Oley Valley School Board Ignores Petitions
The Oley Valley School Board was presented with 150 petition signatures for a No Tax Increase 2006 Budget on June 14,2006.
The community needed relief from the unrelenting increase in their school property taxes.
The district told the public prior to the June 21, 2006 meeting, they had $5,000,000 sitting in off-budget funds.
With the $5,000,000, the board could have a no tax increase budget without cutting any programs and still be within the state budget guidelines.
Nonetheless, board members Robert A. Heckman, Ralph C. Richard, Barbara M. Bieber, Scarlette Z. Gotwals, Christopher M. Hannum, David M. Maloney, Mary Anne McCarthy approved an increase to 22.50 mills.
Board members Robert J. Cappa and Kerry Madeira were not present to vote.
The increase means homeowners will be paying $2,250 per $100,000 of assessed value, a sixty percent increase since 1999.
The board ignored the requests of petitioners. Instead, they raised taxes for the seventh consecutive year.
According to the financials handed out after the meeting, the district had over $6,000,000 not the $5,000,000 they had indicated in off-budget funds. They raised taxes anyway.
The spending and taxing decisions of the school board are substandard.
The Oley Valley School District choose to spend up to $1,300,000 on a synthetic track. With the discovery of $6,000,000 in off-budget funds, the community wonders what other non-educational expenditure the board has in mind.
The board approved a teacher contract that will give 4.6% salary increases over the next five years, along with near full health benefits.
The board approved a $13,000 one-year pay increase for the superintendent.
The state did not mandate the track, the teacher contract, or the one-year superintendent windfall.
Salaries and benefits constitute a major portion of school budgets.
School boards, such as the Oley Valley School District are spending at such a reckless pace that the state is planning to institute financial controls.
The state is sending a message to the boards to act in a more fiscally responsible manner.
The citizens can have that opportunity in May 2007 with new, taxpayer faces elected to the board.
The community needed relief from the unrelenting increase in their school property taxes.
The district told the public prior to the June 21, 2006 meeting, they had $5,000,000 sitting in off-budget funds.
With the $5,000,000, the board could have a no tax increase budget without cutting any programs and still be within the state budget guidelines.
Nonetheless, board members Robert A. Heckman, Ralph C. Richard, Barbara M. Bieber, Scarlette Z. Gotwals, Christopher M. Hannum, David M. Maloney, Mary Anne McCarthy approved an increase to 22.50 mills.
Board members Robert J. Cappa and Kerry Madeira were not present to vote.
The increase means homeowners will be paying $2,250 per $100,000 of assessed value, a sixty percent increase since 1999.
The board ignored the requests of petitioners. Instead, they raised taxes for the seventh consecutive year.
According to the financials handed out after the meeting, the district had over $6,000,000 not the $5,000,000 they had indicated in off-budget funds. They raised taxes anyway.
The spending and taxing decisions of the school board are substandard.
The Oley Valley School District choose to spend up to $1,300,000 on a synthetic track. With the discovery of $6,000,000 in off-budget funds, the community wonders what other non-educational expenditure the board has in mind.
The board approved a teacher contract that will give 4.6% salary increases over the next five years, along with near full health benefits.
The board approved a $13,000 one-year pay increase for the superintendent.
The state did not mandate the track, the teacher contract, or the one-year superintendent windfall.
Salaries and benefits constitute a major portion of school budgets.
School boards, such as the Oley Valley School District are spending at such a reckless pace that the state is planning to institute financial controls.
The state is sending a message to the boards to act in a more fiscally responsible manner.
The citizens can have that opportunity in May 2007 with new, taxpayer faces elected to the board.
75 Comments:
Our numbers come from the district!
The enrolment has not changed since 1999, sixty percent increase? That’s unprecedented and some are complaining about the senators and legislators pay raise! At least they work 70 hours a week work every Saturday giving back to the area hosting some dumb parade, live part time in Harrisburg, drive one to three hours to work, teachers earn more then legislators! You who keep harping on the legislators passing the pay raise late at night, they are “in legislation that late many nights when in session”! Stupid is as stupid does, full time representatives with part time pay, we will get what we deserve! Don’t be surprised if businesses leave the state in droves, who will be left to pay taxes then? Really stupid!
