Concerning North Allegheny

When I married my husband in 1999, there was little doubt that we would move from the outskirts of Boston where we then lived, to the wilds of Western Pennsylvania, where he was raised.   In relocating, I advocated moving to a pretty stone house in Mt. Lebanon—at the time I didn’t understand the aversion that a North Allegheny graduate would have to moving to the South Hills. (A Bridge AND a Tunnel?  Oh my!)

In the end, we chose a house in McCandless, in a quiet, established neighborhood. We bought our home secure in the knowledge that when we had children and when they went to school, they would be educated in North Allegheny, one of the top school districts in the state of Pennsylvania—a school district known for educational excellence.

And, here we are, 13 years later.  My husband and I have two children in elementary school…

Until last year, I did not attend school board meetings. I didn’t keep on top of the latest legislative battles regarding state-mandated contributions to pensions and predicted budget shortfalls. I simply assumed that all was well.  That my children would enjoy the rich opportunities that my empty-nester neighbor’s children had experienced: neighborhood schools, small classes with plenty of teacher interaction, high scores on standardized tests envied by other districts across the state.

I didn’t know. I didn’t ask. But now, I’m concerned.

I’m concerned that the North Allegheny School District is expecting a $10M deficit in 2013. I’m worried that the school board is entertaining a recommendation to close a high-performing elementary school, conducted by a construction management company that stands to benefit from that recommendation. I’m troubled by the inaccurate data and questionable projections found in the report.  I’m frustrated the third grades at my children’s school are filled with 31 and 32 students.  But, most of all, I’m wondering if I am alone in my concerns.

Earlier this month, I joined a group of parents who are concerned that the recent recommendation to close Peebles Elementary will have serious implications across the entire district. There has been no discussion of actual cost savings.  There have been no concrete plans announced about redistricting.   

On Sept. 12, 2012 this group presented our concerns to the North Allegheny School Board and requested that the board appoint a task force made up of parents, financial professionals, teachers, and local leaders to find more appropriate solutions to district’s challenges.

We are looking forward to a response at the Oct. 24 school board meeting.