Last school year, most of the district’s standalone middle schools enrolled less than half the number of students they were built for.

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 current state budget has left schools with a $4.5 billion ‘adequacy gap.’ City education leaders and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers want that to shrink.

Universal Vare Charter School will not pursue renewing its charter agreement. District officials have not said whether they will take over the school or shutter it.

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

The school board initially planned to consider an agreement with the Department of Justice over an investigation into its asbestos management program at its Thursday meeting. But Board President Reginald Streater said the DOJ was not ready to proceed.

Two proposed bills would create resources and incentives for districts to teach students to read using research-backed strategies, including phonics and word decoding.