Leaders discuss future of Oliver Citywide Academy after 2 fatal shootings

PITTSBURGH — Oliver Citywide Academy will continue to learn remotely until Monday, June 5 after 15-year-old Derrick Harris was gunned down in front of the building by his classmate.

The tragedy comes just one year after another Oliver Citywide Academy student was killed while sitting in a van outside of the school. Two murders, one school, and now a school district is in limbo evaluating what’s next.

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“We, meaning our school district, we have a lot to think about regarding the future of Oliver Citywide Academy,” said Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters last week.

As Walters provided condolences following a second student killed outside of Oliver Citywide, he said the district could be looking to restructure or even close the school.

On Tuesday, we learned that these conversations have been in the works for some time.

“I know even before this occurred plans were to get the students back out into their homeschools,” said Nina Esposito-Visgitis.

Esposito-Visgitis the president of the teacher’s union says teachers and school leaders have been considering what’s best. She said if they were to move students out of the building teachers would go with them

“The district’s plan would certainly be to have them move wherever their students would go,” Esposito-Visgitis, said.

Channel 11 News spoke to someone who works at Oliver Citywide Academy - and wants to remain anonymous.

They said, “I don’t think going back into the building is the right thing at this time following last week’s shooting.”

We also asked what needs to be done before people return, and they said they aren’t sure but, believe if “Pittsburgh City officers were in front [of the school] it could have been prevented.”

The district has wrestled with the idea of adding officers, but the union said the ongoing violence may spark a new perspective

“It’s going to be a discussion of all of us, and as you know some of our school board members have not been supportive of police in our schools, but our school police are so well trained,” she said.

Channel 11 News reached out to the district to see if they had any further comments on end-of-the-year activities and if they planned to extend remote learning to the end of the school year, but did not hear back.

Related coverage:

• Parents of 15-year-old killed at Oliver Citywide Academy speak out, demand accountability
• Community working to channel grief into action after Oliver Citywide student shot, killed
• ‘The trauma is too much’: Teacher’s union leader reacts to shooting death of Oliver Citywide student

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