We are school board members from across the greater Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our school districts range from small to large, rural to urban, well-resourced to under-resourced. Despite our varied backgrounds, we sincerely believe that full and equitable funding for education is a prudent and successful investment in our community and that the state legislature should lead the way in ensuring that every student in the State has the educational resources it needs and deserves. .
In our roles as both principals and, for some of us, parents, we have each witnessed the effect that educational investment has on the daily realities of our students. We see, time and time again, that access to educational resources makes the difference in whether students can thrive or their potential is not realized.
For example, those of us in the better-funded districts see that our students enjoy access to a wide range of advanced-level courses. This translates to a head start on post-secondary credits and better preparation for college. However, some of us see the opposite for our students – a paucity of AP courses available due to a lack of resources supporting these programs. Students who do not take these courses are missing out on a crucial opportunity due to conditions well beyond their control.
As we talk about the conditions in our various districts, the large-scale effects of underinvestment in schools become clear. We observe that while some students have easy access to school counselors, others have to share overwhelmed counselors with 500 or more students. We have seen students flourish through an array of programs, but we are also seeing the demoralizing effects of severe cuts to already modestly funded arts, music, and foreign language programs. We observe that students in well-funded districts enjoy the blessing of safe and suitable facilities, the latest technology and up-to-date teaching materials. In contrast, students in poorly funded districts make do with toxic and dangerous buildings and inadequate supplies.
Given all of our on-the-ground experience in our districts, it’s no surprise that years of research confirm the economic and social value of quality education. For example, studies confirm that consistent investment in education results in increased graduation rates and college enrollment. These improved outcomes lead to better paying jobs, greater economic stability, and less reliance on government aid for graduating students. They also encourage economic growth and tax revenue for our local communities and the Commonwealth.
Such improvements in outcomes are especially notable for students from low-income families, who rely on our public schools to provide them with access to opportunity and upward mobility and to help break cycles of generational poverty. In this way, a high quality education is essential and fundamental to the very concept of the American dream.
We find that the individual and statewide benefits of investing in full and equitable funding for public schools and all Commonwealth children are indisputable. We call on the Pennsylvania Legislature to exercise wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars in the 2022-2023 budget by investing to ensure a high-quality education for every student.
Jackie Huff is a member of the State College Area School District Board of Trustees and Donna Smith is a member of the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Trustees. Other authors include:
Laura Johnson, Pottstown School District
Lisa Hogan, Boyertown Area School District
Karen Beck Pooley, Bethlehem Area School District
Hillary Fletcher, Rose Tree Media School District
Katina Bearden, Pottstown School District
Dean M. Donaher, Bethlehem Area School District
Phoebe Kancianic, Pottstown School District
Craig Neiman, Bethlehem Area School District
Shannon Patrick, Bethlehem Area School District
Emily R. Schenkel, Bethlehem Area School District
Michael E. Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area School District
Shawn Walker, Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Beth Sviben – Central Dauphin School District
Kim Shively, Bethlehem Area School District
Jennifer Munson, Owen J Roberts School District
Winston C. Alozie, Bethlehem Area School District
Merlyn Clarke, Stroudsburg Area School District
Monica D’Antonio, Norristown Area School District
Catherine Fox, Scranton School District
Erin DeRosa, Stroudsburg Area School District
Judith Magann, Stroudsburg Area School District
Theresa Napson-Williams, Ph.D., Rose Tree Media School District
Scott R. Pompa, Jim Thorpe Area School District
John J Armato Pottstown School District
Joseline Kraemer, Stroudsburg Area School District
George Andrews, East Stroudsburg Area School District
Lauren VonStetten, Columbia Borough School District
Susan Lawrence, Pottstown School District
Kareena Rios, Lancaster School District
Nancy Wilt, Allentown School District
Charlie Thiel, Allentown School District
Audrey L. Mathison, Allentown School District
Jennifer L. Ortiz, Allentown School District
Scott Overland, Phoenixville Area School District
Meredith Hegg, Upper Darby School District
Patrick Palmer, Allentown School District
