Philly state lawmakers to Corbett: Give extra money to schools now
by thenotebook on Aug 10 2013 Posted in Latest news
by Holly Otterbein
Money is so tight in the Philadelphia School District that Superintendent William Hite said he may not be able to open schools on time if he is not assured soon that more city funding is on the way.
Mayor Michael Nutter and City Council President Darrell Clarke both want to provide extra cash, but they're quarreling over how to do that.
In light of the schools' massive budget shortfall, Philadelphia-area state lawmakers are trying to push Gov. Tom Corbett to immediately give the District millions of dollars that have been set aside. But the Corbett administration argues that the District's unions must make major changes before the cash is released.
Corbett's funding package for Philly's schools, announced in June, includes a one-time infusion of $45 million that originated from an apparent settlement with the federal government. Before Corbett hands over that money, state law requires his education secretary to certify that the District has begun to implement financial, educational and operational "reforms."
State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said that the School District has already executed big changes, like closing schools and slashing its budget. He believes that the Corbett administration legally can, and should, release the $45 million payment ASAP.
"Hopefully they'll get to the point where they will not stand in the school doors of these kids who deserve to have the adults act like adults," he said. "[The School Reform Commission has] closed 31 schools to try to make a much more efficient