10/12/2011 3:33 AM
McMURRAY - Peters Township residents are being asked for their opinion on whether the school district should undertake a $53 million high school expansion and raise taxes to pay for it.
A two-question survey being distributed by the district asks whether plans should go forward for the high school expansion and if voters would approve a ballot referendum to increase school taxes by 9 mills over two to three years to fund the project.
The survey appears in the back-to-school edition of the district's Perspectives newsletter that was mailed to township residents. Results are due by Oct. 31 and will be announced during the Nov. 1 meeting of the board's building, grounds and transportation committee meeting, said Shelly Belcher, district communications coordinator. Residents can vote online or by mail.
School districts in the state require any tax increases above a set state index to be approved by referendum. Last year, Peters Township was only permitted by state law to increase taxes by 1.33 mills, which the board did in the 2011-12 budget. Because of a cut in federal stimulus money to the states, Peters Township saw a decrease of more than $800,000.
"The referendum is a new concept in Pennsylvania," Belcher said. Voters have a say in the school budgeting process in neighboring Ohio and New York, where annual approval is needed. Only one other district in eastern Pennsylvania has chosen to go to the voters, Belcher said.
The Peters survey states the referendum would appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. However, the deadline has passed for that to happen, said Larry Spahr, director of elections for Washington County.
The district is seeking the possible tax increase to create a more secure learning environment at the high school, with the main entrances to be designed for safe access to the main office, guidance counselor offices and other areas where nonstudents may need to go. Relocating or expanding the theater and gymnasium to permit a more secure area is planned. Belcher said the theater is now in the center of the high school and has seven access doors.
In the first week of submission, Belcher said, she received 25 mailed surveys and 450 online submissions.
"If they say no, it doesn't happen," she said of the project.
That means a property owner whose taxes are about $2,500 annually would see taxes increase by about $315 a year. For those whose taxes are $3,500 a year, the 9-mill increase would cost an additonal $441 annually.
The last construction project at the high school was done in 1999 and cost $26.5 million. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
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59 comments:
The deadline has passed for the referendum to appear on the ballot? .....How on earth did the deadline pass? You all just thought this up....Seems everyone had their details in order for the illustrious field.
What am I missing here? If the 7 doors at the theater are too many - why not remove 5 and replace the opening with walls rather than build a new theater structure? After the comment that the latest movie filmed in Pittsburgh used our school because of its 1960s style I knew then that it was a matter of time before the School Board would ask for a new school.
If there is a problem, why were we not told months ago and how did they get that $53M quote for only the work they said was needed? Was that to avoid answering questions before asking people to vote?
Why ask to vote on the issue when it is too late be added to the ballot?
Now they want to input of the taxpayers. Why?
They never care what taxpayers, parents or students think about anything else. They do what they want anyhow! Once again academics suffers because of this reckless school board and administration.
This board has the most self consuming individuals.....I can't say anymore....Bill Merrill-Sandy Gregg- and Ron Deleavy I hope you can talk! People...we need you to run for school board..this is getting very serious!
"However, the deadline has passed for that to happen, said Larry Spahr, director of elections for Washington County."
Are you kidding me? Yet, they held so many special meetings for that ridiculous ball field to make sure all that could begin promptly. They didn't bother to ask the taxpayers about a new ball field. They only asked the hundred people that would support them and ignored the ones that didn't!
Actually they utilized PTHS because it of it's 1990's style. They wanted to use USC but it was all brand new. The film crew was looking for a early 1990's look, not 1960's. Why would they ask for a new school when they will not even fix the ones we have?
"Why ask to vote on the issue when it is too late be added to the ballot?"
it is an act. they are pretending that they suddenly give a crap what taxpayers think. i am guessing they knew it could not make the ballot. they aren't that dumb--or are they?
The Superintendent asked the entire staff to fill out the survey. Why would teachers and support staff be asked to vote on raising the millage rate if they don't live in the District?
I am eager to hear the results the findings.
