Pa. bill would provide help to struggling schools
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Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York
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Legislation proposed by state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, would direct $30 million in state funds to 18 academically and fiscally distressed school districts to be used to improve academic achievement.
The legislator, who is running for auditor general, said during a news conference Wednesday in Harrisburg that it's time for the state to pump more money into fiscally and academically struggling school districts rather than cutting their state funding.
"This is about driving real reform to districts that need it most," Mr. DePasquale said.
Among the Western Pennsylvania districts that would be eligible to receive funding under the proposed legislation are Woodland Hills, McKeesport Area, Clairton, Sto-Rox and Aliquippa.
Richard Livingston, president of the Clairton school board, said he would welcome any legislation that provided additional funding to poor districts. "Any help the state can give us financially will be accepted," he said.
Mr. DePasquale called his proposal the Priority Assistance Grant for Education, and the eligible schools would be required to use their share of the funds to pay for programs that have proven to be successful in improving academic achievement. He cited full-day kindergarten, small class sizes and tutoring initiatives.
The districts that qualify for the funds would be monitored by a state commission that would be made up of representatives from the state education department, school board members, academic leaders and superintendents from across the state.
His proposal follows the release late last week of draft legislation created by Gov. Tom Corbett in November that called for a special commission to be formed to oversee the state's distressed schools. The commission would be empowered to remove the existing school staffs and convert the schools to charter schools.
Mr. DePasquale predicted that the governor would announce further education cuts when he unveils his 2012-13 spending plan on Tuesday. He noted that in last year's state budget, the poorest districts took the biggest cuts.
Notably missing from the list of schools that would receive PAGE funding was the Duquesne City School District, the poorest district in the county and among the poorest in the state.
Duquesne was not on the list because state Education Department officials have announced the K-8 district will not exist after this year. High school students have attended either East Allegheny or West Mifflin Area high schools since 2007 when Duquesne High School closed. But Mr. DePasquale said the district could be included if it exists in 2012.
Tim Eller, press secretary for the state Education Department, said department officials had no comment on Mr. DePasquale's proposal because they needed time to review it.
Appearing with Mr. DePasquale was PSEA President Mike Crossey who said the PAGE program "is exactly what struggling Pennsylvania schools need."
Mr. DePasquale said state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County, would introduce similar legislation in the state Senate.
First Published February 2, 2012 12:00 am
