This morning’s PG includes an article on the upgraded High School. A $110 million upgrade at Mt. Lebanon High School
An issue that caught my eye is the continued cadence from the District that this year’s anticipated tax increase is to due solely to rising contributions to the retirement system (PSERS).
In the article, the District is attributed with the following: “…this year all of the projected tax hike will go to pension increases…”
Simple math demonstrates this mantra is disingenuous, at best. The local burden for PSERS is only approximately 40% of the total expenditures increase projected to fall on Mt. Lebanon taxpayers*.
In fact, if all other increasing expenses (excluding debt service) remained flat, we would not require a tax increase, in spite of the mandatory PSERS increase. I fully recognize this not reality, but neither is the District’s characterization.
We deserve better.
Bill Matthews
*The State’s PSERS contribution and related expense is excluded from this calculation.
37 comments:
We don't deserve better, we do though deserve honesty!
The entire school board, super, finance director and PIO should be tarred & feathered and run out of town !
Accuracy is the twin brother of honesty; inaccuracy, of dishonesty. — Nathaniel Hawthorne
The latter reaps accolades here in Mt. Lebanon.
I have come to the conclusion - reluctantly, I might add - that what we deserve is an entirely new education system, as some others here have suggested.
This is BS! So, where is the increased tax money REALLY going???!!! How can the Board make statements that are not true. This kind of reminds me of false advertising to the public by a commercial business. The ad in the newspaper, states a product for a certain price; however, when a consumer goes to that business to buy the product, the business tries to sell the product at a higher price. This is disgusting! None of this mess passes the smell test! Rolling Eyeballs
Mr. Matthews:
What is included in the other expenditures increase?
Nine school board directors have proven they do not pay attention, never examine or question proposals given them and are nothing more than rubber stamps for the administration
5:37 take a few minutes, get out of your comfort zone, locate and study the proposed budgets for 2014-15 & 2015-16 and see for yourself - you're the poster child for the local electorate - haven't got a clue as to what's really going on !
I'll give you a big clue - people.
Current school directors, 5:38!
We did have several directors that paid attention, examined evidence and questioned proposals.
They were attacked and ridiculed for doing their duty.
The expenditure (and revenue) categories are available on the district website on the budget summary. Here is a shortcut:
http://tinyurl.com/04-14-15-Proposed-Budget
Watch the raises and bonuses for those at the top to see where some of the money goes.
Bill,
Do you know why on pg. 15 of the FY '13/'14 Budget document it appears that it contains the same exact report that was used in the FY '12/'13 document, am I missing something?
I have been doing some analysis this evening to compare real estate tax revenues from year to year. If you know where to find the 13/14 figures are please post.
Regardless of the missing information, our real estate taxes have increased 22.45% over the past 7 budget cycles and the cost per student has risen 18%.
I would be surprised if the majority of our residents have received pay increases to offset their real estate increases at that rate.
-Charlotte Stephenson
If all of the .42-mill increase goes to pensions, how do we pay the Step-Increase that is already baked into the Contract from past negotiations?
There is an increase baked into the exiting Contract because teachers automatically get an increase for another year of service,
Does anyone have the payroll document that shows how many teachers get an increase from the former Contract?
How much will be built into the new Contract to give teachers a raise if they are already on the top step?
It is April. What would stop the board from already finishing negotiations but not announcing the results until May (after the election)?
Charlotte:
Q: Do you know why on pg. 15 of the FY '13/'14 Budget document it appears that it contains the same exact report that was used in the FY '12/'13 document, am I missing something?
A: Yes - Sloppy work. And no, you are not missing anything.
Bill
charlotte,
i think your math is off a little. I posted a few days ago in the school district news story here about the millage increase that RE Tax Revenues are up 28% and RE Tax Millage is up 26% or vice versa.
That millage increase is masked by the reassessment. It would likely be at least a full mill higher without it.
