Philadelphia School Reform Commission still hopeful to get $94 million

Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission is figuring out what to do with the prospect of less city funding than it had requested.  

Philadelphia City Council’s current plan would provide up to $40 million more for schools, not the $94 million the mayor and district want.  SRC head Pedro Ramos says the commission hasn’t given up on getting that higher figure.

“The school district and the SRC are going to continue to work with the mayor to persuade City Council to increase the support that they are offering for Philadelphia school children for next year,” said Ramos.

Ramos says even with $94 million in funding, the schools will have to borrow over $200 million to balance its budget.

“Our ability to proceed under that plan is greatly compromised to proceed under the current proposal,” said Ramos.

Ramos says the district’s financial plan is a stool, and accuses City Council of chopping off one leg making the whole thing fall over.