So Pittsburgh Public Schools has rolled out a plan to close schools (“Firm suggests closing 16 Pittsburgh Public schools, opening 2 new ones,” Aug. 14, TribLive). This is something that should have happened years ago. However, it will impact some of the lowest hourly employees first, from cafeteria workers and secretaries to paraprofessionals. At no time did this study mention cuts to central office administration, which continues to hire administrators at six-figure salaries.
If this plan comes to fruition, an already overstaffed and overpaid central office would also have to be impacted. Why wasn’t this in the plan? Why is it always the lowest-paid workers who are on the front lines every day and continue to make a difference in the schools who are affected?
Bottom line: Is PPS going to open their books to the city/county to do an independent audit to see where the money is going and has gone? They should have nothing to hide and, using their catch phrase, should be transparent to the students, staff and parents.
Eric Rosenthall
Bethel Park