The House of Representatives was in session this week and is scheduled to return on May 26. The Senate is scheduled to return to session on Monday, June 1.
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PSBA launches new advocacy campaign and resolution
 This week PSBA released a Special Legislative Report announcing a new advocacy effort designed to relieve school districts from the effects of state-imposed unfunded and underfunded mandates and provide the flexibility needed to weather the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Campaign to Support Public Schools was developed through member recommendations and includes 13 proposals addressing cost savings, planning and budget issues of concern to our members. See PSBA's mandate relief web page that includes the campaign details and also includes our updated mandate report.
Adopt the resolution! In conjunction with the advocacy campaign, PSBA is asking school boards to adopt the new resolution urging the General Assembly to provide critical support and mandate relief benefitting public schools and students. Send your adopted resolution to your legislators and to PSBA. The resolution is posted on PSBA's Mandate Relief website page and can be downloaded and submitted to PSBA online.
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Governor signs STRIVE tax legislation
 Legislation supported by PSBA that establishes the Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange (STRIVE) program was signed into law by Gov. Wolf and is now Act 20 of 2020. House Bill 1076 (Rep. Hennessey, R-Chester) authorizes school districts to establish a program that allows older residents to volunteer in the district in exchange for a property tax credit. The types of services that a volunteer provides through the program must enhance the academic initiatives of the district. Districts that establish a program must adopt guidelines regarding the program, including a requirement for volunteers to undergo a criminal background check. Act 20 also amends the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006) to allow claims for the property tax or rent rebate for calendar year 2019 to be filed on or before December 31, 2020 and for claims to be paid by the state lottery fund, if such funds are available.
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House Finance Committee approves tax relief bill sought by PSBA, groups
 This week the House Finance Committee approved House Bill 2460 (Rep. Stephens, R-Montgomery), which extends the discount period during which school property taxpayers may pay their property taxes at the discounted rate by one month and extend the face value period before any penalty would be imposed until December 31, 2020.
PSBA, the PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and the PA State Education Association (PSEA) worked with Rep. Stephens, along with Reps. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Pike/Monroe) and Steven R. Malagari (D-Montgomery) to push this issue forward as a means to provide appropriate and measured relief to property owners during this unprecedented health crisis which is having a significant financial impact on taxpayers, as well as state and local governments.
The associations note that recent projections have shown that school districts could easily lose more than $325 million in local revenue just in the remaining months of the current fiscal year and as much as $1 billion in local revenue for 2020-21. In a letter to the House Finance Committee, the associations said that these projections, as well as uncertainty about future state appropriations, are creating significant turmoil for school districts which are already contemplating programing and personnel cuts as they work to finalize their 2020-21 budgets.
For these reasons, the groups are opposed to a property tax freeze but believe that House Bill 2460 strikes a responsible and appropriate balance between providing important relief to taxpayers and recognizing that economically beleaguered school districts need to maintain the authority to create budgets that best meet the needs of their students, employees, and communities.
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| Latest News |
| News from the PA Department of Education Approved by the House Human Services Committee Passed by the House of Representatives |
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News from the PA Department of Education
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New guidance on Keystone Exams
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The PA Department of Education (PDE) has released guidance on the use of Keystone Exams related to the context of the current 2019-20 school year, federal assessment and accountability requirements, ESSA report card provisions, graduation requirements and moving into the 2020-21 school year. The guidance was released to address the various impacts related to the cancellation of this spring's administration of Keystone Exams.
The guidance also addresses upcoming Keystone testing windows. The summer Keystone Exam window will be delayed until September 28-October 2, 2020 to accommodate schools in planning for make-up exams. Students affected by the cancellation of the exams during spring 2020 may choose to make-up one or more Keystone Exams in the delayed summer window, the winter testing window (December 1, 2020-January 15, 2021), or the spring testing window (May 17-28, 2021).
Click here to read PDE's guidance on Keystone Exams
Click here to read PDE's guidance on the Future Ready PA Index (Fall 2020)
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PDE issues updated guidance on several issues
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The PA Department of Education (PDE) recently announced that it has made several updates to the guidance and FAQ on its website related to school operations during the pandemic. The updated topics include:
PDE is also reminding schools that, as instruction continues through a variety of virtual learning platforms, it is important to safeguard personally identifiable student information, including photos and video, as required by local district media policies and protections provided under FERPA. Taking screenshots of students is the equivalent of taking photos and all of the same local practices for photographic images that ensure student privacy should be followed.
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Approved by the House Human Services Committee
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Children's mental health ombudsman
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House Bill 2187 (Rep. Galloway, D-Bucks) amends provides for a statewide children's mental health ombudsman. The ombudsman will have the authority to: 1) Advocate on behalf of children with mental health disorders; 2) Identify barriers to effective mental health treatment; 3) Monitor compliance with laws pertaining to children's behavioral health services, including the education of children with mental health disorders; and 4) Receive, investigate and attempt to resolve complaints regarding violations by regulated entities and government agencies that may have an adverse effect upon the health, safety, welfare or rights of children.
During the meeting it was noted that many children who struggle with mental illness also struggle in school and that meaningful interventions will provide children with more chances for success. |
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