Third letter on this blog about the sell off of PPS school assets

October 20, 2011

Dear General Wagner,

I am writing you today as a citizen, and former Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Member, to express my great concern about the sale of a public asset. I am writing about the proposed sale of the former Florence Reizenstein Middle School to the development company Walnut Capital. I believe that this sale would constitute an irresponsible stewardship of public assets by the Pittsburgh School Board and Administration. And that it should be stopped for the following reasons:

1)      According to Allegheny County Assessment Office the Building and Land is worth $22,920,500.00

2)      Sole Bidder bid $5,700,000.00

3)      Bidder announced plans for $119,000,000.00

4)      Bidder has history of seeking tax exemptions, thereby reducing or eliminating tax revenues to City, State, and School District.

5)      There was only ONE Bidder

6)      Bidding process was "fast-tracked". A shorter bidding process from other buildings for sale.

7)      Property is within an area (East Liberty) that has seen great economic investment in the last 10 years(A Target store opened 3 months ago)

8)      Board did not properly (only locally) advertise this property for sale.

9)      Bidder developed property across the street from school.

10)   Property not appraised by a least 3 appraisers.

11)   School building only 30 years old.

12)   School building is used for many community activities.

13)   Building is modern facility with large gymnasium, pool, and air conditioning.

 

I believe that this property should remain a school. There is currently one proposed charter school for East End of Pittsburgh with of others likely. I believe the property's continued use as a school is highly possible and, most likely in the future, necessary.

 

Furthermore, the Reizenstein building is a valuable asset to the East End of Pittsburgh community. This building, because of its central location and access to public transportation is a natural meeting place. Its gymnasium and pool are used by many groups and organizations. It even housed the Pittsburgh Public Schools"Summer Dreamers" education program for hundreds of students.

The taxpayers of the city have invested tens of millions of dollars in this building and property. They should have every right to expect the property to be put to the best use for students and, if this property is to be sold, to receive the maximum amount possible. This sale should be halted for the purpose of determining if this has occurred.

Looking back over the years, I also believe the handling of this property to be a prima facie case(s) of, not only wasting precious tax dollars, but of NO fiscal planning by the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

I placed before the Pittsburgh School Board in April 2008 a resolution to cancel the planned move of students from the closed Schenley High School to the Reizenstein Building. $10 million dollars was slated to be spent to make the facility more appropriate for High Schools students. However, the Board knew at that time the move would be temporary because Business Affairs Director stated "that to make building permanent home for High School students would cost $40 million in upgrades". I asked Board to move those students to an existing High School. The Pittsburgh School Board voted my resolution down. In May of this year, the Pittsburgh School Board voted to send Reizenstein students to that very same existing High School. Yet, it does not end there.

The East End of Pittsburgh is an area that is experiencing great commercial and residential development (Coincidentally, the bidders for Reizenstein are proposing a $119 million dollar residential development). The communities of Garfield, East Liberty, and Highland Park are all doing significant building of new homes. Even the struggling communities of Larimer and Homewood have plans and funding   and are beginning long overdue community re- development. We are already seeing many new families moving into the East End of Pittsburgh, and I believe many, many more will follow. What if the School District of Pittsburgh finds, in a few short years, that there is a need to build a new school for the new families? A new school will cost at minimum $40 million dollars. The East End also has many schools that are over 90 years old. How long will it be before it becomes cost prohibitive to maintain and upgrade these buildings? How long will it be before these buildings are obsolete?  The Reizenstein property would provide a large parcel of flat land in an attractive location. If a new building is ever constructed the existing sports facilities might well be incorporated at significant savings. The lack of planning may cost the taxpayers of the city and state tens of millions of dollars.

 

I am writing to ask your office to intervene and investigate the sale of this building. I believe that tens of millions of public dollars are at stake. Yet, most importantly we are facing the loss of a building that has helped to enrich the educational experience of thousands of students. I believe that a building with excellent amenities make for a well-rounded education.  Pittsburgh has long believed that well maintained facilities are important to a child's education. We have long believed in the importance of pools for our children to learn to swim and large gyms and fields for them to play and grow strong. This current Pittsburgh School Board has forgotten this. My hope is that you will us here in Pittsburgh to remind them.

 

Sincerely,

 

Randall Taylor

Former Pittsburgh School Board Director, District #1

(412) 867-8170

Duquesne school district to close the end of the school year

Wow.

Duquesne school district to close the end of the school year: Duquesne school district to close the end of the school year.

Perhaps we can say too little and too late.

This is big news. And, it is a big impact to everyone in the region.

Allegheny County and the overall region is just too small to have such a failure in such epic amounts. Those kids are neighbors. Those students are getting screwed and have been put in jeopardy for decades.

The drag of Duquesne City's School District is an anchor that we all must lift and correct.

Back in the day I spoke at a PPS public hearing to the PPS board and took some heat from a person in the audience who was another citizen. She told me in no uncertain terms in a private conversation that she didn't want to hear me, a guy from the South Side who was seeking public office in the city, talking about Duquesne Schools. To her, that was out of bounds. She wanted me to rant about things within our neighborhood, our district.

I felt I had an important message to deliver and it was spot on for PPS to worry about. For a while, PPS had a consulting or management contract with the Duquesne School District for something. That didn't seem to pan out, I guess.

But my worry then and at the microphone that night was about the closing of schools in the 'right size plan' that were in Hazelwood and to the far east and south of the city. That is the part of the city that needed capacity because the Duquesne students might come flocking into the city some day as that district crumbles.

Well, it has happened. My prediction has come true, sadly.

And, the PPS is without the school buildings and without the capacity in the system to do something positive there.

It is a stretch, but not impossible, to get the kids from Duquesne into the city for school, even in the K-8 stages.

