Pennsylvania Budget Secretary Issues Statement About $45 Million in State Budget for Philadelphia School District

Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Budget Secretary Charles Zogby today issued the following statement about the $45 million that was allocated to the Philadelphia School District in the 2013-14 state budget:

"As required by the law that was duly enacted by the General Assembly, any additional state funding, including the $45 million in one-time state funds included in the 2013-14 state budget, is only to be released to the district when the Secretary of Education certifies the district has begun to implement fiscal, educational and operational reforms.

"A new collective bargaining agreement with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers that makes substantial progress toward achieving the fiscal savings and academic reforms set out by CEO William Hite and the School Reform Commission must be in place before any new funding is released.

"This year, Pennsylvania taxpayers are slated to invest more than $1.3 billion into the district.  Before making any additional state investments, it is critical that the fiscal savings and academic reforms CEO Hite and the SRC have said are essential to the long-term sustainability and viability of the district be in place.

"The time has come for the leaders in the City of Philadelphia to do their part. By acting to extend the sales tax they cannot only provide additional funding for this year's school opening but fix in place another key piece to the district's long-term sustainability."

Media contact: Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Budget