YorkCounts E-Newsletter - September 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
September 2008

In this issue:

• Police study presentations continue
• Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools
• Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)

* * *

Police study presentations continue

YorkCounts teams visited Jackson Township and Dover Township in September as the YorkCounts Public Safety Committee continued to make the case for a regional public safety feasibility study.

Jackson Township’s Board of Supervisors and the commission that oversees the Northern York County Regional Police Department were the latest to hear from Committee co-chair Carl Anderson. Anderson and Meckley are seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department.

Ten presentations have been made so far by Meckley, Anderson or both, accompanied by YorkCounts staffers James DeBord and Beau Boughamer. Because the Northern York County Regional Police Department’s oversight body includes representatives from each of the NYCRPD’s eight participating municipalities, the number of communities reached by the study pitch has risen to 18.

West York Borough, the City of York and the three member municipalities of the Northeastern Regional police – Mount Wolf and Manchester boroughs and East Manchester Township – have agreed to take part in the study. Decisions are expected soon from Springettsbury Township and Spring Garden Township among other communities.

Each municipality is appointing someone to serve on the panel that will oversee the study.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach YorkCounts Director James DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

Diversity countywide: a snapshot from the schools

YorkCounts expects to release its latest Indicators report next spring. Between now and then, an occasional series in the E-Newsletter will spotlight community data relating to York County.

From its beginnings nearly ten years ago, YorkCounts has been interested in diversity in York County – not only in fostering an environment in which diversity is respected and celebrated… but also in keeping tabs on just how diverse we are and how the community is changing.

Because information on diversity that is released between decennial Census reports is limited in scope, the best real-time way to see increasing diversity is in year-to-year population counts released by York County’s public school districts.

The chart below is reflective of how more diverse communities now can be found in virtually all corners of York County. (If you can’t see the chart in the e-mail E-Newsletter, try accessing the copy that’s on the web at http://yorkcounts.blogspot.com/2008/08/yorkcounts-e-newsletter-september-2008.html).

* * *

Foundation of the Year (and they’re blogging too!)

We congratulate the York County Community Foundation – a YorkCounts Partner – as it has been named the 2008 Foundation of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central PA chapter. The award was announced earlier this month and will be given at a ceremony in Harrisburg on National Philanthropy Day, November 17.

YorkCounts Director James DeBord was pleased to be among those who nominated the York County Community Foundation. “With the guidance of a thoughtful and committed board and under Susan Barry’s able and innovative leadership, the York County Community Foundation has grown tremendously,” DeBord said.

“Of particular interest to YorkCounts is the YCCF’s role as a catalyst for regional improvement. Since YorkCounts’ inception, YCCF has been not only a financial supporter of the organization, but also an active, engaged partner in planning for a better York County.”

Also this month, the York County Community Foundation launched its first blog. In Barry’s first contribution to the blogosphere, she shares her thoughts on what fishing and philanthropy have in common. The “President’s Point of View” blog can be found at http://www.yccf.org/presidents_blog.asp.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - August 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
August 2008

In this issue:

• Four more municipalities join public safety study committee
• Indicators winnowed to 40 by busy YorkCounts group
• From the Chairman: Thanking Reps. Mackereth and Nickol for their service
  

* * *

Four more municipalities join public safety study committee

Two boroughs, a township and the City of York signed on this month to be a part of a regional public safety feasibility study being promoted by YorkCounts.

Mount Wolf and Manchester boroughs, East Manchester Township and the City joined West York Borough – whose council voted in July to participate – in signaling that studying the idea of a regional police force is worth the time.

YorkCounts Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Carl Anderson and Dave Meckley are visiting numerous municipalities this summer and fall, seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department. The ten-minute presentations outline what YorkCounts is, what the study would consist of, who would conduct it (probably PERF – the Police Executive Research Forum), how much it would cost and what a timetable looks like.

Besides those municipalities that have opted in, presentations were made to Spring Garden Township and Springettsbury Township (in July) as well as North York and Red Lion boroughs and York and Windsor townships (in August).

Each municipality is appointing someone to serve on the panel that will oversee the study.

Public opinion has been seen as supportive. About 81 percent of those responding to a poll in late May said they would favor such research if regional policing would result in more efficient service or future cost avoidance.

A presentation that had been scheduled for Dallastown Borough was postponed because the borough council meeting was cancelled. At least two presentations are scheduled for September: one in Jackson Township and one before the body that oversees the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach YorkCounts Director James DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

Indicators winnowed to 40 by busy YorkCounts group

The volunteer Committee of content area experts reshaping YorkCounts’ “Indicators” reporting has completed the first phase of its work, settling on 40 measurements aimed at assessing York County’s quality of life.

“We’re really pleased at the progress we’ve made so far,” said Indicators Committee Chairman Bob Woods. “The new list is grounded in reflecting the original interests of the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the first Indicators process in 2001, but it is improved with new information that did not exist at that time.”

The Indicators are a collection of data related to community, the economy, education, health and environment, public safety and housing and land use. The first slate featured 57 measurements; a 2006 update was slimmer because up-to-date data could not be found. With that in mind, the new Indicators Committee emphasized availability and reliability as criteria for inclusion.

“A lot of places are going through the same thing with their respective Indicators efforts as York County is right now,” said YorkCounts Director James DeBord. “We know more now than we did in 2001 about how statistics are updated and how these reports are used. Plus, so much more is being measured by institutions such as the U.S. Census Bureau. We would be remiss by not including data that will help us better understand our own community.”

Woods thanked members of the Committee, including Aeman Bashir, Felicia Dell, Beth Gill-MacDonald, Thomas Hensley, Vicki Klinedinst, Ellie Lamison, Joanne Riley and Robin Rohrbaugh. The group will take September off while YorkCounts staffers conduct research on each of the 40 Indicators. They’ll meet again in October to finalize a report to the YorkCounts Board of Directors, and the expectation is that the new report to the public will be released at the 2009 YorkCounts Summit next March or April.

* * *

From the Chairman: Thanking Reps. Mackereth and Nickol for their service
by Eric Menzer

On behalf of the nearly two dozen people from across York County who comprise the Board of YorkCounts, I would like to offer our best wishes to State Representatives Bev Mackereth and Steve Nickol on their recent decisions to leave the Legislature – Rep. Nickol to retire and Rep. Mackereth to join York County government this December. These two strong advocates for our area are applauded for their tireless service and trademark emphasis on working together with other legislators and with organizations in the community toward finding solutions.

Both Rep. Mackereth and Rep. Nickol have supported YorkCounts. Rep. Nickol has a widely known and deserved reputation as one of the sharpest minds in Pennsylvania government and has always been willing to lend his policy expertise to our discussions. And whether it was her continual commitment to meet with YorkCounts volunteers or her ability to deliver funding for the first-ever York County education costing-out study, Rep. Mackereth has been a true public servant.

We hope that the individuals who are chosen by the voters to replace these two will demonstrate the same willingness to work across lines - whether geographic, political or philosophical – toward making our community a better place.

Bev and Steve are wished all the best.

(A version of this letter appeared in the August 9, 2008 York Daily Record.)

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - July 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
July 2008

In this issue:

• Introducing the Stay in School Initiative
• First municipality signs up for public safety study
• “What is YorkCounts?”

* * *

Introducing the Stay in School Initiative
by Christy Renjilian
United Way of York County



The Stay in School Initiative Committee is addressing Metro York’s third Education recommendation – specifically, the high rate of high school dropouts in York County.

Approximately thirty community leaders are serving on the Committee, which is being chaired by two YorkCounts Board members: Don Gogniat, the former Penn State York Campus Executive Officer, and Robert Woods, Executive Director of the United Way of York County. Members include representatives from county school districts, human services, higher education, social service organizations, business leaders and legislators.

The purpose of the Stay in School Committee is to create a system that provides an infrastructure for ongoing implementation and sustainability of proven practices in reducing dropout rates at area high schools. The Committee will gather data, conduct a causal analysis, review relevant school policies, and research proven programs that will meet the various needs of students in York County.

To assist the Committee in its understanding of the data, Deborah Rodrigues, Educational Statistics Supervisor-Division of Data Services for the PA Department of Education, presented the group with information on the methods for calculation of high school dropout rates and graduation rates. The dropout rate calculates the number of students who no longer attend school and is a one year snapshot of a particular school. The graduation rate reflects the percentage of students at a given school that are enrolled in ninth grade and graduate four years later. It tracks a particular cohort over a four year time period. This data will be used by the committee to assess the severity of the problem in York County. The data will also be used to measure the effectiveness of the recommended strategies.

The Committee also reviewed a study – The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts – conducted for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings will be used to assist the Committee in determining what types of programs will be most effective in preventing students from dropping out of school. It will be used as a comparison to York County’s causal analysis.

As part of the causal analysis, the Committee will interview school personnel, including superintendents, principals, guidance counselors and teachers. It will also conduct focus groups with parents, students who have dropped out, students who have returned to school, and community leaders. The identified causes of dropping out of high school will guide the types of strategies selected to address the problem.

The final phase of the research will involve reviewing local, state and national programs that are proven to be effective in preventing high school dropouts.

The recommended strategies will be forwarded to YorkCounts in June, 2009 with expected implementation beginning in August 2009.

“YorkCounts, as an organization, is thrilled that Don Gogniat and Bob Woods have taken the lead to co-chair this group, and we’re grateful to the many volunteers who are beginning to undertake this serious work,” said Eric Menzer, Chairman of the YorkCounts Board. “I think this kind of approach is exactly what we were hoping for when we announced the eight Metro-York recommendations last year.”

* * *

First municipality signs up for public safety study

The Borough of West York voted in July to take part in a public safety feasibility study being proposed by YorkCounts. The decision was a highlight of the first month of a municipality-by-municipality presentation of the idea. York City Council is poised to opt in as well, having unanimously approved of taking part by way of an informal voice vote.

YorkCounts Public Safety Committee Co-Chairs Carl Anderson and Dave Meckley are visiting numerous municipalities this summer and fall, seeking local government participation in a study – conducted by an independent consultant – to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department.

Presentations were also made this month before boards in Spring Garden Township and Springettsbury Township and before the commission that oversees the Northeastern Regional Police Department (serving Manchester and Mount Wolf boroughs and East Manchester Township). In each case, the respective boards indicated that they and their staffs would discuss the study idea and make a decision soon.

“That’s the initial outcome we expect,” said Meckley. “We are definitely thrilled about West York and the City of York, but we also respect the interest on the part of other boards in coming to an informed decision.”

During the ten-minute presentations, Meckley, Anderson or both are outlining what YorkCounts is, what the study would consist of, who would conduct it (PERF – the Police Executive Research Forum), how much it would cost and what a timetable looks like.

The initiative continued in July to draw press attention. The York Dispatch noted that Spring Garden Township commissioners “said they will make a decision in the coming weeks about participating in a study.”

“It’s important to remember that we’re not asking these municipal boards and councils to endorse consolidation,” Anderson said. “The conclusions they reach after a study would and should be up to them. But a lot of folks agree with us that if we can do the study largely or entirely through state funding, we ought to.”

Public opinion data suggest that York countians are very interested in the idea of a study. About 81 percent of those responding to a late May poll expressed support for research into whether a regional approach might produce more efficient service or head off future cost increases.

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

“What is YorkCounts?”

Frequently outside the YorkCounts family of volunteers – and sometimes inside it – the question is asked, “What is YorkCounts?” This spring and summer, the YorkCounts Communications Committee – led by Chairwoman Maria Royce – worked to review and improve the way we answer that question.

The result was a document approved by the YorkCounts Board in June that describes what YorkCounts is and what it does. The one-sentence description adopted by the Committee and the Board was, “YorkCounts is York County’s community-based, nonpartisan quality-of-life coalition.”

“Our hope is two-fold. First, we hope that Board members, committee members and others within YorkCounts will be well equipped to talk about the role of YorkCounts in our community. Second, we want those who are learning about YorkCounts for the first time to have a clear idea of the organization’s mission,” said YorkCounts Director James DeBord.

“Maria did a great job and so did the Communications Committee,” DeBord said. The Committee’s other members are Rick Ayers, Gordon Freireich, Louise Heine, Nadine Hubner and Carolyn Steinhauser.

The Committee identified eight characteristics of the organization. YorkCounts:

• is a catalyst for change toward improving the quality of life in York County.
• needs and wants community involvement in order to succeed.
• spurs existing organizations into action and implements uniquely regional solutions.
• fosters inquiry and ongoing dialogue to inform action and involvement.
• uses planning, to be meaningful… and measuring of outcomes, to be accountable.
• inspires community and individual participation via institutions, organizations and groups.
• broadens the circle of activity through education.
• acts with courage: no problem or issue is too complex or politically charged to address.

The Committee also described three primary organizational goals.

• Shine a spotlight: YorkCounts seeks to draw attention to challenges and inspire the collaborators, solutions and resources needed to begin to address them.
  
• Engage and act: Building alliances and introducing partners; taking the lead when a uniquely regional solution is called for.
  
• Measure: As YorkCounts builds a clearinghouse of community information, we will review the goals we have set and trace the progress of our efforts.

Royce says the YorkCounts “tag line” – “Count me in!” – is reflective of all of these themes.

For a copy of this document, contact Beau Boughamer at 717/815-6430 or dbougham@ycp.edu.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at 717/815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - June 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
June 2008

In this issue:

• Anderson, Meckley to make case for public safety study
• Reconstituted Indicators Committee preparing 2009 report
• ‘Aligning Forces for Quality’ focus: chronic disease management

* * *

Anderson, Meckley to pitch public safety study

The idea seems to have all of York County talking.

A proposed public safety feasibility study will be on the agenda at board and council meetings across the heart of the county this summer and fall – as YorkCounts Public Safety Committee co-chairs Dave Meckley and Carl Anderson take the case for such a study on the road.

Anderson and Meckley – both also YorkCounts Board members – hope to make presentations before 21 or more municipal governing bodies. Some of the meetings have already been scheduled.

