Coalition to lobby Harrisburg, seeking to spare Philly schools from funding cuts

In an attempt to shame state lawmakers into rethinking funding for public education, a coalition has formed to make a case to the Legislature to invest in public-school education.

"Our Students, Our Philly, Our Future" is not about "protecting the school district; it's about protecting our children," coalition member and former School Reform Commission chairwoman Sandra Dungee Glenn said after the group's first public event at school district headquarters yesterday.

She said the group - made up of political, business, religious, community and district leaders - was formed to educate the public and lawmakers about the strides the district has made under Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's school-reform plans.

"There's really a plan afoot that is being carried out and that is already showing results, and that's where these investments are critical," Dungee Glenn said. "Don't defund what is working."

The group's plea comes with good reason. District officials say they'll face a $400 million shortfall by the end of next year, and with a Republican governor and Legislature, the likelihood of getting more money from Harrisburg is slim.

During a School Reform Commission meeting last week, chief business officer Michael Masch said the district wasn't asking for a funding increase, but only for lawmakers to do no further harm.

Gov. Corbett has already reduced funding for the Basic Education Subsidy, which supplies most of the district's $3.2 billion budget. Money from the federal Education Jobs Bill is supposed to compensate for the shortage.

And if a school-voucher bill being considered by state lawmakers is approved, it could cost the city's public schools $40 million in state funding next year, assuming 10 percent of eligible students use them.

The coalition created two public-service announcements, starring a kindergarten student from Paul Lawrence Dunbar, a Promise Academy, which airs on the district's channel, PSTV. The coalition hopes to show it soon on local television.

Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery later warned that if funding is cut, many of the district's gains will be affected. Summer school, alternative education and after-school programs could all be harmed, he said.

Sports and intramural activities will also be subject to change, and classroom sizes could balloon, he said.

The coalition is planning a trip to Harrisburg Tuesday to rally for fair funding . For information, go to protectphillyed. com.