PA Schools Work Cheers End to Extended Budget Impasse, Applauds Passage of Critical New Investments in Public Education

Two Years of Bipartisan Commitment Signal Adequacy Funding Is Now a Non-Negotiable Priority

HARRISBURG – Following the passage of the 2025-26 fiscal year budget plan, the PA Schools Work campaign issued the following statement:

“Today, there is a collective sigh of relief across Pennsylvania’s public school students, educators, and local communities. Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly approved a budget that includes substantial education investments – matching the funding levels in the original House budget.

“This budget includes transformational funding to keep our public schools operating with another critical year of adequacy funding directed to the schools most affected by decades of underfunding, as directed by the Commonwealth Court. For two straight years, a bipartisan commitment to adequacy signals that lawmakers have made this a non-negotiable priority until full constitutional compliance is achieved – that represents progress and integrity.

“While the delayed budget makes planning and operations difficult for public schools, this agreement demonstrates what’s possible when our leaders prioritize students and work together to meet Pennsylvania’s constitutional duty to provide a ‘thorough and efficient’ public education system. The inclusion of cyber charter reform will help alleviate the financial burden on school districts that have been overpaying cyber charter schools and will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent more effectively and equitably.

“PA Schools Work thanks Governor Shapiro for his continued support of full and fair public education funding and applauds the House and Senate leadership for reaching an agreement that puts students first. PA Schools Work remains committed to working alongside lawmakers, educators, families, and communities to ensure Pennsylvania’s public schools receive the sustained investment necessary to prepare all students for success.”