Pension perk assailed as 'abuse of the system
A law lets school retirees stay on the job, collecting both paychecks and pensions. How many do? Nobody knows.
By Dan Hardy
Inquirer Staff Writer
John Baillie retired from his $228,826-a-year job as the Chester County Intermediate Unit's executive director in January with an annual pension of $163,289. But he didn't leave until six months later, after receiving almost $80,000 in pension payments along with his salary.
Barbara Burke-Stevenson retired as superintendent of Bucks County's New Hope-Solebury School District on Aug. 1, 2006, with an annual pension of $80,802. She stayed for another year, collecting retirement payments while getting a salary of $155,000.
Baillie and Burke-Stevenson are among hundreds of school administrators and other employees - no one knows how many - who have been "double-dipping" since the passage of a 2004 law that allowed them to work while collecting pensions for up to a year if employers say their departure would create an emergency, or if there is a shortage of qualified replacements.
The law's proponents, including the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the state's Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS), say the practice is needed to staff unexpected vacancies or difficult-to-fill jobs.
But PSERS, in a ruling made public Monday, said Baillie and his board manipulated the system and broke the rules because the board had a qualified replacement. He was ordered to return the pension payments. PSERS said it was not conducting a general review but was responding to citizen complaints.
When Perzel's "come back and teach act" came up in 2004 the House Educ Committee was warned it had nothing to do with getting substitute teachers; it had to do with double dipping and was being promoted by school administrators. This is the arrangement you created!!!!
When this bill was before the committee Rep. Rohrer and Metcalf argued it was ripe for manipulation. Rohrer pointed out it was easy for administrators to "arrange" their emergencies with the collusion or cooperation of boards. It has proven to do just that.
Rep. Grucela and Pallone pooh poohed the arguments against the bill. Pallone said his grandmother told him not to worry about other people's money just take care of his own. Well he can pay my taxes. School boards all complain about pension costs and say they have no control over most costs. These fake emergencies and the large amounts of hidden compensation are something they can control.
A state developed uniform superintendent contract is needed. It must include complete disclosure of all current, accruing and future costs!!!
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521 comments:
1 – 200 of 521 Newer› Newest»Sad again, Mrs. Lightcap is now another victim.
Why would you post such a misleading title, Al, when you know that is not occuring in the Oley Valley. Go get a job!
...and a life while you're at it
Then what about Moser, Lesko and Orlando????????
Dr. Zackon's letter does not make sense, Mrs. Lightcap's last day was 12/21, not during the holiday week.
If Mrs. Lightcap left on her terms good for her, if she was forced out I feel sorry for her.
The only person who needs to go in this district is Zackon!
Mrs. Lightcap was a dedicated educator - a title that Zackon will never achieve.
8:08 what is wrong, you are not attacking anymore????
Or any less.
Oh come on...enough of this talk. You people were much more interesting when you were ripping the football program!!! Its time to play!!
"You people were much more interesting when you were ripping the football program!!! Its time to play!!"
That is all the feel gooders want to do is play at others expense. Education comes in last. It is better to be in denial.
Great topic and article!
Unfortunately, there were only one or two posts that even remotely addressed the article. Please continue your attacks and saying who should be "out". Don't address things that are bigger than the Oley Valley.
If this is a general practice, "double dipping", then something should be done. It is probably a reality that such "emergency cases" exist where the departure of an administrator warrants such "double dipping" but that should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the board (yes, I know you all shutter at that thought) or the State Department of Education.
Those who attack OCC are desperate to silence discussions about anything that does not endorse the public relation schemes of the district. This blog is the only place where the board cannot use fascist tactics to prevent people to express their concerns. This drives them and their welfare state minded supporters crazy.
I think you over estimate the importance of this blog.
The importance of this blog, and the purpose, is to allow a forum for all views and opinions concerning the Oley Valley School District. Since it is the only place where all views can be expressed and debated on this subject this blog's importance cannot be over estimated.
RS, the thing is, for the most part, things aren't DEBATED on this blog. Attacks are made and people complain.
When a serious topic comes up that actual has potential for debate, it is swept under the rug and ignored in favor of attacks and complaints.
This blog is nothing more than an online gripe session.
Very interesting information in e-mail from Simon Campbell - StopTeacherStrikes.org regarding yet another form of Double Dipping!
On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:36:02 -0500, Berdnik, Christopher wrote:
Mr. Tarka has been on a leave for union business since 8/23/1984,
and applies every school year to be on a leave for that period.
Original Message-----
From: Simon Campbell [mailto:SCampbell@stopteacherstrikes.org]
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 1:41 PM
To: Berdnik, Christopher
Cc: Weiss, Ira
Subject: RE: Question about John Tarka
Wow. Does it require school board approval each year to keep his annual leave
going? Does the school board have the legal right to say "no" to his leave
request and require that he return to the classroom?
My presumption is that Mr. Tarka has been getting annual raises per the CBA as
an employee since 1984? And I also assume that his years on leave count as
years of service for the purpose of calculating his pension benefits?
Original Message ---
From: "Berdnik, Christopher" cberdnik3@pghboe.net
To: Simon Campbell SCampbell@stopteacherstrikes.org
Cc: Weiss, Ira iweiss1@pghboe.net
Sent: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 08:54:36 -0500
Subject: RE: Question about John Tarka
1. Yes
2. I do not believe so under the language in the CBA
3. Yes
4. Yes
"Dear members of the media (covering the Pittsburgh teacher contract dispute),
With the assistance of Union President, John Tarka, strike authorization was
recently issued by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT). If there is a
strike in the Pittsburgh school district it will be the biggest teacher strike
in Pennsylvania in over 15 years (28,000 students, 2,600 teachers)."
"There is interesting new information emerging about PFT President, John Tarka.
Below is communication with Pittsburgh school district officials. Christopher
Berdnick is the Business Manager & Ira Weiss is the district solicitor - please
feel free to verify this information with these sources.
John Tarka is listed as a Pittsburgh public employee being paid a salary of $77,800 while on "special
assignment". As seen below, his special assignment is working for the private
organization called the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. And he's been on
this "assignment" for the last 24 years. Here is how it works:
- Tarka is paid his salary every year by the school district and gets annual
raises per the union contract (CBA) just like any other teacher
- Tarka receives pension benefits and accrues years of service from the school
district just like any other teacher
- Tarka puts in for annual leave every year which gets automatically approved
- The Union reimburse the school district each year for the cost of Tarka's
salary/pension benefits while he is on leave
- The Union separately pay Tarka an additional $20,000/year as reported on their
federal LM2 disclosure form
So we have the amazing situation where PFT Union President, John Tarka, is able
to "use" a public school district while actually working for the union ...thus moving towards a fully vested, taxpayer-funded, guaranteed
defined-benefit pension for the rest of his life. At retirement he'll go
straight onto the taxpayer's dime, even though he hasn't taught in the
Pittsburgh school district in 24 years. It is outrageous.
It is one more example of the abusive power of the teachers' union in
Pennsylvania. If John Tarka is not working for the school district then he
should be on union payroll and his pension should be private and linked to his
work for the union, and not to his non-work for the school district.
PFT union president, John Tarka, has no moral authority to be involved in
issuing strike threats inside the Pittsburgh school district. Because Tarka
stands to personally gain from additional public monies spent on teacher
benefits, yet he is not even teaching at Pittsburgh.
---
Simon Campbell
President, StopTeacherStrikes Inc.
668 Stony Hill Rd. #298
Yardley, PA 19067
Tel: 215-586-3573
http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org
This is one scary situation and my question is how has this man been allowed to do this for the last 23-1/2 years?
