PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A long-awaited plan to close or consolidate under-used Philadelphia school buildings is being unveiled this week.

Even though some Philly schools are overcrowded, the district says too many are underutilized. The plan recommending which schools should be closed or consolidated is being presented at Wednesday’s School Reform Commission meeting. A draft of the plan has been circulated for months, so some parents, like James Wright of E.M. Stanton Elementary, fear the worst.

“As taxpayers, we appreciate the tough decisions the district has to make in the coming months. However, the decision to close the school goes beyond dollars and cents. It should be focused on what is best for students,” Wright says.

The release of the plan will trigger a new round of community meetings and hearings. Wednesday’s 3 p.m. SRC will be streamed live and televised live on the district’s cable channel for the first time ever.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio