Philly schools plan scales back closures before final vote
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Philly school district leaders are closing fewer schools and modernizing more buildings in the final update to their 10-year facilities plan.
Why it matters: The Board of Education is expected to vote on the controversial blueprint this week — the last big hurdle in a yearslong process.
State of play: District officials revealed on Monday that they trimmed their recommended school-closure list from 18 to 17, sparing James R. Ludlow School in North Philly.
- Plus: The district now intends to invest in modernizing 169 schools, up from 159.
The result: The price tag has hit $3 billion, a 7% increase from previous estimates.
- New school investments in West and North Philly add roughly $157 million, compared with the previous plan.
Meanwhile, the district still intends to merge six schools.
The intrigue: In a reversal from an earlier plan, the district will retain ownership of schools slated for closure rather than transferring some of them to the city — at least for now.
- That's because the board needs more time to weigh "legal and policy considerations," superintendent Tony Watlington said at a news conference.
- That's a setback for Mayor Cherelle Parker, who wanted those properties as a way to expand affordable housing.
- And the district has faced pressure to reduce its vacant buildings after a body was found near a long-abandoned district school last year.
What we're watching: The district plans on converting Lankenau High School (which is slated for closure) into an environmental education center for district students.
- The superintendent also hinted that the Paul Robeson High School property, which would close under the plan, could be used for a future "schooling opportunity."
What they're saying: "This plan is not just about the buildings themselves — it's reorganizing how we do things so we can better service why we exist," Reginald Streater, president of the school board, said at the news conference.
What's next: The Board of Education is expected to vote on the plan on Thursday.
- If approved, the board will likely have to hold future hearings and votes on certain parts of the plan, like school closures, to abide by state mandates.
- And school officials didn't rule out changing the plan in the future, like in response to student population changes.