Wow isn't the above the truth. We have declining enrollment and we still keep getting a punch in the gut with another tax increase. Gotwals said last night that she wanted some new or changed curriculum but the school district had to cut her proposals because they had no money, what a joke we have way more then enough money to educate our children and give the teachers all the supplies they need, but instead the board take $1.3 million of educational dollars for a new track, now I am hearing that the whole new high school gym is in the plans, then after that what a pool, football field. We know were the boards priorities are and it is not with education.
So, then, we'll have a graduating class every year that can look very physically fit! Isn't that great? Heading to jobs, trade schools, or college, they will be fine! As long as they don't open their mouths.
It's going to get worse. With this insulting tax plan from the state, we will NOW have school tax increases EVERY year because school districts will make sure they have enough in "funds" so they won't EVER have to go to referendum.
The working middle class is screwed again. Next, the COUNTY will continue to tax the working people at ever higher and higher rates to bail out the CITY's miserable state of financial ruin.
Pennsylvania is leading the individual taxpayer into financial ruin with no improvement in sight. Only the politicians and school teachers have protected pensions, medical coverage and annual cost of living-plus pay increases. We who pay for this madness are being sucked dry. Gambling ruins lives, and yet the state touts this as a GOOD way of funding everything. Evil begets evil.
Conrad Weiser board member a least had the sense to resign from the board stating that he disagrees with the rate of spending in school districts. When I called one of our board members to relate this she said Conrad Weiser went up 2 mils, we only went up 1 mil. So she feels she can justify what she has just done to the public of Oley. What a shame that I could have thought that she had compassion for the public that put her into office, wow was I wrong! $6 million is sitting in Oley and they had the nerve to raise our taxes again. If anyone wants to be heard at board meetings you better go to the meeting on July 6th at 7PM, the board is trying to silence the public.
Are we an educational institution or a sports arena?
$1.3 million track needed - absolutely not!
However, don't completely bash the education that one gets while in sports or other activities such as band or rotc. All these activities are crucial to the education process. To be honest two years of Varsity sports will provide far more education and useful life experience than learning some of the worthless academics shoved down the kids throats. The really good schools (those that most of us can't afford), such as the Hill school, require at least 1 sport per year as part of its curriculm.
I reiterate, I know that Oley doesn't need a $1.3m track, but the kids do need the education that is taught in team activities, and what it means to win and lose.
To the sports program supporter. You are right - a new super track is NOT necessary.
You are right that the sports program is important to the development and education of our children. It does teach the kids about team work, winning, work ethics as well as proper behavior. These kids talk back to a teacher, nothing happens, talk back to a coach, expect to pay - physically.
Great Point!!!
Hello, the sports children out there need to be educated first. They should be getting disciplined from the teachers and well as the coaches. If they cannot read and write they will not be able to finish college, even if they get a full ride. Wake up and smell the coffee.
We have children that are graduating not being able to read, write and do basic math. I know them and their families. Education for all children in this district must come first.
Sports writer - Good Points!
Competition is a vital aspect of growth, development and education. As for the 3R's of education. If our kids make it to junior or senior high school, and can't read or write, we the people, have already failed.
Working for living - I know I cannot succeed unless my coworkers do what they are employed to do.
PS: Please don't throw cheap insults out, like 'smell the coffee'. The writer was respectful, return the favor. Open debate is great. Tit for Tat is ignorant!
Kids can learn one heck of alot about team efforts, etc...at THE OLEY YOUTH LEAGUE, and other such organizations. Those who wish to participate can do so on their daddy's dime, not everyone elses. Every other country in the world has sports of every type.....offered at private or community organizations. It's primarily the USA and the teacher's unions that think they should hire sports coaches at crazy wages, and have that be the responisbility of people with no children, people on fixed incomes, etc. Compassion is not in the Oley dictionary. Neither is common sense, thrift, or general good manners.
Oley used to be a great place to live and go to school. That was when we all had enough money left after paying taxes, to go to events with our families, dress nicely, and afford little extras like a trip to the doctor's office or the dentist. Thanks to school board ideals, those are all a thing of the past, or quickly approaching that destination. Oley was nice when it had a mix of income levels and the people that went with them. There's no middle class here, we only have filthy rich and dirt poor. Seems like that's how the board likes things. The school board needs to realize and ACCEPT the fact that we are not all lawyers, surgeons, or big business owners. Oley's got alot of regular old working class people, and we feel we are deserving of better treatment than this.
