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Remember when MR went to King and was disturbed by the condition of the bathroom? What will be the result of custodian layoffs if cleanliness was already a problem?
Administration for the teaching academy will still report to the buildings, because that is somehow cost effective to have 3 administrators in one building and a VP. Thank god the board will be saving all that money on custodians!
Dr. Lane failed to mention in the article referenced above, that Mark Campbell, once again, was able to make these cuts without any consideration being given to what these employees did. He did not even know the names/faces of many of the employess that he dismissed today. There was no planning or consulting in the cuts he made, he chose a name, and simply decided they were no longer needed. I don't know what Dr. Lane believes this man is capable of, other than utter destruction. She must be so proud. God bless our City schools now...tehnology has come to a screeching halt today. Thank you from the parents and City-tax paying citizens for a fine job Dr. Lane. Good luck Mr. Campbell.
I'm a little confused about you being one of the 147 laid off today.Are we talking custodial staff? Administrative? Clerical? Is this a result of the budget cuts proposed by Corbett? I don't think so, as PPS runs its annual budget the way you or I would. That is, unlike most districts that have a budget that runs commensurate with the school year, PPS runs along the lines of the calendar year. We're already hearing that the real cuts to teachers will come next year. Teachers will be cut and schools will be closed. I guess what I am saying is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Please note that all of the high hopes I had for Dr.Lane in the early stages of her take-over of the reins have faded in this regard. Administrative layoffs are nowhere near where they should be. Readers should understand that this district is STILL bloated with administrators who don't see kids as part of their job descriptions. As such--in these dire budgetary times--THIS is where the skeleton staff should be. I would have hoped that Dr.Lane understood that the needs of kids came first and that protecting the jobs of people essentially stealing their paychecks should be a thing of the past. Schools can't afford to lose teachers. Schools can't afford to lose administration Schools can't afford to lose clerical staff. Schools can't afford to lose more custodial staff. Schools can't afford to lose security and nurse staff. Dr.Lane, it is incumbent upon you to cut places like the Administration Building and Greenway to the bone. NOW! (And start with the PELA program)
Anonymous 4:33 is correct. I am a former employee of the Technology office led by Mr. Campbell.
Campbells actions today were typical of his leadership since joining PPS. Last night, he ordered all employees accounts disabled, without any consideration of the fact that critical work in the schools needed to be completed today.
Although I may be biased being one of the 147 eliminated today, I must agree with Anonymous 4:33. Mr. Campbell eliminated people whose knowledge was essential to the daily operation of the district opting to keep 3 employees who primary function is to switch backup tapes.
As a city resident, I will be curious to see how Pittsburgh Public Schools survives this. I used to speak very highly of the district, but I cannot see the district absorbing this loss easily.
kids had better learn how to go home everyday and complain to their parents about conditions in their buildings and parents had better stop accepting subsandard practices and equipment that does not work. somebody had better teach kids on the first day of school next year to handle everything in their buildings with kid-glove-care and devise the appropriate punishment for not doing so. and, it was from Campbell that I first heard the term "technology museums" applied.
I was a technology employee who stayed in the district primarily because of my desire to help children receive a better education. If my personal welfare was my primary concern, I would have taken many higher paying opportunities in my years of service here.
While I agree the administration was top heavy, and that many employees do not have the students interests at heart, I do not believe you can stereotype all 147 employees as wasteful.
Mistakes were made today. Perhaps that is unavoidable in a layoff situation, but perhaps you could concede that the district may have botched this a bit.
Tech professional, I think you know that you do not fit the profile of which I describe. Please note that in an era when literally everything runs via the computer, Mr.Campbell's lack of foresight is shocking. I would have to believe that the Tech Department does not have any of the 'sacred cows' that one can find on Bellefield Avenue, at Greenway and various other board locations where "employees" can do nothing except read the paper, go to lunch and come back and read a novel or play online. Terminating tech professionals is yet another message to the public: we have a great many people here who earn fabulous salaries and do nothing. Rather than showing them the door in attempting to act in a prudent manner, we would rather protect them by way of the termination of people whom we can paint as 'non essential' .
I'm truly sorry to hear of your termination and please know I would not lump you in with Bellefield bloodsuckers, in any way.
The meeting was hard to watch. Praise for how hard this must be for the people that were fired and sympathy and praise for the poor executives that had to fire them.
It was a gag-fest. Not ONE high level person was let go, look at the people sitting at the table. All accounted for!
"Though the job reductions outlined Wednesday will by and large not directly affect student support services, Ms. Lane said other likely cuts to come will have a more direct effect on students' education."
"Though the job reductions outlined Wednesday will by and large not directly affect student support services, Ms. Lane said other likely cuts to come will have a more direct effect on students' education."
I doubt the district will ever recover from the loss of the certain tech people today. Mr. Campbell is an idiot who did more damage today than anyone can imagine. Wait and see the house of cards come crashing down now. I feel horrible for the children of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Mr. Campbell is to blame and shame on the board for not questioning his actions.
I suspect that the district will make AYP this year. I suspect that this will be done via backroom deals and fudging of the numbers. And I suspect it will be done to validate what these idiots have done. Just watch.
"Some board members placed blame with the governor's mansion, federal cuts or with individuals they contend are bent on promoting vouchers and charter schools at the expense of public education. But Mark Brentley Sr., who cast the only vote against the entire job reduction plan, said the district also must accept blame for what he called ill-advised spending even as enrollment has declined."
Lane's comment that these cuts will not affect the students, is just confirmation that she was not aware of what the technology departments responsibilities were. She again, trust an employee that has been with the District for seven months. Technology was a golden ticket for the district. PPS was a benchmark for other Districts, nationwide. The millions and millions of dollars of equipment, services and support that will be lost due to no one being able to provide E-Rate funding is incomprehensible. The equipment that will not get ordered, installed or repaired, is appauling. Mark Campbell has jeopardized this for every school, every student, apparantly with the blessing of Linda Lane. So parents, be sure to thank him and Linda Lane. May I suggest the new slogan for PPS: "Excellence for None"
Indeed, when equipment goes down, PPS Tech was very quick to respond this year. And it constantly goes down. It is old and in need of replacement. Now, it's obvious that replacement will not be coming and that repair will be very, very slow. A world class school district? Yes, if we are talking 1965.
Dr.Lane is an incredible disappointment. She is merely staying the corporate course that her predecessor laid out.
Lane's inner circle of administrators should be the first to be streamlined. Her department supervisors--for which there are numerous people in charge and NOT involved in working with kids--should be next. PELAS should be cut immediately.
THe Board was told in April 2008 they would face a 55 million shortfall by spring 2011. THe Board chose not to cut, but to allow Roosevelt to spend. Do not allow them to blame the Governor.
I think some of the terminations yesterday were disturbing to say the least. So many fine people who worked hard were dismissed, while all of those broad folks who do nothing still have their jobs. People with 15, 20 and more years of experience, making less than some new hires with no experience were let go to save money. It is sickening. I agree with the poster who said it is a sinking ship. Dr. Lane managed to get rid of many smart, dedicated worker bees and retained worthless dead weight. Who is going to do the work of those who were let go? The broadies? Hardly.
Mr. Taylor, I agree with your idea of returning the raises (and didn't some top officials get BONUSES on TOP of their RAISES??)...but I propose that they go further and take a pay CUT! By 20-40% or more. The average salary in Pittsburgh is 42K. Some of these folks are making more than 140K! It is truly time to stop the madness!
All the exec directors need to take crash courses in computer repair so that my kid does not have to do without the basic technology needs in order to become Promise Ready.
I agree with oneparent-- maybe get a list of PELAS and BRPADIES-- and every teacher should contact THEM when it all goes down-- and dont forget lots of issues with new grade record keeping system PINNACLE that will now be shared with elementary- or just when the SERVER goes down-- call a PRLA!
Why in the world did the Board ok those raises knowing full well financial sacrifices were imminent? Those alone would have funded 2 computer employees.
Why were 18 cut from technology? It makes zero sense.
All the bloat is still there, not one Chief was let go. Why is Poncelt still there? There is no way this district will survive if all they do is pay eachother and get rid of people that are needed to make the district run smoothly and safely for the kids and teachers.
The Board is useless, they don't care, the only one who asks questions is Brentley, and they mock him. Nobody is held accountable. If I ever run into Collazzi I will give her my opinion of her rubberstamping.
Another thing that would help the district and help solve some of the districts financial and student population loss would be to require the teachers and administrators to reside in the city. It would increase the number of homeowners in the city and possibly gain the teachers children as student enrollment. You collect a check from Pittsburgh taxpayers you should live there and the communities would become better. Many teachers are great parents and people. Also teachers make up the largest group of PPS employees it's a no brained.
Why do people only bring up teacher residency in Pittsburgh? No suburbs have a residency requirement. Administrators all over the county do not have a residency requirement. Pittsburgh's good teachers are leaving. Bringing back a residency requirement will cause more good teachers to leave. Where one lives and where one works are not related.
