Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 23, 2015 11:39 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Anthony M. DeLuca |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Reimbursements To School Districts, HB371 of 2013 |
| Charter schools do meet a need in our school communities, they offer an opportunity for innovation that our public schools may be hard-pressed to meet given the current economy and public schools budget limitations. While I do not oppose charter schools in general, I do think we need to make sure that our school districts receive the necessary funding support from the Commonwealth to meet the needs of all students. Previously, under Section 2591.1 of the Public School Code, the Commonwealth reimbursed each school district with students enrolled in charter and cyber charter schools, an amount equal to 30% of the total funding required for those students. This funding stream was eliminated in Governor Corbett’s first budget. Our school districts have been struggling with that loss of revenue ever since. Essentially we have placed an unfunded mandate on our local school boards by not reimbursing our local school districts these funds. In turn, we have placed an inordinate burden directly onto our local homeowners. The money lost must be recouped by either drastic cuts in programs and services, or by increased property taxes. Our school boards have cut to the bone, there is no more room to cut their budgets and there is no place left to cut without irreparable harm being done to the children of our Commonwealth. It is imperative that we restore the 30% reimbursements to our local school districts, in order to help stave off future property tax increases for our homeowners; this proposal (House Bill 371 of 2013) will do just that. I invite you to join me as a co-sponsor of this very important legislation. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB276