"It seems like there is no effort to reduce the debt, reduce expenses, sacrifice a little... just increased taxes and incessant fundraisers in every direction -- pretzel sales, KONA ice trucks, the uptown taste fest, sports team shakedowns from the Blue Devils Club (6 months after the raffle you better pay us $25 for your unsold ticket) yada, yada. I feel like I am under constant pressure to buy something. It's like a consumer flu/plague that won't go away."When this comment came through last night, I thought it deserved its own post. I don't know much about pretzel sales, ice trucks, or the Blue Devils Club. [Why am I thinking of this song as I type?]
But I do know about the Taste of Lebo: Battle of the Appetizers. Today, Mt. Lebanon Foundation of Education is hosting the first annual Taste of Lebo.
Local Lebo restaurants will be offering special appetizers for participants to enjoy as they stroll up and down Washington Road while listening to the best of our student music ensembles. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for Seniors Citizens and students. Throughout the afternoon, students in the 5th grade chorus, the Jefferson Middle School jazz ensemble, the elementary strings group, the double quartet, and a number of percussion ensembles will entertainment our savvy tasters.
This event is sponsered by the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education. The foundation provides funding for extraordinary and innovative learning opportunites while expanding the boundaries of learning by supporting teacher-driven projects. Visit our site atwww.mtlsd.org/MLFE.
To order tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-lebo-battle-of-the-appetizers-tickets-15528605477
For more information, contact Alyssa DeLuca at adeluca@mtlsd.net or 412-325-8201.I am curious about the "sports team shakedowns," if anyone has more information about that.
52 comments:
I actually laughed at this post. Unfortunately, I'm part of the problem. I am very involved with Jefferson Elementary PTA. And yes - we are constantly doing fundraisers. Constantly bombarding parents with something. Some parents prefer to make an upfront donation at the beginning of the year so they don't feel the pressure to participate in every fundraiser that goes on during the year. Money that comes into the PTA through membership dues and fundraisers pays for: field trips, educational and cultural assemblies, additional basic supplies for the classrooms, celebrations and hospitality and many other things that people don't even think about or realize are funded by PTA. And all of these things contribute to our kids' school experience. They add some much needed fun and variety. Our students love Wednesday Pretzel Days at Jefferson and even on a 50 degree rainy day this week - the line at the Kona Ice truck was long. The kids were thrilled.
It is a lot. And even I am overwhelmed sometimes. I say "No" to many of the fundraisers and we do not participate in every event that happens at the school. But I applaud the efforts of the PTAs at all of the schools. Recess has been reduced or eliminated for some grades at the elementary schools. Gone are the days of field trips just for fun (anyone remember going to the Buhl Planetarium at Christmas time to see the miniature trains?) and the stress/pressure is higher than ever on these kids. I'm trying to do my part to make my son's experience in Elementary School as fun and memorable as possible. I don't want to imagine what the school year would be like if PTA money was greatly reduced.
There was more to your post, Elaine, than just the pretzel sales and Kona Ice trucks. But I just wanted to reply as a "PTA Mom" that yes - it's a lot. We realize that even in a community where many of us have so much - many do not. We are always grateful for the support!
Ann Becker
DeLuca of the failing $6 million District fundraising scam? Will shake down artists be roaming Uptown affronting people enjoying appetizers with "How about donating $1,000 to our endowment fund - it's for the children?"
If a field trip doesn't increase the precious test scores, the field trip doesn't happen.
Thank you, Ann, for posting from your perspective.
At Mellon the kids do penny wars, dodge ball fund raisers, wrist band stuff, I mean, I can't even remember half of it. But I think something like 1-3 times a month we are being asked to donate to something.
Since when did plying the kids with sugary ice balls and mocha lattes become part of the curriculum?
Plus with all the highly paid, educated staffers in the district do you think someone could proof read their work and correct sponsered? After all they are professionals, they must be. They demand high salaries for their work.
Why don't we convert all the school playgrounds to carnivals replete with ferris wheels, tilt-a-whirls, bumper cars and games of chance!
