Pittsburgh To Close 7 Schools, Cut Jobs

PITTSBURGH,None — The Pittsburgh Public School Board has approved a district realignment plan for the 2012-13 school year.

Seven schools will be closed, and 400 jobs will be eliminated in the district.

The board approved the closure of the following schools:

Fort Pitt Pre-K Langley High School Murray K-8 North View Pre-K-8 Oliver High School Schaeffer K-8 Stevens K-8

The plan, which focuses on school closings and feeder pattern changes, is meant to address the district's under-enrolled classrooms.

The board approved the opening of one new K-8 school in the Langley facility. The Board additionally approved the expansion of Pittsburgh Morrow from a Pre-K-5 to a Pre-K-8 school and the reconfiguration of Pittsburgh Westwood from a K-8 to a K-5 school.

Also approved was the relocation of McCleary Early Childhood Center into Pittsburgh Arsenal Pre-K-5 and Pittsburgh McNaugher into the Oliver facility.

"No one is ever happy about closing schools. These are very difficult decisions to make, but while difficult, they are necessary as we remain committed to building a strong, sustainable public school district in Pittsburgh," said Superintendent Linda Lane.

The board will vote on the 2012 budget at its special legislative meeting on Dec.7.

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