PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time since the Philadelphia School District returned to local control in 2018, the school board has approved a new charter school.
In an 8-1 vote on Thursday, the board approved the resubmitted application for Early College Charter High School, a sixth through 12th grade school that will be located at the former Peirce College site at Broad and Pine Streets. The charter would include college-level courses in its curriculum.
The board rejected the school's application in February, stating the school didn't have a strategy to support students below grade level. The school's co-director, Keshema Davidson, said they reapplied after pledging more academic and financial support.
"I am incredibly grateful for the board's confidence in us. I think I'm incredibly proud of the quality of the application we put forth,” she said.
Board member Joyce Wilkerson cast the lone “no” vote, raising concerns about the timing of the approval amid district-wide challenges.
“It is inconceivable to me that we need to bring yet another school online to tax these already stressed resources,” she said, pointing to the ongoing teacher shortage.
She also noted the district is in the midst of a facilities review, which could lead to school closures.
“I believe the approval of additional seats at this time before this process is complete flies in the face of our responsibility to create a system of public education,” she said.
There are 81 charter schools now.
Board president Reginald Streater voted in favor of the new charter, but said he had "serious and legitimate concerns" about the school.