Over the past several months there has (again) been turmoil in the School District of Philadelphia regarding the District budget. As has been the case in each of the previous four years, the tax income is not large enough to provide for all the expenses. With costs increasing year after year and the revenue remaining too low, the District, City Council, and Governor Corbett have finally agreed to a $2-per-carton tax on cigarettes purchased in Philadelphia. The new revenue is supposed to close the gap that has been growing over the past few years. While it is unfortunate that the city must perversely gain money from the use of a harmful substance, it is good that policies are being debated that will hopefully upset the system so much that change will take place.
Other upset that is currently in the mix includes a referendum to remove the School Reform Commission, currently in control of the District and its finances. City Council has approved it, and potential mayoral candidates are touting that the vote in November would guarantee its dissolution.
The only problem with that theory is that according to law, the only one with the authority to disband the SRC is the PA secretary of education who can only do so if the majority of the SRC votes to do so. In essence, the SRC has to decide to disband itself.
This seems like a fairly ridiculous notion but might take place if a new Mayor and potentially a new Governor are able to install new members who would be keen on the idea. We'll see what happens if that takes place.
Other upset that is currently in the mix includes a referendum to remove the School Reform Commission, currently in control of the District and its finances. City Council has approved it, and potential mayoral candidates are touting that the vote in November would guarantee its dissolution.
The only problem with that theory is that according to law, the only one with the authority to disband the SRC is the PA secretary of education who can only do so if the majority of the SRC votes to do so. In essence, the SRC has to decide to disband itself.
This seems like a fairly ridiculous notion but might take place if a new Mayor and potentially a new Governor are able to install new members who would be keen on the idea. We'll see what happens if that takes place.
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