Giving Compass' Take:
- Carly Sitrin reports on how Philadelphia teachers have secured raises and parental leave, but that the state's education budget shortfall persists.
- How is the state education budget shortfall harming teachers and students alike? What is the responsibility of philanthropy to help advance systems change to fund education and fill the gaps?
- Learn more about trends and topics related to education.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on education in your area.
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The Philadelphia Board of Education approved the new teachers’ union contract on Thursday. But with the state budget still not finalized, members also voted to authorize borrowing to pay for it and other costs.
The new three-year contract includes annual 3% raises over three years and a one-time $1,400 bonus for all Philadelphia Federation of Teachers members. It also provides teachers with paid parental leave for the first time in district history, according to union officials, as well as an end to the controversial sick leave policy known as 3-5-7-9.
Board members voted unanimously to approve the contract. But they also warned the state budget impasse will cost Philadelphia students resources and opportunities.
“It’s a disgrace,” board member Joyce Wilkerson said of the budget standstill. “We need the funding, we need it now, we shouldn’t need to borrow.”
Board Member Whitney Jones said because of the stalemate “and the uncertainty it creates the district is being forced to borrow” more than three times what the board was expecting to borrow. The associated interest payments could soar to $30 million, board members said.
Accordingly, board members also voted 8-0 with one abstention on Thursday to approve the issuance and sale of notes totaling up to $1.55 billion. This money would be short-term borrowing and would need to be borrowed and repaid within the same fiscal year.
“The budget delays are costing our schools money that we do not have and it’s further limiting what we can provide to students,” Jones said.
The contract negotiated between the PFT and the district assumes an increase in school funding proposed by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro back in February. More than two months after the state deadline for lawmakers to pass a budget, they remain deadlocked. More than $1 billion in payments for K-12 schools across the state have already been delayed, according to the state department of education.
Read the full article about raises and parental leave for Philadelphia teachers by Carly Sitrin at Chalkbeat.