MARKILINSKI: Health Insurance and the ASD
I am surprised and humbled that my last column generated so much email traffic.
Lots were positive, lots were negative, and one even crossed the line.
(And that one email will be another topic down the road)
Michael Markilinski
I must comment on one item worth mentioning though. One response said that the teachers pay part of their insurance premiums.
In the true spirit of government transparency, I would like to enlighten the public on the subject of the Armstrong School District Employee Health Insurance Program.
I also would like business owners to take special notice.
The average Family health plan costs the ASD $16,228 annually. The average teacher’s portion is less than $24 a month.
The average Husband / Wife plan costs the ASD $16,288 a year. The average teacher’s portion of this is less than $24 a month.
The average Individual health plan costs the ASD $5,959 a year and the average teacher’s portion of this is $12 a month.
In the case of a husband and wife both being employed by the ASD,
ASD pays one of the employees $5,750 in a rebate check. We are currently paying 122 employees this rebate check and that grand total paid out is $701,500 for this year.
The total cost of Highmark Health Insurance for the ASD is $7,794,306 and the employees pay a little over 3% of this.
This, my friends, is a Cadillac Insurance plan and the employees are paying practically nothing for it.
Who negotiated this?
Perhaps our school district logo should be the “screw”!
Just think about it.
Feel free to post a comment below. (Registration necessary – upper right hand column)
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MARKILINSKI: Just Think About It | admin February 5, 2010
By sweetleur, February 5, 2010 @ 6:44 AM
Re open the contract and fix this travesty.
By csmp, February 5, 2010 @ 4:12 PM
Ok so we pay the teachers for a service. The issue or should I say the problem is not going to go away. The problems are left in the hands of people like Mr. Markilinski to find ways of improving our district as a whole and realize that insurance is what it is and that fight has gotta be dealt with through the insurance companies. I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not the teachers fault that insurance is so expensive. I have a great idea instead of putting down the teachers for the health care they receive lets start making this district a better place for the children and taxpayers. just one more thought for now, why are we stuck with people that are so gung ho on their community schools what if we where to consolidate schools. Would the communities go away? I think not. I’m sure that we as an Armstrong community might be stronger and better off. I am fairly sure for our communities to prosper we need jobs we need to look to our future. One way of doing this, would be for people, that it’s their job to make our schools better to do exactly that. Maybe just maybe the communities or should i say the Armstrong community will be a destination not a once forgotten place that people no longer live in.
By ksal, February 5, 2010 @ 4:31 PM
Mr. Markilinski, in the spirit of full disclosure, could you please clearly define what you think the ASD teachers should make. What price do you think is fair for a quality education?
Should it be based on the tax base? If so, then we should drop it now, and when times are good raise it even higher? Seriously, I would like to know what ALL of our school board members think the teachers should be paid? Then please explain to me and everyone else how you are going to get prime rib when you pay for beef jerkey.
By ksal, February 5, 2010 @ 4:38 PM
Please disclose your opinion publicly, as I am sure the voters would like to know.
By rfullerton, February 5, 2010 @ 5:09 PM
And AGAIN I ask …then why do you want to hire more teachers especially when it is not necessary??
By sweetleur, February 5, 2010 @ 5:51 PM
I would like to see some prime rib teachers around the district , I think someone pawned off some jerky on us.The insurance companies aren’t screwing us, the teachers are- normal employees pay much more for their health insurance.A 700,000 buyback-c.mon give us a break!
By Delzer, February 5, 2010 @ 6:24 PM
What exactly is your purpose in writing this article? Are you expecting the citizens to rise up and drive all of us ( teachers) out of town? Do you just want to cause animosity between teachers and comminity? Are you expecting us to bargain for a lesser contract to make to make everyone else feel better about what is happening in this county? I too have a family to support and I deserve the right to bargain for the best contract I can get. Just like local lawyers, doctors, plumbers, and mechanics have a right to cahrge a fair price for the services they offer. I don’t see any of those professions lowering their fees because the county has fallen on hard times. Maybe if several board members weren’t in such a hurry to drive our school district off a cliff and into the dark ages, we could attract more families and in turn businesses to the area. I have lived in seral different states and several counties in the area and every time we made a move we looked FIRST at the quality of the education the area had to offer. We need to move forward in to the 21st century with our educational system instead of moving backwards. The teachers of this district are working hard to make it the best, but we continue to have obstacles thrown in our path. Some schools are allowed to operate with class sizes under 15 while others have classes with 29-30 students. How about evening out class sizes so we can all give more to our students? How about increasing technology in the classrooms or supplying working science labs in all the middle schools and high schools? Oh but we don’t have the money for these “progressive” ideas because we are wasting money on opening and renovating a school in Elderton. I agree with you that we have a great health insurance program. And we will continue to increase the amount we pay toward it in the coming years. I worked long and hard to earn my degree and continue to add to it with continuing education. I would encourage anyone who would like to enjoy the benefits of my contract to put in the time and money, earn the degree and work to get hired by the Armstrong School District just as I did. Then you too can be called a pig by a sitting board member. As a teacher with a new “Caring Habits Curriculum” I am teaching my students to value one another and show resect. I challenge you to lead by example, as I do. Let me finish by saying I would love to be paid in some other way than the current system so I didn’t have to constantly feel the need to defend my earnings.
By DANBOY, February 5, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
Those costs seem extremely high but is this just an ASD issue or are these high costs state and/or country wide. I am curious what the insurance costs are for other districts i.e. Freeport, Apollo-Ridge,Indiana etc.Maybe every District has a so called Cadillac plan and if so what do you suggest, Home School everyone.
By JohnK, February 5, 2010 @ 8:51 PM
While I don’t agree with a lot of what you stand for, this is dead on.
Teachers earn more than most in this county. There are many good teachers, but I’ve seen many cases of teachers cruising..just collecting a paycheck.
They are paid well to prepare our children and a good chunk of them couldn’t care less.
I pay almost $500 a month for health insurance.
Why should these people who work 9 months of the year pay next to nothing?
This needs to be addressed ASAP.
By elderman, February 5, 2010 @ 9:21 PM
Responsr to sweetflour: Mr.Markilinski cannot reopen the contract or alter it because it is just that; a contract. A contract that the previous board agreed to for I believe 5 years in a disastrous economy. Who did negotiate this for the ASD taxpayers?????
By elderman, February 5, 2010 @ 10:27 PM
Response to csmp: Mr. Markilinski is indeed trying to improve the district as a whole by attempting to educate you as a taxpayer to recognize that the ASD teachers health insurance is a Cadillac plan. The cost of a health care plan can, to some extent be negotiated with the insurance companies. What Mr. Markilinski is trying to explain to you is that the teachers contribution to partially pay for their insurance is so low as to be nonexistent. Private businesses require their employees to make a MUCH larger contribution toward the initial cost of their insurance, then on top of that they must meet deductubles before the insurance begins to pay then further make copays for most services.
In regard to your second thought, we are “stuck with people that are so gung ho for community schools” because they were the ones elected to the school board. They were elected by a vast majority of voters after openly campaigning on a platform of support for community schools. The voters value and want their community schools. To their credit they realized that closing Elderton was an early step in Dr. Kerr’s attempt to push the district toward the unaffordable 150 million dollar consolidated high school to be located in the Kittanning West Hills area. They wisely voted in board members who would not allow him to dictate how ASD should be run and these same board members realize that the ASD taxpayers cannot afford 150 million dollars of debt. Can you even begin to imagine what that would do to your tax bill?
By elderman, February 6, 2010 @ 2:48 AM
Response to rfullerton: Who said anything about wanting to hire more teachers? If you are criticizing Mr. Markilinski about reopening Elderton, the reopening will have minimal or no impact on the total number of teachers who work for ASD, they will simply transfer and change buildings as they did when Elderton was closed. I suggest that you view Family Life TV, Talk of The Town, for Feb. 2, 2010. Around the 40 minute mark of the broadcast, Mr. David Croyle explains that it was no surprise to him that the teachers union took no stance on Elderton’s reopening. They took no stance because they knew that reopening the school would not gain the union any significant number of jobs, just as closing Elderton did not do away with those jobs districtwide, the teachers just changed buildings. Mr. Croyle further states that was why the savings that were hoped for were never realized.
