State Rep. Parker Says State Can Do Better for Philly Schools

Local state Rep. Cherelle Parker released a statement last week calling the budget signed by Gov. Tom Corbett a “Band-Aid on a gunshot wound” when it comes to funding for Philadelphia schools.

The Philadelphia School District asked the state to provide close to $180 million to help close the district’s budget gap.

The budget passed last week only provides the district with $15.8 million.

“To date, we have yet to see from Governor Corbett or Republican leadership the investment that’s necessary for education not only in Philadelphia, but across the state,” Parker said.

In 2001, the state took over the Philadelphia School District and disbanded the local school board.  This action left the district unable to manage its own funds or raise its own money.

Parker went on to say that the district was not seeking $120 million in cash from the state, but permission to raise that much money in revenues.

The proposed new revenue streams included a one percent increase in the sales and use tax, a cigarette tax and stronger tax enforcement laws.

“Combined, the measures are estimated to generate $193 million for the School District,” Parker said.  “Members of the Philadelphia delegation wanted a budget that ensured the funding necessary to provide our children with a quality education.”

Parker added, “We put a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound and are fostering a sense of dependency by not giving the city the authority to enact initiatives that generate recurring reliable sources of new revenue for our underfunded schools and not providing a reasonable increase in recurring state revenue to the district.”