Think again about high school reform

Why mess with two good things?

Mark Roosevelt is messing with the best high school in the city in terms of academic performance, CAPA. CAPA is a downtown high school. His plan is to put kids in grades 6, 7 and 8 downtown too -- with CAPA High School.

Worse, the kids that are going to be squeezed into CAPA come from Rodgers Middle School. Rodgers CAPA is presently a good middle school. Kids go there and learn. It does well in academic performance too. It is one of our best middle schools in the city. It is in Lincoln-Lemington -- and Mark Roosevelt wants to close the Rodgers Middle School -- moving it downtown.

Closing good schools and making radical changes to them is not only silly -- but perhaps -- a civil rights issue.

CAPA is doing well. Great. Expand it. Allow for additional high school kids to get into CAPA.

Replicate what works. Fix what is broken.

Rodgers is doing well too. Replicate it. Open a second performing arts middle school. Open up Rodgers South or Rodgers West.

The second performing arts school can compete with the existing one. Perhaps there will be more of a challenge to get into the downtown CAPA as the feeder pattern would demand that the middle school students excel to get into the next level.

And CAPA can expand into additional space. Expand it as a high school.

The high school theater space at Downtown's CAPA is nice. But it is in high demand now. It can't be duplicated and made to fit the middle school and high school too.

If the plan goes into effect, there is going to be a net loss of arts education. And, arts education is working.

In case you missed Erik's interview on KDKA TV this week, here are some screen shots

From Erik

TV Show about Schenley High School and the 'sky is falling' falsehoods

Update:

In case you missed the show, stay tuned:

• The show will air on city cable at other times in the weeks to come. (Insert dates and times here.)
  

• The show has been recorded with my old, trusted, point the video camera at the tv style of recording. I'll upload it shortly to Blip.TV. (not yet live)
  

• Furthermore, you can listen to the audio now as a podcast at TalkShoe.com. Or, click the play button below.
  

[412] Schenley High School -- fixing asbestos costs $3.4 Million -- according to their experts -- big city lie gets attention on TV today

[412] Schenley High School -- fixing asbestos costs $3.4 Million -- according to their experts -- big city lie gets attention on TV today: "Schenley High School -- fixing asbestos costs $3.4 Million -- according to their experts -- big city lie gets attention on TV today"

I sent out an email blast today. I didn't send any in the month of May.

Hi All,

"The sky is falling!" That is what we have been told about Schenley High
School. They want to close it. They claim costs are to great to fix that
some damaged plaster.

Today, (Friday, June 6, 2008) from 3-4 pm, a live TV call in show will
feature two parents, both experts on this topic. See PCTV 21 on city cable
or the web, http://www.pctv21.org.

The truth of the financial outlook of Schenley High School is much unlike
what the PPS school superintendent has presented. Using the same reports
obtained from Pgh Public School sources -- you'll hear a different story
with much different costs.

The quote for asbestos removal at Schenley High School is only $3.459
million. Schenley High School has never presented a dangerous air quality
reading.

The inflated numbers reported to the public by Mark Roosevelt include such
items as an overhaul and repair of the massive pipe organ at Schenley. Go
figure. Think again.

To move to Reizenstein, the alternative location for some of Schenley's
students, costs much more than to simply fix up of the weak plaster at
Schenley.

Saving Schenley, because of both the building and for the educational
ramifications, is the best thing to do. A domino factor with his high school
reform is not being reported, and the costs that the district expects to
rack up is going to kill city taxpayers. Hope of a sound education in the
city for our kids is at stake, now, because of this Schenley decision.

Plenty of bogus information is flowing from the administration from our
schools. This isn't unexpected. In Penn Hills the superintendent resigned
and a large chunk of the faculty had to be fired because of bad
budgets/planning coupled with too little too late actions from the public
and parents. In Pittsburgh, it isn't too late, yet.

We've got plenty of smart people in our neighborhoods. We know much more
than they do. Their proposals have serious flaws.

This conversation about Schenley High School isn't over.

I'm a zealot for:
+ our kids,
++ educational opportunities and
+++ prudent spending of taxpayer's money.

school chatter, again

Meeting Tonight: 6 P.M.
Hill House Center
1835 Centre Avenue

To address issues, concerns, and ideas regarding the closing of Schenley (the building and the separation of the programs) and the other elements of High School reform.

************************************

At Tuesday's Education Committee meeting, Frick was recommended for the location of the new Science and Technology school, opening in Fall 2009. Renovations will be made to the building while the current students (plus the extra 9th grade year) are in the building next year.

