The School District of Philadelphia may not want to budge on its facilities plan, but that doesn’t mean Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. isn’t willing to keep lines of communication open. From having frank conversations with students at schools set for closure to hearing concerns from City Council members, the superintendent understands there are pockets of people still upset with his vision. He addresses this topic with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, as well as the district topping the charts of a recently-released study assessing post-pandemic academic performance in big American cities. They also discuss a bell-to-bell cell phone ban bill making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature.
00:00 Would Watlington return to the negotiating table for district facilities master plan?
00:43 Reflections on recent visit to Lankenau High School, set to close as part of facilities plan
02:36 Reaction to district ranking no. 1 among big American cities in recent Harvard / Stanford study of post-pandemic academic performance
06:42 How would district implement a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban?
Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM
Jun 03, 2026
