Pa. 2024-2025 budget makes education a focal point

When Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Pennsylvania Legislature on a Tuesday in early February, he laid down a challenge.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do right by our kids,” the governor said. “Let’s seize this moment. If we do this right, we will not only set our young people up for individual success, but we will lift up our entire commonwealth in the process.”

Shapiro was presenting his 2024-25 state budget proposal. And his plan called for a massive public investment in education, one that would increase state funding by more than $1.7 billion.

The Legislature responded to that challenge. In passing the new state budget on July 11 — which was signed by Shapiro that night — the state increased education spending by just over $1.3 billion.

The new budget includes an additional $285 million in basic education funding, the largest stream of state money to local school districts. It also includes an increase of $100 million in special education funding.

On top of that, the budget includes a $526 million funding increase for education through the Ready to Learn Block Grants program. Those grants, which were introduced in the 2004-05 budget, are meant to enhance learning opportunities and provide resources for schools to innovate at the local level.

This year they’re also serving as the conduit for what the governor has called adequacy funding meant to help even the playing field for historically underfunded districts.

Berks County impact

Berks County school districts will see a major impact in each of the three main state funding streams — totaling more than $57 million in new dollars.

The 18 Berks districts will get a combined increase of just under $17 million in basic education funding. The biggest chunk of that will go to the Reading School District, which will see an increase of just over $10 million.

The biggest increase in terms of percentages will go to the Muhlenberg School District, with an increase of just over $1.3 million amounting to about 13% more than it received last year.

In total, Berks schools will get just over $353 million in basic education funding, with a little more than $212 million going to Reading.

When it comes to special education funding, Berks school districts will see an increase of just over $5.5 million. Just under $2.4 million of that will go to Reading.

As with basic education, Muhlenberg with see the biggest percentage increase in special education funding. Its $386,000 increase is about 15% more than the district received last year.

In total, school districts in Berks will get just over $59 million in special education funding, with a little more than $21.7 million going to Reading.

Reading, long labeled one of the most underfunded districts in the state, will receive a major influx of funding through the Ready to Learn Grant program. The district will see an increase of more than $25.6 million from that funding stream, all of which is coming from adequacy funding.

In all, Reading will get just over $30.4 million in Ready to Learn block grant funding, which accounts for the largest chunk of the about $46.5 million Berks districts will receive.

Local reaction

Local education leaders expressed pleasure with education funding in the budget, saying it indicates a willingness by state government to support public education.

“We are pleased to acknowledge the enactment of the 2024-25 Pennsylvania state budget, which marks a significant step forward for public education in our state,” a statement from the Reading School District said. “This budget includes substantial increases in funding that will directly benefit the Reading School District and enhance the educational opportunities for our students.”

The Reading statement says funding focused on equity, special education and mental health services will help provide critical resources to support students’ academic and emotional well-being.

“This budget is a positive development for our community, and we are committed to utilizing these funds to create a better learning environment for all our students,” the district’s statement said.

The statement singled out the efforts of local legislators in securing funding increases.

“We extend gratitude to our local elected officials — Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Mark Rozzi, Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. and Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz — for their leadership and support,” the district statement said. “Their advocacy has been instrumental in securing these much-needed funds for our schools.”

Officials from the Wilson School District — which will see about $3.5 million in increases in basic education, special education and Ready to Learn Block Grant funding — also said they were pleased.

“In light of the current educational and economic landscape, the Wilson School District is pleased to acknowledge the increase in state funding,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Trickett said. “This increase will significantly assist in addressing the escalating costs associated with supporting and educating our students, which is especially crucial for districts like ours where enrollment numbers continue to rise.”

Trickett said the increases will allow districts to better provide for their students.

“The new state budget marks a step in the right direction, and we extend our gratitude to our state leaders from both parties for their collaborative efforts in prioritizing the welfare of our students,” he said. “The increased funding and attention to mental health will enable us to better serve our community, ensuring that our students receive the support they need to thrive both academically and personally.”

Dr. Joseph Macharola, Muhlenberg superintendent, credited the governor for his willingness to push for education funding increases, saying they will make a big difference for districts like Muhlenberg that are seeing increased levels of poverty among their students.

“As the district with the second highest poverty rate and economically disadvantaged student rate in Berks County, it is critically important that we receive adequate funding to provide the very best services for our children,” he said, adding that the district is also undergoing costly school expansion projects to deal with increasing enrollment. “The budget in itself from the governor certainly will help us manage our finances for the 2024-25 school year.”

Macharola praised funding for school safety initiatives in the budget, saying that will hopefully allow Muhlenberg to soon add a third school police officer.

Macharola said he was grateful that Democrats and Republicans came together to pass a budget that makes education a priority.

“There should be no politics when it comes to providing the best for children and young adults,” he said.

Dr. Jill Hackman, executive director of the Berks County Intermediate Unit, also had kind words about the new budget.

“The 2024-25 commonwealth budget reflects a strong commitment to educational progress across Pennsylvania,” she said. “The increased funding for K-12 learners including basic education, special education, and career and technical education, as well as the increases for the youngest learners in early intervention, Pre-K Counts and Head Start state supplemental programs, enhances the ability to provide critical resources and high-quality educational opportunities.”

Hackman expressed appreciation to the governor and Legislature for showing their dedication to students and staff through funding for mental health and school safety programs.

“We are thankful to the administration and Legislature for their collaborative efforts in prioritizing accessible, high-quality education for the over 70,000 students we serve in Berks County,” she said.

Originally Published: July 29, 2024 at 5:02 a.m.