Good subject! As a grandparent to a child in this school system I must say parents these days put up with a lot because the school has told them this or that, but the truth is the school does not tell you what is really going on. We have some good teachers there, and helpers but most of these helpers are busy chatting amongst themselves, children get hurt and the innocent child not only is hurt but gets punished as well. We have lunch aids who ignore the special needs children which can cause serious illness to these kids, substitute teachers who are not aware that a diabetic needs to be watched and sent to the nurse at special times, just leaves the kid sit there. So yes I think the school system needs to be looked at but not by the ones running it now. Have parents and grandparents take a look, evaluate because the ones in power now are not doing it to well

Where to begin...

Dear Kim, (I apologize for using only your first name in the absence of a surname)
I read your blog posting with concern. It is my expectation of every employee in Centennial that our children be treated, first and foremost, with kindness and respect. Please do be in touch so that I may see that your concern is addressed. I can be reached at (215) 441-6000, ext. 11002, (215) 416-1157, or cresje@centennialsd.org.
Sincerely,
Jenny Cressman
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Mrs. Hazlett,
It's an excellent suggestion, and no disrespect taken. I do prefer to meet individually or with small groups of parents as it makes for better conversation and gives me the opportunity to truly listen and respond to concerns. I have an open door policy, and am always glad to speak with anyone in the community. I'm happy to meet at a school, my office, or a local coffee shop, whatever is most convenient. Although I have only served as your Superintendent for the past sixteen months, I've devoted sixteen years of my professional life as an educator to the children of this community - I truly only want what is right and good for them and for them to have the best possible educational experience in our schools. I am hopeful that folks will take me up on my offer and reach out to me via the contact information provided. I would much rather we address and resolve concerns quickly and openly than have families concerned or distressed. I view life as a series of puzzles, some large, many small, but almost all of which have a good solution. I have always enjoyed speaking with you and appreciate your forthright and honest nature. I'll look forward to our next conversation.
Jenny Cressman

Jennifer E. Cressman, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Centennial School District
Centennial Administration Building
433 Centennial Road
Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974
OFFICE: (215) 441-6000, Extension 11002
CELL: (215) 416-1157
cresje@centennialsd.org

I am infuriated with the proposed 9:00-3:45 elementary school time, (only for some of the Elementary schools). No opinion polls were sent out. They claim they have no money for buses, but they have a half a million for Tennant's sound system? Is it a high school or the Mann Music Center? I don't give a !@#% what operations has to say. Nobody that knows wants it and half the people still dont even know about it!
If that goes through our little ones will be doing homework at night instead of before dinner!

One more infuriating topic is Everyday Math. I spend Every Night teaching math to my child who never had a problem until they started this program this year. The idea is that you introduce them to everything at once with the hope they will be better off in the future because they have seen it before. So my 4th Grader is comes home with fractions, geometry, percentages, and decimals all at once. It's literally all in a single night's homework, just several of each. They have not mastered any of it before they move on. It's literally like building a pyramid sideways instead of the bottom up. The problem is children need to master one item before moving onto the next because the more advanced math requires mastery of the previous. We were all taught to master one skill before moving on, My child is confused on 4 topics instead of one at a time. It's like ADHD Math. My child would be completely lost if i didnt help them Every Night with Everyday Math.

Many parents are frustrated, Kids are disrespectful and parents say not my child, Some teachers and aides are good but there also needs to be some cleaning out of the bad ones that everyone just looks at and overlooks the good ones who are trying and get no respect. There are many kids who owe lunch money and not just Change. Letters go out and kids are told but parents do not respond and it is not fair to others. Different rules for different people. How about the kids who come to school dressed or barely dressed should I say. Nothing is done about it. People give up cause the kids don't listen and they don't tell their parents and the parents let them come out the door looking the way they look. Parents and schools have to help eachother

I know that my child was asked to remove her short sleeved jacket that was unzipped to got through the lunch line and I thought it was rediculous. Then there is the no bathroom thing and she has a dr. note that states she must be aloud to go whenever necessary and she is afraid to ask because she knows she will be shot down. It hurts me so much when she wakes up every day and cries that she doesn't wanna go to school. She loves her teacher and a select few but other than that she cries that they're mean. I really wish I could take her and put her another school.

Are there similar concerns in the middle schools and high school? I am trying to decide if having my daughter, who has severe ADHD, moved from Nativity to Log College for the additional resources available to her. The one thing I love about Nativity is that the entire school is like one big family and everyone is genuinly cared for and respected.

I was under the impression that it is the district policy our children could be extended up to $5 for lunch. If this has changed then Dr. Cressman needs to send out a letter IMMEDIATELY informing parents. If not, the Dr. Cressman need to inform the cafeteria workers IMMEDIATELY. No child should be turned away from food or drink in our schools! We pay enough in taxes. If our children are being asked to remove CLOTHING prior to entering lunch lines, Dr. Cressman needs to sends out a letter IMMEDIATELY informing parents as to why she has implemented this degrading policy for our children. If she hasn't, then she needs to inform her cafeteria worker IMMEDIATELY to STOP before someone file ANOTHER LAWSUIT. As far as this proposed bell schedule change, Dr Cressman and transportation can come up with other options for our 20% of public bus use as compared to the 80% of parochial/non public/private bus use.(only 5% is CHARTER). I don't care if they use another program, write each route by hand, or get another transportation manager, but my child is not going to school another 30 mins and riding the bus in the dark. If this District can pay Administration $650 an hour and $450 an hour, they can CERTAINLY come up with the $ for more buses, WITHOUT raising taxes. They just bought 4 (7-3), they only need 6 more. I don't want to hear metrics as to why this is "THE BEST WE CAN DO" and there is no other option, if it is find another job.

while we're at it..since our kids aren't attending school for an additional 30 mins, we don't have to pay teachers for an additional 30 mins, schools don't have to be open an additional 30 mins, drivers don't have to work an additional 30 mins, utilities don't have to be run for an additional 30 mins, for 10 months..I just came up with $1.2 million

To All That Have Responded To My Blog....let me say thank you. This is what I wanted, a place for parents to view their complaints. For parents to be able to talk to one another. For other parents who may not know what is going on to learn how these schools are run. My child attends Willow Dale and that seems to be the main school in question here!
No going to the bathroom, no money/no lunch, strip before you can eat....what kind of a place is this?? I wish I could tell you but you see I am a parent and we parents are not invited to the school. We are not welcomed or wanted in Willow Dale.
Maybe by going public with this and calling them out we can get somewhere. At least Dr. Cressman is paying attention (thank you). Take her up on her offer...Tell her how you feel...Tell her how your child is being treated...Tell her that in no way will you stand for this kind of treatment any longer.
My children are the most important thing in my life...Do what you want or say what you want about me, I am an adult and I can take it....Do something to my child and you are asking for trouble...I am a mother and I will protect and defend them until the day I die! I can make the next few years pleasant ones for Centennial or I can be your worst nightmare...YOUR CHOICE!!

When my daughter came home the week before Spring Break and told me about the new rule, my husband and I were outraged. I sent an email to the principal, Mrs. Voshell. She promptly responded with a phone call. Apparently she did not realize this was being done. It did take one more follow-up email to her about 3 weeks later (and ACLU name dropping), but now my daughter says they are not asked to remove any clothing anymore before they eat. She seems very responsive to the parent's needs. I also informed Dr. Cressman at a school function. She told me to keep her informed if nothing was done about the situation. My biggest complaint with WD is that the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. There seems to be a lack on communication between administrators and workers.

I have recently graduated from Tennent and let me assure you that kids steal food all of the time. With the new Tennent, theft is that much easier. Kids today are outrageously disrespectful and like Southampton Parent said, everyone always assumes there is no way that is their child. I went through the Centennial system and I have seen it all. Don't point fingers as to who is at fault, but realize that there must be a problem with theft if they are using such extreme measures as to ask kids to remove their jackets. I know aides in the cafeteria's don't really do much, but maybe that is because if they try to do something all they recieve is attitude and disrespectful behavior. It's not just the school's fault. But i do agree with the bus situation. The busses have always been overcrowded and Centennial decided to cut down the amount of busses even more to complete all of these school updates. On that matter, it is Centennial's fault. They should talk to the students on the busses and find out which routes take on too many students and adjust the routes in that manner.

We have a theft problem in Elementary Schools??? Who Knew???
Here is a cheap and effective solution

1. Inform parents and students of the theft problem in the cafeteria
2. Inform parents and students the School is forced to install a Security Camera for about $250.00
3. Inform parents and students of the consequences of stealing food
4. First offense warning /suspension with student, parent, and principal watching video to scare the kid straight
5. Second offense small fine and community service for kid
6. Third offense prosecution

I don’t think we would want a first offense elementary kid getting a record for stealing milk and cookies.

I also think if little children don’t get this behavior corrected when they are young it will only worsen if they think they can get away with it. I also think it’s a good reasonable deterrent and may change the future of a would be thief if they get caught young without ruining their future

Not all aides are bad Some truly care about the children and have been working on trying to get rid of some of the not so good aides. I have one who graduated from the district, a Tennent student and 2 in elementary and I am not happy with this district. And it is not just the High school kids that are disrespectful and bullying. Their are many elementary kids who are so disrespectful that it would blow your mind. The Bullying scares me of what I have seen and it gets worse in the middle school but it definitely starts in Elementary. Believe it or not people are afraid to do anything anymore because everyone is suing left and right and when you correct a child or right up a child and it is sent home a parent complains you did it. Or the child lies and parent believes them. Come work in the schools they are always asking for Subs see what it's like when a child just totally ignores you or says no or bluntly lies and says no I didn't when you just saw them do it. The over crowding of buses, classrooms and schools is not helping the situation. Have you noticed since consolidation of the schools it is getting worse.

My parents taught me from a very young age to be part of the solution and not the problem. With that being said, It is very difficult to sit here and read some of the posts that people are making. I find it hard to believe that one day someone was bored so they decided to make the students take off their jackets for no reason. I would truly believe that there was a good reason for this decision and It sounds like there was a break down in communication between the schools and the parents. Rather than feeding from the rumor mill and trying to fan the flames, I think I will try and learn the reasons for the decision and focus my energy in assisting the school to correct the problem in the future. In the big picture of issues that are out there in and around the schools, I would only pray that this would be the biggest hurdle my child would have to face. I would hope that parents would take time to be part of the solutions and maybe volunteer their time to make the schools a better place.

This has been one of the best articles I have read here, with that being said I give kudos to all who have responded in the discussion. I agree with being part of the solution I agree with people being afraid of stepping up and I agree with not all of these wonderful children are at wrong. What I don't agree with is the suggestion of security cameras and prosecution of our young. Sad how children are faced to steel food, any one ever stop to wonder why? If a child in grade school is taking food well people come on they must be hungry, and have no money. In this day and age there are so many hungry children, and some of these kids are not legible for assistance because the parents make to much, but truth be told in this day so many of our families who have good homes with parents who make enough to pay the bills don't have the money to feed their children. So instead of the system trying to punish these little ones maybe they should find out why. Kids learn from their families first, then the school and friends so if there is a issue in grade school then one must see where the issue lies and steer that child in the right direction. I say with our large tax dollars every child should eat free, every child should be treated the same, stop wasting time whining and start being part of the solution (I love that)

To Lavender I must ask this: Have you every attended a school board meeting or attempted to address them? I have attempted to address them on several issue and have never been treated so completely disrespectfully in my life. They are out of touch with the issues and concerns of this community and act as if they are above reproach. I spoke with my daughter yesterday after reading this and she informed me that the removal of outerwear has been an on/off thing for the entire school year. As of three weeks ago they are no longer being asked to remove anything. She is in third grade and says she feels bad cause of the way they treat them!
On the budget I was wrong on the drivers 30 extra mins because they would be operating during rush hour traffic on county line rd, street rd, bristol rd, 2nd street pk, so it is more than 30 min of pay we would save..I would venture at least an hour of pay per driver...

Thank you Voice of Reason.
So now that you have all posted your concerns, what are you going to do about it? Will you make a stand when you see a student being "bullied" by a principal (or teacher, other parent, older child...) or will you wait for the next opportunity to blog about your complaints? It takes courage to stand up and do the right thing! All organizations, whether a school district, a church, or a company have good and bad. It's time to recognize the good and stand up to the bad, not just blog about it.
As a parent that has children in the district I have seen the good and the bad. I applaud the teachers, principals and other district employees and officials who do what they do with our children first and foremost in their hearts. Those that do not work hard for our children or who do not treat them with respect should not be protected by unions or tenure. (That however is a conversation for another day and NOT district specific).
Have the courage to protect our children – talk to a teacher about your concerns, if you get nowhere go to the principal or vice principal, if that doesn’t work call the superintendent (Dr. Cressman’s door is always open – per her post above). I believe Dr. Cressman when she says she wants what is best for ALL the children in the district, however, she cannot fix what she doesn’t know is broken!
And for the record, we have more good than we have bad, and I think one of the best districts in the county!