Oh well.

What would Churchill say to Gandi about the race for US President?

Kathy Fine makes a statement about the selling of PPS school facilities

From Kathy Fine, a Pittsburgh citizen who helps with the education blog, Pure Reform.

Enough is enough.

Four years ago, the PPS administration proposed closing Schenley High School based on deceptions and out and out lies.

• They lied when they said that that would keep Schenley open after the community outcry.
·
• They lied about the level of danger due to asbestos and the urgency of removing students from the facility.
• They lied about forming a stakeholder committee to discuss possible reuses for the building.
• They lied about the cost for renovations.

And now their lies are public knowledge. The district let Schenley sit unused while they spent tens of millions of dollars on renovations on inferior buildings and instituted controversial reform experiments that we new would fail (and sadly, we have been proven right). Now they are proposing selling this historic building on invaluable city property for $2M dollars to a developer that will convert the old school into apartments for a cost of $35M dollars. That’s right, $35M dollars to gut the entire facility, remediate the asbestos, replace electrical and HVAC systems and build separate apartments. 5 years ago, the PPS administration told us that just updating the mechanicals and remediation would cost up to $81M!

The students at University Prep are worse off than they were at Schenley. They are faring no better academically, but now they are housed in an inadequate middle school facility and their sports and other extracurriculars have been decimated.

The closing of Schenley has resulted in the resegregation of our high schools and separate but unequal facilities and programming for the minority students in the East End of our city. While the predominantly white high schools like Brashear, Carrick and Alderdice have remained untouched, with beautiful buildings and sports facilities, the predominantly minority high schools like Obama (the new IB school), University Prep and Sci-Tech are squeezed into middle school facilities or facilities with no windows or natural light and have been forced to give up any real sports programming.

And the proposed Reizenstein sale also raises concerns. The county has assessed this property at over $22M, but the bidder the district is putting forward is offering only $5.4M Moreover, this flat, conveniently located property with some of the best PPS parking in the East End is the go to spot for district wide meetings. It is also the site of a popular pre-school program. DeJong, the facility consultant, recommended keeping the property, reportedly so that it would be available at a future time when the district wishes to build a new modern facility.

PLEASE, come to the public hearing at 6PM on Monday, 10/24 and tell our school board that we cannot see our district dismantled piece by piece. Call 412-622-3600 and sign up to speak by 12N on Monday. Or just come to lend support! Some talking points:

• End the separate but unequal treatment of the minority students in the East End.
• The lack of accountability regarding the deception about the true cost of renovation
• The failures of the reforms that took place at the cost of Schenley High School
• University Prep is a failed experiment
• Sci-Tech’s building is too small to accommodate all of the students that want to attend
• Sharing sports facilities between middle and high school has resulted in tremendous scheduling difficulties, with some students having to wait until evening for practice.

The Schenley building and sports facilities are worth much more than $2M. There has been talk of building a gymnasium for University Prep at a cost of $8M. We could use the Schenley sports facilities for University Prep, Obama and Sci Tech and save $6M, while providing these three schools with a centralized location for their sports programming.

Stop the fire sale of Reizenstein and Schenley.

The TIME IS NOW to stop this charade of “reform” and put a halt to the sale of our precious public school resources for a pittance.

Kathy Fine
Pure Reform

TJ needs a swim coach

Hello My name is Barb Hill and I am part of the booster club for the Thomas Jefferson High School swimming and diving team. Our high school swim team is desperately searching for a high school swim coach for this 2011-2012 swim season. I found your name on the website for USMS Allegheny Mountain Masters. I was wondering if you might know of anyone that has coaching experience that would be interested in coaching a high school team. Thomas Jefferson High School is located in Jefferson Hills, PA and is part of the West Jefferson Hills School District. This is a paying position. We have about 25-30 high swimmers that are anxious to get started. If you are interested or know anyone that may be interested please have them contact myself or William Cherpak the athletic director at the high school at 412-655-8610. Thank You Barb

Fw: cc letter waste/ mismanagement

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Asw122@aol.com

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:59:15 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: cc letter waste/ mismanagement

October 19, 2011

 

Mr. Ron Tomalis, Secretary of Education

Pennsylvania Department of Education

333 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

 

Dear Mr. Tomalis:

 

I am writing with a concern about possible waste and mismanagement of Pittsburgh Public School assets.

 

As you may know, in June 2008 the PPS Board voted 5-4, despite strong opposition, to close Schenley High School.  The reason given was the presence of asbestos plaster, although it was later shown that other functioning Pittsburgh public schools had similar if not identical plaster issues.  The Board mandated that a committee be formed to consider re-use of the building, including possible re-use as a school.  Over the next three years parents, community members and some Board members requested formation of this committee.  Suddenly last summer, without committee input, the district announced that the property was for sale and that the bid deadline was December 31, 2011 (a date that was recently moved up to October 13, 2011).   A bid for $2M, which the district appears likely to accept very soon, was revealed this week.

 

HOWEVER, the Schenley athletic addition (including gym and pool) does not have asbestos plaster problems.   It was added in 1987 at a cost of $9.4M (about $18M in current dollars).  Similar recent projects in neighboring districts have cost $20M - $25M.  Even looking at just the athletic facilities, PPS will be handing off an extremely valuable asset for a pittance.  Minimal marketing took place, and it is quite likely that other potential purchasers did not know the building was for sale or that the gymnasium and pool do not have plaster problems.

