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Hi,

I’m Sammy Caiola, gun violence reporter for Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Today city council approved a budget that leaves out a proposed $1 tax on rideshare companies but adds one-time funds they thought would stop hundreds of school staff cuts. According to a memo from Superintendent Tony Watlington, that one-time cash infusion won’t reverse the cuts.

Read our full story here.

We’ve also got the latest on schools going virtual in the heat, and a deep dive from former Chalkbeat Senior Reporter Dale Mezzacappa about what it would take to make the school board publicly elected instead of appointed.

As always, you can send us story ideas or questions at [email protected].

Local News

52 Philadelphia schools will go virtual Friday due to high temperatures. Here’s the list.

Students at 52 Philadelphia schools will learn virtually Friday due to high temperatures. The school district also closed schools on May 20 due to heat.

Philadelphia budget deal will not restore hundreds of school staff cuts, superintendent says

Superintendent Tony Watlington said $50 million in one-time funding from the City Council will not restore hundreds of staff positions the district is planning to cut.

Philadelphia city council approves budget without rideshare tax for schools

The $7 billion budget deal drops Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed $1 tax on rideshare companies. Instead, councilmembers pulled $48 million from other budget sources.

Why switching Philadelphia to an elected school board would be very complicated

Angry at school closings, Councilmember Isaiah Thomas wants hearings to explore whether Philadelphia should hold school board elections instead of having the mayor pick members.