Parents, teachers and students urge Pittsburgh Public Schools board not to revive Resolution 17.02

At a virtual public hearing on Jan. 26, parents, teachers and students urged the Pittsburgh Public Schools board not to reopen the district’s previously defeated "future ready" proposal, Resolution 17.02, and called instead for a new planning process built with community input.

Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as one of trust and procedure. "The timeline didn't work. It was too fast," said Valerie Webb Ullman, who asked the board to abandon the prior resolution and "start fresh." Holly Munson, a parent at Schiller, told the board: "I ask you to please vote no on resolution 17.02," and urged the district to try pilot programs and gather evidence before pursuing large‑scale closures or consolidations.

Several commenters said the earlier proposal caused fear and confusion among students and families. Isabella Whitney, a junior from Carrick, said the consideration of merging Carrick with Brashear produced "overwhelming and mixed emotions," and called for students to be included in decisions that affect school identity and community ties.

Speakers offered alternatives to reintroducing the full resolution: piloting specific ideas (for example, universal gifted screening or a small set of grade‑band pilots), forming collaborative working groups with educators and families, and prioritizing items that could be implemented without school closures. Emily Sawyer urged the board to pursue changes that do not require closures and warned that reopening the same plan would further erode public trust.

No formal vote or motion on Resolution 17.02 was recorded during the hearing. The hearing concluded after public comment and the meeting was adjourned; speakers asked the board to take up next steps with renewed public engagement and clearer timelines.