I leave you with the following thought - What is courage? According to one definition, courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Physical courage is bravery in the face of physical pain, hardship, or threat of death. But there is also MORAL courage, the ability to do what is right in the face of popular opposition or discouragement. It takes courage to do the right thing today, to stand up for what is right and good. It takes courage to live honestly, with integrity, avoiding the "shortcuts" that may get you ahead but take you down morally.

On a positive note: I attended the Art Show Senior Reception at William Tennant yesterday. This is my 4 year attending, and I must say that the seniors this year are outstanding. Their work was incredible and they put together collections that made it hard to believe that they are only 17 and 18 year olds. The passion and dedication of both students and teachers showed in their work and presentations.

Pamela, I couldn't agree more, we have some very talented students in our schools

Another positive note...I attended three concerts this week, Jazz/Chorus/Band nights, and there is tremendous talent in our district. Kudos to these students and the music teachers in our district!

I would just like everyone to know that today at 1:30pm I had a meeting with Dr. Cressman. I encourage all other parents who have concerns or questions to do the same. She listened, she took notes, she felt my frustrations as a parent. She wants to do what she can to put the PRIDE back our the schools. She was open to suggestions and ideas. My meeting was only suppose to be 1/2 hour but lasted an hour long and she never looked at her watch or made me leave. She is a caring person who wants our kids to feel safe and to be treated with respect and dignity. Remember she is taking over the position of Mr. Turnbaugh who did nothing for our school but help it get into debt and caused another lawsuit for the district. She has to work with a board who...well we all know about them and what a mess they have caused. Give her a chance!! Be a voice for your child! She can only help us if she knows what problems there are.

Thank you Mrs. Hazlett for posting about your meeting with Dr. Cressman. While I agree with most of what you have to say, I disagree with you regarding the school board members as a whole. I believe that the 3 new members need to be given a chance, and Mr. Hartline and Ms. Driban were not on the board when some of the more "expensive" and drastic decisions were made. I don't think you can judge the board collectively most of the time, look at them individually and see what they stand for. If there is one that you think needs to go, then run for their seat when there term is expired, if you don't live in their region, petition a friend who does.

Part of the Solution, I should not have included the 3 new members when I spoke about the board, in that part you are right. They deserve a chance. As far as Hartline and Driban are concerned they were on the board for the "expensive" decisions to close/merge and build. I applauded Mr. Hartline at the last meeting when he took a stand for the parents/students about the time change. As far as Ms. Driban goes when she shows me proof of the 350 signatures and emails she received in regards to keeping the Willow Dale name the same I will then give her a chance. Have you read any of the posts about the school board? Have you read about how frustrated people are with them? This is not just my personal opinion! Take a vote and see how many people are happy. There are a few that need to go but would I want to take that seat now? NO WAY!! They as a whole (not including the 3 new ones) have made the school situation the way it is....So let them fix it! And since you are "Part of the Solution" when will I see your name on the ballot for school board?

Something for Wayne to consider:

http://www.roadnet.com/pub/products/Territory-Planner/

Dear Mr. Krenshaw,
My offer to have coffee together still stands! I'll even treat. I trust you did not see my invitation a couple of months ago in response to a prior blog entry. I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and talk about your concerns. Please contact me to set up a time - I'll look forward to meeting you.
Jenny Cressman,
Centennial SD Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Cressman,
There is no Peter Krenshaw, this name is not a real person. This person is using a phony name to hide themselves.

Peter, I am focusing on the real issues. I am also trying to get results by speaking with Dr. Cressman. I would hope that if you have the same concerns that I have then you would want to try and do something about it too. If things do change for the better and we do get results than I will be proud to say that I had a hand in making the school a better place for my child....

Part, I have no doubt that they are a good group of people outside of the board room. I would have no problem saying something nice about them if I felt they really did have the best interest of the students. As stated before I commended Lynch, Hartline and Huf for standing up to the time change issue. It just seems to me like they live in their own world and we all suffer for their poor decisions. Do something RIGHT for a change and I will be the FIRST one to stand up and say Thank You!

Dr. Cressman will listen. I had a meeting with her last week with other concerned parents and she did take all of our concerns into account. I do feel she does care about our children and I am hoping and praying that the school schedule issue will be changed. Mr. Robinson's solution is not acceptable and downright dangerous!! Has he ever tried to drive through Warminster and Southampton between the hours of 4-5pm? Now add buses to that, he assured Dr. Cressman that no child will be dropped off later that 4:45 pm, well I got news for him, my child arrives at her bus stop 7 minutes later than her posted drop off time EVERYDAY. So how he can promise that is beyond me. Mr. Robinson's plan will not work and they need to find a solution for all three schools on an acceptable schedule. As for the disrespect in the school I agree with everyone. I do not like the way that kids treat and speak to each other. That issue need to be addressed NOW before it gets any worse!

BTW, Thank you Kim for starting this blog. Great idea! I do have a question for our Southampton mom. How aware is your community about the school schedule? It just seems that we are not hearing much from the Davis community. Should we have Mr. Boyle post his artile on the Southampton Patch? Just a thought.

1) Pete's name is irrelevent. He is correct in 90% of what he posts. Our district is broken. It is being run inefficiently and ineffectively. The Board has been forgotten that they answer to the community and that they do not have a money tree growing in the back yard. 2) I would not count Mrs. Driban as a new Board member.She was here for this mess with the elementary schools and she learned from Mrs.Miller and I don't recall her once voting against her mentor in this issue. She is as much to blame as the Pollock and Miller. As for the new members. I have received such answers as "board members are not paid", "we have other full/part time jobs", "The extended school day was discussed/announced at a Board meeting last spring when the teachers contract was approved" and my ultimate favorite which is also Mr. Miller's "Charter Schools recieve over ten thousand dollars for each student that they convenice to leave a Centennial School to attend their Charter School".excuses.excuses.excuses. If I could find a Charter school for my daughter, I would. Parents don't need to be "convienced", we are being driven by this Board.