You are 100% correct. My wife and I have never had children, so we don't even have grandchildren going through Oley schools. We both contribute to locally funded sports events through their fundraisers, etc. We can see they are trying to help, but heck, they'd have to sell as many cakes and pies as a commercial bakery to pay for a track that's over a million bucks. Is there an easy answer? No, of course not. But having the general public foot the bill is surely not the answer either. Getting more of the sports out of school and going with more youth league type deals....good idea. Our children are going to need more in the line of education to keep up with the rest of the country/world...than knowing how to run fast, and knowing how to act when their team does not win. Life lessons start from day one, what's the hold up with our society thinking everything is beautiful in every way, and your team will always win, anyway? Life is as good as we make it, and people that are not at the top of sports in school should not be made to feel like they are less important than the jocks. Private sports clubs is the real answer. Besides that, some kids actually hate sports, but are forced to try all of them. Anybody think how that makes those kids feel? Does not sound like it. Sounds more like...run, Johnny, run.....
At least your true colors are finally showing. You realy don't care about the children, and their ability to succeed in life. You collectively don't care if they fail like the previous generations of Oley Grads.
That is this current board you are talking about. We the good, kind, caring taxpayers really do care about the children. I see them alot at least the little ones at the elementary school and they really liked when they have someone show them a little kindness and care. They all get to know you and like when they see you volunteer.
"They all get to know you and like when they see you volunteer."
I know they do. I spend a lot of time at OVES volunteering.
Most of the problems are not in the SD are at OVES. The big problems start in Middle School, and get bigger from that point on.
They do get bigger after the elementary school, I was saying that the little ones light up when they see a familiar nice face.
It makes you feel good when you can teach a child to read and do math. It is to bad that so many fall through the cracks. With this small district we should have all children reading and writing and able to understand math.
We need 5 new board members to run next May 07. We need a major change. The current board is not looking out for the best interest of this community. They do not care at all. You can see that on their faces at board meetings. It was nice to see a Conrad Weiser school board member call it a day when he finally came to the sad reality that the people cannot pay these high taxes anymore. Our board lie and smile at us as they pass another increase. $6 million is not small change, for this size district we should not of had a tax increase with all that money in the hands of the big cheese. The big cheese also has to be replaced. SHAME ON THIS SCHOOL BOARD! ALL OF THEM!
Who ever wrote that response about our true colors showing??? What doggone page are you on? Suggesting that kids get a decent education BEFORE they worry about sports is just plain common sense. In what way would that indicate that any of us don't care about kids? Don't put words in our mouths.
If you've got alot of extra time on your hands, try figuring out how old folks that are on fixed incomes deserve to fund a track that costs over a million dollars.
Bravo! Well phrased. Cockiest school board on the east coast, that must be their goal.
Well, cocky doesn't take you far in life. Matter of fact, neither does going to a school that focuses on track, instead of thinking, learning, and doing.
We're all tired of being lied to by this board. And, we all want what's best for the students. We want accountability from this board, and all future members. No reasonable questions should go unanswered at board meetings.
NO MORE LIES
Where does the board think people will go when they eventually can't pay these taxes?
We should ask each and every board member that question, and demand an answer.
Not showing up to vote for this tax hike does not get you off the hook.
Be a sport
Support EDUCATION
Cappa is chicken, he cannot face the public. He should of been at this past meeting. He gave his wife a big raise why not give the taxpayers another stab by voting yes like all your other fellow nasty board members!
Chicken? Naaaah.
He was probably off in some poor place helping total strangers rebuild their homes, while back here, we're losing ours.
Good point! Funny how some do-gooders think they need to leave town to do good somewhere else, and make it count. Well, you can run....but you can't hide. When the roll is called up yonder, more than likely....the big man will not have been impressed that you left town to do good somewhere else......but created havoc and despair on your own street. What a pity that "NINE" supposedly educated people can't see the forest for the trees.
There but by the Grace of God....remember that one? Well, high rolling board members.....just because YOU can afford your taxes today, does not mean you could not face problems down the road which could place you in the same boat you're putting others in right now. The Lord works in strange and wonderous ways!
You are 100% correct. GOD BLESS THE POOR TAXPAYERS!