Dear 9:04 a.m.:
Please don't ever underestimate the importance of any blog.
Check out Tony Phyrilla's blog on the Pottstown Mercury website and the links to the many local and political blogs, which pretty much challenge the lawmakers, school districts, etc., with the same issues that are brought up on this blog.
If you do not like this blog, then YOU have the choice to not read it. The power of the people should never be underestimated - especially when they are being taxed to death and lied to constantly by the people they elect and this includes the Oley School District.
Like it or not, we can and will voice our opinion on this blog, and so can you.
How many tax dollars does the district spend on their propoganda to the public? I bet it is a bundle. This blog gives people a chance to read the truth and talk without raising our taxes!
ds:
"...things aren't debated on this blog. Attacks are made and people complain."
I can't argue very much with that. Many times informative information is posted and the discussion predictably goes to personal attacks on either the school board president or the superintendent. I believe, though, that personal attacks have decreased over the past several months and more attention is being paid to topics and issues.
This OCC site is linked to other blogs throughout the state and if we want to be seen as legitimate and serious then the stupid comments and personal attacks have to stop.
This blog has the potential to be much more than, as you call it, an "online gripe session". A few disruptors shouldn't be allowed to ruin the only forum for discussing local issues in the OV.
We are hearing that Mrs. Lightcap resigned and did not retire, what is it? The letter the children received at school says she retired. It also states she retired during the holiday week. I was told she left on 12/21.
Someone is hiding the truth from us again!!
I hope whatever happened to Mrs. Lightcap is not as bad as I feel it is.
Mr. Orlando should not be taking her place even for a day. He is retired as should stay retired. We are paying his pension and now we are paying his salary.
How can Dr. Zackon say the board will have some choices for a new Principal at the February meeting. That is pretty soon from now and it looks as if they have someone already in mind.
Remember what the board president said in the past, The middle school is the weakist link, always was, always will be. I feel it is a sad link in this school district.
Mrs. Lightcap was employed for 30 years with this district, at least they should give her a party of some sorts.
Yes, a party would have been nice. Isn't it strange, though, that a person would retire in the middle of the school year? After all, the children don't stop classes until June.
It isn't strange at all for teachers or administrators to retire during the Christmas break. It is fairly common. I think you are blowing this way out of proportion and trying to find something where there is nothing. Why not start a rumor or two while you are at it?
If they would have had a party then some here would be complaining that they spent taxpayers dollars for a party. Right?
7:36 you do not know again what you are talking about. Why would tax dollars be spent on a party? When other teachers have retired we contributed our own money, and gave them gifts and a party.
Also it is fishy that Mrs. Lightcap left in the middle of the year. She was a dedicated 100% caring Principal that loved the children. She would work till after 11 some nights. Also, Dr. Zackon hired Mr. Orlando at $50 a day to walk the middle schools halls since Sept. and could not explain why and would not tell us why he was there.
Why don't you ask what is really going on in this district, if you cared so much, instead of attacking the messenger.
Don't tell me she's pregnant?
two weeks two ovsd principals gone one resigned one retired, what is going on here? who's next? who ever is the person who gets hired at the middle school needs to be great, it has got to be tough coming into a school mid year. I think either one of our assistant principals inthe district would have been great in that position.
was it a party for leaving or a baby shower
Forced retirement is what I am hearing from inside sources. Mrs. Lightcap should have retired when she was ready, not when she was told to.
I hope she will be happy in the future.
What about Dr. Zackon and other Administrators getting told to leave and retire NOW!
This forced retirement brings up a lot of red flags. This does not look good at all for this district.
2:41pm says this does not look good at all for this district. How many people do you think care one bit that Oley's middle school principal retired whether forced or not? Outside the district 0. Inside the district maybe a half dozen. Once again we see some on this blog making mountains out of mole hills.
After 30 years at this district, to be treated this way is terrible. Maybe no one cares, but that does not make it OK to hurt people and ruin them.
You should live in a mole hill. There are more than a 1/2 dozen people that are sad to see Mrs. Lightcap leave and the way she left. Ask the teachers at the M/S.
Oh, they had a party for Mrs. Lightcap! More taxpayers dollars wasted.
Zackon's coming under pressure with No Child Left Behind and heads are rolling.
Who is next?
It should be Zackon. He sets the tone for this district. He's allowed teachers to be lazy and now trouble is brewing.
Mrs. Lightcap would not have left in the middle of a holiday break. She would have said good-bye to all the children first.
The lead article is interesting. However, the crux of the issue is when a school purposely allows an employee to continue to work (filling the vacancy they created) after a retirement. The article does not imply that there is anything unethetical about soliciting the help of a retired individual to fill a need. It would be wrong to accept a resignation and not pursue an immediate replacement to fill the need. But it is appropriate to fill the need temporarily with an available, qualified individual while searching for a replacement, even if the replacement is already retired.
I would be disappointed if any former employee was brought back to assist within one year of retirement, especially if they were brought back to fill the vacancy they created.
I don't know of any situation where Oley has made any such deals, as pointed out in the article. I have heard where they have brought in substitutes (lesko and orlando), but not to fill vacancies they created, which would be unethical double dipping. This is a big issue when it comes to all government positions, especially in municipal police departments and state agencies.
We brought Mr. Lesko back several times to fill in for administrators who were on extended sick leave or to fill a position until a replacement could be hired. He knew the system and the teachers and it made for a smoother running operation. It made alot more sense than bringing in someone from outside. As I recall, though, because he was drawing a pension he was only allowed to work a certain number days each year or forfeit a portion of his pension. That they have a limit on the amount of days they may work was not mentioned in the article.
RS: Based on your comments, I believe that the Oley SB, to date, has not acted inappropriately in regards to this issue. This is what I had believed, and I am glad you confirmed this fact.
Unfortunately, the topics title is misleading. Thank you for the clarification.
"How can Dr. Zackon say the board will have some choices for a new Principal at the February meeting."
Did the administration act on its own or did the board publicly approve of the action regarding Mrs. Lightcap? What is the law on this issue?
Anyone here know why the board meeting on Jan 16 is being held in the high school cafeteria? Are they expecting a crowd? Don't forget there's a policy committe meeting tonight at 6:00 and combined committee meeting at 7:00.
They usually meet in each school at least once a year. Maybe each month (for the next three) they will rotate to each of the schools.
A different location, same BS.
Great idea. Heat an entire cafeteria to warm up maybe 12 people total. I sure wish we all had a budget like that.
It must have been an interesting meeting last night. From the newspaper account Cindy must have had them stammering and diving for cover.
Board Meeting: 1/9/2008:
“Retirement” of Principal:
By a vote of 7 to 1, the board ratified ..”the retirement of Mrs. Eileen Lightcap, Middle School Principal, effective December 31,2007, and the mutually agreed upon severance agreement between Mrs. Lightcap and the Oley Valley School District.”
2007 District Audit:
The 2007 District audit was made available to the public. The audit made a casual reference to the continuing Amthor Steel lawsuit.
The issue has been in litigation or arbitration since 2003.
“The District is involved in a lawsuit. Although this outcome of the lawsuit is not presently determinable, in the opinion of the District’s counsel of resolution of the matter will not have a material effect on the financial condition of the government”
Court records make the determination that the district is being sued for at least $1,400,000.
This amount would have a material effect on a school budget.
