Education cuts will boost class size in 85 percent of Pennsylvania school districts

It’s not just the Philadelphia school district that’s facing lay-offs and massive budget cuts. A survey of school districts across Pennsylvania shows many are facing drastic choices.

About one-third of the districts surveyed say they will either reduce kindergarten to a half-day or eliminate it altogether. And about 85 percent say they will have to increase class size.

Jay Himes is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, which helped direct the survey.

“Many of the people we talk to have almost universally said that they’re more concerned about what awaits them next year as well. It’s not a one year get through this and live happily ever after,” said Himes. “It’s a one year problem that worsens the following year.”

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Himes says it’s a brutal combination–lower local tax collections due to the recession and proposed budget cuts at the state level.

Also on the chopping block are arts programs and courses like advanced placement.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are looking to scale back Governor Tom Corbett’s plan to cut education funding by a billion dollars.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal