BUDGET REFORM for STUDENT LEARNING at lmsd.info - the lower merion school district alternative information source

Dr. Savedoff Saves The People

A strange feeling of deja-vu came over me when I read Dr. Savedoff’s letter in the September 21, 2006 issue of the Main Line Times and on the district’s website.   Having been a public school teacher in a local district, I am all too familiar with his leadership style: bullying and intimidation.   When I was teacher, many administrators viewed anything short of blind obedience as oppositional and displaying lack of support for the school district.   It seemed to me at that time that administrators intimidated teachers in order to get what they wanted. Years later, as a taxpayer in Lower Merion, bullying is rearing its ugly head again.

SAMPLE LETTER: YOU HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 23RD TO COMMENT

You have a limited amount of time to comment to the school board and the PDE regarding the new Harriton high school project.  The school district has not facilitated this process very well.  We have put together the following instruction sheet (click here for instructions) to help guide citizens throught the process.  We have also compiled a sample letter that you can print (click here for sample letter) or download as a word document (click here for sample letter in Word) so that you may edit it to your liking.  Please print the instruction sheet and sample letter and give it to your neighbors who are not on the internet.  Stuff mailboxes and put them on car windshields.  Unlike the district, we do not have a network to reach every parent in the district within one day.  We must rely on you to get the word out person to person, one citizen at a time.  We believe that numbers count, so please encourage every resident in your home and neighborhood to send their own letter.  Please let us know that you have sent a letter (email us at lmsdbudget.reform@verizon.net)so that we can ensure that the PDE recieves yours.  Thank you for standing up for what you believe.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SEEING THE ACT 34 MEETING, YOU MAY BE OUT OF LUCK!

Over 100 township residents attended the Act 34 meeting for the new Harriton high school to hear the district's presentation and to present their views and listen to those of their fellow citizens.  Of 36 citizens that spoke, 27 offered strong objections to the project based on its size and cost.  The remaining 9 citizens presented reasons why Harriton high school should be replaced, although none discussed specific reasons for the size being 2.5 times greater than the space allocations recommended by the PA Dept. of Ed. or for the cost being twice the 2005 national mean and 25% higher than the 10% most expensive high schools in the nation. 

Too Big and Too Expensive

The New Harriton HS is Too Big and Too Expensive!  See how our school construction compares to a fiscally responsible school district. Download a Comparison of Harriton to another Pa High School

You've Seen The Signs - Here's What's Going On!

The Lower Merion School Board is taking the final steps to begin construction of two new high schools at a projected program cost of $238 million.  This and other spending decisions are projected to increase school taxes 49% by 2011.  They are doing this without any credible input from the community.  The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) the board formed to "advise them" on the need for one school or two was handpicked and given inaccurate information.  For example, the CAC was told:

Be a Part of the LMSD INFORMATION SOURCE! Help Direct Others to This Site. Download a Poster, Sign, or Flyer

Join other concerned community members who are trying to get independent information in the hands of Lower Merion citizens.  Download a Poster or Download a Sign you can print to display on your car, house, or other prominent location.  Or Download a Flyer to handout to members of our community.  Show your support for our democratic traditions.  The current board was not voted in by the citizens; it was hand picked by the parties.  The board's decision to build two new schools at an exorbitant cost was done without credible input from the community.  Show others that you believe the citizens should have a say! 

Correcting The Myths

Having attended the Lower Merion School District (“LMSD”) Board meeting on May 30, spoken with dozens of township residents and spent hours reviewing the LMSD website and proposed budget, I feel compelled to correct several myths contained in the recent letters from Superintendent Savedoff and other readers about the proposed 14.3 percent tax increase:

New Schools + Unfunded Pensions = A Taxing Situation

The current actions of the school board threaten the fabric of our township.  The boards own projections have us facing a 49% tax increase by the year 2011-2012.  But what no one is talking about is the tremendous pension shortfall projected to hit us in 2012.  Do you know what lies ahead in the next six years?

The ACT 34 Hearing is on SEPTEMBER 21st at 7 PM at Harriton High School.... YOU MUST ATTEND!!!

The final item on the board's to do list before it can finally begin its $238 million high school replacement program is the Act 34 hearing for the new Harriton high school.  The hearing, to be held on September 21st at 7 PM at the current Harriton high school, is the last chance that the citizens will have to demand that the board hold a referendum vote to ensure that the community has a say in what will be the largest expenditure in the history of the township.