The following article is taken from the blog of Tony Phyrillas to which there is a link on this site. Very interesting read and an indication that HB1275 will probably go nowhere as currently written if the lawyers have anything to say about it.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Lawyers oppose property tax relief
Who could possibly be against the elimination of property taxes in Pennsylvania? The answer is lawyers.
I didn't think anyone, with the exception of Gov. Ed Rendell and members of the Democratic Caucus in the state Legislature, stood in the way of property tax reform in Pennsylvania.
Apparently, the state's lawyers are now the biggest stumbling block.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association is asking members to lobby lawmakers to derail efforts to eliminate property taxes, something politicians have been promising for 30 years.
House Bill 1275, also known as the School Property Tax Elimination Act of 2007, would do just what the title says, relieve homeowners of the burden of paying school taxes.
The lawyers don't want the bill to pass because under HB 1275, sponsored by Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-Berks), the 6% state sales tax would be expanded to include legal
services.
Are you going to allow lawyers and career politicians to stand in the way of eliminating property taxes? House Bill 1275 has been co-sponsored by 44 members of the House and is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations, representing taxpayers in 24 counties.
Find out more about House Bill 1275 at the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition, http://www.ptcc.us/
Thanks Russ for your post, I am going to alert our membership of this special interest agenda in the following e-mail:
The Pennsylvania Bar Association is urging its members to oppose House Bill 1275, the elimination of school property taxes. They oppose the imposition of a tax on legal services.
At part of the plan of this special interest group, the organization has a website offering e-mail service to legislators as well as talking points towards influencing legislators against this bill.
Homeowners have the same right to express their views on property taxes.
Please contact your representative and let know why keeping your home is important to you.
There are links on the Oley Concerned Citizens blog to let you e-mail your legislator.
"By a vote of 7 to 1, the board ratified ..”the retirement of Mrs. Eileen Lightcap, Middle School Principal, effective December 31,2007, and the mutually agreed upon severance agreement between Mrs. Lightcap and the Oley Valley School District.”
Oil and water does not mix, nor does "retirement" and "severance". What's up?
6:29,we all want to know what really happened to Mrs. Lightcap. You need to send a written request to Dr. Zackon asking for her package. That is the only way, and frankly that might not give you all the details. This district gets an A+++ for hiding the truth on a lot of issues.
Since this article was written in the newspaper today, the administration will have to start damage control and most likely will turn everything on Mrs. Lightcap. It is never their fault. For all the years of service to this district, to get the boot the way she did is sickening.
Some day soon if we are lucky, we will have a whole new group of honest people running this district. We can only pray.
the honest ones never stay!!!
"Since this article was written in the newspaper today, the administration will have to start damage control and most likely will turn everything on Mrs. Lightcap"
More bad news about Oley. Every time I pick up the paper and there is anything about Oley it is negative. People must wonder about us.
"Double Dipping in the Oley Valley School District ?"
Is this happening in Oley?
Double dipping is everywhere. Why would Oley be any different?
It's also WRONG.
Do you know of anyone who is doing this in Oley?
Stop The Stonewalling
The special interests are prevailing upon House members of the Appropriations Committee to prevent the property tax elimination bill, HB 1275 from being voted out of committee for a floor vote.
They do not want the bill to see the light of day because they want the status quo of tax and spend with no accountability. They do not want the power structure to change from politicians and special interests to voters.
You can e-mail Representives Samuel H. Smith and William H. Deweese and urge them to let the bill out of committee and have the exposure to the democratic process.
Samuel H. Smith
shsmith@pahousegop.com
William H. Deweese
wdeweese@pahouse.net
Was there a school board meeting last night? Anything to report?
Mr. C will be missed, he is a class act. The students and parents really did like him. I hope the next person does as good a job as he did. Thank You Mr. C, you will be missed.
Meeting 1/16/08 OVSD
In terms of school board activity, there were no "Action" or "Information" items that were noteworthy.
However, bullying still seems to be a problem in the district.
The following commentary is from the blog of Tony Phyrillas. Is this what we send our representatives to Harrisburg to do? And they get a salary of over $75,000 plus perks and benefits for this?!
"Thursday, January 17, 2008
Democrats pull the plug on tax relief debate
If you blinked, you may have missed it.
The hardest-working state legislature in the country debated property tax relief for a few hours this week and then decided to take another vacation.
The Pennsylvania House convened Monday for an hour after a 30-day holiday break. The House met again for an hour on Tuesday and then settled into marathon seven-hour session on Wednesday. On Thursday, the House convened for another three hours and then decided to take a vacation.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the House adjourned until Jan. 28.
You can thank House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, for ending the tax relief debate before it began. Unable to get the votes he needed to push through some of the bogus tax relief bills the Democrats supported, DeWeese did what he always does — punt.
What monumental legislation was approved after those grueling 12 hours this week?
The House unanimously supported a constitutional amendment to permit elimination of homeowners' property taxes … somewhere down the road. The amendment would revise the state constitution to allow a 50 percent cut in property taxes for primary residences. The way the constitution is now written, homeowners and businesses are treated equally so you can't cut property taxes for one and not the other.
The amendment would allow the Legislature to eliminate residential property taxes while keeping taxes in place for businesses and other commercial properties.
This is pretty much all the most expensive state legislature in the country could accomplish despite the fact that most Pennsylvania residents keep telling their lawmakers that property tax relief is the most pressing issue facing the state.
The special interests have shown up in Harrisburg with money and power to crush school property tax reform.
If the obstructionists fail to prevent HB 1275 from a public floor vote, then watch each policitan's vote on HB 1275 and it will be a good indicator who has been "touched".
"You people were much more interesting when you were ripping the football program!!! Its time to play!!"
It is a tragedy for people who played without a helmet who now try to post. Some never grow up and put their toys away.
The superintendent's explanation about bullying in the paper was not satisfactory. The district has a serious public relations problem caused by their own actions.
Are you ready for some football!!
"Are you ready for some football!!
"
Too bad some parents put sports ahead of their children's future.
Football, as all other sports and extracurricular events, help prepare our children for their future. Teamwork, determination, perseverance, dedication....the list goes on and on....Its time to play!!
Sports go hand in hand with a childs education...not ahead of. Together they form a core group of intelligence and values that prepares them for adulthood. Just because you never played sports or are angry at the mega millions being tossed around in pro sports, dont knock kids desire to play football. Let them play!
That's right, let the kids play and the taxpayers pay. The trouble is that when the kids are finished playing the taxpayers have to continue paying.
It was pretty impressive that 3 people from the football aliance showed up for the Jan 21 school board meeting. Where was the rest of the mob? Something better on TV last night? Yeah, you really want football alright.
Dear 5:27:
Are you the official spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State University, or just an anonymous person who chose to misrepresent themselves online as the Pennsylvania State University?
The football "crowd" was asked not to attend.
Hello PSU...
You must have been a great football player. You certainly were not the head of your grammar class. I guess anyone can make it through PSU. I bet just about any real PSU graduate can appreciate sports and education.
Al said, "If the obstructionists fail to prevent HB 1275 from a public floor vote, then watch each policitan's vote on HB 1275 and it will be a good indicator who has been "touched".
2:16 PM, January 18, 2008"
This is exactly correct. Oley's David Kessler had the Democrat leadership retrain his thinking on tax elimination. He won't stand up against his new bosses (Eddie Rendel and the rest) Kessler likes his future Harrisburg pension. His bosses even let him introduce some meaningless bills in his first term. Kessler must GO! Kool-aid drinking democrat.
The football guys say they want football for the community.
It would be nice to see the community come to a board meeting and speak for themselves.
