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.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.
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