NBC10 @Issue: Will Philadelphia Schools Open On-Time?

Councilman and parent activist weigh in on the chance that the school system will not open on-time over the funding crisis

With the Philadelphia school budget crisis looming, watch a re-airing of the latest episode of NBC10 @Issue, which focuses on whether the School District of Philadelphia will open on-time. You can watch now, above.


There are five days left for elected leaders to find $50 million for the School District of Philadelphia to ensure that schools will open on-time on September 9.

District Superintendent Dr. William Hite issued an ultimatum to city and state leaders last week saying he couldn't safely open the system's 218 schools without that funding. He says the money will allow him to rehire about 1,000 staff laid off in June.

Dr. Hite said he needs a guarantee by Friday that at least $50 million will be deposited in the district's coffers or the school year may need to be delayed.

Members of Philadelphia City Council outlined a plan last week to extend a 1-percent sales tax extension and borrow $50 million against the earnings, but the plan has yet to be firmed up.

On NBC10 @Issue Sunday, Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large Bill Green said the city immediately providing $50 million in funding to the district through an extension of the sales tax is not in everyone's best interest.

"We want to keep the pressure on Harrisburg to pass the cigarette tax and potentially provide other revenue relief in their fall session," he said.

City council has sought a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes sold in Philadelphia, but have been unable to impose tax because it needs state approval.

"I understand the cigarette tax is alive. If we pass the sales tax 100-percent to the schools, it won't happen," he said.

Instead, Green says, the city should take the cash from the General Fund, which currently has a surplus of $189 million.

Asked whether the city could give assurances that the money will be made available by the Friday deadline, but just not specify where it would be coming from, Green said he couldn't speak for fellow councilmembers, but was confident.

Saddled with a $304 million deficit, the state-controlled School Reform Commission enacted a $2.4 billion budget in June that forced officials to cut extra-curriculars, non-core programs like art and music and let go nearly 4,000 employees -- including support staff, administrators and counselors.

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