By elderman, February 6, 2010 @ 3:51 AM
Response to Delzer: Where to start? I think you have the right to bargain for a fair contract. When I say a fair contract, I mean one that is fair to both the teachers and the taxpayers and takes into account the economic realities of the world around us. When your contract was negotiated, we were and continue to be in the midst of a terrible recession. People have lost their jobs, homes are being foreclosed, social security payments are frozen, salaries and wages are cut, work hours are reduced but through all this your union demanded their lucrative raises and the Cadillac health insurance plan. And I might add, wrapped these gains up for five years in a period of time when the economy continues to struggle. That alone leaves a sour taste in my mouth, but in addition, your union threatened to strike with the attendant problems this causes students and parents if their demands were not met. And unlike a strike in the private sector where the employees do not recoup their lost wages, the teachers are guaranteed to get their money because the students must graduate by a specified date. To add insult to injury, the school boards almost always make the pay raises retroactive back to the time that the previous contract expired. What a sweet deal! I personally think that teachers should not be allowed to strike, but you know that there is no chance of teacher strikes being disallowed in Pennsylvania as they are in most other states because your union and the state government are in bed together. If you are sincere about getting paid in a different way so that you do not have to defend your earnings then talk with your union about giving up the strike tactic and relying on binding arbitration.
You seem to blame all the ills of the district on Elderton’s reopening. Do you realize that the Elderton attendance areas tax base pays for the operation of the school. Do you realize that the Elderton attendance area annually contributes 2 million dollars toward the debt service of other schools in ASD. Do you think that the other areas of ASD are “entitled” to all of Elderton’s tax revenue whil Elderton students ride a bus up to 70 miles a day to attend a school that is clearly overcrowded? What would you do to move the district forward?
By ksal, February 6, 2010 @ 7:44 AM
Again, please clearly define what you think they should earn and why.
By csmp, February 6, 2010 @ 5:48 PM
Response to elderman:So to make it known I am not a teacher and that I pay over 6,000 a year on my insurance, and that’s not even counting the deductible that i end up paying every year. So for me to sit here and be envious of everyone else that pays less would not be the right thing to do.( I know how the world works also.) yes, the contract can be negotiated with the insurance company(whom I think is the real crook) with saying that we will end up talking about a national crisis and I am not going to get into health care reform on this forum. All that I’m saying is teachers do a service for us and I know that all teachers are not great teachers but they are the ones that educate our children to one day be the Doctor, the lawyer, and business owner. It is also the responsibility of the parent or guardian to help with the educational guidance of their child.
Now on the other subject you bring up i would like to ask you who was running against the new school board members? Cause as far as I recall nobody was besides some write in votes And that happened only against Sara Yassem. And on top of that that person received 16 percent of the vote which is great for a last min write in campaign so I would have to say that is not to bad considering. Nothing against people in general but they are only going to vote for the name on the ballot(when was the last time you heard of anyone winning any election with write in votes?). So i really hope you don’t think they had much of a campaign. There needed to be someone else running against them for there to be a campaign. I really hope that woke people up to not letting just one person to run in their district. One more thing didn’t Mr. Close just run for election didn’t he just win? Your overwhelming support for these so called community schools I think has some holes in it. We would still have our communities.
By elderman, February 6, 2010 @ 8:38 PM
Additional response to Delzer: I have to apologize, when I make responses at 3 or 4 AM I sometime forget to include everything that may be pertinent to the discussion. You state that like doctors, lawyers, plumbers, etc. you feel that you have a right to charge a fair price for your services as an educator. I do not have a problem with that. However, if I feel that I am being overcharged by these people or if I am dissatisfied with their services, I can go elsewhere. Not so in the case of the teachers and their union. Once hired, the union makes it nearly impossible to weed out the underachievers so that in a sense the taxpayers cannot go elsewhere as in the case of the people you cited. That is where your statement or line of reasoning looses credibility. Some other commentators on this site say they know teachers who are “cruising, just collecting a paycheck” and one even stated that “someone pawned off jerky on us instead of prime rib” in their evaluation of some teachers. I, myself, would not make those kind of statements unless I knew of a specific teacher who earned those accolades .
I see by your “challenge for others to lead by example as I do” that you have an elevated opinion of yourself. If you can deliver as advertised I have no problem with that (but I sometimes think that praise means more if it is coming from someone else.) I am curious about what a “caring habits curriculum “ might be. I have asked you repeatedly if you are concerned or care about a multitude of hardships and inequities that have been imposed on Elderton students and their parents but you have never responded to any of them. So much for caring habits!
