Thursday, January 31, 2013
Pennsylvania School Boards Association says this month is a time to spotlight the contributions of public school board members.
Superintendent Patrick O'Toole recognized Monday the volunteer work of the Upper St. Clair School Board elected officials. Pennsylvania School Boards Association declared January as School Director Recognition Month, a time to spotlight the contributions of public school board members. "The thing that excites me the most is everyone is always thinking about how to improve education for kids," said Buffy Hasco, school director. "It's been very rewarding for me," said Harry Kunselman, school director. "Public schools are going through transformations ... I still believe Upper St. Clair does public education the right way and hope we can be an example for others." "The school district is the township's most critical asset," said Louis …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
'Should we have armed security in any or all of the buildings?' asked Upper St. Clair School Director Harry Kunselman.
Upper St. Clair Superintendent Patrick O'Toole discussed security measures and changes in the school district on the one-month anniversary of the Newtown massacre. "There are some really difficult decisions on what school environment we will have. Obviously, we want a safe environment," O'Toole told school directors on Monday night. Currently the school district has two school police officers that "basically have the authority of municipal officers," according to O'Toole. There are also two additional part-time security officers. They have been "working more full-time recently." "We've had a bigger and expanded presence at the three elementary schools and two middle schools (than before)," O'Toole said. Plans have sped up to bring …
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A narrow majority of the Upper St. Clair School Board opts for a rate that could result in no increase for 2013-14.
You might recall the old commercials advertising Fram Oil Filters. You'll remember the catchphrase: “You can pay me now, or pay me later.” Upper St. Clair School Board, or at least a slim majority of board members, has opted for the former. By a 5-4 vote Monday, the board approved an amendment to the proposed 2012-13 operating budget, calling for a 1.618-mill property tax increase. The tentative version of the spending plan provided for an additional 1.375 mills. The revised figure brings the tax rate to 25.718. For owners of property valued at $200,000, the increase means an extra $323.60 on the tax bill. Frosina Cordisco, district director of business and finance, presented the numbers in the proposed budget for the board’s consideration…
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Upper St. Clair School District Central Office
1820 McLaughlin Run Rd, Upper St Clair, PA
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The move will give the board 'maximum amount of flexibility' come June.
The Upper St. Clair School Board passed a preliminary budget Monday night for the 2012-13 school year, which includes a 1.647-mill tax increase and the elimination of nine professional and five support staff positions. A 1.647-mill tax is equivalent to $329 per $200,000 of assessed value. The vote was 7-2. School Directors Louis Oliverio and Louis Mafrice voted against passing the budget. They said they aren't comfortable with such a large tax increase. "I believe a budget is a budget," Oliverio said. "In order for me to vote yes, I need to be comfortable with it." "I believe that this proposed budget falls short of serving members of the community," Mafrice said. "I look at it differently," board member Amy Billerbeck said. "There's one …
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The superintendent also gave an update on the rifle range at the high school.
The Upper St. Clair School Board appointed a new president and vice president Monday night. 2011-12 School Board Vice President Rebecca Stern will now serve as president. School Director Barbara Bolas was voted to become vice president. Superintendent Patrick O'Toole thanked Harry Kunselman for his time served as president for the past year and went over a long list of district accomplishments. Highlights included the middle school renovation projects, creating a director of advancement position, two bond refinancing opportunities, a wage agreement with Upper St. Clair School District support staff, new district policies, technology investments and a new district tagline. In addition, Judge Arnold Klein, an Upper St. Clair resident, swore …
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The middle school held a celebration assembly Monday for its redesignation and newly renovated building.
Boyce Middle School students have two reasons to celebrate. Number one, their school was named a Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn "School to Watch" again. Secondly, the renovation work is finished in their building. All workers need to do is finish the gym. The students celebrated on Monday by holding an assembly. Teachers, school district officials, parents and Boyce Middle School retirees were all invited. "Just a little over a year ago, our team came to your school to see what exactly was happening," said Paul Meck, director of the "Schools to Watch" committee. The team investigated the school's academics and performance based on a rigorous 37 criteria and, apparently, liked what they saw. According to Peck, Boyce is one of only 21 middle …
Monday, October 24, 2011
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held at Boyce Middle School and Fort Couch Middle School on Saturday, in recognition of the building improvements made at each location.
For some, middle school is a temporary stop on the path to adulthood, a place they can’t wait to leave and to which they’ll never return. For others, however, the path to adulthood leads them right back. At least that’s the case with six Upper St. Clair School District teachers, each of whom attended Fort Couch Middle School in their youth and returned to later teach there. And just as the teachers have changed over the years, so too has their school. Five of these teachers—Stephen Levine, Jayna Rubin, Eric Magliocca, Brad Wilson and Brooke Szajnecki—helped honor some of their school’s changes on Saturday morning. With scissors in hand, they cut through a ribbon at Fort Couch’s doors, to mark the completion of their rebuilt, renovated …
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Boyce Middle School
1500 Boyce Rd, Pittsburgh, PA
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Fort Couch Middle School
515 Fort Couch Rd, Upper St Clair, PA
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Upper St. Clair School District is planning to file for an Act 1 exception. If granted, the district could raise taxes higher than the property tax cap.
The preliminary 2012-13 budget for the Upper St. Clair School District shows a $2.7 million shortfall. Superintendent Patrick O'Toole shared the numbers in a presentation with the school board on Monday night. He called the outlook "sobering." Under Pennsylvania's Act 1 of 2006, school boards are limited in how high they can raise real estate taxes. Dr. O'Toole said next year, Act 1 will allow the school board to raise taxes by 1.7 percent or .41 mils. If the school board chooses to raise taxes, the amount raised would be $670,000—not enough to cover the $2.7 million shortfall. A new law passed this summer allows Pennsylvania school districts to apply for an Act 1 exception if the districts can show they need to raise taxes because of …
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
School board pleased with The First Annual Upper St. Clair Homecoming Gala.
"I am pleased to announce the Homecoming Gala was a success," Liz Hall said during Upper St. Clair's School Board meeting. Hall is Upper St. Clair School District's Director of Advancement—a new position that was developed to find ways to raise funds for the district. On Monday night, the board commended Hall for making the Homecoming Gala idea become a reality. "It's amazing to hear where this has come from," said Louis Piconi, school board member. He believes the event will have a net financial impact for the district over time. Those interested in the district were invited to The First Annual Homecoming Gala held at St. Clair Country Club on Oct. 1. Hall also reached out to community members and corporations for donations. There were …
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf retired in August and was recognized at Monday night's school board meeting.
The Upper St. Clair School Board recognized Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf for her 18 years of employment with the district. She retired on Aug. 19. Dr. Matyuf was hired by the district on Sept. 13, 1993. She began her career in Upper St. Clair at the middle school level, then worked at the high school level and ended her career as principal of Baker Elementary. "The most difficult part of it for me to to leave the children behind," Dr. Matyuf said. She said she plans to keep in touch with children by volunteering with the IOCC, at church and with Children's Hospital. Dr. Matyuf and her husband also plan to travel. Dr. O'Toole said he first met Dr. Matyuf in the mid-1990s as they both were finishing their dissertation. He joked that Dr. Matyuf …
Maria Miller
7:48 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The only problem that I have with the current school security in the district is at Fort Couch Middle School. The building was not designed correctly to protect the students. I brought this up at meetings before the building was reconstructed, but no one listened. The cafeteria where a large number of students gather everyday is the first area anyone trying to do harm would encounter. It is … more ›