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THE LIONS ROAR |
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The Monthly Newsletter of the Little Beaver Lions Club |
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Middle School Building Decision-Process Continues Dr. Kasunich, Superintendent of the Blackhawk School District, updated us during our 26 March meeting on the progress of the middle school building project. “It’s an honor for me to be Superintendent at Blackhawk, especially as we work through the issues associated with our building project” said Dr. Kasunich. “The District is in the process of determining if a middle school addition should be built at the High School site. This process started about three and one-half years ago with the study done by an architectural firm to look at all of our facilities to determine which ones need to be repaired or replaced. That study concluded that the worst building in the District was the Highland Middle School. From that conclusion the District has explored multiple scenarios over the past two and one-half years. The Board has aggressively evaluated the option of closing the Highland site, moving grades 6 and 7 to the High School site and building a 6-7-8 Middle School as an addition to the High School. The new Middle School would be a true middle school, segregated from the High School. There would be no interaction between middle school and high school students. The goal of the Board is to maximize facilities in terms of energy efficiency and cost effectiveness.
“The question is raised ‘You are building a new middle school but the population is falling?’ We are not building an additional building for the District. What we are doing is replacing an inefficient facility with one that is state-of-the-art in terms of efficiency. That is an important issue as we go though this decision process.
“First, what are the financial impacts of our building projects on the District? We stand willing to show you what that impact would be on you as an individual household. You can visit our website (www: bsd.k12.pa.us), place your property’s assessed value in the Tax Calculator and the tax implications will automatically calculate a five-year projection. You can also call my office (Terri Francis: 724-846-6600, ext. 239). We will look up your assessment and do the numbers for you. When you do the numbers, in many cases, the tax increase is small.
“Second, what benefit will this project create? We are creating a 6th through 12th grade building that is state-of-the-art not only in terms of technology but also HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), our controls, our electric and our climate control. We are creating the best possible learning environment that is effective and cost efficient. We have been tracking the savings at the High School to measure the cost benefits resulting from the replacement of outdated HVAC and controls. We have already saved over $250,000 in electric and gas costs (...and the replacements are not even ¾’s finished). By moving Highland over to the High School site, we can just add on to the existing system. We can optimize our energy savings and our technology.
“These two issues are important considerations as the Blackhawk School Board makes its decisions. These are important considerations for you as residents to think about. ‘Can we afford to do this?’ and ‘Is this the right time for this project?’ are frequent questions in our community. The School District has thought long and hard about these questions. We have consulted with a construction group and they advise that now is the time to ask for bids for this building project. Due to the depressed economy, bids are 10-15% lower than normal. We have talked with the people who would float our 15- or 20-year bond. Interest rates are down and the attractiveness of a municipal bond for Blackhawk would be strong.
What the Board has struggled with is ‘If this is not the right time, when is?’ And our facilities are not going to get better—they only will continue to get worse. We will have to continue to spend much money to maintain facilities that are antiquated in many ways. “Where are we today? In April the Board will consider a revised facility plan, produced by our architect firm, Burt Hill. This plan will reassess all of the buildings. The proposal to move forward will be put before the Board. The Board will vote on that proposal in April and May. The next step would be a public hearing in May or early June. After the hearing, the Board would vote, probably in July, for approval to bid the job, not to build the project. Bids would come back in August. At that time, based on costs, the Board would decide if the project would be approved for building. Comments that we have already decided to build the facility are not true. We have not allocated $40 million for this project. The only financial obligation to the District is a $10 million bond (floated two years ago). Of that bond, we have spent $1.7 million on a fire suppression/alarm system for the High School. (There was no system in the High School.) “In working with the Board, I would describe them as fiscally responsible and educationally visionary. They have done an admirable job balancing what we do educationally with fiscal responsibility to the tax payers. “As a District we are doing as much educationally--academic and extra curricular—as such districts as Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, North Hills or Seneca Valley. I am very happy with where the District is going. We continue to do exciting things for the education of Blackhawk students. Just today, we were recognized in the Tribune Review. The article described an online autopsy that our AP Biology students observed live through video-conferencing. (We had students from the North Hills School District in our classroom observing.) We are offering languages at the primary school level (Spanish) and are developing a Russian course that will be developed for next year.”
Questions/Answers Will a new football stadium be built at the High School? “No. We had the property resurveyed and, as part of the survey, we asked if a football stadium would fit on the property. It would but such a project would cost too much (about $5 million).” What are we planning for the primary schools? “There are no plans to consolidate our primary schools in the foreseeable future.” What will be done with the Highland Middle School site? “No decision has been made. Among the options are selling the property, creating more fields or holding the property for possible expansion.” What ‘Stimulus Funding’ is possible? “The District will receive about $950,000. Of that amount, only about $275,000 can be allocated for ‘renovation.’ There is no money available for new construction.” Since three or four Catholic Schools in the area are closing, will those students come to Blackhawk and would there be adequate space? “Those students would be welcome in the District but to come to Blackhawk is a question of choice by the students’ parents. The design of the proposed building allows classroom expansion in the future, should more space be needed.” What accommodations will be made for disabled students? “We will probably put in elevators for the disabled. That is one of the cost issues in any proposal to renovate the Highland Middle School. As soon as we do any renovation, we are required to meet the American Disability Act requirements. If we were to go with a ‘Fix Highland’ option, meeting the mandated requirements would be a very significant cost factor.” Has the Board approved the building of a Middle School at the High School site? “Not yet. At their April meeting the Board will vote on accepting PlanCon A and B—building a middle school addition at the High School site. The next step would be a public hearing, advertised for 30 days, where comments are heard. After that hearing, the Board will vote to have the project go out to bid. After the bids are reviewed, the Board would have another public vote to consider going forward with the project. These are the steps the Board will go through before any funds are allocated.” Will the Middle School students be separated from the High School students? “Yes. Middle School students will have their own busses. By building design, there is no physical way for Middle School students (6th-7th-8th grades) to interact with High School students. Today, we know 8th grade students are interacting with juniors and seniors. If a Middle School student would have to go over to the High School, the interaction would be monitored. What would justify this interaction? As we ‘push the curriculum down,’ there may be situations where a 6th or 7th grader would be taking advanced languages or math.” How would you describe the support you are getting from the Board on this issue? “The Board is focused on doing the right things for students. They have evaluated the building options in great detail. They have argued among themselves about the options and come to the conclusions that bring us to the current position in the process. All of the Board Directors are supportive of this action.”
“I am only one, but still I am one; I can not do everything, but still I can do something.” ---Helen Keller (continued on page -3-) |
- “Alone we can do so little: together we can do so much.” ---Helen Keller
9 January 2009
CSF II Update: IF YOU HAVE PLEDGED, send your checks directly to PCC McCarl, NOT to LCIF.
Make your checks payable to “LCIF—CSF II.” Do NOT make the checks payable to “Little Beaver Lions.”
(...and, if you have pledged, PLEASE make timely payments.)
To date 30 of our 56 members have pledged $32,288. Of this amount we have collected $22,081.
We still have $10,207 to collect. Therefore, please keep up-to-date on your payments. We don’t want to fall short!
Campaign SightFirst II
Levels of Giving
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Titanium ($4,000-5,000) |
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Platinum ($3,000-3,999) |
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Gold ($2,000-2,999) |
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Gabe Buksa Brian McCarl |
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Club Raffle |
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Tom Cekovich Bill Nelson |
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Silver ($1,000-1,999) |
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Bronze ($500-999) |
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Iron ($1-499) |
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Mark Carter Alan Ferguson Keith Householder Melanie Irwin Ken Letzkus Brian Rooney
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Mark Hudak Bill Laughner Dennis McClain Mike Osman
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Dale Capps Tim Davis Bill Duff Harry Freed Ron Gilkey John Gishbaugher Tom Hinds Ben Hostetler Tom Hudak John Lanctot Frank Magno Paul Mulig Tom Pashuta Joe Seiber Bill Stitt Ben Thayer Jack Wilson ...others |
Table of Contents
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· Water Conservation Office Discussions · McCall Christensen—March High School Student of the Month · Six New Members—Three Prospects · Rose Sale—More Help Needed · Night-At-The-Races–Our Best Yet! · Road Clean Up—An Outstanding Day! · Officer Nominations—Second Reading · Lion Listeners Conduct 198 Sessions · Six Attend 4th Cabinet Meeting · Lackner Memorial—29 May · Lighthouse “Races”—8 May · Northwestern “Classroom of the Month”
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· Board Actions ? Eyeglasses (0) ? 50-50 Kitty Status: $356
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Waterway Conservation Officer Discusses Beaver County Area
Emmett Kyler III, Waterway Conservation Officer for the Southwest Region of the PA Fish and Boat Commission spoke
with us during our 26 March meeting. He has been assigned to the Beaver County Region for seven years. “We address
environmental issues (stream encroachment, water pollution), maintain populations of particular animal groups
(e.g., reptiles, amphibians) and maintain fish populations” said Kyler.
“In Beaver County one of the big issues are ‘high hazard’ dams. Hereford Manor Lake dams—both the Upper and the Lower--are high hazard dams. There are several options for taking care of Hereford Manor. The cheapest option ($14.7 million) would be to replace the lower dam and to maintain just the lower lake. The most expensive option ($38.7 million) would be to construct a new concrete dam. There are about 14 high hazard dams in PA but there is no money in the budget for repairs. The Governor’s Office has degreed that substantial progress in repairing these dams must be shown over a three-year period. (Note: if progress is not shown, lakes could be drained and fish recovered.) Our annual budget is about $64 million. We are asking residents to contact their state legislators and asking them to support alternate funding measures—a portion of the sports tax on hunting, fishing and boating equipment.
