Philly families brace for school closures, cuts, strike threat
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A potential teacher strike and deep SEPTA cuts are hitting Philadelphia district students and parents with a double dose of uncertainty ahead of the first day of school on Aug. 25.
The big picture: Those are only the immediate challenges. District officials are preparing to release a highly anticipated and controversial plan later this year to close some schools.
- It'll also lay out which schools should be modernized, merged and repurposed, plus where to potentially build new facilities — shaking up the educational landscape in the city.
- This all comes as the district confronts a massive budget gap over the coming years.
Here are the top issues we're watching in the district this year.
🪧 Looming teacher strike
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is threatening to strike if the district doesn't agree to a new contract by Aug. 31.
- Contract negotiations remain ongoing.
- The union represents roughly 14,000 teachers, nurses and other staff.
What they're saying: Union spokesperson Jane Roh tells Axios a strike would be highly disruptive.
- The union's demands include better pay, sick-leave policy changes, and paid parental leave.
The district remains optimistic a deal will be reached, spokesperson Monique Braxton tells Axios.
🚇 Transit crisis
SEPTA is bracing for 20% service cuts across the system starting Aug. 24 — the day before school starts.
- They would affect roughly 52,000 district students who use the transit system to get to and from school.
- Yes, but: State legislators have until Thursday to approve a funding boost for the transit agency that could avert the cuts.
Zoom in: Schools are expected to work with parents and students who are late due to SEPTA cuts, similar to when there's inclement weather, Braxton says.
- She added that parents or guardians should provide their children with a note when they're late.
⚒️ School building plans
District officials will unveil a preliminary plan in November on the future of its more than 300 buildings.
- The Board of Education is on track to approve a final plan in December.
Threat level: School buildings across the district are old, with an average age of 73, and many have significant environmental issues, like asbestos and lead.
- The district also has a massive backlog of repair needs for its buildings — roughly $5 billion.
- Plus: The district has too many buildings. Big declines in student enrollment over the years have left many schools with unfilled classrooms.
The intrigue: District officials have remained tight-lipped about the facilities planning process.
Yes, but: Superintendent Tony Watlington has hinted that the plan will likely target middle schools for closures and reconfigure how schools are organized by grade.
What's next: A new district website that will include data on the facilities planning process is launching later this month.
💰 Funding troubles
District officials dipped into reserves to fill a funding shortfall of more than $300 million for this coming year, averting layoffs and cuts in the classroom.
Zoom out: The district's funding crunch comes amid threats to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and uncertainty around federal funding from the Trump administration.
What we're watching: The district's budget gap is pegged to hit $435 million next year and then grow annually from there.
- Without more state funding, cuts are unavoidable.