Pennsylvania teachers, lawmakers protest House Bill on school choice

MERCER, Pa. (WKBN) – Lecturers, politicians and union leaders alike gathered exterior the Mercer County Courthouse on Saturday.

It was to protest Home Invoice 2169, also called the Lifeline Scholarship Invoice. The invoice handed within the Home and is on the best way to the state Senate.

The Lifeline Scholarship invoice was handed final month narrowly by the Home Schooling Committee within the state home. The invoice permits college students in under-performing college districts to take their state funding and use it to attend non-public establishments as a substitute.

These in opposition embody present state consultant Mark Longietti.

He stated the invoice, if handed, would destroy the general public schooling system within the Commonwealth.

“When a pupil leaves the general public college district, it gives cash that may usually go to the general public college district from the state,” he stated.

Native union leaders say the invoice doesn’t help the overwhelming majority of scholars within the public college system.

“They’re a number of the brightest children and so they have brightest futures. However, if we take this cash away from them, we’re taking away their textbooks, their subject journeys, probably taking away academics within the classroom,” Amanda McGee, the president-elect of Sharon Metropolis Colleges Instructor’s Affiliation.

Aaron Chapin is the vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State Schooling Affiliation. He’s additionally a fifth-grade trainer. Chapin stated this problem shouldn’t be so divided.

“I’m for schooling. I’m for public schooling. I firmly consider that public schooling is crucial cornerstone of our state,” Chapin stated.

He stated public schooling must be funded correctly.

The PSEA firmly stands in opposition to the invoice. In a launch, the group stated there isn’t a accountability for the way the cash is spent.

The invoice is now off to the state senate. If it passes there, it will likely be as much as Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to resolve if the invoice will stand.