The Mayor’s Commission on Public Education recently released a statement encouraging… The Mayor’s Commission on Public Education recently released a statement encouraging Pittsburgh Public Schools to “actively seek new ways to intensively involve parents, businesses, religious institutions and other community organizations in the education of the community’s children.”

On Wednesday evening, a forum was held in David Lawrence Hall, in an attempt to get community members more involved in schools. A panel discussed their viewpoints on ways to further involve the community, with an audience composed of both Pitt students and local citizens.

It was determined that one reason people are not getting as involved in schools as they should is that citizens often have other issues they consider to be more pressing on their minds.

Panelist Rosalyn Guy McCorkle said, “Everybody has issues, and you have to pick your fights in life.”

McCorkle serves on a leadership and governance committee as well as on the Mayor’s Commission on Public Education, and is a chair for the Urban Youth Association.

According to City Councilman Bill Peduto, the public might care more about public schools if they could be more actively involved in the planning.

An important topic discussed was that Pittsburgh Public Schools affect everyone.

According to panelist Celeste Taylor, the local field director for Good Schools Pennsylvania, 85 percent of children who go to school depend on public education.

“All kids should have an opportunity to attend quality schools,” she added.

This forum was sponsored by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs’ undergraduate program, the Amizade Global Service-Learning Center and Student Volunteer Outreach.