To: Ms. Denise Tucker, Ms. Kelly Kindig, Ms. Shannon Farmer, Mr. Dario Bellot, Mr. Bruce Armon, Ms. Liz Armistead, Ms. Peggy Conver, Ms. Nicolette Daniels Brown , Ms. Cherie Cremer , Dr. Harvey Corson, Mr. Clifford Haugen, Mr. James Goodwi...
Tell the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to Open the Books!
The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf must do a better job of communicating with its staff, parents and the community. More transparency includes making all budgets and policies available to the public; negotiating in good faith with staff; and allowing families and the community to participate in a meaningful dialogue to come up with solutions that work for PSD.
Why is this important?
The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf has projected a huge $800,000 deficit for the coming school year. Yet, despite repeated requests by families, outside agencies and the Union, PSD refuses to share relevant financial information about its budget and spending for the current and upcoming school years. Instead, the school has established a secret committee, which generated a list of programs and staff to be cut, ostensibly to address the yet-to-be-substantiated deficit.
All of the staff threatened with layoffs provide direct services to children which are legally mandated in IEPs; are fluent in ASL; and have strong ties to PSD students, families and the Deaf community. PSD has not provided any concrete plans or answers to parents or staff about how children will continue to receive quality services, or how PSD will remain a financially viable and stable learning environment.
It has also become evident that the PSD Board does not intend to honor the commitment made to respect and bargain with the new union in good faith. During negotiations PSD has ignored legally mandated bargaining with the union and made changes to staff working conditions, policies, and compensation. Parents, too, have been rebuffed and shut out of meetings, conversations, and decisions that will impact our children.
The Board has consistently undermined communications, transparency, and the ability of staff to partner effectively with parents and administration to provide the best possible education and supports for our students.
It is well past the time for transparency and good faith. Stop denying your stakeholders the opportunity to have input into the decision making for the future of PSD.