Schlossberg: ‘Our kids win today’ thanks to PA court decision on school funding
Rep. Mike Schlossberg February 7, 2023 | 4:43 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg issued the following statement in response to today’s school funding lawsuit decision by Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court President Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer.
“For decades, Pennsylvania advocates have argued that children in Allentown and similar districts have not received the same education as children in wealthier ones. This inequity damages students, their futures, their families, their communities, and all taxpayers. Judge Cohn Jubelirer ruled in favor of those kids today. In so doing, her ruling reinforces a basic American principle that this country has always strived for at its best: America and Pennsylvania can be the land of freedom and opportunity, but only when every student is given a level playing field.
“This ruling will be appealed. The legislature and the governor will need to address its conclusion. However, let's be clear: it’s time to end the many decades when Allentown students have attended older facilities, had fewer resources, less robust equipment, and underpaid teachers. This ruling must start a chain of events that ensures kids in Allentown and poorer districts throughout the state will get the same world-class education as students in wealthier districts, regardless of zip code.
“As someone who has fought for fair education funding and reduced property tax burdens my entire time in office, I cannot understate the importance of this ruling. When I first proposed my Level Up funding proposal, it was designed to bridge the gap between the current funding system and full, fair funding. Now, thanks to this court decision, Allentown students and taxpayers can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Our kids win today. Justice wins today,” Schlossberg said.