PFT President Steinberg Statement on Mayor Parker's FY2027 Budget Proposal

Full statement on our website: pft.org/press/pft-pr... #SaveOurSchools #FixDontClose

PFT members at Prince Hall School wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at Lincoln High wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at CAPA wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

PFT members at Ziegler School wear red and hold up informational signs as part of the AFT Day of Action on March 4, 2026

Click & share - we need the General Assembly to know that public schools must be a priority! actionnetwork.org/letters/save... #PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools #PAbudget

Two Philly high schools are still fighting their proposed closures, even after officials tweaked plans to appease them Lankenau and Robeson high schools are still among the 18 schools slated for potential closure, but the district changed which schools they would merge into. The schools' supporters still aren't happy.

100% graduation rate and students who just won prestigious honors at the Philly Flower Show. So much about the District's school closure plan makes no sense www.inquirer.com/education/ro... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose

Leader of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers talks controversial school district plan On Thursday, the Philadelphia School District announced some modifications to its facilities master plan, calling for the closure of 18 schools rather than 20. Before Thursday’s school board meeting, ...

I sat with Lena Tillett @nbcphiladelphia.com to explain at length @pft.org members' alarm at the School District's plan to sell off school buildings and move students into different buildings and communities. www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/news/l... #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools #PhlEd

School District of Philadelphia updates $2.8B plan, spares 2 schools from closure The updated proposal is being presented to the Board of Education, though no vote will be taken on Thursday night.

Mark my words, students and families will flee this district. Educators who are in such short supply at this time will go work elsewhere.

The chaos of this moment threatens the progress the School District has made. 6abc.com/post/philade...
#PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

PFT President Arthur Steinberg, Conwell Middle School math teacher Hytolia Branch, and Principal Erica Green are seen smiling at a Board of Education meeting after the School District removed Conwell from its closure list.

A Facebook post from City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier shows her holding a PFT Save Our Schools rally sign with SAVED in white text and green background. Her post reads: "When we fight, we win! Motivation HS is STAYING OPEN! 🙌🏾 Thank you to Superintendent Watlington and the School District for listening to Motivation's students and school community. This victory also wouldn't have been possible without the advocacy of Speaker Joanna McClinton, Senator Anthony Williams, Representative Jordan Harris, and Council President Kenyatta Johnson. I fought keep Motivation open because I know how important it is for the Southwest community. And I'll work just as hard to save Robeson, Parkway West, and Blankenburg. ✊🏾"

The District backing off closing two beloved schools is just a start. We will not be satisfied until they share all of their data, show their work, and EARN the trust of educators, students, and communities.
pft.org/press/philly... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

School District of Philadelphia's new facilities plan faces backlash Unions representing Philadelphia's educators say any school closings are unacceptable.

"Unions representing Philadelphia's educators say any school closings are unacceptable." www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

Teachers union leaders urge the board to slow down and consider what's missing from the plan The unusually long school board meeting began at 4 p.m. and continued until after midnight.

"'Our schools need fixing and funding, not closure,' Steinberg said. If the district can raise $1.8 billion for its plan, then it can fix schools." www.inquirer.com/education/li... #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

Philadelphia school board member acknowledges school closures would be a ‘sacrifice’ The Philadelphia school district wants to close 18 schools beginning in 2027. But to do so it needs the support of members of the Board of Education, which has serious questions about the proposal.

"Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg called the plan to close schools an abomination. He said he feared students and staff would leave the district if the board approves it." www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia... #PhlEd #ShowYourWork #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

TODAY! #PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

Philly school officials want to close Lankenau High and give it to the city. A 1970s legal agreement may snarl that deal. The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education opposes Lankenau High's closure, but if the district does go ahead with plans to close the magnet, it wants to buy the school back.

