Cyber school faculty offers free services to Santorum's five children

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414263.stm

Five of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum's children will no longer attend a cyber charter school at the expense of the Penn Hills School District, but the cyber school's teachers have offered to donate their services so the children's education is uninterrupted.

<snip>

The cyber school responded yesterday by saying that teachers are willing to donate their time to the children. The Santorums, though, would have to pay for computers, Internet access and material. There was no immediate response from the Santorums.

Nick Trombetta, chief executive officer of the cyber charter school, said the school "stands behind the Santorum children.''

He said, "This is not about politics or special treatment. This is about going to bat for our students, something we do every day for every child enrolled in our school.''

<snip>

In an interview with KDKA Radio yesterday morning, Santorum said the home-schooling "probably'' saved the district $80,000 to $90,000.

[BattyDem]

1. "This is not about politics or special treatment...."

"This is about going to bat for our students, something we do every day for every child enrolled in our school."


So ... I guess that means all of their students will be taught for free, right?

[Ducks In A Row]

2. I hope the other parents demand equal treatment

[corporatemedia]

10. on 11/8/04 the same CEO of the Cyber school was quoted differently...

"Nick Trombetta, CEO of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, says he thinks those who criticize Santorum are motivated by politics."

see CYBERGATE SCANDAL links

[LeftyMom]

3. It's not homeschooling!

It's not homeschooling if somebody else designs your kid's curriculum, grades thier work and taxpayers pay for it! It's a publicly funded home-based charter sp lease stop discribing the Santorum school scam as related to homeschooling- it's not!

/rant

[meganmonkey]

33. He is referring to the fact that they will be home schooled now

that they are being pulled out of the cyberschool. And that will save the PA taxpayers $80-90000

[WCGreen]

4. Send your kids to a catholic school in Virginia

you fuck head....

[Bridget Burke]

12. They're probably too liberal for him.

The Church came to terms with evolution some time ago.

Better the little Santorums be kept all to themselves, with only computerized outside influences.

[daleo]

5. I wonder how the faculty really feel about this

It is probably "donate or else". Is this guy a 7000 year old earth believer, and if so, what does the cyber school teach?

[astroboy]

6. I'm sure that donation is legal nowadys

so don't get your panties in a bunch :evilgrin:

[carolinalady]

7. un f*ing believable!!!!! n/t

[corporatemedia]

8. santorum CYBERGATE SCANDAL links - Special Edition!!!

"Nick Trombetta, CEO of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, says he thinks those who criticize Santorum are motivated by politics."

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/3901275/detail.html

THAT WAS ON 11/8/04

the teachers volunteered? give me a break.

CEO of school already defending santorum over 10 days ago!
now he says it isn't about politics about the children.
flip-flop

what are their political connections?

the plot thickens.

[w4rma]

9. Santorum is pro-charter/anti-public school. (nt)

[UpInArms]

11. Wow! I hope that the Penn Hills Tax District then gets

that CEO of the Cyber School to refund all the money! Free educations for everybody! and you don't even have to live in the district! Anyone with a computer should now be able to demand a FREE ride from the Cyber School - since it's not about politics or who you are or anything! IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!!

Yeah!

[No Mandate Here.]

13. I like how the article ends...

...<snip>

In the KDKA Radio interview, Santorum said they chose the cyber school because it was a way to connect the children to the state. He said the education was "super" and a "great experience for the kids."

His statement said they will resume home-schooling "so that we can travel across Pennsylvania."

Santorum said he works "very, very hard'' and visits all 67 Pennsylvania counties every year. As a congressman, he said, he had to be in Washington, D.C., two or three days a week, but as a U.S. senator, he needs to be there five days a week.

"I'm going to do what's best for my family. If people don't like it, then they have an opportunity in a couple of years to show their displeasure,'' he said.

I think I translate that last paragraph like this... "Ha ha. I got caught. Just try to remember that for two years."

I know I will.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

14. If that's the case, they should DONATE their services to all kids.

:wtf: That is a bunch of bullcrap. Why can't my kid have cyber schooling free of charge too, or your kids for that matter?

[SoCalDem]

16. Yes.. all you Pennsylvania DUers should apply to that school for YOUR kids

Just send the clipping about how it's "for the children".. When they refuse, just call the newspapers and the TV news..Keep the ball rolling :)

[UpInArms]

17. I think that everyone from EVERY state should demand

a free ride from this cyber school - Santorum does not qualify as a resident, so I would say that is not a requirement -

Let's ROLL!

[frustrated_lefty]

15. It's simple

fuck Santorum and his progeny. Let the die in their illiterate state of glory.

May they die. I hate the person, and refuse to call him a man. He'ssomething else, not human.

[LizW]

18. The bigger issue here is being missed

What this "cyber" school really does is siphon taxpayer dollars off from public schools for the benefit of people who homeschool. Before this Santorum controversy came up, I didn't even know this was happening. It's another scheme, like vouchers, to make the taxpayer foot the bill for religious education for a privileged group.

