Philly Board Closes 17 Schools Despite Public Opposition

After months of public pushback from students, parents, and even some city councilmembers, the Philadelphia school board voted to pass its new plan at a tense meeting on April 30, 2026.

The plan will close 17 schools and impact many others, with mergers, grade-band changes, and catchment-area changes.

Our education reporter Lisa Haver was at the meeting and brings us all the details.

Who really pushed for this plan, she asks, and why did they ignore public feedback?

Watch the Hall Monitor‘s weekly livestream on our YouTube channel for full coverage of the schools plan and more in-depth local Philly news.

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