PRINTER'S NO. 1395
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1172
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY CALTAGIRONE AND McGINNIS, APRIL 12, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 12, 2017
AN ACT
Requiring the Department of Education to manage collective
bargaining for school district personnel and to prepare a
plan for consolidation of school districts.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Public School
Reform Act.
Section 2. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) It is necessary to consider massive changes in the
public school system of the Commonwealth.
(2) Financing of public schools is of critical concern
to the Commonwealth.
(3) The most important aspects of public school
financing are:
(i) collective bargaining;
(ii) physical facilities;
(iii) supplies; and
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(iv) transportation.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"School district." A unit established under Article II of
the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public
School Code of 1949.
"School district personnel." Employees of a school district.
Section 4. School district personnel.
(a) Collective bargaining.--The department shall be the
public employer for purposes of collective bargaining with the
employee representative of school district personnel under the
act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public
Employe Relations Act.
(b) Administration.--Each school district has authority over
selection, termination, promotion, demotion and discipline of
school district personnel.
(c) Applicability.--This section shall apply to collective
bargaining agreements entered into or renewed on or after the
effective date of this section.
Section 5. Consolidation.
The department shall prepare a plan for consolidation of
school districts in order to do all of the following:
(1) Reduce the number of school districts.
(2) Maximize utilization of:
(i) physical facilities; and
(ii) supplies.
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(3) Minimize transportation costs.
(4) Equalize Commonwealth funding.
(5) Recommend appropriate changes in applicable statutes
and regulations.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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