Mark Rauterkus

• It's Time For Ravenstahl To Lead: Step Down, Save Your Family

  Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, it's time to do the right thing. For your son. Be a hero in the young boy's life. Cement your legacy and his future now.

  For Cooper's sake, step down from the city's top post immediately and focus your attentions on family matters.

  
  It's almost always [...]

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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 12:01am EST
  

• Schenley Spartans -- ripping up the sports world and beyond

  Wow. We were most impressed with a Caberet performance in the school on Friday night as the football team was beating the Chucks.
  
  We had our first swim practice, and the team looks solid. I'd love to get a few more meets with WPIAL schools for Pittsburgh Schenley. We've [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 10:31am EST
  

• On the road again. Being thankful!

  Going no mail for a while.
  
  I won't be asking for money via the UK, even if I get mugged, as per the hacker that got my Facebook account a few months ago.
  
  Details in comments.' [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 9:45am EST
  

• No swimming team at Oliver, Peabody nor Westinghouse in 2009-10

  I've come to understand that there is not going to be swim teams at Oliver High School, Peabody High School, nor Westinghouse High School this winter. Langley might need a coach as well for the season. So their season is on the rocks, perhaps.
  
  ' [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:41am EST
  

• Gates Foundation awards $40 million to city schools

  Gates Foundation awards $40 million to city schools: "'For us, it's the perfect partnership at the perfect time,' ...
  

  As to the perfect time, well, there is no time like the present. Sadly, I've seen a lot of thing delayed because the timing is on the back'" [...]

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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:36am EST
  

• Gates Refresher

  From the past. Now newsworthy because the news is out.
  
  Updated:
  
  I was able to attend the community meeting hosted by Pittsburgh Public Schools this past week at Perry Traditional High School. Called, Excellence for All. Mark Roosevelt, superintendent, spoke about the new push for teacher effectiveness and [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:53am EST
  

• Sci Tech Comets, or else George Romaro High School Zombies -- you decide!

  This fall saw the opening of a brand new school within the city, presently called, "Pittsburgh 6-12 Science and Technology Academy." Its short name is "Sci Tech." Presently, the program has kids in grades 9, 8, 7 and 6. Next year the 9th graders advance and the school grows. The [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:43pm EST
  

• IB High

  I'm a big fan of this school -- still without a name, still alive in the wake of Schenley High School's phase out. It has been called I.B. High, I.B. World, Frickenstein, Scheleystein, Pittsburgh I.B. 6-10 plus Pittsburgh Schenley 11-12, and a few others as well. Regardless of what you [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:44pm EST
  

• Water polo game on Wednesday at 6 pm warm-up, 6:30 game

  Some water polo players from North Allegheny are going to visit the city and play a game / scrimmage at Reizenstein / Schenley / I.B. 6-10 at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.
  
  You are invited.
  
  Bring you suit even. We might need some subs.
  
  Yesterday we [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:32pm EST
  

• My statement before the board and administration at Pittsburgh Public Schools tonight -- "bringing it."

  Updated:
  
  I spoke in public comment period on November 16, 2009, to the Pittsburgh Public Schools board and administration. After, a friend said, "Mark, you were bringing it tonight."
  
  I did raise some good points.
  
  Nutshell: Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, should be removed from the [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:25pm EST
  

• Plan for city schools could shuffle students again

  Sigh. Plan for city schools could shuffle students again The school board does not plan an immediate vote on the proposal, which DeJong based on enrollment projections and the maintenance needs of about 80 district buildings. News flash. Few sign up in advance of meeting to speak of outrage [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 5:44am EST
  

• Invite: Film, For Liberty in Dormon on Monday

  Getting the word out. The "For Liberty" Documentary is going to be at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont on Monday, 11/16 @ 7 pm.
  
  "For Liberty...follows this [Ron Paul's] historic campaign from the perspective of grassroots activists, and showcases the unique, often bizarre, yet groundbreaking projects they undertook'" [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 12:18pm EST
  

• New Word created: Upside to the new trail on Mon Warph'n@

  Upside to the new trail on Mon Warph'n@ is the POLAR Bear Swim on Jan 1. Hope they fixed that up. Ice, cement, slime, water, cold.
  From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events
  
  Sadly, the new Mon Wharf bike trail goes only along' [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 11:22am EST
  

• Wanted: A replacement for Don Walko

  Here is the call.
  
  Because of Don Walko's election to the bench, he'll be departing the role in the Pennsylvania State House. Hence, there is an opening and a couple campaigns to come.
  
  The first campaign brings the race for the various party nominations. Then the next [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 7:44am EST
  

• Tuesday's big meetings about schools

  Dr. Linda Lane, Deputy Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, is hosting a meeting “Best Practices for Homework Support in After School Programs” on Tuesday, November 10th from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue, in Conference Room A (enter the building on [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:41pm EST
  

• Women earn 21% less than men in Pa.

  Women earn 21% less than men in Pa.
  
