Re-sent letter to PPS about Schools and Schenley

B-PEP

THE BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

c/o Hill House Association, 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-758-7898

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and Board President, Bill Isler

Board Members: Heather Arnet, Mark Brentley, Theresa Colaizzi, Jean Fink,

Sherry Hazuda, Bill Isler, Floyd McCrea, Thomas Sumpter, Randall Taylor

Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Education

341 South Bellefield Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Dear Superintendent Roosevelt, and Board President Isler, Members: Heather Arnet, Mark Brentley, Theresa Colaizzi ,Jean Fink, Sherry Hazuda, Bill Isler, Floyd McCrea, Thomas Sumpter, Randall Taylor:

For many years, B-PEP, the Black Political Empowerment Project has been very concerned about and involved in the issues of reforming Pittsburgh Public Schools so that all of our children, in particular African American children receive a high quality education. Our involvement in school reform became even more heightened as a result of the announcement on October 31, 2007 that called for the closing of Schenley due to students and staff being exposed to asbestos where conditions had deteriorated and the cost to remediate was prohibitive. Also on October 31, 2007 we learned of other dramatic high school reforms that didn’t come with as much details or a good public process that should have occurred for such an enormous undertaking to be successful.

Our informed position of today, February 26, 2008 has been influenced by attending meetings, public hearings, information provided from the Superintendent, his staff and administration, Board members, PA Department of Education, principals, teachers, students, parents, news media, concerned community members, in addition to independent building engineers, legal and finance experts. Weighing all of this, we respectfully ask that in order to "completely assure the safety of the students and faculty, that the Schenley High School building be remediated this summer by removing the ceiling plaster. This would give the district time to develop the further needed renovations and updates, many which would be on an "as needed" basis. It would allow the students to remain in the building, instead of letting it sit vacant, unnecessarily. It would also give the district the time to completely and effectively develop the programming and the implementation aspects of the high school reform initiatives.

Understanding the fierce urgency of now to make ensure that ALL of our children are receiving a high quality education is something that we all agree on. Can we please focus on figuring out a way to teach and reach them where they are at NOW and have some good results to show for it and NOT use the excuse that we were not able to this because we spent so much time discussing not so well laid out plans?

Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Stevens, Chairman and Celeste Taylor, Vice-Chairperson

Web page www.b-pep.net

Will Schenley stay or close? Recommendation due Monday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The reporting on this is so wrong. Still.

Will Schenley stay or close? Recommendation due Monday - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Roosevelt previously has suggested closing Schenley, citing the $64 million cost to fix asbestos problems and update the school's mechanical systems. But students, parents, alumni and other residents have opposed him because of the school's listing on the National Registry of Historic Places, its revered architecture and storied history. The school has produced such illustrious graduates as pop artist Andy Warhol and Clifford Shull, a Nobel Prize winner in physics.

Roosevelt is closing Schenley because he wants to leave his mark on the district. That's it.

The money is a lie.

The asbestos is a lie.

As a dog walks down the street, it lifts its leg to piss on the post -- leaving a mark. That's Mark Roosevelt's motivation. The other reasons don't hold water.

The reporters have let Roosevelt get a pass, mostly.

The $64-million dollar amount has been discounted dozens of ways at dozens of meetings. It isn't even being used by those within Pittsburgh Public Schools -- since about December 2007. But the media still uses it.

To install air conditioning is not an update of the school's mechanical system.

Here is an idea. Fix the windows that were just installed five years ago. And, do these repairs under the terms of the warranty from the manufacturers. The windows don't work as they should. Windows can't open. They screwed them shut as a bastard fix. They (school administrators) didn't do the job they needed to do to keep the building running because they wanted to suck the blood from the building and use that as an excuse to sell it.

The $64-Million is inflated from about $30-M real price tag. And, they are now running up the tab to move programs (successful programs) to other buildings (crap buildings) at prices that are far greater than the $30-Million to fix up Schenley.

* The cost of Milliones is NOT being reported.

* The cost of a fix up to a once failed middle school, Reisenstein, (no windows now, valued property that is an easy sell) is in the dozens of millions. It was pitched at a cost of $300,000. Now the costs are 10-times greater and still rising.