One theory about why PPS security is not better is because they have to live in the same neighborhoods as the kids they have to arrest. So, they have to walk a fine line between living in the community and providing security in the schools.
Residency is the least of this district's worries at this time. They need to worry about BAD decision making. They need to worry about the number of administrators they have that are useless. They need to worry about bad curricula.
What about the teachers who live outside of the city and choose to send their kids to PPS schools? I know several. No one ever mentions that. What about the number of teachers who do live in the city and choose private schools because of all of this mess that is going on?
Let's try this...teachers - good job. Keep up the hard work and dedication. Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into our community and our schools every day. Thank you for the money you spend on our kids everyday. Thank you for spending more time and energy on other people's children than your own. Thank you.
"Why in the world did the Board ok those raises knowing full well financial sacrifices were imminent? Those alone would have funded 2 computer employees.
Why were 18 cut from technology? It makes zero sense.
All the bloat is still there, not one Chief was let go. Why is Poncelt still there?"
As a taxpayer I really want to know. I do not work for the district.
First off I am not knocking teachers by any means. I am not sure where you got that myth about security not living in the same neighborhoods they patrol/work I know several that do. I understand there are bigger problems and many inept overpaid administrators and consultants. The city of Pittsburgh police, firefighters, public works, etc...PPS custodial, police/security, clerical, etc... are required to live in the city. The city is big enough that teachers could be placed outside of the neighborhood of the school they work in. I believe it would help students and parents feel the teachers are part of the school community and the teachers would be. People and students aren't fleeing the suburbs they are fleeing the city for the suburbs. The suburbs that suffer declining enrollment such as Duquesne(defunct), Wilkinsburg(on it's way to defunct) etc...see the pattern this is a major problem. Lastly suburbs are not nearly the size of Pittsburgh and more homeownership=larger tax pool and better parenting are evident in suburbs. It would be in the best interest of PPS and the teachers job future. In these tough economic times you will find effective teachers and young up and comers willing to live in Pittsburgh. I reiterate this is not the major cause of the current financial state but it would help cure some of it. I am a staunch defender of teachers in placing more blame on parents so I am not anti-teacher this is just a belief I have if you benefit(earn a living) from the product(PPS/Pittsburgh taxpayers)you should use it. Teachers earn a nice living which in most cases is well deserved.
I don't think ANYONE should HAVE to live anywhere, except perhaps the superintendent. Why are clerical and support staff required to live in the city and no one else? I still don't understand why there isn't a law suit there.... Since they just terminated half of the technology staff and perhaps won't be looking for any more technology folks for awhile perhaps it doesn't matter, but the district had a tough time attracting the absolute best technology folks because of the residency requirement for support staff...and speaking of which, in all other PA districts 'support staff' means cafeteria workers and bus drivers, in PPS, 'support staff' often meant folks who were required to have a Master's Degree (at least) in their field to get the job. So a support person ("non-professional") could have more education and experience than a "professional" staff member, and still be required by the district to live in the city (among other disparities).
But that doesn't make any difference for this thread. It is time to get rid of the highly paid administrative staff that Roosevelt brought in, and get back to supporting our students, teachers and principals. Remember them, Bellefield?
I was out on vacation today b/c of how upsetting yesterday was, but I was told that during the meeting this morning everybody was told that supervisors were supposed to be the ones in the room when an employee was to be let go. I know for a fact that several people (one 12 years and the other over 20 years). In both cases, there were given notice by a person in HR that didn't even know who they were or what they actually did for the district. Both said they felt like they were treated like criminals. I was appalled to hear that they were treated with suck a lack of respect. It is pitiful that MARK CAMPBELL didn't do this in person. I also heard him several times on Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd tell people (who were talking to colleagues to try to deal with the traumatic situation that was occurring) to GET BACK TO WORK.
I have have been working in technology for a long time (over 20 years), and I have NEVER SEEN SUCH A LACK OF STRATEGIC PLANNING OR THOUGHT about how to methodically reorganize the technology department in a way that does not disrupt the mission critical services that the department provides to the entire district. While I admit that change needed to occur in all departments in the district, it is mind boggling that MR. CAMPBELL didn't stop to think the damage he would cause with the cuts he made. People that had all of the domain knowledge of certain systems, processes, or understanding certain areas of responsibility (without any documentation or knowledge sharing process. Back in January or February, everybody in the technology department was required to complete a form (provided by a consulting company) that asked questions like
-who they reported to
what their job description was
what responsibilities they had
what decisions they were able to make
and a few others that I don't remember. What I don't understand is if this sheet was used for the reductions in technology, HOW THE HELL CAN YOU DECIDE WHO TO LET GO AND WHO TO KEEP BASED ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
Another problem that the district has is they require that almost every purchase made is from a pre-printed vendor list. What this actually means is that PPS must pay what ever the vendor charges, even if there is a cheaper price on the market. An example is an ELMO (a device used in almost all classrooms). The price on the pre-printed list is almost double that on the open market.
You talk about the good teachers that may leave. How about the good teachers that may not even apply because they don't want to move from their current neighborhood? Also, there are teachers from other districts that live in the city. It seems to balance out if you look at all of the scenarios.
@anonymous 8:47pm I assume you are saying because Milwaukee requires teachers to reside in the city it is a mess? That is laughable. The PPS teachers are the only city of Pittsburgh public employees who are not required to live in the city limits outside about 100 administrators(who should be required to live in the city). How do you explain teachers living in the city would cause Pittsburgh to get worse? I can't wait to hear this. I lived in Pittsburgh all my life and was educated at PPS. I can tell you this the only nice neighborhoods(Brookline, Banksville, old carrick, etc...) for the most part outside of Squirrel Hill and Shady Side are places that city employees(police, firefighters, public works, etc...) reside.
The line we keep hearing from certain board members and members of the media is that the financial problems and layoffs are the result of Corbett's budget cuts. Is there any way to determine whether that is the case? If we compare the amount of cuts at PPS to the amount lost from the state and find that cuts at PPS do not exceed the amount lost from the state, would it be accurate to conclude that PPS cuts are entirely attributable to reductions in money received from the state?
Reading some of the posts and looking up the Milwaukee residency requirement as suggested by anon @ 8:47 today, I stumbled upon this study...
http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume19/Vol19no5.pdf
It addresses the exact things that the poster who advocates for a residency requirement speaks about. Page 1 has many of the same claims. Page 2 has how they have failed.
I will be honest and say I have not read the whole thing yet. Also, any study needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This particular study claims that the residency requirement actually causes there to be a higher teacher turn-over, a smaller group of a teacher pool to hire from, and less qualified, experienced teachers. So, it seems like if this information is accurate, there would be more damage to the district than financial help.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of so many dedicated employees. Putting something in place that would cause more harm than good (residency requirement) is not going to bring those people back or change the many million dollar deficit that the district is facing. An overhaul of central administration is the only thing that can begin to address this ridiculous mess that Mr. Roosevelt & Mr. Tarka have left this district with.
This is starting to feel like a payback of Gates Funding. (we still owe them, plus bailed on the teacher thing) Hire an idiot CIO, dismantle the department to the point of paralyzing it by firing just about every key person.
Guess who needs to come the the rescue, and who will profit and takeover As consultants with a provisonal contract? Microsoft? Is my tin foil hat on too tight or is anything belivable at this point?
To Anon 10:23pm... I'm not sure that any real thought was put into any of the lay offs that occurred yesterday ....but I do believe that your scenario is exactly what will happen next. I bet we see a huge contract with RAND within the next few months as well in an effort to clean up this mess.
To Anon 10:15pm... I do not believe than any Executive Directors or Ass't Sups were let go.
I am not blaming the teachers. They have very little support. The fact that ALL city employees are required to live in the city has not worked out well at all. Research Milwaukee. You stated you lived in Pittsburgh your entire life. I haven't, sometimes having lived in other areas allows a person to have a unique point of view by experience.
If you do some research you will see residency requirements for employees is less common since it is difficult to attract applicants. Can you imagine asking a local teacher/ employee to sell their home to accept a job in Pittsburgh? Plus add on the city tax and it isn't that attractive. It is hard to hire anyone in any department, unless they are entry level with those restraints.
"To Anon 10:23pm... I'm not sure that any real thought was put into any of the lay offs that occurred yesterday"
I can't wrap my brain around that. It doesn't make any sense. Dr. Lane should have had an idea of who was being let go and why. The board should have asked for reports on how this would effect the district and students. I know Brentley did. This is too many layers of incompetence to comprehend.
Does anyone know if departments were directed to eliminate xyz positions or if the CIO decided to be the "hero" and cut the most so he could place that "savings" on his resume for the next job? (check out his resume on Linkedin) This is not personal, I am a parent, I do not work for the district. I am sick of the constant shuffle and disruption and mostly the fact the cirriculumn (can't spell that word) has deteriorated and now technology is swirling down the drain.
