Pittsburgh leaders outline government, education collaboration

Mayor Bill Peduto held up an 18-page document on how to improve the relationship between Pittsburgh Public Schools and city government and called it progress.

Another city official said dedicating city staff positions to education wastes money.

“One year ago today, we were fighting about school closings, we were fighting about teacher evaluations,” Peduto said. “We were fighting over a rising crippling school debt, and we were fighting over a lack of communication.”

Peduto on Thursday released the final report from the city's 21-member Education Task Force, the product of an eight-month process. City officials, district leaders and education advocates say the process began a new conversation on how the city can help the school district and improve quality of life and education for students.

Controller Michael Lamb, a member of the task force, commended the task force for how the report outlines the city's responsibilities. But he remains critical of the administration's two staff positions dedicated to education, saying they cost more than $200,000 in city dollars.

“It's just not within our core mission,” he said. “When it gets to actual education policy, that's not for us; that's not something we should be spending money on.”

Peduto has made education a prime initiative of his administration. A strong school system, he has said, is key to increasing the city's population.

“It's a conversation of how far you step; where are the responsibilities of one, where are the responsibilities of the other?” Peduto said of the district and city. “What this is, is a blueprint for us to be able to work together on a common goal.”

Areas of focus include public safety, out-of-school programs, community schools initiatives, school funding and boosting positive press for the district in order to attract families. Superintendent Linda Lane, who joined Peduto at City Hall for a news conference on the report, said safety is the top priority.

“We have some neighborhoods that make it difficult for kids to concentrate on their academics,” she said. “Being able to work together to make that a stronger model for kids, I think, is extremely important.”

Peduto said the city's police budget will include an undetermined amount dedicated to district needs, such as putting more officers in school zones or along routes to school. Lane noted plans to have police zone commanders establish better relationships with school principals.

Other plans include the city broadening youth workforce initiatives and working toward a “community schools” philosophy. Lane said that involves helping students and their families connect with health, dental or social services.

The report charges the city to lobby harder for an education funding formula change from Harrisburg and to use the city's media outlets to help market the district.

When he took office, Peduto created the Bureau of Neighborhood Empowerment with two education-focused staff positions. Foundations committed to pay half the salaries. Both of those hires, including chief of the division Curtiss Porter, have since left.

The city doesn't have a timeframe to fill those positions, said spokesman Tim McNulty, but is discussing their future with the foundations.

Lamb said he would consider auditing the bureau in the future.

The task force may continue to meet, but more formal partnerships are possible. Last fall, City Council passed a resolution to turn the task force into a commission. Sponsor Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith said she is interested in seeing charter and private school representatives join the conversation.

Citing Pittsburgh's population loss over the years, especially among families, Kail-Smith called it crucial that more families educate their children at city schools.

“If you don't think that has an impact on the city of Pittsburgh and we should not be involved and at the table, then you really don't get the greater picture,” she said.

Melissa Daniels is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-380-8511 or mdaniels@tribweb.com.