By rfullerton, February 6, 2010 @ 10:43 PM
Response to elderman, again skewing information…of course reopening elderton will require more teachers. When elderton was closed teachers were furloughed, some were hired back as long term subs (at,obviously, sub wages)and others were placed in various positions throughout the district(vacated by retirees). If the teachers, that left elderton, go back to elderton then, again obviously, we will have to hire teachers to fill the positions vacated….doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out (or are you planning to put 30 students in classes in the other buildings…didn’t Ms. Yasseem say that was illegal?). The district was kind enough to keep as many teachers as possible knowing that there would be retirements this year that would even things back out and not require them to have to search for new teachers. True savings would be seen in the coming year (but not now!) As to your suggestion to watch David Croyle’s opinion as to why the teachers didn’t take a stand…is he a teacher?? was he at the meeting…again…no…more misinformation from you, and your cohorts, trying to direct attention away from the topic at hand. If you want to know why the union didn’t take a stand, ask a teacher… so back to the original issue ….we will have to hire somewhere around 30-37 teachers, and also cafeteria workers, and maintenance personnel and secretaries, and teacher aides…..I am sorry to say that no matter how you try to hide the fact, opening Elderton WILL require a lot of personnel and will drain the district of funds so fast your head will spin, then who has to pay for all of that…us, the tax payers, with an increase in taxes.
On another note, if you want to throw out Family Life TV interviews as gospel perhaps you, and the rest of the readers, should take a look at Family Life TV’s past episode from March 24, 2009 (http://www.familylifetv.com/VOD/TALK/TK-09-0324.html)…Mr. Markilinski discussing his campaign for school board where he is FIRMLY in support of a referendum in regards to elderton…guess that “campaign promise” went out the window with the “re-opening”. BTW why do you hide your identity? I would think someone with such a high opinion of himself would want the world to know who he is…interesting….
By elderman, February 7, 2010 @ 4:54 AM
Response to rfullerton: What you are saying about the teacher movements is exactly what Mr. Croyle said. Has it occurred to you that when the Elderton students return to Elderton, there will be fewer students at both FCHS and WSHS requiring fewer teachers at both schools? I agree this is not rocket science. Your quip about 30 students in a class is already a reality at WSHS. Just like it is a reality when I reported that Dr. Kerr and his 5 automatic yes voters from the previous board congratulated themselves when it was reported that some students had 11 minutes find a seat and eat their lunch at WSHS. Truly a job well done. I am literally sick of hearing that “true savings will come next year.” That is ridiculous, particularly in light of ASD director Rearic’s explanation of why he did not allow Elderton’s closing to go to referendum; because he wanted to realize those huge savings immediately. Also ridiculous is your comment that savings were not realized because the district was “kind enough to keep as many teachers as possible.” If they kept one extra teacher out of “kindness” then they cheated their taxpayers by “wasting money” the very thing that you decry.
I reread my previous comment to you and I am certain that I never wrote that Mr. Croyle is a teacher or that he was at the teachers meeting when they agreed not to take any stance on the reopening of Elderton. I stated that Mr. Croyle explained that it was no surprise to him, etc. I gave no misinformation, in fact the only misinformation I see is you misquoting me. In the interest of fairness, I am going to have to respectfully request that you reread what I stated. And I do have feedback from a teacher.
I do not agree that reopening Elderton will cause an increase in taxes. The topic of closing Elderton was broached due to a financial crisis that did not exist. It then remained open an additional year and taxes did not go up. Then around the time that the ASD administration had to file financial information to the state due to the secession effort, the administration “found” 4 million dollars. What do you think “will drain the district of funds so fast your head will spin?” Your two choices are: 1. Reopening Elderton, or 2. Building the new 150 million dollar consolidated high school. Obviously, building the unaffordable HS will break the bank and saddle ASD taxpayers with ridiculous taxes for decades. How do you feel about building that school? I think I know that Mr. Fullerton is in favor of it due to the name of the committeeman listed on his failed “Students First Party” ballot filing. You can raise all the smoke screen you want about reopening Elderton and wasting money, but your true objective is to have the entire district’s money available to put into the new unwanted and unaffordable consolidated high school. If you are truly concerned about the ASD taxpayers, how can you support building that school?
I’m glad you brought up Mr. Markilinski’s Family Life TV interview. I also recently urged readers to view it along with Ms. Sara Yassem’s interview. They both campaigned on a platform of support for community schools and both won landslide victories. But you know that. Mr. Markilinski does mention referendum when large issues concerning the whole district are concerned . I do not think that reopening Elderton fits his definition for several reasons. First, closing Elderton was not put up for referendum by the previous board despite numerous pleas. The actions of that board thus relegated it from the list of major issues. Second, Immediately after mentioning referendum, Mr. Markilinski made it crystal clear that he felt that closing Elderton was “wrong, plain and simple.” By so strongly stating his stance on Elderton immediately after talking about referendum, he clearly meant that Elderton did not fall in the referendum category. Reopening Elderton was simply correcting the mistake of Dr. Kerr and the previous board. I think he stated it as “people who did not represent Elderton closing their school.” You clearly need to go back and watch the interview again.