Given the incompetence in PPS high places, it will always be the competent people at lower levels that will be let go (in droves), since their salaries are 1/4 or 1/5 of Assistant Superintendents, Chiefs, Directors, and Executive Directors.
Then Consultants will be hired to figure out how to solve all of the problems.
Meanwhile, the education for children spins down the drain, and those who CAN flee the district DO just that.
The headline reads: "Firm suggests city schools contain costs, reassess needs"
It is from a PG article by Carmen J. Lee from 6-3-03.
The article gives an overview of a presentation from a consulting company, Maher Duessel, and is weak on details ("contain costs in areas such as travel, cellular phone use and general administrative costs").
How is it that the distict pays a consultant $175,000 in 2003 dollars and does the opposite of its suggestions by growing the administration.
The last time I checked, I live in America. I can live where I want. I lived through the residency requirement once--enabled by a union chief who thought it was fine and dandy to have two codes for two different types of union members--all for a few dollars more for old veterans. Then I lived through the idea of a lottery system where I could live where I want and still play a large portion of city taxes--again, enabled by a union chief who threw a few crumbs to a growing number of disgruntled staff. Then I was around when the state dissolved this rule--thanks to Philadelphia's needs in attracting teachers and the need to relax the residency ruled--while watching a union chief take credit for having a hand in the repeal of the 'law' when he, himself, and the PFT did nothing. Nothing. We haven't had good union leadership in over 20 years, you see. Been there, done that. I'm tired of apologizing for being a teacher. I'm tired of being told I should do this....or live here. I've paid my dues, and people with such suggestions can kiss my....hand. This kind of rhetoric detracts from the situation at hand. Why not come up with real alternatives---like taxing Marcellus Shale drillers, like smokeless tobacco taxes, like taxing a "non-profit" mega billion monopoly like UPMC, like selling Schenley and Reizenstein??? I know why. Because teachers remain easy targets to some among the populace. To them, these are the days of wine and roses, as charlatans like Roosevelt, Rhee, Gates, Broad, Duncan, Bush and Obama blame teachers.
I have to agree with Tired of Baloney, we need to move away form the residency issue and get back to getting ready for August. Most churches have a group of old ladies who get together once a week to clean the church, maybe if we start now we can get a bunch of old ladies for each of our buildings and have them ready to go for fall. There will likely be some opposition to this on the basis of church and state issues but we can get around that somehow. As to our technology dilema, if kids can keep Xboxes operating why can't they fix their own computers? And if not, paper and pencil worked just fine for your ancestors. No answer on what to do about clerical staff needs.
Although, the church ladies clean their OWN church, a place that they themselves use. How often would they clean someone else's church, except in an unusual circumstance such as illness or catastrophe?
In Japan students do clean their own school buildings and (with supervision) prepare the meals offered at their schools. Could that work here, both to save money and to teach students to work in groups?
Instructional technology has gone down the crapper in the last 5 years-- principals have bought into Compass Learning etc as "using computers" PPS has always been 10 yers ahead, or now 10 years behind....talk to your suburban friends and relatives- we used to be leaders in instructing students in computer use necessary for their futures. This is no longer the case. We taught keyboarding in 4th grade-- now that happens in the suburbs not PPS. We taught research skills- now principals google and think that is the same. Our students were able to write, edit, make Powerpoints, use excel, in elementary school. Fix machines? No one bothers to teach K-1st how to log on- classroom teachers literally dont have time- testing priorities. We have slid woefully behind in the digital divide.
Maybe PPS will outsource tech jobs and custodial jobs to save money from pensions and health care?
Heck, they could even outsource teachers to save money. They do that at CAPA now for certain disciplines. They already "contract out" positions to retirees, etc. also.
Now if we only can "OUTsource" the bloated administration's inner circle.
To add insult to injury of all the layoffs of good employees, I found that at the same June legislative meeting allocated thousands of dollars to a variety of programs. Coro Center for Civic Leadership was hired as consultants to provide professional development for "Career Ladder Teachers" to the tune of 75K, and for "Academy at Westinghouse" for 130K. Money for Westinghouse pops up in other places as well. Thirty grand to Seven Springs Resort for a retreat scheduled to occur at the end of the month. Another consultant, Anita Ravi, 72K for "redesign of the academy". So they are effectively paying a consultant thousands of dollars this year to implement the plan at Westinghouse, while paying another consultant to redesign the model for next year. All for a program the will most likely go up in smoke in a matter on months. Again, hardworking people put out of work so that consultants can continue..
What I would like to see is a monthly accounting of what the district's central office administrators have done that month. It does not need to be a time-consuming paper-work nightmare. Within the PPS website have a page of what each of these high paying administrators are working on and then as it is completed their secretary can just write "Finished" next to it. As a tax paying citizen, I WANT to know what they are working on to justify the salaries that I am paying them. Like was mentioned earlier -- why are consultants being hired to do what should be our administrator's job? Or is their job simply to oversee all of these consultants?
Spend any amount of time reading board minutes and you'll come to understand that consultants and researchers have raped this district, with the support of board members. After all, they approved it. That said, I can't imagine any of this being good news for the average teacher. We rely on the tech department and in the past two years alone, their work--with outdated, inferior equipment--has been exemplary. We're trying to give our kids a modern education and we are going to take technology out of the equation?
It's sad that so many investigative departments in local media have overlooked or turned a blind eye to PPS over the past five years. Taxpayers too are being raped.
It's a sad time in PPS. It's going to get worse, and the bloodsuckers are going to keep their jobs.
Yes, a job description and monthly record of accomplishments would be great. And it would also help reveal instances where administrators were simply doing and redoing the same plans over and over again.
Questioner, take a look at every department in PPS. Let's start there. There's a supervisor and then 6, 7 or even more individuals NOT in the classroom. Then let's go to assistant superintendents. Why do we need so many? What do they really do? Why $141K? Why so many assistants underneath them?
This laundry list of PPS administration is out there. It'd be funny to think about how these people retain their jobs in tight times were it not for so many bona fide employees being fired.
Why is media NOT asking about these decisions? What is Mr.Campbell's background in all of this? Any relation to Bruce Campbell?
Apparently the district feels quite comfortable giving out lists of salaries. About six or seven years ago the school board allowed every teachers name along with their yearly earnings be published on the Internet. In some cases these salaries were misrepresented due to the addition of extra-curricular pay, summer school pay, night school pay, etc.
Funny enough, my students came to me and said "why are you here?...is that really all the more that you make per year.". I'm not complaining, I knew the deal when I accepted the job.
Hopefully there will still be a step 10 when it's my turn.
So, the point is "what's good for the goose is good for the gander. PUBLISH it
Until last month, Anita Ravi was a Social Studies Curriculum Officer in PPS. Ms Ravi moved to Florida with her family recently, vacating her position. Ms Ravi was awarded this "consultant" gig for 72k to work for 62 days from Florida on a "redesign of the Academy". Considering that several folks have been debating a residency requirement on this thread, I thought this would provide additional food for thought.
I am no math expert, but that works out to just short of $300,000 a year. A sweet "golden parachute" for one of Dr. Lippert's favorites...
Additionally, I would like readers to consider CORO's cosy relationship with the District, as they were recently awarded $205,000 for professional development work (obviously no one in PPS can provide satisfactory PD...). Look into the past of PELA folks, and you will invariably find a linkage to CORO, including the CORO alum who oversaw the PELA program last year, Ms Sullivan.
CORO, Broad, RAND, Gates, Mathematica... with high powered relationships / contracts with organizations like these, who needs motivated teachers / support professionals?
What a Joke? She came from the Institute of Learning.
Before that she interviewed for a social studies teaching position at Schenley and was not hired by Harold Bullward.
She had only two years of teaching experience in charter school before the Institute of Learning.
Our Social Studies Curriculums are horrible.
What waste of 72K, nice departing gift from the PPS.
This woman would not have lasted a day as a teacher in the PPS
What an insult.
It can take up to 6 weeks to get your computer fixed in the PPS. The new computers we got last year wear previously used. They got rid of all these technology people and we as a district are all switching to the Pinnacle system this fall, the @#%#$ is going to hit the fan.
don't forget Paula Bevin getting 42,000 for 15 days of work. That equals the amount of salaries for many of those laid off. But let's be fair. Who the hell cares about some little secretary that's been at the board for 20+ years. I feel as though I should quit my job and then contract my services. Then I can charge a cost/month equal to half my salary!
Oh and let's not forget that the top execs at PPS gave themselves large bonuses and large salary increases just days before they anounced that up to 50% of the central admin was going to be cut.
Parents trust there childs education and future in the hands of teacher. Teachers got a pretty nice gig retire at 50/55 years of age with medical benefits paid and are paid well. So the earlier belly aching is unwarranted. There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive. If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal. Now in no way am I blaming teachers for the districts dfinancial state that is a result of assistant superintendent/executive director/broad/consultant. I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place.
Do you have any idea when the last strike in Pittsburgh was? We've lived here more than 2 decades now and I don't recall a strike before my kids went to school and I know there hasn't been one in the last 15 years. (http://www.psea.org/general.aspx?ID=882)
The teachers I know work long hours, including time at home and on the weekends. Many of them, particularly if they haven't been here 10 years also teach after-school programs, Saturday programs, and summer school programs. Yes, they are paid for those, but it is more hours and more planning.
I have yet to understand why people would want to bring everyone down to a low level of pay with bad benefits? Is that any way to attract people who are smart and motivated enough to work elsewhere?
One teacher I know had a kid actually tell her, "Teachers don't make hardly any money! You're stupid to be so poorly paid!" At least I guess it wasn't your kid.
Here we have yet another parent/taxpayer whose ability to reason is overshadowed by obvious envy, hatred and ignorance. The resulting blather should be printed and posted on every teacher's wall for review any time he feels that he has an ally in the form of the public. First, we are treated to a commentary about retirement at "50/55". While few teachers are able to retire at either age, please forgive me for again not apologizing for being a teacher. Then we are treated to this pearl of wisdom:"There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive." I don't know of any teacher who ever felt that he or she had some sympathy among the citizenry. So what else is new? How will I sleep tonight? "Great benefit package"? As compared to what? In relationship to who? You? Again, I have no apologies for you.
Then this:"If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal." For what reason, just personal satisfaction?Vindictiveness? Spite? Perhaps you'll get the Steelers to live in town. Maybe all UPMC doctors over at Presby should live in Oakland? Let me guess--these are all people worthy of your respect, right?
Lastly, this:"I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place. "
Your viewpoints are evocative of the socialist point of view. It's almost scary. Then again, we see the same thoughts coming from republicans in charge of states like Pennsylvania, like Wisconsin, like Maine.
We've had it too good for too long, right? We work six hours a day. we have three months off for summer vacation. And in your book, we're about on the same level as the guy working the counter at Toot N Scoot.
Thanks friend. I usually have to go to the local bowling alley to get clear thinking like yours. I'd tell you to walk a mile in my shoes, but I'm sure it's hard enough getting off of that couch these days.
To the poster at 5:02, my kid is a city teacher. He lived in the city and moved out. Why not? My parents both struggled through the depression with nothing. My dad and his brothers all fought in WW2. We don't think--and I'm sure my kid doesn't feel--that we are better than anyone, no matter where we may live.
Who in the world do you think you are? Where in the world do you think you live?
@anon 5:14pm teachers are well taken care of and I have no problem with that. Summers off, low health insurance contributions, early retirement, etc...If a teacher is good they do put in many hours. I had some teachers at PPS they had no clue. I am not mad at teachers for doing well but in tough economic toughs everyone takes a hit. That student that made that comment must have had ineffective teachers or bad parents because teachers do well. Parents are more important than teachers for sure. If a kid has no parenting there isnt much hope for the teachers being effective with the kid. I don't remember the last time PPS teachers went on strike but teacher strikes should be banned because only the kids get hurt.
Anon at 5:34, this guy will be in his glory next year. After all, they're already talking about upwards of 200+ lazy, goodfornothin' teachers being fired and schools being closed. Then maybe they can get a real job, like working for WalMart.
Old timer 5:23 last I checked taxpayers arent paying the salaries of the steelers and upmc doctors. I never said teachers benefits and pay aren't well deserved I just said they should live in the city. I work for a bank and our benefit package and any other industry for that matter is not close to a teachers and we get to retire when we can afford health care. We are all college educated as well. I know most teachers are dedicated and effective. I didn't know expressing an opinion of thinking teachers would touch a nerve. Jeez! I guess you folks really think you are better than the average citizens living in the city of Pittsburgh. I am the mother of one PPS student and voluntarily live in Pittsburgh because it's a community I believe in. After these ignorant and conceded responses from more than likely teachers I am considering pulling my child from PPS or better yet what if we all fled the city then where would you work? Take a look at the real world and how difficult it is for other educated professional folks. I am not hating on you teachers for doing well. Administrators should live in the city also if it makes you feel better. Where do you think Mike Tomlin lives and his kids go to school as an earlier poster mentioned that's right in the city and PPS. Since you are to hood to reside amongst your students families I am shocked. I have a few friends working for PPS and they are required to live in the city and are fine with it.
I am an American, I am free to live where I choose. I am a teacher and guess what? I live in the City and my child is in the PPS. I believe people should live where they choose, and if your a teacher you see first hand the crap that goes on in the PPS. Hey Banker you can move if you want. Leave us alone, you could not believe the shit storm we have been in the last 5 years.
Like a previous poster wrote, who do you think you are? You write a predictable reply about the Steelers and UPMC, but your logic escapes me. How much money goes to the Steelers every year from the average Pittsburgher? How many millions do they make? Whether voluntary, involuntary or somewhere in between, do you mean they shouldn't at least have to live in the county? How much money do you pay in health insurance? Who is your carrier? If it's UPMC, well, it's coming out of your pay. This "non-profit" industry makes hundreds of billions each year? Why no logic being employed here? Are you simply alluding to the idea that yes, doctors are better than you so they should live wherever they like? But teachers---a group of people you apparently despise---by their very moving off to the suburbs feel they are better than you?? Is this a rational argument??? You know, PPS used the same logic in the early 1980's and the PFT capitulated. By the end of the 1980's, at least PPS had the courage to drop the "well, you'll better understand city students if you live here" line in favor of saying, "Well, we can use the money." Even they saw the stupidity of such logic? Other than allowing teachers to unfairly think they are better than city residents, just where does your logic come from??? In your wonderful bank position, you do not face the daily pressures that the average teacher does--from students and administration alike. You do not face the stress that any urban teacher faces (and this can be looked up via countless studies). I would hope that you do not face the intimidation tactics that come from a principal, district administration or local and state "political leaders."
Again, your envy unbalances your thinking. As stated by someone above, I don't think I am better than anyone...but I do think I am above the "logic" of this argument.
Anon at 6:08, it only got mean when some morons somehow interjected teacher residency in the discussion. I feel badly for those fired but why not keep to the topic---a great many cushy jobs at the board go untouched yet again.
Anon 7:13 there are no doubt to many cushy jobs and back door deals going on. I hope more jobs aren't lost because of misguided executive/consultant spending. I really do think declining enrollment is only going to snow ball so I don't think teachers jobs are safe. I think there is a hidden agenda. Some folks are really sensitive to say the least I don't think any teacher bashing was going on just an opinion for residency in Pittsburgh. P.S I hope your not a teacher telling a taxpaying citizen to move out of the city of Pittsburgh we need all the residents and children we can get. I happen to be a city resident and I really love living in Pittsbugh but that's my choice but I am not paid by the taxpayers. We have a shrinking tax base and the slime ball Republicans don't care about the poorer districts.
91 comments:
Remember when MR went to King and was disturbed by the condition of the bathroom? What will be the result of custodian layoffs if cleanliness was already a problem?
As one of the 147 eliminated today, I feel I may be getting off a sinking ship. The skeleton staff remaining will face great challenges ahead.
People are being let go prior to the vote?
I am sorry you lost your job, hopefully your next one will be less hectic.
Anonymous 3:18 would you mind sharing the name of your department?
And does anyone know how the admin of the teacher's academy will be distributed?
Administration for the teaching academy will still report to the buildings, because that is somehow cost effective to have 3 administrators in one building and a VP. Thank god the board will be saving all that money on custodians!
Dr. Lane failed to mention in the article referenced above, that Mark Campbell, once again, was able to make these cuts without any consideration being given to what these employees did. He did not even know the names/faces of many of the employess that he dismissed today. There was no planning or consulting in the cuts he made, he chose a name, and simply decided they were no longer needed. I don't know what Dr. Lane believes this man is capable of, other than utter destruction. She must be so proud. God bless our City schools now...tehnology has come to a screeching halt today. Thank you from the parents and City-tax paying citizens for a fine job Dr. Lane. Good luck Mr. Campbell.
I'm a little confused about you being one of the 147 laid off today.Are we talking custodial staff? Administrative? Clerical? Is this a result of the budget cuts proposed by Corbett? I don't think so, as PPS runs its annual budget the way you or I would. That is, unlike most districts that have a budget that runs commensurate with the school year, PPS runs along the lines of the calendar year.
We're already hearing that the real cuts to teachers will come next year. Teachers will be cut and schools will be closed.
I guess what I am saying is that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Please note that all of the high hopes I had for Dr.Lane in the early stages of her take-over of the reins have faded in this regard.
Administrative layoffs are nowhere near where they should be.
Readers should understand that this district is STILL bloated with administrators who don't see kids as part of their job descriptions. As such--in these dire budgetary times--THIS is where the skeleton staff should be.
