Philadelphia School District announces central staff job cuts

With $300 million fewer dollars flowing from Harrisburg and Washington, the school district of Philadelphia says it has a big budget gap to fill and jobs will be cut because of it. Just how many will fall to the budget-cutter’s ax is not known yet.

The budget gap is between $409 million and $465 million depending on who is counting.  Philadelphia School District Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunnery says that means major cuts although the district is doing its best to preserve classroom programs.

“There are a number of different ways to get to that reduction so I don’t want to speculate on a number yet or put a number out there but believe me the goal is to get the maximum amount of reduction we can,” said Nunnery.

The district will reduce its central office staff by 30 percent, which could be 300 positions or more.  

Gov. Tom Corbett says even after the state cuts, education funding is still significant.

“This proposed budget if you take a look at the gross numbers takes us back to 2008-2009 it takes out that money that was long term debt debt that our children are going to be paying for,” said Corbett.

District officials say state dollars were used to pay for full day kindergarten and other enhancement programs.