School Board Summary

The Board voted at the workshop meeting on November 14th to begin the process to purchase the Meadowbrook Golf Course via eminent domain. There were two members who voted "no", Board President Josh Gould and Dr. Dan Cushing.

The vision to expand the current campus, add "needed" sports fields and construct an Early Learning Center and Elementary School were presented. And it is true, we need more seats, several schools are overcrowded, and need updating. A new school can be built to save taxpayers money by integrating sustainable design principles.  And we can develop the new buildings with renewable energy rather than trying to retrofit old buildings, building new with renewable energy can save money compared to retrofitting. And so I find myself torn on this, both for and against the process. Which is why I asked the Board to slow the process down.

I addressed the Board and asked them to delay this action by 90 days, to review if there were a site on the North Side that could be reopened as an elementary school and a design presented for enlarging East Pikeland that was not so big the neighbors would reject it put in place. I believe neighborhood schools are so important to building community.

The new school is going to be designed with sustainable practices and from what I have seen, the design is beautiful and will achieve some of the goals on energy reduction I support, but even so, I can't help but wonder if it isn't better to have smaller neighborhood schools. In the end, the Board voted to go with eminent domain, and this would mean closing the East Pikeland school. 1st grade will be moved from the elementary schools to the new Early Leaning Center.

East Pikeland Supervisor Rusty Strauss also addressed the Board and was going to discuss the issue in more detail with Board President Josh Gould. Mr. Strauss wanted to discuss other uses for the East Pikeland school, especially the historic part of the building.

It was a tough decision for all involved, and I hope we hear more from taxpayers on this one.

After that discussion, the other long conversation and debate focused on AP and whether a summer bridge program offers some students an advantage, therefore putting others at a disadvantage. Evidently there were some assignments that were accepted as "homework" that were outside of the parameters of the bridge program, but overall, as I stated to the Board, these programs are optional and important, and I hope more students will sign up in the future. There was even a passing reference to the need for an extended day, and when I spoke I told the Board I agreed, stating there is a need for an extended day for students, even if it is optional.

I also announced to the Board the nomination of Mr. Andrew Chiofolo for PA Teacher of the Year. Mr. Chiofolo has been instrumental in bringing the engineering program to PAHS and is mentor to many students. He is often there by 6am and most days stays until 6pm. He is a true inspiration to our students and I hope everyone will join in congratulating and thanking this amazing teacher.

There was also more discussion about the construction of a lounge area for students outside the library which will hopefully include an outdoor area as well. This area will be adjacent to the library and available before and after school. The estimated cost is $44,000 and one Board member balked at this, suggesting students should have to raise the money or find sponsors.

I have to say, I think that is ridiculous, especially given that this Board approved two turf fields that are going to cost us $2 million dollars every ten years, but students who want a more comfortable space to study should have to find the money for that? But we are going to put in MORE fields? It simply does not make sense to me. As always, I think more input would be a good thing.

The next meeting will be the regular School Board meeting next week, after that there will be the Board Reorganization, and two special meetings, one for Building & Grounds, the other for Finance.

I will post the day/time as soon as I have them.

On a personal note, it was nice that as I arrived one of the Board members came to me and told he was glad to see me there. I responded to him that I would not be anywhere else. I think that even though I won't have an "official" vote, I will continue to be an involved and influential voice at our school district meetings.