PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Students at South Philadelphia’s Vare-Washington Elementary School got a lesson in money and politics on Tuesday when Gov. Josh Shapiro visited for a ceremonial signing of the state budget.
A lot of what was said during the hour of speeches leading up to the budget signing — adequacy funding and divided legislature — was probably lost on the students, especially the younger ones. Still, they sat politely as the governor and other officials talked about how education spending in the state budget benefits them.
“Additional staff, including an extra nurse and more teachers, more teacher leaders. In addition to that, you’ve got a new curriculum you’re adopting, new desks and a whole lot more equipment for your classrooms,” he said, “and it’s paying off. Your math PSA scores are up 7.9%. That’s incredible.”
Superintendent Tony Watlington helped the students do the math. “When people say, ‘Does extra money make a difference?’ Yes,” he said.
Mayor Parker demonstrated the importance of giving credit, thanking Shapiro, while Pennsylvania House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris modeled an acceptable form of quid pro quo.
“We’re doing our part. Now I need you to promise me you’re going to do your part, you’re going to come to school every day and do your work in your classroom,” he said.
Shapiro also showed the value of knowing your audience. “Recess is now the law in Pennsylvania, mandatory recess for kindergarten to fifth grade. That is huge,” he told students, to loud applause.
The state budget allocates $12 billion for public schools statewide, an increase of almost $700 million over last year.
Philadelphia is receiving an additional $157 million. It also benefits from homelessness prevention funding and infrastructure spending, and the budget closes a loophole that had allowed online sellers to avoid collecting the city’s 2% sales tax. City officials have estimated that will bring in an extra $1.5 million a year.
