Philadelphia School District Faces $50 Million Funding Cut Amid Trump Education Reforms
Published on 4.3.25
The Philadelphia school district is facing a fiscal crisis due to declining enrollment and uncertain federal funding, which accounts for 10% of its budget. The district's reliance on state and city funding has been threatened by President Donald Trump's promise to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
A proposed $14 million decrease in city funding and a $160 million reduction from the state will total $50 million less than last year's revenue, exacerbating the district's financial struggles. The district has already closed two schools over the past couple of years and plans to close three more, reducing its total number of elementary schools from 38 to 35 by the 2026-2027 school year.
The district's enrollment has declined significantly, from 205,000 to around 120,000 students, due in part to charter proliferation and population decrease.