Good evening. As president of Save Our Schools, considering a name change to Save Our Students, Faculty and Staff, my intention is to clarify some issues. It is not just frustrating that SOS are considered adversaries; it is disrespect for a group of community leaders who have met for the past three years monthly to discuss how our students can best be served. Professionals in their own right that have volunteered in the district, two for over 20 years, one for 10 years, and others for less than ten. I have been involved for 17 years since my retirement. My first connection was a postilion paper to then board president James Atherton, 2001, it is a fact that I have high regard and respect for the Atherton family and expect no less from Mark. In addition a proposal for an alternative program for students at risk, presented to Superintendent Jeff Namey. 

I have been told that our negative image is the result of our negative presentations at board meetings, in the news media and social media. I cannot deny that perception, but SOS are not cheerleaders, we are an avenue of reason by doing extensive research on quality education factors. I have a research degree and can attest that the research done by Dr. Mark Schiowitz, Debbie Orlando Formola, Bob Holden, Robin Shudak, and the Borland’s has been extensive. The alternate plan is very close to one written by Rev. Walker. Both the Schiowitz plan and the Walker plan mirror the scholarly research, PFM study, and the board’s team’s half million dollars facility study. Both plans can save the taxpayers nearly a hundred million dollars. The selection of a 78-acre unlined coal ash dump, un-reclaimed, isolated from neighborhoods and paying far more than the assessed value was irresponsible. I submit that ignoring the research, your own studies and board members, called for some negative feed back. 

Not following your own mission statement that proclaims collaboration with the community, in line with a state mandate to collaborate has been very costly for the taxpayers spending millions that can’t be recovered. Most blatant ignored was a call by Vice President Walker in an action item seconded I believe by Katsock, to have a moratorium on construction and spending for the purpose of gathering more information. Check the date of that request and the money wasted after the item failed. It was defeated by the statement by Caffery, “we have done enough studies;” How’s that worked Joe. However I agree that enough studies were done if only the board followed the recommendations. I took it personally being ignored, until I reflected on ignoring your own studies, your own board member; refusing a free presentation by an international master planning and facility expert; refusing a free presentation by an award winning school restoration firm. Most harmful is ignoring your own board members who are blind-sided by board actions that they learned by reading it in the newspaper or at the night of the board meeting. 

I close with an offer, a book that the board majority will not agree with; at least this majority; it was written by school district resident and taxpayer Brian Kelly. I have purchased copies for the board, who is interested in a free copy now? If this board truly wants to do what is right for the children, they will take into account differing views.

These insights are about the WBASD Superintendent
Submitted by Guest
An expression of concern? A silent prayer? Should be an amalgamation of both. Let's say "consolidation" of both? To add to academic demise the by-product of consolidation, he is fully supporting placing a public school on a coal ash dump; the first in the state and maybe the nation. As the educational leader evaluating the "State of the District," his first public presentation at a board meeting, slides and all, was to meet the educational, financial and facility catastrophes, was to build a football stadium in Plains Township, and teach students to sing and dance; Preforming Arts Program. The plan he supported to forward to the Pa. Dept. of Education omitted a complete high school that enrolled the most economically distressed and minority students. NAACP Executive Director blasted the school board for voting for a plan (7 yea's, 2 nay's) that segregated eight hundred students from the "New School."  At the zoning hearing, under oath he said the GAR students would not be included in the new school consolidation. A display of complete arrogance was to have the vote to omit the students at the very high school omitted; done while the students sang their alma mater. Professionalism? Had to be gaveled out of order at the zoning hearing for a childish outburst. Failure of the city's zoning approvals led to his threat, "if the city doesn't want us we will move out of the city," made to the mayor and Save Our Schools Board; he followed through with the threat to the determent of economically distressed students, and a troubled city. In a meeting attended by a community leader he made the statement, I can't wait for Meyers to be demolished; a restorable community cornerstone, historic and architecturally significant. He is the first in the history of the district to be appointed superintendent at the maximum salary, ignoring the traditional novice three-year contract with a five-year contract, with never holding at least the assistant superintendent's position. He does not reside in the district; his children and taxes go to the Crestwood School District.

by Brian W. Kelly

 

The Big Toxic School is a brand new book about Wilkes-Barre Area School Districts tale of corruption, deception, taxation & tyranny. When Coughlin, GAR &Meyers are bulldozed to the ground and the rats take over as the primary residents of the former WB communities, it will be too late. It is definitely not too late now. This book, released on August 12, 2020. tells you what can be done right now.

