posted by Joe Polk at 4:03 PM /
Though most of the nine candidates for five seats on the Mt. Lebanon school board said they would like a place on the board so they can participate in plans for a new or renovated high school complex, there is no single theme that runs through the campaign.
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07102/777021-55.stm
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07102/777021-55.stm
Labels: election, politics, school board, school district
7 Comments:
There better be a common theme this election....TRANSPARENCY!
Carol Walton is running on experience...I am tired of her influence on the new board members. She serves Kool Aid at the "Welcome to the Board" tea party. Thank you for your 20 YEARS of service but it is TIME FOR CHANGE!
I'm looking for an explanation from the first two posts. What do you mean by transparency? As far as Carol Walton, I don't understand the comment about her influence. Could you expand? I'm curious.
Anon 10:44 pm
What is meant by influence is the "mind set of an incumbent".
The voting record reflects this.
From watching the meetings on television, I rarely see opposition to the status quo except for Mark Hart.
I'm simply hoping that the attitude Mark Hart seems to have with his "real" job (Business Manager of the Steelers) when it comes to levying taxes on his constituents (season ticket holders) doesn't hold true with the tax-paying populace of Mt. Lebanon. Words are nice, but actions speak louder than words. And my pocketbook just took a big hit after that gutsy 8-8 season.
To anon 10:44
By transparency I mean openness,clear understanding of actions and individual voting rationale explained.
Some examples of the lack of transparency:
*unexplained philosophical difference with Dr. Sable resulting in her termination
*secret negotiation of teacher's contract
*surprise departure of high school principal
*unreported change orders resulting in cost over runs in school renovations
*unjustified elimination of Dr. Pulkowski
*lack of reporting on progress of superintendent search
Is too much done in executive session?
To anon 10:44, anon 8:02 hit it on the head. We need school board members that will stand up and be accountable and not keep us in the dark about major decisions. By 'major' I mean decisions that send half a million dollars away from the school district with NO explanation. Or how about a secret teachers contract negotiation that gives a 5% per year raise per year over the life of the contract all the time requiring teachers pay only 6% of total health care premiums (no wonder they kept it secret!). As an employee in the private sector, I wish I could have either of those two things. If I get fired, I might get two weeks pay if I am lucky, let alone a hall million dollar buyout. When my annual review comes up, I might get 2% raise but I will definitely pay more than 6% of my health care premium. I know who I am going to vote for and none of those people are on the board right now. There are six non-incumbents running so there is a chance for a good deal of turnover.
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