PA Gov. Cancels School Visit to Avoid Protesters | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity

PA Gov. Cancels School Visit to Avoid Protesters | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity:

PA Gov. Cancels School Visit to Avoid Protesters

Posted on: Friday January 17th, 2014

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett was set to visit Central High School in Philadelphia, but made a last minute schedule change, and the students, teachers and parents who planned to protest his visit are calling it a victory. 

Education budget cuts under Gov. Corbett have devastated Philadelphia public schools, forcing them to close by the dozens and leaving students without access to basic resources like school nursesand college counselors. The protesters who gathered at Central are calling for a fair funding formula that would restore lost funds and make needed investments in the school system.

According to the Philadelphia Citypaper, Central High would have been the first public school Gov. Corbett ever visited.

Teachers at Central High released a passionate open letter to the Governor proving just how dedicated they are to fighting for their students: 

"We, as the staff of Central High School, are writing to express discomfort with your visit. We are proud of and celebrate our students' achievements, yet we recognize that they have accomplished thisin spite of, rather than because of, your budget cuts and educational policies [...]

As we observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we recognize that education provides a way