Headlines

Breaking, Stay Up to date, What are our neighbors talking about, in this section we share headlines of what is happening in our region as well as the world.  

 The Department of City Planning’s Public Art and Civic Design Planning division has selected four artists to create permanent art installations in Homewood Park as part of the Homewood Park Improvement Project.

In 2015, various community organizations identified several challenges facing Homewood Park and its existing conditions. This led to an extensive community engagement project led by Homewood Park Community Sports to develop an updated park design that better serves the Homewood community.

These public art installations will uplift the past and present of the Homewood community by telling the story of the neighborhood and its notable people, organizations, and events. Each artist will work closely with Homewood Community Sports and community residents to create a seamless integration of art, landscape, and architecture that’s reflective of the Homewood neighborhood.

The public art portion of this project is funded by the City’s Percent for Art program, which allocates one percent of the project construction budget towards realizing permanent works of art. This is one of seven Percent for Art projects anticipated for 2022.

“We are dedicated to using the Percent for Art program to develop and support a public art program that uplifts community identity, public history, and evolving culture in Pittsburgh,” said Public Art and Civic Design manager Sarah Minnaert. “These artworks will celebrate Homewood’s history and create new memories for generations to come.”

The selected artists for this project are:

Camerin “Camo” Nesbit is a Homewood native and resident who utilizes eye-popping mural work to explore the importance of representation of the black body in public art.

Juliandra Jones is a self-taught mixed media artist, muralist, live painter, entrepreneur and educator from Las Vegas. Her art works to bring people together and elevate marginalized voices through happiness and joy. She specializes in vinyl, acrylic, aerosol paints, as well as natural elements to create various projects such as paintings, woodcuts, sculptures and public art works.

Mikael Owunna is a queer Nigerian American multimedia artist, filmmaker and engineer from Pittsburgh. He explores the intersections of visual media utilizing engineering techniques and optics to explore themes of Blackness and African cosmologies. Through his art, he works to elucidate an emancipatory vision of possibility that pushes people beyond all boundaries, restrictions, and frontiers.

Najja Moon is a Miami-based artist, and cultural practitioner. Her practice is centered on the idea that art is utilitarian in order to explore an amalgamation of practicalities that improve her life. Her works utilize drawing and text to display the intersections of queer identity, the body and movement, black culture, as well as familiar relations, both personal and communal.

Starting this summer, the artists will begin their artistic research by participating in community engagement events at the Homewood Park field to understand the community and identify goals for the artworks.

Visit EngagePGH in order to learn more about the Homewood Park Improvement Project as well as the Homewood Park public art program.

https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/homewood

https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/homewood/homewood-park-public-art

National search validates Dr. Walters to lead District for his record on high standards in education, unmatched integrity, and dedication to students; new role effective August 1, 2022

PITTSBURGH, July 21, 2022 – The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education selected Dr. Wayne N. Walters to lead Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) as its permanent Superintendent. This follows a national search where Dr. Walters’ depth of experience and unmatched skill level validated that he was the ideal person to assume the permanent top leadership role for the District. The Board is expected to approve Dr. Walters’ appointment for a five-year term at its next Legislative Session meeting on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

“Dr. Walters brings a career-long dedication to high standards in education along with unmatched integrity,” said Board President Sala Udin, noting Dr. Walters’ 30-plus year tenure with the District. “People who know him know that he has incredibly high standards for students regarding academic achievement and integrity.”

Dr. Walters has served in the District as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of 6-12 Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming, and, most recently, since October 2021, Interim Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. 

“I remain unapologetically student-centered, committed, and passionate about our students, teachers, staff, and families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools,” said Dr. Walters. “I know firsthand the many challenges our District faces, but I believe competence, confidence, and collaboration go a long way in creating quality, equitable, well-rounded experiences and spaces of learning and joy for our students. I am genuinely excited about the tremendous opportunities ahead.” 

Dr. Walters assumes the permanent post on Monday, August 1, 2022.  

National Search Validated Selection

The Board hired search consultant BWP & Associates (BWP) in March to lead the national search to identify qualified candidates to fill the post of permanent Superintendent for the District. 

There were 29 applicants who applied from 13 states and one other country. The insights garnered from community outreach efforts as part of this process were utilized in the recruiting and selection process. BWP submitted its final report to the Board in late June, which included five finalists. The nine-member Board made the ultimate hiring decision naming Dr. Walters as the next permanent Superintendent. 

