Nutter: 'We must have new dollars on the table'

Here is the text of Mayor Nutter's speech delivered on 6ABC tonight:

Good evening my fellow Philadelphians and friends in the region.

I'm speaking to you this evening as Mayor of our great City and as a parent, who along with my wife Lisa are proud public school parents of our daughter, Olivia.

Twelve years ago, we made an important decision for our family - we chose to send our daughter to public school.

Tonight, our City is at a crossroads. We confront an historic choice.

As a result of the Great Recession, school systems across Pennsylvania and nation are making critical decisions about funding public education.

The Philadelphia School District faces a $629 million budget gap because of reductions in state and federal funding along with rapidly increasing operating costs.

To balance its budget, the School Reform Commission adopted a new budget roughly $400 million smaller than the current one.

Last week, in an effort to cut costs, the School District gave many fine educators layoff notices. In all, 3,400 jobs were eliminated, including 1,500 teachers and 490 non-teaching central office staff, causing deep pain for loyal employees and their families.

Cuts to education programs are extensive throughout the entire School District, from early childhood, art and music and gifted and talented programs to special education and school police.

Teacher layoffs will lead to increased class size. The elimination of school bus service will impact public, parochial and private school students.

The School District has asked both the City and the State to help by filling a portion of its current budget gap so that some important programs can be restored.

In these hard times, asking Philadelphians for more money is the last thing I want to do.

If I could simply shift City tax dollars to our schools without damaging our own finances or our ability to provide quality city services, that would be my first option. But frankly, it's just not possible and it's a bad idea.

Some suggest that the City give $30 million to the School District, but such a course would open up a huge hole in our budget.

I believe we should use this money, as we now intend, to ensure that we have:

A new police class of 120 recruits;

The services of probation officers;

Funds for the DA's office and a critically important youth violence reduction program.

And a full summer pool season.

For a City that has fought so valiantly to maintain its core services through the worst days of the recession, the idea of taking city tax dollars now designated for police and pools and shifting them to the School District makes no sense.

Many people have called for more accountability and efficiency in the School District. I strongly agree.

The State and the City - the School District's primary funders - have heard these calls and made important moves, last week signing a new Education Accountability Agreement that will enhance financial oversight and program coordination.

We will also look for more efficiencies and develop five-year financial plans to ensure better long-range budgeting, but when you get down to the bottom line, the conclusion is inescapable - the District needs more resources for our children.

We face a choice between bad and worse. There are no painless answers to our challenge. For me, it all comes down to whether Philadelphia will remain committed to high-quality education.

For 8 straight years, we've seen test scores improve in Philadelphia schools. In the last few years, the graduation rate has also gone up.

I visit schools all the time, schools all over the City, and I see first hand the vibrant programs and committed educators who are making a difference.

Next fall, because of budget cuts, many teachers and programs won't be there for our children . . . if we just do nothing or make bad choices.

Well, I will not stand by and let children today suffer tomorrow. And I don't think you will either.

We city leaders have several funding options in front of us, but some are reluctant to pursue them because they're concerned about the negative reaction from the public about raising the property tax or from the beverage industry if they create a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.

Look, I get it. I don't like these options either, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

I understand their concern, but many Philadelphians join me in a passion for supporting our children, their future and our City's economic competitiveness.

Tonight, I am asking Philadelphians to come together in one loud, rallying cry. We want a vote for students, a vote for the young people of our City.

It's time to take a stand. Take on one of these proposals or a combination, but do something!

It's crystal clear that we must have new dollars on the table if we're going to secure reduced class size, accelerated schools, school bus service for public, parochial and private school students and other critical programs.

And it's only if we have "skin in the game," new dollars on the table, that we have any hope of possibly encouraging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to restore some funding.

You may remember that 10 years ago the State took over the School District, so clearly the State has a major role to play in properly funding our schools. Without state support, the School District faces even more cuts.

So, now is the time to stand up. Public education may be free for the children but the adults must pay for it.

My fellow Citizens, there is a hearing on funding for public schools tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in City Council chambers. Let your voice be heard on this issue. If you care about public education, now is the time to act.

Education is key in our free society. It's the key to growth, prosperity and freedom.

Now is the time for action. The time for talking is over. Now is the time to fund our public schools and secure the future for our children.

My fellow Philadelphians, you have the power to change the direction of this debate because this is your City.

We, the elected officials, work for you. Let your voice be heard. Let your power be felt. Support public education, our children and their future.

I'm the Mayor, but the best title I will ever have is Dad. I'm fighting for my child and your child because they are all of our children.

Let's do the right thing and support our children!

Thank you.

Follow the Inquirer at www.Twitter.com/PhillyInquirer and www.Facebook.com/PhillyInquirer