Clymer expects slow process on education reforms

Representatives of the state’s two major teachers’ unions told the House Education Committee their priorities for 2011 include seeking help with difficult budget decisions and blocking the school choice initiatives proposed in the state Senate.

From left to right: House Education Committee members Mark Longietti (D-Mercer), James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) and Paul Clymer (R-Philadelphia).

The representatives of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and the American Federation of Teachers of Pennsylvania (AFT-PA) were among seven statewide education organizations represented at the informational hearing Wednesday morning. Other groups represented said they were also seeking budgetary assistance and were looking to the state for relief from mandates.

John Vaughn, PSEA’s assistant executive director for government relations, said the number one priority is the how the state budget will impact school districts.

“With the absence of the federal [stimulus] funds coming into play, that creates an automatic $1 billion shortfall in the basic education subsidy. That could have tremendous impacts all across the board,” said Mr. Vaughn.

With the state facing a $4 billion deficit next year, cuts in education spending are anticipated. Last week, Gov. Tom Corbett took the first step by freezing more than $1 billion in education spending this year.

School spending in Pennsylvania has increased dramatically during the last decade.

In the current fiscal year, the state basic education subsidy is $5.7 billion. If the basic education subsidy is cut to the Corbett Administration’s projection of $4.7 billion, it would be in line with state-level education spending from fiscal year 06-07.

Mr. Vaughn said the PSEA – which represents more than 191,000 members in the state – is also concerned about the voucher program introduced in the state Senate.

“We are opposed to the legislation in its current form, but we know that will be an issue that is not only dealt with in the Senate but on this side of the building as well,” said Mr. Vaughn, seemingly conceding the passage of S.B. 1 through the state Senate, where it has bi-partisan support.

Pat Halpin-Murphy, director of government relations for the AFT-PA, shared Mr. Vaughn’s concerns.

“We’re very concerned about [the voucher bill] both from an educational point of view and also from a point of view of sustaining the viability of public school districts,” said Ms. Halpin-Murphy.

After the hearing, state Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks), chair of the House Education Committee, said he supports vouches in theory but wants to know more about the specifics of the proposal in S.B. 1.

“I need to know the cost to the public schools. I need to know how many students are going to be impacted,” said Mr. Clymer. “We don’t want any unintended consequences where we have to come back and fix mistakes.”

Mr. Clymer said there will be multiple hearings in the coming months on the school choice issue in the state House. He does not expect the legislation to move at least until Mr. Corbett’s budget address on March 7.

The proposal contained in S.B. 1 would direct $50 million towards opportunity scholarships for the state’s poorest families in the worst-performing school districts. The cost of the program is less than 1 percent of the current year’s basic education subsidy.

But there is little doubt the major education groups are preparing for a major battle over the school choice issue. The PSEA recently announced an 11 percent increase in dues for its members. At the same time, the organization began searching for a new lobbyist to fill a six-figure salaried position.