As Philadelphia Schools Face Closure, Superintendent Tries Out a Dicey Walk
Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite on Friday put himself in the shoes of schoolkids who would have a much longer walk if their school is permanently closed.
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Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite on Friday put himself in the shoes of schoolkids who would have a much longer walk if their school is permanently closed.
Students at Carroll High School, in the city's Port Richmond neighborhood, formed a human chain today across the front of their building, to protest the district's plan to permanently close their school and 28 others.
Local NAACP president Jerry Mondesire says repeated attempts to contact the mayor have been met with silence.
The budget for the coming year -- adopted Monday by the Parking Authority's board -- predicts that the on-street division will see a $4 million decline in net revenue -- essentially profit that is forwarded to the city and school district.
Superintendent William Hite said the district can't afford to maintain underutilized schools. "The district's financial challenges jeopardize its survival."
Two years ago, the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia filed a class-action lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia on behalf of the 1,600 children with autism in grades K through 8.
One notable school coming off of the school closure list is Strawberry Mansion High School, which will remain open.
Opponents of the Philadelphia School District's plan to close 37 more public schools at the end of this school year delivered a special Valentine's Day message to the School Reform Commission.
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cedarbrook has wrapped up a series of meetings at many of the 37 schools on the school district's closure list.
In an address this week to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, schools superintendent William Hite said the district is neogtiating partnerships with local universities to get supplemental health services into schools.
Sylvia Simms, 52, of North Philadelphia, is a former district bus attendant and the founder of the group "Parent Power."
The Pennsylvania public school advocate group "Action United" filed the complaint after, the group said, its analysis of the plan showed that schools slated for closing disproportionately serve African-American, low income, and disabled students.
The debate within City Council chambers was heated.
Also looming is the continued financial woes of the school district, and the debate over the planned closure of 37 school buildings.
District policy calls for anyone signing out a student to go to the main office, with identification, where their name should be matched with a list of approved individuals.
A school district spokesman says the adult woman was entering the school about 10am to register for evening classes when school police at the X-ray machine saw a gun in the woman's diaper bag.
Starting next school year, more than half of the three- and four-year-olds in district preschool programs known as "Head Start" will be served by private day care providers.
After four months of fact-gathering, Superintendent William Hite presented his action plan on Monday to improve Philadelphia schools. His plan has two goals: improving academics and stabilizing finances.
Strawberry Mansion High School is one of the 37 schools the School District of Philadelphia plans on closing.
Chanting "save our schools," an overflow crowd of parents and students packed the first School Reform Commission meeting since Superintendent William Hite announced the school closure plan last week.
Some schools that have received new equipment are now slated to be shut down by the Philadelphia school district.
"Corbett's budget hurt education around the state, not just Philadelphia. And we need to come up with a unified strategy with other districts around the state and restore the funding formula from 2008."
Local activist groups, students, parents and community members plan to come together Saturday afternoon to protest the recommended school closings announced on Wednesday.
Among the high schools to close are Germantown High, Strawberry Mansion High, University City High, and Bok Tech.
Several groups have filed a formal complaint, saying a privately-funded consultant's report for the Philadelphia school district amounted to lobbying.
Rain and wind head toward the Philadelphia region after a dry start to Sunday.
Nearly 93,000 travelers are set to move through Philadelphia International Airport in post-holiday rush.
Cpl. Matthew Snook was fatally shot while on duty earlier this week at a DMV office in Wilmington, Delaware.
A portion of SEPTA's Broad Street Line was suspended Saturday afternoon after a fire near the tracks, officials said.
A 45-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash on an icy street early Saturday morning in Port Richmond, police say.
Rain and wind head toward the Philadelphia region after a dry start to Sunday.
Cpl. Matthew Snook was fatally shot while on duty earlier this week at a DMV office in Wilmington, Delaware.
Nearly 93,000 travelers are set to move through Philadelphia International Airport in post-holiday rush.
A portion of SEPTA's Broad Street Line was suspended Saturday afternoon after a fire near the tracks, officials said.
A 45-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash on an icy street early Saturday morning in Port Richmond, police say.
Nearly 93,000 travelers are set to move through Philadelphia International Airport in post-holiday rush.