3) While I do applaud Mrs.Cressman for the job she does, it is her job. I don't ever want to hear her say at a board meeting "this is the best we can do". No that is not an option. In all of the spending that she approved in the 18 months for the high school and the elementary schools, she KNEW about the bus schedule issues and she should have had a contingency plan that did not involve extending the school day. This is starting to be the SRC from Philadelphia. 4) I still want to know what Administration position are we paying $675 per day for and what position did we pay $450 per day for from Jan 22 thru Mar 1?

Does anyone know who voted for all this spending? We have a new high school, stadium and three new elementary school (WD was renovated). To me it seems no one knows who voted for all this spending. I have a gut feeling that the people that voted for this no longer are on the board.

Plus 'fubar' is not my real name.

Michelle, you are not entirely correct. The high school project was already approved prior to Mr.Hartline and Ms. Driban joining the board. In reagrds to the HS project,they have only made decisions regarding change orders and the Planetarium (can't remember what it's called now). I belive they were involved in some, but not all of the decisions regarding the elementary schools, but I would have to go back to check the meeting minutes.
Fubar, I suggest that instead of taking anyone's word, you go back and check the meeting minutes for yourself. It is amazing what people think they remember.

Michelle - no I am not a board member, and how sad is it that if I support the board, you automatically think that I am. I just believe in reviewing the facts and giving everyone a fair chance. I would have to review past meeting minutes - being on the board and voting for items are 2 differnt things.

Fubar - I am sorry, but I don't know how to go back past the 2010-2011 archives. You could probably call the administration buidling and ask, all the minutes are a matter of public record.

If I may, set the record straight with regard to who was on the School Board when all of this began. According to the Board minutes of May, 1, 2006. David Blatt was Superindent of Schools. Motion was placed on the floor by Mr. Faust and seconded by Mrs. Jones authorizing the incurring of up to $110,000,000.00 of nonelectoral debt by the School District. Voting for this motion was: Mr Faust, Mrs. Jankowsky, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Monahan, Mr. Strouse and Mrs. Mueller. VOTING AGAINST THE MOTION WAS: Mrs. Brzezinski, Mrs. Huf and Mrs. Lynch. Motion was approved by a 6 to 3 vote/ All members of that Board have left the Board with the exception of Mrs. Huf and Mrs. Lynch. This meeting was a Special Meeting with one member of the public in attendence.

Mrs. Lynch why was this a special meeting with one member of the public in attendance? Also, question why were the school buildings sold at such a low price of $425,000.00? You could purchase a house for that price

We need to get rid of the rif raf and clean out the schools and administration and who ever else is not doing their job correctly. Also we need to get our teachers and staff to hold students accountable for their actions. I spent the day in Klinger cafeteria and was pissed at the way the children act in this school. It is a disgrace. These kids need to be handle strictly to get them under control or it will get worse. I asked my children if it was like that when they were at Klinger and they said, no way. They are even upset of how kids act now. These kids have no fear and they need to take responsibility of their actions and staff need to follow through and get it under control

I have lived in Warminster for 7 years and I moved here for the neighborhood schools. The meeting in 2006 was for supposedly for the funding of a NEW HIGH SCHOOL. The first time anyone heard anything about getting rid of our elementary schools was in 2009. There was several Operations Committee meetings and I can personally tell you there was NOT just 1 person from the community in attendance. This proposal was rammed down out throats by Mrs. Mueller, Mr. Miller,Dr. Pollack, Mr.Reinboth,and Mr. Hezel . Mr. Miller and Dr. Pollack are the only remaining ones that voted for this fiasco, the rest of the board members have either been voted off or resigned from the board.

The vote was to give the Board the authority to spend up to $110,000,000.00 WITHOUT going to referanddum,meaning...the School Board could vote on any project up to $110 MILLION WITHOUT the community VOTING on it....Anything over $110M the Community has to vote on it..Which is why the Board breaks all of its projects into smaller ones..so it doesn't reach it's max requiring community vote..

I'm another Southampton parent and I must admit I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the events that transpired in 2010 with the consolidating of the schools and the needless shuffling around of our kids. My daughter started kindergarten at Davis, then she was moved to McDonald for the past 2 years and now she will be going to the new Davis. Thats 3 schools by 3rd grade! Not only that, but with different student populations! I could go on about how not all kids adjust to such changes lightning quick and that this is causing stress and anxiety in many kids but my main point is on how all these changes are handled. It feels like only lip service is paid to what the parents want. Nobody wanted these school changes. Just like nobody wants this extended to 3:45pm schedule. But I'm sure it will go into effect anyway. And also, what happened to the Full day kindergarten that was promised? That was the one bright point that was supposed to happen! I have another daughter who is starting kindergarten in Sept and now I find out that the School Board lied and its still 1/2 day and I have to continue to pay for daycare. Yet again, this shows the utter disrespect shown to parents. Nobody even communicates about this broken promise or the reasons for it. Its just so disrespectful to the community! I moved to this school district because of Davis and its reputation as a school and close knit community and for stability, in 2009. I'm so sorry I did.

It looks like around June 2006 is when the school district was thinking about closing schools.

Intelligencer, The (Doylestown, PA) - June 11, 2006

Parents mobilize against possible school closings A Centennial committee hopes to have a recommendation for possible school closures by August.
Centennial parents, fearful that their neighborhood elementary school is in danger of closing, are trying to gather support to keep it open. Parents from the William W.H. Davis Elementary School's home and school association in Upper Southampton are putting up "Save Our School" signs on their lawns and distributing fliers to fellow parents. They're asking that district residents attend school board meetings to show their support for...

Craming kids into classrooms with 28 or more students is ridiculous. Kids are frustrated because it's to crowded and teachers are frustrated and are not able to give our children their full attention. Tennent is ridiculous. My daughter tells me the Cafeteria gets so crowded there isn't even seats for everyone. Who ever makes these class schedules for these kids needs to work harder and get it straight. When september comes around each year Kids are constantly get changed around than they just through them in a 1st or 2nd lunch period and makes it crowded and by the time last lunch comes around there is hardly anyone there. Doesn't make sense. you have all sumer to get the classes in order and the lunches in order don't just throw them in like cattle so they can get in to trouble because they are over crowded. Come on people you have degrees supposively to do your jobs. Well do them right for our children and straighten this all out. Stop crowding our schools and classrooms and give our children the education they deserve

Ms Lynch why did you vote to approve the new teachers contract last year when it was stated it was un funded and just added to our district's debt? Where is your financial responsbility to our disctrict?

