Elementary schools in Philadelphia face challenges related to school district school supply and after-school program funding.
Administrators receive an overall budget each year, and it is up to administrators to decide how that money is spent. As a result, if the administrators don’t allocate a specific portion of the budget to school supplies, teachers may have to pay for their own. Some outside organizations donate supplies to public schools in Philadelphia to alleviate this financial burden.
For after-school program funding, some argue that the school district should entrust this budget to administrators, as they can create programs tailored to their school’s needs.
Philadelphia Neighborhoods granted anonymity in order to speak freely about what administrators often face. What follows is an interview with someone whose identity and position has been verified.
They say after-school programs are not one-size-fits-all, and school leaders understand their students better than third-party agencies. They also believe that these programs should be educationally focused and run by teachers.
The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Does the school district allocate a specific budget for school supplies?
We receive a yearly budget from the school district, but it is not specifically for school supplies. Only a portion of that budget can be spent on supplies, as the rest must cover other expenses. It’s the administrator’s responsibility to manage this budget and decide how the money is allocated. Therefore, administrators can choose not to spend any money on school supplies at all.
Being a public school, we receive supplies from various sources, including significant contributions from Temple University and other organizations. My predecessors and I were committed to ensuring students had the supplies they needed.
Are teachers expected to provide school supplies for their students?
Teachers that are gonna do it are gonna do it. Teachers who are committed to making sure their students have what they need will often do so on their own. Fortunately, our administrators prioritize allocating a portion of the school budget for supplies, so teachers don’t typically have to worry about a lack of resources. I know of one teacher who ensures all students have equal access to certain supplies, but that’s a personal choice rather than a requirement. Each classroom and each student’s needs are different, so there’s no universal approach.
How do teachers find funding for supplies if not through the school?
Teachers are resourceful. They use websites like DonorsChoose, which is very effective. Some have become skilled at writing grants, while others seek support from their churches and friends, or even pay out of pocket. When I was in the classroom, I made sure my students had what they needed, often out of my pocket. It wasn’t something I viewed as difficult—it was simply what needed to be done. It’s about committing if you’re willing to invest your own money.
Did schools receive more students after other elementary schools closed? Did funding increase as a result?
Yes, we received more students, but our funding stayed the same. The goal of closing certain schools was to reduce district spending, so despite the increase in student numbers, our funding did not increase.
Since the defunding of Methodist Services, what after-school programs does the school offer?
Methodist Services was phased out before my time. Now, we offer after-school programs through the YMCA and with the help of teachers. These programs include robotics, cooking, financial literacy, dance, and more. We also have homework assistance programs.
Do you think the district should implement additional programs to support teachers and students?
I don’t think that there needs to be any additional programs, I think the problem is who is controlling the programs. They need to give those programs to people who are boots on the ground like administrators and teachers. Right now, after-school programs are run by the YMCA, and funding ultimately comes from the city since we are a community school. The city hires agencies to oversee all community programs, which creates a disconnect between these programs and the actual needs of individual schools. I think the district should allocate that funding directly to school administrators, allowing them to set up after-school programs tailored to their students. Administrators and teachers know best what their students need. While it would require time and dedication, schools should have the option to design programs that suit their community.
What would be the benefit of giving school administrators the financial power to design after-school programs?
Giving administrators the autonomy to design programs would allow them to create more effective, customized programs for their students. Each school and student is different, and administrators would be better positioned to ensure the staff running these programs are qualified. If education is the primary goal, after-school programs should focus on enhancing that. Involving teachers and classmates in these programs would also foster a stronger sense of community within the school, ultimately benefiting students’ education in the long run.
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