Ears on the Board of Education: March 24, 2022
by
Diane Payne
The District principals’ union Teamsters 502 CASA, supported by the PFT, POWER, APPS and other member organizations of OCOS, held a rally on the steps of 440 to tell the Board of Education, as it convened its action meeting, that we will fight against the District’s proposed budget cuts for next school year. That same message was delivered by those who waited for hours to testify, including principals, teachers, and parents. As we have seen in the past, the administration’s budget presentation did not align with the reality of the educators whose resources will be slashed.
It is heartening to see the increasing number of community members attending in person. There is no better way to hold our government officials accountable than to show up to cheer, jeer, hold signs, and clap in support of our public schools. The Board has used the pandemic to elude accountability and increase speaker suppression. Voters in 499 districts in Pennsylvania elect their school board but Philadelphians remain disenfranchised. APPS members will continue to attend in person, and we encourage all defenders of public education to join us.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 