Coatesville Area School Directors adopt resolution calling for end to Pennsylvania budget impasse

A board member read a Pennsylvania School Boards Association model resolution and the Coatesville Area School District board unanimously adopted it at the regular meeting.

"Pennsylvania state budget impasse has now stretched beyond 100 days, leaving over 3,000,000,000 in education funding withheld from public schools," the board member said while reading the resolution. The text called for full funding of public education, release of federal funds owed to districts, compliance with the Commonwealth Court ruling, repayment of interest and fees incurred during the impasse, and reform of cyber-charter funding.

Board members said the resolution was intended to join other districts in urging the General Assembly and governor to resolve the impasse. A board member said other Chester County districts had received the resolution and were considering adoption as well.

The motion to adopt the resolution passed on a roll-call vote. Votes recorded during the roll call included Steve Wilson (yes), Laren Yako (yes), Elgin Bailey (yes), Donna Roland (yes), Beth Brindle (yes), Holly Sharest (yes), Robin Seagreeves (yes) and Liz Muirhead (yes). The resolution text presented to the board identified the measure as a PSBA model and listed the funding and policy changes above.

The board did not attach a specific enforcement mechanism; rather, the adopted resolution is a formal statement urging state action and encouraging other districts to sign on. The board president and legislative liaisons indicated the district would share the adopted resolution with Chester County education stakeholders and PSBA-affiliated contacts.

The resolution was read into the record at the meeting and adopted during the finance segment of the agenda.