Underfunded school districts getting help from Harrisburg

Pennsylvania’s least-funded school districts are getting an unexpected life preserver from Harrisburg.

The state’s budget signed into law last week included “level up” funding - $100 million dollars set aside for the 100 poorest school districts statewide, including more than a dozen in southwestern Pennsylvania, with nine districts in Allegheny County.

On that list is Woodland Hills School District, which will receive $522,000.

“It’s added money and it’s sort of a surprise. But it’s a pleasant surprise,” Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said.

Harris said the timing of the additional funding is crucial, coming on the backend of the pandemic.

“Now, when the teachers and administrators have ideas to offer extracurricular activities, field trips, areas of mental health and support, we have some funds available,” he said.

According to the PA Department of Education, McKeesport will receive $758,000, Sto-Rox will receive $449,000 and Aliquippa will get $425,000.

“all good schools, all doing a great job academically, but they need support. This takes some of the burden off the local taxpayers,” Sen. Jim Brewster (D) Mon Valley, said.

Seven schools in Brewster’s district will get the extra money, Something he pushed for during budget negotiations.

“It’s important to me that the taxpayers know we’re thinking of them and most importantly thinking of the children,” Brewster said.

On the tail end of the most difficult school year in recent memory, Harris says Woodland Hills is in a good financial position and the extra half a million dollars will only help what’s expected to be a difficult recovery.

Parents can now decide if their kids need to repeat a grade in school to make up for pandemic losses

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