PIAA Issues Updated Occupancy Guidance

Photo Courtesy: PIAA

PRESS RELEASE: Mechanicsburg, PA – Monday, March 1, 2020

This morning, the Wolf Administration announced revised mitigation restrictions that are effective today statewide.

The revised mitigations restrictions include:

• Revised maximum occupancy limits for INDOOR EVENTS to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 15% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

• Revised maximum occupancy limits for OUTDOOR EVENTS to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 20% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.

PIAA Executive Director, Dr. Robert A. Lombardi, stated, “PIAA is very appreciative of these changes and will attempt to provide as much in-person attendance at PIAA winter sports’ postseason contests as possible while complying with the new restrictions.”

PIAA will review their upcoming winter sports’ post-season events and capacities with site administrators and make all best efforts to accommodate schools’ and their families. These revised restrictions may allow some public sale of tickets based upon occupancy and social distancing restrictions.

The PIAA Board of Directors will discuss these topics and other items at its upcoming Wednesday, March 3, 2021 meeting.

PA Congressmen release statement following PA state House announcement on nursing home oversight investigation

Washington, D.C. — Today, members of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation, including Congressmen Fred Keller (PA-12), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Scott Perry (PA-10), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John Joyce (PA-13), and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), made the following statement following the Pennsylvania state House announcement of an oversight investigation into the Wolf administration’s handling of nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“The Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation thanks the members of the General Assembly for taking the necessary steps to investigate the Wolf administration’s disastrous policies relating to our state’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Last March, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued guidance requiring nursing homes to admit COVID-positive patients. Today, more than half of the state’s COVID fatalities have occurred in these facilities. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has repeatedly failed to investigate the policies that put Pennsylvania seniors living in longterm care facilities at risk. Pennsylvanians deserve a full and transparent investigation into what went wrong. Our offices remain committed to ensuring all information is brought to light so that the health and safety of our senior citizens are never again jeopardized by the careless actions of a state executive.”

Background:

• On March 13, 2020, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance “For Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes.”

• The March 13 guidance said that “nursing homes should admit any individual that they would normally admit to their facility, including individuals from hospitals where a case of COVID-19 was/is present” only if the nursing home can follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) quarantining guidance.

• CMS Administrator Seema Verma later said, “[u]nder no circumstances should a hospital discharge a patient to a nursing home that is not prepared to take care of those patient’s needs.”

• Despite these warnings, however, governors of multiple states — including Pennsylvania — issued guidance and executive orders forcing nursing homes to admit people with the virus, thereby encouraging the spread to those vulnerable populations.

The Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation has taken action to hold the Wolf administration accountable for its negligent nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

February 16, 2021: Sending a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro asking for a report on guidance issued by the state Department of Health that called for admittance of COVID-19 positive individuals in long-term care facilities.

June 25, 2020: Republicans on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis and eight members of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro requesting a formal review of the impact of Governor Wolf’s March 18, 2020 guidance for nursing homes to readmit COVID-19 positive residents that would be made public. His administration’s initial response can be found here.

Crosscutters Looking to Fill Seasonal Positions

The Williamsport Crosscutters are looking for energetic, motivated individuals to fill dozens of part-time seasonal positions at Historic Bowman Field for the 2021 season.

Historic Bowman Field is a fun place to work and makes for great summer employment for high school and college students, retirees or anyone looking for a fun second job,” said Williamsport Crosscutters Vice-President General Manager Doug Estes.

This year, due to COVID-19 precautions, no applications will be taken in-person. All interested individuals must apply online via the Crosscutters website. To view the list of job categories and access the application, visit crosscutters.com and click on the CLUB INFO tab at the top of the page and then click 2021 JOB APPLICATION. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Available jobs include; stadium ushers, cashiers, food prep workers, food delivery staff, ticketing, game day internships and more. The Crosscutters season consists of 34 home games from May 25 until August 11. Employees work approximately 3-6 hours at each Cutters home game and are not required to be available for all games. Applicants should have an outgoing personality and a willingness to work with the public.

The 2021 Williamsport Crosscutters home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25 at Historic Bowman Field as the Cutters begin play in the new MLB Draft League.

OP-ED: Long past time for Dr. Bowers to resign as WASD Superintendent

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

The following is an opinion editorial addressing the colossal failures during the short tenure of WASD Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Bowers.

The time for Dr. Timothy Bowers to resign as Superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District has long past.

Dr. Bowers has already provided the mechanism for his resignation, IN HIS OWN WORDS.

Bowers supplements his response to Jane Penman:

“In my opinion our actions are more impotent (important) than our words.”

That quote came from the text message records of Dr. Timothy Bowers on Thursday, June 11, 2020, either 6:03 PM or 8:03 PM between WASD school board members Jane Penman and Lori Baer as noted in “The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution”PART I.

 

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Nearly one year ago this week March 3, 2020, community member Carlos Saldivia called upon the entire WASD school board and Dr. Bowers to resign.

“Breaking News: Resignations Demanded of WASD Officials based on Myrtle Beach Incident”

In the same meeting, BREAKING NEWS: Community member Carlos Saldivia also asked the WASD School Board for the “WAHS Baseball team program to be immediately suspended indefinitely.” 

Have the events of the past year related to the Myrtle Beach incidents gotten any better for the WASD?

Case in point, the facts as they continue to come to light on a nearly daily basis; have indeed exponentially progressed in a negative direction for the WASD.

Just days into May of 2020, Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner announced a video depicting “criminal sexual misconduct” existed and the case was referred to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

That case referral still remains under investigation.

Curious as a Superintendent of a school district and oversight as noted in the WASD Organizational Chart 008-chart 1; if Dr. Timothy Bowers would be interviewed as part of the Attorney General investigation?

I will revisit Dr. Bowers’ part in the “WASD investigations” as this OP-ED progresses.

 

REACTION TO CHILDLINE CALL IN MAY 2018

Let us explore just for a moment the chain of custody of a Childline call regarding the Myrtle Beach incident; juxtaposed against the WASD public statement.

The WASD Statement from January 9, 2020 reads in part:

“The Williamsport Area School District does not condone inappropriate and indecent behavior.”

Editor’s note: “Does not is the present tense use of “did not”;

once again no acknowledgment of victims, no looking back.

So is the logical conclusion drawn, the WASD did “condone inappropriate and indecent behavior” since no actual punishments have to date been handed down?

The WASD statement continues:

“The district has fully conducted an investigation of this incident and has transparently cooperated and participated with law enforcement officials.”

You know, a head principal in a really big school district who conducts an investigation should have no issue with answering the questions of the Myrtle Beach Police Department; by not doing so, could that be considered “obstruction of justice” or “hindering an actual criminal investigation” in the jurisdiction a crime occurred?

Instead, one of Dr. Bowers subordinates took it upon himself to ask the Myrtle Beach Police Detective who called; “Can I ask who you tried to speak with?”

 

Back to the WASD Statement:

“When contacted by Myrtle Beach authorities, the high school principal immediately referred them to the district attorney’s office and the district’s school resource officers, who serve with the Williamsport Bureau of Police.”

You know, the same school resource officers who were part of the investigation in May and June 2018 and were so involved they knew nothing about it until contacted by Myrtle Beach authorities in September of that year.

On this last referenced statement Dr. Bowers and I will agree;

“We urge our students, families and community members to avoid posting statements

to social media that are inaccurate or misleading,

as those statements can be detrimental and potentially harmful to our students.”

Over the course of this matter, the only misinformation that has been regularly provided is from the Williamsport Area School District; the same school district Dr. Bowers you lead along with the school board and are ultimately responsible for.

 

DETACHMENT FROM REALITY IS THE NORM IN THE WASD

For a board of school directors which had a member living outside the district boundaries for what has been shared with this author for as much as two years; obliviousness only multiplied when they offered Dr. Timothy Bowers a contract extension and unanimously (7-0) approved it.

But wait, WASD board member Adam Welteroth was absent and according to WASD Board Secretary, Wanda Erb Marc Schefsky who was not residing in the district was listed as not being present for the vote on Bowers extension on November 10, 2020.

PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Jane L. Penman, Star Poole,

Barbara D. Reeves, Marc D. Schefsky (arrived 6:22 pm), Nancy Somers.

ABSENT: Adam C. Welteroth

 

How could an oblivious school board renew a Superintendent who has an open Attorney General investigation into the Myrtle Beach incident still ongoing?

Would it not be prudent to wait to see what the findings are before issuing extensions and pay increases, not to mention the funding shortfall caused by the global pandemic?

The colossal failure of the global pandemic plan is forthcoming as well.

This Superintendent and his school board seem to rush into things that matter to them – regularly.

You know, like the 28 days the board took and Dr. Bowers went along with acknowledging the death of George Floyd; as compared to the more than 19 months to make a statement regarding the Myrtle Beach incident.

In fact at the next WASD school board meeting, just 50 days after the law took effect; the WASD will consider a Board Policy, “Discipline of Student Convicted/Adjudicated of Sexual Assault”.

You know, that is really something on the heels of the report of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 being charged by the same Myrtle Beach Police who your high school head principal asked; “Can I ask who you tried to speak with?”

The statement regarding the Myrtle Beach incident makes no mention of the “victims”.

 

HISTORY WILL NOT BE KIND TO THE DR. BOWERS ERA AS WASD SUPERINTENDENT

Fear not WASD taxpayers, if history is any indication the law firm of Kline & Specter who represent JOHN DOE #1  will make certain the “victims” of the Myrtle Beach incident will never be disrespected again.

Just ask the Catholic Church and Penn State about their results in civil litigation.

When history reflects on this case; those organizations may well say “hold my beer” to the WASD.

Wait, you know, like Brandon Pardoe (WAHS head principal) at the late March 2018 party at the beach house in South Carolina actually holding a beer in the presence of students he had oversight of.

The photo can also be found in Part XXII.

Brandon Pardoe (WAHS head principal)

at beach house in South Carolina holding a beer (right side of photo)

 

PARDOE INFORMS DR. BOWERS AND SUSIE NEIDIG OF INVESTIGATION

WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe then informs Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers and his secretary Susie Neidig in the evening hours of May 30, 2018 of details about the “investigation.”

Subject: FW: Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 8:22:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brandon Pardoe

To: Timothy Bowers

CC: Susan A. Neidig

Priority: High 

“We started the investigation with regard to the video taken on the Myrtle Beach trip after speaking with the parent and student today. I can give you more information if we could talk. I contacted the home of (redacted) who is the student that was videoed doing the act to the other student. I requested to meet with them with their son. They appear to be getting an attorney to meet as well. I would imagine that this is something that we would want to reach out to our solicitor about and update to join in a mutual meeting. I do have a recommendation for the interim until we can meet that I would like to run by you.

If we can talk tomorrow that would be great.”

Brandon Pardoe, Ed.D

Head Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (redacted by author)

 

Dr. Bowers, the benefit of the doubt left on May 30, 2018 when Pardoe emailed you and said “I contacted the home of (redacted) who is the student that was videoed doing the act to the other student.”

Let this part of the email sink in:

student that was videoed doing the act to the other student.”

An act that was so egregious, the Student Handbook which outlines behavior expectations and punishments for failing to adhere to them; was completely ignored.

With you in the know and the top of the pyramid Dr. Bowers, the blame falls on you.

Fact witnesses have relayed any number of stories to me of your participation in a false flag, fake social media news operation you and those in the WASD have engaged in for the past three years attempting to discredit me.

Your attempts have failed.

Your false narrative has absolutely been debunked.

How?

In your own words, the words of WASD employees past and present and those of the school board in the countless  communications obtained through the exclusive Right to Know Law requests from this author.

Even more Right to Know Law requests are forthcoming.

 

You know, the same Brandon Pardoe, Dr. Bowers thanked for updating him on an investigation that began may 30, 2018; 12 days after the initial Childline call was made.

The morning of June 1, 2018 Superintendent Bowers replied to Pardoe:

Date: June 1, 2018 6:42 AM

From: Timothy Bowers

To: Brandon Pardoe

Subject: Baseball

“Ok thanks for the follow-up”

Sent from my iPhone

An iPhone the WASD taxpayers foot the bill for.

The quote above student that was videoed doing the act to the other student,” is the reason why there could never be a room list provided to me and why most of the records requests had to be denied.

Everybody knew about the student that was videoed doing the act to the other student”.

The student that was videoed doing the act to the other student,” everybody knew it was bad.

Just ask the former principal at Cochran Primary School, Cindy T. Schuyler as she said in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball”PART XVI who said:

“I was aware of most of this. Some of what is said isn’t correct,

but in my opinion something bad happened in Myrtle Beach.”

 

PART XVI continues:

COCHRAN PRIMARY PRINCIPAL SCHUYLER HANGS UP

As part of the ongoing review of the phone records obtained from the WASD in the Right to Know Law process, a previously unidentified number was found.

The number belongs to Cindy T. Schuyler, principal at Cochran Primary School.

Schuyler previously referenced in PART V of this series after posting the following to the FSW Facebook page, “I was aware of most of this. Some of what is said isn’t correct, but in my opinion something bad happened in Myrtle Beach.”