* The cost of CAPA's expansion is not being factored in to the formula. Plus, those two successful schools are going to crash.

* The cost of moving robotics to Peabody is not being considered.

* The cost of moving the professional development from Reisenstein to West End's PCA/Gifted/Greenway is not in the mix.

* The cost of busing from the Hill to the east edge of town is not in the mix.

* The changes to Frick Middle School.

* The loss of student confidence.

* The acceleration of outward migration.

Fix Schenley.

Think again.

Think it through.

In the near future, the school boards of tomorrow will re-open Schenley anyway. The political promises have been made and this will occur. Mark Roosevelt has the helm for the short term, with the help of board president Issler, but that will end shortly. This entire move and crisis is a fabrication that won't wash in the long term and with the truth.

When everything is understood, looking at the forest and not the trees, it becomes clear that their reform moves are killing the school district and must be corrected.

Roosevelt had a hand-picked group spend more than a year on 'high school reform.' The entire body of work on that policy advising group went out the window in one meeting. Those that objected by asking questions were NEVER INVITED BACK to attend another meeting. The discussion for them ended. Roosevelt's own game of divide and conquest failed within the ranks of his own generals.

Tax-increment financing successful -- in creation a divide between rich and poor while killing city

Tax-increment financing successful, city data indicate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "An often criticized financing tool used by local governments to spur private development appears to be working well in Pittsburgh, according to data provided by the city's redevelopment agency.

Sure, tax breaks work for the URA and for the special interests. Tax breaks and TIFs suck for the city as a whole and for the little guys. TIFs suck for the poor. TIFs suck for the one's who already invested here. TIFs suck for the home owners. TIFs suck for the school children. TIFs suck for the urban fabric of the city.

TIFs are great for churn. TIFs are great tools to strip away the authentic characteristics of a once great city.

TIFs are great for the old guard trying to keep its power.

TIFs are great at driving the overall decline of the region to new speeds of depression.

Rainmakers

The Trib reported:

Pittsburgh City councilman Bruce Kraus taped a novelty-sized fundraising thermometer to his office door last week in hopes of raising cash to cover $10,706 in legal bills he's splitting with colleagues Bill Peduto, the Rev. Ricky Burgess and council President Doug Shields.

The councilmen racked up the legal charges in a zoning appeal and lawsuit against an electronic billboard Lamar Advertising built Downtown.

The four abstained from a vote Tuesday that would have made city taxpayers pick up the tab for the legal services.

City lawyers had warned the four that they were dangerously close to committing a conflict of interest because paying the bill would be the same as forcing taxpayers to cover a "personal debt."

The councilmen haven't exactly turned out to be major rainmakers. The council members this week will try to build on initial donations of $3.99 - a mere 0.03 percent of their goal.

What's wrong here?

Lamar Advertising started this whole messs. Lamar got dinged for putting up a sign for private use / profit on public property without the advance clearances and proper proceedures.

So lets review what Bruce Kraus does in his efforts to keep the folly sustained.

Bruce uses public property, a door in city hall, to place advertising messages that are NOT allowed. Kraus posts a sign for personal profit in city hall. The procedure and ethics battle grounds extend.

Clueless.

May 27, 2008 OPEN HOUSE special "Potential WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER guest"

May 27, 2008, OPEN HOUSE with special "Potential WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER guest"

Go to the Toastmasters meeting from 6:30 to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 and enjoy an OPEN HOUSE with a special guest. POTENTIAL WORLD CHAMPION SPEAKER Charlie Wilson will come and run through his excellent potential winning speech.

He delivered it on Sunday 5-18-2008 at http://achievers902.freetoasthost.net/ at the May Achievers 902-13 Toastmasters gathering. This has the possibility of being up there with Darren LaCroix, Craig Valentine, Vikas Jhingran and others who've won the WORLD CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING over the years. Spread the word and come see this excellent performance. Then, you'll be able to say, I KNEW CHARLIE WHEN.

Directions to the meeting also obtained from http://edgewood.freetoasthost.com/ or our Club's web page.

