My View: School Funding In Philly

Fox 29 General manager Patrick Paolini voices his opinion on school funding in Philadelphia.

Here is the text of Paolini's editorial:

The school funding fiasco is an embarrassment to the city and should make us all question whether we have the right leaders in charge of our kids futures.

Recent events played out like a bad joke.

Philly school superintendent Arlene Ackerman told us she needed 75-100 million dollars to close her budget gap.

The mayor who promised us "no new taxes" stepped right up - and proposed - that's right - several new taxes to save the programs supposedly on the chopping block.

Those programs included all day kindergarten, transportation for students and alternative/accelerated schools.
And who is going to say no to paying a few more bucks for that?!

Then the head of Philly schools pulled a rabbit from her hat and saved full day kindergarten all on her own - using federal funds.

Only problem - she apparently forgot to clue in our city's leader - until just before her big announcement.

That political snub didn't sit well with the mayor - who decided now is finally the time to demand accountability from the school district over spending.

Finally.

After all - Arlene Ackerman still says she's short $102 million next year - or at least that's the figure she gave council last week.

If you're confused, I don't blame you. It's hard to see how our leaders are working toward getting our schools to produce high school graduates, when they can't even work together.

Before city council approves a single tax increase, we deserve answers and transparency. Has the district cut all it can? And more importantly, is our money being spent on programs that actually educate our kids?

This city can't afford more blind increases and head in the sand leadership.

The taxpayers of this city must demand more from our leaders. Contact your councilperson and let him or her know you want answers, before you get yet another tax bill.