This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
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Philadelphia voters could have a question on the fall ballot asking whether they want to dissolve the School Reform Commission and return oversight of the District to local control.
If approved, however, the referendum would not be binding.
About 40,000 people have signed petitions calling for the return of the Philadelphia School District to local control, said Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The bill was delayed a week, she said, to avoid interference with the Philadelphia cigarette tax legislation moving in Harrisburg.
"Tobacco looks more certain, and therefore we feel the City Council and myself cannot be criticized for holding the vote up," she said Thursday. "Therefore, we think it gives us the opportunity to vote for local control of the school board."