Jeff Pyle Issues Support Letter for Lenape Full Day Program
by Jeff Pyle
I must clearly state this opinion is that of a taxpayer: nothing more, nothing less. In Pennsylvania, binding decision making ability for any school system is solely empowered to the democratically elected board of school directors of that respective school system. I am, however, sincerely concerned with discussions currently taking place that would transform Lenape Vo Tech School from its current full day format to a half day format. For many reasons, I feel this is a mistake and must object.
The full day format enables LVTS to achieve its mission of providing traditional academics as well as adding a top notch vocational training program. This allows LVTS’ students to excel in fields of their own choosing. As an experienced teacher, I submit this is critically important in the success rate of any individual student in any respective school. Ask any educator and you will be told it is undeniable: when the student likes what they are doing, their individual productivity and achievement will increase. Measuring LVTS’ achievement using only PSSA scores is neither an accurate nor a fair measure to the academic/vocational mission LVTS is expected to execute.
The true and valid goal of any educational institution is not to teach its students how to be students but rather how to be productive, contributing citizens. Lenape Vo Tech far exceeds this goal by most often producing one of two outcomes: In the first outcome, the LVTS students enter into career fields that allow them to begin securing their future financial self-sufficiency. In the second outcome, the student chooses to further their education, often in the field they studied at LVTS.
I recently read in the Leader Times an engagement announcement for two Lenape alums who had gone on to graduate from Penn State-one as a civil engineer and the other as a mechanical engineer. These majors are exceedingly demanding and hardly those of “skaters.” The success enjoyed by these two Lenape Vo Tech alums is hardly out of the ordinary. To the contrary, it is more often the norm.
I did not attend Lenape Vo Tech school but would be highly confident of my kids’ futures should they choose to go there. Changing Lenape Vo Tech to a half day format would, in my opinion, be a mistake in that can and should be avoided both for Armstrong County’s students and our taxpayers.
Editorial | KP NewsDesk March 11, 2010
By Delzer, March 11, 2010 @ 6:10 AM
Interesting that Mr. Pyle can have an opinion on Lenape but when asked about helping with the Elderton issue he said he couldn’t get involved. Maybe people should start contacting his office again to see if he has an opinion now. I would be interested to see what that opinion is no matter which side it supports. I think the majority of tax payers have expressed a very clear opinion on the Elderton issue also.
By KittanningMan, March 11, 2010 @ 6:18 AM
Since Mr. Pyle has now been willing to speak as a private citizen regarding Lenape, perhaps he will also give his opinion on Kittanning, Ford City, and Elderton and the entire ASD problems, unless he is concerned about going back to his old teaching position if he loses this election!
By Jan, March 11, 2010 @ 7:54 AM
I would like to treat Mr. Pyle’s statement above the same way I would treat anyone who decides to voice an opinion regarding the issues facing this district. He chose to address the Lenape issue because he feels strongly about it, and based on what he said, all is true regarding what Lenape has been able to accomplish over it’s long history. I’m sure that Mr. Pyle may have an opinion on the other issues but chose not to confuse matters by speaking to them both. Perhaps he will at a different time. Again, as a private citizen living in this county, he is entitled to address whatever he feels at any given moment. Like many others, I emailed Mr. Pyle and other state officials regarding the plight of this district and each and everyone of them stated “We can not get involved in local government- we have no jurisdiction”. In correspondence that I’ve had with the state officials, the one topic that was discussed is their concern regarding the Pension PLan fund, how the state budget is in flux and what this will mean to all school districts once the deferred payments come due. Again, this is something that our school board won’t even address since they’re consumed right now with re-opening Elderton. I guess they are of the opinion that they will wear blinders for now and worry about the Pension Plan once they spend millions of dollars to renovate and re-open Elderton. Of course, we all know what that means- it means that the taxpayers will have to empty their pockets in increased mils to pay for this. It never ceases to amaze me why people aren’t outraged by this. The board is going to rob peter to pay paul…. and Peter will be us, the taxpayer! Perhaps Mr. Pyle does have an opinion about Elderton, but I think his bigger concern- as I stated, is the impending Pension Plan. If you read the Leader Times on Wednesday (2nd. page) the Pension Plan is explained quite well- so I suggest that people read that one. You can also go online to the PSERS website and it also has a good explanation about the Pension Plan. Make yourself informed; educate yourself on what’s looming ahead for us. It really isn’t up to Mr. Pyle to do this. It’s our duty as citizens of this district to get smart, pay attention to what is happening and once you’ve done this, make your concerns known. It’s not up to a few people to do this for you- it’s your right and your duty.
