But what are the savings? Parents shocked to learn that mostly vacant schools means closures. "This cannot happen !!!!!"

Photo above - "We love our teachers!" Last time teachers went on strike (over salaries) they gave the kids free t shirts and sent them into the streets. This year the issue is closing/consolidating schools with only 60% occupancy.

All dialogue below imaginary - but plausible enough:

“Hey, lissen up Philly parents. Our schools are 40% vacant. Enrollment is still dropping. We need to close some schools and reduce headcount."

“WTH??? No way! You gotta keep ‘em all open”

“But that will mean higher property taxes”

“What the eff do we care? We're renters. Only rich retirees in the 'burbs own houses . . . “

This is really happening. (see link below). Parents’ first concern – according to interviews – is that the kids "love their teachers". Stop laughing. This is really what the article says. Meanwhile, in most districts the average building vacancy rate is around 60%. Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

This would be the same Philadelphia school system which ranks near the bottom of the nation: 19% proficiency in math. 35% proficiency in reading. 72% graduation rate. We love our teachers!

I don’t want to seem cynical, but could that “we love our teachers” slogan possibly have been concocted by the Philadelphia teacher's union? “We interrupt today’s math lesson to bring you this important announcement – go home tell your parents you don’t want to switch schools”.

Philadelphia teachers have an alternative to closures: “study why school enrollment is declining, and there are toxic conditions”. That is an EXACT quote from the article. Convene a committee and have them report back to us later.

The article doesn't estimate the amount of money to be saved through closures. But the average teacher salary in Philadelphia is $64,000. And flipping the switch the electricity, heat, water, maintenance, etc might save money too. Who knows, someone might even come up with an idea selling off empty school buildings to be converted into affordable apartments.

I’m just sayin’ . . .



Philly parents are worried and shocked over the proposed school closings across the city. And they’re not holding back: 'That can’t happen.'

Philadelphia Public School Enrollment, 2014-15 to 2024-25