The budget anticipates $54 million more in state funding than is included in Gov. Rendell's proposed budget and $9 million more in city funding over the $18 million that City Council approved for the district at a separate meeting yesterday.

District officials have warned that they would cut some nurses, librarians and counselors, as well as busing and other areas, without the additional funding.

Even with the funds, the budget calls for nearly $100 million in cuts, including a 15 percent reduction in central office staff and fewer contracts for outside services.

For the first time yesterday, the district detailed cuts in contracts, which are almost sure to bring more public backlash. Among them are the International Baccaulaureate program at elementary schools (the high school program remains intact) and two supplementary arts programs: the Philadelphia arts initiative, which includes students in a project to beautify schools with murals, and another program that brings professional artists into schools. It also would end a $30,000 contract with Dr. Paul Fink, who advises the district on students with behavioral problems - a growing group.

District officials say they will seek outside funding for some of the affected programs.

The budget, which increases spending by less than 3 percent, also leaves no reserve fund for emergencies.

Commissioners pledged to seek financial help from the state. "I stand ready to go to Harrisburg with you . . . to carry this out, to make our case in a responsible, supportive way," Commissioner Sandra Dungee Glenn told dozens of parents and education advocates who filled the district's auditorium at 440 N. Broad St. "This is not going to end here today."

Glenn and Commission Chairman James Nevels also said they planned to ask the state for even more revenue than the $54 million - enough to add 150 teaching positions, which would allow the district to lower class size. The positions are being eliminated because of a drop in enrollment caused in part by the growth of students in charter schools.

"This is a daunting task," Nevels acknowledged.

Reaction to the prospect of more state funding was mixed among state legislature leaders.

"I don't see that happening when they already get $25 million more than anyone else gets," said James R. Roebuck Jr. (D., Phila.), who chairs the House Education Committee. Roebuck was referring to a $25 million state earmark, $19 million of which has been used for six outside school managers.

State Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.) was more upbeat.

"I am going to do everything I can do to be very helpful," said Evans, who chairs the Appropriations Committee. "I know they need more money. I'm going to work on that."

Evans said he was in state budget talks yesterday with Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, a Republican whose district includes Delaware and Chester Counties. "We discussed the city of Chester and Philadelphia," Evans said. "We did not talk exactly numbers, but we did talk about trying to be very helpful. . . . "

Pileggi could not be reached for comment.

The unanimous vote on the budget came at a 31/2-hour meeting continued from Tuesday's six-hour session, when the commission postponed a budget vote under pressure from angry citizens.

The commission also approved several measures drafted by Mayor Street and his administration, which huddled with a group of parents and education advocates until midnight Wednesday. The proposals will invite more public input in the budget process.

The district promised to release detailed information about each school's budget by June 11. It also agreed to hold two public hearings, one by June 29 and the other by July 15. The commission next month will approve a long-term process to invite more public input on budget development.

Parents were pleased, yet anxious.