Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 31, 2020 12:25 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Public School Good Faith Effort Protection Against Lawsuits — House Bill 2375 |
| The 2020 pandemic has required Pennsylvania’s school districts to close their buildings prematurely while continuing to provide meals to students. As challenging as that is, that is not the only logistical obstacle that districts face. The pandemic has created a host of challenges for our school districts that need resolved. Act 13 of 2020 codifies many necessary changes like waiving the 180-day school year requirement and allowing the Secretary of Education to increase the number of flexible instruction days. It also ensures that school employees are paid, and their retirement is protected. However, there is still more that can be done to protect our educational institutions. School districts need the flexibility and freedom to find creative ways to educate our young people during this pandemic. Providing meals is a great communal support, but schools must educate. The less catching up students need to do, the better they will be, long-term. School districts need room to be creative in how they approach educating students during this time due to restrictions that families may face. For example, not everyone has access to high-speed internet or computers capable of streaming instructional videos. That is why I am introducing House Bill 2375, to prevent lawsuits made against school districts for changes in operation due to the 2020 pandemic. This is not an attempt to restrict the rights of parents, but rather, a means for protecting school districts when they’re the most vulnerable. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation so that we can continue to support public education in the Commonwealth. |
Introduced as HB2375