Philadelphia City Council urges school board to change plan to shutter schools

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- City Council members pressed the Philadelphia Board of Education on Tuesday to revisit its Facilities Master Plan, which includes closing 17 schools.

The council has called for additional audits of district spending and revisions to the plan, but those efforts have already been rejected.

"We are here today to publicly ask the board to come back to the negotiating table," Councilmember At-Large Isaiah Thomas said.

With a new school year beginning in one month, councilmembers urged the board to reconsider the plan before implementation.

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"This does not add up. I implore you to push the school district and our school board to come back to the table," said Councilmember Nina Ahmad.

Students from Sankofa Freedom Academy joined the press conference, despite their school not being slated for closure.

"Sometimes kids are not able to adapt, so it's like we're trying to keep talking about it and keep pushing for it," said rising sophomore Khennedy Jordan.

Community members also questioned the district's reasoning. Overbrook Elementary is set to close and be repurposed for district network offices.

"They still have to spend the $9 million to fix it up. They can spend the $9 million for people in the district to work there, but they can't spend the $9 million for students and families to enjoy," said Gregory Allen, president of Overbrook West Neighbors.

In a statement responding to the press conference, the school board said it is moving forward with its Facilities Master Plan. The Philadelphia School District is promising to be collaborative and transparent.