Supt. Hite to have his own test — going before Philly City Council

The School District of Philadelphia comes to City Council to testify Tuesday.  This year will be different than the past few ones. 

In previous years, it wasn’t if the Philadelphia School District needed more money, it was how many millions would be needed to balance the struggling districts budget.

This year Superintendent William Hite says the district comes to City Hall without hat in hand.”It’s not giving a break because people still have taxes, so everyone still pays taxes, but we are finishing the year with a surplus, a small surplus,” Hite said. “So we want to recognize it’s hard to ask for additional money when you have a surplus.”But Hite says he’s working on long-term budget options.”So that it’s not year to year hand to mouth, here’s what we need to fill this year’s hole here’s what we’re going to have to cut to do this.”A report by the state Auditor General says more local and state funding is needed to put Philly schools on solid ground.