PCCY Commends Council for Commitment to Schools, now it’s Up to Harrisburg
(PHILADELPHIA) June 18th, 2013 – Today Philadelphia City Council announced a two-pronged approach to provide funding for the Philadelphia School District. City Council President Darryl Clarke says the city will supply $74.4 million in funding next year through revenue through a $2 dollar per pack tax on cigarettes, as well as improved tax collections.
PCCY’s Executive Director, Donna Cooper, responded to the announcement saying “Council clearly heard the pleas from Philadelphia mothers, teachers, students and others who have testified, written letters and rallied outside City Hall in recent weeks. They should be commended for acknowledging the strong public support for our schools demonstrated by not only meeting the $60 million requested by the Philadelphia School District, but exceeding it by more than $14 million. City Council’s actions require the state legislature’s approval so we are not out of the woods yet. The ball is now in Harrisburg’s court. Our elected leaders in the state legislature have done nothing to this point to provide the approvals or funds we need so that our children can get a quality education. It’s time for Harrisburg to act.”
The district has asked the State for $120 million in additional funding for the next school year. Those funds are critical to prevent draconian cuts proposed under the district’s “doomsday budget” which calls for the elimination of 3,783 jobs. Hundreds of teachers, guidance counselors, secretaries and noon time aides are among those who would be tossed out on the unemployment line.
Cooper says “Over the last two years, the state government has stripped the district of more than $200 million. We are at a point now where we simply can’t cut anything else from the district and still call it ‘education’. The Governor and the Legislature need to come to the table with at least $120 million to restore some of the previous cuts and pass the legislation so that Philadelphians can increase their contribution to the district as well. Short of these two actions we cannot make sure children get the kind of education they need to lead successful lives.”
For additional comment or to set up an interview, contact Anthony Hopkins, PCCY Communications Director, at 215-563-5848 ext. 23 or anthonyh@childrenfirstpa.org.
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