Gene Walker
Gene Walker has appeared as a guest on 1 episode in TMT. Topics they speak about most include School closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Magnet schools.
In their words
Positions and remarks grouped by topic, each with the exact quote and where it was said.
School closures
Walker acknowledges families might leave either way but argues the risk should not stop a necessary decision, and that quality will bring people back.
“we can't let the threat of people leaving be the reason why we don't make the decision that's necessary”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 43:32
Walker argues consolidating small, expensive schools frees money to redistribute to schools that stay open.
“by consolidating closing buildings, you're able to take that money that you would otherwise spend on that building and redistribute it to schools that are staying open”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 19:18
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Walker says the board has an obligation to future students decades from now, not just current ones.
“we have an obligation not just to the students that we have currently, but to the students that we will have 10, 15, 20 years from now”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 44:10
Magnet schools
Walker contends that Pittsburgh's magnet system was designed to retain middle-class white families through schools of choice.
“the magnet school system at its core was designed to keep middle class white families in the school district by creating these schools of choice”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 21:12
Appearances
Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough StudentsThe Daily · Nov 11, 2026 · 48 min
Natalie Kitroeff and education reporter Sarah Mervosh examine shrinking U.S. public school enrollment and Pittsburgh's controversial plan to close schools and end most magnet programs.
Often appears with
- Natalie Kitroeff · 1 shared episode
- Sarah Mervosh · 1 shared episode
- Abigail Folds · 1 shared episode