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Philadelphia Teachers Union Pitches $25M Repair Plan to Keep 17 Schools Open
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers says fixing up the 17 schools slated for closure would cost about $25.35 million, far less than the district's $547.94 million estimate, and is urging Mayor Cherelle Parker to step in.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers on Wednesday unveiled an alternative facilities plan aimed at keeping open all 17 schools the School District of Philadelphia has targeted for closure, arguing that critical repairs and maintenance could be handled for a fraction of the district's projected cost.
The union's first-year action plan calls for roughly $25.35 million in repairs, maintenance and cleaning across the 17 buildings. That compares with the $547.94 million the union said the district estimates would be needed under its own facilities plan.
"This would cost $25.35 million vs. $547.94 million, which, folks, is part of a $3.6 billion budget," said Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. "The money is there."
The proposal centers on rapid-response repair and cleaning teams intended to address building problems more quickly. Union leaders said maintenance requests â including for repairs and pest control â can go unanswered for weeks or even months.
"For too long, the district has failed to oversee building management responsibly and efficiently," Steinberg said. "Requests for repairs or even exterminators go unanswered for weeks, months and longer. That is unacceptable."
Union leaders contend that improving school conditions could help stabilize enrollment and give families more reasons to keep their children in neighborhood schools. Teachers said they are frustrated that buildings are now facing closure after years of what they describe as inadequate investment.
"The school district should have invested in our building long ago," said Jana Pugsley, a teacher at Harding Middle School, "and now we are being punished for their lack of investment."
The union said it does not expect the district to reconsider its closure proposal on its own and is instead urging Mayor Cherelle Parker to intervene.
"Mayor Parker, we need to hear from you," said Jon Hoffmeier of Lankenau High School. "Our students need to hear from you, their families need to hear from you, and our educators need to hear from you."
In a statement, the district said the union's proposal "does not adequately address the fundamental challenges facing our school system: declining enrollment, aging and underutilized buildings, and longstanding inequities in educational opportunities."
A district spokesperson said the 17 schools have approximately $298 million in documented facility deficiencies, including nearly $50 million needed to install HVAC systems at just five schools. The spokesperson said the union's proposed $25 million investment "may address some immediate maintenance needs" but "falls short of addressing these challenges, including the multi-year student enrollment loss at all 17 schools and the need for a long-term and sustainable strategy for the school district."
The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The union said the proposal is the first phase of a broader effort and that it plans to release a more comprehensive facilities plan covering the rest of the district in the coming weeks. The debate over the closures comes as the district weighs how to manage aging buildings and shrinking enrollment while communities push to preserve neighborhood schools.