2021-11-04 13:04
A huge thank you goes to all candidates who had the courage to place their names on a ballot. In the running for office, candidates opened themselves up to public examination, often at great… Read More
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Community Matters In Tredyffrin Township Blog
pattyebenson.org
A nonpartisan community blog dedicated to nonprofit organizations, events and important issues in Tredyffrin Township.
2021-10-31 18:08
Local elections matter to all of us. Presidential elections are crucial for federal policies and the national agenda. But local elections matter too – the officials chosen in these ele… Read More
2021-10-20 11:58
Community Matters! In a huge win for its residents, Chester County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tunnell upheld the decision of Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board and denied Catalys… Read More
2021-10-11 15:52
At the time of the TESD budget passing in June the Business Manager claimed a projected $2M deficit for the year and … as a result, the taxpayers receive a tax increase. Fast forward… Read More
2021-09-14 12:45
Covid-19 cases are on the rise, fueled by the highly contagious Delta variant. As Covid-19 cases among kids continue to climb, it’s also important to keep students in school. According… Read More
2021-08-29 13:26
Regarding the last school board meeting on Monday, August 23, I attended the meeting until 10:30 PM which was through the District’s Health & Safety Plan update and resident commen… Read More
2021-08-18 15:01
Just as schools are about to open in TESD on August 30, there is news from states where schools have already opened, about hospitals treating growing numbers of kids who have COVID-19. This… Read More
2021-07-13 22:11
As a result of the pandemic, it’s been more than a year of struggles for students, juggling the ups and downs of virtual and hybrid learning, leaving many behind in the process. A newl… Read More
2021-06-15 05:58
A very long night, the public needed to stay at the school board meeting until midnight for the vote on the 2021-22 final budget. As expected, the taxpayers of TE School District will have t… Read More
2021-06-12 22:28
On Monday, June 14, 7:30 PM at Conestoga High School, the TE School Board will hold its first in-person regular board meeting in over a year. (Click here for the agenda). The lengthy agenda… Read More
2021-06-03 12:07
The countdown is on for the final approval of the TESD 2021-22 budget. At the finance committee meeting on Monday, June 7, 7 PM, the budget specifics will be reviewed, and the school board w… Read More
2021-04-26 14:58
The 2021 Primary Election is in a few weeks on Tuesday, May 18 but how many know the candidates on the ballot? In the lead up to the primary, campaign signs are dotting the community but for… Read More
2021-03-06 02:10
TESD parents were asked to select full in-person learning or 100% virtual instruction and submit the District’s form by March 3. As we learned at the special board meeting this week, t… Read More
2021-03-02 12:09
T/E schools to fully reopen! At Monday night’s special T/E School Board meeting, the administration presented its revised reopening plan which includes the following: Increased in-pers… Read More
2021-02-28 15:16
The public is promised that the T/E School Board will vote on the District’s reopening plan at its virtual meeting on Monday, March 1, 7:30 PM. After the declaration of “there&rs&hell…Read More
2021-02-23 13:33
The important board meeting last night left many of us with a lot more questions than answers! Starting about 15 minutes late, it was two hours in before there were any comments/questions fr… Read More
2021-02-22 15:29
There’s an important school board meeting tonight at 7:30 PM – on the agenda, a discussion on updated Chester County Health Department guidance for the reopening of schools. Prio… Read More
2021-02-03 19:08
As the one-year anniversary of school closing approaches, there remains much debate about their reopening. The issue of “when” and “how” to fully reopen the TESD scho… Read More
2021-02-01 16:46
I was contacted by Maggie Gaines about an upcoming FREE educational inclusion and diversity series for parents, teachers and administrators. A District resident, Maggie is one of the leaders… Read More
2021-01-11 16:32
Between the raging pandemic and the horror witnessed in our nation’s capital last week, focus on other matters is hard to come by these days. The long, dark year of 2020 may have ended… Read More
2021-01-11 16:32
Between the raging pandemic and the horror witnessed in our nation’s capital last week, focus on other matters is hard to come by these days. The long, dark year of 2020 may have ended… Read More
2020-12-16 16:05
As the snowstorm looms today, the clock is ticking for the District’s high school students return to the classroom. If you re-read Dr. Gusick’s message from Sunday, December 13… Read More
2020-12-14 02:44
This past week, the TE School Board voted 9-0 in favor of returning the District to hybrid instruction starting Monday, December 14. Students who selected the hybrid option would start retur… Read More
2020-11-19 02:20
As COVID-19 continues to surge across the nation and right here in southeastern Pennsylvania, school districts are returning to remote learning. Today we learned that the largest public scho… Read More
2020-11-09 15:43
