Schools Chief Arlene Ackerman (left) (photos: Matt Petrillo).

The Philadelphia School District is Pennsylvania’s largest, and educates 10-percent of its students, but is “being asked to bear 25-percent of the cuts,” says Michael Masch, it’s Chief Financial Officer. Masch, among other school district officials, testified today in front of City Council for seven hours to negotiate it’s budget–and to ask for financial help.

On the surface, the cuts appear gory and “unprecedented.” About 3,820 school district positions could be cut if Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed budget passes, including a loss of 1,200 teachers; 13,000 children will be affected if kindergarten is cut to half days; and 66,000 students will have to find another way–or new funds– to commute to school if transportation is slashed.

The district operates on a  $2.7 billion budget–enough to buy every resident in Philadelphia two 64 GB iPad2’s.

But the question, at least for some council members, is not whether the city should lend a helping hand to the district. As the school district asks the city for more money, City Council must decide whether or not it’s too big too fail.

This won’t be its first plan of action, and it definitely won’t happen before Council’s budget is due, which is June 1. But some on Council, like Bill Green, is not convinced the city should help bail it out.

“There’s lots of money in a $2.7 billion budget. They can find $25 million. There is no way to convince me there are things less important that are currently in their requested appropriation,” Green told reporters.

Green says there is very limited oversight into the school district and has called for it to be audited last week.

“They have to start closing and consolidating [public] schools and really manage the decline of the school district, because charters are going to take over…and frankly, they do a much better job,” he says.

The district has taken some steps to help curb its $631 million deficit. Last year, it used outside firms to audit its charter schools. It has also implemented a hiring freeze (sucks to be a fresh Philly teacher graduate), applied surplus funds to its next operating budget and reduced central operating programs and services.

Wilson Goode, Jr.

“Our children deserve nothing but the collective efforts of our best,” Superintendent Arlene Ackerman told City Council.”We are respectfully requesting additional funding.”

Council member Wilson Goode, Jr. directly asked district officials, “How much money do you want?”Masch fumbled the answer, noting the complexities in the budget. Good interrupted him three times, telling him, “I have the list, Mr. Masch. Are you ready to make a direct request or not?” Masch finally told him the district would appreciate 50-to-75-percent of the $180 million that the district needs to fund “high priority” programs, such as full-day kindergarten, music, art and transportation.

The last time the school district asked for more money, in 2007, Goode was the lead sponsor on a bill that shifted more property taxes to schools.

Fast-forward to today, however, Goode did not act impressed with the fact Masch could not answer what the district used the money for. Partly because the district is managed by the state, it can spend Council-approved money on anything the district deems necessary, rather than heeding the recommendations of Council.

“That’s NOT how we’re doing business this year,” Goode told Masch.

The public may testify their opinions tomorrow at 1 p.m. in City Hall.