FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2005
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Waugh Introduces Legislation to Provide Financial Assistance to Growing School Districts

HARRISBURG –Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) today introduced legislation designed to aid those school districts struggling to accommodate growing student enrollment. 

"Several school districts in York County must serve growing student populations without a corresponding increase in their resources," said Waugh.  "Although state funding to schools has increased in recent years, those districts with ballooning enrollments are at a disadvantage." 

Waugh's legislation, Senate Bill 1009, amends the Public School Code of 1949 to allow for this direct financial assistance. Under the bill, school districts annually calculate the increase in student enrollment. The increase must be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and by February 1 of the following year, the Department will provide the supplemental funding to the school district. 

"This is about fixing a funding formula problem that has existed for too long," Waugh said. "The current funding formula does not assist growing school districts. With the cooperation and assistance of York County House delegation members, I have developed this method of assistance." 

The legislation creates the New Student Supplemental Assistance Account and appropriates $30 million to this fund for the current fiscal year. After this fiscal year, the Secretary of Education shall annually make a request during the budget process for the account.

"Providing this additional funding is what we should already be doing for our growing school districts," said Waugh. 

SB 1009 will be referred to the appropriate committee in the near future.