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I know it's Friday afternoon, but a special Pittsburgh Public School board meeting starts in 5 minutes. So stay tuned ... the board is expected to vote on whether to begin the year with remote learning. Here's some context: https://www.wesa.fm/post/city-school-district-seeks-public-input-full-remote-learning-start-school-year
If board member Kevin Carter's resolution to postpone in-person instruction for the first 9 weeks is approved, here's what PPS Superintendent Anthony Hamlet will be responsible for.
More context from my wonderful colleague @kileykoscinski who listened to five hours of testimony Wednesday from students, parents and teachers. https://www.wesa.fm/post/public-responds-favorably-pps-board-member-proposal-start-school-year-fully-online
District leaders worked with partners including the teachers' union and @OnePennsylvania this summer and came up with more than 400 recommendations for if the district were to resume in-person learning. Currently, the union president does NOT think it is safe to return.
If you're thinking "well, why don't the kids just stay home?" Here's another issue: Board member Sala Udin says the district isn't prepared for remote learning. He wants an audit of all of the technology the district has purchased this year. https://www.wesa.fm/post/wesa-daily-briefing-july-31-2020#stream/0
About a half-hour ago the district issued a release saying 18,719 devices the district purchased are back ordered because of supply and demand issues. Almost every district in the country is trying to buy these now. This is from the release:
Continued from last tweet. 25,891 devices (including hotspots and internet essentials) were ordered. 18,719 of those are backordered
Ok, meeting just started! It's worth noting that about 1,000 people are watching. Take it from someone who watches these meetings regularly ... that's a big deal.
