School District of Philadelphia

Report Urges End To Automatic Teacher Tenure In Philadelphia Public Schools

The report by the National Council on Teacher Quality comes at a time when the district is negotiating a new contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

19 hours ago

Family of Young Kidnap Victim Plans to Sue Phila. School District

Twenty-year-old Christina Regusters is the only person charged with the kidnapping, but an attorney is convinced that others were involved.

2013/05/20

(Philadelphia police escort about 1,000 students down Broad Street toward City Hall. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Public School Students Flood North Broad Street For School Funding Rally

More than 1,000 students walked out of class at noontime and converged at school headquarters, then marched to City Hall.

2013/05/17

(Philadelphia city councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sanchez, at Wednesday's City Council hearing. Photos from City of Phila. TV)

City Council Weighs Raising Use And Occupancy Tax To Help Fund Schools

City Council’s Finance committee today examines a proposal from Seventh District councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez on the ‘Use and Occupancy Tax,’ or U&O, a type of property tax specific to business owners.

2013/05/17

(City, state, and school officials listen as Mayor Nutter announces new funding for Philadelphia's schools. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Nutter Proposes $95M Additional Funding For Philadelphia Schools

The city plans to increase taxes on smokers and drinkers, and redouble its collection efforts on property taxes.

2013/05/15

(Philadelphia City Council president Darrell Clarke, in file photo from City of Phila. TV)

Council Prez: City Hesitant to Give School District More Money Unless State Does, Too

Council President Darrell Clarke says council will comply with the School District’s request, but only if Harrisburg does the same. But how Clarke could get such guarantees is unclear, particularly since the state budget is unlikely to be settled before the city’s.

2013/05/10

(Mayor Nutter with state legislators at Jackson Elementary School, in South Philadelphia. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Nutter, State Legislators Promise They’ll Scrounge For School District Stopgap Funds

Mayor Nutter says he’ll present a package of proposals in a week or so to raise $60 million for city schools.

2013/05/09

Nutter, Hite Rally In Support Of Cash Starved School District

Meanwhile, aides to the mayor are clarifying how he wants to raise the city’s portion.

2013/05/09

file photo (credit: Miguel Gutierrez/AFP/Getty Images)

Survey: School Nurse Shortage Having A Big Impact On Philadelphia Schools

Cuts to Philadelphia’s school nursing staff has had a negative effect on students, according to a new survey.

2013/05/08

Phila. Teachers To Be Recognized For Inspiring Students

Amid a black cloud of huge budget cuts, there will no doubt be some positive news for Philadelphia schoolteachers tonight.

2013/05/07

Help With Vital Preschool Funding

Within the last two years Pennsylvania’s budget cuts resulted in the loss of 10% of pre-k capacity at the School District of Philadelphia. Kids will pay now. Our society will pay later.

2013/05/07

(Community activist Cheri Honkala testifies before Philadelphia City Council on the school budget crisis. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Education Activists Plead For $60-Million Stopgap For Philadelphia Schools

Council hasn’t decided whether or how it can give the school district $60 million more, but dozens from the public urged Council to find a way.

2013/04/30

(L-R: SRC chair Pedro Ramos, superintendent William Hite, and district CFO Matthew Stanski. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Philadelphia School District Makes Its Case For Latest Funding Stopgap

“The budget, in its current form, simply cannot support the services provided this year,” SRC chair Pedro Ramos told Philadelphia lawmakers.

2013/04/29

(CAPA principal Johnny Whaley Jr. with some of his students. Credit: Steve Tawa)

Philadelphia Performing Arts H.S. Cancels Spring Musical Due To Budget Crunch

The spring musical, a signature event at Philadelphia’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts, will not go on as planned this year because of Philadelphia School District cutbacks.

2013/04/26

(Science Leadership Academy principal Chris Lehmann, in file photo. Photo provided)

Local Educator Wants Philly Pro Teams To Underwrite School Athletics

Chris Lehmann, the principal of Science Leadership Academy, has launched an online petition calling on Philadelphia’s professional sports teams to fill the financial gap that could mean the end of scholastic sports.

2013/04/26