With the 2020 election last week and then the wait for the results, I purposefully delayed this post. The news on Covid-19 cases is not good — the Pennsylvania Department of Health rep… Read More
2020-11-02 02:59
Started in 2017, the “Sunrise Movement” is a national grass-roots movement of young people uniting to stop the climate crisis. The nonprofit , which has become known for its New… Read More
2020-10-28 12:12
Do you recall the 2017 federal lawsuit filed against T/E School District and Dr. Amy Meisinger, principal of Conestoga High School? The federal lawsuit was filed by parents on behalf of thei… Read More
2020-10-05 20:48
Like many school districts in America, the T/E School District started the 2020-21 school year virtually. No one thinks virtual classrooms are as good as the real thing, but they were… Read More
2020-08-30 21:37
COVID has made the start of the school year tomorrow unlike any in history. I can only imagine what it has been like for friends and neighbors scrambling around on a daily basis trying to ke… Read More
2020-08-29 00:24
There is news that Central Athletic League (of which Conestoga High School is a member) is postponing Fall athletic competitions until 2021. Conestoga Football Facebook page posted the follo… Read More
2020-08-28 04:02
At Monday night’s TE school board meeting, the board spent much time discussing the fall sports program with board members on either side. The decision about the fall sports program (a… Read More
2020-08-23 14:29
The agenda for Monday, August 24 regular school board meeting is available on the District’s website, click here. The virtual school board meeting will start at 7:30 PM — Please… Read More
2020-08-06 22:18
The Wolf administration left the decision about whether students should return to in-person classes, remote learning or a blend of the two up to the individual school administrators and scho… Read More
2020-07-30 12:59
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for parents, students, teachers and the administration to figure out what they will need to do for an August 31 start to the 2020-21 school year… Read More
2020-07-25 12:51
With notification that the District would release the school reopening plan the “week of July 20”, parents waited anxiously all week. On Friday night, after work hours, the publi… Read More
2020-07-21 00:40
Below is the letter regarding school reopening procedure from Superintendent Richard Gusick which was posted on the TESD website today. Although we expected the District to post its reopenin… Read More
2020-07-17 14:48
We learned this week that Gov. Wolf has announced additional restrictions on indoor dining, alcohol consumption and large gatherings in Pennsylvania to regain control after a resurgence of C… Read More
As TESD Plans To Reopen Schools, Will The Teachers Return To The Classroom Or Is The Risk Too Great?
2020-07-13 19:42
Next week, the community will learn the specifics of the reopening plan for the TESD schools. Scheduled for release the week of July 20 with school board vote to occur the following week, th… Read More
2020-07-11 14:23
To go back or not to go back – that’s the question on many T/E School District parents’ minds as we inch closer to August 31 and the beginning of a new school year. In Marc… Read More
2020-06-26 19:49
At the TESD meeting on June 8, the public learned that in addition to a 2.6% tax increase and administration salary increases, the school board’s approval of the budget included the su… Read More
2020-06-18 15:06
Because of Covid-19, we can probably all agree that distance learning proved challenging for school districts, parents and students across the country and that TE School District is no excep… Read More
2020-06-17 14:40
Last month I wrote about money owed GEM Mechanical Services, a TESD vendor for a boiler project work at Devon Elementary and Beaumont Elementary completed in August 2019. Following my May 20… Read More
2020-06-11 14:36
We know that there’s no going back, no “do-overs” – the TE School Board voted for its 2020-21 budget this week which includes a 2.6% tax increase. However, this morni… Read More
2020-06-09 12:52
The voices of Tredyffrin Easttown School District residents were unified in their message to the school board. It took the District solicitor 1-1/2 hours to read into public record ove… Read More
2020-06-08 02:55
T/E School Board votes on the 2020-21 final budget on Monday, June 8, 7:30 PM. Due to Covid-19, the meeting is held virtually — to access the meeting visit the T/E School Distric… Read More
2020-06-03 17:06
The Tredyffrin Township Police Department posted the following message on its Facebook page: We have been notified of an organized peace walk by “Mainline for Black Lives&r&hell…Read More
2020-06-01 14:50
There is a virtual TESD finance committee meeting tonight at 7 PM (click here for agenda). Across the state, school districts are approving 2020-21 budgets with zero tax increase, why not TE… Read More
2020-06-01 12:31
2020-05-29 20:34
According to NBC Philadelphia — During a press conference in Harrisburg this afternoon, Gov. Wolf was asked about a possible resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the fall and whether that w… Read More
2020-05-28 19:30
Watching the virtual school board meeting for nearly three hours last night was not for the faint of heart. A few of my takeaways — With the sole exception of school board direct… Read More
2020-05-26 14:17
