Pittsburgh Public Schools preliminary budget includes 4% millage hike, $12.2M deficit

Pittsburgh Public Schools’ preliminary 2026 budget calls for a 4% increase in the district’s property tax millage rate as it projects an operating deficit of $12.2 million in the coming year.

That deficit represents a $15.9 million reduction from the current year’s deficit of $28.1 million, the district noted in a press release. The proposed budget total of $739.6 million also is reduced, by a little more than 2% from the 2025 spending plan.

But the district noted, based on current assumptions, the budget would not meet the school board’s goal of maintaining a minimum 5% fund balance.

The district’s current tax rate is 10.25 mills.

The planned 2026 budget reflects implementation of the district’s Future-Ready Facilities Plan beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

The most recent version of that plan calls for: closure of 12 schools, down from a previously proposed 14; closure of nine facilities, down from 10; opening of two schools, down from three.

The planned new schools are Northview, for grades PreK-5, and SciTech, for grades 6-8.

“The long-term structural deficit facing our district requires thoughtful and responsible action,” said Superintendent Wayne N. Walters in the release. “The plan is a critical step toward investing our resources wisely, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring students benefit from high-quality learning environments.

“Our focus is sustainability, so we can continue providing strong academic, social-emotional and extracurricular supports for every student in every neighborhood.”

A public hearing on the budget is set for 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. The school board is expected to vote on the budget on Dec. 17.

The budget can be viewed at pghschools.org/budget.