In the meantime, stakeholders and observers have expanded the public conservation in the pages of the York Daily Record/Sunday News and the York Dispatch. “We have high hopes that all of the nearly two-dozen municipalities YorkCounts plans to approach about participating in the study will at least listen to what the group has to say,” the Daily Record noted in an editorial.

Meckley and Anderson will seek local government participation in a study, conducted by an independent consultant, to evaluate the merits of a multi-municipal, regional police department. “We’ve heard many different ideas about how to improve public safety, particularly in terms of police service,” Meckley says. “Some people support a regional police department, while others express concerns over how such a merger would be implemented. The next responsible step is to invite an independent consultant to conduct a customized study.”

“Based on our initial discussions with the researchers, we understand that the study would explore options for meeting the increased demand for police services and the increased cost of providing future service,” Anderson adds. The two have identified PERF – the Police Executive Research Forum – as a national-level association capable of conducting the research.

Regional police consolidation was a recommendation of YorkCounts’ Metro-York process – a 2006-2007 effort aimed at generating ideas for improving municipal prosperity and education in the area. While YorkCounts did actually recommend consolidation, Meckley and Anderson say they are very aware that the municipalities feel they need more information before they make a binding decision.

At the same time, public opinion data suggest that York countians are very interested in the idea of a study. About 81 percent of those responding to a late May poll expressed support for research into whether a regional approach might produce more efficient service or head off future cost increases. The interactive survey was commissioned by YorkCounts and conducted by Harrisburg-based GoverCom.

“Just since letters went out to the municipalities and articles started appearing in the papers, we’ve had municipalities calling us and asking to schedule their presentations,” says YorkCounts Director James DeBord. “We’re off to an encouraging start.”

Municipal elected officials or administrators with questions about the Public Safety Committee can reach DeBord at 717/815-6436 or jdebord@ycp.edu.

* * *

Reconstituted Indicators Committee working on report for 2009

A busy new committee is leading YorkCounts in the first review and overhaul of the organization’s quality-of-life “Indicators” since the Indicators were initially introduced to the community.

The Indicators are a collection of measurements related to family and community, health and safety, economics and education. Hundreds of citizens contributed to the selection of the original Indicators, which were presented in a report in 2001 and re-released with new data in 2006. YorkCounts has expanded its range of activities over the past eight years, but at the birth of the coalition, the Indicators report was its primary output.

Bob Woods – a YorkCounts Board member who heads the United Way of York County – is chairing the Indicators Committee and says it was time for an update. “We haven’t set out to re-invent the wheel here,” Woods says, “especially considering that the original list of Indicators came together with extensive community input.

“But in the seven years since the first report, some older data has not been updated by the original source or cannot be found, some new data have become available and some new issues have gained in prominence. The new report will be grounded in the original efforts of the community – and enhanced by what we know now that we didn’t know then.”

Among other things, the new edition will include an arts and cultural component. There were no arts Indicators in the 2001 report.

The new slate of Indicators is also expected to be streamlined. There were nearly 60 Indicators in 2001, but the 2006 report included fewer than 50 because of the lack of updates to some data. Woods says availability and reliability are two important criteria that will be reflected in the 40 or so Indicators in the 2009 report.

Finally, Woods notes, the committee has expressed an insistence on making sure that each Indicator is presented in a context. “In some cases in the earlier reports, we included numbers, but we didn’t give readers a way to know whether something was high or low or in the middle. The new Indicators are more likely to report a per capita rate of something than just a number of instances or number of cases, for example.”

Woods says the committee expects to finish its work in November, turning over its work product to the YorkCounts Board. If the Board approves the new Indicators, the report is expected to be released in conjunction with the 2009 YorkCounts Summit in March or April.

* * *

‘Aligning Forces for Quality’ focus: chronic disease management

YorkCounts’ core concern is quality of life – and few things are more central to quality of life than one’s health. Some $1.6 million in funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will help the Healthy York County Coalition work to improve the quality of life for those with chronic diseases by examining relationships among patients, providers and other health care stakeholders.

HYCC is one of 14 collaboratives nationwide to receive funding to participate in Aligning Forces for Quality: The Regional Market Project. The program “is aimed at eliminating the gap between the quality of care that patients with chronic diseases currently receive and the quality of care that patients should expect,” according to HYCC.

HYCC and RWJF announced the grant and the plans at a news conference in early June. The Foundation’s national commitment is $300 million.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to come together and improve the quality of care for people with chronic diseases in our community,” says Robin Rohrbaugh, HYCC’s executive director. “It is encouraging to see so many people energized about making a positive change.”

Dr. Charlie Chodroff, speaking at the Aligning Forces for Quality news conference

This regional Aligning Forces for Quality project will incorporate York and Adams counties and will consist of strategies from data-gathering to pilot care efforts.

• It’s hoped that 50 percent or more of York County’s primary care physicians will publicly report data for diabetes, heart failure and coronary artery disease.
  

• Patients will provide feedback that can be used by doctors to improve care.

• A Consumer Advocacy Council will raise awareness of the project and promote best practices.

The progress of Aligning Forces for Quality in South Central Pennsylvania will be chronicled at www.aligning4healthpa.org. The site will also be a consumer portal. Already, it features a “Share Your Story” section where patients are encouraged to reflect on how they manage their or their loved one’s chronic conditions.

Aligning Forces for Quality collaboratives include the York City Bureau of Health, Family First Health, Hanover Hospital, Memorial Hospital and WellSpan Health, a YorkCounts Parnter.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at (717) 815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

Poll shows continued support for police study

Local officials should study the pros and cons of a regional approach
to public safety if the change might produce more efficient service
and head off future cost increases, according to a recent survey of
York County registered voters. The poll results will be one backdrop
as volunteer leaders of YorkCounts – York County's community-wide,
nonpartisan quality-of-life coalition – go municipality to
municipality this summer, making the case for such a study.

Read more of today's YorkCounts press release:

http://www.yorkcounts.org/learn/releases/YC_News_2008-06-16_Public_safety_poll_results.pdf

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - May 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
May 2008

In this issue:

• From the Chairman: Applauding, congratulating fire merger leaders
• Q&A: Reed Anderson and Carl Anderson
• Using the YorkCounts website to take action
  

* * *

From the Chairman: Applauding, congratulating fire merger leaders

As members Board of Directors of YorkCounts, we'd like to take a moment to congratulate and applaud the professional staffers and volunteers whose hard work has paid off in the formation of York Area United Fire and Rescue.

Although YorkCounts was not a party to the talks, we have watched the developments with great interest and hopes over the years. In fact, Austin Hunt, who was one of the leaders in the effort to study, develop and implement the merger, is a YorkCounts board member and kept us posted on the progress.

We were happy to have hosted talks by regional thinking experts David Rusk, Myron Orfield and Ron Baylor -- as well as open discussions during the Metro-York process -- that Austin says informed his thinking.

Spring Garden Township and Springettsbury Township leaders have accomplished the first merger of paid municipal fire departments in Pennsylvania history, and that is no small accomplishment!