By ASDpayer, March 11, 2010 @ 12:52 PM
It is disappointing the Rep. Pyle shows absolutely no leadership in this matter. He says he wants to build our community and area. But the fact is no business will come here do to lousy schools and high taxes. Our county is dying and Pyle stands by like a hospice worker. Pyle has no ideas to build, just wringing of hands. What are his ideas for leadership and remedy.
I am disgusted.
By sweetleur, March 11, 2010 @ 2:53 PM
You sound like you might have a solution, let’s hear it.The lousy schools and high taxes are a given, industry would help but I see none on the horizon.How will you cure the ills?
By humbleopinion, March 11, 2010 @ 3:20 PM
There seems to be a lot of people running against commissioners/state reps/ etc… I def. see people running against school directors in the upcoming 2011 election… wait for the smear campaigns to start.
By Jan, March 11, 2010 @ 4:23 PM
humbleopinion: you hit the nail on the head. We, as taxpayers and registered voters better wake up the next time we go to the polls. If nothing else takes place,as voters, we had better pick the brain of everyone who runs for an office in this county. This may have been the wake-up call we all needed. As everyone can now see, the school board members have a lot of control and we need good people in holding these seats to ensure that all students in all schools get the education they deserve, along with being fiscally responsible in doing so. The decisions of a board may not always be popular ( as in closing Elderton) but that decision was based on nothing more than trying to be fiscally responsible stewards of our tax dollars while at the same time, trying to give students equal educations across the district. We can’t always have what we want, but if a board can show just cause for their decisions, then I can accept it. Currently, the present board has not done that- and they won’t- they have their agenda and they are staying on course with it. Solak needs to be gone- Markilinksi needs to be gone. Stitt needs to be gone, as well as Monroe ( which I think he will be gone next election) and Smeltzer needs to be gone. We need educated people who know how to run a big buisness, as well as educators who understand the educational process. And, we need to put the trust of the district in the hands of a good superintendent. The current board will run everyone who doesn’t agree with them out of town. They are vile, vendictive people ( and I hate to say this, but it’s true.) We need people who are progressive minded and willing to admit when they are wrong and try to rectify problems as they occur, and without an agenda. And, we need people who will communicate openly with the people rather than having their own little meetings to decide the fate of a district. I think they forgot who they were representing and it’s not themselves.
By Jen16226, March 11, 2010 @ 5:27 PM
I am glad that Jeff Pyle has come out stating his opinion on this….it speaks volumes.
Humble…..I think if good, decent people run for those seats, there is only going to be one side trying to do a smear campaign….and that will say something about their character even more than what is going on now.
By DANBOY, March 11, 2010 @ 7:59 PM
JAN@
Excellent, very well said. But,, should we stop at just school directors. Elected Officials should be all about PROGRESS but most incumbents only future vision is the next election.
By Mike Fichthorn, March 11, 2010 @ 8:01 PM
Excellent letter Mr. Pyle. It is great to see someone with a background in education weigh in this PSSA nonsense.
We’re not hearing anything from eldersolak anymore. I believe I saw him in a full sprint running down RT 28. He’s trying to distance himself from Markilinki’s asinine, ignorant and baseless comments.
The damage is done. Hopefully the people of Ford City take their blinders off next year and kick Jimmy to the curb. How has he improved things in the 20 plus years he’s been on the board? Nothing but chaos and bullying.
These people need to see how reckless Solak is being with their tax dollars. He and Clueless in Canonsburg are dragging us to depths that our grandchildren will have a tough time digging out from.
People need to get organized NOW and oust Solak.
Allowing Markilinski to run his mouth weekly in this paper will be enough to seal his fate.
