Category: 1st Amendment
On October 10, 2015 October 8, 2015 By bobdog93In economy, education, education reform, Meyers, Coughlin, GAR, pennsylvania budget, Pennsylvania politics, PlanCon funding, School Consolidation, Wilkes Barre Area School Board, Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Area School Board, Wilkes-Barre Area School DistrictLeave a comment
In a previous post I explained that Wilkes-Barre was in a fight for it schools. Little did we know that the district was in a fight to remain solvent. The district claims that they are facing a catastrophic financial issue.. It us nit the first time they said this, in fact they have said it quite a bit. The difference now, they are bringing in the Pennsylvania Department of Education to go over their finances. In the next few weeks PDE will be arriving, they will go through the districts finances layer by layer to help determine what can be done. This is something the members of Wilkes-Barre Area Save Our Schools has been asking for. Not exactly the PDE, but an expert to come in and examine the finances. It was a concession to the WBSOS. The state budget impasse has not helped the district in any way, shape or form. But it has opened doors to this consideration. It is a start.
While the district is in financial distress, they still plan to move forward with their $100 million plan to consolidate 2 of our city Schools in a horrible location. When asked if the district should wait until PDE was finished to continue with the project, the superintendent responded that PDE coming in has nothing to do with the project. Although the plan is still moving forward, there have not been any submissions to Plancon for additional property purchase or plans for the public hearing. Those are 2 important points. The property purchase would add several million to the price tag and most likely remain unused after the new school was built. The public hearing was rumored to be either in December or January. Typically the public hearing is held 9 months to a year after the Plancon process was started. The rumors had it at 6 months.
Coughlin, which was rumored to be closed on November 1, will remain open until the end of the school year. The juniors and seniors will remain in the Annex, newest part of Coughlin, while 9th and 10th graders will attend Mackin. This is important because it shows the district is pumping the breaking, going a bit slower then originally scheduled. We have made progress there. Important pie e of information to note. The district will raise taxes to the max amount from now until 2022, at that point we should see light at the end of the tunnel. Very expensive for the taxpayers. There is also no plan in the works for Meyers. A board member said that they were looking for someone to partner with in the future. At least 5 years or more in the future. Will it still be standing? According to the architects and engineers, it is in trouble. The future for the Meyers building could be anything from a sports center to a community center.
They are looking at possibly 5 administrators in the new consolidated school. The typical salary of a principal is between $100,000 and $150,000. They are also looking at Dean of Students and Head Teachers. This despite the engine behind this consolidation being finance. The superintendent also said that he spoke with the head of the NAACP about possibility if a large portion of minorities remaining in an underperformed school, while other children attend a brand new school with all the bells and whistles. He told the NAACP local president that finances are driving this. I am not sure that defense will work if this finds its way into court.
All in all it was an informative meeting. The brakes are being pumped, at least for the time being. It is not a victory for the public, just a concession. I admire the fact that the board was willing to bring in the PDE. That is an important step. I hope as we move forward the board and the people can find a way to work together more. The concern here needs to be about our kids, not just money.
On October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015 By bobdog93In education, education reform, Govener Corbett, pennsylvania budget, Pennsylvania politics, School Consolidation, Wilkes-Barre1 Comment
I would like to say this is a good story, but it is not. This story is the setup for the final death knell for a crumbling city. Wilkes-Barre was a coal mining city. It is right next to the Susquehanna River, the polluted part. It has always been a home to the working man. I was born here in 1974 in a hospital that closed. Anyone from the area would remember Mercy Hospital. My 2 kids and my wife were also born in this hospital. Wilkes-Barre was a good city. Over the years drugs, crime, corrupt politicians, corrupt judges and recession has decimated it. It is a shadow of its former self. The mayor is proud of the service jobs he "created", while the city hemorrhages good jobs and people. We are the home of the Kids for Cash Scandal, the one where the judges put juveniles in a facility for a kickback and the home of the gas scandal. 67,000 gallons of gas went missing and not a soul was prosecuted.
I graduated from one of our 3 high schools, Meyers, my wife graduated from our rival, GAR. The other school in our area is Coughlin. Meyers and GAR are neighborhood schools and Coughlin is downtown serving the outskirts of our city and the northern part. There are about 42,000 people in Wilkes-Barre. The median income is $20,000 below the Pennsylvania average. We are such a poor area, every child gets a free lunch in school. The kids cafe and other programs for poor kids are packed full. My home is struggling.
The Wilkes-Barre Area School District serves an estimated 82,000 people. It has about 6,800 students, about 40% of which are minorities. We have 9 schools and 1 charter school. Elementary schools are: Kistler, Dodson, Heights, Dan Flood, and Solomon, which also has our only middle school. Bear Creek Community Charter School is a public charter, that just built a new school. Our high schools are Meyers, GAR, Coughlin. Mackin, a school that was closed, is being redone and will temporarily house Coughlin 9th and 10th graders, unsure of its later use. In 2007 we ranked 128 in the state in testing. In 2011 we dropped to 423 out of 501. Around 2006 Meyers was in danger of closing. The engineering firms deemed it unsafe. But a concerted effort by citizens saved it and money was thrown at it. It was a band aid. The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board has had corruption issues as well. Several years ago board members were caught accepting money for teaching positions, among other things. Very trustworthy group.
Fast forward to 2014. At some point the superintendent was informed of safety issues at Meyers. They quickly went to work to determine the extent of damage at all schools. It was deemed the Meyers and Coughlin were in bad shape. The district conducted a feasibility study. They also had 2 groups working to look for a solution. One was made up of teachers and school employees. The other of citizens. The 2 groups started their work, looking for new sites and ideas of how to build schools or school to better serve our kids. A couple weeks after the groups started meeting, the board informed them that they had a $100 million limit and could 9nlt choose from existing school properties. Essentially the groups had 2 properties to choose from. Coughlin is about 2.4 acres and Meyers is 7.7 acres. Coughlin is in downtown, Meyers is a bit out of the center city. The groups came up with 3 proposals.
1) keep all 3 schools. Rebuilding or renovating Meyers. Rebuilding Coughlin at its current site or at the Solomon site.
2)rebuild Coughlin and merge it's students with Meyers.
3)rebuild Meyers and put Coughlin students there.
The feasibility study said Coughlin was shot. The estimated rebuild was between $65-$75 million. Meyer was estimated at at a rebuild cost of $75-85 million. Meyers renovations were estimated $85 million. The parapet was falling down and the steel knuckles above the windows were rusted and needed replacement. They said the floor shifted 12 inches, yet there were no cracks anywhere. It turns out the shift happened as it was being built. GAR needed $20 million worth of renovations. Tops for the 3 was $180 million. The cap was put at $180 million to avoid referendum for exceeding maximum tax allowance.
That is the general story. Here is where it goes a little awry. On June 8 there is a board meeting. The board decided to close Meyers, build at Coughlin and put an extension on Kistler to house 7th and 8th graders. They threw out every suggestion and came up with a whole new plan. They also were going to vote to submit Plancon funding on June 10. Plancon is Pennsylvania's system for reimbursement for school building. On June 10 the board voted 7-2 in favor of this plan. This plan goes against all current literature and what all experts agree is best. It goes against what countless University studies determined was best for children. But here is where our story gets interesting.
Our district is going forward with this consolidation despite public outcry, statistics citing the utter failure of consolidation, the fact that they are flat broke and the fact that their plan changes daily. The are telling us they are broke but are paying for architects, engineers and the renovation of a school from their general fund. The money meant for the kids and teachers. About $11.5 million of the general fund has been spent on this. Throw on top of this the budget impasse in Pennsylvania and that the District must pay its charter school by November 1. Also that the $100 million bond is not guaranteed, in fact who would loan to anyone who is maxed out. This is a mess that will get worse.
A group of us, part of which is the Wilkes-Barre Area Save Our Schools, are trying to educate the public, while trying to to get the board to slow down. They are not listening to reason, in fact the board president got so angry at the last meeting the solicitor had to quiet him down. At the moment this board is drunk with power and does not believe the public has the right to question them. The board dismisses, makes fun of and general looks at anyone who doesn't agree with them as the enemy. How can the public work with elected officials who view the public as the enemy? We have tried reason, pointing out the flaws, exposing untruths, forcing answers and trying to find their financial bottom line. They are reluctant to let the public see the books.
The last meeting was revealing. We found out quite a bit with a concerted effort by the public. People asked questions, people behind them asked follow up questions and any question not answered was asked again. The pressure is on. A process that should take 9-12 months is being shoved into a 6 month window. We are making process but it does not feel like it is enough. If we fail Wilkes-Barre fails. The exodus will continue and a once great city will fall into complete ruin.
On June 25, 2015 June 25, 2015 By bobdog93In economy, education, education reform, Governor Tom Wolf, high school sports, life, Meyers, Coughlin, GAR, pennsylvania budget, Pennsylvania politics, PlanCon funding, referendum, School Consolidation, tax reform, Wilkes Barre Area School Board, Wilkes-Barre Area School DistrictLeave a comment
I live in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. We have had 3 high schools in our area since at least the 1930s. There were many more, but they were consolidated into 3 schools. E. L. Meyers High School, Coughlin High School and G.A.R. High School. Meyers and GAR are 7-12 and Coughlin is 9-12. The graduating class in 2015 from Coughlin was 259, Meyers about 150 and GAR about 150. All the schools in our area are not meeting the grade testing wise. Meyers and Coughlin have issues with the buildings that change day to day. Our school board recently decided to infuriating the public, ignore the public and subvert the public by deciding to build one school.
The board decided to consolidate Meyers and Coughlin into one school. They had a choice of 2 locations. 1 was Meyers, 7.7 acres, neighborhood school, most of the school walked already and it wasn't in a central location to create traffic problems. 2 was Coughlin, 2.4 acres, downtown, traffic problems, crime and drug problems, now have to bus both schools and the property with the higher value to sell. The board said no more property would be bought but are already proposing to buy more. Yes, they chose number 2. Then decided to add on to an existing school to put 7th and 8th graders in there. They are building over the city pool. The project is estimated to cost $100 million. They company that did the feasibility study received the job with no bid. Yes, a $100 million job, no bid, to the first company. When the people asked for this to be put on the referendum, the board voted 5-4, against the referendum. A classless display of egotism.
Why do I not want a consolidated school? There are several reasons. First and foremost is the children. Consolidated schools, with over 1000 students have been shown not to work. Test scores are lower, attendance drops, less participation is school activities, loss of the intimate parent teacher relationship and kids falling through the cracks. The housing prices next to this newly empty school will plummet 10 to 20%. A pillar in that community will be gone, the building will be left to fester like so many other empty schools across the United States and a place that had a large community involvement leaves a hole which was once filled. Another issue with consolidation. Lower income kids do not get the same level of education they get in smaller neighborhood schools. In effect, classism reigns supreme again.
Sadly our school board did not take any of these things into account. In about a year they went about their study. When informed that Governor Tom Wolf intended to put a moratorium into effect on Plancon, the state school funding project, our board rushed to a decision. They presented the plan Monday and voted on it Wednesday. That seem well thought out to you? When the board spoke, all they talked about was money. Education was not mentioned once. They believe bussing more kids will save money, haha. They believe eliminating 32 positions will save $3.1 million a year, haha. They said only 50% of landowners in the city pay taxes. I say look at how happy Utah is. They consolidated and didn't save any money. In fact it cost more.
The board cited soil condition under Meyers as a reason for building at Coughlin. Yet they plan on adding to a school that is about 500 yards away. They claim that they are concerned with safety at Meyers, yet had a graduation ceremony there. They want to make that building into a sports complex. How is that safe? The football stadium that 4 schools use is there. They still plan on using it. How us that safe? Something seems a bit off.
I have an idea. I don't know if it is the right or best idea but it is better then this mess. Experts say 1000 kids or less is the optimum amount for our kids to learn and test well. Built a new, smaller Meyers that meets all qualifications. Build a new Coughlin on the site where the middle and elementary school is, no more land purchases, build it to accommodate the population. This way we have 3 campus style high schools. All very close to 1 of the 5 elementary schools locally. Experts agree that this model is best.They also agree 7-12 is the best model. Why is money coming before our kids? Pennsylvanian ranks 49th in the country in state funding for education. It also has a horrible system for who gets money. Wealthier districts seem to receive more. These are things Governor Wolf is trying to fix. Let him fix it. Let our kids not have to pay off a monstrosity that we will be trying to change in 15 years. Listen to the people.
Hobby Lobby, religous freedom or force fed religion.