Did you notice the administration and board are hiding behind the word "safety"? I have never read so many emails, rule changes, bus changes, remodeling changes, spend money changes all for the sake of
"safety"! Do they really think every one who lives here had a GPA under 3.7? Come on people wake up!! Now they hide a vote for a tax increase on the back page of mailer that most of the residents probably pitched without even reading? For the sake of our safety get out and vote! Vote for all new board members not current board members who are up for relection.
So, how much for the ball field that was so desperately needed?
How much to fix McMurray School?
Now we need to fix the high school.
Good thing those administrators all got raises. We have tons of money to spare. Take it all! Then charge so my kid can join a club.
Unbelievable.
Certain parts of the high school have needed renovations for years. For some reason, those areas were passed over during the last remodeling.
The auditorium certainly does need updated but, safety? So what if it has seven doors. Large audiences need a way in and out. Doesn't the gym have a lot of doors, including the glass ones at its main entrance? I would think all the smaller OUTSIDE doors to the school would be more of a safety concern than doors that surround an auditorium that is smack in the middle of the building. Update the run-down areas of the school, please.
I think it is high time that more residents attend school board meetings. The board does not talk about education at all, except for one education committee a year. Shame on us for not being around to voice our opinion, until after the fact. I voted for these people under the stupid assumption they would represent the interests of taxpayers and kids. That is what they were elected to do! This is sincerely pathetic!
This board should not be allowed to spend 1 single cent of taxpayer money. It is inept!
Mrs. Erenberg's platform for re-election. I increased your taxes to pay for a new ballfield, I took my son out of Peters Township School District only to find he wasn't good enough to play football at Central Catholic and I vowed to get Coach Milchovich fired and succeeded. Time for a change in a big way.
they actually did want the 1960's look that is a fact....they should have built a new high school before they made useless renovations to it in 2000. Renovations are not the anwser unfortunatly a new school is the only thing that is going to solve the problem
Note: There is a voting meeting on November 1st for Buildings and Grounds..this is highly unusual timing considering the board did not get the referendum in on time for the highschool.
The district is asking for a tax increase, yet would not provide the appropriate resources for students to comply with the new graduation requirements? Fat chance.
So, the school board wants to spend all our tax money on this, yet that can't employ people in the guidance department that will return phone calls. Oh, I forgot, that is right; the phones are broken every week. Right?
October 12, 2011 11:30 PM
So true.
Do not forget the PT education Foundation that was created for people to donate money so teachers can have necessary classroom technology and supplies! AND the district had to cut elementary competitions/challenges as well.
Our money tax is going for salaries/benefits, lawsuits and ball fields.
I am sick of it.
You have got to be kidding me. We just got this information from the school district:
"On Friday, October 21, 2011, all juniors will attend a career fair held at PTHS from 7:45 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Unless they have already written a career fair reflection, ALL juniors will attend this career fair."
SURE! NOW have a required career fair the year it is due, when the kids have to miss and make up honors and AP courses to attend the stupid thing. I can not believe what these are going through because of poor decisions made by adults that are supposed to be helping them. How do these people sleep at night knowing the negative impact they have on hundreds of students?
it is interesting how information regarding district policy, meeting minutes and agendas are 'magically' disappearing from the school district web site. i think the people running this district have things to hide.
when is the last time they actually did something to help all the kids?
why was school district building repair and classroom expansion not considered before new ball fields?
the priorities here are seriously bass-ackwards.
i guess i should ask the school board. the canned answer 'we can not use the capital reseverve funds for classroom supplies' does not apply to my question. i guess i would get the typical blank stares or the other canned answer 'safety' issues.
i guess none of the other 18 ball fields in pt are good enough to use either?
Sure. No problem. (sarcasm)
An extra $315 a year when I am paying well over $300+ year for pay to play and assistant coaches. The salaries in our family stayed somewhat stagnate this year. That is certainly not the fault of the school district but... HELLO-O-O? ANYBODY HOME HERE??
