PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Tom Wolf visited Paul Robeson High School in West Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon to promote his administration’s record on education funding.
During a ceremony at the school, Wolf said his administration has made a substantial investment in education since he was elected governor.
“In all, we’ve increased funding over the last eight years by $3.7 billion,” Wolf said. “That included the 14 state universities.”
The governor pointed to the success of Robeson High as a model for other schools to follow.
Principal Richard Gordon was proud to talk about the fact that 95% of Robeson students graduate.
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“During the pandemic and this year, we looked at our scores, and we had the highest academic growth that we’ve ever had in our building thus far,” Gordon said.
The School Reform Commission had slated Robeson for closure 10 years ago. After a reprieve, Gordon led the school’s comeback and won National Principal of the Year honors three times.
“We went from a school that was on the slate for closure, to being the 2017 most improved high school in the city of Philadelphia,” he said.
Wolf said $2.7 billion has gone to pre-K through 12th grade programs.
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“We’re doing these things simply because we’re making these investments. When you’re smart, when you invest wisely, you get a return,” Wolf said.
State Sen. Vincent Hughes, calling Wolf “the education governor,” got the biggest applause of the ceremony when he spoke about all of the recent development in University City.
“It’s time, as they build these fancy buildings around here, that we build a brand new Paul Robeson High School. It’s time,” Hughes said.
School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington said there are no plans right now to build a new Robeson school.