PHILADELPHIA (May 12, 2026) – The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT Local 3) on Tuesday released analysis and alternative recommendations for public schools that are scheduled to close starting in 2027.
Led by PFT Director of Environmental Science Jerry Roseman and informed by input from PFT members, the reports found inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the School District of Philadelphia's stated rationales for closing public schools.
At a press event at Overbook Elementary on Tuesday, the PFT and school leaders pointed to strong community ties and walkability for young students as reasons to keep the school open. The PFT found that the District overstated Overbrook's building capacity, to make it seem that the student population was disproportionately smaller than it actually is. Moreover, the District itself rates the Overbrook building as being in "fair" condition, with repair and modernization needs that are less costly than some of the schools expected to receive Overbrook students after its closure in 2017.
President Arthur G. Steinberg said, "Despite patiently awaiting answers and additional data from the School District that never arrived, the PFT has been able to use publicly available information to conclude that the District itself lacks an educator-informed, data-driven rationale for closing nearly 20 public schools. Moreover, the District has still not shared its plans – if they even exist – for ensuring students being moved to different schools will not face worse building conditions, including exposure to hazardous materials like lead and asbestos. Families and staff deserve assurances that student learning environments will be improved on net after they are displaced from closed schools."
"President Steinberg concluded, "The PFT has shown a generous amount of patience with the District in awaiting more detailed answers that we have no reason to believe will ever arrive – because the answers don't exist. The Facilities Master Plan is a school closure plan, period. We encourage school communities to use our reports to advocate for the supports and safeguards – including detailed timelines for toxic material remediation – that Philadelphia public school students deserve."
