MARKILINSKI: A Tale in Two Cities
Just recently two career politicians have made statements to the press concerning issues facing our community, one in Kittanning and one in Ford City. Both have been involved in politics for quite some time.
The gentleman from Kittanning, who has made his career in Education, thinks the loss of Dr. William Kerr as Superintendent in the Armstrong School District is a travesty.
If anyone would do some research, especially someone involved in the educational process, on the ASD State standardized test scores, you will find that our scores are below what the State considers average. Kittanning Junior High has been on the State warning list for the past two years. Ford City High School has dropped from 38th to 81st in southwestern PA. All the information is not good. All has happened on the current Superintendent’s watch.
Accountability and politicians are polar opposites, especially when political friends are joined at the cranium. Who in K-Town would vote for Gerald Shuster if they knew he supported a centrally located consolidated high school? Check the date, March 5th, 2007, part of the Kittanning Borough Council minutes. Same old plan, same old politics. Do I hear the Corbin/Hanner Bands’ “Dinosaur” playing somewhere?
Whether people want to believe or not, this change at the top is a great educational opportunity. Perhaps a new Superintendent that has a proven track record in education (and not politics) is what is sorely needed, along with responsible journalism. Lance?
As for Homer Pendleton questioning a proposed development in Ford City, employment in an industrial setting is very hard to come by. Homer should take the slow boat to China to see where Eljer toilets are now made. Mr. Pendleton was in a position to do something positive for the area for many years, had millions in grants, and now has nothing to show. Same old plan, same old politics. Smack Down?
It is time to think outside the box. Maybe bring some new ideas to the table that deal with Service, Tourism, and even Agriculture that can be job creators and business developers. What about servicing an aging population? These are industries too and they can’t be outsourced to Mexico or China.
And most importantly, you do not need to have alphabet soup behind your name to understand what accountability is.
Just think about it.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND REFLECT PAID SPONSORSHIP.
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MARKILINSKI: Just Think About It | markilinski May 7, 2010
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By walrus, May 7, 2010 @ 7:23 AM
Well said!
By Jan, May 7, 2010 @ 8:15 AM
Clearly MJM has shown his true colors. He has nothing more to do than to point fingers at others when in fact, he should be examining his own actions, both with the ASD and his personal ventures. I’m sure that if someone wanted to investigate MJM, they would find that he has a great deal of skeletons in his own closet. MJM- perhaps you should start your “spring cleaning” and clear out your junk!
First and foremost, when making statements in this venue- at least get your facts straight. You make a blanket statement that standardized test scores are low and that KJHS has been on the warning list for the last two years. What you failed to report is that while KJHS and Elderton JSHS were on the warning list, there were 2 subgroups that attributed to this: SED and Learning Support (Reading). This did not include all students. Did you mention that all of the other schools in the district met AYP? Let’s see, there was Dayton Elementary, E. Franklin, Elderton El.,Ford City, KHS, Kittg.Twp., Lenape,West Hills Intermediate and West Hills Primary. It is quite evident that anyone who has an “alphabet” behind their name really doesn’t know much- this just shows what little regard you have for education. What you allude to is that anyone who furthers their education can’t know more than you. What you are saying is that education isn’t really that important- and so I ask you- why the heck are you sitting in a seat on the ASD board which is charged with bettering education in this district when it is clear you have NO regard for it! Dr. Kerr is (was) our superintendent- not a magician- he can’t make things happen- he can only facilitate the means for which to make it happen.
It is clear to me that MJM has no business being a school board member- and I certainly hope that once his time runs out that the people in his region will vote him out. After all, he’s probably going to be busy building a dog park, playground and helicopter pad on toxic land!
By RizzoSports, May 7, 2010 @ 8:21 AM
Besides his opinion on Kerr, I actually thought most of Dr. Shuster’s letter suggested that Kittanning should leave the ASD.
Which seems like the most logical solution, wouldn’t everyone who has a seat at the table favor it. I’m not sure why this option isn’t being discussed. We then could move pass 30+ years of school board politics.
By renee, May 7, 2010 @ 11:22 AM
Mr. Pendleton did many positive things for ford city and has been a huge asset to our community (unlike the author of this and his other ridiculous articles). “nothing to show” for his position? mjm must need to be reminded that, without the efforts of Mr. Pendleton, Lou Vergari and a handful of other truly civic minded individuals, ppg would still own the riverfront property. the shop 2 building and the foundry building would still look like beirut buildings.
