Dive Brief:

• In an attempt to prove its dedication to innovation and student achievement, financially strained Philadelphia Public Schools opened three new high schools Monday.  

• The three new schools received outside funding for program design and technology, but their day-to-day operating costs rely on the district.  

• Philadelphia cut $32 million from its school budget last month in order to start classes on time, and the city has closed over 30 schools in the past few years, cutting about 5,000 jobs.  

Dive Insight:

This is a trend beyond just Philadelphia. Districts close schools all the time only to open new ones. This causes tensions since teachers are told they are being laid off due to budget cuts, but later find out the money is being used at a new school and for new teachers. Philadelphia's specific situation is a difficult one. It needs to cut resources due to the tight budget, but in doing so, the schools become less attractive to families.