By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia City Council members today called on the School District of Philadelphia  to delay by one year its controversial plan to shutter 37 school buildings (see related story).

And the debate was heated.

With opponents of the school closure plan packing the seats of City Council chambers, 3rd District councilwoman Jannie Blackwell proposed a nonbinding resolution calling on the school district to hold off on the school closure plan for a year, “so we can have a plan that makes sense and not one that doesn’t.”

But 7th District councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez (center of photo) said that while she questions parts of the plan, a moratorium is not appropriate.

“We cannot tell the district to rightsize itself, and at the same time interfere in every single decision,” she said.  The resolution was approved nonetheless.

Council has no veto power over the final decision on what buildings are closed, but the speeches are likely to continue as the plan is debated.