PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s schools chief is standing by his decision not to reverse school-based cuts following City Council’s rejection of the mayor’s proposed rideshare tax last week.
City Council members were incensed that after allotting a one-time $48 million for the Philadelphia School District in next year’s budget, Superintendent Tony Watlington maintained that he would not restore 340 school-based cuts.
“While we’re super grateful, unfortunately, it won’t be enough revenue to pay for these positions year over year,” because it is a one-time infusion, not recurring, he said on KYW Newsradio’s After School podcast.
He compared it to having the money for the first year of a car loan: “But the next four years of that five-year car payment cycle, I don’t have committed funds for it? I probably shouldn”t buy the car.”
Last week, City Council approved a $7.1 billion city budget with no new taxes, rejecting Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed dollar-a-ride tax on rideshares, which she said would have generated an estimated $48 million annually for the school district.
Watlington remains optimistic that additional recurring revenue could be found somewhere to address the district’s structural deficit.Extra $48M City Council budgeted for school district isn’t enough to stave off cuts, superintendent says
Extra $48M City Council budgeted for school district isn’t enough to stave off cuts, superintendent says
