Fewer closings, regional schools and choices featured in parent-crafted alternative to PPS consolidation plan

Sarah Zangle presents a Community-Driven Proposal for Changing the PPS Portfolio at an Oct. 22, 2024 press conference at the Smithfield United Church of Christ, Downtown. The proposal is a response to the Pittsburgh Public Schools Facilities Utilization Plan. (Photo by Cameron Croston/PublicSource) Around 120 parents and community members provided input for the alternative proposal for Pittsburgh Public Schools, which would shutter 10 schools versus 14 in a plan proposed by the district’s consultants. “PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region.& Sign up for our free newsletters.” by Lajja Mistry, PublicSource As Pittsburgh Public Schools weighs potential closures and consolidations, some parents have presented their own community-driven proposal in response. The community proposal, presented Tuesday night at a press event on Smithfield Street, Downtown, is based on regional schools with an element of choice. With that, it recommends closing 10 schools: Banksville K-5, Fulton PreK-5, Grandview K-5, Liberty K-5, Manchester PreK-8, Roosevelt PreK-5, Schiller 6-8, Spring Hill K-5, West Liberty PreK-5 and Woolslair PreK-5.& Five of these schools — Grandview, Manchester, West Liberty, Fulton and Liberty — would become community hubs. The hubs would serve as teacher training centers and spaces for community partners to host in-school...