Poll results: More want Pitt to win NCAA Hoops title than Steelers to get SuperBowl win

More people in Pittsburgh are more hungry for a win in the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament by Pitt than a Steelers victory in this year's SuperBowl. Furthermore, nearly as many are wishing for a successful run as a participant in the Pittsburgh Marathon than are wishing for the Steelers sixth SuperBowl trophy.

March Madness could grip this town to a much stronger degree than the SuperBowl frenzy from Steelers Nation.

But stay tuned -- as May 3, 2009, brings the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon. Many friends, neighbors and running mates are gearing up for the challege now -- so as to complete the race around town -- 26.2 miles. The marathon will be a big event for the city. But, the build up in training, conditioning and overall fitness for the runners is an on-going struggle now underway.

I'd love to see all three: A SuperBowl win plus a great run in the NCAA tournament for Pitt plus a mega field of local runners for a splendid day in early May. I might gear up for the half-marathon, but I'm not going to go to the brink in that quest.

If I had one wish in 2009 for the sports sector, as framed, I'd have to go with a personal one -- running the marathon. My time: 2:59.10.

Today is a good day to hit the treadmill and not eat a loaf of 9-grain bread.

First Q to County Executive at the first town hall

subject:

have not heard anything from the nonprofit group to be working on the parks

Q for Dan:

What about that nonprofit group you named to work on the Parks. Are
they doing anything?

Well, my question got asked. Dan hit it out of the park with a lot of hype and he sustained the uncertainty.

His answer in a nut shell: Yes. Lots is happening. Wait and see.

We've been waiting.

Dan Onorato held meetings in the parks. It was great, a year ago. But those meetings had little to nothing to do with the Parks Foundation. The Parks Foundation wasn't at those meetings. There have been no people named to the parks foundation. Who is on that board? When do they meet? Where are the minutes? What is the plan that we've been told about? Does the Parks Foundation have a web site? Does it have an email?

Dan said that interviews were being conducted for the Executive Director of the Parks Foundation, but where was the position posting for that position? Were ads posted?

The draining and dredge of the North Park Lake is not a project from the Park's Foundation. There won't be any coaching involved with kids in terms of the work at lake in North Park.

Mr. Onorato, I'm not satisfied.

Parks are important. We all realize that. Likewise, actions in parks are what is needed.

My second question to Dan Onorato at the cyber town hall is about schools

Pgh Public Schools is slated to open a new high school or two. One is with a focus on I.B. It comes in the aftermath of Schenley.

Will you stand with us in our request to name the new school Barack Obama High School and Jr. High?

The school will spand from grades 6 to 12.

Furthermore, we'd love to have one year of I.B. education as an option that is made available to all graduates (in good standing) from any Pgh Public School. Hence the I.B. High (Obama High) should be established as not only a high school, but also as a "prep school" so as to give the students an option of a 13th year if they choose. Then the students can get additional academic challenges before going to college. A few I.B. classes would better prep some students before going on to college. And, the I.B. classes, if you do well on the tests -- are often applied as college credit.

Presently, we're told, 20% of the graduates at Pgh Public Schools who do go to college are able to stay in college. The others don't finish.

With such a few finishing high school, fewer going to college, and even fewer making it out of college, we've got some problems. Hence, the prep option becomes an important bridge for long-term success for many of the students.

Road Trip - Chatham swim team captures Smart Women Sweat Swim Invitational in Georgia

Media Contact: Paul A. Kovach
Vice President for Public and Community Relations
(412) 365-1140 (pkovach@chatham.edu)

PITTSBURGH (January 13, 2009) . The snow-filled skies of Pittsburgh didn't cool down the Chatham University Cougars as the swimming team visited Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. to participate in the Smart Women Sweat Swim Invitational January 10-11. Competing against teams from other U.S. women's colleges - Agnes Scott College, Hollins University, Salem College and Sweet Briar College - the Cougars won the invitational with 1,157 points and registered first-place finishes in 13 of 17 events, including all four relays.