Mr. Pendleton has dedicated several decades of his life to selfless service to ford city. he has endured asinine attacks and risen to the top to better this town.
unlke Mr. Pendleton, “carreer politician”, mjm, has profited from his “public service”. mjm walked away from his stint on council with the ambulance service.
mjm, why don’t you “take a slow boat to china”.
By Modest_Citizen, May 7, 2010 @ 12:11 PM
MJM, I did think about it, and this is what I have to say:
It is not an administrator’s responsibility for test scores. Ultimately, it is the students themselves. While some parents are actively involved with their kids’ education, too many “do not care.” If there is no accountability at home, how is it that there is accountability anywhere else?! If you want to raise scores (and most of your “facts” are incorrect or twisted), require a minimum PSSA score or other standardized test in order to graduate, including special education (although their criteria would be based on overall achievement abilities). Heck, even teachers have to pass the PRAXIS with a minimum score! So do doctors, lawyers, machinists, union carpenters, mechanics…
ACCOUNTABILITY AND POLITICIANS ARE POLAR OPPOSITES??? SERIOUSLY?!? So, MJM is calling the kettle black??? He has no accountability?
Jobs are being shipped overseas because everyone wants to make $35 an hour and with benefits. Manufacturers are finding cheaper labor overseas and rightfully taking full advantage of it.
MJM wants to bring new ideas to the table? Servicing older population? Well, if the schools suck (according to MJM), there are no jobs, and taxes are sky high, what incentives are there for young people to move to the area? Human service jobs pay NOTHING, so the jobs servicing older population would not bring people to the area.
What we really need to do is to bite the bullet and offer ridiculously low taxes to a manufacturer looking to relocate in order to get them to move here. Guarantee that rate for a ridiculously extended time to enhance the deal. It will help to bring multiple businesses to the area. We build on from there.
Maybe I should run for an office or school board? I mean, I can at least put a rational and realistic idea on the table rather than ranting about nonsense. Oh, but wait, I do have the alphabet soup beside my name…
By jfullerton, May 7, 2010 @ 12:46 PM
FYI: PSSA results for ASD, specifically KJHS and EJSHS………………
http://paayp.emetric.net/District/SchoolList/c3/128030852
This website that has ALL of the districts “report cards”.
Grade 7 math 07-08 school year: PA average – 75%; ASD average- 70%; KJHS average- 79%; EJSHS average- 55%
Grade 7 math 08-09 school year: PA average- 70%; ASD average 75%; KJHS average- 71%, EJSHS average- 63%
Grade 8 math 07-08 school year: PA average- 70%; ASD average 68%; KJHS average- 75%; EJSHS average- 52%
Grade 8 math 08-09 school year: PA average- 71%; ASD average- 71%; KJHS average- 63%; EJSHS average- 58%
Grade 7 reading 07-08 school year: PA average- 70%; ASD average- 70%; KJHS average- 69%; EJSHS average- 65%
Grade 7 reading 08-09 school year: PA average- 71%; ASD average- 74%; KJHS average- 79%; EJSHS average- 69%
Grade 8 reading 07-08 school year: PA average- 78%; ASD average- 81%; KJHS average- 79; EJSHS average- 75%
Grade 8 reading 08-09 school year: PA average- 80%; ASD average- 81%; KJHS average- 86%; EJSHS average- 73%
Grade 11 math 07-08 school year: PA average- 56%; ASD average- 50%; KSHS average- 46%; EJSHS average- 58%
Grade 11 math 08-09 school year: PA average- 55%; ASD average- 61%; KSHS average- 60%; EJSHS average- 37%
Grade 11 reading 07-08 school year: PA average 64%; ASD average- 64%; KSHS average- 65%; EJSHS average- 63%
Grade 11 reading 08-09 school year: PA average- 65%; ASD average- 74%; KSHS average- 69%; EJSHS average 70%
Note that the scores for the “smaller class sizes” at EHS apparently had NO impact on PSSA scores when compared with the MUCH larger classes at KJHS! KHS 11th grade is thrown in for continuity.
KJHS was on the warning list for 2 years for the IEP subgroup last time for math this time for reading…all of the other groups in the school passed AYP with flying colors.
EHS was on warning for the SED subgroup last year also.