Mr. Udin noted that the national search process validated that Dr. Walters is indeed the right individual for this critical leadership position. Throughout the search process, the Board recognized that Dr. Walters was superior in his expectations for academic achievement, staff and student accountability, and the well-being of the entire PPS family. 

Dr. Walters’ significant experience, coupled with the reputation he has earned among teachers, administrators, students, and parents, made him the stand-out candidate in this national search, according to Mr. Udin. “We expect student achievement, professional performance of staff and faculty, and collaboration internally and with community stakeholders to be elevated to a higher level,” he said.

A Reset Strategy 

The Board said it is viewing Dr. Walters’ appointment as permanent Superintendent as a “reset period” with an opportunity for recommitment to public education in Pittsburgh. As part of this reset, the community can expect numerous changes—particularly by enhancing communications with the community, rebuilding confidence in the District, and letting students’ voices be heard. As a result, the Board expects improved morale in the District for students, families, and staff alike. 

Moving forward, the Board and Dr. Walters will collaborate in developing goals and a strategic plan for the District. The Board said that having someone so intimately familiar with the District is a distinct advantage in that Dr. Walters knows how to get things done efficiently and effectively. Relationships with school unions and employee organizations—which are now healthy and respectful—will continue to improve. In addition, Dr. Walters will continue developing key relationships and new partnerships, including those established with the Mayor’s office, City Council, surrounding universities, community-based groups, the philanthropic community, and The Pittsburgh Promise to garner support for advancing the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.

Public Input a Key

Public input was vital in determining the kind of leadership that the District needs and deserves. All told, 1,716 people participated in community feedback activities via an online survey, interviews, focus groups, and community forums, in addition to a public hearing. Administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents/guardians, and community member constituent groups were represented throughout the process. 

Insights garnered from the community outreach efforts helped to build the foundation on which BWP developed the Leadership Profile, which was used in the recruiting process. The Leadership Profile identified the traits needed in a leader best to serve PPS students, educators, and the community and was presented by BWP to the Board at a public meeting in May.

“Community engagement was an essential part of this process, and we thank all those who have participated in providing valuable input for the mutual benefit of the search process,” said Mr. Udin. “We are also grateful for the two foundations that stepped forward—the Richard King Mellon Foundation and The Pittsburgh Foundation—to support the national search that validated Dr. Walters as a true leader and the best candidate for our community.” 

Specific terms of Dr. Walters’ contract will be highlighted next week at the Board’s Legislative Session meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27. 

The first day of school for teachers in the Pittsburgh Public Schools is Tuesday, August 23, 2022. The new school year for students commences on Monday, August 29, 2022. Kindergarten will begin Thursday, September 1. 

Source: PPS

 Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Charles Johnson has died at age 50. His death was announced by his employer, Heritage High School in Wake Forest, South Carolina. His cause of death has not been released.

 He joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999, spending two seasons playing for Andy Reid, who also joined the Eagles in 1999 as a first-time head coach. Johnson started all 16 games in 2000, ending the season with 56 catches and seven touchdowns, tying his career best. He moved on to the New England Patriots in 2001, where he won his first and only Super Bowl alongside young quarterback Tom Brady. Johnson joined the Buffalo Bills in 2002 for what would be his final NFL season. 

Mayor Ed Gainey released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade:

"Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is an attack on the civil and human rights of our entire country. Abortion is healthcare and denying the right to bodily autonomy of women, trans men, non-binary, and disabled people in America is stripping them of their fundamental right to privacy. Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania and I will do whatever it takes to protect and defend that right in Pittsburgh and across our entire Commonwealth. We must ensure that people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures and all of us must recommit ourselves to the work of making America more just and equal for everyone."

Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the dismantling of the landmark Roe v. Wade, which had protected access to abortion:

“First and most importantly, it is critical that everyone understands that abortion services are available and unharmed in Pennsylvania by today’s Supreme Court action. Providers may still provide reproductive health care services and patients should continue the health care plan they’ve developed with their physicians.

“Nonetheless, I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court opinion and the impact this decision will have nationwide. The right to bodily autonomy—and privacy as a whole—is under attack in this country. We must do more to protect the rights of women and pregnant people in every state across the country that doesn’t have a governor willing to wield their veto pen.

“As we approach a critical election cycle here in Pennsylvania, I cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise your personal right to vote. Elections matter.

