Philadelphia School District Hoping For Viable School Makeover Plans

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The School District of Philadelphia is taking applications from educators who believe they have a good plan to improve individual schools.

The district is inviting principals and teachers to present their own instructional ideas to overhaul Philadelphia schools.  Up to ten schools will be revamped under the "School Redesign Initiative," according to deputy superintendent Paul Kihn.

"The schools will remain district-managed schools, and will need to be able to do their work within the district budgets that are available to all schools," he explains.

Any school is eligible, except district-run "Promise Academies."

Kihn says the redesigned schools will be held to the same standards as other schools, adding that some principals and teachers have already expressed an interest in applying.

Letters of intent are due August 19th.  Schools superintendent William Hite will select the design teams in November, with the final choices approved in March and plans implemented in September 2015.

The application is available at schoolredesignphiladelphia.org.

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