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Hello and happy Friday. I’m Carly Sitrin with Chalkbeat Philly.

This week has felt like a year. On Monday, we found out the school board would be scheduling a vote on the district’s plan to close 17 schools and modernize nearly 170 others. But then City Councilmembers spent Tuesday and Wednesday blasting district and board leadership for that decision, saying they had major issues with the plan. School closures have quickly become the biggest political fight in the city.

On Thursday, two hours before the board meeting, the board said they’d delay the vote on the closure plan until April 30. So get that date on your calendar and let us know what questions you have about this topic. We’ll be there!

Reach us anytime at [email protected]. If you want text updates about the Philadelphia Board of Education, you can text SCHOOL to 215-709-9650.

Local News

Vote on Philadelphia school closures canceled by Board of Education

The Philadelphia school board will not vote on proposed school closures on April 23 as previously planned. The board reversed course after harsh criticism from members of the City Council.

Your guide to Philadelphia’s upcoming school closure vote

The Philadelphia Board of Education will vote Thursday on whether to move forward with a plan to close 17 schools and modernize nearly 170 more. Here’s what you need to know.

Feud over Philadelphia’s school closure plan leads to threats against district funding

District leaders say financial woes, enrollment declines, and deteriorating buildings have made school closures necessary. But critics say officials are rushing to vote on them.

Sports, AP, and the arts: Here are the looming budget cuts Philadelphia school leaders aren’t discussing

Philadelphia district leaders say 340 school-based jobs are on the line. But educators and principals at some schools say the totality of cuts for next year go much deeper.