Close down the cafeterias and set up Kennywood Fry, Cotton Candy and Corn Dog stands.
The kids will just love it and they'll grow up learning that life in the bubble is just a carnival.
Elaine - you asked about the Blue Devil Club raffle ticket...here's the email.
Hi, Everyone - as you will recall, each boy on the soccer team was given a $75 raffle ticket to sell for the Blue Devil Club last fall. If you have not sold the ticket, we need to have your ticket back or our team will be charged $25 per ticket that has not been sold or returned. Email me directly if you still have an unsold ticket so we can avoid any charges. Thanks!
Adding to Ann's post. When we first arrived at Jefferson the then PTA president specifically told us newly minted Kindergarten parents the PTA had worked hard over the years to limit fundraising to one big fundraiser per Fall specifically noting the fact the school recognized families did not have endless funds. The number of fundraisers metastasized obnoxiously these past couple of years. Money for the PTA, money for the 5th grade activities, money for separate causes like Relay for Life and school charity projects (I love and support Relay but by the end of the year folks are exhausted with the money requests regardless source or purpose). Scholastic book sales (2 fairs plus individual classroom sales) and somehow a private company selling books also entered the scene where the kids were told they were doing a reading competition. Square Art sales, brick sales (which historically were for playground renovation projects) and then a new way to ask for money, Bingo night with more tickets to sell and money to spend. 5th grade alone throughout the years sold multiple items PER year: lawn chairs, umbrellas, spirit wear, Square Art, pretzel sales.
We changed schools this year. Hoover did the district read-a-thon against another school at the beginning of the year getting pledges from parents for reading. I asked when do we start the 5th grade fundraising? There is none, the money is raised via the read-a-thon and last spring's run in the woods. The only other fundraiser is the very optional Kids Fun book which I've used enough coupons from it to pay for itself and beyond. As for the 5th grade activities each family asked to pay a mere $25 in addition to what was already raised and budgeted. No sales, no items no one wants. We're having 3 field trips this year so no cuts in that area. Already went to the Sports Complex at the Science Center and in June 2 days at Lutherlyn.
Jefferson finally joined the read-a-thon for the first time this year. A friend shared the flyer that came home, explaining how parents may hear about other schools using the thon for fundraising but Jefferson was not (yet) going to. That is a shame because it brings in enough money for the year and each family contributes what they can afford including no pledges as they are optional. The majority of the funds needed to support the PTA budget done in one main kid centered activity. Now, add the personal upfront donations in additional to regular dues and everything is covered with money to spare. Kona ice and pretzels - traditions the kids look for - keep, not for the money but for the kids!
Some of the rampant fundraising can be eliminated with smart strategies and meaningful activities versus sales of junk and raffle tickets that are hard to track and manage. Realistically though fundraising is needed and its up to each person to decide yes or no in how they spend their money. Its up to the organization to fund raise in a manner that doesn't turn people off or create a management nightmare like having to track down old raffle tickets.
As for today's event, I didn't find it objectionable. The Foundation's grants are described here
http://www.mtlsd.org/mlfe/grants.asp
reflect the specific needs being met by this particular entity. I'm someone who has been vocal about budget cuts. Actively political on the impact of high stakes testing on classroom experiences. The Foundation provides grants for teacher driven projects that support students and provide unique classroom projects or resources they might not otherwise have? Sign me up.
In my opinion, the taste event today was smart fund raising. A beautiful day in uptown, our talented kids performing, socializing with friends, noshing on yummy food from local businesses (giving them some marketing), and the event drawing people to uptown (I patronized a business today in addition to the event).
Question for MsCrist and Ms. Becker.
Have you ever stopped to query why the ever increasing need for more and bigger charity events?
What happens when the search for money becomes like a bad drug habit, eventually needing more and more daily fixes.
Ms. Becker, you already admit you're approaching your limits.
It's gotten to such an extreme that the district employs a full time fund raising chairperson that makes 1 1/2 times the salary of a starting teacher!
Now then, I see nothing wrong with gift wrap sales or an occasional cake walk or something to add books to a library or fund a special field trip, but really do we need to funding Kona ice trucks?
