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Students to Collect Parking Donations During I.V.
Visitors parking at high school will be asked to contribute to student groups
By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
August 08, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
(Adam Reinherz photo)
Visitors to McKeesport’s 65th International Village may want to bring a few extra dollars next week.
Those parking at nearby McKeesport Area Senior High School between Aug. 12-15 will be asked for a “suggested donation” before using the lots.
In previous years, drivers simply pulled up, parked and headed to the event without interruption.
The change in practice marks an opportunity to support students, District Solicitor Gary Matta said. In lieu of giving space to the city “to use however they wanted,” booster clubs for various teams will operate the site.
“If someone pulls up and does not want to pay, it’s a donation not a required payment,” School Board President Mark Holtzman Sr. said. “It’s a suggested donation that will go to the students’ activities and athletics.”
Whether the fee is $1 or $5, School Director Diane Elias isn’t sure. What she’s certain of, however, is the change stands to serve McKeesport’s students.
“This is for the kids,” she said. “None of the money comes to us, it goes to whatever group is working it — cheerleaders, basketball — this had nothing to do with the city.”
During the past year, representatives from both the city and school district have verbally tussled over several issues, including permit fees for use of athletic fields at Renziehausen Park as well as the severed relationship between MASD and Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation.
The parking decision was made “months and months ago” without consideration of political spats, Holtzman said.
“We thought it was a great idea for the kids,” Elias reiterated.
“We are in a school district where our children need all the help they can get financially for the programs and for the athletics that they're involved in,” Holtzman said. “We thought it was a good idea to let our kids make that money. If I was being quite honest I wish they would have done it 20 years ago.”
Adam Reinherz is a Pittsburgh-based journalist. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com.
Originally published August 08, 2025.
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