Soon after posting it, she deleted the above referenced comment from the aforementioned page.

The WASD school board in November 2019 approved the resignation of Cindy T. Schuyler, principal at Cochran Primary School for the purpose of retirement.

Schuyler has been a WASD administrator for 13 years.

After learning of the incident, as a mandatory reporter why did she never call the Myrtle Beach Police Department?

Schuyler, was reached by phone Saturday evening seeking comment for this story; upon hearing the identifier of Talk Williamsport on the phone, Schuyler promptly hung up.

Schuyler’s resignation and retirement take effect June 30, 2020.

Can she explain the phone call with WAHS Principal Brandon Pardoe that lasted 14 minutes on January 3, 2019?

 

Back to PART XIX:

Was Pardoe asking the point person for both criminal and non-criminal investigations?

His calendar seems to indicate that:

AGENT WEBER MEETING IN BRANDON PARDOE’S OFFICE

Prior to the meeting on May 30, 2018 the calendar program used by Dr. Pardoe reflects multiple meeting invitations for the following obtained through RTKL requests:

Subject: (Redacted) Mother and Agent Weber Meeting

Location: Brandon’s office

Start: Wed 5/30/18  9:00 AM

End: Wed 5/30/18 10:00 AM

Show Time as: Tentative

Recurrence: (none)

Meeting Status: Accepted

Organizer: Brandon Pardoe

Required Attendees: Roger W. Freed, Sean McCann

Pardoe notes on the invitation,

“I scheduled with Will Weber for this day. Please plan to attend. Thanks, BP”

 

As a footnote to history, when was Fred Holland brought into the loop on this case?

Pardoe: “I would imagine that this is something that we would want to reach out to our solicitor about and update to join in a mutual meeting.”

In the released WASD Statement it says the WASD Solicitor (Fred Holland) gave Pardoe permission to run the investigation; was that after it had started, or did I miss something?

Back to Part XIX“The Millionaire Way”

The WASD has yet to provide an e-mail outlining the directive from WASD Solicitor to WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe giving him permission to conduct the investigation.

When Pardoe adds:

I do have a recommendation for the interim until we can meet that I would like to run by you.”

Is this his Graham Spanier moment from the Jerry Sandusky case?

 

From the CBS News report, June 30, 2012 “Report: Ex-Penn State head OK’d not reporting Sandusky”:

If Sandusky is cooperative, Curley’s email said, “we would work with him. …. If not, we do not have a choice and will inform the two groups,” according to the report.

Spanier wrote back and agreed with that approach,

calling it “humane and a reasonable way to proceed,” according to the report.

But he also worried about the consequences.

“The only downside for us is if message isn’t `heard’ and acted upon and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it, but that can be assessed down the road,” the email said, according to CNN.

 

WAS IT NECESSARY FOR NEW COUNSEL SINCE DR. BOWERS SILENCED THE SOLICITOR?

From to Part III:

WASD SILENCSES SOLICITOR FRED HOLLAND

On Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 10:30 AM Talk Williamsport asked several clarification questions that ended in WASD Solicitor Fred Holland being silenced by his client.

Fred,

I need a clarification on the invoices WASD provided Talk Williamsport from your firm.  The pair of invoices provided indicate George Lepley was involved in meetings and phone calls. 

Was he employed by WASD or representing someone else? 

Thanks for your attention in this matter. Todd

 

Fred Holland responded at 1:24 PM:

Mr. Lepley was not retained by WASD. Fred

________________________________

At 1:34 PM, Bartley asks, As a follow-up, then why was he in meetings with WASD officials in the midst of multiple investigations?

Fred Holland responds at 1:47 PM

Todd, With all due respect, I cannot answer that question.

The Right to Know Act allows you to obtain documents, which you have done. I cannot discuss with you the things that are in those documents without the approval of my client.

Best regards, Fred

________________________________

Bartley asks at 4:58 PM

Fred, Will your client grant you the ability to discuss with me what is contained in those documents?

The invitation goes unanswered the rest of July 30, 2019.

________________________________

On Wednesday July 31, 2019 at 3:20 PM a follow-up email is sent:

Fred: It would be my understanding that your client has declined the invitation for you to speak with me in regard to the documents provided so far.

Correct?

________________________________

On Wednesday July 31, 2019, Holland responds at 3:32 PM in an e-mail copied to WASD Superintendent Timothy Bowers, WASD Open Records Officer Wanda Erb and WASD Attorney Jeff Rowe:

Todd, My client has not authorized me to speak further with you.

