Votes at a glance: Board ratifies construction contract, approves legal counsel and development agreements; pulls Manchester Chateau and school‑closure item

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board took a series of votes at its March 26, 2025 legislative meeting, approving contracts, budget transfers and participation in development agreements while removing two items from the agenda for further review.

Key outcomes

- Contract ratified: The board ratified a three‑year agreement between the district and the Pittsburgh Building Trade and Construction Council (agenda item 17.01). The board approved the contract by roll call; the contract was described as a new three‑year agreement.

- Legal counsel: The board approved a resolution authorizing Weiss Burkhardt Kramer LLC to serve as co‑counsel in the matter of Marie Weber v. City of Pittsburgh (agenda item 17.02). The resolution passed by roll call.

- Development agreements (ALERTA participation): The board authorized the district to participate in ALERTA for the Caroline project (Oakland student housing) (agenda item 17.04). The motion passed with 7 yes votes and 1 abstention. The board also approved participation in ALERTA for the Dalian project (Lawrenceville riverfront) (agenda item 17.05); that motion passed with an 8‑yes, 1‑abstention tally.

- Budget transfer: The board approved agenda item 15.01, a year‑end general fund budget transfer to correct negative appropriations and fund capital projects and general liability; the transfer passed by roll call vote unanimously.

- Routine reports and personnel: The board approved committee reports on education, business and finance, the human resources report (including addenda), travel and the personnel report; these passed on roll call votes.

- Pulled items: Agenda item 12.02 (Manchester Chateau/Bridal) was pulled from the agenda and will be brought back at a later meeting to allow additional public discussion. Agenda item 17.03 (resolution to consider permanent school closings) was pulled for further analysis and an updated feasibility report (see separate coverage).

Why it matters: Several approvals affect district operations, capital planning and partner development agreements in Oakland and Lawrenceville. The pulls show the board paused two items for further public conversation and analysis.

Vote details (summary)

- 17.01 (Building Trade contract): approved (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as approved by roll call). - 17.02 (Co‑counsel Weiss Burkhardt Kramer LLC): approved unanimously by roll call. - 17.04 (ALERTA — Caroline, Oakland): approved, tally reported as 7 yes, 1 abstention. - 17.05 (ALERTA — Dalian, Lawrenceville): approved, tally reported as 8 yes, 1 abstention. - 15.01 (General fund budget transfer): approved unanimously by roll call. - 12.02 (Manchester Chateau/Bridal): pulled from agenda; to be reintroduced at the April meeting.

The meeting concluded with routine adjournment.