(8/06/2026)

Philadelphia Charters for Excellence Releases Statement on the Special Audit of the School District of Philadelphia

Aug 06, 2026 PHILADELPHIA, PA. — PCE supports City Council President Kenyatta Johnson's request for a comprehensive performance audit of the School District of Philadelphia, and we commend City Controller Christy Brady for agreeing to conduct it.

Philadelphia's public schools are funded by roughly $4.6 billion a year, about $2 billion of it from the city, to educate 113,000 students in 213 district schools and nearly 65,000 students in 81 public charter schools. Every one of those students deserves a system that is fiscally accountable and that allocates resources equitably, regardless of the building they attend.

"Every dollar spent in service of Philadelphia's students deserves scrutiny, and every student, whether they attend a district school or a public charter, deserves to know that money is being spent wisely and fairly," said Dr. Cassandra St. Vil, Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia Charters for Excellence. "This audit is an opportunity to bring real transparency to how our public education dollars are managed. We're encouraged that Council is asking these questions, and we hope the process keeps equity for all 178,000 of Philadelphia's public school students, district and charter alike, at the center."

This audit, set to examine staffing, administrative and consultant costs, budgeting practices, and long-term fiscal planning, comes at a critical moment. The District is facing a $300 million structural deficit, the closure of 17 schools, and renewed questions from Council about how public dollars are being managed. Philadelphia families and taxpayers deserve full transparency into these decisions before they are finalized.

We continue to push for policies and practices that put students first, including the nearly 65,000 in public charter schools who are too often an afterthought in conversations about District finances and facilities. A rigorous, independent look at how the District manages its resources is a necessary step toward ensuring every public school student in Philadelphia, district and charter alike, gets the equitable, accountable system they deserve.

PCE looks forward to the audit's findings and to working with City Council, the Controller's Office, and the School District to advance fiscal accountability and equity for all of Philadelphia's public school students.

About Philadelphia Charters for Excellence

Philadelphia Charters for Excellence (PCE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization representing 70 public brick-and-mortar charter schools serving approximately 65,000 students. PCE champions every family's right to a high-quality public charter school in Philadelphia. For more information, visit philadelphiacharters.org 

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