ASD Dr. Kerr Hired to Head Norwin School District

by David Croyle

Armstrong School District Superintendent Dr. William Kerr, 58, was hired last night by the Norwin School District in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania as their new superintendent.

The Norwin contract sets Kerr’s salary at $130,000 per year for five years. The new contract takes effect on July 1, 2010, although Norwin Board President Robert J. Perkins was hoping Kerr would be available as soon as four weeks.

“We have details we have to work out with a transition plan,” Perkins said. “Either he will come earlier or (the current superintendent) Dr. Boylan would stay later.” Boylan, who has been working for Norwin since 1992 as director of elementary education and took over as superintendent five years ago, is scheduled to retire on June 30, 2010.

Kerr said last night that he was not willing to discuss the transition until he has had the opportunity to meet with the ASD school board. However, during an Executive Session meeting following last night’s school board meeting, Kerr told ASD directors that his new position “offers very good benefits and a chance to continue teaching.” Kerr’s current three-year contract which was renewed last August and began in January 2010 calls for a base salary in the low $140,000 range with extended financial perks.

The Norwin school board voted in favor of Kerr’s contract by 7-1, with Board Member Thomas J. Sturm casting the lone dissenting vote.
“I am not demeaning Dr. Kerr’s credentials, but I was looking for some home cooking from our candidate to rise to the top,” Sturm commented just before the vote was finalized.

Sturm was referring to Norwin High School Assistant Principal Timothy Kotch. Kotch, along with Kerr and Freeport Superintendent Dr. Stan Chapp were the three finalists from eighteen applicants.

Norwin board member Del P. Nolfi, Jr., said he voted for Kerr because “he is big at building partnerships with businesses and universities.”

When asked about the quality of Kerr’s work at ASD, Nolfi said the Norwin board was aware of recent issues. “As with anything, you have mixed reviews. The only negative we found was in closing of schools that sparked some people. As much as he hated closing schools, he felt it was best fit for them (ASD) financially.”

Nolfi also indicated that there were existing relationships between Norwin staff and Kerr.

“Several of our administrators have actually worked with him in the past in other schools. There were quite a few crossovers between Dr. Kerr and us.”

For Kerr, family relationships also play a part in his decision. His daughter. Lisa Rodnicki, has been teaching Physical Education for the past three years at Norwin.

According to Norwin’s policy, Kerr has twelve months to move his residence from the Apollo area into the Norwin School District.

“He indicated he would move from the getgo,” Nolfi said. “He showed an interest in making such a move. Because the superintendent is the spokesperson for the district, he feels he should be part of the community.”

Perkins said that Kerr scored high marks from the initial screening of applicants, through the first round interview process to a public forum that was held involving community business owners and school representatives late last month.

“Kotch and Kerr were both qualified candidates,” Perkins said. “It was a tough decision for the Board. With Dr. Kerr and his experience, we felt he would get up to speed quicker.”

Perkins said he was impressed with Kerr’s years of experience. “I believe he can continue what we have started here. Educationally, we want to move forward and not become stagnant. A charter school is something we have to address, and we are expecting him to help us with that since he has done it before.”

Kerr is the latest ASD administrator leaving the district. Assistant Superintendent Larry Robb will be leaving to work for Freeport School District. Assistant Superintendent and Human Resources Director Dr. Frank Garritano’s contract was not renewed by the school board. It will expire June 30, 2010.

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• By johnnymydear, April 19, 2010 @ 8:31 PM

  ASD is definitely losing an administrator that was concerned and did his best for the district as a whole. His leaving is going to have a huge negative impact to our community. What other administrators are going to leave, rightly so, do to the misgivings of the super six? The district is on a downward spiral, now that downward spiral has just been exponentially sped up. Now, my more recent concerns: What puppet are they going to hire so that it is easier for the puppeteers to control the strings?!
• 

  By ToddLuke, April 19, 2010 @ 9:52 PM

  I wish him well in his new position. I wonder how long the list will be of candidates flocking to fill this position?
• 

  By DANBOY, April 19, 2010 @ 11:07 PM

  CONGRATS DR. KERR. Thank you for your hard work and your professionalism. Now we can let the inmates run the asylum. How surprized were you the vote wasn’t 6-3??? Once again THANX and GOOD LUCK.
• By WOW, April 19, 2010 @ 11:32 PM

  CONGRATULATIONS Dr Kerr, to both you and Norwin School District! Thank you for your service and all that you did to try and better our district. Our loss is Norwin’s gain. That is now 2 administrators on the board’s railroading of our district. How many more are about to hitch a ride? WOO, WOO! Full speed ahead! How fast can this board drive them all out???
• 

  By ASDpayer, April 19, 2010 @ 11:33 PM

  In the face of antagonism, downright stupidity, name calling, and bad behavior, Dr. Kerr has kept an air of professionalism and showed his great integrity. I wish him well. He did much for our district. You have to wonder who would come into this situation knowing the level of school director and the quality of their decisions. They can hire a puppet. That would be a mistake. We need another administrator who is not afraid to seek the truth and make hard decisions.
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  By bweitzel, April 19, 2010 @ 11:46 PM

  Congratulations to Dr. Kerr. Thank you for having vision and character. ASD will miss your leadership. What a huge loss for our district though. It’s scary to think what’s coming next…
• By Linda, April 20, 2010 @ 7:22 AM

  Norwin had 18 applicants. They narrowed the field to 6 and then to 3. They held a community forum at which all the candidates were asked questions. And then they chose Dr. Kerr. What does that tell you, people of Armstrong? It should tell you that we have just lost a highly qualified leader. Norwin recognized that. Their gain in most certainly our loss.
• 

  By RizzoSports, April 20, 2010 @ 7:30 AM

  The ASD Board put words in the of Kerr mouth all the time. I hope we get someone who is outspoken and of course logical. I don’t think the school district is viewed in a much better light now than it was when he started. However no one will argue that it wasn’t a difficult situation. This district needs an exceptional leader to turn it around, hopefully we’ll get one, but who knows.

  Does anyone know what the next steps would be to find and hire a new administrator.
• 

  By Jan, April 20, 2010 @ 8:12 AM

  This is a bittersweet moment I’m sure for Dr. Kerr. As our top administrator he fought hard to see the ASD enter the 21st. century and took quite a beating at the mercy of the current school board. However, being the gentleman that he is- he continued in his capacity with professionalism and vision. As I view the photos of the Norwin school district above, I can’t help but envy those in Norwin for what they have and for what they are about to get in hiring Dr. Kerr. Finally, his visions on sound education will be supported in his new position and for that, we are happy for him. And here we are, wondering who the next administrator will be in this district. I can’t help but wonder what the criteria will be in hiring someone. Perhaps if we come up with the criteria for this job, it would read like this: “If you are looking for a job that requires nothing more of you than to be a puppet; say yes to all board decisions, have no vision on the future of education and don’t mind being brow-beat and having a certain someone look over your shoulder on every decision you try to make and don’t mind that the horse and buggy era will return to this district then please apply to the ASD. And I’ll bet that potential candidates won’t be interviewed in a public forum for business leaders, community members and school officials to interview firsthand any leading candidate. Truth be known, I’ll bet someone has already been “hand-picked” by a few board members- just as the new solicitor was. Start saying your prayers ASD communities- and for those who happen to truly care about education that produces forward-thinking vision, head to the nearest Wal-Mart, put a “for sale” sign up in your yard and keep your fingers crossed that you can sale your home fast and get the heck out of this district.
• By Bobcat, April 20, 2010 @ 8:53 AM

  As you will all see, after Dr. Kerr is gone, you and your kids meant NOTHING to him.
  Everything he has done and will continue to do is for his own political and personal benefit.
  As far as the board meeting last night, Dr. Kerr did everything but call those parents, that spoke about bullying, liars.
  Why would parents lie about that. The Administration should be ashamed that there is known bullying that has gotten to the level parents spoke about.
  Actually having to take their children out of school to be home schooled-because of a bully. That is appalling!
  That goes beyond any school opening or closing. Unreal!
• 

  By Jen16226, April 20, 2010 @ 8:55 AM

  I want to Congratulate Dr. Kerr on his new position and wish him nothing but the absolute best.
  In addition, Thank You for trying here.
• 

  By scott_starr, April 20, 2010 @ 8:57 AM

  The brain drain continues.
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  By reed619, April 20, 2010 @ 8:58 AM

  Congratulations and thank you Dr. Kerr. You were a huge asset to our district and will be greatly missed. I pray that ASD will be fortunate enough to have our next superintendent be as professional and caring as you’ve always been. Best wishes to you and your family.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 20, 2010 @ 9:02 AM

  BTW……isn’t amazing that a community can come together to listen, hear, communicate and decide things together.
  The key to that? Their district is NOT made up of 4 high schools, but of one(but then again they do not have the miles upon miles to deal with either) and therefore have to learn to work together for the betterment of their High School students.

  Isn’t it a shame that our district can not have a gorgeous campus like other schools not that far from us and that grown adults can not work together for the betterment of OUR district.
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 20, 2010 @ 12:16 PM

  Bobcat, I will personally call Rita Hagofsky a liar. She stated that her daughter did not get to play basketball on Senior Night because the coach said “She was from Elderton”. Anyone who knows Al Davis knows that he would NEVER do something like that. Al Davis is a fair and respected coach. If her daughter didn’t play it was due to something else other than where she went to school previously.

  When students violated the conduct code by drinking at a party after the Snowball, guess what? He held those girls accountable for their actions and held them to the code of conduct that they signed, along will all other athletes in the district. Ask if the same thing was done with the boys basketball players?
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  By bweitzel, April 20, 2010 @ 1:28 PM

  The problem with extremely small schools (like Elderton) is that everyone is allowed to play any sport or participate in whatever they want to because there is NO COMPETITION. A lot of times kids play on varsity teams (when they shouldn’t) because they need the bodies - heck, they practically beg you to play at times.

  I just think that it’s a crime that we limit our kids opportunities by clinging to the past. In larger high schools if a child doesn’t excel in a particular varsity sport, they have many other choices. Let’s see - swim team, field & ice hockey, golf, girl’s only soccer, track & field, and that doesn’t even touch on any of the clubs or other social activities a larger school can offer.

  But let’s keep things status quo - that seems to be the district’s “long term plan”.
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  By Jen16226, April 20, 2010 @ 3:03 PM

  Bobcat…..

  You stated “As you will all see, after Dr. Kerr is gone, you and your kids meant NOTHING to him”

  I am sorry, but I really would like to know why you post this?

  Is it not the School Board that doles out punishment for something with as strong a magnitude as a knife in a school?

