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Philly school board president says DOJ asbestos agreement delayed; board passes $4.6 billion spending plan; Philly is getting a new charter school

Follow along with Inquirer education reporter Kristen A. Graham, reporting from the monthly Philly school board meeting, which has been moved to noon.

The School District of Philadelphia District headquarters building at 440 North Broad St.
The School District of Philadelphia District headquarters building at 440 North Broad St. Read more
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What you need to know
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  1. The board is expected passed a 2025-26 school year budget, a $4.6 billion spending plan that requires the district to spend a whopping $306 million in reserves to avoid classroom cuts and layoffs.

  2. Early College Charter School of Philadelphia has got itself a charter, the first new charter since the School Reform Commission days. The vote on its re-application was 8-1, with Joyce Wilkerson the lone no vote. The school's initial application was denied, 6-3 on Feb. 27.

  3. Board President Reginald Streater opened Thursday's meeting, moved from 4 p.m. to noon, by announcing that the DOJ was "not ready to proceed" with an agreement on the district's asbestos management practices. 

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Recap: Philly will get its first new charter school in 8 years

Philadelphia is getting its first new charter in nearly a decade — a major milestone for a district that has not granted a new charter since the days of the state-run School Reform Commission.

Early College Charter School of Philadelphia will give about 800 sixth through 12 graders early college and career exposure and either college courses or industry certifications. It will open in 2026 in Center City, but recruit students from underserved neighborhoods.

The school board voted 8-1 to approve the application Thursday. It was the second try for the school, whose application got voted down in February over concerns about finances, student interest and academics.

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More on the DOJ's apparent pause

In an eleventh-hour shocker, the Philadelphia school board did not sign off on an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice as expected Thursday.

News of the investigation — and an agreement — marked a major development in the district’s struggle with environmental issues. But just after the meeting began, board president Reginald Streater said no vote would be taken.

Read more about how what we know here.

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Thursday's meeting adjourns

The school board sped through its remaining agenda items; the meeting is now adjourned after nearly four action-packed hours. The next board meeting is June 12, a special meeting on this year's charter renewal cohort. Here ends the liveblog!

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Early College Charter School of Philadelphia's re-application is approved

Early College Charter School of Philadelphia has got itself a charter, the first new charter since the School Reform Commission days. The vote was 8-1, with Joyce Wilkerson the lone no vote. Big news.

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Board member Joyce Wilkerson to vote against Early College

Joyce Wilkerson says she'll vote against Early College High School application. (Huge cheer goes up as she says this.) The district is going through a facilities planning process now and will likely close schools. Some charters are underenrolled also. "I believe the approval of additional seats at this time, before this process is complete, flies in the face of our responsibility to create a system of public education," Wilkerson said.

Many schools aren't able to hire enough teachers because of a national educator shortage. "It is inconceivable to me" that the district should bring another school online "to tax these already overstressed resources," Wilkerson said.

Possibly dangerous financial times loom, Wilkerson said. Many factors "make this application too risky for me to support."

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Board members discuss Early College Charter High School's re-application

There's a motion on the floor to approve Early College Charter High School.

Board president Reginald Streater said he has "serious and legitimate concerns" about Early College Charter High School. The school is making lofty promises. He questions whether the level of public engagement and support "is strong enough to justify creating a new school in a city of 1.6 million people." The law is vague around the bar for new charter applications.

Still, Streater said, the application is improved. An application based on the larger ecosystem will likely not stand up to state and court scrutiny — looks like he's leaning toward yes, but said he's still mulling. "Set a new bar for what a charter school can be and should be," Streater urges Early College coalition.

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2025-26 spending plan passes

We've got a budget. The 2025-26 spending plan passes unanimously.

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Board member ChauWing Lam gives comment

Board member ChauWing Lam talks about what's on her mind as she votes on the budget. The district "has to pick and choose what we invest in as we implement in our strategic plan," and she has "sincere and very serious concerns about" the budget — using so much fund balance. The district has one month of expenditures on hand. "We cannot not approve these investments in our classrooms and our schools. For that reason, even though I am highly uncomfortable," she'll be voting yes.

Superintendent Watlington says the district has strong reserves. "We still have a stopgap between now and then," Watlington said. "We can always cut if we need to to balance the budget. Our financial situation now is appropriate and it's not weeks or months away from being able to meet the budget."

Lam said she retracted her statement about just having a month of reserves on hand.

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Speaker portion of the meeting concludes after round of principals give remarks

Heather McCullough, assistant principal of Webster Elementary, is talking about the need for the board to keep its undivided attention on public schools. Michelle Burns, principal of Randolph High, echoes the call.

Tangela McClam, principal of Bluford Elementary, is also speaking out for district schools and the need to support them.

Bahir Hayes, principal of Bryant Elementary, talks about his school's growth and positive culture. 

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PFT official speaks out against Early College

LeShawna Coleman, chief of staff of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, is speaking now.

Coleman is speaking on behalf of Arthur Steinberg, PFT president. "I strongly urge the board to deny the application of Early College High School," Coleman said.

"The School District of Philadelphia is still in no position to authorize new, privately operated and unaccountable charters that pull precious resources away from our struggling district schools," Coleman said.

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Prince Hall School principal says board need to make sure 'our public schools' have what they need

Jamie Lawyer, the principal of Prince Hall School, shouts out the school — families find the support they need there. But the responsibility of sustaining and supporting the school doesn't just lie with families. The school board needs to make sure "our public schools" have what they need. Schools are the bedrock of our community, Lawyer said.

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Speakers show support for Lift Every Voice Philly's wellness policy

Another parent reads testimony on behalf of LaTi Spence, a parent who couldn't make the meeting because of the time change. Spence asks the district to work with Lift Every Voice Philly on a wellness policy.

Jamila Carter was scheduled to speak; another parent from Lift Every Voice Philly is speaking in her place, asking for support for a wellness policy that addresses basic health, welfare, and joy.

The parent says her son has one narrow window to use the bathroom, and when he does, it often doesn't have soap or paper towels. The district needs a better wellness policy, with additional changes to its policy.

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Rowen Elementary School principal talks growth in special education; speaker shows more support for Early College

Angela Ryans, principal of Rowen Elementary School, talks about growth in special education.

Ekiah Lewis, a parent and member of the African American Charter School Coalition, also supports Early College PHL. "I want them to have access to a school that believes in them before they have to prove themselves," Lewis said of her children. She wants a school where kids are expected to take at least two college classes before they graduate.

"As a mother, I want my girls to grow up in a school that doesn't just hope for their success, but plans for it," Lewis said.

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Olney High School reps advocate for better field conditions

Michael Roth, principal of Olney High School, thanks district leadership for its recommendation to fund repairs that would get Olney's field to an "acceptable" level — the bleachers and fieldhouse are now condemned, track is unusable, softball field is not safe. Roth asks the board to vote to approve the spending.

Jorge Gonzalez, Olney High School's athletic director, is discussing the school's "unacceptable" fields. Kids deserve the same opportunities that other schools get. The proposed investment is necessary, Gonzalez said. "We are not asking for extra," he said.

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Middle Years Alternative principal highlights schools 'career exploration' course

Toni Damon, principal of Middle Years Alternative, a district school, is talking about the "visionary leadership we have in the School District of Philadelphia." We have middle schools in Philadelphia that offer innovative career and technical education courses. MYA, for example, has a "career exploration" course, and is about to open an innovation and career exploration lab.

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Engineer who inspected Early College says building is in excellent shape

Rickey Duncan, CEO of NOMO Foundation, said Early College Charter HS will give kids safety and opportunities.

Ebony Mills, a parent and teacher, said her son is getting a certification in engineering at his charter school. A high school diploma isn't enough anymore, Mills said. Kids need hands-on experience and enrichment. "Early College Charter represents an excellent opportunity to even more students to have the inspiration and experience my son has," Mills said.

Jay Appleton, an engineer who inspected the proposed Early College building, said it's in excellent shape.

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Solis-Cohen Elementary principal expresses support for extended-day, extended-year programming

Michelina Serianni, principal of Solis-Cohen Elementary, speaks about the importance of extended-day, extended-year programming — over 200 students who have free before and after care, winter, and spring break care and summer programs.

"The benefits of implemented extended-day, extended-year are increased student attendance, student wellness and student achievement," Serianni said.

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Principals' union head met with huge applause after suggesting effort to keep CASA from organizing

Robin Cooper, president of CASA, the district's principal union, come to the dais to huge applause. Lots of CASA folks are in the audience.

Cooper, quoting Scripture, suggests there was an effort afoot to keep CASA from organizing, to "favor some groups while marginalizing others."

Cooper warns "a knocking at the door that seems too good to be true," seemingly referencing the possibility of a new charter school that could leave the "carnage of the district."

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Support for Early College continues to stream in

Greg Thompson, a nonprofit executive director, "is so encouraged by this Early College model. The Early College model is inspiring, it's a pathway to success."

Someone is reading testimony of Angela Pardue, a parent who couldn't make the meeting: Many families can't afford or can't get into the best district or private schools. Pardue was a young mom, and unable to finish college. A program like Early College would have helped her advance. Kids need "real opportunities for success," Pardue said. "Consider my families like mine that need these resources right now."

Anton Moore, CEO of Unity in the Community, a city nonprofit that works with youth and other Philadelphians: "I have seen firsthand what happens when young people believe they have no other options," Moore said. A high school diploma is not enough to have a secure future, but many families can't afford college. Calls Early College a "transformative opportunity for Philadelphia youth." Moore grew up in the Tasker projects, and his mom used a relative's address to get them into a different school because she felt their neighborhood school was too dangerous. Give kids more options.

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KIPP parent says school 'does need funding'

A parent from KIPP Philadelphia Elementary Academy: "Charter schools do matter." Her neighborhood school is not an option, the parent said. "I believe that KIPP does need funding." 

New charters should receive funding, the KIPP parent said.

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Speakers, including labor leader Ryan Boyer, show support for Early College re-application

Molly Schmader of the Early College application coalition is discussing how the team has boosted its recruitment and increased "intent to enroll" forms. It's also gotten increased community support — including from city unions.

Keshema Davidson, who would lead the Early College PHL team, highlights increased evidence around financing and community support. "We heard your feedback and I'm confident that we have addressed them respectfully and thoroughly," Davidson said.

Davidson, from Jamaica, came to the U.S. as a 10th grader, undocumented. She attended her neighborhood high school and was unable to go to Columbia University, as was her dream, so she attended community college. "Public education changed my life," Davidson said. Community college made her a path. She highlighted what she called a "stellar application."

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Students show support for teacher who was given suspension following an investigation into alleged antisemitism

Student Nii Tigah from Northeast High is speaking first — he's discussing teacher Keziah Ridgeway and how impactful she was. "She made me realize that I had a voice," Tigah said.

Tigah is headed to Swarthmore College, and Ridgeway helped him get there. "How she is treated is unfair," Tigah said, adding that the district should apologize to her.

The school district recently investigated Ridgeway for alleged antisemitism and violations of its social media policy. She was given a five-day unpaid suspension and reassigned from Northeast High.

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Student advocates for school libraries: 'Why don't we have them in our schools, even though literacy is at an all-time low?'

Kaiden Calamese, a student from The Workshop School, is talking about school libraries. Workshop students completed a project on school libraries. "But why don't we have them in our schools, even though literacy is at an all-time low?" Calamese said.

Districts like Lower Merion have more funds than high-needs districts like Philadelphia, Calamese said. Workshop students are building their own Little Free Library outside the school, and are trying to build their own school library. Students have raised more than $1,000 to date to buy books, and classes are visiting the library. Calamese presented a petition from Workshop students asking for a library. "It feels like we have to work harder for our education than our school district," he said.

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Early College Charter High School application is resubmitted, with some changes

Mariel Ziegler from the district's charter schools office is presenting the re-application of Early College High School of Philadelphia.

Early College Charter High School's initial application was denied, 6-3 on Feb. 27. This is a re-submission.

Early College proposes to open next fall at Broad and Pine in a former Peirce College building. It will target 17 underserved zip codes, and would serve about 800 students in grades 6-12 when at full capacity.

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Councilmember Anthony Phillips advocates for Olney HS; Councilmember Kendra Brooks chief of staff highlights Lift Every Voice Philly

Board president Reginald Streater notes that charter school funding lags a year — cuts that hit the district one year, hit charters the next.

Councilmember Anthony Phillips is speaking now about Olney High School, whose fields are in tough shape. He thanks the district for the proposal and funding for a capital project to begin fixing the complex, but said more is needed. "This is important to Olney — we look forward to seeing this project come to fruition," Phillips said.

