Loudly chanting "Fund Our Schools" protesters brought Philadelphia City Council's first session of the fall to a halt Thursday afternoon.
Nearly two dozen protesters interrupted the meeting taking place in Philadelphia City Hall for more than five minutes before being asked to leave council's chambers.
"We'd like you to stop up at the Governor's Mansion on your way [out]," Councilman Curtis Jones told the crowd as they were led out of the meeting.
Philadelphia City Council opened its new session Thursday with a full plate – including introducing a $50 million funding transfer to the city’s underfunded public schools.
Council President Darrell Clarke joined other members of council Wednesday to announce they would be moving forward with a plan to take over the sale of the School District of Philadelphia’s two dozen defunct buildings. In return, the city will front the district $50 million in emergency funding it requested at the beginning of the year.
Council members said they already have several viable proposals for eight of the properties including William Penn High School and University City High School.
The city hopes to expedite the sale of as many buildings as possible and is confident those sales will earn $50 million or more – all of which, officials say, will go to the district.
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Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell introduced the legislation necessary to transfer the money to schools at the start of council's meeting Thursday.
City Council has 17 other items on its first day agenda including a bill that would cap the city’s current 10 year property tax abatement on properties worth $500,000 or less.
Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.
