Mayor, school district officials head to Harrisburg to demand increased funding for school facilities

Mayor Cherelle Parker and Philadelphia School District officials are going to Harrisburg to demand increased funding for public school facilities. They say they're going to highlight the need for safe, healthy and modern learning environments and advocate for increased state funding to address aging infrastructure, accessibility improvements and critical building repairs in Philadelphia schools. The school district intends to close 17 schools as part of a 10-year, $3 billion plan to modernize its aging school buildings. Funding for schools was a key sticking point in city budget negotiations this year. The district is facing a $300 million deficit. City Council rejected the mayor's proposed dollar-a-ride tax on Uber and Lyft to prevent classroom cuts. City leaders have pledged to find the money somewhere else. (Photo credit: Byron Purnell III/City of Philadelphia)