The Sanatoga Post

The State Capital in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG PA – State legislators are re-evaluating their positions on school choice, the controversial proposal that in some form might allow parents to send their children to private schools using public money, because right now their are so many competing options, Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s state representative, Tom Quigley, told The Pennsylvania Independent online news service Monday (June 20, 2011).

Quigley introduced one of those options just a few weeks ago. Now the choices for school choice are being reviewed and contemplated by his elected colleagues in both the House and Senate, and “the next 36 to 48 hours will be very, very critical” for the voucher bills, the chairman of the House Education Committee said.

Most recently, Chester County Rep. Curt Schroder introduced legislation Monday that allows every child — including home-schoolers — to be eligible for a $5,000 voucher for tuition at a private or parochial school. The bill would not determine the value of the voucher based on the student’s district and would not restrict voucher eligibility based on income. That separates it from similar proposals unveiled this year, The Independent reported.

• Read a story by reporter Eric Boehm, titled “Next two days will determine outcome of school choice battle” and published Monday by The Independent, here.

Related (to education tuition vouchers):

• School Choice Voucher Action Anticipated This Week
• Pottsgrove Board Officially Opposes School Vouchers
• Local Rep. Quigley Favors Tax Credits In School Choice
• PA Senate School Choice Vote Possible Next Week
• Two Unions Break Ranks, Back State School Vouchers
• Idea: Pottsgrove Might Prosper With Own Charter School
• Choice Amendment Would Remove Vouchers’ 3rd Year
• Teacher Unions Say Budgets, Vouchers Top Their Agendas
• Poll Claims Public Opposes Tuition Vouchers
• Senate Education Chair Preps For Voucher, Choice Battle

POTTSTOWN PA – Although it might feel like summer is already here – the greater Pottstown area has already experienced two heat waves – the season hasn’t yet officially begun. Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO), however, says its has completed nearly 40 projects that will help it meet customers’ energy demands the coming hottest months of the year.

Relaxing in air-conditioned comfort? Yeah, that's the ticket

PECO serves electricity users in portions of Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick (PA) townships and the borough of Pottstown. In recent months, to prepare for summer weather, its workers increased neighborhood electric supply, inspected circuits and equipment, and completed hundreds of additional tasks to ensure reliable service, it said Thursday (June 16, 2011).

Electricity use increases in the summer because of greater energy required to run air conditioners and other cooling appliances.

PECO reported its summer readiness program included inspecting and maintaining aerial and underground electrical equipment, substations and other facilities; upgrading, replacing and repairing equipment; emergency response drills and other training for employees; and maintenance and testing of various computer and support systems.

PECO also thinks consumers can reduce energy usage by 30 percent or more this summer, and save themselves substantial money, by following some simple tips:

• Customers with central air conditioning should keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level (74 to 76 degrees) when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days with extreme heat (90 degrees or higher) to save even more. Lowering the thermostat setting below the desired temperature will not cool your home faster; it just wastes energy and money.
• For those with room air conditioners, ensure that the appliance is sized properly for the room and turn the unit off if someone is not going to be in the room for an extended period of time. Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.
• For those without any air conditioning, use ceiling or portable fans operating with the windows partially open to circulate fresh air into your home.
• To reduce heat and moisture during the warmest part of the day, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or evening hours when it’s generally cooler outside. Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances, which add heat to the home. Also, use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible, during the hottest days.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your home. Awnings are even better and can dramatically reduce radiant heating. Window coatings and window film can reflect as much as 80 percent of direct rays from the sun.
• Keep doors to the outside, garage or attic firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.

PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corp. that serves 1.6 million electric and 490,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania.

One look will tell you how terrific those strawberries tasted

Sanatoga baseball great Bobby Shantz was on hand

By Beth Scherer
of the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society,
for The Sanatoga Post

SANATOGA PA – Not rain, not strong winds, and not high temperatures and humidity could derail the success of the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society’s annual Strawberry Festival earlier this month at the former Sanatoga Chapel on East High Street, its members reported.

Despite the worst Mother Nature might throw at it, they added, it was again a hit with the public’s taste buds and the society treasury.

Oppressive heat and humidity, strong winds that almost blew its tents onto the highway, and a storm’s downpour during the day couldn’t dent the festival’s flavorful atmosphere. Hundreds turned out for the June 11 (2011) event, which served up and sold strawberry desserts to delight the palate. It also provided entertainment from former baseball big leaguers Bobby Shantz and George Moore, and hand-clapping tunes by The O’Such Rhythm and Music Band.

