FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Destiny Zeiders Phone: 717-783-9333 Fax: 717-783-7558 Email:dzeiders@pahouse.net	State Rep. Peter J. Daley D-Washington/Fayette www.pahouse.com/daley
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Daley’s school district boundaries bill moves forward

HARRISBURG, June 14 -- The House Education Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to report out a bill that would allow students who live in two school districts to attend the closest school.

House Bill 1170, introduced by Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Washington/Fayette, would amend the Public School Code to allow a student whose residential property is located in more than one school district to attend the closest school district regardless of school district boundaries.

“Last year when I was the Agriculture chairman, I heard complaints from families with large farms that their children were being forced to go to a school that was located much farther away,” Daley said. “It made absolutely no sense that they had to travel miles out of their way when another school was right around the corner. This only affects probably 50 to 100 families around the state, but it will make a difference in their children’s lives.”

The bill would also waive any tuition charges in recognition that such families already pay property taxes in two school districts. The bill was amended in committee to require the closer school district to provide pupil transportation, but only to that portion of the property within its boundaries.

Daley emphasized that the bill does not apply to families living wholly within one school district that might happen to live closer to a school in another district. These families, or their school district of residence, would still have to pay a tuition charge to attend the closer school.

The bill will now go to the full House for a vote.

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