Philadelphia City Council is set to announce a plan to come up with tens of millions in emergency funding to stave off extreme cuts and layoffs in city schools.
Council President Darrell Clarke will explain how the city will provide $60 million in additional funding to the School District of Philadelphia at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The school district plans to cut 3,783 teachers, administrators and staff at the end of this school year. Art, sports and extra-curricular programs will also be cut.
District Superintendent Dr. William Hite says the district has a $304 million budget shortfall and that the cuts are necessary to keep the district finically stable.
Dr. Hite as asked the city for $60 million, the state for $120 million and $130 million in contract concessions from unions.
Philadelphia City Council approved a tax on cigarette sales Thursday to raise $45 million for schools, but the tax can’t be levied until the state legislature gives the OK. So far, they have not.
Philadelphia Schools spokesperson Fernando Gallard says the district will wait until the June 30 budget deadline -- when the city and state budgets must be finalized -- to make any decisions as to how to roll back the cuts.
"The district will work with the schools to identify priorities," he said.
Gallard said regardless of how much additional money comes in, the extra cash will go to the district's 242 schools before reversing cuts at regional and central offices.
"Money will be going to schools first – money for staff, money for programs."
Photo Credit: NBC Philadelphia