"They’re particularly alarmed that Lankenau’s small size, used to justify its closing, came as enrollment shrank after the school system ordered changes to its special-admissions policy." www.inquirer.com/education/la... #PhlEd #SaveOurSchools #FixDontClose

Students would transition from this closing North Philly school to worse-performing ones in the district’s plan The district’s plan calls for the John Welsh Elementary School building to be upgraded and reopened as a new year-round high school in the 2029-30 school year.

A Welsh Elementary parent:

"It bothers me that they’re going to spend the money to fix it for a high school and they can’t fix it for our kids."
www.inquirer.com/education/ph... #PhlEd #SaveOurSchools #FixDontClose

PFT members show off signs in protest of the School District of Philadelphia's plan to close Harding Middle School. 20 public schools are slated for closure in a massive overhaul of the District.

A smiling child and daughter of a PFT staff representative wears a PFT t-shirt under a sign reading SAVE OUR HAWKS

A PFT member holds up a sign that reads HELP OUR HAWKS TO KEEP SOARING!

PFT members show off signs in protest of the School District of Philadelphia's plan to close Harding Middle School. 20 public schools are slated for closure in a massive overhaul of the District.

Our members spent their weekend fighting to keep cherished public schools open! Thank you to the educators, families, and neighbors who are advocating for our students and communities ❤️💪🏽 #PhlEd #SaveOurSchools #FixDontClose #HardingHawks

graphic promoting a rally at the School District of Philadelphia (administration building is seen in the background. Text reads, "SAVE OUR SCHOOLS LABOR RALLY. Join us on Thursday, 2/26, 3pm on the sidewalk in front of 440 N. Broad St. Images of the leaders of PFT, Unite Here Local 634, Teamsters Local 502-CASA, and the School Police Association of Philadelphia are shown, along with the logo of 32BJ SEIU and a QR code that links to the event page.

🚨 SAVE THE DATE to SAVE OUR SCHOOLS 🚨

We're linking up with
@uniteherelocal634.bsky.social @teamsters.bsky.social Local 502 CASA @32bjseiu.bsky.social & SPAP to rally before Thursday's Board of Ed meeting on the District's plan to close 20 schools: pft.org/SDPLaborRall... #PhlEd #FixDontClose

Stetson Middle School was neglected for decades, district officials admit. Now, they’re trying to close the school. Parents and students say the school is being penalized for things the district has the power and money to fix. Twelve separate requests have been submitted to fix the roof.

“We have a fourth floor,” one sixth grader said. “Y’all could just fix that, y’all could fix the pipes, y’all could fix everything.”

So proud of our students who are advocating for themselves and their communities! www.inquirer.com/education/st... #PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools

In the past, the district had made public detailed facilities condition assessments for every school in the district, Councilmember Rue Landau noted. Members of the public could look up their school and see exactly what the condition of every system in the building was, and how much money would be required to fix those that needed repair.

“We don’t have any of those details,” said Landau, who went so far as to say she believed the district should be spending more than $2.8 billion on the plan. “What is the increased investment, and why and we don’t have any of those details? They are not out there in the public for us, so none of us have any understanding as to why this is happening, This should all be public so all of the public can see.”

Excellent point and great questions, @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social! #PhlEd #FixDontClose #SaveOurSchools #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

PFT members at Ellwood School wear red in solidarity.

Happy #RedFriday from our members at Ellwood School!

As we fight against parts of the SDP's 10-year facilities plan that are likely to worsen learning conditions, the PFT is fighting for the climates students need to feel safe, welcome, inspired 💡⚡#PhlEd #FixDontClose #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

a photo of Philadelphia City Hall appears amid the text, "Let City Council know that school closures harm communities! Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026; 10:00 a.m.; Room 400, City Hall; Wear PFT Red! Watch the meeting on Xfinity Ch64, Fios Ch40 or stream at https://phlcouncil.com/watch-city-council/

Meet us on the 4th floor of City Hall next Tuesday to let City Council know that the School District needs to show us their work before closing, co-locating, or moving schools and programs.

Sign up to testify: phlcouncil.com/offering-pub... #PhlEd #FixDontClose #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs