Pa. Senate committee approves bill paving way for state takeovers of troubled school districts
A Republican-penned bill that would pave the way for state takeovers of Pennsylvania school districts veering toward financial collapse has the support of Gov. Tom Corbett and is advancing in the Legislature.The Senate Education Committee voted Tuesday to send it to the full Senate. The legislation is spurred by fears of a wave of collapsing districts and is being fast-tracked so it can receive quicker consideration in the House if it passes in the Senate.
It would replace a piecemeal approach used in the past and immediately affect four districts: Duquesne, Chester-Upland, Harrisburg and York.Under the proposal, a state-appointed receiver ultimately would have the power to undo labor contracts and convert schools into charters. Democrats and teachers’ unions oppose the bill, while school boards support it.
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