Congratulations to all of those who had a hand in the process and best wishes and good luck to Chief Robert McCoy and the firefighters of York Area United as they serve two of York County's most forward-thinking municipalities. The combined department will surely be a great example of how we are stronger and better in York County when we work together.

-- Eric Menzer, Chairman
YorkCounts Board of Directors

* * *

Q&A: Reed Anderson and Carl Anderson

Along with fellow long-time YorkCounts volunteer Ernie Waters, Reed Anderson stepped down from his seat on the YorkCounts Board of Directors in April. Among new members of the Board is Carl Anderson.

For the YorkCounts 2008 annual report, “Turning Points,” We asked Reed Anderson and Carl Anderson to sit down for a conversation about the past, present and future of YorkCounts – and the leaders who keep it strong.

YC: Reed – talk a bit about the beginnings of YorkCounts. What attracted you to the idea of a quality-of-life coalition?

Reed Anderson: I got a phone call from (fellow YorkCounts founding participant, now Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue) Tom Wolf. He wanted to meet me, and he was going to have Ernie Waters there too. There was a tremendous amount of fallout (from the 1969 race riots trial). Many people were invested in the issue of, “How can we move beyond this? How can we use what we have learned?” We sort of knew where we wanted to go. We just weren’t sure how to get there. We knew we had to do something that could create a foundation for positive action. I was excited about that. To have someone like Ernie to work with was a godsend.

YC: Carl – same question, in a way: when you arrived back in York, what attracted you to YorkCounts?

Carl Anderson: Having grown up in the area, I remember the time period of which Reed is speaking. I was a teenager in York at the time. To come home to practice law (after working in Cleveland and Harrisburg) is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. But the one thing that’s important to me is to give back. When I look at the landscape, it’s very positive, what I see happening in the downtown area… the Northwest Triangle, the stadium project… but to me, there’s still a missing piece of how you really develop the neighborhoods of the York community. This was something I started thinking about… and I felt privileged to be asked to participate in YorkCounts and the Metro-York process. (Metro-York) gave me a very good feeling about where this community is in terms of its business and political leadership.

YC: Could each of you talk a little about the important qualities of community leaders?

Reed Anderson: You can’t have a private agenda when participating in this kind of a process. I was amazed… we never really had to deal with a person or persons who have had a set means of implementation that they tried to force. Patience is one of the critical elements…. Credibility – I think we’ve had very effective community leaders speaking with and for us, and that establishes a credibility for us. And these are the same skills that need to be there to continue the process.

Carl Anderson: I think the important point that Reed makes is credibility. As we embark on implementation, you’re going to have to have people who represent us well in the community, because you’re going to have to have community buy-in….

Reed Anderson: …because there are going to be opposing forces, for whatever reason – philosophical, or sheer misunderstanding. The only way to capture those people is credibility.

Carl Anderson: I think you also have to have a certain open-mindedness. The stakeholders we have to bring into the fold – we have to be able to develop an environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to provide input. It takes a certain creativity to get those varying interests to move together toward a common goal.

YC: Carl – you’re coming to the Board within a context of present and future leadership. Are you optimistic about your generational cohort in terms of interest in stepping into leading roles?

Carl Anderson: I’m encouraged. I’ve met people… that are very supportive of what we do, who are assuming leadership positions. There is a potential pool of talent that does bring a fresh, progressive perspective. The question is whether or not we can get them committed.

YC: Reed – are you as hopeful?

Reed Anderson: I am optimistic. The continuing need for leadership is on everybody’s radar screen. (What’s new is that) you can’t just lay back and see who surfaces. Whereas before, people sort of worked their way into a process, now there are people… who are talented and want to be asked to be a part of it. We have examples – young professionals and others who are waiting to be asked. There’s a recognition that the orientation phase has to be further refined. It’s an exciting adventure. Not only do people see the excitement – they see the benefits. And they see what will happen if they don’t act.

YC: Finally, Reed – what do you see as YorkCounts’ main accomplishments in its first several years?

Reed Anderson: Number one, the willingness to tackle the big issue, which is – how did we get here and where are we going. The second accomplishment was defining a process that engaged the entire county. Thirdly – that group worked tirelessly to identify what were then, and are now, the critical issues, in order to generate a strategic plan. Fourth, then, (was demonstrating) an ability to incorporate, energize around, endorse these issues.

YC: Any questions for each other?

Carl Anderson: I’m sure I’ll have questions. I am sure that I’ll be calling on Reed from time to time!

* * *

Using the YorkCounts website to take action

One of the most common questions asked of our volunteer leaders and of staff is, “What can I do in support of YorkCounts and YorkCounts ideas?” Many people, of course, participate through YorkCounts committees and task forces; there are a limited number of those and by necessity a limited number of people per committee. However, there are limitless ways to work for a better, stronger York County, and we’ve assembled a list of suggestions at the YorkCounts website.

The “Act” page – www.yorkcounts.org/act – is the depot for this content. YorkCounts supporters are encouraged to bookmark this page and call it up when in search of ideas. The most important part of YorkCounts is you. Use the page to take action in collaboration with YorkCounts or in support of the YorkCounts mission. These are ways you can say, "Count me in."

Some of the things you can do in support of YorkCounts:

• Write a letter to the editor. Our “Act” page has the right e-mail addresses.
  
• Write – or call – your elected officials. Our page has lists of officials’ names and e-mail addresses as well as state legislative district maps.
  
• Support the local economy. We have links to York County and Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce member rosters as well as information on locally grown or raised food.
  
• Spend time in downtown York and York County. The “Act” page includes links to events calendars.
  
• Celebrate York County’s diversity. Learn more about events and programs tied to York County Community Against Racism and the York Jewish Community Center.
  
• Be a York County ambassador. We link to a good Daily Record article about what new residents think about and where you can point them to get to know York.
  
• Support arts and culture in York County. Our page can get you to the Cultural Alliance, various institutions and an arts calendar.
  
• Volunteer. We have links to the United Way’s online Volunteer Center and other tools.
  Participate in your local government. Use our page to connect to your municipality, to learn about running for office or to register to vote.
  

Remember to bookmark www.yorkcounts.org/act. We’re making York County better… together!

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at (717) 815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - April 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
April 2008

In this issue:

• Summit speakers capture attendee, media attention
• Also at the Annual Summit
• Menzer on Metro-York
• More information: Citizen-Student award-winners shine
• More information: Zerbin Singleton’s poem

* * *

Summit speakers capture attendee, media attention

Civil rights pioneer Dr. Terrence Roberts and Naval Academy standout Midshipman 1st Class Zerbin Singleton brought the nearly 300 attendees to their feet at the 2008 YorkCounts Annual Summit, held April 17 at the Yorktowne Hotel.

Roberts was one of the Little Rock Nine, the first African-American students enrolled in previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Singleton overcame unbelievable life challenges to become Brigade Commander of this year’s senior class at the U.S. Naval Academy. Both related their stories of adversity and success at an event whose theme was “Educational Opportunities for All.”

The York Daily Record captured a summary of Roberts’ lesson for students: “When you know you are doing right, you can always find ways to move forward.”