From Monroeville: Take 376 west, towards downtown. Get off at the Edgewood/Swissvale exit.
At the bottom of the ramp move into the right lane and turn right at the traffic light. (this will put you onto S.Braddock)
Almost immediately, you will pass the on-ramp to the Parkway. Immediately passed that is Greendale Avenue. Turn right onto Greendale.
Follow 3 stops signs. At the third stop sign you want to vear right and go up the hill. This becomes Race Street.
At the traffic light, turn right and follow to stop sign. The Edgewood Club will be directly in front of you.


Rick Hayes will be Toastmaster and emcee that evening.

Rick Hays ATM-B, CL
Edgewood Toastmasters Club President
Rick Hays (Richard M. Hays, Jr. and 'Rick from Mt. Washington')
hays7@verizon.net home email
http://edgewood.freetoasthost.com/ Edgewood Toastmasters on web
http://www.d13tm.com/ District 13 Toastmasters web site

Back in the saddle with School Reform

Jen posted:

Mr. Roosevelt is supposed to make his recommendation regarding Schenley at the Education Committee meeting on Monday, 19th at 7 pm (I think it was originally scheduled at 6 pm but has been bumped back an hour for a closed door executive committee session, I have no idea what that means, if anything!) This isn't a public hearing, just a meeting you can watch. But, show up if you can, maybe wear a little red/black to show your support. You might be able to chat with your board member afterward too. Of course, you can always call, email or write, too. The recommendation will be voted on in June, though we don't know a date yet.

It's taken me a while to get around to writing up Monday's public hearing, but here it is. I'm putting one testimony below my signature -- it's great, be sure to at least read that part of this email! I'll try to mail around my testimony (the updated version is on another computer, if I go get it now, this will never be sent) and anyone else who sends theirs in the next email.

There were 31 speakers listed, with 5 no shows. The basic breakdown was 2 speakers about Miller's criteria for a new principal, several more speaking about high school reform more generally including Carey Harris from A+ schools giving feedback (I missed this three minutes, if anyone sends me a summary, I'll pass it along) and 3 spoke about the need to plan for special education in the new (and/or reformed) high schools from the beginning, not as an afterthought.

Other concerns about reform were expressed including someone sharing accounts of problems in ALA schools and the number of promises made for these schools that weren't kept. About 14 speakers spoke specifically in opposition to the plans for Schenley, and a couple of other more general reform speakers also supported Schenley. A Montessori parent thanked the board for money that made possible a new science teacher and noted the changes that a new teacher and a committed principal can make. (Amazing how well that bottom up, money to teachers and kids in response to stated needs works so well, isn't it?)

Points made about Schenley included:


• little or no effort (that we've heard about, at least) to looking at alternative plans for Schenley, including just removing the plaster which could fall, and continuing to use the building while plans for renovation are made. It was pointed out again that Schenley is particularly well-suited for doing some renovation work while students are in the building -- meaning that a plan renovations could continue over a long-term schedule after any "safety issues" are addressed.


• the loss of ESL (those students are not moving with the current 9th-11th graders) and how that removes an additional international piece that has been part of Schenley/IB


• the number of changes that have been made in the district over the last 20 years that were then regretted and reversed and often reversed again. The need to listen to parental and community input before making plans, rather than after to avoid this sort of waste.


• the buildings which have been renovated and had additions added, in a district with falling population, with far less support than this Schenley has.


• the lack of knowledge in the district (and even in those affected by this change) about the reform plans, both current and future.


• the diversity at Schenley, the interaction among kids at Schenley (despite administration reports otherwise), the fact that Schenley looks like the district in its racial make-up (it felt very odd to be asking to have different kinds of kids together, not only for the direct benefits of that, but also because it links their needs together -- I kept wondering if we are really in 2008).


• statistics about Schenley (I don't count CAPA, it has entrance requirements and can remove kids):

One of three high schools with PSSA scores above the district average and the only majority African-American (70%) school that is above the average
the highest scoring African-American students in the district (white kids tie for highest),
highest %age college bound seniors for every group broken out (black/white x male/female)

(you can look for yourself at http://www.aplusschools.org/ -- the 2007 Report on School Progress: A Closer Look (right hand column) there are more stats there, too)

Let me know if you're hearing anything -- I was asked by two different reporters what our "strategy" was now. I was a little flummoxed by that, I admit. Our strategy is trying to inform people, trying to get the whole story out there, and trying to get answers and be heard...sort of the same thing it's always been! But, if you've got a more exciting strategy than that, PLEASE let me know and I'll pass it around!

Jen Lakin

---

Good evening. My name is Michele Feingold. I am a Schenley and Frick parent who graduated from Allderdice long ago, before I knew Schenley was worth fighting for and preserving.

I currently work in clinical research. Our clinic often chafes at the limits imposed by our Institutional Review Board, or IRB. We sometimes wait for months before we can start enrolling subjects in a study. This is because our IRB requires us to answer every possible question about study protocol, design, safety and documentation to their complete satisfaction.

Perhaps our IRB really has the right idea and their caution is justified. After all, we are talking about human subjects. And don’t you think, truly, this is the approach a school board ought to take? I’m not talking about endless in-depth inquiries, just careful, well thought out and fully vetted plans that consider as many alternatives as possible and examine the real and potential shortcomings rather than just making rosy predictions. For example, when weighing the cost of renovating historic Schenley in the heart of the university district, consider the costs of renovating Reizenstein and Milliones and Frick and Peabody, versus the possible benefits of selling the Reizenstein property. What about the issue of IB students who find themselves unable to fulfill the requirements of the program – would they actually have to leave their school as well as their classes? What about that? What about the meta-message given to mainstream students by sending them to Milliones, away from their supposedly smarter peers and into a more racially segregated environment? What are we telling them about themselves? And what about the inevitable refusal of many white mainstream families to send their children there? Let’s be idealistic, but not naive.

Honestly, did the community ever get an invitation to brainstorm alternative options before the high school reform plan was handed down? Why not let CAPA be the pilot program for six through twelve before we commit ourselves to the master plan? Consider hiring Nick Lardis to plan a renovation of Schenley without having to close it down. Bring University Prep into the building. Institute a school-wide program of diversity training and consciousness-raising that will make Schenley a regional and national model of class and racial integration. (That could even reduce hostilities at board meetings.) Let loose the energy of parents and alumni who are chafing at the bit to be meaningfully involved in their community and their children’s education, and they might dazzle you with their ability to raise money and support the board.

It’s fine to dream big, but let’s dream smart. Grandiose visions have a way of crumbling and leaving a lifetime of bitterness. Slow down, listen to and partner with the stakeholders, and your time spent on the board could be an overwhelmingly positive experience.

Too much to say -- and lots of ORANGE

Internet cafes are great. I'm paying 1 Eurp for an hour. In the hotel, it is 25 Euros for wifi for the day. The biz center at the hotel is too much too.

Amsterdam's weater was great, but might turn on us tomorrow. Biked about 15k. Went 'off the map' for most of it. Got a better map.

It is easy to get lost on the roads here. They have this pie grid system, but the canals don't really always go as they should.

I've rented a bike with coaster breaks and no gears. Don't need em. No helmet either. The guy at Mac Bike told me to just 'pray.'

Swam at an outdoor swim pool today, 50-meter course. Lots of grassy areas all around. But it seems as if that could have been a pool complex with 10 different pools or so. Wonder where they swam in 1928?

That venue will host an international water polo match in September. Got a book in Dutch about it.

We fell in love with Fish & Chips while in Christchurch. Here, they've got the chips. No catcup -- but mayo. Served in a paper cone from street vendors. The fish -- well -- herring. Different vendor.

ORANGE cowboy hats. Anyone want one as a NL gift? Saw a bunch on sale. Let me know ASAP.

Google NL bikes and basket bikes.

Marty G. on the fearless four

Remember, this started at an ask of $80,000.

Even in the final moment at the table last week, Doug Shields wanted to bump the total from $11,000 to $12,000.

Jim Motznik was on the air with Marty Griffin.

