Sen. Baker, Sen. Culver host roundtable on rural school funding UNION TOWNSHIP – June 1 – Senator Lisa Baker this week emphasized the long-standing and compounding difficulties faced by small and rural school districts in Pennsylvania. "While the new education funding formula represents a significant overall advancement, it’s evident that numerous districts have experienced limited benefits," stated Baker, R-Lehman Township. "Our schools appreciated the opportunity to present state officials with a detailed examination of the challenges they confront and to advocate for necessary reforms aimed at ensuring a satisfactory level of educational quality and improved student outcomes. These communities rely on robust public schools as vital contributors to economic growth, securing their future prosperity."

Senator Lisa Baker and Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland, welcomed acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe to the Northwest Area School District for a productive roundtable discussion. The central focus of the event was to address the unique funding needs and challenges specific to rural schools across Pennsylvania. This gathering brought together superintendents, school board members, dedicated teachers, and other key education stakeholders. The purpose was to collaboratively explore how the state can better support rural schools through more equitable funding models, robust workforce support initiatives, strategic shared services arrangements, and address the concerns surrounding the influence of cyber charter schools on local educational institutions. Participants engaged in a comprehensive tour of the Northwest Area campus, which highlighted critical facility requirements and innovative resource utilization strategies designed to maximize available resources."

Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, underscored the importance of this event in bridging the gap between Harrisburg and the realities experienced daily by rural educators. "Our rural schools are often the heart of their communities – they’re not simply places of learning; they serve as vital gathering spaces, employers, and a source of local pride," Culver stated. "Today’s discussion provided school leaders with a direct platform to communicate with the Department of Education and legislators regarding what’s working, what’s not, and how we can guarantee that students throughout the commonwealth have access to a high-quality education."

The conversation encompassed long-standing concerns regarding basic education funding, the escalating costs associated with special education and transportation, and the critical issues of teacher recruitment and retention within rural areas. In May, Baker and Culver sent a letter to Rowe detailing these inequities, citing the impact of uneven funding distribution on the districts’ ability to recruit personnel, invest in technology, and enhance curriculum to meet performance standards. This followed growing concerns from rural school officials and taxpayers regarding inadequate funding increases in Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget.

Responding to these concerns, Baker and Culver called for immediate action to address disparities in education funding across Pennsylvania’s rural communities. Baker emphasized that many rural districts struggle to keep pace with larger, well-funded schools that attract experienced educators and invest heavily in resources. "We must ensure that students in small communities have the same opportunities for success as those in urban and suburban districts," Baker asserted. "Now is the time for real, actionable change." The senators highlighted additional burdens such as demographic shifts and economic challenges.

The group urged their colleagues in the legislature, the governor, and his administration, as well as key stakeholders, to prioritize fair funding solutions that would provide immediate relief and long-term sustainability for struggling schools. Culver stated, "For too long, the focus has been on failing schools needing more money. We want to shine a light on our rural schools that provide a quality education but are struggling to balance their budgets and maintain the level of service and academic achievement their students and taxpayers have come to expect – all because of a funding formula that has left some schools at a disadvantage."

Bill O’Boyle can be reached at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.