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School closing vote scheduled for tonight

March 7, 2013

The School Reform Commission is scheduled to vote tonight on the School District of Philadelphia’s downsizing plan that would close 27 schools across the city, including West Philly’s Alexander Wilson Elementary (46th and Woodland), Shaw Middle School (5400 Warrington Avenue) and University City High School (3601 Filbert St.).

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and you can watch it at Comcast Channel 52, Verizon Fios Channel 20 or watch it livestreaming online.

District officials say the closures will “right-size” the public school footprint in the city by closing half-full and underperforming schools. Opponents of the plan say the closing of neighborhood schools (and increase in the number of privately run charter schools) will ruin neighborhoods.

Click here to see testimony from the SRC’s February meeting that addressed the pending closures. The Philadelphia Public School Notebook also has its extensive coverage of the school closure story collected here.

Mike Lyons

2 Comments For This Post

  1. Renee Says:

    The SRC just voted to close all three schools. What a devastating blow to our community and to public education.

  2. Happy Curmudgeon Says:

    Philly better prepare for another Exodus between the PSA debacle and the influx of students to Lea it might be time for these nice folks to move back to their rich suburban homes. Then there will be plenty of room at PSA for the local kids.

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