 

More importantly, our Pittsburgh public school students could benefit greatly from this athletic facility.  Schenley was replaced by three 6-12 schools which in some cases lack facilitiesappropriate for a high school, such as regulation sized pools.   In addition, the high school level students must wait to use facilities until the middle school day is over, and then must work practices and meets around middle school practices and meets.  Because schools are small, joint teams are necessary and students  must travel between locations.  The Schenley athletic facilities are in a central location (Oakland) and would 1) greatly alleviate the overscheduling and inequity created by the 6-12 configuration and 2) provide a single location for the joint teams (which include charter school students) to practice and play.  And, because other Oakland organizations are in need of pool and gym time, there are real revenue opportunities that could well offset the cost of maintaining the building, even if the classroom portion just sat in reserve.  

 

An additional concern is that the district put the cost of making Schenley available for continued use as a school at $81M, while the bidder for the property indicates that it will manage to convert it to an entirely new use (residential) for only $35M.  I urge the Pennsylvania Department of Education without delay to investigate this discrepancy as well as the issues surrounding the athletic facilities and to ensure that our properties are being handled in a manner that is  fiscally responsible and equitable to all students.

 

Annette S. Werner (asw122@aol.com)

 

cc:  Auditor General Jack Wagner

Fwd: Closing Statement BLACKED OUT

From: Ron Paul <ron_paul@ronpaul2012.com>

Bakery Square expansion proposed; three school sites for bid

No deal.

Do not sell the Schenley High School for $2-million. Sell it for $20 or $30 million, not $2-million.

Do not give a tax credit to the new owners of Schenley High School. If they want it at a seal, then don't let them seal us into the future as well. Sell it at a fair price, and expect them to make an investment, without the price of a tax credit.

The Reizenstein property was to fetch $30 or $40 million dollars, not $5 or $6 million.

No deal. We (citizens, taxpayers, parents of school children) are getting robbed.

Bakery Square expansion proposed; three school sites for bid: Developers propose carrying housing, retail, office space across Penn Avenue to site of shuttered Reizenstein school

Economic Plan from Doctor Paul

New Book Includes Buhl Planetarium History

From: Glenn A. Walsh

A history of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, including its rather unique 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope Observatory, is included in a new book published by the University of Pittsburgh Press titled Palace of Culture, Andrew Carnegie's Museums and Library in Pittsburgh. The author of this book is Robert J. Gangewere, former adjunct professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University and former editor of CARNEGIE magazine for three decades.

The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center) merged with Carnegie Institute in 1987, thus the reason Buhl's history is included in this book. Mr. Gangewere interviewed me, regarding Buhl's history, for this book.

Mr. Gangewere will conduct a free-of-charge lecture on the new book, and a book signing this TUESDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 18, 2011, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Carnegie Museum of Art Theater in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.

Here is more information about the book --

Link to information from the University of Pittsburgh Press web site:

http://www.upress.pitt.edu/BookDetails.aspx?bookId=36260

Here is a book description from the CARNEGIE Magazine web site:

Palace of Culture

Told through the eyes of a longtime insider and gifted storyteller, the far-reaching history of Andrew Carnegie's lasting gifts to the Steel City and their worldwide influence comes to life in Palace of Culture, Andrew Carnegie's Museums and Library in Pittsburgh.

Published by University of Pittsburgh Press and written by Robert J. Gangewere, former adjunct professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University and former editor of CARNEGIE magazine for three decades, Palace of Culture is a thorough look at the life and times of Andrew Carnegie's Carnegie Institute, which today comprises four distinctive museums and a separately operated system of libraries.

"It makes for a fascinating account that not only is a tribute to Andrew Carnegie's vision but also demonstrates that libraries, museums, and concert halls can have a powerful, even transformative impact on cities," says Petra Chu, professor of art history at Seton Hall University.

In his 2004 farewell note in CARNEGIE magazine, Gangewere promised to tackle this important project by sharing unforgettable stories—like when Carnegie, sitting on a log in Cresson, Pennsylvania, first told minister William Holland that he wanted to do something special for Pittsburgh, like build a library. "It's a very American story with no simple parallel in the larger world of museums," Gangewere wrote. "I can't wait to tell it." After scores of interviews and unprecedented research, Gangewere has accomplished his goal.

Join Gangewere for one of his scheduled talks about his book: October 18 from 3-5 p.m. in the Carnegie Museum of Art Theater; November 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Ligonier Public Library; and January 14, 2012, from 2-4 p.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland.


--

Sports stadium reading

For a great overview of why mayors keep throwing cash at sports teams without getting any demonstrated benefit in return, check out The Nation “Why do mayors love sports stadiums?”  (The Pittsburgh Penguins are briefly mentioned.) http://www.thenation.com/article/162400/why-do-mayors-love-sports-stadiums:   Ruth Ann Dailey’s latest Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Opinion piece from September 19 is a humorous look at the absurdity of the whole Civic Arena political process and current situation with the former St. Nicholas Church http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11262/1175777-152-0.stm  

Fw: *Possible Free Charter Bus to Vote for Ron Paul in Value VotersStraw Poll, Sat. in D.C.*

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Gary Denese <dragonflydreams2@hotmail.com>

Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2011 16:57:28 -0400

Subject: *Possible Free Charter Bus to Vote for Ron Paul in Value Voters Straw Poll, Sat. in D.C.*

Hey Everyone,

The Values Voter Summit Straw Poll takes place on Friday October 7 & Saturday October 8, 2011 at Washington, D.C.'s Omni Shoreham Hotel. Ron Paul has issued a clarion call to supporters to travel to the summit to vote for him in the poll. Voting begins Friday at noon and runs until 7:00pm, then recommences at 7:00am on Saturday until 1:00pm. Tickets are regularly $100, but Ron is offering them for only $10 via his campaign site. His campaign has also offered to pay for a charter bus from the Pittsburgh area on Saturday if enough people commit to go. The following message is from Bill Faust who is from the Philadelphia area:

Ron Paul 2012 - Value Voters Summit & Straw Poll - Sat., Oct. 8th - Washington D.C.