By Toni, March 11, 2010 @ 8:53 PM
Pyle comes out in support of full day Lenape Vo-Tech because it is prudent to do so – he might get a few votes out of it. If he cares so much about our educational system and the taxpayers here in Armstrong County, why does he not voice an opinion about how the ASD board majority is wasting millions of our tax dollars on reopening Elderton? Purple and gold blood runs in his veins and he is a blood brother to the likes of Markilinski and Solak.
By way to go, March 11, 2010 @ 9:14 PM
People, *****the reason that there are no businesses in this area is not due to lousy schools. It IS due to certain businesses who have not allowed this area to grow. I won’t name the last name here who own half of Kittanning business.
Kittanning and Ford City are dead towns because they have not been allowed so to speak to grow. They talked about putting a Lowe’s and shopping out past the hospital towards Worthington and people flipped! People act as if everyone in this attendance area is a poor taxpayer- that is not due to our school system. It is due to lack of business in this county. People should promote growth and business instead of shun any growth as far as business. Look at Butler and how it has grown. Business supports local schools and taxes are lower. Indiana has grown, has IUP and their taxes are also lower than ASD.
What does Kittanning and Ford City have to offer anyone?? NOTHING. Think about it unless you want to work at WalMart college grads now have to drive to the city or move to get a good job.
I hate to say it, when I got hired with the ASD 10 years ago, I took an $7000.00 a year cut in pay. That was my choice all for good reason. I just want people to know that I have worked in downtown pgh for approx. 18 + years and made more money as a nurse for UPMC. I had 18+ years of nursing service and had to start at Step 1 of the teacher salary!!! It took me almost 9 years to make what I made 10 years ago. So please think about that the next time you harp that starting teachers don’t deserve $40,000 a year. Nurses are on the same contract and could have 99 years of experience, are all BSN’s, complete 24 additional credits for certification, still have to get 180 hours of Act 48 which is 2 college classes every 5 years.
I hope this enlightens everyone as to why taxes are so high and also think twice before you bash a teacher so to speak salaries.
By ASDpayer, March 11, 2010 @ 10:20 PM
We need a set of imperatives. One. We need leaders who will tell the truth. First we need to fix our schools. We do well at the elementary level, but then it drops off. A consolidated high school would save money and be a shining point. Second, we need to clean up our down towns. We need a new Y or community center to complement our hospital. Our county commissioners do nothing. Our school board seems to have no vision for our future. If we continue to lose population at 10 % per decade then we need to prepare for that. Downsizing does not need to be painful, but can be realistic.
We are only 38 miles from Pittsburgh, but light years away from progress.
We need to seek leaders who have some kind of vision. The big business people in our community just seem to pick up the money and run away. The Snyders are good people, but they need to lead and direct. Rosebud mining makes good money treats workers well, has nice buildings, but needs to show up and lead.
By Ruscoe, March 11, 2010 @ 11:31 PM
way to go,
I think you may have just left the cat out of the bag about the reason for the lack of business in this area.
Good post!
By elderman, March 12, 2010 @ 12:30 AM
Reply to Jan: You wrote above on March 11, 2010 at 4:23 PM; The decision of a board may not always be popular (as in closing Elderton) but that decision was based on NOTHING MORE than trying to be fiscally responsible stewards of our tax dollars while at the same time trying to give students equal educations across the district.” However, back on March 5, 2010 at 6:22 PM under the article “Williard: ASD News to Use” you wrote: “The last board configuration made an unpopular decision to close Elderton, but at least it made the decision BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS AND STUDIES and could ALSO justify a savings in tax dollars.” You need to choose a story and stick with it as your two postings tell two different tales. The only recommendation that Elderton should be closed was made by Dr. Kerr in the Kerr Report in which he stepped beyond the purview of his job and tried to dictate how the district should be shaped. There were no studies that indicated that Elderton should be closed, only studies that gave the board and district (not Dr. Kerr) choices or scenarios on how to update the district. Please enlighten me of the studies you refer to that say Elderton SHOULD be closed and also any recommendations to that effect other than the Kerr Report.
Also for your info, Dr. Kerr at a recent ASD board meeting at the Ford City auditorium reluctantly admitted after being asked multiple times that there were no additional classes offered to the Elderton students at WSHS this year. Also for your info, Elderton is not the only school in the district that occasionally has two classes in the same room with one teacher; in his infamous Kerr Report, Dr Kerr on page 12 cites this happening at FCHS and KHS and praises it as creative scheduling.
