Pittsburgh School Board invites public to contribute to superintendent search

Parents, teachers, students and community members will have the chance to contribute to the job description of Pittsburgh’s next superintendent, thanks to an open search process beginning this month.

In seeking a new superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Pittsburgh School Board is inviting the public to upcoming community forums throughout January.

For each session, registration begins at 5 p.m. that day for speakers wishing to comment; the forums begin at 6 p.m. The format is similar to Pittsburgh School Board public hearings, with each registered speaker given three minutes to talk. For the public board hearing on Jan. 25, registration begins on Jan. 19 and continues until noon on Jan. 25.

The forums will take place at the following dates and locations:

• 7: The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, East Liberty.
• 13: Oliver High School, North Side.
• 19: Brashear High School, Beechview.
• 21: Carrick High School, Carrick.
• 25: Public Session at the Pittsburgh Board of Education administration building, Oakland.
• 26: Pittsburgh Langley K-8, Sheraden.
• 28: Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12, Hill District.

Childcare is available for every session except for the Jan. 25 hearing.

Community members may also submit feedback by calling toll-free 888-839-5445; emailing input@pittsupsearch.com; or tweeting @pittsupsearch. More details are available at pittsupsearch.com.

Pittsburgh School Board members have set a goal to hire a new superintendent by mid-May.  Outgoing Superintendent Linda Lane announced her resignation in September and will finish out the 2015-16 school year. She joined the district in 2007 as deputy superintendent and became superintendent in January 2011.

The district will issue a call for applicants in February and will begin reviewing applicants in March. Interviews will take place throughout April.