Now both the City of Harrisburg and the School District officially have recovery plans and state-appointed leaders to implement them.

On Friday, May 17, 2013, the Harrisburg School Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the Chief Recovery Officer’s Recovery Plan issued on April 26th. To access the Recovery Plan, click here.

In the week leading up to the vote, the greatest concern School Directors seemed to have with the Plan was the inclusion of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position. “I feel the Superintendent is the CEO of the District,” Director Kenneth Mickens said during a May 6th Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.

He wasn’t alone in his objection. Both Directors Jennifer Smallwood and Danielle Robinson expressed similar discomfort at the position in the Recovery Plan.While Mickens requested a title change, Robinson declared, “I’m not concerned about the title. I’m concerned about the authority of the Superintendent.”

As outlined on page 42 of the Recovery Plan, a CEO will be hired to run the school district’s “administrative and financial operations,” leaving the academic initiatives to Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney.

While there wasn’t objection to this divide of duties, the issue was one of jurisdiction. The CEO does not answer to the Superintendent, but rather to the School Board and the Chief Recovery Officer. In fact, the Plan describes the two positions—CEO and Superintendent—as “co-equal.”

There are strict benchmarks the superintendent will need to make in the Recovery Plan to demonstrate progress of implementation. Veno told the concerned directors that the CEO will relieve Knight-Burney to accomplish her mandated goals. “I don’t want this Plan to be voted down because of the pecking order issue of the CEO,” he said. Veno also went on to say, “If page 42 is the only issue, then I did a good job.”

Although no director publicly stated opposition to the cost of a CEO, which page 42 explains, some teachers did, questioning how the Plan include 5% cuts to staff salaries and benefits for two years but also include the additional position.

The recruitment and first three years of salary for the CEO will be funded by the Financial Recovery School District Transitional Loan of $6.44 million, which will also be the source to jumpstart several other initiatives such as the changes to the Cougar Academy Cyber School and the “rightsizing” of the school buildings. This rightsizing includes consolidating buildings to reconfigure the K-8 setup and transportation costs associated with this.

This Transitional Loan was not available to the district if the School Board of Directors had voted down the Recovery Plan.

For more coverage of the May 17th vote, see PennLive’s Emily Previti’s article: Harrisburg School District approves recovery plan, secures $6.4M loan

Immediately after the approval, Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno released the following Action Items declaring these steps must begin immediately in order to propel the Recovery Plan forward.

As released by Gene Veno, Harrisburg School District Chief Recovery Officer:

My recovery plan is designed as a roadmap to academic improvement while stabilizing district finances – without closing a single building, furloughing a single teacher, cutting a single sport or eliminating a single arts class in 2013-14.  We must act now, and I intend to start with these action items.  We can do better, and we will!

Action Items:

1. Meet immediately with the Harrisburg School District insurance broker. I would like to hold the vote on the health care benefits contract. I am looking to cut $1 million in health care costs and maintain benefits.


2. Meet with unions immediately to begin ratifying agreements.

3. Make sure social workers are certified so we can begin drawing ACCESS funds.  Request a report on certification of district social workers.

4.  Ensure that principals are certified for levels they are administering (no Elementary Certification at Senior High Level)

5.  Evaluate Assistant Principals.  Why not establish title of Dean of Education instead of Principal?

6.  Change system allowing a simple passing grade immediately. Staff directed to review, revise and advise a timeline for implementation.

7.  Determine ways to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills they need before moving to next grade level.

8.  Publicize middle school reorganization showing why this is a good plan for students.

9.  Research if a grades 5-8 configuration is BEST middle school plan prior to making change.

10.  Determine if early retirements would reduce cost to district.

11.  Call for round-the-clock meetings to bring the budget in balance. Harrisburg School Board has a ways to go in balancing its budget.

12.  Commence meetings in July with all bond holders to address bond debt.

13.  Commence negotiations with Capital Head Start in July for the 2013-14 programs. We need a curriculum that meets the needs of our K-3 classes. I will also consider bringing back K-3-4 in the HSD.

14.  Request additional funds from the no interest financial recovery transitional loan allotment when submitting plan to Secretary of Education for final review and approval.

15.  Expand cyber schools to all grade levels (K-12).  A time line for implementation is needed from administration.

16.  Publicize the buildings which are for sale.

17.  Schedule meeting immediately with EL Realty to terminate lease at administration building.

18.  Conduct a feasibility study to ascertain if Lincoln Elementary is the best location for the HSD Administration Office.  The relocation needs to be completed sooner than 2014, and we should conduct an analysis in placing Alternative Education Classes in the Administration Building.

19.  Ensure that the NRG heating/cooling system will work prior to commencement of August classes.  I want a report immediately.