Teachers in our disctrict were already paid very well. They were given raises 3 out of the 4 years that no one in the private sector gets these days.

With all due respect Ms. Lynch that is not true. I was at the meeting. Mr Hartline and Ms. Meuller and Mr. Miller pointed out a different story. Ms Meuller had the business manager stand up and report our current debt before the vote which was over 1 million. He also stated the millions we would be in debt after the term of the 4 yr. deal.

But you still had no problem approving this contract. Because of this irresponsible of you and the other four members including Huff and Pollack we are having to layoff teachers which hurts kids. There was just an article in the post from Mr Hartline mentioning a possible 55 teachers losing their jobs to pay for the contract.

Why is this this disctrict not transparent like neshaminy and morrisville? Why are the taxpayers left in the dark with details? How much of a percent is our teachers paying into their health care? This board needs to stand up and show the residents our voice counts. This careless spending has to stop ! The board needs to show financial responsiblity to the district,

With all due respect to your view point, mine is different from yours, and that is good for the conversation. I have reviewed the minutes of the meeting on May 10,2011 and do not see what you have stated. A Business Manager knows full well that any contract that must be approved must be part of the budgeting process year in and year out. It is a fixed item in the budget. With reference to 55 teachers losing their jobs due to lay offs that are hurting children. This number of 55 teachers would have been a real number if the MIDDLE SCHOOL were to be transformed into a JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL model. As you are aware this never happened. The teachers that are being laid off are due to the district going from 6 elementary schools to 3. Duplication of services! I am most suprised that you never mentioned all the Bond monies for building new schools and remodeling of others? This has brought a large amount of debt to this district. Of course you know I voted NO on the excessive debt. Due our teachers pay into their Health Care, the answer is yes and with the Teachers contract they are now paying more!

Please state how much the teachers are paying into their HEALTHCARE ?????

Why can't this disctrict be TRANSPARENT with taxpayers ?????????? and have healthy discussions. Do we want to be another Neshaminy !

Myself being in the private sector pay's 100 % of my medical, I also do not get raises that were also approved in the contract. The foggy math the disctrict tries to pull over the tax payers eyes is wrong when you state a 2 % raises 3 out of four years . When you figure the steps in the pay matrix system the raises are way above the stated number. And most teachers have steps. It's not like they are not getting paid well already.

Ms Lynch since you have the Minutes and I don't can you please state whom Ms. Mueller called to speak about current debt and debt going forward with approval of the new contract , And what he stated ?

The picture that was painted was not very good moving forward .

The minutes are public documents. Go to Centennial School District and on the left of the website are the minutes of May 10, 2011. Your Quote "Business manager stand up and report our current debt before the vote which was over 1 million. He also stated the millions we would be in debt after the term of the 4 yr. deal. Please read the minutes for clarification. Thank You for your comments and any further information needed please contact the Administration Building.

Why won't you answer the question how much in percentage are the teachers paying in their new contract towards health care ??????????????????????????????????? Ms. Lynch

Here are the minutes refereing to the insurance percentages. These are copied directly from the minutes as posted on the district website -
Mrs. Mueller stated the contract adds orthodontics, dental benefit caps were raised from a $1,500
maximum a year to $2,000, and domestic partners are now included. These additions will cost the
District money. She is not saying anything is good or bad, but what was put before us were not
concessions that hit teachers’ pocketbooks, but the bottom line of the taxes. The teachers did add a small
of amount of time to the instructional day, but that does not affect the taxes. Mrs. Mueller stated we
cannot afford this agreement.
Mrs. Schrader Lynch asked that scare tactics not be used. The Board did receive a contract on
April 25, 2011, and revisions on May 4, 2011.
Mr. Reinboth responded to Mr. Miller by saying the employee benefits will not be increasing by 200%,
but by 81%, which is bad enough. For our staff at the highest salary level, about one quarter of the staff,
the raises in the contract equal 5% over a four-year period, certainly not outrageous. The wage freeze
negotiated is a total freeze. The benefit of that freeze is a teacher salary reduction this year of $760,000
compared to previous years.

Here are the minutes with the comments from Mr. Berdnick regarding fund balances-
Mrs. Mueller requested Mr. Berdnik go through what kind of deficits we will be running and about the
fund balance we have.
Mr. Berdnik responded that including the impact of the yet to be realized details of the House Republican
version, the 2011-12 year would have a deficit of $1.7 million, which would reduce the fund balance to
$11.0 million. Year 2012-13 sees a deficit of $8.1 million, and Year 2013-14 sees a deficit of
$10.0 million. By 2013-14 the fund balance is negative. The fund balance is the savings account which
is at $6.5 million. In 2014-15, there appears to be a deficit of $12.7 million and in 2015-16 a deficit of
$14.3 million. Administration did provide the Board with an alternative world view for illustration
purposes only. If the number of assumptions improved, the deficit would be $7.0 million in 2012-13,
$7.4 million in 2013-14, $8.7 million in 2013-2014, and $9.3 million in 2015-16.

and lastly - here is the roll call vote for the contract -
Dr. Pollock stated the question was: To approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as amended.
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
Mrs. Schrader Lynch Yes
Mr. Miller No
Mrs. Mueller No
Dr. Pollock Yes
Mr. Reinboth Yes
Ms. Driban No
Mr. Hartline No
Mr. Hezel Yes
Mrs. Huf Yes
Motion passed 5-4.

Ms Lynch, I have reviewed the minutes published. So please tell me how I am wrong?

From the numbers stated by Mr. Berdnik before the vote we are clearly in a huge DEBT after the term of the new contract which was approved by you. As stated the contract was the vehicle which would drive that debt not the bonds that are payable over 20-25 years.

If anything this shows how irresponsible Lynch, Pollack, Reinboth, Hezel and Huff really are.

So what is the real TRUTH, how much debt above revenues (not what can be raised through act 1 minimum and/or exceptions applied for) will this Teachers contract cost us in four years. As far as the infrastructure debt of building new schools and consolidation I assume we saved some money because future projection on allocated repairs and maintenance would not have to be performed for six building, we know will have three new buildings that have been paid for on Bond which means that cost is allocated over 20-25 years. We still have the PSERS issue looming how much money have you put away for that and how much are you planning to raise taxes for that allocation. Since PSERS is exempt from ACT 1 what ever the cost will be it will be all on the taxpayer. And remember when you raised the teachers salaries you increased our liability to their PSERS pension benefit.

