PPS teachers, parents worry about students getting help they need if Baxter building closes

PITTSBURGH — The area’s largest district is taking the next step toward closing schools.

Pittsburgh Public Schools’ facilities plan outlines the closure of nine buildings. But before any closures can happen, the district has to hold a public hearing for each building.

The hearing on Monday was specific to the Baxter building, which houses the Student Achievement Center. The public argues that without the separate building, the success of the program would be in danger.

“I guess it’s only students first always in all ways if you don’t need alternative education. If you do, then good luck in figuring it out,” teacher Donnese Tyler said.

The Student Achievement Center is an alternative school for students who need help getting the credits they need to graduate.

“The plan right now is to integrate those students back into their home schools and have those services provided at their home buildings,” said Gene Walker, Pittsburgh Public School Board president. “The answers that we don’t have will be provided by the superintendent over the next few months as the implementation plan gets developed.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools said closing the center will save the district nearly $8 million. Some parents said they understand the need to close the building, but don’t agree with students being sent back to their home schools.

“What is not included in this report is how this will be implemented. What does staffing look like? How does this program flex per feeder school based on the number of qualifying students each year? What classroom facilities, state-of-the-art tech, and equipment will these students have access to? And importantly, what social and emotional support will be put into place to facilitate the connection to the school communities that have been lost previously due to students being transferred away from their home schools,” parent Anne Farris questioned.

“Believe it or not, students do not want to fail,” Tyler said.

The Student Achievement Center would move to being an after-school program within traditional middle schools and high schools. Students would be required to attend after completing their normal school day.

“As a parent, we are required to make sure our young person gets what they need…as a school board director, we are responsible for all of the kids," Walker said. “So we have to make a decision not based just off of the input from one single parent or even a handful of parents, but we have to look at all of our 19,000 students collectively.”

In a press release, the board says this is a move to address declining enrollment, aging infrastructure, and underutilized buildings. The final changes will be implemented in phases starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The Board added that the staff of the Baxter building would be moved but not furloughed.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2025 Cox Media Group