20.  Ensure all classes will have books in place one month prior to school start date.

21.  Secure grants immediately.

22.  Begin parent involvement immediately.  We need programs established by both school administration and community.

23.  Identify and publicize what the Harrisburg School Foundation can do for our schools.

24.  Meet with the Rotary Club to discuss how they can do more for our children.

25.  Meet with Chamber of Commerce president to encourage business leaders to step up and do more for the HSD.

26.  Meet with all non-profits to seek their financial and in-kind assistance for our children in need.

27.  Meet with all corporations doing business in the city.  We need transportation assistance, computers and support for after school programs/equipment.   I want each corporation and employees to ADOPT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL or ADOPT JOHN HARRIS. Corporate leaders and their employees need to reach out and help us.

28.  Find funding for one or two musical play to be held at John Harris in 2013-14.

29.  Make sure yearbooks are ordered and this issue is behind us.

30.  MARK MAY 17 AS THE BENCHMARK FOR WHEN CHANGE OCCURRED IN HSD.

As released by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg:

Habitat Signs Deal for New ReStore in Harrisburg

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area announced today that a location has been selected for the affiliate’s new ReStore. The new store, which will sell donated household items, will be located at 800 Paxton Street in Harrisburg. For those familiar with the area, the location will be in the old Troegs Brewery building, across the street from Pennsy Supply.

“We are so thrilled being able to sign a lease for the ReStore and really excited about the location,” said Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director Eve Wachhaus. “We needed a spot which would be accessible to both the east and west shores. This spot also provides us with the space we need for the store as well as an abundance of parking spaces. Now, we will work as hard as we can to get the store open.”

Harrisburg ReStore General Manager Bill Wood plans on having the store in operation in 60 days. Most volunteer groups working with Habitat will be directed to assist in preparing the new ReStore over the next few months. Power washing of the facility is already underway and items that will eventually be offered for sale have begun to arrive at the new store location.

The ReStore will be a separate business entity that supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area. The income generated from the business goes toward expanding the capabilities of new home builds and critical home repair programs. ReStores recycle overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials that are donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals. These items are sold to the public or used in the affiliate’s construction projects.

The ReStore will also accept donations of fixtures, furniture, appliances, tools and other surplus items and offer them to the public at bargain prices. The ReStores also serve society by reducing the resources consumed and by minimizing the waste going into landfills.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the country operate retail stores, variously called Re-Stores, Home Stores or similar, to provide financial and material support to their business operations. Currently there are more than 500 Habitat ReStores operating in the United States and Canada.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area’s goal is to eliminate poverty housing here in Central Pennsylvania through new builds, re-habs and critical home repairs. More than 220 families have been helped since the local affiliate was founded in 1986. Everything raised for Habitat stays right here in the area. If more information is needed, visit our web site at www.harrisburghabitat.org

As released by Dauphin County: 

Wildwood Park Remains Closed in Wake of Fuel Spill

HARRISBURG, PA (May 13, 2013) –Wildwood Park, owned and operated by Dauphin County, remains closed to the public while crews continue to clean up fuel from a nearby tanker truck fire seeped into the park’s wetlands.

About 75 percent of the fuel that leaked into Wildwood Park has been cleaned up. Booms are still in place along the banks of lake to absorb the product and will remain in place for about one month as a precaution. Approximately 10 acres of the park’s 200 acres were impacted by the fuel leak.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to monitor the cleanup and conditions at the park.

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) officials and members of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, Inc. have been canvassing the park to conduct wildlife rescue. Late last week, 11 ducks and geese died due to fuel exposure. No dead fish or frogs have been found.

The park will be closed until further notice.

As released by the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society:

PRIDE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA TO OFFER FREE CRUISE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, VETERANS & FAMILIES IN 2013

Harrisburg, PA – 2013 marks the 25th Anniversary season for the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society and the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat. As a community service organization, the Riverboat Society has always offered a free monthly cruise during the summer to the Lebanon VA Hospital. As further thanks to current and past members of the military, the Riverboat Society is excited to announce that it will be extending FREE ADMISSION on any 45 Minute Public Sightseeing Cruise during the 2013 season to veterans, active duty members of the military, and their immediate families, with appropriate ID. These cruises occur from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2013, and weekends in the fall.

Over 200,000 American troops will be returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next couple of years. Some of them are members of the PA National Guard, and we wanted to recognize their serve to not only the Commonwealth and nation, but to the Riverboat Society. Each year, the PA National Guard conducts launching and retrieval of the Pride into and out of the water for the Society, and without their help, we would be unable to offer this iconic feature of the Harrisburg skyline.

The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat celebrates 25 years of heritage in the Harrisburg area, and to commemorate this occasion, we salute our veterans and current active military members and their families with these free cruises!

Being a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society operates the Pride as a service to the community. In particular, we are happy to show our current and past members of the armed forces how much they really mean to us! The Pride is essentially the “Community’s Boat,” and without continued public support, the Pride will be unable to fulfill its mission and continue to offer wonderful cruises and events for our veterans and others in the community. Donations and contributions are always welcome!

To learn more about the Pride of the Susquehanna, or to discover how you can support our mission, please visit www.HarrisburgRiverboat.com or call 717-234-6500.

