Science Insight: Community members rally to save Lankenau Environmental Science High School – Explained

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Students, teachers and families gathered at Lankenau Environmental Science High School on Wednesday to call for increased state education funding.

It comes as the school faces possible closure under the School District of Philadelphia’s proposal.

Students at the rally said they fear their concerns are not being heard.

“I feel like we have all been talking, we’ve all been saying our piece, but I don’t think the school board hears us,” said Morgan Thomas, a 10th grader.

Students say Lankenau provides, “Stability, friends, a clean green space to learn about my environment,” said ninth grader Akiraa Phillips.

The rally urged state lawmakers to approve Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed $18.7 billion budget for K-12 education.

“Every dollar that goes into our schools is a dollar that is desperately needed,” said Arthur Steinberg, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

RELATED: School District of Philadelphia updates $2.8B plan, spares 2 schools from closure

Lankenau is one of 18 schools slated to close or merge under the district’s plan. The school, which enrolls 256 students, focuses on environmental science and sits on 17 acres near protected natural areas.

Students raise mussels and trout as part of their curriculum.

“Students are able to release them into the Wissahickon Creek. We tie it in to a water quality project that we do,” said teacher Robert Bird.

Parents said the school’s location is essential to its mission.

“You cannot move the 400 acres of the Schuylkill Center that Lankenau uses as its lab,” said Noel Alford, whose child attends the school.

If the district’s proposal is approved by the school board, Lankenau would close and students would be reassigned to Walter B. Saul High School.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jermaine Dawson encouraged families to stay engaged.

“Make your voices heard because no decisions have been made at this time,” he said.

Speakers at the rally said passing the governor’s proposed budget would bring more money to the district and could hopefully help preserve schools targeted for closure.