Prospects brighten for new Pa. schools funding formula

As Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial election heats up and education issues take center stage, a measure that would create a new schools funding formula is getting a boost from the governor.

Gov. Tom Corbett said recently he thinks the current funding system for public schools is unfair and needs to change.

“Let’s get a true, fair funding system for all the schools of Pennsylvania, not for one school district or another, but for all the schools,” he said.

A measure calling for devising a new way of doling out money to school districts has passed the state House and is now before the Senate.

The formula created to minimize funding disparities among schools was used under former Democratic Governor Ed Rendell for three years. It was scrapped when Corbett took office.

Democrats have repeatedly criticized the move, and the outcry has only increased as the gubernatorial election campaign begins in earnest, with eight declared Democratic candidates.