Pattye Benson

Community Matters

Tredyffrin Township

A Community Matters Reader with Specific TESD Budget Questions . . . Can We Help with Answers?

January 19, 2010
5 Comments

One of our Community Matters readers, ‘Full of Questions’ sent in a comment which contained specific questions that we may be able to answer for him/her. As I often do, if there is a comment that I think needs frontpage attention, I post it here so that everyone sees it. Read through the questions and respond if you think you can help — please label your responses to match the numbered questions.

Full of Questions writes . . .

I have enjoyed reading the posts on this site. Unfortunately I still have so many questions that are unanswered and I have no idea where to get the answers. Maybe someone out there can help me to understand this whole situation better…

1. Why – when we are in a budget crisis – are we buying office space and renovating new buildings? How much have these new acquisitions cost us, the taxpayers, in the past two years? Has this contributed to the $9 mil we now need to find somewhere?

2. Someone mentioned that administrators get a stipend to pay for the healthcare plan of their choice. If an admin does not use this do they get to pocket this money? I am asking since I know of at least 3 administrators that have teachers that work in the district. Do they just get to get a free ride on their spouses plan and then still get to pocket their stipend? In essence we would be paying them twice for their healthplan.

3. Why have the number of administrators at the educational offices increased over the past 4 years? It appears that there used to be ~10 admin at the ESC but now there are ~15. Why do we need this additional staffing? It seems that as prinicpals have been promoted new positions have been created at the educational offices for them (ie. Donavan, Dinkins, Gusick)

4. Looking at the posted link for teacher salaries I can also see admin salaries. Building on the previous point – the admin salaries make up ~$3.5 mil of the budget. That number does not include whatever stipend they get for healthcare. That number does not include the money we are paying for them to go back to school and earn their doctorates. Again – why do we need to have this many admin each costing us well over ~100,000-$200,000/year?

5. What are these on-line classes they are talking about offering at the high school? I would have liked more information about this instead of reading about it in a blog… How much are these going to cost us? Or are they using it as a way to outsource teaching for a cheaper cost?

It has been several times that everything is out in the open – but I truly find that hard to believe when it seems something new pops up each time I read this blog or minutes to one of the committee or board meetings. If anyone can answer any of these questions I would really appreciate it. I am trying not to place blame, although it is hard not to given the circumstances. I just feel that I do not have all of the facts. Is the teachers union to blame for trying to get a good contract for their teachers? Is the board to blame for accepting a contract that they could not support financially given the other financial obligations (ie. new buildings, admin, etc.)? Are the administrators to blame for not giving the board all of the information they need to make an educated decision?

Specifics on Pennsylvania $161 Million Budget Cuts Announced

January 19, 2010
Comments

In December, Governor Rendell vowed to cut an additional $170 million from Pennsylvania’s state budget in order to make up for lower-than-anticipated tax revenues. It looks like the specifics of those cuts have now been finalized. Here is a press release with the specific cuts but I am confused. I thought that the recent approval of the tables games was to help the budget situation? And here I thought that the state was going to help us with the teacher’s pension contribution increase? How is that going to be possible?

Pennsylvania Budget Cuts Another $161 Million

Pennsylvania’s budget took another hit, as the state released details of a $161 million round of cuts, which Gov. Ed Rendell ordered last month. Each department was instructed to cut another one percent from its current budget and while some trimmed each program equally, other departments eliminated programs to make the cut.

The Department of Community and Economic Development shed almost $11 million, cutting in whole the $200,000 previously allotted for the Super Computer Center, $1.23 million for infrastructure technical assistance and $1 million for minority business development. Funding for agile manufacturing, powdered metals and digital & robotic technology, together less than $1 million, was also cut.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources lost $1 million even as its forest land fetched bids above $5,000 per acre today from natural gas drillers looking to tap into the Marcellus Shale. Cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection totaled $3.8 million and were an even one percent across all programs.

Education funding fell by $27.8 million, eliminating the $1.9 million mobile science education program, $400,000 of higher education assistance, and $2 million for community education councils.

