Matthew Stidle posted on Facebook on 2/20/2019
A lot of people are understandably annoyed by the non-cancellation of Pittsburgh Public Schools today, and asking questions about how and why the decision to delay or cancel is made. I did some research and here's what I found:
School delays are chosen by the College of Superintendents, the PPS's most senior officials, who are appointed by the Superintendent. They are summoned to a meeting at the School Board which is followed by the Delay election - or Conclave.
There are currently 203 deputy superintendents from 69 neighborhoods. The rules of the Conclave were changed in 1975 to exclude all superintendents over the age of 80 from voting. The maximum number of electors is 120.
Once the superintendents are inside the conclave area, they have to swear an oath of secrecy. Then, the Latin command "extra omnes" ("everyone out") instructs all those not involved in the election to leave before the doors are closed.
The superintendents have the option of holding a single ballot on the afternoon of the first day. From the second day, two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The ballot paper is rectangular. Printed on the upper half are the words "Scholae eligo ut mora" ("I elect as a school delay"). Below is a space to explain why a delay is chosen or not. The superintendents are instructed to write the name in a way that does not identify them, and to fold the paper twice.
After all the votes have been cast, the papers are mixed, counted and opened.
As the papers are counted, one of the scrutineers pierces each paper with a needle - through the word "Eligio" - placing all the ballots on a single thread.
The ballot papers are then burned - giving off the smoke visible to onlookers outside which traditionally turns from black to white once a decision has been made on the delay.
My posting on Facebook
Snowing like crazy and Pittsburgh Public Schools is OPEN.
With the future storms, new playbook option: Rather than 2-hour delay or closing, PPS can calls for opening 2-hours earlier!
Sweet baby. That's called AM Swim Practice!
Sadly, only one of the 10 PPS high schools has any swimmers or divers in the WPIAL Championships. Way to go Allderdice. Heck, there are no teams at Westinghouse, Perry, Oliver nor CAPA and pools at Perry and Oliver have not been in use since the start of the school year.
Other city kids will be swimming and diving at the WPIAL Meets, from Central Catholic, Oakland Catholic, Ellis and Winchester Thurston.
Reality
