CP photo: Jared Wickerham Arsenal middle school in Lawrenceville News of a proposal to close several schools within the Pittsburgh Public School district recently led to some chaos among parents, advocates, and lawmakers. The blowback was so strong that PPS board members voted the next day to shelve the plan for the time being. But the realities of what brought up the proposed closures remain: PPS is facing a $39.4 million budget deficit. The deficit grew by $4 million from last year, and the district is facing a 21% decline in kindergarten enrollment from last year. To fill the budget gap, the school district proposed a 2.6% property tax increase, but in December, the PPS board voted down the hike by a vote of 3-5 with one abstention. Board members who opposed the hike cited the wariness of raising taxes during an economic down
Jared Murphy / 90.5 WESA
A group of Pittsburgh Public Schools parents, alumni, former employees and concerned community members will endorse a slate of candidates for the five open school board seats this May.
Members of Black Women For A Better Education say they want candidates who are laser-focused on ensuring Black children get the education that they need and deserve.
School board President Sylvia Wilson is the first incumbent to announce she will run again to represent district 1 which covers East End neighborhoods including Homewood, East Hills and Larimer. Districts 3, 5, 7 and 9 are currently represented by Sala Udin, Terry Kennedy, Cindy Falls and Veronica Edwards, respectively.
Pittsburgh Public Schools has delayed the return to in-school instruction another two months, until April 6.
The district targeted the return to classroom instruction at the end of February.
One after the other, several board members spoke at their meeting Wednesday in support of continuing to teach classes online, though nearly all of them noted that it was a difficult decision and an imperfect solution.
“I want kids to come back to school, I want them back,” said Board President Sylvia Wilson. But without the staff, it’s not possible, she said. “The reality is people are concerned about their health. … We are concerned about the student’s health. We are concerned about the health of their families.”
Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA
The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors on Wednesday approved a $668.9 million 2021 budget. But the board declined to raise taxes on district residents in an effort to fill a widening budget deficit.
The board greenlit the spending plan after a lengthy discussion about how the district will cut costs in the coming year.
PPS is now operating with a $39.5 million deficit which will have to be covered with its dwindling fund balance. Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said his administration will propose cuts in January and February.
Hamlet’s request for a tax increase was rejected. Board members Pam Harbin, Devon Taliaferro and Sylvia Wilson voted for the increase. Terry Kennedy abstained while Kevin Carter, Cindy Falls, Sala Udin, Bill Gallagher and Veronica Edwards voted against the increase.
Sarah Schneider / 90.5 WESA
The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors on Wednesday approved a $673.8 million 2021 budget. But the board declined to raise taxes on district residents in an effort to fill a widening budget deficit.
The board greenlit the spending plan after a lengthy discussion about how the district will cut costs in the coming year.
PPS is now operating with a $39.5 million deficit which will have to be covered with its dwindling fund balance. Superintendent Anthony Hamlet said his administration will propose cuts in January and February.
Hamlet’s request for a tax increase was rejected. Board members Pam Harbin, Devon Taliaferro and Sylvia Wilson voted for the increase. Terry Kennedy abstained while Kevin Carter, Cindy Falls, Sala Udin, Bill Gallagher and Veronica Edwards voted against the increase.