PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s schools superintendent testified Tuesday that with more resources, more district students would graduate ready for careers or college.
William Hite was the first Philadelphia witness in the ongoing school funding trial in Harrisburg.
In the suit, six districts — not including Philadelphia — contend the state hasn’t sufficiently funded public education as required by the state constitution, leaving local taxpayers to make up the difference.
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An attorney for the districts presented state tests contrasting the performance of students at Lower Merion High School and at Overbrook High in Philadelphia.
95% of Lower Merion students scored proficient or advanced on the Keystone literature test, while only 6% of Overbrook students did.
On the witness stand, Hite was asked if there was any reason that students at Overbrook were not capable of reaching the academic achievements of students at Lower Merion.
“Other than funding, no," Hite responded.
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He said he believed it was a clear indication that when there’s an investment of resources, even economically-disadvantaged students do better.
Additionally, Hite told Commonwealth Court about mold, lead paint, water leaks, and asbestos in Philadelphia’s aging school buildings.
He talked of moving reading coaches and counselors to struggling schools, and said he was concerned about some schools’ decline in performance being a product of having to triage resources based on the availability of funds.
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Hite said that the district was not meeting its goal of graduating students who are prepared for careers or college.
Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg has heard this case since the middle of November.
John Krill, an attorney for Senate President Pro Tem Jake Corman (R-Centre, Huntingdon, Juniata, and Mifflin counties) was expected to continue his cross-examination of Hite on Thursday morning.
The petitioners are nearing the end of their case before attorneys for state legislative leaders present their defense.
