EDITOR'S NOTE: Willy Scherf  is president and CEO of Bayer Corporate and Business Services LLC. He was born in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.

End of program a loss for community

I have never been so disappointed as I was by the lack of concern and regret of the Upper St. Clair School Board over the elimination of the district's International Baccalaureate program -- an internationally-recognized program used at 1,722 schools in 122 countries that encourages students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens.

My job has taken me around the world over the years from Germany, Morocco and Hong Kong to Brazil and Belgium and now the United States. I understand the importance of cultural diversity and of the opportunities it brings. These learning opportunities also are important to my children.

I am saddened that the school board has lost sight of the most important thing -- the education of our children.

The five-member majority did not even consider the extensive amount of factual information provided by the students, parents and concerned citizens. They ignored the request for a proper and thorough investigation into the value of the IB program. Such narrow-mindedness of these leaders contradicts the very broad-based knowledge and decision-making the IB curriculum promotes.

As a business leader in this community who wants to attract the best and brightest from around the world to work here in Pittsburgh, I have now lost one of the best selling points to get them and their families to come here -- an opportunity for an internationally recognized and rigorous education program for their children at the elementary, middle and high school levels. After all, there is no international school in Pittsburgh.

I have always been proud of being a visitor living in the United States and of being an involved citizen in Upper St. Clair. And at the same time, I have never been so troubled by the outcomes of the recent school board decision and what it means for this fine community, for this region and especially for our children.

Willy Scherf
Upper St. Clair

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