A $27.7 billion state budget that increases spending by 1.5 percent would boost funding to many local school districts by more than 10 percent for the 2012-13 school year.
Upper Dublin (18.2 percent), New Hope-Solebury (17.7), Abington (16.5), North Penn (15.2), Hatboro-Horsham (14.6) and Central Bucks (13.1) would be the biggest gainers percentage-wise among Bucks and Montgomery schools, according to numbers prepared by the House Appropriations Committee.
The lowest percentage gains go to Bristol Township (6.2), Morrisville (5.4) and Bristol Borough (4.0).
Democrats, however, had their own numbers that showed funding for basic education and accountability block grants will remain flat.
The House numbers, prepared by Republicans, include funding for basic education and the grants, in addition to Social Security, transportation and retirement costs. Last year, under these headings, the state gave $7 billion to schools. The number for next year will be $7.4 billion.
Social Security, transportation and retirement were not lumped in with basic education and grant monies under former Gov. Ed Rendell. Gov. Tom Corbett changed those line items when he took office last year.
Lawmakers’ reaction to the funding differed. Some were pleased that area schools received double-digit gains. Others lamented the low starting point in which those gains were obtained, as funding from federal stimulus dollars ran out a year ago and was not replaced with state money.
“We did pretty well, didn’t we?” said state Rep. Scott Petri, R-178, vice chair of appropriations. “While I have not talked to my area superintendents, I already know they’re going to be pleased with how it affects their schools. This will make it easier for them to get their budgets through. It’s about time some of our schools get a piece of the pie.”
Steve Santarsiero, D-31, disagreed, saying the numbers don’t tell the story “in a straight way.” He said funding for basic education “remains flat” and “is treading water from last year. We have not made up for the massive cuts from the previous year. ... Ask any Bucks County superintendent, they’ll tell you this money is not getting to the classroom.”
Corbett’s budget proposal in February called for $27.1 billion in spending, which the Republican Senate bumped to $27.7 billion. That includes $856 million, a 43 percent increase, for school employee pensions.
“We’ve been trying to throw Gov. Corbett’s budget in the trash can and sit down with adults and do what’s right,” said state Rep. John Galloway, D-140. “I’m trying to stop Tom Corbett.”
Galloway said negotiations were ongoing for the June 30 deadline as the new fiscal year starts Sunday. He said in exchange for his vote he’s trying to get more funding for his Lower Bucks districts, Educational Improvement Tax Credit money for parochial schools and county money for Health and Human Services.
“That’s the deal I’m looking for,” he said. “If I get it, I’m voting for this budget.”
State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-151, said higher than anticipated revenue collections allowed the House to “meet our moral and constitutional obligations to provide good schools for our students. This was our priority.
“The name of the game up here is trying to satisfy everybody’s priorities, and I think this budget goes a long way to accomplish that. It’ll come as sort of a pleasant surprise to our districts. Hopefully (the money) can find its way back to our taxpayers.”
State Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-145, said she was hesitant to comment as the budget has not been passed. However, she said “Traditionally our districts are donor districts. I’m delighted they’re getting a substantial bump.”
Mark Miller, vice president of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and a Centennial school board member, called the projected funding numbers “a pittance. It’s still not bringing us back to where we should be.
“Almost every school district has finalized its budget. Cuts have already been made. Teachers are unemployed. Music programs are out the window. Some have eliminated transportation and kindergarten. This isn’t going to bring that back.”
Lisa Andrejko, Quakertown’s superintendent, took a middle ground approach to the numbers.
“Look, the state has a lot of school districts to take care of,” she said. “I’m not looking for an extra million. But don’t take away money from us and make us pay more.”
Andrejko was referring to the cost of charter and cyberschools that districts pay for on a per pupil basis.
“When we pay those costs it comes from the local taxpayer, and that can hurt them,” she said. “When the state pays it is spread around from a larger group.”
