School District Approves “Doomsday Budget”

Facing a more than $300 million budget deficit–without the guarantee of any new revenues from the city or the state–the School Reform Commission last night approved a so-called “doomsday budget” that would lop off all arts, sports, and music programs next year. Assistant principals, teacher’s aides, and other staff would be fired too, starting this summer. If no new money comes in, that is.

The upshot of the vote is that it may light a fire under the collectives rear ends of a Harrisburg legislature and City Council reluctant to approve Mayor Nutter’s $95 million liquor and cigarette tax proposal, revenues from which would go toward the school district. Whether teachers unions and state legislators can pony up the rest of the $300 million is also an open question. [6 ABC]