Pennsylvania

Philadelphia area July 4th fireworks list for 2022

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2022

Philadelphia area July 4th fireworks list for 2022

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — As COVID-19 restrictions proceed to ease, many July 4th fireworks celebrations throughout the Delaware Valley are again this yr!

Try our full record to see the place they’re occurring in your neighborhood.

PHILADELPHIA

Date: July 1st and July 2nd 9:00 p.m.
Penn’s Touchdown Waterfront

Date: July 4th round 9:30 p.m.
Ben Franklin Parkway at Artwork Museum
Following the Wawa Welcome America Live performance

Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Northeast Philadelphia
Lawncrest Recreation Middle
6000 Rising Solar Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111

Date: July 1st and July third
After the Phillies recreation vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Citizen’s Financial institution Park
1 Residents Financial institution Approach
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148

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PENNSYLVANIA

BERKS COUNTY

* Studying, Pa.
Date: June thirtieth by way of July third
After the Studying Fightin’ Phils video games
First Vitality Stadium
1900 Centre Avenue
Studying, Pennsylvania 19601

* Shillington, Pa.
Date: July ninth at 10:00 p.m.
Larger Governor Mifflin Neighborhood Days
Governor Mifflin Excessive College
101 South Waverly Avenue
Shillington, Pennsylvania 19607

BUCKS COUNTY

* Doylestown, Pa.
CANCELED FOR 2022
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Central Park
425 Wells Street
Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901

* Erwinna, Pa.
Date: July 2nd at 8:00 p.m.
Riverside Symphonia Live performance and Fireworks
Tinicum Park
963 River Street
Erwinna, Pennsylvania 18920

* Langhorne, Pa.
Dates: July 4th at 9 p.m.
Sesame Place Theme Park
100 Sesame Street
Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047
NOTE: Admission required to view fireworks from inside Sesame Place

* Quakertown, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall (rain date July fifth)
Quakertown Neighborhood Day
Memorial Park
600 Mill Avenue
Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951

* Southampton, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:35 p.m.
Southampton Days Honest
Tamanend Park
1255 Second Avenue Pike
Southampton, Pennsylvania 18966

* Yardley, Pa.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall
Saturday unWINEd at Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Street
Yardley, Pennsylvania 19067
NOTE: Admission required to enter occasion and examine the fireworks

CHESTER COUNTY

* Downingtown, Pa.
No Fireworks for 2022
Date: July 4th
Good Neighbor Day
Kerr Park
1 Park Lane
Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335

* East Goshen Twp., Pa.
Date: June twenty fifth at Nightfall
Neighborhood Day
East Goshen Township Park
1661 Paoli Pike
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

* Exton, Pa.
Date: July sixteenth at Nightfall
Exton Neighborhood Day
132 Church Farm Lane
Exton, Pennsylvania 19341

* Kennett Sq., Pa.
CANCELED UNTIL 2024
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Street
Kennett Sq., Pennsylvania 19348
NOTE: Admission required to view the fireworks and fountain present

* Phoenixville, Pa.
Date: July 2nd at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July ninth)
Friendship Discipline
Fillmore Avenue and Franklin Avenue
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460

* Tredyffrin, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Wilson Farm Park
500 Lee Street
Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania 19087

DELAWARE COUNTY

* Aston Township, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Solar Valley Excessive College Athletic Fields
2881 Pancoast Ave
Aston, Pennsylvania 19014

* Bethel Township, Pa.
Date: July third at Nightfall
Bethel Springs Elementary College
3280 Foulk Street
Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania 19060

* Chester, Pa.
Date: July eighth
After the Philadelphia Union recreation vs. D.C. United
Subaru Park
1 Stadium Drive
Chester, Pennsylvania 19013

* Clifton Heights, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:30 p.m. (rain date July fifth)
Clifton Heights Athletic Discipline
217 N. Springfield Street
Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania 19018

* Collingdale, Pa.
CANCELED FOR 2022
Date: July fifth at 9 p.m.
Collingdale Park
501 Jackson Avenue
Collingdale, Pennsylvania 19023

