Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Considering the 2015-16 state budget still doesn’t exist, it may all look like pie in the sky, but Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed education spending for 2016-17 would — when combined with his proposed increase for this year — mean an impressive $17.5 million more than Luzerne County school districts got in 2014-15.
Wolf released estimated amounts districts would receive for this year and next, breaking them down by Basic Education Funding (BEF) and Special Education funding (SEF).
Over the two years combined, local districts would see BEF increases ranging from 3.9 percent for Northwest Area to 18.7 percent for Wilkes-Barre Area. Total SEF increases for the two years would range from 5.8 percent for Crestwood to 19.3 percent for Wilkes-Barre area.
Combining the proposed increases for BEF and SEF, Wilkes-Barre Area would see the biggest dollar increase, up $5.4 million in two years. Hazleton Area would see the next highest at $4.2 million and Wyoming Valley West the third highest at $2.3 million.
Greater Nanticoke Area would see a total two-year increase of $1.1 million and in Hanover Area it would be just slightly less than $1.1 million. The other districts would all see increases below $1 million.
The estimates seem almost moot, though. Wolf’s original 2015-16 budget had big increases in it, but the Republican-controlled legislature rejected his plan and sent him a bill with different numbers. Wolf vetoed the entire budget bill on June 30 last year, and the two sides have been mired in negotiations since.
A compromise was worked out before Christmas among Wolf and legislative leaders, but the rank and file rejected the proposal and passed a new bill. Wolf vetoed parts of that budget but did release money to cash-starved school districts last month.
By state law districts are already preparing next year’s budget, but those involved routinely point out how problematic that has become.
Wilkes-Barre Area Board member Christine Katsock, the head of the school board’s budget committee, voiced that frustration at Monday’s monthly meeting.
“It’s very difficult,” she told the crowd, “not knowing what we are receiving.”