The board for the School District of Philadelphia delayed a vote to approve a $3 billion facilities district closure plan that would close 17 district facilities if approved. Léelo en español aquí The plan would also increase the number of school modernizations from 159 to 169 campuses and maintain six school co-locations. A vote on the plan was set to begin on Thursday, April 23, at 4 p.m. Shortly before 3:30 p.m. however, the Board of Education announced that the vote was delayed and rescheduled to April 30 at 4 p.m. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker later released a statement on the decision to delay the vote. “I support the Board of Education’s decision to postpone the vote on the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities plan, to allow City Council members and the public time to offer additional comment and feedback,” Parker wrote. “I am confident that under Board President Reginald Streater’s strong leadership, when the Board considers the plan on April 30, it will do everything in its power to help our students build on the progress that is already underway. As we work together as a united City, we can and will continue building a school district for the future, with sufficient resources, that we can all be proud of.” Earlier Thursday, several councilmembers called on the board to delay the vote, claiming “numerous last minute changes were made before an abrupt announcement to approve the plan.” The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, a union that represents more than 14,000 educators in the district, called for a delay on the vote as well, saying the board is expected to approve the plan even amid “fierce opposition by students, school communities, educators and legislators.” Philadelphia City Council Apr 21 Philadelphia city council hearing becomes tense over proposed rideshare tax School District of Philadelphia Mar 5 Philadelphia School District superintendent defends facilities master plan School District of Philadelphia Feb 27 Community members voice concerns over the School District of Philadelphia's plan to close schools School District of Philadelphia Feb 26 Philly school leaders present $2.8B facilities shutdown master plan to board In a statement following a City Council hearing on Wednesday – where Mayor Parker defended her effort to create a rideshare tax in order to raise funds for the city’s schools – PTF Local 3 president, Arthur Steinberg, said in a statement that district officials showed “disrespect” to City Council. “I am shocked by the disrespect shown to City Council members today by Board President Reginald Streater and Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr. Unfortunately, such treatment is nothing new for our members, who have been shouting to be heard about the disruptive and harmful aspects of the District’s plan to close 17 schools and massively upend learning in dozens of other schools,” said Steinberg. This story is developing. Check back for updates. ...read more read less