Governor Wolf Offers No Timetable for Budget

Governor Wolf is not optimistic that a budget will be passed prior to June 30th. Schools have followed the law, why can't the state?

Both PASA (superintendents' organization) and PASBO (business managers' organization) have indicated that 85% (YES ALMOST ALL) school districts plan to increase property taxes. About half of all school districts intend to cut or scale back academic programs. Nearly half plan on job cuts and thereby increasing class size.

The pension assessment, special education costs, and charter school costs are bankrupting local schools. Because of state action, local schools are left with expenses they can't pay.

The growing disease within school finance is deficit spending and balancing budgets through fund balance. This recipe for disaster will necessitate a bailout within the next 5 years.

Let's have a common sense approach to budgeting. We cannot tax our way to fiscal stability nor can we cut all expenses. We need to have a balance. Where can the state raise revenues and cut costs. They need to do both!

A Message for the Graduating Class of 2016

The 2015-2016 school year has been one of extreme highs and lows.

At the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center we have seen unprecedented growth. Our school has swelled to over 440 students for the first time in more than a decade. In the era of the Keystone exam no class has ever done academically better. Our NOCTI scores should be over 90% proficient for the 2nd consecutive year. We had a Skills USA state champion for the first time in a generation.

We were a school where over 67% of the students NEVER received a behavioral referral. They were never late to school or class, never caused a classroom disruption. They did what they were supposed to do. We were a school where 80% of the students received 3 referrals or less. Maybe they were late to class or school too many times. We were a school that sent 80+ student to a hockey game as a behavioral incentive. We were a school that sent 80+ students ice skating as a behavioral incentive. We were a school that sent 80+ students to a baseball game as a behavioral incentive. We had over 200 students who were office discipline referral free participate in a picnic lunch. We gave away 34 gift cards and an I-pad.

This was also a year of behavioral lows. It was 180 days of "take your hat off." Three seniors had 20 or more office discipline referrals. Whether you were chronically disobedient or occasionally disruptive, for the most part it was choice. You were deliberately defiant. The school was often mired in student conflict related to inappropriate posts on social media. Understanding one another was not a priority. We became less tolerant of those who didn't look like us or act like us. We took a step backward when it came to respect for the decency of humanity. Self was far more important than selfless.

With such a dichotomy of characteristics that define the legacy of this class, I stand before you nervous. These graduates are at a crossroads in their lives. Some are the first to graduate high school in their family. Some are the first to advance to any form of post-secondary education. Many have established full-time employment or are going to the military. But some sit here and their long term plans are what they intend to do this weekend.

In order to calm my nerves and perhaps provide some last minute guidance I refer to the words of Bill Keane. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” Make the most of your TODAY!!! You are entitled to nothing. There is no extra talent needed to work hard and smart. Dot the I's and cross the T's of life.

You chose as your class motto: Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again.” These words my Tim McGraw encourage us to dream and we should. But we need a plan. A dream without a plan will never be an accomplishment.

Your class song was My Wish from Rascal Flats. My wish for you is to discover your potential. Be a contributor to society. Everywhere you go leave it better than you found it. Dare to be the best child, friend, worker you can be. Dare to expect more from yourself and less from others.

In summation I leave you with 3 simple rules that will guide you in life:

•     Go where you are supposed to go!
•     Be there on time!
•     And when your there, use your God-given abilities to the very best you can.

Congratulations class of 2016!

A Conversation with Representative Jaret Gibbons

Last night (May 31), I had the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting with State Representative Jaret Gibbons. The topic that dominated the two hours was, of course, the state budget.

The primary concern in the state budget is addressing the $50 billion plus deficit in the state pension system.  This problem was caused by a Republican Governor (Ridge) and the Democrats in the state assembly. In exchange for an increased multiplier to pension benefits (from 2% per year for every year of service to 2.5%), the governor got Act 48. This law demands that teachers continue to get professional development throughout their career.

According to Representative Gibbons 93% of the original $1 Billion dollars has been restored to public education. In fact, the Laurel School District is receiving about an $83,000.00 increase in basic funding as compared to 2015-2016. The problem is that costs are rising faster than revenues.

The overwhelming concern of any public school budget is the pension (PSERS) obligations. Currently school districts across Pennsylvania contribute over 30% of an employee's salary to a pension. The assessed rate of contribution has sky rocketed over the last 5-7 years and will continue to be over 25% through the year 2027. School districts will be looking for ways to financially survive over the next decade.

The Laurel School District has had to dip into its fund balance in order to cover budget short falls for the last two fiscal years (2014-2015, 2015-2016). The next fiscal year, 2016-2017, will mark the third consecutive year of deficit spending. The school district projects a shortfall of $934,000.00 despite cutting 8 positions from the prior year. Dipping into fund balances is a recipe for disaster. Fund balances are non-renewable resources. The Laurel fund balance has decreased by millions of dollars over the last three budget cycles.

The Laurel School Board would have to exceed the index, exceed the exemption for special education and raise taxes 4 mills just to cover pension. Therefore it is impossible for the district to cover it's cost.

The conclusion is as follows:

• district revenues no longer meet district expenditures
• district expenditures (salary, pension, medical insurance, etc.) will continue to rise.
• district fund balances continue to shrink
• If the state does not change the way schools are funded or the pension obligations they owe, the Laurel School District has about 3-5 years before it financially cannot exist.

Educational Discussions: LCCTC is growing!!!

Since the 2012-2013 school year, LCCTC has grown by nearly 25%. Our numbers have from grown from approximately 350 students to 450 students currently. We serve grades 10-12. We accept only students from the 8 Lawrence County public school districts. We believe several reasons exist that explain our growth.

            We believe that LCCTC provides a unique opportunity. We are one of 18 comprehensive career and technical centers across the state of Pennsylvania. The remaining 70 are half-time. By being a comprehensive school we can maximize our educational resources and expand learning opportunities. Students are here for the full day. No time is lost to multiple transitions to and from the home schools. We are able to replicate the world of work. Students can complete projects from start to finish. Our students benefit from a block academic schedule that allows for more continuous instruction and less transition between class periods.

            We believe the skilled trades are an expanding opportunity. Across the United States some 3-4 million skilled trades jobs remain unfilled. These jobs have competitive wages and benefits. Many have quarterly bonus structures and other incentives.

            It is time to revisit the cost benefit analysis of a skilled trades position. As of 2012, college graduates left with an average of $29,400.00 in student loans. The class of 2015 is the most indebted class in our nation’s history. The average starting salary for a college graduate is $45,000.00. Before they do anything, they have to pay $300.00-$500.00 per month towards student loans. An average starting wage for a carpenter is $44,000.00. The average starting wage for a machinist is $40,000.00. The average starting salary for an electrician is $50,000.00. Our ctc graduates earn a competitive wage and have no debt.

            We are responding to the needs of the community. We have over 70 students in our Health Assistant program. We have reopened our welding program. We have started a veterinarian technician assistant program. We are one of three career centers in the state to offer an oil and gas program. These high demand programs compliment the rest of our CTE offerings (automotive technology, collision repair, cosmetology, commercial art, management information systems, electrical occupations, machine tool technology, masonry, and construction trades).

            Career and technical education is sometimes seen as a lesser education. CTE is a different education, and certainly no less rigorous than any traditional program. Certainly we would expect our certified nurse aides to follow a doctor’s orders, our machinists to program CNC lathes to perform tasks within +/- 0.00025 mm of tolerance, the pitch of our roof needs to allow rain to flow or distribute weight, and our concrete block walls need to be square. The examples are endless. The actual lexiled reading levels of CTE literature are higher than that of the literature Keystone exam.

            Graduates of LCCTC are truly college and career ready. Graduates leave the program with a high school diploma as well as industry certifications. Students at LCCTC can earn 6 college credits (3 in English and 3 in social studies) through our dual enrollment program.

            Lawrence County CTC is unique! Lawrence County CTC is growing! Lawrence County CTC graduates are college AND career ready!

