@megantomasic.bsky.social
Suburban education reporter at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Reposted
After two years of discussion and intense community pushback, the Pittsburgh Public school board voted against a school closure plan that would have shuttered nine schools. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public Schools directors vote against closing schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools directors are not moving forward with a plan to close schools.
Directors during Tuesday’s legislative session at the Oakland...
www.post-gazette.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:45 AM
After two years of discussion and intense community pushback, the Pittsburgh Public school board voted against a school closure plan that would have shuttered nine schools. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
The budget features a $565 million increase in public school adequacy funding, $105 million in basic education funding and a $40 million increase in special education funding.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh-area schools welcome long-awaited state budget, new funding
School districts across the Pittsburgh region, which have endured months of uncertainty and mounting financial pressures, are celebrating the passage of...
www.post-gazette.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The budget features a $565 million increase in public school adequacy funding, $105 million in basic education funding and a $40 million increase in special education funding.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted
Pa. school districts that have banned cellphones are reporting fewer fights and better student focus. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh-area schools credit cellphone bans for fewer fights, better focus among students
The Woodland Hills High School cafeteria is a bustling spot. Students are often laughing and talking with each other. The sounds of ping pong balls bouncing...
www.post-gazette.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Pa. school districts that have banned cellphones are reporting fewer fights and better student focus. Story via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“Tonight I am asking for your partnership, for your courage and for your vote so that we can do what we came here to do. Improve outcomes, improve experiences and fulfill our responsibility to the children and families of Pittsburgh.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public Schools lays out plan to guide possible school closures
Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders took a deep dive Thursday into how a controversial school closure and reconfiguration plan could look citywide if implemented...
www.post-gazette.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:54 AM
“Tonight I am asking for your partnership, for your courage and for your vote so that we can do what we came here to do. Improve outcomes, improve experiences and fulfill our responsibility to the children and families of Pittsburgh.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted
Pennsylvania rural schools are struggling. Here’s how some are surviving, via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Rural and small Pa. schools turn to sharing services with other districts as they face shrinking budgets and declining enrollments
Tucked into the mountains of northern Pennsylvania, students in the Otto-Eldred School District faced a dilemma: spend a full hour of the school day on...
www.post-gazette.com
August 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Pennsylvania rural schools are struggling. Here’s how some are surviving, via @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“You just screwed over my future."
Parents, teachers react to abrupt closure of the Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Parents, teachers react to abrupt closure of the Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Families raise questions, concerns after Beaver County charter school abruptly closes
Dozens of parents, students and teachers Tuesday called on board members of a now shuttered Beaver County charter school for answers after the organization...
www.post-gazette.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
“You just screwed over my future."
Parents, teachers react to abrupt closure of the Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Parents, teachers react to abrupt closure of the Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh-area schools bracing for federal funding loss as Trump administration freezes nearly $7 billion
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh-area schools bracing for federal funding loss as Trump administration freezes nearly $7 billion
A dozen teens at the Boys & Girls Club in Shadyside temporarily hesitated Friday morning after being asked to answer, “When at home I feel most...
www.post-gazette.com
July 14, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Pittsburgh-area schools bracing for federal funding loss as Trump administration freezes nearly $7 billion
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“It's disappointing, frustrating. Because parents like myself who do work … rely on Summer B.O.O.S.T. to assist their children with some of the academic refreshers during the summer."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public parents search for new camps after Summer B.O.O.S.T. canceled
Katrina Shaahid often spent the summer months worrying her kids would fall behind academically. So when Pittsburgh Public Schools offered a free summer...
www.post-gazette.com
June 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
“It's disappointing, frustrating. Because parents like myself who do work … rely on Summer B.O.O.S.T. to assist their children with some of the academic refreshers during the summer."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh-area advocacy groups are issuing guidance after immigration officials in recent weeks began conducting wellness checks on children who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border alone before being placed in the care of family members or a sponsor.
www.post-gazette.com/news/social-...
www.post-gazette.com/news/social-...
Pittsburgh-area immigration advocacy groups caution about ICE ‘wellness checks’
Pittsburgh-area advocacy groups are issuing guidance after immigration officials in recent weeks began conducting wellness checks on children who arrived...
www.post-gazette.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Pittsburgh-area advocacy groups are issuing guidance after immigration officials in recent weeks began conducting wellness checks on children who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border alone before being placed in the care of family members or a sponsor.
www.post-gazette.com/news/social-...
www.post-gazette.com/news/social-...
