The Sad State of Brentwood Schools
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From the South Hills Record:
When the mud cleared and the South Fayette coaches, players and team managers had finished doing celebratory belly flops in the boggy marsh that moonlighted for Brentwood Stadium's turf....
A few months ago the Duquesne High School was dissolved by the state after it was determined that the school could not provide its students with an adequate education, advanced classes, and/or extra-curricular activities.
Brentwood certainly has not reached the level of Duquesne but if you have a child in Brentwood High School you may be interested in the following information as to how we compare with the Baldwin-Whitehall School District:
Sports offered by Brentwood High School:
Track and Field/Cross Country
Football
Girls Basketball
Girls Volleyball
Girls Softball
Baseball
Swimming
Golf
Brentwood Middle School
Swimming
Track and Field
Sports offered by Baldwin-Whitehall High School:
Baseball
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball - 9th
Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball - 9th
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Football
Football - J.V.
Football - 9th
Boys Golf
Gymnastics
Boys Intramurals
Boys Intramurals - 9th
Girls Intramurals
Co-Ed Intramurals
Girls Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse-J.V.
Personal Fitness - summer
Personal Fitness - winter
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Softball
Boys Swimming
Girls Swimming
Boys Tennis
Girls Tennis
Track (Indoor)
Boys’ Track and Field
Girls’ Track and Field
Boys Volleyball
Girls Volleyball
Girls Volleyball - 9th
Wrestling
Wrestling - 9th
Bowling
Inline Hockey
Hockey
Boys Lacrosse
Baldwin-Whitehall Middle School
Baseball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Football
Intramurals Fall
Intramurals Winter
Boys Soccer (incl. 9th grade)
Girls Soccer
Softball
Boys Swimming
Girls Swimming
Track and f\Field
Girls Volleyball
Boys Volleyball
Wrestling
All this along with a beautiful stadium, track, and new facilities.
What's wrong with this picture? Our School taxes are higher in Brentwood and look at what the children receive.
Last year the B-W School District asked to initiate consolidation and/or merger talks with the Brentwood School Board. They were summarily turned down and told that there was nothing to discuss, that Brentwood was fine on its own.
Well after reviewing the list above do you think the Brentwood School District is fine? What do you get for you children while paying one of the "highest" school tax rates in the State of Pennsylvania!
What is the issue? It is the School Board you keep electing. Their focus is narrowed to block out any information that does not fit within the realm of their understanding, or that which may threaten their own status-quo.
For some of these directors, (bereft of similar responsibility in their standard professions), cling to the influence and prestige of elected office with a "bulldog's" grip. Unwilling to even consider the benefits to be realized by our poor community (and children) through a merger with the Baldwin-Whitehall district.
The children pay the highest cost for the self-centered course taken by these directors, for along with the tax burden we are forced to bear, the students are provided with a minimum of activities, while their peers not one mile distant enjoy benefits unthinkable in Brentwood.
Making matters worse, Brentwood in its poverty and pride, refuses to even discuss the subject of consolidation with the visionary directors of the B-W district who have held out their hands in generosity and cooperation.
We are shackled by the bands of so-called "Brentwood Pride", which in this case is nothing more than arrogance, coupled with ignorance, overlaid insolence, being waived as a rallying flag by these "small-minded" school directors, being followed by uninformed citizens.
In order for Brentwood to change, for our children to be considered, for our tax burden to be lightened, these directors must change, - or be changed. That is the central issue.
(If you don't agree scroll up and look at the list once again.)
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Wesley,
Well stated points but it should go beyond athletics. I have a few questions to add to this.
Why are teachers not required to attend open house? At the middle school open house, parents were directed to follow their childs schedule. When doing so, 1/2 of the teachers never showed up. When the principal was confronted, the answer was " it's not in their contract"
Since we do not have bussing, Where are the savings in tax dollars compared to schools with busses?
Why is it, that our children are taught nothing more than a state issued test taken each spring?