Educational Discussions: I love coaching

     What is a coach? I bet our first image is some former gym teacher or social studies teacher who put on a hat and whistle and began barking out instructions during practice.
     Those coaches of our past had some similar qualities. In order to be successful they had to have a vision. They were committed. Their teams were disciplined. Their passion was demonstrated by the way their teams performed.
     Those same qualities are shared by effective instructional coaching in educational settings. A good instructional coach  works with administration to establish a common vision for the coach. Instructional coaches are committed to improving curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Instructional coaches are disciplined to reach a standard of excellence. Their example is contagious and should spread among the faculty. No coach can be effective without passion.
     Values guide any coach. Honesty, integrity, determination must be a part of any coaching. Coaches must believe that all on the team (players or students) can get better. All can improve. All can learn.
     Coaches have purpose. They work with their team, the teachers. Coaches may gather resources, co-teach, model, or just brainstorm. An effective coach is an effective resource. An effective coach utilizes a multitude of strategies to fulfill their purpose.
     A coach wants to lead and win. Instructional coaches lead by example. When instructional coaches win, students benefit due to more effective teaching.

Educational Discussions: I Am Naïve

I am naïve! I have been in education for 24 years. I still believe all children can learn, and all children can grow their achievement by 1 grade level each school year.

I am naïve! I believe that the first teacher, the best teacher, the single greatest indicator of academic achievement is the parent.

I am naïve! I believe that instruction matters. Traditional low level instruction will result in traditional low level results. We do NOT need to cover material. We need to explore/inquire/discover the content.

I am naïve! I believe in the “Statue of Liberty kids.” Give me your poor and your huddled masses longing to be free.

I am naïve! I believe in the Jeffersonian principal that a free public education ensures the prosperity

I am naïve! I believe we need to know our students’ readiness levels, interest inventories, and learning profiles as described by Carol Ann Tomlinson.

I am naïve! Words matter. I believe that Webb’s Depth of Knowledge can be a guiding force to challenge our students to think critically.

I am naïve! I believe that Daggett’s Rigor and Relevance Frame can lead to students analyzing real-world problems and creating real-world solutions across disciplines.

I am naïve! I believe that if students explore Big Ideas by answering essential questions through authentic assessments that they will have a rich understanding of content just as Jay McTighe described.

I am naïve! I believe that America, unlike the rest of the western world, should continue to educate everyone!!!!

Educational Discussions: College Tuition; A Cost Benefit Analysis

I have read a number of articles in the local paper regarding the rising college debt of recent graduates.  A few facts:

1.       Pennsylvania ranks 3^rd in the USA for per student debt.

2.       On average, each college student will graduate owing and average of $35,000.00

3.       The class of 2015 is the most indebted class ever in the history of the USA

College should be an option, but college is not the only option. The skilled trades can provide a secure income with little to no debt. College debt survives bankruptcy. College debt survives death.  Graduates must pay back their loans before they have any discretionary income to contribute to our economy.

As a father of a senior in high school, I am advising my daughter that if she chooses to take the path to a four year degree, she will have my support. However, she must choose a path where she can generate income to pay back her loans as well as provide for her own well-being.

As we have begun our tour of colleges and universities of interest, we heard an admission presentation about deciding on a major. This university had career counselors assigned to undecided freshmen to mentor them. These counselors will help the undergraduates choose their path.  The counselor was so proud of one example where she was able to steer a student towards a major in SOCIOLOGY!!!!!! I was immediately concerned. At no time did the counselor consider career earnings. At no time did the counselor address debt. According to officials at this university, student should plan for an annual cost of $34,000.00 per year. At the end of 4 years, this student would have paid $136,000.00 to earn an average $17.48 per hour or $39,134.00 per year.  Even if the student qualifies for 50% in scholarship and grant, the student will be $68,000 in debt. They will have to pay $566.00 per month before they do anything else.

We have told our children a lie. College or bust!!! Everyone goes to college. Fifty nine percent (59%) of students will graduate with a 4 year degree within 6 years. Not graduating on time further compounds the problem.

We have told our children another lie. Community college is an inferior choice. Community college is a great starting point. Young people can learn how to be students without being buried in debt. After attaining 24-48 credits at a C level or better, they can transfer to many private or public institution and finish their degree in 2-3 years. By starting at a community college, students can save $12,000.00 to $66,000.00 over the course of their education.

We have told our children a lie. The skilled trades are for dumb people. Nothing could be further from the truth. Can you do the following: plumbing, electricity, hvac, welding, repair your care, etc.? These jobs often pay over $50,000.00. Many have corresponding health care plans, 401K plans, and other benefits like profit sharing.

Post-secondary education is an investment. Let’s make sure we are getting an appropriate return on investment.