Pittsburgh Public Schools PR bill raises questions from taxpayers

Parents and taxpayers are questioning why Pittsburgh Public Schools continue to spend thousands of dollars for public relations services each month.

The school district hired a private PR firm to help deal with media requests and relations during the controversy over Dr. Anthony Hamlet’s hiring.

According to documents obtained by Channel 11 News, the school district has paid the Huss Group more than $46,000 to date. The district paid more than $8,000 a month through December, even though the district has its own PR team, and the superintendent controversy ended in August.

Both the district and the firm said that plenty of work was done to make the partnership worthwhile, but some parents say that if money is tight, it should have gone toward students.

“There’s so many other things the district could be spending the money on, like our children,” said Tracy Domos.

District solicitor Ira Weiss said the firm was initially hired to help with issues surrounding the superintendent, but was kept on retainer through December to work on social media and outreach for other projects.

"It's worked out well. I think they're getting a lot of service, and I think it's good service,” Weiss said.

The district has a communications staff of its own, but Weiss said it’s not uncommon for the school board to hire outside help as well.

Parents like Chris Ribarchak believe the school board should find better ways to spend its money.

"It's a shame that they're wasting taxpayer dollars, because I know money is tight and the city doesn't have a lot of money to be wasting on things they don't need,” Ribarchak said.

Huss group CEP Joanna Huss said the firm worked directly with parents and students on many of Hamlet’s initiatives and new programs.

The school board president did not respond to Channel 11’s request for a comment.

Cox Media Group