PPS Pittsburgh school closure updates 2025

There’s a new version of the F.U. Plan…
and it has a new name, but it still FAILS to address essential questions and problems.

In May 2025, Superintendent Walters presented a new version of his proposal for school closures and consolidations (presentation, report, live stream).

Unfortunately, families are still asking basic questions: Where will my child go to school? How will they get there? Who will teach them? What will class sizes be?

Speak up before the PPS Board votes!

Submit your questions

We are collecting unanswered questions and concerns from students, families, educators, staff, and community members. 412 Justice will share the collected questions with Superintendent Dr. Wayne N. Walters and the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education at the public hearing scheduled for June 23, 2025. You can check out the list of questions submitted so far.

Speak at the public hearing Monday June 23

Contact your Board Member before the vote on Wednesday June 25

What is the Board actually voting on?

Misleading statements from Superintendent Walters

In a May 21 meeting with the Board, Superintendent Walters said that he is asking for a “green light” and “smoke signal” from the Board when they vote in June. In the presentation (slide 72) and report (page 117), it frames the upcoming vote as “opening public commentary period” but that is not completely accurate. All of this has caused confusion.

What the June vote is about

If the resolution is the same one that was pulled in March, and if the Board votes yes, here’s what would happen:

  • The Board would schedule one hearing for each school building proposed to close. They could schedule the hearings for each building separately, or all in one day (though this is unlikely for logistical reasons).

  • The Board would have to wait 3 months after that hearing, then they can hold a second vote to officially approve or reject each proposed closure. (Source: PA law; see below)

What the June vote is not about

  • The June vote is not the final vote to close a school — but it does move it along that path.

  • The June vote is not an approval of the full plan.

    • Other major changes (such as grade reconfigurations and changes to magnet programs) are required to be voted on separately.

    • Unlike school closures, these other changes do not require a dedicated public hearing and 3-month waiting period, but they do require approval through the typical Board vote process

    • Typical Board vote process = a Board member proposes a resolution in Agenda Review (a Wednesday), then the community can respond in a public hearing (the following Monday), then the Board votes (Wednesday).

SOURCE

Laws and Regulations for School Closings
22 Pa. Code § 349.28: Closing of school buildings to K-12 educational use
Article V, 24 PS § 5-524: Closing school or department; notice to, and suspending employees; other employment
Article VII, 24 PS § 7-780: Public hearing prior to closing school
Article XIII, 24 PS § 13-1311: Closing schools
22 Pa. Code § 4.41(c): Scheduling [approval of the Department for changes]
Laws and Regulations for any Configuration Change
22 Pa. Code § 4.41(c): Scheduling [approval of the Department for changes]