No school district in Pennsylvania has been hurt as badly by the cuts in state subsidies to local school districts than the Chester Upland School District. The district has filed a $20-million lawsuit against the state for it to be able to offer students an education that meets statewide standards.

In a commentary sent to area media, Rep. Kirkland saluted unionized teachers and support staff for their commitment to continue to work for the students even though funds had run out and they were not being paid. Read the op-ed here.

The situation in Chester Upland has drawn national attention. Chester Upland has become an example of what happens when government irrationally slashes support for the basic education of children.

The Ed Show on MSNBC examines the situation in Chester Upland here.

Rep. Kirkland petitions Auditor General Jack Wagner to conduct an audit of the Chester-Upland School District and all charter schools within the district. Read the letter here.

House Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairman Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny) details the Chester Upland funding crisis and declares it as symbolic of a worsening statewide issue. Read the report here.

During the budget debate last June, Rep. Kirkland argued against targeting local school districts and taxpayers and predicted that many districts, including Chester Upland, would be overwhelmed by the loss in state support. Click here to see the video.