* Glenolden, Pa.
Date: June twenty fifth at Nightfall (rain date June twenty sixth)
Interboro Excessive College baseball discipline
500 sixteenth Avenue
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania 19076

* Lansdowne, Pa.
CANCELED FOR 2022
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Penn Wooden Excessive College
100 Inexperienced Avenue
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania 19050

* Ridley Park, Pa.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall
Ridley Park Lake
West Ridley & Structure
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania 19078

* Higher Darby, Pa.
Date: July 1st at 9:30pm
Higher Darby Excessive College Baseball Discipline
601 N Lansdowne Avenue
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026

LEHIGH COUNTY

* Allentown, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall (rain date July fifth)
The place: J. Birney Crum Stadium
2027 Linden Avenue
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104

* Allentown, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:00 p.m.
The place: Dorney Park
3830 Dorney Park Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104

* Allentown, Pa.
Date: June twenty fourth and twenty fifth, July 4th
After the Lehigh Valley IronPigs recreation
Coca-Cola Park
1050 Ironpigs Approach
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18109

* Bethlehem, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:00 p.m.
Launched from Sand Island
56 River Avenue
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
NOTE: Fireworks could be seen from all around the metropolis, particularly areas close to Metropolis Middle Plaza on East Church Avenue or from SouthSide and Steelstacks.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

* Abington, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
The place: Abington Senior Excessive College
900 Highland Ave
Abington, Pennsylvania 19001

* Ambler, Pa.
Date: July 1st at Nightfall (rain date July 2nd)
Wissahickon Excessive College
521 Houston Street
Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002

* Conshohocken, Pa.
Date: July third at 9:30 p.m.
Sutcliffe Park
West ninth Avenue and Freedley Avenue
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

NOTE: Sutcliffe Park and surrounding areas will likely be closed to spectators to permit a bigger show that may be watched all through the borough.

* Limerick, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Waltz Golf Farm
303 W. Ridge Pike
Limerick, Pennsylvania 19468

* Decrease Windfall, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall (rain date July fifth)
Eagleville Park
100 Parklane Drive
Eagleville, Pennsylvania 19403

* Norristown, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
The place: Elmwood Park
1661 Harding Boulevard
Norristown, Pennsylvania 19401

* Pottstown, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:30 p.m.
GoFourth! Avenue Fest
Pottstown Memorial Park
75 W. King Avenue
Pottstown, PA 19464

* Skippack, Pa.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Palmer Park
4081 Heckler Street
Skippack, Pennsylvania 19426

* Higher Merion Township, Pa.
Date: July 4th at 9:15 p.m.
Heuser Park
694 West Beidler Street
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

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NEW JERSEY

ATLANTIC COUNTY

* Atlantic Metropolis, N.J.
Date: July 1st at 9:30 p.m.
North Seashore Atlantic Metropolis
Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey 08401
NOTE: There are a number of viewing areas all through the north finish of the boardwalk together with: Laborious Rock Resort & On line casino Atlantic Metropolis, Ocean On line casino Resort, Resorts On line casino Resort, Showboat Resort and Metal Pier.

* Atlantic Metropolis, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 10 p.m.
Tropicana On line casino and Resort and alongside the Boardwalk
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey 08401

* Buena Vista, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall (rain date July ninth)
Michael Debbi Park
315 Cedar Avenue
Richland, New Jersey 08350

* Hammonton, N.J.
CANCELED FOR 2022 DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AT LAKE PARK
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Hammonton Lake Park
100 Sports activities Drive
Hammonton, New Jersey 08037

* Margate Metropolis, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
On the seaside at Huntington Avenue
Margate Metropolis, New Jersey 08402

BURLINGTON COUNTY

* Bordentown, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall (rain date July third)
Joseph Lawrence Park
316 Ward Avenue
Bordentown, New Jersey 08505

* Evesham, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Savich Discipline
525 East Fundamental Avenue
Marlton, New Jersey 08053

* Florence, N.J.
Date: July ninth at 9:10 p.m.
Veterans Park behind municipal complicated
711 Broad Avenue
Florence, New Jersey 08518

