Live-tweeting: 'Fired up' crowd storms SRC meeting
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Live-tweeting: 'Fired up' crowd storms SRC meeting
Kristen Graham
UPDATE, 5:55 p.m.
School closings are underway now, but not before protestors shut down North Broad Street to show their displeasure with the Philadelphia School District's plan.
"Shame on you!" they shouted.
One boy, a student at Carroll High, which would close, emotionally spoke about wanting to stay at his school.
Others said they would not give up the fight until a one-year moratorium on closings is called.
Superintedent William R. Hite Jr. kicked off the formal closing hearings by talking about the need to save the near-bankrupt district. Closings are tough, he said, but they must be done. He outlined the lengthy closing process, which has unfolded over two years. (Though this current round of closings was made public in December, with 37 closings recommended; updated recommendations, with 29 schools supposed to shut, were issued this week.)
UPDATE, 4:50 p.m.
What was a largely quiet, perfunctory School Reform Commission meeting was just interrupted by perhaps 100 sign-waving, shouting citizens angry at the district's move to shut 29 schools.
While a district staffer was reading a resolution honoring school counselors, the protesters marched in with a bullhorn, photos of Gov. Corbett and Mayor Nutter (blamed for underfunding schools) and signs reading "1 Year Moratorium" and "Save Our Schools."
"SRC, not for me" and "we're fired up, can't take it no more," they shouted. A speaker angrily accused the SRC of following an agenda to privatize schools.
After about five minutes, the protesters moved to the back of the room and the meeting resumed, though folks continued shouting from the back. "How do you live with yourselves?" one man shouted. Another suggested the SRC was out of touch, and that no schools in the neighborhoods they live in are proposed to close. That's not exactly true; the newest SRC member, Sylvia Simms, lives in North Philadelphia, and the school her granddaughter attends is up for closure. It's Simms' first SRC meeting; she replaces Lorene Cary, who left after her term expired.
EARLIER:
Hi, all! Brace yourselves for a lively Thursday - SRC meeting, school closing hearings. I'll be livetweeting, so follow along here or on Twitter.
OH LOOK ITS THE WELFARE NON-TAXPAYING PEOPLE OF PHILLY PROTESTING!!!IM SICK AND TIRED OF MY PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP FOR THE FAILED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA, ITS A MONEY PIT!!! THESE PEOPLE SHOULD USE THIS ENERGY TO FIND JOBS AND JOIN THEIR KIDS PARENT ASSOCIATIONS AT THEIR SCHOOLS!! LEECHES AND CREEPS!!!— wallycleaver- "we're fired up, can't take it no more,"
With a slogan as grammatically correct as that, how could they not be taken seriously regarding educational issues?— gYo - of course they don't pay taxes at all. free free free— dontavoidtheobvious
I would bet that none of the Obamaphone carrying 100 sign-waving, shouting citizens angry at the district's move to shut 29 schools pay any taxes whatsoever.
They're still looking for a handout.— Ralph 1- of course they do. you ever drive through North Philly in the am? the buses are filled with people going to work. Judging from your comment, I would bet you don't the city so why don't you stay out of it. go comb your hair suburbs.
- The comments posted here are ignorant and racist. Many students are out with the protesters exercising their right to free speech. Many of the protesters are hard working tax paying persons including teachers. Wally Cleaver- quit whining about your property taxes and go protest that your income taxes are paying for 2 wars that are killing innocent people.— phillyeducator#1
- You are an educator in Philly? Could it be more closings= less educator jobs? Are the comments ignorant and racist? Maybe these individuals feel that the overall underwhelming (to say the least) academic performance of many Philadelphia students for at least the last quarter-century simply doesn't warrant or justify more excessive taxes? Some people cannot be reasonable- how many property tax increases in the last 5 years to fund an annual school district budget that continues to not only stay in the red, but managed to jump from 37 million to 650 million in 10 years? Would you ever be satisfied?
— kjuggs77 
PUBLIC TELEVISION also was a target for Republican theory
CABLE TELEVISION with it's promise of no commercails was attractive to many
We happily switched to cable with it's non commercail promise.
But when the commercails came we tried to go back to PUBLIC TELEVISION
But we could not go back to PUBLIC TELEVISION
It had been destroyed beyond recognition
By a Republican theory that affected
Philadelphia AND Pennsylvania
AND America
— Cuddles- The missing meds are in the backroom of the corner store. If you don't take your meds you are incoherent. Take your meds Grandpa Tank then go watch Big Bird. Schools are funded by proper tax payers.
— DarnelX - , What don't you understand, there's no more money to maintain the old run down schools,and teachers salaries. majority of these people dont understand business. They want to spend OPM. Quote from my main man Fumo.— Phillie Hi Drop Outt.
- As witnessed by the problems in the Upper Darby school district this problem is state-wide.
Republicans are good at framing challenges in a "state frame" as opposed to a "national frame"....Perhaps there may be a wisdom in framing this challenge in a "state frame" as opposed to a "local frame".
A quick trip across 69th street may result in a more perfect union.— Cuddles - This is a state-wide concern.
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/budget-would-provide-slight-increases-for-districts-1.1440290
This could be the first state-wide victory of 2014.— Cuddles - State budget talks are going on right now. While there are state-wide organizations such as the teacher's union and even such groups as P.U.P. that could provide a state-wide organization/strategy...we may just have a leader in place to make this a valid state-wide victory...
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20130220_Kane_gets_warm_welcome_from_both_sides_at_budget_hearing.html— Cuddles
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
