School Board Funds Summer Reading Program

February 22, 2012

A quick report on Monday nights school board meeting in this morning’s LancasterOnline:

Two programs aimed at strengthening student performance received unanimous support from the Octorara school board during Monday’s brief and sparsely attended meeting.

The board approved spending $160,000 to fund a summer literacy program, and adding a high school course this fall to be called Remediation Opportunities.

The district anticipates being reimbursed by the state for at least half the cost of the summer program since it will provide services to special-education students. Other students will be able to attend the five-week summer camp at a cost of $100 per week.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Octorara Administration

Tagged as ,

February 20th Borough Council Meeting Notes

February 21, 2012

Informal notes from last night’s Borough Council meetings, including misquotes and misspellings.

Roll call – All present except Sharon Wolf (arrived late).  John Hagan also not present

Agenda Review – Agenda approved with no changes

Review of Minutes – Minutes approved without change

Treasurer’s Report read by Wendy Keegan

Approval of Bills – The list of Bills reviewed by council and approved

  • Liability comp insurance is paid twice a year.  Went down from last payment to realize a savings of about $1,300 from last period.
  • Motion made and approved to pay the bills

Public Comments – No comments made

Police Report – 57 traffic citations, 3 criminal arrests, 14 parking ticket,

Fire Report – Chief Richie Klinger reported 9 calls, average response times of 9 minutes, 34 seconds and an average turnout of 8 volunteers per incident.  Ambulance report – 56 monthly calls with an average response time of 2.97 minutes.

The fire company received FEMA grant of $475K. Councilperson Keen asked what is the price range of the new truck?  $600K to $675K

Planning Commission

Motion to grant final Plan approval to the Parkesburg Fire Company for land development.  On behalf of Parkesburg Fire Company.  The Fire Company is seeking council’s approval of the building plans for a new fire house.  By granting the approval tonight the Fire Company can register their plans with the county.  They don’t want to move ahead at this time however.  The law requires an escrow agreement to protect the borough.  The borough has agreed to waive the escrow agreement in return for the agreement that monies will be posted when the project decides to move forward .  The motion was approved by council.

Unfinished Business

American Cycling Group – Crosby Wood

Here to discuss the participation of the 7/5 on Thursday evening in the tour.  We work with fire and police officials to lay out a course and then come to council for final approval.  We would appreciate a tentative agreement that contingent upon everybody supporting the map, were’

10 day course.  Highlight the town and bring lots of people to the borough.  Similar events in Oxford, Coatesville, Malvern, Phoenixville, Unionville, Kennett, Parkesburg.

The following Sunday a 100 mile course throughout the county.

The idea is to create a lot of energy in town

John Carnes had questions about the agreement, who is providing what, when.  Mr. Wood indicated flexibility and a desire to set expectations.  This is the first year in each venue.  We want to create a platform event that the community supports and embraces as its own.  Lets work together and figure out how we can both win.  Expressed a desire to answer Mr. Carnes question.

Next step – settle on a course.  .6 to 1.2 miles so that spectators see the cyclist every 90 seconds.  3 races if not 4 with programs in between.

The goal is to drive more visitors to town.

Mr. Wood would like the Borough to form an organizing committee.

Carol Seawell asked what is the average cost to the borough to put on the event?  Depends on the cost of city services, how many police are needed.  It is hoped local and county sponsors will defer some of the costs.

There is a series level cost that the cycling organization absorbs.  The estimated cost is $40k per town.  We want to get sponsors to offset the incidental police/fire/EMS costs.

Store owner Carol Seawell asked What can business owners expect in return?

A resident spoke up and expressed her concern the cost of the event will be borne by the resident.  Mr. Wood responded by saying this year is our first year.  We don’t have all the answers.  But we don’t want to leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.  My partners have run over 400 similar races and have the experience to pull something like this off.

Steve Mellinger spoke for PABA, offered to facilitate the conversation with local businesses.

Jim Thomas said a committee would be formed with representatives from different entities including PABA, police, fire, etc.

A motion made to support the event pending all the details being worked out.  Motion approved unanimously by council.

New Business

  • Appoint an emergency management coordinator – next  meeting
  • Appoint David Bashor as a member of the planning commission
  • Wendy Keegan made a proposal to update the Borough dated website.  Cost would be underwritten by the grants from Comcast and Verizon.  The alert center would send news flashes via text messages.  The company will help us maintain the website.
  • Municipal newsletter service.  The company provides a newsletter for the cost of the postage.  Suggested we do it twice a year.  Advertise Borough events, trash collection, etc.  The service sells advertising.  Try one issue and see how it goes.  If it works we’ll do it twice a year

Manager’s report

  • West Street Bridge Project – Had a conference call on 1/17 with PennDOT where we stand with different projects.  The funding for West Street Bridge project has been obligated by PennDOT.  The deign has been submitted for approval.  The contract is being reviewed
  • Train Station – met with PennDOT and the engineering firm last week.  There are plans to meet with us early next month with suggestions for the new station

Public Works Report – No report

Fire Marshall Report – No report

Mayor’s Report – No report

PABA Report – The report made by Steve Mellinger – PABA is working to select a business leader of the year.  Membership is at 35, working to recruit more.  Working with Octorara HS to select a student who intends to major in business in college to receive a scholarship from PABA.   Members are selecting a representative to attend the Borough Progress Committee meeting.  We have a printer to print a guide book to help the owners upgrade the look of the storefronts.  Our next meeting is April 4th at 7:00 PM at the Borough Building on First Avenue.

