The pros and cons on school plans from Nutter, Council

CITY COUNCIL AND Mayor Nutter have differing proposals to infuse an emergency $50 million into the school system. Here's a breakdown of the good, the bad and the ugly.

City Council proposes giving the district the money in exchange for vacant buildings, then reselling the properties to recoup the money.

Pros:

* Gives the city time to lobby Harrisburg to distribute more of the sales-tax revenue to Philly's pension fund, which City Council President Darrell Clarke and Nutter both say they want.

* School district wouldn't have to pay to maintain vacant buildings.

* Wouldn't add to the city's debt, assuming the buildings are resold.

Cons:

* The district is already counting on $28 million over five years from the sale of school properties, meaning that money may need to be replaced.

* In other cities, vacant school buildings often sold for far less than expected - if they sold at all - a recent Pew study found.

* City-related agencies would have to maintain the vacant property, costing millions per year.

* Does not create a permanent funding source for the district, unless Harrisburg agrees to alter the sales-tax extension.

Mayor Nutter suggests borrowing $50 million on behalf of the school district and permanently extending the city's temporary sales-tax hike to pay off the debt and aid the schools.

Pros:

* Guarantees the schools will get a new independent funding stream through the sales tax hike.

* Nutter says accepting this state-designed plan will preserve good will with Harrisburg lawmakers the city will need again.

Cons:

* Taxpayers will be on the hook for $10 million in interest.

* Requires Philly leaders to accept a city sales tax increase designed by Gov. Corbett.

* Provides comparatively less money for the city's massively underfunded pension system.

- Jan Ransom and Sean Collins Walsh