• 12 criminal mischief/vandalism
• 48 thefts (20 were from motor vehicles)
• 15 robberies
  • 4/29–1700 Market St, 2:15 AM
  • 4/29–200 Cranberry St, 2:30 PM
  • 4/30–18th & Chestnut Sts, 11:13 PM
  • 4/30–1800 North St, 8:16 PM
  • 4/30–400 S Cameron St, 6:28 PM
  • 4/30–1400 Herr St, 3:33 PM
  • 5/1–2100 N 5th St, 9:01 PM
  • 5/1–17th & Paxton St, (motor vehicle) 3:22 PM
  • 5/2–20th & Kensington St, 10:53 PM
  • 5/3–1700 State St, 1:50 AM
  • 5/3–1900 Brookwood St, 3:07 AM
  • 5/4–1900 Derry St, 5:20 PM
  • 5/4–2300 Raleigh St, 10:45 PM
  • 5/5–2nd & North St, 12:10 AM
  • 5/5–200 Nectarine St, 6:00 PM
• 8 burglaries
• 21 assaults
• 3 shootings

Notes: There were reports of shots fired and juveniles fighting. There was an attempt to lure a child into a motor vehicle. One of the assaults was the double stabbing on N 6th St and one was a sexual assault. There was a propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle; and the discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure (1400 S 15th St- same apt complex where this weeks homicide occurred). Someone reported juveniles breaking windows. Busy week.

compiled by Jan Konkle

LEGISLATIVE SESSION: May 14, 2013 (Actions below in red) (more…)

As released by Dauphin County: 

Dauphin County’s Wildwood Park to Remain Closed Through Sunday

Park’s wetlands impacted by fuel spill, cleanup continues  (more…)

“This marks the first time that the SEC has charged a municipality for misleading statements made outside of its securities disclosure documents.” ~The Securities and Exchange Commission

On Monday, May 6th, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released charges and an Order against the City of Harrisburg for presenting “misleading information” during it’s developing financial crisis as well as for having outdated and incomplete data available to investors.

Read

• The SEC press release here.
• The Report of Investigation here.
• The Order here.

The Violations

“Harrisburg made material misrepresentations and omissions in its 2007 and 2008 CAFRs, 2009 Budget and Transmittal Letter, 2009 State of the City Address and its Mid-Year Fiscal Report for 2009, regarding Harrisburg’s credit ratings and the potential impact of the RRF debt on the City’s financial health. As a result of this reckless conduct, Harrisburg violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.” (page 12 of the Order)

The Remedy

There are no fines levied against the City of Harrisburg. Rather the City has agreed to:

• Institute appropriate policies and procedures to assure the timely presentation of financial information, i.e complete audits and accurate disclosures

• Implement annual training for employees who are involved in the process of disclosing financial information to the public

• Will publicly display the its Financial Disclosure Policy and the SEC Order

• “Shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder”
  • Section 10(b)=”prohibit misrepresentations or omissions of material fact in connection with the purchase or sale of any security. This provision prohibits the making of any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.”

Statement released from Mayor Linda Thompson

“Today marks a turning point in the City’s financial history. I have signed, and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has accepted, the City’s Offer of Settlement in connection with the SEC’s investigation of the City’s financial disclosure process. This resolves the SEC’s investigation of the City without a lawsuit in the courts.

My administration cooperated fully with the SEC’s investigation, which has now concluded without any monetary sanctions being assessed against the City. The City has completely revamped its policies and procedures for financial disclosures. These new policies and procedures are designed to ensure that accurate and complete financial information regarding the City’s finances is made available to investors and the public in a timely manner. As your Mayor, I am committed to making sure this happens.

As a condition of the settlement with the SEC, and as specifically required by section 202.5(e) of Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, I am prohibited by law from discussing this matter further in any public statement.”

As released by Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area:

Harrisburg Habitat for Humanity, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is seeking to fill the following opportunities: 

• CONSTRUCTION CREW LEADERSHIP and COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATION and RESTORE DEVELOPMENT

• COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR: This member will help Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area raise community awareness of what can be done to improve our neighborhoods. Including mapping community assets and involving community members in decision-making. Cultivate partnerships with faith-based organizations and places of worship, and various community organizations, and act as liaisons between the Host Site and different community partners. Identify potential properties for repair and rehabilitation, conduct community mappings and evaluate, conducting focus groups, and compiling data to establish baseline information and track outcomes. Promoting through speaking engagements, and developing marketing materials and fundraising plans as needed. More details here.

• CONSTRUCTION CREW LEADER: Responsible for hands-on construction tasks and safely leading and training crews of skilled and unskilled volunteers and partner families in those tasks. May include new construction, rehabs, or repair projects. More details here.

• RESTORE DEVELOPER – Develop, document and implement plans to mobilize more funds for local house building through development of ReStore opportunities and operations. This position may involve the development of a business plan, creation of a work schedule, recruitment and training of volunteer staff, publicity and promotion of the store, and evaluation of the ways in which the store meets the needs of the low income community while increasing funding for Habitat for Humanity. More detail here.

(more…)