A new fund-raiser tried this year by the society – a raffle of 23 different, merchandise-filled baskets donated by local merchants and its members – earned almost $700.

“Thanks to all who came out that day to support the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society,” it said in a Friday (June 17) e-mail. “An even bigger thanks to all the members who gave so much time prior to, during, and after the festival. We couldn’t have had a great day without the members’ dedication to keeping the history alive in Lower Pottsgrove!”

Good friends shared good eats while attending the festival on East High Street

A basket raffle, assorted bargains, and baked goods sales raised extra income

The John O'Such Rhythm and Music Band provided entertainment

Photos by Glenn Isett

Sunnybrook Ballroom

SANATOGA PA – The anticipated opening of its full-service restaurant has Sanatoga’s Sunnybrook Ballroom, the historic concert venue that now also serves as a convention and meeting center, looking to hire customer service employees.

Sunnybrook hopes to open its restaurant July 1 (2011), and is advertising on its website now for experienced part-time servers, kitchen assistants and cooks, banquet servers, bussers, hosts and hostess, and bartenders.

Job applications are available for download online, here. No phone calls regarding its openings will be accepted, it said. Resumes and applications must be mailed to Sunnybrook, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown, PA 19464.

Children crowd the lake's banks during last year's derby

SANATOGA PA – Lower Pottsgrove’s 11th annual fishing derby, sponsored by the township Parks and Recreation Department, opens this morning from 7:30-10:30 a.m. for children from ages 5 to 12 on the lake at Sanatoga Park, 100 S. Sanatoga Rd., Pottstown PA. It’s free, and it’s bound to be fun.

Participants can register as they arrive. They’ll have a chance to catch the biggest and best fish; the lake has been stocked for the event, and prizes will be awarded in several categories. They also will be offered fishing tips and techniques by a representative of the state Fish and Boat Commission.

The general public will be able to benefit from the lake’s stocking, too, but not until after the derby ends Saturday at mid-day. The lake will be closed to all other anglers until then. After that, good luck to all, says township municipal building receptionist Jennifer Corley.

Photo from Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township

Almost everyone tossed their caps

From parents in the stands, to graduates on the field smartly dressed in flowing maroon and white robes, it seemed like everyone with a cell phone and a sense of pride was chattering about Pottsgrove’s commencement exercises Thursday night (June 16, 2011)

The State Capital in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG PA – State House and Senate leaders agreed Wednesday (June 15, 2011) to extend unemployment benefits for about 45,000 Pennsylvanians who would have lost them at week’s end. Democrat leaders praised the compromise plan that delays until fall any attempt to deal with $3.5 billion in unemployment compensation debt the state owes the federal government, according to The Pennsylvania Independent online news service.

The bill contains measures that both sides said would hold down future costs in the state unemployment system. It caps the top level of benefits at $572 per week and freezes at that amount for next year, but it affects only those who were receiving federal extended unemployment benefits and had been out of work for 72 weeks or more. The benefit freeze will save $10 million this year and between $50 million and $70 million next year, proponents said.

• Read a story by reporter Eric Boehm, titled “Unemployment benefits deal will not address PA’s debt,” and published Thursday (June 16) by The Independent, here.

POTTSTOWN PA – Heeding a recommendation made earlier this year by its Community Budget Task Force, the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors gave the school district its blessing Tuesday (June 14, 2011) to get into the online education business.

Pottsgrove and several other districts, beginning this fall, will partner with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to join its Brandywine Virtual Academy. The so-called cyber school, which Superintendent Dr. Bradley Landis said is in its eighth year of operation, will present a Pottsgrove-”branded” portal to its students, and offer courses that meet district standards for graduation.

Cyber-schools are the new, web-accessible – and to families who choose them, exciting – face of education, Landis acknowledged. They allow students to take courses at home, using computers and other devices, and conveniently complete their education without setting a book bag inside a locker.

Make no mistake, though; beyond learning, Pottsgrove’s partnership with Brandywine is also all about money.

The district has been losing about $11,000 per year for every child who has enrolled in an alternative, and usually privately run, cyber-charter school. State law requires Pottsgrove to pay enrollees’ tuition; during the last school year the cost amounted to more than $1 million. “And we’ve got no choice and no control in the matter,” Landis noted.

Reclaiming those “lost” funds was among several suggestions offered in recent months by the task force charged by directors to help Pottsgrove both reduce budgeted expenses and attract new revenue.

