PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney released the following statement on the vote taken by PFT members to ratify a new contract, their first in nearly four years.

“I thank members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers for their approval of the contract.  I know full well that throughout this long and difficult process, you have remained dedicated to the single most important matter: educating our city’s children.  While I know this new contract does not make you entirely whole, I am confident that teachers, administrators and families will make greater strides in improving how our children learn and thrive in Philadelphia’s public schools. When we invest in our kids, it benefits every Philadelphian.”