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Students tell Chester-Upland board Advocacy Day highlighted a nearly $40 million 'adequacy gap' and inspired calls for community advocacy
Summary
Multiple Chester High students who attended Advocacy Day in Harrisburg told the board on May 21 that the district faces an estimated $40 million adequacy gap and urged sustained student and community advocacy for fair funding and resources.
At the Committee of the Whole on May 21, a group of Chester High students recounted their trip to Advocacy Day in Harrisburg and urged continued action to address funding shortfalls they described as an 'adequacy gap.'
Evan Everett Edwards, an 11th grader, said seeing the district’s adequacy gap opened his eyes to how few resources are available compared with what students should receive. "When I was shown the adequacy gap, I was kinda amazed," Evan said, describing a new perspective after joining student government.
Other students echoed the message. Sakai described confronting Senator John Kane about the roughly $40,000,000 gap the group said affects the district and said the experience taught students how to advocate for themselves. Samaya Bose, Aliyah and Mark Anthony Sawyer also told the board that Advocacy Day increased their understanding of budgets and inspired them to keep representing their peers.
Board members and community partners praised the students’ presentations, encouraged continued civic engagement and thanked district staff who chaperoned the trip. An Education Foundation representative urged students to share their messages widely to change public perceptions of the schools.
The board did not take formal action on the students’ remarks; members used the presentations to thank students and to highlight ongoing efforts to involve student voice in district advocacy.
