We would assume that the board as a whole is the author of the following leter to the BCCT since there is no single person with his/her name attached. It sounds alot like Bill Hellmann with some Marlys "I won't ever be reponsible for someone else's children" Mihok, and even some Sharon "The board is doing a great job..rah rah rah" Hughes qualities. We have several issues with what he/she or they wrote. First, put your name on the letter. If the paper made a mistake, it's on them, but if the ghostwriter cannot even put their name on a letter, what does that say about your credibility? The writer mentions all of the savings to the taxpayer, but forgets to mention that they are operating with 1 less school. Surley that is part of the savings. "We want the public to see what we are seeing - genuine progress and genuine pride in what is happening in Morrisville schools." Are you kidding?? This is a new one. Now they are borrowing/stealing lines from their opposition in the upcoming election. This board majority has NEVER asked for public input, and never cared to show what they were doing. You want to see what this board has done?....drive on over to M.R. Reiter , there you will see a shell of what used to be a school. Need to see more of what this board has done....drive on over to Grandview school...here you will find trailers parked on top of what used to be a playground for the students. Want to see more....Head on over to the Intermediate/High School, or whatever they are calling it these days on the first day of school. Here you are likely to find the most dangerous traffic snafu in town. Created by......The Morrisville School Board. Thank Guys! What else has the board done "well"? After all they want the public to know what they are doing...let's get it all out and clear the air!
from the BCCT:
On the road to financial stability and educational quality
Bucks County Courier Times
The Morrisville School District has completed, or is in the process of completing, three important matters. And so it is a good time to outline what we are doing to improve our financial footing and our facilities.
First, we have reduced our expensive debt load significantly; secondly, we are in the process of upgrading two school buildings that will be in excellent shape when completed; and lastly, streamlining our educational and business operations.
Morrisville is a small town with a very limited tax base, yet we have the highest school tax millage rate in Bucks County! Our small school district with a total enrollment of approximately 830 students (K-12) does not have the broader tax base of districts like Council Rock, Pennsbury or Neshaminy.
This is why it is incumbent upon our school board and the administration to do the best we can with what we have and improve efficiency wherever we can. This board's policy is to demand value for every tax dollar we spend and, unbelievably, some have criticized us for that.
For the most part, we are a school board with a philosophy that sees the school district "checking account" with a fresh eye and most of us try to treat it like our own household account. This is a basic, best business practice that does not conflict with providing a very good educational program.
Here are some of the facts: In January 2008, our board refunded early a substantial portion of expensive bonds we inherited and saved our residents more than $34 million, which amounts to thousands of dollars for each home in our borough. We are proud of that.
We also added more than a million dollars to the general fund balance through reduced debt service that was owed in April 2008. This money will be used for the education of our children instead of being paid out to "wealthy" bond investors.
In June 2008, we hired an outstanding special education manager (Anthony Gesualdi) who is in the process of making our special education department more efficient, while he is clearly mindful that services are not reduced for our special needs students.
We want the public to know that we, the Morrisville school board, decreased school taxes two years in a row with no cuts in educational quality, programs or athletics.
For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the board decreased school taxes.
For the new fiscal year, July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the board - in cooperation with a mostly new administration, decreased the annual, general operating budget by a total of approximately $1.5 million.
When was the last time this happened in Morrisville or anywhere else in the state of Pennsylvania? The answer is NEVER.
School superintendent Beth Yonson assured the public that "all the cuts will not change any of the programs we've been doing."
I don't want to criticize the previous board of education because the election is over, but the public should be aware that two years ago voters rejected a plan to build a new K-12 school building that would have resulted in a huge tax increase for each homeowner in a town struggling during this economic downturn. We have put aside any plan for a new school and concentrated on effective money management, responsible spending and renovation.
Among the decisions approved by the school board are improvements to school buildings that were sorely in need of maintenance and repair. For example, we are now performing substantial interior upgrades to the middle/senior high school, again, without raising taxes. The cost is an estimated $4 million and includes new boilers, new unit ventilators, electrical, HVAC upgrades and more. The changes are expected to be in place when the students arrive in September.
Also, another (approximate) $2.5 million will be spent on the Grandview Elementary School for new windows, boilers, electrical and plumbing upgrades and HVAC upgrades. The new windows for Grandview are energy efficient and will make the building warmer for our children in winter.
Eleven teachers accepted an early retirement incentive program offered this year. The teachers were replaced by other teachers who come to the district with fresh enthusiasm and excellent credentials. This is another plus for Morrisville.
I have written this letter to clarify misunderstandings and misinformation and to point out that tough decisions are being made every month as we try to strike a balance between our obligation to spend wisely and our obligation to provide quality education and a safe environment for our students. This balance and this goal is what we strive for month after month. We want the public to see what we are seeing - genuine progress and genuine pride in what is happening in Morrisville schools.
