Philadelphia Schools Face Budget Shortfall

Philadelphia public schools are expected to receive $900 million under the budget state lawmakers passed, but Mayor John F. Street said that isn’t enough to keep the district running. The district, which has a proposed $1.6-billion school budget, is facing a $115-million shortfall. Street warned that the city’s 256 public schools might be unable to open in the fall unless the state adds $64 million in funding. The schools serve 217,000 students. Street also said the district would be unable to make payroll starting in July unless the budget gap is closed. But Pennsylvania House Majority Leader John Perzel said the state is contributing more money to the schools than the city is.