What Some Might Find Interesting

West Chester Area School District Board Meeting Held February 25, 2013

Time has gotten away from me, so I will just focus on the big issues.

• The District posted the highlights for the February board meeting if you'd like to check them out.

• Although there was no statement read by board president this month regarding negotiations with the teacher's union, the following is on the district website:

February 21, 2013 - A negotiation session was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Spellman Administration Building. The West Chester Area Education Association and School Board negotiating representatives met to discuss open issues regarding a new contract. While no imminent solution was reached, both sides continue to work towards an agreement. No date has as yet been established for the next negotiating session.

• On Thursday, February 14th Sean Carpenter and Simon Campbell were guests on a WCHE radio show - Sheepdog Hour hosted by fellow Tea Partier Rich Davis. From what I gather, the two school board members are having a row.  Mr. Campbell is upset with our school board for not following his lead in dealing with our unions.  Apparently, Daryl Metcalfe (a state representative from the Pittsburgh area) has asked all school board members in the state to not sign contracts in order to send a message to Harrisburg in regards to Right to Work Issues. Mr. Campbell was interested in learning more about a conversation Mr. Carpenter had with Chester County Republican Chairman Val DiGiorgio. Campbell asked at least four times if he and Board President, Mr. Murphy, had ever discussed teacher negotiations with the Party Leader.  Mr. Carpenter's answers ranged from "I don't know what you're talking about," to "No," and then finally "Yes." Interesting, indeed.  Mr. Carpenter also talks about all the money saved by settling 2 of the 3 union contracts.  But, how much money are we losing by the board refusing to negotiate and settle the teacher's contract? If you have 48 minutes to spare, give it a  listen.

• As part of Maureen Snook's legislative report, we were reminded that Governor Corbett's budget proposal has be unveiled.  She also talked about HB 2 which deals with Special Education and segued into alerting us about some interesting talk going on in Washington about disbanding all school sports and making them clubs.  What??? I needed more information, so I decided to research and found nothing.   I then emailed Mrs. Snook to find out the source of this little nugget that she threw into her report. I haven't gotten any further info, just a promise for her to look into it.

 On Tuesday, Feb 26, 2013, at 3:15 PM  

Dear Mrs. Snook,  

You, indeed, peaked my curiosity with your interesting legislative report.  Can you please direct me to the source of your information about the disbanding of all school sports and making them clubs?  I would like to learn more about it. 

Thanks for your help.

Respectfully,
Dana Seaman

Sent: Sunday, March 3, 2013 6:52 PM 

Hello Ms. Seaman and thank you for the inquiry.  

We have a CCIU legislative council meeting this coming week and I will inquire about the federal government "suggestion" regarding the status of school sports.  

Thanks again!  

Maureen Snook 

Maureen Craig Snook
Director, West Chester Area School Board liaison, Legislation and PSBA

Sent: Monday, March 04, 2013 6:43 AM  

Dear Mrs. Snook,    

Although I appreciate your response, it still doesn't answer my question.  Can you please supply me the source of the information about the "suggestion" of disbanding all inter-scholastic sports in the schools and making them all clubs?  I would think that the words did not just appear on the paper that you read at the school board meeting and that you did some research on the subject while preparing the report.
As an elected official, you have an obligation to all stakeholders in this community.  I have tried numerous sources of finding this information to no avail.  I do, however, find it completely unethical for you to include information in your reports that has no basis.   

Thank you for your help in clearing up this matter.
Dana Seaman

• Yet another one of our administrators will be moving on from the WCASD.  John Scully, Assistant Director of Business Affairs, will be leaving in April to go to another district. We wish him much peace and happiness in his new position.  Good luck Mr. Scully!

• The Whole Life Charter School application was denied. (see articles below)

• There were only 3 public comments.  All teachers asking for school board members to respect the teachers and negotiate with them.

View the latest school board meeting or set your DVR to record:Videos of the School Board Monthly meetings and the Board Committee meetings can also be seen on West Chester Community Access TV, Verizon FIOS Channel 33 at 5:30 pm on Monday nights and 12:30 pm on Friday afternoons.

To read more about it:
DLN 2-5-13:  Many questions concerning e-mail and addresses
DLN 2-5-13  W. Chester has concerns about charter school proposal
DLN 2-7-13: Another view concerning state’s pension system problems
DLN 2-25-13:  Districts reject charter school’s application
Patch 2-26-13:  Charter School Application Denied

For more information about West Chester VOTE, please visit our website: www.westchestervote.org