Philadelphia School Board votes to pass controversial $3 billion facilities master plan

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A contentious Philadelphia School Board meeting erupted into shouting and two recesses Thursday night as members voted to approve a sweeping $3 billion facilities master plan that will close 17 schools in the coming years.

The hours-long meeting grew so tense that it was paused twice before the board reconvened virtually to cast its final vote. The plan passed 6-3.

Board of Education President Reginald Streater said the decision reflects a long-term commitment to improving conditions for students.

"While the path ahead will be complex, this plan keeps us grounded in facts, focused on sustainability and committed to being better for better outcomes for students across the city," he said.

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The plan calls for closing 17 schools, modernizing 169 others and merging six. District leaders say the changes are necessary to address a $300 million structural deficit.

Parents, students, teachers and city council members packed the meeting to voice their anger and frustration.

"I'm irate. I'm frustrated. I'm aghast that they're asking us to trust them in the future," said one mother whose child goes to Horatio Hackett School, which is set to expand.

Rasheda Simpson, whose child attends Robeson High School, said she felt the board disregarded the needs of young people.

RELATED: Parents of Hackett Elementary students in Fishtown concerned after shift in plans

"Pissed because they're not taking into consideration any of the youth, their feelings," she said.

Lankenau and Robeson high schools are among those set to shut down.

"Closing Lankeanu, the only environmental school in Philadelphia, is kinda crazy," said Makkah Peterson, a student at Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School. "I feel like we was being ignored."

"This is a bad plan. This is a bad plan not just for Robeson but for the whole city," said Andrew Saltz, who is a teacher at Paul Robeson High School.

City council members also condemned the board's decision, accusing district leaders of shutting them out of the process.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said, "They have not provided an opportunity for the community to be at the table. They have not provided an opportunity for council to be at the table, and they're just trying to ram this down everyone's throats. We are not going to stand for it."

Some council members threatened legal action, vowed to block board members' re-election, and introduced a resolution to create an oversight committee to audit the district's budget.

"We were trying to get answers from a board where the math doesn't add up," said Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson said, "I'll work with my members of council to see what's the best path forward and best interest of our children."

School board members said implementation of the plan will begin immediately and promised continued engagement with the community throughout the process.

Students and staff will not be affected until the 2027-28 school year.