Philadelphia Schools Chief Education Officer Responds To Teacher's Billboard Campaign​

After a School District of Philadelphia teacher announced his plans for a billboard that would "call out" city and district officials, the city's Chief Education Officer has released a statement.

Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney said the city has given the district millions over the years.

"Despite the fact that it is the state, not the city, who controls the District, the City has increased its funding to the District by $400 million over the last five years, most recently with a tax increase in 2015 to raise $70 million in additional funding for the District," Hackney said in a statement. "While the District has not requested an increase in funding from the City since Mayor Kenney took office, City Council approved and the Mayor signed the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, which will put nearly $70 million annually towards quality pre-K and community schools when these programs are at full implementation in 2020."

Hackney's statement comes on the heels of Central High School teacher George Bezanis' plans to crowd fund a billboard on Interstate 95 that aims to shame School Reform Commission Commissioner Bill Green, Mayor Jim Kenney, and Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., all of whom are featured on the billboard's design.

Hackney said Kenney and Deputy Mayor for Labor Rich Lazer are prepared to facilitate negations between the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the School District of Philadelphia, as the federation has gone without a new contract and pay raises for five years.

"Given the Trump administration's view of public education, and the reality that teachers have gone far too long without pay increases, we appreciate the importance of resolving this contract as quickly as possible," Hackney said in his statement.

The billboard, designed by Outdoor Media, will read, "Welcome to Philadelphia where we don’t value our public school children."

Bezanis is looking for $5,000 to put the billboard up on the interstate. As of Tuesday afternoon, the billboard's GoFundMe campaign has accrued More than $2,600 from nearly 100 donors.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has been working without a contract since 2013 and the district projects a $500 million deficit by then end of 2021.

Image via GoFundMe