Amid reports of short-term deal, protesters seek more money for Chester Upland schools

Activists not happy with a short-term budget fix for the Chester Upland School District took their complaints to their State Senator.  

About a dozen concerned supporters of the Chester Upland School District took their complaints to the office of State Senator Dominic Pileggi, who was in Harrisburg at the time and unavailable to talk to them.  Pileggi is Senate Majority Leader and represents Delaware and Chester Counties.

Reverend Bernice Warren says the district needs more than $17 million to finish out the school year and state officials are talking about giving about 3 million — enough to cover payroll for a month.   

“The amount of money offered is not enough it will pay some bills, but our young people still need resources and materials so that really is crumbs coming from the table,” said Warren.

Activist Tina Johnson wants a solution that lasts months or years, not just weeks.

“We also don’t have a plan in place to fix the financial calamity that we are in in the years to come,” said Johnson.

The school board has sued Pennsylvania in federal court, demanding it release enough money to keep schools open for the rest of the year.