Resolution 211028

..Title Calling for the creation of the School District of Philadelphia Building Authority Workgroup. ..Body WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia is responsible for directing billions of dollars in City, state, and philanthropic funds to improve facilities for students, teachers, and families; and WHEREAS, The University of Pennsylvania committed $100 million to the School District of Philadelphia last year to improve school facilities through environmental remediation; and WHEREAS, The School District has an aggressive plan to borrow and leverage federal dollars to prioritize environmental concerns but also move forward to develop a plan for 21st Century schools, including new buildings; and WHEREAS, It is important that the new superintendent of schools has access to the expertise and support that a good framework for a Building Authority can provide to the school district and it locally controlled School Board; and WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia must leverage best practices, planning processes, and local expertise to manage capital resources efficiently and effectively; and WHEREAS, The Work Group will include experts and stakeholders to develop a model that will allow and facilitate the district to explore new buildings, co-location with other City agencies, health centers, and increase stakeholder access to school facilities; and WHEREAS, The Work Group will submit a draft framework by June 1, 2022; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby creates a School District of Philadelphia Building Authority Work Group to consider, analyze, and make recommendations regarding school facilities to and with City Council's Committee on Education, the Mayor's Office of Education, and the School District of Philadelphia. ..End