* Maple Shade, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at 9:00 p.m.
Maple Shade Excessive College
180 Frederick Avenue
Maple Shade, New Jersey 08052

* Medford Township, N.J.
Date: July 1st at Nightfall (rain date July 2nd)
Freedom Park
186 Union Avenue
Medford, New Jersey 08055

* Mount Holly, N.J.
Date: July third at Nightfall
Iron Works Park
157 Wollners Drive
Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060

CAMDEN COUNTY

* Audubon, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Audubon Excessive College soccer stadium
350 Edgewood Avenue
Audubon, New Jersey 08106

* Barrington, N.J.
Date: July third at Nightfall
Behind Woodland College
1 College Lane
Barrington, New Jersey 08007

* Camden, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9:30 p.m.
Freedom Competition on the Camden Waterfront
Wiggins Waterfront Park
2 Riverside Drive
Camden, New Jersey 08103

* Collingswood, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Collingswood Excessive College
424 Collings Avenue
Collingswood, New Jersey 08108
NOTE: There isn’t a parking on Knight Park on July 4th

* Gloucester Metropolis, N.J.
Date: June twenty fifth at Nightfall
Proprietor’s Park
King Avenue and Jersey Avenue alongside the Delaware River
Gloucester Metropolis, New Jersey 08030

* Haddon Township, N.J.
Date: July third at Nightfall (rain date July 4th)
Haddon Township Excessive College soccer stadium
406 Memorial Avenue
Westmont, New Jersey 08108

* Haddonfield, N.J.
Date: July third at 9:00 p.m.
Haddonfield Center College
5 Lincoln Avenue
Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033

CAPE MAY COUNTY

* Avalon, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 8:45 p.m.
thirtieth Avenue Seashore
Avalon, New Jersey 08202

* Cape Could, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July fifth)
Alongside the seaside at Conference Corridor previous Congress Corridor Seashore
714 Seashore Avenue
Cape Could, NJ 08204

* Decrease Township, N.J.
Date: July third and fifth after 9 p.m.
On the Bayfront
Seashore Drive and Emerson Avenue
North Cape Could, New Jersey 08204

* Center Township, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Clarence Davies Sports activities Complicated
626 Goshen Street
Cape Could Court docket Home, New Jersey 08210

* Ocean Metropolis, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
Ocean Metropolis Boardwalk
Between fifth and 14th road for greatest viewing
Ocean Metropolis, New Jersey 08226

* Sea Isle Metropolis ,N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
fiftieth Avenue Seashore
Sea Isle Metropolis, New Jersey 08243

* Stone Harbor, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9:00 p.m. (after Avalon show ends)
View from anyplace on the seaside
Stone Harbor, New Jersey 08247

* Wildwood, N.J.
Date: July 2nd and 4th at 10 p.m. (rain date July fifth)
Launched from Pine Avenue & the Seashore
Fireworks are seen from anyplace on the Boardwalk
Wildwood, New Jersey 08260

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

* Bridgeton, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9:30 p.m.
Alden Discipline in Bridgeton Metropolis Park
25 Mayor Aitken Drive
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

* Millville, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
Union Lake Park
1414 Canal Avenue
Millville, New Jersey 08332

* Millville, N.J.
Date: July eighth at Nightfall
Cumberland County Honest
3001 Carmel Street
Millville, New Jersey 08332

* Vineland, N.J.
When: July 4th at Nightfall
The place: Vineland Excessive College
2880 E Chestnut Avenue
Vineland, New Jersey 08361

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

* Monroe Township, N.J.

Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Owen’s Park
700 N Tuckahoe Street
Williamstown, New Jersey 08094
NOTE: Owen’s Park will likely be closed to spectators. Fireworks could be seen from the highschool, center college or Mary Duffy Park.