I can only speak for my Oley school district family by saying that we are not in favor of starting football. Look at Fleetwood & Kutztown - failing programs and they struggle to have enough kids in pads. Oley is smaller and will stay smaller.
Just say NO.
"The football guys say they want football for the community."
I heard they did not want to put it to a community ballot vote.
Interesting article from the Blog of Tony Phyrillas which has just been named the #1 influential blog in Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Are Pennsylvania teachers in it for the money?
An interesting op-ed piece in today's Daily Local News in West Chester that examines what many perceive as greed among teachers' unions in Pennsylvania.
The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania is $54,027 for nine months of work.
In the article, "Teaching isn't a 'for profit' profession," Exton resident Philip Bartholomeo recaps the controversy surrounding a threatened walkout by Downingtown Area School District teachers in Chester County if they don't get what they want in current contract talks.
Pennsylvania is one of only 13 states that allow teachers to strike.
Mr. Bartholomeo raises some good points in his op-ed:
"If you doubled salaries tomorrow, it would not materially change any test scores; in fact, the way you posture it, I would expect the energy crisis to be solved by the next graduating class. These kids are getting a fine education with the resources at hand now. Tell me something: When the student population decreases, will you be willing to reduce expenditures, or, will you be spinning the need to have a 10-to-1 student/teacher ratio."
He also wants to know why there is no competition in the education field and why public education costs rise much higher than the rate of inflation:
"What you need to do is get creative because the tired old issue of funding education by continual tax increases will not work. There is something wrong with the bigger picture. Maybe education should be opened to competition. Why shouldn't the taxpayers be given their tax money to choose where they educate their children. Why is it that Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that allows teachers to strike?"
Is it OK to raise questions like these or must we meekly follow the status quo, pay our taxes and keep quiet?
Teachers holding children hostage to wage demands or parents using kids for personal gain..not much difference.
3:17 PM, January 23, 2008 said
"I heard they did not want to put it to a community ballot vote."
Starting a football program can not be a referendum issue. Only the school board has the legal authority to do that.
Will paying teachers more guaranteed better student performance? Of course not.
Let them strike.
Survey school districts that had teachers strike and you'll see that it is no big deal. Kids get through it, the year gets finished and people forget. It is a myth that teachers have strike leverage. At most it is a temporary inconvienence for parents, most kids don't care. Some high school seniors might care if it delays the college application process, but that's it.
If teachers don't like their contract, they can leave for another school district or try to find the same benefit and insurance plan out in the real non institutional work world. There is ALWAYS a new fresh face coming out of teacher college who wants a job. And I don't care about experienced teachers. I've seen plenty of 25-30 year clock puncher teachers. Al least a fresh teacher might have some energy and not be afraid to use technology.
PS: Al, could you pay a few bucks extra and add spell check to this blog? My spelling isn't what it once was and I'm too lazy to get up and get my dictionary!
To 8:17am
The question of whether or not to approve a football program can be put on the ballot as a non-binding referendum in order for the board to get a sense of the community's support.
Also, the board should schedule a public hearing prior to their vote so that both sides can make their case in a rational manner without the emotions that were so evident at a previous school board meeting.
"Starting a football program can not be a referendum issue. Only the school board has the legal authority to do that."
If the football people are so sure the community wants to pay higher taxes over the allowable budget limit, they should have no problems putting the issue to a vote.
To RS;
The point is, you can have all the non-binding referendums you want but the school board still has the final and only vote that counts.
"the board should schedule a public hearing prior to their vote so that both sides can make their case in a rational manner without the emotions that were so evident at a previous school board meeting."
Just where might that take place? In the field behind the fair grounds so the mob will have enough room to bring their torches and pitchforks? Better call the Oley police and the new crime dog for extra security. Kevlar vests for any board member that dosen't vote for football.
The football people presented a petition of close to 2000 signitures in support of a football program to the board. What was impressive about the petition was the locations that they decided to cover.The only highway that run thru the town,the only cummunity fair that is held and right down Oley main street. They suggested that they attained a 85% approval rating.
Maybe there is less opposition than one would think.
As far as the referendum is concerned, it was orginally brought to the boards attention by the pro-football people. The board realized that once you decide to referendum an item it sets the standard to which all programs are to be decided. It has happened elsewhere. The board becomes a toothless tiger.They where advised otherwise.
Besides, any program that would have its price tag attached to it and then be voted on would always attract high opposition.
People love the band, but do they love it for $70,000 per year?
teachers salary + new equipment + transportation...
People like the bowling team, but do they like it for $22,000 per year?
It is all interesting, isn't it?
"As far as the referendum is concerned, it was orginally brought to the boards attention by the pro-football people."
A figment of someone's imagination. A referendum is the last thing footballers want.
"They where advised otherwise"
More creative disinformation. The board received no such direction.
"Besides, any program that would have its price tag attached to it and then be voted on would always attract high opposition."
This is just another way of saying the taxpayers are dumb, and they should should have no say in how THEIR money should be spent.
"Kevlar vests for any board member that dosen't vote for football."
Teaching your child a civic lesson. Act like a thug.
To 5:14pm:
Of course the board would have the final and only vote. But is there something wrong with trying to make that decision based on the wishes of the community at large? That would be the purpose of a non-binding referendum and public hearing. We aren't talking about a one-time expenditure here. This program will cost thousands not just to implement but to expand and sustain.
To 5:28pm: I believe a hearing on this matter can be done without the chaos you describe or is rational discussion a thing of the past in Oley?
I know I wasted alot of space putting out my suggestions. This board will do as it pleases anyway. Any input the public wants to give(both for and against) will have to be done in three minute sound bites at the board meeting.
Dear 5:38:
Were the 2000 signatures registered voters?
RS said, "This program will cost thousands not just to implement but to expand and sustain."
That's right. A full blown football program 7th to 12th grades will easily cost $100,000 per year. Don't let anyone tell you football makes money selling game programs, hotdogs and a couple of t-shirts.
Football will also increase the pressure for spending at least $250,000 for lights on the turf field.
The football guys say they just want a trial program in the middle school. If it dries up and participation is less than they hope for, pitty the evil schoolboard members that will cut the football program. And by the way, tell me when you ever saw a sports program get cut?
There was a story in the Reading Eagle a few days ago about Fleetwood football. "The tigers have been plagued in the past by low turnout..." Oley has many less boys than Fleetwood and the problem with low turnout will be worse.
Those who want football say it is good for the community. What they really mean is that football will be good for THEIR OWN children.
They could live in any school district, why not move to one that has football already. There are plenty real close by.
Does to bother the "waterboy" and "plays with no mouthpiece" that the 2008 budget submitted for the Band is all but $100,000. New uniforms apparently.
And would they recommend a referendum for such an expenditure?
Is that $100,000 for just the band or the entire music program?
What is wrong with referendums? You might find out that the community doesn't share your enthusiasm for spending money.
There are those who are suggesting why not simply have a referendum on all spending? Not just a few or "new" programs, but all programs.
To be honest, my family is not that fond of the Band program and certainly not at such a high cost. If those households want Band they could move to other school districts that already have a Band program. There are plenty close by.
I would love to be able to vote on such unnecessary spending.I would love to see a referendum that would ask: Would you support a Band Program with a per year budget of $100,000 ? Please vote YES or NO.
It would be interesting.
Would you support a Band Program with a per year budget of $100,000?
No. I wouldn't support $100,000/ year for a football program either. Not enough kids benefit per dollar spent.
How about $100,000/ year spent on something that students and the entire community can use like a swimming pool or very nice fitness center - gym?
Both would surely benefit every student and the public at large. That would really be for the community, a lot more than $100,000 worth of helmets and pads for about 50 boys.
An e-mail circulated for PTCC members:
Last Chance For Property Tax Reform?
If you don't mind paying the regressive, archaic, unfair and ever-increasing school property taxes, don't bother reading this E-mail. If you are willing to take a few minutes and try to be part of the solution to an intractable problem, please consider the following:
The week of January 28, 2008 (next week) may be your last chance this year to help persuade the Political Class leadership of YOUR Legislature to pass an effective bill to eliminate school property taxes.
The Political Class leaders do not want to eliminate school property taxes. They like the current system that allows unpaid and out-gunned district school boards to annually increase your school property taxes to feed the insatiable appetite of the state's Education Establishment and they like the Legislature having the freedom to impose unfunded mandates on local school districts, such as the recent increase of 25% in teachers' pension benefits mandated by the Legislature.
Under the current system, you, the taxpayer, have no vote on these annual school property tax increases, which have recently, on average, exceeded the inflation rate each year. With (a) the recent 25% increase in pensions for teachers mandated by the Legislature, (b) annual salary increases exceeding 4% in most districts , (c) expensive auxiliary and building programs and (d) increases in non-teaching support staff, there is little prospect for these annual increases to cease. This is because, notwithstanding the conscientious efforts of good people, the local control by school district boards has proved largely ineffective in being able to control costs driven by the state-wide Education Establishment.
Classic current example: The Cumberland Valley teachers' union rejected the school board's offer of 4.25% annual increases in salaries - the teachers want 4.9% annual increases. The union spokesman said the possibility of a strike "is being discussed and explored......." as reported in The Patriot-News - 1/24/08.
There is only one bill in the Legislature which, if enacted into law, will eliminate school property taxes. This is House Bill 1275, "The School Property Tax Elimination Act Of 2007". Although this is not a perfect bill, Vote For Integrity supports bringing this bill out of committee and allowing the people through there representatives to consider, amend, if necessary, and vote on the only legislation that will achieve the people's goals of eliminating school property taxes, commencing an effective process to control the ever-escalating costs of education and more fairly distribute tax dollars to school districts on a per student basis.
House Democratic leaders Bill DeWeese, Keith McCall, Josh Shapiro and Representative Levdansky do not want HB-1275 to get a fair vote on the House floor. Instead, they are backing HB-1600 and HB-1489, two tax increase bills which will reduce, but not eliminate school property taxes. Reducing school property taxes just leaves room for further school property tax increases, while the other taxes increased to provide the reduction remain in place. This is another variation of the bait and switch shell game the Legislature tried to perpetrate on the taxpayers with Act 1, which the voters soundly rejected last year.
The Republican leaders Sam Smith and John Perzel also follow the dollars of the special interests and do not want to see school property taxes eliminated by shifting these taxes to another source of revenue, such as a broadening of the base (not an increase in the rate) of the sales tax.
This is now a question of the voters against the special interest and the leadership-controlled House. Only you can make a difference by writing, E-mailing or calling these leaders and demanding their support for the elimination of school property taxes.
Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, good government, fair taxation and controlling the always escalating costs of education are in your best interest. Please take action before January 28, 2008 and also demand your local representative to join the fight.
Email addresses and phone numbers for the respective leaders are as follows:
H. William DeWeese wdeweese@pahouse.net, - Democrat
Phone (717) 783-3797
Keith R. McCall kmccall@pahouse.net, - Democrat
Phone (717) 783-1375
David K. Levdansky dlevdansky@pahouse.net, - Democrat
Phone (717) 783-1020
Josh Shapiro
jshapiro@pahouse.net, - Democrat
Phone (717) 783-7619
Sam Smith
ssmith@pahousegop.com, - Republican
Phone (717) 787-3845
John Perzel
jperzel@pahousegop.com, - Republican
Phone (717) 787-2016
To find the relevant contact information regarding your representative, please click on the following link:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm .
If you would like additional information regarding HB-1275, please go to the Pennsylvania Taxpayers' Cyber Coalition's website http://www.ptcc.us/
It should take you no more than 10 or 15 minutes to send a brief E-mail to the leaders and your representatives…………please take this small amount of time to help with this important issue.
Thanks Al for the good information.
Sam Rohrer should get all the credit for not giving up on this issue and carrying the load for years.
I am not a believer in invisible email letters to politicians. Emails can be easily deleted and never get to the intended target. I always send actual letters on paper in envelopes that physically get delivered into an office and have to be physically handled. If I can't personally get into a politician's office, at least my letter can and when there are thousands of them, it makes a BIG impression.
This is part of an article appearing this morning from the blog of Tony Phyrillas. Food for thought:
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Somebody is lying about property tax relief
I read four stories the other day in a Berks County newspaper. See if you can pick out a common theme.
The first, "Preliminary Antietam schools budget calls for higher taxes," is about my local school district, which has raised property taxes every year since Gov. Ed Rendell came to office promising to ease the property tax burden on Pennsylvania homeowners. More on that later.
The next article was "Exeter schools budget calls for 7.8 percent tax hike." I then jumped to "Gov. Mifflin budget would raise taxes" and then read, "Boyertown schools preliminary budget shows tax hike."
All four articles were published the same day. Four school districts. Four preliminary budgets approved. Four significant property tax increases. How can this be?
Gov. Rendell promised to reduce property taxes standing on his head. That's what he told voters in 2002 when he first ran. He then promised Pennsylvania residents that the approval of 51,000 slot machines would bring tax relief. That was in 2004. The following year, he promised that the passage of Act 72 would finally put a stop to runaway property tax increases. The year after that, Rendell promised that Act 1 was the final line in the sand when it comes to those school property taxes.
"This day is a major victory for Pennsylvanians who have fought for decades to have their property taxes cut," Rendell said as he signed Act 1 into law in June 2006. "Every homeowner in Pennsylvania will not only get significant reduction, but they will finally get a say in future tax increases. This bill represents a victory of the possible over politics-as-usual."
What planet is this guy living on? It's been almost two years since the "historic" property tax cuts Rendell promised us and almost every school district in Pennsylvania is raising property taxes, not lowering them
To All:
Just an FYI. In the Oley district, being in the Band is part of the curriculum and satisfies the music portion of the school's curriculum and the students receive a grade on their report cards for this.
I do not believe that students receive a grade for football on their report card.
Also, the band is supported in part by the Music Association which helps reduce costs for the district.
Oley school bus goes missing, Parents want bullying stopped. Does it ever stop?
Not to worry, we have a great big rug to sweep the mess under...the new field.
Ahhh, now I feel better!
Oley bus goes missing.
That was the dumbest, most irresponsible headline the Boyertown Times ever had.
The bus never missing and the paper should retract the story. They blew a simple delay caused by bad weather way out of proportion.
Also notice how the parent supplied the photo to the paper.
I'm no big fan of the district but I can clearly see bad reporting when I see it.
6:17:
I sincerely do not think that you would feel that way if it was your young child who was over one-half hour late.
And it also seems you missed the entire point of the story.
The point is, the parents were never notified that there was the issue of their bus sliding off the road into a ditch. It is the SCHOOL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT PARENTS REGARDING THESE ISSES!
This coming after Dr. Zackon making his wonderful phone call to all parents in the district about how the distric has this new Con-Ed System and that every parent can be notified at once regarding emergency situations, etc.
The fact is, as the paper states, there was no one at school to notify. That's because everyone in the Oley School District is out the door two minutes after the bell rings?
Did you every try to get in contact with a teacher after school? You're lucky if you get a return call by the end of the next day.
Try calling the Administration Building during the day. I have tried calling every extension at various times in the day, and NO ONE PICKS UP THE PHONE.
Since they have voice mail, they can screen calls and if it they see it is a number they don't recognize, they don't have to pick up the phone.
They are paid by taxpayers, and the phone in a school district should always be answered by a human being, not a voice mail message.
How do we as taxpayers know they are even putting in the time they are supposed to.
P.S. Remember the last time an Oley bus was missing, it was found 150 miles away in Maryland.
Good grief Cindy.
How could the bus be missing if parents came to the bus and got their kids? Is Oley school district to blame for badly plowed roads? Don't say they should have had early dismissal because no other district dismissed early and the forecast was for the worse weather much later. I'm sure YOU have tried calling every school district phone extension at various times of the day. Do you really think that Oley is so incompetent in every phase of their responsibilities? If so why haven't you pulled all of your kids out of school?
I guess we can expect you to go to the next board meeting to make another big stink and grab another newspaper headline. I'm glad you have a hobby.
"Is Oley school district to blame for badly plowed roads?"
That is right the roads were the blame for the district losing the bus. No, it was the road’s fault for being a road. Or, it was the weather’s fault for snowing, on the road. Couldn't possibly be the administration's responsibility to have a plan for SNOW DAYS!!
"I'm glad you have a hobby."
Some people can be casual about other parent’s child being in jeopardy. We would be hearing another tune if that was your child stranded on a bus.
The bus was NEVER LOST.
"The bus was NEVER LOST."
When the bus driver can't reach the school and the school does not know there is a problem and the school does not know where the bus is located...QUACK, QUACK, QUACK..the bus passes the test..IT IS LOST!
In an argument with a crazy person, usually the sane person gives up first. They see the futility of arguing with the crazy person. The crazy person has so much irrational energy that propels them to get that last word that they need to satisfy their shallow sense of self esteem.
So you win Cindy. You get the last word.
OMG! That is so funny. At least someone in the oley valley has a sense of humor.
That's right, Cindy, keep your mouth shut. You should know by now that the administration can do no wrong. So what if a bus runs into a ditch and the driver is unable to contact anyone? So what if the superintendent is unavailable and then passes the buck to someone else? So what if parents don't know where their kids are when they are overdue at their bus stop? Somehow the whole thing gets turned around and the person asking questions and demanding answers is said to be at fault. Unbelievable!
"In an argument with a crazy person, usually the sane person gives up first."
The insane think others are crazy. It is called projection. Get help.
About the whole "LOST BUS" thing, think about what really matters, NOW @ THIS TIME!
Was anyone hurt????
Did everyone get home alive???
Think about it... aint that what really matters???????????????
So, the kids were 1/2 hr late... did that ruin your supper plans? Really, I feel your pain, but I just can't reach you.
Honestly, I am suprised you aint blaming the driver, too. I mean really..... GET OVER IT!!!!!!!
"STRANDED ON A BUS"
I personally do not call sitting in bus "stranded". They had warmth and shelter from the weather outside. Its not like the bus rolled over or caught fire and there fore leaving all the kids outside to face the elements.
"So, the kids were 1/2 hr late... did that ruin your supper plans? Really, I feel your pain, but I just can't reach you.
..I personally do not call sitting in bus "stranded".
Careful, posters according to your fellow denyer, anyone who gets the last word is demented. Get help.
11:52 is right.
The newspaper headline should have been "Oley bus gets STRANDED".
But actually since it was such a non-story, it shouldn't have even been in the paper in the first place. The Boyertown Times is a amature newspaper. They do have a good photographer though.
Right Harold? ;)
If the bus was disabled and the kids had no way of getting home at that time then they were STRANDED. That's just a fact unless you have invented another definition for the word stranded.
Ok... on a positive note the Oley Valley World Quest Team placed 1st out of 15 beating out Conrad Weiser (2nd) and Wyo (3rd). The team moves onto the National Competition in Washington DC on April 4-6. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Good job Team!
I seriously hope the school district gives you all the funding you need to make your trip to Washington. This will be a good use of money and great experience for Oley students.
Our gutless Harrisburg elected cronies failed to support Sam Rohrer's property tax elimination bill 1275 today.
David Kessler voted against it.
In case you haven't seen this:
Teachers in the Downingtown School District in Chester County are walking the picket line today, forcing 12,000 students to miss school.
The teachers, who make an average salary of $59,000 a year for nine months of work, rejected pay increases of 4.4, 4.5, 4.5 and 4.6 percent over the next four years. The current top salary for Downingtown teachers is $81,815.
The teachers' union said the pay raises are an insult. The pay hikes show that the school board doesn't respect the teachers, according to union leaders.
If that's the case, where do you get in line for a similar insult? Is there a worker out there who wouldn't jump up and down for an offer of an 18 percent pay raise over the next four years?
Wow someone actually wrote about our daughter and her team winning the World Quest competition today. That is correct, this is the second time they won, last year being the first time and we for sure are super proud of our daughter and the team for all their hours of hard work. Mr. Small gets a big Thank You for keeping World Quest alive in this district. They went to Washington DC last year and we had to ask the board to invite this team to a board meeting, which they did not invite them until this year. A little too late and we should not have to ask the board to invite these great kids, they should want them to come to a meeting, they are what makes this school survive. They are the hard working kids that will go on to become wonderful citizens in this great nation of ours. GREAT JOB AGAIN TO THE WORLD QUEST TEAM.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Swartz
Apology
I was incorrect.
David Kessler voted for the bill 1275 and attached.
However it appears the he voted for it only when he knew that it would be surely defeated.
Best of luck to the World Quest team!
Special Interests Crush Property Tax Elimination
The defeat of HB 1275 is the result of the special interests money and power. They prevailed upon the politicians to gut the homeowners once again.
Many thanks to those who contacted Representative Kessler to vote for HB 1275.
The next move is to target those who voted against HB 1275.
A list of these individuals will be posted on the blog.
R WE FINALLY OVER THE BUS????
ITS ABOUT TIME!!
WAY TO GO AND GREAT JOB TEAM...
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PROGRESS YOU ALL HAVE MADE.
HAVE FUN IN DC AND I HOPE THE TRIP IS FULLY FUNDED FOR YOU!
1:23 the trip is not paid for by the district!
1:23, do you really honestly care about these great kids winning the competition, beating out the whole county??????? I feel from your posting you could care less. What else is new!!!
1:23, do you know where your off button is on your computer? Use it the next time if you do not like what is being written on this blog. The truth is hard to swallow, isn't it???
The bus story was a concern for caring parents that did not know what happened to their young children. If my children's bus is late in a snow storm, you bet I would be concerned and worried, and then to find out the school administrators are no where to be found after school when they know all the buses are not finished with there runs is another nightmare for a parent that wants answers and a location of their children and their bus. I am very glad we do have some concerned and caring parents in this district.
1:23 the trip is not paid for by the district because it is paid in full by the Reading World Affairs Council and its sponsors.
8:17, you are correct. The question should be would the district pay for this trip if they were asked??? Football is coming up for a vote, is sports more important than academics.
Yes or no to the above question does not matter. The team won and are going to Washington DC again for the 2nd. year!! Everyone should be excited for these fine young adults.
This is the first time I am on here, and all I can say is W O W !
Talk about PASION.
I do not see anything wrong with what 1:23 said.
