The school board of Pittsburgh Public Schools will soon act on a plan to close 14 schools in order to address enrollment concerns.
Pittsburgh Public Schools has shocked the community with the announcement that district leadership hopes to pursue a consultant proposal including closures of 14 schools.
In a Tuesday presentation, the Pittsburgh Public Schools leadership team shared an overview of a 50-page feasibility report on recommendations to address facility utilization and district-wide enrollment issues. The report stemmed from recommendations provided by the Education Resource Strategies (ERS) consultancy in October of 2024.
“Our initial Facilities Utilization Plan proposal transcends the ordinary,” wrote Dr. Wayne Walters, superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, in a letter introducing the proposal, going on to call the plan a “resolute proclamation of our unwavering commitment to expanding access and opportunity across every corner of our cherished district.”
Throughout the live presentation, various members of the district leadership team explained why they recommended that the school board move forward with approving the plan. In addition to closing 14 schools and 10 facilities, the feasibility report would target 12 schools for readjusted grade assignments and create three new schools in specific facilities.
“We recognize that decisions to close schools are difficult and deeply impactful for students, families, and staff,” shared Dr. Shawn McNeil, assistant superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming for the district, in the presentation.
“We understand that school closures are painful, and we do not take these decisions lightly. However, we believe that thoughtful changes can help ensure that all students have access to safe, supportive, and enriching learning environments and experiences.”
Despite encouraging words from district leadership, however, some Pittsburgh parents are concerned their children will not be adequately served by the proposed plan.
“We have all of these city programs and projects going on with housing, and we can find funds for that, but we can’t find funds for our kids,” Ashlee Murray, a Pittsburgh mother whose son currently attends a school slated for closure, told a local news station. “It would be too much for our teachers. They’re already overloaded as it is.”
Some community activists have also taken to social media and the internet to protest the impending school closures. A coalition of organizations, including 412 Justice’s Education Rights Network, have issued statements opposing school closures in the city.
“We do not support maintaining the status quo, but there’s too much at stake for the Board to make changes recklessly just for the sake of ‘doing something,’” reads the opposition group’s talking points. “Because this isn’t good change: closures and consolidations have been shown to make inequity worse, and harm academic outcomes.”
Critics of the closure plan further demand PPS leadership conduct an “equity audit,” taking into greater consideration whether past school closures have had “beneficial or harmful effects on the socio-emotional well-being of students” or if they, historically, “harm communities.”
Though Walters has already announced that no changes will take place during the 2025-26 academic year, the PPS school board is scheduled to begin hearings and accept public comments on the restructuring plan in April.
“As we move forward, our focus remains on thoughtful execution, transparent engagement, and a steadfast commitment to our students’ success,” Walters stated in a press release. “The decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of Pittsburgh Public Schools, making us stronger and more equitable as a community.”
