PHILADELPHIA – The head of Philadelphia's public schools says he needs at least $96 million to offer students a "wholly inadequate" education next year.
Superintendent William Hite made a last-minute plea for funding Tuesday to city and state lawmakers. City Council is scheduled to break for the summer on Thursday.
The struggling district must adopt a budget by June 30. But Hite says officials can't cut their way out of the crisis when costs continuously increase.
The Legislature also working feverishly to adopt a spending plan before the fiscal year starts July 1. The state faces at least a $1.2 billion shortfall.
Hite says that without extra money, the system could see class sizes above 40 and hundreds of teachers laid off. He has also said schools might not open this fall.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
