Parents, students demand more aid from City Hall for Philly schools

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

by Holly Otterbein for NewsWorks

Philadelphia teacher Erica McClain is stark when she talks about what schools will look like in September without more funding.

"We are facing doomsday devastation," said McClain, a special education teacher at Strawberry Mansion High School. "We are talking about multiple safety issues."

McClain was one of a few dozen teachers, students and parents who rallied outside City Hall on Tuesday. They want City Council and Mayor Nutter to find additional dollars for Philly’s schools.

"Direct that money back to our public schools so that our kids can be stable," said public-school parent Robert Choice. "It’s not a safe city as it is."

Some of the protesters said they also wanted the state to cough up more money. But they believe that scenario is unlikely, so they’re focusing attention on the city government.

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