Parents Voice Concerns Over School Closing Plan
Public hearings are set on the school district's plan to close nine schools and reconfigure others, under a wide-ranging facilities plan.
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Public hearings are set on the school district's plan to close nine schools and reconfigure others, under a wide-ranging facilities plan.
Officials at the Philadelphia School District today unveiled the first step in a plan to downsize the district substantially by closing schools across the city.
"We're not giving to the district, we are really giving to the children of Philadelphia because we do care about what happens in schools and what happens to the kids," Federation president Jerry Jordan says.
Cary's novel, "The Price of a Child," was the first "One Book, One Philadelphia" pick in 2003, and she founded Art Sanctuary 13 years ago.
One of the missions this year, according to the mayor, is making further inroads into cutting Philadelphia's high school dropout rate.
"We commit as a commission to work in a transparent and efficient manner. That's going to be extremely important. We have to get the public's respect and trust in this process," Pritchett said.
The help comes in two forms: The mayor's Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr and former district Chief Academic Officer Ed Williams will each serve as executive advisers to acting superintendent Lee Nunery during the search for a permanent superintendent.
The head of Philadelphia's embattled School Reform Commission -- attorney Robert Archie -- has resigned, along with member Johnny Irizarry, and now it is up to Mayor Nutter to fill those seats.
After a tumultuous summer that saw the buyout of Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, a new school year begins today for Philadelphia public school students.
"The last six months have been a debacle of planning, financial mismanagement, a leadership vacuum and a human resource crisis," state senator Mike Stack says.
Now that she's officially unemployed, former Philadelphia schools superintendent Arlene Ackerman is on the offensive. In interviews, she's blaming her departure on politicians and some school district officials. The comments may be jeopardizing her generous buy-out.
The School Reform Commission issued a statement that Ackerman will be paid $905,000, the amount due on the remainder of her contract.
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter is backing the decision to remove Arlene Ackerman as schools superintendent, and he is glad the taxpayers' portion of the buyout was limited to half a million dollars.
Meanwhile, a political watchdog group in Philadelphia says that private donations for a public sector bailout would be wrong.
It's a win for the teachers' union, who said all along that their contract called for layoffs by seniority and that no group of teachers should be bypassed.
The Pennsylvania Education Department is receiving responses from dozens of school districts across the Commonwealth, including the School District of Philadelphia, that were ordered to look into scoring irregularities on 2009 state standardized test scores.
Where was Superintendent Arlene Ackerman? She was not at Wednesday's School Reform Commission meeting, amid reports that the SRC wants her out.
Amid rumors swirling about the future of Philadelphia schools chief Arlene Ackerman, her administration has announced deep cuts in one of her signature programs.
A School District of Philadelphia educator offers some advice for parents who are already eyeing the "back to school" supply displays at local store.
Summer schools run by the Philadelphia School District are dismissing early on Thursday and closing altogether on Friday because of the heat.
The School District of Philadelphia says a draft document listing perks that were not approved for schools superintendent Arlene Ackerman should have remained under wraps.
The city has released a pile of internal documents the school district provided as part of their so-called "Education Accountability Agreement."
Word of a cheating scandal in Atlanta schools got Pennsylvania state rep Michael McGeehan thinking: what ever happened to a similar case in Philadelphia?
One step removed from the incredible shrinking School District state aid package, the mayor says the penny-wise approach to education funding is foolish.
Thursday was the Philadelphia School District's deadline for its unions to make concessions. But the district says it's going to let that deadline slip for now.
The Philadelphia area can expect a dry, cool weekend, but drought conditions are worsening.
A South Jersey lawmaker wants to ban a type of sports wager known as "microbetting," saying the practice can lead to impulsive gambling behavior.
The Ottawa Senators rallied to beat the Flyers 2-1 on Thursday night.
A judge compared a man's actions to a Grand Theft Auto video game after sentencing him for a high-speed chase in a stolen car in Lehigh County.
SEPTA is delaying several purchases and projects because of its ongoing funding crisis.
Court documents in the case of missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott show text messages with the suspect Keon King.
The Philadelphia area can expect a dry, cool weekend, but drought conditions are worsening.
A South Jersey lawmaker wants to ban a type of sports wager known as "microbetting," saying the practice can lead to impulsive gambling behavior.
The Ottawa Senators rallied to beat the Flyers 2-1 on Thursday night.
A judge compared a man's actions to a Grand Theft Auto video game after sentencing him for a high-speed chase in a stolen car in Lehigh County.
SEPTA is delaying several purchases and projects because of its ongoing funding crisis.
Pennsylvania honored Lincoln University's student newspaper, The Lincolnian, for its 100th anniversary.
A.J. Brown and Cam Jurgens each missed practice for a second straight day before the team's Week 8 matchup vs. the New York Giants.