About three weeks ago, I was contacted by Sean Gaffney, VP of construction at GEM Mechanical Services regarding TE School District Renovations Project PO 19102724 and an unpaid balance of $3… Read More
2020-05-25 01:25
Memorial Day will be quieter this year. No bands. No crowds. No speeches. In usual times, Memorial Day feels like a three-day weekend, but these are surely anything but usual tim… Read More
2020-05-18 22:20
If you are not a registered voter, you have until midnight TONIGHT (May 18) to register before the June 2 Primary Election. You can register online to vote at www.pavoterservices.pa.go… Read More
2020-03-12 23:59
I just received notification from the T/E School District with the following letter from Dr. Gusick, the District’s Superintendent — All T/E Schools are closed starting tomorrow… Read More
2020-03-03 12:18
There is a T/E School District Policy Committee meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 3, 7 PM at the District Office, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne. An important item on the agenda is fo… Read More
2020-02-23 20:14
Democratic State Senator Andy Dinniman is not seeking re-election, announcing his retirement a couple of weeks ago. The Senator has represented Chester County’s 19th Senate District si… Read More
2020-02-14 03:29
The headlines about the kindergartner with Down Syndrome who was reported to the police for pointing a finger gun continue to roll in with no end in sight. There are countless articles in ma… Read More
2020-02-08 03:10
Late today we learned that state senator for Pennsylvania’s 19th District, “Andy” Dinniman (D) has announced his retirement. A tireless champion for Chester County and its… Read More
2020-02-05 13:53
I attended the District’s Policy Meeting last night. For nearly two hours of public comment, it was remarkable as parent after parent spoke out – all on the topic of Policy 5401… Read More
2020-02-04 04:20
I learned of a troubling situation from the January 21 meeting of TESD Policy Committee. Although I was not in attendance at the meeting, I reviewed the video of the meeting and would encour… Read More
2020-01-26 23:09
At its last meeting on January 6, the TESD school board voted 8-1 to authorize the Administration to display a 2020-2021 preliminary budget proposal that includes a property tax increase of… Read More
2020-01-17 20:40
In the last few days, I have received emails, texts and phone calls from concerned township residents regarding the plans underway for the Wilson Farm Park Master Plan. It turns out th… Read More
2020-01-05 23:21
If you are a Tredyffrin Township resident dealing with stormwater issues (and aren’t we all?), please plan to attend the first public form of the Stormwater Task Force on Tuesday, Janu… Read More
2019-12-09 00:10
As the T/E School District launches its $40 million high school expansion plan and new parking lot, there remain unanswered questions and concerns about the District’s finances and bud… Read More
2019-12-05 15:34
In the midst of all the Thanksgiving celebrations, I missed the start of the Berwyn-Devon Restaurant Week on Sunday, December 1 but the good news is that it runs through Saturday, Dec.7. If… Read More
2019-11-25 11:46
With fingers-crossed I had hoped that Catalyst Outdoor would just accept the denial by Tredyffrin Township and its Zoning Hearing Board for a digital sign in Paoli and just walk away &hellip&hell…Read More
2019-11-24 15:13
Who knew? Interesting that the public found out on Friday that our school district has worked out a tentative early bird contract with the teachers union – the current contract w… Read More
2019-11-23 15:35
With a standing-room only audience, the Planning Commission meeting this past Thursday must have set a record for its length! The meeting started at 7 PM on Thursday and 7-1/2 hours later en… Read More
2019-11-20 15:51
There should be a standing room only audience for the Tredyffrin Township Planning Commission meeting (Click here for agenda) on Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 PM at 1100 Duportail Road, Berwyn. For t… Read More
2019-11-15 16:59
T/E school board directors voted unanimously to acquire the 13 acres Doyle-McDonnell nursery site through eminent domain at the special meeting last night. Ray Clarke attended the meeting an… Read More
2019-11-08 22:09
We just learned that the Toll Brothers deal for the 85 townhouses on the Doyle-McDonnell Nursery property has been tabled – thank you Caroline O’Halloran for the update! No… Read More
2019-11-08 01:48
Oh my goodness, how did I miss this significant development plan in Tredyffrin Township!? For those that may not have heard, there is a proposed plan for 85 townhouses on the Doyle &am&hell…Read More
2019-11-06 13:44
The 2019 Election Day results are in and the Blue Wave crashed down hard — delivering a blue tsunami to our local political scene. Washington politics was evident in our local supervis… Read More
2019-11-05 00:47
Local elections matter — The future path of many issues will be decided by Election Day 2019. Know the candidates and vote for the person not the party! Many issues will be decided by… Read More
2019-10-30 18:55
The days are counting down to Election Day on Tuesday, November 5. There are 10 school board candidates for the T/E School Board and 6 seats available — do you know who you are voting… Read More
2019-10-29 21:36
At the T/E School Board meeting last night, there were a number of questions from residents about the District’s finances, budget process, etc. including a question that I asked about… Read More
2019-10-29 20:20
On November 5, 2019, Easttown residents will be voting for two Easttown Township Supervisors. The following is a list of the supervisor candidates: Easttown Township Supervisor Candidates Be… Read More
2019-10-29 17:11
Here is the full list of candidates running for T/E School Board – See Question #3 and the candidate responses below (in alphabetical order by last name). T/E School Board Re… Read More
2019-10-28 13:18
Here is the full list of candidates running for T/E School Board – See Question #2 and the candidate responses below (in alphabetical order by last name). T/E School Board Re… Read More
2019-10-27 15:57
Here is the full list of candidates running for T/E School Board – See Question #1 and the candidate responses below (in alphabetical order by last name). T/E School Board Region 1 Can… Read More
2019-10-26 20:33
The four Community Matters questions and responses from the eight Tredyffrin Township supervisor candidates are now posted – I appreciate the candidates taking the time to respond and… Read More
2019-10-25 21:38
List of candidates running for Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors – voters will select one district supervisor from the East, one district supervisor from the West and two At-Lar… Read More
2019-10-25 02:52
Thank you Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board for agreeing with the township and the community by saying NO to a digital billboard in Paoli! Tonight with a unanimous 3-0 vote, the Zonin… Read More
2019-10-24 14:07
List of candidates running for Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors – voters will select one district supervisor from the East, one district supervisor from the West and two At-Lar… Read More
2019-10-23 12:49
List of candidates running for Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors – voters will select one district supervisor from the East, one district supervisor from the West and two At-Lar… Read More
2019-10-22 13:23
Starting today for the next four days, is a daily question which was presented to the Tredyffrin Township supervisor candidates. All eight supervisor candidates responded and their responses… Read More
2019-10-21 18:46
In two weeks, local voters we will go to the polls to select four supervisors for Tredyffrin Township and five T/E School Board directors. People bring different backgrounds and qualificatio… Read More
2019-10-21 03:36
The Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board will rule on the digital billboard issue on Thursday, October 24, 7 PM at Tredyffrin Township building. Catalyst Outdoor Advertising first appear… Read More
2019-10-18 14:56
I attended the Planning Commission meeting last night specifically for high school expansion plan — T/E School District was seeking preliminary/final land development approval for the… Read More
2019-10-14 12:07
On the Tredyffrin Township Planning Commission agenda for Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 PM is the preliminary/final land development application for the Conestoga High School expansion. The proposal… Read More
2019-10-10 11:48
How is it possible that in June, the TESD Business Manager claimed a projected deficit of $1.5 million for the 2018-19 year and as a result the taxpayers received a 3.91% tax increase? … Read More
2019-10-02 17:27
On behalf of Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust, I am thrilled to announce that our 15th Annual Historic House Tour this past Saturday raised $35,000 for historic preservation and the co… Read More
2019-09-27 12:13
Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust’s 15th Annual Historic House Tour is tomorrow Saturday, Sept. 28, 12 Noon – 5 PM. It looks like the weather gods will allow for anoth… Read More
2019-08-28 21:24
We all understand that it’s the first week of school and that there are bound to be glitches. But some of the stories I am hearing from parents about the bus situation in T/E are… Read More
2019-08-20 21:23
For many years I have attended Tredyffrin Township supervisor meetings and for the most part, they have been relatively congenial. Sadly, last night the behavior of some does not represent t… Read More
2019-08-20 17:47
Perfect weather for ice cream with our Chester County Commissioners – Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terrance Farrell — Join them on Thursday, August 22, 6:30 – 8 PM… Read More
2019-08-19 17:32
Since the publication of the Philadelphia Inquirer article regarding local school tax increases last week, there has been much discussion on social media — with at least two currently… Read More
2019-08-15 17:26
Last week I was contacted by Laura McCrystal, a writer with the Philadelphia Inquirer asking about TESD’s recently approved tax increase of 3.7%. Although she was very aware of o… Read More
2019-08-03 15:17
The recent resignation of long-serving Republican supervisor Paul Olson in Tredyffrin Township District 1 (he was first elected in 1976 and served 43 years!) requires the appointment of an i… Read More
2019-07-31 14:56
On his Facebook page this morning, Senator Andy Dinniman continues to speak out against digital billboards — and supports our BAN the Digital Billboard in Paoli campaign! Thank y… Read More
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