Philly Leader

A recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer has brought attention to the severe overcrowding issues facing schools in Northeast Philadelphia. State Representative Martina White of Philadelphia responded to these concerns, highlighting the challenging conditions under which students and educators are currently operating. According to the report, schools like Loesche Elementary, Anne Frank Elementary, and Baldi Middle School are experiencing significant overcapacity, forcing some classes to take place in hallways and closets.

Despite ongoing investments and planning by the state and the district, immediate solutions have not been identified. The overcrowding issue persists even as discussions continue about repurposing existing buildings or relocating students to less crowded schools.

In her statement, Rep. White described the situation as "unacceptable," emphasizing that "students being forced to learn in hallways or makeshift classrooms" represents a fundamental failure in delivering quality education. She called for a briefing from the Philadelphia School District for local officials to address these issues promptly.

Rep. White urged for immediate actions such as increasing charter school capacity and providing emergency scholarships for private school attendance. She also advocated for expanding programs like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) to give families more educational choices.

White stressed that "every child is entitled to a safe and effective learning environment," underscoring the need for urgent measures to support both students and teachers affected by this crisis.

For further information, Representative Martina White's office can be contacted through Will Patterson at 267-688-2590 or wpatterson@pahousegop.com.