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Friday, February 24, 2012

Danza: School cuts signal to kids ‘they really don’t matter’ - Philly.com

Danza: School cuts signal to kids ‘they really don’t matter’ - Philly.com:

Danza: School cuts signal to kids ‘they really don’t matter’

February 23, 2012|By Kristen A. Graham, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The speakers came from different backgrounds - an actor-turned-teacher, two union officials and a state senator - but their message was the same: budget cuts have hit the Philadelphia School District too hard and must stop.

Speaking at a news conference on the steps of the district's North Broad Street headquarters Thursday, Danza said the cuts have really affected the school, both in terms of capacity and morale.

"At Northeast, we lost shop teachers, art teachers," said Danza, who spent a year teaching at Northeast for a reality show. "That sends a message to the kids that they really don't matter."

He said he was particularly struck by cuts to school nurses. The district has laid off dozens.

Tracie White was laid off twice, first in June from Overbrook High, then after she was recalled, in