PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One more Philly school has been removed from the district’s sweeping facilities closure list before it is considered by the school board.
School officials said on Monday that North Philadelphia’s James R. Ludlow Elementary has been taken off the list; 17 other schools remain on the chopping block, including Lankenau and Robeson High schools.
Consideration of this plan is slated for Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said the district cannot support small high schools, and Lankenau and Robeson will still be closed. However, he said the district would retain ownership of the Lankenau property for use as an environmental center for all district students.
As for Robeson, the district would explore using the University City building for science and innovation programs.
Watlington also said the district will no longer convey seven school buildings that are closing to the city, to give the district time to study legal and policy considerations. And, he said the price tag for the 10-year plan is going up from $2.8 billion to $3 billion. With Ludlow Elementary remaining open, resources would be needed to upgrade the building.
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The school board posted a resolution on its website saying this plan would be considered at Thursday’s meeting. Any closures wouldn’t take effect until at least the fall of 2027, after state-mandated public hearings take place.
The Board of Education will vote on the plan on Thursday
The Board of Education will vote on the plan on Thursday
