School Board elections could become nonpartisan

On another post Anonymous wrote:

School Board Elections Could Become Nonpartisan


Essential Public Radio



Under the bill, candidates for the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board would need 200 signatures. Pennsylvania law currently requires candidates to gather just ...

http://www.essentialpublicradio.org/story/2012-05-10/school-board-elections-could-become-nonpartisan-11057



Ring very true for great Pittsburghers to run-No more Primaries and party politics.

SOME EXCERPTS
A state Senate committee is considering a new bill that would eliminate primary elections for school board races, and omit those candidates’ party affiliations from general election ballots.
Senate Bill 327 also increases the number of nomination signatures required to run for school board, depending on the size of the district. Under the bill, candidates for the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board would need 200 signatures.



Pennsylvania law currently requires candidates to gather just ten signatures to launch a campaign for any school board.

If a political party is paying the expense to getting you elected, then you have an obligation — perhaps, I should say, you have an obligation back to that party when issues come up,” said Dinniman.

He said the mixture of politics and education usually ends up hurting students.

Senator Dinniman argued that the nonpartisan election process has been adopted by a majority of states with no ill effect. Dinniman said Pennsylvania’s current system has “scared away” talented people from running for school boards. He said it is intimidating to make one’s case before a local party committee when the candidate’s campaign has little to do with partisan politics.

Teacher escorted out of school

How strange.  No names please, but does anyone know if it was a new teacher or a veteran?

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/officials-teacher-escorted-out-school-erratic-loud/nNzfZ/

On another post Anonymous wrote:

City schools seek to base layoffs on teachers' effectiveness


Pittsburgh Post Gazette
By Eleanor Chute / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


No one disputes that this fall will be a year of unsought change as Pittsburgh Public Schools battles a projected ...

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/city-schools-seek-to-base-layoffs-on-teachers-effectiveness-634712/?p=0

After the May 15th PFT election, will PFT Union elected postions change Senority posturing in June?

Resignations

On another post Anonymous wrote:

I feel this should qualify for a separate listing




04-25-2012 BOARD MINUTES SECTION H RESIGNATIONS STARTING ON PAGE 218



There are 30 teachers listed. Are the majority of teachers listed in this Section taking the Board-PFT Union buyout from December?



They are listed as resigning for personal reasons effective 6-18-12. Please explain to taxpayer and concerned parent.

Teacher Appreciation Week

On another post Anonymous wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/opinion/blow-teaching-me-about-teaching.html?_r=2&hp

Foundations, mayor weigh in on seniority

From the Tribune:

http://triblive.com/home/1344216-74/teachers-seniority-pittsburgh-teacher-district-group-president-schools-foundation-henry

PFT VP's position on seniority

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/overturning-teacher-seniority-would-hurt-students-633979/