New school year starts for Philadelphia students

More than 130,000 Philadelphia public school students returned to classes today as the  2014-15 academic year began on a note of widespread uncertainty because of an $81 million budget shortfall.

More than 1,000 employees could be laid off if state lawmakers don't approve a $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes in the coming weeks.

Students and parents have said they weren't sure what to expect when schools reopen today, but knew staffing and funding cuts will present challenges.

About 40 protesters rallied outside Benjamin Franklin High School, 500 N. Broad Street, this morning, waving signs and chanting. Passing motorists honked their horns and waved in support.

"We barely have books," he said. "We have 30 to 40 kids in the class. We have no school supplies."

"It's not fair all the schools don't get the same thing," said Bush, who carried a sign saying: "Budget cuts break students' hearts"

Dawn Hawkins, a parent leader with Action United, said she was concerned about safety, class sizes and building maintenance as her son starts high school at Strawberry Mansion High School today.

"What, are they going to have children cleaning the schools? The teachers?" she said.

Her son "didn't really want to go to school today," because he didn't know what conditions would be like, Hawkins said.

He said teachers, principals and other school staff shoulder the burden of slashed funding.

"Countless teachers bring in the computers, paper, things like that, for students, that we don't get anymore," he said.

Mayor Nutter and Hite in the meantime welcomed students at the LINC, a new high school at 122 W. Erie Ave, in North Philadelphia. The name stands for Learning in New Contexts.

"This school year, like last year, will be a challenge," Nutter said.

Even as he greeted students and hailed The LINC as a new model for district high schools, Hite said the mood was not completely celebratory.

The district, he said, is counting on the $2-per-pack cigarette tax to be quickly passed in Harrisburg when lawmakers return next week to help close the $81 million budget deficit.

However, Hite said he was worried because the tax is not assured.

"I'm really concerned about our ability to sustain staffing levels," Hite said.

If the tax does not pass by early October, Hite has said he will have to lay off more than 1,000 employees.

Still, brand-new teacher Breanne Lucy said the thrill of helping to create a new school overshadowed the budget uncertainty.

"I know that people are really concerned about funding, but the energy here makes me far less concerned than I would be otherwise," said Lucy, a humanities teacher.

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Dana DiFilippo is a staff writer for the Daily News

Kristen Graham is a staff writer for the Inquirer

Emily Babay is a staff writer for Philly.com