Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 Budget
August 14, 2023 | 11:38 AM
Image Source: Commonwealth Media Services
Governor Josh Shapiro during a ceremonial signing of the 2023-24 budget bill, to provide universal free breakfast to nearly 1.7 million Pennsylvania public school students across the Commonwealth, at Millmont Elementary School in Reading on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Governor Shapiro and Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin also highlighted the critical investments the bipartisan budget makes in K-12 public schools, including the largest increase in basic education funding (BEF) in Pennsylvania history.
The Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 budget includes a $567 million increase in basic education funding and universal free breakfast for all districts across the Commonwealth.
Districts in high-poverty communities are expected to get a significant bump in basic education funding.
The Reading School District, where 93% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and 25% of students are English Language Learners, received roughly $202 million in basic education funding, which is about $18 million more than it got last year.
“This funding is far reaching and includes free universal breakfast for children. This universal breakfast program is significant and will guarantee all students – approximately 70,000 across Berks County alone – and the countless others across the Commonwealth have access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast,” said Reading School District Superintendent Jennifer Murray.
Since the district qualifies for the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision, its students already had federally subsidized free breakfast and lunches. The new state program will allow 68,412 students in Berks County – including 17,790 in Reading – to receive free breakfast, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Aside from the increase in basic education funding, the enacted budget includes a $50 million increase in special education funding statewide and a $23.5 million allocation for workforce training and vo-tech programs.
The $18 million increase in basic education funding will allow the Reading School District to retain teachers, as well as attract new ones, said Wayne Gehris, chief financial officer for the district.
The amount the district gets is based on the basic education formula, which takes into account the demographics of the student population, including the poverty level, the number of students who are English language learners, the number of students in charter schools and the ability of the community to support education through its tax base, Gehris explained.
“The additional funding will allow us to support the new teachers contract that we entered into in 23-24,” Gehris said. “It will allow for our salaries and benefits to be competitive against both our county schools and schools across the Commonwealth.”
In March, the district approved a 5-year collective bargaining agreement with the Reading Education Association. It became effective on July 1. Under that contract, teachers, school counselors, social workers and nurses are set to receive a 6.29% salary increase in the first year, and then a 5% increase for each of the next four years.
The district has 148 new teachers for the upcoming school year. According to the district’s website, there are 14 vacant positions for high school teaching jobs, 15 for middle school and three for elementary school.
The district is also set to hire 24 student services employees, including counselors and social workers, Gehris said. With the increased state funding, the district hopes to hire more.
The funding will also go toward making improvements to buildings and adding field trip opportunities for students.
The district is also expected to receive about $6.5 million in Level Up funding, money that is allocated for the Commonwealth’s 100 poorest school districts. That money is currently held up in the budget process.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
- SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 4.1: Percentage of children completing primary and secondary education.
- Indicator for SDG 1.2: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line.
- Indicator for SDG 2.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. | Percentage of children completing primary and secondary education. |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. | Proportion of population living below the national poverty line. |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. | Prevalence of undernourishment. |
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Source: witf.org
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