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For Immediate Release
January 26, 2012
CONTACT:
Colleen Greer
Phone: 717-787-6801
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Weekly Column: Pennsylvania's Distressed Schools in Need of Financial &
Educational Reform
The critical issue of fiscally distressed school districts in
Pennsylvania is unfortunately and rapidly escalating in its severity. In
addition to their financial struggles, these districts are facing significant
educational challenges as well, causing a few – such as the Chester Upland
School District – to be on the brink of collapse. As a result, our Commonwealth
must step in and exercise bold leadership to structurally reform these districts
and provide students and their families more choices in achieving a quality
education.
That's why I convened a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee last
week to discuss and begin the debate, once again, as to how we approach fiscally
troubled school districts in Pennsylvania. I questioned the Secretary for the
Department of Education on the administration's intent to develop a workable
plan for the state's fiscally distressed schools. Most importantly, my
committee expressed the need for a long-term solution extending beyond the
problems surrounding Chester Upland because other fiscally distressed districts
do exist, including those in Harrisburg, Steelton-Highspire, Erie, Reading, York
and Lancaster.
As we move forward following this hearing, I remain hopeful
that the Corbett Administration will work with lawmakers to craft a
comprehensive proposal that will ultimately provide real and timely reform for
all of the state's fiscally distressed districts.
The days of shoveling more and more money into a district's broken
educational system with little to no accountability appear to be coming to an
end and should come to an end. A sustainable plan that serves the fundamental
educational needs of children while at the same time brings a district's costs
and expenses under control are in the best interests of everyone. |
