Philadelphia Democrats rally for a significant boost in school funding, emphasizing the urgent need to address decades of financial inequities.
Philadelphia Democratic representatives, education leaders, and advocates gathered at the East Wing Rotunda to emphasize the critical need for increased basic education funding in the 2025-26 state budget. LeShawna Coleman, Chief of Staff at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), highlighted the urgent need to secure adequate funding for Philadelphia public schools, stressing the severe impact of potential federal funding cuts for special needs students and meal programs.
Dr. Tony Watlington, Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District, expressed gratitude for the proposed $202 million budget increase by Governor Josh Shapiro, noting that it would significantly improve the district's financial status. The call to action underscored the historic nature of this year's state budget negotiations and the necessity to rectify decades of financial inequities.
The press conference underscored the detrimental effects of historic underfunding on Philadelphia schools. Dr. Watlington detailed the district's progress despite financial constraints, citing increased student enrollment, improved test scores, higher graduation rates, and reduced dropout rates. He committed to demonstrating a strong return on investment for any additional funds provided.
Reginald Streater, President of the Philadelphia School Board, emphasized the historical significance of the district and the need for safe, welcoming, and fully funded schools. He called attention to a $1.2 billion adequacy gap for fundamental student needs, such as access to STEM programs and updated textbooks and technology.
Several prominent voices echoed the call for equitable school funding. Arthur Steinberg, President of PFT, stressed the importance of fair, healthy, and safe working and learning conditions. He advocated for the passage of the proposed budget increases and highlighted the potential negative impact of proposed Republican legislation on health care and nutrition support for students.
Teachers like Kate Sundeen shared personal experiences of the disparities between Philadelphia schools and those in nearby districts. She highlighted her students' significant achievements despite inequitable conditions and called for full funding for education as a moral obligation.
Various legislators spoke on the importance of legislative action in shaping educational outcomes. Representative Morgan Cephas stressed the importance of quality education for every student in Pennsylvania. She shared examples of parents going to great lengths to provide better educational opportunities for their children, emphasizing that full funding could alleviate such struggles.
Representative Mary Isaacson discussed HB 1500, aimed at ensuring equitable and adequate education across Pennsylvania and the need to reform cyber charter laws for better accountability and educational outcomes. Senator Vincent Hughes highlighted the inadequacy, inequity, and unconstitutionality of Pennsylvania’s school funding system, citing a court decision from February 2023.
The press conference concluded with proposed solutions and calls for community support. Senator Nikil Saval emphasized the need for increased, sustained, and equitable funding to address past damages and ensure a brighter future for students. He discussed the disparities between urban and suburban school investment, advocating for visionary approaches to educational funding.
Senator Sharif Street highlighted the importance of investing in education to unlock better opportunities and fulfill the commonwealth’s obligation to provide thorough and efficient education for every child. He shared personal anecdotes about the transformative power of educational investments and called for a strong commitment to fully fund public schools.