Ask Hugh McG if he'd drop his fee!

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Heavy or Not? -- Kraus says "not."

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The only penalty is to 'forfeit their office,' which DeSimone called draconian.

'I don't think that it holds any weight at all,' Kraus said of DeSimone's opinion.

Perhaps Kraus will be like Tucker S. He served on council for only a few months.

Go ahead and vote. We dare ya. You can be replaced. Real reform minded people can fill the spaces.

The P-G reports:

Council members in conflict of interest over legal billsThe response, from Ms. DeSimone, bluntly said: 'We caution that a conflict of interest has already occurred in this matter. The course urged here will not eradicate the conflict, but it may lessen the likelihood that someone will file an action seeking to invoke the forfeiture provision.'

I want to see that 13-page opinion.

Furthermore, I could see it go down like this.

Hugh McGough does NOT adjust hill bill downward, south of $400.

Then today, a member of council ask to 'table' the bill. The motion dies for a lack of a second.

Then a vote is taken. Shields and Peduto, by luck of the alphabet and seniority vote AFTER Burgess and Kraus. So, the rookies, Burgess and Kraus each vote to pay the bill, putting themselves deeper into the ethics violation. When it is the turn of Peduto and Shields, both abstain. Suprise, suprise!

The 'doesn't mean anything' nor 'have any weight' comment goes down in history as a way to sum up their careers as an elected politicians on Grant Street. Burgess and Kraus have their seats removed.

Shields and Peduto survive.

The size of city council goes to seven and never returns to nine as a special ballot question is rushed onto the November election.

Pyrite Age: Put a santa hat on the Chengdu Panda and 'gone fishing ' with wooden shoes

Loose ends:

The land was moving in the land of the pandas with the earthquake. Pandas, pyrite, vacation. Oh my.

Wow. The death count is at 10,000 now. But, the roads are bad. Getting a grip on the damages and loss of life is sure to take some time. I'm expecting a few eco issues to gush about as well.

By the way, my internet access might be less than normal in the days to come. I'm going to hang the 'gone fishing' sign and head to the land with the wooden shoes.

If you can, check out the middle school musical at Pittsburgh Frick, ISA (International Studies Academy). The school is in Oakland -- near Childrens Hospital and just across from the Pitt Towers. The play is at 7 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Pay $3. at the door. The musical is called, "Gone With the Breeze." My son, Erik, has a part. Singing, dancing, acting about Hollywood and a casting call for a show that is bigger and better than "Gone With the Wind."

Hope the show goes well. We'll be missing it, sadly. Reviews most welcome. Photos too.

The UPMC sign on the Steel Building is still missing the "M". Is it crumpled on the sidewalk?

I spoke at tonight's school board meeting. Erik also presented a written statement, but he didn't go.

The line-up of speakers was strong for the preservation of Schenley High School in its current location. The asbestos problem is really just a lie.

After I spoke, the school board president let me know that he didn't agree with my positions.

On technology, I feel that the developed software should be put into the public domain with an open source license. The school board is moving to a new dashboard like system and that code base -- not the data from each student -- has no commercial value and could be released to the public. Other districts and other developers might give it a peek, offer improvements and it could be of greater value.

When the news reporter talked about the injured penguin last week, it took a moment to realize this 'news' wasn't about either a zoo nor from anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. How's the guy who stopped the puck with his face? If the Pens clinch with two more wins there will NOT be a conflict with the weekend swim meet at the JCC on Sunday afternoon.

On the Expresso exercise bike today, Erik and I had another battle. We can both start a course and ride our bikes along virtual pathways, up and down hills, around turns, etc, and RACE. He won by a wheel length. Our times were identical. But, at the finish, he just passed me by. This was the 4th race and my first stage loss. I should not have shown him how to tighten the toe clips nor adjust the seat to an optimum level. He had his pulse up to 210. My max was 150ish.

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008: "Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh will be getting new docks on the Monongahela River for as many as 17 recreational watercraft.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the permanent tie-up facility will be built with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The docks will stretch four blocks in the city's South Side and will be part of a $10.5 million park. Work on the docks is scheduled to begin next year and they will be in use in 2011 or 2012.

