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Shirley Ann Hill alleges unfair treatment of Montessori teacher, urges board to hold principal accountable
Summary
At a July 20 virtual public hearing, Shirley Ann Hill accused a Pittsburgh Public Schools principal of removing and reassigning former Montessori teacher Stephanie Lapine in late 2023 and said the teacher was not allowed to clear her classroom; Hill urged the board to address accountability and concerns about racial representation among teachers.
Shirley Ann Hill, a 41-year Pittsburgh Public Schools employee, told the board during a July 20 virtual public hearing that former Montessori teacher Stephanie Lapine was removed from her classroom in December 2023 by principal Callie Meyer and later cleared in February 2024 but transferred to a school without a Montessori program. "She was cleared in February 2024, but was conveniently transferred to another school that does not have a Montessori program," Hill said.
Hill said Lapine was not permitted to clear out her belongings and described other teachers dismantling the classroom: "Per Callie Meyer, Miss Stephanie Lapine was not permitted to clear out her belongings. Various teachers dismantled her room." She also said the union did not succeed in getting accountability. "She was never held accountable, and the union was useless," Hill said.
Hill framed the allegation as part of a pattern she said affects teachers who speak up: "Talk to principals like her put fear in teachers who speak up by sabotaging their teacher evaluations, which in turn can affect their salary." She urged the board to act ahead of the new school year and asked, "Why is Callie Meyer not being held accountable for her unfair treatment of Miss Stephanie Lapine, the only lead Black teacher?"
Hill also raised broader concerns about staffing and programs, telling the board she was disappointed that the student achievement center will be closing and arguing the loss will harm students who benefited from that program. She referenced her own experience being transferred and having belongings boxed and moved: "Someone from CTE boxed up all my belongings...and shipped them to UPrep."
The board did not respond on the record during the hearing; the moderator thanked Hill and the meeting proceeded to the next public commenter. The board president, Gene Walker, adjourned the meeting at the end of the public comment period and said the board will reconvene Wednesday evening.
