City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson plans to start fasting Thursday in protest of drastic budget cuts that threaten to cripple Philadelphia public schools, joining other parents and district employees who restricted themselves to a diet of water and juice for more than 10 days.
“That takes a lot of heart and a lot of courage and, more importantly, a commitment to the cause of funding public schools,” said Johnson.
A former state representative, Johnson met in Harrisburg with Philadelphia residents who are fasting on behalf of children at a rally outside the Capitol. Hundreds of advocates for strong public schools boarded trains and carpooled, coming from other cities, including Baltimore, New York City and Newark, N.J., all in protest of funding cuts to education.
“I encouraged them for their action and gave them hugs and thanked them for coming up and showing their support. I’m going to stand with them and support their cause,” said Johnson, who served as state representative for the 186th District from 2009-12 and is now the youngest member of city council.
Community groups and other supporters of quality public schools have sounded off about the importance of investing in education.
“Public school funding is a critical priority for this legislative body and for the city as a whole,” Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown stated. “Funding public education remains an economic and moral issue and city council is treating it as such.”
A new survey out shows that education is more important to Pennsylvania residents than issues such as transportation, taxes and jobs, said Donna Cooper, executive director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth.
“Elected officials should carefully examine the fact that all voters, and especially women who vote, are as concerned about the cuts to public schools than they are about the economy. That’s a remarkable change in public opinion and speaks to a very high level of public concern for what’s happening to our schools,” she said.
The majority of respondents said they are willing to support higher income tax or sales tax in order to restore cuts to public schools and even more so if lawmakers hold off reducing corporate tax reductions next year, according to the poll commissioned by PCCY and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
PCCY representatives carpooled to Tuesday’s rally in Harrisburg, delivering petitions with more than 8,000 signatures to state lawmakers representing Philadelphia County.
“The signatures of thousands of students, teachers, parents and other concerned citizens send a clear message to our state lawmakers that they want funding for our schools to be their priority,” Cooper said in prepared remarks.
Statewide, school districts are cutting back programs and services and shedding positions. In September, Philadelphia public schools would open with nearly 3,800 fewer employees, including assistant principals, secretaries, counselors, nurses, librarians and school safety aides, under a tentative budget adopted by the School Reform Commission. Music and arts programs and extracurricular activities also would be eliminated.
Widespread layoffs go into effect on Sunday. Some district employees fear their jobs may be gone for good. Christine Donnelly took down and packed away prom and graduation photos given to her by students, returned her work computer and printed out transcripts and letters of recommendations for a few students.
“There were lots of hugs, and lots of tears,” said Donnelly, a counselor at Academy at Palumbo in South Philadelphia. “I certainly hope that I have a job within the district, but I don’t think I’ll be here at my job at Palumbo. I think I’m too far down the totem pole.”
School leaders have pledged to reinstate positions if more school aid becomes available, but teachers will return to work based on seniority.
Donnelly gathered at Chickie & Pete’s in South Philadelphia with co-workers for an “Irish wake.”
“There’s no need to cry about something ending or someone leaving. This is not about us. It’s about the kids. That’s what we’re going to celebrate. We’re going to celebrate a great year,” said Donnelly, who coaches Palumbo’s basketball and badminton teams.
Jeremy Olivieri, 16, of North Philadelphia, and Hausin Talbot, 16, of West Oak Lane, said they want to urge state lawmakers to restore funding because the arts and music programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities that would be eliminated are the highlight of the day for many students.
Olivieri, who played catcher for Benjamin Franklin High School’s junior-varsity baseball team, said he hopes to make the varsity squad next year and would “feel really disappointed” if the baseball season was grounded by funding cuts.
“It was fun, and it motivated us to keep our grades up,” said Olivieri, an upcoming 11th-grader.
Talbot, a junior at Agora Cyber Charter School in North Philadelphia, said eliminating arts, music and athletic programs would be a serious blow because those are activities that students enjoy most.
Art is his passion. “I like to improve my art skills and learn more. It’s something I can do very well,” he said.
Financial woes for Philadelphia public schools have been worsened by decreases in federal grants in the millions of dollars, and Dr. William Hite Jr., superintendent of schools, is asking for $60 million from Philadelphia. The city council has committed $74 million through a new $2-per-pack levy on cigarettes, and collection of outstanding taxes.
State lawmakers must approve legislation authorizing the city to collect the new levies. A liquor-by-the-drink tax was suggested but failed to gain enough support.
The state has been asked to contribute an additional $120 million. Republican Gov. Tom Corbett has attached several conditions. He made clear that this was a one-time deal and union concessions were needed: salary freeze, extended work day allowing teachers to plan lessons, and requiring employee health-care contributions for the first time.
“We are in negotiations, and every issue is on the table for discussion,” said Jerry Jordan, president of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers said in a statement. “But Philadelphia’s teachers and school staff have made one thing clear: they do not want the district’s budget balanced on their backs.
“The educators and children of Philadelphia will have to live with whatever agreement we reach long after we [weather] the current financial storm. We don’t need a contract full of concessions. We need a contract that will ensure our children are provided a high quality education beyond the next fiscal year,” Jordan said.
Tim Eller, spokesman for the state Department of Education, said, “Next year’s state budget would increase the state’s support of public schools by $341 million with nearly $60 million extra directed toward the school district of Philadelphia. State funding for public schools is at record levels.”
“Gov. Corbett continues to work with lawmakers and city and school district officials to find a long-term solution to Philadelphia School District’s funding challenges. The governor is committed to ensuring that students have access to quality academic programs that will ensure their future success,” Eller wrote.
The Philadelphia Tribune – June 27, 2013 – Read article online