State representatives oppose change in school funding

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Several state representatives oppose Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed change to the Basic Education Funding Formula, which went into effect during the 2015-2016 school year.

Announced during a recent event in Philadelphia, Wolf’s proposal suggests running both existing and new education funds through a fair funding formula. Currently, the formula only calculates new school funding, which ensures a gradual transition to the new formula to avoid unjust harm to rural school districts.

The House Appropriations Committee found the proposal would significantly cut state education dollars to school districts serving District 65 students and would negatively impact 357 of 500 school districts in the state.

“Clearly, Pennsylvania’s out-of-touch governor wants to rob as much as possible from rural school districts to pay back his top electoral base with nearly $350 million in increased funding earmarked for schools located in greater Philadelphia,” state Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), a member of the House Education Committee, said. “Without question, I will oppose any future legislation that is created based on Wolf’s ludicrous education funding formula proposal.”

Based on the state budget for 2018-19, funding for some districts will be decreased more than 40 percent. Penncrest School District, for example, would have funding cut 60 percent, slightly more than $11.4 million while Union City Area School District’s funding would be slashed 58 percent, slightly more than $5.4 million.