Teachers union proposes alternative to closing 17 Philadelphia schools

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is urging the School District of Philadelphia and the school board to reconsider plans to close 17 schools.

The teacher union argues that the existing budget could cover the issues at hand and save school communities from splitting up.

During a press conference on Wednesday, teachers, students and union leaders called on city and district officials to take a second look at the closures.

Jerry Roseman, the PFT's director of environmental sciences, said the union believes the 17 buildings slated for closure in the Facilities Master Plan can remain viable.

"These buildings, in our view, can be repaired, cleaned and stabilized for about $25 million," Roseman said.

Under the plan, each school in the district would establish a rapid-response team focused on maintenance issues before they become larger problems.

"That would run $175,000 per school, which in a $3.6 billion budget, is there," PFT President Arthur Steinberg said.

Teachers and administrators opposing the closures argue that shutting down schools would affect student achievement and enrollment.

Teachers also questioned the district's rationale for the proposed closures.

"Where is the comprehensive cost comparison? Where are the students in this equation?" said Faris Carter, a teacher at Parkway Northwest High School.

The union is asking the school district and board to consider its proposal. Union members are calling on Mayor Parker to become involved in preventing the planned school closures.

In a statement, the School District of Philadelphia said the PFT's plan falls short of what would be needed to keep the schools open, both financially and in terms of addressing ongoing challenges such as declining enrollment and underutilized buildings.