Pittsburgh parents, advocates make last push against school closures before vote
The majority of public speakers Tuesday urged the board members of Pittsburgh Public Schools to vote against a proposal that would close nine school buildings and realign many others, saying it would cause disruption for students. They also questioned how, exactly, it would be implemented and stressed that many community...
The rural strategy: Pittsburgh colleges try harder to enroll, retain small-town students
Logan Johnson did not want a traditional, campus setting in a college. “I wanted to do some sort of city, as far as college,” said Johnson, 22, of Warren, a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania. “I’ve always been attracted to urban life. Lots going on, things to do, shows to...
Carnegie Library program to share life experiences of Holocaust survivor
A Pittsburgh woman who’s the daughter of a Holocaust survivor will share her father’s life experiences at a program next month in Carnegie. The program, titled “My Dad’s Story: Remembering the Holocaust with Sue Tresatti and Richard Murphy” will begin at 7 p.m. June 9 at the Music Hall at...
On Memorial Day, New Kensington native Pfc. Roland Lee Bowser ‘honored where he needed to be’
Marjorie Ann “Marjie” Mahar has told her family’s story in Arlington, Va., the Tennessee House of Representatives and even Seoul, South Korea. But, on Monday, she told it at the place where it all began — and perhaps where it was most meaningful to her — in the Alle-Kiski Valley....
3.5% tax increase pitched for Keystone Oaks property owners
Property owners in the Keystone Oaks School District could see a 3.5% increase to their property taxes for next school year. The district’s proposed budget totals about $55.2 million. It increases the millage rate to 22.7122 mills, which is a .5680-mill increase. Keystone Oaks serves students in Green Tree, Dormont...
Woodland Hills district begins formal hearing against suspended superintendentVideo
Two Woodland Hills School District administrators testified Thursday their professional opinions were undervalued or undermined while working for Superintendent Joe Maluchnik, during a hearing investigating if he should be fired for cause. A statement of charges, read by attorney Allison Genard who represented Woodland Hills, alleges Maluchnik engaged in gender-based...
Pittsburgh Public Schools board to vote on school closure and realignment plan next week
Board members of the Pittsburgh Public Schools will again consider a controversial plan that would close nine school buildings and reconfigure many others. The board is expected to vote on the Future-Ready Facilities Plan at a 6:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday. If...
Jeff Hadley named Hampton schools superintendent
Avonworth Superintendent Jeff Hadley will take on the same position at the Hampton Township School District. The Hampton School Board this week appointed Hadley as its next superintendent. Hadley succeeds Michael Loughead, who retires at the end of June after a decade in the position. Salary information was not immediately...
IUP increases room capacity as student demand for on-campus housing spikes
So many students are expected to live on the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s campus this fall that the state-owned college is turning some two-person suites into three-person suites, and four-person suites into six-person suites. “We’ve seen an increased demand in students wanting to live on campus — that includes staying...
Pittsburgh-area school districts say inclusion in national network will boost education, innovation efforts
East Allegheny Superintendent Joe DiLucente says public education isn’t what it once was. With the growth of online or alternative schooling options, schools must make themselves attractive to support and engage students in the public school system, said DiLucente, superintendent at East Allegheny, which serves North Versailles, East McKeesport, Wilmerding...
State Police Academy to count as credits for Slippery Rock criminology, criminal justice students
Although a college degree is not required to become a state police trooper, a new collaborative effort between Slippery Rock University and the state police aims to raise the bar for those interested in a future career in law enforcement. The partnership will allow criminology and criminal justice SRU students...
Youth recognized for helping with Bridgeville Earth Day cleanup
Bridgeville youth were recognized May 12 for good citizenship. At that night’s council meeting, Mayor Betty Copeland presented certificates of recognition to children who participated in this year’s Earth Day Community Cleanup held April 18. “You have shown responsibility, kindness and pride in making the world a better place,” Copeland...
Proposed Chartiers Valley budget holds the line on taxes
Chartiers Valley school administrators have proposed a budget for next school year with no tax increase. The proposal maintains a 20.1909 millage rate. A property owner with a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $2,019 annually. The proposed budget totals $81 million, roughly $2.02 million more than last year, said...
