New charter school chief

great foundation, and that [my] experience and my background I think will help accentuate,” she said, pointing to her work at PPS on issues such as workforce development, instituting restorative practices, and building relationships with community agencies.

Ms. Allen was appointed to the Pittsburgh school board in 2009 to replace Heather Arnet, who had resigned, and served for two years. She was hired as assistant superintendent for student support services in 2013 and was in that post for five years. Prior to her work at PPS, she served as chief operating officer and program director for Leadership Pittsburgh and executive director of YouthWorks, a Goodwill-affiliated program that provides careerbuilding opportunities for young people. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta and earned a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University and a doctorate in workforce education and development from Penn State University.

In moving from public school district, where she attended school, to a charter school, she said she hopes she can advocate in Harrisburg for legislative changes that will allow innovative charter schools and school districts to collaborate more, rather than maintain the “contentious” relationships they often have.

“One of the things that I have thought about, and that I’m thinking of going forward, is that families want a good school,” she said. “I’ve talked to many families about their interests and working through school selection and school choice options. They’re not really concerned about the label ... It’s a matter of finding the right school for your child.”