School board passes controversial plan that will close 17 Philadelphia public schools

The school board voted in favor of a controversial facilities plan Thursday that would close 17 schools in the Philadelphia school district and renovate 169 others. Six school board members voted yes, while three others voted no.

The school board finished the voting virtually after tensions flared, which forced them to go on recess twice and then move the meeting onto Zoom. The vote on the 10-year, $2.8 billion plan was postponed earlier this month. 

"This plan is designed to ensure that every student, regardless of zip code, has access to the programs, resources and learning environments they deserve. While these decisions are not easy, they are informed by robust community engagement and a steadfast commitment to improving outcomes for all Philadelphia public school students." Superintendent Tony Watlington said in a statement, in part. 

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg called the Philadelphia Board of Education's vote "reckless."

"No one knows what our school buildings need to become safe, healthy spaces for learning better than our members," Steinberg said in a statement in part. "Elected officials whose communities became education deserts after the last mass school closures – giving rise to blight, dumping, and crime – know the lasting, often tragic, consequences to be paid when the city fails to invest in young people."

Members of Philadelphia City Council have sounded off over the plan. 

Before the final vote, Thursday's meeting became contentious with the school board and city councilmembers

When Watlington began outlining specifics of the plan, including schools on the chopping block, the crowd would erupt in boos and jeers.

A group of city councilmembers, led by Isaiah Thomas, berated the board members and chanted, "If you won't listen to us, then you won't vote." The city councilmembers also threatened to force them to resign if they voted to approve the plan. 

The interruptions led to the board calling two different recesses before finishing the vote virtually.

Thomas said school board members who support it should face consequences when their terms are up.

"I don't know the right answer to how many schools should or shouldn't close," Thomas said before the vote. "I just know that the plan we have now doesn't work."

Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson said in a statement that she was disappointed by the decision. 

"City Council has been vocally and tirelessly advocating on behalf of several schools, and while I recognize these are difficult decisions, my district colleagues are the ones who are most intimately familiar with the needs of their communities and that deserves additional attention and consideration," Richardson said in a statement in part. "As Councilmembers, we have a duty to ensure the City and the School District are on strong financial footing and have a right to be a part of these decisions."  

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has called the plan "difficult but responsible."

What's included in the new Philadelphia facilities plan? 

The facilities plan, dubbed "Accelerating Opportunity" is part of a plan that aims to reshape more than 300 school buildings in the city, according to the district. 

It includes $3 billion of investment into the district over 10 years, and is set to renovate 169 buildings.

According to the district, funding investments include building a new high school, improving ADA accessibility, renovating two pools, updating HVAC systems, bathrooms, refurbishing athletic centers and more. 

"Today's vote is about delivering on our responsibility to Philadelphia's children," Reginald L. Streater, president of the Philadelphia Board of Education, said in a statement. "The Board has been actively engaged with communities and has carefully considered this plan because we know that facilities are not separate from academic outcomes-they are foundational to them. This plan allows us to invest more deeply in the schools our students attend, providing modern, high-quality environments that support both teaching and learning." 

Which Philadelphia schools will close in facilities plan? 

The School District of Philadelphia's original plan called for 20 schools to close. Then, in February, it was reduced to 18 and now, 17 will close. 

Here's the full list: 

• Academy for the Middle Years at Northwest
• Blankenburg
• Fitler Academics Plus School
• Harding Middle School
• Lankenau High School
• Ludlow
• Morris
• Overbrook Elementary School
• Parkway Northwest High School
• Parkway West High School
• Penn Treaty School
• Pennypacker
• Robeson
• Stetson
• Tilden Middle School
• Wagner
• Waring
• Welsh

This is a developing story and will be updated.