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City Council members on Wednesday are expected to give initial approval to the operating budget, and they've already approved a new cigarette tax. But they appear unlikely to move on a proposal to hike the liquor-by-the-drink tax from ten to fifteen percent.
In a letter to staff, schools superintendent William Hite describes the cut positions as "essential" even though at the moment there's no extra money from the city or state, which are putting their budgets together over the next month.
A new report is shedding light on the state of lunchrooms inside Philadelphia's public schools.
A 22-year-old school bus attendant and hall monitor has been arrested for the alleged indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl and using foul language with three other students, according to police.
Charter school operators were putting their heads together to help students with learning disabilities after they graduate, and were swapping ideas at a forum at Children's Hospital.
State officials took control of the district and established the School Reform Commission in 2001. Philadelphia lawmakers say the SRC's performance has been dismal.
Eyewitness News spoke with Governor Tom Corbett after he attended a scheduled event in Montgomeryville, Montgomery County.
In one of her "Hidden America" reports, news anchor Diane Sawyer visits Strawberry Mansion High, one of Pennsylvania's "persistently dangerous" schools.
It was a show of solidarity at the Thomas Mifflin School in East Falls as students, parents, and community advocates staged a rally urging political leaders to help fund a school district budget shortfall of $304 million.
"If and until those bills are introduced on the state level, and we see some sense that there is some action, there's really not a lot that we can do locally," City Council president Darrell Clarke says.
The report by the National Council on Teacher Quality comes at a time when the district is negotiating a new contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
Twenty-year-old Christina Regusters is the only person charged with the kidnapping, but an attorney is convinced that others were involved.
More than 1,000 students walked out of class at noontime and converged at school headquarters, then marched to City Hall.
City Council's Finance committee today examines a proposal from Seventh District councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez on the 'Use and Occupancy Tax,' or U&O, a type of property tax specific to business owners.
The city plans to increase taxes on smokers and drinkers, and redouble its collection efforts on property taxes.
Council President Darrell Clarke says council will comply with the School District's request, but only if Harrisburg does the same. But how Clarke could get such guarantees is unclear, particularly since the state budget is unlikely to be settled before the city's.
Mayor Nutter says he'll present a package of proposals in a week or so to raise $60 million for city schools.
Meanwhile, aides to the mayor are clarifying how he wants to raise the city's portion.
Cuts to Philadelphia's school nursing staff has had a negative effect on students, according to a new survey.
Amid a black cloud of huge budget cuts, there will no doubt be some positive news for Philadelphia schoolteachers tonight.
Within the last two years Pennsylvania's budget cuts resulted in the loss of 10% of pre-k capacity at the School District of Philadelphia. Kids will pay now. Our society will pay later.
Council hasn't decided whether or how it can give the school district $60 million more, but dozens from the public urged Council to find a way.
"The budget, in its current form, simply cannot support the services provided this year," SRC chair Pedro Ramos told Philadelphia lawmakers.
The spring musical, a signature event at Philadelphia's High School for Creative and Performing Arts, will not go on as planned this year because of Philadelphia School District cutbacks.
Chris Lehmann, the principal of Science Leadership Academy, has launched an online petition calling on Philadelphia's professional sports teams to fill the financial gap that could mean the end of scholastic sports.
