Luzerne Times

On June 18, 2024, Rep. Alec Ryncavage (R-Luzerne) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), held a hearing at Crestwood High School to examine the Democrats’ Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) report. The focus was on how the report allegedly fails to support students adequately and imposes an undue burden on citizens. House Bill 2370, an education funding plan that narrowly passed the House, was also discussed.

The hearing titled “Democrats’ Education Scheme Fails to Fund Students” featured testimonies from John Macri, president; Rick Nardone, finance director of Crestwood School Board; and parent Danielle Petroski. Each expressed concerns that the proposed funding would negatively impact the Crestwood School District. Despite having one of the lowest administrative costs-per-student ratios in the state, there are fears that residents will face increased property taxes and potential cuts to programs such as art, music, and library services due to disproportionate funding distribution among school districts.

“Prior to our hearing only one side of the narrative was shared about this funding proposal. It is not a fix all. I was honored to host this hearing and welcome my colleagues to my district to discuss education funding for the students across the Commonwealth,” Ryncavage said. “We can all agree that schools should be properly funded, but the process must be thoughtful, have a commonsense approach and consider the needs of all students. If we’re going to address comprehensive school funding, there should be no losers. I look forward to returning to Harrisburg to keep this important discussion on the front burner.”

“There has always been consensus among Republicans that there needs to be robust school funding, but sadly some policymakers are funding and ‘solving problems’ for a snapshot in time instead of a long-range plan,” Kail said. “We need to fund students, not systems, and it is my hope that we can continue the conversation that education is not a one-size-fits-all approach and that we need to keep an open mind on solutions that will benefit all children.”

In addition to Kail and Ryncavage, members of the Policy Committee who participated included Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia), Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), and Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill).

To watch the complete hearing visit pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.

Representative Alec Ryncavage

119th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Melissa Fox

mefox@pahousegop.com

repryncavage.com