Category: default || By jt3y

Gallant Welcomes His Neighbors: West Mifflin Area and East Allegheny school districts last night sent their A teams to Duquesne on a mission to welcome Duquesne high school students. Their presentations to an audience of about 250 were so enthusiastic that the session was more like a recruitment than a forced arrangement. "We're going to make history, and we're going to do it the right way," said West Mifflin Area Superintendent Patrick Risha.

"We're here for education," said East Allegheny Superintendent Roger D'Emidio, who pledged to educate every child who comes to the district. (Post-Gazette)

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Goofus Rails Against ‘Outsiders’: Yesterday's town hall meeting brought out about 350 people, quick to erupt in angry outbursts. "We don't want 'em!" North Versailles parent George Velardo yelled from near the back of the auditorium. "Why don't he teach 'em at his house?" he shouted moments later, referring to Zahorchak.

When Logan suggested athletes from Duquesne should be able to earn starting spots on their new school sports teams, shouts of "No!" echoed throughout the auditorium. People booed when they were told how much the state would contribute for each Duquesne student -- almost $10,000 -- and again when the discussion jumped to promises of no tax hikes. "This is a lie," East McKeesport councilman Ross Cianflone said. (Tribune-Review) : : : Gallant Looks Forward to Meeting New Friends: Maha said the Washingtons, and any other player who might come to West Mifflin from Duquesne, will have every opportunity to succeed. "Once a player becomes part of our team and part of our family," he said, "they will be treated fairly."

Maha, also a teacher at West Mifflin, said he's prepared for whatever the ultimate decision regarding the possibility of Duquesne students attending school at West Mifflin.

"If you look at it in general terms as an educator or a coach, whoever is in my classroom I will teach to the best of my ability," Maha said. "And as a coach, I will coach to the best of my ability. That will never change." (The Daily News) : : :

Goofus Files a Lawsuit: The West Mifflin Area and East Allegheny school districts filed a joint lawsuit in Commonwealth Court this afternoon, challenging the law that will place students from the former Duquesne High School into their schools, West Mifflin solicitor John Cambest said. The goal of the lawsuit is not to block the arrival of Duquesne students this year, but to change the plan in future years, Cambest said.

The Legislature passed a law this month empowering the state Secretary of Education to designate two or more schools to receive students from the closed Duquesne High School. Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak chose West Mifflin and East Allegheny.

The two districts claim the legislation that empowers Zahorchak is written specifically for Duquesne and therefore should be ruled unconstitutional, Cambest said. (Tribune-Review) : : : (With apologies to the publishers of Highlights For Children magazine. Goofus and Gallant are registered trademarks of Highlights.)