PPS plan feedback sessions on school closures THIS WEEK
HPCC has been trying to keep up with the fast pace of PPS’ Facilities Utilization Plan <https://www.pghschools.org/about/superintendent-of-schools/facilities-utilization-plan-new> process, which has primarily taken place over the summer months. On August 13, the school board-hired consulting team unveiled a proposal <https://nextpittsburgh.com/education/what-9-pittsburgh-public-school-buildings-would-close-under-the-new-proposal/> to revamp the district from top to bottom, including building closures. Fulton PreK-5, in the heart of our neighborhood on Hampton Street, is on the list of potential building closures, but nothing is final. Many community members and education advocates have significant concerns about the initial proposal, including not seriously considering equity issues, transportation problems, or keeping high-performing programs intact. The district also made the controversial decision to stop allowing constituents to testify at public hearings virtually <https://www.wesa.fm/education/2024-08-28/pittsburgh-public-schools-closures-input>, which has been an option since early 2020. The District is hosting three regional feedback sessions this week, as well as a virtual session next week, and we want to encourage everyone to attend in person or participate virtually (we are also working with District 2 Board Member Devon Taliaferro and Pittsburgh Fulton PTA <https://www.facebook.com/ppsfultonpto> to have a local feedback session, but nothing is finalized; we'll post more info when/if we get a date and time locked in). The locations of the only meetings currently scheduled are: - *Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 6-8 PM*: Pittsburgh Allderdice High School 2409 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 - *Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6-8 PM: *Pittsburgh Carrick High School 125 Parkfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 - *Thursday, September 5, 2024 6-8 PM:* Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8 220 40th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 - *Wednesday, September 11, at 6:00 PM *- Register for the session here <https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pp7_uRp_TayUrTVMehgsKw#/registration> . Look at the ‘Upcoming Community Engagement’ tab on the Facilities Utilization page <https://www.pghschools.org/about/superintendent-of-schools/facilities-utilization-plan-new> for more details on these meetings. It’s our understanding that the board may vote on this plan before the end of September, which would open up another round of public comment. We encourage everyone in our community, regardless of whether you or your family have or had children at Fulton, to pay attention to this process and consider how losing a well-regarded, high-performing school would impact our neighborhood. Please make your voices heard! -- Click here to visit our website <https://hpccpgh.org/>
participants (1)
-
Highland Park Community Council