Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Phoenixville Public Library controversy back to PASD workshop

Thursday evening, May 14 at 7 p.m., the PASD school board's workshop meeting will discuss the controversial library proposal in the high school auditorium.

The discussion is expected to center around an indemnification proposal to hold the school board and school district blameless if a lawsuit is instituted regarding the current library board plans.

HOWEVER, rather than pass the problem along to the borough's Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board, the school board has the ability to stop spinning the wheels on the aptly-termed "train wreck" of the flawed expansion.

By passing the decision to terminate the plan off to borough committees, the school board passes also on their power to do the right thing for our children and our community. More and more people clearly understand the manifold problems with the current plan, and are looking to the school board for leadership.

When an apparent increased risk to our children due to changed and increased traffic flow on Third Avenue is publically known and addressed at the school district and borough council levels, the onus is on our governmental agencies to protect them from harm.

Above all else.

I am personally asking each of the school board members to recognize this very important fact. Under mutual acknowledgement that our children come FIRST, I ask the school board to request the library board to halt this project and begin the process of a designing new concept plan.

As residents and taxpayers we expect our representatives, the rightful owners of the property in question, to assume the responsibility vested in them when they took their oath of office. And, by their actions or vote, prove their leadership tomorrow night in denying the current library expansion plan.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

The evening of Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 (the day before the Thursday board meeting) there is a PASD finance committee meeting.

What is called "gifts, grants and contributions received" to the library has climbed at an annualized rate of 8.25 percent per year. These "gifts" are largely in the form of "contributions" granted by you by virtue of paying your school, county, state and federal taxes - and they are up from $524K reported for 2001 to $843K as last reported. That 8.25% per annum is most likely better than your retirement fund, 401k, or social security disbursement.

Just like the library foundation can divert grant money and individual contributions to pay lawyers, the school board can chose to divert money it was thinking of paying to the public library to pay teachers, counselors, mentors or fund other programs which help our school children directly.

Or it could take that small percentage of the total budget (though not so insignificant when you consider most of the budget is predetermined by labor contracts, pension obligations and other fixed costs) and make some cuts. Democrat Rendell has proposed cuts and the Republicans have proposed cuts of greater magnitude. Look at library hours, staff compensation and other issues and find some way to help relieve the tax burden.

Anonymous said...

So this whole thing is coming down to...an insurance policy? It will be mighty expensive. And who pays for it?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if the library is required to divulge, in detail, how all that money is spent? They have $477,733 listed as a Compensation expense on their IRS Form 990, at 6/30/07. That seems high, for the size of the library. How many employees do they have, and how much do they earn? Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

All you folks always think there is a big conspiracy going on, why is that? And it seems the fearless leader of this blog is the worst offender. Everything was run perfectly when she was on council, but now that she is not involved "well then the whole process is corrupt". Everyone always has a conspiracy theory and yet all you do is spin your yarn to each other.

Clarice to Hannibal Lecter: "....why don't you try pointing that high powered perception at yourself?"
Seems art should imitate reality in this case.

Anonymous said...

I predict this will be shot down tonight at the workshop meeting and the foundation will walk away with their tail between their legs and councils vote to close Second Ave will all go away.

Anonymous said...

First off, as far as childrens' safety is concerned, a child was already killed on SECOND AVENUE. This life would have been spared had the library expansion already taken place. Secondly, I can tell you, based on other libraries in the county who have been hiring, that the library employees do not make much money. The director at similar size locations makes about $40,000-$50,000 per year. Head librarians approx. 30-40, and support staff approx. 25,000. This compared to teachers salaries that start just out of college at about 40,000 per year and only increase from there. Maybe what the school board should do is get those those teacher salaries in check and not give in when they go on strike b/c they are asked to contribute more $ towards their benefits when they pay less than anyone else I know already. Yeah they do a valuable service for our children, but Phoenixville hasn't received any outstanding recognition for their teaching that I know districts like Radnor have.

Anonymous said...

The people on this blog and against the library are about one thing and one thing only...... it's about themselves. It's not about "the children" (what a sad, sad argument that is), it's not about sanctity of land, or any other argument. This is simply about their own egos. What a shame they can't let go.

Anonymous said...

According to the IRS Form 990, the current Phoenixville Library Director makes $77,000 per annum plus another $18,000 in benefits. I would like to know who is receiving the rest of the half million or so in stated compensation.
I hope the School Board demands an audit of all the money the library receives. After all, almost all of it, is our tax money.

Anonymous said...

This library fiasco is not about any individual or "themselves" as you refer to.This is about upholding the laws of this Boro and the state of PA.To blatantly circumvent the law for the good of everyone is setting a bad precedent.If you think that wasting taxpayer dollars on this project is a good thing than I suggest you attend every school board meeting and ask why some seniors graduating every year have to attend summer school to get into a state college.I know of a dozen last year and 4 this year.The library isn't educating your kids, the school is and apparently that is not happening.This bunch of SB members are only concerned with LOWERING the TAX INCREASE and covering up the misuse of taxpayer dollars.If you are even connected one iota with what is happening in this district wait until you here about the problems pertaining to the sports programs.This whole district is in shambles and is the laughing stock of Pennsylvania.

Anonymous said...

It's the doom & gloom network. If you need doom or gloom then we have it for you at this very network. Stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

It's not doom and gloom.If this country didn't have laws what do you think would happen.No one is against expansion,just do it the right way.Within the confines of the law.The residents of Second Ave. that are for this are all on the 200 block.They want the road closed so traffic will be reduced on their block.They could care less about us, the residents on the 100 block.

Anonymous said...

Look at all the entries on this blog and others that are similar. They are all doom & gloom and you'd assume that Pville is the worst place in the world to live or that it is going down the tubes. Well, I for one think its a great place to live and I resent the tone on these blogs and others like it. If you google Phoenixville, these threads come up and that is sad and shameful. So, doom & gloom is totally appropriate for these people.

Anonymous said...

Was anything decided at the Workshop?

Anonymous said...

Nothing was decided.Tabled till next Thursday. It is amazing that DOOM & GLOOM wants to classify everyone who is directly effected by this. Why don't you tell us where you live. Probably not even in the Boro.LIEBERRY Board member?You people don't care about following laws and just because the council voted to vacate a road doesn't mean this will go thru. LIEBERRY members are very secretive on this one proposal and its funny how they keep saying 5 or 6 plans were looked at and not one of them has produced them.Maybe another plan might be acceptable to ZHB.