President Hunt's Address at the Board of Education Meeting on 2/26/26
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
"Good evening. I speak to you today not only as the President of Local 634, the Union that represents Food Service Workers and Student Climate staff, but as a parent, worker, and now a grandmother of Philly public school students.
I can't believe what you say because I see what you do.
You say these closures are equitable but we see that the school closures only affect neighborhoods of black and brown students.
You say the buildings will be repurposed into affordable housing but we see that the buildings that you propose be given to the city will not be affordable to the actual residents of Philadelphia.
You say the District chose these buildings because of the data but we see that the areas these closures are effecting are prime real estate neighborhoods.
I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.
Dr. Watlington, you were hired to manage the District and to make sure the Students are supported and they have a good and safe space to get an education. Your job is not to create housing, I have often said that while everyone in a school has a role to play, we wouldn’t be here without our students. Ultimately, your role is to uplift the students of the District. Let the mayor and her staff figure out housing, and you invest in the children.
And how are the children?
But let’s expand: How are the children and parents that will have to cross these invisible lines to get to their schools? No one should be put In Danger just taking their child to school. When these plans were made, did you to talk and actually listen to the people born and raised here in Philadelphia? If you had, you would have factored these things in. These lines are not in books or spreadsheets but real-life experiences. We have been here before and it didn’t work in 2013 and it’s not going to work now.
Dr. Watlington, in your City Council presentation you said you had private donors that you couldn’t disclose. If this is an open and honest plan, let us know who you are selling our students future to.
I now speak to the Board of education: although you are appointed by the mayor, you have a duty to do what’s right by the staff, parents and student of the district. Every decision you make impacts our faith in your leadership ability. Do not underestimate the people of Philadelphia: We are voters, workers, parents, taxpayers. We make up the community you directly impact, and we deserve to be heard and be active participants in our children’s future.
Dr. Watlington, you have put on the record that there will be no layoffs; we will hold you to that statement. My members are not only staff but parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We are the heart of the District. We take our jobs beyond our appointed positions: we wipe noses, we peel oranges, and we keep kids safe. We take our roles seriously and I hope you take yours seriously, too.
To end, I want to say that nothing is for the people without the say of the people, and the people are saying NO to school closures. Listen to us and vote no on this Facilities Master Plan which is really a school closure plan. Don’t take away the babies' neighborhood schools; invest in the schools that have been neglected for so many years. Let your legacy show that you helped create a school District for all, not a school District for the highest bidder.
Thank you."
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