Philly mayor now says proposed Uber tax could save all school-based jobs on the chopping block

“Sign up for Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Superintendent Tony Watlington say they’ve found a way to save all the school-based staff the district is planning to cut. But the district’s proposal to preserve those jobs hinges on Parker’s proposed $1 per ride tax on rideshare companies like Uber that the tech company is already fighting to stop . And the City Council must still approve the proposed tax hike. Parker and Watlington’s announcement Wednesday doesn’t change how much the tax would generate for the district. But Parker said the district “was able to make adjustments” to their budget that would save all school-based positions from elimination if the tax goes through. In the meantime, without a guarantee of more funding, schools are telling some teachers their positions are likely to be eliminated. Watlington’s draft budget for next fiscal year that he shared last month slashed school spending by $225 million. The proposal included cutting 340 school-based staff, 130 central office staff and 220 building substitute positions, as well as some contracts. Watlington said the aim was to eliminate the district’s $300 million budget deficit by 2030, and close the funding hole left from pandemic relief dollars drying up. But Parker later said she opposed the sweeping cuts and proposed a $1 rideshare tax to funnel $48 million annually to the district. At the time, school officials said the tax increase would save 240 school-based positions from elimination, but 100 positions would still be cut. Without providing more details, Parker and Watlington now say they’ve found the money to prevent all of the proposed cuts to school-based positions. “That is something for us to be proud of,” Parker said Wednesday. “That’s if we can actually make it a reality.” Since Parker proposed the rideshare tax, Uber has mounted a hefty ad campaign against it . In a statement, Uber spokesperson Jazmin Kay pushed back on Parker’s assertion that rideshare companies have the option of absorbing the cost for their customers. “This is a tax on the rider’s transaction, not a fee on the business, despite the administration’s attempt to frame it otherwise,” Kay said. Watlington said if the City Council approves the tax, the district would reverse the budget cuts that would result in schools losing climate staff, teachers, counselors, and other school-based staff . The district would still eliminate building substitutes and central office staff. Wednesday’s announcement was also Parker’s attempt to signal to state lawmakers that the city is doing its part to fund its schools. “We’re not just going hat in hand to Harrisburg,” she said. Rebecca Redelmeier is a reporter at Chalkbeat Philadelphia. She writes about public schools, early childhood education, and issues that affect students, families, and educators across Philadelphia. Contact Rebecca at rredelmeier@chalkbeat.org .

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