Pennsylvania Government to Philadelphia Schools: Drop Dead
The Pennsylvania Legislature and Governor have made little to no effort to resolve financial crises in urban school districts in Philadelphia. Another 3,000 layoffs will occur (on top of 20,000 teaching positions that were already eliminated throughout Pennsylvania). The worst situation is in Philadelphia, but the same problems exist in medium and smaller cities.
After it became clear that there is little chance of receiving more than a token increase in state funding, and little aid in reducing overwhelming pension funding requirements, the Commission that runs the Philadelphia School District has now adopted its "Doomsday Budget" Scenario. This Commission is appointed by the State.
http://articles.philly.com/2013-05-31/news/39658243_1_school-budget-dworetzky-new-funds#yLbmI8k141MzWCK4.99
There also has been no progress in addressing unfair state funding of special education, and in reducing requirements that public school districts must provide excessive funding to cyber charter schools.
Excerpts of article:
"In the absence of new funds to cover a $304 million projected shortfall, schools will open in the fall without new books, paper, clubs, counselors, librarians, assistant principals, or secretaries. Athletics, art, and music would be gone. There could be 3,000 layoffs, including some teachers.
Class sizes would be larger, and schools would have no aides to help manage them or support staff to monitor lunchrooms and playgrounds.
Hite has asked for $60 million in extra funding from the city and $120 million from the state. The district also is seeking more than $100 million in givebacks from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. "This is not the budget anyone wants," Hite said. "I'm doing everything in my power to prevent this budget from becoming a reality."
The budget is based solely on known revenue, Hite said, and does not reflect any new funds from the city or state or savings from union contracts."
