WILSON, Pa. — Wilson Area School District’s board of directors joined other members of the Pennsylvania School Board Association Monday to call out the state’s general assembly to end the budget impasse.
Wilson’s board passed a resolution that will send a message to the state General Assembly detailing more than $3 billion in education funding has been withheld statewide.
“The ongoing impasse threatens the stability of public education, undermines the ability of districts to plan for the future, puts current and future educational initiatives and capital improvements at risk, and places undue financial burdens on local taxpayers."Wilson Area School Board letter to state General Assembly
That is “forcing school districts to borrow funds, deplete reserves, delay essential services, and consider program cuts that directly impact students, educators and families,” the resolution says.
The statement, a form letter drafted by the PSBA, goes on to state the Commonwealth Court has ruled Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional, and the state has a responsibility to address inequities raised by the court.
Furthermore, the letter points out school districts are required to adopt an annual budget by June 30 and “operate with fiscal responsibility and transparency.”
The state legislature failed to meet its own obligations and deadlines, it says.
“The ongoing impasse threatens the stability of public education, undermines the ability of districts to plan for the future, puts current and future educational initiatives and capital improvements at risk, and places undue financial burdens on local taxpayers,” the letter states.
The letter concludes with a call from the WASD board for the General Assembly and Gov. Josh Shapiro to pass a “complete and responsible state budget.”
What budget should do
As per the letter, that suggested budget should:
- Fully fund public education, including basic, special and career and technical education
- Releases all appropriated federal funds owed to school districts without further delay
- Honor the Commonwealth Court's mandate to address funding adequacy and equity
- Establish a process by which any interest and fees accrued from borrowing throughout the impasse is repaid to districts
- Include meaningful cyber charter funding reform by establishing a uniform statewide tuition rate for students attending a cyber charter school
- Demonstrates bipartisan cooperation and leadership in the interest of Pennsylvania's students and communities.
Copies of the letter will be sent to Shapiro, state House and Senate leaders, and the district's elected state legislators.
The budget impasse has stretched beyond 100 days, putting many districts across the state in a quagmire where, as the PSBA template letter stated, budget cuts, borrowing and program cuts may be in order.
“That’s part of our conversations coming up. So I would say, ‘Stay tuned.’”Wilson Area School Board Superintendent Harrison Bailey III
Several Lehigh Valley school districts have opted to withhold some or all payments to charter schools.
Board President Judith Herbstreith said WASD is not engaging in any such actions as of this moment.
But Superintendent Dr. Harrison Bailey III said, “That’s part of our conversations coming up. So I would say, ‘Stay tuned.’”
