Pittsburgh Public Schools takes 1st step of proposed school closure plan

Pittsburgh Public School directors on Wednesday moved forward with the process for potential school closures.

The school board voted to open state-required public hearings for the potential closures of nine facilities: 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.

The administration will present a final recommendation to the school board later this year.

“We understand that any conversation about school closures is difficult — and for many, deeply personal,” Superintendent Wayne Walters said in a statement. “This plan is not about abandoning our neighborhoods. It is about investing in our students. We must ensure that every child, in every ZIP code, learns in a safe, well-resourced, and equitable environment.

“Doing nothing is not an option when students are already being left behind by outdated and inequitable systems. We welcome public feedback and remain committed to building a future ready plan, together.”

The board also required the district to publish an implementation plan prior to the board voting on any closures.

The proposed closures are part of the district’s “Future-Ready Facilities Plan.” The plan aims to address declining enrollment, aging infrastructure and underutilized buildings. Proposed changes include school consolidations, revised feeder programs, grade reconfigurations and other capital investments.

The district said the current plan reflects changes from community feedback. That included reducing the proposed number of school closures from 14 to 12, the number of facility closures from 10 to nine, the number of proposed new buildings from three to two, and the number of English Language Development Centers from 11 to 17.

The board will host a series of public hearings on the proposed closures. Those hearings will be advertised at least 15 days in advance. They will be held at least three months prior to a final decision being made regarding the closing of a school.

Dates and details for the hearings have yet to be announced. They will be posted on the district website once finalized.

“Our decision to maintain the status quo for the upcoming 2025-26 school year was intentional,” Walters said. “It was made to ensure we had ample time to work in partnership with families, staff, and community members to plan thoughtful transitions that minimize disruption and center student success. We remain committed to developing a final plan shaped by stakeholder input.”