You continually try to use these test scores to bash people and to make them look bad. Perhaps you should do some in-depth analysis on what these scores are what the district is doing to improve the scores. I have seen many different curricular changes made in order to improve the scores. So to put that all on Dr. Kerr is a joke. And to put it on all of the teachers is a joke. How about throwing some stones at the students themselves? I mean when you have students that would rather doodle on the test booklet and only spend five minutes on the test, it is pretty hard to get a decent score. And to hold all students at the same level, even though they learn at different levels is ridiculous. The big buzz word in education is differentiated instruction and then we have to give all students the same test.
Being a school board member means you should have some grasp of the educational concept before you spout off about it. Let me compare the students to patients and teachers and the superintendent to ambulance drivers and the owner of an ambulance company. If a patient has a massive heart attack because he/she did not listen to his/her doctor and an ambulance company is called and the person does not make it while under the company’s care. Should the owner of said company be called out? Should a new owner be found? Should the employees be fired? Yes, teachers have to teach. The teachers in this district work hard to meet the guidelines set forth by the state. They want the students to succeed, we all do. Administrators work hard to give the teachers the tools to make learning happen. We all work together. But teachers cannot take the test for the students. At some point, students have to take responsibility for learning and taking the test as well. Just think about it…
By WOW, May 7, 2010 @ 12:53 PM
I am just blown away by Mr Markilinski’s absolute disregard and lack of resect for education.
Mr Markilinski states, “And most importantly, you do not need to have alphabet soup behind your name to understand what accountability is.” Alphabet soup? That alphabet soup following a name represents educational degrees. It represents educational accomplishments. Mr Markilinski is quite transparent on his attitude towards education. He does not regard it with any level of respect or need. How does someone with such a poor opinion of education make decisions regarding the education of our children? I will continue to instill a respect of education in my children and I will use Mr Markilinski as an example for my children, of how stupid it looks to not have that!
By johnnymydear, May 7, 2010 @ 1:08 PM
Wow, after reading the article,”A Tale in Two Cities,” ignorance is bliss! I’ll start with the chain of command: 1. School Board 2. Administration 3. Faculty.
Yes, #1 is held responsible. You can’t plead the 5th Amendment now, you just incriminated yourself. Easy to believe!
By Bolt Upright, May 7, 2010 @ 6:20 PM
Renee: What do you have against the Chinese?
Modest Citizen: Your idea of offering businesses “ridiculously low taxes to a manufacturer” is already being done. It’s called KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) and businesses pay 0 taxes for 10 years. Ford City has one and so does Northpointe in Slate Lick, to name 2.
By realisticone, May 10, 2010 @ 10:27 PM
Dear Mike,
Thanks for re-opening Elderton along with the other board members who suddenly came on the board. With the lucrative teachers’ contract and the ‘cadillac’ health plan negotiated just the end of last school year…the teacher’s union stands to gain another 40+ staff…don’t forget about the re-hired cafeteria workers, aides and other staff needed for the new building.
Thanks and keep building up the local economy by hiring more and more teachers…
By realisticone, May 21, 2010 @ 1:38 PM
Back again.
They just posted the vacancy list for Elderton - 40.5 positions just in teaching faculty. That’s $$$1,782,000.00 just in SALARY. Not to include benefits, the retirement contriubutions etc…
Yeah! We all have to bend over and take one for the team cause a couple of people want their little country school from the early 1900′s.
Thanks big Mike…smart move.
Can you say: “Houses for sale in Armstrong School District”?
By concerned citizen, May 21, 2010 @ 5:23 PM
Boy is that new teacher’s contract biting us in the butt now!!!
By rfullerton, May 22, 2010 @ 8:27 AM
AWWWW NOW realisticone: You know they aren’t actually hiring all of those teachers for EHS….they are cutting as many as they can from all of our other schools first…and leaving our students understaffed for the mecca we will call EHS!
By realisticone, May 22, 2010 @ 11:13 AM
Oh absolutely! Cut back on staff at the other schools to lower costs to justify the new opening. And concerned citizen, it’s not the contract that’s biting us, it’s the continued wasteful spending on brick and mortar…has nothing to do with education!!
By jfullerton, May 22, 2010 @ 2:48 PM
The teachers contract is what it is. The board knew all of that before they voted to open the building. Now, they are trying their best to think of ways to avoid spending over half of the fund balance or raise taxes and spend some of the fund balance. It will be interesting to see what they do on Monday.
And what about the renovations. Perhaps the architects might want to tear down the existing structure and build a new building. It might be cheaper….But we as taxpayers will never know now will we?