“This decision did not happen overnight. Right-wing extremists have been strategically planning to dismantle decades long decisions to further their agendas and divide our country with policies designed to infringe upon our freedoms. They have done so one vote at a time, one election at a time across our beloved nation. We cannot allow this to continue.

“Americans are feeling defeated and angry today, and I don’t blame them. However, as long as I am governor, I vow to protect abortion access and reproductive health care in Pennsylvania.

“To women and pregnant people in surrounding states and across the country where this isn’t the case, you are safe here in the commonwealth.”

Since taking office, Gov. Wolf has championed abortion access by vetoing three different anti-abortion bills passed by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and vowed to veto the rest.

 State House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton joined lawmakers and advocates today in demanding an end to hair discrimination in the commonwealth. McClinton’s CROWN Act (HB1066) has been held up in the House State Government Committee for over a year.

“It is unconscionable that in 2022 our neighbors can still be denied educational, professional, and employment opportunities based on their natural hair texture or hairstyle,” McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware said. “More and more states and cities have acted to end this often-overlooked form of discrimination, and it is time for Pennsylvania to join them in outlawing this relic of legal racism.”

More than a dozen states, including Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York, as well as cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have already enacted the CROWN Act protections.

McClinton was joined at today’s press conference by Senator Vincent Hughes, D-Phila., and Reps. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny; Patty Kim, D-Dauphin; Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila; Morgan Cephas, D-Phila; Donna Bullock, D-Phila., as well as advocates Alicia Allen, Harrisburg NAACP; Darcel Kimble, Harrisburg Chapter, PA Links; Amber Harris, National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Pennsylvania Chapter; Trena Brown and Dr. Ebonnie Vazquez, National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Harrisburg; Robert Bruce Hill, Jr., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Charlene Neal Collins, president, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Macawi Thomas, student, Cheney University; Maria James-Thiaw, Natural Hair Writer and Poet; Marvetta Coleman, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.; and Kathy Charles, Alpha Kappa Alpha, The York Pearls.

Video of today’s press conference is available for download.    

Following the horrific mass shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, NY, Governor Tom Wolf today called for immediate action from the General Assembly and Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation to pass common sense legislation to prevent gun violence.

“I am horrified by these tragedies and I am angry that our lawmakers continue to fail to address gun violence,” Gov. Wolf said. “I strongly urge our General Assembly and Congress to enact common sense legislation that will help stem the tide of gun violence.

“How many more children must die before we actually take meaningful action? How many more mass shootings must we witness before we wake up to the reality that gun violence is a public health crisis that must be addressed? People should feel safe going to school, the supermarket, their place of worship, the mall, the movies, and even outside in their community. Yet, these tragedies keep happening.

“Pennsylvania knows Texas’ pain. Too many states and communities know this pain as well. We lost five children in the 2006 mass shooting at a schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Lancaster County. The 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh gave us the terrible distinction of being home to the deadliest antisemitic attack in the country. And we see gun violence regularly in our communities.

“I’m tired of the lack of action. I have made addressing gun violence a priority throughout my administration. I wish I could say the same of our Republican-led legislature, which seems more focused on pushing dangerous bills that would loosen restrictions and put Pennsylvanians at risk. I urge Pennsylvanians to join me in calling for our lawmakers at the state and federal levels to take meaningful steps to end gun violence.”

Governor Wolf has worked to address gun violence in Pennsylvania throughout his terms:

In 2019, he signed an executive order making sweeping changes to gun violence in Pennsylvania including the creation of a Special Council on Gun Violence.

He has invested more than $50 million in grassroots, community gun violence prevention programs around the commonwealth.

He has included an additional $35 million in grants and technical assistance to support community-led gun violence prevention efforts in his 2022-23 budget proposal.

He has included an additional $36 million in the 2022-23 budget proposal toward behavioral health services, restoring two-thirds of the cuts enacted during the previous administration, and he is open to including additional funding.

In October 2021, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut to share crime gun data in an effort to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety.

In December 2021, he vetoed Senate Bill 565, dangerous legislation that would have removed licensing and background check requirements for concealed carry permits and overturned Philadelphia’s requirement for a permit to open carry.

In January 2022, he vetoed House Bill 979, which would discourage local jurisdictions from attempting to regulate firearms.

For years, Governor Wolf has called for the following basic gun laws to be legislated:

Require reporting for lost and stolen guns within 72 hours.

