Title
Calling for the creation of a School Building and Facilities Task Force, which shall review, assess, and recommend capital needs and priorities of the Philadelphia School District.
Body
WHEREAS, In November 2013, Mayor’s Task Force on City-Owned Facilities released its Final Report and Recommendations for responsible stewardship of City-owned and leased facilities, highlighting the importance of systematic and coordinated data tracking regarding repairs, utilization, and sustainability of public assets; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the School District authorized a $275 million bond to address building and infrastructure needs in lieu of state funding during a budget impasse;
WHEREAS, In January 2017, the School District released a Facility Condition Assessment report developed by Parsons Environment & Infrastructure Group Inc. identifying $7.8 billion in building improvement funding needs through 2027; and
WHEREAS, In May 2017, the Philly Healthy Schools Initiative partnered with City Council to improve the environmental health of city schools by addressing impotable water, lead paint, asbestos, mold, and other dangers to the health and safety of our students; and
WHEREAS, As covered by The Inquirer series, “Toxic City, Sick Schools”, the School District is now updating its capital plan, and plans to undertake a similar borrowing initiative to address critical capital needs, including repairs to aging school buildings; and
WHEREAS, The School District’s capital budget deserves our utmost attention, diligence, and community-driven input to ensure that we pursue capital needs and priorities in the best interests of our students; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council calls for the creation of a School Building and Facilities Task Force, which will review, assess, and recommend capital needs and priorities of the Philadelphia School District.
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