I thought childhood obesity was a problem in this country? Didn't the First Lady make a big push to get kids to "just move?"
Now the schools are making the kids move, not the playground, but to the iceball truck for some sweet treat.
Really, this is education in Mt. Lebanon?
What happens when the special event fundraisers are no longer "special", but instead a daily routine?
8:48 AM, I think Marjie and Ann are both saying that the fundraising has gotten out of control at Jefferson Elementary, but as Marjie pointed out, the type or intensity varies from school to school.
Our school board and administration made a conscious decision to invest in bricks and mortar. Staff is being reduced through attrition. The finance director hopes for retirements. The PTA is not to blame here.
The families whose children participate in sports are being slammed with fundraisers and fees. Our commission, school board and administration are to blame for that, as well.
Elaine
It sounds like the PTA works hard to influence the district. Aside from the financial constraints they have endured, has their advocacy for student and family friendly school policies and practices been met with success? What issues have they been tackling?
Elaine, when did Kona ice become a tradition?
"Kona ice and pretzels - traditions the kids look for - keep, not for the money but for the kids!"
When fundraising stops being a special event and becomes routine is exactly what I am pointing out as a risk. When a group reaches this point - a breaking point on the psyche of your donor base - the capacity to efficiently raise money is harmed.
In terms of creating experiences (fun, athletic, community based) at the schools you can create great activities kids and parents actually want to participate in and they can cost elbow grease, kid enthusiasm and very little money. Hoover held a Halloween night with families engaging in a traditional pumpkin decorating contest and then the kids rotated through stations staffed by STAFF (at night!): scary stories in the dark in the library(scarier ones in another area for the older kids), dancing in another room, singing songs in another room, a craft table. March was reading month full of activities with no money needed. Every year the 5th grade organizes, plans and runs an evening carnival. Ok the PTA had to buy the small prizes and snacks were sold (for 50 cents) but FREE snack coupons also were handed out. e.g. it wasn't a money event. The booth games were made by the kids/parents. It had an educational aspect as every booth had to be themed on a famous Pittsburgher. I think an international night is also coming up soon. None of these are fund raisers, all of them provide the meaningful school experiences I experienced as a kid going through MTLSD.
Staff were proactively involved in these events. Heck for the carnival my booth was saved by staff! We needed to hook up a Wii (we had a dance booth) and knew the PE teacher had a Wii setup somewhere but we had planned on using district tv sets which we quickly discovered didn't have the right hook up. Two teachers were found leaving (after their work day ended) and dropped everything to search, phoned the PE teacher, found it, and stayed helping to connect it all and left only when we knew we had a working booth.
Its about balance between fund raising, the type of non-money events being held and everyone being willing to help the kids be involved in meaningful events that have de minimus cost. Jefferson has a great talent show night. The librarian holds a hugely fun and popular Battle of the Books and other activities for the lower grades. None of these involve ferris wheels on playgrounds or Kennywood food just kids working hard and reaping good experiences and memories. I know the new principal has brought fresh thinking and ideas so no doubt JES will (or already is) adding more of this. Full disclosure, I was a PTA Pres up there years ago and one struggle was communicating that the fund raising was not all coming from PTA. So having to identify the source/reason of the request was important in trying to combat the sense of fundraising overload.
Who is NOT fund raising? Schools, scouts, churches, the band, hospital foundations, animal groups, sports teams, school clubs, go fund ME sites, mission trips, clean water people (who can quit knocking on my door at 9 pm!), fire departments, police departments...the list is endless. So a school sells ice and pretzels, so what. What about $20 cookie dough tubs from another group or $30 dollar popcorn from another? It's not going away, so pick and choose who to support and if you're in an organization plan and promote wisely to avoid donor burn out.
Health worries with all this "new" food fundraising? This is what Mt. Lebo has come to?? There is nothing novel or new about it. In the 1970s morning glazed donut sales at Jefferson were a weekly event. Food raises money. It' why St. Bernards has pie sales in May and the entire Pgh region gorges on fish through Lent. At least in the schools we've "improved": no deep fried glazed treat just a boring baked pretzel.
