Hearsay . . . really?

In his letter to the editor of the Courier Times, Phil Schieber of Flowers Mills said that the stand Bill Spitz and I took against board interference in Neshaminy’s hiring process was based on hearsay instead of evidence. Funny, but I thought it was pretty factual when I stated that our superintendent, per his own words to me, was misled regarding the board’s involvement in changing the official recommendation for an administrative position (since I’m a board member, I should know if WE agreed on such a change). Also not in dispute is that Dr. Spitz repeatedly challenged those I accused to explain their actions, and neither gentleman would even deny the charges.

One thing I’m sure that both Schieber and I would agree on is that hearsay without any factual support can be harmful. One example occurred around the May 2007 election primary when a resident of Flowers Mill spread an unfounded rumor in his community that I refer to senior citizens as “old geezers.” A more recent example would be how a couple of gentlemen in Flowers Mill told residents back in February that school taxes could go up as much as $1,000 even though Act 1 restricted the average increase to no more than $370.

Such examples show that hearsay and unsubstantiated rumor can be used to cause fear and panic within a community. But you can rest assured, Mr. Schieber, that the information that Bill Spitz and I reported to the community are factual and verifiable.

Recommendation due on teacher contract negotiations

According to an article in the Courier Times, “Today, a fact-finder, assigned by the state Department of Labor Relations, is scheduled to make a recommendation after reviewing both sides' cases . . .”

Up until now both sides have described progress as slow. Unfortunately there is not more I can tell you because I cannot participate in the negotiations, so I’m pretty much hearing things at the same time as you.

Please feel free to add your comments regarding this situation BUT please keep your opinions respectful and on-topic. I will not publish insults, unfair attacks on either side, or baseless rumors.

When you read the Courier Times article, you can also add your comments at the bottom of that story. Here is a link to that article.

Happy Birthday!

We are 6 months old today!

With over 40,800 hits since its inception last November, this blog averages more than 225 visits each day. We could never have achieved this success without your devotion to the Neshaminy School District.

Thank you all for stopping by!

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Redistricting plan ready and waiting

A quote in a Courier Times article from Assistant Superintendent, Lou Muenker, about the potential closing of Neshaminy Middle:

“I think we have a viable plan with the best interest of students and staff,” said Muenker. “We understand that redistricting is a very tough, emotional subject because everyone loves their home school. But it's, unfortunately, necessary.”

You can read the article in its entirety by clicking here.

Hard work and community support make a difference

The highlight of last night’s board meeting was the revelation that next year’s budget deficit has been whittled down from its original $15.6 million to just under $3 million. Superintendent Kadri is still optimistic we can get the budget down to the Act 1 limit of a 4.4% tax increase (without benefit of any exemptions). We’re not completely out of the woods yet regarding our budget woes; we continue to tap into our reserve fund to offset expenditures, and we still have what Kadri referred to as a “$7million structural deficit.” So unless certain cost issues are addressed, we will find ourselves in a similar situation when the 2009/2010 budget cycle begins. But for now the budget story is a good one, and Kadri and his entire cabinet deserve strong praise for their efforts. Thank you all!

The only negative news from last night was the concerns raised by students from the Neshaminy High School Swim Team regarding the air quality surrounding the Poquessing pool deck where they practice and compete. Nobody on the board seemed to be aware that the conditions were quite this bad, and it raised questions about health and safety issues. We have asked for district officials to examine this matter more closely and suggest options.

Here is the Courier Times’ report of last night’s meeting.

Other developments this week . . .

The Board Policies Committee continued its discussions of possibly forming a board-level personnel committee. This idea continues to draw criticism from some board and community members who are skeptical over giving more control of hiring decisions to the board. One alternative to another committee is to tweak the interview process to include board members and citizens along with administration. Hopefully all parties involved will see this as a reasonable compromise.

The Education Development Committee has agreed to pass along the recommendation to mandate PSSA proficiency as a graduation requirement. Next stop is the Board Policies Committee, who must prepare the measure for board approval. Other districts who have adopted this concept have seen some pretty dramatic improvements in the very first year, with scores jumping as much as 12%. But the plan isn’t as simple as mandating proficiency – there are a number of support elements and safety nets which are an integral part of the idea. There is still some work that must be done before this is ready for prime time.

I continue to be pleased and impressed with the increased attendance at meetings recently. The board room has been filled to capacity on numerous occasions, and we have seen many new faces including PTO parents, students, and other community activists. Several of these people have even attended board committee sessions recently, which further improved the effectiveness of those meetings. Despite all the challenges facing Neshaminy, there is reason for optimism with this kind of participation and support.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Proof is in the pudding

The latest victim in this current fuel price crunch is food costs. We see it at the grocery store and at restaurants, and it has even hit Neshaminy though you wouldn't know that based on our prices. Our students continue to pay less for school lunches than anywhere else in Bucks County. The chart to the right shows that we fall $.25 below the county average for high school and middle school lunches, and $.32 less for elementary lunches. With Neshaminy's Food Services staff projecting a shortfall, it's no surprise that they are recommending price increases beginning September 2008. If the recommendation is accepted by the board, school lunches will increase by $.30 for all grade levels.

Not all the board members agree with the recommendation. Frank Koziol believes that a 14+% increase in lunch prices exceeds the increase in food costs and is therefore excessive. Business Manager Joe Paradise countered Koziol's position by pointing out that Neshaminy rarely increases its lunch costs (last time was September 2004), and the suggested increase will bring Neshaminy in line with the other area school districts.

Here is an article in today's Courier Times regarding the impact of fuel prices on area school district food programs.

What do you think? Should Neshaminy raise its school lunch prices?