I have not watched or listened to a school board meeting in a couple of months, so I thought i would try to catch up reading the March meeting minutes, and found this in Super Timmy's report:
"Dr. Steinhauer reported that since mid-November, the State Auditors have been conducting a review of the District’s operations and procedures to determine its compliance with certain relevant state laws, regulations, contracts, grant requirements and administrative procedures. An exit conference was held today with the State Auditors and the superintendent was pleased to report that the School District received no findings or observations. A written report from the State Auditor General’s Office will be forthcoming. The results from the audit confirm that the District has established and maintains proper and efficient practices in accordance with all regulatory requirements and validates the competent and careful work of our administration and staff. The audit report also highlights the School Board’s careful oversight and supervision of this important community asset."
Earlier in the minutes, President Larry was excited to report:
"The board president announced that Jan Klein, Director of Business, was awarded the Gary E. Reeser Memorial Award by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO). Each year at the their annual conference, PASBO presents this award to an outstanding member who has exemplified professionalism, leadership and innovation in the field of school business management. Ms. Klein is an extremely deserving recipient of this award and is recognized throughout the Commonwealth as a leader among school business officials. On behalf the Board and Administration, Mr. Lebowitz congratulated Ms. Klein for the wonderful achievement."
This is a nightmare. We can't get an honest report anywhere.
Elaine
Elaine - You probably already know this but I will reiterate that at least in my experience, the state employees do not seem to care. Recently, I called an individual within the Department of Ed. As I queried him and illustrated how his reporting for the state was flawed and misleading, he said, "Why do you care?". He didn't care that it was wrong -- he wondered why I did.
Does anyone know what type of health insurance benefits that our teachers are receiving??? As a prof who lost a couple of jobs in the last decade and now most Americans have to deal with high copays and deductibles that families now have to cover im very curious on what the teachers have to deal with in the modern 21 Century..
6:10, not for everybody. There are some people in the latest reassessment that made out like bandits.
Look closely at Moertels evidence a while back.
For health care insurance the school district participates in a consortium with other school districts in our area. They get together and, if memory serves, employees can pick one of a handful of plans from different providers. At least that is what I recall from a few years ago.
From the 13-14 budget document there is this:
EXPENDITURES
Healthcare – While there are challenges on the revenue side of our budget, the expenditures
reflect a much better picture. The District is a member of the Allegheny County School Health
Insurance Consortium, a self funded healthcare plan for our employees. This year’s cost reflects a 5%
to 7% increase over the prior year, which makes the fifth year in a row with single digit to no increase
in cost for healthcare. The Consortium has been able to manage costs by increasing benefit copayments,
encouraging preventive services and healthier lifestyles. This cost totals almost 10% of our
"Mt. Lebanon is an equal opportunity school district"
expenditure budget. All employees share in the cost of healthcare premiums with increasing
percentages of contribution towards the cost of the premium each year. Employees pay the entire cost
of the higher cost plan in comparison to the lower cost plan being offered
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101265411
"A federal judge said General Motors is not required to pay $450 million to cover medical benefits for retirees, in a defeat for the United Auto Workers union."
Because school districts can never go bankrupt, the teachers will never be faced with a similar ruling.
Something their union never takes into consideration when contracts come up for negotiation.
Another contract ending Dec 2015:
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/05/07/Teachers-health-insurance-consortium-staying-with-Highmark-Schools-insurance-consortium-sticks-with-Highmark/stories/201405070088
The sports teams have fundraising requirements that families are not made aware of until after the child is on the team. The first activity fee is from the district and is around $40 and it is per sport. But then once the kid gets involved, s/he has to sell things, including a big raffle ticket depending on the sport. If those items aren't sold, the child/family is responsible for paying the team directly. The Blue Devil Club has a big raffle in May and requires the sale of a $75 ticket. I think they expect about 500 tickets to be sold.
Elaine till a group of residents join together to either somehow pay to have an audit done or is able to get Republicans in the State to do it nothing will be done. State Republicans isn't really an option as they have written off Mt Lebanon. I even had a State Senator from north of Pittsburgh tell me that we got what we deserve and to live with it. Guess we are... Of the five houses on our section of the street that had been recently sold ALL are now rentals. That makes a total of 9 rentals! How many are up for School Board next election? Or maybe I should ask how many democrat union favoring are to be elected?
Elaine the democrat machine has taken over Mt Lebanon so the unions rule. Just what Crossey said they would back in the 90's. "They" determine their pay! And soon after the election of course they will release the new contract screwing residents. This increase will be seen as NOTHING compared to what is coming.
5:26 PM, this has been a very quiet School Board Primary. Six candidates for five seats. Three are incumbents. When I have more information, I will make a separate post.
Elaine
Brentwood Borough School Board approves major cutbacks
http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yoursouthhills/yoursouthhillsmore/8212581-74/district-teacher-brentwood
yea, that would never happen at Mt Lebanon. Just fleece the taxpayers more, like the union head suggested.
We are trying to sell our home and our Realtor keeps on reducing the price because buyers fear the taxes and fees. We had one looker tell his realtor that he would never live in Mt Lebanon because if idiot (he actually used a word that Elaine would never allow) commissioners soaked taxpayers into a Rain Tax and they allowed it they would accept a "breathing tax" too. We just got an offer from an investment group in New York City but it is only 65% of what we want and our neighbors don't want our street to turn into a bunch of rentals. J
"Charlotte:
Q: Do you know why on pg. 15 of the FY '13/'14 Budget document it appears that it contains the same exact report that was used in the FY '12/'13 document, am I missing something?
A: Yes - Sloppy work. And no, you are not missing anything.
Bill
April 20, 2015 at 2:32 AM"
Yes, extremely sloppy work and if this were a publically-held corporation and reports like that were put out to the public, the Securities and Exchange Commission would be issuing fines and the Chief Executive would be rolling some heads out the door.
While the school district isn't a corporation it is a public shareholder concern and there is no damn excuse for sloppy work.
If a student did such they get an F, our administrative personnel somehow get awards for putting out crap.
https://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/acsec/ongoinginvestorprotections.pdf
"These protections apply to all public companies, including emerging growth companies.
"Section 1., Item B: Liability for False or Misleading Statements - Section 18 of the Exchange Act imposes liability for false or misleading statements in documents filed with the SEC to any person who makes such false or misleading statements, subject to applicable defenses."
Why should we accept any less accurate documents from our school district?
Regarding that budget ... See page 17 of the 14-15 budget book at this link on the District website:
http://www.mtlsd.org/district/stuff/budget_book_2014-15.pdf
The District received a "Meritorious Budget Award" for the preparation and issuance of the 13-14 budget that seems to have included the wrong budget summary.
Bill, because the PDE and all its affiliates wouldn't know meritorious service if their lives depended on it.
It is that bad.
has anyone looked into how much time she spends out of the district on this other business?
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2014/11/26/Keystone-Oaks-School-District-gets-advice-on-Obamacare/stories/201411200099
Taxes are driven primarily by salaries to meet the teacher union's demands. Unions exist to provide salaries and benefits to people in the blue-collar work force with limited skills for advancement. Why should teachers, who consider themselves to be professionals and who had the benefit of a college education, and the opportunity to chose their life's work, be catered to with a union umbrella. Mt. Lebanon teachers are so skilled they can charge for after-hours tutoring. An analogy would be the mechanic who does not properly repair a vehicle, and charges for the same repair after business hours.
Another plaque for Ms. Kline? Really! You would think after 33 years she would not need another piece of wood and metal to hang on her wall.
It's all sleight of hand, 8:49.
http://triblive.com/mobile/8222579-96/state-wolf-increase
"Critics said the boost would strain the state's fragile fiscal status, but Sheridan said the agreement takes the budget deficit into account.
Matthew Brouillette, president and CEO of the conservative Commonwealth Foundation, said “any business looking at numbers in the red is not going to increase employee compensation.”"
Mr. Brouilette, you apparently don't follow the MTLSD.
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