today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today… “The hospital turned it over to a collection agency after a year of haggling and I ended up paying $30,000 (my IRA). The only reason they didn’t get anymore is because I have zero assets – no house, no car, etc.” – Salome, a Virginia commenter to this New York Times article (New Jersey Hospital has highest billing rates in the nation.) after paying on a $220,000 hospital stay for heart surgery.

• “In the Columbia Borough School District, special education students declined from 383 to 314 over the 12-year period studied; but costs rose from $1.5 million to $4.1 million, and special education spending as a percentage of the overall budget rose from 13.1 percent to 20.1 percent. ‘It’s always a hot topic, people saying the reason we’re having money issues is special education,’ says Jennifer Zolenas, Columbia’s special education coordinator. ‘You have to do what’s right and what’s best for the kids. But it does put a strain on the budget.’” – from a page one article in today’s Sunday News about special education funding in schools.

• You are if you bought your ticket in Florida – Sunday News

• You’ll have to hit the lottery, because UGI’s planned two rate increases this year – Sunday News

• Hospitals can be hazardous to your health! Watch this video. – ProPublica

• Klawitter to return as superintendent: This article in today’s Sunday News states: “Former Columbia superintendent Kenneth Klawitter will return to the school district in July as acting superintendent for the coming school year. Klawitter will replace Superintendent Barry Clippinger, who announced his retirement in September. Despite having nine months to find a permanent replacement, the board Thursday unanimously approved the appointment of Klawitter to serve as acting superintendent in an ’emergency capacity’ from July 1, 2013, until June 30, 2014. ‘The board was unable to fill the position with a permanent candidate at this time,’ board President Tom Strickler said in an email. ‘There was no specific cause or reason, issues happened during the process that caused delays.’ At the meeting, Strickler said to Klawitter, ‘We welcome you back to Columbia … and we look forward to you helping us in the search for the next [superintendent].’ After the meeting, Klawitter said that he is eager to help the district through this transitional time. ‘Since I retired in 2006, I’ve had three districts at different times ask me to come out of retirement on an emergency basis to help them,’ Klawitter said. ‘This was the first district that I said “yes” to — because once you’ve worked in Columbia, your heart is in Columbia. I’ve always been so proud of the board, the staff, the students and the community. I just felt honored and humbled to be asked.’ Klawitter served as superintendent from 1999 until 2006. He has also taught part time in the York College education department since 1989. Since retiring, Klawitter has devoted more time to teaching, supervising student teachers and advising students. Strickler said the board will continue the search process for a permanent superintendent during the 2013-14 school year. The board plans to announce a new superintendent in the spring of 2014.”

• Who’ll get it next? Deeds Recorded: “Zachary D. Walden conveyed 347 South Third St. to Wells Fargo Bank NA for $1.Wells Fargo Bank NA conveyed 347 South Third St. to USA Housing & Ur­ban Development for $1.” – Sunday News

• This week’s restaurant inspections in  Lancaster County – The Sunday News
  

• A couple of York County places serving food had this citation, “The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility” in their list of violations in this week’s restaurant inspections in York County – York Sunday News
  

• A complete listing of all facilities in Lancaster, York counties and the entire state, except those in Columbia, are listed at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Website.