Close loopholes and require background checks on all gun sales.

Require safe storage of firearms to keep guns out of the wrong hands to prevent accidental injury/death and suicides.

Create red flag laws to protect those who may be a danger to themselves or others.

Mayor Ed Gainey  announces investments and initiatives to address the city’s pressing infrastructure needs. As part of the city’s commitment, Mayor Gainey announced the creation of a comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program, an update on the Swindell Bridge, and his plan to address equitable regional infrastructure investment. The announcements were made in advance of National Infrastructure Week, May 16th – May 20th, 2022.

“Our city’s infrastructure connects working families to jobs, education, opportunities and a future,” said Mayor Gainey. “Making much-needed investments into our city’s infrastructure ensures that we are strengthening our communities, creating good-paying jobs, and making our economy more sustainable, resilient, and just. I look forward to working with our regional partners to ensure that we continue to secure our future economic growth, global competitiveness, and prosperity.”

To establish the creation of the comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program, the city released an RFP that includes the hiring of a bridge asset manager. The bridge asset manager will lead an office dedicated to ensuring the safety and integrity of all bridges. Additional responsibilities of the manager will include developing a list of immediate/near-term bridge repairs, creating an asset management plan for each individual bridge and submitting recommendations for successful implementation of the asset management plan including the creation of a new Bridge Maintenance Division. The bridge asset manager will report to the city’s chief operating and administrative officer and will provide a report to the Mayor on the current conditions and safety of all city-owned bridges by October 2022.

Mayor Gainey also provided an update on the Swindell Bridge. In partnership with PENNDOT, DOMI will inspect the Swindell Bridge every six months, and a new inspection will take place this month. For now, inspections and analysis indicate that the current restrictions on the bridge are working to keep the weight of vehicles where it should be. Upon notice from an inspector that the bridge is unsafe, the city will close the bridge immediately. Short-term repairs continue to be made to manage water issues that have caused damage.

In an effort to establish and maintain cooperation and partnership across the region, Mayor Gainey will also convene a roundtable of mayors to meet with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. The purpose of the roundtable will be to connect regional leaders with the technical support and expertise needed to gain funding for critical infrastructure projects.

Source: City of Pittsburgh

May 3, 2022

Governor Tom Wolf today issued the following statement on the potential dismantling of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision to protect access to abortion:  “A decision by the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade will not have an immediate impact on Pennsylvania or its current laws. Should this opinion become final, abortion access in Pennsylvania will remain legal and safe as long as I am governor. I will continue to veto any legislation that threatens access to abortion and women’s health care.   “Any decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is an assault on the right to access safe, legal abortion services. Let’s be clear: the issue is not whether we believe in choice, but rather who is going to make that choice. I believe that should be the person who is most closely involved in making this difficult decision – not lawmakers and judges. And I believe that’s a right that applies to every person across this country.  “This draft opinion, if or when it becomes final, is a stunning, seismic reversal and will set back women’s and birthing people’s health care by decades. I am extremely concerned for women and birthing people in Pennsylvania and across this country.  “Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for nearly 50 years. Although state legislators have attempted to dismantle this right, there are now multiple generations of Americans who have only lived in a country where abortion access is a right. However, for those of us who remember a time before the Roe v. Wade decision, we know this will have monumental, horrific consequences.  “Abortion bans lead to worse health outcomes for pregnant people and babies, increased rates of maternal mortality, and financial hardship that hurts families. The majority of Americans believe in the right to access abortion, and the implication that this right may be reversed is appalling. This is an attack on privacy, on bodily autonomy, and on the right to health care – but more than that, it’s an attack on our future.”  Since taking office, Governor Wolf has vetoed three different anti-abortion bills introduced by members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and vowed to veto the rest.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey

The possible overturn of Roe vs. Wade is not just an attack on women, but on all Americans. Abortion is healthcare and it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect this right across our country. The U.S. House and Senate must immediately take up legislation reaffirming the right to abortion. Abortion continues to remain legal here in Pennsylvania and I will continue to do all I can to protect and defend that right.

Casey Statement on Leaked Supreme Court Decision

Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s leaked decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.   “If this draft opinion becomes the final opinion of the Court, I have serious concerns about what overturning almost 50 years of legal precedent will mean for women in states passing near or total bans on abortion. Congress should be working to reduce the number of abortions and unintended pregnancies and doing much more to support women and families.”

