Following is a statement from Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg on the approval late Thursday night of the FY 2024-2025 state budget:

“While the final budget package falls short of transformational reform of Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional and inequitable system of funding public education, we are relieved to see a strong one-year increase for the School District of Philadelphia. Real progress has been made in Harrisburg since the prior decade’s perpetual disinvestment of low-wealth districts which forced towns and counties to continuously raise property taxes and fees to fill funding gaps.

It is my profound honor to begin serving as president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and the educators, counselors, nurses, paraprofessionals, food service managers, librarians, and staff we represent.

First, I want to add to the chorus of gratitude to former President Jerry T. Jordan and staff members Arlene Kempin and Evette Jones for their years of dedicated service to the PFT.

I am proud to serve an organization that continuously punches above its weight in the fight for resources, equity, and justice that public educators have always led. The newly elected executive board team and I are excited to work on your behalf for an even stronger, fairer contract with the School District of Philadelphia that improves working conditions, increases compensation, and strengthens our ranks by making K-12 education a more tenable and aspirational career path.

June 13, 2024

PHILADELPHIA--As the school year comes to a close and PFT President Jerry T. Jordan prepares for his June 30 retirement, he shared his final weekly newsletter with PFT members.

In the e-news, President Jordan reflected on his career and said, "To be able to wake up each day and fight this righteous fight is a blessing."

Jordan also shared with members that an "unwavering belief that a better tomorrow is possible, and that the only way to get there is together" underscores the work he does each day.