PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania House has teed up legislation that would drastically change how public schools are funded. The legislation could pass the Democratic-majority state House next week, but its fate in the GOP-led state Senate is murky.
Lancaster County Democrat Mike Sturla, prime sponsor of the 87-page bill, says it’s a product of a bipartisan commission tasked with coming up with a new funding formula after a state court ruled the current funding model unconstitutional.
“It does so in a manner that the state can afford and sustain funding levels while giving school districts adequate time to gear up with more teachers, counselors, computers, books and curriculum that are proven to improve academic outcomes,” he said.
The bill would add $728 million each year for seven years to erase what’s estimated to be a $5-billion gap and reform cyber charter funding and oversight.
“Not only is it financially feasible, but it allows school districts, in a very planned and predictable manner, to be able to improve the education system in the State of Pennsylvania,” Sturla said.
Pennsylvania House Education Committee minority chair Jesse Topper said the bill isn’t likely to see Republican support, and pointed to how the legislation would handle cyber charter funding reforms and student achievement.
“If the standards aren't being met in a cyber charter school, our idea is to cut their funding,” Topper said. “If it's not being met in a traditional public school, the idea is to increase the funding, and that will make it all come out in the wash. And that is not a student-centered idea.”
The bill could be up for a final vote in the state House as early as Monday.