Issue
The district's budget, deficits, tax rate, and grants.
School Board
Twelve Pittsburgh Public Schools are set to close as the district reorganizes grade levels. On May 27, the board approved the plan 6-2, with one abstention. Before the vote, most of the 91 people who signed up to speak opposed it, and many cited a lack of communication. The board president said nothing will change until after the 2026-27 school year.
School Board
Up to 1,600 preschoolers get therapy, hearing and vision services, and developmental support through Pittsburgh Public Schools' Early Intervention program. Now, directors unanimously accepted over $8 million in state grants for it, without discussion. That's about 1% of the district's $731 million budget, which carries a $6 million deficit. The flat-funded grants will be distributed during the 2026-27 school year.
InformUp readers will soon get coverage of the Pittsburgh Public Schools board and Allegheny County Council. Each will have its own newsletter, included with existing city council subscriptions. Over the past year, the newsroom said, it shared over 2,500 reader survey responses with city council members. It also shared coverage of December's school board meeting, which approved a 2% property tax increase.
School Board
On Dec. 17, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board voted 6 to 3 to raise property taxes 2% in its 2026 budget. The board president said it should cost the average homeowner about $13 more a year. A 4% increase was first proposed, but the finance chief said it would've violated state law.