Pittsburgh Public Schools unveils plan to consolidate, reconfigure facilities

A plan to reduce the footprint of Pittsburgh Public Schools from 54 to 42 schools was introduced Tuesday.

Education Resource Strategies suggests closing 14 schools and 10 facilities, reconfiguring 12 schools and opening three new schools.

The consultant was hired by the district and examined community feedback and a variety of factors, including building capacity and quality, enrollment and school location in relation to where students live, according to a statement from the district.

Superintendent Wayne N. Walters said the plan is a proposal for the district’s future. It could save the district an estimated $3 million annually.

“It aligns our facilities with the evolving needs of our students and communities, equity, excellence and efficiency,” he said in the statement.

Two of the three proposed new schools would be for students in grades six through 8 and one would be an elementary level building.

Buildings to be closed under the proposal: South Brook (grades 6-8), South Hills (6-8), Roosevelt (K-5), Allegheny (6-8), Manchester (Pre-K-8), Schiller (6-8), Spring Hill (K-5), King (Pre-K-8), Arsenal (Pre-K-5), Fulton (Pre-K), Linden (Pre-K-5), Milliones (6-12), Miller (Pre-K-5) and Woolslair (Pre-K-5).

Other changes include realigning grade levels in various buildings. The plan calls for three teacher centers to be built around the district to help instructors to learn and improve their classroom work. Any changes could happen in a phased approach over four years, the proposal states.

Carrick High School, Lincoln (Pre-K-5) and Whittier would remain open, despite a previous plan that called for those buildings to be among the closures.

The plan will be reviewed by district officials before public comment will be scheduled. A summary of the proposal can be seen here.