Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1225

Introduced
5/24/23  

Caption

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupil transportation.

Impact

The amendment is set to adjust how transportation reimbursements are calculated, potentially leading to more equitable funding across various school districts. By standardizing the reimbursement process, the bill seeks to alleviate financial disparities that exist between districts, particularly those that may struggle with high transportation costs. This step could enhance student access to education by ensuring reliable and safe transportation options, which is crucial for attendance and participation in school activities.

Summary

House Bill 1225 aims to amend the Public School Code of 1949 with a focus on enhancing the reimbursement framework for pupil transportation services provided by school districts. The bill specifies that the Commonwealth will provide payments to school districts based on the approved transportation costs, multiplied by the district's aid ratio. This legislative change is intended to ensure that school districts have adequate financial support for pupil transportation, including services like school crossing guards, which have a significant impact on student safety.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1225 appears largely supportive within educational circles. Educators and administrators express optimism that increased reimbursement can positively influence budget allocations for necessary transportation services. However, some concerns have been raised about the implementation details, primarily regarding how the ratios and reimbursement processes will be managed effectively and equitably among all districts.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the potential for misalignment in reimbursement formulas that could leave certain districts underfunded if not carefully calculated. Stakeholders worry about the clarity and fairness of the methods to be used in assessing approved mileages and passenger capacities for reimbursement purpose. Additionally, the effectiveness of this initiative will depend on adequate oversight by the Secretary of Education to ensure compliance with the newly prescribed reimbursement strategies.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1326

In pupils and attendance, further providing for computation of distances; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for pupil transportation data.

PA SB366

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums.

PA SB1112

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for reimbursements for merged school districts.

PA HB2172

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for reimbursements for merged school districts.

PA HB2154

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for reimbursements for merged school districts.

PA HB114

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding and for special education payments to school districts.

PA HB2112

In terms and courses of study, providing for school swimming education program; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for payments on account of school swimming education program; and making an appropriation.

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 SB930

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding.

PA HB840

In reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.