Not to bring up a sore subject, but what happened to the bus was an accident and everyone has them. Its done and over with, nothing you say or do is going to change what happened! All we can do is try to make things better.
If you ask me it looks like 4:45/4:46/7:11 & 8:17 are all the same person, and posting multiple comments to seem like nobody likes 1:23. But in reality you know that you are still bent over the fact that YOU were not in control of something. I got one word for you
LETITGO
Besides I don't see 1:23 asking or saying anyplace about the district paying, just " hope the trip is fully funded "!
8:42 is correct but, I think the district should not have to be ASKED they should be forward and wanting to help these great kids in any way possible!
I know that I am proud of each and every child on the WORLD QUEST TEAM! Even though I might not know all their names or talk to all their parents, I am proud of their success and hope it continues!
4:46,
If you can not see when someone gives someone a thumbs up for doing a good job, and you think everyone is against you, maybe YOU ARE THE CRAZY ONE AND YOU SHOULD GET HELP!
Let's hope the World Quest Team does not take the OVSD bus to the competition.
Gee Al. It must be very rewarding to see your blog used for harping on the school bus delay over and over again.
Too bad some (one) can't get over it and move on to other issues like the property tax elimination disaster at the hands of slimy democrats and cowardly republicans in Harrisburg. Maybe we could discuss other issues at the school district like the possible high school gym renovation, addition to the high school ag science area, track lights, football, lots of other Non-bus related issues.
so Oley has bus issues, football issues, track issues, ag lab issues and two principal openings in the schools!!! what is going on in Oley? Man the Boyertown Times should change its name to the Oley Observer!!! Is the district really that bad of a place? If so why are people living here? Recently it seems as if Oley has gotten some bad press. But the bad press might be deserved, Two principals do not just leave a district mid-year unless there is a problem, and it seems that there is a serious problem as stated before, with football, bussing and track, maybe the school board and others are just out of touch with what the citizens need and want.
to 10:31
None of the issues stated is a PROBLEM. They are almost all opportunities. The Elementary asst. principal left Oley to take a Principal job in the Ephrata school dist. Yes, this happens all the time and yes even during the year. Middle school principal retiring, good for her. She made it to her retire time and checked out. Do you think some private sector employee waits till the end of the corporate year to retire? Heck no. Why do people like you see everything as a horrible crisis? Every issue listed is nothing unique to Oley. Every school dist. deals with these things every day. And they all can be positive and everyone of these is an opportunity to do good.
"Gee Al. It must be very rewarding to see your blog used for harping on the school bus delay over and over again."
Unlike the school board he appears to have no problems with free speech.
Free speach? The school board seems to give Cindy all the speach she needs to ream the school district at every board meeting and get herself in the newspaper.
spelled speech wrong, for you nitpickers.
Mrs. Lightcap for one would not have left in the middle of year. She was told to retire by 12/31/08 and yes that is a problem for any concerned person. Also the asst. principal of the elem. school could have taken the m/s job but was not offered. He and Mrs. Lightcap are a big loss to this district. It seems that alot of the good teachers and administrators are retiring or leaving and that stinks!!!!!!!!!!
Also, Cindy, Al and you if you choose can speak at any meeting if you have a question or concern or your child is getting bullied. Cindy and Al do not tell the paper to run with their concerns, the paper knows is is an important issue that needs to be address in the paper.
You cannot hide anymore what is going on in this district. The truth always wins.
Good day and do not slip!!!
In the past two years the district has had to replace two assistant principals (high school and elementary school) an athletic director, a business manager and now a principal as well, that is a lot of turnover, plus I am probably forgetting a position or two. What is going on?
Well, the pay is higher elsewhere and the goal of most assistant principals is to become principals. It's just the natural course of events. Didn't anyone else in here leave a job to advance their careers....Actually, I bet nobody did....
7:51, you are on a roll again, NOT!!
The Asst. Principal should have been asked to take over Mrs. Lightcap's job. Why not keep them here???? They do a good job and everyone knows them. The turnover here is alarming!!
Maybe they found better pay elsewhere....
Well that is too much turn over in the middle management ranks. I gues someone just needs to ask those who left recently for honest answers, not for the politically correct answers. She myseriously retired and he went to Ephrata, I can't see rural Lancaster County paying more than Oley Valley, so I doubt it was for more money. He would have been great at the Middle School.
maybe Mr. C and Mrs. Lightcap were being bullied and they could not take it anymore, it seems like the kids are doing a lot of bullying, maybe the kids learned it from those who are incharge of the school district.
Actually, Lancaster county pays significantly more than Oley......I know you all thought the highest pay was here.
Wow you know you're starting to recycle topics. You started talking about Mrs. Lightcap, and Mr. C in the beginning of January, and then you got on the bus topic for a while, and now you’re right back where you started. Just let it go or find something new to talk about! People leave places for other better paying jobs. How many of you are still working at your first job?
3:18 what you wrote is politcal spin, trying to get new topics to be posted when the old ones are not resolved. We have high taxes a bullying problem at the schools, football people who want to "let them play", the mysterious retiring or resigning of many administrators over the pst two years. Come on now we may not all be educated but we are not dumb.
Come on now we may not all be educated but we are not dumb.
That's questionable.....
Why didn't you conspiracy theorists run for school board when you had the chance? You would have all your answers if you did.
But no, it is much easier to sit at home on your computer and anonymously throw rocks at the school district from the safety of this blog.
Oh sorry Cindy I forgot that you did do a write-in campaign.
All of the write-ins (not just Cindy and Mickey Mouse) got less that 1% of the vote.
Better luck next time.
again district political spin and dodging the issues, just answer the questions!!!!
Your questions have been answered over and over again. You will not accept anything except your version of the "truth". You are so emotionally invested in hating the school district that you can't accept anything that you don't want to hear.
NEW SUBJECT
Super Bowl Prediction
Patriots Win 34-17
"You are so emotionally invested in hating the school district that you can't accept anything that you don't want to hear."
The pot calling the kettle black. A feel gooder in denial to protect himself from the truth that education takes a back seat to the whims and fancies of a few selfish and greedy people who are able to force their agenda, high taxes, on the community.
List of legislators who voted for and against school property tax elimination
LINK
3:05 right on! 100% correct and the football prediction was wrong: The Giants are the Champs, YES!!!!!!!!!! We love our Giants!!!!!!!!!
What a great day it is. The Giants are the Champs!!!!!
Typical Giants fans.
Easy to jump on band wagon after the game is over. Where was your prediction BEFORE the game?
2:45pm got the Giants score exactly right. Just missed the Patirots score by 20.
Kutztown and Fleetwood football teams didn't have very good leadership...maybe if they did, they would be more successful. Athletics change some students' lives for the better...making them work harder and become a better person. Football does mean a lot to some young men in the Oley area. So...continue to believe that change is a bad thing and don't give them the option to play. That's the right attitude to have! How much is it going to truly cost EACH taxpayer? Does anyone know that information? I say...LET THEM PLAY...but hire a coach that knows what he is doing to make the program successful...possibly one that emphasizes academics along with the athletics!
Well Jim Cantafio is availible, there's a match!!! have him start the Oley School District Football program! maybe he would come to Oley Valley and the Oley Valley slogan can change from "let them play" to "win at all costs" Did he get hired somewhere?
Read in the Eagle today that the Youth League donated bleachers valued at $75,000 to the district.
I also heard that this was not voted on by the Youth League board, but was one person's idea.
Is this true?
"How much is it going to truly cost EACH taxpayer?"
