"The Pittsburgh Promise"
It is my humble opinion that the "Pittsburgh Promise" is yet another factor which will serve to undermine the viability and competitive posture of the Brentwood School District. Therefore Brentwood as a community will fall several more rungs on the ladder as an option for new families.
It is time for the School Board to face these facts and initiate effective plans for the future, - while we still have a somewhat attractive tax base.
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Tuition grants a lure for city schools
Plan aims to put students in college, draw people to city
Thursday, December 14, 2006
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
If you attend and graduate from the Pittsburgh Public Schools and stay out of trouble, you won't have to worry about how to pay for college or other postsecondary education.
That's the promise made by schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday. They're calling it The Pittsburgh Promise, and though details are still sketchy, they say it will be in place for 2008 graduates.
"We are absolutely 100 percent committed to making this happen, and we will make it happen," the superintendent said.
Jan 7, 2008 Brentwood Council elected Jay Lieb, President ; Anne Schade
Vice President and Richard Bender Pres. Pro Tempore....Council Committee
Chmn. ADINISTRATIVE & FINANCE- Janice Boyko-who refused the
chairmanship: I assume the Vice Pres will act as Chmn as has been
Brentwood Tradition; PUBLIC SAFETY-Richard Bender; PUBLIC WORKS-Dawn
Synborski; PARKS-Anne Schade; ZONING-Mario Richards; LIGHTING & REFUSE David Wenzel who refused the chairmanship.
I was stunned that two newly elected Councilpersons who knocked on doors asking for our vote so they could work for Brentwood now refuse to assume a full role on Council as a Committee Chairperson. Why did they run if they didn't want to be involved or chair a committee?
Looks like we may have 2 lame ducks. Why are they collecting money from the taxpayers to be a part of council, if they are not willing to do their jobs? Maybe they should give the money back. What purpose are they going to serve if they have no committee to chair?
Speaking of lame ducks. WHERE IS OUR NEW POLICE CAR MR. MAYOR? The people of Brentwood purchased this car with taxpayer money. Why are our police not allowed to use it?
The only way Brentwood will remain viable is to eliminate or keep taxes and "fees" low, eliminate obstacles for businesses to operate, and get business-minded people on the Council and people with a back-bone on the School Board.
The lack of educated leadership in Brentwood is appalling. From threats of consolidation of the school district, to eliminating our police dispatcher, to talk about merging services with surrounding boroughs and the county. These people are naive, they really have no legitimate reason to be on council. Idiots running the asylum.
Ron:
I think that you're going a little too far. Local government experience may be on the light side (for some) but to use the term "idiots" is not constructive and out of line. I know a number of these folks and they're well meaning and dedicated to doing a good job. I am confident that this new borough manager is going to make a world of difference, as long as he can stay out of the bickering and fighting...which will be his biggest challenge. If not there will soon be diatribes against him as well.
As for the School Board I do agree that they need backbone to stand up to the vocal "band parent" types who are incapable of looking further than the end of their driveways. The school district, if not addressed soon, is going to strangle this community to a slow but certain death.
All you have to do is look at the "new" practice field that they built with our tax dollars instead of using the money to fix infrastructure to know where the priorities are in the Borough. There is a difference between wanting to do a good job and actually doing a good job. The proof is in the pudding.
Maybe inept is a better word.
Hope springs eternal....lets see what the new Manager does. Hopefully the council won't play politics with this fellow.
Insofar as the school district is concerned, the whole system is rotten to the core. From thug-like unions, to intransigent and inefficient bureaucracy, to an unfair funding system, the public school system should be dismantled and replaced with a voucher system and a regulated private enterprise school system (either non-profit, parochial, or business).
You’re the idiot! If you are so smart why don't you run for council? Or is that above you? I bet you don't even go to the meetings. Why don't you stick you nose into something that you know what your talking about. I love people that sit here and criticize everyone else for trying to make a difference. GET A LIFE!
Lemme guess, 10 yrs old?
I happen to know alot of what is going on, been there, done that. And am not afraid to illuminate the continual mismanagement that goes unchecked.
When Council focusses on it's limited duties instead of spending our tax dollars on frivolity and egos, Ill keep my mouth shut.
Until then, everything that I learn that is rotten will be exposed. If you don't like it, tough.
And besides, my dad is stronger than yours!!!!