Right, wrong, indifferent, the Pencader crisis has risen to a new level of toxicity - one that effects the educational experience and outcome of its current students. Pencader is pleading with the state for assistance to ensure the school can fulfill the 2012-13 obligations to its students. According to McIntosh, the state's position is that Pencader already received the funds earned and that the operational problems lie squarely on the school's shoulders. That's true. But...
1. There is a moral obligation to assist Pencader's in completing the school year. The children should be punished no longer for the sins of the adults.
2. The sins of the adults are varied and widespread. And DOE owns at least some culpability. Pencader's school leader submitted a preliminary budget last May to DOE. Scott Kessel and Dan Cruce were notified by the school board president that the submitted budget was NOT solvent. Yet, DOE approved this budget anyway.
Why does any of this matter? Our Governor has failed again and again to weigh in on Pencader Charter School. Today, his voice is needed. The Pencader community needs assurances that their children will complete this school year. Should the tax payers fund payroll again? Financially speaking - no, they have every right to reject that proposal. However, these students will be subjected to real, tangible damage if their school year cannot be completed. Morally, our Gov. and his DOE are obligated to intervene.
Instead, these two political forces, the strongest political forces involved in education today, have deflected a true crisis by seizing on an idealogical impasse between the State and the Christina School District. The column inches dedicated by the News Journal in the last week are deeply telling. Christina's board is not scheduled to meet again for another month. At this time, all the grandstanding in the world will have no immediate impact on the future of RTTT. Yet, within that same period of time, Pencader may forever shut its doors and turn its students away. And our governor, our DOE, are silent on the issue.
Governor Markell - it's time to act in the best interests of the students. Stand down on Christina and address Pencader. Christina will be here May 1, 2013. Pencader may not. It's time to re-evaluate your priorities. It's time to put Children & Educators First!
Evidenced by an email communication I had ;ast June with DOE spokesperson Alison Kepner:
From: Kepner Alison
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 2:25:08 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
To: SCHEINBERG ELIZABETH
Subject: FW: May 1 Budget & Cover Letter
Elizabeth,
Per your request -- the reports are attached here in Ann Lewis’ original e mail.
The spreadsheet has three tabs. Its been approved conditionally with ongoing
monitor to ensure Pencader hits its marks according to that budget. If
enrollment changes then the budget will change accordingly. Our staff meets
with school staff monthly to monitor their expenditures v budget.
Here are the attached documents:
Copy of PCHS Prelim Budget May 1 2012 (2) by lps2001
You'll note that the letter was not signed by the then-current board president, Harrie Ellen Minnehan. Minnehan withheld her signature from the submission b/c the proposed budget was not viable. She did provide Kessel and Cruce with an alternative budget, yet DOE chose to approve the Lewis budget - the budget that has led to this latest, greatest crisis for the school - even with Kepner's assurances that DOE is/was monitoring the situation.
You'll note that the letter was not signed by the then-current board president, Harrie Ellen Minnehan. Minnehan withheld her signature from the submission b/c the proposed budget was not viable. She did provide Kessel and Cruce with an alternative budget, yet DOE chose to approve the Lewis budget - the budget that has led to this latest, greatest crisis for the school - even with Kepner's assurances that DOE is/was monitoring the situation.
3 comments:
Make note, Lizzie was provided attachments by DE DOE and of the FY-2013 Pencader Budget Preliminary Budget dated May 21, 2012! It is not posted on Pencader’s website anywhere! Also, the letter with FY 2013 Preliminary Budget dated May 21 , 2012 signed by the former school leader noted it was “shared” with the Pencader Board of Education. Also under former school leader’s name and signature is the name of former board president Minnehan “but not signed” bot signed by the president, only her name was printed, The fact remains there was no board “approved” preliminary or final FY2013 budget.
Elizabeth, this was in the Feb response to the recommendation for revocation from the Pencader Board. ( from these statements, it certainly seems that there was a revised budget submitted after the student count that showed they were below the 80% enrollment threshold)
Read this statement from page 23. " new Pencader Board is fully aware that the school must operate within the financial resources available to it. The Board is faithfully monitoring the financial situation.
Mr. Bentz submitted a financial report to the Board at its last meeting on January 24, 2013. He reported that with appropriate ongoing attention to expenditures, the school is on target to meet all financial commitments and perhaps end the school year with a small surplus. Mr. Bentz noted, and the Board fully appreciates, that funding is tight and careful attention to expenditures is required. Mr. Bentz and Mr. Quimby meet with DOE and Charter School officials once per month to ensure compliance with budgetary constraints. "
So while they never published a budget it sure seems like they had one that was solvent in January...
Here is the link to that report http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/files/ResponsePCSFinalRep021113.pdf
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