Notes from the Field
The School Budget and The Voice of Reason
Submitted by Frank Murphy, June 2, 2011
In a time when the School District of Philadelphia faces an enormous budget gap, it seems that Arlene Ackerman is still undeterred from pursuing unnecessary expenditures. The $2.75 billion budget approved by the School Reform Commission yesterday still includes funding for a summer school program. This is one of several budgeted activities (along with Promise Academies, Benchmark testing and contracted services) that have been challenged by parents, educators, advocates and some local elected officials.
None of these individuals are theoretically questioning the appropriateness of conducting a summer school program, per say. The issue in this case is one of priorities. When tough decisions must be made in deciding what we can and cannot afford in fiscally hard times, an eighteen day summer program serving a small percentage of the district’s students isn’t an item at the top of many people’s “to keep” list. Certainly, using