Chatham was paced by junior Amy Kuuskoski (Wilmington, NC/home school) who accounted for three individual wins in the 50, 200 and 100 freestyle as well as being a part of four winning relays. First-year Emily Price (Owego, NY/Owego) also had three individual wins in the 1500 freestyle, 400 individual medley and 200 individual medley. Sophomore Chelsea Mummert (York, Pa./Central York) added wins in the 100 and 200 backstroke and Sarah Sindler (Cañon City, Colo./Cañon City) won the 200 butterfly.

Chatham returns to action on Saturday, January 17 when they travel to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College for a 1:00 p.m. dual meet. The Chatham University Cougars next Presidents' Athletic Conference meet will be at Bethany College on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00 p.m.

Chatham University prepares students from around the world to develop solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. Every Chatham student - women in Chatham's historic women's residential college, and men and women in Chatham's graduate programs - receives a highly individualized, experiential educational experience that is informed by Chatham's strong institutional commitment to globalism, the environment and citizen leadership. Founded in 1869, Chatham University includes the Shadyside Campus, with Chatham Eastside and the historic 39-acre Woodland Road arboretum; and the 388-acre Eden Hall Farm Campus north of Pittsburgh. For more information call 800-837-1290 or visit www.chatham.edu.

Carmen Robinson: Should Be Pittsburgh's Next Mayor

If I lived in the city any more, and someone gave me $500,000 cash under the table to switch parties to Democrat, I'd vote for Carmen Robinson for Mayor.

Consider this the first endorsement of the new election cycle.

According to her website, Carmen was born and raised in the City of Pittsburgh, by blue collar parents Alfred and Linda Robinson. Carmen’s father was drafted during Vietnam, worked at J & L Steel and last employed by the Pittsburgh Fire Department for 31 years. Unfortunately, he has passed on. Carmen’s Mother, a laborer, is retired from H. J. Heinz.

Carmen is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Carmen was a police officer, who was promoted to sergeant in 1995. She later became an attorney. She met Pope John Paul II when she was in Vatican City studying Canon and Roman law.

Carmen is a member of NOW, attends Baptist Church and is a loving and devoted family woman.
Credentials scare the crap out of Democrats in the city of Pittsburgh. This is clearly the most decorated woman the city has run for any position in decades. Oh yea, she's African American and gorgeous.

She doesn't stand a chance. That's why I support her. Go Carmen!

Tax cut for teacherss

OPINION January 11, 2009 Op-Ed Columnist: Tax Cuts for Teachers By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN There's simply no shortcut for a stimulus that stimulates minds, not just salaries.

"Little Stevie" Luncinski of Chiller Theater, A Pittsburgh Original, Dies

Sad news today. "Stephen the Castle Prankster" is dead.

I said, "What?" when my 14-year-old son told me the news about an hour ago, at 8:00 p.m. I was dusting off the "new to me" Saturn I bought last weekend, directly because of "Stevie."

I spoke to my friend Steve Luncinski just last week. I needed a bunch of work on my vehicle. He, his son, brother and staff at Pinnacle Auto Sales in Carrick did their best to help me, but it was time for a new ride.

I called Steve a few days later and he said he didn't have any vehicles, but told me to go see "Mike T." I did, used Steve's name, and got a fairly decent deal.

The last time I saw Steve face to face, I asked him, "So, how did you like 'Chicks with Dicks'?" His always surprised brother Victor sprang from his nearby seat. "Did I hear that correctly?"

Steve was one of the most handsome and charming men I've ever seen, despite being well south of five feet tall. He always had one of the most gorgeous women you'd ever seen on his arm. The day I saw Steve at the downtown performance of "Chicks With Dicks," he was with another one. I still remember the brunette from about 15 years ago. Breath-taking. The play, part Russ Meyer, part Quinten Tarantino, all goofball right-up-my-alley nonsense, didn't entertain Steve as much. He and his blond date left halfway through. He said his date had to get up early.

We had a good chuckle about that one at the garage.

I can't remember the first time I met Steve, but we hit it off right away. In fact, I can divulge it now...I wrote press releases and speeches for him when he ran for state Senator years ago. In return I got a car battery for the Jeep I drove at the time and various other automotive services. I was a cheap scribe.