  Also, I am going to agree with a comment that RudyTuesday made.
  Because of mine and my husbands daughters involvements in Basketball in FC, I have met Al Davis several times and spoken with him.
  He is a very fairminded coach who has a love of the game and wanting the best for his players and he is not afraid to reprimand them either.
  I can only assume that perhaps something was taken out of context with Ms. Hagofsky’s conversation with Coach Davis or something to that effect, because I just can not believe that he would bench someone on Senior Night because they originated their career at another school.
• 

  By Jan, April 20, 2010 @ 3:11 PM

  @Bobcat.
  You stated: “As you will all see, after Dr. Kerr is gone, you and your kids meant NOTHING to him.
  Everything he has done and will continue to do is for his own political and personal benefit.
  As far as the board meeting last night, Dr. Kerr did everything but call those parents, that spoke about bullying, liars.”
  What meeting were you attending?
  For the record- Dr. Kerr is not a stupid man- he saw the handwriting on the wall and like anyone, when the position became available he did what any one of us would have done. He cares deeply about this district and the students in it- but when every recommendation that he made that would have improved the conditions of this district were riduculed and dismissed- it’s a wonder the man didn’t have a break down- or better yet, lose his composure to the person on his left- but he’s a gentleman and a true professional. And he did not call those mothers who spoke about bullying last night liars- he said that they make every effort to take care of these situations and he told them that he would contact them to discuss this further- he was not going to use the meeting to further investigate the matter. It was neither an appropriate time or place. If this board would get focused on the things they should be doing and staying abreast of what is going on in the rest of the district- they wouldn’t have looked so shocked at what they heard.
  Bullying is an epidemic across this country- not isolated to Armstrong and it’s a serious issue. Bullying occurs when children feel inadequate and inferior to others and use their physical selves to promote their own self worth; chances are this starts in the home. Schools are vehicles for learning; not to take the place of parents who chose not to see what’s going on with their children. It’s a sad state when everyone thinks that the schools are supposed to raise your children- as parents, that’s our job.
• 

  By ASDpayer, April 20, 2010 @ 4:08 PM

  In further reading of this report, I see Dr. Kerr is taking a 5 thousand dollar salary cut. But probably a million dollar improvement in mental health so that he doesn’t have to deal with the likes of Bobcat and the current board majority.
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  By elderman, April 20, 2010 @ 11:19 PM

  Reply to RizzoSports; Rizzo, I have to agree with you that the school district is not viewed in a much better light than it was before Dr. Kerr started. Not much progress on his watch, but a lot of enmity created by his actions to close a school in one attendance area and bus the students an unreasonable distance so that another attendance area could build a new school. In so far as the steps to hire a new superintendent, I think the board will advertise the opening, get a list of applicants, interview them, then hire. Hopefully they can find someone who will work for the entire district, not just certain areas and groups and will not be willing to sacrifice one group of students for the benefit of others. Basically hire someone who does not have an agenda and will let the taxpayers decide how the district should move forward.
• By knn2010, April 20, 2010 @ 11:52 PM

  BOBCAT 4 SUPERintendent !!!

  does anyone know if shes qualified? She has never made a single mistake in her entire life, but shes never been in the public’s eye yet either..hmm ? ? ?
• 

  By elderman, April 21, 2010 @ 12:48 AM

  Thoughts about the Monday school board meeting:

  The behavior of the audience was again deplorable. I sat across the aisle from a couple who both felt it was necessary to talk, make loud comments, or shout every time Dr. Solak or Ms. Stitt made a statement. To that couple I say that you are both rude and ignorant. If you have something of importance to say, get on the agenda and say it at the microphone. But please do not mindlessly speak during the meeting to prevent others from hearing what is being said. Your parents would be proud. Here is some advice that you can keep saying over and over to yourself during future meetings; “eyes and ears open, mouth shut”.

  I can’t help but think that as Dr. Kerr sits through these meetings and watches the proceedings that the thought comes to his mind “what have I wrought”? By overstepping the purview of his job and attempting to push the district in the direction that HE wanted, he has created enough enmity between attendance areas to destroy the district. By attempting to push the district toward building the new consolidated high school at the expense of the Elderton school and all ASD taxpayers, he doomed himself and the district. Look at the chaos we now have. Look at the group who decries Elderton’s reopening, not for the good of the students but because they view the reopening as an impediment to building their new school. Look at who chose to cut and run when the going got tough. He has my highest recommendation to Norwin or anyone else who might hire him.

  If Dr. Kerr and the administration are doing such a good job, why did 3 people have to publically speak at the board meeting about bullying at ASD schools? Dr. Kerr’s comment that he will get in touch with these people at some future date is too little, too late. The problems described at the board meeting should already have been taken care of, not discussed at some future date.

  Lastly, ASD director Choncek gets my award for the most ludicrous comment/idea of the meeting. Up until now, director Joe Close has had a monopoly on this award, but Mr. Choncek has made such a determined effort that I feel he should be rewarded. At last month’s meeting, Mr. Choncek said that he thought that ARIN would be a better choice than Smith for the busing consulting even though ARIN’s cost was more than 3 times the quote from Smith. At the Monday meeting, he stated that he felt we should not spend the money for a consultant; that the administration could work with the bus companies to reduce costs. Hello!!! Mr. Choncek, the lights are on but is anybody home? The administration has had YEARS to improve the busing costs, why would you try to fool us into believing that they are suddenly going to do this without help? The consulting fees ($2500 for Smith) are nothing compared to the potential savings that could be achieved; savings that you and the administration apparently have not been interested in to date.
• By Bolt Upright, April 21, 2010 @ 7:25 AM

  I overheard at the last school board meeting who Director Solak wanted to be the next ASD superintendent. When I got home I looked up this person’s qualifications and here’s what I found out:

  http://tinyurl.com/3ag7ko

  Pay particular attention on what this person has to say.
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 21, 2010 @ 8:46 AM

  Oh yes, ElderAdam, of course you would want Smith Bus Company involved. You want ASD in bed with HERO as much as possible. Let’s see we are already in bed with your two hand-picked, new board members, we are in bed with your attorney, Matta, now you want us in bed with a bus company owned by a close relitive of Dave Brown, Mr. HERO himself?

  Thank you Mr. Choncek for being able to see through the BS.
• By Chris_Choncek, April 21, 2010 @ 9:11 AM

  @Elderman:

  You weren’t listening. I indicated that I’m not opposed to eventually using a consultant to work with the school district and bus contractors. However, before spending any money, why not try to meet with the contractors to come up with strategies to maximize efficiencies and reduce costs? The last time they did this, it resulted in significant cost savings to the school district due to the substantial increase in double bus runs.

  Further, it was incredibly obvious to me (and any other logical person) that IF the board majority is going to hire a transportation consultant, you would go with the company that has transportation consulting as part of it’s mission (like ARIN). You DON’T hire one of the existing contractors (with extremely limited consulting experience) to assess their competitors? It doesn’t make sense! That’s about as ludicrious as re-opening a JR/SR high school with 250 kids…..oh, wait….’Nuff said.

  And by the way, I know exactly who you are (WG).
• 

  By scott_starr, April 21, 2010 @ 9:16 AM

  @Elderman:
  you’ve out done your foolishness on your last comments.

  Let’s see, the Gang of 6 has decided to hire a busing consultant, who can profit from his own recommendation. Much like Congress who can give themselves raises.

  Another banner move.

  Second, concerning bullying. It is something which should be stopped. Dr. Kerr stated that there are policies in place, and if they are not being followed he will look into it. I fully expect he be held to his promise. If he does not keep his promise, I will be there with many, many folks who will not tolerate this.

  Third the opening of Elderton is a financial strain on this district and for what? a bunch of people who feel slighted somehow at being left out of the growth in the rest of the district? Check it out, there is no growth in the district. I guess according to you the Superintendant is a puppet who should follow the rantings and illogical desires of the board.
  Do you get headaches from cognitive dissonance?

  Fourth, I call for an investigation into the validity of Ms. Hagofsky’s statements. If they are true, the coach should be fired, if they are not true, then Ms. Hagofsky should have to pay compensation for slander and libel.

  Finally, please don’t lecture anyone on decorum. I note that HERO is playing nice now that they are getting their way. It wasn’t like that earlier on.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 21, 2010 @ 9:43 AM

  Reopening a school with 250 students in grades 7-12.

  Even with every other argument out there, will someone that supports reopening Elderton HS please explain how this makes any sense? And not just because “we deserve it”.
• 

  By Jan, April 21, 2010 @ 9:53 AM

  Bolt Upright- don’t know who you are but you sure have a sense of humor! I’m curious to hear who you heard mentioned as the next handpicked super?
  To Chris- thanks for making the clarifications to Elderman-as we see, people hear what they want to hear, not what is actually stated. I know Mr. Smith and he’s a great guy but when you have access to an IU that is set in place to assist school districts, why wouldn’t you use them? Of course, maybe the ASD wants to rid themselves of this resource also. At the rate we’re going, we will isolate ourselves into a giant bubble, untouched by the real world. I think we have too many people out there who are living in the past, don’t want to see a future and will be quite happy to provide our students with nothing more than a vision of yesteryear and have no set goals for the future.What an ideal society we live in. And for the record Chris- we all know that there are absolutely no logical thinkers in this group.
• 

  By scott_starr, April 21, 2010 @ 10:18 AM

  Here’s the best line from Solak.

  about Kerr (paraphrased)… cited declining enrollment as a reason to close the school, now you want to grant 60 transfers, that does not make sense, you are making it worse.

  Well, it does make sense, and even if all 60 would have been denies the total census would have been LESS than when EHS was open.

  Logic dictates that KERR WAS RIGHT.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 21, 2010 @ 10:42 AM

  Elderman,

  I will only speak to the one bullying incident that I do have knowledge of that occurred at Lenape.
  The child that was the “bully” WAS disciplined IMMEDIATELY. How do I know? Because my daughter was right there when everything went on.
  My opninion on Lenape Elem……Mr. Dinga and his team do an excellent job there. They are highly competent, caring, wonderful individuals who care very much about the quality of the job they are doing, the well being of the children of that school and the education they are providing. In my dealings with them, if there is a problem, they quickly address it……I have been on both sides of the coin for that one! LOL

  Now how about some solutions for bullying? I feel (yes my opinion again) that there DOES need to be a more pro-active approach with quite a few things within the district as far as the kids well being is concerned, but heck if the majority of the board directors will not answer the simplest of questions, what makes me think they want any type of idea brought to them for programs?

  I am quite confident that Dr. Kerr will address the issues that were brought to his attention though.

  And again I will ask……is it not the board that dole’s out the punishment for incidents within the schools?

  And I will also bring up yet again, WHERE IS THE BOARDS LONG TERM PLAN?
• 

  By elderman, April 21, 2010 @ 12:39 PM

  Reply to ruddytuesday; Ruddy, the two new ASD board members decided to run for the school board, HERO had nothing to do with their choice to run. HERO did not hand pick them, the electorate voted them in overwhelmingly after they clearly stated their views during their election campaigns. Their election sent a clear message that ASD voters do not want to build the expensive new consolidated school in the Kittanning area and that the voters were unhappy with the inappropriate contract awarded to the ASD teachers. We simply cannot afford to have our taxes skyrocket for the sake of a “showpiece school” or to fund the large increases awarded the teachers when the economic conditions did not warrant it.

  Mr. Matta is the FORMER Hero attorney. He was hired by ASD when 5 local residents brought an ill conceived lawsuit against some current board members. The board apparently thought that Mr. Matta could better represent them than the then district solicitor. If you are unhappy that the board hired Mr. Matta, then thank the “clever five” who filed the frivolous lawsuit. HERO lost a good attorney when the ASD board hired him; I wish Mr. Matta the best.

  Being a relative of Mr. Brown does not detract from Mr. Smith’s credentials or ability to improve ASD’s busing. Are you suggesting that Mr. Smith be penalized because he is related to Mr. Brown? Perhaps you mistakenly think that Mr. Brown is an ASD board member? He is not. Even if he were on the board, is there an ASD policy that prevents relatives of board members being hired by the district? If that is what you are saying, at what point of departure from immediate family do you feel would not disqualify a candidate? I do not think that ASD has such a policy. Surely you are not saying that the district should not hire someone because he is related to someone in a group who has different views from you. Oh, I forgot, you are the same Ruddy who advocates taking away votes that a candidate actually had cast for them. Now I understand, no further explanation needed!
• By Bobcat, April 21, 2010 @ 2:01 PM

  Jen-I simply stated my opinion.
  Jan-Again, my opinion.
  Rudytuesday-maybe you should speak at the next board meeting t oexpress your opinion of the coach, especially if she did indeed lie.
  knn2010-thats a good one. I am sure my wife would not appreciate the “she” reference but funny none the less. Also, I have stated in previous posts that you could not pay me enough to be a board director. I say now that I wouldn’t be foolish enough to work for that board either - no matter what the amount.
  Chuga, Chuga - Whoooo, Whoooo
• 

  By bweitzel, April 21, 2010 @ 2:25 PM

  Kerr said when the Norwin School District position presented itself to him, he couldn’t ignore it. “It’s an outstanding district and is ranked among the top districts in Western Pennsylvania,” he said. (Leader Times 4/21/10)

  So Norwin is ranked as one of the top districts in Western Pennsylvania…..hmmmmmm…….I wonder why they chose Dr. Kerr?

