Philadelphia’s Board of Education, under pressure from City Council and others, last week delayed its possible approval of the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan, which would result in the closure of 17 public schools.

But the nine-member body did not push its decision far into the future – the BOE is now scheduled to vote on the 10-year, $3 billion proposal at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at 440 N. Broad St.

BOE President Reginald Streater announced the move in the wake of a tumultuous few days, during which lawmakers took the rare step of summoning him and Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. to City Hall for questioning.

“We recognize that the future of our school facilities is a matter of significant interest that requires the highest level of collaboration,” Streater said in a statement. “In the spirit of partnership, we are taking this time to ensure our stakeholders understand the proposal.”

BOE members were set to consider the facilities plan Thursday, at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting; however, they passed a motion to adjourn and reconvene this coming Thursday to consider the proposal alongside a related bond measure.

The session will take the place of the board’s policy committee meeting. A presentation from Watlington is expected, and it’s not clear yet whether there will be additional time for public comment.

If approved, no school closures or other major shifts related to the plan would be implemented until the 2027-28 academic year.

Council, earlier in the week, formally requested the BOE postpone the vote until its May 28 meeting. Isaiah Thomas, chair of the education committee, told reporters Thursday that he informed board members that he would not support their reappointment if they approved the plan April 23. BOE members are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by Council.

“City Council remains committed to ensuring common sense adjustments to this plan are made and that it reaches a place where families can truly understand how their school communities will be affected by the time a vote is taken,” Thomas said in a statement Friday.

Several lawmakers showed up at the BOE’s meeting on Thursday to sound off on the proposal, even though Streater had already announced it would not be considered.

“This plan has not been a partnership, at all,” said Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr., who represents the 5th District, covering much of North Philadelphia.

“It is not too late to do the right thing,” added Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, of the West Philadelphia-based 3rd District. “It is not too late to be on the right side of history.”

The BOE’s decision could have implications on the ongoing municipal budget process. Lawmakers have indicated that they are unwilling to support Mayor Cherelle Parker’s $1 rideshare tax amid mass school closures.

Revenue from the fee would be used to safeguard 340 teacher, counselor and climate staff positions. Watlington’s team has proposed reassigning those employees to help close a $300 million budget deficit.

While Parker has not endorsed specific provisions of the facilities plan, she has spoken of a need to “right-size” the district’s footprint to attract more state funding.

“I am confident that under Board President Reginald Streater’s strong leadership, when the Board considers the plan on April 30, it will do everything in its power to help our students build on the progress that is already underway,” the mayor said in a statement last week.

The facilities master plan, named “Accelerating Opportunity,” is the culmination of an effort that began in 2022 to address low enrollment at some schools and overcrowding in others amid aging facilities and limited resources.

District officials have proposed modernizing 169 buildings and reducing the number of facilities considered to be in poor or unsatisfactory condition from 85 to zero.

Many of the improvements hinge on additional funding. The district is preparing to commit $1.1 billion through its capital borrowing cycle and intends to request $1.9 billion from government and philanthropic sources.

Watlington has said the initiative will allow the district to concentrate resources and expand access to district-operated pre-kindergarten, algebra in the middle grades and Advanced Placement courses in high school.

Keywords

School District of Philadelphia,

Philadelphia Board of Education,

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Reginald Streater,

Tony Watlington Sr.,

Philadelphia City Council,

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Cherelle Parker,

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