When we were at the play, he told me that his mother kept a scrap book of his local celebrity clippings, a good many of which had my byline. I was always proud of that.

Steve of course received his claim to fame on the old Chiller Theater program with Chilly Billy Cardille. I was even interviewed once on the radio, as "President of the Chiller Theater Fan Club," promoting a then-brand new Gateway Clipper Fleet Halloween event. In all actuality, I was the "President of the Stephen the Castle Prankster Fan Club." I got to ride the boat with another friend...Terminal Stare. I guess Bill Cardille just tolerated me, as I never received much more than a cursory glance.

Steve got me on the Labor Day Telethon once as a "behind Billy Cardilly" phone back guy. That was a highlight for a young community newspaper editor. Bill looked at me once and said, "move three seats over there." I think he put Miss Pennsylvania in my seat. Why wouldn't he?

Steve never had a cross word for anyone. His father, also named Victor, wouldn't expect anything else.

Steve's two sons...Steve (all near six foot of him) and Zachary (another small of stature charisma machine) are excellent men. Both remain active in the family auto business. They tried their hands at two dollar stores, but ultimately closed up the retail shop.

On at least one occasion, I've pointed out the family auto establishment to female companions and identified the celebrity that was most likely inside. Steve was quintessential Pittsburgh.

I already miss my friend Steve. God bless his family.

Rate Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's performace

When people ask me about politicians, I try to give a reply in a scale that ranges from PLUS ten to MINUS ten. Zero is in the middle.

10 (11%)
8 (2%)
7 (2%)
6 (2%)
5 (2%)
4 (5%)
3 (2%)
2 (5%)
-2 (2%)
-3 (5%)
-4 (2%)
-5 (11%)
-6 (0%)
-7 (2%)
-8 (2%)
-9 (2%)
-10 (29%)

Coaching job in Golden West

If I'm a young coach -- I'd be interested in this job.

Special Computer/Coaching Intern/Post Grad Swimmer Positions Available.
CALIFORNIA , HUNTINGTON BEACH
Golden West Swim Club
Continuous Listing, Begun June 2006, Revised October 30, 2008

“THINK ‘WAY OUTSIDE’ THE BOX!” Available Until Filled. Golden West Swim Club, in Huntington Beach, CA, has a unique opportunity for an aspiring young swimming coach or post graduate swimmer with a background in computer science; software and/or hardware. The preferred person should have a knowledge of computer programming. Knowledge of C#, ASP.Net, and Databases strongly desired. This position involves working on cutting edge technology application projects. This is an intern type position with a $18,000 stipend. Additional compensation is available from stroke lessons. This is a great learning experience in all areas of coaching. Duties will include experiences in all phases of the art, science, and business of coaching; including daily deck coaching, meets, event staging, sports information and advertising, facility maintenance and development, transportation and travel, fund raising, motivational systems development and implementation, video and computer utilization, heart rate monitoring, computer assisted race evaluation, office duties, etc. You will really learn about your profession and acquire some great coaching skills! This is a great opportunity to contribute and be a part of a fun and successful situation. A one to two years commitment is required. This situation is immediately available. Apply to: Bob Gillett, Head Swimming Coach, Golden West Swim Club, 19731 Quiet Bay Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 . Cell: (714) 766-9767. E-Mail: coach@bobgillett.com. If you are interested in applying for an Internship, give us a call or e-mail us of your interest. We will then use the following process: 1. Submit a resume with references. We probably will not call your references until the final phase of the process; unless we know them personally. 2. After you submit a resume, we may ask you to then submit a short (couple of minutes) of video of yourself explaining a skill. Nothing elaborate; just put a cam recorder on the table, turn it on and record. For example, show and explain butterfly arms. We are not looking for knowledge or technique proficiency or anything earth shattering. We would just like to see you and hear you talk, and get to know you. A video conference call can be substituted. 3. At this point, if everything matches up for both parties; then we will offer you an internship agreement. 4. References from past participates in this program with Coach Bob Gillett will be given for you to evaluate this unique opportunity for a young coach.

Univ. of Florida has 49 alto sax players. One, Andrew, is my relative.

Andrew is playing at the game and is in the band. The Gator band will also be playing in the Super Bowl, pregame. Opportunities of a lifetime, says his mom, my cousin, Linda.

Linda played in the Florida Gator Band for three years when she was an undergrad. The first year, the team didn't win a game. The second year in the band, the team did slightly better. The third year, Florida football was on probation and the band didn't play at all.

I'm cheering for the Gators! Chomp, chomp.

Twitter is not 'Sooner-ish' today.

Say it isn't so.

From people & vips

We have good news, then it is bad news. We'd love to have #25 stay at Pitt next year.

In other school news. the PureReform blog is reporting that the I.B. High / Jr. High is going to have a full class of 150 students in grades 9 and 6 for the fall of 2009. There might be some wiggle room, yet, unsure, for next years 7th and 8th.

Furthermore, Dr. Walters has been named the principal for the new school. He is presently at Frick Middle School. This is wonderful news for us and the program.

The Sci and Tech School is also in great position with the number of students who are slated to enter in the fall of 2009 as well.

LET'S MAKE A SPLASH ON FEBRUARY 2ND!!

Just on the heels of the Polar Bear Swim -- comes this invite.

Join the "Pitts-Burrrrrgh Drownedhogs" on Monday 02/02/09 and do a "COOL THING FOR THE KIDS" at Circle C Youth and Family Services; and help to predict when spring will arrive.

WARM-UPS START AT 11:00 - PLUNGE AT NOON at the 18th Street Boat Ramp off E.Carson St. on the South Side. Because we are unable to cast a shadow we have committed our method of prediction to this verse ....

"If the DrownedHogs frolic in the chilly Mon,
Springs arrival is almost won.
But if they scream and run back out,
Winter will be a six-week bout."

Come on down and swim with The Drowned Hogs, or be a "Designated Dryer" to help a "Hog" get dried off after the swim, or just join in the fun! When you come out of the river you can run through the "Hog Wash" where warm water will be poured over you to eliminate the shivers and to neutralize the Mon! We're making "HOG WASH" bar soap available again this year!

Then its off to Folino's, at 1719 E. Carson St. for chili and live music by the awesome Tracy Lee and video of the plunge!

FOR MORE INFO CALL 412-937-1650 X227
Hope to see you there!

Al Bollinger, Head Hog Scott Jones, Director of Development Barb Ginsburg, Resource Manage

Apple and Music and -- listening again

A major victory in the campaign to eliminate DRM -- Apple, the last major retailer of DRM-encumbered music has announced, live at MacWorld, that iTunes music will be going DRM-free.

Of course, what this really makes clear is that this was never about the record companies withholding DRM-free music from Apple, but rather that Apple was unwilling to concede a tiered pricing structure to the recording companies. In the end, anti-DRM activists -- including yourself -- were able to educate the public enough to pressure Apple to give in.

http://digg.com/tech_news/Help_Apple_is_holding_me_ransom_for_0_30_per_song

* Read the full story:

Pgh Public Schools begins "book club."

Have you read a good book lately?

Here is another great parent involvement activity.

Join us Monday January 12, 2009 for the first meeting of the title 1 parent book club. Read a good book, network with other parents and family members and get more involved. All are welcome

Location: cafeteria, administration building (Oakland) 314 S. Bellefied Ave Pgh. PA 15213. Date and Time: Monday January 12, 2009 from 6:00 to 7:30 Please RSVP to Mark Conner at mconner1@pghboe.net or call at 412-622-3941.

Scrub your speech of these phrases, Mr. Roosevelt and PPS Administrators

The Tribune Review has the expression in the paper again today, "We looked at the data, ..."

Wave the red flags. Time out. Wash your mouth out with soap.

Last night I was at another meeting in the east end hosted by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. brass. Three school administrators were given the curtosy of an extended introduction and speaking time and I heard these same phrases again.

The PPS (Pgh Public Schools) Administrator said, "We want to bring the numbers to the table." She was convinced of a certain course of action because she was privileged to have seen the numbers, the data, the research. She was hopeful that the numbers could be shared with others who are "at the table." Then, once their facts were spilled, the table would be on-board and see the light.

