District Management
Philadelphia district officials say they’ve learned lessons from the last round of school closures. Some people aren’t so sure.
Many school communities hope leaders will soften the district’s proposal to close 20 schools beginning in 2027.
Nine of the 20 schools the district wants to close are in areas it has identified as vulnerable, based on neighborhood social factors and prior school closures.
The district’s proposal to close 20 schools has drawn opposition from City Council members, parents, alumni, and educators, who see the schools as integral resource hubs and safe spaces in their communities.
A key member of the Philadelphia City Council has already expressed opposition to parts of the district’s plan to close, relocate, and co-locate several schools.
The proposal would have a particularly large impact on middle schools, with more than a dozen elementary schools turning into K-8 schools.
The number of Philadelphia students passing their state exams to graduate has plummeted over the past three years. Some researchers worry that there isn’t enough evidence that the new paths to graduation are all useful.
The district will open 2 schools as part of the new North Philadelphia Promise Zone, even as officials plan on closing underutilized public schools in the city.
The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee launched the investigation into the school district last month.
The school board voted to ratify the contract at its Thursday board meeting nearly four months after the union’s previous contract expired.
The city’s district and alternative schools have lost students, while charter and cyber charter enrollment has grown slightly. The number of English language learners has nearly doubled over the past decade.
District officials have expanded access to autistic support classes. But as school closures loom, families and advocates say it’s still not enough.
The district pushed back the release of its closure plan saying officials want to hear more feedback from the community via a new survey.
The City Council also pressed school officials about why the principals union has not had a contract since August.
Despite a City Councilmember’s support for the sale of a vacant Ada Lewis building, district officials say the school board has not been involved in conversations about selling it.
At a Chalkbeat event in Germantown, city residents said they want district leaders to give serious weight to community feedback in their closure plan.
The school district and outside organizations are launching tools to make the process simpler but families say it’s still too complicated and stressful to navigate.
School board members voted to approve a raise and contract extension for Superintendent Tony Watlington Thursday night.
District officials see the program as a way for parents and guardians to build connections with schools and communities.
Philadelphia district officials say they plan to share recommendations of which schools to close and which ones to invest in later this fall.