City Council is hosting a series of community town halls throughout Philadelphia starting this week to identify the priorities of struggling schools.

The first one will be held tonight (Monday, March 7) in West Philadelphia, at Sayre High School (5800 Walnut St.), beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parents, educators, and other concerned community members are invited to join Councilwomen Helen Gym and Jannie Blackwell to weigh in on what students need.

Years of budget cuts have left most public schools without basic, essential services. The number of teacher vacancies has grown and there is also serious shortage of core staff, including nurses and counselors, which is leaving students without critical support. About 95 percent of Philadelphia’s 149 elementary schools lack a functioning library.

These meetings are meant to highlight the community priorities for spending and needs in their schools. A report will be published after the town halls to demand how the District needs to prioritize spending in District schools. 

Here’s information on the other two education town halls:

March 8, 5:30 p.m. – South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St.
March 15, 5:30 p.m. – Edison High School, 151 W Luzerne St.

Also on Monday, ACTION United and The Center for Popular Democracy will release a report about community schools and how they can improve the quality of children’s education and strengthen communities. Here’s more information from ACTION United:

“Recently Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council President Darrell Clarke have stated that community schools could be the key to reworking Philadelphia’s failing public school district. But what exactly is a community school, and how do they work?

The report gives a comprehensive overview on funding methods, programs, strategies, and proven results from other community schools around the country. Community schools have proven positive change in enrollment, attendance, academic success and graduation rates as well as creating local jobs, and providing an economic benefit to the community.”

The report will be released at 5 p.m. at Sayre High School, right before tonight’s town hall meeting.