Judgment day Thursday on 27 school closings

EXPECT some fireworks Thursday night when the School Reform Commission is scheduled to vote on a plan to close 27 district schools.

Superintendent William R. Hite Jr.'s proposal has already been met with protests and demands for a one-year moratorium on the closings. The meeting will likely draw a passionate audience that will include politicians and civic leaders.

Thirty-two speakers have signed up to speak at the meeting, including Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. Other scheduled speakers include state Rep. Curtis Thomas, D-Phila.; state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila.; Councilman Curtis Jones; George Ricchezza, who heads District 1201 of the Service Employees Internation Union 32BJ; and the Rev. Alyn Waller, senior pastor at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

The Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools plans to hold a news conference two hours before the SRC meeting to urge the commissioners to delay the vote.

The meeting at district headquarters, Broad Street near Spring Garden, starts at 5:30 p.m. The SRC vote on two schools, M.H. Stanton Elementary and Beeber Middle School, will be decided at a later meeting.