Tony Watlington

The “Summer Achievers” program will start in June and offer a mix of academics and camp-like activities. It could set the table for new schedules at 20 schools in 2025-26.

The district and school board have already held several meetings and votes on their $4.5 billion budget.

Parents, teachers, and others have long criticized the practice of reassigning teachers after the school year has begun. But it’s unclear if ‘leveling’ is gone for good or merely paused.

The agreement, which was reached roughly six months before the current contract’s expiration date, came as a surprise to many.

More than 3,000 students at Northeast High School are learning remotely this week after a shooting injured 8 students less than a mile from their school.

At the same event, new Mayor Cherelle Parker called on the state to provide the school district more funding.

Board President and Vice President Reginald Streater and Mallory Fix-Lopez will remain in their roles for the time being. Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker could pick new board members.

Nearly 55,000 students use SEPTA to get to and from school, and the district would be unable to find suitable transportation for them if transit workers strike next week.

Watlington said this coming school year he’s focused on accelerating reading and math performance, school safety, and high-impact tutoring.

Board members approved millions in spending on technology, summer programming, and curriculum. They also denied a charter school application.

Superintendent Tony Watlington wants new incentives for educators to work at schools that are difficult to staff, a $70 million overhaul to curriculum materials, and more.

Superintendent Tony Watlington has been promising to release a five-year strategic plan since he took office. Almost one year and a $450,000 consulting contract later, that plan is set to go to a vote May 25, but the public knows next to nothing about it.

Cherelle Parker and Tony Watlington haven’t shared details about how big changes to the academic calendar would work.

The contracts cover everything from prekindergarten and office supplies to HVAC and strategic communications.

A March 28 student rally came after Superintendent Tony Watlington announced changes to the admissions system.

Students at the board meeting criticized district leadership for failing to quickly fix asbestos-ridden buildings, a flawed admissions process, and a lack of transparency.

The district would like at least 10,000 students to enroll in kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year.

Firm will study more successful urban districts, proposal says

Superintendent Tony Watlington said the move will let the district align facilities improvements with the district’s long-term vision for academics.