While God's blessing us poor taxpayers, can we ask him to provide forwarding addresses of our friends that are taxed out of their homes? If he's too busy, we could ask places like KING'S if they would post the addresses of those taxed out of their homes...hahaha...like that would happen. They'd put them up, and the teachers would remove them....just like anything else we post. They sure must be scared of something!
They are scared of the hard truth. This place is sure pretty but we have some very nasty people running this district. They yell, point their finger, lie, cheat, and take our hard earned dollars for their own good time. They even ordered shirts for themselves for the 100 graduation. More wasted tax dollars. One day I hope they start using our money on education.
Maybe one day, they can use some of our hard earned money for bail. Theirs!
What they're doing has to be illegal in some way. But to find honest people that are trained to spot those illegal actions, we'd go broke paying for that service.
It all makes us wonder just who would actually want to be on the school board, doesn't it? I mean you don't hear many compliments about the board members, and yet there is always somebody that wants to get on the board.
huh?
It's for the connections they make for their own kids and for business connections too
Show up in mass on July 6th at 7PM in the Admin. Bldg. as the board is trying to silence the public. We have a right under the freedom of the United States to speak. Remember what our troops are doing for our rights and protection.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, THE LAND THAT I LOVE!!
What is the meeting on July 6th? Is it a specially called one? I didn't know they had meetings on a Thursday evening.
Yes this is the policy meeting. They did ask the public to come and give imput. They have their own agenda to silence the taxpayers. We need to go in mass and show them that this is against the freedoms of our country.
They want input???? For what?? Just don't rewrite the policy!! How hard is that for them to understand? If they leave it the way it is there is no need for input. Obviously what I had to say at the committee of the whole meeting fell on deaf ears. This policy is being pushed through by one or two board members in order to abuse one group of concerned taxpayers. That's why they wouldn't answer my question as to why this policy rewrite is needed.
Russ Swisher is right, and I asked the same question at the board meeting last week. We have been asking them to leave the policy alone but they still want to change it. Shame on them. We need to be heard. They need to be held accountable for what they are doing to our schools.
Confusion - If the current policy stinks (which it does), e.g.: having to fill out little blue cards, and announce your topic in advance, and the president of the board can decide how many and how long a topic is discussed, etc., as well as what is written is apparently not what is currently followed, what is so wrong with writing a policy that is practical and is actually held too.
I would love to see real parlimentary procedures used, and have the public have the opportunity to speak at anytime during the meeting, ESPECIALLY as a motion is put forth by a board member. The current system seems really broken where we trhe public must try to express our opinion on a topic before the board publically discusses a topic.
Unless I am misunderstanding something, the current policy is restrictive to public input, and needs to be replaced.
Please don't misunderstand this posting, I sure as heck am not supporting the proposed policy that was put out as a threat a month or two ago, I just want to voice my opinion at the appropriate time during the meeting (after the board expresses opinions - before vote), instead of the obscure time that is now available to the public.
I agree but we must now try to really change this policy so we can talk more during meetings, I am with you on that but they want to silence us not give us more time. If Cappa and Hannam get what they want we will not talk at all or way little compared to now. It is funny that 2 fairly new board members are trying to silence us. I think they should step down. We (not me) put them into office we can take them out. They are not representing the people. Shame, Shame!
The Sunshine Law gives the board wide latitude in the area of public comment. It states that opportunity for comment and to voice concerns must be given prior to action being taken by the board. As to the time allowed it just states that "reasonable" time be given and, also, that the comment time "may" be at the beginning of the meeting. It even states that if the board thinks there is no time for comments they can defer the comments to the next meeting as long as action is not taken.
The issue here, I believe, is why the board wants to single out a specific group (which is what they are doing) in order to shut them up. I believe the policy should be vague and allow as much latitude as possible for public input. This revised policy amounts to bullying of the public and if the board had one person on it with guts or common sense they would speak up and take this issue off the table. Instead, we have to take time and energy away from other matters and issues to attend meetings and voice our opposition. Will we be listened to and the policy left as is? I wouldn't bet my house on it.
R. Swisher, I hope you will come to the meeting on 7/6 even though you said everything 2 weeks ago. The board members do not have guts. My board member told me that 1 mil was to high but she then 1 week later voted yes. Everyone has to look at Zackon or Heckman before they can speak. They do not scare me. I know the truth. The board needs a total overhaul. Interested in running again Russ? 5 openings next year.
We need fiscal responsibility!
It is not only the 2 board members that want to silence us, the big SUPER and PRESIDENT want this as well.