123 Reported: Ms Meuller had the business manager stand up and report our current debt before the vote which was over 1 million. He also stated the millions we would be in debt after the term of the 4 yr. deal. Minutes: Mr. Berdnik responded that including the impact of the yet to be realized details of the House Republican
version, the 2011-12 year would have a deficit of $1.7 million, which would reduce the fund balance to $11.0 million. Year 2012-13 sees a deficit of $8.1 million, and Year 2013-14 sees a deficit of $10.0 million. By 2013-14 the fund balance is negative. The fund balance is the savings account which is at $6.5 million. In 2014-15, there appears to be a deficit of $12.7 million and in 2 Mr. Berdnik responded that including the impact of the yet to be realized details of the House Republican
version. $14.3 million. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO STATEMENT IS: THAT INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF THE YET TO BE REALIZED DETAILS OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN VERSION. . WOULD HAVE!!!!

Concerned123: The answer to how much do the teachers pay in the Centennial SD is 21%-22% towards their benefits. This is public knowledge and has been addressed in other like forums and at school board meetings. This info is easily gotten if you call the admin building, like Mrs. Lynch recommended, and ask. Centennial SD is in a MUCH better place than the other districts you say are more transparent. There is labor peace, better bottom line and no dirty laundry in the papers. The teachers took a total freeze the first year of their new contract. They worked for months under an old contract and not once did a student suffer. Letters of recommendation were written, no work to rule, no strike, not one football game missed, not one band concert missed, etc. . .

The school board, admin and the union have done a pretty good job given the hand they were dealt. Bad economy and poor decisions by the state have put every district in the commonwealth at risk. I think everyone who wants to voice an opinion here should also take this same energy and focus it on Harrisburg. Our kids deserve better from everyone.

Mrs. Lynch and TBP, what do you comments have to do with the fact YOUR business administrator tells you that this contract will put us millions of dollars in debt and you still vote to approve it especially when you know there is no funding mechanism to pay for it without raising taxes beyond the Act 1 limit.
The Board majority hid the contract from the taxpayers; kind of like Nancy Pelosi “we have to pass it to find out what's in it." Now Mrs. Lynch wants to blame Harrisburg for not finalizing funding for the fact we will be in debt. W didn't elect Harrisburg to run our local school district we elected you. We didn’t elect our School Superintendent we elected school board members to represent the interest of all the community. Part of your ethical code is to employ Fiduciary Responsibility isn't it? How is approving a contract that is not capable of being funded through its term RESPONSIBLE. And to TBF if it is your conclusion that we bought labor peace thru an affordable contract that is the worst position of all. We as a community is responsible for ourselves and when we those we entrusted make foolish decisions that lack the transparency that it is evident now you (the elected) are the responsible party don't blame others.

Mrs. Lynch, How about the other parts of my comments. What is your plan to fund the PSERS crisis that is coming? What is the estimated impact between the average yearly cost increases of the 4 year teachers contract and the Bond debt that is spead out over 20-25 years fo rthe taxpayers of this community?

Kudos to the wonderful Spring Concert and all the students who were involved. Great job and most enjoyable at Willow Dale last night.

The concert was wonderful, however I will also appalled by the parents that allowed their children to run around, slide down the isles, and bang on the tables. Please if you can not control them, leave them at home. If that is not possible take turns with another parent and let them lose in the playground. Maybe we can have the older children volunteer to watch the younger ones at the enclosed playground while the parents watch any future shows.

This district did not get into a financial hardship due to the teachers contract. It is a result of YEARS of uncontrolled OVERSPENDING by the SCHOOL BOARD. The HIGH SCHOOL, and the ELEMENTARY Projects are the MAIN culprits, and continue to be with all of the CHANGE ORDERS that they approve. The SB needs to STOP with their closed door Executive sessions. They refused to institute Fulltime kindergarten even thought we have the room, which they rent out to TOT TIME, AND we LOSE Millions in Federal Funding because we don't have Full Time Kindergarten. We could keep at least 6 teachers who would otherwise be laid off. They just approved the budget for next year KNOWING that the issue with the buses is still ongoing. Well I hope they made contingency plans for the new buses. Yet Dr.Cressman and transportation both agreed to additional pickups this year from daycares because it wouldn't impact the bus schedule...DID I MISS SOMETHING.... I am not allowing them to add 45 mins to my daughters' schedule due to their incompetance and lack of common sense . I am tired of being ignored by the district and the SB.

While I have read a lot of these comments, I truly don't have time to read all 100+. This being said, I apologize if I'm saying things that have already been said. Also, My comment is too long, so I have to break it up...

My first issue is all the gripe with the high school. While I think they made the new building look like it came out of a movie, the funding they put in to the TV studio, auditorium and such is more important than you think. I will be the first to tell that I think the spending is too high, but these programs will make or break a student's high school career. Many kids will find their niche in these programs and they motivate them to actually go to school and do well. These programs build character and allow students to explore their creativity, which is extremely important. Without proper funding, these programs will not succeed. Our high school's test scores are great, which doesn't mean much when it comes to real learning, but without these test scores, Centennial would lose funding. Centennial NEEDED a new building. If you disagree, I kindly ask that you find a time machine and try to go a day in that building. Asbestos tiling was everywhere, some teachers did not even have their own classrooms, closets were turned into classrooms, fake walls did not block noise and light, and due to it's original design, the HVAC was so messed up you had to keep a wardrobe in your locker. I went to MBIT for half the day, but in first period, I needed shorts, second period, I needed a winter jacket and a blanket, and then in my third period, I was sweating again. How is a student supposed to learn in that environment?

I could go on for days about all the issues in the high school, but I'd rather be at Tennent than in a school in the city where I can't bring a backpack to school and I have to walk through a metal detector to get into the building that has no AC and outdated textbooks.

With regards to overcrowding and busing, those have always been issues. When I was at Stackpole, there were so many kids on my bus that we had 3 kids per seat and still not enough room. We weren't allowed to stand and there was no where to sit. Our parents called the school district and they took care of it by sending a bus that was not even half full over to our neighborhood to get some of the kids and it was no longer an issue. Instead of bitching anonymously (some of you) on an online forum, go to the school, call, call, call, send letters, send emails, don't let them say no or brush you off! If these issues are so important, you will deal with them like they are important. While 28 kids in a classroom is not ideal, many districts have up to 35 kids in the room, and thanks to inclusion, the teachers have to deal with normal students as well as students with special needs (IEPs, GIEPs, ESOL, etc) in these large numbers. Centennial is NOT that bad.

