Southern York County Life

Invisible User - 09 March 2010 06:27 PM

Marge that’s what I thought… 2 out of 7. Not a good ratio.

As for the code I think this is the right document.... I am referring to the stuff put out by the psba

http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/36/d6/f0.pdf

There are 9 board members, so it’s 2 of 9.  Actually, I think this is a good ratio.  It takes a majority (5 members) to approve any action, contract, etc.  Those who work in the system can provide valuable input in certain areas where other board members do not have the same expertise.

I do know the new Board members go though some type of orientation with the PSBA.  In addition, the meetings listed on the agenda since the new board members were sworn in included Law 101 and then Law 102.  I think the new members are inundated with reading material.  The night they were sworn in, they were given a carton of it.

As far as Ruth Ann Robinson goes, I don’t know if she is a former educator or not.  Her daughter is a teacher at SESD.

DISH - Mrs. Maryanne Ragland (since you outed yourself on Aug. 19, 2008), I have to say that I would think you should be more cautious in your comments to a district personnel matter.  As this post is regarding the investigation into the entire Administrative team - aren’t you in that category as well, as Director of Special Education?

Furthermore, is discussing personnel matters openly one of the NINE charges in the Unfair Labor Practice being investigated by the PA Labor Board?  Again, that ULP names the entire administrative team of SESD, so you do not yet know if you are one of the violators of fair labor practices.  The May 18th hearing is not that far off!

Please know that I FULLY understand and endorse the right to freedom of speech, however, I was very concerned when I saw your posts on this thread.  Such actions could possibly bring undo attention on to you from the investigating legal firm.

I tell you, this does not sound like a very good plan to me:

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_14667152

Why doesn’t it seem like a good idea for the boosters to raise money for a stadium?  Isn’t that the boosters job?  Raise money for sports items?

Linatag - 14 March 2010 05:23 PM

Why doesn’t it seem like a good idea for the boosters to raise money for a stadium?  Isn’t that the boosters job?  Raise money for sports items?

Apparently you only read the title.  I was referring to this:

The board approved a motion to hire NCS Group at $7,800 a month to help the district raise its goal of $3 million for a stadium.

The South Eastern Sports Boosters will borrow the money from the board to pay NCS; that money will be paid back to the district from the campaign’s proceeds.

NCS Group will conduct the campaign over a 15-month period, but the district has the option to back out any time if it doesn’t see results.

I would like the district to pay me $7,800 a month and I will try to raise $3 million for them.  They can back out at any time!

That’s pretty standard though.  When Boosters are trying to raise a bazillion dollars for big items it’s not uncommon to hire fundraising companies who know how to get it done.  If it’s the right company it’s more than worth the payment and I assume there is a contract in place making sure the district will get their money back.

I have little experience with South Eastern but from what I’ve read, this is one of the least objectionable things I’ve seen them do. 

I’m still in shock that random people who have zero job experience or qualifications of such matters can be voted onto a board and then be in control of the school’s money and budget.  That is unreal to me.  Definitely a unique way of doing things.

Linatag - 14 March 2010 07:47 PM

I’m still in shock that random people who have zero job experience or qualifications of such matters can be voted onto a board and then be in control of the school’s money and budget.  That is unreal to me.  Definitely a unique way of doing things.

Welcome to Pennsylvania where you get the good and bad. With the system that possibly dates back to the civil war days this is what we have to work with. I personally am glad that I do not have the pressures that our board members have to make multimillion dollar decisions on projects that I have little expertise on! It’s little wounder that there are errors made.

bjw - 15 March 2010 07:40 AM

Linatag - 14 March 2010 07:47 PM

I’m still in shock that random people who have zero job experience or qualifications of such matters can be voted onto a board and then be in control of the school’s money and budget.  That is unreal to me.  Definitely a unique way of doing things.

Welcome to Pennsylvania where you get the good and bad. With the system that possibly dates back to the civil war days this is what we have to work with. I personally am glad that I do not have the pressures that our board members have to make multimillion dollar decisions on projects that I have little expertise on! It’s little wounder that there are errors made.

I agree.  I’m sure the board starts every year with best intentions, I can’t imagine anyone volunteering that much time and trying to fail on purpose.  But it’s unrealistic to think a group of inexperienced strangers will be able to control a budget of that size effectively.  Generally school budgets are handled by professionals with proper education and training.

I’m not sure why it’s so different here.  Is it because it’s a commonwealth?

I completely agree. For how often I openly disagree with the board I do believe that they, like myself, want the best for the kids in the district. It would make SO much more sense to have requirements for educational or buisness background. Why not have a CPA as well? It only makes sense!

Invisible User - 15 March 2010 09:35 AM

I completely agree. For how often I openly disagree with the board I do believe that they, like myself, want the best for the kids in the district. It would make SO much more sense to have requirements for educational or buisness background. Why not have a CPA as well? It only makes sense!

IU,

I agree with you, but we would have to get away from an elected model and go to an appointment type model if we started putting requirements on to candidates.  If we stayed with the process of electing board members who would do the vetting of candidates to make sure they are qualified?  If you think there are some shady things going on in the process now just imagine how shifty it would be if we left it up to a board to determine who “has the qualifications to run for an office” before they could get on the ballot.

I have always believed that the board should be a combination of a paid CEO and CFO along with an elected group similar to today’s members.  They do a great job considering they are not paid and do a tremendous amount of work, but we should have someone at the top that is paid and ultimately accountable for the decisions of the board.  A near $50 million dollar budget is a huge task for volunteers to handle.

I think that would make a good balance. The CEO can be educationally oriented while the CFO is obviously financially oriented. The elected officials help to represent the tax base.... ideally.

I have to say I am starting to wonder if I should continue to stay in this area and raise my young child here.

However, in saying the above comment, I am very pleased with the elementary education my child is getting. They have top notch teachers/principal at Fawn Area. But in 2 years, my child will go to the West and I am very concern. Not so much about the administration, but the teachers. Being fairly new to the area, I have talked to some parents whose children have gone through the West and they have said that SOME teachers do not return emails, they had a “chip on their shoulder” and that teachers dread open house when parents come because they don’t want parents around.  I hope this is not the case. This is only what I heard. If someone else had a diffrent experience with the West teachers, I would like to hear another side. It seems to me that some of the negative comments about adminstration on this thread are by teachers themselves. Not so sure I want them teaching my child. I would like to hear comments by parents who have children in the West building. Thank you.

Lucky, keep in mind that is only 2 years. I hope the district gets it under control there if that is the case.

Lucky, my advice to you is to do your research.  But you know what you don’t have to.  The school board is doing it for you through a legal team they have hired.  Teachers are not bashing the administration but stating facts and truths.  Unfortunately, when good teachers have had grave concerns not only for their well-being but for the well being of students it has fallen on deaf ears.  With the exception of some of the adminstrative team, all have welcomed this investigation to finally clear the water.  Please don’t fear sending your child to WEST, there are great teachers there who thrive when given the opportunity.

It’s not the teachers that are the problem but apparently the air quality in the West building.  That’s what we need to worry about. If toxic mold was found, a little cleaning by admin is not going to fix the problem. A reputable mold cleaning company needs to be hired. And for gods sake don’t do it while the children are there.