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Pennsylvania Republicans plan to carry a listening to about purported “waste, fraud, and abuse” within the College District of Philadelphia, however made no particular allegations of their announcement.
In the meantime, district leaders say they’ve been accountable with taxpayer cash.
State Rep. Martina White, who represents components of Philadelphia, issued a discover this week that on Could 19, the Home Republican Coverage Committee shall be internet hosting a listening to aimed toward investigating the district and “uncovering options that prioritize the success of our kids.”
White can also be urging individuals to report any “mismanagement, waste, or abuse” throughout the district in addition to any “concepts to enhance faculties, scale back inefficiencies, or improve scholar outcomes,” through an internet site titled: “College District of Philadelphia Oversight.”
The problem of presidency waste and inefficiency has acquired unprecedented consideration not too long ago, due largely to the Trump administration’s U.S. DOGE Service led by Elon Musk. The Trump administration, Musk, and DOGE — which stands for Division of Authorities Effectivity — have cited waste, fraud, and abuse to justify reducing applications for college kids with disabilities, instructor coaching grants, and your complete Philly division of the U.S. Division of Training’s Workplace for Civil Rights. However what precisely that phrase entails is the topic of intense dispute.
“Through the years, dad and mom, college students, educators, and neighborhood members have witnessed or skilled firsthand the challenges throughout the College District of Philadelphia,” wrote White, who didn’t point out DOGE in an April e mail obtained by Chalkbeat. “From waste and mismanagement of assets to fraud and systemic abuse, these points haven’t solely hindered progress however have additionally led many households to hunt options for his or her kids’s training.”
Superintendent Tony Watlington has mentioned repeatedly that the district beneath his management has been a “good steward” of state and metropolis funding. Watlington’s chorus this yr has been that scholar attendance is up, the four-year commencement fee is up, the dropout fee is down, the district’s credit standing has improved, and a few standardized take a look at scores are enhancing.
Nonetheless, Watlington instructed reporters at a current finances briefing that attributable to many years of court-determined underfunding and the top of pandemic aid assist, the district is going through a rising annual deficit. Philly faculties are additionally present process a services “rightsizing” course of that the college board has warned will probably end in some college closures, colocations, or repurposing.
A spokesperson for the Philly college district mentioned Friday that Watlington and different district leaders would reply “in a well timed method” if state lawmakers attain out to them concerning the listening to.
White has beforehand been crucial of the district’s dealing with of overcrowding within the Northeast part of town. She has additionally pushed for spending will increase for varsity alternative applications within the state.
Some progressive advocates have questioned the district’s spending on outdoors contractors in recent times. And metropolis lawmakers have pushed the district for extra transparency across the prices related to the district’s instructor self-discipline course of. Many constitution college advocates have additionally alleged the district’s constitution college approval course of is inefficient and flawed.
White’s workplace mentioned she was unavailable for remark Friday.
Carly Sitrin is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Contact Carly at [email protected].