Finally, NEVER talk shit on our teachers. While there are some teachers that are not good and don't treat students right, the majority of teachers truly care about your kids and that's why they are there. They work 80+ hours a week (yes, really) and while they may have Summer "off", they get paid shit for needing an education. Think about how hard it is for them to have 28 kids in the room that all are on different levels and have different individual needs. Think about how much it sucks for the bus driver when your kid is screaming on his already crowded bus and he's trying to focus on the road.

If you want to keep bitching and not do anything, home school your kid or send him to private school. It will cost the district less money.

Mrs. Lynch I appreciate your invitation and as a concerned citizen I have attended school board meetings before, spoke at those meetings, written letters, and have pleaded for more transparency. Unfortunately those controlling the majority Board vote seem to have little respect for taxpayers who challenge your status quo. I can remember Mr. Miller, Mr. Hartline pleading with Mr. Pollack to fully release the contract details and allow a public discussion before a public vote was taken. Those controlling the majority refused, including you.

As an elected representative you and the other 8 members have the obligation to represent for all those whom live within Centennial School District. Trying to defer answers to my questions by deflecting any perceived absence from the specific committee meetings you mention doesn’t change the facts that the School Board has a responsibility to still openly discuss these matters in a forum with a public record is present. Committee meetings don’t require that a record be kept. I acknowledge that committees meeting are extremely important to the process but they were not designed to release full disclosure to the public; that is what PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS ARE FOR.

I will say you have been more up front in this forum than the other members of the Majority; Mr. Pollack especially who seems to carry a distain for taxpayers who challenge his judgment.

So in the interest of full disclosure transparency and taxpayers’ rights what is the true cost of this contract? How much will it add to the budget year after year during its term? What is our plan for PSERS? What are the estimates for the amount of tax increase to pay for it?

The lack of ability to prioritize the budget items is the problem. First you must realize whats needed and whats not. It goes something like: Roof that doesnt leak (not unnecessary Atriums), Staff, Materials for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Transportation, then all the wish list items like 3.2 Million dollar Football Fields, $500,000 sound systems, TV Studios???....Call me crazy but I think buses are more important than most of the "Keeping up with the Jones" School Districts where they pay $5000-$10000 in property taxes. If I could afford that my kids would go to private school.

Ms Lynch,

I feel like I am at a school board meeting , You ask questions and it goes on deaf ears. This question is very simple. Can you just state the answers for the viewing taxpaying residents to read

So in the interest of full disclosure transparency and taxpayers’ rights what is the true cost of this CONTRACT ? How much will it add to the budget year after year during its term? What is our plan for PSERS? What are the estimates for the amount of tax increase to pay for it?

Ms. Lnych this issue is far from complete, Your actions and the actions of other board members are leading this disctrict into financial ruins. The numbers don't lie.

I am glad another resident and fellow taxpayer reconize this is the typical attitude you receivce from our board members towards residents that ask questions.

Ms Lynch will not answer any tough questions because she knows residents are not going to like the answers. Just look at the numbers posted. If any of us ran a business this way we would be broke.

I plead with residents to educate yourself how our disctrict is being run. Its a time to vote in some members that have a financial responsiblity to our disctrict and residents. . Current members are just kicking the can do the road and running business like usual.

It is puzzling why this Board Leadership doesn't be honest with the public and just have a presentation of the facts and what the projections going forward are, considering all options. From what has leaked out already there will have to be a tax increase, well above the rate of inflation and with a Board that has no issue with applying for exceptions to ACT1 to fund these increases over the state set inflationary rate it comes back to management and the transparency that goes along with it. Again when will this Board Majority allow the facts to be presented to the public in a public forum? Those in the minority that have fought for transparency use your voice: our voice that you represent at meeting to force these issue in front of the public. Let the majority go on record as those the will fight transparency to the public.

FYI
http://www.centennialsd.org/cms/lib4/PA01001061/Centricity/Domain/3/proposed%20final%20budget%20050712.pdf
http://www.centennialsd.org/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=110

I have been following the posts and am shocked at some of the responses. I and you have our children in this school district and I believe they are receiving an excellent education. Some of these posts attack the teachers and find nothing good about this district. Please your children are in these schools. You attack the one school board member who is trying to get the information for you. You attack the administration for not doing their job the way you want it done. There are many excellent programs and great courses of study for our children to get a good education. Yes, there could be things changed and I believe in time all of your opinions will matter with this district. Before you start attacking everyone, think about your children in these schools. I do expect to be attacked for this post but, my opinion is of value as you think yours is!!

This was told to me several years ago by a Board Member:
Back right before they voted to close the Elementary Schools, they realized keeping all the schools going would cost a little more than the tax increase would allow without referendum. The tax increase was placed under referendum and voted down. So in order to keep the schools going, they had to prove the schools were run down and needed replacement. There is a loophole with the tax code if new schools are needed they don’t need to go to referendum, the Board can just vote for it. Tax increases were and always will be voted down in Warminster because of the fixed income seniors at Anne's Choice, Centennial Village and Christ Home. Some have voting booths set right up in the lobby. They walk down and vote no. However in doing so they didn’t realize the loophole would cost us all more.

Eveyone should voice their concerns and I am glad to see people do so.

My point is you ask board members questions and they give no soild answers. This is the typical repsonse you get with our board, Ms Lynch wants to act like she has the taxpayers back by posting on this blog. When her voting record differs. Look at the contract her and the other four just approved, You ask simple direct questions and she just links you to pages with numbers that no lay person can figure out and tells you this is now complete !

Our disctrict needs a change, We need board members that are transparent and open to the public. The current board is leading this board to a cloudy financial path.

The district posts a current version of its multiyear forecast here, along with several years of audits. What is not transparent?

My question towards transparency lies in the old attaché the “devil is in the details” when you look at the gross numbers it appears that are overall teachers salary cost are going down. What is not expanded in the REQUIRED Audit that is published is the break down. Or was it explained in detail to the Public before the majority voted to approve it without allowing the public to vette it. That decision was ANTI-TAXPAYER.

