School funding is important, especially for everyone in the next school year. On February 7, 2023, the commonwealth court declared Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional. The judge ordered respondents to come up with a plan. So, Act 55 of 2024 put into law an adequate target for each school district.
Currently, our revenue consists of four sources: local, state, federal, and fund balance. Our local revenue includes real estate taxes, tuitions, earnings on investment, IDEA, and miscellaneous revenue. State sources include subsidies for basic education, funding, special education, and transportation. Federal consists of Title I, II, IV, and access funds.
Governor Shapiro presented his proposed 2025-2026 budget on February 4, 2025, although Governor Shapiro’s budget has not been approved yet. Governor Shapiro’s budget includes:
- Adequacy and tax equity
- Basic education funding increase for all 500 school districts
- Special education funding
- Cyber charter funding reform
- Career and technical education
- Dual enrolment
- Physical security and mental health
- School food services
- Feminine hygiene products
To get the funding for all 500 school districts, Governor Shapiro’s basic education funding alone would need to increase by $75 million; however, with this proposed increase, many districts may not be able to keep pace with inflation. One suggestion in the works is that school districts would realize a net saving of $278 million by implementing an $8,000 per student regular education tuition. However, discussions are still up in the air.
As for the PENNCREST school district, our budget will be approved and finalized on June 9, 2025. More information on our local budget changes is available on the PENNCREST website. For more details and information on the state budget proposals, visit pennpolicy.org.
