Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the state’s $50.8 billion budget into law Sunday.
The budget includes more than $920 million in new funding for public education. The centerpiece is $565 million in new “adequacy” funding.
Even with the boost in funds, some districts say it’s not enough, and the roll out of that ruling needs to happen faster.
“We really encourage those school districts to do what’s best for their school district with those additional funds,” said Deputy Secretary for the Office of Administration Pennsylvania Department of Education Marcus Delgado.
This on how districts can spend the $565 million in boosted education funding aimed for the poorest districts, part of Pennsylvania’s newly passed budget.
“What we are looking for is continued maintenance of what we currently have, because that that money will help maintain it,” said Shenandoah Valley School District Superintendent Brian Waite.
He expects he’ll receive a $1.5 million boost to his districts’ $29 million budget.
The added funding stems from a 2023 landmark court ruling deeming the state’s public ed funding unconstitutional. A 9-year timeline is in place to fix it. Shenandoah Valley was one of six schools who sued the state.
Despite the boost, Waite says consistent increases in healthcare and cyber charter school costs still have the district running a deficit.
Waite is grateful for the funds, but doesn’t know if his district can’t wait another six years to be fully funded.
“We’re grateful for everything we’ve received, and we’re not we’re not saying that we’re not appreciative of what’s happening here. We just believe the timeline has to be accelerated a little bit,” he said.
Allentown received an added $20 million from last year.
In a statement Bethlehem Area School District said in part, “As we review the details of the final budget, BASD will continue to focus on being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars while providing high-quality educational opportunities for every student.”