What is this new contract is costing us as it is compounded year after year during its term ( this is the Growth we should be concerned about). As teachers progress thru the salary matrix there raises become compounded so what appears to be a 1% raise is all actuality is a 3 % increase when it is compounded across the salary matrix. As there salary grows are level of contribution is also compounded. Social security payments go up and the PSERS payment goes not , not including the fact that today it is 8+%, next year it will be 12+%, and expected to hit 21+ % but 2016. The Board may not be able to control PSERS but it can control salary growth that would limit the overall growth in PSERS. Wouldn’t you like to be able to collect both Social Security and PSERS?

Also these numbers, I assume reflect the reduction in staff. While that easily gives the appearance that we are saving money it dilutes the reality how much more this contract is costing us over the previous one. Why does this matter well first of all let’s look at the rest of society? Have you gotten a raise? If so how much is it? Do you pay much more for your health benefits? Is your coverage as good? Do you have a guaranteed benefit plan like PSERS that will pay out 75% or more based on your last three years before retirement? It used to be traditionally Public service workers accepted a little less salary than their private sector counterparts because the benefits and job security
exceeded the private sector environment. Today we have a reversal; the protected unionized public sector employees have exceeded the private sector employees in job protection, salary and benefits. We elect people to represent our interest and then they ignore us or the present only part of the story. When was the last time a teacher was let go for poor performance? How often does that happen in private industry?

We are the ones supporting them and we have risen their to a status that well exceeds are own. I have no real issue for what someone can make either public or private but when we gave a system that rewards just because you are their longer or you have increased your education credits that we help pay for but then have no real system to judge whether or not that is making an impact in the performance of the their job through some sort of merit evaluation, it a system that just makes no sense. In the history of Pennsylvania schools year after year teachers and administration receive a satisfactory or un satisfactory rating last year it exceeded 95% satisfactory statistically impossible but this is the only way we can judge those with a very important job in the current system. This system doesn’t breed excellence it breeds complacent.

The business manager has listed the value of the contract raises separately from any savings from reduced head count or retirements. I think I saw it on the document "budget in brief." He even came to a home and school meeting at our elementary to explain the projections to us.

Matt I would appreciate it you could post the link with this specfic info. Because I looked at the budget brief and I don't see any such breakdown that you state.

Here's where I found this year's cost of the contract (1st page, left hand side):

http://www.centennialsd.org/cms/lib4/PA01001061/Centricity/Domain/3/proposed%20final%20budget%20050712.pdf

Here's where I found the long range projections:

http://www.centennialsd.org/cms/lib4/PA01001061/Centricity/Domain/3/projection%20051412.pdf

All we can do right now is voice our concerns tomorrow night at the meeting. If you are not in agreement with the new bell schedule and other issues, please be at the meeting and let your voice be heard!!!!!! We can change the direction of this district if we all stand together and united and let the board know that things ARE going to change for the better!!

Unfortunately until the SB stops having their behind blosed doors Executive Sessions, nothing is going to change in this District. Dr. Pollack and Mr. MIller have little regard for the tax payers. Dr. Cressman and transportation will sit up there tonight and state "this is the best we can do". The rest of the the board members, will give a speech of how much it is hurting the community and how unfair it is but they will screw our kids and us in the end and not think twice about it come tomorrow. Where is all the money that they told us we would be saving by closing these schools? Did our high school really need $10,000 sky lights put in, $500 hand dryers, or even tampon dispencers in elementary school ? Was that really education value or keeping up with the Jones or should we say CBW CBE? Everyone can say this whole fubar was for education, but the truth of the matter is they spent $$$ millions on useless pretty objects that would have been better spent on buses, teachers, full time kindergarten, and a lower tax raise.

Mr Hezel I appreciate your repsonse to my posting,

Residents and Taxpayers like to thank you, This response from you shows the typical arrogant response we residets can expect for our board members.

These are tpical governement responses from elected officials

They think they are above us, Our voice are held is little reguard. If you and the other members were doing your job correctly their would be open communication with residents to financial decisions in our district. No wonder so many residents do not trust this board.

If you have a problem with residents and taxpayers questioning your actions I think you need to step down Mr. Hezel .

Our board members have shown over the last few years that financial responsibility towards this district does not exist ! We all need to wake up and create some change.

Concerned - just an FYI, Mr. Hezel is no longer on the board, and with the statement he made above, I am glad that he is not.

I believe Mr. Hezel, Mr.Reinboth,and Mrs.Mueller all stepped down before they could be voted out. They all ram-rodded these projected down the communities throat without a thought to consequences. "Good Riddence" would be the appropriate sentiment and "thank you for a wonderful legacy"

I have a child graduating this year from Centennial School District and all I have to say is I'm glad it will be over, that I never have to step foot at any of these schools again. Everyone is discussing money but set that aside because it will never change. The school board members do as they wish. There are so many problems at these schools. I'm going to Pick on the High school because that is where I have the most recent knowledge. Students find the school a joke. The rules are made up sometimes as they go along and punishments for misbehavior and not justified with what the student does. They are so extreme and go above and beyond with the punishment. Students are treated like prisoners. Understand I am not saying that students can do whatever they want but it's way too excessive. There are a lot of bad apples (Staff) at that school. I have never been a parent that walked into school and said "Oh no not my child" I never had blinders on. I would go in and listen to the issue from the school and also from my child. Some times it was my child but I found out over the years that the school made mountains out of mole hills so to speak. and found a lot of the times it wasn't my child. There are so many things going on over at the High school that the school board and the superintendent have no clue and most of it has to do with some of the staff. Now don't get me wrong there are a lot of good faculty but seems there are way too many bad apples.

Most students would treat faculty with respect, if respect was given back. I myself have felt what the students go through with faculty. I called and spoke to a disciplinary faculty person and was talked down to. I am a grown adult and should be talked to like one. The schoolboard needs to clean out some staff and reorganize programs and rules. Stop worry about building bigger and better schools and keeping up with the Jones', worry about the students education and implementing updated education. Why is it required that my child learn Shakespeare for example. How about a required class that teaches a student banking?? for example how to balancea checking account, how not to get into trouble with credit cards. things that will prepare them in adulthood. This is just a small example. My opinion of this school district is very low and I guess at this point I am grateful I do not have to deal with the school district much longer. Good luck to the rest of the parents who still have children in the school district and for those about to put their children there don't seek a different school district!!!