HARRISBURG, Pa (KYW Newsradio) — Budget hearings continue in Harrisburg, as Pennsylvania’s acting education secretary, Khalid Mumin, faced questions on a wide range of topics, from school safety to staffing shortages.
Mumin detailed plans for school safety funding, including increased mental health options, while also noting the budget comes in the early days of a new administration.
“This is a quick budget, but this is a huge investment," he said.
Mumin says mental health funding would also be expanded to teachers and staff to try to keep educators from leaving the profession. As for recruiting new teachers, he said, “We need to begin to bring education – put it back up on the pedestal that it should be on, and encourage young people to delve into these professions.”
Mumin says they need teachers to be actively involved in recruiting campaigns to explain it’s challenging but also rewarding.
Senators asked Mumin several times about the Commonwealth Court ruling that found Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional.
Mumin said there is an opportunity with the ruling, as has brought everyone to the table with similar goals in mind.
“We’re well positioned to be able to do this work together for the commonwealth. It’s an exciting time to be in the commonwealth in regards to education and our opportunity here,” Mumin said.
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Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposes a $567 million increase for the Department of Education. Mumin was asked if he could guarantee that increase would result in better test scores. He said the department is looking for a better way to conduct assessments that meet federal requirements.
“A one-size-fits-all assessment does not meet the needs of all. It just doesn’t give an accurate interpretation of what our students are capable of doing. We have to look at the assessments," he said.
Mumin also answered several questions about school choice. He said the governor is open to ideas but not at the expense of local education agencies or school districts.
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