Parents can now opt students out of PPS lessons based on "moral beliefs," not just religious ones

Top Issues on the Pittsburgh Public School Board

• PPS Board revises religious exemptions to include “moral beliefs”
• District approves $1 million Grandview elementary roof replacement

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PPS Board revises religious exemptions to include “moral beliefs”

The Pittsburgh Public Schools board amended the district’s existing religious opt-out guidelines for parents to include “moral beliefs” during its April legislative meeting.  

The policy reads: “...parents/guardians have the right to have their children excused from specific instruction that conflicts with their sincerely held religious and/or moral beliefs.” It notes students who opt-out of a lesson will be given an alternative assignment.

A redlined copy of the policy shows the “sincerely held” and “and/or moral” portions are new. It also specifies parents must submit a written request that now must outline the specific reason for the exemption.

Another change is that PPS must notify students and their families about a possibly controversial lesson at least three weeks before it starts.

“I worry that the way that this is worded puts an undue burden on our teachers,” Director Emma Yourd of Beechview said of the notification.

Director Eva Diodati of Carrick replied that she believes the burden should — and will — fall on parents.

The change passed in a 6-2 vote. Yourd and Director Yael Silk of Squirrel Hill North voted against the change. Director Tracey Reed of Greenfield, was absent from the meeting.

The exemption guidelines were first adopted in 2009 and were last revised in 2011, according to the redlined copy.

Board Solicitor Ira Weiss said during Wednesday’s meeting that the guidelines have always existed in some capacity. He also said federal and state courts tend to rule in favor of parental rights.

District approves just over $1 million for Grandview elementary roof replacement

Directors agreed to a million-dollar roof upgrade for Pittsburgh Grandview PreK-5 during the meeting, with construction starting this month and expected to wrap by 2028.

Large portions of the roof will be stripped off and built up again with more durable material meant to stop leaks. Along with this, existing roof drains will be removed and replaced and new ladders will be added, the agreement said.

Only one auxiliary building located behind the school was included in the project. Specific, waterproof material will be used for the roof above the school’s elevator in the main building.

Protective sealant and coating will be added to the new roofs as well. The project comes with a 30-year warranty.

 A safe learning environment and equitable student resources motivated the decision to approve this project, according to the approved resolution.  

This decision came about six months after the city halted a $1.7 million roofing project at Westwood Elementary School, after the contractor did not have proper permits.

This time, the board opted for Ohio-based company Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. The company selected Triangle Roofing as a subcontractor, after it offered the lowest bid of just over $1 million.