School expected to close as $46M deficit looms for Pittsburgh Public Schools

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Public School District plans to close at least one school for the 2014-15 school year, officials said.

School board members met Monday night to discuss the district’s looming $46 million deficit.

The under-enrolled Woolslair Elementary in Bloomfield could be closed next school year to help reduce that deficit.

Students from Woolslair Elementary are expected to be relocated to Pittsburgh Arsenal.

Lawrenceville residents and parents who have kids attended Woolslair said they’re not happy about the closure.

“I have lived here many years and I can see the enrollment dropped every year. It was inevitable,” Sally Talarico said.

Superintendent Linda Lane said only 120 kids attend Woolslair, and it costs $14,400 per year to educate each student. Lane said that’s double the cost of other elementary schools in the district.

“We find funds for lots of different projects in the area. Schools should be number one on that list, not second,” Lawrenceville resident Craig Stack said.

Nothing is official yet, and Channel 11’s Dave Bondy reported the situation will be discussed at the December meeting.

WPXI