For more information about Science and Technology and plans for the IB program, the 2 powerpoints shown to the board are available on this page: http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/pps/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=284756

The science and technology ppt has a slide that describes a new lottery system for that school, as well.

***********************************

It seems as though the message that there is a lot of change coming that hasn't been vetted by parents, teachers, community members or the school board seems to finally be getting through. Keep up your efforts to get the word out there that this whole thing can't just be described as one big, set in stone, lump sum amount for Schenley for which the board has to choose yes or no. There are many different options and choices the board can consider, which haven't even been presented.

Planning for the future for the whole district and trying to maintain the best of the system while directly and quickly attacking the failing parts seems like the most rational way to approach it!

Jen Lakin

Peduto to travel world in lieu of mayoral bid

Peduto to travel world in lieu of mayoral bid: "Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto plans to spend 40 days exploring the summits of sustainability over the summer, and has sworn off a 2009 bid for the political promised land of the mayor's office.

Bill, you can bunk down with us in Beijing in August to soak in the Olympic Games.

To the other members of city council -- if you want, I'll have you over to look at our photos from our past trips. The tulips in Holland were wonderful.

State ethics panel refuses to rule on who pays legal bill

State ethics panel refuses to rule on who pays legal bill: "'I am in the process of consulting with other legal sources' on the invoice, said Mr. Shields.

Let's get this straight. The State Ethics Commission was asked a question. The State Ethics Commission failed to give an answer to the question. So, Doug Shields, of City Council, has to hire additional attorneys (other legal sources) for consulting about that failed answer from the Ethics Commission. And the root of the failed question is if city council can hire an attorney and pay for the attorney services without advance approval.

Like Mr. Roberts told me yesterday as we exited an elevator in City Hall -- "You can never hire too many attorneys."

As government attorneys enter into a fray among themselves -- they all win and we (taxpayers, residents, citizens) all are non-winners.

And, the key to the solution is to look to see who is causing the folly and who is sustaining it.

Doug Shields is in the process of consulting with other legal sources. Doug Shields is a folly enabler.

This snowball is rolling down hill, gathering more steam, and going to crush the city.

The next chapter's character was introduced to the public yesterday. The new member on the city's Ethics Hearing Board was named. He joins with the sister, a priest and a rabbi. He is an attorney.

Budget adjustment neved due to the Kraus plan of shared responsibility and swim pool passes

I posted this to the comments area of 2 political junies, another blog. Might as well re-post here.

It has come to my attention that two people who file in the new governmental registry handled by some bureaucrat in city hall would have the benefit of getting a family pack of swim passes from Citiparks.

Pool tags cost $60 per year for a family of four. Meanwhile, they are $30 per adult and youth, $15 each. A savings of $30 if that 'partnership' is on the books.

Over 10 years, that's a $300 savings -- and well worth the effort of going to town with three proofs of shared responsibility.

Windfalls!

I don't know if city council will need to make a budget adjustment to its 5 year plan to reflect the shortage of income/revenue or not. I can't predict what those folks might do. But, then again, there is no five year plan from council to amend.

Nope. Mr. Kraus is too busy making sure that the animal shelter is churning dogs and cats, despite starting meetings 30 minutes late.

Luke broke my heart. Another gets the nod for the Ethics Hearing Board.

Luke picked another, not me, for the open slot on the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board. And, it is a lawyer.

I saw Mr. Roberts today in city hall. He is a lawyer who is an "OVERLORD." I asked him what he thought of the possibility of city council hiring its own attorney. I had suggested that city council use the crack lawyers from one of the two oversight boards that are still in town, rather than contracting for its own legal advice only to pitch fights among different departments -- like intramurals.

Mr. Roberts gave a cute reply when he said that you can never hire too many attorneys.

Taxpayers got another kick in the teeth -- straight from the overloard.

I think it is fitting to call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean a 'good start.'

And on the 4th of July Luke is going to marry a couple. He doesn't know how to do it. If I was mayor, I'd marry someone every weekend. It would be a boost for destination weddings -- in Pittsburgh. And, we'd do lots of wedding receptions, renewals, reunions and block parties too.

I assume the ceremony is going to involve a man and women.

This weekend is the Riverview Park 5K. Good if you are fit, part goat and wear Heelies for the downhill. Luke has run that race in the past. Wonder if Jason is going?

kdka.com - Frick International Academy Students React To Sen. Obama's Nomination

kdka.com - Frick International Academy Students React To Sen. Obama's Nomination 'It's going to be really interesting and it's going to be a fun ride for all of us to be part of. He's gonna really need to work on the blue collar vote - and Sen. Clinton's gonna have to come out and say, 'All my voters should go to Barack Obama to keep it within the party,' ' Erik Rauterkus, a seventh grade student, said.

