News Gleaner Online - School Board member predicts state will take over district

School Board member predicts state will take over district

BY DAVID J. FOSTER
Staff Writer

He's wrestled the deficit and the debt. He knows the magnitude of the crisis, and the stubbornness of the players.

So when Dr. Thomas Mills, a School Board member and former budget chairman, makes a prediction, it can be jarring. Last week, he made his most jarring forecast yet.

While most players in the current School District imbroglio spoke of caution and solving the problem before the final step is taken, Mills was the contrarian.

It's inevitable, he said. The state will take over the Philadelphia School District.

"The School Board's not going to back down, and I don't think the mayor will back off," Mills said. "We're heading for confrontation."

The money isn't there, he said. And, according to numerous state legislators, the state will not supply another dime without some control or oversight.

"As budget chairman," Mills said, "I cut the budget and cut that budget and cut that budget. We had 49 truant officers. We laid off 48. The state code says you need one nurse for 1,500 kids. We had one for 1,100, so we laid off all the other nurses.

"But I knew damn well our kids are sicker and poorer, that they needed more medical care. So, three years ago I said I wouldn't cut the budget anymore. If we go broke, we go broke. Let someone else tell us where to get the money."

School Superintendent David W. Hornbeck is adamant. He is sticking by his promise to pass a $1.5 billion budget with an $85 million black hole. When the funds run out, he says, the schools will close. And he wants Harrisburg to fill in the deficit.

Complicating matters, Hornbeck angered many legislators by blaming Harrisburg for the school district's woes, hinting racism was a factor.

Last week, the General Assembly fired back. In an historic vote, the state House (by 116-82) and the state Senate (by 30-20) voted to take over the Philadelphia School District should Hornbeck fulfill his promise and give students an early summer vacation.

If the new law is put into effect, Hornbeck would be ousted and the School Board would lose its power to set budgets and policy. Those functions would be claimed by a board appointed largely by Gov. Ridge.

Hornbeck's rhetoric was clearly on the mind of State Sen. Frank Salvatore (R-5), who, in defending his vote favoring the legislation, said "Hornbeck threatened Harrisburg first."

Gov. Ridge last week also showed signs of frustration with the superintendent. Ridge urged Hornbeck to "back off" and "sit down and work out a solution on behalf of the children." Ridge supported the legislature's move. "The Superintendent. . . has left us no choice," he said.

State Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok also delivered a message to Hornbeck: "Think long and hard about the decision you make between now and the adoption of your budget."

State Rep. George Kenney (R-170) shudders at the prospect of a state board ruling city schools from Harrisburg. "It shouldn't have come to this," he said. "But it is the right thing to do for the kids. It assures that if Hornbeck isn't going to keep the schools open, the state is. It's my hope it will bring everyone to the table."

Through his spokesperson, Hornbeck echoed Kenney saying he believes the city and state will come to terms. Mayor Rendell also believes the crisis will be resolved before the legislation has to be implemented.

But is there room for compromise?

Mills warned the legislators: The district's budget is "like a tar-baby. Once you grab hold, you won't be able to let go."

"The problem is the money," said Mills. "We have an eroding tax base. It will not support the level of funding we need for an adequate educational program. We are at a point where somebody has to confront that issue."

"But it's more than that," Kenney said. "The system has to be changed. Those I represent in Philadelphia need more of a say in what goes on in that system. And that means governance. It means addressing how to weed the bad kids out so the kids who want to learn can learn.

"Will that lead us (the state) managing the system?' Kenney continued "That's Hornbeck's call."

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