FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Mike McGeehan D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/mcgeehan

McGeehan proposes Philly rent parochial school to ease overcrowding 

PHILADELPHIA, April 9 – State Rep. Mike McGeehan, D-Phila., has called on Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to explore the possibility of leasing St. Bernard School.

St. Bernard will be closing at the end of this school year. The building is directly across the street from Edwin Forrest Elementary School, which is experiencing overcrowding to the extent that plans to open classes for grades seven and eight there are in jeopardy.

"We were extremely happy back in November when we dedicated the new Primary Education Center at Forrest anticipating a turning point for meeting the community’s educational need," said McGeehan.

But after the recent announcement to parents that Forrest will not be able to accommodate the seventh and eighth grades as planned, McGeehan decided to reach out to Ackerman with a possible solution.

"I believe the answer is right in front of us," McGeehan said in a letter to the superintendent. "Forrest would be able to expand as planned; children would be able to attend school in their neighborhood; the community wouldn’t be faced with a vacant eyesore; and the Archdiocese would realize a positive revenue flow." 

McGeehan's letter urged Ackerman to approach the archdiocese in an effort to resolve the frustration, anxiety and confusion being thrust upon many parents in his district.

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McGeehan's letter to Superintendent Ackerman follows:

April 8, 2009

Arlene C. Ackerman, Ed.D.

Superintendent

School District of Philadelphia

440 N. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA  19130

Dear Dr. Ackerman,

            I can’t tell you what a great pleasure and sense of pride we all felt back in November 2008 when we gathered as a community to dedicate our new Primary Education Center at Edwin Forrest Elementary School. After several years of working together with parents, teachers, community members and local officials, the SDP opened the doors to this beautiful state of the art building which we all thought would also "open the doors" for meeting the community’s grade/space educational needs. In recent days we have learned that because of the continued growth in enrollment, Forrest will be unable to accommodate the addition of the 7^th & 8^th grade as originally planned. With economic times as they are this announcement places added stress on already financially and emotionally strained families. Our community is further impacted as a result of the announced closing of our neighboring Archdiocesan grade school, St. Bernard, which is directly across the street from Edwin Forrest. Neighboring public and Archdiocesan schools are at their enrollment limits as well as charter schools with their voluminous waiting lists. Parents are scrambling to assess their options for their children’s enrollment for the fall.

            I ask that the School District of Philadelphia approach the Archdiocese to perhaps rent/lease the St. Bernard building. It seems an ideal solution to help meet the overcrowding dilemma facing Forrest. This option will allow Forrest to expand as planned, keep the children in their neighborhood, prevent these educational facilities from becoming vacant eyesores within our community as they succumb to disrepair while at the same time generate revenue for the Archdiocese. There doesn’t seem to be a down side.

            Let me please urge you, on behalf of my constituents who are frustrated, anxious and confused, to open up this dialogue with the Archdiocese in an effort to resolve this important issue. Thanking you in advance for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Michael McGeehan

PA House of Representatives