To the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors:

We, the concerned parents, residents, and community members of Pittsburgh, call on the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors to appoint new leadership and not reelect Gene Walker as board president during the upcoming leadership transition.

This petition is rooted in our concerns about his presidency, his role in the school closure process, and the lasting impact this process has had on the students, families, and communities he is elected to serve.

THE VOTE IS DECEMBER 7, 2026 at 5PM

Our concerns are based on a pattern of decisions and public statements involving school closures, school safety, board oversight, and community input.

The process surrounding the proposed school closures raised serious questions about transparency, accountability, and whether the voices of students, parents, and communities were truly being heard. Mr. Walker’s actions and public comments during these discussions deserve scrutiny.

We are also concerned about his position on school safety policy and his public statements regarding the board’s responsibility to oversee the superintendent. These issues raise important questions about leadership, accountability, and the board’s responsibility to the families it serves.

This petition is not a request to remove Gene Walker from his elected board seat. It is a request for the board to choose new leadership.

Pittsburgh families deserve a board president who prioritizes students, listens to communities, supports meaningful public participation, and leads with transparency and accountability.

At what point does the board look at the totality of these concerns and recognize that a change in leadership is necessary? 

We ask the board to make a different choice and elect a new president.

Supporting Documents and Public Reporting 

WTAE — PPS Plan for School Closures and Consolidations https://www.wtae.com/article/pps-plan-closures-consolidations/46528777WTAE —

Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Could Vote on Closing Schools https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-public-schools-board-could-vote-closing-schools/69548565

Recorded Public Remarks by Gene Walker

PublicSource — PPS Citations Policy and Equity https://www.publicsource.org/pps-pittsburgh-public-schools-board-citations-policy-equity/

PublicSource — Gene Walker’s Career Path to Public Education https://www.publicsource.org/gene-walker-career-path-to-public-education/

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — 2025 Pittsburgh School Board Election Coverage https://www.publicsource.org/gene-walker-career-path-to-public-education/

WESA — Pittsburgh Public Schools Evaluation and Accountability https://www.wesanews.org/education/2023-12-14/pittsburgh-public-schools-evaluation-failing

WESA-Pittsburgh Public Schools board to consider reinstating hybrid public hearing format

https://www.wesanews.org/education/2025-01-07/pittsburgh-public-schools-public-hearing-policy