The city schools chief deserved a contract extension
I'm not surprised that the Pittsburgh school board has decided to cut John Thompson loose, as the PG reported on its Web site Friday afternoon ("City School Chief Won't Get New Contract," Dec. 10).

Dr. Thompson was brought in to do the board's dirty work -- to raise taxes, close schools and make the unpopular choices that were absolutely necessary. He has withstood countless hours of attacks at meetings admirably, brought in money from outside sources, changed the curriculum and advanced his stated goals.

The board, on the other hand, often undermined his decisions, reopening schools, blocking new programs and complaining that he wasn't always respectful of their shenanigans.

So, what else would a school board with a taste for micromanagement do at this point but look for someone new? Someone not quite so well-informed, not quite so "arrogant," not quite so likely to stand up against them on issues that he deems important. A "yes" man or woman.

This is not to argue that John Thompson is the perfect superintendent; I'm not naive enough to believe there's anyone close to that. This is a district with many entrenched problems (including larger issues of poverty and race) that aren't going to be cured by a single individual.

However, I certainly think that Dr. Thompson has acquitted himself well and deserved a contract extension. He seems truly dedicated to the schoolchildren of Pittsburgh and their education. I can't imagine the board finding a similarly qualified candidate who will sign a contract of their devising for less money and do anywhere near the job that he has done.

JENNIFER LAKIN
Point Breeze

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Atrocious spending
In their Dec. 8 "In Rebuttal" piece ("Don't Malign City Schools to Minimize City's Fiscal Mess"), Richard R. Fellers and Christopher M. Berdnik of the Pittsburgh Public Schools prove the first law of public discourse: When you are in a hole, stop digging.

The two writers were responding to a statement that the Pittsburgh Public Schools, which employs them, is spending a lot more than the fiscally distressed city of Pittsburgh. Not so, say the authors; in fact, it is "surprising that the city's budget is almost as large as the school district's budget."

They argue that the ratio between school spending and municipal spending in the city is much smaller than the ratio in five suburban districts in the county. Unfortunately, they fail to point out that both the city and the school district are extravagant spenders, especially relative to the communities the authors have cited.

For instance, the city is spending nearly $1,200 per resident while the municipalities they mention are spending half as much, $580 on average. The school district's per-pupil spending stands at $15,462 this year, while the other districts are spending $11,780, on average.

There's more. The share of funding coming into the Pittsburgh Public Schools from the state amounts to 39 percent, while the average in the other five districts is only 22 percent. That helps keep the Pittsburgh schools' real estate tax rate relatively low, as does the presence of a large commercial/industrial base, which few other districts enjoy.

Since this sector of the community accounts for about 60 percent of the real estate taxes generated for the district, school officials ought to be a little more cautious and aware of the effects current taxing and spending have on the business tax base.

In short, there is no easy comparative ratio that can obfuscate the fact that the atrocious spending of the Pittsburgh Public Schools has a real impact on the fortunes of the city of Pittsburgh.

ERIC MONTARTI
Policy Analyst
Allegheny Institute for Public Policy
Castle Shannon

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Thank you, Sisters
Thank you for the "Mercies" history ("Missions Accomplished," Dec. 5).

My thanks go to the "no-nonsense" Sisters of Mercy who taught at St. Agnes, St Mary's Webster Avenue, St. Peter's and many more schools.

The values these courageous women instilled in us manifested themselves in ways beyond our expectations.

Pittsburgh owes a debt of gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy.

BARBARA SPISIC HILDERSON
Homestead, Fla.

Editor's note: The writer lived in the city of Pittsburgh for 27 years.

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Where do I apply?
Upon reading the Dec. 5 article "State Workers Gain, Lose in Pact," regarding the turnpike workers and what they make and the benefits package they receive, I was shocked. Why in the world would anybody in their right mind want to strike, especially making the incomes they're making?

They claim it's not about the money. Huh? Then what is it about? Job security. They have machines that can do what they do. This just goes to show you that they're not really needed anyway.

They say it's a strenuous job, but that's hard to believe. My job is seasonal usually from March until December, and since it is seasonal we must work many hours during the week (swimming pool installation). There are many weeks during the summer that I work 75 to 90 hours in the week, all during the heat of the day or rain at any time during the day working through mud, and all while trying to stay on a schedule to keep our customers happy. That is a strenuous job, not taking coins and looking at a monitor to decide how much change to give back.

My father once told me that there is someone standing in line to take your place in the event you do not want to work. I think this applies to the turnpike workers as well. If they don't want to work for $18 to $21 per hour I'm sure there are dozens -- no, make that hundreds -- of people who would take that job. Where do I place my application?

TERRY L. HOGE
Richland

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The gift of a letter
As a young student of communication and rhetoric (and simply an observer to the holiday shopping mess), I think it's agonizing to watch the swarm of headlines detailing this year's most desirable holiday gifts -- the ones that tell you what you want on your wish list.

It is my vantage point as a college student (broke and geographically removed from the "real world") that I feel affords me the qualifications to offer this advice to those in the thick of it all. Don't feel left out if you don't get an Ipod or Halo 2 this year. Next year they will be last year's technology and you will have wished you hadn't spent the money.

As an alternative, whether you're financially exhausted or not, be reminded of the overwhelming effect the written word has on human emotion. There's a reason why Hallmark can charge $3 for words, a piece of cardboard and an envelope, and it's the same reason why you hold on to a letter your significant other sent you when you dated in high school and why your grandmother displays Christmas cards through March: The written word evokes sentiment absent of reason.

So this year, instead of fighting the crowds and giving the same gifts that 10 million other Americans are giving or receiving, pick up a pen and a piece of paper and tell someone why you need them in your life. Call me Scrooge, tell me I'm the Grinch, but write the letter: Someone will appreciate it.

MATTHEW BLECHER
State College

Editor's note: The letter was written for a Penn State communications, arts and sciences class assignment.

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The U.N. is broken and of no value to us
The PG states that despite his son's actions, "there is no evidence so far that Kofi Annan himself is crooked" ("Eye on the U.N.," Dec. 7 editorial). Therefore, the United States should wait for the outcome of the Volcker investigation before requesting Annan's resignation.

The United Nations is broken. Compare its written goals with observable actions -- such as the placement of Libya and Sudan on the Human Rights Commission; it is sad that any American finds value in the United Nations.

True, if Kojo Annan is guilty, his father Kofi may still be innocent. But, if Kofi Annan knows Volcker will expose him, he has been given the opportunity to resign now and save face. He would then be free to blame the United States for a "political witch hunt" -- a great compromise if he is guilty.

Meanwhile, some here applaud the United Nations for challenging the president, and they assume that this is all backlash for Annan's position on Iraq.

Others among us are insulted -- not only by the current scandal or its bribery regarding Iraq. These things bring our broader discomfort to the surface. The United Nations has no record of furthering the virtues it claims to support.

The United States, on the other hand, really has advocated democracy, human rights and true international charity. Even if you do not agree with President Bush on Iraq, the United Nations does not have America's best interests at heart.

SCOT MacTAGGART
Carrick