We need more time not less!
Yo public residents of Oley Valley
hear this, the board wants to silence us at board meetings please come to 7/6/06 policy meeting at 7pm in the admin. bldg.
It is important that we have as many people as possible to show our unity against this violation of our freedom of speech.
The board volunteered for these positions, and were awarded the positions by winning votes. Right here, there's something wrong. The general public does not pay attention to who they're voting for. They don't check any facts I guess.
Suggestion:
Since there is never going to be enough time alotted for the taxpayers to ask questions...and get answers....because the board says they don't have enough time at these meetings.....then have more meetings. They wanted the job, let them have the whole job. Seems like a meeting once a week would be in order. Not for them...for us. The taxpayers. I bet you'd see way, way more people at a meeting that was conducted in a fashion that one meeting a week was strictly for the public to ask questions. No kids parading in crying for a new track....no hockey awards...that can be at the school board meetings that the board has as a standard meeting. We need a meeting with our school board on a weekly basis...for US to ask the questions....and if they want to keep their positions on the board....then they'd HAVE to answer the questions. Why a weekly meeting? Because it leaves less time for their trickery to slip between the cracks. And if they don't want to go along with what the public wants, then the public can vote their sorry butts out of office. We're footing the bill for all of their decisions...good or bad...so they apparently need way more input from the people coughing up the bucks for their mistakes.
Everyone wants what's best for the kids, but we all need to remember that in order for our kids to benefit from all of this "education," they will have to live in houses that have the taxes paid in full. It's not just senior citizens that are feeling the heat, this tax crisis is affecting everyone now.
If you want to attend meetings there are is at least one a week you can go to, sometimes even more. The committee meetings are where the real work is done and decisions made but few people ever attend them. There is the Curriculum Committee, Athletic Committee, Personel Committee, Policy Committee and a host of others. By the time the two monthly board meetings roll around the decisions have already been made and, usually, all you are witnessing is the whole board giving their rubber stamp approval to the issue. The thing is that seldom does anyone attend these committee meetings even though they are advertised and public. I doubt that too many people have the time or the inclination to go to all those meetings. But, if you want to attend more meetings there are many from which to choose.
One 'combined' meeting a month is adequate. Eliminate the fluff at the beginning of meeting. If the board wants to recognize people, let them do that in assemblies, or at special ceramonies, not as part of the board meeting.
There should not be two meetings a month where business is allowed to be approved by the board.
A monthly combined meeting should be scheduled to run up to, but no later than 11pm.
Additionally, the meeting minutes should be more thorough and made public, and the committee minutes should also be thorough and made public at least 24 hours prior to the board meeting. Failure to make such information available in a timely manner should prohibit the board from taking action in that particular area at that meeting.
I am not saying that the board should have printed copies of all the sub committee minutes for distribution at the meetings. The school has a web site. The minutes, per meeting, should be posted for concerned citizens and taxpayers to review. That way, as a resident/taxpayer/parent, I can review the minutes of the various committees, see what they are focusing on and present educated,thought out concerns and alternative solutions.
Furthermore, using a web site for posting information, I should be able to express my concerns via email to each of the subcomittees (not individual board members)in advance, so when I address my concerns at the board, they have had an 'heads up' and should not just give the blanket "we will look into it and get back with you!"
There is my thoughts, take them with a grain of salt.
Have a great Independence day!
You have some very good ideas which the board should try to put in place. You should put those recommendations in writing to the board. I don't see how they could be against any of your proposals unless the board has become so imperial that they won't even consider constructive ideas.
GO SWISHER GO!
Very good ideas indeed!!
Mr. Swisher, thank you for supportive response to utilizing the web site to provide information to the public. I unfortunately have a commitment on Thursday, 7/6, and can not attend the policy committee meeting.
The crux of a plan rests on the 'minutes'. Each committee's credibility would be impacted by the quality and unbiased minutes' reporting.
I would almost go as far as stating that a recording secretary would need to be 'elected', who would be responsible for minute taking and/or responsible for appointing minute takers.
Otherwise, the black helicopters will never stop circling the Oley schools.
It is these questions that I am unable to sort out, in my own mind, prohibiting me from putting the idea's in print for Mr. Hannum and Cappa. I can also tell you that I have been active in attending twp meetings and even a county commissioner meetings, and their minutes do not accurately reflect the previous meetings.
GOD BLESS AMERICA! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS. FEEL FREE TO SPEAK AT ANYTIME.
Pottstown looks like it the place to work, huh Zackon!
its not it
concerned citizens should wear red, white and blue to school board meetings.
Ok I have alot of that available to wear.
Thanks Oley School Board for the big fat tax bill that came today!
$6 million you have and you had to increase us anyway. You are very evil people and God is watching all that you do to the poor people of this district. It would be a joke of you to actually celebrate the 4th. You all are Anti-Americans with the way you get great joy and stupid smiles on your faces when you knowingly increase us year after year. The day will come that you will ask the higher power for forgiveness. If I was the higher power it would be very hard to forgive people like you. Our Lord our Savior is the ultimate greatness. Patience is wearing thin with this school board. Our blood is starting to boil with anger!
Hey Zackon, wow you are moving up the ladder with the other big schools in this county. Do not ever say that you do not want Oley Valley to be compared to with the other districts. You all are a bunch of snakes, and tax elimination is the only way. People wake up and fight for our rights. We need fiscal accountability is this district. Does all the other districts have $6 million sitting around in rainy day funds for future hidden projects. Education comes first. Teach our children math and reading once and for all. They will never make it out in the real world.
Taking a walk on a warm, sunny day. Stopping to pick mulberries, some for ourselves, some to share with elderly neighbors that may not be physically able to go get their own....such a nice Saturday. Then, what do our eyes stumble upon? A wheeled demon in a big, white truck. Red and blue stripes here and there. Sorry mail man, it's not your fault that you were the designated driver for delivery of yet another outrageous pack of HIGHER TAX BILLS. Go Oley Go. Better have your ag classes teaching everyone to plant fruit trees and learn farming on our little plots. It may be all we have to live on, as we PAY THE PRICE THE BOARD HAS POUNDED US ON THE HEAD WITH. Enough is enough.
THOSE THAN CAN...DO.
THOSE THAT CAN'T...RUN THE SCHOOL BOARD. THOSE TAX BILLS SHOULD HAVE COME WITH FLYERS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH TRAUMA.
The truth well spoken in the above comment.
The front page of the Sunday Reading Eagle lists all 18 school districts in Berk. Oley ranks 11th in millage, and 10th in percent of increase.
Reading has not had a property tax increase for three years and predicts not having to raise them for two more years - BECAUSE THE STATE FUNDS THEM AT 51%!
Maybe if the State had equitable funding of schools, they'd all be funded properly and other districts wouldn't have to have millage increases either. (Most districts get 17-28% from the State.)
Dennis Leh is trying to put the Commonwealth Caucus plan on the ballot as a referrendum item. Although the voters in his district have removed their greatest allie, he continues to try to help get this school funding issue resolved. Let's hope his replacement is as committed.
HELP WANTED:
SEVERAL POSITIONS TO BE FILLED IN THE VICINITY OF OLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO WORK LONG HOURS. A KNOWLEDGE OF HANDTOOLS IS HELPFUL. POSITIONS INVOLVE CONSTRUCTING SHERIFF'S SALE SIGNS AND PLACING THEM IN HIGHLY VISIBLE AREAS OF THE HOMES BEING SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES.
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A TOUGH EXTERIOR AND BE COLD AND STRAIGHT FORWARD DURING THE PLACEMENT OF SAID SIGNS. APPLICANTS SHALL NEITHER LISTEN TO SAD STORIES NOR GIVE ADVICE OR ANY FORM OF COUNCELING TO THE PARTIES THAT HAVE NOT FOUND ANY WAY TO PAY THEIR NOW OUTRAGEOUS TAXES. APPLICANTS MAY, IF DESIRED, WEAR EXTREMELY DARK SUNGLASSES SO AS NOT TO VIEW THE LOOK OF SADNESS AND DISAPPOINTMENT IN EACH AND EVERY RESIDENT'S EYES. THIS INCLUDES WW2 VETERANS, KOREAN WAR VETERANS, VIETNAM WAR VETERANS WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY SO THAT WE COULD LIVE IN A FREE AND GREAT COUNTRY. THIS ALSO INCLUDES PEOPLE FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE THAT HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF FALLING PREY TO THE WHIMS AND WHIMSEY OF THE CURRENT OLEY SCHOOL BOARD. SENIOR CITIZENS, YOUNG COUPLES, FACTORY WORKERS, FARMERS, OFFICE WORKERS, ETC, GOOD PEOPLE ONE AND ALL. THEIR REWARD FOR WORKING HARD, SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EVENTS, SERVING AS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE WORKERS, WORKING AT THE OLEY FAIR, AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE FROM THE OLEY VALLEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE WILLINGLY, LOVINGLY, AND THEY ASKED FOR NOTHING IN RETURN. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE OLEY SCHOOL BOARD THINKS OF THE GENERAL TAXPAYING PUBLIC AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY GIVE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE OLEY VALLEY. NOTHING. BUT GRIEF.
IF SAID APPLICANTS HAVE THE NEED FOR THIS SORT OF OF EMPLOYEMENT AND SHOULD NEED ANY GUIDANCE WITH THE ABOVE MENTIONED CONDITIONS, FEEL FREE TO ATTEND ANY AND ALL OLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. IT IS THERE THAT ONE AND ALL CAN VIEW AND HEAR JUST HOW OUR ELECTED BOARD IS SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE COLD RECEPTION YOU MAY RECIEVE AT ANY AND ALL OLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS IS PRECISELY THE WAY THE BOARD MEMBERS WANT THINGS TO BE. COLD AS ICE. THE COCKY ATTITUDES QUITE EASILY NOTICED BY A FIRST TIME MEETING ATTENDEE OR A SEASONED VETERAN ARE EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT THE CITIZENS OF THE OLEY VALLEY TO SEE AND HEAR. SADLY, THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE OLEY SCHOOL BOARD APPEAR TO BE SUFFERING FROM A GROUP DEFICIENCY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
ATTENDANCE:
IF THERE ARE 9 MEMBERS, THEN 9 MEMBERS SHOULD BE AT EVERY MEETING, INCLUDING THOSE MEETINGS THAT INVOLVE VOTING.
MANNERS:
TOTALLY LACKING IN THAT DEPARTMENT
LEADERSHIP:
HOW MANY DECADES DOES THE BOARD PRESIDENT HAVE TO BE IN THE POSITION BEFORE HE BECOMES EFFICIENT IN ALL AREAS THAT ARE, IN FACT, HIS RESPONSIBILITY? ANSWER: ONE TERM SHOULD HAVE DONE THE TRICK. YOU'RE NOT PRODUCING? YOU'RE OUT!
TOTAL ENCOURAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
THIS MEANS THAT YOU INVITE THE GENERAL TAXPAYING PUBLIC TO THE MEETINGS...THEN....YOU ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THEM. FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. THEN, OF COURSE, NOT ONE MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL LAUGH, SNICKER, AND WHISPER ABOUT QUESTIONS ASKED BY THESE CITIZENS. SHOULD THERE BE AUDIBLE AND NOTICIBLE WISECRACKS MADE BY ANY BOARD MEMBER....THEY SHOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE YOU TREAT YOUR CHILDREN. STAND THEM IN THE "TIME OUT" CORNER AND MAKE SURE ALL THE CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY BOARD MEMBERS THINK IT'S
F U N N Y
FOR CITIZENS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPECT AN
ANSWER.
BOARD MEMBERS THAT THINK IT'S FUNNY TO LAUGH AT SENIOR CITIZENS AND YOUNG COUPLES LOSING THEIR HOMES TO HIGHER AND HIGHER TAXES....ARE A ****** DISGRACE.
THEY DON'T BELONG IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION, AND FRANKLY, THEY DON'T BELONG IN
OLEY.
FOR THE 65 YEARS THAT I'VE KNOWN OLEY TO BE MY HOME, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE, RAISE CHILDREN, ATTEND BALL GAMES, GO TO GREAT CHURCHES, AND MEET EVERYONE AT THE OLEY FAIR. LET'S NOT LET THIS OUTRAGEOUS BOARD RUIN ANY MORE OF WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY TRASHED IN OUR VALLEY. IT IS THIS BOARD THAT SHOULD BE OUSTED, NOT THE FOLKS THAT CAN'T PAY TAXES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF A GIANT 6 MILLION DOLLAR POT.
