Due to budget cuts and a debt of $304 million, the Pennsylvania School Reform Commission voted on June 1 to close 23 Philadelphia public schools. This will lead to almost 3,000 jobs lost, numerous students without resources such as textbooks, extra-curricular activities, and even administration positions like assistant principals, librarians, and counselors. On the other hand, the city found enough money to fund a prison project with the price tag of $400 million, “the second-most expensive state project ever.”
State Correctional Institutions Phoenix I and II (yes, two facilities), is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and will be a supplement to two existing jails: Western Penitentiary at Pittsburgh and Fayette County Jail. Western was built in 2003, but has been battling multiple lawsuits claiming physical and sexual abuse of prisoners throughout the jail.
RT.com reports:
“In Philadelphia, black students comprise 81 per cent of those who will be impacted by the closings despite accounting for just 58 per cent of the overall student population,” she wrote. “In stark contrast, just 4 per cent of those affected are white kids who make up 14 per cent of Philly students. And though they make up 81 per cent of Philadelphia students, 93 per cent of kids affected by the closings are low-income.”
This is following the news of Chicago’s 50 school closures, and no doubt will not be the last time multiple schools will be closing doors, leading to overcrowded classrooms and threats to student safety. In Michigan, an entire school district is in danger, as it has closed it’s doors for days and laid off teachers, while considering to declare a financial emergency since they have run out of money.
While politicians run on promises of fixing budget issues and advocating for education, millions of dollars continue to be set to the side for incarcerating people instead of educating them.
What do you think about closing more schools while opening more prisons?