Philadelphia leaders make "significant announcement" about school funding
Philadelphia leaders say they are going to make "significant" announcement on school funding as the School District of Philadelphia faces a $300 million budget gap.
The district earlier this month shared plans to cover that gap, including stopping hiring for some unfilled positions, reducing contracts and eliminating some substitute positions.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, labor leaders and community advocates will be at the press conference at Delaplaine McDaniel School, according to an announcement from the mayor's office.
The announcement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. You can watch the press conference in the stream player above when it begins.
The deficit is due to flat public funding and the loss of federal COVID relief dollars, Superintendent Tony Watlington said in a letter to the school community.
The budget cuts announced last week were intended to eliminate the district's deficit by the 2029-30 school year. About $225 million in cuts would come in the 2026-27 school year while preventing layoffs.
The district also announced its facilities master plan earlier this year, an initial version of which planned to close 20 schools. A revised version of the plan would close 18 schools.
Education leaders have faced heavy criticism in public meetings over the plan. At a recent meeting, students implored officials at a Board of Education meeting to keep their buildings open.