EVANS: Politicking for Schools

Philadelphia School District’s spending per child averages around $11,000 while its suburban counterparts spend $15,000 or more. While Philadelphia may have more obstacles to overcome, it has less money to deal with them.

In the early 1990s, I initiated an effort between the House Appropriations Committee, which I chair, and the Education Committee.

I led the committees in developing a school financing proposal to impose comparable access for quality education. As a result, the legislation provided that the district's poverty level, enrollment and tax base be used to guarantee a subsidy for each student. Unfortunately, other districts still outpaced Philadelphia in the amount of resources backing each child’s education.

I have since stood by Governor Ed Rendell’s efforts to increase state aid. Also, I have fought in the state legislature for the district’s $30 million in increased funding this year. As Mayor, I will continue to fight for more resources to our school district. I will also signify Philadelphia’s continued commitment to improving our schools by transferring $100 million in new property tax revenue to the School District.

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