Does anybody on the board, or in administration, see the trouble the rest of us are having staying afloat? The administration got a nice hefty raise and bought a brand new Lincoln and put the ax to several academic programs this year....WELL, in all honesty and fairness, the academic extra curriculars were probably CUT so they could fund the online courses and graduation project resources they were unable to provide for the kids over the past TWO YEARS!
But wait, that money PTSD borrowed for after school extra curricular ball playing is 'cheap money' according to the school district. Does that mean my tax dollars are not going to repay that loan or that the $5 Million does not get repaid? I DO NOT think so! The spin they put on things is insulting.
They have cut a small $1000 academic program yet can spend $3 Million for those fields for the families that can afford the pay to play--like it is a drop in the bucket.
Do I want a tax increase? NO NO NO! Did we want to pay for a brand new ball field? NO NO NO!
Will they, or have they ever, listened or given a crap? NO NO NO!
"they aren't that dumb--or are they?" Actions speak much louder than words!! I CAN NOT WAIT TO VOTE!! Not one incumbnent is getting my vote.
The district is 'asking its taxpayers'?
The district is acting just like typical kids do. They ask for taxpayer support when they want something but bite the hand that feeds them, ignores them and does not answer their phone calls any other time!
They expect us to blindly hand them money without seeing a plan after what they pulled with those ball fields? The high school is out of classroom academic space so now are they going to add more indoor gym space? I would bet they are!
I do not trust this school board to do the right thing with my money after what I have seen in the past two years. My vote would be 'nay'.
hahaha....oh my gosh.
they didn't get it in time to be on the ballot. of course not. their own offspring will not directly benefit from that improvement, so time is not of the essence for that project! no way would i vote for them to misuse more of my tax dollars. they would find a way to cut more academic stuff!
Thank You to Someone at the high school for attempting to FINALLY help the juniors and get them some valid information for the graduation project! Instead of welcoming new 9th graders, like they were told they would be doing at the end of last year, they actually got to DO something for their project. Unfortunately, the teacher only had time to get around to half of of them. I know this held true for a couple of the junior class sessions.
AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS THEY ARE FINALLY GETTING THE HELP THEY HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR!
Not ONE current board member will be getting my vote because of what they have let these children go through for the past couple of years with regards to the graduation project AND the online classes, or lack thereof. They would not tolerate it for their own but it is ok for hundreds of other kids to suffer through this.
"Good things the administrators got raises"
Don't blame our BUILDING admin. for the lack of leadership in central office and the school board. They work very hard, do a good job. Over the last 20 years they have been the backbone of our district. And six years ago you could say the same about central office and the board. Fortunately, the bldg. admin. are continuing to do well we all know how poorly central office admin. and the board does.
NICE job superintendent on having anyone who wants to vote on updating the HS. You can live in Alaska, Mongolia, be a teacher at the high school (this is not a criticism of any teacher as I know what I would do) who doesn't live in Peters but wants the HS updated so I'll go on-line and vote yes.
I can have my parents vote - my relatives in Cleveland, anyone - because there is no screening process that the superintendent had put on the software for folks to take the survey. Yep, another job well done! Boy, this data will be really valid won't it! Hey, but I am sure that there was a school board member who saw this and brought it up, wasn't there????
Mrs. Erenberg's platform for re-election. I increased your taxes to pay for a new ballfield, I took my son out of Peters Township School District only to find he wasn't good enough to play football at Central Catholic and I vowed to get Coach Milchovich fired and succeeded. Time for a change in a big way.
October 13, 2011 10:09 AM
TRUE! I am so jealous you posted this before me. Vote NO to Mrs. Erenberg you won't be sorry when she is gone. If I were Mr. Dunleavy I would disassociate myself with her before it is too late.
"Don't blame our BUILDING admin. for the lack of leadership in central office..."
nope; but i certainly blame building administration for the lack of leadership within in their own building, not returning phone calls and not standing up for what is right for kids that are struggling. i also blame the building and grounds person for not returning calls made directly to them.
