The Gates money

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a $40 million grant to the Pittsburgh school system with the covenant that teachers must take part in performance evaluations. The teachers union and the school district are at an impasse over the evaluations, and that may mean the loss of $15 million of the much-needed $40 million. If the money is lost, there are a limited number of ways it can be covered with available tax dollars.

The teachers union should be aware that any major loss of revenue may result in more layoffs.

Any shortfall of these dollars, which have probably been built into the budget, will fall to the taxpayers.

With the adjustment of the budget, student benefits will be reduced. There are no winners here.

DON OPACIC
Franklin Park