Joan Stevenson
Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 1
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Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject: Letter to P-G printed 11/17/07 |
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I agree with your Sunday editorial that there are too many unanswered questions about Mr. Roosevelt's rush to close Schenley High School. The most troubling questions are:
* Why tear apart the school district's most positive model of integrated, urban education? Why split the Schenley student body into three separate schools? The proposed Hill District school, in particular, will reinforce the de facto segregation that the Schenley Community has worked hard to prevent.
* Why have the architectural and construction reports never been made public? Even the P-G has been quick to assume that the reports accurately justify the Schenley building's demise, but these documents are not available for public scrutiny. Why not?
* The district wants to combine students from sixth through twelfth grades in one building with no plans to ensure their safety. Why are parents expected to accept the district's plan for these 6-12 schools when there are no finalized plans for us to evaluate?
* How will high school students be transported to the Reizenstein and Hill District schools? Right now, there are many PAT buses that transport our students to Oakland. There are relatively few routes, however, to the two proposed locations. Why has this situation not been addressed and resolved?
We are expected to accept the district's plans without question or debate. Yet this rush to action looks like another Pittsburgh Promise -- an academic theory that does not involve the community nor hold up to careful scrutiny. I urge the school board to delay splitting Schenley into three schools. And I demand that the district presents us with real answers, not more empty promises.
Joan Stevenson
Point Breeze |
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