The Philadelphia School District announced significant changes Tuesday to its Master Plan for school closures. Ten schools that were targeted to close will now stay open, while two others not on the original list for closure are now slated to close.
Meade Elementary in North Philly was one of the ten schools that wasn't supposed to survive. So imagine how surprised parents were to hear that Meade will remain open. Charky Wallace sounded absolutely stunned. "That's so great, that's so wonderful," Wallace told Fox 29 outside the school. "I don't have to take them all the way around the world now. I can just take them here around the corner from where I live at, that's real good."
Dr. William Hite, the Philadelphia School District superintendent, made the changes after hearing from thousands of people. "It played a significant role, we analyzed and reviewed every recommendation," Dr. Hite explained.
Parents with kids at Meade and the other nine schools may be thrilled. But saving those schools does mean the district won't save quite as much money, a problem when it's facing more than a billion-dollar deficit over five years. But Dr. Hite says the changes are smart. "We found that some of the recommendations actually made a lot more sense than the ones that we had put forward.
Two schools not on the original list to close are now on the chopping block: M.H. Stanton and Beeber Middle School. If the new plan goes into effect, those schools will shut their doors after the end of this school year.
Trina Benjamin is the mother of three M.H. Stanton students. Benjamin told Fox 29 she did not anticipate this development. Her level of shock? "Between 1 and 10, it's a 10," Benjamin said.
Beeber Middle School, the other school that was originally supposed to remain open, is closing after parents at two other schools complained loudly. "Gompers and Overbrook were both outperforming Beeber, which also happens to be on the persistently dangerous school list," Dr. Hite explained.
While the new list of school closures is just about complete, pending approval by the school reform commission, the district superintendent is warning this won't be the last of it. "Unfortunately for us it's never all finalized. AS a matter of fact in our five year financial plan it does have a smaller number of schools that must also be considered for closure moving forward."
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:26:18 GMT
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.Police say the incident happened just before 11P.M. on May 19th on the 6000 block of Wister Street.The suspect
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:01:49 GMT
Kasey's bark may be worse than her bite. But Hamilton Township Police say the crook who tried to rob Draper Ellis late Thursday afternoon at his "May's Landing Auto Parts Store" didn't stick around
A South New Jersey business owner comes face to face with a suspected robber threatening him with a knife. Thanks to his 7-year-old family pet, the crook ran off.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:08:04 GMT
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed.
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed. FOX 29's Bruce Gordon spent a day with folks preparing a veterans' cemetery for its day in the spotlight.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:48 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:48:26 GMT
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:30:28 GMT
Ocean City is a fabulous family-friendly, shore town that is ready for a fabulous Summer season. From the relaxing beaches to the famous boardwalk, Ocean City is safe, clean and has some of the best food
Ocean City is a fabulous family-friendly, shore town that is ready for a spectacular Summer season.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:40:06 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