I would have hoped that Dr.Lane understood that the needs of kids came first and that protecting the jobs of people essentially stealing their paychecks should be a thing of the past.
Schools can't afford to lose teachers.
Schools can't afford to lose administration
Schools can't afford to lose clerical staff.
Schools can't afford to lose more custodial staff.
Schools can't afford to lose security and nurse staff.
Dr.Lane, it is incumbent upon you to cut places like the Administration Building and Greenway to the bone. NOW! (And start with the PELA program)
Questioner, can you find my post of 15 minutes ago? Thanks.
This is Anonymous 3:18,
Anonymous 4:33 is correct. I am a former employee of the Technology office led by Mr. Campbell.
Campbells actions today were typical of his leadership since joining PPS. Last night, he ordered all employees accounts disabled, without any consideration of the fact that critical work in the schools needed to be completed today.
Although I may be biased being one of the 147 eliminated today, I must agree with Anonymous 4:33. Mr. Campbell eliminated people whose knowledge was essential to the daily operation of the district opting to keep 3 employees who primary function is to switch backup tapes.
As a city resident, I will be curious to see how Pittsburgh Public Schools survives this. I used to speak very highly of the district, but I cannot see the district absorbing this loss easily.
kids had better learn how to go home everyday and complain to their parents about conditions in their buildings and parents had better stop accepting subsandard practices and equipment that does not work. somebody had better teach kids on the first day of school next year to handle everything in their buildings with kid-glove-care and devise the appropriate punishment for not doing so. and, it was from Campbell that I first heard the term "technology museums" applied.
Old Timer,
I was a technology employee who stayed in the district primarily because of my desire to help children receive a better education. If my personal welfare was my primary concern, I would have taken many higher paying opportunities in my years of service here.
While I agree the administration was top heavy, and that many employees do not have the students interests at heart, I do not believe you can stereotype all 147 employees as wasteful.
Mistakes were made today. Perhaps that is unavoidable in a layoff situation, but perhaps you could concede that the district may have botched this a bit.
-Anonymous 3:18
Watching this online, it is pathetic.
Tech professional, I think you know that you do not fit the profile of which I describe. Please note that in an era when literally everything runs via the computer, Mr.Campbell's lack of foresight is shocking. I would have to believe that the Tech Department does not have any of the 'sacred cows' that one can find on Bellefield Avenue, at Greenway and various other board locations where "employees" can do nothing except read the paper, go to lunch and come back and read a novel or play online.
Terminating tech professionals is yet another message to the public: we have a great many people here who earn fabulous salaries and do nothing. Rather than showing them the door in attempting to act in a prudent manner, we would rather protect them by way of the termination of people whom we can paint as 'non essential' .
I'm truly sorry to hear of your termination and please know I would not lump you in with Bellefield bloodsuckers, in any way.
This is just the beginning.
please keep posting- some cant get this in real time
Simply hiring qualified/decent tech employees may be an obstacle due to residency requirements. This is a mess.
The meeting was hard to watch. Praise for how hard this must be for the people that were fired and sympathy and praise for the poor executives that had to fire them.
It was a gag-fest. Not ONE high level person was let go, look at the people sitting at the table. All accounted for!
PG article stating that 217 jobs will be lost, including the 147 layoffs:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11173/1155587-100.stm
"Though the job reductions outlined Wednesday will by and large not directly affect student support services, Ms. Lane said other likely cuts to come will have a more direct effect on students' education."
What's the source for this horse$#!+?
The PG wrote:
"Though the job reductions outlined Wednesday will by and large not directly affect student support services, Ms. Lane said other likely cuts to come will have a more direct effect on students' education."
I guess those people laid off didn't do anything.
I doubt the district will ever recover from the loss of the certain tech people today. Mr. Campbell is an idiot who did more damage today than anyone can imagine. Wait and see the house of cards come crashing down now. I feel horrible for the children of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Mr. Campbell is to blame and shame on the board for not questioning his actions.
A shame that nobody sees the connection. To empower a teacher make sure he has all the supports to do the job well, tech is one such support.
I suspect that the district will make AYP this year. I suspect that this will be done via backroom deals and fudging of the numbers.
And I suspect it will be done to validate what these idiots have done.
Just watch.
Updated PG article:
"Some board members placed blame with the governor's mansion, federal cuts or with individuals they contend are bent on promoting vouchers and charter schools at the expense of public education. But Mark Brentley Sr., who cast the only vote against the entire job reduction plan, said the district also must accept blame for what he called ill-advised spending even as enrollment has declined."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11174/1155691-53-2.stm#ixzz1Q6OJ8bar
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11174/1155691-53.stm
Updated Tribune article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_743354.html
Here is the cut list
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5HniEIW8t3zMDVlODExMmYtYjdjYS00N2EzLWI4NzctNmRlZGJhYzBiZDE4&hl=en_US
hmm... Since Peabody is closing, shouldn't there a lot more names from Peabody on this list?
Lane's comment that these cuts will not affect the students, is just confirmation that she was not aware of what the technology departments responsibilities were. She again, trust an employee that has been with the District for seven months.
Technology was a golden ticket for the district. PPS was a benchmark for other Districts, nationwide. The millions and millions of dollars of equipment, services and support that will be lost due to no one being able to provide E-Rate funding is incomprehensible. The equipment that will not get ordered, installed or repaired, is appauling. Mark Campbell has jeopardized this for every school, every student, apparantly with the blessing of Linda Lane. So parents, be sure to thank him and Linda Lane. May I suggest the new slogan for PPS: "Excellence for None"
Indeed, when equipment goes down, PPS Tech was very quick to respond this year.
And it constantly goes down. It is old and in need of replacement.
Now, it's obvious that replacement will not be coming and that repair will be very, very slow.
A world class school district?
Yes, if we are talking 1965.
Dr.Lane is an incredible disappointment. She is merely staying the corporate course that her predecessor laid out.
Lane's inner circle of administrators should be the first to be streamlined. Her department supervisors--for which there are numerous people in charge and NOT involved in working with kids--should be next. PELAS should be cut immediately.
Dr.Lane--DO THE RIGHT THING
Is it true that many of the positions listed were not in the 2011 budget anyway?
Wow the tech department was eviscerated! That was a horrible desicion, especially considering the CIO is inept.
How many employees did Lippert and HR cut? Surprise, surprise all the broadies survived!
The raises given out in January to top staffers must be returned. It is only symbolism, but that MUST be done.
THe Board was told in April 2008 they would face a 55 million shortfall by spring 2011. THe Board chose not to cut, but to allow Roosevelt to spend. Do not allow them to blame the Governor.
I think some of the terminations yesterday were disturbing to say the least. So many fine people who worked hard were dismissed, while all of those broad folks who do nothing still have their jobs. People with 15, 20 and more years of experience, making less than some new hires with no experience were let go to save money. It is sickening. I agree with the poster who said it is a sinking ship. Dr. Lane managed to get rid of many smart, dedicated worker bees and retained worthless dead weight. Who is going to do the work of those who were let go? The broadies? Hardly.
Mr. Taylor, I agree with your idea of returning the raises (and didn't some top officials get BONUSES on TOP of their RAISES??)...but I propose that they go further and take a pay CUT! By 20-40% or more. The average salary in Pittsburgh is 42K. Some of these folks are making more than 140K! It is truly time to stop the madness!
All the exec directors need to take crash courses in computer repair so that my kid does not have to do without the basic technology needs in order to become Promise Ready.
I agree with oneparent-- maybe get a list of PELAS and BRPADIES-- and every teacher should contact THEM when it all goes down-- and dont forget lots of issues with new grade record keeping system PINNACLE that will now be shared with elementary- or just when the SERVER goes down-- call a PRLA!
Why in the world did the Board ok those raises knowing full well financial sacrifices were imminent? Those alone would have funded 2 computer employees.
Why were 18 cut from technology? It makes zero sense.
All the bloat is still there, not one Chief was let go. Why is Poncelt still there? There is no way this district will survive if all they do is pay eachother and get rid of people that are needed to make the district run smoothly and safely for the kids and teachers.
The Board is useless, they don't care, the only one who asks questions is Brentley, and they mock him. Nobody is held accountable. If I ever run into Collazzi I will give her my opinion of her rubberstamping.
Another thing that would help the district and help solve some of the districts financial and student population loss would be to require the teachers and administrators to reside in the city. It would increase the number of homeowners in the city and possibly gain the teachers children as student enrollment. You collect a check from Pittsburgh taxpayers you should live there and the communities would become better. Many teachers are great parents and people. Also teachers make up the largest group of PPS employees it's a no brained.
Why do people only bring up teacher residency in Pittsburgh? No suburbs have a residency requirement. Administrators all over the county do not have a residency requirement. Pittsburgh's good teachers are leaving. Bringing back a residency requirement will cause more good teachers to leave. Where one lives and where one works are not related.
