For Immediate Release
July 16, 2007

CONTACT:
Colleen Greer
Phone: 717-787-6801
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STATEMENT BY PICCOLA ON FUNDING FOR HARRISBURG SCHOOLS

Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola issued the following statement today regarding passage of the state budget and funding for the Harrisburg School District.

"It is a shame that we were unable to continue the generous level of support that has previously been forthcoming from the Commonwealth for the Harrisburg School District.

"Two things combined to make this happen. It was a year in which there was a genuine desire to cut back on spending and the Harrisburg School District's record on test scores gave us nothing to argue why they should be an exception to this spending trend.

"I hope that the PSSA scores to be released next month show a significant increase for Harrisburg. Whether they do or not, I hope the school district with the infusion of new leadership from the elected school board to be appointed to the Board of Control will finally adopt a consistent and rigorous program designed to raise test scores.

"I commend Representative Buxton for his effort to add elected school board members to the Board of Control and I was proud to support it in the Senate."