Chester-Upland teachers, staff will be paid, district says

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Teachers and staff from the Chester-Upland School District, who voted to start the school year working without pay, will receive paychecks after all.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, the school district said the office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has agreed to cover a debt payment, allowing the district's more than 300 teachers and staff to be paid.

"As a result of the State of Pennsylvania making the district's debt service payment, as well as the district's efforts to allocate resources, the district will be able to make its payroll payment today," said Chester Upland Receiver Francis Barnes in the statement.

"We greatly appreciate our dedicated staff's commitment to our students during these times. We also sincerely thank all who have continued to support the district," Barnes said.

While the payment temporarily alleviates the current cash crunch, it does not resolve long-standing financial difficulties plaguing the district.

Barnes and officials from the school district and the Pennsylvania Department of Education were due to appear before President Judge Chad F. Kenney at 10 a.m. Wednesday.