SO, COME ONE AND ALL...IF YOU'VE GOT NO HEART AT ALL AND A REALLY TOUGH ATTITUDE, COME AND POST SHERIFF'S SALE SIGNS FOR YOUR NEW LIVING.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
GOD BLESS THE OLEY VALLEY
GOD HELP OUR SCHOOL BOARD SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE FOR EVEN ONE MORE CITIZEN TO SAVE THEIR HOME.
TO ALL TAXPAYERS IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Please be notified that if your school district has raised taxes above the rate of inflation - 3.91% - THAT THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW which was signed by Governor Ed Rendell on June 27, 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out the www.psba.org and www.psea.org and The Pennsylvania Department of Education website and see what they have to say regarding House Bill 39. Also please notice the date of these articles, all dated prior to June 27, 2006, and all state that the school districts do not have to worry about reopening their budgets as new legislation will be QUICKLY passed so that the school districts do not have to comply with the time constraints for the 2006-2007 budget, as many of the districts have already passed their budgets.
This means that any school district who raised taxes higher than the rate of inflation have to, according to the law, reopen their budgets.
I find this extremely interesting, as Berks County has already recieved their school tax notice.
I also question as to how the school districts know for certain that the legislature is going to amend any part of House Bill 39.
It looks as though our politicians are going to pass another "salary hike-type bill" while burning the midnight oil and have this go virtually unnoticed.
How is is that the whining school districts always find a way out of not raising taxes for their local communities?
WE NEED TO TAKE OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TO TASK AND QUESTION THEM AND OUR LEGISLATORS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT -
WHY ARE YOU BREAKING THE LAW?
WHY DO YOU CONSTANTLY NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAWS THAT ARE PASSED?
WHY SEEMS TO BE THE BIG QUESTION!
If you need any of the articles, as I believe the PSBA took that particular article off their website, I have it saved on my computer and would be happy to send it out to anyone who might want to read it. You will also find Dr. Zahorchack's letter to the superintendents of all the school boards in PA quite interestingly. Again, note the date. He sent this document out on June 18, 2006, before Governor Rendell even signed House Bill 39 into law!
Also, check out the PA General Assembly website, where you can see that the legislators are crafting the amendments to House Bill 39, and basically making what Governor Rendell signed on June 27th, not the law.
Another website you might find interesting, is www.stopteacherstrikes.org. A gentleman, Mr. Simon Campbell, from the Yardley, Pennsylavnia area, is taking the Pennsylvania teacher's union to task and is committed to stopping teacher strikes in Pennsylvania.
Cindy Smith
cdaltonsmith@comcast.net
Cindy:
Heard you on feedback. You're right on the money with all you mentioned. Thanks for your input and research on this subject!
taxpayerzzzzz
Cindy, you are right again. It is a shame this is happening. We need change locally and state wide.
Breaking the law folks on the school boards and state will not be tolerated anymore. We know you and are watching your moves. You belong in jail, everyone of you.
The snakes are at it again!
Come one and all to the policy meeting on 7/6 at 7pm. Wear red,white and blue. Show this so called board that they cannot take away our right to speak. This is AMERICA!!
Tonight might be the last time the board will let us talk. Come and support the public. We have rights in America that this board wants to end. America is a free country and the board wants to take our freedom of speech away!
Unable to attend last night. Give an update.
We were out of town and also could not attend. Any news worth printing?
The Griswolds
Although many of you are bashing sports, believe it or not there are many valuable lessons that are learned while participating. I agree a million dollar track may be too much but why do many of you attack sports like it is a bad thing? Someone said about students not be able to read and write at their grade level: I then ask how involved are the parents? Teachers can not do it all. They aren't magicians. They should work with the parents who don't seem to be real involved anymore these days. The parent and school involvement is critical for achieving success.
This is the first time I've been on here but I have attended many school board meetings. All you who bash the school board when you could be at home with your families. Do you have no life? I know your argument is that this is for your chilrdren but by the time anything is done about your nagging, your children will be out of the school. About the money, the school board members live in your area also, they have to pay the same taxes that you do. For the track,it is not a nessesity, but many kids are involved in it. If you want something important to fus over, take a look at the elementary and middle school principals that aren't fit for their position. You are all waisting your time with these things, go back to your families instead of yelling at the board for making these hard decisions, spend some truely meaningful time with your families. That is what your children will remember, not how their parents yelled at their school board.
Football; football is the answer. All those college scholarships for which our boys have no chance to be considered. Would the Oley Board consider a petition for a high school football team?
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