Time is running out.
That was the message offered today to more than 1,500,000 residents of the City of Philadelphia from Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr. With the first day of school officially slated to begin in 30 days, Hite held a press conference today to announce that might not happen. Speaking directly to the cameras, Hite offered an ultimatum: show us the money or schools won’t open on time.
Specifically, Hite said that if the School District does not receive at least $50 million in funding by Friday, August 16th, some or all of the schools in the district may not open on time. Alternatives for the 220 district schools could include pushing the first day of school off for all schools, opening just a few schools in the district, or moving to a half-day schedule. Hite clarified that he would also accept “certification” from the City that the funds would be made available but that such certification would have to be in writing.
The budget shortfall for Philadelphia schools isn’t new – but this latest chapter certainly is. In June, the district was staring down a $304 million shortfall in the public school budget. To stop the bleeding, the district issued 3,859 pink slips to district employees. Of those, most went to noontime aides (1,202), school secretaries (307), and assistant principal (127). Also axed were nearly 600 other teachers, including many arts and music teachers.
Then, a bit of good news: last month, the District announced that they would rehire laid-off music teachers and school secretaries. Together with Matthew E. Stanski, the Chief Financial Officer for the district, Hite said that they were able to identify $33 million from district savings initiatives, an increase in the state’s basic education funding and increased city tax collections – that money was used for the rehires. Also included in that $33 million were monies aimed at funding the City’s controversial promise academies, a term used to describe 12 “turnaround schools” which feature longer school days and other programs meant to boost academics in the lowest-achieving schools in the district.
At the time, Hite indicated that they were still hoping for additional monies from the state and City. As of today, that money isn’t in pocket. Nor, according to Hite, do they have a firm commitment for the funds.
The state funds were promised as part of a compromise – but those funds haven’t materialized. Hite noted today that “Harrisburg is not in session” so going back to the state at this point isn’t an option. Besides, it appears that the state has other priorities: earlier this summer, Harrisburg made news after crying poor for funding schools while finding enough money to build a $400 million prison just outside of Philadelphia.
Obtaining funds from the city also proved to be difficult. Making a sales tax increase permanent became the talking point for raising revenue after a proposal by Mayor Michael Nutter to impose a $2 tax per pack of cigarettes was squelched by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Mayor Nutter had also previously suggested a tax on sugary drinks; that proposal also did not materialize. The result led those in Council back to the sales tax.
The City, which already imposes a surtax of 1% on transactions inside city limits, tacked on an additional 1% as a “temporary” sales tax boost in 2009 to plug holes in the school budget. The additional tax was to expire on June 30, 2014. As the expiration date grew closer, it was apparent that the schools were still reliant on that revenue. Those in Harrisburg gave the City the thumbs up to extend the tax, an approval that was required by the state charter. City Council, however, hasn’t yet moved the bill forward which means that the city cannot borrow now against future sales tax revenues as planned. Council is currently on a three month (yes, three paid months) summer recess through September 12. The first day of school is supposed to be September 9 for the district.
The result? There’s no guarantee that the school district will see that $50 million. Hite said that it would be irresponsible and unsafe to open the schools on time without a commitment to funds. Speaking about students in the district, Hite said, “[w]e will not put them at risk even if that means that school will not begin until after September 9, 2013.”
The School District of Philadelphia is the nation’s eighth-largest by enrollment. As of last year, the district was responsible for educating 149,535 students.
The school district has struggled with its image over the past few years amid scandals, violence, and repeated concerns over funding. Many in Philadelphia have grown weary with the revolving door of school budget woes but today, Hite cautioned against such apathy, saying, “This funding problem is real.”