This implies that football would cost very little. If that is the case then football can join the Youth League and have it supported with private donations. Oley does not have the resources to be all things to all people. Put this to a vote to the community.
"then football can join the Youth League"
No it can't. Youth league ends at seventh grade. The Fooball alliance does very well on its own with boys under grade 7. After that they have no where to play.
Personally I believe at that point they should go out for wrestling. Oley should build a wrestling dynasty like another football-less school district...Brandywine.
"LET THEM PLAY"
Nobody is stopping them from playing except their parents who want to "play" with other people's money. Pay for it themselves or put it to a vote by all.
Are You Paying Too Much For Property Taxes?
Click the link for an interesting article about homeowners who may be paying too much property tax and what to do about it
Link
12:19 you are correct.
What's wrong with pay to play? Ice hockey is extremely expensive but kids still find the money somewhere. Not to mention practicing at 4AM for cheap ice time. Conrad Weiser has a high school ice hockey team in name only, more like a club actually. The kids and parents fund it almost entirely.
Lets pursue an Oley Band Club and Track Club.
Where can anyone go to raise a nice family and send their children to a happy public school?
Answer:
You don't have to go anywhere. You have to make it happen yourself. You want all the extras for your children? Put your collective heads together and fund it/plan it/run it yourselves.
The two sports with the highest cost per child are Golf and Bowling.
Lets get ride of them!!
Why don't you take a break, Doc?
I guess you people want to add an equestrian team also. Maybe Gotwals will donate a horse.
"The two sports with the highest cost per child are Golf and Bowling.
Lets get ride of them!!"
Let's force more families from their homes to pay for football!!
You would only have to force one family each year out of their home to support football in Oley.
A very modest home worth $100,000.
Works for me. Let 'em play!
"You would only have to force one family each year out of their home to support football in Oley.
A very modest home worth $100,000.
Works for me. Let 'em play!"
You have your numbers confused, sport. It costs $100,000 a year for football. Wouldn't it be ironic if the families forced from their homes are the very same ones who want to force football on us.
No sport. You are confused and you can't read. I said $100,000.
You even typed what I typed and you still don't get it.
Good to have you Oley grads here at Al's Blog and Feed Mill.
Yo 9:30:
Go find another blog to play on!
Why don't you sell your house and donate the money to the Oley football team?
That would be addressed to 9:38, not 9:30.
No one has to sell their home if athletes just pay to play.
if anyone in Oley valley wants to sell their home for $100,000 they are idiots and I will be more than happy to buy thier home for that, as long as it is not a trailer. The only places you can buy homes for under 100,000 is in the city of Reading or a trailer park. Is there any word on a replacement for the open principal positions?
Pay for play seems fair. Parents who cannot afford to pay will be paid for by an additional assessment to each sport. The system will be funded by those with the ability to pay.
Hey 1:44 I guess a "trailer" isn't good enough for you? You must be one of the rich ones who like paying high property taxes. Why don't YOU sell your house and pay for football. Sell your little BMW and have the tennis courts fixed while your at it. No your probably live off mommy and daddy's money anyway. Snob.
What is the Board President going to tell us at Wednesday's meeting?? Look at the agenda on the districts web-site and you will see #8 it only says Board President with no topic after that!!
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!!!
Good job Cindy. We can all be on alert for more doom & gloom.
Thanks for the heads up.
PS; you might look silly again if it's just an announcement about graduation or a concert.
I'll bet on you looking silly.
6:44, get a life. Cindy did not write that and why are YOU acting as if nothing big might happen?? I was just asking why #8 has the name "Board President" and then nothing after it. Why is it written like that when every other topic has been typed out to tell us what the board will be talking about?
Come on Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. Know-it-all, you look like you would have the answer!!! NOT!!!
See you Wednesday!! :) :) :)
Be there or be square!!!
Sorry 6:44:
I am really sorry to disappoint the blog audience that I am not responsible for every entry on this blog.
I learned about ASSUME from a teacher in the Oley School District in 9th or 10th grade English. From a teacher who didn't take any crap from anyone. It certainly was something that to this day I have not forgotten.
ASSUME makes an ass of you and me.
Again, I am sorry to disappoint all the readers who expect that I am the author of all on this blog. I have not posted on this blog since last year.
C.Smith
or Dr. Know-it-less!
Cindy,
For one who claims not to assume anything, you throw out many of your own assumptions about the school district right here.
Theories that are factually wrong.
Pot calling the kettle black?
SPORTS HELP ENSTILL DISCIPLINE ...WHICH IS WHAT YALL NEED. I DIDNT HAVE A CHANCE TO PLAY SPORTS @ MY SCHOOL BECAUSE THERE WAS BARELY ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN. SO IN A DISTRICT THAT IS IN THE SHAPE THIS ONE IS IN YALL SHOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE SPORTS ATALL. MAYBE YALL THINK THE KIDS WOULD BE BETTER OFF W/OUT ANY EXTRA ACTIVITIES (SPORTS, BAND, CHIOR..) OR ANY CLUBS. THEN YALL WOULD HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO BUT BITCH THAT YOUR KIDS DO NOTHING BUT WATCH TV, PLAY VIDEO GAMES, AND HOG UP ALL THE COMPUTERS IN THE HOUSE.
YALL NEED TO GET OVER YASELVES AND THINK ABOUT THE KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Again, I am sorry to disappoint all the readers who expect that I am the author of all on this blog. I have not posted on this blog since last year.
C.Smith"
Cindy, who are you trying to fool? Your finger prints are all over this blog. Anyone who looks at this on a regular basis knows how you write. You are the type that can't stay away from this thing. You always have to get the last word, or a newspaper headline. You are so full of crap the crap factory delivers right to your house.
hahahaha Although I think most of this blog is bull*@#$, I must say that 8:52 wrote a pretty accurate blog! I think we all know better! ;)
to 8:52, thanks for the snow day laugh!!!!!
My feelings exactly!!!
2:12,
Wow, you sound very edjemacated!
N O T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oley School Board meeting cancelled for tonight.
When is the next meeting? Will tonights meeting be tomorrow night???
The facts and truth that is posted on this blog by the OCC bothers the pro-boarders and that is a shame, but to write and attack the OCC, i.e. Cindy or Al or any other person that writes the facts and truth is down right nasty and wrong. Look in the mirror and what do you see, evil, a person that wants to hide the truth and facts and live in lala land that everything is always great, nothing that is going should be of concern. Well that is what we all would like, but in the real world that is not possible and to write the truth and facts for our children is nothing but being a great caring person. I am very glad I have the honor to know Cindy and Al!! I know that they care about my children and all of the other children in this district. We want honesty and that is it!!! If there is a problem, the board should be honest and answer to the public. They owe us that !!!
Attack back all you want, we are used to it!!!!! At least we can sleep at night knowing we did our homework!!
Maybe you did your homework...but you used the wrong pages in the book....
Hey Mary
"any other person that writes the facts and truth is down right nasty and wrong. Look in the mirror and what do you see, evil,"
Thanks for the reminder that only the OCC can call people names.
Good to hear from you! and by the way you forgot to say evil SNAKE.
Where is Russ the voice reason?
I wonder if Linda B. still cares about us here stuck in the land of taxes and evil people? She is so lucky to have escaped to the land of no taxes and all nice people.
The list of characters on this site/ soap-opera is pretty short.
Al, Cindy, Mary, RS, Linda B who left us and someone who still wears a cup. Some rightly anonymous bloggers fill in the blanks now and then.
Al, we need new blood here. Put an ad in the Boyertown Times. "Insane Bitter Bloggers Wanted"
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