PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers isn’t just criticizing the school district’s plan to close 17 schools. The union is presenting an alternative.
The district’s 10-year, $3 billion facilities plan closes 17 schools starting next year. But PFT President Art Steinberg said there’s another way.
The union is proposing that the district immediately spend $25 million to repair and maintain the 17 schools on the closure list.
Philadelphia teachers union releases its own facilities plan that doesn’t close schools by KYW Newsradio
Steinberg said that would also address declining enrollment. The district says it has too much unused capacity at its school buildings, but Steinberg said if the buildings were fixed and cleaned, enrollment would bounce back.
Steinberg wants Mayor Cherelle Parker to step in because he said PFT’s opposition has been ignored.
“It’s clear that the school board itself is not listening to their constituents,” he said.
The union’s proposal would not preclude the district from moving ahead with modernizing 169 school buildings. Steinberg is calling on the school board to put the PFT plan into action by the end of this school year so parents can make enrollment decisions for 2027.
“We gave the public and the board a way forward,” Steinberg added. “Our plan allows all the schools in the district to remain open.”
There’s no response from the school district on the PFT plan. Steinberg said he would present it to the district and school board on Thursday.
Plan proposes $25 million for immediate repair of the 17 schools on the closure list
Plan proposes $25 million for immediate repair of the 17 schools on the closure list