I will never ever vote for anyone, for school board, that has a child any varsity sport. It is the downfall of academics and morals in this school district.
PTSD had that situation with a previous board member and PTSD has it now, with current board members. They are taking care of all the athletes and leaving the kids grasping at straws with their new academic graduation requirements, which THEY did not provide the resources for!
I do not know how they sleep at night either.
you can complain all you want. iF YOU DONT GET OUT AND VOTE OR WORK TO GET OTHERS ELECTED you may just as well keep silent. The administration doesnt care what you think. Only a stiff wake up call will get their attention. Vote out the people that are unresponsive. Period
October 16, 2011 11:01 AM
So what? All they are voting for is having it put onto the ballot, which according to tonights agenda, the question would appear on the May 2012 ballot. Why would you NOT want the voters to express their opinion? I would definitely vote to have it put on the ballot and let the people who are paying for it decide.
I like the analogy to kids; they are overly courteous and pretend to care more when they want to borrow money! Otherwise anything you say goes in one ear and out the other. It fits our school board perfectly.
This school district has taxation without representation. The only two people I ever see asking questions at the televised board meetings are Mr. Buzzatto and Mrs. Smith. Are the other board members that agreeable to everything going on within this school district?
OK....I need to ask a question...is the board there to be respectful of each other and not debate in public...or do you want meetings to be longer and have open discussions? I believe board members are put in by the community and the community has a right to hear differing perspectives of why someone is voting a certain way. Maybe the public only wants to hear how an individual votes.This would allow shorter meetings..which I'm always for..and board members showing open respect for each other?. Sandy G.
"Good things the administrators got raises
Don't blame our BUILDING admin. for the lack of leadership in central office and the school board. They work very hard, do a good job. Over the last 20 years they have been the backbone of our district. And six years ago you could say the same about central office and the board. Fortunately, the bldg. admin. are continuing to do well we all know how poorly central office admin. and the board does."
You are correct. In the past they have been the backbone of the district. Now they are hires of the super. So on what side do they butter their bread?"
You know, it is illegal for any school board to not have transparency. Why do they no longer have public discussion on any topics during meetings?
Is it because they are doing it out of the public eye, which is illegal?
I saw this on the school district web site:
"Community members are invited to attend an informal town hall meeting at the High School to learn more about the proposed High School addition and renovation project. The meeting will take place on October 26 at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Teachers and Administrators will be on hand to provide more details on the proposed project and to field questions from the community."
That is a good thing. Will they bother to answer questions or just stare at people who ask them questions?
"Community members are invited to attend an informal town hall meeting at the High School to learn more about the proposed High School addition and renovation project.
The meeting will take place on October 26 at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Teachers and Administrators will be on hand to provide more details on the proposed project and to field questions from the community."
i am glad to see the district do this, however they are only doing it because they want more money. if they could just borrow 5 million, like they just did, they would not provide details to the community regarding the plan until it is under way; like they just did!
Email blast from school district:
Town Hall Meeting: Learn More About the Proposed High School Addition/Renovation Project Wednesday, October 26
7 p.m., PTHS Auditorium
Community members are invited to attend an informal town hall meeting at the High School to learn more about the proposed High School addition and renovation project.
The meeting will take place on October 26 at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Teachers and Administrators will be on hand to provide more details on the proposed project and to field questions from the community.
Peters Township School District
631 E. McMurray Road
McMurray, Pennsylvania 15317
Ugh! What's this I hear about scabies at McMurray Elementary??
For those of you who don't know what scabies is:
Scabies is a parasitic infection of the skin. It occurs throughout the world, but is particularly problematic in areas of poor sanitation, overcrowding, and social disruption, and is endemic in many resource‐poor countries. The global prevalence of scabies is estimated at 300 million cases, but the level of infection varies between countries and communities. The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs which then hatch out and multiply. The infection can spread from person to person via direct skin contact, including sexual contact. It causes intense itching with eruptions on the skin. Various drugs have been developed to treat scabies, and herbal and traditional medicines are also used.
