Philadelphia teachers union proposes plan to save 17 schools targeted to close

The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is proposing an alternative plan to save all 17 schools targeted for closure, arguing the district could address critical building repairs and maintenance for a fraction of the cost of its proposed facilities plan.The union is also calling on Mayor Cherelle Parker to intervene and help prevent the closures.The union's first-year facilities action plan calls for approximately $25.35 million in repairs, maintenance and cleaning at the 17 schools. That compares with the $547.94 million the union said the School District of Philadelphia estimates would be needed."This would cost $25.35 million vs. $547.94 million, which, folks, is part of a $3.6 billion budget," said Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. "The money is there."The proposal calls for rapid-response repair and cleaning teams to address building problems more quickly. Union leaders said maintenance requests, including requests for repairs and pest control