Penn Hills school board approves plan to furlough more than 40 teachers

PENN HILLS, Pa. — The Penn Hills School District school board voted 7-2 Tuesday night to approve a plan to furlough more than 40 teachers.

However, the meeting became heated even prior to the controversial vote when police stationed at the door where the meeting was being held forced about a dozen people to watch from the windows.%

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“Just pay attention to what you're doing, because it's not just affecting dollars and cents, it's affecting lives,” meeting attendee James Taylor said.

In total, 43 teachers were furloughed, with the biggest hit coming to special education, according to teachers.

“They're intending to not only furlough teachers, but dismantle the education programs we've had here for many years,” Bob Hoffman, the teacher union president, said.

Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hines said a spate of financial troubles plunged the district into what she called “survival mode.”

Officials said allegations of disproportionate spending, theft and poor budgeting have all been contributing factors to repeated years of large budget deficits, but the district expects to be rounding a bend.

“It's a scary time,” Hines said. “The opportunity to improve effectiveness and efficiency is exciting.”

Meanwhile, there was frustration in the crowd and uncertainty about the continued quality of education.

“You're saying it's educational reform, but how are we improving it? How are we making it greater? All I see is what you're taking away,” Penn Hills junior Katrina Shields said.

Cox Media Group