Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB518

Introduced
3/14/23  

Caption

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year relating to first class school district and for fiscal year relating to second, third and fourth class school districts; and, in collective bargaining, further providing for submission to mediation and for fact-finding panels.

Impact

This legislation is expected to significantly impact state laws related to school funding and collective bargaining. It reinforces the procedures for mediation and establishes protocols for fact-finding panels, which are essential in resolving disputes between school administrations and staff. By formalizing these processes, SB518 aims to create a more structured approach to financial negotiations and disputes, ultimately fostering a more stable educational environment across the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 518 addresses crucial aspects of school finances by providing new frameworks for the fiscal year concerning different classes of school districts. It aims to enhance the financial management and operational capabilities of first class, second class, third class, and fourth class school districts. The bill includes provisions designed to streamline financial processes and ensure that fiscal policies align with the needs of the varying classifications of districts within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB518 appears to be generally positive among education stakeholders who believe that clear financial guidelines and mediation protocols can contribute to better educational outcomes. Supporters argue that effective school finances are critical for improving educational quality and ensuring that resources are adequately allocated. However, there may also be apprehensions regarding the potential bureaucratic implications of the proposed changes, particularly related to mediation and fact-finding procedures.

Contention

Key points of contention among various stakeholders may revolve around the effectiveness of mediation and fact-finding panels in truly addressing the financial challenges faced by different school districts. Critics could raise concerns about whether these processes will lead to substantial improvements or simply add layers of bureaucracy that complicate already challenging financial landscapes. Additionally, there might be debates over the adequacy of funding provisions and their ability to meet the diverse needs of all school districts, especially those that are underfunded.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB761

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year relating to first class school district and for fiscal year relating to second, third and fourth class school districts; and, in collective bargaining, further providing for submission to mediation and for fact-finding panels.

PA HB670

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year.

PA HB1876

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in school directors, further providing for school board in first class A school districts, apportionment of seats and numbers, terms and methods for election of school directors in first class A school districts, for number and election in districts of the second, third and fourth classes and terms of office, for number and election in districts third class and terms of office and for number and election in districts fourth class and terms of office.

PA HB659

In school finances, further providing for distress in school districts of the first class; in grounds and buildings, further providing for public hearing prior to closing school; and, in pupils and attendance, providing for conditions for closing schools.

PA HB111

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year and for tax levy and limitations.

PA HB25

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year and for tax levy and limitations.

PA HB344

In representation, further providing for election requests, consent to election, notice and pre-election hearings and for appropriateness of unit; in scope of bargaining, repealing provisions relating to first level supervisors; in collective bargaining impasse, further providing for commencement of mediation and for continuation of mediation and fact-finding panels; and repealing provisions relating to picketing.

PA HB301

In preliminary provisions, further providing for special provisions applicable to limited school years; in duties and powers of board of school directors, further providing for additional schools and departments; in grounds and buildings, further providing for limitation on new applications for Department of Education approval of public school building projects; in school directors' associations and county boards of school directors, further providing for powers and duties; in intermediate units, further providing for visual services and for school safety and security enhancements; in certification of teachers, further providing for substitute teaching permit for prospective teachers and for locally issued temporary certification for substitute teachers, repealing provisions relating to permit for classroom monitors and providing for permit for classroom monitors; providing for the Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program; in pupils and attendance, further providing for compulsory education of physical defectives, for school lunch and breakfast reimbursement, for dependent children, for actual cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children in the four chartered schools for education of the deaf and the blind, for payment of cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children, for transfer of funds for transferal programs and for children under six with defective hearing and parent or guardian advised of schools, etc.; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for Office for Safe Schools, repealing provisions relating to regulations and to reporting, further providing for policy relating to bullying and for maintenance of records and repealing provisions relating to Safe Schools Advocate in School Districts of the First Class, to standing, to enforcement and to construction of article and other laws; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions and for school safety and security committee, providing for duties of committee, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, providing for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program, for standardized protocols, for county safe schools' collaborative and for school mental health grants for 2023-2024 school year, further providing for school safety and security coordinator training and providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding, for safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class and for enforcement; in school security, further providing for definitions, for school police officers, for annual report and for school security guards; in character education program, further providing for character education program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations and for limitations; in school districts of the first class, further providing for qualifications of principals and teachers; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2023-2024; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for definitions and for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums, for payments on account of courses for exceptional children, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status, for payments, for payments on account of pupil transportation, for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant and for payment of required contribution for public school employees' Social Security; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; providing for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making an editorial change.

PA HB861

Further providing for definitions; providing for notice and regulations; further providing for unfair labor practices and for representatives and elections; providing for initial collective bargaining agreement; and further providing for prevention of unfair labor practices and for penalties.

PA HB178

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in taxation by school districts, further providing for school district tax notices.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.