* Washington Township, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
Washington Township Excessive College Complicated
529 Hurffville Crosskeys Street
Sewell, New Jersey 08080

* Westville, N.J.
Date: June twenty fifth at Nightfall
River Drive
Westville, New Jersey 08093

* Woodbury, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall (rain date July ninth)
Woodbury Excessive College stadium and Francis Avenue Discipline
25 N. Broad Avenue
Woodbury, New Jersey 08096

MERCER COUNTY

* East Windsor, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at 9:30 p.m.
Etra Lake Park
Milford Street and Etra Perrineville Street
East Windsor, New Jersey 08520

* Hamilton, N.J.
Date: July 1st at 9:30 p.m. (rain date July 2nd)
Veterans Park South Aspect
2388 Kuser Street
Hamilton Township, New Jersey 08690

* Lawrence Township, N.J.
Date: July 1st at 9:30 p.m. (rain date July 2nd)
Rider College
2083 Lawrenceville Street
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

* Trenton, N.J.
Date: June thirtieth and July 4th
After the Trenton Thunder video games
Arm & Hammer Park
1 Thunder Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08611

OCEAN COUNTY

* Barnegat, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall
Barnegat Excessive College
180 Bengal Boulevard
Barnegat, New Jersey 08005

* Seashore Haven, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Bay Village
ninth and Bay Avenue
Bay Village, New Jersey 08008

* Beachwood, N.J.
Date: July 4th at 9 p.m.
Beachfront alongside the Toms River
Beachwood, New Jersey 08721

* Brick Township, N.J.
Date: June thirtieth, July seventh, July 14th and July twenty first at Duck
Brick SummerFest
Windward Seashore Park
265 Princeton Avenue
Brick, New Jersey 08724

* Jackson, N.J.
Date: July 2nd, July third, July 4th at 9:00 p.m.
Coca-Cola July 4th Fest – Lakefront
Six Flags Nice Journey
1 Six Flags Boulevard
Jackson, New Jersey 08527
NOTE: Admission to the theme park required

* Jackson, N.J.
Date: June twenty sixth at Nightfall
Fireworks and Meals Vehicles Extravaganza
Johnson Memorial Park
200 Kierych Memorial Drive
Jackson, New Jersey 08527

* Lacey Township, N.J.
Date: July fifth at 9:15 p.m.
Lacey Township Excessive College
73 Haines Avenue
Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey 08734

* Lakehurst, N.J.
Date: July third at 9:00 p.m. (rain date July ninth)
Lake Horicon
301 Union Avenue
Lakehurst, New Jersey 08733

* Lakewood, N.J.
Date: July 4th, July eighth
After the Jersey Shore Blue Claws recreation vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
First Vitality Park
2 Stadium Approach
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

* Lakewood, N.J.
Date: July third at 9:00 p.m.
Lake Carasaljo
Viewing areas on North Lake Drive, South Lake Drive and the bridge
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

* Lavallette, N.J.
Date: July third at Nightfall (rain date July tenth)
Lavallette Gazebo
Bay Boulevard
Lavallette, New Jersey 08735

* Plumsted, N.J.
Date: July ninth at Nightfall
New Egypt Excessive College
117 Evergreen Street
New Egypt, New Jersey 08533

* Level Nice Seashore, N.J.
Date: June thirtieth, July 4th and July seventh at Nightfall
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
300 Ocean Ave
Level Nice Seashore, New Jersey 08742

* Seaside Heights, N.J.
Date: July 4th and July sixth at 9:30 p.m.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, New Jersey 08751

* Tuckerton, N.J.
Date: July 2nd at Nightfall
Tuckerton Seaport
120 W. Fundamental Avenue
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087

SALEM COUNTY

* Woodstown, N.J.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Marlton Park
123 Marlton Street
Pilesgrove, New Jersey 08098

Know of an occasion in New Jersey that is not listed right here? Tell us!

DELAWARE

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

* Hockessin, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Swift Park, Piedmont Baseball Fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian Soccer Fields
Hockessin, Delaware 19707

* Middletown, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Silver Lake Park
200 E Cochran Avenue
Middletown, Delaware 19709

* Newark, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
College of Delaware Athletic Complicated
625 Marvin Drive
Newark, Delaware 19713

* Wilmington, Del.
Date: July 4th at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July fifth)
Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park
Alongside the Christiana River
Wilmington, DE 19801

* Wilmington, Del.
Date: July 1st and July 2nd
After the Wilmington Blue Rocks recreation vs. Jersey Shore Blueclaws
Frawley Stadium
801 Shipyard Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

SUSSEX COUNTY

* Bethany Seashore, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Downtown on the seaside off Wellington Parkway
Bethany Seashore, Delaware 19930

* Dewey Seashore, Del.
Date: July 4th at 9:30 p.m.
North Seashore/Rehoboth Bay
125 McKinnley Avenue
Dewey Seashore, Delaware 19971

* Laurel, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Market Avenue Sq. Park
Laurel, Delaware 19956

* Lewes, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Lewes Seashore
Lewes, Delaware 19958

* Millsboro, Del.
Date: June twenty fifth at 9 p.m. (rain date June twenty sixth)
Cupola Park
Morris Avenue at Hunters Level
Millsboro, Delaware 19966

* Rehoboth Seashore, Del.
Date: July third at 9:30 p.m.
South of Rehoboth Avenue alongside the seaside and boardwalk
Rehoboth Seashore, Delaware 19971

KENT COUNTY

* Dover, Del.
Date: July 4th at 9:15 p.m.
Legislative Corridor
411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, Delaware 19901

* Smyrna/Clayton, Del.
Date: July 4th at Nightfall
Little League Fields throughout from Smyrna Excessive College and Center College
500 Duck Creek Parkway
Smyrna, Delaware 19977

Know of an occasion in Delaware that is not listed right here? Tell us!

Have a contented and protected Fourth of July!

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Pennsylvania

How Philadelphia took care of its own through history

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

How Philadelphia took care of its own through history

The Orphan Society was formed by a committee of wealthy Philadelphia women, notably Sarah Ralston and Rebecca Gratz, who each took the role of social reformer very seriously.

Gratz, the daughter of a wealthy Jewish merchant, also formed the Female Association for the Relief of Women and Children in Reduced Circumstances, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, and the Hebrew Sunday School. Gratz College in Elkins Park is named after her.

“She never married,” Barnes said. “She did things like put her money and her time toward doing that kind of public service.”

Ralston, the daughter of onetime Philadelphia mayor Matthew Clarkson, also formed the Indigent Widows and Single Women’s Society, which ultimately became the Sarah Ralston Foundation supporting elder care in Philadelphia. The historic mansion she built to house indigent widows still stands on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, which is now its chief occupant.

Women like Ralston and Gratz were part of the 19th-century Reform Movement that sought to undo some of the inhumane conditions brought about by the rapid industrialization of cities. Huge numbers of people from rural America and foreign countries came into urban cities for factory work, and many fell into poverty, alcoholism, and prostitution.

“These are not new problems, but on a much larger scale than they ever were,” Barnes said. “It was just kind of in the zeitgeist in the mid- and later-1800s to say, ‘We’ve got to address all these problems.”

The reform organizations could be highly selective and impose a heavy dose of 19th-century moralism. The Indigent Widows and Single Women’s Society, for example, only selected white women from upper-class backgrounds whose fortunes had turned, rejecting women who were in poor health, “fiery-tempered,” or in one case, simply “ordinary.”

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Pennsylvania

How did Pennsylvania’s top-ranked football teams fare on Friday, Nov. 22?

Published

15 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

How did Pennsylvania’s top-ranked football teams fare on Friday, Nov. 22?

St. Joseph Prep’s Khyan Billups (24) runs past Parkland’s Blake Nassry (7) during the PIAA Class 6A football quarterfinals at Pennridge High School on Nov. 22, 2024. (Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com)Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Khalid Mumin is stepping down • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Published

23 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Khalid Mumin is stepping down • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Khalid Mumin will resign from his position in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s cabinet next month, the governor’s office announced Friday afternoon.

Mumin was confirmed in June 2023 about six months after Shapiro took office and has presided over some of the administration’s early successes such as increasing funding for K-12 public schools by $1.5 billion over the last two budgets and providing free breakfast for 1.7 million public school students.

