Governor’s budget continues public education push

Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021 budget proposal released Tuesday calls for an increase of more than $400 million in funding for public schools, built in part on his pressure on the Legislature to seek comprehensive charter school law reform.

It also includes a plan to remove asbestos, lead and mold from public schools and raise the minimum wage for educators from $18,500 to $45,000.

Mr. Wolf proposed a hike of more than $100 million for basic education to $6.9 billion and $25 million more for special education funding to $1.2 billion.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association said it commended the governor’s investment in public education and the “significant step in the right direction” on charter school reform.

“Gov. Wolf’s budget plan continues to make public education a top priority,” Rich Askey, PSEA president, said in a statement. “There is nothing more important than investing in public schools and the students who learn there. Gov. Wolf has been a leader on these issues, and PSEA looks forward to partnering with him and lawmakers to ensure our students are successful.”

The governor’s office said the charter school law reform proposed in the budget would make another $280 million available for school districts.

The changes to the money flowing to charter schools that Mr. Wolf would like to see include imposing the same special education funding formula used to distribute money to school districts on charter schools. That is expected to save districts $147 million.

Additionally, he wants to establish a flat $9,500 per student per year tuition rate that cyber charter schools can charge districts for educating students who reside within their borders. Currently, districts pay between $7,700 and $21,400 per student, because the rate is based on a percentage of what districts pay to educate their own students.

Pennsylvania’s Republican-majority Legislature has shut down charter school law reform when it has been brought up in recent years.

The National Coalition for Public School Options, a procharter school group, said the charter school reforms proposed by Mr. Wolf show that the governor is “out of touch” with parents across Pennsylvania.

“The governor was fortunate to have the resources to attend the schools of his choice, but his proposals would deny countless Pennsylvania families whose children are trapped in failing school districts their own options,” the coalition said in a statement.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association raised concerns about teacher salary increases.

A statewide increase, the association said, could result in pay compression, leading to increased salary costs for all teachers. That increase would not only be felt by the schools in increased salary costs but also in increased pension and charter school tuition costs, according to the association.

The association, however, applauded the governor’s initiative to assist school districts with their response to lead and asbestos in schools.

“Schools have been struggling with maintenance and facility upgrades for years, leading to the current crisis we find ourselves in,” PSBA CEO Nathan Mains said in a statement. “PSBA is encouraged that the Governor and many legislators are focusing on this issue. This effort must be a priority as we move forward — our students and families are counting on us to address this crisis.”