It's time to talk legacy & schools

WHEN City Council meets today to vote on the city budget, its members have to ask themselves one question: What do they want their legacy to be with respect to Philadelphia public schools?

Because right now, their legacy looks bleak - and it could get even worse. Let's take stock of where city schools are under the leadership of Council President Darrell Clarke:

* Annual budget crises.

* Inadequate nursing, which has contributed to the deaths of two children.

* Class sizes of more than 30.

* Counselors slashed.

* Libraries shuttered.

* Adult aides laid off.

And that's before this year's budget battle. If Council doesn't act today, class sizes for this coming fall could balloon to 40 kids per class.

With 40 kids per class, the Philadelphia public schools - already lambasted in the national press last summer when the School Reform Commission passed its "doomsday budget," which pushed some individual public schools to fundraise - would become the laughingstock of the nation. And it would be Council's fault.

If City Council were doing everything in its power to avoid this crisis, this would be an unfair criticism. But Council has put in a halfhearted effort. It has borrowed only half of the money the state allows it to borrow interest-free. It has not increased taxes on liquor. And so on and so on.

There is so much money that Council is leaving on the table, money that would go toward better educating our children.

Clarke's defense is that Council has provided increased funding every year, that the SRC has not been forthcoming about its finances, and that it's time for Harrisburg to do its part.

These things are all true, but in the end, they are nothing but distractions.

If City Council doesn't do more when it votes for its budget today, each and every member will have to own the Philadelphia public school disaster. It will be their legacy.

Parents are watching, as are all Philadelphians. If I were a member of Council, I wouldn't want to run on this legacy in next fall's elections.