On the way back home from a trip to Rolliers, I saw a bunch of Mt. Lebanon Band fundraising signs. They're selling mattresses!
Elaine
Marjie, Thank you for clarifying your point. I agree with your opening paragraph @12:47, but I disagree with comparing school funding with charities like food banks, wounded vets or band builders.
I'm wondering why a school district that has almost unlimited tax raising ability need to have a $100k Capital Campaign Chairperson?
Cheerleaders want hold a car wash no problem. Band want to sell mattresses no problem, even holding a fundraiser to buy books for the library to me doesn't ring alarms.
Collaring people to help pay for a new extravagant building does, especially when the district spending goes up over $2 million every year on average.
Hell we had inflation rates over 14% in the seventies and thedistrict didn't resort to panhandling.
I disagree with some of what you said.
For example, you state: "Health worries with all this "new" food fundraising? This is what Mt. Lebo has come to??"
First, it sounds like you do not welcome a wellness perspective -- which seems to be pervasive within Mt Lebanon right now. Why not consider the health of children with respect to food sales?
Second, the Mt Lebo of today is not the Mt Lebo of yesterday. For example, Mt Lebo now measures the weight of children in school yearly and sends home BMI ratings. Do you not think that's a red flag for continued and increasingly varied after school food sales?
Third, do you think selling food, because "food sells" to children is considerate from an ethical point of view? What wouldn't the PTA sell?
Fourth, at what point would you consider exposing children to and encouraging participation in incessant fundraising is actually harmful considering the relative affluence of the community? When is enough, enough?
3:03: just to clarify the issue of selling food. I'm stating my comment from a neutral perspective. There are only 3 psychological motivators in life. It is in this order: 1. Food 2. Sex 3. Money.
When I taught music and theatre in the public schools, more people came to our productions when there was food either offered at a reception, or being offered for sale.
Are you claiming 5:46, that to get families to attend student performances in the public schools, they had to be lured with promises of food?
Is that what took a carrot and a stick?
6:12: No, our performances were good. Word spreads when there is food offered. More families came when food was offered. When my daughter graduated from Chatham University, people completely crowded out the food stations at the public reception. It was unbelievable!!!
I guess we should start a tradition of serving beer and wine at school performances.
It'll be standing room only, right.
6:39, the performance were good, but the word spread when there was food offered!
So we can assume what, the performances were bad when food wasn't offered?
That people attend things like performances and graduation ceremonies for the food?
Our kids graduated from college and there wasn't a food table in sight. The ceremony was packed by the way.
Hmmmm, lightbulb just went on... Perhaps instead of hiring a Capital Campaign Chairperson we should have hired the top graduating pastry chef from the Culinary Institute of NY!
Scrumptious French pastries at school board meetings might attract larger audiences.
Pretty tough not to donate money when you're holding a plate of delicious petite fors, right?
It is after all, "for the kids!"
7:03: No, you are comparing apples to oranges. Food is the primary motivator for All human beings. When there is food, all people will respond. Stop being a snob.
I think we might be going off topic.
I'm still thinking about the Blue Devil Club $75 raffle ticket fundraiser and how they are asking for the unsold ticket six months later.
Would someone please share some details about the mattress sale? It is certainly a unique fundraiser.
Elaine
7:19 what motivated Mt. Lebanon students and families for the first 75 years or so?
The district has always been a top performer.
The topics here are all related.
Look at the increase in expenditures in Matthews post following this one, an increase just this coming year of $3.75 million in expenditures and it isn't enough.
There's no huge influx of students, no quantum leap in teaching technology, it's pretty much the same as last year, and the year before that.
So after getting $3.75 million more you'd think there'd be something in there for the kids.
The kids have enough, except in the DEPARTMENT OF ETHICS.
For tips on healthy fundraisers,
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/local-wellness-policy-resources/wellness-policy-elements/healthy-fundraising
8:34,
All the salary and fringe benefit increases are for the KIDS.