BTW I am not hiding my identity. When I registered on this site I chose Elderman as my user name. I never stated that I had a high opinion of myself or lead anyone to believe that I do. Frankly, if you want to say something like that about me, you should attempt to come up with something original, not merely parrot my comment to Delzer above. You can do better. After all, I was not the one who requested that a director should “lead by example as I do.” Wow. Kind of conjures up images of Teddy Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill.
By Delzer, February 7, 2010 @ 7:51 AM
Let me start by saying I do have a very high opinion of myself so thank you for noticing. I am one of those teachers who works very hard to do the best for my students and parents. I do lead by example in and out of my classrooms as Many of my parents and students would tell you. To help with your confusion the Caring Habits Curriculum is a new program implemented by the school district to help with character development.If you are, who people keep telling me you are, you should know the program. Parents do have a couple options if they are unhappy. They can cyber school or choose to send their child to a private school. Not that I would want either of those options to happen. I would rather see a process where discussion of a problem could lead to a solution. I am sorry that a SMALL number of students have a long bus ride. The other students however are much better off at their new schools. Your accusations of overcrowding are only supported by those who want Elderton to reopen. Where are all the other complaints from parents and students not associated with HERO or Elderton? Have a good day and get your rest.
By Jen16226, February 7, 2010 @ 12:21 PM
Mr. Markilinski,
Perhaps you could answer this for me…I guess it could be our topic of the week…..health care is a VERY hot topic in our country today and alot of companies are having to make choices concerning this.
Could you please answer whose decision it is on the health care company and plan for the district? Is it the teachers union? When whomever it is decides upon this healthcare, are they able to look into joining with a neighboring district or through ARIN(as sorts to be in a consortium) to save costs?
I am positive that we are not the only district to have this type of discussion regarding teachers salaries and health care. What are other districts doing concerning this?
As for the topic here in the comment section regarding election, there was no real contest and as a district, we have nobody to blame for that but ourselves. Too many people just sit back(me included) and let everything take it’s course until it was realized that their interests were not being considered. One person running on a ballot is not a campaign(I totally agree with the other person who stated that). My only hope is that perhaps this woke alot of people up as to obligation in their communities.
By rfullerton, February 8, 2010 @ 1:12 AM
Re to elderman. Apparently I struck a nerve or two…again deflecting from the main issue… we all know there will be a need for more teachers. Let me say this slowly….when you put a teacher in Elderton (probably in a class of 6 or so students) you will lose that teacher from another building. At most, the classes that teacher was teaching will lose MAYBE 1 student thus leaving (according to your statement) 29 students still in that particular class and THUS in need of a NEW teacher. Please stop trying to fool the public. We are not stupid. We WILL need more teachers AND taxes WILL go up.
As far as the overcrowding (30 or more students in one class) of classes go, I would greatly appreciate seing a list of said classes. 30 students in a class has been a fairly common occurrence in the district well before the current and last board took office. It is not an ideal situation but by no means is it unmanageable or, as you might want to inform Ms. Yassem, is it illegal. Here is where your problem with teachers salaries should be….1 teacher at Elderton with MAYBE 9 students makes the same salary as 1 teacher in any other building- teaching the same subject with 20-30 students. Where is the “bang for the buck” there?
Overcrowding in the classrooms and at lunch (if it really does exist which I am hearing is not the case) does not equate with overcrowding in the buildings. It is basically due to poor scheduling within the buildng. This year in fact I have seen the smallest class sizes I have ever had in this district.
As far as the “kindness of the district” in keeping as many teachers as possible perhaps I mis-worded what I wanted to say..the district kept as many teachers as possible by checker-boarding the teachers into available openings so that we could keep the well trained teachers that we already had and would not have to look elsewhere for new people. It was quite a feat for human resources. Weren’t you involved in that decision anyway?
On another note, why do you keep bringing up this mythical “super school”? If something like that would ever come to be, how could it even be called a super school when the whole district, at most, might graduate 500 in a good year…not too “super-sized”. I would also like to know where you get your 150 million dollar figure from…are you just throwing that out there for effect? I would be very interested in seeing where that figure actually, and reliably, comes from.
