Philly parents question City Council on how $45M will be spent

As City Council is formally approving spending money just released by the state on Philadelphia public schools, parents of students are calling for more. 

Parent Cecilia Thompson asked council to request a breakdown from the school district of how the $45 million will be used.

She wants to know where guidance counselors who are being rehired will be assigned.

“It is said that all the comprehensive high schools will have at least one counselor but you have K to 8 schools that desperately need a counselor as well,” Thompson said.

Sabra Townsend says her son’s education is being shortchanged.

“I’m a parent of a young man who is now 16, born with special healthcare needs, but I feel that he should have the same opportunities that I had from kindergarten through high school and that’s not happening,” Townsend said.

In addition to rehiring guidance counselors, the district has promised to use the funding to bring back music instruction, provide special ed services, pay for spring sports and send charter schools $10 million. However, city Finance Director Rob Dubow says there is nothing in writing yet to that effect.