  This is bad news for men and children too. [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:47pm EST
  

• Students Paying The Copyright Tax

  Speaking of taxing students...

  My A.T. Still University Experience : Students Paying The Copyright Tax: "Copyright, put simply, is a personal monopoly on an original writing, song, piece of art, or a group of any of those, for 70 years after the death of the creator. If a corporation" [...]

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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 11:45am EST
  

• Mayor said he wanted to hear from those with better ideas and real solutions -- so I sent him this email

  Hi Mayor,
  
  In the budget address you said you'd want to hear from people with solutions and you'd work with them. Well, I've got it solved for you.
  
  The land value tax is much more fair than the tax on the college students.
  
  We need to start' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:45am EST
  

• Roundball is making a renaissance in area - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

  Roundball is making a renaissance in area - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 9:03am EST
  

• Jazzing it up, summer school style

  Jazzing it up, summer school style: "Jazzing it up, summer school style
  Pittsburgh Public Schools hopes to attract more middle-schoolers to its program
  Sunday, November 08, 2009
  By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"Nice recap in the article.
  
  The deadline for community groups to apply for the afternoon partnering opportunity [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:08am EST
  

• Libertarians win Houston, PA council seats - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com

  Libertarians win Houston council seats - Washington Greene PA News - www.observer-reporter.com: "Libertarians win Houston council seats Wins on Tuesday. Way to go!
  
  This proves my point: To win, one needs running mates." [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 9:50am EST
  

• Sites to Start Testing Journalism Online's Paid Content Models

  The Post-Gazette is doing this. [www.poynter.org]
  
  Posted by Steve Myers
  
  Sometime in the next month or so, between five and 15 online publishers will start testing Journalism Online's system for paid content. Around year's end, they'll start charging users to access some content on their sites.' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 9:44am EST
  

• Back and forth about schools at the PureReform Blog

  Some good and long discussions are unfolding about Pittsburgh Public Schools at the Pure Reform blog, [purereform.blogspot.com]. This is a comment from someone in the treads there, giving me some support. solutionsRus has left a new comment on the post "Neighborhood tensions":
  
  Although I don't always agree' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 8:49am EST
  

• Saving the Jackets. Hey Columbus, wake up!

  Saving the Jackets The Columbus Dispatch Saving the Jackets
  Unless relief can be provided from a problematic lease and other financial burdens, Columbus eventually could lose its NHL team, consultant's report says Don't fall for this Columbus.
  
  First off, here is a great opportunity to fix this city [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 9:04am EST
  

• Be a lifeguard

  
  

  Lifeguard class in January, 2010.

  Not too early to sign up now.

  [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 2:17pm EST
  

• Pittsburgh Enrollment Decline Forecast to Continue

  Policy Brief
  An electronic publication of
  The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy
  
  November 4, 2009 Volume 9, Number 67
  
  An independent consultant hired by Pittsburgh Public Schools to study facility usage recommended closing 16 buildings and reconfiguring another 19 of the District’s 70 facilities. The recommendations are based [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:52am EST
  

• College training tough on Freshmen swimmers

  Another bit of research for the need for 13th grade option for Pittsburgh Public Schools.
  
  24Medica - College training tough on Freshmen swimmers: "High school swimmers heading off to compete in college may be ill prepared for grueling collegiate training regimens, study findings hint."
  [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:22am EST
  

• Delano, Griffin: Foolishness on the airwaves

  Updated for clarity on Nov 5, Interview happened on Nov 4.
  
  Marty Griffin on KDKA Radio says politicians need to take their lumps. Get into the game. "click." Then I'm off the air.
  
  The quickest way to get clicked off the air is to say the media is' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 10:26am EST
  

• Live Blog the Mark Roosevelt interview with KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin

  Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, is slated to be on the Marty Griffin show today, KDKARadio.com, 9 to noon. I'll try to live blog here. Hit refresh while the show is on the air. Chat to me via Google Chat or post in the comments if you wish.[...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 7:23am EST
  

• Their teamwork was absent

  Rule one: Win by addition.
  
  But, here is the rub in this election, as it was for DeSantis too.
  
  Running mates.
  
  Case in point: In the south neighborhoods, the Motznik sign was planted next to the Ravenstahl sign.
  
  Neither Dok Harris nor [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 6:50am EST
  

• Pittsburgh Public Schools hears from consultants on buildings in the district

  I went to last night's meeting at the Board of Education building. Consultants issued a massive report that included a plan for the various buildings and schools.
  
  The term and standard, "Like New" needs to be fully flushed out. "Like New" is a foundation principle throughout.
  
  We have' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:25am EST
  

• Pittsburgh Public School Building Audit is out

  Just posted this at the Pure Reform Blog.
  
  Just back from the meeting and presentation.
  
  Was told that the entire audit from the consultants should now be online at the pghboe.net site.
  
  Great!
  
  Two big holes in the plan: academic performances / programs. And, what [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:59pm EST