City school board cuts 30 more jobs
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From left: board members Sharene Shealey, Thomas Sumpter, Floyd McCrea and Bill Isler.
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The board of Pittsburgh Public Schools voted Wednesday night to eliminate an additional 30 jobs through a mix of furloughs and layoffs, most of them classroom paraprofessionals.
In the latest painful chapter of the district's financial woes, the board voted 7-1 to approve what superintendent Linda Lane described as a "regretful" but necessary act as the 26,000-student system attempts to plug a shortfall that could reach $41 million by the end of next year.
The 23 paraprofessionals affected include 15 classroom assistants, five educational assistants and three parental engagement specialists. They will be furloughed no later than Tuesday.
In addition, five part-time child care aides were laid off retroactive to Aug. 1. Two light cleaners are furloughed effective today.
The lone dissenting vote came from Mark Brentley Sr. He said the employees were essentially scapegoats for uncalled-for levels of spending stretching back to the administration of the previous superintendent, Mark Roosevelt.
"I cannot -- will not -- support that," he said.
Later into the board's three-hour meeting, the discussion grew heated as Mr. Brentley left the board room complaining that the board and its leadership were denying him his right to advance a resolution regarding student athletes.
The board also approved a policy for the sale of 17 unused and unnecessary school buildings, including Schenley, the venerable high school that was the subject of attempts by some parents to be spared. The policy was amended to include language noting that preference would be given to bidders whose offers cover, at minimum, the debt obligation on the building.
The board also agreed that requests for proposals and bid submissions should be completed this calendar year. Prospective buyers are also required to meet with the community in which the buildings are located to describe benefits to the neighborhood.
First Published August 25, 2011 12:00 am