A third verse of the same theme boils down to an evaluation of the work and outcome suggestions of a special community task force. About 30 members of the public were hand-picked, names still not released to the public, for guidance. These folks formed a task force to make a suggestion as to where to put the long-term home of the district's I.B. program. The I.B. program had been harbored within Schenley High School, which was dismantled last year.

The data that the I.B. long-term site selection task force was able to wrestle with has not been released. Who was on the task force wasn't released yet. And the work product, the meeting minutes, the in-depth decision justifications and any hint of financial impacts -- all are still under wraps.

I don't want the data to be revealed to those who are 'at the table.' I want it to be revealed to everyone everywhere.

I don't want to hear how the district administrators have access to findings and raw performance measures yet the people who pay for the schools do not.

Often, those numbers are not released because they are embarrassing. Frankly, what is more embarrassing is trying to make fixes to the district while having heads in the sand. The behaviors we've come to expect within the schools and within the planning process is atrocious.

It is unforgivable that the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation has to ask for the results of a community task force that includes more depth than what is read in the Post-Gazette. The questions should not even need to be asked. The insights and details should have been posted to the web all along. Agendas, minutes, attendance at meetings, presentations, facts, figures, costs, projections, historical graduation rates, numbers of certified teachers, costs of additional faculty education, timelines for training, space figures at schools, busing costs, new renovation costs, re-sale projections, etc., etc., etc.

I'm sure most of this has been thought of by someone. Well, I'm not sure, but I give them the benefit of the doubt.

I want to see it. And, I want everyone to see everything.

We don't know how many kids went to classes at the ALAs (Accelerated Learning Academy) as the school year started two to three weeks before the other schools. What was the August 1st attendance in 2008 and 2007? Now we hear the school year at the ALAs is going to shorten. Why? How successful has it been so far?

I don't need to know WHO was in class. I need to know how many were there, how many were to be there, and for teachers too. And, reports as to the effectiveness of these extra school days, by date, needs to be a measure that is revealed.

These few examples are only the tip of the iceberg.

How much is paid each year to Microsoft for software licenses? How much is going to be paid for proprietary licenses with the Science and Technology Jr./Sr. High? How much will be saved by using OpenOffice.org and Linux?

Who was on the High School Reform Task Force? Where was that group's work product. All of that went out the window by they way when the asbestos excuse was found at Schenley. A group had meetings for nearly two years and nothing of those meetings was able to be release nor implemented.

What about the budget for the Pittsburgh Promise?

I'm not asking for new audits. I'm asking for an open process. And, the way that is done in our modern time is with the internet. It goes deeper than a few PowerPoint slides as well.

Some months ago I spoke to this same theme with the school board when I heard that the PARENT DASHBOARD system was being scratched. This had been a valuable tool for some parents with some teachers for some kids as they could see homework assignments and class attendence -- nearly real time. But, the district pulled the plug on that window into the schools. (Go figure.)

Rather, a new, beefy, whiz bang system, developed in-house, was being rolled out. It would be able to grade tests and measure classroom, school, grade and district results -- more than just an individual score. It was in beta testing and was fast as lightening -- and those on the school board were prohibited from seeing it. They were to authorize it, but they were not able to evaluate it.

The elected school board members were kept in the dark. And, by-and-large, they were okay with that. It is worse than being a back-seat driver -- as they were being stuffed in the trunk. Meanwhile, the citizens are not even in the car. We're getting out of the way, happy it doesn't mow down our kids as they walk to and from school.

I don't want to hear, ever again, about the data that the district sees that is hidden from what anyone anywhere else can see.

Healthcare Reform update from Molly Rush

PUSH is planning a statewide conference in Pittsburgh in March, 2009. You’re invited to be on the planning committee to work on site planning, the agenda, speakers, outreach, media, fund-raising, etc. We need you!

Contact Dr. Scott Tyson TysMar@aol.com;

Bob Mason bmasona@gmail.com or molly.rush@verizon.net.

