Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman has issued a statement concerning the recent Commonwealth court ruling concerning school funding.
On Tuesday, the court ruled that the state general assembly failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide children a “thorough and efficient” education system through funding disparities in districts with low property values. The plaintiffs in the case, six school districts, four parents and two statewide organizations did not request a specific dollar amount in the case. Instead, they asked the court to rule that the general assembly must now enact a new way to pay for public education.
In his statement, Pittman said that while the financial aspects of the issue have been the focal point of the discussions, the court opinion stated that the general assembly will not be undermined to in its ability to continue to provide local control to school districts, nor does it require reform to be entirely financial. He says it’s now up to the general assembly to examine all aspects of the state’s education system, but he stressed the need to balance the needs of students and the ability of taxpayers to pay the costs.
Comments