Philadelphia schools chief says district can’t cut anymore

The superintendent of Philadelphia schools is saying the district can’t cut anymore as he lobbies Pennsylvania state lawmakers for aid to pull the district out of a persistent deficit.

William Hite said Monday that the state hasn’t adequately funded public education in its largest school district.

In a study published in July, Rutgers University education professor Bruce Baker concluded that Philadelphia is persistently the most underfunded major urban district in the country.

Hite said he’s optimistic about getting more state help, partly because Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget would deliver another $160 million to Philadelphia schools. Funding cuts under Wolf’s predecessor have meant less state aid.

However, state government is facing a massive deficit next year, and Republicans who control the Legislature are making no commitments to a tax increase.