There is a funny story to go with the news of this feature.

The reporter, MRJ, told the kids that she was looking for some interesting quotes and had gone to Pitt's political science department. She got blahh... She didn't want to waste her time. A call to Frick Middle School turned to be far more impressive than the prior conversation with the college students.

Erik and his mates were called out of their lunch periods.

When Erik came home after school and said he was interviewed by KDKA TV, I wondered if it was about the news of the closing of Frick.

Frick is a good school. One of the very best in the city. Sadly, it is being changed in radical ways. It will move out of Oakland. It will be merged in with high school students.

The local kids, the neighborhood kids, are going to be sent to a university prep school that will be in the Hill District and will be 99% black. The language magnet kids will be in I.B.World.

Many Frick kids go to many different high schools. Some went to Schenley (woops that closed too). Some go to CAPA. Some go to Dice. Some go to Central.

Erik, son, on 6 pm news on KDKA TV

Update: This story is running on the front page of the KDKA.com site now. See tonight's 6 pm KDKA TV news and watch for Erik Rauterkus on presidential politics. His classmates and Patrice King Brown, I think.

Yep, it aired.

http://kdka.com/video/?id=42202@kdka.day

http://kdka.com/video/?id=42203@kdka.dayport.com

More Schenley Chatter from the important customers -- we know best -- by the way!

The PPS website has the press release and the two PPTs up -- one for sci-tech. They're interesting in a sickening sort of way. At least the sci-tech was, I didn't get to the other. I particularly liked the page with two spelling errors in the first two bullet points. Also the one saying why Westinghouse couldn't be used -- they'd have to rip out things that they already put in but haven't used to make new stuff. Huh? And it would be cheaper to do it there, but well, see previous sentence. And it would still be undercapacity (I guess this program absolutely, positively can't grow).

To get you up to speed, tonight Roosevelt recommended using Frick for Sci-Tech next year (2009). Renovations will be done over the next year, while the kids are there.

---

Reply


Oh they just need to table all of these changes until they come up with a plan for everyone...but we all know that. Yes, all of the pictures and trophys are out of the Schenley first floor. It felt weird and sad and as the message said "creepy". It just seems like the middle and low achieving kids are going to be left out in the cold. Since I have heard that Roosevelt ultimately wants to get rid of the Gifted Program I am supposing some of those teachers would want to move to the sci tech school. Of course, I did not see anyone from administration at Schenley's awards ceremony last evening.

NAME NUKED

This really sucks.

Make a list of the best middle schools. Frick is there, at the top.

Now make a list of the worst schools.

Guess what schools get changes and what schools are left alone? Mark Roosevelt is doing it all wrong. He is smashing apart the good schools and he ignores the bad ones.

Frick should continue as a middle school.

The Science and Technology school should be put into the under capacity, low performing, recently renovated, yet great technology legacy -- Westinghouse High School.

And, the Superintendent's office, the Pittsburgh Public School Administration and the board of education should also move into Westinghouse High School too, if they wish. There is plenty of room. Then they'd move out of a valued building that can be sold, the Oakland Board of Ed building. And, the money from the sell-off of the Board's present building can be re-invested to fix up Schenley High School. The asbestos removal from Schenley High School is NO MORE THAN $10-Million (as reported to from the PPS numbers).

Frankly, I'd rather see the Pittsburgh Board of Education and its administration move to Langley High School. But that is another conversation.

For now, the whole plan needs to be put on the table. Otherwise, nothing should be done. Nothing.

Mark Roosevelt's plans are going to kill the city.

Reizenstein school's 'redesign' estimate at $50 million - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Told ya.

This is insane.

Reizenstein school's 'redesign' estimate at $50 million - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The cost to fix Reizenstein School in East Liberty is estimated as high as $50 million, casting doubt over its long-term future in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

We MUST DEMAND that a WHOLISTIC -- and I mean the WHOLE VIEW -- approach must be taken to the high school reform agenda.

Mark Roosevelt is out of control. The crisis and rush, rush, rush sillyness is costing us great opportunities and delivering trash that is very, very expensive.

The fix-up of Schenley High School is needed. We need a prudent fix up.

To remove the asbestos at Schenley would cost about $10-million.

Furthermore, Reizenstein was a failed middle school. The building does not have any windows. The windows at Schenley are new! Reizenstein does not have an auditorium. Schenley's theater space is wonderful.

Nothing should be spend on Reizenstein. That property should be sold. It sits next to a new development, Bakers Square. They don't need and should not want a public school there. It would be a valued bit of property that can be sold for much better uses. It can fetch some good income for the district and that money can be spent to fix-up Schenley High School.

And, while we are at it -- let's sell the Board of Education Building in Oakland.

Council's vote today could mark start of statewide campaign finance reform

Council's vote today could mark start of statewide campaign finance reform: "House and Senate candidates spent $57.1 million during the 2006 election cycle."

Folks like Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana each have big chunks of that money. And that money came, mostly from gambling interests.

In the city, the last big flow of money came from Mon Valley Expressway land speculators. They were able to buy off Mayor Tom Murphy and City Council President Bob O'Connor.

When the "big boys" burn campaign money -- just like they do the public purse (and squander the public trust) -- I don't mind. But I do get yanked off at the reporting of those funds in such slanted ways.

For example, Jon Delano always makes a big, harry deal about the money in the war chests of the candidates. Go figure. This is because KDKA, Delano's employer, gets the lion's share of the money that candidate's over-spend. Local media elites won't cover the true story of the campaigns and the issues. They are not worthy of being called real journalists, generally. They are driven by the advertising money.

Schenley High School meeting - schedule

Lots coming up! Dates first, then see below for more information. Please do whatever you can fit in --

City Council:

1) Regular Meeting of Council Schedule

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 - 10:00 A.M. (Today!)

If members of the public wish to address City Council on any subject matter relating to City business, please attend any Regular or Standing Committees Meeting of Council to participate under the “Public Comment” portion of the meeting.

2) Date and Time TBA -- soon

See below -- we have petitioned for a public hearing before City Council. Hope to have it scheduled in the next two weeks. We will try to come up with an overall plan and then divide among the speakers so that the presentation hits all the high points without lots of repetition.

Hill House Meeting:

Thursday, June 5th - 6:00 P.M.

1835 Centre Avenue
(see description below)

Television:

Friday, June 6th - 3:00-4:00 P.M.
Mark Brentley is hosting an open forum on Schenley High School & High School Reform on the Pittsburgh Cable Access Channel at 1300 Western Avenue on North Side. It is supposed to be broadcast live. There will be four speakers -- each will make short statements and then it will be open to questions from the audience.

Like to get as many people as we can in the audience -- please try to make it if you can!

School Board Public Hearing:

Monday, June 16 - 7:00 P.M.

(see below)

********************************************

B-PEP, the Black Political Empowerment Project, scheduled the meeting (6/5, 6 pm) at the Hill House Center to get further input, reaction and ideas from all affected communities and parents regarding Schenley and HS reform. Come hear and be heard! (I (Jen) will be there -- please introduce yourself, umm, I'll have on either my Obama button or shirt, how's that for identification? I've had lots of fun meeting the people on this list!)

********************************************

The public hearing regarding the recommendation of the Superintendent on the possible closure of Schenley High School takes place on Monday, June 16 at 7:00pm. Registration begins on Monday, June 9th (I'll send all the info again then).

Please consider testifying. New and different voices are always needed, especially those with different viewpoints and expertise. Of course, if you have already testified, please do so again. Even if you are not sure that you can testify, please register, because, although you can be skipped at the hearing if you are not there, you cannot choose to testify if you have not registered.

We are asking the board to table the vote, unless we are sure that we would have a majority voting against the recommendation. A motion to table the vote means that the board does not have to vote against the Superintendent, which might make it easier for some board members. If you have any influence with any of the board members, now is the time to use it!

Key points:

• The fact that there is no plan for where the IB students are to be permanently housed at this point (we have convinced the district to abandon Reizenstein by revealing the real costs of renovating that building) is a strong argument for postponing the vote.

• A demand for real numbers for the districts projects- planned or unplanned- must be made, since the district's expenditures may end up being higher than the cost to renovate Schenley, without the benefit of the quality that this building offers.

• The lack of a comprehensive plan for all the high schools in the district and specifically the failing schools in the district make it impossible for the board to compare and evaluate costs, locations and buildings to plan for the future and preserve the best of the district.

• The case that the cost of losing Schenley would be so much greater to the city and the community than the number that has been presented to the public is also a crucial one.
  

(Thanks to Jill Weiss for most of the above!)

******************************

**********

It was suggested that we petition city council for a public hearing, which has been done. The date and time is not known yet. Please consider testifying or attending in support of saving the Schenley building and about our difficulty in having any real input into any aspect of this reform (see above points).