  And once again, I haven’t heard any legitimate reasons for reopening a school that will house approx. 250 students. Could it be there aren’t any?
• 

  By Jen16226, April 21, 2010 @ 2:50 PM

  Bobcat…

  You didn’t so much state an opinion as you did make a comment.
  I honestly am just wondering why you feel that way?
  I am not trying to be snarky, I am not trying to be rude. What I am trying to understand is just why you think that, thats all because you didn’t explain why you feel that way.
• 

  By Jan, April 21, 2010 @ 3:04 PM

  Elderman- you stated “Their election sent a clear message that ASD voters do not want to build the expensive new consolidated school in the Kittanning area and that the voters were unhappy with the inappropriate contract awarded to the ASD teachers. We simply cannot afford to have our taxes skyrocket for the sake of a “showpiece school” or to fund the large increases awarded the teachers when the economic conditions did not warrant it.”

  This is an asinine statement to make in light of the fact that we are now going to renovate an old,antiquated, underutilized building to the tune of $18M + to serve 250 students. Hello- is any one in there? What do you suppose the cost per student at EHS is going to be once this is over? Who do you think is paying for all of this? And get it through your head……no one is talking about a big consolidated school- NO ONE! You keep harping on that and you do it so that those who are not truly up to speed with what is going on will believe you and it is not true- Get it? No new school in the west, no new school anywhere right now- we can’t afford it- just as we can’t afford EHS. Seriously Elderman- are you any kind of numbers guy? If you were, you would see how ridiculous you sound.
  As per school policy on hiring relatives- we obviously know that you can- Solak voted to hire his two daughters- and that’s the only stipulation made in that policy- a board member can not cast a vote for a relative- and Solak did. Those of us who live in the west are telling you the same thing you are telling us- we can not afford to renovate and house 250 students at EHS- it is a total waste of tax dollars and those of us who live on the other side are paying the highest % for this. No Thanks!
• 

  By elderman, April 21, 2010 @ 3:33 PM

  Reply to Chris Choncek; I was indeed listening (or trying to in spite of the audience). Thanks for the reply, I did not expect to hear from you after receiving no reply from a previous email. If this were as simple as meeting with the bus contractors then why hasn’t the administration already done it and updated on a continuing basis. And when the administration did this exercise in the past, wasn’t it Smith Bus Co that saved the district proportionally the most money by adding double runs to their schedule? My understanding is that ASD had the Versa Trans computerized busing program for many years (about 10) but it sat unused because no one knew how the program worked. Recently, (about 2 years ago) the administration had a consultant come in and update the program and train some ASD personnel on how to use the software. Apparently the training was not adequate because the administration has had Smith Bus Co personnel come in and solve some problems with it on different occasions. Smith Bus Co uses Versa Trans in their everyday operations. That would be the same Smith Bus Company that you now feel should not be hired as a consultant. Chris, do you know exactly when the original computerized busing program was purchased and also when it was started to be used? You have made the statement that you rushed to close Elderton to achieve the savings immediately. Why not aggressively go after the busing savings instead of letting the administration continue to fumble in the dark? An added benefit is that the busing savings would be real, whereas the predicted savings for closing Elderton did not materialize. Why let the administration continue to tiptoe around a problem that they have been either unwilling or unable to solve? Putting it in words that you can relate to; giving the administration another chance to waste more money on busing is about as ludicrous as voting to place on the agenda a six mill tax cut (approximately 3 million dollars) when you were aware of the upcoming pension rate increases. ‘Nuff said!

  And by the way, you do NOT know exactly who I am. I am not WG and I want to make that clear so that he is not blamed should I misstate something. If WG is the person who I think you are mistakenly referring to, I would be flattered to be placed in his company as he is knowledgeable and articulate beyond your comprehension. Additionally, I absolutely do not care if you would know who I am, but I post as Elderman.
• 

  By slaaga, April 21, 2010 @ 3:57 PM

  Jan.. your comment…. “Bullying occurs when children feel inadequate and inferior to others and use their physical selves to promote their own self worth; chances are this starts in the home. Schools are vehicles for learning; not to take the place of parents who chose not to see what’s going on with their children. It’s a sad state when everyone thinks that the schools are supposed to raise your children- as parents, that’s our job.”

  I find this offensive. First of all, I am a single parent who is busting my rear end to provide for my child and trying to still have enough energy at the end of the day for quality time. I would like to think I have installed high morals and old fashion values. However, I can NOT control other people, or their children, their actions, or how some kids choose to spend their day or they make themselves feel better. If someone is bulling my child, and he/she has tried everything to their ability, you better believe I am going to get help. I don’t care if it takes the school and/or the school board, I will move Heaven and high water to protect my child, both physically and mentally.

  I find this
• By Chris_Choncek, April 21, 2010 @ 4:08 PM

  @Elderman

  Re: the VersaTrans software, if you would go back two years ago when I first got on the board, I urged the administration to begin using that software to realize the savings for which it was at least partially intended. That’s when they had a consultant come in. It was a long and tedious process and I think they’ve made some good progress since then. I agree that it needs to be utilized much more. I will continue to push for that.

  Regardless, I stand by my position that Smith Bus Co. is no where close to being qualified to be our transportation consultant.

  Unfortunately, this issue, along with many of the other ones I had hoped to address when I was elected have been put to the side so that our meetings can be dominated by discussions about keeping old buildings with declining enrollments.

  Your statement, that “the predicted savings for closing Elderton did not materialize” is absolutely insane. The biggest part of our budget are salaries and benefits and with the closing of EHS, we “immediately” saved millions of dollars by reducing staffing. You should be familiar with this because that same amount of money is what its going to cost the district (i.e., taxpayers) when it has to increase staffing to reopen EHS.

  And yes, I do know who you are (AG), I just typed it incorrectly. Why do you hide your identity anyway?
• By brucelee, April 21, 2010 @ 4:16 PM

  bobcat you can’t simply sit back, point fingers and waste everyone’s time. Why don’t you spend your time in a valuable manner and be the change you want to see
• By gertydeva, April 21, 2010 @ 4:36 PM

  AG…WG…whatever…Elderman…You seem to be so VERY informed of bussing. Either you are pushing for the company of your choice, or you just have TOO much time on your hands. Maybe instead of being a private citizen who is such a fountain of knowledge (sarcasm totally dripping and oozing), you should RUN next time around to be the HERO of Elderton…a one man gig…for the school that might house one or two kids.
  Also, I went to many meetings when the crowd was switched the other way around and the “loud” group was from HERO. THey were never corrected or bothered to be quiet…so why should anybody else? People were interrupted and rude then, but that must have been okay with you because you must have been part of that group.
  Also, what do you call a long bus ride, just for curiosity’s sake? ONce again I will state, long bus rides are NOT only happening to Elderton kids or only to high school kids. Look elsewhere in the district.
  Funny, I was just watching the news the other night and yet another area school district is LOOKING to consolidate with a neighboring district…low tax base, declining enrollment, etc. I know Blackhawk is one of the districts they are looking to merge with…can’t remember the district’s name, though. It is HAPPENING everywhere…and here we are OPENING schools in our wealthy area with an overabundance of populatiion (sarcasm again). This is ludicrous. we cannot afford these mistakes. To think otherwise, means a lack of mathematical skills!!!
• By jfullerton, April 21, 2010 @ 4:41 PM

  Well Elderman, here are some points to ponder:

  1. Dr. Kerr is paid to lead the school district forward. He is paid to make recommendations to the board. He made one, the board at the time moved forward on it. He is still making the same recommendation now, the board is not moving on it. Tell me what the difference is in the those two scenarios? That’s right, it is the board!

  2. What do you think the job description of a superintendent should be? I mean, what do you want to pay someone $139,000 a year to do?

  3. I would beg to differ about HERO finding candidates to run. I saw HERO supporters openly campaign for Ms. Yassem. Perhaps you did as well. But please do not insult the intelligence of the people of Armstrong County that HERO members did not find candidates. HERO was hoping for a more supportive board so it did not have to go through with the secession efforts because it had no where to go. I mean, if leaving ASD to go to Apollo-Ridge and keeping Elderton open was the goal and the only reason Apollo-Ridge did not want Elderton was because of the last board’s demands for money for the buildings and the debt, then why is HERO not approaching the Apollo board again since there is a more supportive ASD board? The ASD board could agree to give the building to Apollo-Ridge at no cost and then everyone will live happily ever after. Is it because Apollo-Ridge really does not want Elderton? Just think about it…

  4. If there was bullying done, or Ms. Hagofsky felt the way that she did, it should have been addressed long ago. Basketball season ended 2 months ago. Bullying is should never be tolerated. A school board meeting is not the time or the place to conduct such inquiries. I would think that the prinicipal’s office the day after the bullying occured and then follow up if nothing was done about it. But what can be accomplished at a public board meeting?
• 

  By scott_starr, April 21, 2010 @ 6:30 PM

  So Elderman,
  giving a tax break of $3 million is ludicrous, BUT spending at least $18Million is not.

  Again, cognitive dissonance.
• 

  By rfullerton, April 21, 2010 @ 8:28 PM

  Is there so much hate from (some) of the Elderton Attendance Area for Dr. Kerr simply because he reviewed various studies, in regard to the district, for cost saving measures, and determined that it would be in the district’s best interest to close EHS? Is that the only reason you have all this animosity and open hatred of the man? Because he was doing his job??? You act as if he was out to “get Elderton” how ridiculous a thought that is. I guess that people in the Dayton and Shannock Valley attendance areas should show just as much venom since our schools were closed (and we had more students at that time than EHS has now)??? Hmmmmm….guess the people out this way are a little more mature and accepting of what was the best decision for ALL of ASD. It takes a lot of energy to be so hateful…perhaps directing that energy to the positive would be more productive for EVERYONE? Just a thought.
• 

  By DANBOY, April 21, 2010 @ 9:21 PM

  Reply to Eldyman from Danny Boy

  I attended the meetings in 2009 with the 5-4 majority and especially the one when Ms Waratuke cast her vote to close Elderton. It was obvious she had given it much thought and understood the importance of her decision. However I had a very difficult time hearing what she was trying to say with all the catcalls coming from the HERO GROUP. So I ask you do you have a short memory or a selective one???? How about getting off your high horse??????
• 

  By Jan, April 21, 2010 @ 10:04 PM

  Slaaga,
  I’m not quite sure why you took offense to my comments on bullying? Am I missing something here? You took offense because I stated why some children resort to bullying and you commented that you try to instill good moral values in your children- that’s good- you are not one of those parents who believes it’s the job of the school and teachers to instill this in our children. You are obviously not one of those parents who beleives that bullying is ok- nor do I. I responded to an earlier post reagarding someone at the board meeting that wanted to whiplash Dr. Kerr because he wasn’t taking care of the bullying- which he was, but again, the bullying starts at home and that is where it should be taken care of.
• By asdteacher, April 21, 2010 @ 10:04 PM

  Elderman …

  You seem very informed of CERTAIN information. However, you are clearly one-sided. You HEAR and UNDERSTAND what you want to hear, and disregard anything else. You are from a SMALL town of Elderton. Say your son/daughter was an AMAZING athlete who wanted to go to school to be a profound doctor. But because they checked the “Sports” box on the transfer request, along with bettering education, they are denied these educational opportunities. Especially from a small town, students look forward to college and desperately need scholarships these days. Attending a small college on an academic & sports scholarship is what they need.

  Clearly you are trying to keep your area open and booming, but have you ever had these opportunities to better you education? And to see what else is out there in life? Or did they hand you a shovel and say “here, take over the farm duties” … DO NOT talk about how bad this all is until you place yourself in these YOUNG KIDS’ lives! To better their future, especially in today’s society, they need to GET OUT and experience life. UNLIKE when you grew up, college degrees are a MUST!!! Not everyone wants to stay in the same small town, with nothing to do but farm and play in the woods. Just because that’s what you chose to do, does NOT mean that this young kids what it for their life. 6 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD NOT DETERMINE THEIR FUTURE!

  Not only are you hurting them, but you’re hurting the entire area who will have to fund these teachers salaries. I, for one, am all about bringing back furloughed teachers, seeing I am one of them. But this is NOT what’s in the best interest for the future of the Armstrong School District. We closed a school because it only had 330 students. Now we’re opening the SAME school for 250? How can you be in agreement with that action? YOU’RE CRAZY if you think the figures go in your favor. Again, you see what you want to see. Wake up!

  As far as your battle w/Mr. Choncek, He is one of the most intelligent members they have. He has children in the district and KNOWS that they need better educational opportunities. We would be blessed if we had more like him and Mr. Rearic.
• 

  By elderman, April 21, 2010 @ 10:54 PM

  Reply to Jen; The board does not “dole out punishment” for incidents that happen in the schools. The board sets policy and the administration is supposed to have a plan to follow the policy and ensure that the plan is working. Judging from the number of speakers citing bullying at Monday’s board meeting, one must wonder what the administration is doing, or not doing in regard to this policy. These parents were so desperate that they felt their only recourse was to make a public plea to the board. This makes me think that the administration desperately needs to look at their plan or its implementation. From your post, it appears that your experience with bullying had a better result. You state that in that instance the bully was disciplined immediately. Why do you ask then about the board being the entity to dole out punishment? If bullying is occurring, Dr. Kerr’s comment about contacting the adult at some future date is too little, too late. If you do indeed have ideas or a plan or program for the student’s well being that you allude to in your post, I think it would be presumptive on your part to assume that the board or administration would not be interested.
• 

  By elderman, April 22, 2010 @ 1:07 AM

  Reply to slaaga; Great post, apparently Jan feels that you need to be told how to parent. I find many of her posts to be??????? simply Jan posts. She paints herself to be an expert on all things related to keeping Elderton closed. She wants the school to remain closed so that more funds will be available to build the new consolidated high school in the Kittanning area. She got involved in the bullying controversy to defend Dr. Kerr who initiated the idea of closing the school in one attendance area so that another attendance area could build their new showpiece school. The ASD taxpayers cannot afford to see their taxes raised to fund this new school. In past posts, Jan has worn a variety of hats and has been involved in an unimaginable array of projects. She has served as a liaison between local government and prospective businesses often answering the business owners same first question. She has been involved in determining how county government will be perceived by businesses in light of how progressive the schools are. She has volunteered what Governor Rendell really wanted when he mistakenly posted on his web site that school districts in the state should consolidate; Jan says that the governor actually meant that individual schools should consolidate. She was taken into Dr. Kerr’s confidence to learn that he pontificated that Elderton should be closed due to some as yet, unnamed study. She revealed that Mr. Markilinski won his ASD board seat with a low percentage of the vote total; it was only 96.8%. She let everyone know that the Elderton area had NO building permits from 2003-2007 when I have one that I obtained in 2004. And now she displays her psychiatric degree to inform us why bullies choose to bully and to lecture you on how to be a parent. She can do it all. What a gal!
• 

  By mcfee, April 22, 2010 @ 1:31 AM

  Jan - when mentioning that Dr. Solak voted to hire his daughters, you forgot to also post that Mr. Close voted for his father. I am sure it was just a mistake on your part.
  Jfullerton - ponder some more: 1.) Dr. Kerr has made scores of recommendations to try and “help” the boards move forward since he arrived. Most of them have been ignored. The difference between the board that closed EHS and the one that opened it - they have differing opinions. 2.) If you really believe that HERO hand-picked the 2 new board members to run for their seats, then I suppose that one could believe that the former board member from Dayton hand-picked Ms. Walker to run and when that was unsuccessful, hand-picked Mr. Fullerton for the attempt. And there is a BIG difference between standing at the voting areas, passing out cards, asking for votes, and “finding candidates to run!”
• 

  By Jen16226, April 22, 2010 @ 7:25 AM

  Elderman….

  The reason I asked if the board assists in passing out punishment for the students is I know there have been times where they have executive meetings and student situations were brought up. I know there have been instances in the past where the board helps in deciding whether a students is expelled etc, so I wondered if they too had a part in deciding punishment in this area as well because I truly did not know the answer.
• 

  By Jan, April 22, 2010 @ 7:27 AM

  Elderman- you’re priceless. You do a lot of criticizing and little of anything else. It appears that you have few of your own opinions and have to feed off of the words of others. You display some of those same tendencies talked about when we speak about bullying.
  Again you spew truthless statements and attempt to twist the words of others. Who is hearing what they want to hear?
  The report that you mention was the Dancu Report- and I told you that already Elderman ( short-term memory loss?)Take the time to read it.
  As per the other bits of knowledge I have- you know nothing about me or what I do. As an educator, you can ask any teacher about the numerous professional development workshops that are provided on “bullying” and anyone of them will tell you the same thing- so unless you’ve been involved in these- respect that others can and do know more than you. Imagine that!
  If you have something constructive to add to these posts, then by all means- post away. You have been asked on numerous occasions what visions you see for this district and up until now, you have provided nothing. I would think that someone who is so knowledgable about so many topics could surely enlighten all of us.
  Based on all of your expertise- perhaps you should consider filling the superintendent’s position that is now available- now that would be priceless!
• 

  By Jen16226, April 22, 2010 @ 7:32 AM

  Slaaga,

  Sorry, but it does all begin at home.

  Please go read my post in the new bullying topic.
• By jfullerton, April 22, 2010 @ 7:39 AM

  mcfee,

  Would Ms. Yassem be related to Ms. Stitt, who is a member of HERO? So again, please do not insult the intelligence of the residents of Armstrong County. And yes, I was asked to run, never said that I was not asked. But hey, try to turn the point around, always a good defense. I never said that it was wrong for HERO to find candidates that support the efforts, just do not tell me that it did not happen.

  And you made my point for me, it is the board that makes the final decision, not the superintendent. Because all the super can do is recommend his thoughts to the board, it is up to the board to approve or not.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 22, 2010 @ 9:29 AM

  I think that HERO members and/or supporters have their undies in a bunch because their own attendance area has finally spoken. Over 20% of the student body @ EHS has requested transfers out of that school, AND this is something that can’t be blamed on the people from Kittanning.
• 

  By slaaga, April 22, 2010 @ 9:50 AM

  Jan.. I take offensive to the idea the bulling is as “simple” as handle it at home. Do you suggest we sweep it under a rug and ignore it? I CAN control MY home, that doesn’t mean I can control the home the bully may come from. So, I guess I just tell my child that their self esteem, pride and safety is fine when they are at home… but they don’t need it once they walk out side their front door. Basically, that is what you are saying… handle it at home. I want to know that when my child leaves for the day, they are safe, physically and mentally.
  This is a BIG reason I believe in smaller schools. No matter what the school, you are going to have students who get lost in the shadows. The bigger the school, the bigger the shadows, the more kids lost. Not all children are going to be the star football player, or the head cheerleader, or the honor roll student. Some kids just need that extra push and that extra help with the learning process. It is my opinion that those students are easier to identify in a smaller school, and in smaller class rooms.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 22, 2010 @ 10:27 AM

  Reply to slaaga:

  Small schools are not the answer to solving bullying issues. Kittanning Twp. Elementary is the smallest school in the district and bullying still occurs.

  I can say from personal experience that when a child is labeled as “different”, say, in the way they dress, their political views, their interests, etc. there just isn’t much tolerance in a small school setting for those individuals to express themselves without being made fun of, singled out or simply left out.

  Bigger schools at least offer a child the chance to connect with others who share their interests, or who may be considered “different”.

  So what do you do when your child attends a school with 40 kids in his or her class, the academic classes and extra-curricular activities are limited AND you now say to them that they can’t transfer out of that environment?

  I think you are fostering the perfect environment for bullying.
• 

  By ToddLuke, April 22, 2010 @ 11:15 AM

  @ Elderman et.al…

  School boards do get involved in discipline issues based on board policy. Drugs, weapons, threats, and any infraction that may result in expulsion must be decided by the school board at a formal hearing. Student and parents decide whether or not hearing will be open to the public of private. There are instances that an informal disposition can occur in that a student is placed in alternative education for infractions of the code of conduct. They are not expelled from school but excluded. These rules and regulations are all part of the PA school code and policies adopted by the local school boards after review by the solicitor.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 22, 2010 @ 1:02 PM

  Slaaga,

  I think you are taking what Jan is saying out of context.
  She is stating that if a child is a bully…..NOT the one being bullied……that appropriate measures to control that need to start at home….and she is correct in that.

  I am going to take a shot in the dark and say your child was one being bullied?
  That sucks when it happens to any child. It does. And harder is if it is happening IN school, be sure that the bully is also demonstrating this behavior outside of school as well….so if that bully is on your bus, more than likely they are in your neighborhood and then what?
  Well the school can not be the only authoritive measure in that childs life. That is when you decide that you have had enough and you go to bat for your child by knocking on that bullies door and talk to the parents about it….and you document it. If the behavior continues(especially outside of the school) then you need to find someone to mediate a further discussion with those parents because apparently they are not doing THEIR job as a parent.

  No matter what the size of the school, you are always going to have kids that seem to think they are the big fish in the little pond, however when you state your opinion that some kids need that extra push and extra help in the learning process is more the job of a private school, not a public one. The teachers in the schools, while I am sure really, truly want to be able to spend individual time with kids so they can “get it” can’t when there are 15 other kids that need their help as well and if it is to that point where a child can’t grasp it (I am not sure on this 100%, but I know there are teachers here that can correct me) I think that is where a teacher should/would decide if an IEP needs to be done.
• 

  By slaaga, April 22, 2010 @ 2:49 PM

  to bweitzel. I disagree with you. There are pro’s and con’s to every situation, including the size of the schools.
  As far as bulling, it is there with the bigger schools, it is just easier to hide. Atleast with the smaller schools and the smaller classrooms, it is easier to identify and easier to work with. There is always going to be someone who is afraid to speak up, who needs encouragement and who needs one on one treatment… not every child can get this at home.
  I think there needs to be training so that we are identify the warning signs. Maybe some of these problems can be stopped before they grow out of hand.
• 

  By Jan, April 22, 2010 @ 3:59 PM

  Slaaga,
  I don’t think you’re reading what I say correctly. We are talking about bullying and your concern for the safety of your children- who are not bullies. I merely stated that the problem with bullying is an epidemic in all schools, small and large. Please don’t kid yourself that bullying only occurs in larger schools. What I’ve been trying to say to you is that based on some of the comments made at the board meeting, people are of the impression that the school is responsible for the behavior of these students and that’s false. The behavior of a child is the responsibility of the parent. The schools responsibility lies in taking care of the incidents as they occur on school property and actions are taken to determine the best course of action for the student charged. As Mr. Luke pointed out- it’s all spelled out in the PA Code of Conduct. But I’m still confused as to why my comments bothered you? We’re talking about bullies, not your children.
  As parents, we all want to know that when we send our children off to school that they will be safe, as does the school. They take every precaution to ensure their safety but when you have students who have no respect for rules and regulations, that’s up to the parents to instill that in them.Schools enforce the rules- parents teach their children about the rules and the proper way to act; how to handle themselves in a respectful manner with adults and peers and that using verbal or physical force is not tolerated. If parents don’t teach these things to theri children- who will?
• 

  By bweitzel, April 22, 2010 @ 5:18 PM

  slaaga,

  You are right - there are pro’s & con’s to every school, no matter the size, but I don’t think that we have a single school in this district that could be considered large.

  The point I was trying to make is that when you have more kids in a class, say 125 instead of 40, a child is likely to meet someone else that may share their interests. There are more teachers, coaches, along with more clubs, sports, etc. that may help keep a child engaged. Bullying happens everywhere, but if a child has interests that help build self-esteem, they are more likely to get through things.

  I just feel that a school can be TOO small and then becomes detrimental because of it’s offerings. The fact that 20% of the student body at EHS opted to transfer next year should say something. Unfortunately, no one is listening.
• 

  By elderman, April 22, 2010 @ 11:58 PM

  Reply to asdteacher; In the first paragraph of your post you imply that you are not in favor of the board denying transfers for “sports”. I read back through my posts and cannot find where I stated any opinion on transfers. I will leave this subject to the board as they posess information that I do not have. It does seem to me that the board is bound to follow the school policy in place in regard to the transfers or else amend the policy. I did post almost one month ago cautioning all that the WPIAL is very strict in regard to their transfer rules and that the situation should be clarified to prevent the possibility of the WPIAL ruling a bunch of forfeits due to ineligible players. I did not want the students to be blindsided by this.

