Philly school board to discuss transferring vacant buildings to the city in a special meeting this week.

The Philadelphia School District is poised to take significant steps in addressing its portfolio of vacant school buildings, a move that aligns with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s ambitious housing goals for the city. The mayor has expressed a strong interest in repurposing unused educational facilities to support her administration’s initiative of constructing or preserving 30,000 housing units within her first term.

On Monday, the Philadelphia school board announced plans for a special meeting focused on a resolution that will empower Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and his administration to explore negotiations for transferring a collection of underutilized school properties to the city. The resolution seeks to address nearly 20 vacant school buildings, including Ada Lewis Middle School, which has been closed since 2012.

In a statement, the school board emphasized the rationale behind the potential transfer, citing the need for the district to focus on its primary mission of providing education. Many of these properties have remained dormant for years, sometimes even decades, posing challenges to local neighborhoods plagued by blight. The resolution reflects a shift in the board’s attitude toward collaboration with city governance, a stark contrast to its previous legal confrontations with the city over school building management.

Reginald Streater, the school board president, noted that the revitalization of these properties could have far-reaching impacts on both community stability and academic performance in the district. He articulated a belief that the city possesses greater expertise in urban development and property management than the educational institution does, making the transfer a logical decision for future growth.

The impending decision follows a recent period of heightened scrutiny surrounding the district’s facilities management. In 2023, a lawsuit was filed against the city by the former school board, asserting that it should retain regulatory control over the safety of school properties containing environmental hazards. That legal dispute has since been resolved, paving the way for the current negotiations.

Mayor Parker’s proposed housing initiative, dubbed Housing Opportunities Made Easy—H.O.M.E.—aims to allocate 0 million towards affordable housing solutions. However, the mayor’s plans face challenges from City Council, which recently allocated additional funds to assist the city’s most impoverished residents, underscoring the complexities involved in navigating the housing crisis.

City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, a vocal advocate for comprehensive school facilities planning, expressed skepticism regarding the resolution, emphasizing the need for clarity on how these actions fit within the overarching framework for the district’s educational infrastructure. As discussions unfold, it remains to be seen how the partnership between the Philadelphia School District and the city will influence the future of vacant school properties and the broader housing landscape in the city.

With a formal vote scheduled for Thursday, the anticipation surrounding this resolution marks a critical juncture in addressing both educational needs and housing shortages in Philadelphia.