Revised School Closure List Draws Mixed Reviews
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Some communities are feeling relief, while others have renewed anger over the revised list of Philadelphia public school closures.
After hearing from more than 4000 people at dozens of public meetings, Superintendent William Hite yesterday issued a new list of school closure recommendations.
The list goes from 37 to 29 school buildings, with Strawberry Mansion High remaining open but Bok and Germantown High still slated to close.
City Council President Darrell Clarke commended Hite for listening.
Clarke says, "I attended several meetings where people actually had opportunities to present their proposals and their plans. Needless to say, some of those have actually been adopted."
But Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell doesn't think the list was well thought out. She says,"I'm furious. Just as we don't know why they closed those they closed, we don't know why they decided to open some. I mean, what's the point?"
The School Reform Commission opens hearings on the closure plan tomorrow.