  Six school board members will not determine solely anyone’s future any more than five members from the previous board did. When you cite numbers in trying to justify closing Elderton please do not forget those numbers in miles and time that the students must travel to their new schools. One parent in South Bend Twp. said it is almost the same distance from their home to Greensburg-Salem HS as it is to WSHS. A google map yields the information that the distance from some areas in South Bend Twp. to WSHS is the same distance as driving from downtown Kittanning to Punxsutawney. Dr. Kerr in his Kerr Report admitted that this distance is too far but did nothing about it but put those students on a bus and hope for the best. And let’s not forget that an architect hired by ASD recommended that WSHS would need to be expanded before it could accommodate the Elderton students. Was this done? At a board meeting shortly after Elderton students began attending WSHS, a food service employee reported to the board that from the time that the last lunch was served until the bell rang for the next class too start was 11 minutes. That is right, 11 minutes for a student to find a seat and eat their lunch. And the 5 members who supported Dr. Kerr’s edict that Elderton be closed all agreed that this was adequate. I would like to see them have an 11 minute lunch break and see how adequate that is when they are placed in the same situation. I am getting off the subject and could write pages of examples citing the losses and hardships that the students and parents from the Elderton area have had to endure due to Dr. Kerr’s ill conceived plan. But what is the use, no one cares about these students. The students, parents, taxpayers, and citizens of the Elderton attendance area were picked to be sacrificed so that another attendance area in ASD could build their new “showpiece consolidated high school” and ALL ASD TAXPAYERS will fund that expensive school for years.

  Getting back to the students and parents who have this unimaginably long drive to WSHS; will these parents be able to be as involved with their child’s school experience as they were when the drive to the school was not so long, expensive, and time consuming? Will they be able to attend meetings, conferences, sports practices and competitions, participate in fund raisers, etc - obviously not? Will decreased parental involvement or long hours spent on a bus perhaps reflect negatively on a student’s grades or their attitude toward school? Will these important scholarships be available if their grades suffer due to the callus actions of Dr. Kerr and his FIVE from the previous board and the short sighted, one sided plan that they chose to pursue?

  I have no idea what on earth you are talking about when you cite my “battle” with Mr. Choncek. We are merely discussing some differences of opinion that have come to light. Thanks for advising me that Mr. Choncek is one of the most intelligent members they have, I will keep this new information in mind. You also mention Mr. Rearic but did not say much about him. What about Joe?

  Finally, you cite farm activities several places in your post with negative connotations. If you mean to denigrate farmers in any way, I will tell you now that some of the finest people that I have met since moving to the Elderton area and indeed in my lifetime are farmers and I would take particular offence if that is the meaning of your posting.
• 

  By dee, April 23, 2010 @ 6:09 AM

  @Elderman. I too agree that the board should follow policy with regard to transfers. But where, in the policy, does it state that sports participation should be the basis for denial of a transfer?

  @Bobcat. The way I read the article, the woman’s son was forced to be home schooled because he made terroristic threats. It may be true that his 9-1-1 call was a call for help but his actions can’t be tolerated. Obviously the bully deserves harsh punishment as well but I think that Dr. Kerr was correct if he suggested that the matter be taken “off line.” Policy dictates that confidentiality be maintained in matters of discipline. Maybe it’s time that the board bring in some outside resources to help deal with the problem of bullying.
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 23, 2010 @ 8:34 AM

  ElderAdam, you state
  “It does seem to me that the board is bound to follow the school policy in place in regard to the transfers or else amend the policy.”

  This policy SHOULD be ammended because the board is not following it for ALL. They only followed it if it affected EHS.

  ED-6 was APPROVED, which were students from WSHS who were transferred to KHS when EHS closed. Six students wanted to stay at KHS and two listed that they played sports. These were APPROVED. Yet they DENIED the 28 that listed that they played sports in ED-8.

  The difference in ED-6 and ED-8? ED-8 affected EHS.

  WPIAL responded to the school board IN WRITING. This is not an issue with them. Thi is an issue with our board. As long as these students are transferring within out school district they have no problem with the tranfers.

  This is nothing more than the board utilizing a clause in the policy that has only ever been enforced once in the history of ASD. ONE TIME and that was because the Shannock Valley coach had an issue with one of his players transferring to another school in our district to play on a better team.
• 

  By dee, April 23, 2010 @ 9:35 AM

  @rudytuesday, I’m confused. Is the clause you are referring to the first guideline listed (policy 252)? That guideline states that a transfer should be denied if it causes disruption of a schools eligibility to participate in interscholastic sports. Is that what Ms. Stitt is using as her reason for refusal? If so, has she explained how granting the 28 transfers would disrupt Elderton’s eligibility to participate in interscholastic sports? Just curious. I know the policy also requires a one year moratorium on the high school student’s involvement in sports (which I don’t think should apply under the circumstances.) But that shouldn’t impact the decision to grant or deny the transfer.
• By argosjourney, April 23, 2010 @ 9:50 AM

  Elderman, you state “..It does seem to me that the board is bound to follow the school policy in place in regard to the transfers or else amend the policy…”

  That is all good an fine, but when in the past has the board followed school policy on transfers like they did Monday night, other than the one instance listed above?

  My children were denied their transfer request. Why? I was honest in answering the question of if they played sports. Believe you me, if sports was the reason, I would not be looking at schools in this district! I am tired of this districts children being used for political fodder!
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 23, 2010 @ 10:31 AM

  Dee Ms. Stitt voted NO on both Ed-6 and Ed-8. She said she didn’t want to set a precedent. Solak voted that way as well. No on Sports Transfers.

  Dr. Garritano gave explained the policy this way:

  Student is attending Kittanning, but family moves to WSHS, student wishes to remain at Kittanning for continuity of education and continue with sports. APPROVED Sports waiver issued.

  Student attends West Shamokin but wishes to transfer to Kittanning because he wants to play on a better football team. APPROVED but not allowed to play sports for one year.

  The difference is that in the first case, residence changed but school did not. IMHO this is the SAME situation as these current requests. These students have attended the school for a year and played sports for a year. That is their current school, they are not transferring.

  EHS was CLOSED. It is now reopening. It should be considered a new school. Those wishing to remain at their current school should be given a transfer AND allowed to play sports.

  Let’s take a walk down memory lane….when Armstrong Central and Armstrong East deconsolidated in the 90′s those kids were all allowed to pick which school they would go to AND they were all allowed to play sports. What is the difference now? Oh yeah, we have to have warm bodies in EHS. 250 students in a building that it is coing to cost 549,000 to clean and prepare for opening, 2.4 million to staff and 18 million to renovate. Would someone like to do the math? I’ll give you one figure $72,000 per student to renovate a school. What other school was awarded that much money per student to renovate a school?
• 

  By dee, April 23, 2010 @ 1:00 PM

  @rudy…I’m still confused. In both of Dr. Garritano’s examples, the transfer was approved. The difference was the waiver vs. wait a year to play sports. And I can see how the policy supports those decisions although I agree with you that the current situation should be viewed the way you described it above.

  What I don’t understand is where is it in the policy that OKs denying the transfer altogether based upon a student’s participation in sports? Isn’t that what happened…the 28 transfers were denied altogether? Or have I misunderstood the board’s decision?
• By kwiss4, April 23, 2010 @ 2:10 PM

  in the 2008-09 school year there were 816 students in the entire Elderton complex. The renovation figure of 18 million is for the k-12 Elderton complex, which makes the actual per student figure based on the o8-o9 school year 22,000. According to the leadertimes it is a total complex renovation figure.
• 

  By scott_starr, April 23, 2010 @ 3:41 PM

  @kwiss
  you added in Kttg. Twp which has/had 208 kids. They were not in Elderton Complex.
• By FORTHECHILDREN, April 23, 2010 @ 6:23 PM

  Maybe if renovations were done throughout the years at EHS then maybe it wouldn’t cost what it will now. Anyone have figures on how much was ever spent to renovate Elderton vs. the other schools in the district say in a 5 year period? Fair is Fair. Just asking for facts.
• By kwiss4, April 23, 2010 @ 7:51 PM

  Scott you are correct , so that makes the figure 29,000. My real point being the renovation is not 18 million for that 250 number.
• By Delzer, April 24, 2010 @ 7:57 AM

  $72,000 or $22,000 BOTH numbers are totally RIDICULOUS!!! I met a parent at a recent soccer game where my son was playing. She had a Norwin sweatshirt on so I asked if she was excited about getting OUR superintendent. She had only praises to share about Dr. Kerr and was quite happy to have him become part of their system. I knew the question was coming and it did. “Why do you think he left your district?” As I explained the whole ridculous story of Elderton and our current board issues, her only response was a look of confusion, pity and a shake of the head. As a teacher in ASD, I am getting a bit nervous. Who is going to run our district? There are NO more admin left. NO HR NO ASSIT. SUPER and NO SUPER. Should be an interesting summer. The circus has come to town and refuses to leave.
• 

  By Jan, April 24, 2010 @ 11:53 AM

  Forthechildren:
  You make the comment about renovating schools in this district and to my knowledge, with the exception of WSHS, Lenape Elementary and West Hills- which had to renovate/add on when they closed 3 elementary buildings(Kittanning Elementary, N. Buffalo and East Franklin), that’s about it. Back in the early 90′s or perhaps it was before that, they did do a little work at KHS and I can’t speak to FC. You are implying that EHS has been out of the loop as per having money spent on that school over the years but the fact is, there are other schools as well that could use an overhaul and they have more students in the building.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 24, 2010 @ 3:37 PM

  Forthechildren…..

  From what I understand, it is not as easy as it seems as far as renovations.
  Each building is only qualified for a certain level of reimbursement every 20 years, so depending on what building had a renovation when, it seems they each go into a “queue” so to speak.

  Here is a link to a report that Dr. Kerr had done that is on the ASD website:
  http://web1.asd.k12.pa.us/documents/spr/Kerr%20Report%20-%202008.pdf
  On acrobat, go to page 70 and it shows a listing of each school with the years they had renovations and when they are also elligible for state reimbursement for a new project.

  Keep in mind when looking at it that with some of those dates, there were still other schools open. To see those schools, go back a page in that report and it will show schools that have been closed and when.

  And I believe(not 100% sure on this) that the other thing that determines when a project can get done might be if they pay another one off or get another projects payments down to a certain level. Like I said, I am not 100% on that,but it is a thought.
• 

  By rfullerton, April 24, 2010 @ 4:20 PM

  Jan/Forthechildren: KJHS renovations in the last 5 years…make it 10…NADA!

  Delzer: Your analogy is dead on…I have always hated the circus…the clowns terrify me.
• By oldcountryhick, April 24, 2010 @ 7:09 PM

  Delzer, I reckon a person could look at a rattlesnake and think it pretty and interestin’ until it bites ya. Hope ya’ll can ask the same woman in about 5 years, if he lasts that long. As for who is ‘ppose to be a running things, the good ol boys have told me it was never ‘ppose to be a no account skunk in the first place. Your board is who folks votin’ in office is askin’ to speak fer ‘em. As fer them a fixin’ that little old school in Elderton, I reckon if ya had been payin’ for porterhouse steaks for more than 30 years and all ya ever got was road kill, you would be thinkin’ it’s a mite past time to get something fer yer money too.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 24, 2010 @ 8:22 PM

  ummmm Oldcountryhick? Could you please translate this part into english for me?
  “the good ol boys have told me it was never ‘ppose to be a no account skunk in the first place”

  And honestly, have you at FCHS? You want to talk a building that is past it’s prime! It is over 100 years old, so the people paying for porterhouse but getting roadkill applies to quite a few buildings in the district.
• 

  By elderman, April 25, 2010 @ 2:23 AM

  Reply to Dullzer, You say the Norwin parent you conversed with had only praises to share about Dr. Kerr and was quite happy to have him become part of their system. I am curious about what experiences this Norwin parent has had with Dr. Kerr that would have prompted her to praise him? Did she happen to mention any specifics or was this just your everyday general praise that people lavish on someone that they do not know? To my knowledge he has not been employed for Norwin in the past and has accomplished nothing to date in their school district. I would have counseled the poor woman to reserve judgment until she has an opportunity to see Bill in action. Kind of makes you wonder what the bullying situation will be like in Norwin in a few years! On the other hand, he may be an ideal fit. Maybe there is selfish group in the Norwin school district who want something for their particular group or area and are willing to sacrifice a different group or area (and students) to accomplish their goals. When the Norwin board was doing their search for a new superintendent, I wonder if they thought to include in their job description that they expect the new superintendent to treat all areas of the district evenhandedly.

