Pittsburgh Schools Analyze Zone Changes in-house

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) announced it will analyze school zone data in-house to determine which elementary schools will feed into specific high schools. This decision follows the PPS board meeting where Superintendent Wayne Walters addressed concerns about the district’s school closure process.

The district is updating a report that outlines financial impacts, transportation considerations, and other factors affecting students and families. This report is a critical step in the legally required public comment period concerning proposed school closures.

Walters indicated that the district is also developing school attendance zones internally after receiving two proposals from third-party contractors. One of the proposals, costing $207,031, came from a non-local firm that did not grasp Pittsburgh‘s unique context. The second proposal, at $272,600, revealed after the meeting that it could not meet the scope of work outlined in the request for proposals.

“This is a significant lift to our team, but we will make that adjustment,” Walters stated. “This approach will allow us to be both cost-effective and responsive to student and community needs.” The district aims to share the data as soon as it is ready.

The board did not discuss this internal analysis during the meeting, leading to skepticism among attendees. Valerie Webb-Allman, a PPS parent and member of the organization 412 Justice, criticized the timeline for completing the necessary demographic study.

“No wonder we only got two proposals and neither could do the job. Anyone that knows the scope of work that is needed to be done could have told you that 75 to 90 days for a final report wasn’t nearly enough time,” Webb-Allman remarked.

PPS officials have not provided additional information but confirmed an updated feasibility report will be presented in late May, including recommendations for adjustments to the district’s structure.