Construction of the South Shore Riverfront Park is expected to begin in the summer. The park will include historical trail markers, continuing the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system and Greater Allegheny Passage."

Serious, Super Serious: Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest

Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest Assistant City Solicitor Kate DeSimone submitted a legal opinion to City Council today saying that four members should not vote on approving payment of a $10,706 legal expense because there is a conflict of interest.

If they do, they 'shall immediately forfeit their office,' Ms. DeSimone wrote.

Ms. DeSimone said the four -- President Doug Shields and members Bruce Kraus, William Peduto and Ricky Burgess -- already were in conflict by taking part in a discussion and preliminary vote on paying the bill.

Really, I care to know what Tonya Payne is going to do.

I'm uploading a video of the meeting last week. Watch for it at Rauterkus.blip.tv.

---

I I said last week, worth repeating, the best way out of this is to have Hugh McG, to make his bill drop to ZERO, or perhaps $.04 or perhaps $400. At $400, each of the guys would only have to pay $100.

If Hugh's work became "gratis," then the matter goes away. Poof. Mr. Kraus suggested a similar pathway for Lamar, weeks ago. Kraus asked Lamar to act in a way that was counter to its own 'commercial interest.' Lamar had received a permit to build the sign. Kraus wanted them to decline that permit out of 'good faith.' Kraus ranted (and this was weeks ago, around when he called for a moratorium on all billboards for six months) that a voluntary solution from Lamar was the right thing to do. That gesture, sweet as it was, didn't play out then. Well, same need for a voluntary move holds today for the lawyers who worked with the renegade four.

This video is from the meeting. It lasts about an hour.

Do not merge Rodgers Middle into downtown's CAPA High School

Watch this video by clicking on the link and hear from three high school students in Pittsburgh who want a great education. They know the situation and are not afraid to speak as they went to the middle school too.

Click to play

The video is being converted to FLASH now, and a new like will come shortly. Or, go to my blip show site.

Section 8 Housing gets some chatter with KDKA Radio

Marty Griffin thinks Section 8 housing is a problem everywhere.

My solution:

"Section 8" landlords should be required to live within 1-mile of their residence. That would tighten ownership and neighborhoods. People are getting rich building slum housing who do NOT live there.

I'm not certain of the 1-mile distance, but there can be some metrics associated with distance to investments and primary residence. Likewise, a phase in policy can be leveraged into the forumla. Plus, we should get rid of the 'deed transfer tax' to make the marketplace more fluid for the transfer of ownership among home owners.

Suburban landlords are wonderful for urban neighborhoods. But, the landlords who want public subsidization should only go to those who are near.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering

Don't think CNN will rush reporters, including Jack Cafferty, to the region to cover the story.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering So annoyed by Cafferty's despicable and shameless attack on an American national TV, American Chinese have launched an online petition, requesting an apology from CNN. The petition has got more than 40,000 signatures and the number of signatures is growing by the minute. China's Foreign Ministry, on April 15, also strongly condemned Cafferty's weird remarks, demanding CNN and the anchor himself take back the malicious remarks, and apologize to all Chinese people.

Chengdu Rocked at 2:28 pm

Not good.

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "China Is Hit by 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Near Chengdu

Two years ago, on this day, we were at our 'second home of sorts' in Chengdu, China.

The major earthquake was 90k west-northwest of Chengdu.

China takes home 7 medals from USA Diving Grand Prix

China did not reign supreme Sunday at the USA Diving Grand Prix, giving hope to the other nationhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

News.

Schenley School stuff, again, of course

Hi all --

Since my last email it looks like my ominous feelings were suitably dark. The numbers I've heard for Schenley renovations this week are higher than any I've heard yet and there's talk of "more taxes" and "cutting teachers." All in all, that sounds grim -- if they save the building, they'll pin every monetary problem the district has on us. Now, it still leaves a lot up in the air. I'm still unable to wrap my brain around a school that has good scores and a tremendous sense of community and history being the guinea pig for reform when there are failing schools getting...what, exactly?

