Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB890

Introduced
4/10/23  

Caption

In school finances, providing for reduction of school district debt.

Impact

If enacted, HB 890 could significantly alter the financial landscape for school districts across the state. The proposed debt reduction measures may allow for a reallocation of funds towards essential areas such as teaching staff, educational materials, and infrastructure improvements. The impact could result in a stronger emphasis on student learning and school program development, as districts would potentially have greater financial flexibility if they are able to alleviate existing debt burdens.

Summary

House Bill 890 addresses issues related to school finances by proposing measures aimed at reducing the debt burden on school districts. This legislation seeks to provide financial relief and set frameworks for better fiscal management within educational institutions. The bill’s intention is to improve the overall financial health of school districts, which can subsequently enhance the quality of education delivered to students by ensuring that more resources are allocated directly to educational programs rather than debt servicing.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 890 appears to be largely supportive, particularly among educators and school administrators who see the potential benefits of reduced debt. Many proponents argue that addressing financial strains on school districts is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to learning. However, there are concerns among some budgetary oversight groups who worry about the implications of debt reduction strategies, citing the need for sustainable and prudent fiscal policies rather than short-term fixes.

Contention

Despite the general support for HB 890, there are notable points of contention regarding how the debt reduction will be financed and the long-term implications of such measures. Critics express concerns that the bill could lead to budgetary constraints in the future if not managed appropriately. Questions about potential trade-offs in other budget areas are also prevalent; thus, the discussions on HB 890 reveal a complex balance between immediate financial relief for school districts and sustainable long-term fiscal health.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 SB337

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB132

In charter schools, providing for full-time cyber education program offered by school district.

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; 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, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA HB2172

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

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

PA HB480

In charter schools, providing for full-time cyber education program offered by school district.

PA SB799

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB670

In school finances, further providing for fiscal year.

PA HB1032

Establishing the Solar for Schools Grant Program; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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