 Two 17-year-olds were killed and several more injured during a shooting at a large party in an Airbnb early Sunday morning in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office identified Mathew Steffy-Ross, of Pitcairn, and Jaiden Brown, as the victims.

Steffy-Ross had been enrolled at Propel Braddock-Hills, according to Sonya Meadows, a spokesperson for Propel. He was in a placement program for students who run into legal problems, she said, so he hadn’t been attending the school. On March 31, he was withdrawn from Propel and enrolled in a non-traditional Christian academy, she said. Propel students are currently on spring break until Wednesday, but Meadows said supports would be in place for students and staff when they return.

Brown was set to graduate from Woodland Hills High School next month, according to KDKA. Woodland Hills says it will be reaching out to those impacted by the violence and will be providing additional counseling supports on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Around 200 people, most of them underage, were reportedly attending a party in a unit rented through Airbnb in the neighborhood, also known as Deutschtown. Gunfire erupted around 12:30 a.m. Pittsburgh police have said there was likely more than one shooter and between 50 and 90 rounds discharged during the event.

“It was mayhem,” one witness told The Trib. No arrests have yet been made.

Public Source 

Read more from Public Source: 

 Kimberly Easton, a former television news anchor and reporter at WPXI-TV  in Pittsburgh, PA  was found dead Monday (February 7, 2022) at her home in Columbus, Indiana. Easton worked  at WPXI-TV  from 04-2003 to  08-2010  and later held positions as a  journalist for a number of television stations nationwide.   Easton's sister, Kelly Easton of Columbus, says she died of heart failure, she was 56.  "We had a wellness check on Kimberly Monday after not hearing from her, at that time, Columbus police found Kimberly dead in her home. We are absolutely devastated as a family of her sudden passing." Kelly says that the last time she spoke to Kimberly was Friday night."

Kimberly leaves behind a daughter, three grandchildren and an legacy where she was committed to diversity and inclusion disparities in education.  Through her work she wanted underrepresented citizens to be heard and she was devoted to  helping to bridge the gap of inequities in education.  

Read the Obituary: Kimberly Easton | Former WPXI-TV reporter and trailblazing journalist from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

 Funeral arrangements: 

https://www.barkesweaverglick.com/obituaries/Ms-Kimberly-Sue-Easton?obId=23967156&fbclid=IwAR1qz6K8zdr_WhR3F6WotNBD12bDr-7QrnVJ45k4tolXZqumt4PeySnAX78#/celebrationWall

On a personal blog, Kimberly posted the following biography:

https://kimberlyeastoncareerportfolio.com/2021/04/24/example-post-2/

 Kimberly Easton, our Multicultural Diversity leader for the District, is a native of Columbus, Indiana. Easton, who founded KEI Connects, moved into the strategic communications industry after an extensive career as an award-winning Television News Anchor | Reporter. Easton has lived and worked all over the country with stints in the states of Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, and Kentucky including Chicago, Illinois. She’s interviewed sports legend, Hank Aaron; poet, Maya Angelou; actress, Eartha Kitt; and political figures, Jesse Jackson, Oliver North, Governor Douglas Wilder, the First Black Governor of Virginia. Easton’s recognition for professional excellence in broadcasting include the National Association of Professional Women, the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, numerous Michigan Associated Press Awards and the coveted Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcaster’s Award.  With her media talents and connections, Easton directed and assisted in the publishing of several books, one of which hit the New York Times Best Sellers list on the day of its release. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Communications and The Arts, an array of experiences in the field of communications, and a threshold of cultural experiences; Easton, as our Multicultural Diversity Leader, will continue to work with BCSC’s Stakeholder Guide Teams on the following initiatives established by the District:  Diverse Curriculum Restorative Justice Under-represented Teacher Retention & Recruitment Family Academic Achievement Network | FAAN Kimberly loves traveling, swimming and spending time with family and friends, especially her 5 and 2-year old grandsons. She remains a long-time member of the National Association of Black Journalists. 

Recently, Kimberly had been working for the past three years with The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) as the Multi-Cultural Coordinator. The organization released the following statement today regarding her passing:  

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) announced Tuesday morning the sudden passing of Multi-Cultural Coordinator Kimberly Easton. During her three years with the school system, Easton led many diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts around the district.

