tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post110926738287740216..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Heads up for St. Louis, the other gateway cityMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1109267515840979132005-02-24T12:51:00.000-05:002005-02-24T12:51:00.000-05:00Letter to Editor of St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Headl...Letter to Editor of St. Louis Post-Dispatch<br /><br />Headline:<br />School Boss -- Take ours, Dr. John Thompson from Pittsburgh<br /><br />Hi Editors, Educators and Friends of Children in the other Gateway City!<br /><br />Dr. John Thompson was reported to be in the hunt for the top school job there. He had been the Superintendent here in Pittsburgh for nearly five years.<br /><br />Our school board in Pittsburgh is dysfunction to the highest order. Our political landscape is ugly. Sadly, Dr. T, stepped into this mess some years ago -- and he was always within the grip of this quagmire.<br /><br />I wish Dr. T had done a few other things in his tenure here. However, his love for the children, his devotion, his sensible approach is unquestioned.<br /><br />Dr. Thompson is a great man and a great educational leader. You could do much worse -- and you might not be able to do any better.<br /><br />What he didn't do -- work to overhaul the sports, coaching and teacher contracts to inject more recreational opportunities for the city and the students. As a coach and as a park advocate -- he was a flop. He had opportunities to do more in this area. Sadly, he didn't over reach in this area. That's a minor bicker, perhaps.<br /><br />He also didn't do anything to take on the status quo in terms of our political landscape. He sat on the sidelines. Candidate nights didn't happen. We have a few on our board that shouldn't be there. Garbage in -- garbage out. Here, we've got trash at many milestones. Our school board is there to boost their own power positions -- not worry about teaching the kids in excellent ways. So, we'll flounder for years to come.<br /><br />With shared love of great schools,<br /><br />Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com, Elect.Rauterkus.com<br />Pittsburgh, PA, USA -- presently a candidate for PA Senate and formerly a GOP candidate for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh<br /><br />(okay to publish in the paper -- or forward to others)Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.com