By Jen16226, March 12, 2010 @ 6:49 AM
Elderman,
Good morning!
Once Again…..is your right hand on red and your left foot on yellow? You sure like to play twister!
I believe Jan’s comments are the same thing, phrased differently.
Dr. Kerr’s report is not the only one out there. There is documentation dating back 30 years that has been pointing to the district will have to downsize due to declining population:
The original ASD formation documents from the 1960′s, ASD Long-Range Development Plan from 1968, The Comprehensive Review of the Building Feasibility Study and Attendance Areas from 2001, the 2003 Dancu Report, the 2007 Hayes Large Facilities Study and the 2007 Armstrong Charette.
Do those studies point blank name Elderton to be closed? Some of them do as a suggestion. But they all DO point out that the district would have to downsize. So explain how you would possibly close Ford City with 600+ kids in it? Or Kittanning with 600+ kids in it? Elderton had/has 300+.
By sweetleur, March 12, 2010 @ 9:25 AM
As I understand, a lot of the students from Elderton want to stay at the schools where they are and not go back to Elderton. Are we going to waste money on a half empty school? probably as this inept displays their contempt for the taxpayer.
By elderman, March 12, 2010 @ 2:55 PM
Reply to Jen: You misread who I was addressing with my post, Jan, not Jen. Can we agree that Jan deserves and should be give a chance to defend her two different statements without your interruption?
As far as trying to twist anything, I tried to quote her two distinctly different statements word for word, was I inaccurate? And no, as much as you (and Jan) wish the two statements were the same, they obviously are not. I am simply asking her for the studies and recommendations (excluding Dr. Kerr’s one man show; The Kerr Report, which under any circumstance could not be considered a study) that state that Elderton SHOULD be closed. To my knowledge, there are NONE! There are reports that list different scenarios for updating the district, but they give the district wide choices on how to proceed. If Jan knows of a study that states that Elderton SHOULD be closed, I urge her to share as I would like to read it.
And further, now that you have weighed in on the subject, exactly which report and where in it is it stated, even as a “suggestion” not an “option” that Elderton SHOULD be closed? And again, I consider the Kerr Report to be bogus; the man overstepped the limits of his job and pushed the district toward his personal agenda. And one more thing that you may want to consider,the “twisting the facts” defense when you or your cohorts post something that they cannot back up with data is becoming tiresome and appears to myself and other readers to be an all encompassing excuse. I would suggest that if you cannot back up your statements to simply say so, the readers would at least admire your honesty in that regard.
By Jen16226, March 12, 2010 @ 3:20 PM
Elderman,
Oh no……I read very correctly who you were posting to and you poor thing, all upset that Jan didn’t answer yet!
Sorry Jan!!! LOL
Apprently you have read the reports given your snarky remarks, so how about you tell us all what is said in there? I know that I have read them too and the constant in EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE REPORTS that I named above is that ASD can NOT support having as many high schools as it does. That was why Worthington, Dayton and Shannock were closed.
As for documentation to back up comments, I don’t exactly see you commenting on my article today. Whats wrong? The article is fact based and not smear and slander?
By Ruscoe, March 12, 2010 @ 5:12 PM
ASD taxpayer:
I do not want the one entity you listed leading anything in this county. I have not seen anything productive they have established in this area. In fact, it seems that the reverse is occurring, but of course, we brush that off as speculation.
The hospital should fund it’s own wellness center.
This is even more reason to have the YMCA located somewhere else other than the Belmont or West Hills. The hospital should puruse it’s wellness center and locate it near the hospital.
The YMCA should be centrally located for the county.
By the way, has the Kittanning Paper or Mr. Pyle looked into the dealings with the relocation of the YMCA? I have heard all types of stories or even rumors coming from some of the board members of the YMCA surrounding the staffing decisions.
I witnessed how Mr. Rizzo was treated when he wanted to ask specific questions.