I was #17 to speak when I called the board Friday afternoon at about 4 pm. You can sign up to speak by calling 412-622-3600 before noon on Monday. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Board of Education building in Oakland. (Procedures for testifying in front of the board)

I think there will be some sort of rally beforehand, latest I've heard is starting at around 4 pm (kids have lots of energy!) Consider dropping by and showing your support even if you can't make the hearing. You can also email the board with written testimony at boardoffice@pghboe.net.

The number of talking points is immense. If you know someone else who would testify, consider making sure that you're covering different areas! I think the main point in many of these points is the lack of information flowing from the top down, including to the board members. The administration does a very good job of giving out the pieces of information they want out there and holding back on other facts, including comparisons and context.

Here are some various talking points, culled from various conversations I've had with people (if you have more you want to share, send them along):

Reizenstein's renovation numbers are big too -- and it's a valuable property. So, will the IB kids be moving yet again -- not back to a renovated Schenley but to another building yet to be determined, perhaps Peabody? Do they really have any set plans for this school?

What would convince parents to stick with yet another move to a school that isn't Schenley? If it were Peabody where will the displaced Peabody (or Westinghouse) students go? If the plan is for 6-12, where would the Robotics program being put into Peabody right now go? There wouldn't be room for all these students and Robotics isn't 6-12.

Where do the students for these new schools come from and what happens to the schools they leave as they lose population? Will they gradually lose staffing and programs and die a slow death? Either current high schools or the new schools are going to have to give, unless we suddenly double the number of high school students in the district.

How did additions and renovations for Colfax and Sterrett (and now Carmalt Elementary is to be voted on for additions and renovations) not get blamed for wasting money, cutting jobs, etc.? Why is a district with falling enrollment adding additions anyway? Or opening two buildings where one worked well, in Schenley's case?

Why haven't alternative plans for Schenley's renovation considered? A two or three part plan could address immediate safety issues now in a first part, and then renovate the rest over a period of years (as has happened with most other schools in the district who have received regular ongoing maintenance).

Why aren't all the costs for changes to CAPA, Reizenstein, Milliones, Frick, and Peabody mentioned with staffing cuts and raised taxes, too?

How long can smaller schools (if they are 6-12, there will be fewer students in each grade) maintain sports teams, activities, and clubs? Who will they compete against as each school has fewer teams and activities? How many comprehensive high schools can the district support in conjunction with these smaller schools?

Are these schools planned as "high scoring student" (CAPA and IB) and "low scoring student" (University Prep, Science & Technology) schools? Who does this help? Are we to be segregated in every way possible? Where will kids that don't like a program be allowed to go? How strictly will policies regarding scores and grades be followed or will standards be diluted to insure students maintain a certain score?

What will the new lottery/all school choice plan work?

Why is it May and we still don't know about schedules, teachers, and plans for these schools? How is it that the rest of the district still has no real idea of the scope of the changes coming?

Why are we, as parents, treated as though our questions and concerns are unfounded when we are the ones that actually have kids in this?

I'm sure you can think of more. ;-D

Jen Lakin

Pittsburgh water authority OKs $100 million loan - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bark, bark.

Pittsburgh water authority OKs $100 million loan - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review City Controller Michael Lamb said the increase in the water authority's debt to roughly $680 million is problematic -- particularly for customers who eventually could see rate increases as a result.

'We're seeing significant increases in payments to the city from the authorities, and we're seeing increases in the authorities for rates, rate increases and debt increases. That's a problem, I think,' Lamb said Thursday.

What a watch dog.

Tube City Almanac - Worthy of All Yohogania

Tube City Almanac - Worthy of All Yohogania: "Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

We don't like the sign. But, we are also getting a chuckle out of the way it has been going up onto the top of the building.

The next letter after the "U" and "P" was not the "M". Perhaps at the hobby shop where they sell such cut-out letters there was a rash of sales for the letter "M" -- being Mother's Day weekend.

The boy was in the backseat of the car screaming, "The sea is being lifted." I thought he must have been having a holy Moses moment, on our way to church today. Rather, there was a split before the "C".