Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation ends partnership; board urges talks as community pushes to retain services

The McKeesport Area School District (MASD) board and community clashed Wednesday as the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation informed the district it would end its partnership, leaving in question services and programs that served students at Twin Rivers, Founders Hall and other sites.

The dispute played out during a packed special meeting in the district boardroom after public commenters described immediate impacts on students, while board members said they had sought a negotiated resolution and were pursuing ways to retain staff and preserve services.

The change matters because the foundation supported on-site social services, clothing and other wraparound supports that district speakers said helped students’ attendance and basic needs. Community speakers said the foundation’s withdrawal removes programs that provided food, clothing, showers and student supports. Board members said their first priority is continuing student instruction while attempting to keep employees and services in place.

Community members spoke first. Student Zaida Carr, a seventh-grader at Founders Hall, told the board: “Please, like, please try to bring back Dicks because we need this, and this is important to all the kids who need this.” Former East End Academy student Brandy Cox told the board the program was like family: “When I stepped in that school for the first time, I was scared… I walked into school, and it was nothing like that.”

Community and school staff speakers described concrete services they said DICK’S provided: distribution of coats and clothing, computers, food, and in-school programs and staff who worked with…