11:03 yes, of course, I forgot the mantra.
I suppose the supers extra vacation time is for the kids as well.
I realize that "all the salary and fringe benefit increases are for the KIDS" is satire, and very good satire at that. However, I am amazed at how many people in this part of the world actually BELIEVE that tripe. If A is a superior teacher and makes X, does paying A 2X make her twice as superior? In the same line of thinking, if D is a poor teacher and also makes X, does paying D 2X put him in the same category as A? Give me a break! If there were a direct correlation between teacher performance and money we would have seen it a long time ago. If the freakin' teacher's union actually believes this fairy tale then I have a way to prove the theory: Test all the teachers in Mt. Lebanon; identify the worst ones; double their pay; wait a year (sorry, kids!); test 'em again; compare the scores. By the way; what's wrong with testing teachers? After all, you're entrusting them to teach your children and paying them a pretty penny to do so. And those people are "professionals," right? Airline pilots, the consummate professionals, are tested every six months! Oh, and by the way; if these increases are "for the kids" then I can tell you that my kids haven't seen a dime of that money. So, MLSD, how about cutting them a check!
Bob D.
Just like the student parking fee is "for the kids!"
Charging the teachers for parking at the high school though wouldn't be for the kids.
Bob D.,
We need a goal for hiring teachers.Top ten percent in their graduation class would be a good start, Replacing retiring teachers with top-ten-percent teachers would stop the "inside baseball that cripples a district's reputation.
Never happen 12:40.
3:03 you're misreading the context of my statement about health concerns. I was referring to an earlier comment that inferred the current sales show lack of care about health and wellness with all the food being sold to kids as fundraisers. I was merely pointing out that selling food (glazed donuts in the 1970s was my example) to kids at school has happened here for years - it is nothing new - right, wrong, indifferent it is not a new thing. Neither is weighing and measuring kids identifying some fat/obese by the district something new. They've been doing that for decades so I don't agree that indicates a new red flag. There has been a move to the healthier just check out what they serve at the class holiday parties with some instituting no food party policies.
I do have to clarify that pretzel sales were at the school when we started - tradition. Kona ice started after we left so maybe including it as a "tradition" in my comment was off.
My "food sells" comment was more general towards all fund raising. I do agree selling food to kids can be problematic. Sounds like the goal at JES may be more about trying to bring something fun in for the kids with getting some funds a secondary versus the other way around. I'm not a parent there this year so I can't comment on the "why".
I'm a parent who became exhausted with the fundraising. I'm just pointing out it won't go away and almost every not for profit entity (and now with Fund Me sites individuals) does it. We can discuss all the negatives (wellness, some people struggle to put real food on the table and have to tell their kids they can't afford a $2 ice, etc etc). but it won't change. That does not equate with saying I agree with it just saying groups will fund raise like it or not - it *is* the consumer flu that won't go away!
I can agree with much of what you say Marjie, but you close with "groups will fund raise like it or not - it *is* the consumer flu that won't go away.
That is where we part ways.
Yes, it won't go away especially if you accept it as tradition.
We've now reached a point where it has become so epidemic in the system that they have now have a full-time $100k employee chasing after money. This is a system that raises its expenditures by a yearly average of over $2 million dollars while providing essentially the same product, the same results year after year.
I've said it before, there's nothing wrong with funding a "little" something extra for the classroom, for an extracurricular activity, a nice treat on special occasion, but when it reaches the point of becoming "tradition" it is no longer special. Put it in the school's annual operating budget if it is traditional.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_values
I think the last paragraph in the above wiki article says it about as clearly as anything on the subject of "traditional" fundraisers like donuts, Kona ice and such.
"'traditional values' can simply imply a matter of identity (it's who we are) without seeking or addressing any notion of absolute values of "good" or "bad."... [amen!]
...the term "traditional values" can though be an intentional usage of rhetoric to get the listener/viewer of the words to believe that a set of values is good because tradition is often perceived as positive by many."