A portion of SEPTA's Broad Street Line was suspended Saturday afternoon after a fire near the tracks, officials said.
A 45-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash on an icy street early Saturday morning in Port Richmond, police say.
A winter storm dumped rain, sleet and rain on the Lehigh Valley Friday, creating icy roads and travel problems.
Philadelphia police are searching for a hit-and-run suspect who killed a cyclist on Lancaster Avenue, one of the most dangerous streets in the city.
A 26-year-old woman died after driving off the road and crashing into a small body in Gloucester County, New Jersey.
Smith previously played young Nala in "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Here are mall opening and closing hours for the Christmas and Christmas Eve holidays around the Philly region.
The holiday rush was on Sunday night as shoppers scrambled to get their last-minute holiday gifts inside the Cherry Hill Mall.
Philadelphia and South Jersey residents were left shaken after powerful winds sent massive trees onto homes and vehicles Friday.
Cpl. Matthew Snook was fatally shot while on duty earlier this week at a DMV office in Wilmington, Delaware.
Six people were taken to a trauma center after a three-car crash on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Friday night.
Police say 44-year-old Rahman Rose entered a DMV in Wilmington, Delaware and shot and killed a state trooper.
Portnoy said he plans to give Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew "Ty" Snook's family nearly $500,000.
Tributes are pouring in for Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew "Ty" Snook, who was shot and killed in Wilmington.
Thousands of Pennsylvanians are dropping their health insurance as premiums are set to double on Jan. 1, 2026.
Hearing technology helps deaf and hard-of-hearing students perform at the annual holiday show in Overbrook.
A Pennsylvania man visited Penn to thank the surgeon who saved his life during a stroke.
There are encouraging early signs the angel advocate approach is helping people find organ donors.
Children with critical illnesses and their families can visit the Wishing Place in Bala Cynwyd to start their wish journeys.
The post-Christmas return rush was underway at shops and malls across the Philadelphia area.
With product return fraud on the rise, an emerging company is using AI to help spot issues.
Here are mall opening and closing hours for the Christmas and Christmas Eve holidays around the Philly region.
Through Amazon Now, customers can get household items, cosmetics, electronics, groceries and more delivered in about 30 minutes or less.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
The snow and wintry weather is causing travel disruptions on one of the busiest travel days at PHL.
Parking and traffic restrictions for the Mummers parade start Friday in Philadelphia.
The holiday travel rush is ramping up on the roads and in the skies around the Philadelphia region.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike's eastbound lanes have reopened following a multi-vehicle crash between Bensalem and Willow Grove.
SEPTA's largest workers' union voted to ratify its new contract with the Philadelphia-based transit agency Wednesday night.
Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for a career-high 262 yards and two TDs, and Penn State beat Clemson 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Jalen Smith sparked a game-ending run with a thunderous dunk on Joel Embiid, and the Chicago Bulls matched a season high with their fifth straight win, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 109-102.
The South Philadelphia bar was a haven for Chiefs fans in the Philly area for years.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 28 points, as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-106.
Smith previously played young Nala in "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
Albert Brooks said he's still in shock over the death of his friend Rob Reiner, whom he met at 14 years old.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
Ukee Washington reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Ukee Washington reports.
Middle school students in Philadelphia got the opportunity to do hands-on learning during the school district's five-day career and technical camp.
With her Girl Talk mentoring program, one Philadelphia teen turned her camp days into a safe space to discuss social issues young girls face every day.
Recent high school graduate Sylvain Farrell says his temporary position at a local clinic is the pathway to a full-time career.
A Philadelphia student won an award from NFL Films for his documentary on bringing back sports teams at his Kensington school.
A group of East Norriton eighth graders took what started as an Earth Day project and made a whole initiative.
Sunday turns milder as a warm front lifts north, bringing rain late in the day into Sunday night.
Nearly 93,000 travelers are set to move through Philadelphia International Airport in post-holiday rush. Eva Andersen reports.
New Year's Day could bring snow to the Philadelphia area. Bill Kelly has the forecast.
Cpl. Matthew Snook was fatally shot while on duty earlier this week at a DMV office in Wilmington, Delaware.
Shoppers pack Cherry Hill Mall to return or exchange holiday gifts. Ray Strickland reports.