ELC Joins New School Funding Campaign

Aug. 28, 2014 – The Education Law Center has joined a statewide coalition of more than 40 organizations representing educators, business and labor leaders, faith-based organizations, civic and child advocacy groups who want to address one of Pennsylvania’s most important and challenging issues: the funding of its public schools.

“We have to address the school funding crisis,” said Rhonda Brownstein, ELC Executive Director. “All of our students deserve an opportunity to learn and should have the resources necessary to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

While the campaign plans to formally launch this fall, the coalition behind the effort already has begun examining the issues that impact school funding and formed a governing body chaired by Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, a statewide children’s advocacy organization.

“While there has been plenty of discussion over the years about how Pennsylvania funds its public schools, there hasn’t been consensus among the many groups that have a vested interest in our kids and schools,” Benso said. “This campaign will be unprecedented in the various voices it listens to and represents.”

Kathy Manderino, a former state lawmaker, has been named campaign manager for the new campaign.

“School funding is, without question, one of the toughest issues facing Pennsylvania, but it’s also arguably the most important,” Manderino said. “So many facets of our commonwealth – jobs, culture, community, quality of life – are dependent upon and shaped by the education we provide for our children. How we fund that education really does dictate the future of Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to help advance such a critical discussion.”

In the weeks ahead, the campaign will announce its formal name and launch a website and related media tools to engage and inform Pennsylvanians on this important issue.

Organizations in newly formed school funding campaign (listed alphabetically)
A+ Schools
Action United
AFL-CIO of PA
Allies for Children
American Federation of Teachers-PA (AFT-PA)
Building One PA
Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA)
Cross-City
Education Law Center
Education Matters in the Cumberland Valley
Education Policy and Leadership Center
Education Voters-PA
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Keystone State Education Coalition
Lutheran Advocacy Ministries
NAACP of PA
PA Ass’n of Elementary & Secondary School Principals (PAESSP)
PA Ass’n of School Business Officials (PASBO)
PA Ass’n of School Administrators (PASA)
PA Ass’n of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS)
PA Ass’n of Intermediate Units (PAIU)
PA Budget and Policy Center
PA Business Council
PA Chamber of Business and Industry
PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools
PA Council of Churches
PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC)
PA Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN)
PA League of Urban Schools (PLUS)
PA Municipal League
PA Partnerships for Children
PA PTA
PA School Boards Ass’n (PSBA)
PA State Education Association (PSEA)
PennCan
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
PA School Librarians Association
Philadelphia AFL-CIO
Philadelphia School Partnership
POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild)
Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY)
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP)
Urban League of Philadelphia