Press

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Board's Selection of Dr. Tony Watlington as Superintendent

April 1, 2022 In response to the School Board's announcement of their selection of Dr. Tony Watlington as the District's next superintendent, PFT president Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"In choosing Dr. Tony Watlington as Philadelphia's next superintendent, the Board made the right decision. "Dr. Watlington showed a seemingly very sincere commitment to working in a truly collaborative and transparent fashion. He is hailed, in every forum I have seen, as an excellent educator. Further, he appears earnest in his commitment to working as partners with the PFT and other District unions. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Conclusion of Landmark Fair Funding Trial

March 10, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—"As the landmark education lawsuit draws to a close, I am immensely grateful to the tremendous work and dedication of the plaintiffs, activists, and attorneys who have never wavered in their unrelenting pursuit of education justice.

"Throughout this case, attorneys from the Education Law Center and Public Interest Law Center have done a remarkable job illustrating, point by point, the inherent inequity in Pennsylvania's system of school funding. Further, from parents to educators to students, witness after witness offered compelling, heart-wrenching testimony on the

March 10, 2022

In response to Councilmember Gym's introduction of legislation to eliminate all lead in school drinking water by the expansion of hydration stations, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"With the introduction of an ordinance requiring hydration stations with modern point-of-use filtration in every school, City Council today took an important step forward in addressing the ongoing facilities crisis that has impacted our school communities for far too long.

"The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Gym and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Bass

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Endorses Shapiro for Governor

PHILADELPHIA—In a vote Tuesday evening, PFT's Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse Attorney General Josh Shapiro in his candidacy for Governor: "The PFT's Executive Board, duly elected by the entire membership, represents more than 13,000 members of the PFT. In reviewing an endorsement request from Attorney General Shapiro, the Board unanimously voted to support his candidacy for Governor. As a body, the Board believes that Attorney General Shapiro's candidacy represents a critical inflection point not only for public education, but also for democracy as a whole. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Final Budget Address of Wolf Administration

February 8, 2022

In response to today's budget address, the final one of Governor Wolf's administration, Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"One of the most fundamental tenets of Governor Wolf's administration has been his steadfast commitment to increased education funding. In today's budget address, the final one under his leadership, Governor Wolf held fast to that commitment and released a proposal that is a strong start in what is sure to be several months of negotiations.

"With a revenue surplus of more than $2 Billion and growing, and an additional $2.2 Billion in

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Full Funding Budget Proposal

January 31, 2022 In response to newly released budget proposal, Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"I am very encouraged by the robust budget proposal put forth by Senate and House Democratic leaders this morning. This package of historic investments in public education is what we need, when we need it. It is past time for the Commonwealth to fully and fairly fund public education and to address the deep seated inequities that for too long have left Philadelphia's schoolchildren, a majority of whom are Black and brown and experiencing poverty, shortchanged. "With billions of dollars in a rainy day fund, the Commonwealth has the money to pay for the programs and services our young people need. And let's be clear: there is always money for what we, as a society, prioritize. "The budget proposal itself will not remedy decades of disinvestment. But it will put us on the right path forward. It proposes real money to invest in real, long standing issues. Further, the proposal allows for serious investments to address issues exacerbated by the pandemic. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on New PDPH Guidance

January 19, 2022

PHILADELPHIA—"While we continue sound the alarm about the untenable conditions in our buildings, Philadelphia's officials continue to recommend policies misaligned with the reality of the in-school experiences.

"Since the start of the pandemic, and certainly now, this union has worked to ensure that students and staff are able to learn and work in-person. We know that the true magic of teaching and learning takes place face-to-face, and virtual learning simply cannot replicate that joy or effectiveness. We also know that every child and staff member deserves to be safe in their

January 12, 2022

In response to untenable school conditions and the ongoing COVID surge, Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"Over the past four days, PFT members and allies have written over 40,000 letters to the Mayor, Superintendent, and members of the School Board in two 'action alert' campaigns [here and here]. I am again calling on the swift implementation of a sensible safety plan that addresses the concerns we have laid out over the past several weeks. These concerns, echoed by thousands throughout the District, are geared towards assuring the safe, in-person

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Ongoing School Funding Lawsuit

January 10, 2022 In advance of Philadelphia witnesses being called to the stand in the landmark school funding lawsuit, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"The case laid out by the prosecutors and witnesses in the landmark school funding lawsuit has been stark. For decades, this commonwealth has shirked its constitutional responsibility to provide every child across Pennsylvania with a thorough and efficient public education. As Philadelphia's witnesses begin to take the stand, we know that the extreme inequities and injustices will be laid bare even further. We have supported the lawsuit from the start and filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs. MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Updated CHOP & PDPH COVID Guidance

January 6, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—"I am deeply concerned by the new K12 guidance put forth by CHOP's Policy Lab as well as by the PDPH. Again, I want to be clear: this union wants schools to be open for in-person learning. "We are encouraged that CHOP continues to recommend universal masking, regardless of vaccination status. Recent research shows that the use of a high quality (approved KF94, KN95, or N95) mask-- or at the very least, a double mask of combined surgical/cloth variety is absolutely essential; and in fact, PDPH recommends this approach. But the reality is that these resources are not provided to schools. Roughly 35% of schools have reported lack of mask supplies, and those that have masks are certainly not of the KF94, KN95, or N95 variety. And double masking is certainly not taking place or being recommended in any systemic way. As such, we are even more concerned by CHOP's 'mask to stay' guidance. "Further, we are particularly concerned regarding the new recommendations regarding testing amidst an unprecedented COVID surge, with positivity rates approaching 40% in Philadelphia. For all practical purposes, the guidance permits the cessation of testing requirements for asymptomatic individuals as well as for individuals with mild symptoms. MORE