Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg told Chalkbeat negotiations are ongoing but he is gearing his members up for a potential work stoppage.

The district has delayed publicly releasing data officials say will inform which schools they choose to close. Principals and community members who’ve seen that data recently have concerns.

While it’s not quite the ‘year-round school’ Mayor Cherelle Parker campaigned on, the initiative will offer before- and after-school programs and camp activities at 15 new schools.

Board members said that low test scores at KIPP North Philadelphia Academy and People for People Charter School led them to start a process that could close the schools.

The district ‘knowingly and regularly’ failed to make necessary asbestos repairs and endangered students, according to federal officials.

The likelihood of a strike is unclear. But if PFT leaders do call a strike of their 14,000 members, it could disrupt the opening days of the new school year. The 2025-26 school year begins August 18 for staff and August 25 for students.

The newly approved city budget represents a missed opportunity to significantly increase funding for public schools, education advocates say.

School district officials promised that residents would inform its facility planning process. But community leaders and parents say they’re not being heard.

The board had rejected the Early College Charter School of Philadelphia’s application in February, a move that raised eyebrows.

Money that was supposed to go to vendors for flood damage repair and services for students with disabilities was instead diverted to “malicious actors” bank accounts, according to the City Controller.