The likelihood that Pottsgrove can bring back to its cyber school those who have already moved to competitors is, at best, slim, Landis reported. Chances are good, however, that a Pottsgrove cyber school can keep others attracted by the option within the district fold. When that happens, according to the superintendent, Pottsgrove’s costs drop by $7,000 per new enrollee.

Brandywine has no minimum enrollment quota or up-front costs, Landis told board members, so the district wins if only one student signs up. “If we can get 10, I’d consider that real success,” he added.

Cyber school students will have real-time online access to teachers in all subject areas. The school itself operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving students more flexibility in their studies. It even provides an online nurse and guidance counselor. Those types of features are both appealing and marketable, and the district agreement with Brandywine includes marketing assistance.

“We want to get our feet wet first,” Landis said of experimenting with the cyber school. What he envisions for the future, on the other hand, extends far beyond simply winning back digitally enticed parents and their children. He describe for board members the potential of using the Pottsgrove portal for educational credit recovery, home-bound learning for the ill, adult education, and a “hybrid model” that blends online and classroom teaching.

Brandywine Virtual Academy is headquartered in Exton.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ June 14 meeting):

• ‘Cyber School, Here We Come,’ Pottsgrove Proclaims
• Budget-Motivated Pottsgrove Admin Changes Approved
• Pottsgrove OKs Personnel Items Affecting 55 Positions
• Plan To Further Cut Pottsgrove Tax Hike Dies In Tie

Related (to the Pottsgrove School District 2011-2012 budget):

• ‘Cyber School, Here We Come,’ Pottsgrove Proclaims
• Budget-Motivated Pottsgrove Admin Changes Approved
• Plan To Further Cut Pottsgrove Tax Hike Dies In Tie
• Pottsgrove Cuts Admin Job Among Leadership Changes
• Pottsgrove Plans For Re-Assignments A Budget-Saver?
• Teamsters Agree, Too, On Wage Freeze For Pottsgrove
• Does Pottsgrove Have An Administrative Cut-In-Waiting?
• Red And Yellow Items Left On Pottsgrove Budget Table
• Pottsgrove OKs 2.8% Tax Hike In Tentative Budget
• Local School Boards Face Both Cuts And Policy Changes
• Pottsgrove Chinese Language Students Face Cuts Again
• Pottsgrove Task Force Didn’t Shelve Pay-To-Play Plan
• Committee: Charter School May Save Pottsgrove $70K
• Pottsgrove Paying $28K Next Year For MCIU Support
• Secretary Says Schools Must Find Funds Themselves
• College Students Protest Proposed Ed Budget Cuts
• Pay Freeze Endorsed As Pottsgrove Labor Talks Start
• Pottsgrove High Protesters Exercise Art Of Compromise
• Pottsgrove’s Landis Distributes State Fund Comparison
• Pottsgrove Budget Deficit Balloons With Gov’s Proposal
• MCIU Budgets On Pottsgrove Schools Agenda Tonight
• PA House OKs ‘Cut And Replace’ On Education Funding
• Idea: Other Local Schools Consider Extracurricular Fees
• Idea: Pottsgrove Might Prosper With Own Charter School
• Pooling Resources Could Save Pottsgrove On Special Ed
• Like Pottsgrove Task Force, Outsiders Weigh Cost Vs. Value
• Task Force Crowd Packs Into Pottsgrove For First Session
• School Budget Task Force Kicks Off Its Work Tonight
• Does Western PA School Tax Uprising Foretell Mood Here?
• Pottsgrove Schools Budget Short Another $400,000
• Pottsgrove, As Expected, Adopts Budget First Draft
• Pottsgrove Tentative Budget Adoption Expected
• Weather Postpones Pottsgrove Budget Meeting
• Still Time In Pottsgrove For Budget Volunteers To Enlist
• Challenge To Pottsgrove Budget Advisers: 10 Percent
• Best Guesses, Deficit Launch Pottsgrove Budget Season
• Senate Education Chair Preps For Voucher, Choice Battle
• School Board Questions Pottsgrove Recreation Costs
• Pension Reform Vote Could Benefit Pottsgrove, Others
• Notebook Worthy: News Reporters Made News Tuesday
• Pottsgrove Isn’t Waiting In Search For Budget Volunteers
• If You’ve Got A Budget Idea, Pottsgrove Says It’ll Listen
• Pottsgrove Seeks More Public Input On District Budget

POTTSTOWN PA – Changes in Pottsgrove School District administrative staffing, previously announced by Superintendent Dr. Bradley Landis as part of cost-saving moves in the tentative 2011-2012 budget, were unanimously approved Tuesday (June 14, 2011) without comment by the Board of School Directors.

