Watch CBS News

Philadelphia City Council To Hold Hearings On School Closures

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia School District's decision to close as many as nine schools is prompting City Council to schedule its own inquiry.

City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell knows that the school district will hold its own public hearings on closing nine schools, but she openly wonders if those hearings will be fruitful.

"Its kind of run by the school district and controlled by them with their point of view."

So, Blackwell wants her own hearing on the closures, in city council chambers, with the school reform commission in attendance.

"And if you do it here, in the people's building here at City Hall, with the new SRC, who we don't know yet, then we really get a chance at the beginning of the term for them to know how we feel and how the public feels."

No date set yet for that hearing.  The SRC plans 17 community hearings before a vote next March or April.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.