Pittsburgh Public Schools will halt hiring for all vacant positions except teachers and paraprofessionals because of the ongoing state budget crisis that has delayed the release of Pennsylvania’s education funding.

Superintendent Wayne N. Walters said Thursday the temporary fiscal safeguards are designed to preserve classroom operations and protect staff payroll during the budget crisis. The school district’s operational funding is closely tied to the state funds, which have yet to be released because the Legislature has yet to pass a budget. The budget was due by June 30.

The school district also will freeze all non-essential purchases, including the use of school district procurement cards.

All non-mandated travel and non-essential overtime will be frozen until the state funds become available. The district will not award any new contracts or renew existing ones that are not essential to teaching in the classroom.

Essential programs such as classroom instruction, meals, transportation, and student support services will not be interrupted, Walters said in a statement.

“These decisions are not made lightly. Our focus is to sustain the core work of teaching and learning while we await resolution of

the state budget process,” Walters stated.

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