Q&A on the News

I understand that the city of Atlanta has three pension systems — fire, police and general employees — whose boards are now being consolidated. Why is a representative of the Atlanta School Board involved? — Richard Clarke, Atlanta

Atlanta Public School employees are part of the city of Atlanta general employees’ pension system, and as such they have representation on the pension board.

I have three questions concerning public television pledge breaks: Who decides the timing and length of pledge breaks, what are typical ratings for pledge breaks and how much money is raised during pledge breaks? — Mickey Biggs, Atlanta

Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), the state’s PBS affiliate, runs four television fundraising campaigns each year, Mandy Wilson, the communications and outreach manager for GPB, told Q&A on the News in an email.

Wilson said these quarterly fundraising efforts, in March, June, August and December, are determined by PBS at the national level.

The timing of individual pledge breaks within these campaigns is usually determined by the provider, such as PBS or another program producer, and factors include the length of the shows during which they occur.

The network does not keep ratings for specific pledge breaks, she said.