In a significant development, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) and its employee unions have reached a tentative agreement on four-year labor contracts for teachers, clerical workers, and student support staff. The new contracts, which are expected to be ratified by the school board next week, will eliminate the longstanding residency requirement mandating employees to live within Pittsburgh city limits.
This change impacts around 2,500 paraprofessionals, technical, and clerical employees and aims to address persistent staffing shortages. The district faces a projected 172 vacancies at the start of 2025, with teachers, custodial staff, principals, and classroom support staff topping the list of unfilled positions.
Key Features of the New Contracts Pittsburgh Public Schools
1. Salary and Benefits Enhancements:
- Teachers will see annual pay raises between $1,500 and $2,650.
- Paraprofessional and clerical staff will receive 4% and 3% salary increases, respectively, in the first year.
- Healthcare benefits for teachers post-retirement remain intact.
2. Strengthened ITL Roles:
Instructional Teacher Leaders (ITLs), pivotal in mentoring and professional development, will now have clearer role definitions.
3. Phased-Out Incentives:
The agreement removes pay incentives linked to hard-to-staff schools and performance metrics like state-assessed student test scores.
School board president Gene Walker described the negotiations as a balanced give-and-take effort, emphasizing collaboration and goodwill.
2025 Budget Challenges and Surpluses
As the district prepares for a $752 million budget vote, administrators are grappling with a $28.1 million deficit, up from earlier projections of $20.8 million. Key contributors include:
- Charter School Tuition Costs: Payments rose by 11% this year, accounting for nearly $167 million or 22% of PPS’s total spending.
- Vacancies: The district’s inability to fill 172 positions could lead to reduced expenditures, potentially mitigating the deficit.
Despite the financial strain, no tax increases are proposed in the new budget.
Concerns Over Summer B.O.O.S.T. Program Cuts
Parents and community members expressed disappointment at the district’s decision to cut the free Summer B.O.O.S.T. learning program. Previously funded by federal pandemic relief, the program required $2.4 million to operate this year, funds that were not allocated in the new budget.
Critics argue that B.O.O.S.T. serves the district’s most vulnerable families. Parent and community organizer Valerie Allman-Webb highlighted the importance of retaining such programs:
“Those are the people we need to retain and hold close. They should be our focus when deciding how to allocate resources.”
Support for English Language Learners (ELL)
PPS’s growing population of English language learners (ELL) raised additional concerns. However, Chief Financial Officer Ron Joseph clarified that while certain positions were moved out of the general fund, they continue to be supported through the Ready to Learn block grant, ensuring no reduction in services for ELL students.
A Step Forward for PPS
District superintendent Wayne Walters expressed optimism about the agreements, emphasizing the importance of avoiding work stoppages and supporting teachers and staff:
“Our teachers are crucial, and this contract guarantees that we can continue to serve our students effectively.”
The upcoming school board vote marks a pivotal moment for Pittsburgh Public Schools as it balances staffing, financial stability, and community needs.
