Philadelphia schools will open on schedule despite a massive US$32 million budget cut, the school district's superintendent said on Friday.

In a statement released by Superintendent William Hite, he said the budget cuts were a "less risky option" compared to school closure or late start of school.

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Hite said in his statement that the cut will mean a decrease in repairs within the district, and school busses will have to stop operating which will consequently affect thousands of high-school students.

Despite the setbacks the district will be experiencing, parents are still thankful that school closures have been avoided and there was no apparent threat of layoffs.

In 2013, Hite reported a loss of about US$100 million, causing thousands of employees to be laid off, most of which were rehired later on.

During the recession, situation is schools worsened because of a cut in the state's budget for education.

In previous years, students veered away from urban school districts and went to state-funded charter schools, taking away more state funding for the district schools.

Since December 2001, the state has neglected Philadelphia's school district due to poor student performance and minimal budget.

In the coming school year, the US$32 million cut will be able to partially offset a US$81 million difference in the funding passed by the School Reform Commission of Philadelphia.

The rest of funding difference were hoped to be closed over the summer with a proposed bill to increase the levy on cigarettes. But the bill was left unapproved when lawmakers went on break.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said everyone was doing their part in making sure that the school system remains afloat.

Despite the problems being faced by the district, Hite remains positive that even with the cuts in place, schools will stay open.

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