White Responds to Inquirer Article About Crisis-Level Overcrowding in Northeast Philadelphia Schools
11/19/2024
Harrisburg – A recent Philadelphia Inquirer article highlighted a crisis in Northeast Philadelphia schools, where severe overcrowding is forcing students to learn in hallways, closets and other unsuitable spaces, said state Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia). Principals from several schools in the area describe being in "crisis mode," with buildings far exceeding capacity and lacking adequate resources to serve students. Schools such as Loesche Elementary, Anne Frank Elementary and Baldi Middle School are operating with hundreds of students over their intended capacities, with some classes holding up to 50 students or being conducted in hallways.

Despite historic state investment in the Philadelphia School District, and the district’s ongoing facilities master planning process, any new construction or school reorganization is years away. Principals are calling for immediate relief as they struggle to provide students with a quality education in overcrowded and under-resourced conditions.

While various proposals have been suggested, such as repurposing existing buildings or busing students to underutilized schools in other parts of the city, the district has yet to identify any solutions, leaving students, parents and educators to face an escalating crisis.

White released this statement in response: “The overcrowding in our Northeast Philadelphia schools is unacceptable. Students being forced to learn in hallways or makeshift classrooms, such as closets, is a fundamental failure to deliver the quality education to which every student is entitled. I have requested a briefing be provided to Northeast Philadelphia elected officials from the Philadelphia School District to ensure the district quickly identifies solutions.

“This crisis requires immediate action. While long-term facilities master planning is necessary, we cannot ask our children and their teachers to wait years for relief. The Board of Education should immediately authorize increased charter capacity at public charter schools willing to accept more students, while exploring options to provide emergency scholarships to allow students to attend private schools with adequate space and resources.

“This unacceptable situation further highlights the need to expand the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, along with other highly successful school choice programs that empower families to choose the educational environment that best fits their child’s needs.”

“Every child is entitled to a safe and effective learning environment, and every teacher deserves a workspace that allows them to effectively teach. We owe it to our students, parents and educators to address this crisis head-on and ensure our schools are equipped to handle the needs of every family in our community.”

The full Philadelphia Inquirer article is available here.

Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Will Patterson
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wpatterson@pahousegop.com
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