The announcement of a cash advance is a positive development, but current funding levels will still leave the school district on life support and unable to properly educate our children.**
PHILADELPHIA—“While it is still unclear how Governor Corbett’s announcement of a $265 million advance will impact the on-time opening of schools, it is very clear that this does not represent new funding, nor will it be sufficient to adequately provide the resources Philadelphia’s children deserve.
“Last September, our schools opened with a startling lack of programs and services for schoolchildren. Our schools still do not have an acceptable number of counselors, nurses, librarians or secretaries. Last school year was especially trying for students and staff. Many children who needed medical attention did not have the service of a nurse when they needed it. College-bound students missed deadlines for submitting college applications because they couldn’t get an appointment with a counselor. Children lost access to art, music and extracurricular activities.
“There is no question that we need the State Legislature to quickly reconvene and pass cigarette tax legislation. Our schools desperately need the projected $45 million in revenue the tax would generate this year.
“But even with these funds, we know that last year’s dire scenarios are certain to repeat themselves in our schools this year. Over 300 instructional support personnel were laid off on July 31, which means that there will be even fewer adults on hand this year than last to foster a safe learning environment in our schools.
“This crisis is not limited to the current budget cycle. Though the state is constitutionally obligated to provide a thorough and efficient public education to every child in the commonwealth, it has for years been woefully deficient in meeting this obligation for Philadelphia’s children.
A cash advance and passage of cigarette tax alone are not enough to fix the damage done by Governor Corbett’s cuts to public education.”
Source: https://www.facebook.com/PhilaFedofTeachers
