Lance: To the Highlands Education Association. Highlands taxpayers took a hit when the school board hiked property levies, but the teachers union declined to do its part and take a one-year pay freeze. Taking the freeze might have saved the jobs of some of the HEA's 22 members who were furloughed. We guess the theory that "we're all in this together" only goes so far.
Laurel: To the Arnold Lions Club. The civic group donated $2,000 to pay for evening supervisors at Roosevelt Park. Giving kids a place to go and play on their own or in structured activities is preferable to their roaming the city's streets and alleys. Roosevelt will be open six nights a week through Labor Day.
On the "Watch List":
• New Kensington-Arnold test scores. There have been rumblings for years about possible improprieties in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment testing in several New Ken-Arnold schools. Now a state consultant's report has flagged results from Fort Crawford Elementary for further review. We urge the state to investigate what may have happened in NK-A and dozens of schools across Pennsylvania. And we hope they find Fort Crawford's scores are legitimate.
• West Nile virus. It's back, Allegheny County health officials confirm. Mosquito samples from Homewood, Monroeville and Point Breeze have tested positive. How pervasive it is, however, has not yet been determined. But it's a good time to check properties for standing water -- a prime breeding ground for those pesky skeeters.
Lance: To the PSSAs. Under the federal "No Child Left Behind" law, these standardized tests have become the be-all and end-all for school districts. Those with low scores face a plethora of trouble -- possible closings, funding cuts and more. As a result, our schools have started teaching kids how to take these tests, as opposed to providing them with an all-around education. And given their importance, the finding that there may have been cheating was not only predictable, but inevitable.
Best wishes: To the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Battlin' Bucs enter the second half of the season tonight in Houston one game out of first place in the National League Central. Good coaching, improved execution and aggressive play have made baseball exciting again in the City of Champions. Here's to a great run as summer fades to fall and, dare we say it, dreams of October begin to dance in our heads.
