Community Listening Sessions
WHAT
412 Justice is organizing a series of 90 minute virtual community listening sessions focused on Pittsburgh Public Schools’ “Future Ready Facilities Plan,” a proposal that could result in significant school closures across the district.
WHY
These sessions are rooted in a simple but powerful belief: the people most impacted by these decisions must be heard, respected, and centered in the process. A better plan for PPS is possible. Our voices still matter!
Join a session
All sessions will be held 6pm - 7:30pm
Thursday, March 26 - Fulton (VIRTUAL)
Tuesday, April 7 - Woolslair (VIRTUAL)
Tuesday, April 14 - Arsenal (VIRTUAL)
Registration link - coming soon
Facebook event - coming soon
Tuesday, April 21 - Miller (VIRTUAL)
Registration link - coming soon
Facebook event - coming soon
Tuesday, April 28 - Manchester (VIRTUAL)
Registration link - coming soon
Facebook event - coming soon
WHY NOW
The timeline is urgent. That is why we are moving quickly to ensure that community voices are not only heard, but reflected in a better, more equitable path forward.
HOW WE GOT HERE
In November 2025, the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors voted to reject this plan. The administration has brought the same plan back for reconsideration with a vote expected before the end of the school year.
Pittsburgh Public Schools is proposing to close multiple schools, displacing over 6,000 students. These sessions are an opportunity to hear directly from families, staff, and community members who may not have participated in the PPS Public Hearings last year.
Many families are new to the district this year, or were unable to attend the district’s public hearings held in July. We believe that those directly affected by school closures, including students, families, educators, and residents, should be at the forefront of shaping any plan that impacts public education in our city.
Our goal is to educate community members, listen deeply to their experiences, and document concerns, hopes, and questions. We will focus on five schools serving predominantly Black communities, partnering with local organizations and elected officials to ensure these conversations are accessible, inclusive, and impactful. We will compile findings into a public report to be released in mid May.
TOPICS
Listening sessions will cover these topics:
Logistics (transportation, feeder patterns, crossing guards, staffing, classroom space, facilities, timeline)
Programs and resources (curriculum, course offerings, extracurriculars)
Equity and support for vulnerable and underserved students (Black students, students with disabilities, multilingual learners, students with unstable housing)
School community and culture (safety, mental and emotional health, community impact, family communication)
Innovative community solutions (alternatives to school closure, ways to utilize space in schools, revenue options PPS should explore)
Any other topics raised by community members
Survey
You can also fill out our survey: https://shorturl.at/GT43k
We will also be collecting responses through a survey for those who cannot attend, and will compile all input into a report to share with the community and the Pittsburgh Public School Board of Directors.