  I absolutely would love to have heard your explanation to the Norwin woman of the current situation in ASD. I am sure that you did your best to present things as they truly are and in no way presented a one sided, opinionated, truth less, and devoid of fact account that some others may have been tempted to give. Are you sure that her response of confusion, pity, and shake of the head was not directed toward you rather than your story?

  The current board did not fire Mr. Kerr; he chose to leave when the going got tough. And people need to keep in mind that he attempted to leave ASD, (the district that he cares so much about) approximately 3 years ago for the superintendent position in his hometown of Apollo where he had previously been employed. The Apollo board chose to pass on that opportunity. His plan to close Elderton and sacrifice one attendance area and their students so that a different attendance area would have the funds to build their new “Taj Mahal” consolidated high school was overwhelmingly rejected by ASD voters in the last school director election. The voters sent a clear message that they cannot afford to build this unneeded expensive new school that they would be funding for DECADEs. The present board is correctly following the mandate of the ASD voters and is moving the district forward in another direction that has been available from previous ASD studies. And I want everyone to grasp the significance that it is the elected board following the mandate of the voters steering the district forward on its present course; it is NOT one person taking it upon himself to make decisions that go against what the voters want.
• By oldcountryhick, April 25, 2010 @ 12:43 PM

  Jen, good ol boys, is referrin’ to folks smarter than me and you. An Administrator, (boy, sure glad that page was still in my Webster’s in the outhouse, lessen I won’t know how to spell it), is to be a manager, not the boss. The folks that people a voted on is to be the boss. Ya know fer the people, by the people, like it says in the law of the land. Biggest problem in this here district tis’ TOO big and always has been. Fer the past, however many years, we have had a head polecat, thinkin he was a mink, and he had 5 littler stinkers a followin’ him, blinded by his pee. If ya’ll would get yer breeches out of a knot and let the “Super 6″, (dang, sounds like the motel, don’t it, I know they have their light on too),have a chance to undo the mess he’s been a makin’, I do believe things will get better, specially for all the youngins. As with ‘em revenuers in DC, our Administration just a keeps gettin’ bigger and our youngins a keeps a gettin’ less. How can anyone say that is common sense? Somethin’ some of ya folks don’t act like ya have a lick of. An one more example, why when I was a youngster, we had lots more youngins in the schools and we only needed one principal and one of em there fellas who help ya decide what ya wants to be, oh yeah, a guidance counselor, (had to run off to the outhouse again),so why do we be a needin’ all these people now? Could be the head polecat had some kin a needin’ a job? Just a thinkin’ aloud. I sure nough agree with ya about FC. The thing should be done there is FC and KS merge, cause they be the closest to one nother. The head polecat,(thinkin’ he was a mink), wanted a big school fer all our youngins, no matter the cost in money, travel or emotions. I betcha he layed awake at night a picturin’ his name right up there on the front a sayin’ the William Kerr High School. Nother problem, we can’t really let the youngins tell us what to do. My Ma and Pa woulda took me to the woodshed if I woulda talk’d back to em the way some of these ones do. That’s what parentin’ is all about, decided what is best fer em a for they is old nough to decided fer themselves. These is hard times we are livin’ in. Folks ten to lose sight of the important things. The readin’ ritin’and rithmitic must come first and these dang puters too. We best be a thinkin’ hard how we are goin’ do it fer most everybody. But ya can’t be a kiddin’ yerself thinkin’ everyone is goin’ agree. Many of the lines needs to be redrawn so as to make it cheaper to take the youngins to the school closest to em. Many of us has been cheated and fed roadkill over the years, not just EHS, but now is the time to start comin’ together for whats best for the youngins. On many points, we ain’t as far apart as it may appear. We just seem to be goin’ about em in different ways. Well nough said fer now. I will leave the light on fer ya.
• 

  By DANBOY, April 25, 2010 @ 9:47 PM

  Things I think I think:

  Hey old country hick I was trying to find a EHS yearbook, What year were you Senior Class Valedictorian.
  Hey Eldyman my father in law ,God rest his soul, was a dairy farmer and a very good one at that and even he did not live in the past. He understood progress.
  My senior class president got more votes than your Dr. Director Solak appointed school directors.However in 1972 I did not know they won with a mandate.
  When did you and Dr. Kerr get on a first name basis?
  Apparently the Norwin School District did not ask you for a reference for (BILL). After all you would have made such a difference.
  Dr. Kerr or as you know him (BILL)is still completing his responsibilities in his usual professional manner.I cannot wait to see the new superintendent and if he or she is not a (YES MAN} has to be a masochist.
• By WOW, April 26, 2010 @ 3:10 AM

  @oldcountrychick
  Perhaps before you sling mud and slander, you should really educate yourself in many areas. The heavier the state and federal regulations are upon public education, the more administrators required. There are so many state and federal regulations placed upon our public educational systems and therefore more administrative oversight is required. Perhaps, you are discontent with a “system” and are taking it out on the individuals within that system. Each department is so heavily mandated by government, do you seriously think this will change with administrations? Not a chance!!
• By Delzer, April 26, 2010 @ 6:27 AM

  Name calling is a form of bullying. If you want to bring about change start with your own actions. My name is Delzer not Dullzer. If I have refered to you in another name other than your posting name I apologize and will refain from doing so in the future. Although I find your responses to be irritating, hate filled,childish, and down right ridiculous you still have a right to your opinion. Just like the parent and school board from Norwin who feel that Dr. Kerr is the right man for the job. My discussion was very one sided because I was presenting the side of common sense and none of the actions taken by 6 members of the current board have anything to do with common sense.
• By Delzer, April 26, 2010 @ 6:28 AM

  Sorry I forgot to address my last reply to Elderman.
• 

  By scott_starr, April 26, 2010 @ 7:35 AM

  @elderman:
  I almost feel bad for you. I can’t imagine living life feeling slighted,inadequate,and with a sense of paranoia that peope are out to get you because you live in Elderton.
  But then I read your posts and the feeling goes away rather quickly.

  Tell me, for what areas is Elderton being sacrificed?

  Rather the district is being sacrificed for Elderton, proof is that on H.E.R.O. website it discusses taking over the school board, and not for the benefit of the district as a whole.
• 

  By scott_starr, April 26, 2010 @ 10:34 AM

  What the folks at Elderton don’t seem to remember is that Supt. Kerr, proposed to renovate Elderton, several years ago and close Kttg. TWP.

  In fact, wasn’t that Ms. Stitt’s platform for running? Don’t close Kttg. TWP.

  I guess she voted against the closure before she voted for it.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 26, 2010 @ 10:41 AM

  Anything to keep EHS open, right? I’m just wondering if the residents of the Elderton attendance area are willing to pay the kind of taxes that the residents of East Franklin & Manor Twp. pay? 18 million dollars in renovations for 250 students. What a great use of taxpayer money.

  My husband and I live in Kittanning Twp. About 5-6 yrs. ago we thought about moving to the “other side” of the river but changed our minds because of the higher property taxes. In hindsight, I guess we should have kept going west and settled in Butler County!

  And sorry, you can renovate Elderton HS all you want to - no one is moving here. My home is closer to both KHS & FCHS. If you take away the transfer option, who wants to buy my house?? No one with kids, that’s for sure.

  Also wondering, have any of you that support keeping EHS open graduated from a school with about 40 kids in a class? I have. Even if you graduated from Elderton, it is not the same school it was in the 90′s - wake up people! A school can become TOO small - why can’t anyone see this? (Oh wait, I think Dr. Kerr saw this).

  So when is my Alma mater reopening? Dayton High School was a fine community school, and it should be reopened too, don’t ya’ think?
• By kwiss4, April 26, 2010 @ 11:53 AM

  It is not 18 million for 250 kids. That 250 figure is not correct. That figure does not include the 6th grade students from this year that will attend EHS next school year, or the 7th grade students who were split betwwen WSHS and FCHS when EHS was closed. It is a renovation for the elderton complex.
• 

  By mcfee, April 26, 2010 @ 2:45 PM

  jfullerton - if took me a couple of days to do some checking but I can say that I am 100% possitive that Ms. Stitt & Ms. Yassam ARE NOT related. And that the HERO group DID NOT solicite anyone to run for board director either through Ms. Stitt or anyone who has ever attended a meeting with the HERO group. So what does that say about the “intelligent” people of Armstrong Co. that chooses to believe rumors?
  The board voted on a resolution in 2001 to take care of the needs of the elem. schools in the district then instead of immediately acting on it, they had to sit thru numerous studies (one of which was for a 1/2 tech which both Dr. Kerr and Mr. Rupp said should happen). It has been said that it takes 3 yrs. from start to finish of a building project, which as of today if they had all been done concurrently (which was doable) they all would have been done. Then you go on to the needs of the high schools. FC, KSrHi & KJrHi could have been renovated beginning in 2004. If the board at that time had begun talks on them, what ever had been decided on (whether it have been renovation vs. new vs. consolidated) would have been done by now given the 3 yr. time line. End of the “mess” we are now in.
  Jan - It wasn’t Dr. Solak’s daughters that he voted on, it was his wife as, I believe, cheerleader sponsor that he inadvertently voted on at the same meeting that Mr. Close voted for his dad. Dr. Solak was called out on it but Mr. Close never was. Why?
• 

  By elderman, April 26, 2010 @ 3:24 PM

  Reply to bweitzel, I was under the impression that all areas of ASD paid the same millage rate for school taxes (with the exception of the small area of Indiana County that is taxed by ASD). I was totally unaware that East Franklin and Manor Twp. pay a higher millage for their school tax. Please elaborate for me and all the readers how much higher the school tax millage is in these two areas as this sounds to me to be unfair to those areas and their taxpayers.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 26, 2010 @ 3:55 PM

  kwiss4, The 18 million is for the entire complex - I stand corrected on that part. But, I just don’t understand the justification to spend ANY amount of money for renovations to a high school with 250-300 students in grades 7-12. Can you honestly say that this makes any sense? Whether or not renovations SHOULD have been done in the past is irrelevant. Consolidation of the entire district should have been done 20+ years ago and that never happened either.

  If Kittanning, Ford City or any other school in the district were in this position, I would feel the same way. Now we have a large percentage of parents who have requested transfers out of EHS and they are being denied due to “sports”. Come on. If that were really the reason, why were the “sports” transfers from the other schools in the district approved?

  If the board is so concerned about low attendance numbers at Elderton High School, why did they vote to reopen it? Common sense people.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 26, 2010 @ 4:09 PM

  Elderman - It’s property values I’m referring to, not millage rates. Just wondering how many residents in the Elderton attendance area would be willing to pay $5,000-$7,000+ per year in school taxes to keep their “community school”.

