PHILADELPHIA (April 22, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) President Arthur G. Steinberg on the Board of Education's refusal to grant City Council's request that a vote on the School District of Philadelphia's Facilities Master Plan be delayed to at least the May 28th monthly action meeting:
"I am shocked by the disrespect shown to City Council members today by Board President Reginald Streater and Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr. Unfortunately, such treatment is nothing new for our members, who have been shouting to be heard about the disruptive and harmful aspects of the District's plan to close 17 schools and massively upend learning in dozens of other schools.
"PFT members are grateful to the members of City Council – one of the District's primary funders – who are demanding transparency, accountability, and predictability before any vote on the facilities plan is held by the Board.
"Our members and school families did not spend years fighting to win back a locally appointed Board of Education just for this body to be a District rubberstamp. Yet, the apparent coordination of the District and Board on the facilities plan became an undeniable fact this week in Council Chambers.
"The Board of Education must delay any vote on the Facilities Master Plan until the District clearly shows their work and explains to stakeholders’ satisfaction how they arrived at decisions about the fates of individual schools. They have failed to do so since publicizing the plan in January. Let’s see if they’re sufficiently motivated to do so by Thursday. Even next month's May 28th meeting seems overly optimistic.
"The activism of our members along with state and city legislators helped save Motivation High School in the 3rd Council District, Ludlow Elementary School in the 5th Council District, and Conwell Middle Magnet School in the 7th Council District. There are more schools targeted for closure for reasons that are totally obscure to those of us outside of the District. The District can – and must – do far better in earning community buy-in and trust before the Board holds a vote."
