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Pittsburgh board debates curriculum opt-out language, approves consultant for Del Tondo case
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Summary
At its April 29 legislative meeting the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education approved routine committee reports and a contract to retain retired Judge Lisa Lenahan for the Denise Del Tondo case, and debated an amendment to policy 104.2 that some directors said could place additional burdens on teachers.
The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education on April 29 approved routine committee reports and a consulting contract while sparring over revised language in a proposed exemption-from-instruction policy that several directors said could burden classroom teachers.
During discussion of agenda item 8.13 — an amendment to policy 104.2 concerning exemptions from instruction — Director Yord raised concerns that the delegation requiring the superintendent or a designee to develop procedures "could unduly burden our teachers" and might discourage instruction of difficult but important topics. "I worry that the way that this is worded potentially puts undue burden on our teachers who are already overburdened," Yord said.
Mister Weiss, providing a legal perspective, said the policy reflects recent court rulings that emphasize parental notice and opt-out rights and that it does not require altering curriculum. "There's no requirement that the curriculum be modified," Weiss said, adding that the board must administer the policy "in a way that doesn't unduly burden teachers." Doctor Walters, speaking for the administration, said the procedures will be implemented through administrative regulation and reiterated that the policy "does not dictate our curriculum." "The policy states that I will develop procedures to implement that, so that will be handled through an administrative regulation," Walters said.
Board members debated where responsibility should fall. Director Diodati said the practical burden should rest with parents who are concerned about specific materials, while Director Silk sought to ensure the record reflected workshop changes and the timeline for metrics tied to other policies.
The board approved the education committee report; several members recorded "yes" to the report as a whole while registering "no" votes specifically on item 8.13, as reflected in the meeting record. The minutes do not specify a final roll-call tally for item 8.13 in the transcript excerpt provided.
On other business, the board approved a resolution recognizing May 15, 2026, as the 28th annual Take Your Father to School Day. The board also voted 8–0 to retain retired Judge Lisa Lenahan to provide consulting services in the case Denise Del Tondo v. the school district of Pittsburgh, as presented in agenda item 17.02.
The board received several routine reports and approvals: committee reports on business and finance and human resources were presented and approved, the intermediate unit personnel report for April 29, 2026, was accepted, and the controller's financial statements for the month ending March 31, 2026, and the EBE report were noted. The board also announced five student expulsions for 11 or more days in the most recent monthly report.
President Walker and board members closed the meeting with community updates and a preview that the board plans to vote on a "Future Ready" plan at the May legislative meeting after additional community engagement and metric baselining by the administration.
The board adjourned following the listed items; the legislative session formally ended after the vote on the Lenahan consulting contract.