  You seem to be fighting so hard for EHS - did you attend a similar sized school? Just curious.
• 

  By Jan, April 26, 2010 @ 4:59 PM

  kwiss: You refer to EHS as a complex? Seriously? Then we must be talking some big bucks to make this school a complex! As per the number 250- you had better go to your school board reps and correct them- as they are the ones who used that figure. Somebody better set them straight-oops- forget it- not possible to do that.
  Mcfee- perhaps you did not delve far enough back to see that Dr. Solak did indeed vote when both of his daughters were slated to be approved for teaching postions. They happened on two different occassions. Don’t get me wrong- I’m glad they got jobs- from what I understand, they are excellent teachers. And Elderman- anytime you want to take over my taxes, please feel free- I live in East Franklin- oh, and I don’t live in a Taj Mahal and I don’t own tons of property.
  The bottom line on all of this: The taxes in Armstrong County are ridiculously high- no one wants to live here- we get little for our money, and now, we are going to re-open a school ( I don’t care where it is) for a small number of students, spend $18M plus an additional $2.4M in staffing and this is fiscally responsible? It’s ludicrous! What we have here is a failure to do what is right fiscally and educationally, and this current board of 6 is out to prove a point- nothing more, nothing less. They want everyone to know who is in charge, who has the power and it’s nothing more than that- a power struggle. That is not what a board is to do. If you read the policy for school board representatives, they are to represent all of the people and make sound educational and fiscal decisions. If anyone can prove to me that they are doing this, I will gladly back down and say “you’re right”- I don’t see that happening.
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 26, 2010 @ 5:25 PM

  McFee,

  Solak DID vote for his daughter.
  http://www.asd-news.com/page7.html
  I will gladly locate the resolutions in the minutes for additional proof.
• By kwiss4, April 26, 2010 @ 6:10 PM

  Jan
  Seriously, that is what the building is called in all the studies and reports you like to talk about. I did not make that up on my own. I can count and that 250 figure does not include the 6th and 7th grade right now.
• 

  By mcfee, April 26, 2010 @ 6:19 PM

  Actually I was pointing out more that everyone wants to chastise Dr. Solak for voting for family members, for whatever the position(s) may be, but nobody says anything about Mr. Close doing the same thing. And as far as the board members representing all of the people in the whole ASD, you obviously weren’t at the meeting when Mr. Close announced to the whole audience that he only cared about those in the region that he represents.
• By WOW, April 26, 2010 @ 8:48 PM

  @mcfee
  Then thank you Mr. Close because no one else seems to care about your region! I am thankful that you do and are on record for it!!!!! Woo Woo! The railroading of the ASD continues…….!
• By FORTHECHILDREN, April 26, 2010 @ 8:55 PM

  Here is a news flash I live in Elderton and I pay over 5000.00 a year in taxes a year. Guess what that is what I pay whether the school is open or closed. If someone can tell me my taxes will go down if the school stays closed then show me the money.
• By bobkat, April 27, 2010 @ 1:21 AM

  ASD should hire 10,000 administrators 2 hold student’s hands throughout the day in order 2 prevent bullying. Joking. But, ASD should pay to relocate Elderton families near other schools, it would save transportation costs and approximately 15 million. Then, with that money I just saved you, employ hometown boys to build that new school.
  The nice thing is the government will pay for it up front and we don’t have to worry our kids can pay it off at a later date.

  Also, do our kids get bullying from us or do we get it from them? Because us adults? were doing a pretty good job of spitting on good people and giving them the boot. Hero has spread cat scratch fever like wildfire LADIES and GENTLEMAN. Look bobcats now writing in hillbilly for attention.. I must admit they are a lot better than his other spills
• 

  By ToddLuke, April 27, 2010 @ 11:16 AM

  What qualities, skills, and experience should you look for in a school board candidate?

  Here are some questions to consider:

  What are the candidate’s vision and goals for high academic achievement for all students?

  Does the candidate inspire parents and other stakeholders to have confidence in the local public schools?

  Does the candidate understand that the school board’s role is about the big picture - setting the direction for the district and providing oversight and accountability — rather than day-to-day management?

  Does the candidate focus on one issue or discuss a broad range of school district concerns?

  Does the candidate’s approach make it likely that he or she will be able to work effectively with the rest of the board to get things done?

  Will the candidate enhance the mix of skills and backgrounds on the board and help represent the diversity of the community?

  Does the candidate have the commitment to do what is right for all children, even in the face of opposition?

  The right person makes a difference. Think about it.
• 

  By elderman, April 27, 2010 @ 2:04 PM

  Reply to Delzer, I regret that you have chosen to become so upset about a simple typo error. Sometimes when I am answering a preposterous posting, I get in such a hurry to form my response that I do not pay as much attention to the person’s name who authored that posting as I should. To my knowledge, this happens very infrequently and I will promise to try to improve, so you should try to relax. If you will notice, the letters u and e are on the same keyboard line (hence Dul instead of Del) and I must have inadvertently hit the letter l twice. That is how it appeared as Dullzer instead of Delzer. Additionally, the fact that you forgot to address your post to me and had to go back and repost who you intended amply demonstrates how easy it is to make a small mistake when addressing a posting. Surely you are not implying that my posts cannot have any typing errors but yours can. No need for you to pursue this further, apology accepted.

  You say that everyone is entitled to their opinion. “Just like the parent and school board from Norwin who feel that Dr. Kerr is the right man for the job.” Guess what? I agree with you and with them.

  No need to tell me that your views given to the Norwin parent were very one sided. Duuuuhhh, like I kind of already figured that out. But wouldn’t it mean so much more to describe the situation in its entirety and supply people with the correct truthful information and let them form their own opinion? Did you mention to her the distance from South Bend Twp. to WSHS? Did you mention that Dr. Kerr admitted that this distance was a problem in his Kerr Report but did nothing about it? Did you mention the overcrowding at WSHS in the halls, some classes, and in the cafeteria? Did you mention that some students have 11 minutes to eat their lunch and Dr. Kerr and the previous board thought that was adequate? Did you mention that an architect had stated in a study paid for by ASD that WSHS would need to be expanded before it could accommodate the Elderton students (but was not)? Did you mention the difficulties that parents face in regard to being involved in their child’s educational experience when a round trip to the school is the same as driving from downtown Kittanning to Punxsutawney, Pa? Did you mention that parents not being able to attend school meetings, school functions, sports practices or contests, or even fund raisers could have a negative impact on their Child’s performance and grades? Did you mention that having their class torn apart, attending a new school, and spending extra time on a bus might negatively affect the student’s grades and their ability to garner scholarship money? Did you mention that it is very expensive and time consuming to frequently make this drive? Did you mention that some students did not participate in activities because they knew their parents could not afford this driving expense? Did you mention that Dr. Kerr reluctantly admitted at a board meeting at the FCHS that there were NO additional course offerings for Elderton students at WSHS? Did you mention that Elderton students were supposed to have a place in the WSHS student government but this has been ignored? Did you mention that there is no metal shop at WSHS? Did you mention that WSHS has no marching band, something that Elderton excelled at? Get the picture or should I keep going? Actually you probably quit reading because you do not care about the Elderton students just like the others who have sampled Dr. Kerr’s Kool Aid.

  Let’s drop all pretenses that closing Elderton was done to benefit the Elderton students and in fact did harm to their educational experience. The closing of Elderton (a school whose operation is paid for by it’s tax base), was inappropriately orchestrated by Dr. Kerr, in a blatant attempt to take all of Elderton’s tax revenue to eventually be used to help finance the expensive and unneeded new consolidated high school in the Kittanning area. If this plan had not been utterly rejected by the ASD voters in the last ASD school director elections, Elderton’s tax revenues and HUGE TAX INCREASES FOR ALL ASD TAXPAYERS would be used to pay for this showpiece school. Anyone who doubts this need go only to HERC’s own website where in tape number six of their ill conceived town hall meeting, ASD director Joe Close details exactly how they intend to build this new school. He describes in detail a plan that they deny exists. He describes how it could be done in stages so the expenses do not seem to be so excessive. He says that the present sports facilities could be used temporarily until more lavish ones could be built. He even says that the ASD TAXPAYERS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A TAX INCREASE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. Does this sound like they have no plan for the new school? And the other fact to be considered is that the vocational school would be incorporated into this new high school essentially making Lenape a half day program and perhaps even shuttering that facility.
• 

  By bweitzel, April 27, 2010 @ 3:43 PM

  Wow Elderman……..and you wonder why people thought you were Solak?
• 

  By Jan, April 27, 2010 @ 5:26 PM

  Interesting that you mention this bweitzel- I was thinking the same thing however, we know differnt, don’t we? I was thinking that since Elderman is so knowledgable about education and business that he might be the next Jim Solak on the board and then we can have two people who like to twist and mis-construe everyones words. Wouldn’t that be a fiasco! He appears to have the same paranoia about a super school in the Kittanning area- just like Solak….like minds?
  God forbid that “if” there ever should be a consolidated school somewhere, we might just have to be sending “get well” cards to Solak and his croonies when they are rehabing somewhere recovering from their paranoia. I wonder what they call this disease anyway? Could it be “super schizo-consolidation syndrome?
• By Linda, April 27, 2010 @ 5:28 PM

  @Elderman
  I cannot begin to imagine the time it takes you to type such long diatribes, if you are typing by any system other than the standard typing methods we were taught in high school.

  If you are typing by standard methods, using the prescribed fingers for typing, then you would type the “e” with the middle finger of your left hand, and the “u” with the index finger of your right hand. Thus, I fail to see how this could be a simple typographical error on your part, to mis-type Delzer’s name. Just sayin’
• 

  By rfullerton, April 27, 2010 @ 5:59 PM

  elderman: Perhaps you would have more positive response from people if you focused on acting your age and not insulting people every chance you get. I’m sorry but you are immature and ridiculous in your posts and most people stop reading after 1 or 2 lines thus anything positive you might have to offer the conversation is completely missed/ignored. Obviously you do not want to help the current situation of ASD and only want to try to make yourself feel superior by dismissing or trivializing all other opinions. I am fairly certain that you are the only person that finds you amusing. You must expend and inordinate amount of energy in being so hateful.
• By Thomas Close, April 27, 2010 @ 11:31 PM

  Mr Elderton April 27 2010

  You sir will never see a super school, or any giant size high school in this County as long as you have a hole, you know where !!!!!!!!!
• 

  By elderman, April 27, 2010 @ 11:35 PM

  Reply to bweitzel, You posted “I’m just wondering if the residents of the Elderton attendance area are willing to pay the kind of taxes that the residents in East Franklin Twp. and Manor Twp. pay.” When I queried you if those two areas of ASD pay a higher millage than other areas of the district, you replied that you were talking about property values, not millage rates. This explanation makes no more sense than your first statement. All areas of ASD are taxed at the same rate for school tax (with the exception of the small area of Indiana Co. that pay school taxes to ASD). As such, the residents of the Elderton attendance area do indeed pay the same taxes as those in other areas. No need for you to wonder about this any longer. The Elderton attendance area generates enough tax revenue to pay for the operation of the school and contributes to the debt service for schools in other areas of ASD.
• 

  By mcfee, April 28, 2010 @ 1:08 AM

  rudytuesday - Sorry, I missed your posting until now. Yes, I would like to know when Dr. Solak voted for his daughter(s) so if you could locate the resolution in the minutes for proof I would appreciate it. Thanks for offering.
• By Delzer, April 28, 2010 @ 6:32 AM

  Elderman do you know what a doosey is? If not let me explain. It is a whooper of a lie. That is what your whole explaination was concerning the mistake you made typing my name.So now you are a bully and a liar. As far as all the nonsense that followed the only thing I can add is metal shop really?? Where do they test that on the PSSA? Let’s reopen and renovate a whole school so 10 kids can take metal shop. That one was almost as funny as your little tale about typing. Excuses and inconveniences are not a reason to reopen an underutilized school.

  Linda thanks for seeing and explaining the same thing I saw.
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 28, 2010 @ 9:02 AM

  McFee,

  I thought you may want this information, so I have been doing some research, this is what I found.

  On August, 18 2003, Solak voted to hire his youngest daughter. You can see that the minutes archives at the ASD website only go back to 2005. Feel free to submit a Right to Know for the minutes and back up of that meeting. Everything you need to see proof for will be found there.

  On June 26, 2006, Solak voted to hire his wife as cheerleading coach. Since you have already admitted that this was true, there is no need to give you proof in the minutes.

  Furthermore, he voted to hire his oldest daughter as well. I don’t have the exact date but is was in the late 1990s.

  This information was obtained from past newspaper clippings that I have. I had an aunt, who was obsessed with Solak and his crooked dealings…..
• 

  By rudytuesday, April 28, 2010 @ 9:07 AM

  WOW ElderAdam, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that all ASD taxpayers pay the same millage, but it is the assessed value of your home or property that determines your total taxes.

  Are you saying that homes in Elderton are worth the same or more than those in East Kittanning, like in the Country Club Estates or Sedwick Heights area? Really? Are you saying that property in Elderton is worth as much as property in East Kittanning where there are two malls?

  WOW.
• 

  By dee, April 28, 2010 @ 12:41 PM

  @elderman

  Do you think you could post the link to that google map information that shows the distance from the area in South Bend township you refer to to WSHS.
• 

  By Jan, April 28, 2010 @ 1:27 PM

  rudytuesday- please forgive me for correcting you, as we don’t want Elderman coming at you with both barrels telling you how wrong you are on things. The first clarification: Solak’s oldest daughter graduated from FC in 94, graduated from IUP in 1998, taught either a year or a half year at Highlands HS and then was hired by the ASD- which would make that around 2001. Hate to make them the brunt of this posting because they are really nice girls and good teachers, but if facts are what mcfee wants, then we better give him the right ones.
  On another matter, you inadvertantly stated East Kittanning in your last posting to Elderman, and in fact, the areas that you spoke of are in East Franklin. Both the KCC and Sedwick Heights are located in East Franklin- actually, I’m wrong- the Kittanning Country Club Estates are located in North Buffalo, with the exception of two homes on that street.
  I’m so glad that you clarified for Elderman about the assessed value of properties. This is what he does best- twists things so that people reading the posts will think he’s right, when in many cases, he’s wrong.
• By Linda, April 28, 2010 @ 3:10 PM

  Regarding homes of higher assessed value, we probably shouldn’t ignore some mighty large, beautiful homes in several sections of Manor Township as well.
• 

  By elderman, April 28, 2010 @ 10:56 PM

  Reply to Linda, Delzer, and rfullerton, At times, I may post things to elicit a response from the readers. If their response is disproportionate in regard to what I have posted, the readers can gauge the responder’s motives. For instance, if I were to post that the air was calm and windless yesterday (it was actually terribly windy), it would perhaps be appropriate for some readers to challenge me on that and point out that it was not calm. However, it might not be appropriate to call me a liar, to suggest that I posted it to be hateful and vindictive, or to insist that I be jailed and executed for saying that. The other readers should be able to form the correct opinion that anything that I post will be viciously attacked, not due to its merit but due to the person doing the posting. This is what I was attempting to demonstrate in my last posting to Delzer and the HERC-PFP crowd did not disappoint me. Anything that I post has and will continue to be attacked for the simple reason that those people are against all things Elderton.

  Linda searched for her old typing manual to confirm the correct keystrokes for the letters “e” and “u”. I hope she did not spend too much time in the attic on her errand. Delzer reliably scoffed at a litany of legitimate problems for students and parents caused by the closing of Elderton. Perhaps most shocking and disappointing was a venomous and hate filled response from rfullerton accusing me of being hateful. Go figure. I would have expected better.

  I have posted things in the past to see what the response would be. If anyone doubts this, I urge them to contact Jan or rfullerton about the Kittanning pool posting but I suspect that they may be too embarrassed to discuss that fiasco. It is a blind, mindless, and merciless attack on all things involving the reopening of Elderton or the people who support the reopening and the responses that I have elicited prove my point. Oh, by the way, it was cloudy today.
• 

  By elderman, April 28, 2010 @ 11:25 PM

  Reply to Dee, I will fit you in to my busy schedule as your request is simple. Turn on your computer and go to your homepage. Do a search for google maps and follow the instructions. Good luck. I do not mean to be short with you but you really kind of creep me out when you initiate contact for something so obvious. Not sure what you really want from me. Just sayin.
• 

  By dee, April 29, 2010 @ 5:13 AM

  @elderman

  In to your post above, you state “A google map yields the information that the distance from some areas in South Bend Twp. to WSHS is the same distance as driving from downtown Kittanning to Punxsutawney.” Well, when I get Google directions from South Bend Twp to WSHS, it says that it is 21.4 mi. and takes 30 minutes. When I get the same information from Kittanning to Punxsutawney, Google yields 38.9 mi. with a 56 minute time estimate. Just sayin.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 29, 2010 @ 7:05 AM

  Elderman,

  I think you are very incorrect that people are against “all things Elderton”, because I know I certainly am not.
  What I am against as far as you are concerned is your rude postings to people and the superiority complex that you seem to exude along with them.

  In addition, you have no problem posting responses regarding other peoples opinions, however you never post your own opinion regarding situations.

  Do those things mean I hate Elderton? Not at all. Heck, does that mean I hate you? Not at all.
  This forum is here with the thought to bring forth dialogue on the events of the day and have people bring their opinions forth. You seem to be the only one not bringing forth your opinion and being rude to those that do.
  Perhaps(as if you didn’t already know this)if your brought forth your own opinions instead of cutting down everyone elses, you might garner some respect from those that do not hide their thoughts on issues. Instead, you seem to be more interested in only stirring the pot.
• By Linda, April 29, 2010 @ 10:54 AM

  Jen’s right about that, Elderman. I have friends in Elderton who are willing to talk rationally about these issues. For example, I have had excellent back-and-forth with one person who posts here regularly, and she and I are very civil to one another. We even spoke face to face at a recent board meeting! Imagine that!

  How many, many times have we asked you to share your vision for the future of this school district? But you choose, instead, to just be sarcastic, disingenuous, and duplicitous. Now that’s not name-calling-it’s applying appropriate descriptors to your writings.

  (BTW, I didn’t need to go anywhere to look at a typing manual-I type everyday.)

  And so, just for the fun of it, I will ask you again: what is your vision for this school district?
• 

  By elderman, April 29, 2010 @ 11:35 AM

  Reply to ruddytuesday, Actually, all Armstrong County ASD taxpayers pay the same millage in school taxes. A small area of Indiana County that pay their school tax to ASD pay a higher millage based on their assessed valuation. Your snippet about assessed value and millage is certainly not news and does nothing to support bweitzel’s original statement which was “I’m just wondering if the residents of the Elderton attendance area are willing to pay the kind of taxes that the residents of East Franklin and Manor Twp. pay.” You should have gone back and read bweitzel’s statement before you churlishly inserted your views on the discussion. I am saying that the residents of the Elderton attendance area pay exactly the same kind of taxes paid by the two areas that bweitzel cites. I am not saying any of the things that you ask me in you post because those questions are meaningless in regard to the question at hand. It is tax rate only that can be considered in her question and I find it hard to believe that you are so bereft of knowledge as not to realize that.

  I am sure that by now you have read Jan’s post correcting multiple statements that you erroneously made. Actually, I was not going to toast you on them but a good piece of knowledge for you to keep in mind is that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Write it down, it might be helpful in the future for you to know that. I would further counsel you to not put too much faith in what Jan posts although you probably already know that. She posts the most outrageous things and when this is pointed out to her, she accuses people of twisting her words. Some rainy day I am going to go back through my archives and determine exactly who originally introduced that all encompassing excuse “twisting my words” relied upon so extensively by HERC members. How can you twist her words when you directly quote her? In a posting above in this article dated April 22, 2010 at 1:07 AM, I point out some of her “Janisms”. There are others but I will save those for a later date.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 29, 2010 @ 1:41 PM

  Linda,

  I wonder if Elderman saw you having this conversation at the meeting the other night and that is why he can not berate you on here for it? And notice that yet AGAIN he does not repsond to the question “what is your vision?”. LOL everytime he posts something, we should just repsond with that same question to him.

  BoltUpright……was it you who had given me the troll definitions before?
• 

  By bweitzel, April 29, 2010 @ 2:35 PM

  Elderman - One of the arguments that kept coming up from HERO members/supporters was the issue of property values and the negative effect closing Elderton HS would have on their homes and properties. Residents claimed that if the school closed, property (assessed) values of their homes and businesses would decrease in the area.

  When the school is reopened and the value of the building increases due to millions of dollars in renovations, does this mean that the Elderton area will see a rise in property values? Would increased property values then equal an increase in property taxes?

  In an earlier post, Dee cited the distance to WSHS from South Bend Twp., and I agree - that is a long way. Unfortunately, many kids in other areas of this district have very similar commutes. Why haven’t the residents of South Bend Twp. petitioned to leave ASD for Apollo-Ridge? Seriously, I can’t figure this one out. If I lived in your township, I wouldn’t be wasting my time fighting with people on KP - I would be spending my time and energy on secession to A-R.
• 

  By Jan, April 29, 2010 @ 3:11 PM

  Seriously Elderman- get over yourself! If you want to go back and review postings- you need to only look as far as yourself, because it seems that anything that is posted by others is greatly chatised by you and yes, twisted, twisted, twisted. You have the uncanny knack of taking someone else’s words and forming them into something that is untrue, sarcastic, demeaning and down right rude. I’m sure your wife appreciates your antics!
  I am pretty darn sure that if I had not posted to rubytuesday about the corrections- you would have jumped on it. Truth hurts- doesn’t it Elderman- or is it that you just like to read your words, over and over again. No one cares. If you can’t formulate an opinion based on your own thoughts, then why bother posting at all. If you haven’t noticed by now- no one takes you serious. I have my opinions on topics- and freedom of speech grants that right.
  Why wait for a rainy day to go back in the archives of this venue to seek out my “janisms”- I could care less.
  And- one more thing- for the record- no one thinks less of the people of Elderton just because they have a different point of view on the EHS issue- at least they are polite. We can respect that. You are a different matter. Give it up!
• 

  By Adam Scaife, April 30, 2010 @ 1:50 AM

  Elderman

  Please explain the math you are using when you make this statement: “The Elderton attendance area generates enough tax revenue to pay for the operation of the school and contributes to the debt service for schools in other areas of ASD.” Please induldge me for my own edification and please explain this to the people of: East Brady, Worthington, Shannock Valley, Dayton, Kittanning, and Ford City.

  I am using the ASD reported attendance area Revenue and Expenditure Statement and I don’t see where you can make this claim. See the attached link:
  http://www.asd.k12.pa.us/157410112016417460/lib/157410112016417460/Attendance%20Area%20Financials%202008-2009.pdf

  The people from Elderton are good upstanding people that contribute positively to the community. We want your children to have as stellar of an education as possible, but not at the expense of other children’s education within the district. The misconception that the ASD needs Elderton and their taxes in the ASD is not factual. However, Elderton attendance area does need the ASD in order to keep their facilities open. Surrounding School districts sought for consolidation would and will not keep the Elderton Jr. Sr. High School open and renovate the facility. Our wanting for Elderton to remain within the district has nothing to do with revenues provided by the Elderton attendance area. Everyone has access to the data from the ASD for attendance area revenues and expenditures. We urge you to review them. (See above web-link) Yes, if Elderton attendance area is to remain within the ASD, the ASD needs to close and consolidate Elderton in order to reduce expenditures in facilities and staffing. This is where the greatest gains are to be had. However, a positive affect to the revenue stream for the ASD is also created by a secession of Elderton along with their revenues.

  If secession to a neighboring school district is truly pursued by Elderton attendance area, for the price tag placed on the buildings you will find that the insured values of the facilities and assessed market value of the acreage should be a fair market price. Do insurance companies generally place higher replacement values on facilities that they insure? Regardless, the insured value of the buildings and the assessed market value of the acreage is the place to begin negotiation at a minimum. When Sugar Creek Elementary was closed by the ASD and re-opened to be continued to be used as an elementary school by the Karns City School District they paid for the facilities as such at that time. Other facilities that were closed and no longer to be used as a school have gone at lower prices. Which way would Elderton prefer it to be when their buildings are assessed for their value?

  Do not get me wrong. I am NOT against Elderton, the people of Elderton, or the students of the Elderton attendance area. I am for ALL of the townships, boros, and municipalities and ALL of the people, and ALL of the students of the ASD. Elderton is not its own school district and has not been since the 1960′s. Due to declining enrollment, low student to teacher ratio, and ever increasing costs to educate a student (higher than all other attendance areas)it was time to close the facility and consolidate. If you truly believe that your above statement is correct, you may want the Elderton attendance area to earnestly pursue secession.
• 

  By Jen16226, April 30, 2010 @ 1:34 PM

  Very nice post Adam.

  And another thing to perhaps think about, that I have brought up several times without an answer, is why was it never looked into to make EHS a Charter School?
  That would bring in additional revenues from not just the people of Elderton, but depending upon a Charter Schools concentration, it would bring in students from a wider area.

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