By elderman, March 12, 2010 @ 8:38 PM
Reply to Jen/Jan/Jen?????: Actually I am not particularly upset that Jan has chosen not to defend what she posted. How could she defend her posting? That is my point entirely; if it is not true, do not post it! As far as my remarks being “snarky”, I regret if they appear that way. And yes, I have read the reports and indeed that is why I am asking Jan to supply the report that I am unaware of, you know, the one that definitively states that Elderton should be closed. And as you have chosen to interject yourself as Jan’s all knowing advocate, I want to extend that same courtesy to you. Please name the report that states that Elderton should be closed (again excluding the Kerr Report; that is only one persons opinion), where this report can be viewed, and the exact location in the report that states that Elderton SHOULD be closed. If you can do that, I certainly will not be able to “twist the facts” as you like to say. If you cannot do this, your credibility is going to take a major hit. And Jen, has it ever occurred to you that hurriedly typing in lots of words with little catch phrases like “twisting the facts” that do not address the subject under discussion serves no purpose and exposes you for lack of substance.
By Mike Fichthorn, March 12, 2010 @ 10:01 PM
ElderSolak, You have ZERO credibility. Twenty plus years bullying your way on this board…plummeting our district further and further down into the Dark Ages.
Common sense dictates that Elderton should remain closed. You or MJM have never addressed the fact that many of the former Elderton students want no part of returning to that school. You claim to have a doctorate. It sure isn’t in common sense or honesty.
By jfullerton, March 12, 2010 @ 11:03 PM
Hello Elderman! It is nice to have you back. I want to get into a discussion with you about one of your comments:
“The only recommendation that Elderton should be closed was made by Dr. Kerr in the Kerr Report in which he stepped beyond the purview of his job and tried to dictate how the district should be shaped.”
Dr. Kerr made a recommendation. The board did not have to follow it, in fact 4 members of the board did not follow it, but 5 did. Much like he is making the same recommendation now and 6 members are choosing not to follow it, the recommendation. My point is this, he made a recommendation, I believe that is his job as the superintendent. He makes many recommendations to the board, hirings, curriculum, ect. And the board votes on those recommendations. The problem as I see it is this time, people took it personally. But if we do not allow him to make any recommendations about the shape of the district, both financially and educationally, then why do we have a superintendent? What would you suppose he should do? I eagerly await your response as I really do wish to get into a rational debate with you on this topic.
By jdean, March 14, 2010 @ 1:45 PM
Thank you jfullerton! You brought up the exact point I wanted to mention concerning elderman’s latest bashing of Dr. Kerr. If the Superintendent of a district is not expected to, let alone ALLOWED to, make recommendations for that district, what exactly is his or her job?!?! Why do we pay these people with advanced degrees and educational expericence so much money? If all we wanted was a figurehead for photo ops, (something I’m sure the current board majority would prefer), then we could just hire someone off the street for minimum wage who happens to look the part. I looked up some superintendent openings listed online and found some of the following in the ads: “skillful in maximizing human and financial resources…”, “demonstrated success in facilities management…”, and “should possess the visionary strategic planning skills…” Apparently, in other districts it’s expected that superintendents will have and voice opinions and ideas on how the entire school district community will best enhance the learning atmosphere of the students while best handling district finances. Not here though. If we were to put an ad out for the position, it would have to include: “must be willing to subvert all professional skill, knowledge and experience to kowtow to an over-reaching, power-drunk school board who couldn’t act professionally and in the best interests of ALL in the district if their lives depended on it.” Oh, and don’t forget “should not step beyond the purview of his job.”
Of COURSE it is a superintendent’s job to make recommendations and plans for the direction and running of a school district. He/she has the educational experience and background to do so. Most members of a school board do not. Will everyone always agree on those plans? No. But isn’t it a better idea to have a presumably neutral party making necessary plans and adjustments to the district than a group of emotionally invested individuals doing so, while they cannot even act respectfully and professionally towards each other and the people they represent? Obviously having earned a Doctorate does not automatically make one the wisest person in the room, as can be seen every time our school board gets together, but in most cases said person deserves the respect that has been earned over a career in education.
I have to give Dr. Kerr kudos for actually staying in his position here for as long as he has. Any of you out there, can you imagine going to work every day knowing what you were going to have to deal with in terms of lack of respect and downright hostility at every turn? Thanks to him and thanks to the directors who are trying to be sensible about what our district must do now and in the future to best manage our resources, time and personnel, all while striving to give our students what they deserve: the best education we can provide.