Advocates call for more school funding, highlight success

WHILE NEWS headlines and lawmakers often focus on all that's wrong with the Philadelphia School District, Christine Carlson came before City Council with a different message yesterday: There is plenty going right.

Carlson was among more than a dozen parents, educators and school advocates who urged Council to approve $105 million in new, recurring funding for the city's cash-strapped public schools, a topic that has resonated with voters in the last two citywide elections.

"Much of the talk [Tuesday] and [Wednesday] is framed around [how] supporting the school district is charity and 'Why should we do it?' And I ask you, 'Why not?' " Carlson, a public-school parent, testified. "The city is growing and many schools are successful in spite of the obstacles we place in front of them."

According to Carlson, who is helping to unite various advocacy groups, more families are recognizing the importance of their neighborhood public school.

"Now it's Council's turn to change gears and look at school funding as an investment for every citizen in every Council district," she said.

Holding signs and packed into Council chambers, many of the speakers pointed out disparities between city schools and those in the suburbs, where resources like nurses, librarians, art and music are taken for granted.

Toni Damon, principal of Murrell Dobbins High School in North Philadelphia, told the story of a former student who was No. 1 in the school but was arrested for burglary. Damon said she personally worked with the young man's family to have him re-enrolled at Dobbins, his record expunged and accepted into Howard University.

"I want you to know that this young man was also proficient or advanced in all three tested area subjects, but I also want you to consider that we are more than just our test scores," she said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Other speakers, however, said increased funding should come with conditions, including restrictions on outsourcing jobs or closing low-performing schools. Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, pointed to two requests for proposals issued by the district that could privatize jobs.

"We certainly want to see an increase in education funding and a fair funding formula that ensures every school gets the resources it needs," Jordan said. "But along with the funding, we need to see real change in the way that those who teach, nurture, protect, support, feed and care for Philadelphia's children are treated."

Mayor Nutter has proposed a 9.3 percent property-tax hike to generate the money for schools, but the plan has drawn little public support among Council or mayoral front-runner and ex-Council member Jim Kenney.

Advocates yesterday suggested various alternative sources of revenue, such as the use and occupancy tax, property-tax abatements and the school income tax.

Council is expected to vote on its budget, including education funding, by June 30.