PUSH MEETS ON THE SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 6:15 P.M. AT THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, MOREWOOD & ELLSWORTH, SHADYSIDE. PLEASE ATTEND.

The next meeting is on Monday, January 12th.

Start the 2009-2010 School Year AFTER Labor Day

The Pure Reform Blog has been busy in recent weeks with talk about Pittsburgh Public Schools. That's nice. Check it out.

I posted this there, just now.

No school should be scheduled to start until after Labor Day. PERIOD.

In August, it is just too hot.
In August, we've got family time and vacation time.
In August, we've got summer jobs.
In August, we've got an economy to run.

Bring the teachers back, if you must, before Labor Day. But keep the kids out of school.

Furthermore, the numbers of those who did attend school in August have always been kept as a 'secret.' There wasn't any learning going on as the classrooms were way to vacant to begin to address new topics with the kids. The kids didn't show up.

And, the district didn't report the numbers of those that did and didn't show up anyway.

The idea of August school failed, like I knew it would.

201 Million Students to study Open Source Technologies in schools

A breakthrough in curriculum change for 201 Million students and adoption of Open Source Technologies in schools has occured in Indonesia. Ministry of Research (RISTEK) has adopted MySQL and OpenOffice.org as the recommended open source software for database and for document processing.

I wish the new Pittsburgh Public School devoted to Science and Technology would make the same statements.

If you are not sure what OpenOffice.org is all about, check out these recent trade articles that stack up OpenOffice against what Microsoft has.

---

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24734388-39525,00.html

OpenOffice is an open-source software outfit responsible for a bundle of productivity software that competes with the Seattle company's great cash cow, Microsoft Office. It does almost everything MS Office does but, unlike the Microsoft product, it's free.

---

InformationWeek: Review: Open-Source Office Suites Compared

Bit by bit, the Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) monopoly on office productivity applications is receding -- and one of the most important ways this is happening is through the proliferation of open source productivity suites. The most obvious example is OpenOffice.org, now in a landmark third release...

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Datamation: The Future Facelift of OpenOffice.org

"The mission statement: Create a User Interface so that OpenOffice.org becomes the users' choice not only out of need, but also out of desire." With these words, the Renaissance project was launched last week with the goal of giving the popular free office suite a face lift.

---

tbusiness.ca: OpenOffice upgrade gives free office suite wealth of new features

OpenOffice.org is a powerful productivity suite--including tools for word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows and more--with one major additional feature: it's free.

---

Macworld: Review: OpenOffice.org 3

OpenOffice.org is a powerful productivity suite–including tools for word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows and more—with one major additional feature: it’s free.

---

CRN : The 10 Coolest Open Source Products Of 2008

The popular -- and free -- open source productivity suite hit its milestone 3.0 version in 2008, making it more clear than ever that its functionality and compatibility with Microsoft Office (including OpenOffice Impress, which is PowerPoint compatible) make it a force to be reckoned...

Did city look the other way?

This stinks.

Did city look the other way?: "Those owners, Peter Karlovich and Steven Herforth, hold political fundraisers at their Mount Washington home, including one for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in May 2007. When the Bureau of Building Inspection threatened to close the club, they appealed to Council President Doug Shields, and then to the mayor's Chief of Staff Yarone Zober, who connected them with city lawyers.

After talks with the club, the city lawyers told building inspectors to let it stay open pending discussions that never occurred."

Scrutiny comes because a guy died, not because you live in a big house.

The Pathetic State of the Pittsburgh Public School District

Policy Brief
An electronic publication of
The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

January 6, 2009 Volume 9, Number 1

Problems for the Pittsburgh Public School District continue to mount. For the current school year enrollment is 26,649, declining more than 1,600 students from the previous year. Moreover, the District recently issued a forecast indicating that its high school enrollment would drop from just over 8,000 to about 6,000 by 2014, a further decline of 25 percent. Compounding the District’s problems is a report of higher than normal absenteeism among its faculty.

Instead of instituting meaningful reforms that have a chance of turning the Pittsburgh Public Schools around, the District plans to launch a recruitment campaign for younger students. The District apparently believes parents of young children can be impressed with what Pittsburgh Schools have to offer and believe a recruitment campaign targeting the parents of children in kindergarten and pre-school will be the remedy. The problem might be that these parents are all too aware of what the District has to offer—poor academic performance.

