Reporting on K-12 education in our region is never dull, but even so, 2024 has been an especially eventful time. In over 20 in-depth stories we’ve published so far this year, we’ve covered triumphs, questions, innovation and challenges in schools across the county, But in the latter half of this year, we began covering something that cast a huge shadow: a transformative plan that could reshape Pittsburgh Public Schools by closing up to 14 school buildings and consolidating many more.

In August, the school district announced proposals that included a complete overhaul of the district grade configurations, phasing out magnet school choices and school closures. Our reporting captured how the plan drew immense criticism from parents and community members. 

We also looked into the history of school closures in the district and spoke with parents who have been impacted by those decisions in the past. Through that story, we were able to produce an original timeline of school closures in PPS since 1970 and a map charting out neighborhoods in Pittsburgh most impacted by schools shutting down. 

We were back at reporting in October when parents, unsatisfied with the district’s plan, presented their own community proposal based on input and feedback from community members. 

This long-term plan to change the district’s footprint is just starting to take shape and will continue to impact every taxpayer in the city in the years ahead. 

We need your support so that we can continue to ask questions on your behalf and bring you facts, data and community voices. 

Readers tell us they count on our education reporting, whether they are families, faculty, students or just invested in knowing what’s going on. If having accurate information about the region’s education system matters to you, please consider donating to PublicSource today and your gift will be fully matched by our generous match pool donors.

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