"If PA. lets the school students of Phila. go down the drain, we all are in big trouble"

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130530_Philanthropists_call_for_more_school_funding.html

Excerpt:

"I'm going to be giving a call to action to the citizens of this region - not just Philadelphia," Carole Haas Gravagno, chair of the Stoneleigh Foundation, said at a news conference at the district's headquarters. "....Philadelphia is the hub of the region. If we let the education of our young people go down the drain, we're in big, big trouble."

She urged residents throughout the area to contact City Council and state legislators to urge them to provide more money for the city school system, which is facing a $304 million shortfall July 1. Superintendent Hite has asked for $60 million in extra funding from the city and $120 million from the state. The district is seeking more than $100 million in givebacks from the teachers' union.

Without additional money, Hite has laid out a scenario in which there could be 3,000 layoffs, including teachers. Schools could open in the fall without new books, paper, clubs, counselors, librarians, music teachers or secretaries. According to Gravagno, "Taking music away from these kids, art, counselors, teachers' aides - it's a recipe for disaster."