I am writing in response to the article, "Parents ask North Allegheny to keep school," (Oct. 6).

At the Sept. 21 North Allegheny school board meeting, I asked the board to allow us to help them save our schools. I spent the majority of my brief time at the podium talking about the impact that the current budget crisis will have on the district.

This year's budget process was difficult due to significant cuts in state funding of public education. Going forward, the district is preparing for further cuts in state funding. In addition, the most significant impact will be mandatory employer contribution rates for teacher pensions. Those costs are projected to rise dramatically as mandated contributions will increase annually. The dramatic increase in pension funding requirements is a result of several factors, including legislation redefining benefits in 2001, subsequent legislation and recent downturns in the economy.

In order to meet these demands, North Allegheny School District has been exploring cost-cutting options such as closing schools, moving to a primary/secondary elementary model, significantly increasing class sizes or eliminating programs in gifted education, fine arts or athletics. The school district also is exploring options to generate additional revenue.

While my initial concerns may have been about Bradford Woods Elementary, I have since realized, along with parents across the district, that the problem is much broader in scope, and that the ramifications of the school board's decisions -- whether or not they involve closing a school -- will be felt across the entire district.

The purpose of my talk was to ask the board to involve parents in the decision-making process, to let them know that we recognize that sacrifices (cuts) will have to be made, but remind them that "our investments in this district as taxpayers and parents are too great -- and the outcome too important -- for us to be passive bystanders in this process."

We encourage other parents to get involved. The administration is expected to present several options at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the administrative building, 200 Hillvue Lane.

Concerned residents should attend and/or register to speak at the meeting. There are more than 8,000 students in North Allegheny, and every single one of them stands to be affected by the outcome of this process.

JENNIE GRIFFIN

Bradford Woods

First Published: October 21, 2011, 1:00 p.m.