Posted by ur an idiot on October 23, 2007 at 14:46:12 (EST):
In Reply to: Re: 'Unofficial' School District Vote.& more posted by won't happen on October 23, 2007 at 13:33:25 (EST):
why does the empty Kitt Sr. building have to be the combined Jr. High? why not a centrally located building? Just goes to show that this convestation always was, and always will be one-sided.
: : The results of the 3 day, 60 person meeting to discuss the school district are in.
: : Renovate the existing schools at a cost of $128.3 million recieved 42 stickers (votes). 2nd highest vote total.
: : Build a new High School to combine Kittanning, Ford City & Elderton at a cost of $122.8 million recieved 142 stickers (votes). 1st highest vote total.
: : They also 'voted' on a variety of other options costing from a low of $12 million and up. The above mentioned options recieved the highest vote totals. The panels vote is non-binding and the school board will do whatever they want. The Leader Times story is here:
: : http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_533958.html
: : My unofficial vote is to build a combine highschool somewhere out by Trader Horn. Convert Kittanning Senior high into a combined Junior High for Kitt/FC. Then 'give' one of the empty school buildings, either in Kitt or FC, to the county for use as DUI/DRUG/Non-violent offender Detention/Treatmemt/Counseling center to cut ARC MANOR out of the Quasi-Gov grant loop.
: : I have serious concerns about Quasi-Gov treatment Centers being authorized by the courts to determine how long someone has to go through these program at their own expense (or more often than not, at the expense of their health insurance or the Taxpayer if the 'client' has a medical card). There is just to much room for abuse. Even though these treatment Centers are 'non-profit' the folks who work there & run the facilities DO get paid a pretty decent chunk of change and they are making enough money to continually expand their operation, thus creating more job security for themselves. If they lose money they put themselves out of a job, so you can bet their #1 goal is cover the expenses & their own salaries.
: : If they can do it and make a profit, why can't the County? This would free up jail space in our jail and possibly create jobs (Guards & Counselors) or help increase the pay of our existing Jail Guards so they don't quit. The extra available space in our jail could then be 'rented' to other counties for a profit for our county. The extra available inmate space at our new (former school)Treatment/Detention Center could also be made available to other Counties for their DUI/Drug offenders. More importantly, it would cut Quasi-Gov agencies out of the cash-cow loop and reduce the potential for abuse of the system.
: : Everybody, except the Quasi-Gov treatment Centers, win folks. The Taxpayers save on their long-term School Taxes. The County saves on its inmate expenses and could possible turn it into a money-maker. The potential for abuse of system, by forcing people to attend needless Counseling sessions so the Quasi-Gov agency can turn a buck, is reduced.
: : In case you are wondering, if you are convicted of DUI in Armstrong County, you are court-ordered to attend Counseling until the Counseling Center that bills you says you can stop attending, or you go to jail for NOT attending. They charge the 'client', his insurance or the Welfare System anywhere from $80 a session (1 hour) and up. I believe 18 sessions (about $1500- $2000 worth) is the standard but some Welfare people that I've talked to have been made to go a lot longer than that (one gentleman claims he was forced to attend 98 sessions, that Welfare paid for... around $8000 billed to taxpayers. I wonder how often that happens & sure wish the Leader-Times had an 'investigative' reporter). Although court-approved treatment centers are non-profit (they pay no property or school taxes), the people who work there & run the places DO pay themselves, and they are expanding their 'non-profit' operations so apparently they ARE making money. The Board of Directors does have people from the courthouse on it... I believe the DA & people from the probation office... to supposedly look after the interests of the 'clients', but it actually looks more like a 'friends helping friends' operation. Lets remove the potential for abuse by removing the 'outside' treatment centers & standardizing the court-ordered treatment.
: : Think about it.
: : last paragraph.."The board will have the option to accept or reject any or all of the recommendations made by the panel."
: last ASD election results: Incumbent of Region VI "Ford City, Ford Cliff and Cadogan Township" gets relected with just over 70% of the vote.
: any questions?