Mayor Nutter to discuss budget cuts with principals and parents.
Philadelphia, June 13, 2011- Mayor Michael A. Nutter will visit School District of Philadelphia (SDP) schools that will be seriously impacted by the cuts included in the District’s budget. The School Reform Commission recently approved a budget to account for a deficit of $629 million for FY12. The shortfall drastically reduced the District’s ability to provide for the education of Philadelphia’s 160,000 children who attend public schools. Mayor Nutter has called on City Council to restore funding for identified key areas including transportation, reduced class size initiatives, accelerated schools and other crucial services. He has also met with both executive and legislative leaders in Harrisburg in an effort to restore some State funding to the School District.
Cuts to the FY12 SDP budget include:
• School bus service $26.5M
• Reduced class size in grades K-3, 6, 8, 9 $21M
• Alternative education program $15.5M
• Art and music funding $7.7M
• 190 school police officers $3.3M
“The School District is facing drastic budget cuts that will directly impact our students and jeopardize the gains the District has made over the past eight years with increased graduation rates and test scores. We need to preserve those services for our young people that are effective, and we need to show the Commonwealth that Philadelphia needs and values its public school system,” said Mayor Nutter. “Philadelphians are not watching what we say, but what we do. We need to put our kids first. It’s time to act.”
Mayor Nutter will meet one-on-one with the principals at each school and will tour the facilities and classrooms. He will specifically tour facilities and meet with teachers that will be directly impacted by the cuts. Additionally, the Mayor will also discuss other potential budget impacts to the city.
Vote For Students events (these scheduled visits are subject to change):
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
9:45 am –
10:45 am Bridesburg Elementary School
Bridesburg is facing a loss of 100% of funding for art and music and 58% of funding for their gifted and talented program. 2824 Jenks Street
11:00 am –
12:00 pm Baldi Middle School 8801 Verree Road
12:00 pm –
12:45 pm Logan Elementary School
With a school poverty rate of 85.4%, Logan faces a loss of 100% of funding for reduced class size, 33% of funding for school nurses and a loss of 25% of funding per student. 1700 Lindley Avenue
1:00 pm –
1:45 pm Girard Academic Music Program
GAMP faces a 28% budget cut including the loss of their art and music allotment 2136 Ritner Street
2:00 pm –
2:45 pm Powel Elementary School
Powel will lose 24% of their budget for school nurses, 13% for reduced class size teachers and 100% of funding for their English as a Second Language program. 301 N. 36th Street
2:45 pm Mayor Nutter to host media availability
Mayor Nutter will be available with parents to discuss the direct impact of SDP budget cuts and how these cuts could potentially impact city services. Outside Powel Elementary School, 301 N. 36th Street
