Band Parents Goes on Hunger Strike Against Philadelphia School Layoffs

After an avalanche of slashed sports and arts programs, along with scores of administrative and cafeteria positions, Philadelphia public schools will look a lot different when students return this September. After an avalanche of slashed sports and arts programs, along with scores of administrative and cafeteria positions, Philadelphia public schools will look a lot different when students return this September. Parent Mike Mullins decided the cuts, due to the deficit’s $304 million deficit, weren’t getting enough attention. So he went on a hunger strike.

“What led us here was the catastrophic budget they put out which devastates the schools and our city, but specifically eliminates — just completely abandons — all of the safety monitors in lunchrooms and in recess,” Mullins told the Washington Post on Monday.

Mullins’s program, “Fast for Safe Schools,” is one of many projects that advocates are hoping will draw attention to the schools’ problem, which is capped by a layoff of 3,800 employees as of next week.

Read the full story here.