In health services, a $2.6 million biotechnology research program was stripped of its funding. Children’s Hospital lost its $200,000 share from the Department of Emergency Management while the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh had its $431,000 health appropriation cut to $215,000. Health care clinics that were due to receive $3 million from the Department of Public Welfare were cut from the budget, as were acute care hospitals, slated for $4.7 million in funding.

Several programs under the executive branch were eliminated, including safe neighborhoods, violence reduction, and $1.25 million for agricultural research, promotion, education and exports. Food marketing and research and the farm school nutrition initiatives were also axed.

Another $1 million was cut from the governor’s grants to the arts. Museums took another hit during this round. Museums took another hit during this round. General museum assistance grants were slashed by a third and specific funding for the Carnegie Museum of National History and the Carnegie Science Center was cut in half from $113,000 each to $57,000.

The Department of Labor and Industry cut is New Choices/New Options program, a $1.5 million initiative to retrain and place individuals looking for new careers.

Is the Teachers Union Aiding in the Fact vs. Fiction Component of the TESD Budget Crisis

January 18, 2010
6 Comments

Reading comments from teachers, school board members and taxpayers, it would seem that the teachers union, Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is adding to the element of confusion and misunderstanding. I am struggling to figure out if the misinformation is ‘by design’ from the PSEA to confuse the teachers (and therefore confuse the taxpayers). It is well understood that this school district like so many in this country is facing a financial crisis. It would appear that this is the time for all of us to work together instead of against each other. As a good first step, I would propose that the information disseminated be supported. Unfortunately when situations reach a crisis level within an organization (whether it is the school district, local government, corporations, etc) rumor mills explode and before you know it, things are out of control.

I certainly do not claim to be an expert on the school district or its budget by any stretch. Our daughter was not in the public school system so I admit to not being as involved as I should have been as a taxpayer. So I am coming at this subject at a distinct disadvantage with minimal background of experience. However, I am beginning to think that the teachers union is coloring the picture to its membership slightly different from reality. Or am I just reading the situation wrong? What is your opinion of the teacher unions . . . are they helping the case for the teachers or are they a contributing factor to the current budget crisis (and unrest) in the community? Is it unthinkable that teachers unions may re-open their teacher contracts for additional negotiations in light of the economic crisis? Or is that simply pie in the sky thinking?

Governor Candidates Meet with Teachers Union . . . Show Support for Education Funding & Teacher Pensions

January 18, 2010
2 Comments

In light of all the discussion yesterday with the TESD budget, I thought it would be appropriate to offer an update on Pennsylvania’s governor hopefuls and their meeting over the weekend. In Harrisburg, 6 governor candidates met with the state’s major teachers union, Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). These governor candidates all support more state funds for public education and support the state’s commitment for teacher pensions, however only two offered specific ways to raise the billions of dollars that will be needed.

Joe Hoeffel (D) from Montgomery County thinks that the state should move to a graduated income tax, where wealthier people pay at a higher rate, while the middle and lower income residents pay at a lesser rate. The state currently uses a flat, 3.07% income tax rate for all taxpayers. Hoeffel said that 34 states now have a graduated income tax, which focuses a steep tax rate on the top 1% of the taxpayers. Hoeffel believes that this is fairer than the current flat income tax. As a Tredyffrin Easttown School District taxpayer, what do you think of Hoeffel’s proposal of a graduated income tax?

Tom Knox (D) Philadelphia businessman offered a severance tax on natural gas; taxing cigar and smokeless tobacco sales; and ending the loophole which allows companies to shield income by setting up offices in Delaware. I think some of these ideas have been bantered about by Governor Rendell. I don’t know about the other ideas but I sure think we should be taxing cigar and smokeless tobacco sales — why not? We tax cigarettes, why not cigars? I’m not sure why it’s not already being done.

Candidates Dan Onorato (D) from Allegheny County; Jack Wagner (D) state auditor general; and Chris Doherty (D) mayor of Scranton also attended the teacher’s union meeting along with Republican candidate Tom Corbett, state attorney general.

All 6 candidates agreed that school districts around the state need more options for raising money locally than just property tax (however, no one offered an specifics). Hoeffel did offer that nationally, states provide 47% of school funding vs. Pennsylvania only receiving 37% from the state. All candidates agreed that (1) state funding needed to increase beyond 37%; (2) increase funding for early childhood education programs; and (3) help find the $5 billion that starting in mid-2012 will be needed to fund teacher pensions. They all praised the teachers for the recent gains in student scores on standardized tests, saying Pennsylvania was the only state with uniform improvements regardless of grade level.

With all the TESD budget discussion on this site from residents, teachers and school board members, it is beginning to seem that the teacher union is coloring the picture to its members slightly different than reality. Or am I just reading the situation wrong? What is your opinion of the teacher unions . . . are they helping the case for the teachers or are they a contributing factor to the current budget crisis (and unrest) in the community? Anyone wish to weight in on the teacher unions?

View from Someone who is Both Taxpayer and Teacher in the Tredyffrin Easttown School District

January 17, 2010
24 Comments

There have been 2 comments that I have been aware of from Tredyffrin Easttown School District teachers – however, there was no indication whether they were also local taxpayers. However, I just received the following comment from an individual who is both teacher and taxpayer in our district. I thank him (or her) for weighing in from the perspective of both teacher and taxpayer. I thought the comment deserved front page attention. Do you agree/disagree with the teacher/taxpayer assessment of TESD’s current economic situation?

T/E Teacher and T/E Taxpayer:

As both a teacher and taxpayer in T/E, I am very concerned with the future of the quality of our school district and hence, the values of our property. We enjoy one of the finest school districts in the country which makes the values of our homes exponentially more than neighboring districts. We must remember, we enjoy the 2nd lowest school tax rate in the state. NO district is making the agressive cuts that are proposed. Internally, we have heard from the union that 30-35 teaching jobs in addition to all of the teachers hired this year as long term subs will be gone!!! Why??? The reality is that neighbor districts DO PAY THEIR teachers more, offer retirement healthcare and bonus, have much more technology, newer facilities (schools) and personal laptops for each student and teacher!!!

UNDERSTAND PLEASE…I am not complaining as a teacher! This past contract closed the gap between T/E teacher’s pay and other districts. For example, before this contract, Upper Darby teachers were making more than me as a T/E teacher. We do pay into our benefits which is also forgotten. This whole debate and situation raises the question of why is our district in so much trouble and laying off teachers when other districts have more and are not??? The answer is that we as taxpayers have been undertaxed in comparison to the districts around us (yes, I said it and mean it) and therefore, the district relied to heavily on transfer taxes. Now no transfer tax, we are sitting hear screaming about taxes!!!

As a T/E taxpayer, I want to know why we are not tapping our reserves-the piggy bank of nearly $30 million???? The proposed budget is adding another 1million into the piggy bank, why??? Why does no one hear ask about the reserves? What about the 2.9% tax and then tap the reserve?

Does Age and Respect Guide Our Decisions?

January 17, 2010
4 Comments

There have been many comments posted over the last few days in regards to TTRC Chair CT Alexander’s Letter to the Editor in this week’s local newspaper. The letter, its words and Mr. Alexander’s behavior over the last few weeks have caused much discussion. At times, Mr. Alexander seemingly acts on behalf of the organization he heads but at other times, much to the chagrin of some of his members, he acts on his own (but under the umbrella of the local Republican Committee).

I found the following comment from someone close to Mr. Alexander very interesting and it got me thinking. I grew up in an era that expected (and demanded) respect from any of those who were older. I never called my parents’ friends by their first name, but instead they all became ‘Aunt’ or ’Uncle’ (I was probably at least 12 before I realized that these people were not actually blood relatives!) Growing up, there was unquestioning respect for police officers, teachers, and clergy. In fact, when my brothers and I started school, my folks never questioned the decisions of the teacher or principal . . . the school was always right, and us kids were wrong, no matter what. Although times have certainly changed, I do think your childhood very much determines who you are and how you live your life. For me, that surfaces in the respect that I still have for those who are older. I often make excuses for their behavior, at times much more forgiving of attitudes and remarks than I would ever be from my peers.

Do you agree with Anonymous remarks concerning Mr. Alexander’s behavior? Should someone that is close to him just step in and take over? Or did they grow up in a world that demanded respect for their elders and therefore, there can be no intervention?
Do you filter your own criticisms if the person is older?
Does it make a difference if the older person represents a group?

Anonymous, on January 17th, 2010

Jim and John
I have known John Alexander probably longer then both of you. In watching his behavoir lately, I hope you never get old. It is clear he is losing his faculties and out of respect no one around him is doing anything about it. As a life long republican I think that it may be time to let him go enjoy retirement and let someone else lead the charge before he totally ruins the reputation of the committee. He’s a good guy at heart but he is doing the party damage.

What I can’t understand is why those close to him aren’t looking out for him and checking these confused rants of his before they get out. That I think is a worse indicator of what’s going on internally. You wouldn’t let a drunk get behind the wheel… would you?

A View From a Tredyffrin Easttown School District Teacher

January 16, 2010
25 Comments

I received a comment from a ‘concerned teacher’ in the Tredyffrin Easttown School District. Rather than seeing this comment buried on an old post, I thought it deserved front page attention. I urge the TESD teachers to present their views on the budget crisis in the school district; it’s important that we hear all sides.

It is easy for us to get caught up in this looming school district tax increase and possibly overlook the staff and how they will be impacted by the loss and/or decrease of programs, services, etc. Does the ‘concerned teacher’ make fair statements; does he or she represent how the majority of the TESD teachers are feeling? Should the value of our school district teachers outweigh the cost to the taxpayers? How does the teacher’s contract work — does that mean their jobs are safe from 2010-11 budget cuts? Does a real possibility exist that the school district budget crisis will require staff reduction in TESD? It would be great if some of our school board members could help us understand – their comments would be greatly appreciated. Remember, you can submit comments anonymously, and without email addresses.

Concerned Teacher writes . . .

I hope that when you post and talk about the delusional tax increase of 7.2% in a township ranked 499 out of 501 in millage rates in the entire state of PA, you realize you may be costing me my job as an extremely dedicated teacher in the district. And I also hope that you realize that our lack of passion in demanding health care reform (yes, a public option) enabled Blue Cross to increase the rates on our teacher benefits 28% which has incurred 5 million of the 9.25 million dollar deficit that is about to cause me to lose my job.

But you can continue to rant about your minimal tax increase possibilities to fund the educational system that is consistently one of the top 5 in the state and nation while teachers like myself fall by the wayside and desperately look for ways to support our families come June of 2010. Your quest to stay way more comfortable than you really need to be will cost you the quality of education for your children, and casting teachers, unions, and pensions as the villains of your community is reprehensible. Take a breath, step back, and be thankful for what you have…and realize that you may need one less SUV to pay for it rather than putting teachers out of work.

Do CT Alexander's "Actions Speak Louder than his Words"?

January 15, 2010
18 Comments

Do Actions Really Speak Louder than Words?

Maybe we can apply that phrase to TTRC Chair CT Alexander’s Letter to the Editor in this week’s Main Line Suburban Life. Mr. Alexander claims that he signed the ePetition for the reinstatement of the firefighters budget cut, when we now know that his name does not appear on the list. On one hand, Mr. Alexander publically speaks of his support for the firefighters at the December 21 Board of Supervisors meeting and in his position as Chair of the Tredyffrin Township Republican Committee he commits $5,000 in matching funds to the firefighters. (It appears from my correspondence with Mr. Alexander, that his organization has almost completed their $5,000 committment). So, . . . do we want to believe that Mr. Alexander was not using his position as Chair of TTRC in a politicizing manner but want to believe his actions were pure and out of support for the fire department?

Then on the other hand, in his Letter to the Editor, I quote Mr. Alexander, ” . . . From earlier shows I remember Bill’s encouragement to sign an Internet petition in favor of re-instatement of the Berwyn Fire Company’s budget cut from the [Tredyffrin] township’s 2010 budget. I signed that petition and added that I had a plan. . . “ We know now that Bill DeHaven never spoke of the ePetition on any of his Good, Bad and Ugly shows. But we have further learned that the Firefighter’s Support ePetition does not contain CT Alexander’s name as he claims in the Letter to the Editor. Not to “beat an old horse” myself as Mr. Alexander suggested of Bill DeHaven, is there significance in the words that Mr. Alexander wrote? Does it matter that Mr. Alexander apparently did not speak the truth when he wrote his letter? Or, is it just important that he made good on his promise and delivered most of the TTRC’s $5,000 donation to the firefighters?

I am trying to understand the motive behind Mr. Alexander’s words but maybe the motive doesn’t matter . . . You decide.

Haiti Earthquake Relief Help

January 15, 2010
Comments

I know that we all have been extremely troubled by the news videos and stories coming in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake. My husband and I visited Dominican Republic a couple of years and witnessed firsthand the extreme poverty and poor living conditions on that side of the island so I can only imagine the situation in Haiti. Many in our community are wondering how they can help the Haitian people. Fomer presidents Clinton and Bush are working together on Haiti relief efforts and I would suggest that you visit the Clinton Foundation website for a list of ways that you can contribute and help our Caribbean neighbors.

Here is the link for the Clinton Foundation: http://www.clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake/

Here is the contact for the US Department of State’s Haiti information:
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/index.htm

TTRC Chair CT Alexander Updates on Contributions; Bill DeHaven Responds

January 15, 2010
1 Comment

As I mentioned in yesterday’s posting, I was going to contact TTRC Chair CT Alexander concerning his organization’s pledge to the firefighters. Mr. Alexander responded to my request with the following information. Based on his email (and my math), it would appear that the Berwyn Fire Company has received $4,325 from the TTRC, with the remaining $675 expected by the end of February. One question I neglected to ask Mr. Alexander but I guess that it does not matter — what exactly the $5,000 in matching funds meant; matching to what?

” . . . I am posting today a letter with three more checks to Rip Tilden. Of the $5,000 pledged by individuals, so far all but $675 has been paid in, with “checks in the mail” to me of an additional $500. I have but $175 to collect. My goal is to get that amount to the Fire Company by February 28th. . . “

For those of you who did not see Bill DeHaven’s comments to Mr. Alexander’s letter to the editor, here they are. I just love Bill’s community spirit and humor! And it’s good to know that he has not beaten any horse, dead or alive! I have watched Bill and Dan’s Good, Bad & Ugly show in question and as far as I could tell those remarks related to the negative campaign mailers were made immediately following the election, back in November. Also to set the record straight, Mr. Alexander’s letter to the editor stated that he personally signed the ePetition in support of the reinstatement of the firefighter’s budget cut . . . however, no one can seem to find his name on the list. The only other loose end is an update from Supervisor Olson (on the total contributions to date) which I hope to have before Monday night’s Board of Supervisor meeting.

Bill, on January 14th, 2010 at 5:35 pm

  • Never have i beaten any horse, alive or dead. Can’t see the connection between the cardboard check and the stupid republican mail piece. The show on which we discussed that was taped in November. Didn’t mention the petition on the GB&U but did send an e-mail to all local addresses including Mr. Alexander with the petition address asking recipients to please read and sign.

    Local Fire Companies should be funded by tax dollars when necessary. Firefighters should not have to raise money. This is a volunteer position that requires significant training and 24hr. coverage.

  • As part of the above: Mr. Alexander was contacted before this post. He will continue to assist B.F.C. raise money and stands by his comments.

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