Philly Closes 23 Public Schools, Generously Builds $400 Million Prison Where Kids Can Hang Instead

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Philadelphia is so broke the city is closing 23 public schools, never mind that it has the [3] cash to build a $400 million prison.

Construction on the penitentiary said to be "the second-most expensive state project ever" began just days after the Pennsylvania School Reform Commission voted down a plan to close only four of the 27 schools scheduled to die. Facing a $304 million debt, the Commission instead approved a measly $2.4 billion budget that would shut down 23 public schools, wiping out roughly 10% of the city's total.

But it's not like Pennsylvania does not have the money to fill the debt. Rather, PA's GOP - controlled House of Representatives recently passed a tax break for corporations that will cost the state an estimated $600 million to $800 million annually.

Plus, $400 million is being shoveled into this [3]:

The youths of color dispoportionately affected by school closings can just hang out there.

The penitentiary, which is technically two facilities, will supplement at least two existing jails, the Western Penitentiary at Pittsburgh and Fayette County Jail. Pittsburgh’s Western Penitentiary was built in 2003 with the original intention of replacing Fayette County Jail, but the prison has struggled with lawsuits claiming widespread physical and sexual abuse of prisoners.

Scheduled to be completed in 2015, the new prison’s cell blocks and classroom will be capable of housing almost 5,000 inmates. Officials said there will be buildings for female inmates, the mentally ill and a death row population.

http://www.alternet.org/print/education/philly-closes-23-public-schools-generously-builds-400-million-prison-where-kids-can-hang

Edited June 7, 2013 by Lincolns mullet

[GandD 5,966]

Well, at least they know what they're doing

[RGinWA 816]

Just enroll the kids in prison and save the taxpayers all that money spent on defense and trials.

This sounds like a brilliant move by Philadelphia. Very progressive...

[GandD 5,966]

Just enroll the kids in prison and save the taxpayers all that money spent on defense and trials.

This sounds like a brilliant move by Philadelphia. Very progressive...

That's what they're doing

[mota bhai 2,675]

Philly is pretty rough. Sounds like good demand management to me.

[RGinWA 816]

That's what they're doing

Yeah, but usually it's not this blatant.

It makes me wonder what the world will look like in 50 years.

My 14 year old wants to change the world, I sometimes wonder how long it will take for the world to wear her down.

[Karee 4,190]

Another hack article. Not surprising. The state is building the prison. The city school district is closing the schools. Totally unrelated except for the fact they are both in Pennsylvania. The prison is 35 miles from Philadelphia. The city of Philadelphia has nothing to do with funding the building of the prison.

Edited June 7, 2013 by Karee

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Another hack article. Not surprising. The state is building the prison. The city school district is closing the schools. Totally unrelated except for the fact they are both in Pennsylvania. The prison is 35 miles from Philadelphia. The city of Philadelphia has nothing to do with funding the building of the prison.

Typically, this would be somewhat correct even though much of the funding for locally administered K-12 education still comes from the states. However, in the case of Philly, the state of PA actually runs the School District. But please do not let facts get in the way and carry on.

Who runs the School District of Philadelphia?

What is the School Reform Commission?

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is governed by the School Reform Commission (SRC) which was established in December 2001, when oversight of the School District shifted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It replaced the school board.

What are the duties and responsibilities of the School Reform Commission (SRC)?

The SRC sets the policy direction of the SDP and is responsible for all financial matters relating to the district.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Another hack article. Not surprising. The state is building the prison. The city school district is closing the schools. Totally unrelated except for the fact they are both in Pennsylvania. The prison is 35 miles from Philadelphia. The city of Philadelphia has nothing to do with funding the building of the prison.

Gary and Stephen have many things in common.

[Karee 4,190]

Typically, this would be somewhat correct even though much of the funding for locally administered K-12 education still comes from the states. However, in the case of Philly, the state of PA actually runs the School District. But please do not let facts get in the way and carry on.

Nice try. Big deal The state runs the schools instead of the school board. What does that tell you? Tells me that the locals can't handle their own business. Just because the state is running the school district, doesn't mean the funding source changes. I'll put the title in bold in case you missed it:

Philly Closes 23 Public Schools, Generously Builds $400 Million Prison Where Kids Can Hang Instead

Show me where Philly is building a prison.

Edited June 7, 2013 by Karee

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Nice try. Big deal The state runs the schools instead of the school board. What does that tell you? Tells me that the locals can't handle their own business. Just because the state is running the school district, doesn't mean the funding source changes. I'll put the title in bold in case you missed it:

Philly Closes 23 Public Schools, Generously Builds $400 Million Prison Where Kids Can Hang Instead

Show me where Philly is building a prison.

Counties and cities are not funding their schools themselves. They receive funding from the state as well as from the federal level. In fact, states on average bear a bigger share of K-12 funding (>45%) than local governments (~37%). Another ~9% comes from the feds and the remainder is private funding for private schools. So, where the state spends money lavishly seems relevant when K-12 funding is slashed. But then again, don't let those pesky facts get in the way.

Edited June 8, 2013 by Mr. Big Dog

[Karee 4,190]

Counties and cities are not funding their schools themselves. They receive funding from the state as well as from the federal level. In fact, states on average bear a bigger share of K-12 funding (>45%) than local governments (~38%). So where the state spends the money seems relevant when K-12 funding is slashed. But then again, don't let those pesky facts get in the way.

I'll ask again. Show me where Philly is building a prison?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'll ask again. Show me where Philly is building a prison?

Philly isn't building a prison. But then, Philly isn't closing any schools either. The state is closing Philly schools and is apparently building a fancy prison instead. They're going to need it, too, as more kids will end up in trouble down the road because the quality of their education will certainly take a hit. Call me silly but I'd rather invest in the kids as they grow up than build a place to house them in later.

[Karee 4,190]

Philly isn't building a prison. But then, Philly isn't closing any schools either. The state is closing Philly schools and is apparently building a fancy prison instead. They're going to need it, too, as more kids will end up in trouble down the road because the quality of their education will certainly take a hit. Call me silly but I'd rather invest in the kids as they grow up than build a place to house them in later.

Thank you.

Philadelphia is so broke the city is closing 23 public schools, never mind that it has the [3] cash to build a $400 million prison.

The above statement is bull$hit. That's all I'm saying.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The above statement is bull$hit. That's all I'm saying.

Yes, that's right. The city isn't doing either, the state is actually doing both.