The board officially changed the title held by Todd Davies, who currently works as supervisor of elementary education and assessment, to that of director of education and assessment (K-12), effective July 1.

The change recognizes the elimination of the position of supervisor of secondary education and assessment, now held by Terri Koehler. She will become principal at West Pottsgrove Elementary School. Current West Pottsgrove Principal Ruth Fisher will take the reins at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary, where Principal Ellen Siegel is retiring.

The board also changed the assignment of Pottsgrove High School social studies and special assignment teacher Krista Rundell to that of secondary teacher on special assignment. She will assist Davies in his consolidated position.

In other budget-related matters:

• Directors also formally ratified an amendment to the district’s current collective bargaining agreement with Norristown PA-based Teamsters Union Local No. 384, which represents custodial and maintenance employees. The workers volunteered to accept 2011-2012 budget year wage freezes, similar to those agreed to by administrators, teachers and secretaries, in a unified effort to help the district lower costs.
• In exchange for their wage freeze, directors also accepted a memorandum of understanding between the district and Teamsters that sets conditions for and implements a four-day work week.
• Authorized the administration to prepare final transfers within the 2010-2011 budget, enabling it to close its fiscal year books once an audit has been completed. Approval for the transfers themselves must be granted by the board before Oct. 31.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ June 14 meeting):

• Budget-Motivated Pottsgrove Admin Changes Approved
• Pottsgrove OKs Personnel Items Affecting 55 Positions
• Plan To Further Cut Pottsgrove Tax Hike Dies In Tie

Related (to the Pottsgrove School District 2011-2012 budget):

• Budget-Motivated Pottsgrove Admin Changes Approved
• Plan To Further Cut Pottsgrove Tax Hike Dies In Tie
• Pottsgrove Cuts Admin Job Among Leadership Changes
• Pottsgrove Plans For Re-Assignments A Budget-Saver?
• Teamsters Agree, Too, On Wage Freeze For Pottsgrove
• Does Pottsgrove Have An Administrative Cut-In-Waiting?
• Red And Yellow Items Left On Pottsgrove Budget Table
• Pottsgrove OKs 2.8% Tax Hike In Tentative Budget
• Local School Boards Face Both Cuts And Policy Changes
• Pottsgrove Chinese Language Students Face Cuts Again
• Pottsgrove Task Force Didn’t Shelve Pay-To-Play Plan
• Committee: Charter School May Save Pottsgrove $70K
• Pottsgrove Paying $28K Next Year For MCIU Support
• Secretary Says Schools Must Find Funds Themselves
• College Students Protest Proposed Ed Budget Cuts
• Pay Freeze Endorsed As Pottsgrove Labor Talks Start
• Pottsgrove High Protesters Exercise Art Of Compromise
• Pottsgrove’s Landis Distributes State Fund Comparison
• Pottsgrove Budget Deficit Balloons With Gov’s Proposal
• MCIU Budgets On Pottsgrove Schools Agenda Tonight
• PA House OKs ‘Cut And Replace’ On Education Funding
• Idea: Other Local Schools Consider Extracurricular Fees
• Idea: Pottsgrove Might Prosper With Own Charter School
• Pooling Resources Could Save Pottsgrove On Special Ed
• Like Pottsgrove Task Force, Outsiders Weigh Cost Vs. Value
• Task Force Crowd Packs Into Pottsgrove For First Session
• School Budget Task Force Kicks Off Its Work Tonight
• Does Western PA School Tax Uprising Foretell Mood Here?
• Pottsgrove Schools Budget Short Another $400,000
• Pottsgrove, As Expected, Adopts Budget First Draft
• Pottsgrove Tentative Budget Adoption Expected
• Weather Postpones Pottsgrove Budget Meeting
• Still Time In Pottsgrove For Budget Volunteers To Enlist
• Challenge To Pottsgrove Budget Advisers: 10 Percent
• Best Guesses, Deficit Launch Pottsgrove Budget Season
• Senate Education Chair Preps For Voucher, Choice Battle
• School Board Questions Pottsgrove Recreation Costs
• Pension Reform Vote Could Benefit Pottsgrove, Others
• Notebook Worthy: News Reporters Made News Tuesday
• Pottsgrove Isn’t Waiting In Search For Budget Volunteers
• If You’ve Got A Budget Idea, Pottsgrove Says It’ll Listen
• Pottsgrove Seeks More Public Input On District Budget

POTTSTOWN PA – Personnel actions recommended by the Pottsgrove School District administration were approved unanimously and without discussion Tuesday (June 16, 2011) by the district Board of School Directors.

