A conversation with Philadelphia School Superintendent William Hite

Guest: WILLIAM HITE

After a summer of uncertainty, Philadelphia schools students will go back to school on September 9th. A commitment of $50 million in emergency aid from the City of Philadelphia was crucial to opening the schools on time, but where that money will come from and how far it can go in restoring the jobs of laid-off administrators and staff is still in question. Additionally, an infusion of $45 million from Harrisburg is contingent on the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers making $133 million in monetary concessions and work rule changes. Their union contract expires Aug. 31st. So what will schools look like when the doors open in three weeks? In this hour of Radio Times, we’ll talk with Philadelphia School Superintendent WILLIAM R. HITE about what’s ahead for the District – its students and employees – in the face of the ongoing budget crisis.