Council Member Wants City To Make Up For Cuts To School District Services
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In the wake of the worsening financial crisis at the Philadelphia School District, a freshman City Council member plans a hearing on whether the city can make better use of its own facilities to fill in the gaps.
The new eighth district council member, Cindy Bass, says the perilous plight of the School District makes it imperative for other institutions, including the city itself, to step up. She plans to hold a hearing on whether city-owned facilities like rec centers can be further used to -- as Bass puts it -- "supplement the academic needs" of public school students -- particularly if summer school is eliminated.
"We know the School District is having significant cuts, and we want to look at what can fill in for those cuts -- what other resources are available. Because, we have to do something and make sure our young people are going to be protected and covered and have a safe place to go, and have a productive summer."
Bass says cultural institutions and non-profits will also be looked at. No date set for the hearing.
