PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The School District of Philadelphia is delaying the announcement of its sweeping school facilities plan about which school buildings will be fixed, consolidated or closed.
The district initially said it would present its plan by November, with a school board vote by the end of December. Now, district spokeswoman Monique Braxton said recommendations will come later this winter, after parents are given a survey.
“We hope this is going to give us a wider reach,” she said. “Not every parent could attend the advisory groups. Not every parent could attend the listening and learning sessions.”
Over the summer, the district held a series of meetings to share how it would use data on certain criteria, like a building’s condition and utilization.
Braxton said the results of this next survey will guide the ultimate recommendations.
Earlier this week — before the delay was announced — retired teacher Lisa Haver, who heads the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools, called on the district to release its plan.
“We just want to make sure that the community has enough time to react and possibly fight to save their school if it’s being targeted for closure,” she argued.
Superintendent Tony Watlington has said the plan is not about saving money, but about increasing access to high-quality programs.
The district has not indicated a firm deadline for when the recommendations would be announced.