“A lot of that is lost if you're just giving them a chunk. ... I don't agree with the trend of just giving them excerpts because it's easier, or whatever the rationale is.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Gen Z students still love a good book
Gen Z has a bad reputation.
The generation behind TikTok trends of “quiet quitting” and “lazy girl jobs” is often considered unreliable,...
www.post-gazette.com
May 31, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“A lot of that is lost if you're just giving them a chunk. ... I don't agree with the trend of just giving them excerpts because it's easier, or whatever the rationale is.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Over the course of the partnership, Dick’s has provided several initiatives geared toward children, including a summer camp that has been around since 2021. The following year a new community resource center was announced at Twin Rivers Elementary.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Partnership between Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, McKeesport Area School District ends
A partnership that brought various programming focused on supporting the learning and wellbeing of some of McKeesport Area School District’s youngest...
www.post-gazette.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Over the course of the partnership, Dick’s has provided several initiatives geared toward children, including a summer camp that has been around since 2021. The following year a new community resource center was announced at Twin Rivers Elementary.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
The Trump administration last month gutted AmeriCorps, a 30-year-old federal agency, by ending nearly $400 million in grants to more than 1,000 programs nationwide. Here's how local organizations are impacted:
post-gazette.com/news/educati...
post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh organizations reeling after AmeriCorps cuts
When Terri Wright-Jones enters the art classroom at Pittsburgh Westinghouse 6-12, she gets right to work. Middle schoolers confide in her about ongoing...
post-gazette.com
May 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Trump administration last month gutted AmeriCorps, a 30-year-old federal agency, by ending nearly $400 million in grants to more than 1,000 programs nationwide. Here's how local organizations are impacted:
post-gazette.com/news/educati...
post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted
Pittsburgh Public recommending 12 school closures under newly revised plan www.post-gazette.com/news/educati... by @megantomasic.bsky.social
Pittsburgh Public recommending 12 school closures under newly revised plan
Pittsburgh Public School officials are flipping the script. Instead of proposing 14 school closures, they are now considering 12, a move that changes the...
www.post-gazette.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Pittsburgh Public recommending 12 school closures under newly revised plan www.post-gazette.com/news/educati... by @megantomasic.bsky.social
“We've somehow swung the pendulum far right now, and we need to get back to middle ground somewhere."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
In Western Pa. school board races, a shift for voters who have been ‘jolted awake’
Four years ago, Joseph Cassidy and Amy Terchick were confident in the slate of candidates they joined as they successfully ran for a seat on the Pine-Richland...
www.post-gazette.com
April 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
“We've somehow swung the pendulum far right now, and we need to get back to middle ground somewhere."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted
Two Western Pa. school districts are considering sharing a superintendent as they face declining enrollments and budgetary constraints. Story from @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
2 Beaver County school districts considering sharing superintendent
The Rochester Area and New Brighton Area school districts are considering sharing a superintendent.
The plan, presented during a town hall meeting Monday...
www.post-gazette.com
April 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Two Western Pa. school districts are considering sharing a superintendent as they face declining enrollments and budgetary constraints. Story from @megantomasic.bsky.social www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Next school year, all Pennsylvania students will use the online testing platform when taking Pennsylvania’s Keystone Exams and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, or PSSAs.
Here's how area schools are preparing:
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Here's how area schools are preparing:
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Here’s how Pittsburgh-area schools are preparing for Pa.'s standardized tests moving online
With the click of a button, a bubble representing one of four possible answers on a multiple choice practice test turns from white to a light blue color,...
www.post-gazette.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Next school year, all Pennsylvania students will use the online testing platform when taking Pennsylvania’s Keystone Exams and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, or PSSAs.
Here's how area schools are preparing:
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Here's how area schools are preparing:
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“We’ve heard clearly from our board that more information is needed. As previously shared, it has always been our intention to provide both the board and the public with additional information before bringing any plan forward for a vote."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public pulls resolution that was next step in school closure process
The possible closure of 10 Pittsburgh Public Schools buildings has been postponed, at least temporarily, after a resolution was pulled that would have...
www.post-gazette.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:40 PM
“We’ve heard clearly from our board that more information is needed. As previously shared, it has always been our intention to provide both the board and the public with additional information before bringing any plan forward for a vote."
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“There is still so much data that you need to inform your vote. New attendance zones, feasibility of transportation, the basic price tag. Why are we rushing into a vote that can have such devastating consequences for this city?”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public parents call on directors to slow school closure plan
More than 100 Pittsburgh Public Schools parents and community members gathered at the district’s Oakland administration building Monday evening with...
www.post-gazette.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
“There is still so much data that you need to inform your vote. New attendance zones, feasibility of transportation, the basic price tag. Why are we rushing into a vote that can have such devastating consequences for this city?”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“There’s just not a good enough map for anything really positive to come out of this. It’s just closing buildings.”
Pittsburgh Public parents preparing for possible major changes as district officials weigh school closures
newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pittsburgh-p...
Pittsburgh Public parents preparing for possible major changes as district officials weigh school closures
newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pittsburgh-p...
Pittsburgh Public Schools set for major changes over next 2 years
With 14 schools on the chopping block and 12 slated for different grades or uses, Pittsburgh Public Schools is set for an overhaul.
newsinteractive.post-gazette.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
“There’s just not a good enough map for anything really positive to come out of this. It’s just closing buildings.”
Pittsburgh Public parents preparing for possible major changes as district officials weigh school closures
newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pittsburgh-p...
Pittsburgh Public parents preparing for possible major changes as district officials weigh school closures
newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pittsburgh-p...
“I think it’s a big mistake this item is on the agenda for this month."
Some Pittsburgh Public school directors want more information before moving forward with school closures
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Some Pittsburgh Public school directors want more information before moving forward with school closures
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Some Pittsburgh Public school directors want more information before moving forward with school closures
Some Pittsburgh Public School directors want to pump the brakes on a more than a yearlong process that could lead to the closure of several school buildings...
www.post-gazette.com
March 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“I think it’s a big mistake this item is on the agenda for this month."
Some Pittsburgh Public school directors want more information before moving forward with school closures
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Some Pittsburgh Public school directors want more information before moving forward with school closures
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
The vote brings to an end a nearly year-and-a-half process that has rocked the Pine-Richland community.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pine-Richland passes final read of controversial library policy, defining process to challenge books
Pine-Richland school directors Monday passed the final reading of a controversial library book policy, bringing to an end a contentious year-and-a-half...
www.post-gazette.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The vote brings to an end a nearly year-and-a-half process that has rocked the Pine-Richland community.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public Schools throws support behind proposed school closure plan
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pittsburgh Public Schools throws support behind proposed school closure plan
Pittsburgh Public Schools officials are throwing their support behind a controversial school closure plan that has rocked the city for most of the past...
www.post-gazette.com
February 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Pittsburgh Public Schools throws support behind proposed school closure plan
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
The policy will now move on for its third and final reading.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Pine-Richland passes second read of controversial book policy
Pine-Richland school directors passed the second reading of a controversial library book policy in an hourslong meeting Monday that at times devolved into...
www.post-gazette.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The policy will now move on for its third and final reading.
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
“I am in awe from what I’ve seen from your community. It is shocking how powerful you are.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
'Angel of Greenwood' author meets with Pine-Richland students after book rejected as district core text
Randi Pink stood tall in front of more than 60 Pine-Richland students, teachers and community members Saturday afternoon, her message clear: She is unbothered.
Unbothered...
www.post-gazette.com
February 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
“I am in awe from what I’ve seen from your community. It is shocking how powerful you are.”
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Reposted
More school districts are opting for virtual days instead of snow days, but are students actually logging on for classes? @megantomasic.bsky.social filed Right to Know requests to find out www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
More Allegheny County schools are ending snow days. But do students actually attend online?
When the snow falls, kids today are no longer guaranteed anticipation-filled mornings dreaming of sled riding and building snowmen as they wait for a snow...
www.post-gazette.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
More school districts are opting for virtual days instead of snow days, but are students actually logging on for classes? @megantomasic.bsky.social filed Right to Know requests to find out www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...