“We should not have students going to school and learning about the history of the United States in a building where the election of Abraham Lincoln was still fresh in the minds of the folks who were going to that school. It’s nothing short of a tragedy and moral failure.” Read more
The PA House Education Committee held an informational hearing on August 10, 2023 on Level Up funding and its impacts on school districts across Pennsylvania. Testimony includes: Public Interest Law Center, Teach Plus, Carter & MacCrae, William Penn School District, Lancaster School District and Pottstown School District. Read more
State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans that his monthly veterans outreach program will be held Friday, Aug. 18 at his district office in Allentown. Read more
Allentown Representative Pete Schweyer, who chairs the education committee, says with a Commonwealth Court ruling declaring the state’s school funding unconstitutional, schools have to be adequately funded before that debate can begin. Read more
“We fundamentally know that the way we fund education in Pennsylvania is in fact broken,” Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Allentown and chair of the education committee, said. “(We’re) advocating and rallying around a better fair-funding formula that will put us in a position to make sure every kid gets what they need to be successful.” Read more
“This just never seemed like it was all that well thought out,” Schweyer, a Democrat, said, adding that addressing school violence and mental health are more urgent priorities. “I’d rather hire a couple more cops or spend money on a couple more psychologists in our most at-risk schools.” Read more
State Representative Peter Schweyer, Chair of the Education Committee, also shares a personal connection to the issue, as his own children attend underfunded schools that struggle to perform. Schweyer expresses concern about diverting funds away from K-12 schools, as it would result in fewer teachers and resources for students. Read more
“Every dollar that we don’t spend on our K-12 schools is a dollar that’s being taken away from our kids,” Schweyer said. Read more
“I don’t understand how Republicans didn’t vote for it,” the Chairman of Pa. House Education Committee Peter Schweyer said. “It was shocking to me but at this point in time I don’t know what to expect from them anymore.” Read more
State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans that in observation of the Juneteenth holiday, on Friday, June 16, his monthly support program will be held the following Friday, July 21 at his district office in Allentown. Read more
Pa. House Education Majority Chairman Peter Schweyer stands with House Democrats, teachers, and public education advocates to fight for adequate funding for Pa. Public schools. Schweyer says it’s time to stop demonizing the schools and teachers and start giving them the tools they need to succeed. Read more
House Education Committee Chair Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said the push for vouchers could blow up current budget negotiations. The current scheme under consideration is "lifeline scholarships," which he strongly opposes. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, comments on House passage of his legislation to fund improvements in the commonwealth's school buildings through new construction and maintenance work such as the removal of toxic substances and upgraded accessibility. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 27 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer today announced his bill to establish a grant program for schools to make critical upgrades and repairs passed the full House Monday evening. “ The average age of public schools in Pennsylvania is roughly 70 years old and many are in need of repairs and upgrades to ensure students and staff have safe and comfortable learning environment s ,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I am pleased to see bipartisan support for this bill as this would benefit schools across the commonwealth in urban, suburban and rural communities.” According to Schweyer, HB 1408 would establish the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program. It would provide funding for schools to make necessary and essential improvements to existing school buildings, such as roof repairs, updating or installation of HVAC systems and lead and asbestos remediation. School districts, intermediate units and career and technical schools would be able to apply for grants of up to 75% of their project’s costs with a cap at $5 million. Added Schweyer, “The current school construction program, PlanCon, focuses on new building and major construction projects, it does not help school districts pay for basic maintenance, routine upgrades or to clean up harmful environmental hazards. This bill would make sure students only have to worry about learning in their classroom.” Schweyer said the legislation now moves to the Senate Read more
Committee Chairman Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Allentown, referred to the bill as a “magical unicorn” given its unanimous support from teachers unions, the Department of Education, school administrators, and the legislature. Read more
State Rep. Pete Schweyer (D., Lehigh), who chairs his chamber’s Education Committee, told Spotlight PA that he “fundamentally” opposes lifeline scholarships and believes it would be a mistake to route state money into public school alternatives when the courts have said the public school system itself needs funding. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 21 – The PA House Education Committee, chaired by state Rep. Peter Schweyer, today advanced two bills which would make critical investments for school improvements and address substitute teacher shortages. “Many Pennsylvania students do not have access to adequate schools, including classrooms that are too hot in the spring and freezing cold in the winter, buildings which have leaky roofs and some cases, facilities are making students and staff sick with mold and asbestos,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “We can and must do better for our students. Under my bill, a grant program would be created which would support school districts with much needed infrastructure maintenance which the current school construction program does not cover.” According to Schweyer, the House Education Committee approved the following bills at today’s meeting: HB 1408 – would establish the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program for schools to make improvements, such as roof repairs, HVAC systems, and asbestos remediation. HB 27 – would extend the Act 91 provisions on substitute teachers for another year to allow school districts to hire annuitants if an emergency or shortage exists, an increase of the number of days or hours per school year substitute teachers may serve and temporary substitute teacher certification for assignments longer than 20 consecutive days. Added Schweyer, “The teacher shortage Read more
"It's about time that the commonwealth starts investing in this,” Education Committee Chairperson Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, who is the bill’s prime sponsor, said. Read more
Said Schweyer: “There are schools across the state that have mold, lead paint, asbestos, don’t have access to internet, are not accessible to students in wheelchairs or have other special needs and – it’s about time the commonwealth starts investing in this.” Read more
“We know we’re going to need to invest a significant number in education as a result of the lawsuit in the next, you know, X number of budgets,” said state Rep. Peter Schweyer (D., Lehigh), who chairs the House Education Committee. Read more
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