*******************************************

Write letters to the editor, and contact board members, city council members, legislators, foundation board members, and anyone else of influence.

Boy, is it ever hard to finish one of these while trying to watch that teeny tiny little puck at the same time! (Definitely a bandwagon fan, not skilled at watching games.)

Jen Lakin

Book Expo America - and publishing's past life

Booksellers talk big, act quietly at convention - Yahoo! News: "'It was quiet, very quiet,' Simon & Schuster CEO and president Carolyn Reidy said of the industry's annual national gathering, which lacked a 'buzz' book or spectacular speech, but did offer a rare private concert from the enigmatic rock star."

I used to exhibit at this show. Guess I'm not missing much this year.

I've been out of the book publishing business for a while. I miss it from time to time. But, that's okay.

The $3 Trillion Shopping Spree

The $3 Trillion Shopping Spree The occupation of Iraq will cost $3 trillion, America's most expensive conflict since WWII.

Teacher. Wordsmith. Madman. on Schenley High School

Exactly.

Teacher. Wordsmith. Madman.: "Interesting op-ed piece in this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, adding yet another round to the seemingly endless debate and discussion -- it's as if Mark Roosevelt replaced Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, and we're the poor, perplexed Punxsutawneans -- over the fate of Schenley High. The central argument, that closing the school doesn't make sense until the district develops a comprehensive high school reform plan, is difficult to refute. A district with little money to spare, deciding the futures of both a landmark building and its four classes full of students, should not rush to judgment. And all of the district's plans, counter-plans, reversals of field, and reversals of reversals of field since this issue came to the fore do not exactly inspire much confidence in a steady, reasoned approach to finding a solution.

The over the top parts -- well -- here is the deal.

Schenley works. There are lots of other schools that fail. Four are drop-out factories.

Fix what is broken and replicate what works.

Roosevelt is breaking what works. Roosevelt is still in deep denial about doing anything for the failing schools.

Nothing has come, yet, about Vo Tech.

Nothing has come about Oliver, Peabody, Westinghouse nor Langley. ZIPPO.

Nothing has come about grass-roots involvement in the Pittsburgh Promise. The Exec Director of the Pgh Foundation called the Pittsburgh Promise nothing but a cruel joke if only 20% of the kids that go to college from Pittsburgh can stay there once they arrive. And, that is the right percentage.

So, I'm going overboard now.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt is still over-reaching.

Furthermore, Schenley High School is a place where students of all backgrounds, races, study skills and sporting abilities mix well. Friendships are forged there -- without a strata system like occurs at Alderdice. There are two bodies of students at many of our schools. We love how Schneley is a 'melting pot.' Meanwhile, that is being taken away from the city.

That makes us sad and will insure that another 5,000 people depart the city in the years to come.

When all the I.B. students go to I.B. High -- the melting pot is NUKED.

When the new (proposed) Science and Technology High School has no sports -- by design -- the melting pot is tossed into the trash. Another 4,000 depart the city.

We don't want melting pot of middle school kids downtown.

We don't want melting pot of kids in grades 6, and 7 with kids in grades 11 and 12.

We don't want what he is trying so hard to deliver.

We don't want a great majority of the school in the district in turf battle grounds.

The district can not afford to close schools that work. Period. Rodgers is being tinkered with. CAPA is being tinkered with. Same too with Frick Middle School, and Schenley, of course. The research is not there. They need to think again.

This is much greater than "most likely not afford to save the building." Jeepers.

Journeys - Swimming Vacations - Journeys - Swimming Vacations - Don’t Bother With the Hotel Pool - Travel - NYTimes.com

Journeys - Swimming Vacations - Journeys - Swimming Vacations - Don’t Bother With the Hotel Pool - Travel - NYTimes.com: "JOURNEYS | SWIMMING VACATIONS
Don’t Bother With the Hotel Pool

Time will tell -- so he said. Perhaps it already did.

In a thread at another blog with chatter about Luke Ravenstah as mayor, Bram wrote, "Time will tell."

Well, time does not speak.

People tell. Actions speak. Time is generally silent. Time is more often a friend of those in power.

Pittsburgh's best wish would be that time would tell as time and time again we've seen our neighbors depart, our city shrink, an economic decline and the idle time, do-nothing ways of foundations and want-a-be movers and shakers.

Its bad when the 'movers and shakers' are out sung and danced by 'old man time.'

This time, will it be different?

Let's not wait for 'time to tell.'