Scott Starr: Why can't we have a Relay for Education?

There has been plenty of lively debate, some of it productive ,most not. Today, I hope to touch on a few issues that make the debate unproductive, hoping that by identifying the issues, they can be overcome. Before doing that I want to use Relay for Life as an example of what we can do when the ENTIRE county works together. The Armstrong Chapter of Relay for Life is continually at the top in the state, if we can do it for Relay for Life, why can’t we do it for Education?
Some of the reasons for unproductive discussions concerning the School District are as follows:

1. When determining which schools to rationalize, objective criteria are not laid out for the local citizens BEFORE making these determinations and BEFORE studies ensue. If the criteria are laid out, I suggest that the ADMIN and the Board do a better job disseminating the information to the public. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it’s too late to do that now, we need a disinterested 3rd party to look at our 9 schools and make a decision without the influence of any groups, or the district and abide by that ruling.

2. There is too much dis and mis information available, and it does nothing to help our students. For example, Lenape has become the current “whipping boy”.

Last Monday Mr. Markilinski showed Math scores of 22.9% and reading at 35.6% proficient exclaiming Lenape is failing! The scores are true, the failure is not. Students of Lenape are tested BEFORE entering , here are the ranges for 2006 - 2009

ASD Math 74-86% NOT proficient

Reading 40%-57% NOTproficient

Others Math 42 – 92 % NOTproficient

Reading 35 – 100% NOT proficient

We weren’t told this data, What else weren’t we told? Well Lenape has about 6 months to prepare these students for the PSSA test. Is busing these kids 3 times daily to make Lenape a half day really the answer? 10 years at the home school and 6 months preparation at Lenape, who is at fault? NOT Lenape.

Mr. Markilinski said “if this were the private sector someone would be fired”, and it would be whomever created a misleading report, misrepresenting data.

3. The alleged “Super school”. For those with Internet access, please go to the ASD website and see for yourself, that the consolidated school is ONE of FOUR options. It is not the ONLY option. Here are some facts: In the 1980’s there was a plan to build a consolidated school in West Hills, it was to be named Fort Armstrong and school colors were to be Black and Silver. That plan has long been shelved.

4. Again ONE of the FOUR possibilities is to build a consolidated Kittaning / FC School at the LENAPE COMPLEX, not the arbitrary line of demarcation “across the river”. Cost $95 Million.

5. The real issue is that the board, has some historical and irrational hostilities among the regions standing in the way.

Here is some REAL HISTORY

Had we followed the Dancu plan in 2005, we would have been finished with updating and rationalizing our facilities. We didn’t follow this plan.

In 2006 Elderton and Lenape were evaluated for improvements, that plan was not implemented.

In 2007 Hayes –Large did a comprehensive review, offering Renovation options of 1$12 MM ( band-aid plan), $97 MM and $137 MM all renovation plans. NONE of this were agreed upon either.

6. Here we are in 2010 and NONE of the plans, paid for by the taxpayer, have been adopted. Mr. Solak at the last meeting mentioned several times “tell the taxpayers the truth”, so tell us board, what is the truth? What is the plan? West Shamokin is 8 years old, Ford City is 100 years old, the other 6 schools are 55 years old. We need a renovation or consolidation plan for our schools to function. Tell us NOW which one is it. Is it NEW at $95 Million or the renovation options?

Numbers can be played with, Enron accounting can make anything look good or bad. The numbers I gave are right from the ASD website,

Let’s discuss the ASD budget in terms we all can understand, money coming in, and money going out. When WE have a surplus in our homes, we save it, when WE have a deficit in our homes, we cut back, when we know a big bill like our taxes are coming due, we put back a little each month and pay it! ASD has several big bills coming due, ( pension) and we are spending money!

History is a great measure to see how far one has come, not where one wants to go. We are many communities but one school district, let’s make a Relay for Education and FIX our schools.