Superintendent Watlington talks staffing, security ahead of new school year in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia School Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington talked to Action News about staffing and safety for the upcoming school year.
"Safety and well-being of our students and our staff is the number one priority for our school district," said Watlington.
On Thursday, the district announced the installation of new digital cameras at 150 buildings. The district will also expand Safety Zones around schools, and the Safe Pathways. That's a program that provides monitors to keep an eye on any issues.
"They've also worked together to increase the number of safety zones in this city to 28. These are areas that had an uptick in violence. We're pleased we're able to pay for additional law enforcement presence in these school communities," said Watlington.
District leaders say 131 students were shot in the 2023-24 school year. Of that number, 16 students died, which is down from 33 students the year before.
Back in March, eight students were shot as they waited at a SEPTA bus stop in the city's Burholme neighborhood.
In 2022, a 14-year-old student was killed and others were injured outside of Roxborough High School after a football scrimmage.
Craig Johnson, the district's school safety interim chief says, officers and drones will be at events.
"This year we will utilize that drone program as an additional layer of safety during large, high-profile outdoor events, in addition to weapon screening technology at our athletic supersites for certain events," he said.
Johnson says to further align with Watlington's strategic plan, the district completed the implementation of firearms detection technology in the middle schools.
He adds that the school is always in constant communication with the police department and SEPTA.
"The Office of School Safety will continue to keep up with emerging technology, training and innovations, and safety and security with our commitment to becoming the best school safety agency in the country," said Johnson.
Another area of focus this year is staffing.
Last week, the district welcomed 800 new teachers and support staff at an orientation. However, the district still has vacancies.
"We won't fill every position, but we are ready to make sure that we have a qualified, competent and caring adult in every classroom," said Watlington.
According to the district, 95% of teaching positions are staffed, 97% of guidance counselor positions are filled, and the district hired more bus 'chauffeurs' than last year.
But the district will still have to be creative to fill the gaps.
"Because we will have some vacancies, our plan is to reallocate some non-classroom staff, with teaching credentials, into those classrooms that don't have a new hire teacher," Watlington said.
There are plans to also utilize staff from the central district offices to supplement the schools.
Another area the district will focus on is 'customer service.' The district will track communications with parents and ask them to fill out a survey about their experience.
There are plans to move some district leaders out of the main offices and into the neighborhoods to be more accessible to parents.
"One-stop shop to get support and to get services," said Watlington about moving leaders into neighborhoods.
2024 is the superintendent's third year with the district -- one that is known throughout the world thanks to the ABC hit show "Abbott Elementary", a show he called one of his favorites.
"As I travel the country for presentations, people often ask me, 'Are those real schools?' And I say, 'I'm glad that Abbott Elementary paints such a positive light for the city of Philadelphia," said Watlington.
The first day of school is Monday, August 26.
