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More Money Coming for Philadelphia School District
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PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell, Mayor John F. Street and School Reform Commission Chair Sandra
Dungee Glenn today announced that, due to the joint efforts of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia and the School
Reform Commission, the Philadelphia School District's $196 million deficit
has nearly been eliminated.
The Governor and the Mayor said $150.6 million in new city and state
funds will enable the school district to balance its budget and advance the
progress of ongoing educational reforms.
"Ensuring the fiscal stability of our public schools is a critical step
toward making certain all children in Pennsylvania receive a quality
education in an environment that is conducive to learning," Governor
Rendell said. "By investing in our schools, we are investing in the future
success of our workforce and our commonwealth."
"This unprecedented partnership between the city and the state has
resulted in a fiscally responsible plan that keeps academic reform moving
forward in Philadelphia's public schools," said Mayor Street. "There is no
question that our schools will require additional resources in the future
if we want to see our children advance even further than they have; but our
work together in the past few months has gotten the school district's
financial house back in order. No further cuts in educational programs
should be required this year, and we are now poised to build a firm
foundation for the next phase of school reform in Philadelphia."
Governor Rendell said that in addition to $18.8 million in increased
state support already anticipated in the district's 2007-08 budget, an
additional $49 million in state support will now be provided to help
eliminate the district's deficit.
In addition to the increased funds needed for deficit elimination, the
Governor said the district will also receive additional state funding that
will enable it to expand vital programs and move forward on academic
reforms.
This increased state funding includes nearly $10.3 million in new
student transportation funds so that all eligible Philadelphia students
will be able to obtain the free student passes they need to ride buses and
subways to get to school (more than 25,000 Philadelphia families are
expected to benefit); $15.8 million for the expansion of Pre-K in
Philadelphia, resulting in 2,000 new Philadelphia Pre-K slots this school
year; and $6 million in new state funding to modernize Philadelphia high
school classrooms with laptops, smart boards and other improvements that
will accelerate the progress of the district's efforts to improve high
school performance.
In addition, Mayor Street announced that, due to new delinquent tax
collection efforts, the district can plan for up to $42 million in
additional revenue this year, which will help shrink the district's deficit
and is in addition to the $28 million in new city funding already
established by the council-enacted transfer of additional property tax
revenue to the district and $10 million that the Mayor allocated from the
city's budget.
The city's commitment includes $3 million in funding for parent truant
officers, which will boost the number of officers from 100 to 500. Parent
truant officers are charged with returning truant children to schools and
helping children gain access to services and supports that will help them
stay in school.
New city funds will also enable the district to restore and expand
proven programs that prevent students from dropping out, grant educational
access to over-age students, provide behavioral health services to students
in need of support, and teach students conflict resolution skills.
"I am not in favor of any school cuts that affect our children's
education and well-being. We must continue to fund programs which are
proven to be successful," Mayor Street added. "Beacon schools provide a
safe, supervised environment for young people during after-school hours, as
well as additional time to help students excel in school. They are also a
highly effective deterrent for youth crime. Opportunities for over-age
students and dropouts to complete their high school education are in
constant demand, but they permit young people to acquire skills that
prepare them for the workplace.
"These are only two examples of how the school district can bolster the
safety of our communities and the economic well-being of our city. I urge
the district to support the expansion of Beacons into five additional
schools, and not to consider proposed cuts to alternative education
programs which serve students who actively wish to complete their
education."
The Mayor reiterated that the delinquent tax collection effort will
provide funds to augment the $28 million already provided in response to
the district's 2007-08 budget request.
In total, the city and state will provide $150.6 million in new
revenues to the school district in the 2007-08 fiscal year, of which $97.6
million will contribute to deficit reduction and up to $53 million will
provide new, or expanded, programs that will push academic reforms in
Philadelphia to the next level.
Working with the commonwealth and the city, the district has developed
a plan that, when fully and successfully implemented, can eliminate the
district's deficit without any additional cuts to academic programs. The
district, with the School Reform Commission's approval, has already adopted
the policy changes necessary to ensure $63 million in savings this year.
The SRC is now reviewing additional proposals for savings and spending cuts
that could reduce district costs by an additional $35 million. These
proposals will be considered by the commission at its September meeting. If
these cost reductions are approved and implemented, then combined with the
new city and state funds, the district's budget will be balanced.
"I speak for all my colleagues on the School Reform Commission when I
say thank you to the commonwealth and the city for their continued support
of and commitment to our children," said Glenn. "I look forward to working
with Governor Rendell and Mayor Street to continue the progress we have
achieved over the past five years."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Attached is a chart summarizing funding support for the
district.
STATE AND CITY SUPPORT FOR PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Total State Funds to the District for FY 2007-08 = $1.4 billion
Increase in State Funds FY07-08 = $81 million - 6 percent growth
compared to prior year
Includes $49 million in new state funds aimed at budget deficit
Alternative Education Programs $14.0 mill
Increased Charter Reimbursement $11.8 mill
Interest on Accelerated Payment to District $ 8.0 mill
Educational Assistance Program (tutoring ) $ 4.1 mill
Accountability Block Grant $ 3.7 mill
Contract for Transp. Admin* $ 3.5 mill
Pre-K for Existing Slots $ 3.0 mill
School Construction $ .9 million
Includes $30.6 million in new state funds for expanded student services
Pre-K $15.7 mill
Student Transportation $10.3 mill
Classrooms for the Future $ 6.0 mill
* Negotiated by the state, paid by SEPTA
Total Local Funds to the District for FY 2007-08 = $ 832.6 million
Total new city funds to the district for FY 2007-08 = $60 million
Increased Real Estate Tax Millage Transfer $18 mill
Increased General Fund Support $10 mill*
Accelerated Delinquent Collections Up to $42 mill
* $2 million additional cash transfer and $8 million in services
provided by city to reduce district costs.
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