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

---

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.