Shakeda Gaines, chief of staff for Councilmember Kendra Brooks and a former Home and School Council president, is speaking now for a "joy campaign" championed by Lift Every Voice Philly, a parent-led group that is working to add standards for kids' access to recess, food and water and bathroom breaks. Leaving kids without access to recess is "a failure of care that will negatively impact their academics," Gaines said.

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Board member Joyce Wilkerson on tariffs: 'I think that is something we need to be particularly concerned about'

Board member Joan Stern and Joyce Wilkerson ask CFO Herbstman about projections for next year's budget given tariffs and rising prices. "I think that is something we need to be particularly concerned about," Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson also asked about the district's student meals program and its' students reliance on Medicaid. The district is currently a universal feeding district, meaning every child gets free breakfast and lunch, paid for by the federal government. If cuts happen at the federal level, the district could have to pick up obligations for feeding and medical and emotional issues that are now met in schools. Yes, Herbstman confirms, if federal cuts happen, the district would have to pick up those costs.

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District's capital budget and program discussed

Up now is Chief Operating Officer Oz Hill, talking about the district's capital budget and program.

New schools underway this year are Thomas Holme and AMY at James Martin, and modular classrooms at Lincoln High.

Major renovations are happening at Frankford High, Bache-Martin, Comly, William Dick, and Bethune.

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School district's budget — and upcoming money woes — take center stage

CFO Mike Herbstman is explaining what the board will be voting on today. Between general fund, Intermediate Unit funds, and debt service funds, this is a $4.7 billion budget.

The district's budget is made up of 45% city funds, 54% state funds. Philadelphia is alone in Pennsylvania in that it cannot raise its own revenues. And, as Herbstman says, the district's fixed costs are outpacing city and state revenues, so deficit looms.

The budget for district-operated schools is up by 5%, as are borrowing costs and charter-school costs. The district must spend over $300 million in reserves to make ends meet — it will not cut programs or teachers, but only because it's dipping into its savings to do so. It won't be able to do that next year.

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Watlington acknowledges YoY dip in attendance

Watlington also noted a dip in student and teacher attendance, year over year as of April, during his remarks. On dropouts: 1,366 dropouts in April 2025, a reduction from the same time in April 2024.

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Watlington extends graduation invites and notes celebrations

Watlington invites people to upcoming school district graduations: kids' "Super Bowl" after 13 years of education. He also notes celebrations this month: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National School Principal's Day, National Nurses Week, African World Heritage Day, Cinco De Mayo and Memorial Day.

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Who's missing?

Of note: the Philadelphia student board representatives are not in attendance, because they're in school. Up now is Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., who's giving his monthly report.

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Students and teacher recognized

Seniors of the month are up now: Shaqueah Henry, a standout student and athlete at Overbrook High who's heading to Temple University, and Richard Guzman-Pichardo from Franklin Learning Center, who's taken 9 AP courses and 5 dual enrollment classes.

Teacher of the month is Janel Moore-Almond from Carver High School of Engineering and Science, where she's middle school class coordinator, teacher, mentor, and more.

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DOJ 'not ready to proceed' with asbestos agreement, Streater says

The board meeting began with a bombshell: no vote on an agreement to settle a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the Philadelphia School District's asbestos management practices, Board President Reginald Streater said.

"We were informed just before this meeting that the Department of Justice is not ready to proceed today and additional review may be required,” Streater said.

Board meetings always begin at 4 p.m.; Thursday’s meeting was abruptly moved to noon to handle the DOJ settlement, which is now apparently on pause. The investigation had been a secret prior to the board put agreement approval on its Thursday agenda. Streater withdrew that item.

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Board expected to pass 2025-26 budget at today's meeting

Even absent the DOJ investigation, it would be a busy school board meeting day.

Front and center, the board is expected to pass a 2025-26 school year budget, a $4.6 billion spending plan that requires the district to spend a whopping $306 million in reserves to avoid classroom cuts and layoffs.

The board will also consider the re-submission of a new charter school application, Early College High School of Philadelphia.

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Federal investigation into 'asbestos management practices' expected to make for eventful meeting Thursday

Expect an eventful Philadelphia school board meeting Thursday.

Meetings typically begin at 4 p.m., but this month’s was moved up to noon with little public notice because of a “time-sensitive matter,” according to information shared with people who had signed up to speak at the session.

The school board will consider a resolution signing off on “a proposed agreement between The School District of Philadelphia and the United States Department of Justice with respect to an ongoing investigation of the district’s asbestos management practices,” according to a school board document.