Sen. Larry Farnese Helps Prevent William Penn High School Closure
Collaborative effort with Rep. Curtis Thomas
                
June 26, 2009 - Senator Larry Farnese joined forces with Representative Curtis Thomas to successfully persuade Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission (SRC) to shelve its plan to shut down William Penn High School next year.

The school district had cited declining enrollment as well as costs associated with making renovations to the 35 year old building as reasons for the planned closure.

As a member of the Senate Education Committee, however, Sen. Farnese urged the SRC to reconsider, since shutting down the school would leave a huge void in the surrounding neighborhood. He reminded the SRC of Schools Superintendant Arlene Ackerman’s “Imagine 2014” proposal, which includes the addition of several vocational and technical high schools over the next five years. The senator suggested that investing in William Penn High’s survival so it could offer those very courses in career trades, would attract more students to the school - boosting enrollment.

Senator Farnese expressed his support for Rep. Thomas’ proposal to revitalize the school, crafted with input from members of the community and other stakeholders.

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