As for the “true” meaning of what Mr Markilinski said in his interview, should he not be the one telling us what he meant…or are you interpreting what he said the way that you think it should be? It seems you are the only one with these opinions on the above discussed matters. Does no one else share same views or have you designated yourself as spokesman for the group?
BTW aren’t you the one who is in favor of a statue of yourself in the park.
By jfullerton, February 8, 2010 @ 1:14 AM
Response to elderman:
Since you referenced me in your last post, I thought that I would take the time to respond to you. I have not seen anywhere with the re-opening of Elderton where the current board has mentioned improvements to the building. I mean there are windows that do not even open. This building has been neglected for many years (through no fault of the residents or students of Elderton I will add) and is in need of some serious repair. But yet, I do not hear anyone from the HERO group campaigning to get some improvements done, just to get the building open. And quite frankly, I do not think that you would have heard that from that group if the current ASD adminsitration did not want to close it. And that is what the real shame is here. The kids are still being thought of last. Why not have something more for the kids?
Now, as far as a consolidated high school. This is the unicorn that all of the HERO group members continue to ride on. In no way can this county house one high school. the district is too large. There are transportation problems with four high schools let alone one. And there is not a simple answer to that, someone is going to have to drive. As a graduate of a larger high school than all of Armstrong Schools combined, I rode the bus for 35 minutes and am no worse for it. Not ideal, but it is what it is. And for a county that many people leave the county to go to work, I would think that people are used to having to drive to get to somewhere. And what about elementary kids that are on the bus for some 45 minutes to travel 6 miles. Someone in this county is going to have drive, either the kids from South Bend, or the kids from Templeton. No one cried when the Templeton kids had to drive.
You keep mentioning the money that was “found”. Good I am glad that they “found” it. Should they give it back to the taxpayers, that is up for debate. But there are other schools that are in need of improvements. Ford City to be exact, which has a mold problem that needs to be addressed. And there is an increase in the pension contributions that the district is going to have to make. That is not the teachers fault, you can blame legislators for that one. All kinds of things that the money could be used for, but instead will go to re-opening a closed school, staffing it, utilities and everything else that goes with it.
You keep mentioning that the current board is righting a wrong done by Dr. Kerr and his 5 votes. It is wrong only in the opinions of those who did not agree. There is not a right or wrong answer here. Just opinion based on very little fact one way or the other.
And let us quickly discuss community schools. What are these schools? Are schools that are located in communities “Community Schools” even though the serve people outside those immediate communities? Is Butler a community school? Is North Allegheny a community school? Schools do not make communities, communities make the schools. Otherwise, there would be very few communities. Dayton is going as strong as it was when the high school was open. Sure there are some folks that wish it was still open, but our taxes are low compared to what others are paying and we send our kids to a brand new school, that is not overcrowded as some suggest. Perhaps there are more students there than in the past, but not over crowded. And a note, in most schools some kids only have 11-14 minutes to eat. Very difficult to get that many students through a line in an orderly fashion very quickly. And that is plenty of time, they still get to socialize with their friends and have a meal. Does everyone get a full 30 minutes to eat lunch, nope, not even the teachers.
I guess the question is why the rush to re-open the school? Why was there not more time devoted to this? Why not wait for the state to render its decision? And please do not give me the sports excuse, are we here to educate or worry about sports? How many districts turned down the request for secession? If Elderton was really cash positive, then districts would have been banging down the doors to have it. But they did not and Elderton was rejected by several districts. But back to why it will hurt the kids. 1) Teachers at one point had been teaching 2 different subjects in one class period. Not what I would call an ideal situation. This is a fact as it happened at Elderton because there was insufficient enrollment to have two different classes. 2) Teachers having more than one preparation. Teaching 5 different classes a day is not an easy thing to do and to prepare for that is difficult, especially when you want to differentiate instruction for the different types of learners in your classroom. So instead of a teacher becoming a master at one subject they have to spread themselves out over several. Not the best use of time in my opinion. There needs to be a better balance.
In ASD, based on research, we do things backwards. We should have smaller elementary classes, where the basics can be taught and mastered. Instead, we have elementary classrooms that are larger than our high school classrooms. If having small class sizes are what eveyone wants, then hire more teachers.
Jen16226 is correct from above, this will get more people to pay attention and I expect more candidates to appear on the ballots. And more people coming to the polls. The school board now has the attention of the entire county. That can only be a good thing.