One theory about why PPS security is not better is because they have to live in the same neighborhoods as the kids they have to arrest. So, they have to walk a fine line between living in the community and providing security in the schools.
Residency is the least of this district's worries at this time. They need to worry about BAD decision making. They need to worry about the number of administrators they have that are useless. They need to worry about bad curricula.
What about the teachers who live outside of the city and choose to send their kids to PPS schools? I know several. No one ever mentions that. What about the number of teachers who do live in the city and choose private schools because of all of this mess that is going on?
Let's try this...teachers - good job. Keep up the hard work and dedication. Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into our community and our schools every day. Thank you for the money you spend on our kids everyday. Thank you for spending more time and energy on other people's children than your own. Thank you.
Check out Milwaukee and you will see the failure of ALL public employees required to live in the city. It is a mess.
Yep, other than for perhaps the highest levels of administration, it's a nice enough idea on paper -- but makes thing worse in practice.
Sort of like a lot of this "reform." Sounds good when you talk about it in a nicely appointed conference room, doesn't fly in a real classroom.
Can anybody answer these questions?
"Why in the world did the Board ok those raises knowing full well financial sacrifices were imminent? Those alone would have funded 2 computer employees.
Why were 18 cut from technology? It makes zero sense.
All the bloat is still there, not one Chief was let go. Why is Poncelt still there?"
As a taxpayer I really want to know. I do not work for the district.
First off I am not knocking teachers by any means. I am not sure where you got that myth about security not living in the same neighborhoods they patrol/work I know several that do. I understand there are bigger problems and many inept overpaid administrators and consultants. The city of Pittsburgh police, firefighters, public works, etc...PPS custodial, police/security, clerical, etc... are required to live in the city. The city is big enough that teachers could be placed outside of the neighborhood of the school they work in. I believe it would help students and parents feel the teachers are part of the school community and the teachers would be. People and students aren't fleeing the suburbs they are fleeing the city for the suburbs. The suburbs that suffer declining enrollment such as Duquesne(defunct), Wilkinsburg(on it's way to defunct) etc...see the pattern this is a major problem. Lastly suburbs are not nearly the size of Pittsburgh and more homeownership=larger tax pool and better parenting are evident in suburbs. It would be in the best interest of PPS and the teachers job future. In these tough economic times you will find effective teachers and young up and comers willing to live in Pittsburgh. I reiterate this is not the major cause of the current financial state but it would help cure some of it. I am a staunch defender of teachers in placing more blame on parents so I am not anti-teacher this is just a belief I have if you benefit(earn a living) from the product(PPS/Pittsburgh taxpayers)you should use it. Teachers earn a nice living which in most cases is well deserved.
I don't think ANYONE should HAVE to live anywhere, except perhaps the superintendent. Why are clerical and support staff required to live in the city and no one else? I still don't understand why there isn't a law suit there.... Since they just terminated half of the technology staff and perhaps won't be looking for any more technology folks for awhile perhaps it doesn't matter, but the district had a tough time attracting the absolute best technology folks because of the residency requirement for support staff...and speaking of which, in all other PA districts 'support staff' means cafeteria workers and bus drivers, in PPS, 'support staff' often meant folks who were required to have a Master's Degree (at least) in their field to get the job. So a support person ("non-professional") could have more education and experience than a "professional" staff member, and still be required by the district to live in the city (among other disparities).
But that doesn't make any difference for this thread. It is time to get rid of the highly paid administrative staff that Roosevelt brought in, and get back to supporting our students, teachers and principals. Remember them, Bellefield?
I was out on vacation today b/c of how upsetting yesterday was, but I was told that during the meeting this morning everybody was told that supervisors were supposed to be the ones in the room when an employee was to be let go. I know for a fact that several people (one 12 years and the other over 20 years). In both cases, there were given notice by a person in HR that didn't even know who they were or what they actually did for the district. Both said they felt like they were treated like criminals. I was appalled to hear that they were treated with suck a lack of respect. It is pitiful that MARK CAMPBELL didn't do this in person. I also heard him several times on Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd tell people (who were talking to colleagues to try to deal with the traumatic situation that was occurring) to GET BACK TO WORK.
I have have been working in technology for a long time (over 20 years), and I have NEVER SEEN SUCH A LACK OF STRATEGIC PLANNING OR THOUGHT about how to methodically reorganize the technology department in a way that does not disrupt the mission critical services that the department provides to the entire district. While I admit that change needed to occur in all departments in the district, it is mind boggling that MR. CAMPBELL didn't stop to think the damage he would cause with the cuts he made. People that had all of the domain knowledge of certain systems, processes, or understanding certain areas of responsibility (without any documentation or knowledge sharing process. Back in January or February, everybody in the technology department was required to complete a form (provided by a consulting company) that asked questions like
-who they reported to
what their job description was
what responsibilities they had
what decisions they were able to make
and a few others that I don't remember. What I don't understand is if this sheet was used for the reductions in technology, HOW THE HELL CAN YOU DECIDE WHO TO LET GO AND WHO TO KEEP BASED ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
Another problem that the district has is they require that almost every purchase made is from a pre-printed vendor list. What this actually means is that PPS must pay what ever the vendor charges, even if there is a cheaper price on the market. An example is an ELMO (a device used in almost all classrooms). The price on the pre-printed list is almost double that on the open market.
Anyway that's good for now!
You talk about the good teachers that may leave. How about the good teachers that may not even apply because they don't want to move from their current neighborhood?
Also, there are teachers from other districts that live in the city. It seems to balance out if you look at all of the scenarios.
@anonymous 8:47pm I assume you are saying because Milwaukee requires teachers to reside in the city it is a mess? That is laughable. The PPS teachers are the only city of Pittsburgh public employees who are not required to live in the city limits outside about 100 administrators(who should be required to live in the city). How do you explain teachers living in the city would cause Pittsburgh to get worse? I can't wait to hear this. I lived in Pittsburgh all my life and was educated at PPS. I can tell you this the only nice neighborhoods(Brookline, Banksville, old carrick, etc...) for the most part outside of Squirrel Hill and Shady Side are places that city employees(police, firefighters, public works, etc...) reside.
How many Executive Directors/Assistant Superintendents were laid off?
The line we keep hearing from certain board members and members of the media is that the financial problems and layoffs are the result of Corbett's budget cuts. Is there any way to determine whether that is the case? If we compare the amount of cuts at PPS to the amount lost from the state and find that cuts at PPS do not exceed the amount lost from the state, would it be accurate to conclude that PPS cuts are entirely attributable to reductions in money received from the state?
Mike Tomlin lives in Pittsburgh and his kids go to PPS why because he believes in this great city.
Reading some of the posts and looking up the Milwaukee residency requirement as suggested by anon @ 8:47 today, I stumbled upon this study...
http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume19/Vol19no5.pdf
It addresses the exact things that the poster who advocates for a residency requirement speaks about. Page 1 has many of the same claims. Page 2 has how they have failed.
I will be honest and say I have not read the whole thing yet. Also, any study needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This particular study claims that the residency requirement actually causes there to be a higher teacher turn-over, a smaller group of a teacher pool to hire from, and less qualified, experienced teachers. So, it seems like if this information is accurate, there would be more damage to the district than financial help.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of so many dedicated employees. Putting something in place that would cause more harm than good (residency requirement) is not going to bring those people back or change the many million dollar deficit that the district is facing. An overhaul of central administration is the only thing that can begin to address this ridiculous mess that Mr. Roosevelt & Mr. Tarka have left this district with.
This is starting to feel like a payback of Gates Funding. (we still owe them, plus bailed on the teacher thing) Hire an idiot CIO, dismantle the department to the point of paralyzing it by firing just about every key person.
Guess who needs to come the the rescue, and who will profit and takeover As consultants with a provisonal contract? Microsoft? Is my tin foil hat on too tight or is anything belivable at this point?
To Anon 10:23pm... I'm not sure that any real thought was put into any of the lay offs that occurred yesterday ....but I do believe that your scenario is exactly what will happen next. I bet we see a huge contract with RAND within the next few months as well in an effort to clean up this mess.
To Anon 10:15pm... I do not believe than any Executive Directors or Ass't Sups were let go.
Anon June 23, 2011 10:06 PM
Regarding Milwaukee.
I am not blaming the teachers. They have very little support. The fact that ALL city employees are required to live in the city has not worked out well at all. Research Milwaukee. You stated you lived in Pittsburgh your entire life. I haven't, sometimes having lived in other areas allows a person to have a unique point of view by experience.
If you do some research you will see residency requirements for employees is less common since it is difficult to attract applicants. Can you imagine asking a local teacher/ employee to sell their home to accept a job in Pittsburgh? Plus add on the city tax and it isn't that attractive. It is hard to hire anyone in any department, unless they are entry level with those restraints.
"To Anon 10:23pm... I'm not sure that any real thought was put into any of the lay offs that occurred yesterday"
I can't wrap my brain around that. It doesn't make any sense. Dr. Lane should have had an idea of who was being let go and why. The board should have asked for reports on how this would effect the district and students. I know Brentley did. This is too many layers of incompetence to comprehend.
Does anyone know if departments were directed to eliminate xyz positions or if the CIO decided to be the "hero" and cut the most so he could place that "savings" on his resume for the next job? (check out his resume on
Linkedin) This is not personal, I am a parent, I do not work for the district. I am sick of the constant shuffle and disruption and mostly the fact the cirriculumn (can't spell that word) has deteriorated and now technology is swirling down the drain.
Given the incompetence in PPS high places, it will always be the competent people at lower levels that will be let go (in droves), since their salaries are 1/4 or 1/5 of Assistant Superintendents, Chiefs, Directors, and Executive Directors.
Then Consultants will be hired to figure out how to solve all of the problems.
Meanwhile, the education for children spins down the drain, and those who CAN flee the district DO just that.
The headline reads: "Firm suggests city schools contain costs, reassess needs"
It is from a PG article by Carmen J. Lee from 6-3-03.
The article gives an overview of a presentation from a consulting company, Maher Duessel, and is weak on details ("contain costs in areas such as travel, cellular phone use and general administrative costs").
How is it that the distict pays a consultant $175,000 in 2003 dollars and does the opposite of its suggestions by growing the administration.
The last time I checked, I live in America. I can live where I want. I lived through the residency requirement once--enabled by a union chief who thought it was fine and dandy to have two codes for two different types of union members--all for a few dollars more for old veterans. Then I lived through the idea of a lottery system where I could live where I want and still play a large portion of city taxes--again, enabled by a union chief who threw a few crumbs to a growing number of disgruntled staff. Then I was around when the state dissolved this rule--thanks to Philadelphia's needs in attracting teachers and the need to relax the residency ruled--while watching a union chief take credit for having a hand in the repeal of the 'law' when he, himself, and the PFT did nothing. Nothing. We haven't had good union leadership in over 20 years, you see.
Been there, done that.
I'm tired of apologizing for being a teacher.
I'm tired of being told I should do this....or live here.
I've paid my dues, and people with such suggestions can kiss my....hand.
This kind of rhetoric detracts from the situation at hand. Why not come up with real alternatives---like taxing Marcellus Shale drillers, like smokeless tobacco taxes, like taxing a "non-profit" mega billion monopoly like UPMC, like selling Schenley and Reizenstein???
I know why.
Because teachers remain easy targets to some among the populace.
To them, these are the days of wine and roses, as charlatans like Roosevelt, Rhee, Gates, Broad, Duncan, Bush and Obama blame teachers.
I have to agree with Tired of Baloney, we need to move away form the residency issue and get back to getting ready for August. Most churches have a group of old ladies who get together once a week to clean the church, maybe if we start now we can get a bunch of old ladies for each of our buildings and have them ready to go for fall. There will likely be some opposition to this on the basis of church and state issues but we can get around that somehow. As to our technology dilema, if kids can keep Xboxes operating why can't they fix their own computers? And if not, paper and pencil worked just fine for your ancestors. No answer on what to do about clerical staff needs.
Although, the church ladies clean their OWN church, a place that they themselves use. How often would they clean someone else's church, except in an unusual circumstance such as illness or catastrophe?
In Japan students do clean their own school buildings and (with supervision) prepare the meals offered at their schools. Could that work here, both to save money and to teach students to work in groups?
I think the executive directors, directors and chiefs should clean the schools. At least then they would be earning their insanely huge salaries.
Instructional technology has gone down the crapper in the last 5 years-- principals have bought into Compass Learning etc as "using computers" PPS has always been 10 yers ahead, or now 10 years behind....talk to your suburban friends and relatives- we used to be leaders in instructing students in computer use necessary for their futures. This is no longer the case. We taught keyboarding in 4th grade-- now that happens in the suburbs not PPS. We taught research skills- now principals google and think that is the same. Our students were able to write, edit, make Powerpoints, use excel, in elementary school. Fix machines? No one bothers to teach K-1st how to log on- classroom teachers literally dont have time- testing priorities. We have slid woefully behind in the digital divide.
Maybe PPS will outsource tech jobs and custodial jobs to save money from pensions and health care?
Heck, they could even outsource teachers to save money. They do that at CAPA now for certain disciplines. They already "contract out" positions to retirees, etc. also.
Now if we only can "OUTsource" the bloated administration's inner circle.
To add insult to injury of all the layoffs of good employees, I found that at the same June legislative meeting allocated thousands of dollars to a variety of programs.
Coro Center for Civic Leadership was hired as consultants to provide professional development for "Career Ladder Teachers" to the tune of 75K, and for "Academy at Westinghouse" for 130K. Money for Westinghouse pops up in other places as well. Thirty grand to Seven Springs Resort for a retreat scheduled to occur at the end of the month. Another consultant, Anita Ravi, 72K for "redesign of the academy". So they are effectively paying a consultant thousands of dollars this year to implement the plan at Westinghouse, while paying another consultant to redesign the model for next year.
All for a program the will most likely go up in smoke in a matter on months. Again, hardworking people put out of work so that consultants can continue..
As so many have asked, why are administrators paid so much if they require all these consultants to do their jobs?
What I would like to see is a monthly accounting of what the district's central office administrators have done that month. It does not need to be a time-consuming paper-work nightmare. Within the PPS website have a page of what each of these high paying administrators are working on and then as it is completed their secretary can just write "Finished" next to it. As a tax paying citizen, I WANT to know what they are working on to justify the salaries that I am paying them. Like was mentioned earlier -- why are consultants being hired to do what should be our administrator's job? Or is their job simply to oversee all of these consultants?
Spend any amount of time reading board minutes and you'll come to understand that consultants and researchers have raped this district, with the support of board members. After all, they approved it.
That said, I can't imagine any of this being good news for the average teacher. We rely on the tech department and in the past two years alone, their work--with outdated, inferior equipment--has been exemplary. We're trying to give our kids a modern education and we are going to take technology out of the equation?
It's sad that so many investigative departments in local media have overlooked or turned a blind eye to PPS over the past five years. Taxpayers too are being raped.
It's a sad time in PPS.
It's going to get worse, and the bloodsuckers are going to keep their jobs.
Yes, a job description and monthly record of accomplishments would be great. And it would also help reveal instances where administrators were simply doing and redoing the same plans over and over again.
Questioner, take a look at every department in PPS. Let's start there. There's a supervisor and then 6, 7 or even more individuals NOT in the classroom.
Then let's go to assistant superintendents. Why do we need so many? What do they really do? Why $141K? Why so many assistants underneath them?
This laundry list of PPS administration is out there. It'd be funny to think about how these people retain their jobs in tight times were it not for so many bona fide employees being fired.
Why is media NOT asking about these decisions?
What is Mr.Campbell's background in all of this? Any relation to Bruce Campbell?
Apparently the district feels quite comfortable giving out lists of salaries. About six or seven years ago the school board allowed every teachers name along with their yearly earnings be published on the Internet. In some cases these salaries were misrepresented due to the addition of extra-curricular pay, summer school pay, night school pay, etc.
Funny enough, my students came to me and said "why are you here?...is that really all the more that you make per year.". I'm not complaining, I knew the deal when I accepted the job.
Hopefully there will still be a step 10 when it's my turn.
So, the point is "what's good for the goose is good for the gander. PUBLISH it
Anonymous 12:08 that publishing of your salary applied to all educators in PA.
It was some outside organization that published salaries, we have a link elsewhere on this blog.
Anon 10:06 am,
Until last month, Anita Ravi was a Social Studies Curriculum Officer in PPS. Ms Ravi moved to Florida with her family recently, vacating her position. Ms Ravi was awarded this "consultant" gig for 72k to work for 62 days from Florida on a "redesign of the Academy". Considering that several folks have been debating a residency requirement on this thread, I thought this would provide additional food for thought.
I am no math expert, but that works out to just short of $300,000 a year. A sweet "golden parachute" for one of Dr. Lippert's favorites...
Additionally, I would like readers to consider CORO's cosy relationship with the District, as they were recently awarded $205,000 for professional development work (obviously no one in PPS can provide satisfactory PD...). Look into the past of PELA folks, and you will invariably find a linkage to CORO, including the CORO alum who oversaw the PELA program last year, Ms Sullivan.
CORO, Broad, RAND, Gates, Mathematica... with high powered relationships / contracts with organizations like these, who needs motivated teachers / support professionals?
There's No Consultant Left Behind (nclb) at Pittsburgh Public Schools...
Do any current school board members read this blog?
Anita Ravi
What a Joke? She came from the Institute of Learning.
Before that she interviewed for a social studies teaching position at Schenley and was not hired by Harold Bullward.
