The "Systematic Murder" of Philadelphia Public Schools

[marmar]

The "Systematic Murder" of Philadelphia Public Schools

Thursday, 12 September 2013 10:42
By Rania Khalek, Truthout | News


When Philadelphia public schoolchildren return to their classrooms on September 9, 2013, there will be fewer schools, fewer educators and fewer opportunities because of mass school closings and what amounts to financial starvation.

It all started late in 2012, when the Philadelphia School District (PSD) revealed it would be shutting dozens of schools to fill in a $304 million budget gap.

By April, the School Reform Commission (SRC) voted to close 23 neighborhood schools, 10 percent of the city’s total, despite widespread outrage from parents, teachers and students.

In June, the SRC approved massive budget cuts that stripped Philadelphia schools to their bare essentials, eliminating clubs, athletics, art, music and most other extracurriculars. The following month, PSD sent layoff notices to 3,783 employees - including 676 teachers, 283 counselors, 127 assistant principals, 1,202 noontime aides and 307 secretaries - leaving the district severely understaffed at a critical moment. ........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/18610-the-systematic-murder-of-philadelphia-public-schools

[Egalitarian Thug]

1. K&R Too bad we're "looking forward" and ignoring reality these days. n/t