Yo, Pittsburgh and nearby environs. Ron Paul is urgently asking area supporters to attend and vote in this straw poll. Details are below. Buy a $10 event ticket, or get one for free (see Tickets below) if that cost is a burden. The campaign will transport you, at its cost, via charter bus to and from Washington. You just need to show up. This would be a pretty early bus as Ron's speech is at 9 am. Event breakfast and lunch (http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/schedule) are not included and would be at your cost, or you may dine separately at lesser cost in the hotel with friends.

Bus logistics are being developed. Were your area to be able to muster about 55 people, you'll get your own bus. If not, but still enough, the bus would probably route toward and pick up additional passengers in Harrisburg and York before heading down I-83 to Washington. Either way, it's an early bus. Rise and shine!

Right now we need a head count to develop logistics; bus loading places and times. If you are a definite attendee or a "solid probably," please email me at williamfaust234 @ comcast.net. Include your name and a phone number as this would be useful on the day of departure. GET ANOTHER PERSON TO LIKEWISE COMMIT to going with you.

Who: Ron Paul supporters in PA, DE & South NJ

What: Value Voters Summit & Straw Poll

When: Sat., Oct. 8th

Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Transportation: Free round-trip chartered bus or buses - let's fill them up

Depart: To Be Determined from Pittsburgh, for 8:30 am arrival in Washington

Poll Voting: 7am to 1 pm

Ron Speech: 9 am

Ron Meet-and-Greet: 11 am

Tickets: Here (URL: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/rsvp-value-voters-summit-and-straw-poll-washington-dc/). If you cannot afford the $10, but would otherwise go, scroll down to see the email address and phone number for Rachel Kania. She'll take care of you.

Ron's straw poll vote at this event is extremely important. This is the religious and social conservative crowd. A good outcome has the capacity to affect the Iowa Caucus. Our areas are all reasonably close to Washington. Let's go.

This event is considered more conservative than CPAC. The goal here is not merely to win, but to also win some respect for Dr. Paul and his campaign. Ron specifically asked us to "dress appropriately." Inside the beltway, at events like this, for men that means a jacket and tie, but a long sleeve shirt with tie and nice slacks and dress shoes minimally, if you don't have a suit or sport jacket. Dresses, skirts or nice slacks for ladies (they always look wonderful). Leave peripheral issues behind; the issue is Ron's 2012 campaign and winning the straw poll at this event.

Bill Faust

http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-1834/events/35546322/

 

         AuditTheFedPhoneBomb.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fw: Register Now for EPLC's Arts and Education Symposium, October 13:The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Ron Cowell <cowell@eplc.org>

Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:04:37 -0400

To: cowell@eolc.org<cowell@eolc.org>

Subject: Register Now for EPLC's Arts and Education Symposium, October 13: The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Please share this invitation!

 

 

You are invited to

 

The Education Policy and Leadership Center’s

 

ARTS AND EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA 17120

 

Keynote speakers:

Dr. Jonathan Katz, Chief Executive Officer, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

Dr. Mary Ann Stankiewicz, Professor of Art Education, Pennsylvania State University

 

Plus 9 Workshops with prominent Pennsylvania and national arts and education leaders.

 

Visit www.aei-pa.org

 

Join arts and education leaders from across the state and nation to participate in discussions about the policy implications of the arts in Pennsylvania’s schools and communities.  Symposium discussions will inform the work of EPLC’s Arts and Education Initiative (AEI), which is generating a report including actionable policy recommendations for legislators and other audiences to be released in February of 2012. 

 

Click here for more information about the agenda and to register online with a credit card, or to print and mail a registration form with payment by credit card or check.

 

$25 registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.  Scholarships are available, as well as Act 48 credits for teachers.  Email crosby@eplc.org with questions.

 

The Arts and Education Symposium is presented by EPLC in partnership with Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Pennsylvania Art Education Association, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. 

 

The Symposium is made possible with the generous support of The Heinz Endowments, the William Penn Foundation, and the Buhl Foundation.

 

EPLC is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based in Harrisburg, with programs and activities across Pennsylvania. 

The mission of EPLC to encourage and support the development and implementation of effective state-level education policies to improve student learning in grades P-12, to increase the effective operation of schools, and to enhance educational opportunities for citizens of all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pittsburgh councilman Lavelle charged with perjury - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh councilman Lavelle charged with perjury - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh councilman Lavelle charged with perjury

Time to resign for both Wheatley and Lavelle.

Got a present 8th grader? What about those in 7th grade too?

If you have kids in middle school, you might want to swing by Pgh Obama on Saturday, tomorrow, to visit with people at the magnet fair.

Did you know that last year Pittsburgh Public Schools sent its graduates to some of the top universities in the country, including: Stanford Yale Penn Michigan CMU Pitt Honors And dozens of others... As you may or may not know, part of my role at PPS is to manage our magnet programs in the District. Tomorrow we are holding our annual Magnet Fair at Pittsburgh Obama (in the Reizenstein facility.) We will have tables open from some of our most popular programs including Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Pitttsburgh Obama International Baccalaureate, Pittsburgh Sci-Tech, Pittsburgh Liberty Spanish, Pittsburgh Linden Mandarin, Pittsburgh Montessori, Pittsburgh Dilworth Traditional and others. Even if you are not considering PPS, think about stopping by. You may want to reconsider us! Additionally, learn more about the Pittsburgh Promise, a $40,000 college scholarship program for any PPS graduate, regardless of income. www.pittsburghpromise.org.

This is a good way to do one-stop shopping if you are a parent. And, talk to others that are in the same boat as you -- and talk to those who did this in the last couple of years as well. Network. Talk to the PPS folks -- then talk to the women selling popcorn.

Fwd: Conservative Evan Feinberg likely to Challenge Tim Murphy in Repblican Primary for Congress in 18th

http://www.politicspa.com/tim-murphy-gets-a-challenger/28236/

Tim Murphy Gets a Challenger

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor, Politics PA

<http://www.politicspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Evan-Feinberg.png> <http://www.politicspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Evan-Feinberg.png>

Evan Feinberg, a future candidate

Rep. Tim Murphy will face a primary challenge next spring.

Months of recruiting efforts by a small, dedicated group of conservative activists has yielded challenger Evan Feinberg, a 26 year-old native of Washington County who spent the past five years working for various conservative causes in Washington, DC.

"I'm taking the necessary steps to consider a primary challenge against Representative Murphy," Feinberg confirmed. "The people of western Pennsylvania deserve a true conservative who will put the interests of the country and his constituents before his own."

Feinberg told PoliticsPA that he resigned his position in the office of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul on Wednesday. He, his wife and infant son will move back to the district on Monday. And as if to ensure he won't be drawn out of Murphy's district, he's moving to the Congressman's home turf in Upper St. Clair, Allegheny County.

"If I decide to run, I'm going to have going to have very extensive local and national support and I look forward to making this decision in the coming weeks."

Sources close to Feinberg say that his run is definite.

------
HERE IS A GOOD ARTICLE Feinberg CO-WROTE 4 YEARS AGO
I like a Republican who is not afraid to criticise a Republican plan that is clearly a big government plan.
----

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950

Remembering Who Opposed President Clinton's Education Plan

by Dan Lips <http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Dan+Lips> and Evan Feinberg <http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Evan+Feinberg>  08/16/2007

Before No Child Left Behind, President Clinton <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#> had his own plan for education reform. While it is not surprising that many Republicans opposed the Clinton plan, what is striking are the similarities between the Clinton plan and the (often) Republican-backed No Child Left Behind.

In 1999, President Clinton unveiled his education reform strategy in his State of the Union Address. He called on Congress to use federal funding to spur school reforms and "to support what works, and to stop supporting what doesn't work."

Texas Governor George W. Bush was sharply critical. "The federal government should be a limited partner, not a general partner," he explained. "If they feel like sending money back to the states, fine. But don't tell us how to run things."

It is funny how times change. Reviewing the Clinton plan, one can't help but notice similarities to No Child Left Behind, a centerpiece of President Bush's domestic policy.

President Clinton's plan called on Congress to attach five "strings" to federal education dollars. First, states would be required end social promotion. Second, states and school districts would be required to reform or close low-performing schools. Third, they must establish teacher qualification requirements. Fourth, parents must be given greater information in the form of district-issued school report cards. Fifth, states and school districts would be required to implement school discipline policies.

Congress didn't enact President Clinton's education strategy during his administration, but its spirit lived on.

Consider how core elements of No Child Left Behind resemble President Clinton's proposal. NCLB was meant to combat "the soft bigotry of low expectations" by ending the practice of automatically passing kids to the next grade. NCLB also defines a "highly-qualified teacher." The law mandates different school reforms for each additional year a school is deemed low-performing, including restructuring or closing schools after five years of failure. Moreover, NCLB requires states to test all students annually and to publish student performance data to provide greater information to parents.

President Bush's original proposal for No Child Left Behind did include some conservative ideas-like trimming bureaucracy, providing state flexibility, and promoting private school choice-but these provisions didn't survive congressional negotiations with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative George Miller <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#> (D-CA). What emerged was a law that has increased spending by 41 percent, expanded federal authority and bureaucracy, and created 7 million hours per year worth of new regulations and paperwork for state and local authorities.

The Bush Administration has taken full ownership of No Child Left Behind. Last summer, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said it was "like Ivory soap…99 percent pure."  President Bush has made reauthorizing the law a top priority of his remaining tenure.

But Republicans should remember that they-and George W. Bush-once opposed expanding federal power in education-when it was being proposed by President Clinton. Back in the 1990s, conservatives on Capitol Hill <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#> fought to limit federal intervention and to return authority to state leaders to create a reform environment that minimized bureaucracy and fostered real improvement.

In the 1990s, Republicans supported the "Academic Achievement for All Act" (commonly called "Straight A's) which would have allowed states to enter into performance agreements with the federal government that would give them the opportunity to consolidate federal programs and redirect funding toward state initiatives to improve student learning. In exchange, states would establish performance objectives and administer state tests to measure student achievement.

The Straight <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#> A's bill drew the support of 128 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 20 in the Senate. Florida Governor Jeb Bush testified in favor of the bill, asking Congress to "Imagine what our states could do if we could spend more of our time and energy working to improve student achievement, rather than tediously complying with a dizzying array of federal rules." A pilot version of the bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 215 to 213.

President Bush incorporated the Straight A's approach in his original blueprint for No Child Left Behind. The White House recommended creating a "charter option" to give states and school districts freedom from federal regulations and bureaucracy if they entered into a performance agreement with the Department of Education, but it was whittled down by Congress into a weak funding transfer program.

In 2007, conservatives on Capitol Hill have proposed legislation that follows the original Straight A's approach and the "charter" option. Senators Jim DeMint (R-DC) and John Cornyn <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#> (R-TX) have proposed the A-PLUS Act, which would allow states to opt-out of NCLB and enter into performance agreements with the federal government. Their plan would give states freedom from federal bureaucracy and red tape if they agree to establish academic goals and maintain a consistent, transparent testing system over time to determine whether students are learning. So far, the Bush Administration has been silent on the DeMint-Cornyn plan.

President Bush was right when he said that the federal government should be a "limited partner, not a general partner" in education. The time has come for him and Republicans in Congress to return to their principles on education reform, rather than continuing to champion Bill Clinton <http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21950#>'s education strategy.
________________________________
Mr. Lips is education analyst at The Heritage Foundation <http://www.heritage.org/>.
________________________________
________________________________
Mr. Feinberg is a research assistant at The Heritage Foundation <http://www.heritage.org/>.




--

--

Ta.

 

 

Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com      http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Can't Langley be turned into a City-Wide Magnet to focus on PUBLIC SAFETY? Let's call it Pgh Sci-Service Magnet, 6-12

Hi Board Member McCrea,

I think that there is plenty of merit to the plan championed by Pgh City Councilwoman, Theresa Smith, for PPS.

If the City of Pgh buys PCA/Greenway, then the city can put all the public service enterprises into that building and avoid paying more
than $1-M per year in rent. So, the city has the cash-flow to float such a deal.

Then the PPS sells a building for more than $1.

Then PPS can move the Pgh Gifted Center to another building, perhaps back into the Hill District, something central. That is a simple move.
Same too for staff training uses.

Then PPS can move the Greenway/PCA students and staff to another building -- such as Langley in part.

Langley HS can be a High School magnet, grades 9-12, for those that are interested in working and training and studies that are central to public safety.

Furthermore, Langley can be a 6-12 school with general education for local kids in grades 6, 7 and 8. It could be PCA as is, but in a
different home.

Then the HS kids can do projects and more with the city EMS, building inspectors, firefighters, police, and others that can be put into that building. The Greenway building and Langley are not far from each other for a high school student.

To me, a public safety focus for a magnet could be very interesting
for the students. Good for environmental studies, lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, Biology, physics. I see advance sciences at that school so kids that want to take Pre-Med in college could get a leg up at this school.

Furthermore, the city firefighters and the city police who have to send their kids to private schools while residing in the city limits could then have a school to be stewards with the PPS faculty and administration. Those families are seemingly sending many of their children to Catholic or other private schools. If we make a good alliance with city workers and that school -- we could get more engagement in after-school offerings and other efforts to insure that the school functions with gusto.

I'd even suggest that the SCIENCE Department at Sci-Tech could be duplicated at this public safety magnet at Langley, if it is up to everyone's standards. Rather than Sci-Tech, the Langley could be Sci-Service Magnet.

Perhaps too, if there is room, the Citiparks Aquatics Department and other parts of Citiparks might be able to move into Greenway as well. If that was the case, and the city had a year-round swim pool, I would not be opposed to the selling off of the Oliver Bath House by the City of Pittsburgh.

From Frick-swim

Finally, on a different note, I think the name WESTINGHOUSE should be retained with the school. The blue color and the name Bulldogs are fine too. But by all means, don't rename the school away from the inclusion of the name, Westinghouse. Westinghouse Academy Blah-blah-blah is fine. But keep Westinghouse. In my humble opinion, the whole name switch from Schenley to Pgh Obama has been a real thorn in the side of the school and its students. Sure, each school has its own situation -- but Westinghouse is still at Westinghouse. It will
cause years of confusion to make a name change. That's the last thing PPS needs now, confusion and alumni disrespected so as to never offer
to engage again.

Wouldn't it be great to send a message that the city and the schools are working together on a venture for the interest of the kids and taxpayers.

Abolish the Federal Education Department - Ron Paul has new allies

Forwarded message From: "Huchrowski, Frank" <frank_ski@comcast.net>

See the Fox News article below my comments.

To all of you who fought OBE (Outcomes Based Education) with me in Harrisburg, you know that we were really fighting the Federal Department of Education, not the bureaucrats at 333 Market Street, Harrisburg PA.  Back in about 1994, in Mars PA, Helen D. Wise, Deputy Chief of Staff for programs for Governor Casey, said/wrote - and I paraphrase from my memory -

- Now that we have passed these [OBE, revised chapter 5] Regulations, we are more likely to get Federal grant money from Goals 2000.

If there were no Federal Department of Education handing out millions of dollars, our state bureaucrats would not have fought so hard for OBE.  I have personally spent tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours fighting OBE.  Just take a look at the archive of my old 1999 web page.   I will not vote for any candidate for President that does not favor the Elimination of the FEDERAL Department of Education.  So, it is so nice to see this idea making a comeback thanks to Ron Paul.  

I gave Rick Sanrorum $250 back in 1992 when he ran for Congress promising to shrink the Federal government. 
Santorum started out good and voted against - 

H.R. 1804 [103rd]: Goals 2000: Educate America Act 
But, then he started voting to increase the size of the Federal Department of Education by voting for these 3 big bad bills -
H.R. 2884 [103rd]: School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994
H.R. 1385 [105th]: Workforce Investment Partnership Act of 1998 
H.R. 1 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001   

Santorum talks about small government, but votes for big government.

In 2000, I supported NH Senator Bob Smith for President. Smith pledged to Abolish the Department of Education - see his 2000 flyer.
Then in 2002, Santorum helped knock Smith out of the Senate by endorsing his opponent in the primary election - this violates the rule that you endorse your party's incumbent in the primary (ie. Arlen Specter excuse).

My one complaint with Ron Paul is his wording, he says he wants to "Eliminate the Department of Education".
I think he should say "There are 51 Departments of Education, I want to eliminate the FEDERAL Department of Education in Washington, and leave the other 50 State Departments of Education free to work without interference from the Federal Government."

Frank Huchrowski

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/23/eliminating-education-department-still-option-but-unlikely-one/      
Abolish the Education Department? Abandoned Idea Gets New Life

Published September 23, 2011 | FoxNews.com

Like many Republicans, Atlanta's Stella Lohmann -- a blogger, teacher and former journalist -- is fed up with mandates, funding requests, lawsuit avoidance and a one-size-fits-all approach to education and says the federal government has undertaken a massive overreach. 

Now, her question on what Republicans are going to do about it – asked during the Fox News/Google debate on Thursday night -- has re-ignited a once-novel debate over eliminating the U.S. Education Department. And judging by the GOP candidates' reaction, the option may come back in vogue, if not into reality.

"I am going to promise to advocate the abolishment of the federal Department of Education," said former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

"What I would do as president of the United States is pass the mother of all repeal bills on education," said Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. "Then I would go over to the Department of Education, I'd turn off the lights, I would lock the door and I would spend all the money back to the states and localities."

"You need to dramatically shrink the federal Department of Education, get rid of virtually all of its regulations," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich chimed in.

Indeed, all of the GOP candidates said they would either get rid of the department -- created in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter -- or seriously diminish its function. Their uniform responses earned wild applause during the debate.

But the idea isn't new, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, pointed out, and Republicans haven't met words with actions. 

"In 1980, when the Republican Party ran, part of the platform was to get rid of the Department of Education. By the year 2000, (that issue) was eliminated, and we fed on to it," Paul said. "Then ... Republicans added No Child Left Behind."

Indeed, every year from 1980-2000, Republicans included in their platform the plank: "The federal government has no constitutional authority to be involved in school curricula or to control jobs in the market place. This is why we will abolish the Department of Education," read the 1996 platform that accompanied the presidential nomination of then-Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole.

But by the mid-1990s, abolition was no longer a priority, recalled Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government. "I don't think they saw it as a big winner as such. They were looking for political talking points not policy." 

Whatever the reason the plank has slipped from the platform – whether because Republicans have moved onto other agenda items, or because Americans did not find it palatable, prudent or possible -- the department continues to grow from its statistical collections and college loan processing.

By 2002, it had added a massive new mandate with the blessing of President George W. Bush. Aimed at increasing performance through testing, the bipartisan No Child Left Behind is in part responsible for exploding the education budget.

President Obama's 2012 spending request for the department is $77.4 billion for discretionary spending – up from $46.2 billion 10 years earlier. The department itself notes it has the third largest budget despite having the smallest staff of 15 Cabinet agencies. 

The spending has conservatives shouting mad in the era of debt and deficit. But liberals, too, complain No Child Left Behind is too burdensome on teachers and school districts.

On Friday, Obama announced that he was going to propose an opt-out.  

"We're going to let states, schools and teachers come up with innovative ways to give our children the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future. Because what works in Rhode Island may not be the same thing that works in Tennessee -- but every student should have the same opportunity to learn and grow, no matter what state they live in," Obama said.

Despite distaste for the program, the president's move brought criticism from both sides. 

"Advancing a controversial waivers plan will not only hamper efforts to chart a new course, but will prolong the failed policies of the past," wrote Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee in an op-ed in The Washington Examiner. 

"In the absence of congressional reauthorization, we understand why the Obama administration is taking this action; we are keenly aware of the calls from parents, teachers and administrators for change -- sooner rather than later. Waivers are an imperfect answer to the stalemate in Congress and, at best, can provide only a temporary salve," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Though the union and many Democrats are unlikely to sway from supporting the Education Department, Wilson said getting rid of No Child Left Behind may be the avenue to abolishing a major bureaucracy.

"Any law that has automatic waivers you gotta question why it was passed in the first place," he said.

Wilson suggested that Congress could eliminate the department through an evolutionary process adopted by a bipartisan committee tasked with choosing which programs are worth retaining and where they would be placed. He proposed a three-to-five-year dissolution plan that gives everybody time to adjust programs on the state and local level and to give federal workers at the department time to find their next job. 

The odds are long, he admits, though they could go up "substantially" in 2013.

"Anything in this town is going to be less than 50-50," Wilson said. But, there is an "increasing ideological convergence from both the left and the right that there's a real problem that has to be addressed. … Given where we're going and all the indications, by 2013 the finances are going to be in such dire situation that they're going to have to look at bold moves."

////////////
1996 Republican Party Platform  "Our formula is as simple as it is sweeping: the federal government has no constitutional authority to be involved in school curricula or to control jobs in the work place. That is why we will abolish the Department of Education, end federal meddling in our schools, and promote family choice at all levels of learning. We therefore call for prompt repeal of the Goals 2000 program and the School-To-Work Act of 1994, which put new federal controls, as well as unfunded mandates, on the States. We further urge that federal attempts to impose outcome - or performance-based education on local schools be ended."

///////////
If you are still reading, you may want to see this -

Department of Education Timeline of Growth by Chris Edwards

http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/education/timeline

Rob ponders: What should the legacy of the Igloo's demolition be?

- Forwarded message From: Rob Pfaffmann -

In 1992 Senator Ferlo was arrest at the demolition of the Syria Mosque
signaling the problem of anticipatory demolition (tearing a building
down before a new proposal is in place). It is still a parking lot and
Preservation Pittsburgh still fights when others run. What should the
legacy of the Igloo fight be?

While the Igloo will be gone next Spring, the MEMORY will not.

We will bring the issue of reform of planning and development policy
to every ELECTION CAMPAIGN and public forum.

We will root for TRULY transformative development of the Lower Hill

We will fight for TRANSPARENCY and reveal conflicts of interest:
Forbes Ave, The Strip, Teardowns, St Nicholas.

We will campaign for REFORM of Section 106/State History Code/City Code.

We will NOMINATE other key post war structures before they are theatened.

We will push to get the PreservePGH plan out of the shadows.

We will advocate for preservation as a key component economic
development and sustainability.

We look forward to a spirited and professional dialogue! Send us your
ideas, thoughts for reform and transparency!

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11266/1177006-100.stm

These are the types of events I would want to host with S6

Mention in Post-Gazette today about water polo within the article about North Allegheny

Hi Friends,

Today's (Friday) P-G, has a sports article about water polo that gave
nice mention to our efforts in the city, now called Pittsburgh
Combined. Cut-and-paste of the news article is below.

For the past two years, we did play waterpolo games under the banner
of Schenley Water Polo, On Facebook, join the open group, Pittsburgh
Schenley Waterpolo.

The new coach at North Allegheny HS is great. He is mentioned in the
P-G article and moved to Pittsburgh after being an assistant at Navy
and with the USA national team. They are offering some support for us
in the city with more cooperation to come, I expect. This Sunday, our
players are invited to NA High School for some less-informal games /
scrimmages.

A few different projects are in the works with program expansion in
the city in swimming and water polo. Grant applications have been
submitted and interviews are here. Specifics await, and participation
results remain to be seen -- but I am hopeful that we can get this
city swimming in vibrant ways for neighborhood kids in the months to
come. Help is welcomed.

Have a safe weekend!

--
Ta.

Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com      http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Friday September 23, 2011 Updated:

Water Polo: District's only team must travel to play
Friday, September 23, 2011

By Diana Saverin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

At North Allegheny High School, students take their time spent in the
water seriously.

Beyond the team's successful swimming teams -- both boys and girls --
students have donned swim caps to take on another aquatic sport at
full speed ... water polo.

Last weekend, North Allegheny played host to its annual Tiger Classic.
The girls team swept four games and the boys won four out of five,
losing one game to Cumberland Valley.

While "home-pool advantage" certainly applies, it has taken on a new
meaning for this high school team. Since the program began in 2001,
they have had to travel significant distances just to find an
opponent.

The nearest team has been in Erie, about 75 miles away. Recent
tournaments have taken place in Mechanicsburg and Reading; game
attendance means overnight trips on weekends for the team.

"It's challenging for the students," said Nikola Malezanov, the team's
coach. "But they bring their books, and they study and socialize on
the buses, so they aren't missing too much."

Despite the obstacle of having virtually no local competition, the
team is strong. A few of the players are on national training teams
for their age groups, said Malezanov, who began coaching the team last
month. He is optimistic about their chances this season.

"North Allegheny [water polo] is growing and growing, thanks to the
coach before me [Rob Semanchik]," he said. "We are now in the top
three or four in the state, and I think we have a shot to go all the
way and win states."

Malezanov's ambition is not limited to his own team. After the success
of North Allegheny's team, one of his goals is to develop water polo
programs at surrounding high schools in the Pittsburgh area. He says
that while a handful of middle school and summer programs exist, he is
still working with contacts at high schools to develop their programs.

"There are pools around, so the infrastructure is in place," Malezanov
said. "Having a water polo team offers a good opportunity to the
schools."

One water polo team, Pittsburgh Combined, started last year with
athletes from several Pittsburgh Public Schools and Shaler Area. The
team competed this past weekend in Ohio Cup Junior Varsity Water Polo
Tournament hosted in Worthington, Ohio, where they placed third.

But that program is just starting, and because it is not an official
high school program, the team cannot participate in an interscholastic
league in Pennsylvania.

Part of the success of North Allegheny's water polo team is linked to
its swimming and diving program, which is one of the best in the
state. Just last year, the girls team won the WPIAL Class AAA team
championship, while the boys team came in second. The water polo
program keeps top swimmers in the water throughout the offseason.

The strength of the water polo team is also related to a year-round
club team that feeds into the high school program, Tiger Water Polo
Club. Malezanov, who also coaches Tiger Water Polo Club, says 95
percent of the players are at North Allegheny high school or middle
school. They compete against other club teams, including the Navy's.
Like the high school team, playing currently means traveling: they
drive as far as Annapolis, Md., and Connecticut for tournaments.

The schedule for this season projects a similar high mileage series of
weekends, and will continue until Pittsburgh becomes the water polo
town Malezanov hopes it will.

First published on September 23, 2011 at 12:00 am

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11266/1176772-364-0.stm#ixzz1YmDfrXsF

Dolphins taken from the wild

Hotel room at a Singapore resort: $253.

Discounted tickets to watch wild dolphins suffer in captivity: Priceless.

Mastercard is offering discounted tickets to the infamoous Resorts World Sentosa, a resort in Singapore that recently kidnapped 27 wild dolphins for an exhibit. Two of those dolphins have already died, and the 25 other dolphins are being held in brutal conditions until construction of the exhibit is complete. The surviving dolphins' risks of illness and death increase with each day of captivity.

100,000 Change.org members have already called on Resorts World Sentosa to release its captive dolphins. If Mastercard cancels its ticket discount promotion, it will put big financial pressure on the resort to finally set the dolphins free.

Please sign dolphin activist Barbara Napoles's petition on Change.org calling for Mastercard to stop offering discounted tickets to Resorts World Sentosa.

Statistics for captive dolphins are bleak. While dolphins in the wild usually live for 45 years, more than half of all captured dolphins die within their first two years of captivity. 

In tanks, dolphins swim around in circles. They can't hunt. They're exposed to bacteria that have been known to cause blindness and death. 

Resorts World Sentosa has canceled ocean animal exhibits from public pressure in the past. With 100,000 Change.org members already calling for the resort to free its captive dolphins, financial pressure from Mastercard could push the resort to finally take action.

Please sign the petition to ask Mastercard to cancel its ticket promotion to Resorts World Sentosa:

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-mastercard-stop-supporting-the-live-dolphin-trade

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Michael and the Change.org team