Fred,

Fred A. Holland , Murphy, Butterfield, & Holland, P.C.

________________________________

Returning to Part XIX“The Millionaire Way” for another Holland, lack of response quote to legitimate questions and bragging about it to WASD assistant superintendent, Susie Bigger and WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe.

Previously, when pressed on similar issues in this story WASD Solicitor Fred Holland offered the following in an e-mail to those involved in the investigation he approved according to the statement offered by the district.

Subject: FW: WASD Questions

Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 3:52:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Fred Holland

To: Timothy Bowers, Brandon Pardoe, Susie Bigger

“If he (Bartley) asks again, I won’t justify it with a response…

Little more than three weeks later in September 2018; Brandon Pardoe channeled his inner Fred Holland when the Myrtle Beach Police Department reached out for answers.

Pardoe as previously noted, said “Can I ask who you tried to speak with?”

That’s sure sounds like; “I won’t justify it with a response…”

 

DR. BOWERS HIRES A NEW LAW FIRM FOR RIGHT TO KNOW RESPONSES

There have been many a rhetorical question posed in this case; one perplexing one is; why after two full years of Right to Know Law requests being denied this author was a new law firm hired at WASD taxpayers expense?

One plausible answer could be a Right to Know Law request focusing on Dr. Timothy Bowers regarding the Myrtle Beach case as well as the “WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution”Part V.

The law firm of Kegel, Kelin, Litts, and Lord based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who have authored such presentations as:

“BIG, BAD BULLIES – HOW TO PROTECT YOUR STUDENTS FROM HARM AND YOUR DISTRICT FROM LIABILITY for KKAL Education Law Breakfast (2017), Howard L. Kelin and Jeffrey D. Litts and

“TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS,” for Lancaster-Lebanon School Business Officials, Jeffrey D. Litts.

Soon after nearly 130 separate Right to Know Law requests were filed last year as follow-ups to previous denials and requests the law firm of Kegel, Kelin, Litts, and Lord began negotiations with me to release certain requested documents.

Within that release came the actual non-punishment emails and the stunning admission by the WASD of the “Lepley Letter” of May 31, 2018.

A letter that should have been released two years earlier by Wanda Erb, WASD Board Secretary, Business Manager, and Right to Know Law officer.

from Part XIX“The Millionaire Way”:

The existence of a letter authored by George Lepley was confirmed by this author and was immediately requested through the Right to Know law and through the special counsel hired by the WASD.

Attorney George Lepley was contacted for this story and when confronted with the existence of said letter he stated, “I never wrote a letter, there is no letter.”

When confronted with the content of the letter, he added, “I would never threaten the school district.”

The letter authored by George Lepley obtained through the Right to Know Law, dated May 31, 2018 was not previously provided in the RTKL mediation conducted with the WASD last year and appears as follows:

 

Brandon Pardoe, Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

 

Shawn McCann, Athletic Director 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

 

Re: Misconduct Myrtle Beach

Dear Brandon and Shawn:

I have been contacted by (redacted by WASD), parents of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 (editor added) (redacted by WASD) regarding potential criminal charges (the rest of this sentence was redacted by WASD) followed by between 10 and 11 lines which are also redacted by the WASD

Within the redacted lines, Lepley outlines a plan that if his client ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 is treated any differently than any other student in the room during what has been confirmed to be “criminal sexual misconduct”  in Myrtle Beach then his firm would seek legal remedies as well as the unmasking of the identity of those students.

The letter concludes, “It is my understanding you wish to have a meeting with ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 (editor added) (redacted by WASD) and his parents. Please note, I will be present at that meeting and therefore would kindly appreciate notice of same.

Sincerely, LEPLEY, ENGLEMAN & YAW, LLC George E. Lepley, Jr. Esquire”

The other students in the room at the time of the “criminal sexual misconduct” as characterized by Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner, included the nephew of Brandon Pardoe.

That fact alone should have led to a recusal by Pardoe from any involvement in the “investigative process.”

The method of delivery and specific date of delivery of the Lepley letter have yet to be confirmed by the WASD.

How did a letter to the WASD from the attorney for ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 include the unredacted words “Misconduct Myrtle Beach” and “potential criminal charges”; end up as “indecent and inappropriate behavior” unless adults worked it out amongst themselves?

Is it the same way Penn State administrators try to explain away the behavior of Jerry Sandusky as “horseplay.”

