Philly's Board of Education to take up plan to close, merge schools
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All eyes are on Philly's schools chief Thursday, as he's expected to formally present his plan for overhauling district school buildings to the Board of Education.
Why it matters: The process for green-lighting the district's $2.8 billion blueprint for managing hundreds of school buildings is in the home stretch.
Biggest friction point: The recommendation to close 20 schools and merge six others.
- The plan also includes modernizing 159 schools and the construction of a new school.
State of play: It remains unclear whether Superintendent Tony Watlington will present any changes to his 10-year plan during the board's 4pm meeting at district headquarters.
- That's despite the plan facing significant resistance from city legislators, parents and students since it was unveiled late January.
What they're saying: District spokesperson Monique Braxton declined to say if the plan's been altered ahead of Thursday's meeting, telling Axios no preview of the proposal will be shared until later Thursday.
- "It's too early to say if there have been changes to the original facilities plan proposal," she said.
Worth noting: Watlington has said he's willing to consider changes to the plan.
- The board must sign off on the proposal.
What to expect: A marathon board meeting with lots of public comment.
- Plus: Councilmember Cindy Bass, who has called for changes to the plan, tells Axios she's planning on speaking at the board meeting Thursday to stress the need "for a fundamental shift in how this plan is approached."
What else: Sithi Bucciarelli, chief of staff for the board of education, tells Axios that board members will reveal next steps for the proposal at the meeting.
- The board is expected to take up a vote on the proposal before spring.
- Board president Reginald Streater and VP Sarah-Ashley Andrews didn't return a request for comment.
How to watch: Comcast/Xfinity Channel 52 and Verizon Fios 20.
- Or live stream the district's website.