Easton developed guiding teams in the areas of Diverse Curriculum, Family Academic Achievement Network, Under-Represented Teacher Recruitment and Retention, and Restorative Justice. A Columbus North graduate, Easton returned to her hometown after a successful career in journalism and the founding of KEI Connects, a strategic communications company.

“In her time here, Kimberly was very passionate about her work. She cared for all of our students, and especially our marginalized students,” BCSC Director of Secondary Education Bill Jensen said.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts added, “Based on the significant work that Kimberly started when beginning her role with us, we transitioned her from part to full-time to help ensure all students had better access to opportunity. Kimberly was critical to their continued growth and development.

https://www.localnewsdigital.com/2022/02/08/bcsc-announces-sudden-passing-of-kimberly-easton/

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, Jim Rogers was placed in Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) custody after officers responded to a call in Bloomfield. The officer on scene deployed his Taser during the response. Following his arrest, Mr. Rogers was transported to Mercy Hospital by police, where he passed away the following day.  

Pursuant to policy, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police empaneled an internal Critical Incident Review Board (CIRB) to evaluate officers’ actions and gauge policy compliance. Additionally, the Allegheny County Police Department is independently investigating the incident with the full cooperation of the PBP. Over the course of two months, the CIRB has reviewed evidence including all available video, officer statements and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police general orders and training. The Board found that a series of procedural failures contributed to this tragic outcome.  

Eight Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers, including two supervisors, will face varying levels of discipline in accordance with the Fraternal Order of Police collective bargaining agreement. We are not permitted to discuss details of the disciplinary process. 

In recent years, the City of Pittsburgh implemented several measures to ensure accountability, including mandatory de-escalation and implicit bias training for officers and participation in The National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice, which examines policy and aims to increase trust within our community.  However, it is clear more needs to be done.  

Therefore, the CIRB recommended the following policy and procedural changes:  

Any use of force incident will require the presence of a supervisor on scene to complete a medical assessment and request appropriate personnel  

Any incident involving the positive deployment of a Taser will require emergency medical services personnel to assess the patient  

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police personnel will be retrained in accordance with established PBP Training Academy Duty to Intervene policy 

PBP will streamline its organizational review of Use of Force by both appropriate command staff and the Training Academy to expeditiously ensure policy compliance 

“It is imperative that every critical incident is reviewed promptly,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich. “By identifying the problem, it allows us to expeditiously make corrections that are put into policy in a timely manner.” 

Immediately following this incident, all sworn PBP officers were required to complete a Taser refresher course followed by an exam. This course is in addition to the yearly mandated Taser recertification requirement for all officers. 

Further, the PBP will require its officers to become fully certified Emergency Medical Responders.  

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police would like to express its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Jim Rogers. We thank them for their patience in affording the CIRB the time and latitude to investigate the events that led up to his tragic death.  

“Jim Rogers will serve as a sober reminder of the tremendous responsibility all officers bear when they wear the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police badge. Every resident and visitor to the City of Pittsburgh is owed the highest standard of care when they are in the custody of Pittsburgh Police. In the case of Jim Rogers, we failed our fellow citizen. The disciplinary measures and procedural changes we are announcing today are intended to ensure a tragedy such as this never occurs again in the City of Pittsburgh,” said Police Chief, Scott Schubert. 

Pittsburgh Public Safety will not be offering any further comment at this time.  

Source: City of Pittsburghh

Dr. Walters is District’s Longest-Serving Central Office Administrator 

Most Recently as Assistant Superintendent

PITTSBURGH, September 29, 2021 – Tonight, at its September Legislative Meeting, the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education named Dr. Wayne N. Walters as Interim Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools in a unanimous vote by its nine-member Board. Dr. Walters begins his role in the top leadership post on Friday, October 1, 2021, and will continue in this capacity for one year or until a permanent Superintendent is hired and on board. 

Dr. Walters has worked his entire professional career for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and has more than 30 years’ experience with PPS, the second-largest public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has experience as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of 6-12 Schools, and, most recently, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming. 

“Dr. Walters is no stranger to us. We know firsthand that his commitment to Pittsburgh Public Schools and the City of Pittsburgh is unwavering,” stated Sylvia Wilson, Board President. “Couple this with Dr. Walters’ depth of experience and unmatched skill level, we could not be more pleased that Dr. Walters has agreed to serve as Interim Superintendent. We needed someone who could immediately step into this critically important role and begin to immediately address the many priorities in the District. Even though we had an excellent pool of Interim Superintendent candidates, Dr. Walters stood out as the best.”

