Parker said her administration and Johnson\u2019s team are working on a plan to generate the additional revenue needed over the next five years \u2014\u00a0 roughly $216 million \u2014 to run alongside the school district\u2019s $1.5 billion six-year capital program for renovations, upgrades and upkeep. The mayor said the one-time payment to prevent staff cuts wouldn\u2019t be enough.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we were going to stave off these positions from being cut, we needed that recurring revenue,\u201d Parker said. \u201cI don\u2019t know how they do math in other cities, Mr. President [Johnson], but I know here in the city of Philadelphia, we can\u2019t have tricky math, fuzzy math included in our five-year plan.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Johnson called the financial concept \u201cChristmas in June\u201d with the announcement coming the day before the end of the school year. He dismissed narratives of infighting within City Hall.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always are working to move city government forward,\u201d Johnson said, adding that he\u2019ll be heading to Harrisburg with Parker to demand additional funds for the district.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see all the performance outrage, tell them to come to Harrisburg with us and speak truth to power to those that have the power that can fund our young people and make sure they receive a high-quality education,\u201d Johnson said.\n<\/p>\n
Last month, the School District of Philadelphia adopted a $4.6 billion operating budget<\/a> for the 2026-27 school year. To address its $300 million structural deficit<\/a>, the district agreed to roughly $50 million in classroom cuts and an additional $169 million in central office cuts.\n<\/p>\n