PPA111507

2227 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132 215-236-2100**
 * Parents United for Public Education

November 15, 2007 Yesterday was a dramatic day in Harrisburg for Philadelphia public schools. Parents United gets Parking Authority to give its first $1 million to SMART/gifted programs Yesterday the House Appropriations Committee moved a bill out of committee that would reauthorize red light cameras and direct about $1.2 to $1.4 million in profits to the School District for the SMART program and Accelerated Learning programs (gifted support). It still needs approval from the House and Senate. Thanks to Phila. Rep. Mike McGeehan for moving that bill forward. As you know, Rep. Dwight Evans held this "surprise" hearing in Harrisburg as a way to boost the PPA's public image. No public testimony was allowed and PPA Executive Director Vincent Fenerty and Chair Joe Ashdale spent 45 minutes refuting the newspaper stories about their poor behavior. Parents United and the Taxi Workers Alliance attended the meeting with signs that said "Violation: What happened to the money for our schools?" as well as a large poster of Fenerty with a quote box that said: "I love kids as long as they don't interfere with my cars, my salaries and my P.R. -- Vince Fenerty, "public" servant. " They also handed out an open letter to legislators from Parents United, Phila. Home & School Council and TaxiWorkers Alliance (you can find this on our website) that demanded an investigation into money for the schools. What's it mean?
 * A few people can make a big difference -- one legislator said they weren't going to approve the school district profit direct until they heard parents were coming;
 * Harrisburg feels enough public and media pressure that they need to do something but not a lot;
 * We need an audit to find out what's happening on the books;
 * It's time to step up -- we're counting on a minimum of $4 million this year not $1.2 million next year. If you're mad, come out to the Parking Authority board meeting, Monday, Nov. 26th, the day after Thanksgiving weekend, at 11:30 a.m., 3101 Market Street.

__Read about the bill here:__ Inquirer:http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071115_Schools_may_get_some_Parking_Authority_cash.htmlDaily News: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20071115_House_panel__Parking_Authority_must_aid_schools.html

__Costing Out Study shows Philly is $1 Billion short of adequate__ The numbers are in, and it shows the cost of underfunding our public schools. Almost 95% of the districts in the Commonwealth do not meet the standard level of adequacy as determined by an independent study firm. Philadelphia alone would stand to gain 50% more or $1 billion. And that is not the cost of luxury, it's the cost of adequacy. What would we do with a billion dollars? Parents United has been campaigning for a baseline minimum for our schools. That means no matter the size, poverty level, achievement guarantees, all schools must have (and insert your laundry list here): a decent if not low class size, art, music, science, a library + librarian, support services, tutoring, language translations, etc. It's not headlines but it is revolutionary. So what's the catch? At a lobbying day yesterday by two busloads of parents and students sponsored by Good Schools PA, and anchored by groups such as ACORN, EPOP, Philadelphia Student Union, Meredith Home & School, and Youth United for Change, Philadelphia legislator after Philadelphia legislator pooh-poohed the study or made lackluster overtures. Things to think about:
 * Don't wait for Harrisburg to do something with this study. The overwhelming majority of legislators would like nothing more than for this to go away. Same with our governor and Mayor. They won't take the lead unless they see movement from the people.
 * Knowledge demands action. Now we know, so what can I do? Get in touch with Justin at Good Schools PA (Telephone: (215) 332-2700 ; Cell Phone: (267) 258-2158 or justin@goodschoolspa.org).
 * Attend two public hearings on the study: Nov. 27, 7-9 p.m., Upper Darby High School Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill. Nov. 28, 7-9 p.m., Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 N. Broad St., Philadelphia.

You can read the study here: http://media.philly.com/documents/CostingOutStudy.pdf

Read the Inquirer story here:http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20071115_Study__Pa__schools_need_cash.htmlRead

the Daily News story here: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20071115_Pa__study__State_underfunding_schools_by__4_6B_a_year.html

Helen Gym Parents United for Public Education 215-808-1400 hgbf@aol.com

//Parents United for Public Education is an independent group of citywide parents working for fiscal transparency, public process, and a school budget that places kids and classrooms first. For more information, please contact Helen Gym at 215-808-1400 or Aissia Richardson at 215-236-2100. To unsubscribe from this email please respond to// parentsunitedphila@gmail.com. Visit us online at http://parentsunitedphila.googlepages.com/.