PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Five days before the start of the new school year, Philadelphia’s superintendent is optimistic they will reach a new deal with the district’s blue-collar workers union before classes begin, and before the date of a potential strike the union has authorized.
“We’re going to stay at it until we get it done, but we’re optimistic,” School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington said at the city’s annual “Ring the Bell” event at Citizens Bank Park.
2,000 members of SEIU 32BJ, representing the district’s bus drivers and maintenance workers, have authorized a strike if negotiations don’t yield a new agreement by the expiration of the current two-year contract on Aug. 31.
“We value all the employees of 32BJ. I certainly do, as formerly being a bus driver and a custodian,” Watlington said. “We’re optimistic that we’re going to reach an appropriate conclusion in advance of the school year.”
The district has hired 700 new teachers. Watlington said more than 97% of the district’s teaching jobs have been filled, but he admits some positions will be vacant when classes begin.
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“We won’t reach 100% by the first day of school, but we are making provisions so that all students receive teachers and that they are appropriately welcomed and cared for,” Watlington said.
“We will have lots of central office staff out supporting the schools on the first few days of school and we’ll continue to make adjustments as needed.”
Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s next week. Watlington said that while not all of the district’s buildings are fully air-conditioned, crews installed 450 new air conditioning units over the summer.
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Watlington spoke after the “Ring the Bell PHL” ceremony Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
Standing in the ballpark’s kids' play area called “The Yard,” Board of Education member Sarah-Ashley Andrews likened the new school year to the start of a baseball season.
“This time of the year, we always feel like Phillies fans – just waiting for that exciting moment when the first pitch of a new season is thrown and the game begins.”
For the district’s 114,000 students, the game begins Monday.