23 Philly schools to close; some arrested at rally

[Starry Messenger]

http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/crime/philly-officials-to-vote-on-closing-27-schools/nWjq7/

PHILADELPHIA — Though supporters of public education staged a massive rally Thursday at school system headquarters in the city and more than a dozen people were arrested on disorderly conduct charges, hours later officials voted to close 23 schools.

The School Reform Commission spared only four schools after hearing emotional pleas from among the hundreds of people who packed the commission meeting room and an overflow space immediately after the rally.

Officials contended the cash-strapped system can't afford to keep open the 27 buildings, more than 10 percent of the district's schools. Many of them are under-enrolled and in poor condition. But opponents said the move would irreparably damage dozens of neighborhoods and further fuel a student exodus from the district.

At the rally, the main street in front of the building had to be closed amid chants of "Children first!" and "Fix schools, don't close them." American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten was among those arrested, according to Philadelphia teachers union chief Jerry Jordan.

<snip>

Devastating.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Good for Randi!!

[Starry Messenger]

2. Isn't that amazing?

I'm glad she's getting into direct action. I hope it keeps up!