AI name reader malfunctions during college graduation
AI integration is increasingly permeating daily life — and now, it’s even affecting graduation ceremonies. Most recently, an AI-powered system malfunctioned during commencement at Glendale Community College in Arizona, incorrectly announcing some names and skipping others altogether, People reported. President Tiffany Hernandez told the crowd about the “new AI system”...
Western Pa. Catholic universities react to Pope Leo XIV AI encyclical
Catholic universities across Western Pennsylvania are examining the future of artificial intelligence, guided by the newly released words of Pope Leo XIV. “Magnifica Humanitas,” a 42,300-word papal encyclical issued Monday, outlines how AI must be freed from monopolistic control and no longer leveraged for geopolitical or commercial gains. At the...
Parents make last push against Pittsburgh Public Schools plan to close 9 buildings
The majority of public speakers Tuesday urged the board members of Pittsburgh Public Schools to vote against a proposal that would close nine school buildings and realign many others, saying it would cause disruption for students. They also questioned how, exactly, it would be implemented and stressed that many community...
Hempfield Area School Board approves $118.7M proposed final budget with maximum allowable tax hikeVideo
Hempfield Area homeowners could see their property tax bills increase by about $90 if the school board approves its 2026-27 budget plan next month. The board voted 8-0 Tuesday to approve a $118.7 million proposed final budget with a nearly 4-mill property tax increase — the maximum allowable. Board member...
Swarthmore College will be tuition-free for families earning under $200,000
Swarthmore College will make tuition free for families who earn under $200,000 annually, the school announced Tuesday. The highly selective small college already is one of a small number nationwide that are “need blind” for U.S. students, meaning the school does not consider students’ finances in the admissions process and...
The rural strategy: Pittsburgh colleges try harder to enroll, retain small-town students
Logan Johnson did not want a traditional, campus setting in a college. “I wanted to do some sort of city, as far as college,” said Johnson, 22, of Warren, a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania. “I’ve always been attracted to urban life. Lots going on, things to do, shows to...
Pittsburgh Public Schools to hear community input on proposed closures
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday on a controversial plan that would close nine Pittsburgh Public Schools buildings and reconfigure many others. The plan calls for closing seven school buildings — the Student Achievement Center, Friendship PreK-5 (Montessori), Schiller 6-8, Manchester PreK-8, Fulton PreK-5, Miller PreK-5 and...
America’s schools face a backlash on digital devices as screens saturate classrooms
Just a few years ago, America’s public schools were rushing to get every child a laptop. Los Angeles middle school teacher Anna Soffer remembers it well: “The idea was that technology is the future, so we need to put tech in every child’s hands.” Now, the conversation has flipped. After...
‘So deserving’: Hempfield Area High School teacher named finalist for statewide educator awardVideo
Susan Barbe-Stas, a Hempfield Area High School teacher up for a statewide educator award, was inspired by her kindergarten teacher to pursue her career of 30 years. “She made every single child in that room feel like they mattered just because they existed,” Barbe-Stas said of her former Greensburg Salem...
3.5% tax increase pitched for Keystone Oaks property owners
Property owners in the Keystone Oaks School District could see a 3.5% increase to their property taxes for next school year. The district’s proposed budget totals about $55.2 million. It increases the millage rate to 22.7122 mills, which is a .5680-mill increase. Keystone Oaks serves students in Green Tree, Dormont...
School cellphone ban can’t be OK’d fast enough for ‘fed up’ parents and teachers
Introduced in October, Senate Bill 1014 awaits House approval for its statewide “bell-to-bell” ban on cell phones during school hours. For concerned parents and teachers, action can’t come soon enough. Public support for the bill is widespread and growing, with 74% of U.S. adults backing a ban on cellphones in...
Woodland Hills district begins formal hearing against suspended superintendentVideo
Two Woodland Hills School District administrators testified Thursday their professional opinions were undervalued or undermined while working for Superintendent Joe Maluchnik, during a hearing investigating if he should be fired for cause. A statement of charges, read by attorney Allison Genard who represented Woodland Hills, alleges Maluchnik engaged in gender-based...