The mother of a child who died in a Philadelphia foster home is suing two child welfare agencies for placing the boy in what she says was a crowded home.
Illegal dumping has long been a challenge in Philadelphia, and officials announced a new task force aimed at tackling the issue.
A South Jersey lawmaker wants to ban a type of sports wager known as "microbetting," saying the practice can lead to impulsive gambling behavior.
City councilmembers in Ocean City, New Jersey, voted to declare a local erosion emergency at City Hall Thursday night.
New Jersey will elect a new governor in less than two weeks and the candidates couldn't be further apart on their vision for the Garden State.
The legendary rockers will play on July 7, 9, 12 and 14 in New York City -- before heading to Edinburgh, Scotland; Dublin and London.
The company voluntarily issued the recall on September 23.
A Delaware bus driver died after a crash in a school parking lot, police say.
The Food Bank of Delaware is bracing for an increase in need if families don't get November SNAP benefits.
New Castle County Police are investigating after dozens of tire slashings in North Wilmington, Delaware.
Tuesday will be cloudy and breezy in the Philadelphia area with highs in the 60s.
The significant coastal storm continues to impact the Philadelphia region and Jersey Shore on Monday.
A growing number of people are turning to medical marijuana instead of opioids for pain control.
The company voluntarily issued the recall on September 23.
A growing number of people are getting genetic testing for breast cancer, which has become more comprehensive and cost-effective.
A doctor in Allentown marks breast cancer awareness month with a growing collection of pink shoes — a tribute with a personal connection.
A South Jersey facility called Project Walk has this non-invasive spinal cord stimulation therapy that is helping a lifeguard who broke his neck.
The company voluntarily issued the recall on September 23.
The next generation of business owners showed off their passions during the NOMO Foundation's Small Business Expo in West Philadelphia.
By HughE Dillon.
The first Jordan Brand store in the United States is opening in Philadelphia on Friday morning.
It's the age-old question for Pennsylvanians: Sheetz or Wawa?
SEPTA is delaying several purchases and projects because of its ongoing funding crisis.
A crash on I-76 eastbound in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is slowing down traffic Thursday morning.
A woman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 38 eastbound in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, on Tuesday morning, police said.
The City of Philadelphia announced an array of road closures, parking restrictions and SEPTA detours ahead of the annual Philly Bike Ride this Saturday.
SEPTA officials faced questions from council members over its federal mandate to inspect more than 200 Silverliner IV railcars.
A South Jersey lawmaker wants to ban a type of sports wager known as "microbetting," saying the practice can lead to impulsive gambling behavior.
The Ottawa Senators rallied to beat the Flyers 2-1 on Thursday night.
A.J. Brown and Cam Jurgens each missed practice for a second straight day before the team's Week 8 matchup vs. the New York Giants.
Injuries have impacted Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson's play in 2025, but just how injured is the Pro Bowl O-lineman?
Among those taken into custody in the betting investigation today are Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and former NBA player Damon Jones.
The legendary rockers will play on July 7, 9, 12 and 14 in New York City -- before heading to Edinburgh, Scotland; Dublin and London.
Philadelphia's theater scene is buzzing with energy, and there's a way to enjoy the spotlight without the steep ticket prices.
By HughE Dillon.
The Philly Pops are back, and the group will perform at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia this weekend.
From a Taylor Swift–inspired drag brunch to a rock legend in Atlantic City, this weekend in Philly has something for every kind of fan.
Ukee Washington reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Ukee Washington reports.
Middle school students in Philadelphia got the opportunity to do hands-on learning during the school district's five-day career and technical camp.
With her Girl Talk mentoring program, one Philadelphia teen turned her camp days into a safe space to discuss social issues young girls face every day.
Recent high school graduate Sylvain Farrell says his temporary position at a local clinic is the pathway to a full-time career.
A Philadelphia student won an award from NFL Films for his documentary on bringing back sports teams at his Kensington school.
A group of East Norriton eighth graders took what started as an Earth Day project and made a whole initiative.
The Philadelphia area can expect a chilly Friday morning before a sunny day. Chief Meteorologist Bill Kelly has the forecast from the NEXT Weather Sphere.
A South Jersey lawmaker wants to ban a type of sports wager known as "microbetting," saying the practice can lead to impulsive gambling behavior and financial ruin — especially among younger players.
Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, residents gathered Thursday to talk with community leaders about ways to make streets safer and prevent crashes.
Kada Scott, the woman found dead at an abandoned Philadelphia school after being reported missing, was killed by a gunshot wound to her head, the city's medical examiner's office said Thursday.
The Flyers and the Sixers are teaming up with one of the world's largest banks. The teams announced they're partnering up with Bank of America. Together, they plan to support small businesses and expand access to youth sports programs across the region. As part of the agreement, Bank of America will own the naming rights to the Club Level at Xfinity Mobile Arena.