Other posters have pointed out that the "donated" education for Santorum's brood probably will not fly, because other parents will say that it is unfair. But remember, few parents of children using this school are actually paying out of pocket. The money's coming from the public school district. They're probably ALL taking this "welfare for the privileged" so why should they care?

This whole scheme is just a way to funnel taxpayer dollars to private corporations.

[corporatemedia]

19. the bigger issue might not be under discussion.....

but that doesn't mean it's being missed.

right now the issue is ricky's hypocrisy.

and hopefully his defeat in '06.

[warrens]

20. I think all of this is going to come out

Santorum's arrogance, and just plain nuttiness, are going to make him a lightening rod. This is abuse of the school system, plain and simple, and it's time the state audited this pack of thieves to find out who is sucking up this welfare for the privileged.

What Santorum is doing is fraud. He is pretending to live somewhere he doesn't, and gaining financial advantage from that fraud. He should be in jail.

[RamboLiberal]

21. Cyber Charter Schools have been an under the radar story

I've seen a couple of stories of PA school districts complaining because the money it takes out of their budgets and it's hard for them to budget year to year how many kids in their district will attend cyber schools.

IMO except in cases where a child has to attend a cyber school, i.e. cases of physical or mental illness attested to by a physician, I think if a parent wants their kid to attend a cyber school then it should be out of their pocket otherwise there's a building called a public school where your kid can attend.

[goddess40]

22. I want to sign my kids up for this free cyber school

They have a learning disability that make going to school hell and a cyber school would be perfect, especially for my oldest.

Where do I sign them up!

[RamboLiberal]

24. Here's the school's link - Good Luck

http://www.wpccs.com /

[corporatemedia]

23. PIttsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial SLAMS Santorum / LAW BROKEN??.

Editorial: Santorum, R-Va. / Is the senator an 'inhabitant' of Pennsylvania?
Friday, November 19, 2004

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penn Hills School District asked Sen. Rick Santorum a $38,000 question. That is whether his children are residents of the municipality to the point that their educations should be paid for by Penn Hills taxpayers.

On Wednesday he gave his answer and it was no.

<snip>

All of which begs a much bigger question: Is Rick Santorum R-Pa. or R-Va.? No one should represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate because he once lived here or because he visits all 67 counties every year. A traveling salesman can do that.

Article I of the U.S. Constitution says, "No person shall be a Senator ... who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen." Rick Santorum last won election in November 2000, when he owned the house at 111 Stephens Lane in Penn Hills plus a house in Virginia. Where he was an "inhabitant" at the time only he can say.

He faces re-election in 2006, but if that election were held today, the two-term Republican would be hard-pressed to convince voters that he inhabits a house on Stephens Lane. Sure, he and his wife pay taxes on the house. They also use the address for voter registration, but so do two other people. When a Post-Gazette reporter visited the house last Friday, a young man came to the door and declined to comment. He wasn't Rick Santorum.

It gets worse. The two-bedroom house that the Santorum children called home for education purposes and that gives Mr. and Mrs. Santorum the right to vote in Pennsylvania lacks an occupancy permit. And the property tax break from the homestead exemption claimed by the Santorums on the Penn Hills house is allowed under law only if the dwelling is their "permanent home."

<more>

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414066.stm

[fortyfeetunder]

31. 6 kids? 2 bedroom house?

Oh really, I suppose he also gets Aid to Dependent Children under those circumstances.

:kick:

[corporatemedia]

25. Santorum CYBERGATE SCANDAL Links - updated 11/19/04

Santorum Family Values
11/19/04

Top Story – NO SANTORUM LEFT BEHIND
US Senator to get free education for children to go with his free health care
“I'm going to do what's best for MY family.” - Ricky 11/17/04
That’s why you have to go -
A US Senator has to do what’s best for ALL the families of the state and country and world.
Headline: Cyber school faculty offers free services to Santorum's five children
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414263.stm

From the start, Santorum DEFENDED his THEFT
“..cyber school fits MY family perfectly…” -Ricky 11/8/04
What about the families of PA???
Headline: Santorum Defends Kids' Cyber Enrollment
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/3901275/detail.html

EXTRA!!! PGH POST-GAZETTE editorial discusses possible TAX CHEATING http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414066.stm

Santorum CYBERGATE SCANDAL Links – 11/19/04 -
(new links today: top story/editorial/cyberschool/santorum statement and site)

DATE / SOURCE / AUTHOR / NOTES

Print media

11/19/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Editorial.. claims tax break he doesn’t deserve
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414066.stm

11/19/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Eleanor Chute.. no santorum left behind
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04324/414263.stm

11/18/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Joe Fahy.. town wants REFUND
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04323/413787.stm

11/18/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Joe Fahy.. santorum withdraws kids
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04323/413675.stm

11/17/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Eleanor Chute.. ONLY santorum does it!!!
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04322/412987.stm

11/16/04 Allentown(PA) Morning Call / mcall.com.. Editorial.. 1st(?) negative editorial
http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/all-editorial2nov16,0,5294825.story?coll=all-newsopinion-hed

11/14/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Eleanor Chute.. possible fraud???
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04319/411623.stm

11/13/04 Philadelphia Daily News / philly.com.. AP.. need to log in
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/10171378.htm

11/12/04 Tallahassee Democrat.. AP(Jennifer Yates).. picked up nationally
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/10169219.htm

11/11/04 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.. Frazier & Jewell the mellon-scaife paper!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_271582.html

11/10/04 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.. Sally kalson.. has PA supreme ct info
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04315/409553.stm

11/6/04 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.. Vera Miller
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pittsburgh/s_269995.html the mellon-scaife paper!

