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More than 100 students, educators and advocates rallied before Thursday night’s Philadelphia Board of Education meeting to protest the school district’s recent proposal to shut down 20 schools.
The district’s proposal was met with swift opposition, with many citing a lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
“How do you have buy-in when you don’t involve the community that you are engaging in and you keep them in the dark?” said Diane Payne, a retired teacher. “How do you think you’re going to have success?”
Multiple advocates hold signs related to Abbott Elementary. (Ben Bennett/WHYY)
Payne said the district should engage with Philadelphians for this process to be successful. If they don’t, she said, there will be increased chaos and confusion. She cited the perceived failures of 2013, when the district shuttered 23 schools.
“2013 was a mess,” Payne said. “This will be a mess also.”
Overcrowding and disproportionate closings
Ella Nguyen, a student at Northeast High School, said that while her school is not slated to be closed, it will not be unaffected. The school is already overpopulated, she said.
“Most hallways are crammed and hard to get through,” Nguyen said. “With the closure of multiple schools, the issue will only be worse, as it could potentially create safety issues.”
Ella Nguyen speaks at the demonstration, warning about overcrowding at Northeast High School. (Ben Bennett/WHYY)
Crowded schools also set up a fight for student resources, she said. More students means less support from teachers to go around. Nguyen said people might struggle just to get into their choice of programs or classes.
“This doesn’t only affect the present, but also the future. The youth matters, and the district should be listening,” Ngyuen said.
Melanie Silva is the parent of another student in another crowded school in Northeast Philadelphia. The Facilities Master Plan doesn’t do enough to address the overcrowding in the district’s north, according to Silva.
Being of Brazilian heritage, Silva said she is highly concerned for the immigrant population in the northeast, which she said is being forgotten. Data collected by Ryan Pfleger, an education researcher in the city, backed up Silva’s concern.
Demonstrators hold a banner representing Stand Up for Philly Schools, a coalition that advocates for better public education. (Ben Bennett/WHYY)
Pfleger cited in his testimony that 15 out of the 20 schools scheduled to be closed are majority Black, disproportionately affecting both low-income and minority communities.
“This is disparate racial impact,” Pfleger said.