The president of the school board is confident the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program will help reverse the sliding enrollment figures. To help spread the word of the Promise, the District has sent out mailers to families whose children do not attend Pittsburgh Public Schools touting the benefits of the program. As we wrote in an earlier Policy Brief (Vol., 8, No.69), the Promise, now two years old and having issued its first scholarships, has yet to deliver on the assertions it would reverse the enrollment trend or lead to improved academic performance. In fact, since the program was launched in late 2006, enrollment has dropped by more than 4,000 students.

Furthermore, as we pointed out, the Promise has also not raised academic achievement among its students. Latest scores on the state achievement test revealed that only 53 percent of 11th grade students scored at the proficient level on state reading levels and only 44 percent scored at grade level in math. At many of the District’s high schools the fraction of 11th grade students reaching proficiency struggles to reach 20 percent—hardly the material the District will put on recruitment posters, but certainly information that will scare off parents of prospective students.

The District claims it is losing students to charter schools and to suburban districts. To combat this problem, they will also work on making the schools more customer friendly by sending clerical employees to customer-service training seminars and creating a welcoming environment for visitors in District buildings. They haven’t released a cost projection for these projects, but this is an unnecessary expense for the cash-strapped District. It’s very doubtful that many parents of school-aged children would be willing to look past poor academic performance to improved customer service as a reason to enroll their children in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The District is concerned that the drop in enrollment will cause overstaffing as a falling student count will leave them with excess teachers. That is a problem because getting rid of teachers even with declining enrollment is very difficult. And the state will not reduce its funding just because enrollment is down. That policy epitomizes all that is wrong with government financed and managed education.

Adding to the public relations woes of the District is a recent report showing that 6.5 percent of teachers call in sick on Fridays. By contrast, the national average call out sick rate for Fridays was only 2.3 percent in 2007 making Pittsburgh Public School teachers nearly three times as likely to call in sick as the national rate. Worse still, the absenteeism report revealed the highest rate to be on a Tuesday after a Monday night Steelers’ game. State and local taxpayers are shelling out $5 million for the abuse of sick leave policy. What kind of example are these teachers setting for their students?

To compound the negative image the call out rate creates, the union defends the heavy absenteeism by noting the teachers don’t get vacation days. This defense qualifies for the award as the most pathetic rationale ever dreamed up. Teachers work 190 days a year compared to the 240 or more that most people put in. Moreover, they are eligible for twelve sick days and two personal days during the year. Sick days not taken accumulate and are paid out in a lump sum at retirement. Teachers do not work most holidays when school is not in session. Then of course they are off much of June, July and most of August. And they get pay and fringe benefits as if they were full time, 250 day-a-year workers.

This absenteeism behavior and the defense offered for it, along with the right to strike, the work rules and the virtual impossibility of firing a teacher for inadequate performance combine to create a workplace disaster from a management and taxpayer point of view.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s school board is equally complicit in the dysfunctional situation. One school board member offered the excuse that some teachers might be “burned out” or “frustrated” or alternatively the absentee problem could reflect an administration problem. Board member excuses for excessive teacher absenteeism reflects a District that is probably beyond repair let alone improvement—all this for a mere $20,000 in annual expenditures per student.

Dramatically falling enrollment and chronic high teacher absenteeism are just two of the hallmarks of a district in dire straits. Parents who care about their children’s education can see very clearly what the true picture is and they will want better for their children. Taxpayers should demand better returns for their expenditures. The problem is that the situation in Pittsburgh schools has been bad for so long that the Board and the teachers are not even embarrassed by these latest revelations and others regarding poor test scores.

On the other hand, Mayoral and Council candidates who are serious about changes that will slow the outflow of people and tax base from the City should address the awful condition of the school district. The people of Pittsburgh deserve better.

Frank Gamrat, Ph.D., Sr. Research Assoc. Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President

Please visit our blog at http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

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My reactions are pending. Much to do today.