Parents And Teachers React To School Closings
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – There was a lot of disappointment and passion from parents, teachers and education advocates in attendance at the School Reform Commission's meeting on Thursday (see related story).
There were emotional outbursts, students crying and consoling each other, shouting and anger.
Pamela Williams reacted after the vote to close University City High.
"And everybody in here needs to be held accountable. And every politician that wasn't in this building tonight, we will make sure you will not get reelected! Because this is wrong, these are children!" Williams yelled.
And Helen Gym, a tireless education advocate, said the special interests are to blame.
"I think they bought their vote, but I don't think that they won anything except a very hallow victory," Gym said.
Gym and the others say the fight will continue, and Jerry Mondesire with the NAACP says the organization may even consider filing a lawsuit.
Still on the agenda, the fates of two more schools, which the SRC will vote on in the coming weeks.
