Monday, May 18, 2015

Vote on Tuesday!

Our Candidates

C.A.R.E. is a group of dedicated community members running for Methacton School Board.

Chris Boardman, a resident of Methacton School District since 1998, lives in Worcester Township with his wife, Andrea, and their 2 children, Susannah and Nathan, both students at Skyview Upper Elementary School. Chris has a B.S. in Mathematics and Psychology from SUNY, as well as a graduate degree in statistics from University of Akron. His professional work has led him down a diverse and evolving path, with work in fetal health research for the CDC in Atlanta, building the Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, to working as a senior level statistician at IMS Health, where his novel approach to forecasting and projections led to him being named inventor on nearly a dozen patents. He is currently Vice President of Data Services and Analytics at ValueCentric. Chris’ passion outside of his profession has always been children. He and his family are actively involved in children’s charities on the local and global scale. In addition, he has been involved locally with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Methacton Baseball Association, and a other charities. Chris hopes to bring to the Methacton School Board his vast knowledge of statistics, data analysis, and managing large budgets combined with his lifelong pursuit of educational opportunities for all children.


Andrea Rees has been a resident of the Eagleville section of Lower Providence for nearly 12 years, where she lives with her husband, Greg, and their 3 children, Anna, Davis, and Lila, all of whom attend Woodland Elementary School. Andrea graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in speech communications. Her professional career began with work as a recruiter and retail manager. She quickly realized her true passion was education. Andrea earned a M.Ed. in elementary education at Chestnut Hill, with an additional certification in middle school English. She has been a classroom teacher for the past 15 years, teaching at Wayne Elementary in Radnor Township, then moving on to itinerant gifted support in Spring-Ford School District, before settling in to her current position teaching 6th grade at Spring-Ford Intermediate School. Andrea is also a fellow with the Pennsylvania Writing and Literacy Program. Outside of her profession, Andrea spends her time with her children at the Methacton United Soccer Club and Methacton Aquatic Club, as well as volunteering with Reading Olympics. She is also a frequent volunteer at Woodland Elementary for special events throughout the year. Her main initiative is to add the insight of an educator to the Methacton School Board, to keep the primary objective of our board – the education of the children of our community – first and foremost in our decisions.



Michael K. Ryan is a 7-year resident of Audubon with his wife Kimberly and their 2 daughters, Katelyn, who currently attends Audubon Elementary, and Veronica, who will join her there soon. Michael is a graduate of LaSalle University, holding a B.S. in accounting and finance. He has worked in business valuation and forensic accounting, where he honed his skills in analyzing financial statements; in corporate finance, specializing in compliance and financial planning in the insurance industry; and as a small business owner. Michael is currently a proud stay-at-home dad. He also spends his time volunteering with The Patrician Society of Central Norristown, raising money and coordinating neighborhood food drives. Michael hopes to combine his financial acumen with his passion for community involvement as a member of the Methacton School Board.



Kim Aubrey-Larcinese has lived in the Eagleville section of Lower Providence for 15 years with her husband, John (a Methacton graduate), and their 2 sons, J.P. and Cole, students at Arcola Intermediate School and Woodland Elementary School. Kim has a B.A. in English and women’s studies from Temple University. She has worked as a medical editor for several trade publications as well as at Pfizer. Kim also served as the administrator for the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers, coordinating the accreditation process for independent birth centers throughout the country. She is currently self-employed as a freelance editor. In addition to her professional work, Kim has been an active volunteer in every organization her family has been involved with -- Methacton Baseball Association, Methacton United Soccer, Woodland Home and School, Cub Scout Pack 608, and Boy Scout Troop 182. She is currently serving as Woodland Home and School Vice President and is a committee member with Troop 182.

Friday, May 15, 2015

It's Almost Time to Vote!

We continue to encourage all voters to do their homework in order to make an informed decision in the upcoming primary election. We have provided you with much information on our candidates and highlighted some of our observations regarding the current school board and how we will bring a new perspective. So that others may make an informed decision when voting, please continue to share this page with others in the Methacton community.
We need a strong voter turnout for next week’s election. Voter turnout of less than 10% for school director positions, as we saw in the last primary election, should not be acceptable to anyone. Methacton school directors influence the education of nearly 5,000 children in our community and approve the spending of over $100 million of our tax dollars. You have a voice in these matters with your vote. Please continue to encourage others in the Methacton community to vote on Tuesday and to vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. Thank you!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Budget Transparency

Many school districts, including Methacton, are facing financial challenges. To address these challenges, most districts are actively looking for ways to grow non-tax revenues and intelligently reduce spending. To date, the Methacton board’s public discussions relating to the 2015-16 budget have not paid much attention to these areas. In addition, the board has only periodically presented limited, summary information regarding the 2015-16 budget. While neighboring school districts invite the public to budget workshops and reviews throughout their budget processes, the Methacton board seems content to meet the minimum requirements. Perhaps if the board conducted an open and transparent budget process, we would have a better understanding of how our tax dollars are spent. In addition, the board may gain valuable insights and suggestions from the community on how to grow non-tax revenues and intelligently reduce spending. An improvement to the district’s budget and financial review processes is yet another new perspective we would like to bring to the board. Next Tuesday, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

School District Consultants

In the past year, Methacton has hired (or proposed to hire) external consultants for enrollment projections, fundraising for the high school athletic fields project, strategic plan development, and the potential redrawing of school attendance areas. In all instances, we have not seen the board ask for community volunteers to provide the needed expertise instead of spending on outside resources. During the school consolidation hearing and subsequent meetings, several members of the community discussed their significant experience with projections and statistical methods. Therefore, did Methacton need to hire PEL for enrollment projections? Regarding fundraising for the fields project, a current board member and possibly others in the community have experience in this area. Did the board explore this option before hiring the external fundraising consultant? With respect to strategic planning and the possibility of redrawing attendance areas, the board may also find volunteer resources in the community. Why not consider this option before spending our tax dollars? Given the district’s financial challenges, the board should be considering all options to control spending. This approach is just one of the many new perspectives we would like to bring to the board. Next Tuesday, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Primary is in One Week! Here are Your Polling Locations:

The primary election is 1 week from today! The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t know where to vote? Below is a link to a site where you can find your voting location. Please note that voter turnout for the last primary election when school board positions were on the ballot (2013) was less than 10% in both Lower Providence and Worcester Townships. To bring a new perspective to the Methacton board, we need a strong voter turnout. Over the course of the next week, please encourage your Methacton friends, family and neighbors to vote on May 19th and to vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan and Aubrey-Larcinese. In the voting booth, please remember these ballot numbers - Democratic ballot – Boardman (D10), Ryan (D17), Aubrey-Larcinese (D18), Rees (D19); Republican ballot – Boardman (J10), Aubrey-Larcinese (J14), Rees (J17), Ryan (J18). To improve our chances, please consider voting for ONLY the 4 C.A.R.E. candidates. We thank you for your support!!!
PAVOTERSERVICES.STATE.PA.US

Monday, May 11, 2015

Methacton School Board Update Raises More Questions than Answers

On Friday, May 8th, the Methacton board issued its April update. This issue provides information on the goals adopted by the board in September 2014 (for further information on these goals, see our May 5th post). However, a fair amount of information is missing: 1) The update only provides information on 3 of the 11 goals adopted. Substantially all of the remaining 8 goals had completion dates by the end of 2014 and were related to financial matters. When will we receive an update on the remaining 8 goals and what is delaying their completion? 2) With respect to the high school course offerings, the update only states that the superintendent provided information to the board. What information was provided? What conclusions can be drawn? What actions (if any) have been taken or will be proposed? 3) The update mentions the PA Department of Education School Performance Profile rating for the high school, which improved from 2013 to 2014. Why no mention of the decline in Methacton’s 7 other schools (see our May 1st post for further information) and the plan to reverse this trend? Overall, this update from the board seems to raise more questions than it answers, once again highlighting the need for a new perspective. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Friday, May 8, 2015

Ready for a new perspective?

Ready for a new perspective? The current Methacton Board has a history of adding voting items to its meeting agendas during a meeting, including the February 2015 vote that started the process to consider closing 2 elementary schools. This practice does not provide all members of the public with an opportunity to comment on such voting matters. Unless you happen to be at the meeting, you will not learn of the Board’s actions until after the vote has occurred. If elected to the Methacton Board, we will endeavor to include all voting items on the agendas posted at least 3 days in advance of Board meetings. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!
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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Facing Financial Challenges

Many school districts, including Methacton, are facing financial challenges. Normally, in response to such challenges, those charged with oversight and management will take steps to control expenses, including placing limitations on hiring new employees wherever possible. A recent administrative hiring indicates that this may not the case in our school district. The article linked below discusses the recent hiring of a transportation manager for Methacton’s outsourced transportation department and provides concerning information regarding the hiring process for this position. Please take the time to read the entire article. It shines a light on many reasons why we need a new perspective on the Methacton board. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!
Community service is a must.Not the kind where you get paid for it, the kind where you do it because it helps the community.
TIMESHERALD.COM

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Politics and Methacton

Numerous people have contacted us about the media reports regarding one of the (previously) endorsed Republican opponents in the upcoming primary election. We share your views that the facts alleged in these reports related to this individual’s postings on social media are reprehensible and offensive. Anyone with those beliefs should never have been an endorsed candidate with the possibility of being elected to a position to influence our children’s education and our schools. The fact that this individual was endorsed by a local political committee calls into question their endorsement process, which unfortunately has had a significant influence on Methacton School Board elections for years. It’s time for that to change. We encourage all voters to learn about the candidates in choosing who to vote for and not simply follow the endorsement of a political party. On this page and our FaceBook page, we have provided background information on the C.A.R.E. candidates, including their bios and information on why they want to serve on the Methacton School Board. We also welcome any questions or requests for additional information about the candidates to help you make an informed decision on May 19th.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Help fund CARE

Running as a bipartisan coalition means raising our own funds without the help of political machines. If you're looking for change on the Methacton School Board, please consider donating through the link below.
http://www.gofundme.com/care4msb
Community Advocates for Responsible Education Values BALANCE Make decisions that balance the interests of all stakeholders (students, parents,...
GOFUNDME.COM

Goals for our District

At the beginning of this school year, the Methacton Board adopted goals. While setting goals is a positive action on the part of the board, it’s important to understand the nature of the goals and the progress reported to date. In total, 11 goals were adopted – 7 directly or indirectly relate to financial matters (i.e. reducing expenses through program cuts or other measures), 2 relate to improving communications, 1 relates to completing the high school fields/lights project and the remaining goal of improving PSSA/Keystone scores could be viewed as education related. With about 1-1/2 months remaining in the current school year, minimal information has been provided on the progress toward achieving the board’s goals. In addition, while we agree that financial matters and fiscal responsibility are important, given the recent PA School Performance Profile scores (see our 5/1/15 post), we hope the next set of goals will provide a better balance with respect to improving the educational experience at Methacton. With your help, we will bring that perspective to the board starting in December. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Absentee Ballot Information

We hope you’re planning to vote in the primary election on May 19th. However, if you will be out of town that day or otherwise unable to vote in person, there is another option. You can vote with an absentee ballot. Below is a link to the Montgomery County Voter Services website where you can find information on requesting and voting with an absentee ballot. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 12th and the last day that the county will accept absentee ballots is Friday, May 15th.

Friday, May 1, 2015

It's Time for an Improvement Plan

At its November 18, 2014 meeting, the Methacton Board was given a presentation on the results of the PA Department of Education School Performance Profile (a link to this presentation is below). This presentation included a comparison of the 2013 and 2014 scores for each Methacton school. While the high school performed very well in PA and Montgomery County and its score improved (94.0 in 2013 to 98.7 in 2014), the scores for all other Methacton schools declined – Arcola (95.7 to 88.6), Arrowhead (90.8 to 88.4), Audubon (94.1 to 83.2), Eagleville (91.8 to 84.5), Skyview (91.8 to 90.6), Woodland (87.4 to 78.7) and Worcester (93.0 to 92.3). Given these results, why hasn’t an improvement plan been a regular topic of discussion at subsequent board meetings? The administration should be taking steps to improve these results and providing the board with regular updates. It’s time for a new perspective on the Methacton board. On May 19th, please vote for the team of Boardman, Rees, Ryan, and Aubrey-Larcinese. We thank you for your support!!!  http://www.methacton.org/…/School%20Performance%20Profile%2…