Schlossberg supports important changes to PA school system funding

Rep. Mike Schlossberg June 10, 2024 | 5:41 PM

HARRISBURG, June 10 – Rep. Mike Schlossberg hailed today’s passage of legislation in the state House of Representatives that would enact recommendations made by the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission.

“For too long, students, families, teachers and taxpayers in the Allentown School and Parkland School districts have been forced to shoulder the unfair burden of an antiquated and unconstitutional approach to funding our schools,” said Schlossberg, D-Lehigh. “Today, the House of Representatives voted to change that and ensure every student in Pennsylvania has access to a world-class education regardless of the zip code where they were born or live.”

House Bill 2370 would build on Schlossberg’s Level Up proposals which attempted to increase Pennsylvania’s support for the poorest school districts to meet the needs of their students. This was especially true in the Allentown School District where per pupil funding has lagged neighboring districts and other districts across the commonwealth. It is also true for the Parkland School District where state resources failed to keep up with explosive population growth over the past several decades. The significant increases to invest in Pennsylvania’s chronically underfunded schools found in the legislation are coupled with property tax relief, and reforms to drive accountability and savings for out-of-control spending on cyber charter schools.

“When I introduced my Level Up proposals, I was very direct in saying the proposals were supposed to be a bridge for us to meet the moral and constitutional obligations that we have for our students,” Schlossberg said. “Now, we are crossing that bridge, because this legislation is a giant step forward and is a critical part of the ongoing budget process.”

In January, the Basic Education Funding Commission noted a series of recommendations as part of its report to the General Assembly. Locally, state Sen. Nick Miller and Rep. Pete Schweyer, chair of the House Education Committee, were members of the commission and played key roles in the development of the report adopted by the majority.

“The Lehigh Valley was well-represented on the Basic Education Funding Commission with Sen. Miller and Chair Schweyer fighting for our students,” Schlossberg said. “As the Lehigh Valley has grown tremendously, and Pennsylvania’s approach to funding education failed to keep pace with that growth, it was imperative that we have these two leaders at the table to fight for our students, families, teachers and taxpayers.”

Schlossberg said the legislation would provide the following:

Allentown 2024-25 increases: