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Nov 24, 2009 12:38 am US/Eastern
Community Speaks Out On Potential School Closures
OAKLAND (KDKA) ―
Two Pittsburgh Public School Board members called their own meeting in protest of a plan to close 15 buildings.
A consulting firm recommended the district close the schools to save money, but parents argue it unfairly targets lower-income children.
"The issue of school closings is a very important issue and I believe that it has been mishandled in the last few years by our superintendant – I think it's important we appoint a Blue Ribbon panel to look at these school closings," board member Randall Taylor said. "It costs the taxpayers a lot of money when we get it wrong."
He and board member Mark Brentley organized the meeting.
Nine public schools are on the list, including Oliver High School on the North Side and Peabody High School in East Liberty.
Even parents of students attending other schools are concerned about the impact.
"You just want to know where your kids are going to school," Tara Marks said. "I want to be able to plan for my child's education. If I'm more worried about what building he's going to be in or if it's in an adequate building or a better-established building - it's just a concern I don't think I should have to have as a parent."
Parents and members of the community met at Schenley High School to air out their concerns.
"The closing of buildings needs to be done in an extremely careful, equitable, fair fashion so that the impact is shared," Tim Stevens, a community activist, said.
The parents want the "Blue Ribbon" committee to be involved in the process of which schools should be closed.
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