Pittsburgh Public Schools board to vote on school closure and realignment plan next week
Board members of the Pittsburgh Public Schools will again consider a controversial plan that would close nine school buildings and reconfigure many others. The board is expected to vote on the Future-Ready Facilities Plan at a 6:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday. If...
Quaker Valley School District officials approve 2026-27 budget
Quaker Valley School District property owners will pay about 3.5% more in real estate taxes as part of the next school year’s budget. No cuts to programs or services are included in the 2026-27 spending plan, which was approved by school directors in a 6-0 vote on May 20. Board...
Jeff Hadley named Hampton schools superintendent
Avonworth Superintendent Jeff Hadley will take on the same position at the Hampton Township School District. The Hampton School Board this week appointed Hadley as its next superintendent. Hadley succeeds Michael Loughead, who retires at the end of June after a decade in the position. Salary information was not immediately...
IUP increases room capacity as student demand for on-campus housing spikes
So many students are expected to live on the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s campus this fall that the state-owned college is turning some two-person suites into three-person suites, and four-person suites into six-person suites. “We’ve seen an increased demand in students wanting to live on campus — that includes staying...
Westmoreland County Community College named military friendly school
Westmoreland County Community College has been recognized as a Gold Award-winning military friendly institution by Viqtory, a small business that provides resources for veterans. The college is among nearly 900 schools nationwide to receive the military friendly designation in 2026-27. More than 3,200 schools and organizations applied for it, according...
Pa. joins lawsuit to block looming federal loan caps for some healthcare degreesVideo
Pennsylvania is one of 25 states suing to block limits on federal loans for students pursuing certain advanced degrees in healthcare. President Donald Trump’s July megabill capped annual loans at $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students. Total limits were set at $100,000 and $200,000, respectively. The exact...
Pittsburgh-area school districts say inclusion in national network will boost education, innovation efforts
East Allegheny Superintendent Joe DiLucente says public education isn’t what it once was. With the growth of online or alternative schooling options, schools must make themselves attractive to support and engage students in the public school system, said DiLucente, superintendent at East Allegheny, which serves North Versailles, East McKeesport, Wilmerding...
Teachers look to revive the student band scene at Shaler Area High SchoolVideo
Jim McDermott remembers when Shaler Area High School students didn’t just listen to music. They made it. “Shaler had a long tradition for decades of having many, many rock bands at any given time,” said McDermott, 42, a 2002 Shaler Area graduate who has taught ninth grade American history there...
State Police Academy to count as credits for Slippery Rock criminology, criminal justice students
Although a college degree is not required to become a state police trooper, a new collaborative effort between Slippery Rock University and the state police aims to raise the bar for those interested in a future career in law enforcement. The partnership will allow criminology and criminal justice SRU students...
Proposed Chartiers Valley budget holds the line on taxes
Chartiers Valley school administrators have proposed a budget for next school year with no tax increase. The proposal maintains a 20.1909 millage rate. A property owner with a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $2,019 annually. The proposed budget totals $81 million, roughly $2.02 million more than last year, said...
Baldwin-Whitehall School District budget would raise taxes 4.7%
Baldwin-Whitehall School District’s proposed budget for the next school year would raise property taxes 4.7%. The proposal, which totals about $100.7 million, calls to increase the district’s millage rate from 25 mills to 26.175 mills, said Mark Cherpak, director of finance and operations. A property owner with a home assessed...
Veteran Brentwood teachers — former students themselves — prepare for new school transition
Mindy Golvash jokes she’s the first of many Golvash teachers that Brentwood students will have as they advance through the district. Golvash is a third grade teacher at Elroy Elementary School. Her husband, Dan, is a special education teacher at Brentwood High School. Her sister-in-law, Lynne, is an eighth grade...
Plum to launch program designed to teach students about disabilities
Plum School District will join a state program designed to teach students about the contributions of people with disabilities. Plum is one of 10 institutions statewide — and the only public school district in Southwestern Pennsylvania — to take part in the Disability Inclusive Curriculum pilot program. The program aims...
