Philadelphia Schools Seek $60 Million From City To Address Deficit

The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/29, Graham, Graham) reports that Philadelphia district officials are expected to request an additional $60 million from the city next Monday, noting that the request "could spark bruising negotiations over school funding for the third year in a row, as Council is already grappling with taxpayer angst over Mayor Nutter's property-tax reform." Noting that Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. has warned of dire consequences, the Inquirer adds that he "is counting on that money, plus $120 million from the state and concessions from the teachers' union, to close a deficit in his budget of more than $300 million."

The Philadelphia Inquirer (5/1, Graham) reports in a subsequent article that though Philadelphia City Council members "remained skeptical Monday about pitching in more money for a third year in a row," Council President Darrell L. Clarke "left the door open for 'coming up with nontraditional revenue sources for the School District,' including an increase in the liquor-by-the-drink tax."