Parents' Protest Disrupts SRC Meeting On School Closures
Superintendent William Hite said the district can't afford to maintain underutilized schools. "The district's financial challenges jeopardize its survival."
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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.
The effort among Philadelphia's district, charter, and archdiocesan schools known as the "Great Schools Compact" has received a $2.5-million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Complicating the matter is that the district hasn't yet named the dozens of schools it may be permanently closing next year.
The hearing lasted hours and was dominated by school parents and other advocates who object to the closure process.
Superintendent William Hite defended the salary increases, saying they coincided with additional responsibilities for employees in the district's IT, finance, and human resources departments.
While the Philadelphia area gears up to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Curtis Arboretum offers visitors a quiet place to reflect.
A vehicle fire briefly shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia Thursday.
The Philadelphia Phillies officially put an end to the Taijuan Walker era Thursday by releasing the veteran right-handed pitcher.
A detective and a patrolman with the Sharon Hill Police Department are accused of giving a drug dealer confidential information on police activities.
After the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3, head coach Rick Tocchet said star goalie Dan Vladar is "banged up."
While the Philadelphia area gears up to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Curtis Arboretum offers visitors a quiet place to reflect.
A vehicle fire briefly shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia Thursday.
The Philadelphia Phillies officially put an end to the Taijuan Walker era Thursday by releasing the veteran right-handed pitcher.
A detective and a patrolman with the Sharon Hill Police Department are accused of giving a drug dealer confidential information on police activities.
After the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3, head coach Rick Tocchet said star goalie Dan Vladar is "banged up."
While the Philadelphia area gears up to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Curtis Arboretum offers visitors a quiet place to reflect.
A vehicle fire briefly shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia Thursday.
A detective and a patrolman with the Sharon Hill Police Department are accused of giving a drug dealer confidential information on police activities.
After the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3, head coach Rick Tocchet said star goalie Dan Vladar is "banged up."
Bimbo Bakeries USA employs over 20,000 people and has been headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, for the past 17 years.
DePace Sports Museum of Champions has some of the most treasured sports and collectables that span several centuries.
The boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey, will close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for safety reasons.
Residents at Diamond Beach are dreading the upcoming summer season over parking concerns.
The sudden swing of freezing temperatures across the Philadelphia region could impact both backyard plants and commercial crops.
Police are reminding residents to lock their car doors and valuables after a chaotic car chase through a South Jersey neighborhood Friday night.
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is warning residents about the unexpected deliveries of seeds that they did not order.
As people mark Earth Day, one Delaware business owner is finding value in what others throw away.
A grand jury indicted Luqmaan Khan, the Wilmington man accused of plotting an attack on the University of Delaware, on a gun charge.
One person was hospitalized after a person driving an SUV in Wilmington struck three houses and caused a natural gas leak in a crash Thursday afternoon.
Two people were found dead inside an apartment building in Wilmington, across the street from Tilton Park Thursday, sources said.
The Philadelphia region received an F for bad air quality in an annual report from the American Lung Association.
Transplant patients participated in a Donor Dash at Penn Medicine to celebrate donors and their families.
Ordinary Philadelphians are stepping into the ring not for a title but to take on cancer in the fourth annual Liberty Bell Brawl.
An exhibit called Revolutionary Botany at the Mütter Museum explores the origins of the American pharmacy and Philly's role.
The Be Still Foundation is hosting a nationwide pickleball tournament during National Parkinson's Awareness Month.
Bimbo Bakeries USA employs over 20,000 people and has been headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, for the past 17 years.
Photos by HughE Dillon
Gas prices are climbing, putting a strain on the transportation industry and its workers in the Philadelphia area.
FIFA officials have canceled hundreds of hotel rooms in Philadelphia previously booked for this summer.
The Franklin Mall in Northeast Philadelphia is set to reopen Friday after being because of a fire, a spokesperson said.
A vehicle fire briefly shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia Thursday.
Two I-95 ramps close to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex are under construction and could cause some traffic headaches for Flyers and Sixers fans.
The warning period for the Philadelphia Parking Authority's school-zone speed camera enforcement ends on Monday, April 20.
Police said a driver ran a red light and then hit another vehicle, killing that driver and a dog at 48th and Walnut streets in Philadelphia.
A tractor-trailer crashed into an overpass on Route 295 in Marlton, New Jersey, causing traffic to back up.
The Philadelphia Phillies officially put an end to the Taijuan Walker era Thursday by releasing the veteran right-handed pitcher.
After the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3, head coach Rick Tocchet said star goalie Dan Vladar is "banged up."
Here is what to know about where and when to watch the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Eagles own the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and Howie Roseman has had mixed results picking at the back end of the first round.
The Eagles enter the 2026 NFL draft with no glaring holes on the roster, but they'll likely address multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball.
The "Dog Days Are Over" for the Flyers, but their return to the playoffs comes at the cost of the Florence + the Machine concert.
Monster Jam is getting ready to take over Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field this weekend.
The city of Chester is honoring Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Avery*Sunshine during an emotional homecoming ceremony.
Artists like Lady A, Nelly, The Avett Brothers and Third Eye Blind will headline a free concert series throughout Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia's Southeast Asian Market is back for 2026, opening April 4 and returning nearly every weekend through the end of October.
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.
A man suspected of shooting a woman multiple times was shot by police in Chester, Pennsylvania, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office said.
The 130th running of the Penn Relays is officially underway at Franklin Field. CBS News Philadelphia's Wakisha Bailey caught up with some of the athletes competing in this year's events to see how they're feeling on day one of competition.
With a 5-2 win over the Penguins Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers are just one game away from sweeping Pittsburgh in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. CBS News Philadelphia's Jan Carabeo has what fans are saying as they get ready for Game 4.
Atlantic City Airport officials say Spirit will no longer fly from A.C. to Myrtle Beach after May 3, 2026. The seasonal route just resumed last week.
Thursday is a great day for a walk or lunch al fresco in the Philadelphia region, but rain isn't far off. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Kate Bilo is tracking when rain returns.