The parents of Philadelphia are in limbo. While back to school season has come to be reviled, Philadelphians are praying that it'll arrive in their city as planned.
Philadelphia's Superintendent William Hite said Thursday if he doesn't get an additional $50 million by Aug. 16, the city's beleaguered 218 public schools will be unable to open their doors on schedule on Sept. 9. At the time, Hite said, $50 million would be "not sufficient, but necessary" for starting the school year. His comments were the culmination of massive layoffs, state budget cuts, financial mismanagement and pension liabilities. Sources say Hite is meeting with Gov. Tom Corbett (R) Monday evening in Harrisburg to hash out a resolution. (Corbett spokesman Tim Eller said later in an email he could not confirm the meeting).
"I am in the unfortunate position today of having to announce that if we do not receive at least $50 million by Friday, August 16, the School District of Philadelphia will be forced to consider alternatives to starting the 2013-14 school year on Monday, September 9," Hite said in a statement. "This means that we may not be able to open any schools on September 9, that we may only be able to open a few, or that we might be open for a half-day. We will not be able to open all 218 schools for a full-