By elderman, February 8, 2010 @ 2:04 AM
Reply to Delzer: You amuse me. Let me see if I understand what you are saying. You are, in fact, agreeing with me that ASD taxpayers have almost no recourse in dealing with the unionized teachers. First you compare yourself with doctors, lawyers, mechanics, etc. and state that they and you as a teacher have a right to demand the most money you can get for your services. But when we are dissatisfied with a doctor, lawyer, or mechanic s services we can go elsewhere. You then offer that if we are not satisfied with the teachers or their pay scale we have the right to go elsewhere with your two options being cyber school or a private school. In attempting to defend your untenable position you go from being amusing to desperate.
Finally after much badgering, you agreed with one of many grievances that the Elderton students have had to endure. You say you are sorry about the long bus ride that a “small” number of students have to endure. Dr. Kerr is in agreement with you. In his infamous Kerr Report, he states that busing some South Bend students all the way to WSHS is a problem. He has done nothing about it except put those students on a bus and hope for the best. In fact, in all further discussion concerning these students I think it would be appropriate to refer to them as “throwaways” or “disposibles.” I think Dr. Kerr would prefer “throwaways” as it adequately describes his feelings toward those students and has kind of a folksy ring to it. I cannot understand how you can state that the other Elderton students are better off in their new schools. I gave you a long list of losses that those students are enduring and I could double the list if I had any indication that you are capable of concern. What have they gained? Certainly not more advanced classes, as Dr. Kerr reluctantly admitted that there were no additional classes offered at WSHS. Another promise not kept and falls in line with the ridiculous statement that the savings would come “next” year.
Finally, you ask “where are all the other complaints from parents and students not associated with HERO or Elderton. Did you even think for a second before you wrote that question or were you just trying to wrap things up and get breakfast started? The Elderton students, parents, and taxpayers are the ones complaining because we were the one area singled out by Dr. Kerr to be unjustly closed. Closed because of a financial crisis that did not exist. Closed in spite of the fact that our tax base pays for the operation of our school and contributes an additional 2 million dollars toward ASD debt service. Conplaining because our students and parents have to endure hardships and losses that you and others choose to ignore. If Dr. Kerr had chosen a different high school in ASD to unjustly close, do you think those students, parents, and taxpayers would not complain and attempt to get the situation remedied. Were you living here when Ford City HS was closed and the students bussed the short distance to Kittanning HS? I believe that lasted two years and was ugly. What if it were Kittanning HS that he wanted to close? Do you think the Kittanning residents would be happy? Do you think for even one second that Close, Choncek, and Rearic would vote to close Kittanning HS to save money like they say they did at Elderton. Obviously not, the only exception being if they got their 150 million dollar consolidated high school in the Kittanning area. Then they and Dr. Kerr would have accomplished what Dr. Kerr began with the closing of Elderton.
By Jen16226, February 8, 2010 @ 11:14 AM
I keep seeing this topic brought up and I would like an answer to this if someone could………….where does ANYONE say they want a brand new consolidated High School in 2010? Perhaps a few years ago, this was up for discussion, but does anyone seriously think in these economic times, that is attainable right now?
Something such as that WOULD have to go to a referendum. Armstrong County residents are in a very bad situation financially. Do you seriously think the MAJORITY of the taxpayer base would vote for such a thing at this point in time?
And I state MAJORITY…..that includes EVERYONE…..Elderton, Creekside, Ford City, Kittanning, Bethel, Burrell, etc.
Another thing, Elderman, you keep stating about the Elderton area paying $2 million in taxes, OK that is fine…..that is their obligation, but what about the rest of the district tax payers? Are they supposed to just sit back and not voice their opinion just because one area opposes something?
I don’t believe ANYONE is happy when a school is closed and I truly do not think it is something that should be taken lightly. I feel studies should be conducted with community input…….and I believe that is what did occur with regard to Elderton High School. However, it is funny how research was not done with regard to re-opening it…….not a single thing was presented to the public other than saying it is reopening. How about showing a plan? How about showing what improvements are to be made and at what cost? How about showing SOMETHING, ANYTHING to the entire public? Why is the board not doing that?
JFullerton brings up an excellent point too…….where was the public outcry when conditions began to deteriorate at the school? Where was the public outcry that the windows or the boiler system became in such poor shape? Where was the outcry that their grounds were outdated?
I do have a feeling this woke up alot of people in the ASD community to start voicing their opinions more often and not just concerning Elderton or a consolidated school. Further, I have a feeling come re-election times, you are going to see more people standing up to make sure there is not just one option on a ballot for any election…….by the way Elderman…..I know you aren’t Choncek, Close or Rearic….so which of the remaining choices of board members are you since this hits such a nerve with you?
By rudytuesday, February 8, 2010 @ 3:41 PM
Elderman aka Solak states
“Were you living here when Ford City HS was closed and the students bussed the short distance to Kittanning HS? I believe that lasted two years and was ugly.”
Yes I was living here and your statement is ridiculous. Once those students settled in, they THRIVED. Ask any of the Armstrong East and Armstrong Central graduates. YOU and your newly elected board members deconsolidated and that was when the ASD took 10 steps backward and here we are in 2010 and deja vu, you are doing it again. YOU and your archaic ideals are holding this district back and that is such a disservice to the students that you are SUPPOSED to be looking out for the best interests of. What a joke.
I agree with Jen16226 and Rfullerton, the people have woke up and there will be more candidates. To say that Markilinksi won by a landslide is a joke. He ran UNOPPOSED!
By wildcats08, February 8, 2010 @ 6:02 PM
Besides running unopposed, I remember reading somewhere, that out of 3,026 registered voters in his region, Manor Township, he only received 668 votes on election day. If that’s true, then that isn’t much more than 20% of the total vote, so he definitely didn’t win by a landslide. In fact, it appears that 79% of his constituents didn’t vote for him.
By DANBOY, February 8, 2010 @ 10:07 PM
Mr Markilinski’s “Rural Conservative Commentaries” has really served a purpose. I hope it has awoke a sleeping giant and the “Silent Majority” finally saying ENUFF IS ENUFF. Maybe in your next commentary you can discuss with Elderman’s approval why Ford City in which I am a life long resident has access to Routes 28,66,422, a river and a railroad is tearing down factories rather than expanding them. Is this also Dr. Kerr’s fault
By ToddLuke, February 9, 2010 @ 10:25 AM
In response to Mr. Marliniski:
Pay and benefits are part of a total compensation package negotiated by a bargaining unit and comparable to the other districts in the region. If not then why did the school board approve such a package. As a taxpayer and one who has paid for the majority of my health care for the past two years, I do not see where these even warrants consideration. If anyone wants on the education gravy train, IUP is 30 miles away. Go forth and get your degree, your clearances, and your ACT 48 credits and climb on the train.
The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear only creates aggressiveness and will not help to solve any problems for our region.
I am tired of hearing negative comments about Dr. Kerr as well. You hired a PHD to lead you and then you do not listen to any suggestions for education or economic development that he puts before the community to improve our region.
Local control may be a good thing in some communities but this community needs to wake up or the only noise we will continue to hear is that of the wrecking ball demolishing our community and our future.
By scott_starr, February 9, 2010 @ 3:05 PM
Savings due to staff reduction of 22 teachers, one athletic trainer, two administrative and 77 supplemental positions, one secretary, nine food service workers and five custodians were estimated at $1.64 million for 2009-10.
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The above is from the Indiana Gazette.
I am VERY interested to hear how Elderton will re-open without adding back the same number of staff that were eliminated.
If there is some magic formula that after closing a school, then re-opening it costs are reduced, I would love to see it.
By scott_starr, February 9, 2010 @ 3:48 PM
Elderman:
I am interested to know, what objective criteria were used to “unjustly” close a school?
Is it the following:
1. $14,000 + to educate a student is not high enough? What number to we need to hit before closing a school is justified?
2. declining enrollment was not declining fast enough? What number justifies closing a school?
Please understand if I don’t answer at 2 AM, I have a job.
By Bolt Upright, February 9, 2010 @ 7:27 PM
The pro community schools crowd always bring out the super school, $150 million price tag argument whenever the first hint of consolidation is heard. They use it as a scare tactic to scare taxpayers away from consolidation and get their way.
By jrrjma1, February 10, 2010 @ 1:54 PM
I would like to point out that Mr. Markilinski’s numbers are incorrect in this article, even though the damage he did cannot be undone. The amounts he listed for what a teacher pays for their insurance is PER PAY not per month. So we are paying OVER DOUBLE what he is quoting.
By ToddLuke, February 18, 2010 @ 8:25 PM
JUST THINK ABOUT IT:
ASD budget equals 83 million
ASD pays 4.5 million for their share of Lenape operating costs.
That means for every dollar of your taxes, about a NICKLE is used for Lenape.
That’s less than sales tax.
Part time saves about a penny.
JUST THINK ABOUT IT: