Your Award-Winning News Source for the Upper Delaware River Valley Region Since 1975
Vol. 42 No. 35
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SEPTEMBER 1-7, 2016
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www.riverreporter.com
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$1.50
School officials angry about state charter policy By DAVID HULSE
with murder.” According to Superintendent John Bell, some “pad the pockets of legislators ESTFALL, PA — Acand get away with whatever cording to a PA School they want.” Boards Association Asked if the system was (PSBA) report, charter schools based on legislative corrupperformance appears to be tion, board members assented “poor to miserable,” while en masse, but declined to do so their funding in some cases individually. “You said that, I exceeds that of public schools by a two-to-one ratio, Delaware TRR photo David Hulse didn’t,” Bell said with a smile. “The legislators know this Valley School Board member Delaware Valley Schools John Wroblewski said as he Board member John already. We need to educate summarized the report on Au- Wroblewski summarized the community. If we [create a damning PA School a] clamor, other legislators gust 18. Association will fall in [for reform],” board Wroblewski said that PSBA Boards (PSBA) report prompting president Pam Lutfy said. requested financial informaan August 18 discussion The charters, many operated tion from 173 charter schools, about shortcomings of initially received records from Pennsylvania’s charter as cyber schools, were set up to provide alternatives for stu53% of them and appealed for school funding policies. dents in poorly performing incourt orders for 75 more, of ner city districts, but the poliwhich 39% complied following cies that have developed have led to overthe appeal. The remaining 25% of the topayments, Bell said. tal, he said, refused. Delaware Valley operates its own nonThose schools are “basically hiding charter cyber school and this year will their information,” Wroblewski charged. contribute $904,000 toward charter Among those reporting, he said the reschool costs. The discussion may have port found a $101.7 million difference bebeen prompted by rumors that the Mount tween money funded and money expendHaven Resort is considering a charter ed on education programs. “Where’s the school. money going?” he asked. In other business, guidance director The report found that administration in Jennifer Cosentino reported on outcomes the charters was at twice the cost of pubfrom the 2016 graduating class, saying lic schools, $1,742 per pupil, versus $914 in 77% were going on to two- or four-year public schools. colleges, down from 80% last year. She Another high charter cost was $4.35 milsuggested that drop reflected higher collion for advertising, with eight schools lege costs, and noted that an increase expending 19% of their total budgets on (4%) in those going on to the military readvertising. “That’s our tax money,” Wroflected efforts to reduce those costs with blewski added. veterans’ college support. Graduates re“They have lobbyists and make politiceived $1,699,475 in scholarships. cal contributions, which we can’t. But we can understand how they’re getting away
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TRR photo by Fritz Mayer
A Eurasian eagle owl
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OWN OF BETHEL, NY — Guests who turned out to a cookout at Cobalt Studios in the Town of Bethel on August 28 were treated not only to a hearty meal, but also to a visit with a Eurasian eagle owl who was brought to the occasion by local falconer Brian William Bunce. Bunce said the Eurasian eagle owl is the
Art openings galore Labor Day Weekend provides a multitude to choose from
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second largest in the world and is a quick and lethal hunter. Because of its hunting prowess, this species of bird has been used to clear smaller birds out of large buildings such as those that house Home Depot stores. Bunce also brought a barn owl and a gyrfalcon, and all three birds were a hit with the diners.
SPANNING 2 STATES, 4 COUNTIES, AND A RIVER THAT UNITES US