PPS community calls out cuts to summer programming, ESL staffing during hearing on $750 million budget

Sarah Zangle speaks at the budget public hearing on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 at the PPS Administration building in Oakland. (Photo by Anastasia Busby/PublicSource)During a hearing ahead of the 2025 budget adoption, parents and community members called for more transparency into district finances and investments in special education programs.“PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region. Sign up for our free newsletters.”by Lajja Mistry, PublicSource Parents speaking at a public hearing Monday said they feel in the dark about the proposed 2025 PPS budget and want to know why the district can’t allocate more to special education and a resumption of the Summer B.O.O.S.T program.Pittsburgh Public Schools proposed a $752.3 million general fund budget for 2025, with a projected operating deficit of $28 million, and reflecting a 5% overall increase from the board’s adopted 2024 budget.Some said the district’s unexpected surplus, reported after the year began with a forecasted deficit, should reopen decisions to cut funding and, ultimately, shutter buildings.“Despite increased enrollment and a surplus, there has been no effort to reconsider this decision or acknowledge the program’s value,” said Ghadah Makoshi, community advocate with the American Civil Liberties Union,& referring to the termination of the summer B.O.O.S.T....