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Pittsburgh School director, District 2 (Vote for one in your district) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $0Duties: The board of school directors has the responsibility to establish and equip, furnish and maintain a sufficient number of public schools to educate every person residing in the district attending public schools and to adopt a budget and levy and collect necessary taxes. It may establish and maintain schools for other age groups and for vocational and recreational purposes. The school district includes Mount Oliver. In 1999, directors for even numbered districts will be elected. QUESTION: Would you support adequate funding for programs for early detection of all children who need remedial attention? Republican/Democrat Darlene M. Harris Age: 46; Spring Hill EDUCATION: Perry High School; Median School of Allied Health Careers. OCCUPATION: Administrative assistant. QUALIFICATIONS: Current school board member since 1995. Mother of three children. Active in school and community service for more than 20 years. ANSWER: While I am not an educator by profession, I fully understand the importance of early identification of a child’s learning difficulties. The earlier we identify the nature of the problems and begin treatment, the better the chance that the child will be able to overcome his or her deficits. While money is not the only answer, it is certainly an important factor. I support the president’s efforts to lower the class size; I also support targeting special programs and services to primary students so that we will be successful in exceeding our goal of 85% of third graders reading at 95% proficiency. Treating students when they are young is more cost effective and successful than remediation at an older age. Libertarian Charles Stutler Age: 70; North Side. EDUCATION: High school. OCCUPATION: Retired August 1991 from H.J. Heinz Co. QUALIFICATIONS: Elected union vice president Local 325, 1 3-year term. Elected union steward Local 325, 2 terms ANSWER: It depends on what school officials intend to remediate. Basic, factual comprehension should be handled through regular, time-honored testing and teaching methods. If school officials intend to "remediate" a child's attitude or behavior, however, any testing or program of behavioral modification should occur only with the explicit approval of the child's parents. These are the only types of programs I would support. School director, District 4 (Vote for one in your district) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $0 Republican/Democrat Bill Isler Age: 53; Squirrel Hill EDUCATION: B.A., English, St. Vincent College OCCUPATION: President, Family Communications Inc. QUALIFICATIONS: Classroom teaching experience and seven years working in the Pennsylvania Department of Education as senior adviser, early childhood education and commissioner of basic education -- are strong qualifications to be an advocate for improving the public education system. ANSWER: Yes. The earlier we are able to assess children and determine if there is a delay in any developmental area the more likely for us to avoid future educational failure. Our goal should be prevention, not just remediation. And, the surest way to help all young children is to offer a comprehensive early childhood program that engages parents and families as partners with the school and other community resources. School director, District 6 (Vote for one in your district) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $0 Republican/Democrat Jean E. Wood Age: 58; Brookline EDUCATION: High school; Robert Morris related insurance courses. OCCUPATION: Claims specialist, Motorist Mutual Insurance Co. QUALIFICATIONS: Eight years experience as a board member and a genuine concern for the welfare of children and their successful completion of their education. ANSWER: Yes, the most important years are pre-school through third grade. If these children do not meet the standards and have the basics by the end of third grade, the remainder of their school years will be difficult.
SPECIAL ELECTION School director, District 8(Vote for one in your district) TERM: 4 years SALARY: $0 Republican/Democrat Mark A. Brentley Sr. Age:42; Perry Central EDUCATION: Perry High School, 1975; Community College of Allegheny County, 1994; Safety Institute. OCCUPATION: Laborer, City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools. Past president of Northview Heights Elementary School PTO and parent representative for two years. Member of Perry Traditional Academy and Frick ISA PTO. Member of Advocate for African American Students. ANSWER: Yes, if early detection was possible for children with low reading scores, for example, children would not have to suffer in later grades because of their inability to read well. I would support all programs that would detect problems in children early. Republican/DemocratRonald L. Suber Age: 47; Manchester/North Side EDUCATION: David B. Oliver High School, 1970; Duquesne University, journalism major, 1974; and Development Training Institute, 1986. OCCUPATION: Operations manager, Healthy Start Inc. QUALIFICATIONS: Board member since December 1985; three terms as president. ANSWER: Yes. I would also emphasize and focus on providing support for the parents and families of the students identified to provide a more wholesome learning environment in the home of the child(ren). Armstrong County: Incumbents running as 3-part package
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