[Yep, it's far easier to follow the crowd than think about the reasons why.]
http://www.kona-ice.com/blog/smart-snack-approved-kona-ice-nutrition/
Thank you for sending in the that link, 9:44 AM. That is good news. I had never heard of Kona Ice until recently.
Elaine
9:44, so are apples and bananas, so what is your point.
http://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp?DISPATCHED=true&cid=25983841&item=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edweek.org%2Few%2Farticles%2F2014%2F06%2F11%2F35snacks_ep.h33.html
"Through the new "Smart Snacks in Schools" rules, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will, for the first time, set nutrition guidelines for every food that schools taking part in the programs offer during the entire school day, even items that aren't served as part of reimbursable lunches and breakfasts.
The rules create standards for what are known as "competitive foods," which include vending machine products, ร la carte offerings, foods sold in school stores, and the snacks that students sell to their peers as fundraisers during the school day.
"It's overarching—from midnight until 30 minutes after the school day," District 214 Superintendent David R. Schuler said of the time when the policy applies. "It's really a challenge."
The rules require that grain-based products must be at least 50 percent whole-grain. Other products must have fruit, vegetable, dairy, or protein as a first ingredient. Fewer than 35 percent of calories must be from fat, and the rules limit sodium, sugar, caffeine, and total calories. Each state may set the number of fundraisers that schools can exempt from the nutritional standards each year."
"The snacks standards cut strange lines around what is and isn't acceptable, Mr. Schuler of District 214 said. For example, high school students can purchase just 12-ounce portions of milk, but they can buy 20-ounce portions of diet cola."
I feel so much better now, 9:44.
I wonder if a large Caribou Coffee, extra cream, extra sugar is the under the Federal limits?
Oh yeah- the Feds think diet soda is a smart snack! Wake up people to the nonsense.
http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/diet-soda-bad-you?slide=1
The Kona Ice truck is run by wonderful people who give 20% back to the PTA or the school or whomever invited them to come that day. It's a fun (gasp!) easy fundraiser when the weather gets warm. If you disagree with the fundraising tactic, the unhealthy product offered or are suffering from consumer flu - JUST. SAY. NO.
You could also speak at a School Board meeting or to the Administration at your child's school with your concerns. Better yet - Volunteer with your child's school PTA throughout the year to plan and execute more efficient, effective, healthier fundraising strategies. The PTAs are run by volunteer parents. I'm sure they would welcome additional volunteers with fresh ideas to help them accomplish their goals. Emails for the School Board, School Administrators and the PTA Presidents are all listed in the School District calendar. Get involved to make things better. The wiki links and all the cutting and pasting of federal guidelines on here won't change a thing.
Word on the street is that the current type of Philadelphia pretzel that is sold after school does not meet federal guidelines for Smart Snacks. 1:37 pm -- what are you going to do about it? Posting here doesn't help a thing, right? This better get switched up, or heavens, maybe those Blue Ribbons should come down.
1:37, you're really missing the big picture, aren't you?
It's not about Kona Ice. I actually like their product and would probably quickly fork over money for the kids to grab a treat as the truck came through the neighbor.
The issue is- in a district whose budget is quickly approaching $100 million per year- why do we need to come up with fundraiser after fundraiser, after fundraiser.
It has gotten so bad, that the district now actually "employs" people whose sole duty is to fundraise!
By the way, I was active, did help with fundraising for several activities and do express my concerns to the board, so get off your high horse.
I stated before, I see nothing wrong with a fundraise to sponsor a field trip that wasn't in the planned budget, or to buy a computer/hardware/books that perhaps got cut in budget issues, but it seems now fundraising is a mandatory activity or you don't belong.
So enjoy your Kona Ice, just make sure you don't get brain freeze from eating too much, please.
Two or three years ago, I attended a PTA meeting in which decisions would be made on how "excess funds" were to be dispensed. Apparently, they couldn't roll over these funds to the next year, invest them, donate it, or do anything else but SPEND the funds. So the small group that was present go to vote on how to spend it all down. A few months later, the fundraising began all over again.
PA schools are among the most inequitable...with Mt Lebanon being one of the most well funded... and yet we need more (?). Sorry, I've been in the poorest schools in PA. I know who needs the funding.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/pa-schools-are-the-nations-most-inequitable-the-new-governor-wants-to-fix-that/2015/04/22/3d2f4e3e-e441-11e4-81ea-0649268f729e_story.html
2:08... I agree with the gist of the Washington Post article except that it perpetuates the myth that Corbett cut state funding to the schools.
If he did somehow MTLSD still got theirs.
Don't believe it? Look at the CAFR reports.
Besides, state law dictates that school districts receive at least the amount of state money that the receive in the previous year.
http://paindependent.com/2014/12/hold-harmless-harmful-to-some-schools/
"A weighted student funding model would achieve a fairer distribution of state money, according to Nathan Benefield, vice president of policy analysis of the Commonwealth Foundation. State funding is poorly distributed to districts across Pennsylvania because of a “hold harmless” provision that guarantees a certain level of aid, no matter if enrollment is growing or in decline, he said.
“Hold harmless, which guarantees that a district receives no fewer state dollars than it did the previous year regardless of enrollment changes, has been remarkably unfair to growing school districts,” Benefield said. “The problem is now so severe that districts with declining enrollment receive more than three times the state funding per student than growing districts.”
Watch the State distribution of dollars to the York School District - that is where our new Governor lives and a large amount of his campaign contributions came from there. Yes, I do know he put a good deal of his own money into the campaign, but I think watching the distributions to York SD is worthwhile.
Funny you mention that 7:43. I have a Mt Lebanon philosophy about grooming and support of local politicians who continue to live here but move up in status. When the municipality has access to discretionary funds, they allow their "targeted for grooming" (TFG) commissioner access to the direction of the discretionary funds so that the TFG commissioner can ensure the money is inequitably distributed only toward matters of concern/projects of interest to the the most politically powerful ($$) residents. This perpetual cycle is of great interest to the municipality because once they have a powerful politician's allegiance to Mt Lebanon they not only have protection from prosecution but also better access to state funding and grants. There are instances in which projects have gone forward without political powerful endorsement but only when the muni finds itself between a rock and a hard place.
http://www.franchisechatter.com/2013/07/08/franchise-mentor-building-a-line-of-children-at-truck-is-best-practice-of-kona-ice-franchisees-part-1/
"“The whole business model around fundraising was never in the back of my mind, but it’s huge for us,” Richie said. “Those things make it appealing.”"
Business model?! Who talks about business models when it's "it's for the kids?"
Armed with following information, does anyone - especially the PTA - ever question the emphasis on finding more and more fundraising opportunities?
When does it stop? When will the district learn to live within its means?
"Basic Education Spending Outpaces Inflation
Basic Education spending has increased significantly over the past decade, noticeably outpacing inflation over the past several years. In Fiscal Year 2009-10 and 2010-11, the federal government provided temporary funds for education to the states. During these two years, school districts were reminded that these dollars were only temporary and were cautioned against using them to expand programs or grow expenses. With these federal dollars, total education spending in Pennsylvania increased even though state dollars for basic education were reduced in FY 09-10 and 10-11. With the expiration of the federal money in 2010-11, state spending on Basic Education remained below 2006-07 levels. However, in response to the situation created by the elimination of the federal funds and the reduction of state dollars, the 2011-12 budget increased state spending on Basic Education to $5.354 billion, its highest level ever. This figure is significantly greater in comparison to recent years: a $483 million increase in state dollars over 2009-10 and a $621 million increase over 2010-11. In the end, the increase in state dollars covered over 50 percent of the gap created by the disappearing federal funds. Granted, there is a reduction of total dollars in Basic Education spending from FY10-11 and FY11-12; however the decrease is the result of the disappearance of federal funds.
In addition, Special Education in support of students with special needs has seen a steady increase in taxpayer funding. This appropriation has increased by more than $152 million, or 17.4 percent, over the last 10 years.
Click here to view a 2011-2012 Basic Education Subsidy chart.
http://greenleafwp.pasenategop.com/enews/greenleaf/2011/091311.htm
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