Approved for resignation:

• Margaret Tucker, intervention tutor at West Pottsgrove Elementary;
• Susan Smith, band front advisor at Pottsgrove High School; and
• Terri Roberts, secretary at Ringing Rocks Elementary.

Approved for change in assignments:

• Danielle Palmieri, from kindergarten teacher at Ringing Rocks to kindergarten teacher at Lower Pottsgrove;
• Lisa Cullin, from kindergarten teacher at Lower Pottsgrove to grade 5 teacher at West Pottsgrove;
• Danette Baum, from special education teacher at Lower Pottsgrove to special education teacher at Pottsgrove Middle School;
• Julie Lieberman, from special education teacher at Pottsgrove Middle School to special education teacher at Lower Pottsgrove;
• Deneen Mitchell, from student assistant at West Pottsgrove to student assistant at Pottsgrove Middle School;
• Kristina Miller, from student assistant at Lower Pottsgrove to student assistant at Ringing Rocks;
• Candice Brown, from student assistant at Ringing Rocks to student assistant at Lower Pottsgrove;
• Corrine Kleege, from student assistant at Ringing Rocks to student assistant at Lower Pottsgrove;
• Heather Feltenberger, from student assistant at Ringing Rocks to student assistant at Lower Pottsgrove;
• Linda Rendina, from Reading Specialist at Lower Pottsgrove to Reading Specialist at West Pottsgrove;
• Doriann Parker, from Reading Specialist at West Pottsgrove to District Reading Specialist servicing West Pottsgrove, Lower Pottsgrove and Ringing Rocks; and
• Maura Lundstrom, from Reading Specialist at Ringing Rocks to Reading Specialist at Lower Pottsgrove.

Approved for change in status:

• Lois Muldowney, Student Assistant, from full time to part time;
• Donna Colaiezzi, Student Assistant, from full time to part time; and
• Cindy Frye, Student Assistant, from full time to part time.

Approved as district substitute employees:

• Kristin Butler, substitute teacher, $100 per day;
• Lisa Childs, substitute teacher, $100 per day; and
• Victoria Hartfield, substitute nurse, $100 per day.

Approved for certified employment:

• Lisa Childs, Guidance Counselor, Pottsgrove High School, replacing Diane Holoka, $44,186;
• James Swiggard, long-term substitute at Pottsgrove High School, replacing Melissa Grubbs, $20,964; and
• William Einhorn, long-term substitute district music teacher, replacing Heather Hodgdon, $20,964.

Approved for hiring as teachers and substitutes for the high school summer program, at $31 hourly:

• Daniel Lenko, Susan Durkin, Aaron Cebular, Barry Flicker, Richard Royce, Marissa Bono, and
  Steve Palladino.

Approved for hiring as teachers and substitutes for the elementary school summer program, at $31 hourly:

• Aileen Burke, Jaime Folk, Lisa Cullin, Veronica Lightcap, Sharon Yergey, Tom Yenchick, Julie Farris, Crystal Lloyd, Lisa McGroarty, Maria Benedict, Cynthia Scherer, Wendy Hasara, Janice Lawless, Kristin Rambo, Sharon Yacovelli, Chris Reisner, and Tracy Dice.

Approved for tenure:

• Emily Cox, Jaime Cross, Deborah Frasca, Debra MacIlvain, Steve Palladino, and Beth Mager.

Approved for placement as a student teacher:

• Melvin Peters of Kutztown University, supervised by Stacy McHugh, from Oct. 24-Dec. 15, 2011.

Approved for attendance at conferences:

• Michael Wagman, Director of Technology; Tony Bickert, Network Manager; Kathy Keefe, Elementary Technology; Jennifer Egan, Elementary Technology; and Bradley Landis, Superintendent, to attend the International Society for Technology in Education at a cost of $1,680, with no substitute coverage required;
• April Koss, Student Data Support; Jacque Kahareka, High School Tech Support; and Rebecca Luft, Data Systems Specialist, to attend Powerschool Mini Camp at a cost of $2,819, with no substitute coverage required; and
• Christy Kirsch, TOSA, to attend the PAFPA Summer Leadership Forum at a cost of $939, with no substitute coverage required.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ June 14 meeting):

• Pottsgrove OKs Personnel Items Affecting 55 Positions
• Plan To Further Cut Pottsgrove Tax Hike Dies In Tie