Officials present recommendations for facilities utilization
Pittsburgh Public School officials on Wednesday presented a proposed framework for a facilities utilization plan, an idea that has already faced community pushback because it could lead to the closure and consolidation of some school buildings.
The plan — which was presented by several district administrators during an education committee meeting and did not include a list of schools that could be closed or consolidated — laid out 12 possible recommendations that are meant to act as guideposts as the district moves forward with creating the plan with the help of an outside consultant.
A finalized version could be presented to the board as early as August, with a possible vote on changes to the district’s footprint, which currently has 54 buildings, taking place in December.
The presentation came after school directors in January directed district administration to develop and present recommendations on a facilities utilization plan. That decision came months after Pittsburgh Public officials first announced they were considering closing some schools as the district faces a growing budget deficit and declining enrollment.
The recommendations — which were developed based on many factors such as current building utilization, facility conditions, educational adequacy, teacher shortages, transportation challenges and student support services — include several major changes including creating a structure that streamlines students into a PreK-5 and 6-8 structure. Currently, the district has 11 PreK-8 schools and five six through 12 schools.
The goal is to be able to provide all PreK-5 students with music and art classes; science, technology, engineering and math resources; health and physical education; world languages; and professional learning time for all teachers. Middle schoolers would receive additional advisory services, socialemotional supports and access to career and technical education. Other recommendations include: • Developing safe, modern and effective learning environments to ensure equitable access to highquality education for all students.
• Transforming schools into vibrant community hubs by reconfiguring school spaces to accommodate a broad range of activities and services that extend beyond the traditional school day and into the community.
• Conducting a comprehensive review of existing feeder patterns to enhance equity, promote educational excellence and achieve a greater efficiency of district resources. The recommendation aims to alleviate transportation difficulties that would improve accessibility to diverse educational programs.
• Implementing a plan that evaluates school spaces to enhance modern learning and working environments by ensuring spaces are optimized for a comprehensive range of disciplines, incorporating wellness areas for students and staff and considering the flexibility and adaptability of spaces to meet the changing needs of education.
• Implementing a comprehensive educational enhancement plan that prioritizes professional learning systems to address the needs of educators.
• Cultivating joy in the classroom by designing spaces that celebrate and affirm diverse identities and that support the development of critical skills.
• Developing scheduling and time allocation models that prioritize literacy and math as the bedrock for all learning and that ensure that every student achieves proficiency in those areas.
• Implementing a safety plan that encompasses physical and academic aspects.
• Developing a strategy aimed at eliminating racial and disability disparities in education.
• Revitalizing and regularly updating all magnet programs and standardizing admissions for equitable access.
• Establishing protocols for financial management that focus on analyzing current spending to identify areas where facility and program costs can be reduced without compromising educational quality.
The presentation comes as the district grapples with a “grim” financial picture and declining enrollments.
According to Chief Financial Officer Ron Joseph, the district is facing an anticipated $23 million deficit in 2024 as impacts from property tax assessment appeals continue to hit the city of Pittsburgh and its school district at historic rates. Those assessments have already cut the district’s real estate tax revenue by $3.4 million with the potential for an annual reduction of up to $4.1 million. Pittsburgh Public may also be responsible for paying $7.4 million in real estate tax refunds for the 2022 and 2023 tax years.
The district is also projecting a 21% increase in charter school tuition rates, amounting to an additional $25 million increase above the approved budgeted amount for 2023. And nearly $22.8 million in earned income tax revenue will be diverted to the city based on a state law.
Those numbers come as the district has seen steady enrollment decreases over the past decade, amounting to a 26% decline between the 2012-13 and 2023-24 school years.
Today, the district educates 18,380 students. But the district’s school buildings currently have the capacity to house 40,000. That has caused 28 out of 54 school buildings to operate at or below 50% capacity, Michael McNamara, the district’s chief operations officer, said.