On July 15, 2014 July 15, 2014 By bobdog93In 1st Amendment, Abortion, amendment, constitution, creationism, Democrats, GOP, GOP obstructionism, health, health care, life, politics, President Obama, religion, republicans, seperation of church and state, voting rightsLeave a comment
The Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision was a big in a few ways. First it proved that Supreme Court Justices should not be a lifetime appointment. Second it showed how far our country has strayed from what we are. Third it showed a complete disdain for the protections the United States Constitution afforded us. It all showed the Conservative wing celebrating a "victory" over the common folks.
The First Amendment of the Constitution states; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excersize thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peacably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. What does this mean? Do we the people still have said protections?
Making no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free excersize thereof. That would mean that no religion shall be protected over the other by states or federal government. Basic, simplistic view. Everyone is free to practice any religion they would like. Republicans like to say that we are a Christian nation, which as stated violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. They say prayer should be allowed in school and creationism taught, not all but many. But the only prayer they want in school are Christian prayers, all others be damned. Christian right wingers believe abortion is a sin and contraceptives are abortion. That statement has been lambasted by anyone who is a doctor but a degree means nothing in that discussion.
Republicans claim they are the protectors of our Constitution and that liberal Democrats want to rip it to shreds. Anyone with half a brain can see the obvious, Republicans do not care about the Constitution. I realize i have gone off topic but this will come together, I hope. In Republican lead states across the nation our right to peacably assemble is being stomped upon. People arrested and disgraced by the GOP while a criminal like Cliven Bundy and his group of hooligans walj away scot free. Armed people stopping a government agency from enforcing the law, supported by Republicans. Freedom of Speech is stomped upon dailly and being able to redress Government is a joke. Republicans are trying to take away our government voice, the right to vote.
Now not only is a corporation regarded as a person, they also can force their religious beliefs on their employees. Before the ACA was put into effect, Hobby Lobby offered health insurance plans that had access to birth control. Not only that, but much of their inventory is bought from China. China is notorious for its abortion rate. I think with those two sentences I established Hobby Lobby's hypocracy. Why did Hobby Lobby's stance change? I dont have the answer but anyone who isnt blind realizes how much the Republican base hates President Obama. Is that the reason? Who knows? But why now? Why did the Supreme Court rule directly on party lines?
How does my employers religion effect my health care decisions? Is that religious freedom? For the employer, yes but where is ours. How does my employers religion outweigh mine? If this ruling is correct; then if i worked for a Muslim company I have to adhere to Shariha Law. Or a Satanist for instance. Or would my choices be mine then? I am paying for a portion of my health care, as well as visits, meds or anything else Dr. related. How can my employer come between myself and my doctor? These questions arent answered yet but I have a feeling this ruling will have unintended consequences. I do not think these justices had the foresight to see what would be around the corner.
Whatever your opinion of religion is, you are entitled to it except when it comes to your employer. This is a idiotic interpretation of our Constitution. Ee have seen some awful rulings coming from this Supreme Court. Please remember you are free to practice your religion but your employers is more important.
Fox News wins right to lie in appeals court, 11 years ago.
On February 20, 2014 February 20, 2014 By bobdog93In 1929 stock market crash, 1st Amendment, amendment, Benghazi, constitution, Democrats, economy, Fox News, GDP, glenn beck, GOP, GOP obstructionism, health care, politics, President ObamaLeave a comment
In 1996 Fox News sent 2 reporters out to do a story. When the reporters returned with their story, Fox News wanted them to report blatant lies which the reporters refused to do. The reporters won a 6 figure sum in court for being unlawfully terminated. Fox News then filed an appeal. In February 2003 a Florida Court of Appeals overturned the original decision and unanimously agreed with Fox News that there was not an existing rule in the United States that required them to report the news TRUTHFULLY.
Bill O'Reilly paid lawyers to argue that it is Fox News right under the First Amendment to distort or falsify the news. So over the last 11 years the most watched news network has been feeding their viewers egregious lies. Why would a news outlet want to report untruths? Do you think they are trying to push their agenda on their viewers by distorting the news? Sadly those who watch Fox News swear by it. They take what is said on there as gospel. How much is actually true?
How many times over the years have Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck or Shepherd Smith shaped opinion with lies? Despite GDP growing rather than contracting Hannity continued to say that President Obama's policy were hurting the economy. That despite overwhelming evidence that disputes his assertions. Why did Hannity further the biryher movement despite the President showing his birth certificate. Even after multiple fact checkers proved Hannity smear as false. But Fox News is Fair and Balanced. Right?
Bill O'Reilly insists that Attorney General Eric Holder is involved in the dismissal of criminal charges against the New Black Panther Party for voter intimidation. Despite it being a different administration that did so. He also denies telling viewers that President Obama hid news about Benghazi motives because he was running for reelection. Another outright lie. Then he said that no one on Fox News ever said you would go to jail if you didnt buy health insurance. Another blatant lie. This list goes on and on. I wanted to list examples, not have them overrun the point of this story. But it easily could have been overrun by examples.
As far as I know Fox News is the only news outlet that fought for the right to lie to their viewers. MSNBC has held several of their talking heads responsible for their actions recently. Requiring on air apologies, as well as the talking heads stepping down. Republicans run to Fox to spout their lies. They are never called out on them despite calling Democrats liars during interviews. I watch Fox News for a few minutes here and there just to see how and what they thinking. It is very disturbing to know that a news channel can fudge the news to further an agenda.
If we allow news outlets to shape the news to fit their agenda, how can we hold our elected officials accountable? How many Fox News viewers hate the President because of lies Fox News told about him? This is why we are in an era of such hyper-polarization. Instead of reporting news they feed the hate. How does that help America?
GOP insists President Obama is a dictator as they try to take away our religious freedom.
On January 29, 2014 January 29, 2014 By bobdog93In 1st Amendment, Benghazi, constitution, corruption, Democrats, economy, GOP, GOP obstructionism, koch brothets, lobbying, Muslims, politics, President Obama, republicans, seperation of church and state, Supreme CourtLeave a comment
GOP reaction to President Obama using executive orders borders on hilarity. He is using executive orders to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors in the future. He is also going to use them to stop gun sales from overseas, to starting a database of those with mental illness, none if these are meant to confiscate even assault weapons.
President Obama has issued 167 executive orders. President Reagan about 390, President George W Bush issued 291 and President George H W Bush issued 165 in one term. Obviously issuing executive orders is not unconstitutional or an impeachable offense. One party seems to defer to their corporate sponsors whims on the majority of issues. Before anyone goes off about corporate sponsors, yes both party's have them. But the majority of the GOP campaign contributions in 2012 came from big business. How can you dispute this?
I hear all of this conspiracy nuts calling him a dictator. Obviously facts are trumped by beliefs in this case, as in many other political cases. He took over a horrible economy, a banking sector and investment sector full of criminals and a Republican party that was bent on his failure at any cost. The American people ceased to matter. We had been thrown to the side. Yet the Tea Party took their false grass roots movement to the people. False because grass roots are not funded by billionaires like the Koch Brothers. They screamed about protecting the Constitution, while stealing your rights behind your back.
In North Carolina people's rights to protest are stamped upon. People are arrested for peacefully protesting the Governor's radical agenda. In Louisiana they are teaching creationism in public schools, which the Supreme Court ruled was unconstitutional. In Louisiana a Muslim boy was told to change his religion or pick a different school. This again is a violation of the First Amendment. Is this how you protect the Constitution? By picking and choosing what works for you.
I do not blindly follow President Obama. I do not agree with the TPP, I believe it is inherently bad for our manufacturing sector. It is not right to ask private companies to compete with government subsidized ones. That is just part of my dislike. The Monsanto Protection Act is a horrible piece of legislation. It offers zero protection to consumers. But for the GOP to harp on controversies that were proved to be false is ridiculous. Benghazi is yheir answer to everything. Republicans falsified emails, concocted stories and cut funding to give more security, but never mention any of that. It is time to govern, not sully a Presidents reputation.
We are recovering despite obstruction from certain groups. The stock market is higher than ever. The ACA is up and working, helping many Americans. There has been job growth for quite some time. The debt is falling, government spending is falling, why is he looked on so disdainfully? I see people saying he is the worst President ever and shake my head. What did President George W Bush do? Is that immediately forgotten? We have a good man in office, who like any other man makes mistakes, but he cares and tries to do the right thing. I think that is how he should be remembered.