Singleton, meanwhile, began his speech with a poem delivered with a rap beat. The York Sunday News reprinted the poem in its entirety a week later, accompanied by an editorial that read in part, “The people in the Yorktowne ballroom… heard how education can produce remarkable young men like Zerbin Singleton. They’ve dedicated their time and effort to making York a place that can produce hundreds – thousands – of Zerbin Singletons. Listen to his words… and ask, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Singleton’s poem appears in its entirety in this newsletter (see below).

* * *

Also at the Annual Summit

Also at the Annual Summit, YorkCounts:

• Presented 45 civically engaged York County high school students with the first YorkCounts Citizen-Student Awards. A list of winners appears in this newsletter (see below).

• Noted the election of a new chairman of the YorkCounts Board, Eric Menzer. Menzer is a familiar face to YorkCounts initiatives as a long-time board member and co-chairman of the Metro-York project in 2006 and 2007; he is senior vice president of Wagman Construction.

• Released our annual report, “YorkCounts 2008: Turning Points.”

• Provided an updated list of groups that have applauded the efforts of Metro-York participants.

* * *

Menzer on Metro-York

Incoming YorkCounts Board Chairman Eric Menzer offered these thoughts in “YorkCounts 2008: Turning Points,” the 2008 YorkCounts annual report.

YorkCounts launched the Metro-York project in 2006 to address core concerns in the heart of the county, including a concentration of poverty, rising crime, tax burdens and inequities, a lack of job opportunities and challenges within our schools.

To say 2007 represented a turning point for the Metro-York process would be a world-class understatement. Members of three committees gathered to listen to testimony and analysis from experts and leaders. A spring and summer of research and discussion gave way to synthesis, refinement and, on November 15 at a press conference hosted by the York Jewish Community Center, the presentation of eight clear and concise ideas for improving municipal prosperity and education.

Of course, we didn’t stop there. By the early weeks of 2008, volunteer leaders were already laying the groundwork for new task forces. The next year will bring even more activity on the Metro-York front.

At the same time, Metro-York is only part of the YorkCounts agenda. The YorkCounts Community Solutions Committee is continuously looking to launch new collaborations – known as Compacts and Engagements – to improve quality of life across York County, from Goldsboro to Stewartstown and from Wrightsville to Paradise Township.

Why do we do it?

One needs look no further than the pages of the 2008 YorkCounts annual report. We were excited to gather together some of York County’s brightest young citizens for a meeting of our Educational Opportunities Committee in February 2008 and for the presentation of Citizen-Student Awards at the Summit during which the annual report was released.

They are the faces of York County’s future. Doing everything we can to help our children to succeed is our moral obligation, and York County’s long-term prosperity depends on their success. In 2008 and beyond, YorkCounts is sure to undertake a host of activities to improve our community. Those of us who currently comprise this area’s leadership ranks will someday step aside ourselves, and we must turn over to the next generation a York County that is better and stronger than the one we inherited.

* * *

More information: Citizen-Student award-winners shine

YorkCounts presented 45 York County students – three high school students each from 14 different York County school districts and York Catholic High School – with the first YorkCounts Citizen-Student Awards. School administrators identified honorees who are substantially engaged, both in school activities and in the community; are known for leadership, especially in the area of bringing different groups together to accomplish meaningful goals; and are good students (although a 4.0 grade point average was not a necessity; the awards are meant to recognize more than academic excellence). Sophomores, juniors and seniors were eligible.

Here’s a complete list of winners. Please note -- we're still assembling the full section of the website on the 2008 Annual Summit where you'll be able to find more photos, biographies of the Citizen-Student award recipients and more. Stay tuned!

Central York High School: Megan Eline, Madelyn Krug, Rita Sharma

Dallastown Area Senior High School: Denisha Brown, Jordan Derk, Toni Lozzi

Eastern York High School: Anna Miller, Garret Otterbein, Sadie Winship

Hanover Senior High School: Ashley Brown, Olivia Ecker, Matt Storm

Kennard-Dale High School: Dalana Mormann, Ashley Pietra, Eric Ruth

Northeastern High School: Brittni Garvin, Alivia Kramlick, Mark Sollars

Northern High School: Nick Grassetti, Emily Harlacker, Jordan Rutherford

Red Lion Area High School: Frances Greek, Shane Sarver, Stephen States

Southwestern High School: Sarah Cashdollar, Brynn Seidenstricker: Tracy Shipman

Spring Grove Area High School: Tia Monet Cook, Jake Smeltzer, Elizabeth Walker

Susquehannock High School: Matthew Detter, Hannah Mistovich, Laura Sullivan

West York Area High School: Alyssa Dodson, Kari Inners, Samuel Miller

William Penn High School: Davis Giadoo, Latisha Murray, Brandon Walker

York Catholic High School: Michael Bucher, Meghan McGowan, Frances Menzer

York Suburban Senior High School: Tristalyn Bixler-Kint, Kaila Lehr,Bradley Simon

* * *

More information: Zerbin Singleton’s poem

“The priceless masterpiece of my world”
by Zerbin Singleton

Shhh.
It's so quiet you can hear my mind think
It's like a riot; my words rush the paper through ink.
My temperament is usually cool, calm and collected,
But in this form of expression I'm speaking through reflection.
It's so real you can feel my heart beat
You ain't gotta touch me; just listen to the tap of your feet.
You don't know me, but we will connect
The formation of these words is the universal Lego set
You can call it the 6th sense
Drugged on the emotional rollercoaster of suspense
It's your five sense overdosed on ecstasy
You're already feeling what my future thoughts might be
But let me stop playing with your emotions
And give you the testament of my real world potion
Because drugs have devastated my community
Babies addicted at infancy
Young children stuck by needles with HIV
Or a lesser disease like Hep C
Parents fired because of truancy
Children hungry because of no food to eat
Because the money went to drugs in the street
And this picture isn't vivid enough
Well let me paint the portrait of living rough
Mother addicted before child's birth
Can you tell me what a life of drugs is worth?
At school the child was barely present
His mother has been asleep for three days
He thinks she needs "the" medicine
No one to open the door to take him to school
He all dressed with mismatched shoes
Hot tears stream down to warm his cheeks
Cold house, ghost breath because of no heat
Malnutritioned because no one to fix him something to eat
He's crying again because he just seen his mom get beat
His clothes are too small, handwriting is bad, but he's real good at math
Though when he does go to school all the kids laugh
But at least breakfast and lunch is provided by the state
Lunch is his favorite subject like he's eating sirloin steak
He lives in the romantic house lit by candle light
Naw, the power is turned off, a day of all night
And really you still can't see, although you're crying with sympathy
Christmas was nice until everything is gone
His mother pawned the gifts to get high in the zone
Burglary, Kidnapping, that man took his mom
Couldn't call the police because of no phone
A day later his mom came back
She loved him dearly, but was addicted to crack
But what about the 13-year-old girl on the corner
Instead of being proactive, all you do is mourn her
Her daddy put her there, now that's the real shame
And if I was describing the world, we're just on the picture frame
I could go on and on about the drug game
And how society places our rappers to blame
And this may even seem like lyrics from a rap track
And if you're the majority you might just blame it on that
When in many instances those lyrics spit are the facts
So don't blame hip hop for the misguidance of our children
Just ask yourself what you have done for your own kin
And if this world is love, then its spelt S.I.N.
I can't wait to meet my father in heaven
But we have learn to forgive our trespassers from within
Overcome our past, because today you can begin
To save a child, educate a man
Live by example and teach the right ways
Here's a paintbrush, paint a masterpiece, for no pay.

This poem reflects Midshipman 1st Class Zerbin Singleton’s personal views and not those of the Naval Academy, the Navy or the Department of Defense.

* * *

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at (717) 815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

Apr. 17: One of 'Little Rock Nine' to speak at YorkCounts Annual Summit

One member of the 'Little Rock Nine' will be among the presenters at
the 2008 YorkCounts Annual Summit, slated for April 17 with the theme
of "Educational Opportunities for All."

Dr. Terrence Roberts is now co-chairperson of the Master's in
Psychology Program at Antioch University (Calif.). In 1957, Roberts,
then a 15-year-old high school junior, was one of the first nine
African-American students enrolled in previously all-white Little Rock
(Ark.) Central High School. The integration of the school took place
over the objection of segregationist residents and Arkansas Gov. Orval
Faubus, who had deployed the Arkansas National Guard to stop it. It
came as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v.
Board of Education, which declared public school segregation
unconstitutional, and the moment is considered a milestone of the
Civil Rights movement.

The Summit is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2008 from 9 a.m. until
11:30 a.m. at the Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York. The event is open
to the public, but registration is required, and those who wish to
attend are asked to e-mail YorkCounts' Angela Decker at
adecker2@ycp.edu or call (717) 815-6632.

"Dr. Roberts was assaulted, spat upon and threatened with death
because he dared to seek new and different educational opportunities
where they had not been available before," says YorkCounts Director
James DeBord. "We will be honored to welcome him." DeBord says
Roberts will speak about the need for all communities to present
educational opportunities to all children, regardless of where they
live or the color of their skin.

Another speaker at the Annual Summit will be Midshipman Zerbin
Singleton, currently Brigade Commander of the senior class at the U.S.
Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Despite an unbelievable set of life
challenges, Singleton has excelled as an aerospace engineering major
at one of the world's most rigorous institutions of higher learning;
he will graduate in May and will report to flight school afterward,
aspiring to be an astronaut.

YorkCounts will also honor high school students from districts across
York County with the first YorkCounts Citizen-Student Awards. These
students have been identified based on leadership and community
involvement.

Study reviews efficiency, effectiveness of York County public school districts

A consultant’s independent study on York County’s 16 public school districts reviews their efficiency of operations and their effectiveness as measured by student test scores. The study – undertaken for the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania by Denver, Colorado-based Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc. (APA) – remarks favorably on many conditions, but also issues some recommendations for continued improvement.

The full study is online:

http://www.yorkcounts.org/learn/resources/2008_01_01_APA_Inc_Examining_Resource_Use.pdf

“The Center for Community Engagement agreed to head a study process based on interest in the issue among the county’s legislative delegation,” said Suzanne McConkey, the Center’s consulting services coordinator. “The report adds to the body of independent, objective research on York County schools that can help policymakers reach decisions about our children’s future.”

In the study, “Examining Resource Use and Areas for Enhanced Cooperation in York County’s School Districts,” APA evaluates efficiency based on teachers, aides, administrative staff and support staff per 1000 weighted students; regular and special instructional spending per weighted student, adjusted for cost of living; teacher salaries and benefits, adjusted for cost of living; and maintenance and operation costs.

York County’s districts are not necessarily compared to each other; rather, they are compared to “peer” districts in Pennsylvania according to size and need. For example, Hanover Public, the smallest district in the county by more than 1000 students, is measured not against South Western or Spring Grove Area, but against such systems as Antietam schools in Berks County and Newport schools in Perry County.

The report lists more than a dozen existing positive conditions, including:

• Districts are making improvements in using assessment data to drive instruction.
• Districts have devoted significant effort to differentiated instruction to address specific needs.
• Research-based strategies are improving performance.
• Most districts offer some form of full-day kindergarten.
• Joint purchasing programs and an insurance trust are saving money.

The consultant’s recommendations are that the schools:

• Create an inter-district cyber charter school;
• Create a best practices clearinghouse;
• Expand preschool;
• Address new school building construction issues;
• Expand efforts to attract and retain quality teachers and leaders; and
• Improve district calendar alignment.

Funding came from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development via the York County state legislative delegation; RAYAC, the REALTORS Association of York and Adams Counties; the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central Pennsylvania; the York County Builders Association; and the County of York.

For more information, contact Suzanne McConkey at the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 717/815-6434.

YorkCounts E-Newsletter - February 2008

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter
found on the blog at yorkcounts.org
February 2008

In this issue:

• Updating progress on Metro-York


• Metro-York volunteer ranks swell


• Summit will feature speakers with amazing stories


• Our schools and the governor’s 2008 budget

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Updating progress on Metro-York

Progress has exceeded expectations for volunteers advancing the Metro-York recommendations, a short three months after the presentation of the agenda to the community.

The Metro-York recommendations are eight forward-thinking ideas for improving municipal prosperity and education in the heart of York County. The recommendations are (Municipal, #1) to establish a consolidated Metro-York police department, (#2) to engage in additional meaningful regional planning, (#3) to reform taxation through a local tax study commission and (#4) to study ideas for modernizing York County’s form of government; and (Education #1) to establish a York County Schools Consortium, (#2) to attack the root problem that a school district can’t succeed when poverty and its related problems are concentrated the way they are in the York City schools, (#3) to invest $3 million per year in each of the next ten years in “intensive care” for at-risk students and (#4) to use the soon-to-be-established Office of Workforce Development as a catalyst to strengthen relationships between employers and the Metro-York workforce.

Snapshots of activity:

• Addressing Education recommendation #1, a task force to establish a York County Schools Consortium formed (December) and is meeting regularly (next meeting in March). York College of Pennsylvania agreed to host the Consortium (December).
  YCP President Dr. George Waldner agreed to co-chair the task force (December) along with Glenn Caufman, who heads the York County Alliance for Learning; and YCP assistant professor and Dr. Michael McGough agreed to serve as one of its experts (December).

• Addressing Education recommendation #2, an Educational Opportunities committee formed (December) and is meeting regularly (next meetings in February and March).
  The committee’s members include the superintendents of Central York, Dallastown Area, West York Area, York City and York Suburban schools and members of each district’s school board, as well as community leaders and several recent area high school graduates. The committee, co-chaired by Sue Krebs and Denny Baughman, is receiving presentations by current York County high schoolers about their experiences in the classroom (February). State Education Secretary Dr. Gerald Zahorchak agreed to address and meet with the group (scheduled for March).

• Addressing Education recommendation #4, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) has been created (February) under the umbrella of the York County Economic Development Corporation (YCEDC).
  An advisory committee has been formed with key partners from economic development, workforce development, education and business being actively recruited. Darrell Auterson, who heads the YCEDC, is chairing this committee. Community leader Leo Cooper has agreed to co-chair the advisory committee. YCEDC is currently negotiating with a candidate to assume the role of Vice President of Workforce Development to lead the OWD; OWD will be operational in March.

• Addressing Municipal recommendation #1, Dave Meckley and Carl Anderson, who are co-chairing a task force on regional police consolidation, are meeting with area police chiefs (ongoing); met with officials with the state Department of Community and Economic Development (February); and are working to identify a national-level consulting firm that can determine the feasibility of a combined metropolitan York force (ongoing). DCED officials said state funding is available to support such a study.

• Addressing Municipal recommendation #2, YorkCounts accepted an invitation to present information to the York County Planning Commission and made a presentation during a public meeting (February). Members of the Planning Commission indicated their willingness to involve YorkCounts volunteers in various activities.

• Addressing Municipal recommendation #4, the YorkCounts Board of Directors – aware of the ongoing discussion in Lancaster County about Home Rule government – voted (January) to watch that process carefully and decide how to proceed in York County only after Lancaster County’s process has concluded.

“Nobody said this would be easy, and we predicted back in the fall that some ideas might advance more quickly than the others. I’m not sure anybody expected movement in so many areas right away, and that’s a testament to the enthusiasm of the community and to the dedication of YorkCounts volunteers,” said Eric Menzer, the co-chair of the Metro-York project.

“Especially considering that the holidays made getting together difficult in late November, December and early January, we’re very pleased with progress so far,” said YorkCounts Director James DeBord. The Metro-York recommendations were announced at a press conference November 15.

YorkCounts launched Metro-York in 2006 to address core concerns in the heart of the county, including a concentration of poverty, rising crime, tax burdens and inequities, a lack of job opportunities and challenges within our schools. The full text of the recommendations, background documents on each, lists of Metro-York participants and more information can be found at yorkcounts.org/metro.

---

Metro-York volunteer ranks swell

YorkCounts has a problem – but it’s one of those “good problems” that organizations like ours develop from time to time when they are succeeding. We are currently exceeding our capacity for volunteers!

In the days and weeks after the November 15 presentation of the Metro-York recommendations, dozens of individuals – some familiar faces, some new potential contributors – contacted YorkCounts with an interest in helping to make York County better and stronger.

No doubt, some of these eager citizens will read of the progress that has been made on the Metro-York recommendations so far and wonder when they will have their chance to join in the process. For those folks, and for others who are looking to become involved, several points:

• Volunteers-in-waiting are expected to be placed in still-forming committees.


• In the cases of Education #1 and Municipal #1, the committees have been populated by experts in the particular field, and in the case of Municipal #4, no committee will form immediately.


• Finally, in the case of Education #2, a committee has formed and is meeting; each of the five Metro-York school superintendents, a school board member from each district, educators and numerous recent area high school graduates form the core of that committee. The group also includes as many other volunteers, including new volunteers, as reasonably possible and now numbers more than 30 people.

So you might be asking – if not serving on a committee, what can I be doing right now to support and “champion” YorkCounts and the Metro-York agenda?

YorkCounts staff currently are working to establish a “volunteer advocacy network” (VAN), and more information will soon be distributed to all YorkCounts volunteers, old and new. A kit will contain tools for carrying forward the Metro-York message.

In the meantime, you can visit the YorkCounts website – specifically, the “Act” section at yorkcounts.org/act. This page lists numerous activities for both individuals and organizations interested in boosting the Metro-York effort by spreading the word.

As a reminder, some committees are still forming, and others have a natural cycling of membership, so committee placement will still be happening. But we’re excited to be introducing a new way to contribute to the Metro-York cause! Stay tuned.

---

Summit will feature speakers with amazing stories

by James DeBord
YorkCounts Director

I wanted to share some wonderful news regarding the YorkCounts Summit to be held April 17 at the Yorktowne Hotel from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (A separate e-mail invitation to the Summit will arrive in your inboxes soon, to which you will be able to reply and RSVP.)
The theme of this year's summit is Educational Opportunities for All. While we will be acknowledging all areas of accomplishment for YorkCounts over the past year, we wanted to place a special emphasis on the work YorkCounts has been doing to enhance educational opportunities for every child in York County.

As part of this year's summit, YorkCounts has invited every superintendent in York County to send three of their most community volunteer-oriented students to the summit so that we may recognize them and help provide a supportive foundation as they become the community leaders of tomorrow. These students will be recipients of the YorkCounts Citizen-Student Award. I am delighted to say that we have two amazing speakers lined up.

The speakers are Dr. Terrence Roberts and Midshipman Zerbin Singleton. While these may not be household names to you, their stories and life experiences are beyond moving and incredibly inspirational.

Dr. Terrence Roberts was a member of the Little Rock 9 – the first African American students to integrate Little Rock High School in 1957. As a 15 year old high school junior, Dr. Roberts was assaulted, spat upon and threatened with death because he dared to seek new and different educational opportunities for himself in place where they had never been offered before.

Today, Dr. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in psychology and works on the issues of diversity in education and the need to address the re-segregation of schools in America. His is a message of the need for communities to come together to bring benefits to every child regardless of where they may live or the color of their skin.

Zerbin Singleton is currently the Brigade Commander of the senior class at the United States Naval Academy. He was raised by a single mother who was arrested and sent to jail on various charges including drug possession. Never having met his father, Zerbin was sent to live with cousins in Georgia who were barely older than him. Despite these challenges, Zerbin was a national merit scholar and his senior class president.

During his time in high school, Zerbin met his father for the first time and the two built a relationship. Meanwhile, as a result of his academic efforts, Zerbin received a commission to the Naval Academy. Before he was to report to Annapolis for Plebe Summer, Zerbin was hit head on by a drunk driver and sustained life threatening injuries. Unable to attend the Academy due to his injuries, he accepted an academic scholarship to Georgia Tech. A year later Zerbin received a second appointment to the Academy. But during his first year at the Academy, Zerbin's father committed suicide.

Despite this unbelievable set of life challenges, Zerbin endured as an aerospace engineering major at one of the most rigorous institutions of higher learning in the world and will graduate in May. Soon after, he will report to flight school, and he aspires to become an astronaut.

I hope you will be able to join us for the 2008 YorkCounts Summit!

---

Our schools and the governor’s 2008 budget

by Alison Murawski
Good Schools Pennsylvania

[Governor Rendell unveiled ambitious plans to change the way the Commonwealth’s public schools are funded during his 2008 budget address February 5. We asked our friends at Good Schools Pennsylvania to provide some perspective. –ed.]

When Governor Rendell introduced his plan for education in the 2008-09 budget proposal, it was anything but business-as-usual.

His plan outlines a new school funding formula that incorporates the principles of accountability, adequacy, equity, efficiency and predictability. The new funding formula would be part of a six-year, $2.6 billion investment designed to implement the results of the costing-out study by helping all school districts to reach their adequacy levels.

The governor's proposal begins by calculating each school district's adequacy level, as identified in the costing-out study and taking into account factors like enrollment numbers, numbers of students in poverty or who are learning English, a district's size and regional cost differences. The formula then calculates the gap between what is currently being spent and what must be spent to reach adequacy, and finally assesses local wealth
and existing tax burden to determine state share.

The proposal also includes measures to ensure that new resources are used in ways that best lead to improvements for students, such as extended school day, smaller classes, pre-k and full-day kindergarten, and qualified teachers and principals. School districts that are struggling to meet Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act would be further required to submit their plan for school improvement to the Department of Education.

As the governor said during his address to the General Assembly, "I have incorporated the study's findings and recommendations into the budget because they help protect the historic progress we have made thus far, and because they offer what may be our best chance in a generation to adequately fund public education in Pennsylvania." At Good Schools Pennsylvania, we couldn't agree more.

The YorkCounts E-Newsletter is written by Beau Boughamer. Reach YorkCounts by mail c/o the Center for Community Engagement at York College of Pennsylvania, 605 South George Street, Suite 160, York, PA 17401, by telephone at (717) 815-6430 or by e-mail at yorkcounts@gmail.com. Visit YorkCounts online at yorkcounts.org.

Public event will highlight study reviewing efficiency, effectiveness of York County school districts

A consultant's independent study reviewing the efficiency of
operations of York County's 16 public school districts will be
released at a public event Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7 p.m. at
Alumni Hall inside the Iosue Student Union Building on the York
College of Pennsylvania campus, Country Club Road, York.

The study, "Identifying Areas for Enhanced Cooperation and Efficiency
in York County's school districts," looks at teachers, aides,
administrative staff and support staff per student; regular and
special instructional spending per student, adjusted for cost of
living; teacher salaries and benefits, adjusted for cost of living;
and maintenance and operation costs. It identifies positive
conditions and makes some recommendations for continued improvement.

Representatives of the consulting firm that prepared the study will be
on hand to present it to the community.

YorkClips 2/1/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

 

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Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff gone, but imprint remains.

http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=64574

 

Planners examine Aberdeen effects.

http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/weekly_article.asp?aID=15649116.9099826.839241.1483902.7998057.183&aID2=64548

 

After a debate, the York City School Board Thursday moved ahead with plans for a new Arthur W. Ferguson Elementary School.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8134913

 

More than a year after talks began, there's still no agreement between Springfield Township and Dallastown Area School District on a proposed plan to build a new school.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8135403

 

Analyst: York County dodged a bullet on housing.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8140044

 

Rabbit Transit vans aim for flexible, cheaper commute.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8140040

http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aID=64543

 

Council of Churches loses another director.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8140038

 

Evening Sun: Cleaning up Bay... at whose expense?

http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_8128661

 

Incinerator expansion set for York County.

http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_8128671

 

Budgets and taxes:

Dover schools -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8043942

Dover Township -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8043943

Spring Grove schools -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8118550

Suburban schools -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8118542

West York borough -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8043938

West York schools -- http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8043939

YorkClips 1/30/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

 

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The Guardian Angels are planning a visit to York County next month to see if a local chapter could work, County Commissioner Steve Chronister said Tuesday. They are expected to play a key part in Chronister's $2.5 million crime-prevention plan, which was left out of the 2008 budget approved last week.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8118002

 

Daily Record laments, but expresses hope for future of SAC.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/opinion/ci_8107901

 

Hicks:  Mum's the word on Guardian Angels.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/viewpoints/columns/hicks/ci_8119229

 

Council, Downtown Inc. disagree on appointee.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8118556

 

City school board divided on rebuilding plan for Ferguson Elementary.

http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8118543

 

Hope. Hatred. Admiration. Boredom. People exercising at Leader Health & Fitness in York Township on Tuesday expressed those thoughts when they reflected on President Bush's Monday State of the Union address.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8117731

 

Hanover schools hire interim superintendent.

http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8117891

 

The smoke-filled bar -- mysterious, inspirational, iconic and, yes, unhealthy -- is about to be snuffed out in Maryland. Tomorrow at midnight the last smoldering cigarettes will be put out in barroom ashtrays across the state, and a part of our culture -- like the milkman, the typewriter, 8-track tapes and the rotary phone before it -- will fade a little further into history.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/today/bal-to.smoke30jan30,0,3803736.story

YorkClips 1/28/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

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The New Hustle is reorganizing in its efforts to help black and Latino males develop educational and social skills they need to become better students and citizens.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8099623

York on Guardian Angels' radar.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8099624

Police on a quest to fill the ranks, improve diversity.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8099622

The Capital Region Council of Government is considering a legal challenge to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and Hanover Borough has jumped on board.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8098891

Construction on the planned expansion to the county's waste-to-energy incinerator is still on pace to begin next year, with the addition going online in 2011, an authority spokeswoman said.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/newsfull/ci_8098886

YorkClips 1/24/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

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Crime plan nixed, county tax hike reduced.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8063823

A plan to pay Baltimore high school students to improve test scores has caused a split on the school board and drawn the sharpest criticism that Andres Alonso has faced in his first half-year as city schools chief. Mayor Sheila Dixon came out in opposition to the plan yesterday morning, only to change her mind in the afternoon after speaking by phone with Alonso.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-te.md.ci.schools24jan24,0,2813752.story

Daily Records applauds magnet schools, laments loss of downtown cobbler.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8064054

YorkClips 1/23/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

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Commissioners OK smaller tax hike, no money for crime plan withdrawn by Chronister.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/top/ci_8055258
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8054914

Districts would pay for Vida Charter students.
http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_8054722

Daily Record wants next senators to be York Countians.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8053430

Offer to pay students for scores wins support: Some Baltimore city students approve of proposal to pay them up to $110 to improve performance.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/k12/bal-schoolsreact0123,0,2780342.story

York City Council impressed with treasurer candidates.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_8054090

Rendell endorses Clinton for President.
http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_8054973

HIA December, 2007 traffic up.
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article.asp?aid=64420

Mar. 1: James DeBord presents to Delta Kappa Gamma

YorkCounts Director James DeBord is the guest speaker at the Sunday, March 1, 2008 meeting of the Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.

The subject of the conversation will be the Metro-York recommendations.

The event begins at 9 a.m. at The Village at Kelly Drive. Cost is $3.50 per person; reservations are due Feb. 20; mail your name, address, city, state and zip with a check payable to Eta Chapter to #407, 1700 Normandie Ridge Drive, York, PA 17408.

YorkClips 1/22/2008...

Today's news of interest, compiled by YorkCounts

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Carroll County, Maryland residents loudly told their legislative delegation yesterday that they do not want to rush the creation of a county police department and they want the matter to go to referendum.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-md.ca.police20jan20,0,4147436.story

A nonprofit central Pennsylvania law firm recently added a family-law attorney with the help of a fundraising campaign from the York County business community. The $311,000 raised by Robert W. Pullo, a retired local banker, and William C. Gierasch, attorney with Stock and Leader, makes up for flat funding from government sources.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8043238

BAE hiring blitz begins.
http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_8043066

Rendell expects difficult year for state budget.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080122_Rendell_expects_difficult_year_for_state_budget.html

DePasquale hopes to help students, state with free education initiative.
http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/top/ci_8043948

Hanover schools superintendent takes medical leave.
http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_8043844