The Philadelphia School District announced significant changes Tuesday to its Master Plan for school closures. Ten schools that were targeted to close will now stay open, while two others not on the original list for closure are now slated to close.
Meade Elementary in North Philly was one of the ten schools that wasn't supposed to survive. So imagine how surprised parents were to hear that Meade will remain open. Charky Wallace sounded absolutely stunned. "That's so great, that's so wonderful," Wallace told Fox 29 outside the school. "I don't have to take them all the way around the world now. I can just take them here around the corner from where I live at, that's real good."
Dr. William Hite, the Philadelphia School District superintendent, made the changes after hearing from thousands of people. "It played a significant role, we analyzed and reviewed every recommendation," Dr. Hite explained.
Parents with kids at Meade and the other nine schools may be thrilled. But saving those schools does mean the district won't save quite as much money, a problem when it's facing more than a billion-dollar deficit over five years. But Dr. Hite says the changes are smart. "We found that some of the recommendations actually made a lot more sense than the ones that we had put forward.
Two schools not on the original list to close are now on the chopping block: M.H. Stanton and Beeber Middle School. If the new plan goes into effect, those schools will shut their doors after the end of this school year.
Trina Benjamin is the mother of three M.H. Stanton students. Benjamin told Fox 29 she did not anticipate this development. Her level of shock? "Between 1 and 10, it's a 10," Benjamin said.
Beeber Middle School, the other school that was originally supposed to remain open, is closing after parents at two other schools complained loudly. "Gompers and Overbrook were both outperforming Beeber, which also happens to be on the persistently dangerous school list," Dr. Hite explained.
While the new list of school closures is just about complete, pending approval by the school reform commission, the district superintendent is warning this won't be the last of it. "Unfortunately for us it's never all finalized. AS a matter of fact in our five year financial plan it does have a smaller number of schools that must also be considered for closure moving forward."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:25:14 GMT
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse.
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse, because they know the vandal easily could have hurt someone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:55:49 GMT
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:11 GMT
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on an adult organ donor waiting list despite her young age. And while the transplant is cause for celebration, Sarah still has quite a fight ahead.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
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