, then they start blabbing about other schools and what they are doing.
1/2 of the junior class last year did not even grade basic on the pssa's which is sickening. Do not say that is is ok to graduate over 50% of the children when they cannot even read, write and do basic math.
This is a sin. God help us in the future, we will be paying for some of these children expenses when they cannot make it on their own.
For the high salaries we pay the teachers and administrators there is no excuse for that many children to have done soooooo terrible on the pssa's last year.
Mr. Markley even has had class meetings telling the children that he will not be the principal in the future if they do not get the scores up.
Past the buck to the children. If they are not taught by 11th grade it is to late.
Who in the world would want to be on this board with the current clowns? Not me.
Do a clean sweep, get them all out and then I would consider running with a whole new group of people with better ideas for ALL the children not just a handful.
Get your facts straight and really in your heart start caring for the children and stop spinning the real issues.
You are a true pitiful person.
The children must come first.
PS Also for your info the state has warned the district that they better not be cheating on the pssa's ever like they we thought to have done in the middle school a few years back when over 60 children were called down to the office to erase the answers because they had
put them outside the box.
YOU CANNOT CHANGED THE TESTS WHAT SO EVER ONCED IT IS SENT TO THE OFFICE.
THE OFFICE IS NOT TO LOOK AT THEM EITHER.
CALL HARRISBURG LIKE WE DID IF YOU DO NOT BELEIVE US.
ZACKON GOT THE CALL FROM HARRISBURG TO KNOCK IT OFF.
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