Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders are expecting a $12.2 million deficit in the 2026 budget, a significantly smaller number than originally anticipated as directors mull a proposed tax increase and a controversial school closure plan that could be voted on as early as this month.

The update, given during Monday’s business and finance meeting in the district’s Oakland administration building, came a month before the board is expected to vote on a budget. The proposal includes a 4% tax hike and assumes directors will move forward with the closure plan that could permanently close nine buildings and shift grade structures at several others.

“Our forecast shows that we’ve gotten better but we’ve still got a lot more work to do,” Ronald Joseph, the district’s chief financial officer, said duri

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