She had only two years of teaching experience in charter school before the Institute of Learning.
Our Social Studies Curriculums are horrible.
What waste of 72K, nice departing gift from the PPS.
This woman would not have lasted a day as a teacher in the PPS
What an insult.
It can take up to 6 weeks to get your computer fixed in the PPS. The new computers we got last year wear previously used. They got rid of all these technology people and we as a district are all switching to the Pinnacle system this fall, the @#%#$ is going to hit the fan.
don't forget Paula Bevin getting 42,000 for 15 days of work. That equals the amount of salaries for many of those laid off. But let's be fair. Who the hell cares about some little secretary that's been at the board for 20+ years. I feel as though I should quit my job and then contract my services. Then I can charge a cost/month equal to half my salary!
Oh and let's not forget that the top execs at PPS gave themselves large bonuses and large salary increases just days before they anounced that up to 50% of the central admin was going to be cut.
Parents trust there childs education and future in the hands of teacher. Teachers got a pretty nice gig retire at 50/55 years of age with medical benefits paid and are paid well. So the earlier belly aching is unwarranted. There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive. If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal. Now in no way am I blaming teachers for the districts dfinancial state that is a result of assistant superintendent/executive director/broad/consultant. I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place.
Anon 5:02
Do you have any idea when the last strike in Pittsburgh was? We've lived here more than 2 decades now and I don't recall a strike before my kids went to school and I know there hasn't been one in the last 15 years. (http://www.psea.org/general.aspx?ID=882)
The teachers I know work long hours, including time at home and on the weekends. Many of them, particularly if they haven't been here 10 years also teach after-school programs, Saturday programs, and summer school programs. Yes, they are paid for those, but it is more hours and more planning.
I have yet to understand why people would want to bring everyone down to a low level of pay with bad benefits? Is that any way to attract people who are smart and motivated enough to work elsewhere?
One teacher I know had a kid actually tell her, "Teachers don't make hardly any money! You're stupid to be so poorly paid!" At least I guess it wasn't your kid.
Here we have yet another parent/taxpayer whose ability to reason is overshadowed by obvious envy, hatred and ignorance. The resulting blather should be printed and posted on every teacher's wall for review any time he feels that he has an ally in the form of the public.
First, we are treated to a commentary about retirement at "50/55". While few teachers are able to retire at either age, please forgive me for again not apologizing for being a teacher.
Then we are treated to this pearl of wisdom:"There is no public sympathy for teachers believe me. People are sick of strikes and shocked at the great benefit package teachers receive."
I don't know of any teacher who ever felt that he or she had some sympathy among the citizenry. So what else is new? How will I sleep tonight? "Great benefit package"? As compared to what? In relationship to who? You? Again, I have no apologies for you.
Then this:"If the kids are good enough to educate and earn a living off you should live amongst those families. I support the earlier residency proposal." For what reason, just personal satisfaction?Vindictiveness? Spite? Perhaps you'll get the Steelers to live in town. Maybe all UPMC doctors over at Presby should live in Oakland? Let me guess--these are all people worthy of your respect, right?
Lastly, this:"I am a PPS taxpayer and most other industries such as banking us employees work until we can collect social security to off set medical insurance. You act like you are to good to live in the Pittsburgh community. No sympathy here you guys/gals have a nice deal in place. "
Your viewpoints are evocative of the socialist point of view. It's almost scary. Then again, we see the same thoughts coming from republicans in charge of states like Pennsylvania, like Wisconsin, like Maine.
We've had it too good for too long, right? We work six hours a day. we have three months off for summer vacation. And in your book, we're about on the same level as the guy working the counter at Toot N Scoot.
Thanks friend. I usually have to go to the local bowling alley to get clear thinking like yours. I'd tell you to walk a mile in my shoes, but I'm sure it's hard enough getting off of that couch these days.
To the poster at 5:02, my kid is a city teacher. He lived in the city and moved out. Why not?
My parents both struggled through the depression with nothing. My dad and his brothers all fought in WW2.
We don't think--and I'm sure my kid doesn't feel--that we are better than anyone, no matter where we may live.
Who in the world do you think you are? Where in the world do you think you live?
Anon June 24, 2011 5:02 PM
I guess board members do post here, or Tom Corbett!
You do realize that none of the people let go during this round are teachers?
@anon 5:14pm teachers are well taken care of and I have no problem with that. Summers off, low health insurance contributions, early retirement, etc...If a teacher is good they do put in many hours. I had some teachers at PPS they had no clue. I am not mad at teachers for doing well but in tough economic toughs everyone takes a hit. That student that made that comment must have had ineffective teachers or bad parents because teachers do well. Parents are more important than teachers for sure. If a kid has no parenting there isnt much hope for the teachers being effective with the kid. I don't remember the last time PPS teachers went on strike but teacher strikes should be banned because only the kids get hurt.
Anon at 5:34, this guy will be in his glory next year. After all, they're already talking about upwards of 200+ lazy, goodfornothin' teachers being fired and schools being closed.
Then maybe they can get a real job, like working for WalMart.
Old timer 5:23 last I checked taxpayers arent paying the salaries of the steelers and upmc doctors. I never said teachers benefits and pay aren't well deserved I just said they should live in the city. I work for a bank and our benefit package and any other industry for that matter is not close to a teachers and we get to retire when we can afford health care. We are all college educated as well. I know most teachers are dedicated and effective. I didn't know expressing an opinion of thinking teachers would touch a nerve. Jeez! I guess you folks really think you are better than the average citizens living in the city of Pittsburgh. I am the mother of one PPS student and voluntarily live in Pittsburgh because it's a community I believe in. After these ignorant and conceded responses from more than likely teachers I am considering pulling my child from PPS or better yet what if we all fled the city then where would you work? Take a look at the real world and how difficult it is for other educated professional folks. I am not hating on you teachers for doing well. Administrators should live in the city also if it makes you feel better. Where do you think Mike Tomlin lives and his kids go to school as an earlier poster mentioned that's right in the city and PPS. Since you are to hood to reside amongst your students families I am shocked. I have a few friends working for PPS and they are required to live in the city and are fine with it.
This thread is getting mean and long.
Being civil during what must be a difficult time for 147 people that lost their jobs should not be difficult.
I am an American, I am free to live where I choose. I am a teacher and guess what? I live in the City and my child is in the PPS. I believe people should live where they choose, and if your a teacher you see first hand the crap that goes on in the PPS. Hey Banker you can move if you want. Leave us alone, you could not believe the shit storm we have been in the last 5 years.
Like a previous poster wrote, who do you think you are? You write a predictable reply about the Steelers and UPMC, but your logic escapes me.
How much money goes to the Steelers every year from the average Pittsburgher? How many millions do they make? Whether voluntary, involuntary or somewhere in between, do you mean they shouldn't at least have to live in the county?
How much money do you pay in health insurance? Who is your carrier? If it's UPMC, well, it's coming out of your pay. This "non-profit" industry makes hundreds of billions each year? Why no logic being employed here? Are you simply alluding to the idea that yes, doctors are better than you so they should live wherever they like? But teachers---a group of people you apparently despise---by their very moving off to the suburbs feel they are better than you?? Is this a rational argument???
You know, PPS used the same logic in the early 1980's and the PFT capitulated. By the end of the 1980's, at least PPS had the courage to drop the "well, you'll better understand city students if you live here" line in favor of saying, "Well, we can use the money." Even they saw the stupidity of such logic?
Other than allowing teachers to unfairly think they are better than city residents, just where does your logic come from???
In your wonderful bank position, you do not face the daily pressures that the average teacher does--from students and administration alike. You do not face the stress that any urban teacher faces (and this can be looked up via countless studies).
I would hope that you do not face the intimidation tactics that come from a principal, district administration or local and state "political leaders."
Again, your envy unbalances your thinking. As stated by someone above, I don't think I am better than anyone...but I do think I am above the "logic" of this argument.
Anon at 6:08, it only got mean when some morons somehow interjected teacher residency in the discussion.
I feel badly for those fired but why not keep to the topic---a great many cushy jobs at the board go untouched yet again.
If there is going to be a teacher bashing thread, can you make a separate thread for those who want to participate? (I don't want to)
I don't know why this thread turned into this hatred, it is sad.
Anon 7:13 there are no doubt to many cushy jobs and back door deals going on. I hope more jobs aren't lost because of misguided executive/consultant spending. I really do think declining enrollment is only going to snow ball so I don't think teachers jobs are safe. I think there is a hidden agenda. Some folks are really sensitive to say the least I don't think any teacher bashing was going on just an opinion for residency in Pittsburgh. P.S I hope your not a teacher telling a taxpaying citizen to move out of the city of Pittsburgh we need all the residents and children we can get. I happen to be a city resident and I really love living in Pittsbugh but that's my choice but I am not paid by the taxpayers. We have a shrinking tax base and the slime ball Republicans don't care about the poorer districts.
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