PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia School District Superintendent Tony Watlington says he’s working on a plan to curb the disruptive practice of leveling.
Leveling happens every October in Philadelphia. When way more — or way fewer — students show up in classrooms than projected, dozens of teachers are moved around, disrupting the routine for students who have just gotten to know their teacher.
Watlington told the school board Thursday night he’s developing a strategy to rein in the practice.
“We’re taking a hard look at it,” he said. “We’re going to come back to the board with some recommendations about significant improvements that we’re going to recommend. And it’s going to come at a cost.”
That cost – assuming teachers are hired to fill spots in growing schools and are not taken from under-enrolled schools — is $11 million, said district Chief Financial Officer Mike Herbstman.
Watlington said complicating matters is the fact that Pennsylvania education schools are graduating fewer teachers. He says he doesn’t want to just fill the positions with people, he wants to fill them with people who are qualified — well qualified — to do the job.
Herbstman also warned that with expenses outpacing revenues, the district’s facing a structural deficit two years from now without increased funding.