In the Chester Upland School District, local leaders kicked off the new school year with pomp and circumstance. The mayor of Chester gave a speech. Balloons hung in front of Toby Farms Elementary School, where officials greeted families and a DJ played music out back.
The cheery touches provided a backdrop for local officials to put a positive spin on what has been a slew of bad financial news for the district.
Last week, district receiver Francis Barnes and superintendent Gregory Shannon announced that Chester Upland doesn't have the funds to make payroll. Without dollars trickling down from the state, the district is in dire financial straits.
Listen to and read the full version of this report at Keystone Crossroads' website. Keystone Crossroads is a new statewide public media initiative reporting on the challenges facing Pennsylvania's cities. WPSU is a participating station.
