Pittsburgh Review

Gov. Tom Wolf recently spoke at the Aliquippa High School Black Box Theater, where he celebrated the work that his administration has put into public education during his eight years in office.

The Wolf Administration has invested $3.7 billion in public education, and this year’s budget had a record amount of $1.8 billion invested, according to a release by the governor’s office.

“While this record amount of education funding is a necessary step forward and one worthy of celebration, we still have a long way to go before education in Pennsylvania is fully and fairly funded” Wolf said. “Let’s use this as a stepping stone to continue our fight for full, fair funding for all schools in Pennsylvania.”

Funding include in this year’s budget was: $525 million increase through the Fair Funding Formula, which leads to school district funding increasing by an average of 8%; $225 million increase for the Level Up Program focusing on the 100 most in-need Pennsylvania school districts to ensure equal access to quality education; $100 million increase for special education; $79 million in increase for early education; and $220 million for public higher education. Also, there are $850 million in recurring funds that are designed to invest in student learning, as well as cut local property taxes.

Over the past eight years, pre-K through 12th grade funding has increased by $2.7 billion. $1.86 billion went to basic education; $290 million to special education; $23 million for educational access; $254 million for early childhood education, with $205 million for Pre-K Counts and $49 million for the Head Start program; $109 million for early intervention; and $46 million for career and technical education.

“Whether in Beaver County or across the commonwealth, the governor’s commitment to funding education has been unwavering,” state Rep. Robert Matzie said. “I am proud to stand with him, and even more proud to have worked with him, in support of his unprecedented investments in our children.”