Philadelphia School Funding
Mayor Parker Heads to Harrisburg to Secure State Funding for Philadelphia Schools' $3 Billion Plan
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker traveled to Harrisburg on June 21 with a delegation including City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and School District Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the high-stakes trip is aimed at securing state capital funding before the June 30 state budget deadline. The Philadelphia School District faces a $300 million structural deficit — the result of $500 million in federal COVID relief money that expired in late 2024.
The trip comes just days after the city narrowly avoided eliminating 340 school-based jobs. A last-minute $48 million stopgap deal saved those positions for now. But education advocates warn the fix is temporary. No new recurring revenue was included in the deal, meaning the city faces the same crisis again in June 2027, according to Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
A $3 Billion Plan to Fix Crumbling Schools
Parker's main ask in Harrisburg is capital funding for the District's "Accelerating Opportunity" plan. The plan costs $3 billion over ten years and would modernize 169 aging school buildings. Nearly half of all District buildings currently carry "poor" or "unsatisfactory" ratings. The Board of Education voted 6-3 to approve the plan on April 30, Fox 29 Philadelphia reported.
The plan also calls for closing 17 schools permanently. That decision drew fierce protests at the April board meeting. The crowd grew so disruptive that the board was forced to hold the vote over Zoom, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Protesters chanted "You're about to lose your job" at board members during the session.
City Council Rejected Parker's Tax Plan, Complicating the State Ask
On June 4, Philadelphia City Council voted down Mayor Parker's proposed taxes on big tech companies and gig economy services like rideshare and delivery apps. Those taxes were designed to create steady, recurring school revenue. Instead, Council approved a one-time $48 million payment in a $7.1 billion city budget, according to Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
That vote has made the Harrisburg trip politically harder. Republican lawmakers argue Philadelphia should tax itself before asking the state for more money. "Tell them to come to Harrisburg with us and speak truth to power," Council President Johnson said, according to WHYY. Parker says she will keep pushing: "I will be coming back to make sure these billion-dollar companies are forced to pay their fair share."
Harrisburg's Budget Is Stretched Thin Too
Governor Josh Shapiro proposed a $53.3 billion state budget in February that included a $50 million increase for basic education. But the plan drew immediate GOP criticism. It relies on drawing $4.6 billion from state reserves, according to Spotlight PA. Republican Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin has raised concern about using state savings to cover recurring district costs.
Philadelphia is not alone in making demands. Spotlight PA notes that Philadelphia is one of 363 districts statewide all competing for the same pool of state adequacy funding. The delegation is leaning on a 2023 court ruling that found Pennsylvania's school funding system unconstitutional, arguing the state is legally required to close the gap.
What Happens If the Harrisburg Trip Fails
If no state deal is reached, the District may need to borrow money at high interest rates to cover basic costs. A recent report found that similar emergency borrowing by districts in Massachusetts and Kentucky cost those schools millions in interest payments, according to heraldsun.com. Critics say that kind of borrowing sends public school money to Wall Street instead of students.
The 340 restored positions — mostly counselors and school climate staff — serve the District's highest-poverty schools. Those schools already face a $1.2 billion "adequacy gap" compared to wealthier districts. Superintendent Watlington put it plainly: "We desperately need additional revenue... we want to do the budget bleed one time," he told Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
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