Solicitors Report – Nothing to report beyond what is in the report.

Parks and Recreation Report – Football paid for the year, Little League baseball is expected to pay.

Finance Committee Report – First month on the budget, all is well.  Councilperson Keen asked about the profitability of the police contracts.  Another councilperson responded that those numbers were not available.  Ms. Keen mentioned the $90K deficit at the end of 2011.  Asked if there was a plan for dealing with that deficit.

Library  - Library is looking for volunteers to help them with FR

Public Comments

Jack Norton – Does he (Chuck Persch?) understand that there is nothing that will be done to control costs.  No, we are studying the matter.  Jack continued to ask about why the police department continues to hire out.  You have been elected to serve the needs of this borough, not other municipalities.  You’re killing us.  The last three months you’ve made it possible for five more people to put their house on the market because of the taxes.  Mr. Norton spoke about the old Rigorosso home that sold for $110K.  The taxes are driving people out in droves.  Suggested a motion that the police stop servicing other municipalities.

In response Councilperson Chuck Persch, asked who is going to control the drug dealers.

One visitor called for an outside auditor looks at the contract.  Councilperson Keen remarked the numbers are audited annually.

Steve Mellinger – Remarked that Borough government is a Constitutional Republic not a democracy, You have the option on election day to vote for council members.  We have to work with the council members we have.  We have to work collectively.  Council is not elected to do what everyone wants.  I am not a politician.  I have been annoyed for the past 30 years.  I want to be part of the solution.  I will speak every month, pointedly.  The thing we have to understand is that as citizens we need to trust  representative government and work beside them.  This borough needs to solve a lot of problems.  One of the things that needs to be resolved in West Street Bridge.  Everyone should take a deep breath and try to make things work in town.

Mellinger continued by saying PABA is on the record of being against the tax increase.  I can’t force everything my way.  I will stay with it to offer advice and creative ways to improve Borough issues.  The solutions won’t be fast.  The can has been kicked down the road over and over and over.  Not all of this agreeable to all of us.  No matter, we must be more respectful.

Cindy Manning commented that Borough service cost only $5 per day, the school district on the other hand is 15 per day.  As state police officers retire they are not being replaced.

Visitor noted PennDOT is not plowing our streets.

Jack Norton commented that police backup has never been an issue. They are always there when needed in an emergency.

One resident noted that Gay Street is very torn up, people are driving on one side to avoid the potholes, pretty soon someone is going to get hit.  Borough Manager Jim Thomas replied the top surface has to be milled.  We’ve patched it several times.  When the weather turns nice we’ll take care of it.  The water company wants to put a new sewer line down the middle of the street.  If they put it in they will be obligated to repave the street.

Les Ely – The job of a borough council person is a thankless job.  If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.  I want police here.  A quality of life issue.  I would gladly pay higher taxes for police.

Council Comments

Mel Keen read a statement about the rates the borough is charging for police service

Mark Agen congratulated the HS basketball team on their Ches-Mont league championship

2 Comments

Filed under Parkesburg Government

Tagged as ,

Teacher’s Union Rep Responds to Board Criticism

February 20, 2012

At Monday evening’s school board work session Elementary School teacher and Octorara Education Association representative Donna Edwards, reacted to comments made by a board member during January’s meeting that Octorara was “failing students” and it was “time to clean house.”

Saying that after 32 years in the classroom, 24 here in Octorara, “the job of teacher has changed yearly.”  “I almost do not recognize it anymore,” Edwards said.  Noting she can take it when teachers get batted around by national critics of public education, but those same criticisms “sting,” according to Ms. Edwards, when they come from local sources.

Speaking on behalf of the 100 or so of her fellow teachers also in attendance at Monday’s meeting, Ms Edwards gave a measured, eloquent response succinctly laying out a case that teachers are not only the backbone of education at Octorara’s but just as importantly, form the bulwark against the erosion of values, civility, and brotherly (and sisterly!) kindness in our community.

Ms. Edwards’ unedited remarks as taken from the draft of the Monday night’s minutes are as follows:

First, I would like to say thank you for your dedication to Octorara and your willingness to serve on the board as a volunteer for this community. Your job is thankless, but none the less important and carries a great deal of responsibility. Your job and your actions generate varied responses and opinions. I would like to share mine.

There is not a day that goes by that the state of public education isn’t being volleyed about in the news. Some speak of the budget in Harrisburg and the possible reauthorization of No Child Left Behind coming from Washington D.C. Recently we heard of alleged horrors from the Los Angeles School District. A few short miles away the Chester Upland School District faces extinction.

It seems that no one has anything good to say about public education. Unfortunately, teachers also get batted around in the news as well. I seem to be able to put much of that criticism aside because it doesn’t sting quite as much from a distance.

But when the comments and complaints come locally about my colleagues, I cannot push them aside. They do sting. These people behind me and many more are my colleagues. I have sat with them, talked with them, and congratulated them on successes in their classrooms on weddings, babies and grandbabies. I have taught for 32 years – the last 24 have been here at Octorara.

There has been adversity during those years. How it has been often depends on those in power. Good times have been to Octorara as well – more than bad. But through adversity and through good times, all the teachers and support staff that I have worked with have faithfully served the children and families of this District.

That is why recent comments made me pause. Words like “failing children” and “clean house” were used locally. These words are often used by critics whose intent is to inflame a difficult situation. I would wager a guess that people who use these terms have not walked in the shoes of a teacher in the year 2012. In the 32 years that I have taught, the job of teacher has changed yearly. I almost do not recognize it anymore.

Let me tell you a little of what I see and hear about daily. I am not going to tell you about the hundreds of lesson plans that are planned daily. Nor am I going to tell you about the thousands of papers that are graded by this staff. Mostly because you might say that those 5 things are part of the job. I want to focus on the less known actions that Octorara teachers have chosen to make part of their job.
Let’s start with the better known activities:

  • Teachers are required by contract to provide 2 help classes a month to students. The far majority offer them weekly not monthly.
  • Teachers spend hours in their classroom before and after the defined school day.
  • Teachers spend hours per week at home in the evenings or weekends working on school related work.
  • Many teachers work through their lunch giving those students who need that one-on-one time a little extra help.
  • Staff gives food and money to holiday support drives that helps needy families in the District. Many teachers actually deliver them to the homes.

Let’s move on to the less known activities:

  • Staff has provided students with needed clothing, coats and shoes. Prom dresses have been purchased for the young lady that would not have gone to the Prom otherwise.
  • Staff has provided students with used computers or refurbished a child’s non-working home computer.
  • Staff has organized cross building activities for students including High School students working with Elementary students.
  • Staff has worked with students on fitness and training programs on their own time without a supplemental contract.
  • Staff has attended out-of-school activities for students such as recitals, church programs, plays, and attended funerals – all to support the student in their class.
  • Staff has implemented before or after school clubs, without a supplemental contract.
  • Staff has spent hours beyond what they are paid working with students in student government, AP classes, FFA, Envirothon, etc. with students earning awards that might not otherwise be earned.
  • Staff has helped parents find doctors, social services, etc. – even driving them to the appointments.
  • Staff has paid for lunches for students, field trips for students, bought holiday party supplies, and provided cupcakes for those students whose families are unable to send them in for birthday celebrations. Right now there are many elementary teachers with boxes of valentine cards in their closets for the students who come to school without them.
  • Staff has provided book bags, complete with school supplies for needy students.
  • Staff has gone into homes to help parents set up homework sites and support parents who are struggling in that area.
  • Staff has gone into homes to hold parent-teacher conferences or IEP meetings when parents are unable to get to school.
  • Staff has gone into homes checking on students who have not come to school, concerned for the child’s safety.
  • Staff has gone into homes to help a grieving child.
  • Staff has gone into the homes or hospital of a sick child.
  • Staff has visited the child who has been placed into foster care in another district when the child was having great difficulty adjusting.
  • Staff has purchased books for classroom libraries so all students have books available to them for reading and research activities.
  • Staff has written thousands of letters of recommendation for students to get into college, get jobs, or to be considered for a scholarship or a special program.
  • Staff has raised money for the families of children who have lost a parent to death. Recently the Elementary and PLC staff, with the help of their students, raised thousands of dollars to help a family.
  • Staff have paid electric bills, gas bills, auto repair bills, helped repair a leaking roof, repaired and replaced doors, windows, and donated furniture- all to help their students and their families.

I could go on and on. I was asked not to use many examples because Staff was concerned it would be connected to them personally. They want to remain anonymous.

I say all this to clearly state I do not believe we are failing kids. Many of the issues our students come to school with are out of our control. That does not mean we do not care. We do care! Many of our students come home in our hearts and minds nightly- always trying to find a way to help. The adversity that these difficult economic times have brought to Octorara is not insurmountable. Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.”

I believe that Octorara’s character can stand the test of this adversity.

Do you?

2 Comments

Filed under Octorara Administration

Tagged as , ,