Little concern from one group over blown deadline for funding formula

(Harrisburg) — A state legislative commission has missed a deadline for recommending how to divvy up state funding for schools, but one of the leading interest groups isn’t concerned.

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association says if the panel needs to take its time to get a fair and equitable public school funding formula, it should.

The recommendations from the 15-member commission will be one of the most closely watched developments in the education arena in the state.

The association’s Steve Robinson explains why he isn’t so concerned about the blown deadline.

“Even if the commission had made the recommendations by June 10th, which they were to do, it would still take a while for that to be discussed and to put into place,” says Robinson.

However, Robinson says come budget time, a funding formula becomes especially important.

“A basic education funding formula in place would certainly help with that process, give a little more predictability to the school funding process.”

The findings will have to be approved by the legislature and Governor Tom Wolf.

The commission’s chairman — Senator Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster County – says it may eventually reach a unanimous agreement over a public school funding formula.

Six legislators from each party sit on the commission, plus three members of the Wolf administration.

The panel is giving itself another week.