Please do not vote for Sandy Gregg. How quickly we forget that she was one of the ones that started this downward spiral. She offers nothing but trouble, lots of it.
October 19, 2011 4:08 PM
Sorry. Forgot to leave source of definition of scabies:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Please do not vote for Sandy Gregg. How quickly we forget that she was one of the ones that started this downward spiral. She offers nothing but trouble, lots of it.
October 19, 2011 4:25 PM
I beg to differ. The only dowmward spiral we have experienced is since she and a couple of others left the board. Now we have the three stooges and dumb and dumber running things. I will take my chances before voting for anyone that is currently on the board! What's the matter? Everyone already worried that when she wins she will shake things up? Well someone has to.
Sorry,
S. G. did NOT start this downward spiral. It was started by this superintendent. That is plain as day!!!!!!!!!!
How did Sandy Gregg even get on the ballot. I do not remember seeing her on the Primary Ballot.
http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/10-19-2011-PT-school-board
October 19, 2011 4:25 PM
yes; but also how quickly we remember she was the only one who raised the questions that the taxpayers in this community want answers to!
are you blaming someone, that has not been on this board for two years, for the current state of the school district? i think we need to look at the current three ring circus that has been performing for the past couple/few years!
This current board has lost all focus on education and could give a good crap what we the taxpayers think. It is their way or the highway. If you think things are bad now you wait, don't you see what is going to happen next? Let's see, Julie Ann Sullivan got "used" by dumb and dumber to get Nina rehired only to be tossed away after they got what they wanted. Now they are sucking up to Dunleavy and acting like they are his best friend so they can get Cindy G voted in as board president. Then they will let him hang out in the wind and belittle and make fun of him at the meetings also. If the above comes true, we better all sell our houses and leave. If you think things are out of control now, just wait...mark my words this is going to happen. Any of you that vote for Erenberg will have no one to blame but yourselves. I think her record as poor as it is, or lack thereof, as head of the education committee says it all! Nothing!
"The meeting will take place on October 26 at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Teachers and Administrators will be on hand to provide more details on the proposed project and to field questions from the community."
I understand that the district is on top of the needs and repairs needed at the high school. What I find VERY interesting is that the board and the district already have this $40+ million plan in place BEFORE any community discussion or input. It seems this administration and school board loves to put the cart before the horse.
They put the cart before the horse with these 2 new student graduation requirements too. Only this year is the class of 2013 receiving any information on how to fulfill these new requirements. Thank goodness the new principal is finally getting things on track.
I have to agree with "I beg to differ. The only dowmward spiral we have experienced is since she and a couple of others left the board."
I can not believe the district is going to show us plans of the new high school building plans before the questions appear on the ballot. At this point, should they not have have various plans and ideas?
Wait a minute wasn't S.G. here when this superintendent was brought in as an assistant super? Wasn't she on board when this super got her first contract? I believe she was and if so I agree that she will not be any better than anyone else.
October 22, 2011 2:13 AM
Yes she was. BUT also remember, she was the ONLY one who voted against giving out bonuses when things were not going so well. Every current board member has been a lap dog ever since. SG has always been very passionate. At least she will speak for the students and taxpayers during meetings! If the board entirely disagrees with her, that is ok.
Even if we disagree with SG's opinions, at least there will be no doubt where she stands on issues and we will all know why she is voting 'yes' or 'no' on an issue. SG and SS are the only two that ask the questions that parents are asking!
If this district is doing such a great job please tell me why this very school board enacted two new graduation requirements for the class of 2013 without having the resources for the students put into place?
1.) All of the online classes they promised these children are still on available, nor are they required to be, until September of 2013.
2.) All you have to do is talk to a couple of kids in these 'online' courses. They are not online and utilize 7th grade technology.
