Which Pittsburgh Public Schools should close? Plan is about 'investing in our students,' superintendent says

The Pittsburgh Public Schools have set two public comment periods to gather feedback on its future-ready plan that, if approved, would ultimately close nine schools.

The community conversations are scheduled for 6 p.m. July 9, at Sunnyside PreK-8 in Stanton Heights; and at 5:30 p.m. July 16 during the “Community in the Streets” event in Allentown, according to a statement from PPS.

On June 25, the school board voted 5-4 to open the state-required public comment period for the proposed building closures outlined in the district’s future-ready facilities plan.

Potential closures include the Student Achievement Center (Baxter School), Friendship (which houses Montessori PreK-5), Fulton, McKelvey (which houses Miller PreK-5), Morrow, Schiller, Spring Hill, Woolslair and Manchester.

“We understand that conversations about school closures are difficult and deeply personal,” Superintendent Wayne Walters said. “This plan is about investing in our students — ensuring every child learns in a safe, well-resourced and equitable environment.”

According to PPS, the two community-engagement sessions are in addition to the state-mandated public hearings required when districts consider closing schools. Those hearings haven’t yet been scheduled.

In addition to the proposed closures, the future-ready plan outlines potential school consolidations, revised feeder programs, grade reconfigurations and other capital investments.

People can view the proposed plan and the feeder patterns using the “Find My School” tool on pghschools.org/futurePPS.