From the Desk of the Superintendent

January is national School Board Recognition Month, which gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the tremendous efforts being made by our dedicated Board of School Directors all year long.

These elected officials come from many different backgrounds and offer a wide variety of perspectives on the issues that matter most to learners, teachers, and taxpayers. But the one thing they all have in common is that their number one priority is making sure that our students are always receiving the best education and opportunities possible.

In a way, each member of our school board also serves as a surrogate parent for our kids. After all, they want to be sure that the facilities our kids learn in are safe and efficient, they want to maximize the value of the education our kids receive, they speak up to make sure the needs of every learner are being taken into account, and they strive to ensure our budget is being fairly and effectively utilized to support the unique learning journey of every child.

Many of the biggest decisions that affect our students are ultimately determined by our school board. It is a role of great responsibility that requires clear vision, empathy, and dedication. Most importantly, it is a role that asks every person elected to serve in this capacity to do so as a wholehearted advocate for all of our students, and to make every decision with our childrens’ futures in mind.

I hope you will join me in expressing your gratitude for the men and women who have continually gone above and beyond over the past year, not just in service of our children’s education but also in honor of our community’s proud reputation as one of Pittsburgh’s most welcoming, empowering, and supportive school districts for all learners.

Thank you to Baldwin-Whitehall School Board of Directors President Karen L. Brown, 1st Vice President Greg A. Zeman, 2nd Vice President Amanda L. Priano, and members John W. Bell,  Dr. Anthony J. DiCesaro, Peter D. Giglione, Daniel Knezevich, Janice Tarson, and Melissa Wood, as well as Board Secretary Theanita Hampsay for your unwavering commitment and volunteerism. Your efforts to make our District the best it can be often occur outside the spotlight, but the results of your efforts are an inspiration for our entire community.