Mumin will resign Dec. 6 and Executive Deputy Secretary of Education Angela Fitterer will take over as interim secretary. A statement from Shapiro’s office did not say why Mumin is stepping down.

Shapiro said in a statement that Mumin has dedicated his life and career to ensuring that Pennsylvania children have a quality education that sets them up for success.

“He has led the Pennsylvania Department of Education with passion and integrity. I am grateful for his service to Pennsylvania’s students and educators and wish him great success in his future endeavors,” Shapiro said.

Mumin said it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as education secretary.

“I began my career as a teacher in a classroom, and those early experiences watching students get excited about learning inspired me to become a principal, a superintendent, and ultimately Secretary of Education, so I could continue to fight for those students to get more support and more opportunities,” Mumin said. “I’m so grateful to Governor Shapiro for this opportunity to lead the Pennsylvania Department of Education and help build a bright future for Pennsylvania’s students and educators.”

State Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), chairman of the Legislature’s education committee, said he wished Mumin the best and added, “I look forward to working with Acting Secretary Fitterer and the governor’s nominee to improve our education system, from Pre-K to graduate school.”

State Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford), the ranking Republican member of the House Education Committee, said that from his point of view in the legislature “there were some definite bumps” during Mumin’s tenure as he presided over transformational change in the department.

“It’s important to understand that running a bureaucracy of that size … is different than being a great superintendent in a school district, big or small,” Topper said. “I think there are times when those coming from the academic world find it a little jolting what they’re going to encounter in the realm of government. I think he found it challenging, as all of these roles are.”

Before Shapiro tapped Mumin for his cabinet, he served as superintendent of the Lower Merion school district in Montgomery County. Mumin, who began his career as a classroom teacher in the Franklin County community of Scotland in 1997, also has served as superintendent of the Reading public schools.

Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, senior attorney at the Public Interest Law Center, said Mumin’s background gave him a useful perspective on Pennsylvania’s schools. Lower Merion is among the state’s wealthiest communities, while Reading is one of the least.

“He came to office with the experience of seeing everything that Pennsylvania public schools can offer and the kind of disparity that underfunding public schools creates,” Urevick-Acklesberg said, adding that an important part of Mumin’s legacy will be the first steps the commonwealth took toward bringing its public schools into constitutional compliance.

Mumin’s tenure coincided with the resolution of a decade of litigation over the state’s public education funding formula, which a group of school districts, parents and advocates argued put students in less wealthy areas at a disadvantage because of its reliance on property taxes.

A Commonwealth Court judge ordered Shapiro and the General Assembly in February 2023 to correct the inequities and a interbranch commission found the state needed to invest $5.4 billion in underfunded schools to bring them up to par with the state’s most successful school districts.

This year’s budget includes about $526 million toward that goal, but lawmakers were unable to reach a compromise that would guarantee future installments to close the gap.

Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee, said she was grateful for Mumin’s service and experience as an educator, which helped the administration and lawmakers achieve shared goals such as strengthening career and technical education programs, investing in student mental health, repairs for schools and providing free menstrual products for students.

The governor’s office also credited Mumin with bringing together higher education leaders together to rethink higher education in Pennsylvania, establishing a state Board of Higher Education to provide more support for public universities and make college education more affordable.

Topper said the Education Department’s communications with the General Assembly were often found lacking by some members. Topper pointed to the higher education reform initiative, which the Shapiro administration billed as “a blueprint for higher education,” that many Republicans criticized for lacking detail or a clear proposal for how it would be funded.

Williams noted that the next four years will bring profound challenges for public education, as President-elect Donald Trump appears poised to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. This week he appointed professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon to head the agency.

“Given the President-elect’s nominee to head the federal Department of Education, any successor to Secretary Mumin must be prepared to defend Pennsylvania students’ constitutional right to a high-quality inclusive public education,” Williams said.

Fitterer, who will serve in Mumin’s place until Shapiro’s nominee is confirmed in the Senate, has a 25-year career in state government, serving in former Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, as legislative director for the education department and in crafting public policy in the House and Senate.

(This article was updated about 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, to include additional comments.)

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