PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The School District of Philadelphia said Sunday that if the union representing 5,000 SEPTA subway, bus and trolley workers goes on strike, some classes may go virtual.
According to Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, many staff members and nearly 51,000 students rely on SEPTA to get to school each day.
He said providing transportation to those students during a strike is not an option because of a shortage of drivers.
Watlington said students who are late or absent due to a potential strike will not be marked late and will be excused, as long as they have a note from a parent or guardian. Teachers will also be excused for transit-related tardiness.
Watlington added that the district may recommend that a school switch to virtual instruction if it’s determined that student or staff attendance is “dramatically affected by the strike.” However, no teacher will deliver in-person and virtual instruction at the same time. Watlington said the district will ensure every student, especially those with special needs, is fittingly accommodated for virtual classes.
This all hinges on the Transit Workers Union Local 234’s decision to strike. Their most recent contract expired a month ago, and TWU’s international president called a strike “imminent” on Friday. The last SEPTA strike was a six-day walkout in 2016.