Thursday, October 23, 2003

By Nate Guidry, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Pittsburgh schools Superintendent John Thompson said last night that many of the recommendations recently put forth by an education task force underscore the improvements the district has already undertaken.

In his first public response to the report the Mayor's Commission on Public Education released Sept. 22, Thompson said the district is working to boost student performance and making "our schools and district more cost-effective."

"We have set clear goals and implementation plans," Thompson said in prepared remarks.

He cited as examples the reading and writing (Literacy Plus) and science and math (Prime PLUS) initiatives as well as the career development program that provides students opportunities to explore a range careers.

The 144-page report from the task force suggested a number of specific changes, including that the mayor appoint school board members and that local commissions make recommendations on closing schools and improving student performance.

The panel also recommended reducing the size of the district's reserves of $83 million, lowering school property taxes by 2 mills, closing some schools and offering financial incentives to teachers and principals who work with low-achieving students.

"If we were to comply with the request for an immediate 2-mill reduction and the establishment of an $8.5 million school improvement fund, our fund balance would be virtually eliminated by 2005," Thompson said.

Thompson said the district has started using technology that enables teachers to monitor students' progress and to provide help when necessary.

He also noted that the achievement gaps based on race and income status remain a problem for city public schools as throughout the country.

"For the past three years we have been taking action to improve this situation," Thompson said. "This clearly has been and will remain a top priority for us."

Mayor Tom Murphy named the commission of 37 civic leaders last year after three local foundations pulled their financial support from the schools, saying school officials' bickering had eroded their confidence in the system.

Nate Guidry can be reached at nguidry@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3865.

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