PFT proposes alternative plan to save 17 Philadelphia public schools facing closure

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers making their voices heard today about the school district's controversial facilities plan. And Greg, they're proposing a plan of their own. Yeah, they are. They're proposing an alternative plan. I mean, this fight has been going on with PFT ever since April when the decision was ultimately made to close these 17 schools. And as you had mentioned, the fight, it continues this morning. It's a message many Philadelphia teachers, staff and union officials have been saying for months as they continue to fight to reverse the school district's 2026 facilities master plan which would close down 17 public schools starting next year and Since the Board of Education approved the plan back in April, there have been much efforts to try and keep the doors open at these schools scheduled to close. upgrade more than 160 others. At this 11th hour, we keep on fighting because we believe in this school, and like we teach our children, we fight for what we believe in. The latest move? The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Labor Union proposing an alternative plan. Instead of the district's closures, PFT's plan focuses on immediate repairs and maintenance to keep all 17 schools open and improve their environmental conditions. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on repairs, the PFT wants to invest $25.35 million in the first year to improve the schools, which they say is less than 5% of the estimated cost to completely overhaul the buildings. The plan is to bring all... 17 schools to at least quote fair condition by the 2029 school year and good condition by the 2031 school year keeping all schools open. Instead of putting us out Of a building that has sat for over 100 years, our building has sat for over 100 years, just come and fix our building and let us teach our students. Where is the comprehensive cost comparison? Where is the evidence that this is a better investment? In order to make this alternative plan happen, the union is once again calling on the mayor to step in and save the schools. We're now asking the mayor to intervene. She does appoint the school board members. First, we're asking her to... Live up to the one Philly motto. What is more one Philly than the schools? Now the Philadelphia School District actually just released a statement in response to PFT's alternative plan. And this is what they had to say in part. While the PFT's proposed $25 million investment may address some immediate maintenance needs, it 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. Now this was a relatively long statement. This is only a portion of it. You can find the rest of it on our website. We have a list of it on our website. Link to this story. Sheba. All right. Doesn't sound like it has many legs tonight. Greg, thank you.