Philly Schools Cut Weekend Programs

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia School district is about to make a move that will save money, but it will cost a lot of people some programs.

A spokesperson tells Fox 29, the district will cancel all weekend programs because schools will be closed.

During the week, school buildings will close at 8 p.m., an hour earlier than the current weekday schedule.

The move is expected to save about $3 million.

The changes will start next weekend. But it But they will affect a lot of nondistrict programs.

Rich Steork's daughter plays on the Fox Rok youth basketball league…out of fox chase…
He's one of many parents who feel blindsided by the Philadelphia School District's decision to close schools on weekend and shut the buildings down by 8 p.m. on week nights.

These are key times when teams practice and play games.

"I mean come on. These girls work hard. These girls play basketball year round because they love it, and now they have nowhere to play?"

Team mates like Kelly Grant are caught in the middle of it all and say it's not fair.

"I feel bad for all the girls that want to play basketball and I think it's messing up all the people that want to play."

District officials say they have no choice. But that's not good enough for both players and parents.

Coach Joe Grant says after-school sports keeps the kids out of trouble and gives them some fun times with their friends.

"Hundreds if not thousands of kids in the city of Philadelphia are going to have no where to play basketball as of next week."