The Echo

With only three days until Sup. Bill Hite's threat to delay the opening of Philadelphia's schools becomes a potential reality, community activists are lining up behind  Hite to force the hands that fund the district's budget to anti up $50 million needed to provide enough adult oversight within the buildings to ensure student safety.

Don’t send your kids to school if the district doesn’t receive $180 million. That’s the message Reverend Dr. Kevin R. Johnson sent to parents Monday night during a town hall meeting on the Philadelphia School budget crisis. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philadelphia-Schools-Chief-Addresses-Principals-Conference-as-Funding-Deadline-Nears-219246601.html

Pastor Johnson, representing POWER,  a coalition of 41 local churches, called upon officials to provide the district with the full $180 million that was originally requested to bridge the budget gap.  If the $180 million is not provided, Johnson called upon parents to boycott the schools.  POWER is also advocating for a permament funding formula for Pennsylvania public schools.


Meanwhile, life goes on:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Even as Philadelphia school officials warn they may not have enough money to open schools next month (see related story), the School District of Philadelphia was hosting a back-to-school festival today in West Philadelphia. http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/08/09/amid-budget-crisis-phila-school-district-holds-back-to-school-fest/