tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post8174368996586376049..comments2024-03-29T05:10:57.942-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Easton Charter School Advocate On ARD For Indecent AssaultBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15507074065877458522014-02-11T18:10:02.047-05:002014-02-11T18:10:02.047-05:001) Let's avoid the nasty personal shots. 2) Do...1) Let's avoid the nasty personal shots. 2) Don't impersonate others. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-89693280455799657642014-02-11T15:25:35.717-05:002014-02-11T15:25:35.717-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.John Richettanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-75868223739955236452014-02-11T15:22:08.458-05:002014-02-11T15:22:08.458-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74389284490646276152014-02-11T14:02:01.561-05:002014-02-11T14:02:01.561-05:00Since he is an elected official, I will allow that...Since he is an elected official, I will allow that statement. But anonymous personal attacks are very petty.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79605768937566018212014-02-11T13:59:34.895-05:002014-02-11T13:59:34.895-05:00Sal is showing his classy side again. He can be t...Sal is showing his classy side again. He can be the angry drama queen Frank so you might as well get used to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43465513081919189082014-02-11T11:21:19.482-05:002014-02-11T11:21:19.482-05:00Mr. Pintabone
Suffice it to say that the only nega...Mr. Pintabone<br />Suffice it to say that the only negative thing I said about the Board was the constant layoffs of teachers and the increase in class size. Everything else was positive. Sorry but the layoffs are very troubling and fact. You need to stop blaming past Boards, you are now the decision maker and your Board sets policies. I guess I should blame the current severe winter on Phil Mitman. <br /><br />If you are going to quote me please give the total quote -- I stated that at each of the last four budget messages I include a statement that I will continue to hold the line on real estate taxes because I know the school district will need to increase their taxes and public education is very important to me. I never blamed you for increasing taxes, I blame you for the tremendous number of teacher layoffs.<br /><br />Other than that the school district is doing a great job in spite of the financial difficulties placed on you by the decreasing state funding. I even complimented the Board of the selection of the superintendent and instead of accepting the compliment you brushed me aside.Sal Panto, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02791993098945852710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-57141662578616209672014-02-11T07:08:10.608-05:002014-02-11T07:08:10.608-05:00Sal, I wasnt going to comment, but I feel I need t...Sal, I wasnt going to comment, but I feel I need to give accurate information. I did NOT call you back to the podium and 'accuse you of not partnering with the district', my EXACT words were, maybe the city will partner with the district. You pointed out 'problems' with our district. So, I thought maybe we could get some help correcting the issues that THIS board inherited. My comment about taxes, were made in response to your comment of how " the city hasn't raised taxes in however many years. <br />As for the procedure of the meeting, no current board member or administrator has ANY experience with charters or their hearings. We as a board, TOGETHER, agreed to take the recommendations of our solicitor as to how to run this meeting. Had we opted to ignore our solicitor, and get ourselves in some type of legal issue, im sure we'd be talked about for that too. <br />Frank PintaboneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-32116968104056655042014-02-10T23:20:49.750-05:002014-02-10T23:20:49.750-05:00Sal supports the charter school concept and school...Sal supports the charter school concept and school choice. He did not speak to the specific details of the proposal or the people involved. I watched the video. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-12886226791789469552014-02-10T23:17:43.776-05:002014-02-10T23:17:43.776-05:00So this is politics? Sal Panto strongly supportd a...So this is politics? Sal Panto strongly supportd a charter school that he now claims to know nothing asbout it? Hand in the cookie jar?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29741907358342180272014-02-10T23:01:30.054-05:002014-02-10T23:01:30.054-05:00You, too, Bill. You, too, Bill. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44019103119969796592014-02-10T23:00:58.839-05:002014-02-10T23:00:58.839-05:0010:29, Thanks. The check is in the mail. 10:29, Thanks. The check is in the mail. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43843758095548548502014-02-10T22:57:06.334-05:002014-02-10T22:57:06.334-05:00Hey Sal, you owe Pintabone an apology. And you owe...Hey Sal, you owe Pintabone an apology. And you owe all the people there an apology for your unprofessional behavior. You were picking on the Board for procedures that are not up to this Board and things that happened many Boards ago. You lost my vote with the commuter tax. Now you made certain that you will never get my vote again with your behavior. Do us all a favor and just apologize brcause if Pintabone asks for an apology, it puts you in an awkward position. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. And better not show up to roast Frank at the roast. It will look petty if you do and petty if you don't.<br /><br />Sorry Bernie for going off topic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25806089358732692642014-02-10T22:29:14.833-05:002014-02-10T22:29:14.833-05:00Bernie...an A for digging into matters and letting...Bernie...an A for digging into matters and letting spotlight shine where it might ....<br />.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18257493616010780692014-02-10T22:14:44.069-05:002014-02-10T22:14:44.069-05:00Read on the Express site that he resigned and all ...Read on the Express site that he resigned and all the details of the ARD were exposed.<br /><br />You scooped them all again, Bernie, no matter what some people think of you.<br /><br />Congrats.Bill Cokernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81331718407389919902014-02-10T22:05:51.297-05:002014-02-10T22:05:51.297-05:00Bullshit Sal... Tuition back in your day was minim...Bullshit Sal... Tuition back in your day was minimal!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74712501352371255112014-02-10T21:09:17.878-05:002014-02-10T21:09:17.878-05:00Oh yeah, i disagreed with your complaints about th...Oh yeah, i disagreed with your complaints about the process used. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24746146459860554762014-02-10T21:07:40.014-05:002014-02-10T21:07:40.014-05:00Hello Sal,
I watched the video of the meeting in...Hello Sal, <br /><br />I watched the video of the meeting in question, particularly your mini-debate with Frank. I was hoping for more. What I saw was a a passionate exchange, and I believe your comments here reflect pretty much what you said then. You spoke as a public education advocate yet a choice advocate who believes the funding mechanism needs to be re-visited. You did not really speak about this specific program. <br /><br />My take on charter schools is to look at them on a case-by-case basis. I have supported some endeavors while opposing others. I am leery of people who sometimes seem more interested to me in making a quick buck than in the actual sacred trust of educating our youth. <br /><br />I know where you stand on that count. I met you once for an interview. You have probably forgotten about it, but I still remember the enthusiasm and outright pleasure in your voice as you discussed reading to kindergarten kids earlier that day. <br /><br />That day, I realized just what a good person you are. <br /><br />As for the debate with Frank, I think he was defending the district against some of your complaints about things that existed before the current board members were installed. <br /><br />It would be like him criticizing you for what happened under Mitman. <br /><br />But this post is very specific. It is about a founding chair of a charter school on ARD for sex offenses, and who tried to keep that information from everyone until he was exposed by this blog. His selection, and his hope to be CEO at the school, casts grave doubt on the judgment used in this specific charter application. <br /><br />I would not grant it. I doubt you would, either. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-12501322328040303832014-02-10T20:39:41.603-05:002014-02-10T20:39:41.603-05:00Sal Panto says
Before someone starts to connect m...Sal Panto says<br /><br />Before someone starts to connect me to the organization please know that I am not on the Board or connected in any manner. True I sent a letter supporting this charter school because I believe in offering parents a choice. However, I also believe that the funding formula needs to be addressed by the state because the school district should not be paying the entire amount of the school. I know several of the individuals involved but I do not know the individual people are referencing here. <br /><br /> Concerns I voiced at the hearing had to do with the process used by the Board. It appeared to me to be blatantly orchestrated and scripted. Only the President asked the questions for the Board and as elected officials I would have liked to know who asked what questions and listened to some dialogue that may have followed. <br /><br />The additional points I made had to do with the ongoing teacher cuts that have become an annual part of the district. My point to the Board that as you continue to reduce teachers and increase class size there will be more and more charter school applications by parents concerned about the quality of education provided.<br /><br />Make no mistake, I am a strong supporter of pubic education and know that an educated populace is the key to the success of our government, the cure for our social ills and the base for our economic recovery.<br /><br />I also pointed out to the Board the tremendous successes of our district and not just our athletic prowess. I mentioned the number of advanced placement courses offered; the number of seniors taking college level courses, the number of students that continue to tell me how their high school career has helped them get through college.<br /><br />The "heated discussion" was a result of the President calling me back to the podium to accuse me as head of the city, for not "partnering" with the district and mentioning something about the city's tax rate which had nothing to do with the topic at hand and I don't think he understands the difference between tax millage and actual dollars paid. <br /><br />I am in the district classrooms whenever invited. I attend committee meetings, athletic events, concert and plays. I read to students, serve as their tour guide of city historic sites and even served as the basketball coach for the DECA club fundraiser at the high school.<br /><br />I am currently involved in a statewide group chairing the Mayors portion of the group to lobby the state for more equitable funding of of schools so that we level the playing field for all students regardless of the financial ability of the district they attend. I have also taken part in PLUS (Pennsylvania League of Urban Schools) with district officials and work with various state organizations for full day kindergarten. This Thursday and next Thursday I will at the middle school on a panel to discuss the issue of bullying in our schools. Wednesday of this week I will be on a conference call with Education Secretary Duncan to listen to their federal program to provide pre-school for all four year olds. I have also been invited to conferences in Washington with the secretary. Public education is a priority for me although it is not one of my responsibilities as Mayor.<br /><br />I could go on and on about public education and our school district but in summary, as a former teacher in the district and as a person who graduated from Notre Dame High School where my parents sacrificed to pay for the tuition I strongly support the district but agree that parents should have a choice and if they choose that choice the district (taxpayers) shouldn't pay the total bill.<br />Sal Panto, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02791993098945852710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83066941036102459562014-02-10T20:20:39.109-05:002014-02-10T20:20:39.109-05:00Thank you. I know that it was supported by Easton ...Thank you. I know that it was supported by Easton Mayor Sal Panto and Palmer Supervisor AnnaMarie Panella. They obviously had no idea how badly they were being led astray. Ford should have been more carefully vetted. Thankfully, this was discovered before the school doors swung open. <br /><br />On the school board, I think Directors would be careful not to say anything until they had all the evidence. I said before that I thought Frank was opposed, bc of his debate with the Mayor, but I do not have a comment from him. He told me he is waiting for all the evidence. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-4129927615184394502014-02-10T19:50:36.060-05:002014-02-10T19:50:36.060-05:00No elected official opposed this school, to the be...No elected official opposed this school, to the best of my knowledge. They all will now. Good research on this one Bernie. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13354965311079096162014-02-10T19:46:46.750-05:002014-02-10T19:46:46.750-05:00I can't speak for Vandeburg and Obey bc I neve...I can't speak for Vandeburg and Obey bc I never met them. I know Frank and he has been opposed to this school. So are many members of Shiloh Church. More about that later. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17365222128662203122014-02-10T19:43:24.246-05:002014-02-10T19:43:24.246-05:00Shilo Shilo Shilo.
Frank Pintabone, Barron Vandeb...Shilo Shilo Shilo.<br /><br />Frank Pintabone, Barron Vandeburg and Robert Obey. They are all members. Wonder what this group is going to do now? <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47881551005024303782014-02-10T14:44:39.923-05:002014-02-10T14:44:39.923-05:0012:48, ARD is a pretrial diversion. It does not re...12:48, ARD is a pretrial diversion. It does not require a guilty plea. In my day, courts were unwilling to accept defendants into the program unless they acknowledged some responsibility. Don't know if that is still so.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84698777877697947142014-02-10T14:33:24.059-05:002014-02-10T14:33:24.059-05:00The state does have some legal requirements about ...The state does have some legal requirements about financial disclosures of key employees of charter schools but I'm not sure about any disclosures required of mere founding members or proposing persons . Of course failure to make required disclosure gets you less than one slap of wet noodle (See Auditor General Wagner's report re LV Charter High School of the Performing Arts ) <br /><br />I suspect Attila the Hun could found a Charter school and all would be OK provided Attila the Hun not actually teach or have contact with children. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43584700115624902062014-02-10T13:02:01.526-05:002014-02-10T13:02:01.526-05:00The window for white guilt closed after the OJ ver...The window for white guilt closed after the OJ verdict. That's why Obama can't recover his approval rating, despite his supporters' goal-line defense of racism charges toward anyone who dares speak against his presidency. Bernie's right to point out this guy's potentially creepy behavior, regardless of his race. I want to hear all about it as it pertains to someone charged with educating children. The public ought to know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com