For the 2021-22 academic year, Bristol Borough School District has been shortchanged over $7 million based on Pennsylvania’s own standards for adequate funding, according to Nancy Martin, of POWER Interfaith Bucks County Education Justice Team.
This amounts to $5,000 per student.
Over the past several months, educators, parents and civic rights organizations have testified before the Commonwealth Court against unfair and inequitable school funding. Advocates for fair funding have also regularly gathered on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
Across Pennsylvania, said Martin, districts in lower-income areas received approximately $4 billion less than they should have this year, while their wealthier counterparts bypassed this issue.
On March 10, the same day as the lengthy trial’s closing arguments, Martin and other representatives from POWER – a statewide racial and economic justice organization – attended the Bristol Borough school board meeting, held at Snyder-Girotti Elementary School, 450 Beaver St., to make a symbolic gesture.
Part of this gesture was the presentation of an apple to each teacher to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication each day, despite limited funding.
“Apples are nice, don’t get me wrong. But fair funding is better,” said Martin. “Fair funding is essential for a student from a lower income family, for a child of color living in an underfunded district, to leave school on an equal footing with a student coming from a wealthier family living in a better funded district. Legislators consistently assign districts like Bristol Borough with far less money to spend per student than wealthier districts.”
POWER also brought gift cards for each teacher to purchase whatever they’d like for their classrooms.
“We call this gift a small down payment on the more than $7 million owed to your students,” said Martin. “We know this is just a BandAid. But sometimes, a BandAid is what a teacher needs to get through the day.”
Martin, who taught for 22 years in New York public schools and “loved every minute,” brought up the fact that teachers are too-often forced to use their own money to purchase pencils and paper.
“Professionals should never be forced to take money out of their own pockets to purchase basic supplies,” she said. “Just think how the face of education would change if every school district, regardless of student color, ability or zip code, had sufficient funds for more than just basic supplies.”
Present at the meeting to accept the apples and gift cards, as well as a massive box of art supplies, was elementary Principal Kelli Rosado, who said, “Thank you for this small token, but more importantly for the work that you’re doing for our district and for our students.”
Several local elected officials voiced their support for full and fair funding, including state Reps. Tina Davis and John Galloway and Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, who were unable to attend the meeting in person.
State Rep. Perry Warren previously acknowledged unequal funding among the school districts in his legislative district, including Pennsbury, Council Rock and Morrisville.
“We need to create a system that fully and fairly funds public education for all 501 school districts in Pennsylvania,” he said. “Only through a great public education do our communities maintain the economic viability they have today and to increase the standard of living for this and future generations.”
Though a ruling on the trial will likely take a while, Martin feels optimistic about the future.
“I think the message is growing. I think it’s getting larger and it’s getting more powerful. I’m beginning to have hope. I hope you are too,” said Martin. “I think today may mark a turning point in the struggle for unfair funding for public education in Pennsylvania. Our system of funding is inadequate, inequitable and it needs to change.”
Recently, the State Senate Appropriations Committee held hearings on the education budget for 2023, with Gov. Tom Wolf requesting a $1.9 billion increase.
“I see that as very good,” said Martin.
Superintendent Dr. Tom Shaffer added, “Should this lawsuit go through in our favor, it would be a significant change in funding for school districts, especially for a district such as Bristol Borough.”
Shaffer also thanked POWER for its work in spreading the word about this long standing issue.
“It’s these types of grassroots efforts that are going to make a difference in the education of our children and the lives of our children,” he said.
Visit fundourschoolspa.org for updates and more information.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
