Community Matters

I received the following email from Patricia Connelly of Pittsburgh.  Rather than offering a personal response to Patricia, I thought it would be interesting for Community Matters readers to respond.  Any thoughts or words of encouragement to offer . . . it is apparent that the budget and concern for public education spending cuts is [...]

Filed under: Pennsylvania State budget, TESD Budget, Tom Corbett, Tredyffrin Easttown School District | 9 Comments »

As Tredyffrin-Easttown School District works through the 2011-12 budget, it is interesting to watch how other school districts are handling their budget shortfalls, particularly in light of the public education cuts in Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget. This week the Radnor School District and the Radnor Township Education Association reached a tentative agreement for a new teacher [...]

Filed under: TE School District, TEEA, TESD Budget, Tredyffrin Township, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District | 11 Comments »

I was emailed the following New York Times op-ed article by Maureen Dowd.  Although graphic in its contents, I think it is important to keep the story alive — we owe this much to all children who have suffered. I salute Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams, the ‘avenging altar boy’, for being the peoples’ champion. [...]

Filed under: Tredyffrin Township | No Comments »

Seemingly to show support for the severity of the state’s economic situation, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is encouraging its local teacher union members to consider Gov. Corbett’s request for a one-year pay freeze in the following press release.  Could this be the answer to school district problems?  Whether it is the possibility of furlough and school [...]

Filed under: Pennsylvania State Education Association, Tredyffrin Easttown School District, Tredyffrin Township | 5 Comments »

It is interesting to note how other school districts are exploring different options internally to reduce expenses.  Apparently, Tredyffrin Easttown School District joins the ranks of Bucks County’s Morrisville School District to consider outsourcing custodial services in addition to an early retirement plan to its teachers. According to a recent article in www.phillyBurbs.com  Morrisville School [...]

Filed under: Pennsylvania State budget, Pennsylvania State Education Association, TEEA, TESD Budget, Tredyffrin Easttown School District, Tredyffrin Township | 12 Comments »

Last night was the T/E School District’s Finance Committee Meeting.  One of the solutions offered to help close the looming deficit for the 2011-12 school district budget is the outsourcing of the custodial services. Outsourcing of the custodial service is expected to save the school district an estimated $950K in the budget.  Last night, several [...]

Filed under: Andy Dinniman, TESD Budget, Tredyffrin Easttown School District, Tredyffrin Township, Warren Kampf | 42 Comments »

The dust has begun to settle on Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget.  Although most areas of government were not exempt from cuts, the decrease state funding to higher education and school districts may have the greatest effect on local residents.  In reviewing the governor’s budget proposal for public school funding, Sen. Andy Dinniman offered the school districts [...]

Filed under: Andy Dinniman, Chester County, TESD Budget, Tom Corbett, Tredyffrin Easttown School District, Tredyffrin Township | 6 Comments »

Clocks will spring forward at 2 AM Sunday as Daylight Saving Time commences. Don’t forget to change your clocks. Why do we observe Daylight Saving Time, other than to enjoy an extra hour of summer sunshine?  Daylight Saving Time is a way of getting more light out of the day . . . the sun [...]

Filed under: Tredyffrin Township | No Comments »

On Thursday, March 3, I emailed State Rep. Warren Kampf in regards to the proposed school voucher legislation. I followed up my email with a telephone call to his Paoli office on March 7.  At that time, his chief of staff, Sean Dempsy spoke with Rep. Kampf re my email and offered that Rep. Kampf would have a [...]

Filed under: School Vouchers, State House 157, Warren Kampf | 12 Comments »

Teacher contract negotiations between the union, Tredyffrin Easttown Education Association (TEEA) and the T/E School District will not begin until 2012 but . . . apparently that has not slowed the filing of a labor dispute between the union and the school district. Here is the abbreviated background on the lawsuit.  In December 2009, the [...]

Filed under: Tredyffrin Township | 68 Comments »