Coming from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Dr. Walters came to Pittsburgh when he was 16 to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music performance/music education in 1990. At age 21, he started his first teaching position at King Elementary on Pittsburgh’s North Side. By 1998, he received a Masters’ degree in Music Education/Technology from Duquesne University; and earned a Doctor of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007. 

The 51-year-old educator said he always has had a passion for working directly with students with the goal of making an impact on their lives through education. When asked about his proudest achievement, Dr. Walters says without hesitancy: “It’s what I have been able to do for students.” He pursued the Interim Superintendent position because, “When there’s an opportunity to serve, I want to step up. Children’s lives are on the line, and we need to elevate the quality of teaching and accelerate learning for all students.” This devotion comes through his often used expression such as  “because of the students” and “students first” in making decisions with students first in mind. 

In addition, Dr. Walters hopes to address and advance organizational cohesion in the District through systems-oriented thinking. He also aims to cultivate stakeholder relationships through collaboration, trust, and clear communications. “We’re all here for the same reason: We want Pittsburgh Public Schools to be the best it can be,” said Dr. Walters. 

“We have an incredibly hardworking staff, the best teachers and devoted administrators—and all of us have the great responsibility and privilege of educating our students. We remain committed to our core function and that is helping students learn to their fullest abilities,” said Dr. Walters. Under his leadership as Principal, Barack Obama Academy of International Studies placed in the top 10 percent national ranking of Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report after two years in existence as a 6-12 school.

Board President Wilson noted that Dr. Walters is “assuming this responsibility at a time when the District needed stabilization and healing. He is ready for this challenge and opportunity.”

Earlier this month, the Board voted to accept Dr. Anthony Hamlet’s resignation as Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools after he resigned on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Beginning in December, the incoming School Board will direct the national search for a permanent Superintendent.

Source: PPS

The Coraopolis NAACP is alarmed by and deeply concerned about the recent and ongoing

conduct of Sewickley Academy in apparently renouncing its prior, board-approved commitment

to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in its strategic plan. Yet more concerning,

conduct includes sudden termination of three well-qualified and well-experienced African American professionals, as well as other personnel and reorganization decisions that undercut its

commitment to diversity, and which prompted two African-American board members to resign,

appears to come on the heels of an anonymous letter characterizing the Academy’s commitment

to diversity, and its diverse students, as “political” and “radical,” no doubt motivated by the

ongoing manufactured panic concerning the teaching of critical race theory in schools. Somehow

more concerning still, the anonymous letter writers appear to have misappropriated students’

private information, including their residential addresses, in issuing their letter.

Nearly seventy years ago, the NAACP fought to establish diversity, equity, inclusion, and social

justice in education as basic American values, litigating and prevailing in Brown versus Board of

Education. The case ended racial segregation in public schools. Consistent with its current

overall mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens,

achieve equality of rights, eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States, and

remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. Its mission recognizes

that education is critical not just to present students but also toward the shared progress of our

society.

Values recognized in Brown are crucial to our Republic and its commitment to equal justice

under law and have more to do with the Constitution than critical race theory. Therefore, the

anonymous letter writers should reflect on whether their efforts are politically radical or

reactionary products of cynical political theatrics. Indeed, their anonymity and misuse of

students’ private identifying information represents an echo of the conduct of groups more

proximate to Brown, who fought desegregation at every turn, including by violence and both

overt and subtle threats thereof.

Sewickley Academy would do well to consider whether it is willing to sacrifice its staff, its

commitment to diversity, and, most importantly, its students’ ability to navigate a world in order

to satiate the fears of an anonymous contingent. Our children, our region, and our Republic

deserve better than abrupt, regressive decisions.

In the short term, we call on Sewickley Academy to begin proceeding with respect to this

problem with complete candor, transparency, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders,

including the Concerned Parents of Sewickley, ourselves, and the Academy’s accrediting body,

the National Association of Independent Schools. In the long term, we believe that the

Academy’s only just course of action is to reconsider and reverse its gravely ill-advised course of

conduct, publicly reaffirm its prior, board-approved commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion,

and social justice as it stood before these unfortunate decisions, and denounce the anonymous

letter writers’ efforts and conversion of sensitive information as antiquated, misguided, and

contrary to the best interests of the Academy, its students, and our community.