3.) Career Cruising, Mentors and the Graduation Project Rubric was not available to the class of 2013 until the end of their Sophomore year (April 2011). They now have things due in December 2011!
No way Sandy G. would have let this happened to children without asking questions at board meetings. She also will be very unpopular with existing board members because Sandy, very publicly, voted against administrative bonuses. Look at one very recent board vote. Based upon Sandy G's past voting history, do you believe she would have voted to retain the existing Superintendent for another 3 years? Nobody can answer that. We can only speculate.
Sorry. My Bad. You can't look at Sandy's past voting history because old school board minutes are not online any longer!
Quite convenient isn't it?
If SG was, it was to be in charge of curriculum with an assistant super. title that didn't mean much when her role was curriculum director. Sandy did NOT have anything to do with the current super being in this position nor had anything to do with her contract being renewed by the 5 people who voted yes for her second contract. Keep the four people who voted no in the next three years. Smith, McMurray, Ritter, Buzzato - needed to stay but see the problem - only Smith and McMurray remain. The only two are leaving on their own. PTSD is in trouble!
Sorry,
S. G. did NOT start this downward spiral. It was started by this superintendent. That is plain as day!!!!!!!!!!
October 19, 2011 7:53 PM
Check who voted to hire the super as an asst super and who lead the charge to get rid of Dr. Mackley and then voted for Dr. Zetty.
Supt's get their guidance from the school board! Any decision made has to be approved from the school board. This board is building and building..this highschool has rooms that are not heated...safety provisions were met several years back according to the state inspection crew. A huge group of experts had to be formed and they went inch by inch into EACH school and the schools had to update according to their recommendations. Each administrator is watched by the board and evaluated. Usually in one or two years one can tell how hard of a worker they are and if they bring to the table the qualifications a district needs. It rests on the board to pay attention.Accountability stops with any board. The main consideration of a school board should be the students....any talk of students recently?
"....any talk of students recently?"
yes. special needs and safety/twisted ankles on the ball fields.
the high school also has rooms that over heated and a gym without air conditioning. the college fair people hate coming here because the gym is like a sauna when it is full.
accountability is gone in this district.
Peters Township is looking as bad at D.C. with nothing but MINI-personal special interest groups ruling the way for the masses. From our council on the gas wells throwing us all a bone (with restrictions they know will be over-ruled when the big dogs come digging)... to the school boards/administrators who laugh at their community behind closed doors, and have no conscious about how corruptly they manage themselves.
It has not taken me long to learn this once wonderful place is on the verge of becoming "over-rated". The one obvious advantage is the number of great parents who truly care about their kids and their education. They succeed despite the lack of good leadership. I don't mean to take anything away from a few of our exceptional teachers but there are just as many great teachers in other districts, who have lower ratings at their schools due to the lack of educational support at home. School Board, Council and Superintendents: Chase enough of these good families away, and watch your school/status rating drop, along with your income.
With the direction this town is taking, we are moving on. My experience says there is at least one schnoot out there (maybe more) that will bid me the classic 'good riddens" ...and so, please accept my preemptive laughter now. To the rest, and majority that understand where PT is headed, my best wishes to you in changing the leadership in the years ahead. It is possible, it's just a matter of voting in ethical people.
"My experience says...."
And, what might your experience be? Children in the district? Teacher? Both?
I have to agree. A lot of parents here sincerely care about the education of their children. That is the reason many of them moved here. We also do have some really outstanding teachers as well; of course a handful of them are not so great. I wonder why PT keeps them. I am guessing tenure.
"who laugh at their community behind closed doors"
What makes you think they do that? We do know they do not publicly answer people who have inquiries and transparency no longer exists. Do you really think these people are that rude?
What makes you think they do that? We do know they do not publicly answer people who have inquiries and transparency no longer exists. Do you really think these people are that rude?
October 30, 2011 9:07 PM
Obviously you are a little out of the loop. When is the last time you attended a school board meeting or watched it on TV? The apple does not fall very far from Czar Nina's tree. Disgrace
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