10/20/04 Penn Hills Progress.. Vera Miller.. original source
http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/pennhillsprogress/36884/



Web media

11/18/04 kdka.com (kdka tv/radio).. AP.. will HOMESCHOOL kids
http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_323100927.html

11/17/04 kdka.com (kdka tv/radio).. AP.. ricky doesn’t live here
http://kdka.com/siteSearch/local_story_322110955.html

11/13/04 FOXNEWS.COM.. AP.. fox - fear and unbalanced
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138485,00.html

11/8/04 the Pittsurghchannel.com.. WTAE-tv Pgh PA.. santorum DEFENDS theft
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/3901275/detail.html

Other resources

11/17/04 santorum statement ricky hold your nose
http://santorum.senate.gov/pressreleases/record.cfm?id=228108

N/A santorum internets page whewww!!!!
http://santorum.senate.gov/

N/A Allegheny County (PA) Property Assessment Web Site.. official PA property info
http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/General.asp?CurrBloLot=0367G00075000000&HouseNum=111&Street=STEPHENS%20LN&SingleResult=True

N/A Loudon County (VA) Real Property Site.. enter 17650 Tobermory in address field
http://inter1.loudoun.gov/cgi-bin/db2www.exe/webpdbs/re.d2w/INDEX

N/A Western PA Cyber Charter School Site.. gives RESIDENCY requirements
http://www.wpccs.com/


11/16/04 - Rooney Demands Refund For Santorum's Cyber School Costs

PA Dem Chair Says Santorum “Robbing Pennsylvania Students” for Personal Gain

HARRISBURG, PA: After days of news reports detailing how Senator Rick Santorum has taken $100,000 in Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars for cyber-schooling his children, Rep. T.J. Rooney, Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, today called on Santorum to refund Pennsylvania's children the taxpayer dollars he has taken from their education to put towards the education of his own children.

Santorum and his family live in Virginia.

Rooney said today, “Senator Santorum keeps going around trumpeting family values, trying to convince citizens that he is the voice for the Pennsylvania family. Now we learn that apparently Mr. Santorum believes that family values means taking from the children who need our help to pay huge bills for his own family, even though they don't live in Pennsylvania.”

According to the Associated Press, the Penn Hills School District in suburban Pittsburgh has spent $100,000 on the Internet-based education of Santorum's children since 2001-2002. Santorum purchased his two bedroom residence in the school district in 1997 for $87,800. His Leesburg, Virginia home was assessed at $757,000 this year.

“This is a classic case of the rich man's Robin Hood,” Rooney followed. “Mr. Santorum makes a generous salary and lives in a very expensive home in Virginia, but he didn't let that stop him from unfairly taking from the Pennsylvania students who need those school funds desperately.”

NOTE: I do not have a link for this story but I have reliable sources.



DU link sources: RamboLiberal / No Mandate Here

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

27. I called Santorum's DC office today to ask....

"Is it true Senator Santorum doesn't really live in Pennsylvania?"

Ha. I hope the Post Gazette keeps on his ass!

[corporatemedia]

29. GREAT - call his office....call the cyberschool...email...email...

DUers, get this going!

contact everyone you can.

this is still a developing story.

at the very least we can give him a major black eye.

at the very best......?

[makhno]

26. That "apolitical" piece of shit is a repuke donor

http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=Trombetta&txtState=PA&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&txt2000=Y&Order=N

Unfuckingbelievable. Clinton gets a haircut and all the freep bastards are on his case; this asshole gets a free ride for his five kids by a friendly political operative and there's silence from the media.

This shit should be front page of the NYT, day in day out.

[corporatemedia]

28. thanks, i needed that ....

LINK

i knew (from the 11/8 story) that he had to be a repug and now we have the proof!

i'll be adding that to the santorum CYBERGATE SCANDAL Links.

hopefully a really strong story will come out soon in the local press and at least we'll get it on the front page of DU.

[makhno]

30. Keep up the good fight

We need to out these bastards as the tax-money embezzling welfare queens that they are. No more free rides.

[yellowcanine]

32. Santorum said the home-schooling "probably'' saved the district $80,000

More fuzzy Republican math.

Instead of just admitting he screwed up and apologizing, Santorum is still trying to "spin" this fiasco. Just shut up and pay the money back, Ricky.

[corporatemedia]

34. actually that snip from the story is deceptive...

what he was saying is that the home schooling in the years PRIOR to the cyber schooling was the $80k savings.

but that was his choice to home school. the public shool was right down the road from his home...oops i guess not!

and when he saw the cyberschool gravy train, he jumped right on!