The School District of Philadelphia yesterday proposed the closure of 37 schools across the city, one sixth of the City’s public schools. Some 17,000 students would be affected. Now it’s time for members of the public to have their say.

A series of community forums is scheduled over the next couple of months “to help the public understand how we got here, the proposed recommendations, and where the District is headed,” the announcement on the District’s website reads. The School Reform Commission will vote on the proposed closure list, which includes Alexander Wilson Elementary at 46th and Woodland and University City High School, in March.

The full facilities master plan is available at the bottom of yesterday’s story, here. A full list of the community forums is available here. You can watch Superintendent William R. Hite Jr.’s announcement of the proposed closings here.

In West Philly, a forum will be held Monday, Dec. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sayre High School at 58th and Walnut.

The forums will continue after the holidays. Here are others scheduled for West Philly (all run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.):

• Jan. 22, Overbrook High School, 5898 Lancaster Ave.
• Jan. 23, University City High School, 3601 Filbert St.
• Feb. 19, Overbrook High School
• Feb. 20, University City High School

Read more on the proposed closings here:

“Across Philadelphia, strong reactions to school closings plan,” Philadelphia Public School Notebook.
“For adults and children, shock over school closings,” Philly.com.