“Our kids are worth it” 

PHILADELPHIA — Continuing her Administration’s work to protect and accelerate progress in Philadelphia’s public schools, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker today joined School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr., Dr. Debora Carrera, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Robin P. Cooper, President, Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (CASA), and Arthur G. Steinberg, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, to outline how a proposed $50.4 million in new, recurring local revenues in the City’s FY2027 budget proposal would support students, stabilize school budgets, and enable zero school-based job cuts, if approved by City Council.

At the center of the proposal is a broad revenue strategy designed to generate sustainable funding for Philadelphia schools, including a proposed $1 per ride rideshare tax. The approach is intended to safeguard essential school resources while taking steps to help address a significant structural deficit facing the School District of Philadelphia.

The School District is currently facing a projected $300 million structural deficit, driven in part by the expiration of federal relief funds. Without added revenue, the District would be forced to eliminate approximately 340 critical positions, including teachers, counselors, and climate staff, who help support safe school environments. This proposal is designed to prevent those cuts, protect classrooms, and provide stability for students and educators.

“The School District of Philadelphia is making real progress—from improved attendance to stronger graduation rates—and that progress is driven by the people in our schools,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “But that progress is at risk. Without new, recurring revenue, the District faces difficult and devastating cuts. That is why I am proposing a $1 per ride fee on rideshare trips in Philadelphia to generate $48 million annually for our schools. Our kids are worth it.”

Protecting Progress and People, If Approved

Under the Mayor’s proposal, the $50.4 million in recurring funding would:

• Prevent school-based position cuts, protecting hundreds of critical positions.
• Sustain academic recovery efforts and student achievement gains.
• Maintain essential services, including counseling, school climate supports, and enrichment programs.
• Provide stability for principals, teachers, and families preparing for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Dr. Watlington emphasized the importance of the proposal in sustaining the District’s momentum.

“As we continue to take fiscally responsible steps to reduce costs and drive efficiencies across the District, we are grateful to Mayor Cherelle L Parker for her continued partnership and bold proposal to revise the rideshare tax to help stabilize funding for our schools,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed. D., School District of Philadelphia. “This critical investment will allow us to protect classrooms, restore essential positions, and work collaboratively with our labor partners, while positioning the District to make the necessary decisions to ensure long-term financial stability and continue our goal of delivering a high-quality education for every student.”

Mayor Parker and Superintendent Dr. Watlington emphasized that the City and School District have worked closely throughout the budget process to protect school-based positions and preserve progress for students. After projections revealed that cuts would be necessary, both teams collaborated to  identify a responsible path forward, ensuring the goal of zero school-based job cuts could be achieved, if the proposed revenue measures are approved.

In addition to the rideshare proposal, which would generate an estimated $48 million, the Parker Administration is proposing an adjustment in the Use & Occupancy tax on cell phone towers that would generate $2.4 million annually – all for schools. The two measures if approved will generate $50.4 million a year for schools.

A Proposed Responsible Local Solution

This proposal represents a targeted, locally generated funding solution aimed at stabilizing the District’s finances without placing additional burdens on existing core services.

“A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth. The village is now being supported and we have just begun to see the transformation,” said Dr. Robin Cooper, President, Commonwealth Association of School Administrators. “The two new sources of revenue proposed by Mayor Parker will allow us to save the village our students depend on. It is critical that City Council approves these new revenue measures.”

“Mayor Parker’s proposed $1 rideshare tax is fair, reasonable, and necessary. Multibillion-dollar California-based tech companies like Uber and Lyft use and wear down the roads and infrastructure that Philly residents and taxpayers pay for. These companies and their millionaire executives are currently getting what amounts to a free ride in Philly, compared with cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., which already levy rideshare fees to help pay for essential public services,” said Arthur G. Steinberg, President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. “There is no more essential public service than the education of children and young people. The PFT urges City Council to pass Mayor Parker’s $1 rideshare tax in order to save 340 school-based jobs – positions held by educators and professionals who are dedicated to the School District and the city.”

“It is also our hope that if the City of Philadelphia approves this new revenue, the Commonwealth will continue building on the funding progress coming from Harrisburg, thanks to Governor Shapiro and our Philadelphia delegation in the General Assembly, so our kids and our schools will have the foundation they need to succeed,” said Mayor Parker. “If approved, this plan will result in zero school-based job cuts—not a single teacher, counselor, or support staff member. It reflects a clear choice about our priorities. Our kids are worth it.”