As the Board of Education appears poised to take a long-awaited position on the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan, tensions have escalated between district officials and local lawmakers. Some Council members have gone as far as to threaten withholding funds from the district if it follows through on closing over a dozen buildings. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. finds himself smack dab in the middle of the controversy. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo why reconciling his proposal isn’t as easy as pointing to the district’s considerable $4.6 billion budget.
00:00 “Final ‘final’ recommendations” and changes to facilities plan ahead of upcoming Board meeting
01:38 Why Watlington has kept Lankenau and Robeson High Schools on the closure list
04:25 Watlington’s back-and-forth with City Council members
07:22 Are SEPTA passes with unlimited rides for students a good idea?
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.
