Dowd Press Release – Dowd calls for sweeping reform: ‘cut waste to fund cops, youth programs, and jobs.’

Well it is a busy day in Pittsburgh politics.  Here is a press release from the Dowd Campaign…

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Dowd calls for sweeping reform: ‘cut waste to fund cops, youth programs, and jobs.’

Touts record on School Board increasing accountability and raising test scores.

Councilman Patrick Dowd today addressed his record as a reformer, and called for broad changes in order to fund a variety of city services that will improve the quality of life for Pittsburghers.

“In this economy, we can’t afford to have any waste and mismanagement. We need a new approach that saves tax dollars and focuses on our priorities, like public safety, youth programs, and economic development,” said Dowd.

“I’m proud of my record of reform on the School Board and the Council.  That’s why I’m running for Mayor – to put our money where it’s needed, professionalization of city services, growing the job base of the city, reducing violence and improving the quality of life for all.”

As a member of the Board of Education, Patrick did not avoid making tough decisions and being held accountable for them.  Whether it was decisions involving leadership of the district, closing of schools, redesigning departments, or allocating scarce resources, Patrick was willing to take a stand and be held accountable.  Patrick believes that elected officials have a limited time to serve, and the people put him there to make the tough decisions, not avoid them.

Dowd’s record of reform on the School Board:

Greater Accountability

• Wrote a performance-based contract for the Superintendent that improved delivery of services in Pittsburgh schools.
• Members of the executive team as well as principals have also signed contracts with specific achievement targets and were held accountable for reaching them if they wanted to receive yearly raises.
• Now, with the help of A+ Schools, even the Board of Education is being graded as a result of a culture of accountability that Dowd helped bring to the Board of Education.

Greater Focus on Academic Performance

• The Board redesigned elementary and middle schools to be create the optimal learning environment for kids.
• In order to put needed funds back into the classroom, Dowd led the “right-sizing” of the Pittsburgh Public Schools and helped close more buildings than any district in America.
• The Board implemented a High School reform agenda (“Excel. 9-12″ and “9^th Grade Nation”) to get students prepared for college.
• The Board redesigned entire curriculum to improve achievement and performance.
• The Board made sure EVERY child had his/her own textbook. The most basic thing our schools should do wasn’t happening – it is now.
• Principals and administration are now fully accountable for student achievement. 

Greater Fiscal Responsibility

• Even as City took $20 million from the schools, the Board did not raise taxes but found inefficiencies in the districts operations.
• Directed additional resources to classroom.
• Opposed and blocked property tax increases.
• Foundation and state support to district has increased.  Now, the District is competing for money from large national foundations.

As a result of these reforms the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency or above in 3^rd grade Reading rose by 15.3% from 48.7% to 64% over three years ending in 2008 and the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency or above in 8^th grade Reading rose by 12.7% from 53.5% to 66.2% over the same three year period.

Dowd, a longtime resident of Highland Park, was first elected to the School Board in 2003, defeating incumbent Darlene Harris in a grassroots campaign. In 2007, Dowd joined the City Council representing District 7 after defeating incumbent Len Bodack.

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