SV super looks ahead after funding lawsuit verdict
SHENANDOAH – As talks are underway in Harrisburg to set next year’s state budget, Shenandoah Valley’s superintendent looked ahead at what could come following last month’s verdict ruling the state’s education funding system unconstitutional.
“As one of the districts in that lawsuit, we were very ecstatic and pleased with the outcome of the judge’s verdict,” Superintendent Brian Waite said.
Shenandoah Valley, along with Panther Valley, Lancaster, Wilkes-Barre, and other districts and organizations statewide, sued the state in 2014 to address funding inequities allegedly caused by the state, saying the state is not investing enough, particularly in the lower-wealth school districts across the Commonwealth and, as a result, are not meeting their constitutional duties.”
“It’s long overdue,” Dan Salvadore, board president, told the Sentinel shortly after the verdict. “We were underfunded for years, and people like you suffered from it, because we didn’t have the finances to have any specials and electives. I’m hoping the future students won’t be deprived of what you were deprived of, or my kids.” This reporter is a Shenandoah Valley High School graduate.
“Earlier this month, Governor [Josh] Shapiro issued a call-to-action for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to do right by our kids to fund our schools,” Waite said. “We are grateful for the governor’s leadership and look forward to working with the governor to find a comprehensive solution that ensures every child has access to a thorough and efficient education.”
“The Governor’s most recent budget proposal also takes a step backwards,” Waite said. “Last year’s budget provided additional support for the Commonwealth’s deeply underfunded 100 school districts, like Shenandoah Valley, through what is called the Level Up program. This budget does not.”
“We will continue to be grateful for any additional funding to help close the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” Waite said. “We’re not going to solve the funding problem overnight, but it must be solved.”
“We simply want to be able to provide a thorough and efficient education to the students in the Shenandoah Valley School District and all Pennsylvania students,” Waite said.
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