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“The ‘Truck Fleet’ started 1 March to stock trout streams and lakes, as preparation for the beginning of trout season on 18 April in the Southwest Region. (Note: due to lower water level conditions, the central and southeastern areas of PA begin their trout seasons on 4 April.) Stocking decisions are made on ‘stockable stream volumes’ and biomass quantities needed to support the trout. Posted property also plays a role on the Little Beaver. The open parts of the stream are broken into chunks. The Commission is not to stock within 200 yards of posted property. By working with land owners I have been able to get their permission to allow ‘Walk In Only’ access to the Little Beaver. The problem is that fishermen are their own worst enemy, littering, leaving trash behind and not respecting other peoples’ property. “
McCall Christensen Honored as March Blackhawk High School Student of the Month We honored McCall Christensen as our March Student of the Month. McCall is the daughter of Michele and Jeff Shugars and the sister of Montana.
McCall is a senior at Blackhawk High School where she is a three-year member of the Key Club, Sports Journalism, Fellowship of Christian Students and Treasurer of the National Honor Society. She is the lead in Blackhawk’s musical, Godspell.
For hobbies, she enjoys reading, singing, participating in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints youth group, teaching swimming at the YMCA, and photography. Her community service activities include visiting nursing home residents, repairing the Fallston Borough Building recreational area, making humanitarian kits and blankets for shut-ins, serving as a youth leader at summer church camp and participating in the Great PA Cleanup.
She carries a 3.9 grade point average.
After graduation from Blackhawk High School she will attend Brigham Young University majoring in Nursing.
McCall’s response to her award: “I did not know much about the Little Beaver Lions Club before tonight. Service is something that is very close to my heart. I am so glad that your club does things that help others. You do many “Big Things” but I also think it is the many “little things” that you do that make a difference to the people you help. I commend you all for all that you do.” |
Membership Committee Reports Six New Members and Three Prospects. Lion Cekovich reported that our recruitment efforts have yielded Six new members: Debbie Lambert (Sponsor—Mike Seiber), Deirdre and Brad Morrow (--Cekovich), Scott Reed (--Cekovich), Keith Staneart (--McClain) and Shane Weatherly (--B. McCarl). Welcome!
Three additional “prospects” are considering joining with us: Aaron Blum (Sponsor—B. McCarl), Warren Hall (--Laughner) and Ted Irwin (M. Irwin).
Lion Tom thanked all who helped with these recruitments. Our Club has grown to 62 members with the potential to grow to 65.
Rose Sale: “Preparing More Roses Requires More Man-Hours!”. Lion Laughner reminded us that if we want to sell more roses than last year, we are going to need more help than last year. “Preparing more roses requires more man-hours” emphasized Lion Bill. “That means we all must contribute more man-hours toward preparing this year’s roses. If you sign up for one day, your job is not done. We must manufacture roses for four days, not one! This is a mammoth project—we must contribute the hours!” A ‘Rose Manufacturing Line’ requires a ‘Dethorner’, two ‘Strippers’, two ‘Boxers’, two ‘Sleevers’ and one ‘Checker’ for a total of eight jobs. Lion Bill has Sign Up Sheets that list each job by hour for each day (Sunday through Wednesday). This is our major fundraiser that drives a major part of our donations. Please help us maintain these donations by volunteering to help with this fundraiser. Contact Lion Bill (724-601-3597; [email protected]) or Lion Mark (724-846-4413; [email protected]) to volunteer your time.
(...and don’t forget to sell your share of roses...you should have already started!)
Night-At-The-Races—“...our best one to date.” Lion Nelson reported that our 7 March Night-At-Races was our best one to date with a total of $3,300. Profits will be split among the South Beaver Fire Department, the Lions Club and the Lioness Club. About 125 people came to the “Races.” A total of about 110 horses were sold: SBVFD-64, Lions--~50, Lioness--6). We conducted 13 races in about three hours.
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The “Auction Race” resulted in about $1,000, the highest that we’ve ever done. Arrowhead Transport donated back $370 of their winnings. We lost money on the baskets (cost: $300; tickets: $250). The leftover food was donated to “Meals On Wheels.”
Highway Clean-Up: “...One Outstanding Day!” Lion Householder reported on the Highway Clean Up that took place on Saturday, 28 March. “Our Spring Highway Clean-Up was one outstanding day! Not only was the weather beautiful but also, with eleven Lions (B. Carter, Cekovich, Fergy, Hinds, Hostetler, Householder, T. Hudak, Irwin, McClain, Pashuta and Weister), we collected 25 bags of trash in two hours.” The Brilliant Idea of the Day Award went to Lion Cekovich who attached a trashcan to a dolly to create a rolling trash bag holder. Great idea Lion Tom!
Officer Nominations—Second Reading Lion Cekovich gave the second reading of nominations for ’09-’10 officers:
Nominations were closed.
Northwestern Classroom of the Month. The Northwestern Primary School selected Room 107 as the March “Classroom of the Month.” Guidance Counselor Bob Abel said that the students of Room 107 (Mrs. Klimchak) were selected because of their exemplary behavior, outstanding attitude and excellent performance. The class was presented with a plaque and the “Class of the Month” banner was posted above their classroom door. Congratulations Room 107!
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Lion Listeners Conduct 198 Sessions During the month of March Lion Listeners conducted 198 fifteen-minute reading sessions, bringing the total for the January-March period to 514 sessions. Thank you Lion Listeners!
Six Attend Fourth Cabinet Meeting PCC Brian McCarl and Lions Laughner, M. Carter, Rooney, Ferguson and Householder attended the 4th Cabinet Meeting at the Butler Blind Association on 21 March.
Bob Lackner Memorial--29 May The Bob Lackner Memorial Polo game kicks off the three-day Darlington Days. The Memorial begins at 6 pm at the Polo Field. The cost is $20/person and includes admission to the game and to the “Tailgate” food and beverage. Tickets will be available at our 16 April meeting.
Lighthouse To Hold “Night-At-The-Races” On Friday, 8 May Lion B. McCarl
announced that “Night-At-The-Races” at the Lighthouse is scheduled for 6
pm on Friday, 8 May. Admission tickets are $25/person. Horses are $15
each. Business race horses are $50 each. For tickets or to sponsor a
horse, contact Lion B. McCarl (724-312-3676; [email protected])
Treasurer’s Report Lion Wakelee reported that as of 26 March our account balances were Administrative: $1,750
Activity: $11,374 Cemetery: $198 Beacon Lodge Challenge: ~$7,000 “Kitty:” $356
Total: $20,183
Extraordinary Gentlemen (Lion Householder reported no visits in March)
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Board Actions o Approved $100 for the District Governor’s Gift o Approved $418 to VOSH/PA for two pediatric eye surgeries in Guatemala o Approved $375 for sponsorship of Blackhawk band member to PA Lions All State Band o Pre-approved for membership: Aaron Bloom, JaneAnn Fucci, Brad Morrow, Deidre Morrow, Keith Staneart, Ted Irwin, Shane Weatherly, Scott Reed, Debbie Lambert o Approved $100 to The Lighthouse for the purchase of four $25-tickets to their 8 May Night-At-The-Races o Approved “100% Participation” in the Beacon Lodge “500 Club” Donation ($280) o Approved $500 for VIP Sports o Approved $300 for Leader Dogs
Editor’s Notes Have You Paid Your Dues? Please help us out by paying your dues today. (If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact Lion Mark Carter for alternate arrangements on a case-by-case basis. Don’t just let your membership lapse!) As of 1 April 2009 þ 56 Lions (90%) are covered for the entire fiscal year (1 July ’08-30 June ’09) þ 1 Lion (2%) is covered for the 1st half-year (1 July-31 Dec. ’08) þ 5 Lions (8%) have yet to pay anything
Happy Birthday April Lions!
Wish Happy Birthday to these Lions!
50-50 Kitty: $356 The winner’s portion of our 50-50 meeting raffle has grown to $356. The odds have decreased to 1 in 16 cards (of drawing the King of Hearts and winning the $356 Kitty). |
April Service Anniversaries
Meeting Locations · September thru May—Lance's ? June thru August—Lions Pavilion
Future Dates: April
Å 3 Apr.—Spring Convention (The Atrium—Butler) Å 12 Apr.—Easter Sunday Å 16 Apr.— Club Meeting* (Lance’s) Å 23-26 Apr.—Beacon Lodge Work Weekend Å 27-29 Apr.—Vision Screening (Northwestern) Å 29 April—Spring Wine Dinner *(Due to Easter, only one meeting—on the 16th, not the 9th)
May
Å TBD—Reorganization Meetings—Lion Hinds) Å 2 May—Fishing Derby—Lions Pavilion Å 14 May— Club Meeting (Lance’s) Å 28 May—Club Meeting—Office Installation (TBD-Lioness) Å 29-31 May—Darlington Days
June
Å 11 June— Club Meeting (Lions Pavilion) Å 25 June—Club Meeting (Lions Pavilion) Å 29 June—Blood Drive (Municipal Building)
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