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Pittsburgh Public Schools
With seats opening in four Pittsburgh Public Schools districts, eight candidates have stepped up to run for school board. While PPS board members aren’t paid for their work, the role comes with heightened scrutiny in 2025, as PPS is currently facing a funding shortfall and has sued to reassess Allegheny County property taxes after over a decade of undervaluation.
Tawana Cook Purnell
Bio: East Liberty resident. Peabody HS, Spelman College undergraduate, Columbia graduate degree. Retired educator with experience in teaching, admin, and boards.
Funding: Supports PPS lawsuit to force property tax reassessment.
School closures: Says board responsibility is to be “supportive of the superintendent” while working to make any transitions smooth.
Infrastructure & programming: Wants to see focus on “green” schools with more emphasis on student health.
Charter Schools: Says PPS needs “new image” through branding and marketing while investing in teacher and admin retention.
Endorsements: Allegheny County Democratic Committee, 14th Ward Independent Democratic …
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