In light of the proposed federal cuts to Title I funding for public schools, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta today stood with faculty and parents from Philadelphia schools to highlight the devastation any cuts to education funding would have on students – particularly low-income families, English language learners and students with disabilities.
“Any cuts to education funding would sever the already frayed thread that holds our education system together,” Kenyatta said. “These cuts would only exacerbate the problems perceived by those same people making the cuts – teacher layoffs would put students who are already struggling to catch up from the disruption during the pandemic further behind; cutting after school programs leaves students without meaningful activities to keep them productive; and kids who face food insecurity would suffer greatly by losing school meals – sometimes the only food students can access. They complain about a broken system while making every effort to further dismantle it.
“This isn’t about numbers on a spreadsheet, it’s a moral fight to ensure the success of our combined futures. Our ability to be resilient and make real progress in the future is dependent on the success of our youth: the next generation of leaders.”
According to the School District of Philadelphia, it’s at risk of losing $44.5 million in Title I funding. This reduction would devastate the most vulnerable students, Kenyatta said.
“This is the time to stand against these reckless decisions, before irreparable harm is done,” he said.
“It’s an honor to host state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta for this important discussion on Title I funding. As an independent Catholic school, Gesu relies on this funding to deliver innovative education, high-quality resources and holistic support. Together, we’re highlighting the impact of these potential funding cuts and advocating for our community on the larger stage,” Bryan Carter, president and CEO of Gesu Catholic School said.
