A commission tasked with reviewing how Pennsylvania distributes money to public schools has narrowly approved a report that highlights a significant underfunding issue. The report, backed by Democrats and members of Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, suggests that the state is currently underfunding districts by more than $5 billion and calls for immediate action to close that gap. However, Republicans and one Democrat on the commission opposed the report, resulting in a close 8-7 vote.
The report recommends that the state should begin closing the funding gap, phasing in increased aid over seven years. This recommendation differs somewhat from what school districts that won a landmark court case are seeking. The districts’ lawyers proposed a $6.2 billion increase in state aid, to be phased in over five years. A separate Republican report, which did not put a specific dollar figure on increased spending, was defeated during the meeting.
It is important to note that the Democrats’ report contains only recommendations and does not require immediate action from Governor Shapiro or the state legislature. However, Democrats hope that it will serve as a blueprint for this year’s budget and subsequent budgets to address the court decision from last year, which found Pennsylvania’s school funding system to be unconstitutional for students in poorer districts.
Underfunded districts often face challenges such as larger class sizes, less-qualified faculty, and outdated resources. Many of these districts are also fast-growing, disproportionately poor, or have a student population that is predominantly minority. The report’s recommendations aim to address these disparities and provide a constitutionally adequate and equitable education to all students.
The next step in the process will be Governor Shapiro’s second annual budget proposal, which is due on February 6. While he has expressed caution about the state’s ability to fund the necessary increase in school funding, no specific commitment has been made at this time. Lawyers representing the school districts that sued have called the proposed $5 billion increase “transformational,” although it falls short of their initial request.
The commission’s recommendations are the result of months of hearings and discussions among lawmakers and members of the administration. The goal is to update the formula that guides the distribution of approximately $8 billion in state aid to Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. However, there were disagreements between Republicans and Democrats on the commission regarding the appropriate response to the court decision.
The Democrats’ report calculates a dollar target for each school district to receive in order to provide a constitutionally adequate and equitable education. According to the report, current funding falls short by $5.4 billion, which accounts for approximately 18% of districts’ spending. The report assigns $5.1 billion of responsibility to the state and $291 million to low-tax school districts. Additionally, the recommendations include resuming spending at least $300 million per year for school facility upkeep and providing an additional $955 million per year to districts with disproportionately high taxes, with the intention of providing tax cuts in those districts.
The approval of this report marks an important step in addressing the funding disparities in Pennsylvania’s public schools. However, further action will be required to translate these recommendations into concrete changes. The coming months will reveal whether Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal aligns with the commission’s suggestions and how lawmakers respond to the pressing issue of underfunding in the state’s education system.
