Auditor General DePasquale Raises Questions about Viability of Pittsburgh School District Taking on Debt from August Wilson Center
Auditor General DePasquale Raises Questions about Viability of Pittsburgh School District Taking on Debt from August Wilson Center
HARRISBURG (Feb. 10, 2014) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today voiced major concerns about the prospect of the financially troubled School District of Pittsburgh taking over the bankrupt August Wilson Center for African American Culture.
“Does it make economic sense for a financially strapped school district to take on millions of dollars in debt from a bankrupt cultural center? The idea raises more than a few alarms about the future for students in the district,” DePasquale said.
“Before any decision is made by the school board, members need to present a sound business plan showing taxpayers how adding the facility will benefit students and how the additional debt can be resolved without turning to taxpayers.
“Last month when I announced the start of our next audit of the school district I expressed concern about a significant funding deficit for the district. Our audit will look at the district’s finances including, if this idea moves forward, the financial impact of assuming millions of dollars in additional debt.”
The School District of Pittsburgh has an enrollment of more than 26,000 students in 54 schools and employs 3,900 people, including 1,875 teachers. The last audit of the district was released in January 2013 and is available by clicking the link at the top of this press release.
# # #
Return to search results