Students, parents and advocates urge Council to approve ride‑share surcharge to avert school staff cuts

Atiyah Gant, a student at Science Leadership Academy in District 5, told Philadelphia City Council on the public hearing record that approving a ride‑share surcharge to generate $50,400,000 is essential to prevent teacher and staff layoffs that she said are already affecting students’ emotional support and learning.

"This bill is our future," Gant said, describing the loss of a first‑year teacher and urging Council to fund schools to preserve supports for students.

Other students and advocates repeated the request. Olivia Hummel, also a Science Leadership Academy student, said an advisor who provided classroom stability will not be able to continue without new funding. "When we lose teachers, we don't only lose resources, we also lose our comfort zones and a part of our community," Hummel said.

Braylen Fabulous Ocreu and Cortez Fox, students who testified later, asked Council to consider the human impacts of cuts and to prioritize classroom staffing, smaller classes and fair pay. "Investment in the school isn't an investment in students and teachers. It's an investment in the future," Fox said.

Einela Ray, director of parent advocacy and engagement at Children First, urged clearer transition plans and supports for families affected by recent school closures and said the district has been structurally underfunded by the Commonwealth, a point she cited to press for sustained city involvement in protecting students.

Why it matters: Student testimony framed the surcharge as a near‑term budget mechanism that would directly fund personnel and avoid immediate classroom losses. Council members heard multiple accounts from students and parent advocates asking Council to act to preserve staff and supports ahead of upcoming budget decisions.

What’s next: Testimony concluded with Council taking the matter under consideration; the committee recessed after the public hearing.