Philadelphia schools again on precipice
Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite's stunning announcement that schools will not open on time unless the district is assured of $50 million from the city, raised alarms this week.
But it was not the first time school operations had been threatened.
In 1998, then-Superintendent David Hornbeck warned that the district might have to close schools early the following year unless the state sent more money to the cash-strapped system.
The schools never closed. But Hornbeck's threat so enraged Harrisburg lawmakers that they passed legislation that led to a state takeover of the district in late 2001.
Despite a dozen years of state control, with three gubernatorial appointments on the five-member School Reform Commission, Philadelphia schools are on the precipice again: The deficit still stands at more than $270 million in a $2.39 billion budget. Nearly 4,000 employees have been laid off.
And Hite said Thursday that it would be irresponsible to open schools as planned Sept. 9 without counselors, noontime aides, assistant principals, and other support staff.
"This funding problem is real," he said. "We have a responsibility to students and families. . . and we will not put them at risk, even if it means the first day of school may not be until after Sept. 9."
But longtime educational observers and activists say the school system is facing much different circumstances now than 15 years ago. Privatization of education has taken hold, and the district's coffers are being drained by expenses outside its control.
"This is much deeper and much more threatening," said Shelly D. Yanoff, who retired in January after directing Public Citizens for