As many as 16 Pittsburgh schools could close under consolidation proposal
The Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) school district has unveiled a proposed reorganization that could close as many as 16 schools.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that consolidation scenarios were presented by education consulting firm Education Resource Strategies as a further step in a facilities utilization plan that could lead to the closure and consolidation of numerous school buildings.
Under the proposal, 16 existing schools would close, 14 would change their grade reconfiguration, six magnet schools would transition to neighborhood schools, and five new programs would open in existing buildings.
The recommendations focus heavily on reconfiguring grade levels into preK-5 and 6-8 rather than having preK-8 and 6-12 schools. They also consider building age — district schools on average are 90 years old — and building condition. The report says 37 schools need moderate or major renovations.
The scenarios laid out are not final. The disrict will gather public input in the coming month.
A final recommendation will be made to the board in September.
“From a board perspective obviously this is the next step in the process,” board President Gene Walker said. “Now that we have these recommendations it gives us an opportunity to both review them individually, but I think in the next two weeks we will come together as a board and have a broader conversation … so that we can begin to formulate the next steps.”
