PHILADELPHIA (January 22, 2026) – Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg on the School District of Philadelphia’s proposal to close 20 schools and merge six schools:
“After months of false starts and poorly advertised and attended ‘community meetings,’ the School District of Philadelphia has released its long-delayed school closure and consolidation plan. The concerns of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers members, as well as families and neighbors, should by now be clearly understood by every decision-maker involved.
“We demand transparency, accountability, and inclusion in deciding the futures of our schools and surrounding communities. We demand relief for teachers and staff managing overcrowded classrooms in rapidly growing neighborhoods. We have demonstrated our commitment to centering students above all others – including those in under-enrolled schools with empty hallways and crumbling buildings.
“Today, the District delivered a set of proposals without the transparency they promised. A number of proposed school closures and mergers make no sense based on the data we have, and equally as important, based on the experiences of our members in those buildings. That’s unacceptable. We will keep up our demands that the District explain its scoring methodologies.
“Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr.’s administration has repeatedly acknowledged the deep trauma still felt by communities that were lied to and railroaded during the mass closure of public schools more than a decade ago. They promised to do far better. What we have today might be better than last time – we are no longer dealing with the SRC, most obviously – but our students and communities deserve the best.
“Public schools are the beating heart of our neighborhoods. In Philly, too many underinvested neighborhoods are on life support. Just as shuttering a school sucks the vibrancy out of such neighborhoods – making them more dangerous and less attractive – we know that applying a triage approach revives communities, giving kids a brighter future and neighbors opportunity and hope.
“Today does not mark the beginning of realizing today’s proposals. It is, rather, another opportunity for the District to do better and keep its promises. Families know our students best, and educators are a close second. Unlike last time, we are dealing with a school administration that is accountable to Philadelphians, not the SRC. The PFT will continue to advocate fiercely for a plan that improves the educational experience of our students. We are, as ever, prepared to go to the mat on personnel decisions that worsen working conditions and risk driving educators and students out of Philly schools.”
