City Cast Pittsburgh logo
December 10, 2025

Are Pittsburgh Schools Closing or Not?!

City Cast Pittsburgh

Are Pittsburgh Schools Closing or Not?!

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Pittsburgh Public Schools spent two years and a quarter million dollars on a plan to save money and make the district more equitable — only for the school board to reject it in the 11th hour. The controversial plan would've closed and consolidated a bunch of schools and made other dramatic changes to address declining enrollment, a growing deficit, and student achievement gaps, but many worried it was happening on a rushed timeline. Now the district is back to the drawing board and considering a tax increase. Host Megan Harris is with James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools, to explain what happened, what comes next, and why the fate of our local schools should matter to everyone who lives here.

Want to learn more about the district, including its bright spots and successes? Read A+ Schools' latest report on PPS.

Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 10th episode:

Fulton Commons

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 14

Red-Light Cameras, Dirty Rivers & Pittsburgh’s Cutest Potato

Pittsburgh’s red-light cameras are officially here — and so are some new reasons to be nervous about the river water you’re maybe swimmin...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 13

The Tiki Bar Reddit Can’t Stop Talking About. Plus, Yemeni Coffee & RIP Bryant Street

Downtown's new tiki bar has a volcano, a sunken fire pit, and a drink menu that admits it was made with AI. Host Megan Harris and interim...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 12

Can Waymo Crack Pittsburgh?

Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for aut...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 11

Restaurant Week, '90s Nostalgia & Cathy's 100th Birthday

One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share wha...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 10

Pittsburgh's Grocery Store Showdown

Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 7

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have co...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 6

Pittsburgh’s Measles Risk, Explained

Measles cases are ⁠on the rise in Pennsylvania⁠. We just notched 200 cases, with more than 45 reported in the last week alone. This is es...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 5

Sports Villains, Redemption Arcs, and the One Man We'll Never Forgive

Is it villainous to avoid Pittsburgh for over a decade? To get rich off our sports teams but never try to win? If a celebrity claims us,...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 4

What Happened to Station Square?

Station Square has been many things: a festival marketplace ("think outdoor shopping mall with razzamatazz"), a home to megaclubs and war...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
August 3

Your Guide to August 2026 in Pittsburgh

Whether you want to board a pontoon boat, catch free live music in the park, or follow up a round of mini golf with an ice cream sandwich...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art