The Lepley letter of May 31, 2018 leads to only one conclusion.

Everyone in a leadership capacity on the trip, knew of the “criminal sexual misconduct” incident while in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 

MYRTLE BEACH CASE DEMONSTRATED FAILURE IN THE FACE OF COVID-19 WAS INEVITABLE

How could a Superintendent who recommended Hybrid learning, then switched to full remote, then in-person learning then back again while keeping all the sports teams still playing be offered an extension?

Did I mention, in the presentation I attended that all information related to race was conveniently left out of the class failure rates?

From the story, “Colossal Failure happening in the WASD”, according to data presented, the academic courses that are currently being failed at the high school level this marking period total 2,932 or 32%. At the mid-marking period assessment, the total was 2,968.

Remote learning only students accounted for 1,203 or 54% of the total failure number.

In the middle school, 3,199 academic courses are currently being failed.

According to WASD superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers, “Williamsport remains one of only two school districts in the Intermediate Unit that is not back to five day per week in-person learning.”

 

Was that because the numbers were disproportionate to the minority students being left behind and the optics in the aftermath of the “WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution” would be awful?

Or was it just another example of the systemic racism that WASD board member Jennifer Lake championed would never happen again?

Is that why Jennifer Lake had such a hard time casting a vote to return to in-person learning?

 

WHAT IF A LETTER EXISITS BANNING SOMEONE FROM CAMPUS WHO HAD NOT BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED?

What if a Right to Know Law request produced a letter that exists as well as email exchanges about a “perceived threat” by a family member of baseball team member?

What if that alleged “perceived threat” was answered “immediately” with a letter from WASD Solicitor Fred Holland?

What if the person stating the alleged “perceived threat” was never criminally charged in the matter?

What if the letter banned the person stating the alleged “perceived threat” from WASD property?

In summary, the person stating the alleged “perceived threat”, who was never criminally charged in the matter, received a letter from WASD Solicitor Fred Holland banning them from WASD property.

What would your response be to an adult who had actually been charged with a crime of a sexual nature against a child in the WASD while serving as that students coach?

Would that be an alleged “perceived threat” and garner a letter from WASD Solicitor Fred Holland?

This community already knows your response as well as so many WASD employees who have provided video endorsements.

 

CONCLUSION

If these examples are not enough of the colossal failure; this surely must be; this author was informed you took a personal interest in making sure soon to be former WASD board member used an address that he was not residing in to remain on the board at your request.

It is not lost on me the tardiness of that same board member on the night Dr. Bowers contract was voted on; was this so no questions would be asked for the agreement to be revisited since a non-district resident cast a vote?

Regardless, your record of failure when it comes to protecting and providing a safe and fulsome learning environment is crystal clear.

Prior to your resignation, Dr. Bowers this community demands you begin the process of mitigating the damage caused in the Myrtle Beach case.

The following steps must be taken Tuesday evening at the WASD school board meeting;

The resignation of Fred Holland, WASD solicitor

The resignation of Brandon Pardoe, WAHS head principal

The resignation of Roger Freed, WAHS principal

The resignation of Sean McCann, WAHS athletic director

The resignation of Susie Bigger, WASD assistant superintendent

The resignation of Wanda Erb, WASD business manager

The rescission of the coaching contracts for the entire WAHS baseball coaching staff, pending the outcome of the AG investigation

These moves are only the beginning of the fallout from the inaction in the Myrtle Beach case on your watch.

 

With that in mind; history calls for your immediate resignation and rescission of the extension agreement set to begin July 1, 2021.

On second thought, stay there, when Attorney General Josh Shapiro makes known the findings of the investigation of the 2018 WAHS baseball team “criminal sexual misconduct” incident for which at least one student has recently been charged in; your answers in front of the national media will be must watch television.

From the major motion picture “Gladiator”, prior to going into battle with the Barbarian Horde; Maximus tells his fellow patriots in the Roman army:

“What we do in life, echoes in eternity.”

You know, Dr. Bowers it rings similar to what you said to WASD board member Jane Penman:

“In my opinion our actions are more impotent (important) than our words.”

Just another great day to be a Millionaire.

BREAKING NEWS: Is the WASD finally acknowledging Myrtle Beach victims with new policy?

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Talkwilliamsport.com in reviewing the March 2, 2021 WASD school board meeting agenda; came across what could be the first step taken in acknowledging the Myrtle Beach “victims” with a new policy being adopted.

The proposed policy is titled “Discipline of Student Convicted/Adjudicated of Sexual Assault”.

Under section number #6 and labeled “BOARD POLICY” and “Questions may be directed to Dr. Bowers”; the proposed policy reads as follows:

BOARD POLICY
Questions may be directed to Dr. Bowers.

6.1 Consider approving the first reading of new policy 218.3

“Discipline of Student Convicted/Adjudicated of Sexual Assault”

of the Williamsport Area School District Board policy

based on new School Code section 24 P.S. 1318.1, and renumbering of current Board policy on

“Gangs” to 218.4 as a clerical revision to align with PSBA recommended numbering system.

 

The proposed policy arrives little more than two weeks after the bombshell report published on February 15, 2021 by TalkWilliamsport.com; BREAKING NEWS: WAHS student criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in 2018 baseball team incident.”

TalkWilliamsport.com researched and found a School Law Bullets article on the legislation noted addressed by the KingSpry’s Education Law Practice Group website titled, “Public School Code Revision Requires Separation of Perpetrators and Victims of Sexual Assaults.”

“Senator Martin, the law’s sponsor, stated the goal of the law is to ensure that victims of sexual assault do not have to uproot their own education and social networks to avoid contact with an abuser.”

“The requirements of the Act go into effect on January 12, 2021.

The law applies to school districts, career and technical schools, intermediate units,

and charter schools.”

 

The time period between January 12, 2021 and March 2, 2021 is 50 days.

The WASD school board is taking 22 days longer to adopt a policy that is actually codified into law than the “WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution” championed by and read into the record by WASD board member Jennifer Lake; in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd last year.

The school board meeting agenda for March 2, 2021 makes no mention of Jennifer Lake or any other board member volunteering to read the proposed policy into the record.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Juvenile Act was adopted into law by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in January 2008.

The Myrtle Beach incidents occurred during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip as chronicled in the TalkWilliamsport.com series; “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART XXV

 

The WASD school board will also be addressing the resignation of fellow board member Marc Schefsky as TalkWilliamsport.com exclusively reported earlier this week;BREAKING NEWS: Marc Schefsky resigning from school board after WASD residency questioned.”

 

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Congressman Fred Keller rejects Biden’s $2 trillion partisan wish list

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) voted against President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ reckless $2 trillion stimulus plan, legislation that focuses more on fulfilling partisan priorities than combating COVID-19.

On the legislation, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement:

“Today’s vote clearly shows the disconnect that exists between what Washington Democrats want and what the American people truly need. Rather than spend trillions more in taxpayer dollars on items unrelated to COVID-19, we should first look at being accountable for the more than $1 trillion that has yet to be spent from previous relief efforts.

“Any further relief must be temporary, targeted, and tied to COVID-19. Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of this latest package addresses public health. I voted to reject this bill because it comes at a significant cost the American taxpayer and fails to move our nation closer to our goals of defeating this virus and returning our nation to normal.”

Congressman Keller speaks out against the $2 trillion stimulus plan on the House Floor before the vote.

Background:

This week, Congressman Keller penned an Op-Ed on the real cost of Biden’s stimulus plan which ran in the Washington Times, as well as the Sunbury Daily ItemWilliamsport Sun-GazetteLewistown SentinelLock Haven ExpressTowanda Daily Review and Milton Standard-Journal.

In his Op-Ed, Keller explained that only 9 percent of this stimulus plan goes to public health spending, while the other 91 percent addresses political items unrelated to the pandemic, including:

  • $12 billion in foreign aid
  • $510 billion in local and state bailouts
  • $86 billion to prop up multiemployer pension plans
  • $34 billion to expand Obamacare
  • $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
  • $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
  • $135 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities
  • $112 million for an underground rail project in Silicon Valley Pelosi
  • $1.5 million for the Seaway International Bridge

Even the vast majority—95 percent—of the $130 billion for K-12 schools will not actually help get kids back in the classroom because it will not be spent this year.

Because of the exorbitant price-tag of this proposal and how it has been fast-tracked through Congress, the $1.9 trillion cost must be offset, which could trigger cuts to existing federal programs that seniors, veterans, and farmers rely on. That could include an approximately $30 billion cut to the Medicare program every year for the next 10 years starting in 2022, as well as cuts to payments to military retirement and farm support programs.

Jason Fitzgerald no longer considering City Council candidacy

Jason Fitzgerald issued an online statement recently ending his potential Williamsport City Council candidacy.
“After serious consideration, I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Williamsport City Council. I am truly honored and humbled by the groundswell of support indicated in emails, phone calls, and text messages from friends from all walks of life, encouraging me to run. There are many people that share my concerns about the direction of our great City. I am very grateful for your support!
At this point in my life, my focus will remain on my beautiful family and growing company. I remain committed to fighting for important changes and making positive contributions to the region that I love. I will be actively supporting candidates for City offices that have the qualities of leadership that our City so badly needs. Say tuned for some announcements about those candidates.”

Marc Schefsky WASD school board resignation could be the least of his issues

Pictured: Standing from left is Patrick Dixon, Barbara Reeves, Marc Schefsky, Star Poole and Adam Welteroth.

Seated from left is President Lori Baer, Vice President Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Jennifer Lake.

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

When TalkWilliamsport.com reached out to Marc Schefsky for comment on his impending resignation from the WASD school board due to residency questions; no one could have predicted what came next.

TalkWilliamsport.com filed a “Request for Public Information” with Lycoming County Voter Services to verify the home address of WASD school board member Marc Schefsky.

The request was prompted after a publicly posted photo showed Schefsky in line at Lycoming College to vote in the election this past November.

City of Williamsport, Ward 2 uses Lycoming College as its polling place.

Ward 2 consists of the downtown area and not Cogan Station.

On Friday afternoon, Forrest K. Lehman, Director of Elections and Registration in Lycoming County provided the following in response to the “Request for Public Information”:

“Good afternoon – attached is a screenshot of the voter registration record you requested. Some personal identifying information has been redacted to comply with the PA Election Code, which specifies what voter information shall and shall not appear on public information lists.

If you have any additional questions, let me know.”

The image shows an address of 200 W. 4th Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 or better known as the Genetti Hotel.

Schefsky is the former long time general manager of the Genetti Hotel and formerly lived there.

According to staff at the Genetti Hotel contacted for this story, Schefsky has neither worked or lived at the hotel in years.

The record indicates a “Last Voted” date of 11/03/2020 and “Last Changed” date of 11/4/2020 at 3:48:55 p.m.

The address of 200 W. 4th Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 is not the same as the address on a document obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com for this story.

The image below shows a redacted address in Cogan Station, Pennsylvania along with the redacted cell phone number belonging to Marc Schefsky.

The student name on the document has also been partially redacted to protect their identity.

Why is Marc Schefsky using a downtown Williamsport to vote, while using a Cogan Station address to allegedly reside in, while at the same time having his name along with that of his now fiance’ on mortgage and finance documents at a residence in Hughesville, Pennsylvania?

As reported by TalkWilliamsport.com in “Residency of WASD School Board member in question”

According to a fact witness for this story who is prepared to produce a sworn affidavit under the penalty of perjury offered the following from a conversation between the WASD school board member and Tim Bowers (WASD Superintendent).

“Tim Bowers (WASD Superintendent) encouraged the WASD school board member to use the (Cogan Station) address because he needed him on the board.”

To date, neither Bowers nor Schefsky have responded to requests for comment.

As noted in the headline, the resignation of Marc Schefsky from the WASD school board could be the least of his issues.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

“OP-ED: If coaches contracts can be rescinded; Dr. Bowers, WASD Superintendent’s contract extension should be too” – is forthcoming.

Jason Fitzgerald considering City Council candidacy

Photo provided

Wednesday evening TalkWilliamsport.com received information that Jason Fitzgerald, President of Penn Strategies is giving serious consideration to seeking a seat on Williamsport City Council in the next election.

According to sources close to the situation, Fitzgerald is unhappy with the rudderless direction of the current administration and constant reliance on blaming of the previous administration for current policy failures.

Penn Strategies previously secured millions of dollars in grant and other government funding sources for numerous projects within the City of Williamsport.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Marc Schefsky resigning from school board after WASD residency questioned

Pictured: Standing from left is Patrick Dixon, Barbara Reeves, Marc Schefsky, Star Poole and Adam Welteroth.
Seated from left is President Lori Baer, Vice President Dr. Jane Penman, Dr. Nancy Story Somers and Jennifer Lake.

Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

TalkWilliamsport.com has just confirmed that WASD school board member Marc Schefsky is planning to resign from the board.

He is currently informing those in his inner circle of his intentions.

Schefsky was forced to resign after the bombshell report on Wednesday that he longer resides in the Williamsport Area School District.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com