Pennsylvania’s state budget gave a steady boost to education funding—continuing efforts from a supreme court ruling two years ago.
Pennsylvania’s state budget gave a steady boost to education funding—continuing efforts from a supreme court ruling two years ago.
Pennsylvania lawmakers voted to increase education funding by nearly $900 million dollars—a 4% raise from last year.
“Funding our schools is so important,” said Rep. Clint Owlett, the Republican state representative for Tioga County. “And making sure that they have the resources that they need.”
The biggest increase is $560 million through the ready to learn funding formula.
“For the second consecutive year, bipartisan support has made adequacy funding a non-negotiable priority,” said Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director for the Education Law Center.
This is the state response to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling from 2024—that said the state was failing to guarantee students a quality education.
“The work is far from over. And it will take more than one or two years of progress to actually meet the constitutional mandate,” Klehr said.
The Ready to Learn formula calculates student population, poverty rates, property tax rates, and other factors so state money is being distributed wisely between to Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts.
“Districts can use this funding to invest in services that we know make a difference for children,” Klehr said.
School counselors, support staff, new curriculum, and art or tech classes are just some of the ways districts can spend this money.
“Especially for me, when I think about rural schools, to make sure that they’re not forgotten,” Owlett said. “It’s hard for rural schools. The challenges that they have in transportation, and you know, trying to attract teachers to rural Pennsylvania can be a challenge.”
Funding for school building improvements, security, special education, and other areas also received continued or increased funding.
“The bottom line, is we know money matters,” Klehr said.
Below is a list of the school districts and their total increases this year.
Athens Area SD: $315,525
Canton Area SD: $401,613
Northeast Bradford SD: $149,170
Sayre Area SD: $199,951
Towanda Area SD: $812,686
Troy Area SD: $687,969
Wyalusing Area SD: $492,754
Blue Ridge SD: $240,730
Elk Lake SD: $185,636
Forest City Regional SD: $152,784
Montrose Area SD: $174,986
Mountain View SD: $135,362
Susquehanna Community SD: $122,449
Northern Tioga SD: $1,148,615
Southern Tioga SD: $711,198
Wellsboro Area SD: $562,747
This is a table of the school districts in our area, tracking their some of their major funding increases:
By Kara Jeffers