Many wondered how a dramatic drop in state funding would affect the district. Now we know.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. /*Arlene Ackerman*/ kicked off Wednesday's School Commission meeting with somber words as the district stares at a budget gap that could reach $600 million and beyond.
"Like members of a family, everyone in the school district will feel affected in some way," said Ackerman.
A lot of federal money has already dried up. Now more red ink appears in the wake of Governor /*Corbett*/'s first budget plan that cuts state aid to Pennsylvania public schools by more than $1 billion statewide. $292 million directly to Philadelphia is being slashed under Corbett's plan.
Two of Ackerman's top aides told Action News that the austerity plan starts with cutting 30% of the central office staff. Summer school, full-day kindergarten and classes for gifted students are also in jeopardy.
"Unless we get some relief from the funding reductions received today, there is no way the /*School District of Philadelphia*/ next year can look exactly like the School District of Philadelphia today," said Michael Masch, the school district's Chief Financial Officer.
Philadelphia is suffering a disproportionate share of the Corbett cuts, said Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunnery,"even though we as a district are just one of 500 Pennsylvania school districts and we educate just over 10% of the state's public school students."
Action News reporter John Rawlins asked the governor about that complaint Wednesday in Harrisburg.
"We did this across the board. What we said was, 'This is the cut across the board in education,'" said Corbett.
"Through these tough times and all the difficult decisions that lie ahead, we will keep the best interests of our children as a priority," said Ackerman.
Despite those encouraging words, the outlook for the Philadelphia School District is dire and grim. Mass layoffs and program cuts are clearly in the offing, even if organized resistance to the Corbett budget succeeds to some degree.