Baldwin-Whitehall School District budget would raise taxes 4.7%
Baldwin-Whitehall School District’s proposed budget for the next school year would raise property taxes 4.7%. The proposal, which totals about $100.7 million, calls to increase the district’s millage rate from 25 mills to 26.175 mills, said Mark Cherpak, director of finance and operations. A property owner with a home assessed...
Veteran Brentwood teachers — former students themselves — prepare for new school transition
Mindy Golvash jokes she’s the first of many Golvash teachers that Brentwood students will have as they advance through the district. Golvash is a third grade teacher at Elroy Elementary School. Her husband, Dan, is a special education teacher at Brentwood High School. Her sister-in-law, Lynne, is an eighth grade...
Plum to launch program designed to teach students about disabilities
Plum School District will join a state program designed to teach students about the contributions of people with disabilities. Plum is one of 10 institutions statewide — and the only public school district in Southwestern Pennsylvania — to take part in the Disability Inclusive Curriculum pilot program. The program aims...
Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage celebrated at The Westmoreland
The creativity and colors of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage were celebrated Sunday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The Greensburg museum’s event, part of its ongoing Sunday Fun Day series, showcased Asian American and Pacific Islander culture through live performances and hands-on activities for all ages. [gps-image...
Hempfield Founders Festival shows off new park’s amenities
Four-year-old Ellie Moltz excitedly answered when asked her favorite part of Hempfield’s new Founders Park: “Everything.” To be fair, though, there’s quite a few options to pick from. Founders Park — Hempfield’s newest park — boasts a children’s playground area, splash pad, workout equipment, a multipurpose building, obstacle course and...
Butler Memorial Hospital, union techs reach contract 3 days before planned strike
Butler Memorial Hospital and its technical professionals union have reached a contract that calls for a minimum 3% wage increase over the next three years. The three-year contract was announced Friday night by both Independence Health and the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. The union represents 235...
Greensburg Diocese says retired priest charged in sex crimes case has been inactive since 2018
Robert Byrnes, a retired Catholic priest and former state police chaplain charged with sexual assault, has not been in active ministry in any parish or entity of the Diocese of Greensburg for the past eight years, the Diocese announced Saturday. Pennsylvania State Police on Friday charged Byrnes, 84, with aggravated...
Pittsburgh-area school districts say there’s more to education than National Scorecard results
Not all Allegheny County school districts are experiencing the decrease in test scores seen nationwide. Data from the National Education Scorecard — a collaboration between education researchers at Harvard and Stanford universities and faculty at Dartmouth College — shows that nationally, students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic...
IUP to offer classes for Indiana County high schoolers interested in future education careers
High school students pursuing a career in education at the Indiana County Technology Center can earn up to 12 college credits through a new partnership with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. IUP officials announced Friday the launch of the “IUP Rising Educators Advancing through Dual Enrollment and Yearly College Credits”...
Shaler Area Middle School named 1 of state’s Schools to Watch
It only took a few seconds for Shaler Area Middle School principals and students to accept a banner Friday from Bruce Vosburgh, director of Pennsylvania Schools to Watch, recognizing the school’s accomplishments. But Principal Shannon Howard noted that the time, effort and energy to make the school a positive, academically...
Pitt Law alum makes $1 million gift to school
A $1 million donation from a University of Pittsburgh School of Law alumnus and his wife will support initiatives, programming and staff at the school. Greg and Ellen Jordan donated the $1 million to establish the Greg and Ellen Jordan Fund for Business, Banking and Financial Regulation, Pitt announced Thursday....
Cheerios box campaign shines light on South Fayette boy’s fight with rare disease
Jordy Greene always assumed the photo on Cheerios cereal boxes was reserved for pro athletes or celebrities. Until now. Jordy, 10, got his picture on Cheerios boxes for his work with the Pittsburgh Children’s Miracle Network Champion, a major fundraising campaign to support children’s healthcare. “I was in shock,” he...
