Philly Leader

Last week Gov. Tom Wolf was at the James Logan School in Philadelphia where he met with students and education stakeholders and spoke about the Level Up school funding initiative.

According to a release by Wolf on April 14, Wolf was joined by State Rep. Darisha Parker (D-Philadelphia); James Logan Elementary School principal Dr. Matthew Grill; Donna Cooper, who is the director of Children First and a Level Up coalition partner; and Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). Level Up was first funded in last year’s budget. It provided $100 million equity supplement to the 100 most underfunded school districts in the state. Wolf's proposed budget includes a $300 million increase for Level Up.

“Our historic investments in education throughout my administration are ensuring a better future for our children and a stronger Pennsylvania, and we must continue to do so equitably. Through sound fiscal management, we have been able to make meaningful investments in education and this work must continue,” Gov. Wolf said. “Through these ongoing efforts, we are setting up a Pennsylvania where all students receive a top-tier education, where local taxpayers aren’t shouldering the bulk of the responsibility for funding schools, and where all Pennsylvanians have an opportunity to succeed.”

Parker said that every Pennsylvania student should have access to quality education regardless of where they live. She said fair education funding has been an ongoing fight.

“Philadelphia has been terribly underfunded for too long,” said Parker. “Governor, thank you for your foresight and your support of this funding. Thank you for helping us help our teachers be equipped in the classroom to help our students be successful, thriving individuals.”

The proposed budget calls for $1.25 billion in education from pre-K through college. This includes $70 million for Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance; $1.25 billion in basic education funding; $300 million for Level Up; $200 million for Special Education and $125 million for higher education institutions.

“Pennsylvanians know that the state coffers are flush with cash and every state lawmaker knows that the education is the top priority of Pennsylvania citizens,” said Cooper. “That’s why we are optimistic that again this year state lawmakers will get on board and support the governor’s ambitious education proposal, which includes the Level Up Supplement – these dedicated state funds don’t solve the adequacy funding gap, but they recognize the need to invest in the state’s poorest school districts now.”

Principal Grill said that every Philadelphia student deserves access to a quality education.

“We are grateful for the unprecedented increase to education funding the governor has led during his tenure and encourage the General Assembly to continue to prioritize our children and their futures by further increasing the Level Up funding,” Grill said.

Sen. Haywood commended Wolf for his work to secure $3 million in funding for Level Up last year. He said that thanks to that investment, students at James Local Elementary School “are achieving against the odds."

“But there is still work to be done,” Haywood said. “The governor’s proposed increase in Level Up funding will further support our children and their futures.”