Wilkes-Barre High School was founded in 1890. My father graduated from Coughlin High School in 1933, just eight years after WB High was renamed when GAR opened. My cousins from Parsons also graduated from Coughlin. My wife and her family graduated from GAR. My brothers and a sister and I graduated from Meyers. We have many great memories and we got a great education. Some may recall that Meyers once had two tile pools and two gymnasiums and a ton of shop rooms before the Vo-Tech. It is a beautiful school built for the ages. 

Like many others, Wilkes-Barre Meyers did me quite well. Currently I spend my time writing books with 216, mostly non-fiction books to my credit. My 203rd book titled The Big Toxic School is why I am here tonight. I wish there were another reason. The book is available for download for free. It depicts the public’s struggle for safe, enduring neighborhood schools. It cautions right on the cover:  We can’t wait until there are no WB high schools and the tax burden is unsustainable.   

Every community in the Wilkes-Barre Area will suffer because of this current school board from overwhelming taxes to major health issues. Over the objections of students, parents, and residents, the board began to build a huge Taj Mahal school in Plains Township. They built it right on top of toxic mine waste and polluted water runoffs. A smarter board would have used city craftsmen and artisans to renovate instead of replacing solidly built existing high schools. Wilkes-Barre City will become a wasteland when the three high schools are bulldozed for no good reason. Meanwhile the kids attending Mine Shaft High will pay the price with their health.

 
The information in this book gives insights on our last chance to end this abomination before it is too late.

 

Contact:          B. P. Kelly, Publisher   (570-417-1558)
Email               This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (LGP)
Date:               November 29, 2015
 

****** PRESS RELEASE ******
 
Wilkes-Barre PA: Return to Glory!
The City's Return to Glory Begins With Dreams and Ideas!

Press Release Contains Heartwarming Human Interest Story
LINK PROVIDED FOR FREE BOOK DOWNLOAD 
Brian Kelly's 58th book helps Wilkes-Barre residents know that their City can come back!

Those who followed the recent Wilkes-Barre Mayoral race know that Brian Kelly of Wilkes-Barre was one of four candidates on the ballot in the Democratic Primary. Thinking about how to differentiate his candidacy, Kelly thought deeply about what it would take to turn Wilkes-Barre, unfortunately a dying city, into something special again.

Kelly wondered how his mayorship could help make Wilkes-Barre into a great city again? As he recounts talking to many people about his plans, few felt Wilkes-Barre had much of a chance. Yet, most were happy Kelly thought that good things could happen with good leadership.

Brian Kelly devised a lot of notions about how Wilkes-Barre could return to its former glory. He wrote them all down. Additionally, Brian thought of a number of stories from his own life from childhood on. These stories highlighted the wonderment of this City, and he wrote them down also.

Contact information will be updated in future releases.

Contact:          Brian Kelly's Campaign;  Email -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -- Date: May 29, 2015

         ****** PRESS RELEASE ******

Note to Press: You may use all or part of this press release in a report or column. It was written by Brian Kelly. 
 
Bill Crawford writes: when 'Being Rushed' is the problem . . . rushing is never the solution." Just because officials think they have done enough planning does not mean they have a workable plan.

This is a speech every American high school principal should give. When one of our principals in Northeastern PA, especially in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District gives this speech, please call the radio and TV talk shows and send your letters to the editor praising this brave soul -- principal of some school in NEPA. This is how it should be. This is equality -- the foundation of America.

Is Governor Wolf a politician?

Yes!

He is lying!

Anna McCauslin wrote me yesterday about the chicanery being pulled by Governor Wolf about giving the people some property tax relief. He is interested in taking your taxes and giving it to those who will vote for him in his second term. Many are so foolishaand looking so much for releief that they will beleive this liar even if it hurts them. Here is Anna's plea. Do you believe the big bad wolf or Anna McCauslind. Listen to Anna, please! 

Brian,

Governor Wolf thinks you will take the bait for his plan to hike the Personal Income Tax and the Sales and Use Tax (SUT).

Well, the nitty gritty in his plan has been revealed. Turns out, only people living in 100 of the 500 school districts would see property tax relief.

For example, residents of Centennial School District, Bucks County would pay $22.1 million into the state in the higher PIT and SUT rates, but folks in that area would only receive $7.4 million back in the form of property tax relief. People in that one school district (which happens to reside in Finance Committee Chairman Bernie O'Neill's district) would pay about $14.8 million more in higher taxes.

Brian Kelly's Crime Control & Safety Recommendations as Mayor Of Wilkes-Barre

The number one issue facing Wilkes-Barre is violent drug related crime. Our City has other issues such as affordability and cleanliness and some other concerns for sure; but violent gang-drug-thug crime is definitely number one. Bringing back the same people to work on this problem is definitely not going to solve the problem or a plan would already be on the table and the problem would be well on its way to being solved. This is not the case.

Platitudes do nothing but make us all feel better for a short while. Solutions remove problems. I wrote this essay to show that there is a real solution but nobody but Brian Kelly, right now is proposing it. I have been studying our crime problem and I have a real solution for our City. At the 402nd MP Unit in Wilkes-Barre; and the 107th MP Corps in Utica, NY, I served as a Reserve Military Policeman. These units took over the MP duties periodically at several bases in the Northeast. A six-year former Reserve Military Policeman would not be brought in to solve Wilkes-Barre's gang, drug and crime problem no matter how many times he patrolled Army bases with a loaded 45 caliber weapon. Likewise a retired chief on a police pension since 2004 would not be the go-to-guy for such expertise. Like the MP, his experience is not on the mark and not current. More of the same is not the proper solution for Wilkes-Barre. It is the problem. Building expert help is the only answer.

WILKES-BARRE —

It is tough to not like Teberios Tavern in Miners Mills Wilkes-Barre. It now has almost hit the same status as our all-time favorite, Keats Pub on Bowman Street, In third place is the Barney Inn (Cris Nics) on the corner of Barney and Horton. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Barney Inn a lot but sometimes, out of nowhere they stop serving beer in glasses, and change to plastic cups. Some people just don’t like plastic cups.

My friends and compadres took me to Teberios for my birthday and we have been back twice since as the Teberios are as nice as their place. The Mrs. is carrying a little Teberio as we learned on our last visit and if the little guy is as nice as the mom and the dad, America is going to gain from her or his mere presence in the country. You'd love Teberis and you'd love the hospitality at Keats, and you'd love the fun at Chris Nics. There are no losers there.

The Times Leader ran a piece a few months ago, and I am including a big excerpt here. You can go to their site to get the rest. It's worth a read. The link is at the end of this excerpt.

Contact:          Brian Kelly's Campaign  
Email               This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Date:               April 28, 2015
Phone:            570-313-2175
 

         ****** PRESS RELEASE ******

MAYORAL CANDIDATE KELLY ASKS TO FIND EIGHT-YEAR OLD WHO IS NOT MISSING!

Eight Year Old Patriot Typifies Those Who Will Return Wilkes-Barre to Glory

Nobody will tell anybody that it is an easy task to run for any office, especially for the chief executive position in a city such as Wilkes-Barre, PA.  There are some very bright sides, however to the run, and one of mine came a week or so ago. I sent a note similar to this as a letter to the editor to both papers the day it happened but they have yet to print any of my letters during the mayoral campaign.  Hopefully, somebody in the media will help me find this young man so I can give him the book I promised. Here is the story that brightened my smile on this particular Sunday in April.

Wilkes-Barre City serves as the county seat for Luzerne County, an area containing not one, but four of Pennsylvania's State Parks. Whether its fishing in Frances Slocum State Park, whitewater rafting through Lehigh Gorge State Park, cross-country skiing across Nescopeck State Park, or exploring twenty-two waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, there is something for every outdoors enthusiast.

  • You are here:  
  • Home