Students describe adequacy gap after Harrisburg Advocacy Day; community organizer urges block‑level action

Students from Chester High and other district schools described their Advocacy Day trip to Harrisburg and urged continued civic engagement to address the district’s funding shortfall.

"I was kinda amazed... I thought I was doing really well with just the little resources I have, but I'm supposed to be or I'm supposed to be entitled to a lot more than that," said Evan Everett Edwards, an 11th‑grade student who spoke about seeing the district’s adequacy gap up close.

Multiple student speakers said the district faces an adequacy gap they repeatedly characterized as nearly $40,000,000, and they urged sustained advocacy to secure additional resources for textbooks, staff development and student supports. One student described meeting Sen. John Kane and said the experience underscored the need for students to speak directly to lawmakers.

Board members and staff praised the students’ presentations and encouraged them to continue sharing their experiences on social media and with peers. A school official acknowledged the students’ work and encouraged them to keep advocating.

After student remarks, community organizer Michael Lewis, who identified himself as a Chester City block captain program leader and Chester High alumnus, urged youth to join block‑level beautification and cleanup projects and offered contact information for those interested in volunteering. "As a village, we can do what we can," Lewis said, describing efforts to connect resources for neighborhood improvements.

The meeting concluded with board acknowledgements and an announcement that the proposed budget would be presented to the community at a receivers meeting on May 28. The committee adjourned after a group photo.

No formal votes on budget or policy took place during the policy‑committee meeting.