Philly Supt. says $600 million budget hole is just five years away

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Representatives of the School District of Philadelphia came to City Council to talk dollars — and sense.  Schools Superintendent William Hite wasn’t asking for money now, but says unless the district receives more funding it will be over $600 million in debt at the end of its five year plan.

“Everytime I walk into a school I hear a recurring theme, while we have more we do not have enough,” he said.

Councilwoman Helen Gym says the district isn’t asking for money this year because it didn’t hire enough staff to properly provide educational services.

“The district has acknowledged that there are good savings and there are bad savings and that the savings that have resulted in the current fund balance are bad savings,” Gym said.

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District officials say they are working to be fully staffed in time for the opening of the next school year in September.

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