If anyone else is interested in testifying, please approach the witness table. (Witness comes forward.)
Good evening. Kindly identify yourself for the record.
Good evening. My name is Sonya Iro. I came to Philadelphia from London and I now live here, in Philadelphia. And when I arrived to this city, I didn't know what to do. I was faced with a situation where I have to go to law school for one year before I can qualify to take the bar in this country because I was already (indiscernible) in England. So I came cross Miss Gambrell (ph.) at the Bach Teen Center, and she helped me out. Of course, I don't have any money because I am studying, and it cost me a lot of money, and I'm on a loan as well. So I have watched my daughter grow over the months, and I leave her there in the center. I go to school and I feel very comfortable because she's in safe hands. I do not think that even if I could have afforded the most expensive day care 184 3/7/01 - SCHOOL BUDGET - PUBLIC TESTIMONY that I would have had the comfort that this day care provides for me, being somebody new in the City, in the country, for that matter. So I would please be grateful for this day care to be left to continue to operate to help a lot of young people that goes to the high school and for people like me as well who is benefitting enormously from the Bach Teen Center. Thank you very much.
And we do have somebody from the School Board here who has indicated that this program is not in jeopardy in any way.
It is not being cut. The Comprehensive Day Care programs are not being cut. (Applause.)
Are they being funded? You said they're not being cut. My question now is, are they being funded?
No. The program is not 185 3/7/01 - SCHOOL BUDGET - PUBLIC TESTIMONY being cut; it is being funded. What we may have to do is consolidate some of the sites based on enrollment, but we don't plan to cut the program. (Applause.)
I think the parents were very anxious to hear that. Is there anyone else that wants -- oh, I'm sorry. Councilman Rizzo? I'm sorry.
I just heard something that my antenna went up about consolidating some locations. I understand what you said, but what's the impact of consolidating locations to people that need these programs in the immediate proximity of their home that don't have a car to go to or an alternate location or don't have a token? (Applause.)
We're aware of all potential problems; that's why looking very carefully at where locations are and trying to make sure that there is equitable distribution across the City in terms of the sites that remain open.
So there will be 186 3/7/01 - SCHOOL BUDGET - PUBLIC TESTIMONY some sensitivity to --
Oh, absolutely. And there has been to this point as we looked at our enrollment increase in some areas and drop in others.
Terrific. Thank you very much. Just wanted to clarify that. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. (Applause.)
Thank you. Do we have anyone else to testify? (No response.)
Seeing no 16 one, I certainly want to thank all of you for your patience. I know you've been sitting here and we certainly appreciate your coming in to testify and expressing your concerns. This committee will stand in recess until Tuesday, March the 13th, at 10 a.m. And the School Board will come back with information that was requested on Tuesday. Thank you. (Adjourned 8:05 p.m.) 187 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Wednesday, March 7, 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BILL NO.'S 010011, 12, 13 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA FY '01 BUDGET PUBLIC TESTIMONY __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter