Philly School District Tightening Purse Strings Before Anticipated Budget Woes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The School District is trying to curb expenses now, in the hopes of softening what could be a huge budget deficit next year.
The district has ordered managers not to spend money on personnel or equipment unless the expense is urgent or legally required. It's an effort to save cash now, to blunt the loss of $246 million in federal stimulus money that runs out next year.
District chief financial officer Michael Masch says it's too early right now to say how big the deficit in next year's $3 billion budget could be.
"We haven't defined the size of the problem," he says. "Our goal is not to go to City Hall or Harrisburg or to Washington and simply have our hand out."
Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery says the district is finding efficiencies now, to avoid cutting classroom programs. And he concedes, trimming around the edges may not be enough to prevent personnel cuts next year.
Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio
