North Hills Teachers Rally for Back to School: "We're All in this Together."

"We are under attack," Assistant Superintendent Patrick Mannarino told more than 300 teachers Monday who arrived at for the first day of school for the staff.

Classes for the more than 4,200 North Hills School District students will start Sept. 6.

The North Hills High School Marching Band kicked off the first day for the teachers with rousing chants of "We are North Hills," followed by The Pledge of Alligance, which families of the elementary parent-teachers' associations for each of the schools led. The Junior High Concert Choir sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the North Hills alma mater. 

Sixteen new staff members were introduced. 

And then school officials — while providing motivation to work through them — summed up the challenges the staff faced going into the new year. 

Referencing the education funding cuts Gov. Tom Corbett presented in his state budget earlier in the spring and quoting state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnston, who, on the floor of the Senate said during a debate about consolidating school districts "I know how to kill a vampire, I know how to kill a werewolf, but I have no clue how to kill the school mascot," Mannarino told the gathered staff that they faced increased accountability this year. 

"It's time to circle the wagons. We are all in this together," said Mannarino,  after the retirement of Superintendent Joseph Goodnack.

Goodnack told the staff that during the past six years the district had faced a "perfect storm of challenges" — limited financial resources, deteriorating infrastructure, declining enrollment, increased competition and a demand for increased accountability. 

He said the district, to prepare for the long-term, has scaled its operation to match its enrollment numbers and invested in its infrastructure, closing three elementary schools and renovating three others, Highcliff Elementary, McIntyre Elementary and Ross Elementary — the last of which will open Friday. 

He mentioned the , signed earlier this month, that froze salaries for about 120 teachers at the top of the district’s pay scale, increased the staff's share of health insurance costs and the savings generated from teachers assuming additional duties that part-time teacher assistants performed in the past.

He also said the district developed the Online Academy in response to the increased competition from charter schools; 81 North Hills students chose charter schools last year diverting more than $830,000. 

"There was a need out there, and we are providing that need," he said. 

He warned, "Vouchers are the next thing on the agenda. We need to make sure we provide the best education for our students," he said. 

Amy Bialek, a kindergarten teacher going into her 14th year with the district, commented on the opening day ceremony and speeches.

"They gave us something to look forward to," she said, adding that she was excited to see her "kids" again. 

"I don't think about the money," she said. "I think about the possibilities rather than the obstacles." 

Erin Hutter was one of the teachers who saw her duties change as a direct result of the funding challenges. 

The elementary schools' orchestra director for 18 years, she will now spend the majority of the week working as a vocal teacher.

Despite that, she said she had no complaints.

"I'll step up to the plate," she said. "I feel like everyone is in the same boat."