How do we start solving the problem that is Woodland Hills? (Pittsburgh: middle-class, chapel)

[cnh128]

I don't understand this. How do sane people make a decision like this.

triblive.com/news/adminpage/12209849-74/the-woodland-hills-school-board-voted-on-wednesday-to-hire-kevin-murray

Subsequent to my last post -- I have moved (Fox Chapel won out). I still own a house in WHSD and am trying to sell it (probably best off praying for lightning strike or some other act of God). Who in their right mind would buy it, what with this total cluster of a district?

The history doesn't interest me any more - complaining about the lawsuit that created this disaster doesn't change anything now. Speculation around the gentrification of EL that pushed residents into Rankin doesn't change anything. What can actually be done now? Anything? There are alot of problem kids in this district, but clearly the adults are jacked up too, voting this primate into a coach position despite his total failure in judgment.

[eschaton]

I've been an advocate for years of the idea of merging Pittsburgh Public Schools, Woodland Hills, and Penn Hills SD into one. Hell, let Wilkinsburg SD come along for the ride too.

What would be the advantages? First, transition to the Pittsburgh tax system - which funds local schools more through an income tax than a property tax - would create a better tax structure for residents and especially businesses looking to buy property in these communities. Secondly, students in the suburban districts could have access to the Pittsburgh magnet system (though I expect Woodland Hills Academy would be folded into the PPS magnet system, and we might want a few new magnets besides). Third would be access to the Pittsburgh Promise.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I've been an advocate for years of the idea of merging Pittsburgh Public Schools, Woodland Hills, and Penn Hills SD into one. Hell, let Wilkinsburg SD come along for the ride too.

What would be the advantages? First, transition to the Pittsburgh tax system - which funds local schools more through an income tax than a property tax - would create a better tax structure for residents and especially businesses looking to buy property in these communities. Secondly, students in the suburban districts could have access to the Pittsburgh magnet system (though I expect Woodland Hills Academy would be folded into the PPS magnet system, and we might want a few new magnets besides). Third would be access to the Pittsburgh Promise.

How does this benefit the City?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

How does this benefit the City?

The city is a different political entity than PPS remember.

As for how it benefits PPS, better economies of scale could result in cost savings across the new, wider district. Admittedly there's less upside, but I'm in support of government consolidation on a principled level, so even if one merger may not benefit me personally I'd still be willing to go forward with it.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by eschaton

The city is a different political entity than PPS remember.

As for how it benefits PPS, better economies of scale could result in cost savings across the new, wider district. Admittedly there's less upside, but I'm in support of government consolidation on a principled level, so even if one merger may not benefit me personally I'd still be willing to go forward with it.

I just can't see the city taking one for the team.

I get the economies of scale argument but at the elementary level wouldn't most of the Woodland Hills kids still go to the same school? Or there is the risk that they would just flood the magnets.

[stburr91]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I've been an advocate for years of the idea of merging Pittsburgh Public Schools, Woodland Hills, and Penn Hills SD into one. Hell, let Wilkinsburg SD come along for the ride too.

What would be the advantages? First, transition to the Pittsburgh tax system - which funds local schools more through an income tax than a property tax - would create a better tax structure for residents and especially businesses looking to buy property in these communities. Secondly, students in the suburban districts could have access to the Pittsburgh magnet system (though I expect Woodland Hills Academy would be folded into the PPS magnet system, and we might want a few new magnets besides). Third would be access to the Pittsburgh Promise.

This is the only thing that would be a solution to the problems facing the WHSD.

WHSD is well on it's way to becoming just like the Wilkinsburg district, total destruction to the communities it serves with it's insane school taxes.

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I just can't see the city taking one for the team.

I get the economies of scale argument but at the elementary level wouldn't most of the Woodland Hills kids still go to the same school? Or there is the risk that they would just flood the magnets.

They won't, not unless they are ordered to do so, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for the state to fix the mess they created.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by stburr91

They won't, not unless they are ordered to do so, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for the state to fix the mess they created.

The mess was created by a federal judge back in the early 1980's.

[cnh128]

I've been trying to find success stories of failing school districts that got back on course. There isn't much out there :-/. we also have local feel-good examples of Wilkinsburg and Duquesne.

I did find this, though, which has me wondering some things (the high school already provides free lunch to all students, no application required):
https://www.districtadministration.c...uccess-stories

So let's assume that merging WH into PPS is the way to go. How can that actually come about? What can parents and/or property tax payers do to plan that and execute on it? I would assume a first or early step would be to elect a board that actually seems aware that the district is an unsustainable trainwreck.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

PPS has the resources to absorb tiny Wilkinsburg, but can it really do anything to stabilize the much larger Woodland Hills? I have my doubts.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by cnh128

I've been trying to find success stories of failing school districts that got back on course. There isn't much out there :-/. we also have local feel-good examples of Wilkinsburg and Duquesne.

The only way for a failing school district to get back on course is to have a critical mass of middle-class parents buy into the district as a concept and begin enrolling their students. This is because bad districts are bad because of selection bias - the parents with smarter kids tend to choose other options, leaving behind a student body less likely to succeed. That's why a merger with PPS could help - it would at least get some middle class families to use the Pittsburgh magnet system and choose to stay within their communities.