City school board approves partnership with Penguins
Some say timing poor in light of Hill's talks with team over arena
The Pittsburgh school board voted 7-2 last night to approve a partnership with the Penguins, with most members concluding the issue was separate from a Hill District group's negotiations over conditions for a new hockey arena.
Under the partnership, representatives of the Penguins' front office will visit all district middle schools to explain how students can take what they learn in class and put it to use in the business world. Presentations also will cover diversity, personal values and computer skills.
There is no cost to Pittsburgh Public Schools, and the presentations will begin Feb. 13 at Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8 on the North Side.
As he promised a week ago, board member Mark Brentley Sr. tried to table the partnership agreement because of the timing.
The One Hill Community Benefits Coalition is seeking various incentives, including development funding and job opportunities, as stipulations for construction of a new arena.
The talks are going nowhere fast, however, and Mr. Brentley said he didn't want the school district to give the appearance of intruding on the neighborhood group's efforts. He and Randall Taylor voted against the partnership at the board's monthly legislative meeting.
"This community is simply crying out for support in any kind of way they can get it," an emotional Mr. Brentley said. He said negotiations over the community benefits agreement represented a poor minority neighborhood's fight for "self-determination."
Mr. Brentley argued that the board could vote on the partnership once negotiations over the benefits agreement moved forward, adding there was no harm in delaying the Penguins' visit to district schools.
Board member Heather Arnet said she spoke with the coalition and was told the group considered the school partnership separate from the benefit talks. Mr. Brentley said he got a different reaction from the group.
Coalition Chairman Carl Redwood, who attended the board meeting, said in an interview that he wasn't encouraging the board to vote one way or the other but wanted members to urge the Penguins to bargain earnestly with the group. Mr. Taylor, Ms. Arnet and Thomas Sumpter all voiced support for the negotiations process.
The Penguins previously said that the team considered the school partnership and arena talks separate issues.
The Pittsburgh school board voted 7-2 last night to approve a partnership with the Penguins, with most members concluding the issue was separate from a Hill District group's negotiations over conditions for a new hockey arena.
Under the partnership, representatives of the Penguins' front office will visit all district middle schools to explain how students can take what they learn in class and put it to use in the business world. Presentations also will cover diversity, personal values and computer skills.
There is no cost to Pittsburgh Public Schools, and the presentations will begin Feb. 13 at Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8 on the North Side.
As he promised a week ago, board member Mark Brentley Sr. tried to table the partnership agreement because of the timing.
The One Hill Community Benefits Coalition is seeking various incentives, including development funding and job opportunities, as stipulations for construction of a new arena.
The talks are going nowhere fast, however, and Mr. Brentley said he didn't want the school district to give the appearance of intruding on the neighborhood group's efforts. He and Randall Taylor voted against the partnership at the board's monthly legislative meeting.
"This community is simply crying out for support in any kind of way they can get it," an emotional Mr. Brentley said. He said negotiations over the community benefits agreement represented a poor minority neighborhood's fight for "self-determination."
Mr. Brentley argued that the board could vote on the partnership once negotiations over the benefits agreement moved forward, adding there was no harm in delaying the Penguins' visit to district schools.
Board member Heather Arnet said she spoke with the coalition and was told the group considered the school partnership separate from the benefit talks. Mr. Brentley said he got a different reaction from the group.
Coalition Chairman Carl Redwood, who attended the board meeting, said in an interview that he wasn't encouraging the board to vote one way or the other but wanted members to urge the Penguins to bargain earnestly with the group. Mr. Taylor, Ms. Arnet and Thomas Sumpter all voiced support for the negotiations process.
The Penguins previously said that the team considered the school partnership and arena talks separate issues.