One of Pennsylvania's poorest school districts says it will run out of money next month after state officials denied its request for an $18.7 million advance on expected state funding.
State education secretary Ron Tomalis denied the request by Chester Upland School District in a letter Thursday.
The district had sought the advance saying it was in danger of running out of money and may not be able to meet its payroll obligations.
Tomalis' letter blamed the school board for mismanaging its finances, including the rehiring of furloughed staff at a cost of $6.45 million.
The district counters that the state has cut its funding $24 million in the last two years. The current board took over in 2010 when the district was released from 16 years of state control.