It seems that education has become nothing more than a buisness. The kids and tax payers are the ones who suffer.
I believe that the older teachers witin the school district care about our children, while a lot of the younger teachers are only in teaching for the money and limited work hours.
Maybe it is time that we start to look very close at a merger.
DonkeySlayer,
You are correct about Wesley's focus on athletics. We should first focus only on Brentwood's academics and educational results and only then look at extra-curricular items. I still ask the same question I did about Wesley's suggested police merger with Baldwin Borough. What is in it for Baldwin-Whitehall taxpayers to want them to merge with us? I also question how our small community could save anything in taxes by merging with Baldwin-Whitehall because of the monstrosity that they are building along Route 51. And, there are plans to rehab the stadium and astroturf the field and create a football practice facility. More and more and more tax money required for athletic supporters. The debt for all of this will be huge and spreading it out over our small community isn't going to make things better. It all sounds good but the proof is in the details. The piper must eventually be paid.
I am in agreement with all sides here. Except there is one small clarification to the plan that was presented last year. The plan called for merging some services. Nothing specific at the point of inception. All the BW School Directors wanted to do was have each districts administrators talk about merging services. Brentwood directors voted that down. I see nothing wrong with talking. As for a merger I agree that it may be suicide for both districts. Each are older ditricts with little chance for new business development to generate additional tax revenue. With all that said it would not be a bad idea to start the talks, the state is giving money to Center Area and Monaca for merging without being told to merge.
Stretching back to Thomas Paine and his work "Common Sense", good rhetoric is the fuel of positive change in the world... It forces leaders and followers alike to think and ask questions, therefore forcing positive change.
Almost 100 years ago a group of citizens gathered to discuss breaking away from Baldwin Township to create Brentwood Borough and the Brentwood School District. The situation has now come full circle, as our community has changed significantly since 1915.
Discussion and critical analysis should be encouraged. It was such discussion that resulted in separation and the same that may spark a re-union.
Every aspect of education should be discussed. Since athletics is the "sacred cow" of Brentwood I decided to discuss it first. The floor is open, be my guest...
Not only does Brentwood not offer the extended list of athletics as Baldwin; but, I bet Baldwin students do not have to pay a high price to play these sports. I have a letter in front of me that my daughter brought home(freshmen that states I must come up with $205 in order for her to play basketball. $90 for warm-ups, $40 for sweatsuits, and $75 for shoes. Now, after speaking with some other parents, I find out that the boys basketball team does not pay for anything. Is that correct? Is it because they do extensive fundraising or do the girls just get slighted when it comes out to distributing the money between sports. I'm new to this--so if someone could explain why we only have 1 booster club instead of several for individualized sports where the cost would not take away from a mortgage payment in order for my child to play high school sports, I wouldn't be complaining. Is it because there just isn't enough parent participation in the girls basketball? Did you also know that the cheerleaders take on about $300 in order to cheer for the high school? They have to pay for their pom-poms. Now where I come from that used to be part of the uniforms. Come on now, I here of how many hud homes and section 8 homes we have in this borough that you can't tell me everyone is so willing to just write out a check without questioning the expense or what does our tax dollars actually cover? I'm sorry but $205 dollars to play high school sports is ridiculous!!!!! I'd like to hear from some experienced parents with kids currently participating in any of the high school sports and what they have paid out of pocket. Also, if any parent out there couldn't afford the amount and had to explain to their child they couldn't play. What happens if you can't pay? Do you still get to play or just sit the bench?
I think that the cost of athletics, if that is the case, is high. Although, I do remember participating in the band and there were alot of costs involved in that too. We also had to do extensive fundraising. And when the fundraising was not enough my parents had to kick in the rest, and for the years that we traveled to Disney World if the money was not paid-you did not go.
But let us keep in mind that as much as athletics and extra curriculars are important, they are not what is going to get us through life. That's where the academics come into play. Let us all remember that Brentwood's test scores are extremely good. Some might say that even though your children are in public schools, they get a private school education. Our test scores for last year were better than Baldwin-Whitehall, South Park, and many neighboring communities.
I moved here because my kids could walk to school, not go by bus. And also because of the smaller schools. I did not want them to get lost in a quad A school.
Wiz:
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Brentwood, as with most schools here in Western PA, are obsessed with athletics and mostly ignore the superior benefits of focusing on academics.
Just look at the Brentwood School District: spent nearly $4,000,000.00 extra for a gym when they redid the High School. For what? It was a total waste. When did they ever spend that kind of money on strengthening the kids brains? Simpletons running a school produces simpletons.
On the other hand, one of the school boards in the late 90's instituted a inclusive foreign language program from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Despite all empirical evidence suggesting that bi-lingual students perform better in their native language, grammar, speaking, music, art, and are better prepared to articulate themselves later in life, the replacement school board canceled the program. Could it be that they are just inept?
Maybe if our directors had better schooling they would appreciate academics over sports.
And lets not forget the arts. I didn't, but they did.
So, what do we end up with? A bunch of former high school football stars that might get a scholarship to Bethany, or flunk out, only to end up pumping my gas.
I'd rather stress academics. It pays the bills. Being a football star is only good over a beer at the Pointview.......oh I forgot, thats closed.
Ron:
Why can't Brentwood have both, good academics and good sports programs? Most schools do, our district however just can't afford both. That is the issue.
Also what is wrong with going to school on a bus if it's a great school with great programs? Most kids ride a bus to school. I walked to Brentwood and remember how cold it was in the winter. I wouldn't have minded riding on a warm bus at all.
Walking meant nothing to me other than the fact that I had to do it, and was happy when I was in 11th grade and could drive.
The song was called "You can't always get what you want".
School's main function is to teach. And if we focussed and achieved excellence across the board in the basics, then I would agree to almost anything. But look at how many people graduate who can't write a complete sentence!!! This isn't a new problem, but one that has been allowed to fester for decades.
Dare I say from the "liberal" late 60's?
I agree that academics is a priority over outside activities,but I think that the extra curriculars help keep the kids off of the street.It gives them something constructive to do with their free time and keeps them out of trouble.It seems to me that the kids who are involved in school activities get into less trouble.Some do learn a skill that helps them in life,like musical skills.Scholarships to help with college costs are based on some of these activities.
I realize that these activities can be costly,but it may be a worthy investment for some parents.They may actually help some kids further their education when that possibility didn't exist.
Yes, sports does help with social skills to a degree, and in the rare instance, with sports scholarships.
Lets face it, if our children had more to do to strengthen their brains, they would be too busy to go out "on the street". I hate cliches, but Idle Hands Are The Devils Playground.
The responsibility really rests primarily with the parents. Some of them, the ones that fall between the cracks, are consigned to be baby-sat by the district. And the district baby-sits these children in part with extra curricular activities.
Some could be helped after school with their homework... if most of our teachers weren't racing the kids out the door at the end of the day. Maybe they wouldn't have to rely on a "football scholarship" if they strengthened their brains instead. Where are the so-called "professional" teachers in this case?
And the fact is that if you want to go to college, you can without scholarships. Its called GET A JOB and work while going to school. Its called grants. Its called student loans. You can go to CCAC where there are excellent teachers, some that work at CMU, Pitt, Robert Morris, and other institutions as well as industry.
We don't take education seriously here. It shows.
I agree with your comments about CCAC.I went there before transferring to a four year program.I had some great instructors.The credits are cheaper and most 4 year colleges accept these credits on transfer.It is a great way to save money and still get a quality education.
Good point. I agree!
Academics are or should be the priority.Brentwood schools should be very proud of the great test scores.A good education combined with outside interests help to create a well-rounded student.That should lead to a well-rounded adult.The combination can give some children the confidence to succeed in life.The problem comes when parents forget the priority of education first.
The main points raised have been equal education, access to athletics, teacher performance and financial burdens. Perhaps we should steer away from the debate about property tax causing such inadequacies in academics and after school activities. What we do need to focus on are identifying the problems, how to solve them, and the steps needed to build support around those solutions.
Starting with teachers showing up at parent-teacher ‘back to school’ nights: someone stated not in their contract? We can all agree that communication between parent, child and teacher creates a solid base for outstanding performance. If such a requirement for teachers to attend these events is not in the contract, it better be soon. Educators are entrusted with our children, and 4-8 nights, for 9 months out of the year, is not asking too much.
As for academics, these need to come with no costs attached to those that want to participate. Creating additional barriers, such as $300 to cheerlead, for children to participate in a team sport is negatively affecting students – not helping.
The financial burdens: if a school is in distress and another school is well off, certain obligations exist as citizens to promote solutions that incur a higher probability of opportunity for our kids.
We know the problems; the question is the how. Thee final step is to build support, and as community interaction and participation is on the decline, getting people involved will be very difficult.
While I understand the importance of acedemics I do believe that athletics are just as important as they teach team work, school spirit, community pride and self confidence just to mention a few. But when one sport is favored more than another I find it very disheartening. Every child should have the opportunity to participate weather their family is wealthy or low income. And when one sport has a bigger participation fee than the other you are taking away that opportunity for many children.
As a mom of 3 children that have and still do participate in Brentwood Sports I have to agree with those that think some sports get slighted more than others.
I had a son that played 4 years of football and the biggest expense I had to pay for was the $10.00 Spartan Card I bought each year. I didn't have to pay for spikes, I didn't have to pay for camp, I didn't have to pay for the T-Shirts, just the Spartan Card. But my daughters who cheerlead every year pay for Camp, shoes, pom poms, hair bows, and turtle necks that's every year. Theres also one time fee for the sweat suits but if your child grows out of it or if they become unavailable we have to pay for new suits. And then there's the girls that through participating in camp get invitied to go to Florida and participate at the Capital One Bowl there's another expense out of the pocket unless they go door to door and beg for donations. Yes they fundraise, they hold car washes and they hold a youth cheerleading camp but when there's 20 girls on the team the money collected doesn't go that far. These girls deserve a lot better than what they get, and what they get is UNDER APPRECIATED. These girls not only cheer for their sports teams, they get out an involve themselves with the community, they donate their time to coach Dukes Cheerleading, they collect can goods for the Brentwood Food Bank, the volunteer their time for Open House and Freshman Orientation and this year they did an extra fundraiser for a little boy in the community that was diagnosed with cancer. But because cheerleading is not considered a "Sport" they are low team on the totum pole.
So all of you that say that all the sports get an equal portion of the booster money best think again.
Maybe we'll hear from some of the board members?
I suspect that they feel completely "overwhelmed" by the task of keeping this small district running and probably would be relieved to talk with Baldwin-Whitehall, but fear some type of tremendous backlash from the community.
They just need to lay the facts out on the table and explain how difficult it is to keep this operation running, - academics, athletics, and facilities.
Most citizens have no idea that Brentwood track meets cannot be hosted in our stadium due to its poor condition, along with the size and scope of the rest of sports program.
Sports certainly should not be the primary focus of school, but the strength of the program represents the overall strength of the district.
I wonder where Brentwood stands when it comes to non-sports activities and advanced academic offerings?
It's interesting that there is no comment from any of the school directors? This is certainly a civil forum to challenge, refute, or agree with the many concerns that have been presented.
They either won't say, can't say, or most likely, don't know what to say.
most school directors only hear what their neighbors tell them, and what goes on at the board meetings. we also know how difficult it is these days to go to the public forums (finding someone to watch the kids, working, having to cook, transportation, etc). technology needs to be incorporated into increasing public participation. having school emails for parents to stay informed is a good start - perhaps this would increase communication between teachers and parents. i would like to see school boards start using online forums - similiar to this one - to increase communication/dialogue between them and the community.
Most of the people involved with the education of our children are concerned with nothing more than state test scores. This test seems to be the only thing being taught to the kids. Directors along with board members, and teachers only care about these test results. Our children are simply pawns for the buisness of education. The better the test results, the more money teachers tell you they are worth, the more money the school district receives.
There is a teacher in the middle school who did not post grades on progress reports. Instead a note was issued that stated that a large number of children did poorly on tests and a more favorable grading system was being put in place. Who does this benefit other than the teacher. I am sure this report was seen by both office staff as well as the school principal.
As a local radio personal would say, " Is this as good as it gets".
A lot has been mentioned about funding for school sports, what about school classes? My child had a sewing class this year that required the purchase of materials for a book bag. It was not a large expense ($20.00), but what if I did not have the money for this project?
There simply has to be a better way.
I am quite confident that they are all very much aware of, and are reading this forum, unless they don't have Internet access.
If I were a public official I would jump on this community site to present, justify, and/or defend my positions. At least people would know what I was thinking and trying to accomplish....and I wouldn't do it anonymously either.
But then a number of these folks (council and school board alike) aren’t really sure of what their responsibilities as elected officials entail in the first place, and they are frightened to engage because they aren't really that much more informed than the average citizen.
It's all too easy to just attend meetings, go with the flow, and vote on issues presented that they know little about.
Whom ever you are...since you won't say your last name...I have never seen such amazing behavior from a "so called" adult. You criticize anyone and everyone, and then call people names when they don't do what you want. You have only ever criticized, and not even provided any thoughtful insight into how things might be made better. You just call people names, and then say..."let the discussion begin!!" That's no way to behave. My guess is that you just want to sit back, complain about everything, and do nothing about it. While I agree with other users comments on the Booster club's distribution of dollars, calling the school board names is absurd. Saying they are refusing to talk on YOUR BLOG is also absurd. Maybe they don't read your diatribe? Maybe they don't even know about this website. I didn't until today. Your comments about the goings on at Brentwood clearly show that you have never been to any meeting anywhere, and have no idea about what the merger talks were, where the money goes, or anything about the athletic department.
If you have something positive to say about how things might be changed, then state that. Don't complain about everything about Brentwood, and offer no ideas. What's the point?
Wonderful reply! It tells me that the comments and concerns are getting to the folks who need to hear them. I can't say that I've called anyone names, but for the amount of money I pay in taxes I could if I wanted to.
These folks ran for public office and it's their responsibility to come up with the ideas. If they want some from me I'll be happy to comply. In fact "ideas" are what this discussion is about.
Just have them come onto the sight and we'll have an open and fully transparent discussion about any issue they like.
No hard feelings on my end FYI, I'm not trying to offend anyone. Sorry if you take it that way. If my comments sting a little, it's probably because they're true. :)
Very seldome do I read these blogs but someone brought this to my attention. As a current school director I find your comments are interesting, however, somewhat inaccurate, perhaps the best way to voice your concerns is to actually attend a school board meeting, public comments and questions are always welcome and appreciated.
Inaccurate, how so? Please don't try to patronize me, just tell me what you have to say. We don't need a meeting that limits the discussion, lets talk here, in the open.
If you chose not to go thru proper channels to create dialog and change so be it, this is not the forum I chose.
With all due respect to you and your position sir.
What if I decided to call you on the phone? That's a proper channel if you put your name on the ballot. This forum is no different.
You're not an administrator; you're an elected official. You must answer to the people. But then that's if you have answers.
There should be a focus on increasing participation and involvement. The fact is that some people can not attend these events. Are you suggesting that due to their inability to attend, that their opinions can not be addressed? Eliminating concerns based solely because they are not voiced in person at a school board meeting, should not be a condoned practice. What we should do as elected representatives, is to bridge the gap between what the residents desire and what the school board is addressing. I agree more should go to the meetings, but I also know the realities of some situations. Some individuals are single parents; some work two jobs; and others do not have the transportation or time. I attend school board meetings when possible, but trust me, it is not always doable. Use the resources and tool that technology has allotted us, and please do not ignore them.
The school board should welcome an open forum like this. As long as it's civil and orderly it can be a great tool.
Why would they answer any questions here? They are not up on a stage for everyone to see on this site, and they can not control the questioning. It is easy to sit at a meeting and give answers such as, we will look into that. We now know it as a fact that the board memsbers and directors are aware of this site. The question is, will they answer questions or avoid them??
Jonni123, you are an elected official which means you should answer questions at any forum that is presented to you by the people whom you are elected to represent. As long as the dialog is civil, what is wrong with elected officials discusing issues on this site? The entire community would be better informed with the state of the schools.
Comments and questions are welcome.....thats nice......but it's like talking to the deaf and dumb... especially if you are one of the outspoken in the borough who doesn't tow the party line.
What we need is leadership with brains, not political hacks who join the school board for purely selfish reasons, whether its to feed an over-inflated ego, or to have the inside track for thier children, or for using their position for graft.
The best way to voice our concerns is in the bright sunshine of public discussion...and here is as good as anywhere. If you don't like what is said here, do something tangable to correct the problems or address the concerns.
We don't have to come in and grovel before you do get results, do we?
CITIZEN DRIVEN-- I totally agree with your statement on the decline of parental participation and involvement. But why do we think that is? Maybe because many think it is not worth challenging the old with the new.
Well, I am here to say that I want to get involved and plan to help make some changes and would hope that I can recruit some other parents as well.
CANDLELADY--In my case, I am not debating between athletics and academics; anyone in my household will tell you that school comes first; I am currently a college student myself. I am looking into the future thru athletics in order to help my daughter get into a good architectual engineering college. School is a main priority in my house as it should be with everyone; but, financially I am trying to incorporate both to help provide a future for her. But with all these expenses, it is making it hard to choose between should I skip a mortgage payment or pay for the outside expenses for the sport?
SPORTSMOM2THREE--I am so glad someone else spoke up. If you look on the Booster Club web page, http://brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us/Sports the expenses that they paid for last year (nothing posted for this year)was for 3 girls varsity uniforms. Now, my question is--why should the BC pay for those when the school is supposed to provide them. But I also researched the school codes and the wording is the school will pay for "supplies and equipment" for the interscholastic sport. Now, what constitutes supplies and equipment? Never a mention of "uniform". In your case, does pom-poms fall under supplies or equipment? I would think so. And in looking at the BC web page I could already tell that the BOYS ARE FAVORED OVER THE GIRLS. To me I would think that sounds like a violation of the TITLE IX Amendment of 1972. Discrimination. What is good for one is good for another. If the football gets their shoes paid for, then the other teams should have shoes paid for or something to that effect. And if that is not feasible then I would suggest that the Booster Club be disbanded and individualized boosters set up for those individualized sports. Why should the BC be the ones to decide who gets what money? And apparently we all know that is goes to the football team. That's one sport who should have their own booster club because it is expensive and takes plenty of money away from the other activities. But in order to do so, we need more parent involvement;
WE CAN ALL START BY ATTENDING THE BOOSTER CLUB MEETING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AT 7:00 IN ROOM 123 TONIGHT.
I want to know what we pay for, what the school pays for, and what do the boosters pay for; possibly an itemized bill so that the public would be able to see exactly what was bought and paid for each sport.
Oscuby8:
The problem that cheerleading has is that the school doesn't recognize it as a SPORT or an ACTIVITY. So if the school doesn't see it as either why would they put money out for it? But you know what cheerleading is a sport and those that say differently should go to a couple practices and see the girls in action I bet they would think differently.
I think the Booster Club is a wonderful organization and I'm not bashing them I just think fair is fair.
Dear Oscuby8,
Good luck with your education.College costs go up every year and is a headache for parents who want their children to get a college degree.For some,sports scholarships is a possible solution.As you pointed out,the cost of sports participation can be a burden too.I went to college as an adult too.I continued to work full time and my children were young then.The price goes up even further for graduate courses!It is a great example for your children though,and it helps them appreciate the importance of education.I understand the cost of sports is very high for most sports.Thats sad,especially if it excludes children that really want to participate.
Brentwood Sports Activities............."The Baldwin varsity hockey team opened its PIHL season by splitting decisions in its first two games."
Wouldn't it be nice if our kids too could participate in such activities? My point is that "they can", and much, much more if we would just merge the districts...and our taxes would be reduced as well.
The latest PIAA rankings for Athletics has downgraded Brentwood from a double A school to a single A school. Putting egos aside I can't seem to understand the reasoning why a single A school would not merge with a middle size quad A school such as BW. Not to mention the added benefits such as AP courses for the Brentwood students and class room size would not change much. I think the board would be comprised of one member from each municipality and an at-large member.
I see the District as such:
High School - The completed Baldwin High
Middle school - The current Brentwood Sr / Jr High
Elementary schools - Whitehall, Harrison, Painter and possibly one from Brentwood.
As to why some folks in Brentwood (primarily the school board) can't seem to see the forest through all of the trees?
"Pride" is touted these days as a "great attribute", while C.S. Lewis in his work Mere Christianity ranks it as "the Great Sin".
Pride is the prmary obstacle to good sense and logic in this case... nothing more.
Monday, December 03, 2007
By Brian David, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07337/838689-298.stm
When the members of the Center Area and Monaca Borough school boards voted to consolidate the two districts, they weren't thinking much about history.
Already small -- Center has about 1,770 pupils and Monaca only about 720 -- the Beaver County districts were both facing further drops in enrollment, and Monaca in particular was struggling to offer a full slate of academic courses and activities. There were also looming financial problems, with all of Monaca's schools in need of renovation.
"It's about educating kids, and if you look at the enrollments that are dropping and the cost of education going up, you have to consolidate," Center Area school board President Mike Rossi said a couple of weeks before the Oct. 18 consolidation vote.
In other words, it was a logical, pragmatic choice, made because it was best for the communities involved. There was not much talk about setting an example for other districts to follow, and even less about breaking with more than 300 years of Pennsylvania tradition.
But the two districts are, in fact, blazing a trail.
Gov. Ed Rendell gave them $500,000 and promised to seek ongoing funding, and the state Department of Education has a team of experts hacking its way through the legal jungle to help make the consolidation happen.
State officials are clearly hoping some of the other small districts -- 211 of Pennsylvania's 501 districts have fewer than 2,000 pupils, and 65 have fewer than 1,000 -- will follow Center Area and Monaca to the altar.
I can't figure out why anyone would want to merge our district with any other. Small schools are the best for educating children in academics.
The real problem lies in the way districts are funded, today largely assessed at a local level. Brentwood is "saddled" with high school taxes because the tax method is based on local real-estate prices. This is discriminatory in all ways.
We can still have local school districts, but what we need is EQUAL funding from the State, not the local district. School taxes should be equally assessed across the State, and distributed from the State directly, as is almost every other state function.
What other State agency taxes according to discriminatory districting? NONE. Why schools?
Do we really want to warehouse our children in faceless mega-plexes that sprawl over acres...faceless buldings that resemble a Wal-Mart, where our children are not known by name, only by a "student ID" number?
We've lost our way. We must stick to basics. Everyone who graduates and moves on to other endeavors learns that the basics are what make a strong foundation for learning later. Not sports, unless your the lucky few that wins that lottery.....
We have to deal with reality and the situation as it is, plain and simple.
I agree that the funding is wrong and things need to be changed but by merging the districts several cost savings can be achieved. Also the main idea to merge the districts is to provide more opportunaties to the students to prepare them for the college or the real world. How many AP courses are offered by Brentwood? Do they have a newspaper? What about a broadcast studio? Do they have accouting or a business course as an elective? The more students in a district the more diversified the education can be.