Newsletter- The Bell: June in Review

READ THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER AT: https://mailchi.mp/phillyforgreatpublicschools/the-bell-june-in-review

The Bell is your monthly briefing on the biggest news and moments shaping public education in Philadelphia. From City Hall to the classroom, we keep you informed on the major events and decisions that matter most for Philly's public schools.

IN THE HALLWAYS: What's Happening in Philly Schools

| Article of the Month: One City, One Fight for Our Children

"The real debate is not about buildings. It is about whether every child in every neighborhood has access to a quality public school."

Dr. Stacy Holland writes in The Philadelphia Citizen that Philadelphia is asking the wrong question. The debate over which buildings to close distracts from what matters most: whether every child has access to a quality education. Holland calls for a citywide strategy that connects facilities planning, academic achievement, and economic mobility, and for collective leadership across sectors to make it happen. Read it and share it. →

BETWEEN THE BELLS: A Note from Tamir D. Harper, Executive Director

I believe in Philadelphia's public schools. I believe in the teachers who show up every day, the principals who fight for every child, and the families who trust these institutions with what matters most. As a graduate, former teacher, and lifelong advocate for Philadelphia public schools, I know firsthand what is possible when a school truly invests in its students.

Whether a child attends a traditional neighborhood school, a public charter school, or a magnet program, they deserve a quality education, that is equitable and accessible in every zip code, without exception. Philadelphia for Great Public Schools exists because that future is possible, and because the people of this city have always been willing to fight for what their children deserve.

- Tamir

PGPS IN THE ROOM: Where We've Been Showing Up

| The People Have Spoken (Chalkbeat)

Chalkbeat Philadelphia covered a poll commissioned by Philadelphia for Great Public Schools this month, and the numbers tell a clear story. Only 8% of Philadelphia voters say public education is headed in the right direction, while 57% say they are very concerned about the state of city schools, up from 44% just a year ago. The poll also found strong support for charter schools among Black and Latino families, and 86% of voters support a district audit. This poll makes clear that Philadelphia is not divided on whether our schools need to improve. We are one city, with one shared interest in giving every child a quality public education, and this data gives us a common starting point to grow and move forward together. →

ON THE HORIZON: What We're Watching

| HB2634

HB 2634 is a bill currently before the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee that would restructure charter school funding beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill would lower the per-pupil payment charter schools receive from home districts by removing charter students and charter tuition payments from the formula used to calculate that rate. For Philadelphia, that means reduced funding for the roughly 65,000 students enrolled in public charter schools. This is one to watch as the state budget season continues.

| PA House Budget

Pennsylvania's state budget is overdue. The June 30 deadline has passed without a final agreement, though key lawmakers say they expect to avoid a prolonged impasse. Governor Shapiro's proposed budget includes nearly $700 million in new education funding, with $565 million directed toward closing the unconstitutional adequacy gap identified by the courts in 2023. Senate Republicans have pushed back on the overall spending level and are seeking changes to how that formula works. How Harrisburg ultimately resolves this will have direct consequences for Philadelphia schools, which depend heavily on state funding to close their own budget gaps.

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